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

[Hugin]

WOO! There was some tough competition last week, I remember both of the other top 3 specifically having really good concepts. Thank y'all for voting for me. Now, on to the new week:

"Feh. Such a messy team. I've been putting together a team of mons that are worth their weight in gold. Prepare to be buried in hard assets!"

This trainer is obviously rich, and has a team composed of exotic, rare, and valuable mons. I actually see him facing you in Kanto, and the Sevii Island restriction is because he summers out there.

Spoiler

Skarmory @ Bright Powder
Ability: Keen Eye
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 Spe
Impish Nature
- Spikes
- Whirlwind
- Toxic
- Drill Peck

Lapras @ Lax Incense
Ability: Shell Armor
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Blizzard
- Thunder
- Roar

Wobbuffet @ Wiki Berry
Ability: Shadow Tag
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Counter
- Mirror Coat
- Destiny Bond
- Encore

Magmar @ Starf Berry
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Fire Blast
- Thunder Punch
- Cross Chop
- Iron Tail

Steelix @ Liechi Berry
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Roar
- Explosion

Persian @ Amulet Coin
Ability: Limber
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Pay Day
- Return
- Shadow Ball
- Fake Out

The mons are fairly obvious, the items may need more explanation.
Lead Skarmory, since it's a steel type. Bright Powder is only available in RSE through the Battle Tree and not in FRLG at all.
RNG-heavy offensive Lapras, which has a massive armored shell. Lapras is traditionally a mon you don't catch, you acquire. With Lax Incense, which is only available through Lost Cave.
Wobbuffet, known for massive defenses and only showing up in niche areas(this one was clearly bred as well). With a berry that's only available through Pokemon Jump.
Mixed Magmar, learns Iron Tail and is unavailable in the vast majority of early games. And fire has a lot of associations with Steel. Carries Starf Berry, the hardest items to get in Emerald, doesn't show up at all in FRLG.
Offensive Steelix with Liechi Berry-boosted Explosion. Steelix is of course the other steel type, and Liechi Berry is the hardest item to get in RS, unavailable at all in FRLG.
Persian, the mon most associated with gold coins. Amulet Coin and Pay Day, because lol if he gets a chance to knock out something with that you know it'll upset people.

(Shoutout to the Rarest Items thread for reminding me how rare the Pokemon Jump berries were in FRLG. I originally had Lax Incense on Wobbuffet to nail down the bred mon thing better, but that is a painful anti-synergy. Other than that, this team came together easily. I've been wanting to do a Rich Steel user for some time now, and this worked. Persian's set is also bad, but for this gen and with it's movepool, you're not actually giving up all that much. Now, if only Fling existed this gen so I could justify giving someone a Big Nugget...)

 

[Eeveeto]

Sevii Islands were a very isolated from the world area. Kanto was the only region they were connected to, but Kanto citizens didn,t care too much about them. In fact, only very few from them had tickets that even allow Sevii Islands to be visited. Without almost contact to the rest of the world, the island had an aging population, a weak economy and terrible defense too, since when Team Rocket (and the Kanto Rider Federation too)come, nobody even tries to face them.

To solve all of these problems, the few strong trainers that are on the island, organize a local Pokemon League with 7 Gyms, one for each island. This would atract more visitors to the islands, more new citizens, more strong trainers to protect the country from criminal gans and more money to gain from all the related things (visitors and new citizens have to live somewhere, for example, so new builds will be built).

All the Gym leaders will have 5 Pokemon from their island and 1 from another, to show challengers that there are Pokemon they can,t get on their island and incentivize visiting all the islands.

Leaders of each island would be:

One Island: Celio. He already has a job in the Pokemon Network Center, but wouldn,t be the first Gym leader to have 2 jobs.Type: Fire (due to Mt. Ember being there and giving lots of options).
Two Island: Lostelle. Youngest Gym leader. After being scared by an Hypno, she trained hard and when the Sevii Pokemon League was organized, there were literally no other trainers in the island, except for the lady that teaches Frenzy Plant, Blast Burn and Hydro Cannon, who is too old for the job. Type: Water (the most common type on the Cape Brink)
Three Island: Mr. Goldman. No one on the island knows his real name, but he made a fortune by digging lots of Nuggets in Three Isle Path, financing with them the economy of the largest city of Sevii Island, opening Ferry connection with Alola and becoming a Gym Leader. Type: Grass, a common type on the island and specifically in Berry Forest.
Four Island: Lorelei. The strongest trainer of Sevii Island came back when Will replaced her in Kanto Elite Four. She will be one of the biggest challenges in the Sevii Pokemon League. Type: Ice (what else did you expect here?).
Five Island: Selphy and Sebastian. Just like Mr. Goldman, Selphy is very rich, though she inherited her fortune from her rich Kanto parents. Selphy is not a very strong trainer, but she has her loyal butler Sebastian by her side, who trains at Lost Cave in his free time. This Gym has Double Battles. Types: Normal (Selphy with her Persians) and Ghost (Sebastian).
Six Island: Hera. As her name suggests, this is the woman that wanted to see the Ultimate Horn. Eventually, an unlikely trainer with Mega Heracross came to her house and she managed to trade it for herself. After that, she became a Gym Leader with the first Mega evolution Sevii Islands have ever seen. Type: Bug (Pattern Bush has lots of those).
Seven Island: Charlie Stone (new character). Inspired by his famous cousin Steven, at a very young age he traveled to Johto, where he got his first Pokemon. From there, he visited Kanto and became a friend with Brock, since both of them had an Onix as their starter. Brock, being a Gym leader and a very influential trainer, got a ticket to Sevii Islands for Charlie. He became fascinated with the wild nature of the Sevault Canyone and decided to stay at Seven Island, where he caught almost all his Mons. When the Sevii Pokemon League got organized, he had to compete with every trainer of the Trainer Tower and won vs all of them. His Gym, like the one on Five Island is fought in Double Battles, but unlike Selphy and Sebastian, he fights alone. Type: Steel.

Item: Metal Coat. Moves: Fake Out, Iron Tail, Slash, Hypnosis. Persian likes coins, made from metal. His signature move is the most Steel type Normal move, Pay Day, though its not useful for a Gym Leader. Still, Persian happens to learn Iron Tail too. Persian uses Fake Out to allow his lead partner to put Spikes. After that, it tries to neutralize foes with Hypnosis or simply attacks.
Item: Bright Powder. Ability: Sturdy. Moves: Spikes, Steel Wind, Drill Peck, Toxic. Steel Mon that uses Spikes, nothing you wouldn,t expect.
Item: King's Rock. Moves: Rock Slide, Iron Tail, Crunch, Thunder Wave. According to the Pokedex, its body can,t be harmed by any type of Attack. That fits for Rocks, but also Steels. In regions in which Tyranitar share habitat with Duraludon, they have rivalry, which is another Steel reference. Tyrantiar handily learns Iron Tail, so this one attacks with it or STABs. Alternatively, can paralyze with Thunder Wave too. Sandstorm and Spikes combined allow for lots of passive damage.
Item: Lum Berry. Ability: Swift Swim. Moves: Hydro Pump, Sludge Bomb, Self-Destruct, Toxic. Qwilfish has a regional form that is based on sea mines, which are made of Steel. Qwilfish itself sort of looks like one and certainly the explosive moves have Steel asociation. This Qwilfish serves several purposes. If opponent counters the Sand with Rain Dance, it outspeeds it with Swift Swim. It also resists Fight and Fire, 2 of the main weaknesses of the team. It attacks with STABs or explodes. Toxic pairs nice with Spikes and Sandstorm but can also be used on the next teammate.
Item: Leftovers. Ability: Guts. Moves: Protect, Cross Chop, Rock Tomb, Facade. Machamp has a Steel Belt and trains hard at the Gym lifting Steel weights, thats the Steel type justification. Its the only Pokemon of the team not present on Seven Island. Machamp hits mainly with Cross Chop but has coverage too. Leftovers negate the Sandstorm damage and Guts boost Machamp when Qwilfish hits him with Toxic.
Item: Quick Claw. Ability: Rock Head. Moves: Iron Tail, Earthquake, Rock Slide, Double Edge. The other Steel Mon. In the future, Charlie Stone will try to get for his starter Pokemon a Megastone, a Z Move or the ability to Dynamax or Terastalize. Until then, its just a Steelix that hits as hard as it can and sometimes moves first with Quick Claw.

 

[Cobalt Empoleon]

On Five Island is the Memorial Pillar, a monument to a beloved Onix named Tectonix, who passed away. This is a team raised by Tectonix's trainer as both a tribute and a way of moving on.

Steely Resolve and Steely Resolution


Skarmory @ Leftovers
Ability: Keen Eye
- Steel Wing
- Drill Peck
- Spikes
- Whirlwind

Skarmory looks too heavy to fly, overburdened by its heavy metal body and wings, but it's far lighter than it appears. In the same way, you too can learn to fly even when it feels like you ought to be weighed down by the hardships you've endured.


Jumpluff @ Bright Powder
Ability: Chlorophyll
- Hidden Power [Steel]
- Substitute
- Leech Seed
- Sleep Powder

The humble dandelion is a hardy weed which thrives by understanding that you can't resist the winds of change: you must let them carry you. Hoppip is notably the only Pokemon found in the tall grass leading to the Memorial Pillar.


Lapras @ Lum Berry
Ability: Water Absorb
- Hydro Pump
- Blizzard
- Thunder
- Iron Tail

Lapras were hunted almost to extinction before massive conservation efforts eventually brought them back into abundance. The species never wavered in its gentleness and generosity towards others, even when the world was cruel and brutal.


Wobbuffet @ Quick Claw
Ability: Shadow Tag
- Counter
- Mirror Coat
- Destiny Bond
- Safeguard

It's not accurate to say that pain is necessary in life, but it is inevitable. Faced with the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Wobbuffet takes that pain and converts it into something useful. In times of grief, it's also important to look beyond yourself and consider what you can do for others, as Wobbuffet does with Safeguard.


Marowak @ Thick Club
Ability: Rock Head
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Double-Edge
- Iron Tail

Marowak represents the enduring power of a guardian's love, even beyond death. Fittingly, this avatar of timeless familial love is the powerhouse of the team.


Steelix @ Choice Band
Ability: Rock Head
- Iron Tail
- Earthquake
- Facade
- Double-Edge

The Metal Coat near the memorial was originally left as a token, but Tectonix would have wanted it to go to good use. In FRLG, this trainer gives the player the Facade TM if they leave a tribute at the Pillar, so I imagine the move held some significance for him and his departed Pokemon. Appropriately, it's a move all about persevering through pain.

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

Gen 3 movepools are bare enough that the sets I've chosen should be pretty self-explanatory. It's a shame that the Wide Lens doesn't exist yet for Lapras, but I still thought it was fun to give it a bunch of low-accuracy moves so that Iron Tail feels like a more fitting inclusion.

 

[Pikachu315111]

Island Builders:
Sevii Islands are a rather small archipelago meaning room for human development is limited. But humans have found ways to make islands bigger or build an artificial island from scratch. And that's what this team does! We're island builders, we add more surface area to islands or build artificial islands, all using Pokemon power:

Steelix, The Tunneler (Rock Head. Quick Claw. Iron Tail/Earthquake/Double-Edge/Rock Smash)
Skarmory, The Surveyor (Sturdy. Bright Powder. Steel Wing/Drill Peck/Protect/Spikes)
Sneasel, The Carpenter (Inner Focus. King's Rock. Metal Claw/Shadow Ball/Brick Break/Aerial Ace)
Azumarill, The Muscleman (Huge Power. Shell Bell. Iron Tail/Brick Break/Body Slam/Belly Drum)
Dunsparce, The Engineer (Serene Grace. Scope Lens. Iron Tail/Headbutt/Rock Slide/Thunder Wave)
Tyranitar, the Terraformer (Sand Stream. Leftovers. Iron Tail/Rock Slide/Crunch/Earthquake)

To Build An Island

Steelix & Tyranitar: The first thing you need to make an island is, of course, land. Both Steelix and Tyranitar can move massive amounts of land that can be used as the foundation for a new island or extension. Once the landmass is made their jobs aren't done though they diverge.
Steelix works underground creating maintenance tunnels and securing support structures so that the new landmass holds together.
Tyranitar is on the surface molding the topography, creating different environments for the expected residents to live in and take use of.

Skarmory: But before any land can be molded, or even set, the area of where the island is going to be and the expected layout needs to be planned. So equipped with special recording equipment, Skarmory takes to the sky and takes thorough pictures and measurements (it could even drop Spikes to act as markers); and being a giant metal bird it can handle fierce winds and rain that may try blow it off course (of course lightning may be an issue but it got Sturdy and Protect).

Sneasel, Azumarill, & Dunsparce: Making the land is good and all but it doesn't mean much without infrastructure.
Sneasel uses its sharp claws to cut things into shape, be it lumber or other materials for buildings or prepping the land for the transported flora.
Azumarill may look small but its one of the strongest members of the team, and being able to both walk and swim it uses that strength to haul cargo where it needs to be. It also keeps an eye on what's going on with the island's foundation underwater and working on any underwater engineering such as setting up a plumbing system.
Speaking of engineering, Dunsparce has both the tool and move to provide power to other tools. You want to be careful drilling holes into an artificial landmass, or anything really, and Dunsparce has the grace and scope for precision.

 

[DrPumpkinz]

"I've heard legends of a Crystal Onix that lives somewhere in this archipelago. I've spent the last 25 years of my life searching for it!"

This old explorer has seen many an adventure, and now he's after the Crystal Onix of the Orange Sevii Islands. As such, his team is full of references to the Orange Islands.

team

Butterfree
Ability: Compound Eyes
- Sleep Powder
- Whirlwind
- Gust
- Silver Wind

Vileplume
Ability: Chlorophyll
- Sludge Bomb
- Solar Beam
- Sunny Day
- Sleep Powder

Of all the alternate-colored Pokemon in Professor Ivy's lab, Butterfree and Vileplume are the most striking.

Furret
Ability: Keen Eye
Shiny: Yes
- Body Slam
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Flamethrower

Magmar
Ability: Flame Body
Shiny: Yes
- Fire Blast
- Thunder Punch
- Cross Chop
- Psychic

Furret and Magmar have been eating too much Pinkan Berry.

Lapras
Ability: Water Absorb
- Sheer Cold
- Horn Drill
- Hydro Pump
- Blizzard

A reference to the herd of Lapras that Ash's Lapras leads. Perhaps even caught from the same herd.

Steelix
Ability: Rock Head
- Earthquake
- Iron Tail
- Double-Edge
- Rock Slide

Finally, a link to the grand prize: the Crystal Onix.

 

[Ironmage]

As often a defense-dominated type, Steel has a tendency to be associated with grindy playstyles focused on passive damage. It just happens that gen 3 is a perfect (sand)storm for these effects to be prominent. I started out making a team about how specific the learners for a lot of Steel moves are, and got something that felt close enough to something you might see on the ladder that I might as well throw in another field condition.


Skarmory @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
- Spikes
- Whirlwind
- Steel Wing
- Toxic
My favourite mon is available on-type in one of my favourite generations, it almost feels like I came first instead of second last round. Skarmory feels like the epitome of Steel as grinding with passive damage. Meanwhile, on the move front, it's almost certainly the reason Steel Wing is one of the earliest moves of the type.


Steelix @ Bright Powder
Ability: Rock Head
- Iron Tail
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Taunt
The core representative for Iron Tail. I chose the item so that the opponent gets to share in its accuracy problems. Mega would have been fun here, but oh well.


Sneasel @ Metal Coat
Ability: Inner Focus
- Metal Claw
- Brick Break
- Shadow Ball
- Swords Dance
While Metal Claw feels originally designed around Scizor, that mon is unavailable and has a newer best friend in Bullet Punch anyway. Here's a differeng gen 2 slasher instead.


Donphan @ Hard Stone
Ability: Sturdy
- Rollout
- Earthquake
- Body Slam
- Iron Tail
Owing to a stronger object theming than most, Donphan would later get a Steel-type alternate notable for (among other things) being the only mon to carry Steel Roller forward into gen 9. Given Sevii islands being removed from any of the main regions, I could see the occasional cryptid story popping up there.


Starmie @ Magnet
Ability: Natural Cure
- Rapid Spin
- Thunderbolt
- Recover
- Psychic
With a focus on (future) moves, I definitely wanted a light-themed mon to be representing the special side, including one of the only commonly distributed Steel moves. I chose to use Electric as the substitute since the most iconic special Steel mon started out as mono-electric.


Tyranitar @ Lum Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
- Iron Tail
- Thunderbolt
- Roar
- Rock Slide
Think this might have been ariados originally since Bug was in a similar place with move distribution and I fondly remember "pseudo-bisharp" in my first playthrough of Moon (named for a moveset of SD/Sucker Punch/Steel attack [because the steel Z-crystal is available significantly before the poison one]/secondary STAB). Outside of the move theming, TTar probably works better anyway since Steel and Rock are often close, with a shared immunity to Sandstorm being a significant example. So it is a power level pick, just not entirely one.

 

[Cobalt Empoleon]

An interesting quirk of our unofficial Sevii Dex is that only one of the four Steel moves introduced in RS is available on any of the eligible mons for this round (assuming I've combed through the learnsets accurately). The highly competitive Metal Sound Skarmory is the only way to include a Gen 3 Steel move in your submission! With just three Gen 2 Steel moves, it also means that, even if you add in Hidden Power [Steel], it's impossible to build a team around giving each of your team members a different Steel move.

 

[CTNC]

The best offense is a good defense, but most people like having some offense. (I don't know why. Stalling one Pokemon for over half an hour until it uses Struggle is fun!) I'm not an expert on offensive tools, so let's just use natural armor like weapons. To put what I'm going for in two words: Armored Offense.


Skarmory
Sturdy
-Steel Wing
-Fly
-Toxic
-Spikes

In ancient times, Skarmory's shed feathers were used as swords. In modern times, its shed feathers are called Entry Hazards. Steel Wing is another way to use its indestructible wings and Fly's immunity turn works very well with Toxic. Speaking of, Toxic is used because it's really good on Defensive Pokemon and encourages switching. Have fun switching when Spikes is up!


Kingler
Shell Armor
-Metal Claw
-Crabhammer
-Body Slam
-Mud Shot

Kingler's claws may be better defined as a weapon than armor, but they're covered in the same shell as the rest of its body. Metal Claw, despite Kingler's claws looking lime the most powerful things on this team, is a pretty pathetic attack. It's only 50 Power, but it's still a Steel move on a Steel team. I could say Crabhammer uses its claws in another weak way, (Thanks to Water Attacks using its Base 50 Special Attack before the Physical/Special Split of Gen 4.) but honestly I just like using signature moves.

Body Slam is about as good as Kingler's Physical coverage gets and the last move was just because I didn't see anything I liked more. Sword Dance would've been good if Crabhammer was Physical, but I didn't like the idea of using it with a Special Attack. The other moves worth considering were Flail, 60 Power Dig, and the 50 Power and 80 Accuracy Rock Tomb. (Rock Tomb isn't bad after being buffed in Gen 6, but what was Game Freak thinking?!)


Serene Grace
-Iron Tail
-Bonemerang
-Headbutt
-Sword Dance

Marowak is a Pokemon that can use its head, and it's mother head, and some other guy's femur.

Headbutt isn't the best attack, but I couldn't say no when the theme is Armored Offense. Bonemerang is another signature move and is the same power as Earthquake over two hits. It's less accurate though, but it's a cool enough move that I don't mind (unless I had to use it. Then I'd mind when it missed. I'd mind a lot.) With three physical Attacks, I'm glad to use Sword Dance as the last move and have one Pokemon be a setup sweeper.


Slowbro
Own Tempo
-Iron Tail
-Surf
-Psychic
-Flamethrower

Shellder may not be the best armor, but if it's good enough to be able to learn Withdraw it's good enough for me. It also makes it so Slowbro looks like it might have the most painful Iron Tail on this team.

The STABs are pretty much the only good STAB options, but there's lots of choices for the last move. I went with Flamethrower just because it's funny that this Water type can learn Fire Attacks. (Not as funny as Fire Punch Ludicolo though. :P)


Donphan
Sturdy
-Iron Tail
-Earthquake
-Rock Slide
-Counter

I was surprised to find out that Phanpy and/or Donphan even has a tail.

Those Treads are so armored that I could see Donphan becoming a Steel type some day. I figured I might as well use a Fighting move while we're stuck in the past. By the way, the only other Fighting move Donphan can learn in Gen 3 is the 20 Power Rock Smash.

There aren't many coverage options, but Rock Slide is a really good one, so I'm not complaining. It's better than Rollout even if Rollout actually uses Donphan's armor.


Steelix@Chesto Berry
Sturdy
-Iron Tail
-Earthquake
-Rock Slide
-Rest

Between being the evolution of a Gen 1 Pokemon and being used by the first Steel Gym, I believe Steelix is a pretty iconic Steel type, which makes it the best Pokemon to save for last. (It also helps that the only other Steel type can learn Spikes, so it really wasn't a choice.)

I'm not sure if it's armor when all of the skin (or whatever it is) is metal. If it doesn't, the weight has to make it at least hurt more to get hit by. The Moves are pretty self explanatory, STAB, other STAB, former STAB, and what feels like being stabbed if you don't have Special Attacks.



The best offense is a good defense, especially if you can use your defensive parts as weapons!

 

[igiveuponaname]

Yea I had no ideas for this until like ten minutes ago when a stupid joke came to mind so apologies if this one sucks big time

"Steel? I thought you said steal!"


This trainer is a burglar who unfortunately misheard some instructions and ending up getting himself into quite a mess. Despite the miscommunication he still plans on seeing things through until the end.


Magmar
Ability: Flame Body
- Smokescreen
- Thief
- Flamethrower
- Confuse Ray

First up we have Magmar whose Smokescreen and Confuse Ray are used to blind and confuse the heist victims so that the rest of the squad can carry out the rest of the operation with minimal interruptions.


Hypno
Ability: Insomnia
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hypnosis
- Thief
- Disable
- Psychic

With Hypnosis and Disable, Hypno is able to incapacitate anyone who hasn't been put into a state of confusion from Magmar's opening moves.


Machamp
Ability: Guts
- Thief
- Strength
- Cross Chop
- Bulk Up

The muscle of the team, Machamp is used to fend off anyone who tries to fight back while the heist is ongoing.


Meowth
Ability: Pickup
- Thief
- Pay Day
- Fake Out
- Taunt

Meowth's small stature and love for shiny coins make it useful during the heist for getting around in small areas and distracting people with the money it drops from using Pay Day.


Murkrow
Ability: Insomnia
- Taunt
- Thief
- Snatch
- Mud-Slap

Murkrow isn't even a part of the heist crew it just showed up since it enjoys stealing people's items. It uses Taunt to distract people and Mud-Slap to reduce their vision temporarily.


Skarmory
Ability: Keen Eye
- Fly
- Thief
- Spikes
- Whirlwind

Lastly we have Skarmory who's the means of getaway for the whole operation. With its sturdy Steel typing and access to Fly it's a reliable means of escaping the scene of the crime while its Spikes and Whirlwind can punish those who try and chase after them by harming them and blowing them away.


Everything on the team is carrying the move Thief for obvious reasons.

 

[QuentinQuonce]

Good evening! Tonight's poll is now up.

https://strawpoll.com/e2naXrempyB​

You have until August 3rd, 9PM GMT to cast your vote!

Numbers time.

Numbers

Steelix: 7
Skarmory: 7

Lapras: 3
Tyranitar: 3
Magmar: 3

Persian: 2
Sneasel: 2
Wobbuffet: 2
Donphan: 2
Marowak: 2
Machamp: 2

Azumarill: 1
Furret: 1
Vileplume: 1
Murkrow: 1
Butterfree: 1
Qwilfish: 1
Starmie: 1
Slowbro: 1
Jumpluff: 1
Meowth: 1
Dunsparce: 1
Kingler: 1
Hypno: 1


Analysis

Steel. Steel, Steel, Steel. Hardness, solidness, toughness. Inorganic...ness.

I think why I sometimes find Steel a bit... uninteresting, to say the least... is that it embodies inorganic life, which I find less intriguing than living beings. Why do living beings do things? For their own inscrutable reasons. Why do robots and machines do things? Usually for fairly scrutable reasons.

That's why, by and large, my favourite Steels are animals which have armoured themselves rather than those which are robots or cyborgs. Luckily, the Sevii Islands contain metal Pokemon of the natural animal kind. Two of Johto's most iconic metal critters, in fact - the defensive behemoths that are Steelix and Skarmory.

Defensive prowess is a good, if a little predictable, place to start from. There's a lot of tanky mons to pick - Donphan, Wobbuffet, Slowbro. And then there are the wrecking balls: Marowak, Machamp, Tyranitar. Tyranitar is a fitting pick for the most popular wildcard: Rock in general echoes Steel's hardness and solid defences, and Tyranitar feels like the perfect meld of indomitable wall and supreme demolisher.

Ground and Rock both naturally fit with Steel: the three types have long association. Lapras, too, is an iconic island Pokemon in both the Orange Islands and the Sevii archipelago, and not even a million miles away from Steel since it's a tanky slow bruiser which learns the rare Iron Tail - I've always thought Shell Armour is a somewhat Steel-coded ability as it's well-suited to a tank which boosts up and weathers a barrage of hits. Still, this was a rather hard round, with slim pickings (and, as noted, not even that many Steel moves). Still, it's always interesting to push the boundaries a bit.

Stuff I expected to see more (or at all)

Kingler. Big iron pincers and the crushing power of a big metal vice.

Unown. For a ruin maniac/treasure hunter theme there's some meme appeal with Hidden Power Steel.

Kakuna. Joke pick and it doesn't get Iron Defence until next gen, but Harden has that Steel-y vibe.

Slowbro, too, feels appropriate (though we've seen a lot of Slowbro in the past few rounds... maybe people are burned out on it).

 

[Ironmage]

I think why I sometimes find Steel a bit... uninteresting, to say the least... is that it embodies inorganic life, which I find less intriguing than living beings. Why do living beings do things? For their own inscrutable reasons. Why do robots and machines do things? Usually for fairly scrutable reasons.

While I rank Skarmory as my absolute favourite (primarily for mechanical reasons), this struck out to me as odd from my perspective as a fan of most Steels. I end up thinking of most objectmons as less straightforward than the more animialistic ones. They're often spontaneously-occurring spirits or aliens rather than something that would have known programming, and they aren't necessarily tied to the same demands for food and reproduction that is shared between all of biology. If I were to pick a second type that I feel has the most of what I like about Steel, it would probably be Ghost, and that's a type I think is pretty obviously inscrutable.

 

[QuentinQuonce]

While I rank Skarmory as my absolute favourite (primarily for mechanical reasons), this struck out to me as odd from my perspective as a fan of most Steels. I end up thinking of most objectmons as less straightforward than the more animialistic ones. They're often spontaneously-occurring spirits or aliens rather than something that would have known programming, and they aren't necessarily tied to the same demands for food and reproduction that is shared between all of biology. If I were to pick a second type that I feel has the most of what I like about Steel, it would probably be Ghost, and that's a type I think is pretty obviously inscrutable.

It varies from Pokemon to Pokemon admittedly but I'm thinking here of species like Klink or Magnemite or Probopass. They're often described by the Pokedex as having a specific goal or mission, which are generally simple to understand and mundane in nature: Magnemite wants to feed on electricity since without it it cannot function, Klink needs to spin constantly to keep itself powered, and Probopass hardly does anything for itself because it just controls its three heads.

A lot of organic Pokemon are described in similarly simple terms (plant Pokemon generally just want to enjoy the sun and suck up nutrients, water-dwelling species want to swim, fiery Pokemon want to be warm and play in magma) but there are a lot of species which have more mysterious motives and it just fires my imagination more when Pokemon are more abstractly defined in their wants and needs. Xatu spends its time meditating and dwelling on the past and future, Gengar is a fickle and unpredictable being, Hatterne suppresses all strong emotion, Electabuzz is by nature moody and disobedient, Porygon-Z is an unstable computer program, Shedinja is a total enigma, Tapu Lele is downright unhinged.

Granted, this is most evident with a lot of legendary Pokemon (which are nearly all organic/natural creatures). One of the things that I've always liked about GSC's story is how unknowable the legendaries are by design - they work according to their own agenda, and we're not ever told outright what they want, instead having to intuit it. There's no certainty or clear answers. I feel like the design ethos of a lot of Steel Pokemon goes against that - we're told exactly what they want, they're generally quite easy to understand and predict.

But there are a lot of Steel-types I really love: Aggron, Mawile, Scizor, Goodra, Empoleon, Wormadam, Heatran, Durant.

 

[QuentinQuonce]

Voting over - congratulations to Cobalt Empoleon for winning this round! Will DM shortly.

 

[QuentinQuonce]

And we're back! Our winner has chosen for us a new question, with an old favourite type and an old favourite region.

You are a Rock-type specialist in DP Sinnoh. 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 August 17th, 9PM GMT to make your case!

DP Sinnoh dex is here for those who need it: https://www.serebii.net/diamondpearl/shinoudex.shtml

Teams so far

Eeveeto: Rampardos, Bastiodon, Spiritomb, Raichu, Blissey, Clefable
Cobalt Empoleon: Rampardos, Golem, Onix, Bibarel, Lucario, Abomasnow
ninth: Rampardos, Bastiodon, Gyarados, Steelix, Honchkrow, Machamp
Ironmage: Rampardos, Sudowoodo, Octillery, Drapion, Staraptor, Tentacruel
Pikachu315111: Rampardos, Bastiodon, Onix, Unown, Clefable, Steelix
igiveuponaname: Graveler, Onix, Unown, Gabite, Hippopotas, Machoke
jmh5: Rampardos, Bastiodon, Golem, Sudowoodo, Onix, Hippowdon
CTNC: Rampardos, Bastiodon, Golem, Sudowoodo, Onix, Steelix
DrPumpkinz: Rampardos, Bastiodon, Alakazam, Steelix, Heracross, Rapidash
Hugin: Rampardos, Bastiodon, Sudowoodo, Infernape, Torterra, Empoleon

 

[Eeveeto]

A doubles based guy went to Sinnoh and wanted to build a team. For it, he went mining underground, every single Pokemon here needs some item underground to be caught/evolved/revived:

Item: Focus Sash. Moves: Fake Out, Thunder Wave, Iron Tail, Thunderbolt. Raichu needs Thunderstone to be evolved. He actually learns a Rock move in Rollout, but I let it for another teammate. Instead, Raichu supports his lead partner by using Fake Out and paralyzing the opponents.
Item: Chople Berry. Ability: Serene Grace. Moves: Stealth Rock, Body Slam, Thunder, Blizzard. Happiny evolves into Chansey with Oval Stone, which also is found underground. This Blissey puts Rocks and then paralyzes opponents with Serene Grace Body Slam and Thunder. Blissey actually learns a lot of Rock moves, but most are physical or status.
Item: Smooth Rock. Moves: Ancient Power, Flash Cannon, Fissure, Sandstorm. A fossil found underground. This one abuses paralysis provided by the lead duo and uses Sandstorm too boost its bulk. Then it uses either STABs or Fissure.
Item: Sitrus Berry. Moves: Rock Tomb, Shadow Ball, Thief, Will-o-Wisp. Odd Keystone is also an underground item. Spiritomb drops opponent's Speed with Rock Tomb or the Attack with WoW. It can also steal an item after opponent activates Sitrus Berry.
Item: Shuca Berry. Moves: Rock Slide, Brick Break, Rock Climb, Ice Beam. Another underground fossil. With the Speed drop teammates provided, it flinches everything with Rock Slide, while hitting hard.
Item: Leftovers. Ability: Magic Guard. Moved: Cosmic Power, Softboiled, Rollout, Meteor Mash. Ace Mon. Not only it came in a meteorite to Earth, but his evolved item is also found underground, Moon Stone. This Clefable abuses the Speed drop teammates provided to boost with Cosmic Power (rock related Psychic Move!) and Meteor Mash (rock related Steel Move!), heals with Softboiled, and sweeps with Rollout (actual Rock move!).

 

[Cobalt Empoleon]

Stoked to get back in the winners' circle!

When I think of Rock-types, I immediately think of the Hiker trainer class. Specifically, my submission for this round is based on the Hiker whose Rock Climb HM the player picks up on Route 217.

If you enter his house and talk to him after picking up HM08, the Hiker describes how he dropped the HM while struggling through the blizzard, before rewarding the player for their honesty with an Icicle Plate.

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

Snow Drop


Bibarel @ Focus Sash
Ability: Unaware
- Rock Climb
- Stealth Rock
- Waterfall
- Double-Edge


Onix @ Lum Berry
Ability: Sturdy
- Rock Climb
- Stone Edge
- Rock Smash
- Explosion


Abomasnow
Ability: Snow Warning
- Rock Climb
- Rock Slide
- Blizzard
- Wood Hammer


Rampardos @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Mold Breaker
- Rock Climb
- Head Smash
- Earthquake
- Surf


Lucario @ Wide Lens
Ability: Steadfast
- Rock Climb
- Stone Edge
- Hi Jump Kick
- Iron Tail


Golem @ Life Orb
Ability: Sturdy
- Rock Climb
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Strength

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

Each mon on the team knows both a Rock move and Rock Climb, which is why he's happy letting the player keep the HM. Every set also includes a self-damaging move or item, explaining why the Hiker got worn down on the trek back to his home. Additionally, his team knows all the HM moves required to fully explore his home area north of Mt Coronet as well as Mt Coronet itself (that one Defog room doesn't count shhh).

Onix, Rampardos, and Golem were chosen as the Rock mons that can learn Rock Climb, with Golem as the logical ace for a Hiker. Bibarel is the natural lead for an HM aficionado in Sinnoh, functioning as a Stealth Rock lead that'll hopefully prevent the opponent from immediately setting up and sweeping thanks to Unaware.

While Abomasnow and Lucario aren't Rock Pokemon, I think they embody the quiet solitude of the mountain hermit. Abomasnow has no item, because it was previously holding the Icicle Plate that ended up being gifted to the player.

 

[ninth]

Somebody had to do a pun: this is a Rock-type specialist and rock artist with a team reflecting his band. Emphasis on intimidating appearance, maximum aggression, and looking as hardcore as possible in the "whoa this is so edgy" sense.

Steelix @ Choice Band
Ability: Rock Head
- Earthquake
- Gyro Ball
- Rock Slide
- Explosion
If you squint and don't think about it too hard it looks like a guitar. All-out, maximum force attacker.

Bastiodon @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
- Rock Slide
- Iron Head
- Stealth Rock
- Curse
The Wall. A hulking menace and the keyboardist. Most likely to sign autographs after the show.

Gyarados @ Wacan Berry
Ability: Intimidate
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Ice Fang
- Earthquake
His ability's literally Intimidate and he's a big scary dragon. Don't let him crowdsurf.

Rampardos @ Life Orb
Ability: Mold Breaker
- Substitute
- Head Smash
- Earthquake
- Fire Punch
Highly controversial lead vocalist with screamo vocals and a rap sheet longer than a stall game.

Machamp @ Leftovers
Ability: No Guard
- Substitute
- Dynamic Punch
- Payback
- Ice Punch
Simultaneously a multi-instrumentalist and one hell of a bodyguard. Will throw someone off stage in the middle of playing an organ.

Honchkrow @ Black Glasses
Ability: Insomnia
- Perish Song
- Night Slash
- Sucker Punch
- Superpower
The manager, a shady figure with alleged ties to organized crime.

 

[Ironmage]

I end up thinking of the amount fossils I found in the Underground as a kid. Naturally, this was after the national dex was obtained so it featured a lot more than just the dinosaurs. As a result, I've decided to fill with what could potentially be modern relatives of other fossil mons.


Rampardos @ Life Orb
Ability: Mold Breaker
- Head Smash
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Superpower
Honestly, I'm pretty tempted to make a crack at the complete lack of survivability making rampardos an evolutionary dead-end like the dex entries on the gen 8 mistakes.


Sudowoodo @ Focus Sash
Ability: Rock Head
- Double-Edge
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Punch
- Stone Edge
The reason Bastiodon isn't here is because I had Diamond as a kid so I don't remember finding any Armor Fossils. Part of why Sudowoodo is here is because the gen 3 fossils are hard to link up (clear evidence we need more mons based on cambrian arthropods, if you ask me). Lileep's dex entries mention that its tentacles mimicked seaweed as a lure, so I might as well add a current plant mimic to the team.


Tentacruel @ Leftovers
Ability: Liquid Ooze
- Acid
- Toxic
- Giga Drain
- Hydro Pump
The primary inspiration for Lileep and Cradily is fairly obviously a crinoid (or sea lily), which is off in echinodermata so Starmie being unavailable means that approach doesn't work. Anenomes are listed as a possible secondary inspiration, which becomes more notable with the fully-evolved mon swapping out regular lures for acid-tipped tentacles. Anenomes are part of Cnidaria along with corals and jellyfish, so an acid-using jellyfish is at seast vaguely possible.


Drapion @ Black Sludge
Ability: Battle Armor
- Aqua Tail
- Rock Slide
- Toxic Spikes
- Earthquake
I ran out of steam for Anorith since there really isn't anything close to another radiodont. Instead, drapion is representing the Kabuto line. Horseshoe crabs are actually chelicerates, like arachnids, rather than crusteceans. Hence the choice of an arachnid mon that shares the Water 3 egg group with the cool fossils.


Octillery @ Expert Belt
Ability: Sniper
- Surf
- Flash Cannon
- Signal Beam
- Ice Beam
Apparently, ammonites are closer to the internal- (or non-) shelled cephalopods than the surviving nautiloids. Makes a substitute for Omastar relatively easy.


Staraptor @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Intimidate
- U-turn
- Brave Bird
- Close Combat
- Roost
Where the real dinosaurs went. Fun fact: Archeops shares an egg group with the gen 3 fossils.

 

[Pikachu315111]

Legendary Archeology:
There is more reasons than coal and ore to go digging in Sinnoh. Sinnoh is the region of legends and has many archeological sites, many which depict Pokemon of legends. Of course such Legendary Pokemon are out of reach for your every-day archeologist, but maybe by using facsimiles of them we can come closer to understanding their significance to Sinnoh's ancient culture.

Bastiodon (Sturdy. Iron Plate. Stealth Rock, Flash Cannon, Roar, Toxic)
Rampardos (Mold Breaker. Stone Plate. Head Smash, Zen Headbutt, Earthquake, Surf)
Onix (Sturdy. Life Orb. Stone Edge, Rock Tomb, Earthquake, Explosion)
Steelix (Sturdy. Earth Plate. Stone Edge, Earthquake, Gyro Ball, Ice Fang)
Clefable (Magic Guard. Mind Plate. Stealth Rock, Psychic, Thunderbolt, Light Screen)
Unown-A (Levitate. Choice Specs. Hidden Power (Rock))

Digging Deeper

Bastiodon/Dialga: First up, the most obvious facsimile for Dialga would be Bastiodon, a fellow ancient Steel-type quadruped (well, maybe not as ancient as Dialga). To emphasize this further Bastiodon holds the Iron Plate which powers-up its Flash Cannon, and combined with Roar I feel its a near appropriation to Dialga's Signature Move, Roar of Time.

Ramparados/Palkia: Similarly, Rampardos stands in as Palkia's facsimile both being bipedal Ornithischia (latin for "bird-hipped) dinosaurs (which are distantly related to the more familiar theropods which are the group of dinosaurs modern birds descended from). While not having any relation after body shape, I did discover that Rampardos could learn Surf and, well, how could I not have it as one of its moves if its supposed to be representing the Water-type Legendary of Time? And much like Bastiodon I gave it a Plate, though I decided for Rampardos it would much better serve it having the Stone Plate. The Splash Plate wasn't going to do much for Surf, but a Stone Plate would raise its Head Smash to even higher levels of absurdity surely to rival Palkia's Signature Move, Spacial Rend.

Onix & Steelix/Giratina: No more Fossil Pokemon, but that doesn't mean we're out of long-lived facsimiles; at least I'm assuming giant snakes made of rocks and steel have a long lifespan. Acting as Giratina's facsimilie is the also serpent-like Onix and Steelix, both representing one of its formes.
Onix represents Giratina's Altered Forme, a form which Giratina's power is not fully realized like how Onix is an unevolved Pokemon. Instead of a Plate, Onix holds a Life Orb, both to give it a much needed power increase but relates to Giratina who too needs an orb to unlock its full power.
That brings us to Steelix who represents Giratina's Origin Forme, Giratina's true forme & power, like how an Onix evolving to a Steelix has come to its own. Steelix holds the Earth Plate to symbolize its relation to Giratina is similar to its Fossil teammates to Dialga and Palkia above.

Clefable/Uxie, Mesprit & Azelf: Clefable probably aren't able to live for centuries (but they are alien fairies so who knows), but now that we moved on from the primordial Creation Trio to the sensational Lake Guardians that shouldn't be such a big deal. While they represent the wide ranging concepts of intelligence, emotions, and willpower, they all share the same body shape so I feel for this team one Pokemon can represent them. And with a body shape and naming scheme based around faeries, I feel the perfect facsimile for them would be Clefable, especially with it holding the Mind Plate powering up its Psychic.

Unown-A/Arceus: Hear me out. At first it does seem pretty disappointing if not blasphemy to relate Arceus, the Pokemon god, to one of the weakest Pokemon. But this isn't just the weakest Pokemon, it's Unown, one of the most mysterious Pokemon which alone aren't anything to write home about but together can warp reality. Infact, Arceus has been seen surrounded by huge swarms of Unown when it did some of its own reality bending (such as creating an extra member of the Creation Trio, something Cynthia saw and probably would have written about). In addition in Sinnoh the Unown are found in Solaceon Ruins, one of the other major ruin location alongside the Celestica Ruins. Altogether the Unown seem to have a strong connection with the legends of Sinnoh, in particular to Arceus who both share the power to shape the universe. So with all that said may feel odd not to have Unown carrying a Plate, even if it can't use it it's not like it's a serious battling member of the team. But I have another reason for giving it the Choice Specs, something hard to see with its sprite but easier in its other artworks, notably Scarlet & Violet:

The parts of the frame around the lens have four spikes jutting out, making it look like a very familiar symbol:

(btw this is the Origin Mark for Legends: Arceus, but eitherway it's one of the many times Arceus' wheel/ring has been used as a symbol). Coincidence?! Very likely. But for the purpose of this team, and especially as one of the held items which Unown can use (though now I'm imagining it wearing it over its one big eye, lol), it works perfectly well; a facsimile wheel for a facsimile Arceus. Also I don't think I need to explain why I used Unown A, correct? Good. ONE FINAL FUN FACT: While I gave it Hidden Power Rock because its part of a Rock-type team, Rock does have a little neat trivia when it comes to the Type Chart: if there was a theoretical Pokemon of every Type, it would ONLY be weak to Rock!

 

[igiveuponaname]

(couldnt get the unown-question sprite to work)

One thing I found interesting when presented with the 'rock-type specialist in dp/bdsp sinnoh' prompt was the amount of areas and existing trainers which a team could be tied to when being conceived, namely the Sinnoh Underground and Mt. Coronet, as well as the Rock Climb Hiker mentioned earlier in this thread. After looking around a bit though I remembered one cave which many players would likely not give much of a second thought, the Ruin Maniac Tunnel.

Thus the trainer for this prompt is an assistant to the Ruin Maniac whose team consists of a bunch of mons that help in digging deeper into the cave. The fact they're all NFEs is meant to convey how this assistant is less experienced than those around them and how they still have room to grow both professionally and as a trainer.


Hippopotas @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
- Dig
- Rock Smash
- Slack Off
- Yawn

One of two Pokemon who can be found in the Ruin Maniac Tunnel, and also the only place Hippopotas can be found at all. Likes to slack off and avoid work whenever possible.


Graveler @ Hard Stone
Ability: Rock Head
- Dig
- Rock Smash
- Rock Throw
- Stealth Rock

The other Pokemon whose evolution line can be found in the Ruin Maniac Tunnel, helps with excavation.


Onix @ Leftovers
Ability: Rock Head
- Dig
- Rock Smash
- Headbutt
- Curse

Cave dwelling Rock type that can help with excavation.


Machoke @ Muscle Band
Ability: Guts
- Dig
- Rock Smash
- Helping Hand
- Strength

Generic strong mon who can help with physical labour. Lends a helping hand to others when they're in need.


Gabite @ Bright Powder
Ability: Sand Veil
Happiness: 0
- Dig
- Rock Smash
- Dragon Claw
- Frustration

Another cave dwelling Pokemon who can help with the cave excavation, Gabite is a bit more of a hassle for our trainer since it likes to avoid doing work whenever it can and hides in the sandstorm conjured up by Hippopotas with its Sand Veil ability and Bright Powder. When it's working it shows its frustration a lot.


Unown-Question @ Odd Incense
Ability: Levitate
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 Spe
- Hidden Power [Psychic]

Our trainer found this type of Unown after the completion of the Ruin Maniac Tunnel and accessing a new portion of the Solaceon Ruins. They also found an Odd Incense within the ruins which they decided to give to their new companion.

 

[jhm5]

Rock types are actually pretty prevalent in Sinnoh, so making a team of 6 revolving around the type was not terribly difficult. All 5 rock type lines are represented, while Hippowdon is chosen to set rock’s signature weather in sand, boosting its teammates’ special defense.

Furthermore, every Pokémon will have the most commonly found competitive rock type attack, Stone Edge. Nothing is more universal to DP than battles revolving around whether Stone Edge hits or misses. The whole team also gets Earthquake, Stone Edge’s partner in crime to form the potent EdgeQuake combo. And finally, all Pokémon are from different evolutionary lines and have different items.

Movesets and Explanations

Onix @ Focus Sash
Ability: Sturdy
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Explosion

Onix serves as a classic Stealth Rock suicide lead, getting up rocks and hopefully dealing damage with its paltry base attack using STAB EdgeQuake and the absurdly powerful Gen 4 Explosion before it goes down.


Hippowdon @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
Careful Nature
- Slack Off
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Roar

Hippowdon is a classic wall that sets up weather with Sand Stream and scouts the opponent with Roar, while Slack Off and Leftovers help replenish its health and EdgeQuake for damage off from its huge base attack.


Bastiodon @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Sturdy
Sassy Nature
- Metal Burst
- Taunt
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake

Bastiodon has EdgeQuake coverage and uses its strong defenses with Taunt to force its opponent to attack and its signature move in Metal Burst, which works as a weaker, but more versatile Counter or Mirror Coat.


Sudowoodo @ Choice Band
Ability: Rock Head
Adamant Nature
- Stone Edge
- Wood Hammer
- Earthquake
- Explosion

Sudowoodo dishes out great damage with a classic 4 attack Choice Band set consisting of Stone Edge, Earthquake, Gen 4 Explosion, and Wood Hammer for coverage, which does not deal recoil thanks to Rock Head.


Golem @ Life Orb
Ability: Rock Head
Adamant Nature
- Rock Polish
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Sucker Punch

Golem uses Rock Polish to double its pathetically low base speed, allowing it to move first and deal massive damage with a Life Orb boosted STAB EdgeQuake combo and Sucker Punch for strong priority.


Rampardos @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Mold Breaker
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Fire Punch
- Zen Headbutt

Rampardos uses a Choice Scarf to help fix its low base speed and destroys opponents with Stone Edge off its massive base attack, while Earthquake, Fire Punch, and Zen Headbutt give it surprisingly good coverage.

 

[QuentinQuonce]

Nothing is more universal to DP than battles revolving around whether Stone Edge hits or misses

Please, I can think of all kinds of things: slow movement? the arbitrary exclusion of allegedly Sinnoh-native species? insanely creepy backing music in ghost-heavy locations (and when scientists catch sight of you)? glaringly stupid roadblocks (actually, thinking it over, that one's more Unova's thing)? the bike instantly unequipping inside gatehouses? Focus Blast? otherwise perfectly competent Pokemon being deemed unusable because they're weak to Stealth Rock?

Props to whoever can build a team concept around any of those things, though...

 

[Ironmage]

Please, I can think of all kinds of things: slow movement? the arbitrary exclusion of allegedly Sinnoh-native species? insanely creepy backing music in ghost-heavy locations (and when scientists catch sight of you)? glaringly stupid roadblocks (actually, thinking it over, that one's more Unova's thing)? the bike instantly unequipping inside gatehouses? Focus Blast? otherwise perfectly competent Pokemon being deemed unusable because they're weak to Stealth Rock?

Props to whoever can build a team concept around any of those things, though...

Last one's pretty easy in current generations, just run 6 heavy-duty bootlickers.

 

[jhm5]

Last one's pretty easy in current generations, just run 6 heavy-duty bootlickers.

Talonflame, Vivillon, Butterfree, Mothim, Masquerain, Ledian, Vespiquen, Ninjask, and Charizard are all in Central Kalos and 4x to Rock.

 

[QuentinQuonce]

People would probably quibble the "otherwise perfectly competent" tag for a fair few of those, though.