Monday, September 28, 2026

The State of Nominations, Part 42

The number 42 is well-known in some circles to be a number with certain "answers". Those "answers" don't really apply to Pokémon, although some might also argue that Pokémon could be the "answer" to those "answers". In any case, that's not the focus of this post; rather, that would be on updating the progress of my PokéStop nominations, for which this edition is also coincidentally the 42nd. Still, a lot of it might involve divulging "answers" related to that.

Regardless, there are still other numbers to deal with. From last time, the number of my Accepted nominations increased by one to 196, and that for my Not Accepted nominations also increased by one to 72. Granted, I've been focusing on other things, so nominations for PokéStops were not quite on my mind in the past two months, but I can make up the slack whenever in the time of the next two months - an answer in itself.

Meanwhile, there are the monthly impact numbers for July (32591 visits by 1791 players) as well as August (30362 visits by 1882 players), which are always for the preceding months since those are the numbers I get for particular months. July was a happening month since it was the main Go Fest month, and August kept up the momentum. They're the big answers to the big numbers in those two months, and quite acceptable ones at that.

Some answers have also been given by Scopely Explore, which has also replaced the Niantic name appended to Wayfarer, made the nomination process completely separate from the games (redirecting the in-game process to the web site), and added even more nomination possibilities, more than what may perhaps be reasonable for my needs. All of these may affect the answers that I provide with the actual nominations to come.

Whatever answers may be given by my PokéStop nomination progress, the final answer is still to try to expand the overworld of Pokémon Go - not to mention other Scopely Explore games - so that other players (Trainers and so on) can then provide their own "answers" according to what they do in the games with them. For this edition of my nomination progress update, it seems then that I'm reminded that all the answers are around me to collect and present.

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Sunday, September 27, 2026

Pokémon Caricatures?

People (or even things) that have gained significant repute may be memorialized in illustration form through caricatures, as fanciful drawings depicting their personality with the things that are typically associated with them. Certainly, it's not hard to stretch the process to involve Pokémon, and that makes for a fascinating discussion. Since the art form involves specific subjects, I thought I'd center the discussion on the subjects that can apply to it.

Trainers specifically can of course be the subjects of the art form, since they're people after all. It goes without saying that I'm interested in a caricature of Ash in some form, but others may like Cilan, Clemont, or Misty; and then there are other Trainers like Red, Ethan, Lance... the list goes on and on. All of these can have their most significant Pokémon and objects alongside them to enrich the caricature aspect as well as the Pokémon aspect.

Speaking of, certain Pokémon species can also get the treatment. The "unforgettable classics" of Pikachu, Charizard, Snorlax, and more are great candidates, but so are "new favorites" such as Incineroar, Sirfetch'd, and Meowscarada. They would also be most enhanced by particular settings from their regions of concern... and maybe a little bit of the people who are in close association with them. Their caricatures are expected to be quite whimsical.

Meanwhile, there is me with all of my Pokémon dealings, the species I fancy, the things I appreciate, and so on and so forth. All of that could potentially be represented in a caricature by whoever is fond of me and chooses to represent me in drawing with any or all of the above elements. It would be a bit of a challenge for the artist, yet it could be a fun one with Pokémon involved - and certainly the results would be as well for the both of us.

Caricatures can be said to be "involved" pieces of art; they can "involve" a lot of elements in the pieces and the effort to make them is also "involved", for both the subject and creator alike. Quite possibly, Pokémon can be "involved" in the creation process, which would be a neat thing for those who are concerned with it. The resulting piece would also further affirm or increase the repute of the subject, which may just be well-deserved with the art itself.

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Saturday, September 26, 2026

Cosplay: Toys & Hobbies Week 2026

Ash: Hey, it's Toys & Hobbies again!

Me: Indeed it is. That makes it four years in a row.

Goh: But I can't help but sense this year is a bit odd. Like today, for starters. 

Ash: Yeah. Today is a Saturday. 

Pikachu: Chu pika. ["Right you are."]

Me: Well... actually, I was going to send Ash tomorrow, but I want to make time for certain friends, so today is it. And maybe you could also deal with a Phantump capture challenge.

Goh: How does that go?

Me: It's just doing a lot of things to try to get it to appear - and to catch it, of course.

Ash: Er... Yeah, it was a lot all right, but I got through it all over the entire day I was there.

Me: OK, great. That might have been better than if I did it myself where I was.

Goh: So, as for the festival... how'd it go this year?

Ash: It was a lot smaller this year - just the main stage and market, and a small game stage.

Goh: Yeah, that does sound like it's really scaled down. Did you find anything interesting at the market?

Ash: Not much for me - just the usual Pokémon cards and gadgets, but I'm sure our friend doesn't need all of that now.

Pikachu: Chu, pika pika chu. ["But they are interesting."]

Me: Very true. So you didn't need to bother with that. But you had to bother with meeting my friends today... right?

Ash: Right! I did meet a few of them even up until the end. But I didn't meet one who you might be thinking of from past years...

Me: Oh. That friend messaged me, and that friend plans to come tomorrow - but then it goes back to the above.

Goh: That's a bummer.

Ash: Yeah, and I just saw all dance groups today - and few other characters, plus a fighting game tournament at the other stage.

Goh: So, I'm thinking all the character stuff is for tomorrow, the Sunday.

Me: And... I just got the word that it is - which is the last day too. Rats.

Goh: Hmm. Well, at least you kept your streak of going to this one somehow.

Ash: And I tried to get you something interesting too - one you've been looking for.

Pikachu: Pika pika chu! ["Sounds good to me!"]

Me: Thanks. Well, it is (and was) still fine day for a little outing - moreover for the above.

Ash: Let's make it great next time!

Goh: And make sure it's not in conflict with anything.

Me: When Pokémon is involved, hopefully few things are, especially for this special festival.

Two years ago: Only Here, Only Now
Four years ago: The Original Dance Mix
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Friday, September 25, 2026

Legendary Things Like Legendary Pokémon

Recently, despite being intensely promoted, I've found that a particular thing is in fact rather hard to come by and that I've had to resort to special means in order to deal with that thing. Because of the way that thing appears to be, it seems that I'm apt to ascribe a "legendary" quality to the thing. Of course, that brings to mind that some Pokémon species are of a class with the same moniker (except with the first letter capitalized), and that prompts a discussion of how some things might be similar in quality that makes Legendary Pokémon what they are.

Many past Pokémon games limit a Legendary Pokémon to just one per game, so it follows that some "legendary" things might be the only one of its kind. That would mean unique pieces of art, only objects in existence, and/or custom-made items (the list goes on and on) all might qualify to have the "legendary" quality. The thing I'd mentioned is not the only one of its kind - or at least by its representation - but its production process may be "legendary" enough by this description for it to be regarded as "legendary".

The thing would, however, qualify as "legendary" by virtue of it being very rare, much like certain antiques, parts, and collectibles nowadays. Meanwhile, Legendary Pokémon today aren't as rare as they were in the past due to enterprising Trainers in both the main series and Pokémon Go (thanks to its Home connection), but they could still be a rarity in some ways if they're hard to obtain... which goes back to the thing I mentioned. The quality and class conceivably still apply, albeit in a more specialized manner.

Speaking of "special", there are many more Legendary Pokémon today than in the past, yet it can be argued that many of them have the class not so much because of their capabilities but because they are novelties in their own right (take the "three titans" or "Regis" that Trainers hardly use today). With that, some "legendary" things in this world might just be the same, being novelties or special things more than anything else. Likewise, this can have a broad application much like how the class-moniker for Pokémon species applies.

Whether they are things in the real world or Pokémon species that make up a class of their own, having the "legendary" idea applied to them becomes a fascinating aspect, one that might just involve any or all of the ideals as presented above. The same goes for the thing that became the inception point for this post, whose nature has at least some of all of the above ideals. It may still be a challenge to deal with the thing outside of the special means, but it's nice to understand that it too can be "legendary" in some respects.

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Thursday, September 24, 2026

Defining My Physical-Live TCG Future

Since I've brought up the Pokémon TCG for a discussion, I thought I'd also discuss some personal aspects (that is, of my own) in relation to this realm, specifically with relation to its physical and Live version. I haven't written much about it, more so in recent times, because... well, there really hasn't been much to write about personally. However, there have been a couple of developments on this front, and with the lack of writing as a prompt, I thought I'd cover where I'm heading based on the things that have happened.

For that, while I've attempted to procure a deck in order to play with my local TCG fellows, I've been struggling with finding a time when I can play properly, and just when I think I'm close to finding that time, something always comes up. As such, a unilateral agreement was made to part with them; this is in a way regrettable, for now even if I want to play with them, they may treat me as an "outsider" given my infrequent play. It may be considered an additional struggle alongside the one for the effort of procuring a deck.

The above certainly applies to the physical side of things. For the Live side (as in TCGL, its virtual implementation), I've had other struggles with availability - including ones of a technical nature - that keep me from playing as much as I would like to. Consequently, I'm starting to miss out on quite a few of its offerings, and I'm not sure how I'd go about reclaiming them if and when I can ensure the stable availability of the game and my playing it once again. Much may still have to be considered if this is to occur.

Considering the above, it seems that in defining my future for this specific realm and version(s) of the TCG, it may be tending toward the bleak side of things. In particular, it seems that it's proving that the physical and Live TCG version is less of a fit for me... if it isn't already is with the local state of things. This is in comparison to the mobile TCGP, which has worked out somewhat nicely with what I already have - and perhaps what I don't have as well. Of course, futures can change, and this definition may only apply currently.

Generally, I aim to apply as many Pokémon things as possible, or even have them apply to me. Yet in some cases, that can fail to happen in either direction. The case of the physical and Live TCG seems to be an apparent one in that regard, with particular attention to the case of my current situation and its directed future. Pokémon is always in my future, but some things may just be (or continue to be) out of reach of that future; it's something I need to contend with, as with my physical and Live TCG future and whatever plays into its definition.

Two years ago: PIJ Drone Show Narrative
Four years ago: The Desire to Refresh
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Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Making the Pokémon TCG Language-Independent?

Previously, I had brought up a discussion about the Pokémon TCG with regard to the possible use of symbols in order to represent the actions on the cards. I had also noted that it could be a step towards achieving what I call "language independence" for the realm, and that I would be discussing it later. Well, later is now, so I thought I'd get that discussion going for all it's worth and what those other steps may be, along with the associated challenges for the effort.

To make the TCG "language independent", it would mean making it be able to be played regardless of language, which has been both a source of convenience and a limiting factor for the present state of the TCG. Specifically, it can supplement currently playable TCG sets in whatever language they may be, and it might also help to bridge understanding between the players who might possess and use sets in different languages in their TCG gameplay.

With that, given a regular TCG card, aside from the actions as described in the previous post, the next prime target for "language independence" would be the Pokémon name, which could opt for the English name as a way to generalize things internationally, even though certain regions have their own names. That may just go for the special (Trainer) cards, even though it may also be possible to leave their titles blank as the cards can be recognized by the art.

Still, the TCG cards also have non-gameplay elements that are different in different language versions as well. The only apparent answer to deal with these seemingly would be the same as the above: leaving the elements blank. Then there are the move names, which might adopt the approach of representing them with uniquely distinct symbols, which could be vaguely similar to the approach for the actions. Yet this could be more difficult in contrast to that approach.

Given the above, perhaps true "language independence" may not be completely achievable for the cards, at least not without extreme modifications to the cards. Yet it is still fanciful to try to think about it, moreover because the Pokémon TCG is globally diverse nowadays and players from different parts of the world interact with each other. The effort and challenge to make "language independence" happen could still be considered to (help) facilitate that further.

Five years ago: Unite Uptake
Seven years ago: Doubleheaders and Such
Eight years ago: Cosplay: Panniversary 2nd
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Tuesday, September 22, 2026

The Changing Mega Landscape in Pokémon Go

While the Mewtwo controversy is changing perceptions of Trainers, a few other things are changing with respect to Mega Evolution in Pokémon Go, affecting that very species as well as others. These forms, with regard to the Pokémon species that possess them, are certainly super-powered in their own way, but recent additions to Pokémon Go are making (or perhaps also about to make) that fact even more evident and bringing changes to its landscape.

For starters, more and more Pokémon are becoming able to access Mega Level 4 (dubbed the Super Max level, vis-a-vis Level 3 as the Max level), and a couple of these have been recently introduced for older Pokémon - more details on them soon. This affirms what I had written up earlier, in that the possibility of other Pokémon with Mega Evolution forms accessing these levels has become a reality. Particularly, its reach for the "first batch" of Mega Evolution species will take time to manifest, but now it can be assured that everything will move in this path.

Those Pokémon that can access the Mega level as above now also have the privilege of accessing an additional Charged move while in the Mega Evolved state, making them the first ones in Pokémon Go to reach the traditional four-move limit (if they also have an unlocked regular Charged move). The new moves are "plus moves" of some familiar attacks, and in the case of both Mega Evolution forms for Mewtwo, they also come with Adventure Effects that are very useful in both raids and the overworld. The usefulness applies for others regardless.

Not only that, the Mega Evolution forms can be used not only in raid battles (but not yet for Gym battles) with their new Charged moves but also in PvP battling in certain leagues when they warrant their possible usage. In the latter case, the Pokémon will have their CP decreased ("nerfed") when they are out of range of a specific league in which they are to be used - also making it the first time a sort of "level adjustment for battle" situation is put in place in the game. The Mega forms are already big, but this is definitely the biggest forward step yet.

Mega Evolution could be said to have had an unassuming landscape in Pokémon Go, in particular given its "shaky start" many years ago. Now, though, the landscape is changing (and has changed) massively, and Trainers will have to take into account the above changes as well as previous ones in order for them to take advantage of Mega Evolution by themselves and what others and the game itself brings forth... hopefully for a change for the better.

Four years ago: Teams in Café Remix
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