Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 9/30/2024

This is the first month of what has been acclaimed to be a "big" season, which has been made with the inclusion of two big things early on. They're already becoming major aspects of Pokémon Go at present, but to put them into perspective, that requires the usual events of the game that take place each and every month, including this one. As usual, those events are to be rolled up in a post, and moreover, that has to happen today as it's the last day of this month, necessitating the perspectives to be seen now.

For the first of those big things, there was the "Go All Out" event from September 3 to 10. The three starters of Galar (Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble) along with Dreepy, Stonjourner (UK regional), and all their species families made their debut and became present in the wild, along with Skwovet and Wooloo; the starters also became present in 5 km Eggs while Dreepy was in 10 km ones and 7 km Eggs had regional forms. A Special Research set introduced Trainers to the starters and provided the tools (and choices) to advance with them. The wild Pokémon were also present as Field Research task rewards, while Collection Challenges had a Wooloo focus and showcases featured the starter Pokémon. All these were complemented with double XP bonuses for catching and evolving for a big start. During this time, there was also a Raid Day for Falinks on September 8 with the usual bonuses of more free passes, increased Shiny chance (for the debuting Shiny form), increased remote raid limit, and an extra ticket for even more free passes, XP, and Stardust, as well as Rare Candy XL chance, for another "big" element.

Meanwhile, the second of those big things were manifested through the "Go Big" event on September 10 to 15, immediately following the conclusion of the previous event. The first five Pokémon to receive the "gargantuan" treatment were the Kanto starters as well as Skwovet and Wooloo and their respective families; the latter were also found in the associated Special Research for its "jump-start", while all of them became available in Max Battles at the start of the event. They too can be found in Field Research task reward encounters, but only regular ones, and were also featured in showcases. Bonuses of double XP from winning those battles as well as spinning PokéStops rounded things out, in addition to a special Max Particle bundle in the Web Store. With this event, the stage was finally set for big things now and later.

Psychic Spectacular made its return from September 18 to 22, also in a big way. That's because the event featured the debut of the Hatenna species family as well as Dynamax Beldum, the first more difficult Max Battle contender. The former along with a bevy of Psychic-type Pokémon in the wild, 7 km Eggs, and Field Research task reward encounters; some of them may have been necessary to be caught in order to complete Collection Challenges and/or showing them off at showcases. An extra paid Timed Research and overall bonuses of increased Stardust and Candy (XL) gave extra appeal to the event. Coinciding with the last day of the event (September 22) - and somewhat appropriately - was a Research Day featuring Oranguru and Passimian, where Trainers completed tasks from PokéStops and encountered familiar primates to encounter the two, the latter of which can now be Shiny in addition to the former; it also had a paid adjunct for extra encounters, and was faintly appropriate for a peak celebration on the equator. At least some of the aspects were big nonetheless.

Capping this month off is the "Legendary Heroes" event from September 26 to October 1 (tomorrow). This one marks the much-awaited return of Zacian in raids, which can now be Shiny, and during this time, Koffing can be evolved into Galarian Weezing. A Timed Research set demands Trainers to explore and pick a path (Sword or Shield), after which they'll have two Collection Challenges to complete, one of which is a trading challenge with those from the other path, for specific Pokémon only obtained by Incense. The rest of the Pokémon are some characteristic of the Galar region in the wild and raids. Finally, the event is complemented by Field Research tasks with certain rewards, a Web Store raid bundle, showcases, and a trade discount bonus. It's a fine reentry of one of the heroes at the very least, and it is surely to be followed up soon by that of the other.

Big things in the case of the current Pokémon Go season have meant a few features from the Galar region, and that has been demonstrated by the events of this month, which have included some of those features. More are definitely to come over the course of the season, and "big" has become the definitive and operative word for them; all that's left is to find and exemplify their manifestations as the season continues to progress.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 9/30/2023

Two years ago: The State of Nominations, Part 18

Three years ago: Pokémon Shuffle Personal Feature Wishlist

Four years ago: The State of Nominations, Part 6

Five years ago: Standing Pikachu Keychain

Six years ago: The Merits of Sleep

Seven years ago: Elite Four: "Courses" vs. "Selections"

Cosplay: Card Game Shop Opening

Me: Well, I think the title of this one says it all.

Ash: Card game shop! Like, for Pokémon too?

Me: Sure! Among other things.

Goh: So, of course you'd send Ash to this one.

Me: Also by necessity, but we'll address that in a little bit.

Goh: It wasn't that hard to get to, was it?

Ash: No, but it was a little far.

Goh: I'll bet there were lots of Pokémon cards and stuff on display. 

Ash: Of course!

Pikachu: Pi-kachu! ["Lots of that!"]

Me: So, cards and...

Ash: Plush dolls!

Goh: Well, those are always nice. Doesn't our friend want any of them?

Me: I do, but as always, budget is a determinant... and I've blown some on the faraway trip last week. 

Goh: I understand - hope you can get it back.

Me: Hope so, and then there'll be more Pokémon stuff to go around. OK, I wasn't clear on how things would go, so tell us what happened.

Ash: It started a bit late - I think the area had power problems. 

Pikachu: Pi pi pika. ["Not my fault."]

Goh: It can't be Pikachu's fault.

Me: No, I'm sure it isn't. Continue. 

Ash: They had dancing competitions for a couple of hours! But they were all for kids. 

Goh: At least you got entertainment. 

Ash: Yeah. And then there was the character parade.

Me: For that, we go back a bit - your Hoenn outfit. 

Ash: I like that one.

Me: So do I. It was the selected "NPC" outfit, after all.

Goh: How many characters were in it?

Ash: Fifteen or so with me. 

Goh: That's a little low - does this have something to do with that other thing our friend teased?

Me: Hmm, maybe.

Goh: You did remember to have fun, right?

Ash: I did. But I think I got caught up... a little?

Me: Hmm.

Goh: How many winners were there?

Ash: Ten - and I wasn't one of them.

Me: Hmm. We got the short end of the stick this time.

Ash: But the store gave me a booster pack of Pokémon cards.

Goh: Oh, OK. A "consolation" prize.

Pikachu: Pika. ["Guess so."]

Me: Well, it can't be helped. We can try for something somewhere else.

Goh: By the way, would "something somewhere else" for today be another festival?

Me: Indeed, at the same time no less. But as you can tell, the deciding factor for sending Ash to this one was Pokémon.

Ash: Sure! I heard from friends of your friends that the other one wasn't really that great anyway for us.

Goh: So this one was the right - and necessary - choice.

Me: You can say that again. The only other "consolation" for today would be connecting you and me with many of our friends, character or not.

Ash: Of course! I met both and we talked quite a lot about things - and I got taken back to our friend by one of them.

Goh: That worked out so well. I guess it could be the only thing that worked out today.

Me: Don't forget the card game shop itself. They must have gotten a good reception over the course of this weekend and since Thursday (when it formally opened).

Pikachu: Pika pika chu. ["Things look good."]

Goh: Maybe there'll be a Pokémon future for both of you there.

Ash: I hope so!

Me: So do I. For now, the card game shop future is what they've already gotten going with Pokémon and other card games.

One year ago: The State of Nominations, Part 24

Two years ago: On Death and Pokémon Species

Three years ago: The State of Nominations, Part 12

Four years ago: The Leek and Pokémon

Five years ago: Cosplay: Isekai

Six years ago: A Merchandise Dream

Seven years ago: Unified Centers and Marts

The State of Nominations, Part 30

A "big deal" has been going on in Pokémon Go at the start of this month (and season) that also led to some changes to its overworld, as I've detailed recently. Nevertheless, for some people (myself included), filling that overworld with more Waypoints through nominations remains a big deal. And as I am wont to do here, I'm updating the progress on that every couple of months presently - and now is the time, appropriately being presented with the circumstance as the happenings above unfold.

That said, it would be appropriate to just focus on the big numbers this time. Of the Accepted nominations, they've increased by 5 to 140 - not a major increase, but still better than nothing. Not Accepted nominations have decreased by 2 to 64, certainly due to Appeals overturning their rejection (of which I currently have none, as they have all been decided quickly - a big point of contention). For undecided nominations, there are 21 of them In Voting and 6 of them In Queue, vaguely indicating that they may be stuck in that state and a major effort may be needed to get them out of that state. Aside from Duplicates (11 as previously), these pretty much constitute the big numbers for the "big picture".

Because of the addition of Power Spots as uses for extraneous Waypoints, this has expanded the nominations that can possibly be made, as they can now stand to be used in Pokémon Go for this purpose. Even if they don't become PokéStops (and eventually Gyms) and with or without careful planning, they can become Power Spots instead and provide possible alternative places for Dynamax raids, not to mention possibly Gigantamax later on. Hence, I now no longer need to hesitate or "research" too deeply in considering the nomination for a Waypoint; if it can stand to be made and meets all criteria, then it probably should be made.

Meanwhile, I'm also considering the Appeal of certain rejected nominations - which has already happened, successfully - to allow them to become possible Waypoints for Power Spots. Further identification of Accepted nominations as the roles that they serve on the overworld and according to my records is also the next step to take, to make things a little easier on myself. The point is that the addition of Power Spots has changed not only the overworld dramatically, but also the ways that nominations are made - and tracked, personally - so more and other big changes are a natural consequence.

Over the course of nominations for PokéStops in Pokémon Go - and now Waypoints in general for it, as well as other Niantic games on the side - the present time has to be a "big deal" because of recent changes all around. Still, there will always be more "big deals" to go around, including for this season, which is only a third of the way through; the nomination process could be able to reduce the severity of those "big deals" while still allowing to see the "big picture of Pokémon dealings in Pokémon Go.

One year ago: Let's Talk About Problems and Solutions

Two years ago: Inventiveness vs. Misunderstanding

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 9/28/2021

Four years ago: The Future of LINE Pokémon Stickers

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 9/28/2019

Six years ago: A New Age of EX Raids

Seven years ago: To Teach and To Delight

Fascinated by TCG Art Varieties

As the last post in my coverage of TCG matters this month by "four fours", I want to discuss about the art on the cards for them. It's not intended to be an exhaustive post, for I do not have such a reach with the TCG, at least not yet. Instead, I've opted to discuss my interest and intrigue - that is, fascination - with that art, given its dazzling variety. And that dazzling variety lends the fascination a certain weight. 

Many non-Energy cards have the common art in a frame design, but that doesn't mean they can't be dazzling. I'm particularly fascinated by how landscapes and environments are depicted in these cards, which could be unique: for example, a set of recent Pokémon cards have landscape backgrounds that are interconnected to others in the set, and form a big image when arranged in such a way. Additionally, I'm also intrigued with how certain people (characters) are depicted in Supporter cards as well as what poses are selected for them -including whether they are standing or sitting. These characteristics can be very insightful, and that makes them fascinating.

Of course, some cards have art that "breaks out" of these frames, but still mostly occupying the upper half. For Pokémon cards, this causes them to lose their framed descriptions, but it's a small price to pay to see this form of expanded art. Even so, in this case, I have to say that I'm more fascinated by cards that show entire Pokémon and/or those that are not showing them in their non-attacking form, which could be rare at times since most are inevitably neither. 

Then, there are the cards with full art in the main card body, which are also as diverse in art styles as they are diverse in their card types. Some Pokémon cards in particular can appear understated, at least relatively, and I would be fascinated to use them in an actual battle, leaving the more "busy" ones for purely to be included in my collection (that is, not for battling purposes). Other cards of other types - for example, Professor's Research cards - with art like this would also be fair game for myself, if I ever obtain and get to use them physically. The fascination is still present regardless.

I leave off the TCG topic for this month's "four fours" with the remark that there is still much for me to discover after rarely interacting with this Pokémon realm all these years. That also applies well to all of these art kinds on TCG cards, which I will surely discover more of with continued play. That too is fascinating in and of itself.

One year ago: Quickies: Finding My "Mime" and "Rime"

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 9/27/2022

Three years ago: Road of 25th Anniversary: Two for the Show

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 9/27/2020

Five years ago: 1000 Posts!!!

Six years ago: Meet Meltan

Seven years ago: Pokémon Stuff at a Neighborhood Store

Only Here, Only Now

'Cause it's OK for you to be with me

The one beside me is the one who's close to me

Just like that time, unchanging since so long ago

And for the last time, only today

We're together in this silly love of ours

Until the sun fades in the distance...

-- "Only Today", free-translated lyrics

I'd written about two idol songs that in the process of a certain local journey became "adjacent" to Pokémon, and now I'd like to write about (and add) one more. The process is the same: thanks to JKT48 performing the (local version of the) song as part of their setlist - specifically on the Sunday show, which I (Ash) had the chance to see - and certainly with Pikachu in tow, the "adjacency" became apparent. It's also a bit of an odd song of sorts, which does make the "adjacency" a little odd as well.

As with many of the group's repertoire, the song is adapted from its Japanese counterpart (by AKB48) with the same title. While the Japanese version seems to be a "minor hit" compared to the group's other hit songs, the local version seems to be much more popular and can be considered a "flagship" song of the group's "New Era"; its fan chant seems to be "locally adapted" in that regard as well. Of course, adapting the performance to include four Pikachu became the next step, and a fancy one at that.

Now, the song can be loosely described as a "breakup song", based on both its Japanese and local lyrics, and the free translation of the first chorus above adopts facets of both. Yet, it's a rather happy song, which means the parties of the "breakup" seem content with each other; the song is pretty much an expression of that feeling. As for tying all this into Pokémon, even if not related to love, some experiences detailed in the song may pertain to Pokémon friends past and present, and breakup or not, they're nice to be imagined.

By now , the local offshoot of the popular Japanese idol group may be considered to have an "intimate" (ahem) relationship with Pokémon - still something that needs to be explored separately - and the recent performance of this song seems to illustrate some of that quality well. Hopefully, that may not be an "only here, only now" situation as the song (and title of this post) may suggest, but one that lasts for a long time - even if only in the minds of (local) fans - for whatever new experiences Pokémon and the group may bring. 

One year ago: Creating Unity and Oneness

Two years ago: The Original Dance Mix

Three years ago: The Challenge of Uniting Myself

Four years ago: More and Yet More LINE Pokémon Stickers

Five years ago: The Name of the Game

Six years ago: The First English Anime Opening Theme

Seven years ago: Strong Opinions

Completing the Stylistic Stickers

It has been over a year since I posited the idea for having a certain "complete set" of a certain kind of stylistic Pokémon stickers, specifically those obtained from conventions. Since then, there's been a lot of ups and downs in dealing with the convention scene (and my life scene), but thanks to picking up more of the stickers from another edition of a convention where I got some of these stickers, at this point, I can say that I now have such a complete set of stickers, and further, a means of showing them off.

This "sticker collage" shows off that complete set with a neat presentation. The new stickers I obtained since the last time are obviously the Ash and Raihan stickers on the upper corners, in addition to the Eevee, Torchic, Turtwig, and Froakie stickers. This fulfills the "triple-triple" of selected starter Pokémon - three types three times for the nine extant generations, shown here in a square. Above that, there are Pikachu and Eevee "leading the pack". Overall, the selection is also just as neat as the presentation.

Still, I also ended up with two leftover stickers (not shown here) that I thought could complete the stickers but wasn't able to make them work. They were of Piplup and Fennekin; if I had wanted to make them work, I would have needed a Treecko sticker to satisfy the constraints and sub for the representative generations as in the above collage... but I didn't think long and hard enough to determine this course of action nor pass it on to Ash for execution. The arrangement as above may be just as well.

By the way, this "sticker collage" is admittedly an effective and artistic way of displaying stickers, especially ones that one doesn't want to display anywhere else for certain reasons. I'm certain to make more of them, in particular with Pokémon stickers I get from conventions and festivals. This then would include the two leftover stickers as above, though the results for those wouldn't be evident until some time ahead. It'll take a few more stickers and a bit of mental willpower before it'll surely be ready.

After a long time, I managed to complete a collection of these particularly stylistic Pokémon stickers and even discover a way of displaying them. There will still be some ups and downs in the scene of conventions and my sending of Ash to them, but now I know what I can prepare Ash to obtain from them in order to have a piece of something (related to Pokémon) from them, which I can then assemble in certain ways to make something artistic of my own while celebrating their own inherent artistic quality.

One year ago: More on Unite Surrendering: New Developments

Two years ago: Cosplay: Mini "Cyber" Gathering

Three years ago: The "Evolution" of Pokémon Go Special Research

Four years ago: Road to 25th Anniversary: Expectations

Five years ago: A Raid Split?

Six years ago: The First Japanese Anime Opening Theme

Seven years ago: Enhancements in Shuffle

PIJ Drone Show Narrative

As Ash reported, the festival that marked the high point of Pikachu's Indonesia Journey and the close of City Safari ended with a drone show on both days the latter was held. For a lack of a better description, it is "awe-inspiring", literally: it put awe in the minds of people like me, and now it's especially inspiring for me. To that end, I'm inspired to write a narrative using what was shown by the drones.

I have to say that the drone show itself wasn't presented with a set narrative, but videos shown in the video wall did provide a hint of what those narratives may be, as do other elements shown by the drones aside from the ones related to Pokémon. The narrative - the one I create here - is built on those elements and in combination with the Pokémon elements, certainly, relating them as a whole.

So, here is that narrative:

Pokémon is world of magical and wondrous creatures - the ones that might come out of a Poké Ball.

There is also a magical and wondrous place in this world: Indonesia - the islands along the equator - and Pikachu has taken a liking for it.

So, it came by air - by balloons, to be precise - with Snorlax not far behind, as sleepy as it may be.

And thus we have Pikachu's Indonesia Journey, a journey of magic and wonder of Pokémon in this dazzling land.

Other Pokémon wanted to join in the fun too in different ways. Articuno flew over the islands of Raja Ampat, bringing its icy beauty to the place.

In the Subak fields in Bali and its pura gateways, Zapdos became one with the spirits of the people and the land.

Moltres, of course, felt at home near the many volcanoes spewing heat and clouds - Mount Bromo being one of them.

Even some massive Legendary Pokémon partook in the journey. Kyogre passed by - or over - the Suramadu Bridge and seems fond of it.

Groudon found its magnificence in size is equal to the grandeur of Prambanan Temple, a sight for any eye.

And though it mostly stays in the stratosphere, Rayquaza became attracted to the beacon that is the National Monument or Monas.

All the Legendary Pokémon - Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres, and Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza - found something to appreciate in these lands of wonder and magic.

In the starry night, there is even Jirachi - which means it's time to make a wish for the good things the land has to offer.

Where will the journey take Pikachu next? That may be up to Pikachu and its plane to decide... but we hope you'll join us there!

The above narrative can also be spoken over the main part of the drone show, certainly if one has a video available for that purpose. It could also be modified slightly as needed for that purpose - maybe even to remove one or two quirks in the narrative that could be present as it is above. Such a project is currently beyond my own capability in undertaking, but anything is totally possible with the assistance of others.

Certainly, the above is just one of many possible narratives that could be made by interpreting the main part of the drone show, and different people may have their own. One thing is for sure, however: as this series of local Pokémon events brings people and fans together for its experience, they can also bring their minds together, as with the conception of the drone show and the narratives that may result.

One year ago: Cosplay: Bunka no Tenkai - Wonderful Japan

Two years ago: The Desire to Refresh

Three years ago: Tournament: Raid Group Sparring Halloween Cup

Four years ago: The HIStory of the Future (and Now, with Pokémon)

Five years ago: Performance Critique: GACOS LEVELUP J-Song

Six years ago: New Pokémon, New World?

Seven years ago: Pikachu with Regional Caps

The Batik Motifs of Pikachu's Journey

Now that the journey of the de facto mascot of Pokémon in the big archipelago of Southeast Asia has reached its peak, I want to discuss something that has become a characteristic part of that journey, and that would be the batik fabric and subsequently shirts made out of them. It started with one pattern, revealed when the journey started, and at this point, there are four of them. Each of these I will discuss with their particular characteristics and especially how Pokémon is incorporated into the design. 

The first pattern is dubbed the "Pikachu" pattern and takes inspiration from (or could be considered an homage to) the "parang" motif. Here, images of Pikachu and Poké Balls are intermingled to create the wavy pattern of the motif it is inspired by. It is said that the motif that carries the inspiration for this pattern signifies continuity like waves crashing upon a shore, for all the important struggles, connections, and improvements in life. Pokémon Trainers may be considered to require to possess some of that continuity, and therefore the pattern might speak to them - certainly including for me.

Up next is the "Xatu" pattern, shown at around the second stop of the journey. Visually, it has some resemblance to a motif that hails from East Kalimantan, more specifically of the Dayak tribe. It is stately and royal (also, formal), much like the Pokémon that is incorporated into the design. It might also involve a certain numerology (Xatu is #178), but even more than that, the other parts that show natural symbols demonstrate beauty as well as strength and resilience. A friend of mine possesses a shirt with this pattern, and whether that friend realizes its symbolism or not, it's definitely a fitting one.

Pattern number three is the "Staryu" pattern, obviously featuring this characteristic starfish Pokémon. Its brown shading suggests calmness with a jeweled accent by the crystal core of the Pokémon. Its closest visual match could be considered the "Sogan" motif applied on fabrics that would only be worn by people of the royal court and indeed has a similar brown shading. Just like how things with this fabric can now be worn by anyone and everyone, the incorporation of Pokémon into the design is a bit of an affirmation that Pokémon is for everyone - and even all cultures, by these fabrics.

Lastly, there is the "Floral Pikachu" pattern. This one has a slightly more cutesy, in a way feminine touch by including a bright pink color and geometric outlines, particularly for the characteristic flowers of the pattern. This pattern was inspired by the "Kawung" motif - with a little Japanese touch - that features a similar arrangement of shapes and outlines, even if not a very close match to it. Yet another one of my friends bought shirts with this pattern for the entire family, so its appeal is high (and so is the motif for the inspiration in general). Needless to say, the appeal of Pokémon for everyone is also affirmed.

In the nearly one year that Pikachu's Indonesia Journey has gone on, the defining moments of that journey ought to be not only marked by the Pokémon experiences but also the things that put perspective into that journey, like these four batik patterns and the shirts made from them. The four patterns bring out the local characteristics associated with the fabrics, and their inclusion of Pokémon shows that they can play well with that franchise, bringing together tradition and modernity in a single journey.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 9/23/2023

Two years ago: New Factions Battlefields Plus

Three years ago: Unite Uptake

Four years ago: Making Time, Taking Time

Five years ago: Doubleheaders and Such

Six years ago: Cosplay: Panniversary 2nd

Seven years ago: Pikachu and Poké Ball New 2DS XL

Cosplay+Pokémon Go: Pikachu's Indonesia Journey in Jakarta - Jakarta City Safari

Me: Surprise once more!!!

Goh: [*GASP*]

Me: I told you it's big and familiar - and really far too.

Ash: OK, so it'll be like the ones on the island and the other city, right?

Me: Yes and no. This time, instead of everything being (mostly) centered in one place, there are now several places that are designated for Trainers to explore. 

Goh: Thus, "City Safari".

Me: Exactly. And because this is an official "Safari" event, there are two new twists, plus one more later on - but I'll let Ash find that out. 

Ash: Neat!

Me: There are also a few other tasks for you to do. And the first place you'll explore... is a field nearby the point of arrival. 

Goh: Wow! So you get into action as you arrive. 

Ash: Uh-huh. It's a little daring, but our friend has things figured out... I think.

Pikachu: Chu pika. ["Hope so."]

Me: As if that's not enough, you also change outfits for this one - in part by necessity, conformity, and other stuff.

Ash: I got my Journeys outfit for this one!

Goh: Just like in those two places.

Me: See, that's the whole deal. OK, so I think we can get into the wheel and deal of this one.

Ash: So I got to the field, and I saw a few people playing. I hooked up with two of them and really explored around the field - they even gave me a new Pokémon! 

Goh: What does it look like? 

Ash: It looks like a block of stone on top of two smaller ones.

Me: Oh - Stonjourner. Some people have been looking for that since the Galar starters appeared. So... those people must be from England.

Ash: Yeah! I think so. Then you told me to go to the old city to play... but then I had a hard time playing there.

Me: In retrospect, maybe I should have told you to stay there, since a friend of us should have picked you up to go somewhat far west to play.

Ash: He did, and he took us to a small island. It was really far, but it also felt like the event on the big island.

Goh: Even the entertainment and everything? 

Ash: Even that. I finally got to see the idol group from before, plus a female singer, a virtual singer, and a Pikachu DJ.

Goh: How neat!

Pikachu: Pi, p-p-p-pika. [feigns turntable scratching]

Ash: And at the end, there was a light show with drones. They showed images of a few Legendary Pokémon!

Goh: Amazing! 

Ash: And that was the end. But it really made a great day!

Me: Which leads me to discuss what actually happened. Did you raid for Latias and Latios to get their card images? 

Ash: Yeah! But they weren't that good and weren't Shiny.

Me: OK, that's fine. Did you catch a few Skiddo?

Ash: Sure! Maybe a bit more so you could give them to friends. 

Goh: Skiddo, huh. Is it that rare?

Me: It only comes with "Safari" events so far, so you could say that.

Goh: Makes sense.

Me: You also should have caught Eevee with explorer hats. 

Ash: I got 10 of them, 8 from timed tasks. Luckily, I got them all done before time was up. 

Goh: Why couldn't they have not made them untimed? Our friend here must have paid for them.

Me: See, I was thinking the same thing. I consider it a perk of the experience, not a bonus. But 10 is very good.

Goh: Were Skiddo and Eevee the two twists?

Me: Yup. The third was Oranguru and Passimian from field tasks mid-afternoon. How was that? 

Ash: I got two Shiny Passimian back to back! 

Goh: Impressive. 

Ash: But no Shiny Oranguru.

Me: You did what you could. I guess... no Shiny Pikachu with the batik shirt, then.

Ash: Nope.

Me: [sigh] Well, next time I go or send you to the other big city - the closest place to me - let me see if it can be hunted for it. They say it should still be around until next year.

Goh: It's worth a try.

Me: Indeed. With that, the journey has reached its peak - I don't want to say it's an "end", for there might be others down the line. 

Goh: And you sent Ash to three places. Wasn't there a fourth?

Me: There was - the "in Jogjakarta" event. That actually happened last month when we talked about "temples", because that's the "city of temples".

Ash: Oh, so that's why we did that!

Pikachu: Pika! ["Got it!"]

Me: I thought about sending you, but then the big city announcement came up, so that killed any plans for going. I guess this "cannibalized demand" for that. 

Goh: It could happen to other people too.

Me: Of course. So anyway, it's been a wonderful journey where we've been able to go, and thanks for being a part of it.

Pikachu: Pi-ka! ["Awesome!"]

Goh: We have to thank you too for being with us. 

Ash: Goh is right! It's been really great.

Me: Wherever the Pokémon journey takes us next, that's where we want to be - and will try to be, when circumstances allow.

One year ago: More on "Shundo"... and Not-So-"Shundo"

Two years ago: Teams in Café Remix

Three years ago: Mallow and Ina, Chef and Contessa

Four years ago: The Place of Pokémon Go in the Pokémon Ecosystem

Five years ago: Cosplay: GACOS LEVELUP

Six years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 9/22/2018

Seven years ago: Riot of Pokémon Color

Cosplay: Cosplay Creator and Community Convention (C4)

Me: OK, two "big" things this weekend. We'll start with this one. 

Goh: OK, so this one is clearly a convention.

Ash: And I'm going to it!

Pikachu: Pi pika pika chu! ["With me, of course!"]

Me: Right. And this is kind of a "new breed", something that hasn't appeared before. People have been asking if I will be sending Ash, so I have to "answer the call".

Goh: Sure. You two are well-known, so people will ask.

Me: Now they have the answer. 

Ash: I came as you asked, with my special journey outfit - as simple as I can.

Me: Great! So, despite being a "new breed", the place should be familiar.

Ash: Oh! The convention center at the faraway mall.

Goh: It was an actual convention, then. 

Ash: Yeah! A lot of the booths were for people sending in characters. 

Goh: Like our friend here.

Me: Well, sure. I'm told that the organizers - a community of that local place - took a "character market" [OOC: "cosplay market"] concept, the first of its kind.

Goh: No wonder people have been asking you.

Me: It makes sense, doesn't it.

Goh: Maybe there were booths our friend could take an interest in? 

Ash: Oh, I saw a few booths with services that could be interesting. There was also a quest card, but it didn't really work for me.

Me: Sure. I'll take note of them and see if they're useful. The quest card isn't a big deal for us anyway.

Ash: I met a few of your friends around the convention! 

Goh: That's always fun for our friend. 

Pikachu: Pika chu? ["Why not?"]

Ash: Some of them were in booths and some were just out and about.

Goh: That's the usual. How was the entertainment? 

Ash: There were a lot of dance cover groups today! And I think a competition for them too.

Goh: Fun for the eyes and ears. 

Ash: And... there was a character performance competition today, huh.

Me: I'm sorry about that. I couldn't set you up for it - it's a "big" weekend, and a busy one. I'll try to set you up some other time - I promise.

Goh: OK, now I'm curious about what you've got planned for Ash.

Me: Trust me, it's big and... quite familiar.

Goh: I guess we'll talk about it later. Ash must also have done something to pass the time. 

Ash: The food was fine, just the usual.

Goh: Weren't there communities?

Ash: There were! The music game and tile game ones from way back when.

Me: Nice! I bet you played a bit for me.

Ash: Don't worry, I knew just what to do.

Pikachu: Pika pika chu pika. ["I hope you do."]

Ash: I guess there were hits and misses.

Goh: But the convention was mostly a hit, right? 

Ash: Pretty much. But there was a bit of a holdup when people started getting in. Maybe they were confused about who needed to get in first. 

Goh: There must have been a line.

Ash: Of course.

Goh: By the way, this is a Saturday, right? So... does that mean this is a two-day convention?

Me: Goh has this absolutely figured out. And I only wish I could send Ash on that day, since there is a character parade and a few familiar acts. 

Ash: Aw man!

Me: In lieu of that, there's the big and familiar thing. But that involves a side trip - a really long side trip.

Ash: OK, so I got that side trip started.

Me: Excellent! Now go take a rest.

Pikachu: Chuuu! Pika... [starts dozing]

Goh: OK, this is going to be some side trip.

Me: It is. Stay tuned for one more surprise - the biggest yet.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Tour for Other Regions?

Two years ago: The New (Old) Legacy Trainer Challenge

Three years ago: Pikachu Fidget Spinner

Four years ago: Item Runs in Pokémon Shuffle

Five years ago: Remember, Remember

Six years ago: Community Raid Days?

Seven years ago: Pokémon and Party Games

Tournament: Championship Expansion Part 6 #3

I've written up about many tournaments of Pokémon games I've participated in, from earlier forays with VGC to more recent dealings with Pokémon Go PvP. Now, I'm about to add another one: a TCG tournament. After having attended my local group's meetings regularly but not playing, a week ago, I finally participated in one of the regular tournaments, making it my first-ever participation in a TCG tournament as well. Luckily, I had one-half of what I needed to get set up for it, and last week's meeting provided the other half.

This tournament was the third in the sixth part of a series that is called the "Championship Expansion", hence the title of the tournament. The tournaments in this series reward certain cards for the participants, and in this case, it rewards a Dragonite card with a Master Ball background motif. Unlike other tournaments I've participated in, it was also a paid one, but in return for participating, I stood a chance of not only earning the card, but also getting a booster pack of cards that could be used to further my own TCG initiatives.

Back to the things I needed to be able to participate, one of them was a local TCG account, which incidentally was set up by Ash when he was sent to PFJ; thus, something that I didn't think could come in handy over a year ago ended up being as such. The other thing I needed was a deck, of course, and that came courtesy of a generous soul, who set me up with a deck called "Carnival" based on Thwackey and Dipplin. I had seen the deck and playtested it once on a previous meeting, and it was a simple deck I could deal with.

At least, that was the thinking. Through the four rounds of the Swiss round tournament, organized just like for VGC and PvP, I lost three times and was saved by a bye on the last round (there was an odd number of tournament participants). Against two opponents, I was also working against decks with Pokémon that resisted Grass attacks - which was obviously the modus operandi of the deck provided to me - and thus my fate was pretty much sealed, especially since there wasn't much "wiggle room" in my initial deals.

Still, another factor in play could be that I haven't figured out the optimal play of the provided deck, given this was only the second time I've actually dealt with it. Even so, I did realize the core point for the setup involving the Pokémon in the deck, even if I couldn't make it happen as I played. It's a deck I'd love to replicate by myself, though as with the TCG in general, it would take some investment... maybe even less so with the TCGL, and that can serve as the method for making the replication given its contents.

When the tournament ended, I was tied for 13th, kept off the bottom by two other less fortunate participants. I received the focus card of the tournament as well as a booster pack, which didn't appear to have any valuable cards when I opened it - although this may change with further observations. A group photo was taken to commemorate the occasion, and that was it. The proceedings went just like that of the previous meeting, except this time I was really and truly involved in playing the game.

Given the necessities of the tournament and regularly scheduled forthcoming ones, this might not be the last time I'll participate in one - though with the payment restriction, it might be the last one for now as I make other considerations involving payment. For the first time out with a TCG tournament, it seems to not be all bad except for the state of me not knowing my deck fully and having others stack up against it. And that manages to expand my tournament dealings and what I can write about them on this blog.

One year ago: Pokémon Brand Parodies, Third Take

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Goodies, Round 5

Three years ago: To Be a Snorlax

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 9/20/2020

Five years ago: The Friendly Manual

Six years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 9/20/2018

Seven years ago: Meeting, Parting with, and Missing Friends

Major Shakeups in Pokémon Go Battles

Along with the entry of Dynamax and their associated raid battles, Pokémon Go also had a few changes applied to its other, existing battles. Now, ordinarily as through previous start-of-season updates, such changes would be directed at PvP, mostly involving the addition of new moves and expansion of Pokémon species that can learn moves, both new and old. However, this time the changes are far-reaching beyond PvP and extremely significant, which means that they qualify for and need to be made into a discussion, appropriately during this "big" week of posts on "big" topics.

For starters, the changes involve PvP (and associated battles) as expected. The biggest change is that the time between successive switching of Pokémon is reduced from 60 seconds to 50 seconds, which obviously has a profound effect on certain switch strategies. The number of changes to moves and their effects, as well as the Pokémon that can learn them, is also lengthy and numerous, with many changes to attack strengths and effects. Due to these changes, even the next stage of the new team competitions as furnished by Battle Frontier had to be delayed while the changes were being evaluated into the structure of current formats, which have made for some fascinating changes, including an almost entirely open Great League closely resembling official competitive play. While the switch time change (and to some extent the move changes as usual) are evaluative for this season, there's always the possibility that some of them will persist to certain benefit or detriment.

Meanwhile, over in raids and Gym battles, they've been made (substantially) more challenging by changing the frequency that moves, particularly Charged moves, are unleashed during the battles involving both circumstances. This happening certainly unleashes the demons of rapid HP depletion as well as increased item usage, both of which have happened in Raid Hours over the past few weeks. One Trainer I am acquainted with very well describes the change as making these battles more fundamentally similar to PvP battles, although it seems to be more intense than that. Even Niantic has acknowledged that there have been changes, in a way confirming the intents for such changes, although the extreme quality was also admitted and the changes are to be toned down slightly.

Something that ties into some of these changes is another kind of change, specifically the timings of moves. This has been demonstrated with some observations and calculations, which has determined that some Pokémon may actually benefit from a move that they didn't benefit from before (as some Dragon-type Pokémon now with Draco Meteor vis-a-vis Outrage). The calculations are a bit complex to follow - even for me, though I'm a math geek myself - but they demonstrate that fundamental changes have occurred in some timings, making them even more or even less effective than they were. It seems rather unfortunate but can only be contended with for now.

It seems that as Trainers in Pokémon Go are wrangling the really "big" thing that is Dynamax and the stuff that follows from it, they also have to wrangle the subtle (or not-so-subtle) changes in the battle systems, which have been shown to have major outcomes, particularly who are majorly involved in them. It's yet another "big" way to start this month and season, though the directions may be all over the place; the only hope is that they can all point in the way of the next "big" thing, for which an expected one is success. 

One year ago: Emily Rudd and Her Pokémon Links

Two years ago: Delivering an Authentic Experience

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 9/19/2021

Four years ago: On the Transcription of Pokémon Things

Five years ago: Taking Sides on Shiny Pokémon

Six years ago: Raid Time Length Change

Seven years ago: Competitive Stages in Shuffle

Going Big in Galar Part 2: The Other "Big"

I had apparently wanted to make this post "soon enough" when I discussed about "certain new flavors", but it seems "soon enough" couldn't come sooner. There was also likely an element of waiting to understand it more fully, particularly by playing the game the topic pertains to, but that has yet to be realized either. In any case, now it seems just as well to make a bit of a writeup on the topic that was intended to be covered.

So, a long time ago, I wrote up about Dynamax, what seemingly makes up the "gargantuan phenomenon" of the Galar region. As it turns out, that writeup seemed to have come too early, for there is another part to that: Gigantamax. Like the former, it involves Pokémon species becoming giant-sized, but where in the former the Pokémon (mostly) retain their normal form appearances despite being massive, the latter involves completely (separate) new forms, akin to but not really like Mega Evolution, nor a "successor" of it.

As of the completion of the eighth generation, 32 Pokémon species have distinct Gigantamax forms. Oddly - or not so oddly - a good number of those are for species originally from the Kanto region, including Pikachu and Eevee as "flagship" forms, while the rest are mostly for species from that generation and the associated region. The oddness further extends to some of the forms, as Gigantamax Pikachu (and Eevee) appear well-rounded, while Gigantamax Meowth has an elongated body. The local generation forms, though, could almost be described as Mega Evolution that seemed wasn't meant to be.

There is also the understanding that only certain individuals can access the forms, much like how Dynamax is at present is implemented in Pokémon Go, through what the original games refer to as "Max Factor". They had to have that inherent, or else had to go through a process to have them; the Sword and Shield games do in fact have a mechanism for the latter, which is also reflected in the anime as Ash's Gengar went through the process so it could have its Gigantamax form, while Pikachu already had its "Max Factor" inherent as shown early on. It's another case of a mechanism not being available to everything up front.

Back to Pokémon Go, Gigantamax has actually been included, in both Pokémon storage search and the Pokédex with all entries, but no form has so far come to light. Given the mechanism of Power Stops and Dynamax there in general, however, it seems easy to point out how that will go down... and perhaps the difficulty of dealing with them. For now, it seems Trainers will have their hands full with just Dynamax at present, and showing the capability to wrangle Dynamax will surely show the capability to wrangle Gigantamax later on.

Overdue as this post is, it seems to be still relevant today by what is happening in Pokémon Go. It's also relevant as it "closes the circle" - or rather, makes it whole - of the Galarian "gargantuan phenomenon" that I had started to cover back when, without knowing about the "other side" of that phenomenon as well as its potential. At the least, there now exists a greater understanding of it as well as a greater applicability.

One year ago: The Shared (International) Journey of One Piece and Pokémon

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 9/18/2022

Three years ago: To Care and To Protect

Four years ago: GOtcha Podcast Episode 1: Mega Evolution in Pokémon Go

Five years ago: Raid Failures

Six years ago: A Restarted Fever?

Seven years ago: What I (Really) Like About You - Pokémon

More Waypoint Usage in Pokémon Go?

As explained, the entry of Dynamax into Pokémon Go also necessitates the entry of new overworld locations called "Power Spots". After having subsisted on PokéStops and Gyms since practically the very beginning, in particular by way of certain specific guidelines that govern their appearance, the entry of these new locations could be considered as surprising, given their usage of Waypoints - the points that determine PokéStops and Gyms in Pokémon Go, and other locations across Niantic Gyms - and a little more beyond that. Thus, this post is directed to consider how Waypoints may be able to be used further in Pokémon Go, and in particular in light of the new locations.

But first, it's helpful to discuss how Power Spots are manifested. Many of these locations as they appear in Pokémon Go appear to use Waypoints that didn't (or couldn't) become PokéStops due to having another Waypoint in a close range take precedence as a more or less permanent PokéStop or Gym... so long as, of course, certain players don't "tamper with" or report them. For instance, I've identified Power Spots that are accepted Waypoints resulting from my nominations, which means they're indeed being put to use - just not as PokéStops or Gyms. But then, there are also Power Spots that indicate certain businesses, and they appear to be pulled from a certain map database rather than accepted Waypoints, unless another Niantic game (e.g. Ingress) could provide concurrence on their state. And as noted, Power Spots are not permanent, so identifying the ones to be used next may be a luck of the draw.

For the matter of further using Waypoints in Pokémon Go, Power Spots obviously provide one answer. Other answers may have to depend on the nature of the location that would use the Waypoint, whether it would be for battling or non-battling purposes. Since Power Spots involve battling, the next new kind of location could be one with a non-battling purpose, like advancing a certain progress temporarily - let's say, hatching Eggs, of which one possibly important one could be implemented at a certain time in the future. A Pokémon Showcase is presently bound to a PokéStop, but there might be a possibility, however remote, of having them temporarily at certain Waypoints much like how Power Spots are right now. Still other possibilities might require contemplation to be manifested.

Then, there is the question of the reference points, in light of the apparent usage of "external points" by Power Spots. Extra Waypoints in a closer range to a PokéStop or Gym are still fair game now for new location types even with Power Spots, as there could be many of them and not even all are used as Power Spots. Yet, having some "external points" but not many more in order to promote usage of internal ones - as in, players nominating more objects and having them become accepted as Waypoints - is a useful tactic until they could all use internal points, which may be considered an expectation.

Out of all the possibilities that could occur on the overworld of Pokémon Go, having new locations - in this case, Power Spots - that utilize existing Waypoints (and more) may have been a remote one, but it has nevertheless been realized. With that, the possibilities of other new locations that will likely utilize existing Waypoints are not so far out and could stand to be realized, yet still with the above considerations, including those of Power Spots. They will also truly expand the game, much as with the necessitated entry of Dynamax.

One year ago: Cosplay: Helloweebs on the Road & TM Town Festival

Two years ago: Best Times for Community Day across Times and Places

Three years ago: (Un)finished Business, Again

Four years ago: Progressing Through the Go Battle League

Five years ago: At a Starry Night Time

Six years ago: Approaching Field Research Tasks

Seven years ago: Restarting Go Fever Among Players

Dynamax in Pokémon Go: The "Big" Bones

All right, this is going to be the start of a "big" week as far as Pokémon things go, even personally, so some of the discussion topics have to be "big" as well. That starts with the "gargantuan phenomenon" I mentioned earlier this month (and season) that the eighth generation of Pokémon species (and their associated region, Galar) is known for, or at least one part of it... for now. That part is the one called Dynamax, and now it's in Pokémon Go as well, somewhat majorly changing its landscape. That means it's time to explain things, perhaps starting with the most important parts - the "bones", and "big" ones at that. 

Dynamax(-capable) Pokémon are marked by the characteristic "X arch" logo and are able to possess three more moves for their Dynamax form: Max Attack, Max Guard, and Max Spirit. These may be unlocked and/or powered up by exchanging Max Particles and Candy (XL), up to the maximum of Level 3. The first of these Pokémon are obtained through an associated Special Research set, while the rest are obtained through Max Battles (which are to be explained later in this post). Presently, only newly caught Pokémon are capable of Dynamax; this situation may or may not change in the future.

Speaking of Max Particles (MP), these are freely obtained by the Special Research set as well, by walking 2 km (300 each time), or at new locations called Power Spots (120 at each daily) - to be explained separately. These also double as the "currency" for the Max Battles, exchanged at the completion of a victorious battle, but still requiring enough as such before the battle starts. The limit for freely obtained ones is 800 per day and 1000 in possession with surplus; more of them can be obtained by paying PokéCoins for "packs" of 800 each and released as needed.

Then there are the Max Battles, which are for Dynamax Pokémon. These are just like regular raids, but only for Pokémon capable of Dynamax and only for up to four Trainers total with three of their best Pokémon. During the battle, they will charge up a Max Meter, which when filled allows their Pokémon to go into their Dynamax form. They then can use their Max Moves strategically to beat the boss. As usual, at the end, they earn (upgradeable) item rewards and an opportunity to catch the Pokémon, which will be capable of Dynamax. These are repeated as desired for "max" results. 

Other things also need to be noted. It takes rather significant quantities of resources (both Candy and Particles) to power up these Pokémon, so they need to be the best ones possible - Lucky, even - or ones that are intended to be kept. Fortunately, to aid in this regard - and other Trainers in Max Battles - some Pokémon can be left at Power Spots, which will bring back Candy (XL) when they return on their own or by demand. The battles can only be taken on at the usual times from 6 AM to 9 PM, and furthermore, the Power Spots and their Pokémon appear and disappear, rotating by the whims of time and luck. 

Now that Dynamax is present in Pokémon Go, a few things have certainly been shaken up. They're manifested through new ways to encounter, battle, power up, and certainly "max out", befitting the title of this season and what it demands. This part of the Galarian "gargantuan phenomenon" was big when it was introduced in the main series games years ago, as I had written at that time (see above) and now it seems just as big as it makes its way into Pokémon Go at last. There are other "big" nuances that the above explanations may or may not have captured, but at the least they serve as the "primer" for the "big picture".

One year ago: Being a Pokémon... Weeaboo?

Two years ago: New Pokémon Fossil Watches

Three years ago: Let's Talk About Good Drinks and Good Friends

Four years ago: The Firefighters of Pokémon

Five years ago: Pokémon Cable Bite Accessory - Pikachu

Six years ago: An End to Jumps

Seven years ago: Pokémon Suits in Cosplay?

In Search of New Posting Styles

Besides searching for new Pokémon experiences and detailing them on this blog, I'm also searching for new ways to achieving the presentation of those details. Now, it's true that text can only go so far in presenting information - which is also why this blog has an accompanying YouTube channel - but that presentation of information can still be unique in some ways, even if not completely. To that end, I've decided to explore past and present posting styles in order to be able to search for ones that I can determine to use in the future.

The majority of posts on this blog are written in the prosaic style, and that's something that will continue to be present in some way. Sentences and paragraphs, as with many written works or creations, form the primary way I explain about Pokémon things and discuss the same related experiences. Even so, it could be of interest for me to vary up that structure a bit and not be tied to certain conventions I've long followed to make things much less "formalized", and reserve "formal"-sounding things for where they're really only necessary. This is a Pokémon blog after all, so the need to let loose is a useful one.

Of course, for those who have been with me for a time will recognize the "discussion" format that involves certain characters, some of which may be in cosplay form [the IC term being "send"]. That's a very different format that allows for lots of creativity and freedom.

Me: Plus, it lets me think about you two - even if I'm not sure you two do the same.

Goh: Well, I think we think about everyone.

Ash: Why not? Goh's got a point. 

Pikachu: Pika chu. ["Very true."]

Me: That's reasonable. We all have certain followers who are always interested in us.

Ash: You're one of them!

Goh: I believe Ash has the point now.

Ash: And as always, anything to help you out is something that helps us out too. 

Me: Can't be stressed enough. But it's certainly OK if I bring in other characters too.

Goh: Hey, you never know which Pokémon ones you'll meet, We're all for it.

Pikachu: Chu pika? ["Who knows?"]

Me: That's quite the possibility.

Continuing the discussion in a more standard format, I've also broken into poetry on one occasion, and though it could be difficult to repeat this, perhaps a really special circumstance might just be the prompt to do so once more. It may also be possible to include occasional poetic quips like the following:

Let's say something about Pokémon

As the journey goes on and on.

Whatever the case, this blog is just as much an outlet for creativity as much as formality, given my appreciation and involvement in Pokémon. How much of them can be reflected in my posts as well as the subsequent valuation that results may be another matter, but the usual methods of presentation should be able to contribute to that, as well as any new and novel methods that deserve to be included somehow.

One year ago: The Nonviolent Approach to Pokémon

Two years ago: Pokémon Moe Gijinka: To Love and Be Loved

Three years ago: Reminiscing Stadium and Colosseum

Four years ago: On Public Communication with Pokémon

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 9/15/2019

Six years ago: Pokémon Go Trading Stickers

Seven years ago: Am I Writing-Challenged?

Pokémon Go Community Day, 9/14/2024

This edition of Community Day could be described as being "strange" in more ways than one, so this writeup seems to be necessitated to have strangeness as well. There are also a few strange things over the course of its local execution, but those will be handled a little later. What is clear is that Community Day is often not a time of horsing around, even if the featured Pokémon are, well... horses. That should be considered a big clue to what this Community Day entails (ahem) for what it offers.

Obviously, the featured Pokémon for this Community Day is Ponyta: both its Kanto (classical, common) form and its Galarian form. Thus, it's one edition that uses the relatively uncommon - perhaps also "strange" - "double-double" format of a single species with two regional forms of two evolutionary stages. Both of the evolved forms of Rapidash get the same exclusive move, Wild Charge, an Electric-type Charged move that contrasts their types (Fire, Psychic/Fairy), and thus likely to have uses in PvP. They're complemented by the main triple Stardust catch bonus, a boon for those looking to power up things for any purpose.

Everything else is as one would expect, but some bits are also strange. Double Candy and Candy XL chance, extended Lure Modules and Incense, extra Special Trade and trading discounts, extra Ponyta raids and photo bombs, Field Research and showcases, item bundles galore on the Web Store and in-game shop, and the usual host of special stickers are the expected bits and the least strange ones. The most strange ones concern the extra Special Research - as usual, paid or "given" - which is only titled according to this month's edition and features no commentary (banter) from Professor Willow, both of which are somewhat strange yet to some extent reasonable due to certain factors best reserved for other writeups.

Having said all that, the rest of this writeup will be carried out in discussion...

Me: ...because as usual, there could be other strange things about.

Goh: Well, you must have sent Ash, then. That's not so strange.

Ash: Yeah! But I was just in my base outfit today. 

Pikachu: Pika chu pika! ["Still looks good!"]

Me: I received info of somewhere else I could have sent you, but I can't ascertain fully - and my other Pokémon outfits are getting old anyway. So why not as well. 

Ash: It was a nice match with Ponyta.

Goh: Sure was. How many did you catch and evolve?

Ash: I caught a lot! I evolved mostly good ones for battling plus a Shiny one for each.

Me: Great! That's pretty much most of what we needed this time. The others are just nice to have. What about giveaways?

Ash: Didn't work out this time - and I don't think you'd want the prizes.

Me: OK, so no big deal.

Ash: But the group picture worked out this time.

Goh: Right, after the last time it didn't work out, which was kind of strange.

Ash: About that, I was told the postcards are late and didn't make it. It had something to do with... a big event?

Goh: Oh, now that's interesting. I don't suppose our friend knows about this?

Me: Oh, I might know something... and I might have some plans. But as they say - hold your horses.

Goh: I think it would be awesome if it could work out.

Ash: I think so too.

Pikachu: Pi pika chu. ["Would be nice."]

Me: I do believe so. We'll run with it somehow - just like how the Ponyta run free today.

Ash, Goh: Haha!!

One year ago: Watch What I Say

Two years ago: Into the Deep Blue

Three years ago: Dancing with Pokémon

Four years ago: It's Time for GOtcha... Podcast

Five years ago: The Appeal of the TCG

Six years ago: A Pokémon Watch

Seven years ago: Three's Demise

On Half Decks and Full Decks

Next on the "four fours" agenda for this month, which as mentioned last week would deal with bits and pieces of TCG aspects, I want to discuss deck structure - not the content, but more relating to the number of cards. Like any (thematic) card game, there is a set number of cards in use when playing in a general context, but it is possible to have a different number in a certain special context. These contexts are what brings in play the two terms mentioned in the title of this post, being "full deck" and "half deck" respectively. 

The standard play, whether low-level casual play or high-level tournament play, certainly requires the full deck, which is always 60 cards in total and for which six cards will become Prize Cards during a match. But in the specialized context where shorter gameplay is needed, that is where the half deck comes in. Predictably, it's exactly half of the full deck, totaling 30 cards; the Prize Cards are also three cards to suit. This shorter context is in some ways not official, but it remains workable with the half deck.

Readers of this blog, if they are astute enough, will certainly remember my (Ash's) visit to PFJ where they had duplex versions of the half decks for training and promotion, and that's one instance where the context of the half deck comes into play. Then there was the time at this year's Akazora Fest, which got me hooked up with a local group through a half deck battle. Soon, there will also be the TCG Pocket, which will invariably feature shortened gameplay and thus imply the use of a half deck for its purposes, if the title doesn't already do so.

Whatever the case, all roads point to the eventual use of a full deck, particularly for regular standard play. The half deck with its shortened gameplay serves well for training and promotion as above, as well as very informal play like what may be about to come with the TCG Pocket. In that sense, the half deck provides a point where one can then "jump off" to the full deck as the standard after having gotten used to the gameplay of the cards in general, although it can still make short (though non-standard) games possible.

For all its intricacies, the fact that the TCG is playable even with half the number of cards it's supposed to be playable with, at least in regular cases, is a testament to its simplicity - even though advanced regular gameplay may just cast all that aside. It's still a neat way of structuring the game for special needs and contexts - furthermore for getting people interested in it or just for having a quick play - and the general needs and context with its fullness can then come on (more) easily.

One year ago: Spoiler Alert

Two years ago: Longing for Pokémon Donuts

Three years ago: The Fate of My Local Pokémon Hangouts

Four years ago: Competitor Ranks of the Silph League Arena

Five years ago: Personal Branding

Six years ago: To Judge and Be Judged

Seven years ago: Catering to Old and New Players

No Lies... and Lies

And we lie, lie, lie

On a streetcar named desire 

Oh, we lie, lie, lie

For that sweet bird of youth

I could be great like Tennessee Williams

If I could only hear something

That sounds 

Like the truth

-- "Lies", Elton John 

Some years ago, I wrote a post that effectively became a call for and support of truism or honesty, especially on the Internet and for Pokémon matters. It remains a valid thing even today and now... yet it has to be admitted that to some extent, it's a bit idealized. It seems that the fact of the matter is that even in a world full of truism, some falsehoods - that is, lies - might still exist and need to exist, even for matters closer or farther to Pokémon. With that in mind, I've had to tap into a song by a familiar artist (to me) as a way to make sense of it all.

The song, yet another one from the same album as some other songs of the same artist I've brought up, mentions in its verses and pre-choruses many ways many people - including the singer - could possibly lie, while the chorus (quoted above) might be considered to explain the "rationale" and ideals for such lies. The lyrics suggest the universality of the process, which could be taken to mean its necessary existence as I've mentioned above. That of course also means possible ties to Pokémon, and there's at least one possible way.

It is known that people can make "white lies", a lie that is intended for benevolence rather than malice. In one episode of the Pokémon anime, this was the case as Ash and the others were helping out a Pokémon, one of the efforts being to craft a "white lie" for the Pokémon to be able to do what it needed to do. The Pokémon in question may or may not have realized the significance of the "white lie", but in any case, it seemed to be a necessary matter to get things going, thus affirming the presence and crafting of that lie.

Personally, I might have benefited from at least one "white lie" I needed to make in the past, as well as ones that I could have made, in order to not have a "black hole" in my heart and mind, and most importantly to assist in certain Pokémon matters. As well, it seems that there are or have been instances of "white lies" on this blog, and mostly unintended ones - or at least they started out that way. Only those who keep a really close eye on my blog will know how these "white lies" are manifested... and I intend to keep it that way.

At any rate, it seems there is a "hard wiring" for honesty somewhere within me, which is also why this topic is hard for me to discuss - although the song helps somewhat to put that into perspective. In the end, it seems like "salt, reconsidered", some lies are a necessary part of the chaos of life, even the parts concerned with Pokémon. What is not a lie is that I'm still attached to and fascinated by Pokémon, and that's a truism I'm only happy to promote through my Pokémon dealings and writings - even if a "lie" is needed to get things going.

Perhaps another part of the song says it all:

I lie about most everything...

But I'd never lie to you.

One year ago: A Win for the Ages

Two years ago: One-Minute Cooking in Café Remix

Three years ago: Hidden Tracked Statistics in Pokémon Go

Four years ago: Let's Talk About Household Creatures

Five years ago: And Intelligence

Six years ago: Proud to Be a Clean Cosplayer

Seven years ago: Poké-Mobile Devices