[Meta thread] Iron's PokeRole Adventure: The Skull Ruins

[Lord Windos]

Well, that's why the move exists, after all (not that we care that it's a thing in the actual games because of how uncommonly useful status immunity is).

No love for my reference? :/  Ah well...

I'm actually semi-interested in that Snivy myself, tbh. Yule is my 'main' Grass type for now, but having a snake pokemon isn't usually a bad thing...though I imagine Snivy would also need a lot of work before it's fully fleshed out. Would also be nice to have all three Pledge moves available to the party, and Nathan's probably the least adversely affected by a -1 Dex effect.

Yeap, and I'm glad that I remembered it existed to just in time!

There was a reference? Guess it flew right over my head like Malasia Airlines.....

Well if you want the Snivy, go for it mate, as we all know by now the appeal of having a Snake and Snake like Pokémon on your team! That, and maybe eventually you can get its HA for them, which would turn Leaf Storm into a right nasty move for them AND give them a DEX boost under the effects of Leaf Pledge! Plus, if you go after it, Ven can go after those herbs unmolested, so its a win win for the both of us!

Perhaps Ven could point out the Snivy to Nathan, and ask them to take care of it while he goes picking herbs to make medicine later?

[Dragonstrike]

There was a reference? Guess it flew right over my head like Malasia Airlines.....

Well if you want the Snivy, go for it mate, as we all know by now the appeal of having a Snake and Snake like Pokémon on your team! That, and maybe eventually you can get its HA for them, which would turn Leaf Storm into a right nasty move for them AND give them a DEX boost under the effects of Leaf Pledge! Plus, if you go after it, Ven can go after those herbs unmolested, so its a win win for the both of us!

Perhaps Ven could point out the Snivy to Nathan, and ask them to take care of it while he goes picking herbs to make medicine later?

You're a mean one...

...Mr. Grinch.

Should explain the reference Simple, but I thought it was apt.  39.5 is an oddly specific number, after all.
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Overgrow is still quite good though, you have to admit.  Contrary makes Coil pretty useless, though, unfortunately, which is a rather big tradeoff.  So the main question is: is trading +1 Defense and Accuracy worth +2 Strength instead when by using Coil you already have +1 Strength and +1-3 power for Grass moves?  (Though it is slightly more complex than the question seems, since Contrary reverses ALL stat debuffs).  Thing with Grass Pledge is it says 'all affected', but I don't know if that includes the user (but maybe it does since Fire Pledge and Water Pledge do?).  Would be a cool combo with Grass Pledge if it did, though. And objectively make Serperior the best user of GP in pokerole, period.

Interestingly, I could also kinda turn it into a semi-theme team of sorts.  Between Gallade, Calam, Solomon, Charizard, and Serperior, that's a lot of regal/protective pokemon.
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With the kind of mood everyone's in, I'm not sure how good of an idea trying to do more character interaction is.

[Lord Windos]

You're a mean one...

...Mr. Grinch.

Should explain the reference Simple, but I thought it was apt.  39.5 is an oddly specific number, after all.
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Overgrow is still quite good though, you have to admit.  Contrary makes Coil pretty useless, though, unfortunately, which is a rather big tradeoff.  So the main question is: is trading +1 Defense and Accuracy worth +2 Strength instead when by using Coil you already have +1 Strength and +1-3 power for Grass moves?  (Though it is slightly more complex than the question seems, since Contrary reverses ALL stat debuffs).  Thing with Grass Pledge is it says 'all affected', but I don't know if that includes the user (but maybe it does since Fire Pledge and Water Pledge do?).  Would be a cool combo with Grass Pledge if it did, though. And objectively make Serperior the best user of GP in pokerole, period.

Interestingly, I could also kinda turn it into a semi-theme team of sorts.  Between Gallade, Calam, Solomon, Charizard, and Serperior, that's a lot of regal/protective pokemon.
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With the kind of mood everyone's in, I'm not sure how good of an idea trying to do more character interaction is.

Doh, I can't believe I missed that reference, now that you've pointed it out! Santa must have given me coal for brains last Christmas...

Hmm....you are indeed right, especially since Serperior has such a massive amount of HP that getting to - 2 Pain to exploit Overgrown would not be too much of a raw deal for it. That, and unlike Arbok it doesn't take bloody forever for Snivy to learn Coil, so keeping its default ability might work out better for you overall afterall. It also would cost you less XP to invest in overall, which could go towards either obtaining Leaf Blade or Giga Drain for high crit move and HP drain respectively, so maybe I spoke to soon about going after Contrary......

Urk, yeah, that could be a problem. Nathan is disappointed in Ven enough as is for not living up to Cynthia's expectation in them, so let's not worsen it anymore than necessary,. Though to him he isn't even aware that is a thing he should be considering. She's just a good friend to him, after all, and not the League Champeon or World Famous Archeologist.

Going to hold off posting until Phantom decides on what her character wants to do, as I don't want to end up stealing any Encounter from her or the like!

[Iron]

And you know your nerf is justified when your players won't even take on an encounter that involves Sleep ^_^

No kidding.  If I had Othros and/or Masq, though...ah well, just wishful thinking at this point, unfortunately.

I don't think any of us want to touch a horde of mushroom pokemon with a 39.5 foot pole, though.  That's just asking to be inflicted with aaallll the statuses through various moves and/or Effect Spore.

I was gonna have them pop out at you, but Heart passed his stealth rolls and got close enough to notice them. (He's also invested in Alert)

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

Hmm....you are indeed right, especially since Serperior has such a massive amount of HP that getting to - 2 Pain to exploit Overgrown would not be too much of a raw deal for it. That, and unlike Arbok it doesn't take bloody forever for Snivy to learn Coil, so keeping its default ability might work out better for you overall afterall. It also would cost you less XP to invest in overall, which could go towards either obtaining Leaf Blade or Giga Drain for high crit move and HP drain respectively, so maybe I spoke to soon about going after Contrary......

Urk, yeah, that could be a problem. Nathan is disappointed in Ven enough as is for not living up to Cynthia's expectation in them, though to him he isn't even aware that is a thing he should be considering. She's just a good friend to him, after all, and not the League Champeon or World Famous Archeologist.

Going to hold off posting until Phantom decides on what her character wants to do, as I don't want to end up stealing any Encounter from her or the like!

Could definitely still be worth it.  Contrary and Overgrow just play VERY differently.  If Grass Pledge also affects the user with a Dex drop, then Contrary is probably best if you want to use that move to the fullest (though Coil's +1 accuracy can partially negate the effect anyways).  At that point, you'd have +2 Strength for everything, an 'immunity' to Attribute reductions, and +1 Dex compared to +1 Strength, +1 Accuracy, +1 Defense, and +1-3 additional Power for Grass moves only.  But yeah, Leaf Storm is bloody expensive.  Particularly after Snivy evolves.  And even more after Servine evolves.  Going down the contrary route isn't cheap unless you beeline for Leaf Storm before Snivy evolves (and it's still probably at least slightly more expensive than Coil Overgrow).  Funnily enough, this is kinda similar to the Blaze versus Solar Power question for the Charmander line. (And in base rules, the HAs are 'stronger', no question, since Pain also reduces damage pools there)

Just a random thought, but...would Raphael be comfortable with Ventus's current behavior?  Togekiss aren't particularly...violent, after all.  I'm not saying this to cause any issues, but maybe there's something that could be done with that.  IMO, his presence has felt rather...token instead of notable as of late as far as characterisation goes.  I don't want him to leave (that would be crushing to see/hear for Shiva and Nathan as well as Ventus, I'm sure), but...there are surely limits to what he finds tolerable from Ventus, right?  Nathan has also mentioned to Ventus how special Cynthia's Togepi eggs are in the past...it's been a looonnnnggg time since then, though.  It's just an idea, though (one of several I have concerning trying to help with mellowing Ventus a little, but this one's the most relevant right now).

I'll probably hold off on posting for a little bit as well.  Partially because of Phantom, partially because I'm waiting on figuring out something else before I decide on how Nathan's going to proceed to his next encounter.

[Lord Windos]

(...)

Just a random thought, but...would Raphael be comfortable with Ventus's current behavior?  Togekiss aren't particularly...violent, after all.  I'm not saying this to cause any issues, but maybe there's something that could be done with that.  IMO, his presence has felt rather...token instead of notable as of late as far as characterisation goes.  I don't want him to leave (that would be crushing to see/hear for Shiva and Nathan as well as Ventus, I'm sure), but...there are surely limits to what he finds tolerable from Ventus, right?  Nathan has also mentioned to Ventus how special Cynthia's Togepi eggs are in the past...it's been a looonnnnggg time since then, though.  It's just an idea, though (one of several I have concerning trying to help with mellowing Ventus a little, but this one's the most relevant right now).

(...)

Probably not, but then again Ventus doesn't really plan on using them all that much unless extreme fire power or its ariel capabilities are called for, and especially when he's not so mind boggling ANGRY, so hopefully their disapproval isn't THAT strong. I'm also hopping by now that Raphael would eventually head down the route of Gold's Togekiss in the Manga (if I got that character right): they become as devious/threcerous as their master does, due to being exposed so much to the 'darker' side. That, and maybe repeated Nasty Plot usage will eventually mellow it out to the idea of unnecessary brutality and extremely negative emotional reactions. If that becomes the case, then maybe I could actually bond and characterize Ven's first Pokémon a bit more...

See, one of the main reasons they've dropped off the radar in terms of being a character/out and about rather than another battler (besides Ven having soooo many other Pokeom that need characterization and fighting with the archangel being more or less counterproductive XP wise) is that their is the constant threat of them one day disagreeing with Ventus like last time. Since I shan't have a Pokémon that fights and causes my character emotional distress or overly indirectly limits what I want to do, but I still love Raphael as Ven's first Pokémon/child and don't want to separate them, I have to do a fine balancing act to keep them from having another shit fit.

This in turn make me highly hesitate to do ANYTHING characterization wise or overly use them, because at any random point in time they could go 'Shan't my Father!!!' and be subsequently given the boot, making all that investment in them all the more bitter at its loss. Combined with the fact that its actually counterproductive to use them in battles for the most part ( since gaining XP does nothing for them in most cases while it could be more readily given to other Pokémon) , and the end result is they get relegated to the side lines for long stretches of time. Add to the fact that I've/Ventus has grown MORE attached to Aspis, Lucifer, and to some extent Malphena, and its had for the little cherished cherub to get any spotlight for themselves......

Also, Cynthia giving him the Egg really does not hold anymore significance to Ventus besides the fact she gave him such a precious gift in the first place. He didn't even want it due to his fear of Fairy types and his own belief that he'd make a terrible parent, but he's sure glad Cynthia was so darn insistent about giving it over to him! Well, kinda, anyway...

If it wasn't for that scene after destroying the Den, I and Ventus would be a lot closer to Raphael, but as it stand I don't want to get too close to them anymore with that Sword of Damacles forever hanging over their head, and Ven's a whole lot more cautious about when and what he summons them for. Its also why I usually get so snippy when people bring up this issue in and out of game, since they could be responsible for Raphael having a shit fit and therefore force my hand in getting rid of them. That's why I like to request the less is said about Raphael's reaction to Ventus' actions, the better....

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeee, new Encounters and a new plant were introduced meanwhile!~ Thanks for waiting for me, I'll get to read through things now and eventually decide on things.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

(...) Would also be nice to have all three Pledge moves available to the party, and Nathan's probably the least adversely affected by a -1 Dex effect.

Fire Pledge is something I'm already anticipatingly seeking out for Braixen, partly because I'm enjoying these Unovian moves lots not only for their power but for what can be done with them if combined correctly, and mostly because it's practically fire magic that just matches my fierly fox like nothing. <3 Curious to see what idea you've brought up for these, Iron!~

If you want that Snivy, go and take it, I don't mind. I'm loving the whole evo-line, but outta-chara I've played with this grassy snake in the official Games often enough + bred enough Snivys in Gen.7 that I'm satisfied, in-chara Shiva already has enough Pokemon that she'd like to bond with and train, and Snivys aren't hard to obtain to breed more later down the line if you're a native Unovian and have a Prof.Breeder as your dad.

Hmm yeah you right. Abbadon indeed have Safeguard to protect against Status moves. It might be useful. Do Shiva interested in joining Heart against the swarm of Paras and Swromish? Heart might need some help against those nasty foes. And I quite sure need some XP like Heart.

Oh yes, I gladly join you in taking care of this pseudo-madatory Encounter, and already somewhat know which Pokemon I'll send out - depends however, it's not yet written in stone as I'd rather not use many resources in this Encounter if it can be avoided. Before running into it, I'm having some questions to please be answered @Iron: (I'm hoping you have time to give your input to it despite your folk's visiting, as it'll have quite an influence on actions and I can't carry on unless it's clarified)
EDIT: Okay, for the sake of pace I'll carry on in GameThread anyway, but I might edit things to match after you've answered.


- Shiva already has several means to feed a Pokemon with her, so far except food for carnivores. If she'd take a portion of it and offer it to the Shroomish and Paras in a friendly manner from a safe distance not unlike the bait that is used in Safari Zones, can a free action be won that Heart can use to cast a Safeguard over the scene with Ven's Wobbuffet? Probably need an Insight+Allure or Empathy-Check, which I'm down for. How good are the chances that she'll succeed on this, how hostile do these Shroomish and Paras look/feel?

- Additionally, can I keep Tropius out and let him create a not necessarily damaging gust of wind whenever our foes release spores or powder in order to prevent them from reaching our side? If this takes an action, it's fine. Tropius is also immune to sleep because of his Grass Type one way or the other.


Heart, Paras also may know Slash, so if you're fine with it too we should deal with this one first. As soon as a Safeguard is up, their both's Effect Spore won't do anything to us anymore, yay!

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

(...) Would also be nice to have all three Pledge moves available to the party, and Nathan's probably the least adversely affected by a -1 Dex effect.

Fire Pledge is something I'm already anticipatingly seeking out for Braixen, partly because I'm enjoying these Unovian moves lots not only for their power but for what can be done with them if combined correctly, and mostly because it's practically fire magic that just matches my fierly fox like nothing. <3 Curious to see what idea you've brought up for these, Iron!~

If you want that Snivy, go and take it, I don't mind. I'm loving the whole evo-line, but outta-chara I've played with this grassy snake in the official Games often enough + bred enough Snivys in Gen.7 that I'm satisfied, in-chara Shiva already has enough Pokemon that she'd like to bond with and train, and Snivys aren't hard to obtain to breed more later down the line if you're a native Unovian and have a Prof.Breeder as your dad.

Hmm yeah you right. Abbadon indeed have Safeguard to protect against Status moves. It might be useful. Do Shiva interested in joining Heart against the swarm of Paras and Swromish? Heart might need some help against those nasty foes. And I quite sure need some XP like Heart.

Oh yes, I gladly join you in taking care of this pseudo-madatory Encounter, and already somewhat know which Pokemon I'll send out. But before running into it, I'm having some questions to please be answered @Iron: (I'm hoping you have time to give your input to it despite your folk's visiting, as it'll have quite an influence on actions and I can't carry on unless it's clarified)


- Shiva already has several means to feed a Pokemon with her, so far except food for carnivores. If she'd take a portion of it and offer it to the Shroomish and Paras in a friendly manner from a safe distance not unlike the bait that is used in Safari Zones, can a free action be won that Heart can use to cast a Safeguard over the scene with Ven's Wobbuffet? Probably need an Insight+Allure or Empathy-Check, which I'm down for.

- Additionally, can I keep Tropius out and let him create a not necessarily damaging gust of wind whenever our foes release spores or powder in order to prevent them from reaching our side? If this takes an action, it's fine. Tropius is also immune to sleep because of his Grass Type one way or the other.


Heart, Paras also may know Slash, so if you're fine with it too we should deal with this one first. As soon as a Safeguard is up, their both's Effect Spore won't do anything to us anymore, yay!

In this case I think I will send both Abbadon and Rose in battle. Grass/bug type from the Paras will add a extra power from the move Flare Blitz. Or should I use other Pokemon like Koa, Patrat or Viktor (Trevenant don't have weakness against bug-type as other Bug Pokemon). 

Also I gonna upgrade my alert roll when I gonna get the chance. Since I the scout of the group, I need to have a good alert instinct. The others attributes I can raise later.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

In this case I think I will send both Abbadon and Rose in battle. Grass/bug type from the Paras will add a extra power from the move Flare Blitz. Or should I use other Pokemon like Koa, Patrat or Viktor (Trevenant don't have weakness against bug-type as other Bug Pokemon).

Double-SuperEffective moves from both us us should deal with that Paras quickly ^^
I'm hoping badly that this will go well...