"The idea holds for Pokemon too to an extent even if they aren't throwing punches per se. Most of them start with some form of physical blow like a scratch, tackle or bite." He looks down at the Ralts and smiles as it pushes on, determined to keep up. "In your case, little guy... it's a bit different. You've got mind bullets. Use that reach tactically."
"Back on topic, these are a lot like jabs in that you aren't going to outright flatten the target, just wear it down. Hitting with a few is going to smart though, and that's when you're going to start feeling it hurt. You'll want those basic moves drilled to the point where they're muscle memory and you can power through that pain to connect."
He points at the Paras. "You caused me and Winston a lot of misery that way yesterday, I'll have you know, Moran."
The Paras looks up at him and clacks its mandibles in acknowledgement at the dubious praise.
"Thing is, your opponent is going to be doing the same to you. You're trying to wear him down, he's trying to wear you down. It's a race to see who hits the limit of the other's endurance first. You don't strike me like the kind who likes to take the hit. Neither do your Ponyta or Ralts. It's easy to get trapped in routine when all you've got to do is repeat Confusion or Ember until the target drops, but let's branch out a bit."
"Sometimes, you'll find your hits aren't doing more than chipping away at your target due to his ability to tough your shots and roll with the punches. In a Pokemon's case, sometimes you'll run into immunities. Take your Ralts. Confusion is all fine and well until you're up against a Dark Type. Suddenly, that Confusion's looking less and less happy. If they laugh off your opening, change tact."
Vincent suddenly steps forward, catching Nathan's arm and sweeping his leg with a sharp thrust for his ankle with his outstretched foot. He then grabs his shoulder with is free arm, stabilizing him.
"Ugh. Forgot how much that hurts." He reaches down and massages his right leg.
"While you were listening to me, you were't guarding. Generally when you think someone is going for your face, you're not watching his legs so getting knocked down is always a threat. Gravity's a harsh mistress and while your target is floored, he has to get back up, which buys you time to sneak in a hit or two. Sometimes being slammed on your arse does almost as much damage as being punched, sometimes more if your opponent is a toughie. I heard you and Ralts struggled against Joy back in the Center and since Ralts isn't that much of a physical hitter, letting gravity and ground do the hitting might even the score just a bit."
"Theory holds even for quadrupeds. Take your Ponyta for instance. Theoretically, if we were doing this, Winston would try to wrench a rear leg to cause a fall. Ugly fighting style, but effective..." He feels his Pokedex buzz with an incoming call and fishes it out. Noting the caller, he let's it go to voice mail and finishes. "You want to find that weak spot and cause a fall. If you were attempting to kick my face in for instance, you'd go after my right leg. It's less obvious for other people and Pokemon, but there's usually a point to push. Figuring that out is the hard part but it'll win you the fight."
"I'd offer to let you practice, but I already pushed this bum leg today and since I don't want it falling off, we'll have to take a rain check on it. Otherwise, your basic punches are rough, but serviceable. Just keep at it and they'll smooth up. You've already toned those muscles from farm work, so use them. I dare say you'll be better than me if you stick at it."
He fishes out the Pokedex and replays the message on speaker. Ventus' voice is tinny on the cheap sound replication, but audible. "...Hello, Vince. *Sigh* I...apologize for my brazen actions today, but for what trouble I caused, I did so with the best intensions. Ones that you are interested in, I take it, given he out of character I was being? If I have not completely burn my bridge with you, I'd be willing to explain why I acted in such a...demented way....It cowardous for me to say, but If you could, can you tell Nathan I'm sorry? I understand more than he thinks about his connection with Ralts, and I be more than happy to help...if he would let me."
"HIS EMOTIONS FLICKER LIKE A LIGHT SWITCH." The officer growls. "STABLE AS A ONE LEGGED DODUO."
I know. I trust him about as far as I can throw him right now.
"You catch that, Nathan?" He snorts. "Looks like Dr Jekyll decided to revert back from being Mr Hyde."
He shrugs. "Still, there's plenty of time to think this through while waiting for Larry. Let's keep at it."
"Back on topic, these are a lot like jabs in that you aren't going to outright flatten the target, just wear it down. Hitting with a few is going to smart though, and that's when you're going to start feeling it hurt. You'll want those basic moves drilled to the point where they're muscle memory and you can power through that pain to connect."
He points at the Paras. "You caused me and Winston a lot of misery that way yesterday, I'll have you know, Moran."
The Paras looks up at him and clacks its mandibles in acknowledgement at the dubious praise.
"Thing is, your opponent is going to be doing the same to you. You're trying to wear him down, he's trying to wear you down. It's a race to see who hits the limit of the other's endurance first. You don't strike me like the kind who likes to take the hit. Neither do your Ponyta or Ralts. It's easy to get trapped in routine when all you've got to do is repeat Confusion or Ember until the target drops, but let's branch out a bit."
"Sometimes, you'll find your hits aren't doing more than chipping away at your target due to his ability to tough your shots and roll with the punches. In a Pokemon's case, sometimes you'll run into immunities. Take your Ralts. Confusion is all fine and well until you're up against a Dark Type. Suddenly, that Confusion's looking less and less happy. If they laugh off your opening, change tact."
Vincent suddenly steps forward, catching Nathan's arm and sweeping his leg with a sharp thrust for his ankle with his outstretched foot. He then grabs his shoulder with is free arm, stabilizing him.
"Ugh. Forgot how much that hurts." He reaches down and massages his right leg.
"While you were listening to me, you were't guarding. Generally when you think someone is going for your face, you're not watching his legs so getting knocked down is always a threat. Gravity's a harsh mistress and while your target is floored, he has to get back up, which buys you time to sneak in a hit or two. Sometimes being slammed on your arse does almost as much damage as being punched, sometimes more if your opponent is a toughie. I heard you and Ralts struggled against Joy back in the Center and since Ralts isn't that much of a physical hitter, letting gravity and ground do the hitting might even the score just a bit."
"Theory holds even for quadrupeds. Take your Ponyta for instance. Theoretically, if we were doing this, Winston would try to wrench a rear leg to cause a fall. Ugly fighting style, but effective..." He feels his Pokedex buzz with an incoming call and fishes it out. Noting the caller, he let's it go to voice mail and finishes. "You want to find that weak spot and cause a fall. If you were attempting to kick my face in for instance, you'd go after my right leg. It's less obvious for other people and Pokemon, but there's usually a point to push. Figuring that out is the hard part but it'll win you the fight."
"I'd offer to let you practice, but I already pushed this bum leg today and since I don't want it falling off, we'll have to take a rain check on it. Otherwise, your basic punches are rough, but serviceable. Just keep at it and they'll smooth up. You've already toned those muscles from farm work, so use them. I dare say you'll be better than me if you stick at it."
He fishes out the Pokedex and replays the message on speaker. Ventus' voice is tinny on the cheap sound replication, but audible. "...Hello, Vince. *Sigh* I...apologize for my brazen actions today, but for what trouble I caused, I did so with the best intensions. Ones that you are interested in, I take it, given he out of character I was being? If I have not completely burn my bridge with you, I'd be willing to explain why I acted in such a...demented way....It cowardous for me to say, but If you could, can you tell Nathan I'm sorry? I understand more than he thinks about his connection with Ralts, and I be more than happy to help...if he would let me."
"HIS EMOTIONS FLICKER LIKE A LIGHT SWITCH." The officer growls. "STABLE AS A ONE LEGGED DODUO."
I know. I trust him about as far as I can throw him right now.
"You catch that, Nathan?" He snorts. "Looks like Dr Jekyll decided to revert back from being Mr Hyde."
He shrugs. "Still, there's plenty of time to think this through while waiting for Larry. Let's keep at it."
