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 Raid 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 Raid Battles, exchanged at the completion of a victorious battle, but still requiring enough as such before the battle. 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 Raid 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 Raid 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 raids 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

Why Do I Still Play Pokémon Unite?

One of my gaming circles, which every once in a while becomes active with a flurry of activity, had one of its members mention Pokémon Unite recently. It was rather out of the blue, and besides being a friend of mine, that member also happens to be what I've explained in the past as an "occasional (seasonal) gamer". The mention provoked reactions, through which I've learned that others have stopped playing for certain reasons, and by this I realize that I still do play. As such, I am compelled to write up a post in the style of a specific post from about a year ago on a different game, but this time focusing on Pokémon Unite.

A big reason that I still play is that the game had become (and is now presently) a World Championship game, and that teams for it are still all the rage and seeking "new blood", even if this doesn't seem to be apparently the case. Therefore, I'd like to see myself as contributing (or being able to do so) in this regard, much like I've done in the past for main series VGC and now concurrently with Pokémon Go PvP. While it seems my prowess is not yet evident or seemingly lacking, just like those two, it can be developed and has to be if I wish to make further contributions - and I still do. It may take the right momentum, but it may just happen.

Even if (intense) competitive play may not be in my future, the aspect of togetherness is, and this is what I billed in yet another post from the past year about aspects adjacent to that. I want to be able to whip out the game in the company of those who play and be able to hit up those who play for a match - which has indeed happened a few times. This too is precisely the reason why I have the game installed on my phone, so this can happen at a moment's notice, even though playing on the Switch may also be possible if I happen to carry it. The gameplay aspect remains crucial here despite other factors in play.

Ultimately, a big reason that I still play is that I'm always looking out for things to cover on this blog (thus, "content"), as with any other Pokémon ventures - similar to the recent foray (of "rediscovery") that I've had with the TCG. Though my skills - and possibly knowledge - might be subpar to some with higher levels of these, they could still be more than expected among other Pokémon fans, and I still want to present some of that along with my perspectives. This blog is to continue in some way at present after all, so it's natural to continue to fill it with Pokémon things and fit in personal takes and pertinent info as much as possible. 

If anything, the mention of Pokémon Unite in that gaming circle becomes a reminder that the interests of Pokémon fans are varied, even if that interest seems to fade in and out among them according to the developments in the franchise - particularly games, for which one of those games (Pokémon Unite) is tied to the context of this post. Its intense competitiveness yet penchant for togetherness, along with its similarity to modern competitive games, brings the continued appeal for me to play it, and of course to try to furnish as much about it (and other things) in writing as I can on this blog.

One year ago: Another Pokémon Watch

Two years ago: The Intricacy of Declining Raid Invitations

Three years ago: Greater Friendship Levels in Pokémon Go?

Four years ago: Getting Feline with Pokémon

Five years ago: This Is It

Six years ago: Cosplay: Club Cosplay Party

Seven years ago: Pokkén BanaPassports

High-Score Skip in Café Remix

Some time ago, Café Remix updated to put in what could arguably be considered a minor feature, but has some major implications. As I've mentioned at times, the play of this game tends to be intensive at times to the point that "grinding" may be required to great extents. The newly added feature may just be a way to alleviate some of that "grinding", particularly for certain prime events, which have become the norm in this game along with that "grind".

As can be discerned, the new feature is called "High-Score Skip", and it does what one expects it to do. By using the feature, one can skip play of an event stage (One-Minute Cooking, Slow Cooking) with the highest score obtained up to that point. The score also factors into what collectibles can be earned - including those from Cook and Collect - if the stage was actually played, and those collectibles are earned as well. It is obviously a boon for "grinding" efforts.

Yet there is a catch, as with many things. For each event, skips equal to one play can be made for free multiple times, but only once a day. Skips equal to five plays and ten plays can also be made, but both are limited in quantity, and moreover, they require payment - something that some players may be short of these days. Once the available skips have been made, like it or not, players will have to continue the "grinding" process as expected normally by actual play.

Initially, it was the free once-a-day skip that was implemented starting with a previous event, but now all of the above choices are available. Some players, possibly like me, may also have thought that the Skip Tickets implemented for Daily Training could be used for this purpose, given that some players now have burgeoning quantities of it, but this turned out not to be the case. The feature is thus simply its own initiative, albeit still tied to the prime events.

Now that the feature is fleshed out, I also want to discuss about "best practices". It is clear that the once-a-day skip should be made as late as possible early in an event when a high score is not yet definitively established, and then as early as possible later on when a high score is more or less affirmed. As for the other skips, that may depend on time and money one has, as well as how much effort can actually be put into playing with or without their use.

"Grinding" is an inevitable and always pertinent matter and effort for Café Remix these days with its prime events, but at least the new High-Score Skip feature eases some of that effort, even if there is a price to pay for using its more advanced iterations. Nevertheless, this seemingly small addition could and should mean great things for some players, one of those things being a partial freedom from "grinding" when circumstances can allow that to happen.

One year ago: Cosplay: Bocchi Noizu Mini Gathering

Two years ago: Quickies: Building with the "Builder Trio"

Three years ago: Wallpaper: Journeys Gap Ad

Four years ago: Multilingual Pokémon Go

Five years ago: Gym Tours

Six years ago: (A Further) Local Ex-Raid, 9/10/2018

Seven years ago: Cosplay: BJF - Shizen ni Modoru

Quickies: Odd Architecture, Here and There

In my neighborhood, there is a community building with a certain function, but the architecture of that building doesn't suggest such function until one looks inside. As such, some people might be tending to consider it an example of a building with an odd architecture. Of course, since the Pokémon world mirrors that of the real world, it is perhaps not a stretch to consider that odd architecture can be found in that world as well, and that seems to be very much the case, given a few of the buildings present there.

With the anime and some of the games as indication, it seems that Gyms can have some of the gaudiest architectures for buildings and therefore some of the oddest. The ancient Rome-styled Viridian City Gym in Kanto, for example, somewhat sticks out among other buildings and could almost be identified readily as a Gym. Even going back (or further) to the Pewter City Gym, its rocky façade is also similarly almost readily identifiable to host a Gym. In general, it seems that any structure with odd architectures and in odd places could be taken as a Gym.

A few of the research laboratories of various Pokémon professors, casting aside some parts and design necessities with regard to their functions, could be considered to be places with odd architectures, at least considering them with their respective surroundings. Those of Professor Cerise in Vermilion City and Professor Oak in Pallet Town definitely qualify in this regard, and they might be considered similar to that real-life community building I mentioned at the beginning, especially when function is taken into account.

So it is that some buildings in the real world and Pokémon world can possess odd architectures that either don't necessarily reflect the actual functions of the buildings or are just very weird in general with or without consideration of the actual functions. For what it's worth, that community building will always stick out in the neighborhood as an actual example, and as my further explorations of Pokémon continue, some buildings in that world will also stick out in just the same manner.

One year ago: The Lucky Wheel in Café Remix

Two years ago: The 2022 Silph Arena Continentals Meta

Three years ago: Capturing Toward the (Pokémon) Future

Four years ago: More Music from Pokémon Go

Five years ago: The Music of TCGO

Six years ago: Cosplay: Tachiagare

Seven years ago: My Book of Days

On Getting Rained Out and Rained On with Pokémon

Well, somebody had something to do with Pokémon today, and for those who frequently read my blog, it should be pretty easy to figure out who. But the discussion format I would usually use is getting a bit stale, so I'd like to mix it up a bit. And the way to do that is by factoring in something that had a significant impact on that today: rain. It's a topic that has been discussed both literally and figuratively, but this time I want to frame it within that "something to do", which involved getting "rained out" and "rained on".

For the getting "rained out" part, today it seemed that Kyogre decided to show up somewhere in my local area and bring forth its Drizzle, which is admittedly refreshing after a long time without its "presence", yet for some people, it may have caused them to back out of some certain plans, and in my case, some of those plans involved Pokémon. Fortunately, I had other Pokémon plans standing by, perhaps unlike some others whose certain plans were their only plans... making them "rained out", essentially.

As for the getting "rained on" part, a few Gyarados seemed to want to take part in the fun and make the rain as even as possible, so they performed a Rain Dance and brought the rain over to different places, including the location of my other Pokémon plan. The result was intense rain that slightly affected the progression of that other plan yet also confirmed the getting "rained out" of the initial Pokémon plan. In this way, that other plan got "rained on", though fortunately not "out" - although it could easily have been.

Still, there's nothing like a bit of discussion to put some things into perspective.

Me: Isn't that right?

Ash: I was there for a part of it!

Goh: Oh, were you? So that means... 

Me: Well, let's not go there. But for those other plans, you got something, right?

Ash: I think you'll like it! And it may just beat spending more for nothing. 

Pikachu: Chu pika. ["Think about it."] 

Me: Nice job, then, even with all the getting "rained out" and "rained on" people in my area has been having. 

Goh: It can be wet and wild sometimes in your area, can't it? 

Me: Tell me about it.

It's inevitable that some places will receive their rains - by Pokémon species doing their things or otherwise - which in some cases, like today in my local area, will lead to the "raining out" and/or "raining on" of things, such as the plans that I and others had today. Yet for this Pokémon fan, if some of those plans still involved Pokémon to some capacity and managed to be accomplished to certain extents, then the "raining out" and/or "raining on" may just be an added Pokémon dimension to whatever other dimensions are already present.

One year ago: The Persistence of Theia Sky Ruins in Pokémon Unite

Two years ago: Like a Headless Torchic... or Pokémon

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Multiple Pokédexes, Realized

Four years ago: Pokémon Documentaries?

Five years ago: The New Flavors of Pokémon

Six years ago: Other Uses of Pokémon Go

Seven years ago: Incubators in Pokémon Go

Cosplay: Small Business Showcase

Goh: Looks like another strange one for Ash.

Me: Well, it's not so strange for common people, but yes, the fact that it has characters could make some people wonder.

Ash: So... "Small Business Showcase". It's what it is. 

Pikachu: Pika chu pi pika. ["Obviously so."]

Me: A certain group of people I know well got drafted to fill a day of the week-long exhibition with a character competition, so that means bringing in a side of the pop culture we know so well from festivals and conventions. 

Goh: OK, so they want to draw people in.

Me: Essentially, even if it's just for an afternoon, and on a Saturday of all days.

Goh: And it's today. OK, there must have been lots of businesses on display.

Ash: A lot! A few art ones and a few food ones.

Pikachu: Pika pika chu. ["Lots of both."]

Ash: I had a little taste at a food one, but I didn't buy anything.

Me: That's my call. I'm trying to hold back spending as much as possible.

Goh: Maybe next time you can do that.

Me: Maybe. Now, how'd things go?

Ash: Like you said, it was just for the afternoon. It was all done in four hours 

Goh: So not much happened. 

Ash: There was singing and games - twice - and then the character parade in between.

Goh: And they were all by friends of our friends.

Ash: Yup... and I didn't win anything from the parade.

Me: That's fine - it wasn't expected. I just sent you here mostly to have fun.

Ash: There was one odd thing: They were supposed to get people dancing at the end - but they didn't say that when it happened.

Goh: That's odd. I would think they have done that.

Ash: I really wanted to sing too to try to make things lively at that point.

Goh: You'll get a chance next time.

Pikachu: Pika chu! ["I hope so!"]

Me: Anything else we should know?

Ash: I got to do a few Pokémon things for you before I got back.

Me: Thanks. So overall, other than that last bit, it was a good exhibition and a good outing. 

Goh: I would agree.

Ash: I'm sure the businesses got their support somehow. 

Goh: If not directly from the festival, at least from other people like our friend.

Pikachu: Pika. ["Surely."]

Me: That's what counts, really - and I hope they got that, with or without us.

Ash: That would be really great for them! 

Me: And that wouldn't be so strange after all.

One year ago: Paldea in Pokémon Go: Catching Up, Skipping Out

Two years ago: Rising to the Occasion: Theia Sky Ruins

Three years ago: Chiki Balls Pokémon Coins: More Selections

Four years ago: The Charisma of Pokémon Personalities

Five years ago: TCG, Order and Chaos

Six years ago: Artistic Routine

Seven years ago: Pokémon Song, Indonesian Flavor

The Good and Evil of Ace Spec Cards

After having thought about it, I've decided to go with the TCG as this month's "four fours" even though much of the realm is still unknown territory for me. But that's fine, because there are things that I can still "explore" from there. One of them is a certain class of cards that by its name has the potential to be extreme - as in extremely beneficial or extremely damaging. Such is the nature of "Ace Spec" cards, with their effects that may be regarded as good or evil. 

These cards, in addition to their usual art, have a characteristic purple background framed by the words "Ace Spec", the name for these class of cards. Many of the cards are of the Trainer kind, but even Energy cards can be of this class. What is most important about these cards, though, is their usage tag, which stipulates that only one of these cards, in any form and of any kind, can be a part of a deck. That much speaks for their good and evil nature.

It helps to illustrate these cards with some examples. A certain Special Energy card of the Ace Spec class acts as 2x Colorless Energy for a Stage 2 Pokémon and 1x for all else, which could be relatively benign unless it's attached to a Pokémon with extreme moves. A certain Trainer card, meanwhile, can be played after a Pokémon is Knocked Out, forcing both to draw new hands with more cards for the player. This latter card may represent a more "evil" example.

Of course, like any card that any player chooses to include in their deck(s), these cards need to be understood with regard to their function for the rest of the deck, which in this regard would maximize their "good" perception, at least for the player. It's only when the cards come into actual play that other perceptions become evident, in particular as they do (or don't) fulfill their function and the players experience its effects on either side of the pendulum.

Some TCG cards are notorious for their components, whether in whole or in part. Ace Spec cards, then, seem to belong to the former because of the way they integrate into play and the possible effects they have, for the better or worse. It's just one more thing to explore for those who may be interested in the TCG cards - even I myself, no matter how much - and to deal with in action on the TCG playfield as well as in other ways, like in writing on this blog.

One year ago: Why Do I Still Play Pokémon Go?

Two years ago: Pelipper's Carry-Ons

Three years ago: The Silph Arena Continentals Meta

Four years ago: Multiple Pokédexes in Pokémon Go?

Five years ago: Local Tailors and My Cosplay Costumes

Six years ago: A New 3DS Story: A Second Monster Home

Seven years ago: Personalities

Wishing Others' Return

As usual, September 5 marks the day I returned to playing Pokémon Go so many years ago - appropriately covered on the first year I started this blog (see below) - with (and without) all the associated nuances. Now, the nuance I wish to discuss this year is a little less of mine and more of other people, yet still tied to my context. Four years ago, I discussed the coming and going of people returning to play, especially those that might do so occasionally; among them might be some people who played and have left their mark on others like me but not have been seen since, and whose returns are desired. This becomes the focus of this discussion.

Recently, a longtime friend who plays - not as much now, but whenever the opportunity arises - spoke of other people as above and in particular one friendly individual. Considering the "raid split" I brought up some years ago, which is unfortunately still true today, this of course becomes warranted, and the person is obviously of desire. Their presence is a marker of those times of good terms and the hope is that if they returned, they would help to settle the current situation - and hopefully not become a part of the "problem".

I find that even those who occasionally play are desired to make a return, even if just briefly to indicate that they still "exist" in the game and it pertains to them, even if only a little bit. I have some of these people in my friend list, and I don't intend to remove them except in the most dire of circumstances; I have faith that they can touch on Pokémon Go again somehow and at some point in time, and that their interaction is desirable. They might not have left so much of a mark as the others above, but they leave a mark nonetheless.

Considering my return so many years ago, they've become part of the game just like I have way back when; this is whether or not they've kept actual parts of it. It seems natural to make the return - hopefully with something still persisting - and make at least some advancements, particularly as the game has advanced so much today. In that case, some of those advances are potentially desired to be shared, as in the case above with friends.

The coming and going of people (players, Trainers) in Pokémon Go seem to be a usual thing, given the nature of the game. To desire some of those people returning and making further marks somehow is then seemingly expected, and in the cases above, would be welcomed. After the return I've made years ago, seeing others being able to do the same would be a sight for my sore eyes... and potentially fulfilling for the desires of mine and some others.

One year ago: Point of (No) Return?

Two years ago: Return Back, Return Forward

Three years ago: Returns in Various Guises

Four years ago: Returns Come and Go

Five years ago: Return, Return, Return, Return...

Six years ago: A Happy Return

Seven years ago: Here I Go (Again)

Galar in Pokémon Go: Filling in the Blanks

Last year, I discussed the addition of Pokémon species from the ninth generation to Pokémon Go and how that constitutes a "skipping out" of sorts for the eighth generation, as the one before it. I also mentioned that it would seem to be trivial to add the latter whenever... and that time has come: they were added just a couple of days ago, and that means they are no longer "skipped out" and the generation has made its "formal entry" after having only been "previewed" with a select number of species since a few years ago. The matter makes it appear like blanks - or gaps, as mentioned back then - are being filled out, and that makes for a good topic of discussion in regard to the species of this generation and any other species (left from other generations) to be added to the game.

As noted at the start of this new season, this generation is known not only for a boatload of new species but also the specific "gargantuan phenomenon", along with a host of certain forms that tie into this phenomenon. Therefore, additions of species from this generation not only constitute additions of particular, individual species, but also additions of certain forms - including for some species earlier than the eighth generation - in order to fill blanks in the specific generation and beyond. Again, the phenomenon itself will need to be explained separately, even now as shades of its manifestations in Pokémon Go are becoming evident, but it's clear that blanks (gaps) will be created at the same time they are filled.

With the addition of eighth-generation species and that "phenomenon", it seems the point of "newer content only" additions seems to become imminent for Pokémon Go. However, that doesn't mean the work hasn't been cut out, as a few "older content" additions are also still nagging even at this point. That's as much an act of filling in blanks as dealing with those for the additions for the particular generation being referenced, and there's a sense that a fine act of balancing the content additions and gap fillers will be required from this point forward, and that's saying much, considering the reputation of the game when new content is put in.

Even as things are being looked back, there is also the matter of "looking forward" to worry about. That would concern a potential tenth generation for Pokémon and what it would mean for the franchise as a whole, of which Pokémon Go is only a local part. Still, much of the concerns for this lie with the originators (Game Freak) as a whole, and Niantic as the developer of Pokémon Go can and only need to follow suit when things happen. That could mean potentially different - or just the same - challenges of gap filling.

Skipping out Galar for Paldea last year had meant leaving a big blank to be (more) filled in, but it's a good thing that now that blank has is indeed being filled, starting with the standard "formal entry". If anything, however, filling in blanks will likely become a continued theme of Pokémon Go development, now and in the times to come. Trainers can only hope that the blanks being filled not only satisfy gaps in the Pokédex but also their battle experience.

One year ago: TCG Live Is Live! (...Mostly?)

Two years ago: The Food Element Categories of Café Remix

Three years ago: YouTube Pokémon Highlights: The Lighter Side

Four years ago: Worlds Within Worlds

Five years ago: The New PvP Charged Move Mechanism

Six years ago: AFA ID in Memoriam

Seven years ago: Cold as the Winds

Cosplay: Utsuru 9 x Idol Stage

Goh: Oh, it was Utsuru on Saturday.

Ash: And Sunday too! 

Me: Yup. Many, many years ago, this convention was held on the two days of a weekend, Saturday and Sunday, before JCD changed it to just one day. It seems they wanted to go back to their roots and do it just like then.

Ash: But the title is a bit different too this time.

Pikachu: Chu pika pika. ["That's true."]

Me: It seems they also wanted to highlight dance groups as the primary content for this edition.

Goh: I see that. I got the schedule for both days and there were a few of those. Did you see them?

Ash: A few - some on Sunday and a little bit of what I could see on Saturday.

Goh: By the way, how did you manage to get in on that day?

Ash: I didn't. I just hung around outside. 

Me: That was my directive, by the way. It was in part to keep spending low - and of course, there was Community Day on that day.

Ash: Right. I saw a bit in the morning and after Community Day when I went back.

Goh: It does make sense to not go in when you only spend just a little time on that day.

Ash: But on Sunday I was there the whole time.

Goh: OK, then, that's worth paying.

Me: Sure enough, to support the organizers and all.

Goh: Well, we know that there are community booths and food stands as usual - so how were they?

Ash: I tried food from a stand I've never tried, and it was great! The rest were just the usual helpings. Oh, and I met friends of our friend all over the community booths.

Me: They're a diverse lot - not necessarily involved in Pokémon, but they have been at one point or another.

Goh: What were the highlights of this weekend? There had to be something special.

Ash: Yeah! I found the communities were judging each other and trying to win votes from people who came.

Goh: A competition! I'd love to know the results.

Ash: The winners were two communities with a couple of our friend's friends in it.

Goh: Nice! Talking about competitions, there must have been a character parade.

Ash: Of course, and I was in it.

Pikachu: Pika pika chu. ["Like always."]

Me: I have to interject and say that I could have you be registered early on for that, but I had other things to worry about. And a couple of the requirements for that were big.

Ash: No worries - I could get in then and there.

Me: Luckily.

Ash: But I didn't win. Four judges and only four prizes for so many characters.

Goh: I saw that coming.

Ash: And it all was like last year too. 

Goh: Let's move on - how about other entertainment, besides the obvious?

Ash: Some of the communities had performances or showed off things. And there were a couple of bands too, and the karaoke group on both days.

Goh: So, the usual stuff.

Me: I actually considered having you try to register as a performer or a guest character... but then those had even bigger requirements.

Goh: Than for the character parade?

Me: Indeed. That would have been more than the usual.

Goh: We've been talking about the usual stuff... but maybe there were unusual stuff too.

Ash: There were. One of the characters in the character parade almost passed out after leaving the stage. He was a masked one.

Goh: Oh no! Hopefully he's OK.

Ash: I think he was, after everything ended.

Pikachu: Pi pika... ["Only hope so..."]

Me: Well, this could be a lesson for others, even me.

Ash: And then when I went to meet a friend, something happened on the way, and I got confused about it. Really sorry about that! 

Goh: OK, that's really unusual.

Ash: I couldn't stop thinking about it for the rest of the day. 

Me: I'll just have to think about it some more - but we don't have to say much more. It's mine to deal with now.

Goh: Hmm, let's just wrap it up, then. So, a lot of the usual with a bit of the unusual.

Me: It seems they realized the theming. 

Goh: Which would be...

Me: "The (most) usual convention in the usual place."

Ash: I want to say I disagree a bit with that - even with what we went through.

Me: You know, I think you have a point. It's never the usual with us covering it - and then there were the additional Pokémon aspects like Community Day on the first day. 

Goh: Haha, so we're unusual people too?

Ash: What do you think?

Pikachu: Pi? ["Thoughts?"]

Me: I guess it all depends on the (un)usual points of view that the convention brings along, as with this year.

One year ago: The Pole Position of Adventures Abound

Two years ago: Tournament: Raid Group Open Great League

Three years ago: You Made Me a...

Four years ago: Let's Play and Pokémon

Five years ago: Pokémon and Music Games, Revisited

Six years ago: (Late and Great) Local Ex-Raid, 9/3/2018

Seven years ago: Bandai Pokémon XY Swing - Pikachu

Pokémon Go Community Day, 8/31/2024

Me: Now it's time to pick up where I - or more appropriately, we - left off.

Goh: Oh, there was a Community Day last Saturday.

Ash: It was kind of strange, wasn't it?

Pikachu: Pika chu? ["Strange, no?"]

Me: You could say that. This was the first ever regular edition Community Day that was scheduled smack-dab on the last day of the season since they began to be reckoned... and you can tell that had to come first.

Ash: And you also sent me!

Me: Sure. It was part of the deal for something else on that day and the next... but we'll deal with that tomorrow.

Goh: OK, so on that day we had...

Me: Popplio - the Water-type starter from Alola. 

Ash: Oh, it's Lana's Pokémon!

Me: Yeah, you know. So you had your Alola outfit for the occasion and the one next day as well.

Goh: Water-type starter... Oh yes, that must have meant Hydro Cannon for Primarina.

Ash: You bet!

Goh: What were the bonuses? 

Ash: Triple XP for catching was the big one.

Me: Of course. I could always use it at the moment. Meanwhile, there should have been others, like...

Ash: Double Candy and Candy XL chance for catching.

Me: You surely got that.

Goh: Lure Modules and Incense had to be extended, surely.

Ash: Yeah. And I got a few photo bombs too.

Goh: Did you trade and make use of the discount and more Special Trades? They should have been around.

Ash: They were, and I didn't, but other friends of our friend did. I saw the Brionne raids, but I didn't raid for them either.

Goh: How about showcases, item bundles, and stickers?

Ash: I had the chance to put one Popplio in a showcase, and our friend told me not to deal with the item bundles - right?

Me: I couldn't deal with them personally, but I'm sure they're useful for others. And I got a lot of the stickers over the past week, but you should have when you opened Gifts.

Ash: I did, in between spinning PokéStops for tasks.

Goh: Oh yeah, speaking of that, Professor Willow must have had a set of them.

Ash: Right, as always.

Goh: So that's the lot of them.

Pikachu: Pi pika pika. ["All here."]

Me: Let's move on to what actually happened.

Ash: Everyone had to shuffle around a bit since the usual place was a bit crowded.

Goh: That must have been a bit of a hassle.

Me: With or without Community Day, it unfortunately is, and this is the time of year for that.

Ash: But the late afternoon was OK - after that, everyone got a chance to wander around and catch lots of Popplio.

Goh: With at least a few that were Shiny, I bet.

Ash: I got eight - I think some of the others got more or less.

Goh: Our friend should have prepared you to evolve some, too.

Me: I did - I have a Buddy one for that purpose, which you should have.

Ash: Of course! I also evolved ones for battling and a Shiny one from a Special Trade.

Goh: That's a pretty good haul.

Ash: You know what else? One of the Shiny ones wasn't really good in stats... but it won a giveaway!

Goh: Wow!

Pikachu: Pi pi pika! ["How nice!"]

Me: I'm aware, though, that this particular giveaway has a lot of strings attached to it - but I'll try to help you out with that.

Goh: So... it's a giveaway that isn't?

Me: It's more like, well... let's just say for the good of everyone that it's complicated.

Ash: But the group photo wasn't... or maybe it was. I think the results came out a bit too dark.

Me: I'm having a hard time finding it, so you may be right on that one and my friends are not letting it out.

Goh: Hey, at least you won something.

Me: At least that happened. Anyway, on this day, I also sent you to deal with that little something else before and after, as I mentioned earlier.

Ash: Yeah! That's what we'll talk about tomorrow, right?

Me: Indeed.

Goh: Could it have something to do with "drama queens" - like some Primarina are?

Me: Hopefully not - but you know, you do understand something about them.

Ash: Primarina is always a real queen.

Me: And we hope that's the case, without drama. All the details, tomorrow.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Classic, 9/2/2023

Two years ago: Cryptic Field Research Tasks?

Three years ago: Countermeasures for Pokémon Go: A Necessary Outreach

Four years ago: Mega Evolution Quibbles in Pokémon Go

Five years ago: Two Flavors of Pokémon Stickers

Six years ago: Cosplay: Utsuru! -the fifth-

Seven years ago: (Self) References

The Season of Max Out

Taking things as far as possible, as I've previewed yesterday, has an implication of taking things to the "max", the farthest point. So it is that the next season's moniker is "Max Out", and it's fitting for Pokémon Go because of the tendency or at least encouragement to make the best use of Pokémon, one way of which could be to power them up to the maximum. It's also fitting for Pokémon in general because of a certain gargantuan phenomenon that some years ago came to light, and even now it is still fresh in the memory of some Trainers.

With that, the Pokémon Go season has already promised certain things. That phenomenon I've just mentioned, along with its associated generation, are to be featured during this season, in addition to other matters that could result in the maxing out of things. The first two matters are "maxed out" as far as things go, so they both need to be explained in separate posts, furthermore as they happen. The rest will certainly play out in the parade of events as is typical in the three months of the season, and they'll be rolled up accordingly. Of course, all this depends on the whims of Niantic for the happenings and how they will be manifested in the game accordingly, which is still at a "minimum" rather than "maximum".

For other areas of Pokémon... well, this might be hard to judge due to this season's specificity to Pokémon Go, but there may be some room for interpretations. As with Pokémon Go, only mostly announcements have been borne out, and what's left is their manifestations in the respective games. Their potentials for maxing out may be different, but some commonalities are (and may always be) expected. All of these are further developments to be "maxed out", but then so is the same for certain old things - think back to Pokémon Presents earlier this year - that also still need to be fleshed (maxed) out.

Maximizing potentials is a key effort in some Pokémon dealings - and in particular Pokémon Go - and thus should be considered a laudable effort, if and when it can be performed. In the case of this season, there is an actual prompt for doing so, with bonuses of trying to see what other Pokémon things can also be "maxed out". The stage is thus set for a season of far extents and maximum possibilities.

One year ago: The Season of Adventures Abound

Two years ago: The Season of Light

Three years ago: The Season of Mischief

Four years ago: Let's Go Mega Evolve

Five years ago: Cosplay: Creators' Super Fest by AFA (Regional)

Six years ago: Between Bugs and Features

Seven years ago: Takara Tomy Pokémon XY&Z Pikachu Halloween Mascot - Ver. D