You are a type specialist in a hostile region. How do you best represent your chosen element?

[Cobalt Empoleon]

So the overlap between "stage magician" and "fortune teller" resulted in me falling into a rabbit hole of looking up the history of playing cards. Something something sunk cost fallacy.


Persian-Alola @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Fur Coat
- Fake Out
- Foul Play
- Knock Off
- Parting Shot
Playing cards are believed to have originated in China, starting out as aids for drinking games sometime in the Tang dynasty. The most likely candidate for the rest of the world's inspiration happened to be fully themed around money: four suits that were all increasing groupings of coins. Represented here by the greedy Meowth line.



Metagross-Mega @ Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body
- Meteor Mash
- Power-Up Punch
- Agility
- Zen Headbutt
The next steps towards what we think of as playing cards occurs in India and Persia. The most common variant has changes to the suits based on appearances or alternate names, arriving at staves (from coins stacked in strings), cups (from a shared name for myriad), swords (because the chinese glyph for 10 is +-shaped), and keeping coins intact. However, several other variants are listed, including several that further increase the number of suits (with alternate themes like mythological/religious characters). As such, I chose to have the stand-in be made of four components sometimes and 8 components other times.



Bruxish @ Expert Belt
Ability: Dazzling
- Aqua Jet
- Psychic Fangs
- Waterfall
- Swords Dance
The previous four suits were also used for Spanish and Italian games (though with fancier staves used interchangeably with basic clubs) and tarot decks, which was designed for gameplay first and the fortune-telling tradition is relatively recent. While the underlying form is still the same (and the newer Major Arcana aren't tied to suits), they often get renamed to be fancier, or I suppose in this case, more Dazzling: Wands, Goblets, Pentacles, and keeping Swords.


Klefki @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
- Spikes
- Draining Kiss
- Flash Cannon
- Toxic
There is considered to be particular suit lineups of both German and Swiss origin. While they are distinct for two of their four suits, they share both bells and acorns. I chose to go with bells here for the representative, and while Chimecho would have been really nice to have here, there is another mon that jingles.


Golem-Alola @ Life Orb
Ability: Galvanize
- Earthquake
- Explosion
- Brick Break
- Stone Edge
Then, we have the French deck, the one you've heard about already. They mostly shake out to be in-between the Spanish and German sets, with the German heart, Spanish club, and Spanish-named espada with the shape of the German deck's leaves. What seems fully unique is diamonds instead of a round shape like both bells and coins. Hence, a mineral mon in this slot.


Slowbro @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
- Psyshock
- Thunder Wave
- Slack Off
- Calm Mind
So where do we go from the most widespread type of playing card deck? Into the chaotic pile of TCGs, of course! Slowbro's first TCG appearance had it taking damage for (okay, from) its allies while threatening paralysis and damage from a move called Psyshock (in the English version at least).

0/10 no Trump Card Slowking on your playing card theme team
jk great team as always!

-------------------------------



My theme this round is Weird Brains! Fittingly for a type focused on mental powers, each team member has an unusual cranial setup.

Rainstorm Brainstorm


Bruxish @ Damp Rock
Ability: Dazzling
- Psychic Fangs
- Liquidation
- Aqua Jet
- Rain Dance

Bruxish grinds its teeth to stimulate its brain, which outputs power to the special organ protruding from its head. In this team it functions as an anti-lead, blocking priority moves with Dazzling, breaking screens with Psychic Fangs, and using Rain Dance to counter opposing weather while setting up for its own team.


Vanilluxe @ Light Clay
Ability: Weak Armor
- Freeze-Dry
- Weather Ball
- Light Screen
- Reflect

Vanilluxe has two brains which function independently, with it only unleashing its maximum power when the two are in agreement. Here it's a screen-setter that makes use of Bruxish's rain to withstand fire attacks more easily and achieve excellent coverage between Weather Ball and Freeze-Dry.


Slowking @ Psychium-Z
Ability: Regenerator
- Future Sight
- Scald
- Thunder Wave
- Slack Off

Slowking's brain has been transformed by Shellder's toxins, unlocking its full intellectual and combat potential. Its role here is as a straightforward Regenerator wall, spreading paralysis and burns and punishing the inevitable switches with Future Sight. Psychium-Z provides versatility, letting it drop an immediate Psychic nuke if the matchup calls for it.


Parasect @ Leftovers
Ability: Dry Skin
- Leech Life
- Knock Off
- Agility
- Spore

Parasect's brain has also been transformed by an external influence, but in this instance the brain has essentially been destroyed, with the parasite in full control of the host. In rain, Dry Skin+Leftovers+Leech Life provide a ton of healing, particularly if the foe is asleep.


Magneton @ Eviolite
Ability: Sturdy
- Thunder
- Flash Cannon
- Light Screen
- Volt Switch

The three Magnemite brains became one when they fused into Magneton, but according to its Sun entry this didn't result in a Pokemon thrice as smart. The team's ace appreciates a secondary Light Screen user, while Thunder takes advantage of the rain and Volt Switch preserves momentum.


Metagross-Mega @ Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body -> Tough Claws
- Zen Headbutt
- Bullet Punch
- Thunder Punch
- Hone Claws

Four brains working in parallel, further stimulated (corrupted?) by Mega Evolution, have created a truly terrifying beast. Mega Metagross is here to do Mega Metagross things, using the support of its teammates to crush the few obstacles capable of standing in its way.

-----------------------------

Bonus Doubles sets:

Two Heads are Better than One

Parasect @ Mental Herb
Ability: Dry Skin
- Knock Off
- Spore
- Curse
- Rest


Slowking @ Damp Rock
Ability: Oblivious
- Surf
- Ally Switch
- Rain Dance
- Trick Room


Vanilluxe @ Light Clay
Ability: Ice Body
- Blizzard
- Weather Ball
- Light Screen
- Ally Switch


Bruxish @ Psychium-Z
Ability: Strong Jaw
- Psychic Fangs
- Aqua Tail
- Crunch
- Trick Room


Magneton @ Eviolite
Ability: Analytic
- Thunder
- Gyro Ball
- Gravity
- Curse


Metagross-Mega @ Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body
- Zen Headbutt
- Meteor Mash
- Hammer Arm
- Psych Up

Trick Room Rain where a Parasect lead can become a legitimate threat, accumulating Curse boosts alongside a partner Slowking that does its best to offer support, healing, and misdirection. M-Metagross is realistically too fast for Trick Room, but if it copies a bunch of Curses with Psych Up targeting Parasect or Magneton it can fix that problem. Magneton also supports Mega Metagross's inaccurate moves with Gravity.

 

[Eeveeto]

I think Pa'u Oricorio is fine? You can't catch it in that form on Ula'ula but you can catch a Baile Oricorio and then transform it with the Pink Nectar obtained on Akala, so imo it's no less valid than having Egg moves on your Pokemon despite Ula'ula not having a Pokemon Nursery.

Didn't know there was an item to change forms, that's the problem of not playing any games after BW.

 

[WarriorGallade]

Alola's calm and laid back atmosphere make it well suited to relaxation, and in that vein this team focuses on dance!
This is a theme highlighted pretty well across all Alolan islands and a case could be made for it to apply to all types! However, I feel the Psychic type fits it best because of the relaxing effect watching a dance can have on one's mental state, as well as the sheer mental fortitude needed to not break tempo as a performer.
As for the choice of island, there's one major difference that sets Ula'Ula apart from the rest - the Lake of the Sunne/Moone are directly connected to Ula'Ula meadow where Oricorio thrive, offering a very strong link between dance and space. Since the psychic type is often associated with cosmic power, this feels like a strong enough link to use the combination. The only wrench in this plan is that Ula'Ula Meadow is home to the Fire Oricorio, and not the Psychic one, but that's nothing a small import of Pink Nectar can't fix!
This team focuses on Double battles!

| |


@ Colbur Berry
Ability: Dancer
- Protect
- Revelation Dance
- Teeter Dance
- Feather Dance
First up, Oricorio.
Oricorio's here to leave a strong opening act. Teeter Dance helps generate free turns by hitting all Pokemon on the field, especially when its partner Lilligant can't be confused. Feather Dance weakens physical opponents, and Revelation Dance may make the opponent see a revelation with its reliable power. Lastly, Protect gives it a safe way to stall for time and become just a bit stronger with Lilligant by its side...

@ Mental Herb
Ability: Own Tempo
- Quiver Dance
- Sleep Powder
- Dream Eater
- Petal Dance
Second up, Lilligant.
Lilligant helps combo well with Oricorio well right out of the gate, as a Grass type it matches up better against Rock and Electric opponents. Having Quiver Dance means both it and the bird grow stronger, bulkier and faster - even if Oricorio has protected, it can still follow-up with another dance that turn! It can even put troublesome foes to sleep and sap their health with Dream Eater. Better yet, it can just click Petal Dance and watch the world burn as Oricorio performs an encore.

@ Life Orb
Ability: Strong Jaw
- Swords Dance
- Psychic Fangs
- Crunch
- Ally Switch
Third up, Bruxish.
As one of relatively few Psychic types to get Swords Dance, Bruxish makes a good fit for this team offering much needed brute force, especially with its ability. It can use Ally Switch to redirect any Ghost moves aimed at itself towards Drampa, and vice versa for Ice moves aimed at its ally.

@ Leftovers
Ability: Berserk
- Dragon Dance
- Play Rough
- Extrasensory
- Roost
Fourth up, Drampa.
Living among the clouds surely does confer some cosmic, mystical power on oneself, so here's yet another dancer. Drampa tries to get its Berserk ability to activate multiple times with Roost as it sets up with Dragon Dance (it can learn this in SwSh despite not being able to do so in SM). Play Rough hits any opposing Dark types hard, while Extrasensory is another fun move to tie into spatial powers.

@ Psychium Z
Ability: Forecast
- Rain Dance
- Cosmic Power
- Weather Ball
- Future Sight
Fifth up, Castform.
Weather forecasts could be considered a psychic power in the times of old, when geographic measurement was a gargantuan task. Rain Dance may not be a "dance" dance move, but it is one in spirit, giving Castform the Water type and a powerful Weather Ball to boot. Despite low stats, Castform has an impressive movepool, using the held Psychium Z either for offense as Future Sight hits a blistering 190 power as a Z-move, or for defense with Cosmic Power, with the Z-version giving it an extra Sp. Def boost.

@ Twisted Spoon
Ability: Analytic
- Psych Up
- Recover
- Psyshock
- Nasty Plot
Last up, Porygon-Z.
As per its Sun dex entry: "In order to create a more advanced Pokémon, an additional program was installed, but apparently it contained a defect that makes it move oddly."
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and in this case Porygon-Z's odd movements could well be construed as a dance. despite not being able to learn any dance moves. It aims to Psych Up Castform's defensive boosts, stay healthy with Recover, further snowball with Nasty Plot and launch devastating Psyshocks at the foe. Hopefully the foe doesn't have any Dark types remaining...?

 

[Hugin]

"My psychic powers are immense! I can see the future! Watch me bend this spoon with just my mind!"

This guy is what GF would have added to the games if they had decided to fight Uri Geller and won. He's definitely a psychic and not at all faking it for prestige, how dare you! Just look at all his mons with weird mental abilities and a history of cursing things/places/people. Presumably he's like the Kantonian, he's trying to establish a gym and it's not going well.

Moveset

Oricorio @ Focus Sash
Ability: Dancer
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Revelation Dance
- Calm Mind
- Baton Pass
- Agility

Clefable @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Moonblast
- Psych Up
- Soft-Boiled

Gengar @ Life Orb
Ability: Cursed Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hypnosis
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Wave
- Icy Wind

Absol @ Scope Lens
Ability: Super Luck
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Psycho Cut
- Knock Off
- X-Scissor
- Iron Tail

Ninetales-Alola @ Light Clay
Ability: Snow Cloak
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Aurora Veil
- Power Swap
- Ice Beam
- Moonblast

Porygon-Z @ Psychium Z
Ability: Analytic
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Gravity
- Blizzard
- Thunder
- Tri-Attack

The idea here is to exploit the various support moves and flexibility that Psychic types offer without using the actual type at all. Lead Oricorio to set up with Calm Mind+Agility and Baton Pass into something else. Clefable can set Rocks or steal the opponent's boosts if they tried to set up themselves. Gengar has Hypnosis and 3 attacks(with speed control). Absol is fully offensive, with guaranteed crits via Psycho Cut(the team's only psychic-type damage). Ninetales A sets Aurora Veil for my ace, with Power Swap to again discourage setting up. And Porygon Z uses Z-Gravity to boost it's SPA and guarantee it's coverage moves hit.

(thoughts on this team and last competition's numbers in the next post)

 

[Hugin]

Ground-type challenge:

Diggersby: 12

Wormadam: 4

Nincada: 2

Shedinja: 5

...well OK then. I get it, I even did it myself, but wow we do not respect pre-evos or Wormadam here at all. The rest of the list is basically desperate flailing trying to find any justification for using mons. Eeveeto and Seta0052 's themes clearly resonated with people, since the entire rest of the votes were pretty close(half the teams between 17-14 points), and neither of them used anything popular except Diggersby. It was fun challenge, but wow were we desperate for something with a connection to soil.

And from that directly into too many psychic-types. My team this week was a real challenge, since every attempt either felt like a water team or like I was doing something too gimmicky. (I discarded like 3 doubles concepts, including one that I might recycle for a less complicated type). Eventually, I decided to lean into the gimmick and just ban any actual psychics. There were still a lot of options, avoiding too many fairies/ghosts was an effort, and I forgot Golduck exists(I deleted it from my list of alternates because I didn't want more water types), but I'm pretty happy with this. And finding a good Z-Support move for the type is always fun. I decided a Mega would be off-theme for the competition, since this is Alola-based and the megas never really show up in-game, but there's 2 good options there I could remake it with if I wanted to. This may be my first team where they all have a move of the specialist type, which is a fun achievement to get.

 

[DrPumpkinz]

"Prepare yourself, trainer! You face the strongest partnership in Alola!"

"...Let's just get this over with."

I wanted to make a team focused on the garishness of Bruxish, but for the life of me I couldn't figure out a good way to fill out a full team of six with the options available. Then I had the idea of making this an unconventional double battle. While tag teams usually have three Pokemon each, in this case they're split 5 to 1. One trainer has five flamboyant shiny Pokemon with weird gimmicky sets, and the other trainer has one Mega Metagross. After all, the outlandish character is never the funniest one; it's the straight man who has to put up with their bullshit.

(depending on how you want to read the relation between these two, "straight man" may only be in the comedy sense)

team

"The hair!"
Dugtrio-Alola @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Tangling Hair
Shiny: Yes
- Dig
- Iron Head
- Sludge Wave
- Tri Attack

"The stripes!"
Muk-Alola @ Figy Berry
Ability: Gluttony
Shiny: Yes
- Thief
- Belch
- Acid Armor
- Poison Gas

"The petals!"
Lilligant @ Heat Rock
Ability: Leaf Guard
Shiny: Yes
- Sunny Day
- Petal Dance
- Charm
- Light Screen

"The sparkles!"
Minior
Ability: Shields Down
Shiny: Yes
- Charge Beam
- Power Gem
- Solar Beam
- Cosmic Power

"The colors!"
Bruxish @ Psychium Z
Ability: Dazzling
Shiny: Yes
- Psychic Fangs
- Aqua Jet
- Frost Breath
- Double Team

"...It's a Metagross."
Metagross @ Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body
- Meteor Mash
- Zen Headbutt
- Hammer Arm
- Bullet Punch

 

[QuentinQuonce]

Ugh, okay so something's majorly weird here because when I was adding the last team to the list I was like "...wait, is Lurantis in the Ula'ula dex?" and checked Serebii's list, which says it is... then checked Bulbapedia's list, which says it isn't.

IGN's list concurs that it's not, but adds in a few Pokemon not in the other lists... because despite saying it's the SM list, it's actually using USUM's Pokedex instead, which adds the Scrafty and Bisharp lines after Vanilluxe among others.

I don't have my 3DS to hand to check myself so I had to resort to finding a Youtube video of the game with a complete Ula'ula Pokedex. Sure enough, Fomantis and Lurantis aren't in the Ula'ula dex - Serebii's list appears to be mostly correct, except for those two being swapped with Morelull and Shiinotic for some reason. There might be other errors but I need to compare the video side-by-side with his list and I've not done that yet.

But for now, putting the video in place of the link I used earlier.

This would mean that this team...

"Prepare yourself, trainer! You face the strongest partnership in Alola!"

...would technically be ineligible for this challenge due to including Lurantis. As this is not your fault, however, no need to change it and I'll flag any additional incorrectly-included species shortly. Edit: Checked video against the list, it's just Fomantis/Lurantis that are incorrectly there.

 

[DrPumpkinz]

Ugh, okay so something's majorly weird here because when I was adding the last team to the list I was like "...wait, is Lurantis in the Ula'ula dex?" and checked Serebii's list, which says it is... then checked Bulbapedia's list, which says it isn't.

IGN's list concurs that it's not, but adds in a few Pokemon not in the other lists... because despite saying it's the SM list, it's actually using USUM's Pokedex instead, which adds the Scrafty and Bisharp lines after Vanilluxe among others.

I don't have my 3DS to hand to check myself so I had to resort to finding a Youtube video of the game with a complete Ula'ula Pokedex. Sure enough, Fomantis and Lurantis aren't in the Ula'ula dex - Serebii's list appears to be mostly correct, except for those two being swapped with Morelull and Shiinotic for some reason. There might be other errors but I need to compare the video side-by-side with his list and I've not done that yet.

But for now, putting the video in place of the link I used earlier.

This would mean that this team...



...would technically be ineligible for this challenge due to including Lurantis. As this is not your fault, however, no need to change it and I'll flag any additional incorrectly-included species shortly. Edit: Checked video against the list, it's just Fomantis/Lurantis that are incorrectly there.

No worries, I swapped it for a Lilligant. Lurantis's shiny was mid anyway.

 

[Bedal Roscoe]

Hi, I'm a bit late to the party.

The team :



Well Mega Metagross is broken and is clearly the ace of the team with almost perfect coverage.
Bruxish hits incredibly hard too with its choice banded water/psychic stabs, Oricorio-Pau (if allowed) can work as a bulky sweeper and Slowbro as a defensive physical wall burning threats or paralysing them (Twave can be an option instead of Ice beam) for the team. It can also set up the rain for...
...Golduck our Water Psychic duck... well it's not psychic type ? Of course it is ! Look at its movepool. Look at this face.

(It's a semi rain team, after all our Psychic specialist is also a hipster Alolan Surfer)

And finally Gengar... is a Psychic type guys. Well I chose to run Scarf to revenge kill those ghost types (or even dark types with focus blast) who currently rip the team apart. It even runs Tbolt for the water types trying to wall the three aforementioned water types of the team.

The paste with movesets is here.

 

[CTNC]

Instead of three Water/Psychic types, I wonder of Glarian Slowking would be allowed. Regional Variants that aren't native to the region are in the SM and SwSh Dexes, so that would imply yes, but it's not in SM and SV doesn't include Regional Variants not native to the region in its Dex...


So, here's an idea. You know that magic trick where someone's locked in a box underwater? I don't remember what happens, but I remember people loving the box. I think it had to do with escaping, but why would someone escape a box everyone loves? Maybe because it's underwater and they need to breath? Anyway, this team wouldn't need to escape the box. They love the box.

*reads what I just wrote*

Wow. I have a problem with rambling. I tired to say this team can survive underwater, but I ended up praising a box... I wonder if I can work the box into the movesets... Why not make it a magician theme with Pokemon who seem like they could survive underwater?

*sees a magician theme has already been done*

All in with the Box it is. This might be the dumbest theme anyone went with.



Slowbro
Oblivious
-Psyshock
-Scald
-Flamethrower
-Slack Off

I'm not sure if he's happy in the box of if he hasn't realized he's trapped yet. Psyshock is used for STAB for a lame pun about Slowbro being shocked about anything happening long after everyone else noticed, like being in a box. Scald is used over Surf because Surf is used to ride waves on top of the water, which is not where Slowbro is and not where he wants to be. Flamethrower doesn't seem like something you'd try to use underwater, but I'm not sure if he realizes he's under water yet, so he'll use it. Not sure how it will work, but it does. Somehow. Slack Off is the final move partly because Slowbro is bulky and partly because it's the perfect move for Slowbro.


Klefki
Magician
-Psychic
-Light Screen
-Reflect
-Dazzling Gleam

You can't have a locked box without a lock and you can't have a lock without keys to throw away... or for a Klefki to steal... Either way, we're not getting the key back. Dual Screens are extra barriers to make sure whoever's in the box stays in. There's only room for one STAB after Psychic and Dual Screens, so I went with Dazzling Gleam because the box is dazzling.

I can't look at inanimate objects come to life and think of them needing to breath. I wouldn't be surprised if it was ever said that Klefki needs to breath, but... I just realized I can accept that a key chain can be a living thing, but I can't accept that it needs to breath.


Porygon-Z
Adaptability
-Psychic
-Discharge
-Signal Beam
-Conversion

Time traveling Porygon have confused ancient researchers with their lack of a heartbeat. That's a pretty good sign that living computer code don't need to breath and could sit underwater in a box. With its erratic movements, Porygon-Z could probably use a place to restrain itself.

I feel like Porygon-Z is a good choice for a Psychic team because of learning Psychic moves like Psybeam and Trick Room without TMs. Conversion letting it become a Psychic type is just a very nice bonus. Signal Beam is for Dark types and Discharge is the other coverage move because it seems like the worst move to use underwater. Using the worst possible move seems like something a glitchy Pokemon would do.

Another thing, I have a feeling Porygon-Z's spastic movements are what you're imagining I look like when talking about the box.


Bruxish
Strong Jaw
-Psychic Fangs
-Crunch
-Aqua Jet
-Bulk Up

Do I need to explain why Bruxish would be happy in a box underwater? Fish tanks are a thing. Also, Bruxish really can learn Bulk Up for some reason and it's the only Fighting move it learns. (Then again, really buff fish aren't that surprising if you've heard about Dwarf Fortress's Carp.) Turns out the real beauty isn't from Bruxish's colors. The beauty is their muscles! Do you think that'd dumb? Well Bruxish is too busy working out to be in their man cave (AKA the box) to hear you complain!

*reads what I just wrote*

Do you ever realize how weird you are and take a moment to ask WTF or is that just me?


Gengar
Cursed Body
-Hypnosis
-Dream Eater
-Hex
-Mean Look

This is a less of someone who enjoys the box and more of a "likes to make hypnotized victims enjoy the box." I went all in with sleep because Dream Eater is more interesting than using Psychic again and why not? Mean Look helps with one of Dream Eater's problems, Pokemon switching out to someone who's awake. Nope! Stay in the box. I'm sure Gengar will be happy to join you there.

My argument for Gengar being able to stay underwater is have you ever seen a ghost that needs to breath? *ignores Alola's Grass starter*


Metagross@Psychium-Z
Clear Body
-Zen Headbutt
-Meteor Mash
-Rock Tomb
-Agility

Supercomputers need cooling and Metagross's four brains makes it practically a living supercomputer if you believe the Pokedex. (Then again, the Pokedex says Magcargo is hotter than the surface of the sun and I think no one has been able to run Doom on a Metagross, so...) Water is often used for cooling, so a box of water should be relaxing. Metagross looks too inorganic for me to be able to see it needing air. It's kind of in the same category as Klefki IMO.

Earthquake would be the best coverage move, but the box would be collateral damage. Fighting attacks are also a poor choice for being able to break boxes. I would have used Stone Edge over Rock Slide, but Metagross doesn't learn it and I couldn't resist the downgrade. Rock Tomb is weak, but this team is based around being in a box. Rock Tomb attacks by trapping opponents in rocks, like they're boxed in. Needless to say, pun intended. I'm sure you figured this out a while ago, but if I'm going with this stupid theme, I'm going all in!




TL;DR: This is a Psychic team that would be okay with being locked in a box underwater. Not sure if it's the best theme or the worst theme this round... Either way, I know I'm the weirdest and the least serious. Yay?

 

[Bog Monster]

team

Slowking @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Oblivious
IVs: 0 Atk
- Trick Room
- Psychic
- Surf
- Fire Blast

Clefable @ Life Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
IVs: 0 Atk
- Gravity
- Blizzard
- Thunder
- Fire Blast

Metagross @ Light Clay
Ability: Clear Body
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Explosion
- Meteor Mash

Klefki @ Air Balloon
Ability: Prankster
IVs: 0 Atk
- Magic Room
- Heal Block
- Toxic
- Foul Play

Porygon-Z @ Normalium Z
Ability: Adaptability
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock
- Conversion
- Tri Attack
- Discharge

Slowbro-Mega @ Slowbronite
Ability: Own Tempo
IVs: 0 Atk
- Wonder Room
- Slack Off
- Psychic
- Surf

Psychic sure does get a lot of wacky field effects. None of them are psychic terrain.

 

[QuentinQuonce]

For personal reasons I probably won't find the time to put the poll up tomorrow evening so I'm closing this one a little early. If by a long shot there's anyone still out there thinking about posting a team, you have a few hours left - I'll put the poll up a bit later on today.

 

[QuentinQuonce]

Good evening everyone - this round's poll is now up. You have until July 5th, 9PM GMT to cast your vote!

https://strawpoll.com/GJn44GBQYnz​

Let's delve once again into the numbers.

Numbers

Metagross: 9

Bruxish: 7
Slowbro: 7

Slowking: 4

Oricorio: 3

Metang: 1

Gengar: 4
Klefki: 4
Porygon-Z: 4

Clefable: 3

Lilligant: 2
Drampa: 2
Parasect: 2
Minior: 2
Porygon2: 2

Ditto: 1
Vanilluxe: 1
Persian: 1
Muk: 1
Golem: 1
Absol: 1
Goodra: 1
Ninetales: 1
Magnezone: 1
Magneton: 1
Dugtrio: 1
Golduck: 1
Vikavolt: 1
Blissey: 1
Castform: 1
Mimikyu: 1


Oof, Slowbro beats her younger brother hands-down this time.

Psychic! Another type with many fertile associations. Sort of. Increasingly, Psychic has found itself associated with two major concepts: smartness and outer space. Ula'ula Island, being home to the Hokulani Observatory and filled with Pokemon such as Minior, Beldum, and Magneton, feels like a natural fit for the latter.

Not that any of that particularly unites this area's chosen Psychic-types. Metagross may be a meteorite supercomputer with multiple brains and Slowking might be an inspired savant, but Slowbro's defining characteristic is being dull and slow-witted, Oricorio just lives to dance, and Bruxish... well, as that old Pokemon guidebook from way back when informs us, fish Pokemon are stupid.

Still. Even without an obvious, explicit through-line I think there's plenty to work with. The vibe I get from Psychic is calm, measured action - not the tricky psychological torment of Ghosts, the thuggish selfishness of Dark, or the crafty tricks of Fairy. That's not to say that Psychic-types don't ever go in for cruelty or mindgames: they're just usually a lot more elegant about doing it. So making associations with Psychic in my mind becomes a test of "who's calm and smart enough to be included?"

This is why Gengar being so prominent here* was a surprise to me. Psychic and Ghost have always historically had some overlap (Saffron Gym says hi) but in this area there are a lot of other mons which feel more Psychic-adjacent. Clefable, for instance, makes for a natural lean-in, as do several other Fairies: Klefki is literally described as even-tempered rather than being spiteful or vengeful like some of its brethren. Was also curious to see Porygon-Z more popular than its prevolution: Porygon2 to me just feels more Psychic-aligned, being generally calmer and safer in aspect.

Some of the other lean-ins were a lot of fun to think about. Parasect is a particularly interesting curveball choice, and Ninetales, Lilligant, and Blissey all fit from a visual and dispositional standpoint. I deliberately didn't specify whether Oricorio was allowed in all its forms to see where people would go with it - use your own judgement on that one.



*interestingly, it wasn't when we last had Psychic as a topic


Stuff I expected to see more (or at all):

Golduck. Obvious one as perhaps the most longtime Psychic-adjacent species. I guess there's too many other Water-types here.

Ditto. In any location Ditto is available it always inevitably gets included at least once, but Psychic feels like a chance for it to shine given Transform's tricky vibe and the plethora of odd effects one might produce from utilising it.

Ledian. Has a slight space element to it, so felt like a potential fit for a cosmic-themed team (there's a fair amount of competition on that score, though).

Masquerain. Adds a sense of drama if one happens to be going for a team themed around illusion or deception, I suppose.

Komala. Sleep is often associated with Psychic, after all, and Komala getting Calm Mind is enough for me to consider that a fit (it also gets Zen Headbutt but then so does pretty much everything with a head)

Ariados. More suited to a Ghost round, really, but if Gengar gets an in for having mental powers and a tricky, frightening spooky aura why not this?

Crobat. Similar reasons.

Ribombee. Well, if you're using Oricorio Ribombee often feels obligatory (I cannot believe we had a dance team without it!)

 

[Pikachu315111]

QQ's Numbers:

• Surprising there was more Slowbro than Slowking being most went with Mega Metagross. I guess people prefer higher Defense or Special Defense?
  
  
• The way Psychic presents itself in some Pokemon is odd. Slowbro is implied to be as enlightened as Slowking, maybe even more, but its overwhelmed by all its thoughts while Slowking is able to focus thanks to the Shellder on its head seaping poison into its skull. Pa'u Oricorio does a hula dance and its rhythmic movements flows Psychic energy, maybe a reference to how people tend to "join in" with a hula dance and try to keep their movements sychronized with each other and any music playing. Bruxish is an even odder one as it's not what it does that makes it Psychic but what it looks like, its colors and patterns looking psychedelic.
  
  
• Speaking of which, Golduck has more reason to be Psychic than Bruxish, but it's not and so here we are with Bruxish pushing Golduck out of most Water member spots.

Missed one winner overviews so here's two to make up for it:

Dragon RSE Hoenn:

Radiant Dragon Quasar

DrPumpkinz (22 pionts): To a Dragon Tamer this would truly be a sight of beauty. Once again we see the winning formula of a unique team with its own theme (beauty), framing (earth, sea, & sky), and the Type providing support. I myself played with an idea of doing a Earth/Sea/Sky theme, but mine was a bit bland; I had it acting as both the theme and frame. For a truly strong (or should I say beautiful in this case?) contendor you need to have all parts different yet work together; and that's what you demonstrated here.

Me (18 pts): So close. Maybe I shouldn't have picked a specific character, especially one from a remake which had more Pokemon choice. At least I did better here than next time...

WarriorGallade (17 pts): The other Draconid team, and just like mine was good but fell short (I wonder if we might have taken points from one another, always a risk when designing similar teams). Even though you only had one actual Dragon-type I can also see all of these Pokemon in the Draconid village, so you had the aesthetic down pat.

Hugin (16 pts): If there was a Type that I could call a Legend Buster, it would certainly be dragon (at least before Fairy was introduced). This team does look fierce enough and equipped with the right moves to take on the Super Ancient Legendaries (good thing Primals aren't a thing yet)!

Ironmage (15 pts): If you were only going to go with one of the main three elements of RSE to combine with Dragon, probably would be the one whose Super Ancient Pokemon is Dragon-type. Dragon can't help many mythologies have flying dragons, so might as well fly with it and see where it lands you.

Ground Central Kalos:

Leaving Your Mark On The Ground

Seta0052 (37 points): GRAND SLAM! To the rest of us, to the "winning formula", and certainly any team that goes up against your's.

Eeveeto (24 pts): If Pokemon didn't have the Normal-type, I speculate a lot of them would be given the Ground-type, the gen rodents certainly. Beedrill and Raichu is a nice mix-up, you even found a Ground-type move for each so this team is all good in my book.

igiveuponaname & DrPumpkinz (17 pts): So a hermit team and farmer team both enter a teambuilding contest...
Jokes aside, it's interesting to see how the teams differ here, both being lifestyles of living off the land by digging into it but only sharing Diggersby. igiveuponaname's hermit team leans toward excavation and functioning in the dark, each Pokemon operating on its own for the most part. DrPumpkinz's farming team meanwhile has synergy as it has an additional theme of Grass support. Similar yet different, and both able to show their themes well with Ground-types.

Hugin (16 pts): But we're not done digging yet! Hugin takes the theme to its probably most focused with Pokemon who would dig their lairs and coming up wth a nice variety. Burried my team that round.

 

[QuentinQuonce]

QQ's Numbers:

They're not my numbers... they're all of your numbers!

• The way Psychic presents itself in some Pokemon is odd. Slowbro is implied to be as enlightened as Slowking, maybe even more, but its overwhelmed by all its thoughts while Slowking is able to focus thanks to the Shellder on its head seaping poison into its skull. Pa'u Oricorio does a hula dance and its rhythmic movements flows Psychic energy, maybe a reference to how people tend to "join in" with a hula dance and try to keep their movements sychronized with each other and any music playing. Bruxish is an even odder one as it's not what it does that makes it Psychic but what it looks like, its colors and patterns looking psychedelic.

Bruxish I believe is mentioned to get its psychic power from the protuberance on its head, and it's also stated that it stimulates its brain by grinding its teeth together.

Interestingly, though the Pokedex frequently mentions that Shellder's poison is what makes Slowking smart and that even Slowbro has moments of inspiration when the Shellder on its tail bites down hard and presumably gives it an extra-concentrated "boost", its Sun Pokedex entry seems to imply the opposite - that Shellder's poison is what makes it even slower and spaced-out than it already was. I suppose, as you say, it has different effects when it's in the body at large vs directly in the brain...?

There are some other odd manifestations of Psychic power in Pokemon too now I think of it. Wobbuffet is a curious case because it's Psychic seemingly only because of its incredible passivity: it's a punching bag, though, not a Zen master. Girafarig's Psychic power seemingly comes entirely from having a second "head" with its own primitive but powerful brain. Smoochum and Jynx are Psychic-type because... they're really oversensitive? Galarian Ponyta and Rapidash got their Psychic typing through a vaguely-defined imbuement of "life energy", which is a term more commonly used in reference to Dragon-types. Alolan Raichu's acquisition of the Psychic-type is put down to... pancakes.

 

[Hugin]

Lots of good teams this round. My first couple were pretty set, but there were about 10 that I thought "definitely top 5" while voting.

Metagross: 9

Bruxish: 7
Slowbro: 7

Slowking: 4

Oricorio: 3

Metang: 1

Gengar: 4
Klefki: 4
Porygon-Z: 4

Clefable: 3

Lilligant: 2
Drampa: 2
Parasect: 2
Minior: 2
Porygon2: 2

Ditto: 1
Vanilluxe: 1
Persian: 1
Muk: 1
Golem: 1
Absol: 1
Goodra: 1
Ninetales: 1
Magnezone: 1
Magneton: 1
Dugtrio: 1
Golduck: 1
Vikavolt: 1
Blissey: 1
Castform: 1
Mimikyu: 1

And these numbers reflect that. With the exception of the abundance of Porygon(I don't disagree with it, I just expected other normals to make more of a showing), nothing really stands out as out of place here. That's why I did my "Fake Psychic" theme, there were so many good wildcards that using 4 teamslots on Slowking/Slowbro/Metagross/Oricorio was just painful.

I did expect more Oricorio and Metang. I was personally really trying to find ways to end up with fewer than 3 water types, and using both of those was high on my list of options.

Why not make it a magician theme with Pokemon who seem like they could survive underwater?

*sees a magician theme has already been done*

And here's the reason I refuse to read teams until mine is posted. I think it's fine, even fun, seeing multiple people do the same theme in different ways, but also if I saw someone else do a team first I'd feel obligated to avoid it.

 

[Pikachu315111]

They're not my numbers... they're all of your numbers!

They may be our numbers but you're the one you gathered them together.

There are some other odd manifestations of Psychic power in Pokemon too now I think of it.

After looking through the Psychic-types myself, I came to the following conclusion: Many of them justify being Psychic-type because they are Psychic-type; the Type is so baked into their design that what the Pokemon is based on doesn't matter that much as it'll just have some part or behavior which is where the Pokemon has, eminates or gains Psychic powers.

Very quick rundown of the "pure" Psychic-types as examples

Abra family are these bipedal fox-like creatures. They're Psychic because Abra itself manipulate sleep ways because it sleeps a lot and its evolutions are holding spoons which they focus their power through be bending them because self-proclaimed psychic Uri Geller does it to show he's psychic.

Galarian Ponyta family are unicorns. They're Psychic because they channel psychic power from their horns, unicorn mythology noting their horns have special powers.

Slowpoke family are hippo-salamander creatures which Shellder like to bite onto. They're psychic because, though they appear dopey, its because they're head is so filled with thoughts and ideas it overwhelms them, the Shellder helping their Slow' host by causing a biological change letting them focus in some way.

Drowzee family and Munna family are tapirs. They're Psychic because of Japanese mythology and have some power over sleep, Drowzee family via hypnosis (Hypno carrying a pendulum which is a common tool stage magicians use to concentrate the hypnosis host) and Munna family via dreams (they're also part incense burner which burn materials to create a calming scent, hence the dream smoke they make).

Mew and by extension Mewtwo are cat-like creatures with elongated bodies. They're Psychic because Mew is the ancestor of all Pokemon giving it supernatural abilities, and Mewtwo was made to be an even more powerful Mew.

Espeon is a fox-cat with a gem on its head and split in its tail. It's Psychic because of multiple mythologies, one a supernatural cat yokai and another a fey-like creature with strong associations with gems.

Unown are just letters with a giant eye. They're Psychic because of the symbology given to language.

Wobbuffet family are these blue blobs with funny faces and a black tail with eyes. They're Psychic because the tail is implied to be in control and are using the blue blob as a distraction and punching bag which it uses to hit back with twice the force.

Spoink family are pigs with pearls based on a Biblical saying. They're Psychic because they use the pearl as a way to channel psychic power.

Chimecho family are Shinto shrine decorations (a certain kind of windchime and bell). They're Psychic because Shinto shrines are spiritual places thus they use their sounds to guide spirits.

Deoxys and the Elgyem family are aliens. They're Psychic because, not only us the Psychic-type associated with space, but aliens are depicted as being super smart (afterall they've developed intergalactic space travel) beings also often having telepathic and telekinetic abilities.

The Lake Guardians are Mews based on the Imperial Regalia of Japan. They're Psychic because they also represent aspects of a deity (a powerful supernatural being beyond comprehension) and that translates to them able to give and take an aspect of conscious awareness.

Cresselia is a swan with crescent moon aesthetics. It's Psychic because it can cure someone's mind of mental distress, especially if its a nightmare caused by its counterpart Darkrai.

Gothita family are gothic lolitas (a subgroup combining goth and lolita subcultures). They're Psychic because they read the stars to predict the future.

Solosis family are cells/amoeba. They're Psychic because they user their psychic powers to keep themselves together including shaping the cytoplasm into a floating body.

Espurr family are Scottish Folds. They're Psychic because their ears contain a brain-like organ which not only makes them smarter but they can release a powerful blast of psionic energy.

Cosmog and Cosmoem are based on nebula and developing stars. They're Psychic because space, also they can teleport and float around.

Necrozma is a light-absorbing crystal lifeform. It's Psychic because its a light parasite which takes over the mind of Cosmog family's final evolutions.

Hatenna family are both fairytale princesses and the clothes that they wear. They're Psychic because they're sensitive to strong emotions.

Flittle family, well, Flittle is a flying saucer skirt birds and Espathra is an ostrich with Cleopatra's hair. It's Psychic because... because... well there's something involving Egyptian mythology but it's not really apparent on their design... ugh, I don't know, they were inspired by Katy Perry's Dark Horse music video.

 

[QuentinQuonce]

If I had a nickel for every time there'd been a vote this week I'd followed closely and was probably a little over-invested in I'd have two nickels, which isn't much but it's weird that it happened twice.

Today's vote is complete - congratulations to Gimmicky for your first win! Though our second-placed candidate certainly made you work for it...

Will DM you shortly.

 

[QuentinQuonce]

And we're back!

You are an Ice-type specialist on The Isle of Armour. How do you best represent your chosen type?​

A reminder to please read the guidelines in the OP before commenting, especially if you're new to the thread. You have until July 18th, 9PM GMT to make your case!

IoA Pokedex is here for those who need it: https://www.serebii.net/swordshield/isleofarmordex.shtml

Teams so far

Cobalt Empoleon: Cloyster, Porygon-Z, Kommo-o, Luxray, Klefki, Slowbro
Gimmicky: Cloyster, Barraskewda, Exploud, Salazzle, Magnezone, Rhyperior
WarriorGallade: Sandslash, Slowbro, Dunsparce, Blissey, Sharpedo, Gigalith
Ironmage: Cloyster, Dragalge, Torkoal, Blastoise, Kommo-o, Slowking
Igiveuponaname: Cloyster, Slowpoke, Grapploct, Kingler, Malamar, Pincurchin
BedalRoscoe: Cloyster, Sandslash, Barraskewda, Pelipper, Slowking, Starmie
Bog Monster: Cloyster, Sandslash, Scizor, Skarmory, Blastoise, Lickilicky
DrPumpkinz: Cloyster, Sandaconda, Torkoal, Crustle, Tangrowth, Mandibuzz
Faux Focalors Furina: Cloyster, Zoroark, Seaking, Kingler, Azumarill, Slowking
CTNC: Cloyster, Sandslash, Grapploct, Stoutland, Skarmory, Lopunny
Pikachu315111: Cloyster, Sandslash, Rhyperior, Drapion, Luxray, Gallade
Eeveeto: Cloyster, Sandslash, Kommo-o, Porygon-Z, Luxray, Slowking
Hugin: Cloyster, Sandslash, Alakazam, Kingdra, Slowking, Lickilicky

 

[Cobalt Empoleon]

Ice is widely considered the worst defensive type in the game but one of the strongest offensively. This team exemplifies the Ice type's inherent glass cannon qualities, with each team member trained to sacrifice longevity for power.

People think that being brittle is the same as being weak, but brittleness is about how suddenly you break, not how easily. Only the last hit point matters in a Pokemon battle, so why not trade some away to gain the upper hand?

Strength through brittleness


Klefki @ Light Clay
Ability: Prankster
- Steel Beam
- Spikes
- Light Screen
- Reflect

Klefki is the support lead, setting up Spikes and dual screens to support what is essentially a hyper-offense team. Steel Beam is the thematic choice here: at the cost of half its max HP, Klefki can exert genuine offensive pressure against opponents trying to use it as setup fodder, while also KOing itself quickly so its teammates can take full advantage of its utility moves.


Slowbro-Galar @ Quick Claw
Ability: Quick Draw
- Shell Side Arm
- Zen Headbutt
- Ice Punch
- Belly Drum

Galarian Slowbro runs a very risky Quick Draw Belly Drum set, trading away health for maximum power and aiming to cheese past opponents with quasi-priority +6 attacks. I initially had Drain Punch as a way to try and recover the health lost to Belly Drum, but in the end it felt like a betrayal of the theme.


Porygon-Z @ Life Orb
Ability: Adaptability
- Tri Attack
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Hyper Beam

Porygon-Z swapped bulk for speed and power when it evolved from Porygon2. It uses the Life Orb to sacrifice HP for a damage boost, with Hyper Beam in reserve as an emergency nuke that leaves it a sitting duck (heh).


Luxray @ Flame Orb
Ability: Guts
- Wild Charge
- Ice Fang
- Facade
- Superpower

Luxray compromises its long-term survivability for a Guts power boost and half-decent STAB, with an all-out attacking set for maximum power and coverage.


Kommo-o @ Liechi Berry
Ability: Overcoat
- Reversal
- Ice Punch
- Endure
- Clangorous Soul

Kommo-o exchanges life for power with Clangorous Soul before putting itself on the brink of defeat with Endure to maximise Reversal's power. Overcoat prevents some forms of chip damage from taking it out at 1 HP and Ice Punch provides much-needed coverage.


Cloyster @ Focus Sash
Ability: Skill Link
- Hydro Pump
- Icicle Spear
- Rock Blast
- Shell Smash

As our singular Ice Pokemon, Cloyster is the star of the show, sporting its typical Skill Link Shell Smash set and exemplifying the theme of brittle strength.

------------------------------------------------

It drove me insane how many IoA Pokemon can't learn any Ice moves. Malamar the squid Pokemon can learn Flamethrower and Thunderbolt, but not Ice Beam or any other Ice move, not even Haze! Ultimately, I had to make one concession to my usual rule of giving each team member a move of the specialist type, but at least I managed to avoid doubling up on represented types (RIP every Water mon in the Isle of Armor dex).

 

[Bedal Roscoe]

Is Cloyster the only Ice type of Isle Of Armor dex ? Surely this round is hard.

 

[DrPumpkinz]

Is Cloyster the only Ice type of Isle Of Armor dex ? Surely this round is hard.

Cloyster and kind of Sandslash.

 

[Gimmicky]

Glad you guys liked the last team! Really felt inspired by the prompt and I'm happy to have delivered something good

Ice is a pretty unique type design-wise. The Ice-type itself lends itself amazingly to offensive Pokémon, with stellar coverage and no immunities to it, but defensively it's by far the worst type in the game. What this means for most players is that you're going to be using a lot of Ice-type moves, but they're not usually going to be on Ice-types themselves. More often than not, Ice Beam is going to be overall more useful as coverage for something like Starmie than as a STAB move on something like Lapras.

What makes Ice-type unique from a flavor POV is that it's the only elemental power that absorbs more energy from its environment than it puts out. Think about it: Fire-type moves add thermal energy to their surroundings (duh), while most elemental types just harness energy from their surroundings (equal exchange) or just generate it out of thin air in the case of Dragon, Water, et cetera. Ice, though, inherently removes thermal energy from both the surroundings or the opponent. It's easier to think of Ice-type moves as adding cold energy for the average player, but it's really more about absorbing or subtracting heat energy. This is how your fridge works!

For this team, given the intense restriction in the dex and the unique observation above, I decided to make this team's theme the Forms of Energy, both kinetic and potential.


Exploud @ Life Orb
Ability: Scrappy
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Boomburst
- Roar
- Focus Blast
- Ice Beam

Exploud is here representing Sound energy, or the motion of energy through substances via waves. Sound is typically a "lesser" form of energy, as energy tends to transfer itself in different ways, but Exploud is here to Boomburst that idea away! STAB-boosted, Life Orb boosted Scrappy Boomburst is an incredibly hard move to switch in to, especially given Exploud's workable 91 Special Attack. Ghost-types aren't safe because of Scrappy, while even Steel- and Rock-types have to be wary of Focus Blast, if it hits. Roar allows Exploud to dissuade any cheesy set-up Pokémon that don't particularly fear it's damaging moves, while Ice Beam is here because.. it's an Ice-type gym.


Magnezone @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Magnet Pull
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Body Press
- Flash Cannon
- Tri Attack

Magneton is here to represent Radiant, or Electromagnetic energy. Obviously the Magnet Pokémon with giant magnets and Magnet Pull was a magnetizing pick! Radiant energy takes many forms, the most obvious being visible light but also including magnetism and other forms of waves that don't necessarily need matter to transfer through. The original draft of this team had Magneton here instead of Magnezone for the Speed advantage, but apparently Magneton couldn't learn Body Press in SWSH? Wack. Volt Switch, alongside being powerful Electric STAB, forms a pretty scary VoltTurn combination with another member later in the team, Body Press is a way to hit Steel-types that can shrug off Electric-moves while also threatening Rock-types that dodged Focus Blast from Exploud, and Flash Cannon is self explanatory. Tri Attack is here to tie back to Ice the best I could, as Tri Attack's freeze chance is at least something!


Rhyperior @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Solid Rock
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Smack Down
- Ice Punch
- Stealth Rock

Rhyperior, as the heaviest Pokémon on the Isle of Amor that isn't a whale, is here representing Gravitational energy, a form of potential energy as opposed to the previous kinetic energies. (i'm so tired of saying energy) Fun fact, hydropower is only possible because of Gravitational energy! That would've been a tie in to Wailord if I used it, but I still wanted to share it because it's cool. Rhyperior is the team's first real tank, and Solid Rock is here to insure it lives as many hits as possible despite its poor defensive typing. Smack Down is here to minimize the chance of missing, but also serves to counter Flying-types and Levitate users looking to take advantage of Earthquake. Ice Punch is here because Ice-gym (as well as a strong hit against Grass-types), and Stealth Rock chips down foes for teammates like Barraskewda and Cloyster later.


Salazzle (F) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Corrosion
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Flamethrower
- Toxic
- Sludge Bomb

Salazzle is here representing Chemical energy, or energy stored in the bonds of molecules and atoms. It's a bit of a stretch, but the idea of Salazzle's poison being so corrosive that it can wear through metal is extremely fascinating to me, and reminds me a lot of how powerful acids can even damage diamonds in high enough concentrations. Salazzle is here to both annoy the team with Toxic or to just sweep on its own with Nasty Plot and two powerful STAB moves, both of which it excels at. Salazzle is unfortunately the only member of the team I couldn't shoehorn an Ice-type move onto, but Fire being the thematic opposite of Ice kind of demands that.


Barraskewda @ Choice Band
Ability: Swift Swim
Jolly Nature
- Liquidation
- Ice Fang
- Psychic Fangs
- Flip Turn

I managed to only use one non-Cloyster Water-type! Barraskewda, with that massive 136 base Speed stat, is here representing Motion energy, or the energy stored in moving objects. Barraskewda's Water-type moves are the team's best way to threaten opposing Fire-types who could've muscled through the previous team members, while Psychic Fangs can threaten any Fighting-type Pokémon who managed the same. Flip Turn, along with tying into the idea of motion, also works amazingly well with Magnezone, as both of them can pivot into the other to fire off a powerful, Choice item boosted attack or even another pivot move. Magnezone can eat a hit far better than Barraskewda, while Barraskewda is more immediately threatening, making them an excellent combination.


Cloyster @ White Herb
Ability: Skill Link
Naive Nature
- Shell Smash
- Icicle Spear
- Surf
- Rock Blast

This was the most obvious inclusion, but also one of the scariest. Cloyster is here representing Thermal energy, or energy having to do with movement of atoms inside a substance. The faster they're moving, the more thermal energy they have. As stated before, from a scientific POV, the Ice-type element is based entirely around the absorption or subtracting thermal energy. I chose to make Cloyster a powerful mixed sweeper instead of going pure physical to better take advantage of Shell Smash's dual boost. Rock Blast is here to play into Skill Link a bit better than other coverage options while also hitting Water-types that can ignore the STAB combination.

TLDR version

Sound energy, powerful wallbreaker to lead

electromagnetic energy, steel counter

gravitational energy, tank

chemical energy, sweeper

motion energy, cleaner

thermal energy, cleaner

 

[WarriorGallade]

The Isle of Armor is known for two main things, its dojo, and the 18 type specific move tutors. Our plucky leader this time is one who traveled in from the nearby Crown Tundra, hoping to find similar arctic landscapes to make a new home. While they were shocked to see nary an ice crystal nearby, they explored and eventually found both the Towers of Water and Darkness, being the coldest places this summer paradise had to offer by virtue of their altitude. In doing so, they figured that if there was no ice around, they'd just have to create it themselves - but maybe with some help from the locals first. Now, they oversee training the trainers of both towers when Mustard is away, acting as the final opponent when a challenger without Kubfu wishes to scale them and offer snow cones to cool them down after intense battles.

This team specializes in double battles! (and also incorporates one IoA tutor move per Pokemon in italics)

@ Icy Rock
Ability: Quick Draw
- Hail
- Blizzard
- Psychic Terrain
- Expanding Force

First up, Slowbro.
One might say our leader's arrival to the Isle of Armor without prior research could be a Quick Draw, and that's what Slowbro here aims to signify. Its goal is to set up one of two field effects and then pelt the foe with strong spread moves. Its ability might let it even get the second field effect off before it gets KOed!


@ Safety Goggles
Ability: Serene Grace
- Blizzard
- Ancient Power
- Skitter Smack
- Thunder
Second up, Dunsparce.
Okay, so we've solved the problem of inaccurate Blizzards with Slowbro setting up Hail. What now? Get lucky with freeze chances and fish for that omniboost with AncientPower! Dunsparce's coverage is startlingly diverse, letting it enfeeble opponents with Skitter Smack or slow them down with Thunder's now 60% paralysis rate. Safety Goggles give it just a tiny bit more longevity, rendering weather damage ineffective.


@ Power Herb
Ability: Sturdy
- Weather Ball
- Meteor Beam
- Earth Power
- Body Press
Third up, Gigalith.
It's commonly regarded that Ice types are really frail. With a special movepool so shallow it can run nearly nothing else, here's a bulky, honorary Ice type that will nearly always catch you by surprise. Weather Ball turning Ice type in the Hail in particular is a nasty shock to any Grass types aiming to snipe this rock out. It's also got immediate power in Meteor Beam to smack the Fire types that try to scorch this team, and Earth Power to round out coverage. Lastly, Body Press gives it some staying power against opposing special sponges.


@ Life Orb
Ability: Speed Boost
- Dark Pulse
- Blizzard
- Close Combat
- Flip Turn
Fourth up, Sharpedo.
Remember how I said this leader oversees both of the towers in Mustard's absence? Well, they wouldn't be able to fit each one's theme without having a Pokemon that embodied the ideals of hydration and darkness, so here it is! Sharpedo's moveset also offers some pretty strong coverage on both the physical and special sides, making it hard for opponents to stop it. It can use Flip Turn to navigate out of a troublesome matchup as well.


@ Chople Berry
Ability: Slush Rush
- Iron Head
- Triple Axel
- Drill Run
- Aurora Veil
Fifth up, Sandslash.
[Dynamax] Sandslash's typing is not exactly suited to being a leader's ace when there are so many fighting types running around the dojo. Despite this, it offers both an offensive and defensive presence hard to replicate among others. If Hail is still up on the field, Sandslash can delay its dynamax and take a defensive stance with Aurora Veil, giving any remaining allies some serious staying power, or dynamax immediately, giving it and its partner either a Defense or Sp. Def boost (via Max Steelspike and Quake respectively). Turning Aurora Veil into Max Guard also lets it stall for a turn if need be, letting its partner rack up a KO. And of course, if there's no more Hail left, Max Hailstorm solves that issue completely, restoring the doubled speed Sandslash is so used to.


@ Throat Spray
Ability: Serene Grace
- Blizzard
- Hyper Voice
- Flamethrower
- Life Dew
Last up, Blissey.
This Blissey's taken inspiration from the tales of Calyrex in the Crown Tundra where it mercilessly attacks its opponents before healing them - except this time Blissey heals its allies instead of the opponents. Throat Spray gives it some immediate power when it chooses to use Hyper Voice, and Blizzard brings back Dunsparce's scary freeze rate thanks to Serene Grace. Flamethrower rounds out the set with good coverage against Steel types, and Life Dew helps keep itself and the partner Sandslash healthy. If it's accumulated any Defense or Sp. Def boosts from Sandslash's Max moves, this egg might be nigh impossible to crack.

 

[Ironmage]

Mist and Haze are interesting. They date back to gen 1 and appear to have been designed togeteher with mirrored JP names (white and black mist) and both dealing with neutral stat stages. The Ice typing feels a bit tenuous since it's showing of water in its liquid state, but then we're currently here for tenuous connections to Ice. As far as an actual strategy goes, Mist is harder to work with so I leaned more on Haze. This does end up as a doubles team, even if I really don't have good intuition on doubles items.


Blastoise @ Icy Rock
Ability: Torrent
- Haze
- Water Spout
- Blizzard
- Flip Turn
A regular DMax is awkward here because the stat changes on most max moves is antisynergystic. Blastoise provides the option to set hail, provide damage, and do nothing else.


Dragalge @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Adaptability
- Haze
- Draco Meteor
- Sludge Bomb
- Flip Turn
The main thing I could think to combo with Haze spam is strong attacks that lower the user's stats, and Draco Meteor is a solid candidate. Saftey Goggles seems like a flavourful include on a team that features hail as a secondary component while also messing with Rage Powder rediraction attempts.


Torkoal @ Assault Vest
Ability: White Smoke
- Overheat
- Weather Ball
- Clear Smog
- Incinerate
Despite being Fire-type, Torkoal was an easy include thanks to a passive Mist for itself, with a much stronger reference to the original White Mist name than clear body would be. It also has access to a self-reducing move of its own and a way to reset stats for allies.


Cloyster @ Never-Melt Ice
Ability: Shell Armor
- Ice Shard
- Life Dew
- Liquidation
- Hail
Unfortunately doesn't get either Mist or Haze, so is mostly restricted to backup hail and other misc support.


Kommo-o @ Roseli Berry
Ability: Overcoat
- Clanging Scales
- Draco Meteor
- Ice Punch
- Superpower
The heavy hitter of self-stat-reducing moves, something for the other mons to focus effort around. Also doesn't take hail damage thanks to Overcoat.


Slowking-Galar @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Curious Medicine
- Heal Pulse
- Protect
- Imprison
- Icy Wind
Slowking has signature ability that's effectively a one-sided Haze. Outside of that, I find Protect+Imprison really funny as something that shouldn't be as effective as it actually is. Icy Wind is unrealiable given all the Haze, so it's another Imprison target as much as a move to be actually using.