[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

When meeting Cosh Heart point behind him towards Quetzal. "My Delta Steelix can provide transportation. I suppose he can carry 3 or 4 people maybe. He can fly, so you better give aerial support. Just a warning Cosh: Try anything funny, and Quetzal will kick you in the air. Capiché?"

Before Cosh could say anything, the mountain of a man walked up and executed a pound on the top of Heart's skull, giving him a reproachful look that clearly said 'Enough with the Antagonism, save it for later.' Right now, they had awar to wage on DEOXYS, not on each other.

[Mikaruge108]

When the group meets up with Cosh, Spira is quiet, pondering the best way to handle Deoxys, then, when he hears Cosh's strategy, he says "I don't have any qualms against that strategy. Let's get down to business." Spira summons Luna for the flight to the Final Battle.

[Lord Windos]

Oh, thought I forgot something: Arete and Genie are going to be Terra's first two fighters! Let's see how those clones handle pure Dragon power and some counter Legendary might!

[Iron]

Yeah everyone give me your lead fighters that are out when you head for Deoxys.

[Mikaruge108]

Yeah everyone give me your lead fighters that are out when you head for Deoxys.

Spira's lead fighters will be Toya and Neura

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Shiva's lead fighers are a certain fluffball and a small (currently closed) cherry blossom.
Whimsicott's keeping close to Shiva and mirrors her beloved Master's determination, the sly grin she's casting hints that she's READY to show this nasty creature from space that you shouldn't mess with a fairy, and she feels personally offended that Deoxys has choosen to play it hard on Elanor! All those poor fellow Cottonee!!!
Nightshade's keeping herself hidden and keeps her petals mindfully closed to protect herself from all that space dust around: Ugh, what a crime to nature to 'enrich' the air with all these particles, that alone makes Nightshade want to take direct actions. She's feeling very flattered that Shiva has choosen her to join in this fight!

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

You meet up at the entrance to the Safari Zone, FLYING on your Pokemon!! For the first time, you see these Earth Scimitars release some of their Pokemon (one each) to learn FLY. Then back into the Pokeballs they go. Cosh has a dozen new faces with him, in addition to himself and Kelda. Arachnautilus, you're told, has headed elsewhere in preparation to assume a leadership role.


Cosh: "Steel yourselves. Let's go!"
Marco: "I'll be working with my Pokemon to take down any clones that threaten the Artifact wielders. Lunapup is in the PC for now."
Cosh: "I'll be flying overhead, using the Hauberk. It takes most of my concentration, so don't expect too many spells from me. Kelda will be repositioning those who need it, and fighting with Helm-empowered spells in the meantime. She'll be drawing as much attention as possible, because the Helm protects against the true danger of Deoxys - its thoughts. Shiva, if you find a moment available to you, you may wish to extend Shield protection to Kelda. But sometimes Nathan's Pokemon will need it more. Kelda knows what she signed up for."

Kelda looks a little shocked at this blunt statement, but after a moment's thought she recognizes the validity of it.

"Nathan, did you find out which Artifacts are best against which Forme?"

One look at the forces Cosh has brought, and Nathan's glad that Mesprit agreed to help.  A dozen Scimitars plus Cosh could easily be a problem for them if they were weakened from the fight with Deoxys.

Nathan looks Kelda straight in the eyes and silently nods.  Everyone here knows what they signed up for.  And most of them, both pokemon and human, know what they're fighting for.  This is the moment of truth, the final trial.  After this, it will all be over, one way or another...

Nathan looks at Shiva to tell her, "Definitely prioritize Kelda over my pokemon if you have to.  We can't afford to let any Artifact Wielders be rendered unconscious, and our pokemon know what's at stake and what they have to do."  Of course, he's partially also saying this for Kelda's benefit as well...

He has to think about the question Cosh posed to him for a moment.  Then he shakes his head and frowns.  "Not exactly.  All I have right now is hypotheses.  As far as I can figure, each Artifact and Forme focuses on a specific Attribute, and I think that's the key to this puzzle.  The issue lies in the complexity of checks and counters to certain strategies focused on enhancing individual Attributes.  Strength, Vitality, and Dexterity can all theoretically trump each other, but I'm not sure exactly how an increase to one's Insightfulness fits into all of this...I'm reasonably certain the Shield trumps the Attack Forme, though.  If anyone has any additional thoughts on the topic, I'd like to hear them."

[Iron]

"I believe my Hauberk trumps the Normal Forme - one could say that it's the artifact of balance. I believe the Artifacts to be paired one to one when it comes to the Formes. What I'm saying is, it's not like an elemental type triangle. If the Artifact of Defense beats the Attack Forme, that must mean the Artifact of Attack beats the Defense Forme. And that leaves the Helm for Speed."

[Spiritmon]

Heart lead fighters shall be Lancelot to give everyone Wide Guards for extra protection and Gustav to give those evil Deoxys and his clones powerful Dark Pulses against all of them.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"I believe my Hauberk trumps the Normal Forme - one could say that it's the artifact of balance. I believe the Artifacts to be paired one to one when it comes to the Formes. What I'm saying is, it's not like an elemental type triangle. If the Artifact of Defense beats the Attack Forme, that must mean the Artifact of Attack beats the Defense Forme. And that leaves the Helm for Speed."

Shiva's giving this input some thought, then figuratively lights up as if something fell into place within her. "Yes, this is making sense, Cosh! Good thinking." She's curious to see the Shield tanking powerful Attack Form, these Artifacts surely are something.