[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

Heart's 'Ditto' easily Transforms into Furret, but proves unable to transform into things that Nathan's Ditto has definitely seen - basically the recipient of Hidden Power needs to be looking right at what he transforms into, lacking a true Ditto's greater versatility.
No Surprise shenanigans either.

Nathan looks at the 'Gargryph' next to him.  "That's three transformations from you today, right?  Are you able to shift back to being a Ralts, Xatu, or your original form as normal after using Hidden Power?" \

I'm away from the notes I'd need to answer that particular question (don't remember what limits I imposed on Ditto's transformations per day), but Ditto is still able to use his unTransform move as normal even after Hidden Power, and Transform after that.

As soon as Nathan's Ditto moves on to a new form, Heart's Gargryph becomes a Gargryph again.

Further experimentation will also prove that Ditto can only maintain Hidden Power on one target at a time.



For those who are not used to Ditto logic, here's what happened: Ditto's Hidden Power transforms the target into a Ditto! That target can then use Transform, handheld game style.
Yet the true Ditto retains the appearance of the target from Transform.
So it kind of appeared as if the Pokemon switched places.



??????????????? ?? ????

I have a headache now.

[Spiritmon]

Heart was confused. A lot after that transform show. "Okay, let's see if I understand what happened. The Hidden Power of your ditto is to Transform the target into a Ditto with the Transform move and the user acquired the appearance of the target?" Heart try to hold together his head. "To much information in my opinion."

[Iron]

Technically Ditto used Transform and then Hidden Power.

[Dragonstrike]

"Yes, but only for as long as Ditto maintains its transformation due to Hidden Power, and the faux Ditto isn't able to Transform into things it can't see...and that probably doesn't stop the faux Ditto from Transforming back into their original form if they can still see Ditto itself and know/realize they can do so...still, that's very disruptive, even if it's for only a few seconds...and it could also be useful for slightly circumventing Ditto's limited number of Transformations each day...thank you both for testing this, Ditto and Gargryph.  Heart, can you recall Gargryph now, please?"

Nathan recalls Ditto.  Then he starts on assessing the notes he's taken...(which I'll get to in a separate post after Gargryph is recalled)  He absentmindedly ruffles Rhea's fur every so often.  It's so soft and comforting...

[Dragonstrike]

After a few minutes of writing (and after Gargryph is recalled), Nathan looks up from his papers.

"Heart, I'm going to be honest with you.  I don't think Gargryph will be as useful as initially thought.  If its Hidden Power only works on humans, because 'Ralts' definitely still had Trace, then it could only heal itself and us if we got in a jam.  By contrast, we have two Heal Pulse users and a Ditto if we need on the spot healing that badly."

Nathan looks at Valder.  "You have two empty party slots.  And while Frogadier could be useful, we already have 4 other water types in the group.  Would you be fine with leaving Frogadier behind?  If we need his abilities, I could try to get Ditto to Transform into him from memory."

Nathan looks at Ventus, then at Heart and Valder (@Spiritmon and @Nylon).  "I do think the Combee will be useful.  Their sense of smell is amazing, and they have plenty of experience as gatherers.  Zippy and Princess helped me make some candles a few days ago.  Zippy's smelled like a field of flowers, and Princess's smelled exactly like a beehive.  They should be able to help us with the food situation, and between them, Tropius, and Clawitzer, I think we should be fine...Valder, would you mind holding on to Starmie and the bees for this trip?  I think you should be able to get the most use out of them while we're down there.  You'd have a light source, and your high strength training would help make up for the bees' low powered moves.  Or I can loan you two other pokemon, maybe, if you don't want to worry about Princess evolving while we're down there, since I don't know when she's going to do so...and Heart, would you mind holding on to Grid for the duration?  I'd be free to bring my other 6 listed pokemon if we did this, and I don't think we'd lose much by doing so."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

No comment from Shiva concerning Nathan's desire to still bring the bees with him despite the reasonable counter-arguments either, but the lack of the word 'please' in his request earns him a bit of tired mental sigh from respectful her, she has enough candles + a pocket lighter she carries with her anyway and will stay sceptical about the Combee until prooven otherwise.

[Nylon]

After a few minutes of writing (and after Gargryph is recalled), Nathan looks up from his papers.

Nathan looks at Valder.  "You have two empty party slots.  And while Frogadier could be useful, we already have 4 other water types in the group.  Would you be fine with leaving Frogadier behind?  If we need his abilities, I could try to get Ditto to Transform into him from memory."

Valder, would you mind holding on to Starmie and the bees for this trip?  I think you should be able to get the most use out of them while we're down there.  You'd have a light source, and your high strength training would help make up for the bees' low powered moves.  Or I can loan you two other pokemon, maybe, if you don't want to worry about Princess evolving while we're down there, since I don't know when she's going to do so

Valder's fine with depositing Frogadier for some time, although he will ask frogadier if it's fine.
 He'll can take Starmie and a Combee (preferrably not princess) since Valder wishes to have one party slot free (I realise Pokemon can be caught regardless of this).

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

"Yes, but only for as long as Ditto maintains its transformation due to Hidden Power, and the faux Ditto isn't able to Transform into things it can't see...and that probably doesn't stop the faux Ditto from Transforming back into their original form if they can still see Ditto itself and know/realize they can do so...still, that's very disruptive, even if it's for only a few seconds...and it could also be useful for slightly circumventing Ditto's limited number of Transformations each day...thank you both for testing this, Ditto and Gargryph.  Heart, can you recall Gargryph now, please?"

Nathan recalls Ditto.  Then he starts on assessing the notes he's taken...(which I'll get to in a separate post after Gargryph is recalled)  He absentmindedly ruffles Rhea's fur every so often.  It's so soft and comforting...

After a few minutes of writing (and after Gargryph is recalled), Nathan looks up from his papers.

"Heart, I'm going to be honest with you.  I don't think Gargryph will be as useful as initially thought.  If its Hidden Power only works on humans, because 'Ralts' definitely still had Trace, then it could only heal itself and us if we got in a jam.  By contrast, we have two Heal Pulse users and a Ditto if we need on the spot healing that badly."

Nathan looks at Valder.  "You have two empty party slots.  And while Frogadier could be useful, we already have 4 other water types in the group.  Would you be fine with leaving Frogadier behind?  If we need his abilities, I could try to get Ditto to Transform into him from memory."

Nathan looks at Ventus, then at Heart and Valder (@Spiritmon and @Nylon).  "I do think the Combee will be useful.  Their sense of smell is amazing, and they have plenty of experience as gatherers.  Zippy and Princess helped me make some candles a few days ago.  Zippy's smelled like a field of flowers, and Princess's smelled exactly like a beehive.  They should be able to help us with the food situation, and between them, Tropius, and Clawitzer, I think we should be fine...Valder, would you mind holding on to Starmie and the bees for this trip?  I think you should be able to get the most use out of them while we're down there.  You'd have a light source, and your high strength training would help make up for the bees' low powered moves.  Or I can loan you two other pokemon, maybe, if you don't want to worry about Princess evolving while we're down there, since I don't know when she's going to do so...and Heart, would you mind holding on to Grid for the duration?  I'd be free to bring my other 6 listed pokemon if we did this, and I don't think we'd lose much by doing so."

Heart recall Gargryph back to the pokeball. "To being honest Nathan, since Gargryph couldnt very much useful in our journey, I would like to bring Netune or Koa in his place. Since we might find a few Ground and Rock types in our trip to the caverns, a few Water-types its always a good thing to me. And with Lucifer, another dragon-type its always welcome to fight against some foes. Besides, Koa is close to reach his next step of evolution and our journey to Mt. Sentry might be a good trigger to make him evolve. And A Fraxure its would be strengh we might need since only Arceus know what might lie in that place." Heart to reason with Nathan, and to avoid unecessary conflict.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

The recalling of the noble stony gargoyle and Heart speaking up once more concerning what Pokemon to bring instead of this Tandormon caused Shiva to calmly look up from the papers and the notes, especially the mentioning of more expected Rock and Ground Types lingering down the mountain. To be honest, she too does feel that they'll meet prominently these Types down there, but since she has seen much different Types already within Mount Sentry already, she mentally perpared herself for everything...

"Heart, I feel we already have enough Grass and Water Types with us to defeat any Rock and Ground Types we may discover down there. But... you remember that Druddigon I met? In case there might be more dragons down there, having a Dragon Type ourselves as an attempt to counter it alongside the other moves that deal decent damage. Especially when Lucifer doesn't know any Dragon Type moves yet, does he, Ven? To my knowledge, they sadly don't learn any naturally until they evolve." ... "Though, bring what you personally feel useful for yourself."

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

The recalling of the noble stony gargoyle and Heart speaking up once more concerning what Pokemon to bring instead of this Tandormon caused Shiva to calmly look up from the papers and the notes, especially the mentioning of more expected Rock and Ground Types lingering down the mountain. To be honest, she too does feel that they'll meet prominently these Types down there, but since she has seen much different Types already within Mount Sentry already, she mentally perpared herself for everything...

"Heart, I feel we already have enough Grass and Water Types with us to defeat any Rock and Ground Types we may discover down there. But... you remember that Druddigon I met? In case there might be more dragons down there, having a Dragon Type ourselves as an attempt to counter it alongside the other moves that deal decent damage. Especially when Lucifer doesn't know any Dragon Type moves yet, does he, Ven? To my knowledge, they sadly don't learn any naturally until they evolve." ... "Though, bring what you personally feel useful for yourself."

"Thats a excelent suggestion Shiva. And Koa have a access to Dragon Dance to increase his strengh and speed, and powerfull offencive moves like Dual Chop and Slash and very soon Dragon Claw. Even young he have a great strengh. And depending what gender of pokemon we find there, his Rivalry ability will bring us a extra-strengh against male pokemon. And I think you really should consider bring Grid or not Warren. Since I already taking Ventus Lucifer with me, have more than one other person pokemon would be problematic with the chance to not listen to my orders. And I already have a bill with disobedience pokemon, thank you very much."

Then Heart look again in Ventus direction. "Mind if I join with you to buy the potions Ventus? Is there some things I must discuss with ya before anything."