Midnight Blue Nerd

I did train for Bugsy. I brought a team of six all up to level 21. If you’ve been paying attention to the encounters, you might have noticed that I had nothing that could easily take out bug types available.

Critical Hit from Heracross.

Beedrill using Sludge Bomb and getting a crit on U-Turn.

Scyther. Just in general.

I have the majority of the screenshots, but even bringing him down to one pokemon massacred my team in the process leaving no with enough help to live a through a quick attack.

Looking at the remaining team members, there’s no way I’d win against both Bugsy and the rival unless I train them all to an even higher level from a lower starting point.

Start from the beginning

Start from the beginning of the chapter

Everyone’s been trained up and are ready. Well, almost everyone. Prism’s going to be sitting this one out. Reyn’s going to be in the back of the party with an EXP Share so that way he’ll be stronger when we reach Goldenrod.

I’ve also given the Soothe Bell back to Vanilla, and a King’s Rock I found in Slowpoke Well to Pollen.

These levels would almost be threatening if the Pokemon weren’t so frail.

See? With just a little bit of defense, this gym becomes much scarier.

If you want to use only one Pokemon, maybe choose something that doesn’t have 6 weaknesses.

So I went into this hack knowing some of the changes already. Specifically, these two are now Bug/Electric. Oh god.

Pollen had some of the highest Special Attack and Defense on the team, and Air Cutter hits both opponents with a high critical hit chance. First turn, Illumise dodge the attack. Second turn, it got a crit on the Thunder Shock.

That King’s Rock got me a total of 0 flinches.

I don’t like where this is going.

As I’m quickly running out of options, the Dustox kindly reminds me that STAB isn’t the only thing to be scared of.

And Illumise hits again.

Well, I was going to end this part by taking on Bugsy, but now I have to decide on replacements for half my team.

Start from the beginning

Start from the beginning of this chapter

Since this town wasn’t dangerous enough yet, I decided to climb down a pit into a well to fight a gang.

Saving the slowpoke is going to have to wait, I’m going ghost hunting!

Mirage just seemed like a good name for a Gastly.

Not terrible. But even if his nature was great, I wasn’t planning on adding him to the team right now.

Okay, now to actually fight Team Rocket!

Man, even your pokemon look pathetic.

I TAKE IT BACK! I TAKE IT BACK!

Yeah, that’s right I tried to switch train with only 6 hp even though that Rattata had Pursuit.

CRUNCH!? AT LEVEL 17!? I was expecting to take quite the hit from Bite, but with Crunch, I’m not even sure the crit mattered.

After the battle, I went to the Pokemon Center to lay down Drumstick. Poor guy didn’t even level up before leaving us. It wasn’t until I was on my back that I remembered I could have been using the Exp Share. 

Pollen has returned to the team. Drumstick had replaced Reyn, but since the gym will have a lot of bug types, I figured Pollen is going to be better in the short-term.

Not funny, game.

Another faceless grunt down.

Against my better judgment after looking at the last battle’s levels. I decided to take Proton on now.

Voltorb had Toxic. Zubat had Giga Drain. The gloves are off now.

And just like that, Proton was defeated.

Someone’s eager for the next Gym.

Start from the beginning

Start from the beginning of this chapter

I will never get tired of this Maniac design. It’s just so ridiculous.

This Cubone used leer twice on a half-damaged Corphish. I was a little scared for Mr. Krabs’s life.

I thought there was at least one more trainer in there. Oh well, encounter time!

Interesting.

Another Jojo reference, this one’s even been localized. While thinking of a nickname, I suddenly realized how similar Toixcroak’s design was to Little Feet and then I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

I was worried about the Machop having Rock Throw for whatever reason, and then it used Foresight. Never change random trainers. Never change.

This seems safe.

That’s...not the better ability. Something tells me Tiny Feet isn’t going on the team for quite some time.

I thought this guy was an optional trainer, I am so glad I talked to him anyway.

Another quiz, another starter! And this time the random number generator chose...

Torchic! Well, this looks staged.

I decided to name him Drumstick because I am a terrible, terrible person.

Not a perfect nature, but Speed Boost is always a plus. Drumstick is going to be replacing Reyn since he’ll be useful in the next gym and will become a fighting type very soon.

This town is surrounded by forests and caves and has thieves and gang members living in it. I thought the Pokemon were the only ones in danger.

I can see the headlines now: Grandpa murdered in well by reformed criminal organization.

Start from the beginning

Start from the beginning of this Chapter

These trainers don’t stop coming, and they don’t stop coming, and they...

Procrastination has its benefits pt. 2

No one expects the Earthquake Bayleef.

Going into Union Cave, I am expecting a geodude or another rock or ground type.

Probably should’ve been my first guess in hindsight.

I decided to name him Vanilla as a reference to Vanilla Ice from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. Honestly surprised it took this long to make a Jojo reference.

Good nature, already learned Wing Attack, and I just got a Soothe Bell right here at the end of route 32. Looks like Vanilla is going to be replacing Pollen, at least for the time being.

Oh this poor Geodude...

Giving Bill some actual Fire types instead of just Koffing is something I like. Giving Magby Smog halfway through a dungeon is something I don’t like.

Start from the beginning

Professor Elm, the Pokemon I already have are still dying from that Farfetch’d’s Poison Jab, I’m not ready to take care of a baby.

I’m taking it anyways though.

Stop talking about the egg! Stop talking about the egg!

I just want to have six pokemon in my party, is that too much to ask for?

Finally got to an overview of the team. Eggs are important business.

Procrastination has its benefits.

One of the most “notable” changes in Sacred Gold: no longer needing Cut to get the TM for Roar. A complete game changer this one.

Oh yay, the trainers are beginning to get scary.

Were* getting scary. The scariest part of those last two battles was Deku missing Razor Leaf twice in a row. You better find a way to amend that!

That works.

Oh if only Mr. Krabs wasn’t a physical attacker.

This man, he goes by Justin, has 3 Magikarp. You want to make me suffer, Justin?

Then I’ll make you suffer.

Start from the beginning

Start from the beginning of this chapter

After healing up, and getting a small amount of training in, there’s only one trial left in Sprout Tower.

No one tell him I pretend my Pokemon are dead after they faint once.

I’d make a joke about his name, but that’s getting old.

He also had a Chingling that did 8 damage with a critical astonish. Nothing important has been missed.

Well, if I’m being honest Jolteon is one of my favorite Pokemon, but since the reward for defeating you is the corresponding evolution item, I’m going to pick the one that I feel would be the most useful.

Flash is a much less useful reward.

That’s right I chose to evolve Prism into an Espeon. Not only is beacon already an electric type, but Espeon will help against upcoming Poison types. Also, the name Prism just fits an Espeon better.

Based off of the Elder’s levels, I’m going to train just a little bit more before the Gym. Beacon lost about half his HP against the Hoothoot.

That’s looking a bit better. Rascal’s in the party because Reyn probably won’t be the most useful and I figured she could gain a level or two.

Sure you can buddy.

Are you threatening to murder a child? This is the first gym!

Right, time to battle Fal-

Well that was good timing. I also needed to pick up something from the mart, so this is a good segue as any.

Nice.

AND SO IT BEGINS

Sending out his strongest Pokemon already? That’s worrying.

Yeah, this Farfetch’d has Poison Jab. Was not expecting that, and it nearly did someone in. Nearly.

Murkrow also was ready to put up a fight.

I’ve heard a great deal about you two. Charge is my secret weapon.

Fantastic job Beacon! Not a single death!

I’ll show off the team at the beginning of chapter 2, but for now, I’ll show off Rascal’s progress.

Start from the beginning

Start from the beginning of this chapter

Entering Violet City’s Pokemon Center, we are greeted by a strange clown who wishes to ask us questions that require knowledge from outside the game to answer. Sounds fun!!

Receiving a Kanto starter afterward is cool too I guess.

The random number generator chose Squirtle! I gave her the only appropriate name and quickly threw her into the PC. What? She wasn’t going to be much help in Sprout Tower.

Between posts, I also trained up Pollen and Reyn to level 10. Meaning...

Yep! Pollen ended up being a Beautifly. Only STAB move is Bug Bite, but 4x resistance to grass on someone other than Kirby is nice. 

Really wish I talked to this guy before I did the training though.

Since Route 32 is open, I figured I’ll try one more time to find something that will help against Falkner before entering Sprout Tower.

And help he shall! Sorry, Kirby. Your resistance to grass in nice, but Beacon’s gonna need some XP before the gym.

With that out of the way, it’s time to climb the tower.

Well, it’s not a Bellsprout. To save everyone some time, I’ll pass on showing all the other grass types from the regular trainers in here.

After defeating that second trainer, a little someone wanted to interrupt the climb.

Not the nicest name, but it still fits.

Fun fact, this Natu had Air Cutter and scared the crap out of me for a second.

Start from the beginning

Start from the beginning of this chapter

Now it’s time for the true Pokemon experience: endless trainer battles!

Oh right, I have two grass types and a water type. This is going to be fun.

Actually ended up not being that bad. The scariest thing was when the Seedot started using Bind, but Kirby took it out with a crit Tackle anyways.

I thought the lack of a fairy type would be what made the game feel dated. I’m kidding heartgold and this hack both still hold up.

Even if Sing hits, Deku’s new move will get at least some damage off.

After defeating the idol, we make it to route 31. Please, anything but another grass type.

Well, it’s not a grass type.

Don’t know what he’s going to evolve into yet, so I settle on a dust-based name that doesn’t imply he has bad B.O.

Route 31 isn’t the only new area though!

While he won’t be useful in Sprout Tower or against Falkner, I’m not complaining about a Fighting type. Reyn the Makuhita also marks the first Xenoblade reference. A game that I sadly won’t get the chance to reference enough.

One more trainer to go! And of course, he uses bug types.

A clean battle, surprisingly. Now we can step into Violet City! Which I totally did already to get full health for the stats I checked Reyn’s when I caught him so that’s why his pic is inconsistent with the rest.

Start at the beginning of the playthrough:

Start at the beginning of this chapter

Well, I wasn’t planning on showing anything from the grinding section. Looks like this Bidoof had other plans. Critical tackle did 12 damage after I thought Lily’s new Absorb would heal just a little more than it actually did.

The fun didn’t stop there. Critical dizzy punch and then Marx hit himself in confusion. I knew the trainers would be dangerous, but this was literally on the first route of the game.

Rest in Peace, Lily and Marx. May you two watch over us and protect others from a similar fate.

Well, with two team members down, I decide to fish in Cherrygrove. I figured a Magikarp is better than nothing.

Oh, that’s much better than nothing.

Not a perfect nature, but after losing two team members to crits back-to-back, I’m grateful for Shell Armor.

After “training” what was left of the team, the only one who learned anything other than tail whip was Prism. Bite ended up being very effective against wild Ralts as I made my way to the first real trainer battle of the game.

Same here, Joey. Same here.

Why did I not show Joey’s Rattata? You can’t take pictures of a god! That’d be rude. I did give him my number as consolation.

I can think of a better way to start than by skipping tutorials and finally getting Poke Balls! Who knows what we can catch now? It could be anyt- 

-hing.

Well, an encounter is an encounter. Named him Kirby because he’s pink and floats. I mean, what is am I going to name Kirby? A Jigglypuff?

Neutral nature and no attacks. I love Hoppip so much /s. Well, hopefully Kirby will be decent before too long. Now for my Route 46 encounter!

This game hates me.

Seeing as I already used the name Kirby, I figured I’d make Jigglypuff’s name a different Kirby character. Maybe the two have a rivalry going on.

Early game Johto means a lot of encounters back to back. Time to see how effective Marx’s hypnotism is!

Surprisingly, it worked perfectly!

And the award for the most creative name of the playthrough goes to...

Can I just begin a post without being interrupted by old men?

Beginning our way past Cherrygrove, Deku finally finds something he can defeat without nearly dying in the tutorial.

I’ve been stopped by 3 different older men so far, and none of them have been nice enough to give me some bal- Actually, I’m going to stop complaining about that before this game is no longer E-Rated.

Trust me, I know who you are. Please keep your Garchomp on a leash.

The Eevee, however, I welcome with open arms.

Prism seemed like a fitting name for something with 7 evolutions.

That’s a promising nature. Probably going to evolve into either Jolteon or Espeon based on what else I can catch before Falkner.

Ah yes, what a mystery. I have no idea what this egg could hatch into.

See Deku? This is how your debut battle is supposed to go.

Finally a trainer battle! Time to see this good pokemon!

Admittedly this took two tackles, but still. You really showed me, redhead.

The only fitting name for a rival to “Midnite.” ...I laughed at this for way too long.

Last thing to do before going on a life-or-death adventure. Make a savings account under your mom’s name.

Every journey has its humble beginnings. But I imagine most don’t begin with you waking up in a strange room with an old man you’ve never met before.

Well, with a 7 character limit, that’s about as close as you’re going to get.

Once the old man dreams are over, we walk downstairs and get a bicycle thrown at us by our mother. At least they give you all the Touchscreen buttons at the same time instead of having to watch each button appear individually in the original. Starting the game with the bike is also a nice change.

Skipping ahead to choosing our starter, the random number generator decided that my starter will be Chikorita. My least favorite of the Johto starters, but at least we’ll have decent defenses against the few things that don’t have super effective moves to use against it.

I was going for a Zelda reference, but the MHA reference is also appropriate.

What an amazing nature. -_- Didn’t even get the hidden ability, but as you’ll soon see, that may have been a blessing.

Wouldn’t be a Johto game if we weren’t giving out our phone number within the first few minutes.

The majority of the rules won’t become active until after we get Pokeballs, but I needed to point out that this Pidgey got a critical hit on the first turn of our first battle. Don’t worry, a Wurmple and a Bidoof also landed crits before I could reach Cherrygrove.

Oh good, now Deku isn’t the only one in danger.

I need an adult.

Any Pokémon that faints is considered dead and must be released or permanently placed in the PC.

I may only catch the first Pokémon encountered in each area (route, city, dungeon, etc.), and none else. If the first Pokémon encountered faints or flees, there are no second chances. There are 3 exceptions to this rule:

Species/Dupes Clause: Any Pokémon that are part of an evolution family that I have already caught will not count as my first encounter.

Legendary Clause: All legendary Pokémon I encounter must either be defeated or flee the battle. They will never count as an encounter, and I cannot run away.

Shiny Clause: Any shiny Pokémon I encounter can be caught and used, even if they were not the first encounter in an area. This includes the Lake of Rage Gyarados.

All gift Pokémon can be used. When given a choice between multiple Pokémon (e.g. choosing my starter), I will use a random number generator to make my decision.

Every Pokémon must be nicknamed.