I'm not really into writing warstories, but I am an entertainer at heart. And this battle has all stuff good warstories are made of: two big names, a lot of Pokemon rarely seen in OU, and... my mono-bug team! Surely this warstory will be both entertaining and informative.
See, I haven't actually gotten around to building a solid DP team. What I have done, though, is take my mono-bug team from Advance and given it a few DP tweaks. And it seems to be working so well I don't know if I'll even bother building a proper DP team at this rate.
So one day, I challenged skarm, our neighbor to the north and resident Harry Potter fanatic (even the thread title is arranged in his honor) - but most importantly, a longtime veteran of Pokemon and a very skilled competitor. This was sure to be a good match.
(I've snipped out Leftovers recovery, since a lot of Pokemon have it. Hint: I'm the guy who's not skarm.)
skarm sent out Salamence.
Don't Run With Scizors sent out Shuckle.
Salamence's intimidate cut Shuckle's attack!
sparkling wiggle has entered the room.
JabbaTheGriffin has entered the room.
So we have a Salamence - possibly a Specsmence - facing down a Shuckle as a few spectators wander in and take their proverbial seats. Although my team doesn't usually like Salamences, Shuckle has no problem facing it down and crippling it.
skarm switched in Heracross.
Shuckle used Knock Off.
Shuckle knocked off foe Heracross's Choice Band!
It's not very effective...
A critical hit!
Heracross lost 1% of its health.
Good job Shuckle! You scored a critical hit! Okay, you also deprived that big scary Heracross of the Choice Band that makes it really scary, but most importantly, you scored a critical hit! Woohoo!
Shuckle shrugs off a CB-less Close Combat, after which it throws up a few rocks. You know, the kind that are called "Stealth" despite the fact that they are very plainly obvious and easily seen by anyone. Whoever named it has a very odd sense of irony.
Now read and learn:
Don't Run With Scizors switched in Venomoth.
Heracross used Close Combat.
It's not very effective...
Venomoth lost 32% of its health.
Heracross's defence was lowered.
Heracross's special defence was lowered.
---
skarm switched in Bronzong.
Pointed stones dug into Bronzong.
Bronzong lost 6% of its health.
Venomoth used Substitute.
Venomoth lost 25% of its health.
Venomoth made a substitute!
---
Venomoth used Sleep Powder.
Bronzong fell asleep!
Bronzong is fast asleep!
---
skarm switched in Magnezone.
Pointed stones dug into Magnezone.
Magnezone lost 6% of its health.
Venomoth used Baton Pass.
Don't Run With Scizors switched in Heracross.
Now I've got a Heracross in play with a Sub up ready to wreak some havoc. Isn't that swell?
skarm switched in Salamence.
Pointed stones dug into Salamence.
Salamence lost 25% of its health.
Heracross used Close Combat.
It's not very effective...
Salamence lost 38% of its health.
Heracross's defence was lowered.
Heracross's special defence was lowered.
Know what's scarier than a Heracross? A Heracross you can't Intimidate.
Heracross used Close Combat.
It's not very effective...
Salamence lost 44% of its health.
skarm's Salamence fainted.
Heracross's defence was lowered.
Heracross's special defence was lowered.
6-5
The dragon is gone, and I've still got my Sub up. This is a Good Thing - for me, at least.
skarm switched in Swampert.
Pointed stones dug into Swampert.
Swampert lost 6% of its health.
Heracross used Close Combat.
Swampert lost 41% of its health.
Heracross's defence was lowered.
Heracross's special defence was lowered.
Swampert used Roar.
Don't Run With Scizors switched in Scizor.
Well, I suppose all Good Things must come to an end. The match is a lot less one-sided after this point.
But since Swampert is out...
Don't Run With Scizors switched in Forretress.
Swampert used Earthquake.
Forretress lost 23% of its health.
Time to lay some Spikes!
skarm switched in Magnezone.
Forretress was trapped!
Pointed stones dug into Magnezone.
Magnezone lost 6% of its health.
Forretress used Spikes.
Spikes were scattered everywhere!
...looks like I started celebrating too early.
Magnezone used Thunderbolt.
Forretress lost 70% of its health.
Forretress used Earthquake.
It's super effective!
Magnezone lost 80% of its health.
---
Magnezone used Thunderbolt.
Forretress lost 69% of its health.
Don't Run With Scizors's Forretress fainted.
5-5
Good effort Forretress, but it wasn't quite enough. So I've nearly taken down one of his strongest special attackers and defensive wall, but I've also lost something that can wall and Spike up on Swampert. Not good...
At this point, skarm decides a low-health Magnezone is dead weight.
Don't Run With Scizors switched in Heracross.
Heracross used Close Combat.
It's super effective!
Magnezone lost 126% of its health.
skarm's Magnezone fainted.
Heracross's defence was lowered.
Heracross's special defence was lowered.
5-4
skarm sends in Swampert again, who Protects uselessly while I send in the Big Shell.
Swampert used Waterfall.
It's super effective!
Shuckle lost 33% of its health.
Shuckle used Knock Off.
Shuckle knocked off foe Swampert's Leftovers!
Swampert lost 1% of its health.
Shuckle's leftovers restored its health a little!
Shuckle restored 6% of its health.
---
Swampert used Waterfall.
It's super effective!
Shuckle lost 34% of its health.
Shuckle used Toxic.
Shuckle's attack missed!
Shuckle's leftovers restored its health a little!
Shuckle restored 6% of its health.
Well, I've stopped it from recovering health, but I guess hoping that Toxic would actually hit was a little too much to hope for. I opt to wear the recovery-less Swampert down slowly.
Time to bring in my rather unorthodox Scizor set.
Don't Run With Scizors switched in Scizor.
Swampert used Waterfall.
Scizor lost 27% of its health.
Scizor's leftovers restored its health a little!
Scizor restored 6% of its health.
---
Scizor used Pursuit.
Swampert lost 14% of its health.
Swampert used Earthquake.
A critical hit!
Scizor lost 63% of its health.
Scizor's leftovers restored its health a little!
Scizor restored 6% of its health.
---
Scizor used Roost.
Scizor restored 50% of its health.
Swampert used Earthquake.
Scizor lost 32% of its health.
Scizor's leftovers restored its health a little!
Scizor restored 6% of its health.
So I was all set to wear him down with Pursuits and Roosts, but skarm wanted to move the battle a little faster by bringing in Heracross.
Heracross used Close Combat.
Scizor lost 61% of its health.
Heracross's defence was lowered.
Heracross's special defence was lowered.
Scizor used Substitute.
Scizor lost 25% of its health.
Scizor made a substitute!
Scizor's leftovers restored its health a little!
Scizor restored 6% of its health.
---
Heracross used Close Combat.
The substitute took damage for Scizor!
Scizor's substitute faded!
Heracross's defence was lowered.
Heracross's special defence was lowered.
Scizor used Baton Pass.
Don't Run With Scizors switched in Ninjask.
Ninja time!
skarm switched in Swampert.
Pointed stones dug into Swampert.
Swampert lost 6% of its health.
Swampert was hurt by Spikes!
Swampert lost 12% of its health.
Ninjask used Aerial Ace.
A critical hit!
Swampert lost 38% of its health.
skarm's Swampert fainted.
5-3
Sorry for the CH, skarm... but it was gonna die from the next hit anyway.
skarm switched in Bronzong.
Pointed stones dug into Bronzong.
Bronzong lost 6% of its health.
Don't Run With Scizors switched in Scizor.
Bronzong is fast asleep!
I was hoping to take the opportunity to restore Scizor's health so it could face down the Jynx I knew skarm was so fond of. This was my Big Mistake #1.
skarm switched in Jynx.
Jynx foresaw Pursuit!
Pointed stones dug into Jynx.
Jynx lost 25% of its health.
Jynx was hurt by Spikes!
Jynx lost 12% of its health.
Scizor used Roost.
Scizor restored 50% of its health
It's Luuuuuuunnnaaaaaaa!
Don't Run With Scizors switched in Shuckle.
Jynx used Substitute.
Jynx lost 25% of its health.
Jynx made a substitute!
Ah crap. I switched in Shuckle expecting that skarm would Lovely Kiss. This was Big Mistake #2.
Jynx used Calm Mind.
Jynx's special attack was raised.
Jynx's special defence was raised.
Shuckle used Rest.
Shuckle fell asleep!
Shuckle restored 75% of its health.
I'm... sure I accomplished something significant here. I wind up bringing Scizor back in while Luna gets in another Calm Mind under her garter.
Jynx used Lovely Kiss.
Scizor fell asleep!
Scizor is fast asleep!
Jynx's leftovers restored its health a little!
Jynx restored 6% of its health.
Scizor's leftovers restored its health a little!
Scizor restored 6% of its health.
Big Mistake #3. Where the hell are my prediction skills?! Suddenly victory looks to be a very likely possibility for skarm.
Time to take a big risk.
Don't Run With Scizors switched in Ninjask.
Jynx used Calm Mind.
...and it paid off.
Ninjask used X-Scissor.
It's super effective!
The substitute took damage for Jynx!
Jynx's substitute faded!
Jynx used Ice Beam.
It's super effective!
Ninjask lost 455% of its health.
Don't Run With Scizors's Ninjask fainted.
4-3
the Sub is out of the way GO GO Heracross!
Don't Run With Scizors switched in Heracross.
skarm switched in Heracross.
Pointed stones dug into Heracross.
Heracross lost 12% of its health.
Heracross was hurt by Spikes!
Heracross lost 12% of its health.
Heracross used Close Combat.
It's not very effective...
Heracross lost 48% of its health.
Heracross's defence was lowered.
Heracross's special defence was lowered.
---
Heracross used Close Combat.
It's not very effective...
Heracross lost 47% of its health.
skarm's Heracross fainted.
Heracross's defence was lowered.
Heracross's special defence was lowered.
4-2
Okay, not the threat I was expecting to take out, but a Heracross in the Pokemon Center is worth, um, two Jynx on the... battlefield?
This is why I play Pokemon in my free time instead of writing poetry.
skarm switched in Bronzong.
Pointed stones dug into Bronzong.
Bronzong lost 6% of its health.
Don't Run With Scizors switched in Scizor.
Bronzong is fast asleep!
With two Close Combat defense downs, if Bronzong wakes up it'll be all over for me. Better to play it safe and try to wake up Scizor. They sleep for a turn or so, and then skarm brings back Luna to set up. And then I discover, to my disappointment, that Scizor does not wake up before Luna sets up with Substitute and two Calm Minds. But when he does...
Jynx used Calm Mind.
Jynx's special attack was raised.
Jynx's special defence was raised.
Scizor woke up!
Scizor used Substitute.
Scizor lost 25% of its health.
Scizor made a substitute!
Finally. Let's roll, Scizor.
Jynx used Ice Beam.
It's not very effective...
The substitute took damage for Scizor!
Scizor's substitute faded!
Scizor used Baton Pass.
Don't Run With Scizors switched in Heracross.
Well, I was really hoping the Sub wouldn't break, but I guess that was too much to hope for too.
Heracross used Megahorn.
It's super effective!
The substitute took damage for Jynx!
Jynx's substitute faded!
Jynx used Ice Beam.
Heracross lost 96% of its health.
Huzzah! Heracross lives! Despite Megahorn's inaccuracy, if I had chosen Close Combat Heracross would have had absolutely no chance of surviving with the defense drop. skarm, too, seems to be regretting his decision:
skarm: crud
skarm: knew I should have gone for the LK
Heracross used Megahorn.
It's super effective!
Jynx lost 327% of its health.
skarm's Jynx fainted.
4-1
Sorry, Luna.
skarm switched in Bronzong.
Pointed stones dug into Bronzong.
Bronzong lost 6% of its health.
Heracross used Megahorn.
Bronzong lost 45% of its health.
Bronzong is fast asleep!
Wash! Rinse! Repeat!
skarm's Bronzong fainted.
Don't Run With Scizors wins!
And there you have it. I hope you were all thoroughly entertained and that you learned a tactic or two!
Next time: a warstory where I get my ass royally handed to me on a golden platter! One encrusted with rare and expensive gemstones! (I did say royally.) Admittedly, skarm's team is not one of the ones that really scare my mono-bug team. The ones that do have a lot more Stealth Rocks, Choice Specs Heatrans, and Rhyperiors or Tyranitars.
See, I haven't actually gotten around to building a solid DP team. What I have done, though, is take my mono-bug team from Advance and given it a few DP tweaks. And it seems to be working so well I don't know if I'll even bother building a proper DP team at this rate.
So one day, I challenged skarm, our neighbor to the north and resident Harry Potter fanatic (even the thread title is arranged in his honor) - but most importantly, a longtime veteran of Pokemon and a very skilled competitor. This was sure to be a good match.
(I've snipped out Leftovers recovery, since a lot of Pokemon have it. Hint: I'm the guy who's not skarm.)
skarm sent out Salamence.
Don't Run With Scizors sent out Shuckle.
Salamence's intimidate cut Shuckle's attack!
sparkling wiggle has entered the room.
JabbaTheGriffin has entered the room.
So we have a Salamence - possibly a Specsmence - facing down a Shuckle as a few spectators wander in and take their proverbial seats. Although my team doesn't usually like Salamences, Shuckle has no problem facing it down and crippling it.
skarm switched in Heracross.
Shuckle used Knock Off.
Shuckle knocked off foe Heracross's Choice Band!
It's not very effective...
A critical hit!
Heracross lost 1% of its health.
Good job Shuckle! You scored a critical hit! Okay, you also deprived that big scary Heracross of the Choice Band that makes it really scary, but most importantly, you scored a critical hit! Woohoo!
Shuckle shrugs off a CB-less Close Combat, after which it throws up a few rocks. You know, the kind that are called "Stealth" despite the fact that they are very plainly obvious and easily seen by anyone. Whoever named it has a very odd sense of irony.
Now read and learn:
Don't Run With Scizors switched in Venomoth.
Heracross used Close Combat.
It's not very effective...
Venomoth lost 32% of its health.
Heracross's defence was lowered.
Heracross's special defence was lowered.
---
skarm switched in Bronzong.
Pointed stones dug into Bronzong.
Bronzong lost 6% of its health.
Venomoth used Substitute.
Venomoth lost 25% of its health.
Venomoth made a substitute!
---
Venomoth used Sleep Powder.
Bronzong fell asleep!
Bronzong is fast asleep!
---
skarm switched in Magnezone.
Pointed stones dug into Magnezone.
Magnezone lost 6% of its health.
Venomoth used Baton Pass.
Don't Run With Scizors switched in Heracross.
Now I've got a Heracross in play with a Sub up ready to wreak some havoc. Isn't that swell?
skarm switched in Salamence.
Pointed stones dug into Salamence.
Salamence lost 25% of its health.
Heracross used Close Combat.
It's not very effective...
Salamence lost 38% of its health.
Heracross's defence was lowered.
Heracross's special defence was lowered.
Know what's scarier than a Heracross? A Heracross you can't Intimidate.
Heracross used Close Combat.
It's not very effective...
Salamence lost 44% of its health.
skarm's Salamence fainted.
Heracross's defence was lowered.
Heracross's special defence was lowered.
6-5
The dragon is gone, and I've still got my Sub up. This is a Good Thing - for me, at least.
skarm switched in Swampert.
Pointed stones dug into Swampert.
Swampert lost 6% of its health.
Heracross used Close Combat.
Swampert lost 41% of its health.
Heracross's defence was lowered.
Heracross's special defence was lowered.
Swampert used Roar.
Don't Run With Scizors switched in Scizor.
Well, I suppose all Good Things must come to an end. The match is a lot less one-sided after this point.
But since Swampert is out...
Don't Run With Scizors switched in Forretress.
Swampert used Earthquake.
Forretress lost 23% of its health.
Time to lay some Spikes!
skarm switched in Magnezone.
Forretress was trapped!
Pointed stones dug into Magnezone.
Magnezone lost 6% of its health.
Forretress used Spikes.
Spikes were scattered everywhere!
...looks like I started celebrating too early.
Magnezone used Thunderbolt.
Forretress lost 70% of its health.
Forretress used Earthquake.
It's super effective!
Magnezone lost 80% of its health.
---
Magnezone used Thunderbolt.
Forretress lost 69% of its health.
Don't Run With Scizors's Forretress fainted.
5-5
Good effort Forretress, but it wasn't quite enough. So I've nearly taken down one of his strongest special attackers and defensive wall, but I've also lost something that can wall and Spike up on Swampert. Not good...
At this point, skarm decides a low-health Magnezone is dead weight.
Don't Run With Scizors switched in Heracross.
Heracross used Close Combat.
It's super effective!
Magnezone lost 126% of its health.
skarm's Magnezone fainted.
Heracross's defence was lowered.
Heracross's special defence was lowered.
5-4
skarm sends in Swampert again, who Protects uselessly while I send in the Big Shell.
Swampert used Waterfall.
It's super effective!
Shuckle lost 33% of its health.
Shuckle used Knock Off.
Shuckle knocked off foe Swampert's Leftovers!
Swampert lost 1% of its health.
Shuckle's leftovers restored its health a little!
Shuckle restored 6% of its health.
---
Swampert used Waterfall.
It's super effective!
Shuckle lost 34% of its health.
Shuckle used Toxic.
Shuckle's attack missed!
Shuckle's leftovers restored its health a little!
Shuckle restored 6% of its health.
Well, I've stopped it from recovering health, but I guess hoping that Toxic would actually hit was a little too much to hope for. I opt to wear the recovery-less Swampert down slowly.
Time to bring in my rather unorthodox Scizor set.
Don't Run With Scizors switched in Scizor.
Swampert used Waterfall.
Scizor lost 27% of its health.
Scizor's leftovers restored its health a little!
Scizor restored 6% of its health.
---
Scizor used Pursuit.
Swampert lost 14% of its health.
Swampert used Earthquake.
A critical hit!
Scizor lost 63% of its health.
Scizor's leftovers restored its health a little!
Scizor restored 6% of its health.
---
Scizor used Roost.
Scizor restored 50% of its health.
Swampert used Earthquake.
Scizor lost 32% of its health.
Scizor's leftovers restored its health a little!
Scizor restored 6% of its health.
So I was all set to wear him down with Pursuits and Roosts, but skarm wanted to move the battle a little faster by bringing in Heracross.
Heracross used Close Combat.
Scizor lost 61% of its health.
Heracross's defence was lowered.
Heracross's special defence was lowered.
Scizor used Substitute.
Scizor lost 25% of its health.
Scizor made a substitute!
Scizor's leftovers restored its health a little!
Scizor restored 6% of its health.
---
Heracross used Close Combat.
The substitute took damage for Scizor!
Scizor's substitute faded!
Heracross's defence was lowered.
Heracross's special defence was lowered.
Scizor used Baton Pass.
Don't Run With Scizors switched in Ninjask.
Ninja time!
skarm switched in Swampert.
Pointed stones dug into Swampert.
Swampert lost 6% of its health.
Swampert was hurt by Spikes!
Swampert lost 12% of its health.
Ninjask used Aerial Ace.
A critical hit!
Swampert lost 38% of its health.
skarm's Swampert fainted.
5-3
Sorry for the CH, skarm... but it was gonna die from the next hit anyway.
skarm switched in Bronzong.
Pointed stones dug into Bronzong.
Bronzong lost 6% of its health.
Don't Run With Scizors switched in Scizor.
Bronzong is fast asleep!
I was hoping to take the opportunity to restore Scizor's health so it could face down the Jynx I knew skarm was so fond of. This was my Big Mistake #1.
skarm switched in Jynx.
Jynx foresaw Pursuit!
Pointed stones dug into Jynx.
Jynx lost 25% of its health.
Jynx was hurt by Spikes!
Jynx lost 12% of its health.
Scizor used Roost.
Scizor restored 50% of its health
It's Luuuuuuunnnaaaaaaa!
Don't Run With Scizors switched in Shuckle.
Jynx used Substitute.
Jynx lost 25% of its health.
Jynx made a substitute!
Ah crap. I switched in Shuckle expecting that skarm would Lovely Kiss. This was Big Mistake #2.
Jynx used Calm Mind.
Jynx's special attack was raised.
Jynx's special defence was raised.
Shuckle used Rest.
Shuckle fell asleep!
Shuckle restored 75% of its health.
I'm... sure I accomplished something significant here. I wind up bringing Scizor back in while Luna gets in another Calm Mind under her garter.
Jynx used Lovely Kiss.
Scizor fell asleep!
Scizor is fast asleep!
Jynx's leftovers restored its health a little!
Jynx restored 6% of its health.
Scizor's leftovers restored its health a little!
Scizor restored 6% of its health.
Big Mistake #3. Where the hell are my prediction skills?! Suddenly victory looks to be a very likely possibility for skarm.
Time to take a big risk.
Don't Run With Scizors switched in Ninjask.
Jynx used Calm Mind.
...and it paid off.
Ninjask used X-Scissor.
It's super effective!
The substitute took damage for Jynx!
Jynx's substitute faded!
Jynx used Ice Beam.
It's super effective!
Ninjask lost 455% of its health.
Don't Run With Scizors's Ninjask fainted.
4-3
the Sub is out of the way GO GO Heracross!
Don't Run With Scizors switched in Heracross.
skarm switched in Heracross.
Pointed stones dug into Heracross.
Heracross lost 12% of its health.
Heracross was hurt by Spikes!
Heracross lost 12% of its health.
Heracross used Close Combat.
It's not very effective...
Heracross lost 48% of its health.
Heracross's defence was lowered.
Heracross's special defence was lowered.
---
Heracross used Close Combat.
It's not very effective...
Heracross lost 47% of its health.
skarm's Heracross fainted.
Heracross's defence was lowered.
Heracross's special defence was lowered.
4-2
Okay, not the threat I was expecting to take out, but a Heracross in the Pokemon Center is worth, um, two Jynx on the... battlefield?
This is why I play Pokemon in my free time instead of writing poetry.
skarm switched in Bronzong.
Pointed stones dug into Bronzong.
Bronzong lost 6% of its health.
Don't Run With Scizors switched in Scizor.
Bronzong is fast asleep!
With two Close Combat defense downs, if Bronzong wakes up it'll be all over for me. Better to play it safe and try to wake up Scizor. They sleep for a turn or so, and then skarm brings back Luna to set up. And then I discover, to my disappointment, that Scizor does not wake up before Luna sets up with Substitute and two Calm Minds. But when he does...
Jynx used Calm Mind.
Jynx's special attack was raised.
Jynx's special defence was raised.
Scizor woke up!
Scizor used Substitute.
Scizor lost 25% of its health.
Scizor made a substitute!
Finally. Let's roll, Scizor.
Jynx used Ice Beam.
It's not very effective...
The substitute took damage for Scizor!
Scizor's substitute faded!
Scizor used Baton Pass.
Don't Run With Scizors switched in Heracross.
Well, I was really hoping the Sub wouldn't break, but I guess that was too much to hope for too.
Heracross used Megahorn.
It's super effective!
The substitute took damage for Jynx!
Jynx's substitute faded!
Jynx used Ice Beam.
Heracross lost 96% of its health.
Huzzah! Heracross lives! Despite Megahorn's inaccuracy, if I had chosen Close Combat Heracross would have had absolutely no chance of surviving with the defense drop. skarm, too, seems to be regretting his decision:
skarm: crud
skarm: knew I should have gone for the LK
Heracross used Megahorn.
It's super effective!
Jynx lost 327% of its health.
skarm's Jynx fainted.
4-1
Sorry, Luna.
skarm switched in Bronzong.
Pointed stones dug into Bronzong.
Bronzong lost 6% of its health.
Heracross used Megahorn.
Bronzong lost 45% of its health.
Bronzong is fast asleep!
Wash! Rinse! Repeat!
skarm's Bronzong fainted.
Don't Run With Scizors wins!
And there you have it. I hope you were all thoroughly entertained and that you learned a tactic or two!
Next time: a warstory where I get my ass royally handed to me on a golden platter! One encrusted with rare and expensive gemstones! (I did say royally.) Admittedly, skarm's team is not one of the ones that really scare my mono-bug team. The ones that do have a lot more Stealth Rocks, Choice Specs Heatrans, and Rhyperiors or Tyranitars.
