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

[Hanada]

This chapter makes it clear they are an anomaly.

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They feel more like jjk twins instead of an outlier like Simon, which is pretty dark now that I think about it.

 

[Dokiewokje]

Isra and Fel are neat.

Unfortunately, making one of your pokemon weaker in return for the other being stronger isn't going to be all that helpful in official battling circumstances

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Why wouldn't they be great for official battle? They're implied to share the same mind which mean cordination. In double battle, 1 can be the buffer and 1 can be the attacker, just because the weaker can't fight doesn't mean it can't use weather or status moves, and they don't have to be field together either.
As for single tourney match, who say mc can't just hid one in reserve and keep the buffed Claydol on the main team. Imagine having to fight this one Claydol that just suspiciously twice as strong (at least) for some reason, and you just can't prove it and now it wiped half your team, oops.
All that on top of a rooster of what, super talented rare mons, pseudo legendary, mythical ancient bear, a freaking kaiju and whatever quarsire is. Don't tell Mc's opppnents he is also an aura user, because they might change from feeling like Sisyphus to becomimg him at that point.

 

[suspectman2002]

As for single tourney match, who say mc can't just hid one in reserve and keep the buffed Claydol on the main team. Imagine having to fight this one Claydol that just suspiciously twice as strong (at least) for some reason, and you just can't prove it and now it wiped half your team, oops.

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I have a feeling that the pokemon world is really expirenced at catching pokemon interference in official matches. It just seems like it'd be a big thing for a world which revolves around battling with psychics running around. Bradley's rep is garbage enough rn imo.

The baby claydolls are really cute though. I approve!

 

[LordVishnu]

Thanks for the chapter.
Not sure the twins are worth it, honestly he should've left them for the gym.

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Always a bit disheartening when the first comment just has no faith in me.

Isra and Fel are neat.

Unfortunately, making one of your pokemon weaker in return for the other being stronger isn't going to be all that helpful in official battling circumstances... but it'll likely be super handy when it comes to certain other situations. Specifically, it's probably stronger to have one boost the other and have the boosted one use a move than to have them both use the move at the same time. I'm talking about long-range teleports, the usage of Gravity, Heal Block, Sandstorm, Light Screen, Reflect...

Should be fun, and having a baked in pair for double battles will probably be handy eventually.

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You've skirted around it a little, but I think you're close to the right idea in there. That being that most of the true value of these two will be in overworld utility. Teleports, Barriers, etc. Much more use outside of battle than in tournaments.

Oh... He got one of *those* type of Boss Fight pair. Y'all know the one. Where you have to kill both at the same time, and if you only managed to slay one, the other either revive the others or cause the other to get stronger. Agni and Rudra. Ornstein and Smough. That twin sexy ass clanker from Atomic Heart..

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This guy gets it.

I thought the idea of double battles was to have them cover each others strengths & weaknesses?

Loreleis personal Lapras' level was lvl76, i guess 70-80 is the level range we should expect from gym leaders and elite 4s personal teams.

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Kek, are two Pokemon capable of acting in perfect sync not able to cover each other's weaknesses? I know that's not actually what you meant, but I had to point it out.

As for the level thing, Lapras is Lorelei's ace so you've overestimated a bit by saying 70-80.

The mechanics behind the scenes of Bradley's ability to gauge potential are opaque. But I have to imagine that if a pokemon evolves while at a certain level of potential, then that either contributes to or becomes the new baseline floor of their new evolved form's potential.

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I should make an information Index post on the subject of the Potential mechanic. I'll see about typing something up.

I was hoping for a Numel. An S one would've been epic

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Sorry friend, but it just ain't in the cards. Without access to its Mega, Camerupt is just frankly…not good. And making it S would detract from Simon's schtick.

 

[Hanada]

Sorry friend, but it just ain't in the cards. Without access to its Mega, Camerupt is just frankly…not good. And making it S would detract from Simon's schtick.

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Now I feel stupid regulary going over ground pokemons looking for the next possible S

 

[ProfessorP.Hardraad]

Unfortunately, making one of your pokemon weaker in return for the other being stronger isn't going to be all that helpful in official battling circumstances... but it'll likely be super handy when it comes to certain other situations. Specifically, it's probably stronger to have one boost the other and have the boosted one use a move than to have them both use the move at the same time. I'm talking about long-range teleports, the usage of Gravity, Heal Block, Sandstorm, Light Screen, Reflect...

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I wonder if one could be trained to transfer its power to the other and then the weaker one use Psych Up to essentially "Copy the stat changes" applied to its twin?

 

[Requiem_Jeer]

You've skirted around it a little, but I think you're close to the right idea in there. That being that most of the true value of these two will be in overworld utility. Teleports, Barriers, etc. Much more use outside of battle than in tournaments.

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Yeah, that's what I meant by other situations.

The question is whether or not having the two coordinate with some kind of combo move is better or worse than one of them focusing their energies on the twin and having the twin do the thing.

Why wouldn't they be great for official battle? They're implied to share the same mind which mean cordination. In double battle, 1 can be the buffer and 1 can be the attacker, just because the weaker can't fight doesn't mean it can't use weather or status moves, and they don't have to be field together either.

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Excellent point, the low potential twin could focus on moves that don't rely as much on overpowering the enemy, or they could double down by using explicit support moves like Heal Pulse, although I'm not sure if Claydol has access to that.

As for single tourney match, who say mc can't just hid one in reserve and keep the buffed Claydol on the main team. Imagine having to fight this one Claydol that just suspiciously twice as strong (at least) for some reason, and you just can't prove it and now it wiped half your team, oops.

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Bradley said in the chapter that he didn't think he could get away with that.

 

[Blankmask]

"A Pokémon battle of course!" Yet another hearty laugh escapes his throat. "None of my fellow leaders in Hoenn or even the Elite Four specialize in Ground-types you see! It's been an age and a half since my personal team has gotten to test themselves against their natural weakness! I think they're all overdue for a good challenge!"

'You know…for this universe, I'm not sure why I expected anything different.'

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Bradely you might be In for it. A Gym Leaders personal team is no joke.

 

[Simplexity]

Darn was hoping he was able to get a Trapinch...give flygon some respect but I guess there is always hope he runs into one while wandering around Hoenn

 

[ThunderBasilisk]

Ohh man those two are gonna be an absolute BITCH to fight when they evolve. Cause Claydol can learn Rest. Which means when ones injured badly enough the other can defend them with Screens or Protect and the awake twin wakes it up once it's fully healed. And then the fight continues as if nothing happened. That's gonna make so many people pissed. Even more so if hes able to finagle Ground type Aura enough to help them recreate Shore Up.

Also sounds like the Potential sharing will come in play as a major factor for their evolutions so if their not A tier minimum as Claydol I will be very surprised

 

[LordVishnu]

On the Subject of Potential:

Here's an index page that should hopefully provide some extra clarity on how the 'Potential' mechanic functions in this story.

I will admit, my thoughts on this feature have somewhat developed since its introduction back in Chapter 1 and the specifics may continue to be minorly tweaked as time marches on.

Some of the info here the MC knows to be true. Some of it he suspects to be true, but doesn't have the hard data to prove. And some of it he just plain has not connected the dots on yet.

Level Cap: Although it won't be truly relevant until the late game, this is the most obvious impact of the letter grade. Put simply, lower lettered Pokémon will have an extremely difficult time advancing beyond a certain wall. They still technically can if they're full of piss & vinegar and just keep pushing themselves relentlessly, but it's a battle of effort versus genetics and at some point genetics just wins.

Rate of Growth: A correlation exists between a Pokémon's potential rating and how fast it levels up. A high letter grade also makes it easier for a Pokémon to master new moves or to learn them earlier than they otherwise should.

This should not be taken to mean that it's an easy road to Lv. 100 for those of very high rank. The facet that the more you level up, the harder it is to get to the next one still remains true. There can also be small humps of stagnation along the individual's journey that the Pokémon will have to work through.

Evolution: As the MC mentioned back at the beginning of this story, the act of evolution is the primary vehicle by which any particular Pokémon can increase their own Potential rating. An increase of one rank, sometimes two, is most typical, however Brad did cite examples where he once saw as high as four and also witnessed no increase at all. There do exist special circumstances outside of standard evolution that can increase/decrease an individual's letter grade, but these will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Base Stats: An increase in letter grade does not meaningfully impact base stats, but it may provide a small edge. This is a much more subtle increase of quality than one that is readily pronounced. A Pokémon's Lv. should still be taken as the more important indicator of who is stronger, not the Potential rating.

(Though the hypothetical difference between an A+ and an E- of equal levels would be pretty dang stark. Over a dozen 'minuscule' buffs stacked on top of each other isn't so minuscule anymore.)

The Unique Factor: Something that the MC just hasn't had the right neuron fire on yet is that the higher ranked a Pokémon's Potential is, the more likely it will be that the team member is able to develop a special skill or unique talent that other members of their species frankly cannot do.

Gligar/Gliscor are incredibly adept at type-energy manipulation sure, but none are able to take it as far as Vlad does. (Teaser: There will be a new feature unlocked once he finally masters all eighteen.)

Krookodile, through grit and stubbornness, is able to access Egg Moves that he simply doesn't have the correct parentage for. "If they can use Thunder Fang, then why not me?"

Simon is…well he's Simon. You all know his deal.

And on the subject of our overpowered Shonen Protagonist, let's take a second to talk about:

Legendaries: Yes, it is true. Whether they be literal Gods of Time and Space or simple forest dwelling cryptids, these species are playing with cheat codes enabled.

If Bradley sees them, his power will only be able to quantify their unique brand of bullshit as being A-rank or higher.

Here is a loose guide to work off of.

EX: Arceus
SSS: God Legendaries
SS: Big Boy Legendaries
S: Weaker Legendaries
A: Sub-Legendaries
B: Unevolved baby Legends such as Kubfu, Meltan, and Cosmog
C: Phione. Because that shit's traaaaash.

Note: Although it probably won't come up in this story. Paradox Pokémon and Ultra Beasts -with some exceptions- do not apply to this list. They get ranked through the normal system like a bunch of scrubs.

That should be just about everything I can think of for the moment. I'll edit this later if I realized I overlooked something.

 

[Fire_Fox]

Unbeknownst to Bradley, Pryce, Madison, or really anyone at all involved in the Johto 'Mid-Season Summit', today's date marked a significant moment for the Pokémon world as a whole. Two events, -seemingly unrelated on the outside- who's ramifications were as wide as the sea was deep.

Though they wouldn't be felt abroad for quite some time.

Firstly, across the ocean in the barren, destitute, and crime-filled region of Orre, a handshake agreement was at long last finalized between the provincial government and the foreign mega-corporation Lysandre Labs. A promise that would surely see jobs, wealth, and other goods flow into a region which desperately needed them.

And secondly, a young protagonist in the making, a 'Hero-to-be' by the name of Michael who'd been fighting the good fight, toppling criminal bases one at a time…was quietly disposed of.

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Is this book going to get capital 'D' Dark? Or still just slightly grim at times? Because I don't know if I can stomach the book getting down right tragic, sad and depressing. The death of a protagonist is a major red-flag for me and I am starting to get a bit worried the book may be heading in that direction. Just dropped off a book that had a similar tone a few days ago, because they did a 300 year timeskip after Rayquaza bit the dust in a cliffhanger chapter, and Groudon/Kyogre both had their fight without a ref in the back to tell them to stop. 98% of the population got wiped and we picked up with the protagonist.

So I am a bit touchy right now on darker themes, and this is starting to give me some worries.

 

[Blankmask]

I assume that higher potential means that they have an easier time pulling Shonnen bullshit like "Dragon Rage 20 levels early" and similar

 

[Tbryan]

That should be just about everything I can think of for the moment. I'll edit this later if I realized I overlooked something.

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You didn't go into how evolution affects potential

 

[azereath]

So that means simon is on the level of potiental of Big Legendaries

 

[AceViltrumite]

Thanks for the info.

 

[ClassHole]

Huh.... I'll admit, my first reaction to this chapter was that I hated it lol. The Watson stuff at the end was actually really fun, but I was pretty stoked on him getting some new Ground 'mons, and for him to walk out with zero dragon, fire, or water options, and 2 gimmick twin Baltoys instead was shit. I hated it. The whole "Double Battles are popular in Hoenn" didn't change it at all... he doesn't live there. Also, using a pair of the same pokemon in a double battle is beyond dumb anyways.

That being said, I read the comments made after the chapter... and yeah, I can see from a real world utility perspective how Claydol would be really helpful, so that at least has sold me on Claydol as a decent pick up....... but I still think having 2 is a pointless waste and the whole shared power thing is lame... yeah I see how you could make it work as a battling strategy, but it seems like a shitload of effort for a real "meh" ass result. Why read a medium length essay about the complex breakdown of what's happening beteween Pot 1 and Pot 2, when I could just read about Simon punching a muthafucker instead lol

God I hope he gets a Gible eventually. I WANT AN EARTH DRAGON! This swing and a miss on Trapinch has only gotten my Gible hopes even higher lol. Here's hoping he leaves Hoenn with at least one other new Pokemon as well. Going all the way there and leaving with just 2 baltoy's is a pretty lame trip. Swing by Littleroot and sweet talk May or Birch into slipping him a Mudkip lol. We need to salvage these travel costs man!

 

[10000soul]

Huh.... I'll admit, my first reaction to this chapter was that I hated it lol. The Watson stuff at the end was actually really fun, but I was pretty stoked on him getting some new Ground 'mons, and for him to walk out with zero dragon, fire, or water options, and 2 gimmick twin Baltoys instead was shit. I hated it. The whole "Double Battles are popular in Hoenn" didn't change it at all... he doesn't live there. Also, using a pair of the same pokemon in a double battle is beyond dumb anyways.

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Can't he just go to mossdeep and sell/trade with the twins or their parents? A major Gym would have the money, influence, and connection to get better selection

Or Steven 'moneybags' Stone, he has a claydol

Why settle for mediocre when you can trade up

 

[LordVishnu]

Is this book going to get capital 'D' Dark? Or still just slightly grim at times? Because I don't know if I can stomach the book getting down right tragic, sad and depressing. The death of a protagonist is a major red-flag for me and I am starting to get a bit worried the book may be heading in that direction. Just dropped off a book that had a similar tone a few days ago, because they did a 300 year timeskip after Rayquaza bit the dust in a cliffhanger chapter, and Groudon/Kyogre both had their fight without a ref in the back to tell them to stop. 98% of the population got wiped and we picked up with the protagonist.

So I am a bit touchy right now on darker themes, and this is starting to give me some worries.

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I can truly honestly say, cross my heart and swear to die, that I have no plans of wiping out 98% of the population.

You didn't go into how evolution affects potential

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I didn't have any additional info to add beyond what was covered in Chapter 1. But sure, I can edit in a section for it here just so it's all in one place.

 

[LinkedTortoise]

Bradely you might be In for it. A Gym Leaders personal team is no joke.

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Grundy is going to be ecstatic though.

 

[Jambory]

... Hm. I think I noticed something. Interesting.

"Bwaha! Don't look so dismayed lad! Sorry if I wasn't supposed to blurt that out, but you don't get to my age without picking up a trick or two!" The man wiggles his fingers and a tiny yellow spark travels between two of the digits. "It's only natural I can recognize my opposite from just a touch! Why, you're about as blank to me as one of those Dark-types are against Psychics!"

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It's shown here that an aura user is able to exhibit traits of the Type they specialize in. But. Hasn't this happened before? Fairly recently, at that?

Elite Four Lorelei steps away from a Slowking and begins marching my way with purpose, audibly crunching sand underneath her business-like heels. With each step an icy chill begins to permeate throughout the air, chasing away the warm climate of the beach and I can't help but chuckle mournfully.

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When Lorelei appears, the temperature drops. Additionally.

Grundy takes a half step forward and—without even a gesture from the woman— her personal Lapras releases itself from her belt to fearlessly lock heads with the gargantuan Alpha. The plesiosaur is still shorter by a whole meter and yet it stares Grundy down without an inkling of concern in its eyes.

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Now. One could attribute this to her simply being that skilled that her Pokemon have her back no matter the scenario. But, we also know that Brad has connections with his Pokemon through his aura that allow for silent communication to transpire between them. As such, I posit the following...

Lorelei is an Ice Aura user. The reason Brad hasn't picked up on this yet is because he met her for the "first" time (after being reincarnated into the original Brad) before he learned more about Aura usage.

 

[Bob Saget]

Gligar/Gliscor are incredibly adept at type-energy manipulation sure, but none are able to take it as far as Vlad does. (Teaser: There will be a new feature unlocked once he finally masters all eighteen.)

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After some bulbapedia-ing, it looks like the only two type energies Gliscor can't use moves from (in the games, not in this fic) are Grass and Fairy type moves. Gliscor can technically use a Ghost move by technicality, since back in Gen II he could learn Curse via TM.

Those weren't necessarily the two types I was expecting the Gliscor line to have most barred to them. Considering Gligar's big eyes and aggressive pink-ness for the 'Fairy coded' thing, and their zubat-adjacentness and big fangs making them candidates for Absorb.

 

[Pkbwgsc]

I can truly honestly say, cross my heart and swear to die, that I have no plans of wiping out 98% of the population.

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Well that's not fuckin ominous.

since back in Gen II he could learn Curse via TM.

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Technically it was a ??? Type back then so… does it still count? Semantics but still

 

[The Kijs]

So that means simon is on the level of potiental of Big Legendaries

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Yup, looks like. Once he gets the levels, our boy is gonna be able to throw down with the likes of Mewtwo, and Ho-oh.

I admit I'm a little unsure where the line is between God tier legendaries and the 'Big' legendaries. I'm guessing it's the line between the legendaries who do something vs. the legendaries who are something?
For example, Groudon, Regigigas, and Kyogre built the land, the seas, and dragged them into place. They did a thing. But Palkia, Xerneas, and Zekrom are the embodiments of a thing and that sets them a step above?
I would assume anyone who's part of a themed group that aren't box mascots is the minor legendary category. The birds, the dogs, the djinn, the swords of justice, the tapus, etc.


Edit:
Gotta admit, Evangelion wasn't my first guess for the reference. The whole 'biblically accurate angel' line had me thinking of Mr. A. Z. Fell

 

[LordVishnu]

Wait a second.

>Base Stats: An increase in letter grade does not meaningfully impact base stats, but it may provide a small edge. This is a much more subtle increase of quality than one that is readily pronounced. A Pokémon's Lv. should be taken as the more important indicator of who is stronger, not the Potential rating.

>(Though the hypothetical difference between an A+ and an E- of equal levels would be pretty dang stark. Over a dozen 'minuscule' buffs stacked on top of each other isn't so minuscule anymore.)

Did I just...

Did I just circle around to accidentally including IV's as a thing and not realize it?

Oops.

 

[Thatonesungod]

Did I just circle around to accidentally including IV's as a thing and not realize it?

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Double takes

Uh, yeah. That's pretty much exactly what you did. Individual differences in pokemon stat totals that are more visible at higher levels between equal leveled pokemon.

 

[ThunderBasilisk]

Yeah if Bsadleys smart he's definitely not gonna think his teams in the same weight class as the legendaries. This actually clarified quite a bit.

I can truly honestly say, cross my heart and swear to die, that I have no plans of wiping out 98% of the population.

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That 2% part is concerning

Did I just circle around to accidentally including IV's as a thing and not realize it?

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LoL that's ironic. And it's almost seamless to.

 

[Kenshin135]

Did I just circle around to accidentally including IV's as a thing and not realize it?

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You can't really get away from them anyway. Not if you want your setting to make sense. IVs are just genetics by another name; some just have small mutations that make them better or worse at stuff. EVs are just directed training; sure, you may have put in roughly the same overall effort (level) but obviously the swimmer is gonna have a different build a muscular performance than the runner, and both them different to the boxer. And the guy who trains a bit of everything or has no real focus is gonna struggle against the ones who specialize when competing in their field. It makes sense to do away with hard numbers, but it's silly to pretend they don't exist at all.

Even with Nature, it makes sense that the hardheaded stubborn ass might have trouble with the mental flexibility and creativity required for special moves, but would excel in committing to aggressive physical combat (adamant) Meanwhile, the humble and introspective pokemon would spend a lot of time honing their mind and control, but might shy away from physical violence (Modest). The fun loving goof is willing to jump into action without a second thought, but isn't so great at thinking things through or precise details (Jolly) etc.

 

[kukukkuii]

Swing by Littleroot and sweet talk May or Birch into slipping him a Mudkip

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Nah, I love Swampert but our boy is in the doghouse. He needs to save all the rizz he can to win back his ice queen.

 

[kukukkuii]

He got of lighter legally than I suspected he would, but the real cost was the loss of respect I think.

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True. I'd say the trainers he's met and gym leaders he'd earned the respect of have some pretty strong feelings about him now.

Would be interesting to have a few paragraphs with Clair, Jasmine, Pryce, Morty & Ranger Madisons reactions that he'd been working for Team Rocket the whole time.

Think about it from Jasmines perspective. She trusted a Team Rocket member to care for a "sick" Registeel. She's probably hunting him down herself.