Feel The Ground Shake (Pokemon - Ground-type specialist)

[Requiem_Jeer]

Maybe Gastrodons? They're ground-type mons that come in two colors.

Edit: The stunfisk idea is also solid, both variants are ground type.

 

[Cap'nSmurfy]

I'm thinking a Nincada for Isra and Fel. It's the only ground Pokémon that forms two different mon or comes in a dual form. Both evolutions do lose their ground typing though.

 

[Cap'nSmurfy]

Maybe Gastrodons? They're ground-type mons that come in two colors.

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Never mind, I forgot about Gadtrodons. That fills the water type niche and they evolve. They do seem redundant with Quagsire being a possibility though.

 

[kukukkuii]

Never mind, I forgot about Gadtrodons. That fills the water type niche and they evolve. They do seem redundant with Quagsire being a possibility though.

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Really not a fan of Gastrodon. Just a really badly designed slug of a pokemon. When he has a team as cool as this one and then adds something that's that unpleasant to look at.

 

[Pkbwgsc]

Glad to see this story come back around

I put this in the Discord, so I figured I may as well share it with you all as well.

Something fun to speculate over.

I have every member of Brad's party already planned out for the breadth of the story.

Grundy
Ma Ma
Vlad
Quagsire
K.Rool
Simon
Junior
Karn
Isra and Fel
Atlas

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Karn… a play on words? Not a theme of any of the other names really, but it's an highly unusual name. Carnivore, Karna, and Cairn are what first come to mind.
For the latter I'd think Runerigus.

If it's referring to the MTG planeswalker, I have a hard time making a connection besides maybe Sandy Shocks… but doesn't quite feel like it'd fit for his team just for how you'd justify one.

Isra and Fel being specifically paired have way too many interpretations for me to have any clue where to start. I know Fel has an association with mountains… and Isra has something to do with the sky in Arabic.
Gastrodon theory I'm seeing others say is… kinda just fitting more and more. Coronet beibg the mountain that scrapes the skies to the point it's where God descends.

Atlas… immense physical might and, particularly unfathomable endurance. I'm going with Mudsdale. Just because it's more uncommon and fills a needed ride slot pretty well, as well as being pretty under the radar as a pick in every story.

 

[Fossilhunter]

Atlas… immense physical might and, particularly unfathomable endurance. I'm going with Mudsdale. Just because it's more uncommon and fills a needed ride slot pretty well, as well as being pretty under the radar as a pick in every story.

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I don't see the point of having a land bound riding pokemon when he has a eventual flyer in simon

 

[Artful Lounger]

When it comes to Isra snd Fel, the hint given was the twin Angels Israfel from Evangelion. So the Gastrodon theory might work. Either way we're looking for twins.

For Karn Im thinking the planeswalker but Im not sure what pokemon that would point to. If it wasnt for Simon literally being one already I'd have guessed Golurk.

Maybe Excadrill or Steelix, just because those are strong Ground/Steel types.

For Atlas Im thinking bigger. Atlas held up the world, Im thinking this will be a Legendary or Mythical like Regirock or Regigigas

 

[vanomzero]

karn sounds similar to kharn the betrayer from w40k so maybe something that shares a trait with him

 

[ThunderBasilisk]

I love how the hint gave more questions than answers

 

[TuskenGuy]

I'm hoping Karn's a Steelix. The planeswalker and the Pokemon kind of have the same coloring.

I'm still taken with the idea of a crystal Onix evolving into a Steelix, if only to have the entire world of Pokemon collector's flip their shit when you 'ruin' a rare variant.

 

[ThunderBasilisk]

I'm hoping Karn's a Steelix. The planeswalker and the Pokemon kind of have the same coloring.

I'm still taken with the idea of a crystal Onix evolving into a Steelix, if only to have the entire world of Pokemon collector's flip their shit when you 'ruin' a rare variant.

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Or do the natural thing and have it be influenced by it's previous form.

 

[TuskenGuy]

Or do the natural thing and have it be influenced by it's previous form.

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Not sure how that would work in this case, since it's completely covered in metal. Plus, I think it would show off how practical Bradley is as a trainer. He's devaluing a potentially one of a kind Pokémon (depending on how you interpret the lore) because it'll create a battler that the competitive scene couldn't account for. People wouldn't even be able to tell this Steelix was any different at first glance.

Also, quartz crystal has a property called:

Piezoelectricity - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

It happens when it's mechanically stressed, like when it's stretched, pushed together, etc, which is perfect for a Pokemon that can coil like a snake. There's a lot of possibilities with the variant and I was disappointed Hard Enough didn't explore that route. I don't think any major Pokemon fic has ever used it in this way besides as a hack to get a lot of money.

 

[Fossilhunter]

Not sure how that would work in this case, since it's completely covered in metal. Plus, I think it would show off how practical Bradley is as a trainer. He's devaluing a potentially one of a kind Pokémon (depending on how you interpret the lore) because it'll create a battler that the competitive scene wouldn't account for. People wouldn't even be able to tell this Steelix was any different at first glance.

It would be dope if it changed its mega form, though. There's a lot of possibilities with the variant and I was disappointed Hard Enough didn't explore that route. I don't think any major Pokemon fic has ever used it in this way.

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the fic 'An Ever-Changing War (Pokémon SI)' has plans on using crystal onix but obviously it's still pretty far in the future for now. crystal onix is a problem for most fanfic writers because almost non of them want to make/use fakemon and crystal onix is pretty much a regional variant.

 

[Melchiorgk]

I suppose. I'm in the mood for it.

Spoiler

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Guh.... well, the big thing is that pretty much all of Bradley's 'mons are reference names. Vlad the Imapler/Dracula, Simon the Digger, King K. Rool, Bubbles isn't too unusual for elephants.... Ma Ma is a bit harder to figure out. Though mama bear plus banjo music plus "If mama ain't happy, ain't NOBODY happy" saying.

Anyway, for Isra and Fel, if going from Evangelion, then I would put the inspiration as either 'Music" or 'Dance'. Music since Israfel is the Angel of Music, and dance from the title of the episode/track "Dance Like You Want To Win". The only 'music' related Ground-type that I see is the Seismitoad line, which might work as a partial replacement for Marshstomp? For 'dance', I think Baltoy actually does work. It also has the alien appearance like the Angels have, the outstretched arms, and is one of the ones that Bradley's willing to catch and trade Smeargles for.

So my guess is that Bradley doesn't find a Trapinch he's willing to pick up (or the breeder was unable to get any), and ends up picking up a pair of Baltoys. Maybe tries to train them up differently for different roles, and to keep people guessing on which one he is fielding.

Other possibilities, especially discounting the ground typing, include Doublade (paired swords), Binancle (has the two faces/heads), or the two musical bugs (Illumise and the other). Gastrodon just doesn't seem likely to me. While they do have the male/female differences, they do not have anything in the 'dance' or 'music' categories, or appear intriniscly paired.

Karn is harder. No real characters match up to the name (MtG's golem, Karn, and a Spider-man villian). I thought it might have been the main character from "Record of Lodoss Wars", which would jive with some of the other naming, but that one is 'Parn'. Might be named by another character, and he just trades for it. Another possibility is the related named 'Karna", as in the famous hero, in which case my mind jumps to the famous armor. If Paldea was included, an Armorouge would be great for a 'Karna', but no Paldea so far AND doesn't match Bradley's type preference. If we go with the armor idea anyway.... Rhyhorn line, Drilbur line, maybe the Aron line in the "rock/steel is close to ground-type" line of thought.

 

[Requiem_Jeer]

I forgot about the incoming Baltoy, that's definitely something alien enough that could deserve an Evangelion Angel as a name reference. It's also Golem-adjacent, though, so Karn could be Claydol instead.

 

[Pkbwgsc]

I don't see the point of having a land bound riding pokemon when he has a eventual flyer in simon

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For when flying isn't an option…? Inside caves, mountains, thick forests he may want to venture into for one reason or another. Or just flat out being in n the ground where he's a less obvious presence.

Not sure how that would work in this case, since it's completely covered in metal.

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Yea, considering the first thought would be to replace the ground typing with whatever type fits the abnormal type reaction shown in the anime doesn't seem it would even be a viable option.


Though I've been thinking that there is the complete left field option of heavily ground attuned pokemon that aren't actually ground, but would be easy to justify.
Tyranitar is ground for two of its three stages (overused though it might be), orthworm subsists entirely on dirt to the point of its unusual unshared type absorption ability, fossils immersed in the earth for who knows how many years, etc.

 

[Bob Saget]

If we're speculating on future team members, it's important to remember the context he would presumably be getting them. Most of Bradley's pokemon have been acquired only after he's observed and dismissed dozens of others with lower potential, only going for A or B ranks (excusing Alpha gene so far).

We saw with Junior that a good breeder could breed an A- potential in a relatively short time period if they're lucky/diligent. And his upcoming Smeargel trade could land him one or even two pokemon from a different region if particularly promising young pokemon are sent over.

But for the most part it seems like a sheer numbers game. I don't know what the Johto pokedex looks like after the newest gens, there could be more options nearby than one would think. Still, only something like 1-3% of the ground pokemon that Bradley is able to see in person are going to have the desired potential.

Bradley doesn't seem like he's going to long distance travel to a different region before rounding out his team. So phanpy, larvitar, or rhyhorn—which he has greater opportunity to see several examples of—seem more likely than a mudbray, drilbur, or galarian yamask.

For similar reasons, nincada gives reasonable odds. On the downside its evolutions aren't ground type, and I don't believe it's native to Johto. But if it breeds/behaves somewhat like its real world counterpart, Bradley might stumble across a hundred of the things in a relatively short time period. And thus have the pick of the swarm.

 

[Fossilhunter]

But for the most part it seems like a sheer numbers game. I don't know what the Johto pokedex looks like after the newest gens, there could be more options nearby than one would think. Still, only something like 1-3% of the ground pokemon are going to have the desired potential.

Bradley doesn't seem like he's going to long distance travel to a different region before rounding out his team. So phanpy, larvitar, or rhyhorn—which he has greater opportunity to see several examples of—seem more likely than a mudbray, drilbur, or galarian yamask.

For similar reasons, nincada gives reasonable odds. On the downside its evolutions aren't ground type, and I don't believe it's native to Johto. But if it breeds/behaves somewhat like its real world counterpart, Bradley might stumble across a hundred of the things in a relatively short time period. And thus have the pick of the swarm.

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if we're limiting to what's in johto/kanto then some other ground type pokemon that are available that he hasn't caught yet are sandshrew line, cubone line, diglett line (and maybe he could breed alolan diglett), rhyhorn line, geodude line, onix line, phanpy line and larvitar line (if we count tyranitar even though he loses his ground typing)

then there are the pokemon available in the HGSS safari zone including: the trapinch line, gible line, barboach line (wishcash can also be fished in violet city when using the radio) and the hippopotas line.

finally there are the radio encounters, when you play hoenn sounds from the radio you can encounter numel in viridian and ilex forest and when you play prof. Oak's Pokémon Talk you can encounter baltoy on route 3.

 

[NokoTheTaco]

You guys forget that a Crystal Steelix would be able to Mega Evolve. Mega Steelix have diamonds jutting out of their body, it could be that being Crystal on the inside makes the Mega Evolution more powerful.

 

[Pkbwgsc]

You guys forget that a Crystal Steelix would be able to Mega Evolve. Mega Steelix have diamonds jutting out of their body, it could be that being Crystal on the inside makes the Mega Evolution more powerful.

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I don't think anybody forgot anything so much first considering if crystal Onix would ever even make it onto the team.

And that's not even getting into ways to justify 'particular pokemon being head and shoulders above others' with what we know about the separate grading scales that seem to apply for Legendaries and Alphas.

 

[Fennik]

What a magnificent return to this story. Vlad having a very succesful evolution, Ma Ma's galloping meaning she's already prepping for when she evolves next (I've re-read the story and remember her enthusiasm for the peat block. Now it's just a matter for the right phase of the moon) and on top of that, Grundy showing he's willing to work together with our boy? This epic victory should have shown the King that this way, he can get the most epic of victories.

Now just spend some time hammering that message in. And I can't wait for the next chapter.

 

[Priapus]

As Gyarados roars in victory/wroth

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Wroth is an adjective beaning angry, and wrath is a noun meaning anger.

If I were a betting man -and I really am, it's a terrible problem- then I'd say we just set a new record for quickest K.O. in the Gym's history.

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Amazing line!

Long burning rays pierce through the artificial clouds and the effect on Kingdra's mobility is immediate. Halved from what it was a moment ago.

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immediately halved

Gliscor snickers as he vanishes, sticking out a mocking tongue as he's reclaimed…and the Moon Ball on my belt snaps open without me even needing to touch it.

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I really love the attention to detail in calling out specific ball types whenever they come up. It adds a little characterisation and ~world grist.

Some people use specialised balls, some rich bitches ultra ball everything.

 

[LordVishnu]

beaning angry

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'Meaning angry'. Lol, typos do get the best of us.

immediately halved

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Actuallly, that one was on purpose. I meant to put the period there.

EDIT: Also, since I'm here and keep incidentally bumping the thread by replying to things, I'll put it out there that the next update will be a double feature of two smaller sized chapters.

The first of which is already done and I'm doing final revisions on.

 

[NokoTheTaco]

You brought up stacking different stat-boosting moves with similar effects for an exponential increase. Minior learns Rock Polish to reduce drag, Autotomize to reduce weight and Shell Smash to do whatever Shell Smash does. How fast would this 'mon would be if it was Level 50? How would moves like Swords Dance, Hone Claws or Bulk Up interact with each other? Can the opposite be done; using different stat-reducing moves with similar effects for an exponential decrease, like Leer, Tail Whip or Tickle?

In fact, do moves that are categorized as Cutting moves gain more power when Swords Dance is used, or when two Bulk Ups are used? How about two Hone Claws? Would a move like Body Press gain more power from the maximum use of Cotton Guard or from Iron Defense? You've got my brain churning!

 

[Ubylkoen]

Well, this story have been mighty interesting, and I would have missed it too if not for a whim, as I seldom check out this part of the forums.

 

[LordVishnu]

You brought up stacking different stat-boosting moves with similar effects for an exponential increase. Minior learns Rock Polish to reduce drag, Autotomize to reduce weight and Shell Smash to do whatever Shell Smash does. How fast would this 'mon would be if it was Level 50? How would moves like Swords Dance, Hone Claws or Bulk Up interact with each other? Can the opposite be done; using different stat-reducing moves with similar effects for an exponential decrease, like Leer, Tail Whip or Tickle?

In fact, do moves that are categorized as Cutting moves gain more power when Swords Dance is used, or when two Bulk Ups are used? How about two Hone Claws? Would a move like Body Press gain more power from the maximum use of Cotton Guard or from Iron Defense? You've got my brain churning!

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Sky's the limit. We're in an anime setting. If you can argue it, you can break it.

As long as the moves operate by different principles and you keep using different ones, I don't see how you won't just keep going up.

The only trick is finding a 'mon with the right move pool.

 

[Fossilhunter]

Sky's the limit. We're in an anime setting. If you can argue it, you can break it.

As long as the moves operate by different principles and you keep using different ones, I don't see how you won't just keep going up.

The only trick is finding a 'mon with the right move pool.

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smeargle: i got you fam

 

[LordVishnu]

smeargle: i got you fam

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With a lower Base stat total than a freakin' Hoothoot, he'd certainly need it.

 

[Requiem_Jeer]

Also, I'd argue that if boosting moves were too similar, it wouldn't be exponential.

Like, swords dance and hone claws both work off sharpness, so thats additive. Shell smash wouldnr be compatible with rock polish, because you just shattered that polished shell.

That kind of thing.

 

[Drakebane]

Morty, as I recall correctly, had a look of mild suspicion when I used aura to put my thumb on the scales during a fight. This isn't that. Clair isn't suspicious. She knows. Maybe it's Blackthorn Clan tribal knowledge or something but she knows what I was doing.

"How did-?" There's a note of flabbergast in her words. "Not even I can-"

"K.Rool, strike with Rock Tomb, now!" 'They can marvel and try to interrogate me later! This match is still ongoing dammit!' Krokorok stomps forward -one hand still cradling his torso- and a quintet of small boulders float up from the earth. His determination flaring to not go down without at least taking his opponent with him.

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Now that the fight is over I wonder if things will circle back around to Aura, a chance for Brad to learn rather than figure things out on his own. Though it would be about Aura in general rather than Ground in particular.

I sigh, mentally sending an apology to K.Rool as I signal his withdrawal from my podium. It seems he's been getting the rough end of the stick more often than not lately in my high-level matches. I'll need to have a talk with him later and make sure he doesn't push himself too hard in training to make up for it.

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K. Rool in the awkward position of being strong enough to poke his nose in and try to punch up, but not strong enough to properly hang out at a high level yes.