Pokémon Go Wild Area 2024 (Global), Day 1

The first day of the brand-new Pokémon Go paid event is here, and true to its name, it's a wild one indeed. Now it's also time to divulge all (most of) the "bones" of the event and what makes it such a "wild" one. As stated, the event is somewhat influenced by a feature of the eighth generation games and their region of concern, so most concerns are obviously directed to that. Yet of course, there are other concerns, and those are all reflected in the "bones" - all the sub-features that make up and define the event for what it is.

For that, the event's main concern is the debut of the Toxel species family, including the Shiny forms, and in particular its evolved form of Toxtricity for this particular occasion. (Toxel itself, a "baby" or egg-only form, debuted earlier this week as part of an associated event - but that's to be covered later on.) These Pokémon are of the Electric and Poison types, so these define the primary structure of the event: alternating habitats of Pokémon of these two types from 10 AM to 6 PM, similar to a Research Day. Field Research tasks - with petty rewards - suit the habitats, and there are also two Collection Challenges, one for each type; the latter when completed also rewards an encounter with costumed Cosplay Pikachu of the Pop Star (representing Electric) and Rock Star (representing Poison) forms, marking the return of these forms since Pokémon Go Fest from three years ago. Either of them also appear in photo bombs throughout event hours, up to five times for those with tickets.

As for Toxtricity, it's a supreme Pokémon, so it has to debut in an equally supreme manner - that is, in raids and Max Battles. Both its Low Key and Amped forms can be battled in four-star raids (for normal ones) and four-star and six-star Max Battles (for Dynamax-capable and Gigantamax-capable ones respectively). The raids are trivial for as long as there are other Trainers, but the Max Battles are not so much the case, and the second of the latter two continues to show that immense efforts are still needed, in particular for those who are woefully equipped. As an alternative to these, particularly for those who are fed up with them, there are three-star raids featuring a costumed Snorlax wearing a jacket, five-star raids of Dialga and Palkia in their Origin forms, and six-star Primal raids of Kyogre and Groudon, the first being event-exclusive and the latter two being returns from past Go Tour events. They can be raided at will to look for Shiny forms, build up resources, and find usable ones for adventuring and battling (including Adventure Effects and Primal Reversion), as well as hunt for ones with special backgrounds, for which all of these except Snorlax have.

Other strong Pokémon are particularly present in the Wild Area, and for this event, they come in the form of Mighty Pokémon, as selected species appearing throughout the day that are either XL or XXL in size, have very high IVs and levels (at least 87, and some close to or over Level 40), and are more likely to flee, all of which are indicated as "!!!" where a CP would be present on encounter. To catch them, one may likely need to use the newly introduced Go Safari Ball for this event, which can be obtained during event hours in sufficient quantity and more abundantly with a paid add-on. Furthermore, they can only be used during the event; they disappear at 6:15 PM, which is after an extra 15-minute window where the Mighty Pokémon come in greater numbers. The selected species differ for today and tomorrow; the assortment (as well as what can be caught) might leave some in "mighty" wonderment.

By purchasing the ticket for the event, one also obtains a Special Research set that branches according to the type (and form) of Toxtricity as well as the Pikachu forms above. Completing the set will also reward bonuses throughout the following week up until Friday. They'll also get a pose, extra Go Safari Balls, and more Max Particles each day to a higher limit. Bonuses are also in no short supply: increased Shiny chance, double catch Candy, halved hatch distance, double hatch bonuses (XP, Stardust, and Candy), more raid bonuses (free passes, extra XP, and extra Candy XL), and trade bonuses (more Special Trades and discounted trades). Some bonuses also apply to everyone as well, but they are somewhat in shorter supply.

I myself experienced many of these first-hand, being able to raid or battle for all of the aforementioned Pokémon and encountering most of today's Mighty assortment, with a few (significant) misses in the latter. The Gigantamax battles were the most concerning ones, but thankfully they turned out OK... or better than OK in one case. Unfortunately, Shiny - including for the Pikachu forms - and special background ones were rather scant, and the caught Mighty ones only minorly made up for them; I also had a good number of Go Safari Balls left over before they disappeared. At least, now I know what I should be mostly looking for on Day 2.

Go Wild Area is in some ways already proving itself (even on this first day) to be a unique twist on prior paid Pokémon Go events, even if a lot of the framework and content is similar to - and is a "mashup" of - other events, if only with a good bit of novelty. Its repetition in the future is still an open question, but the repetition of the second day is at hand, and at least some other nagging questions of the current event may still be answered then.

One year ago: Celebrating Togetherness

Two years ago: The Willpower Cup of GBL

Three years ago: Quickies: Meowth for Pay Day

Four years ago: The Kanto Cup of GBL

Five years ago: Make a Wish for the Little One

Six years ago: The Amazing Pokémon Race

Seven years ago: Thankfulness

Preparing for Pokémon Go Wild Area

I haven't done one of these "Preparing for..." posts in a long time for one reason or another, but at least the onset of a new and big Pokémon Go paid event gives an incentive to do so, moreover since there isn't anything else related to Pokémon that can intervene at this point. Furthermore, based on the way that some recent big additions have proceeded, it seems pertinent that a post on preparing for this new kind of event needs to be made. Given all that, the post is made to fulfill that order.

Needless to say, similar physical preparations for Go Tour and Go Fest still apply, given how fundamental they are. In fact, for those with experience regarding other paid Pokémon Go events, I probably don't need to make the reminder: Niantic often sends reminder e-mails containing the same exact helpful tips, especially for paid events (that are considered) outside of one's normal place of playing. Though there is not one for the global (edition of an) event, it can be conceived that quite a few things still apply.

What really needs to be reminded is that as the event features an expansion of the recently added "gargantuan phenomenon", it is wise to (try to) prepare the best Pokémon that can serve to battle certain Pokémon of these forms, which should have been a given over the past few days leading up to the event, as well as what happened in general recently. That also might have to mean preparing some group strategies if at all possible and to congregate with as many people as possible - a tall order, but it may still be workable. 

As I've noted, the event features an abundance - or rather, overload - of features, many that are old and just as many that are new. With that, there may be the need to focus on the new features rather than the old, although one can fall back on the latter if necessary and possible. Priorities may also need to be set on what to catch, as several options do seem to present themselves during this event. That might also become good practice for later editions of Go Tour and Go Fest, which might become just as abundant.

Some sort of preparation is admittedly always necessary for a Pokémon Go paid event, though that's a given in most circumstances. The circumstance of the new paid event still serves as the perfect time to make some of the familiar reminders - as well as add a few new ones that are pertinent to the event - to make sure that the event goes well. The event is called "Go Wild Area" after all, so there is also an inherent element of (unexpected) "wildness"... which could be obviated even with some preparation.

One year ago: The Incredible and Vivid Art of Pokémon Trainer K (Kelvin)

Two years ago: How Long for a Cosplay Walk (or "Character Parade")?

Three years ago: Non-Trademark Substitutions for Pokémon Names?

Four years ago: Sword and Shield: After One Year

Five years ago: Everyone's Contributions

Six years ago: So Little and So Much

Seven years ago: A Pokémon Menu

YouTube Pokémon Highlights: Even More Pokémon Parkour

Recently, I had covered "parkour with Pokémon" as one of the topics I meant to cover a long time ago but got delayed to the present. It also spawned a "YouTube Pokémon Highlight", as the topic was actually based on a few videos from that video sharing site. As it turns out, the world of this topic is a bit of a broad one, and I found that now it's worthy of spawning another one of these highlights based on some other videos related to the topic, a few of which were also incidentally found as I covered the topic initially.

One of these other videos is by Kuma Films, which features the traceur (parkour athlete) of Todd Robins cast as Pikachu, similar to the casting of Calen Chan in the other videos I initially covered. Unlike them, this video has less of a story to it and more of an impressionist feeling of Pikachu running across various environments - specifically around Taiwan and some rough terrain, as the setting of the video. Interestingly, this video was posted 11 years ago in 2013, which was three years prior to the release and boom of Pokémon Go, making the video a practical "forerunner" of others that came after it. It's still a neat video that is gripping of the "running Pikachu" concept, presenting it in an almost natural fashion.

Speaking of Pokémon Go, UrbanAmadei created a parkour video based on the viewpoint of a Trainer chasing a Pikachu, which further affirms this viewpoint and approach for bringing together Pokémon and parkour. The video was shot in a park in Berlin in 2019, which places it three years after the game's release and boom, yet still being relevant to its perspective. The video actually spawned a sequel one year later, which was incidentally during the big "downturn" of the world; further, it has a more relevant tie to the game, as it was used to promote the global Go Fest edition of that year. In either case, the Trainer was depicted as unsuccessful in the capture of Pikachu, definitely making it a different take.

Then, there was a video by Nick Pro, which is similar in concept to the previous one. This also takes the viewpoint of a Trainer running across various kinds of terrain (including the indoor setting of a house), encountering random Pokémon and catching them along the way. It's another video from just after the release of Pokémon Go - specifically, 2018 - but it still serves well to highlight the game in addition to parkour; in fact, the concept is what I would call "semi-AR" due to the way the Pokémon appear in the video and were caught by the Trainer... except for one, for which one will just have to watch the video in order to find out which one that is. The dynamics of the game and parkour are still well-represented.

Evidently, there is something about Pokémon and parkour that go together very well: they can be quite action-oriented for all the objectives that they might present and account for to be achieved. Some of them could also be realized at the same time, if all the parkour videos I've highlighted (here and previously) are of any indication. There will always be Trainers and Pokémon species going through environments - quite possibly in styles that evoke parkour - and that might just be worthy for further encapsulation in videos.

One year ago: Days of Specific Pokémon

Two years ago: Pokémon Outfits in Café Remix

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 11/21/2021

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 11/21/2020

Five years ago: The Hype Cycle and Pokémon

Six years ago: Traveling All the World

Seven years ago: Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Uptake

Profs and Comrades: Professor Kukui

The previous Pokémon Professor I discussed as part of my "four fours" posts this month admittedly carried the quality of being "understated", even compared to his predecessor, who instead carries a "quintessential" quality. This would also apply to some of his successors, though there are exceptions... the one about to be discussed being one of them. Professor Kukui (for which his name means "candlenut" in Hawaiian) is of course the one representing Alola, and he is by no means "understated"; in fact, there is particular emphasis on the "comrade" aspect, as something that I've carried throughout this month's discussions.

For those who played the seventh-generation games, they'll note how involved Kukui is (was) in the affairs of the region beyond the research aspect, though this last bit is still involved through the player Trainer in some ways just like in other regions. Going back to those affairs, the involvement is from the beginning - also like in other regions, with the selection of a "first partner - all the way to the end, not only setting up the pinnacle that is that "end" but also becoming a part of it, which somehow I consider to be still pertinent for others to discover by themselves. That's still plenty of involvement in the "professor" aspect.

And then, for those well-versed in the anime, they'll know how close Kukui is (was) to Ash during his time in the region. The involvement could be said to parallel that in the games as above, although in one important sense it is more personal and somewhat deeper, as Ash was literally living alongside him. In this sense, the "comrade" aspect is more emphasized, and this even includes a certain "personification" of Kukui himself, which is actually also indicated in the games. There is still a true "comrade" aspect involved here.

It seems the aspects of "professor" and "comrade" are very much evident for Professor Kukui, in a manner that seems unlike other Pokémon Professors, save from (and second to) the first and original one for whom the aspects are also evident in many ways. Emphasis ("emphatic") remains the best descriptor in many ways considering both aspects, and like the substance represented by his name when set alight, both aspects heat up and light up the soul of this rather emphasized Pokémon Professor in all his ways.

One year ago: My Personal PvP Preferences

Two years ago: Cosplay: ChibiCon 2022

Three years ago: Let's Talk About (Im)Perfect Timings

Four years ago: BEMANI-Pokémon Connections

Five years ago: The State of Nominations, Part 2

Six years ago: A Raid Group Gathering

Seven years ago: On Cosplay Props and Prop Makers

Pokémon Made Up of Other Pokémon

Over the many years that Pokémon has been around, there have been many fascinating aspects to the species represented by that name. One of them is how it is apparent that some species seem to be apparently made up of other species, in whole or in part. It's something to highlight and discuss, given how there have been many more examples of them since that time, seemingly making this an "ingrained" design of sorts.

A noticeable one for many fans is how three Magnemite make up a Magneton, virtually unchanged in appearance and seemingly only held by the power of magnetic attraction. The latter species still has a single mind and is therefore united as such, not to be considered as the separate components that it seems to be made up of. It is an exemplary representative of this aspect and possibly the oddest as well.

Similarly but less odd is how three Diglett appear to make up a Dugtrio, with a similar case applying to the later appearing Wiglett and Wugtrio. The case may be deemed to be less odd here since they seem to share (and be connected to) the same internals - much like Beldum and its family, which are not under consideration here - rather than being simply "attached" as in the previous case of Magnemite and Magneton.

More recently, there is the Dreepy species family, whose later evolved forms (Drakloak and Dragapult) also contain a "mini-Dreepy" - two in the case of the latter - that are as much a part of them as their expected main bodies are. The lore states that these "mini-Dreepy" are being reared until they can stand as real Dreepy on their own, which does seem to make sense given that they are partial Ghost types and thus developmental "apparitions".

In a sense, the evolved forms of Slowpoke can be considered to be made up of two different Pokémon, as the shell part according to lore is a highly transformed Shellder, for which the appearances are different according to form and species. The role of that Shellder had been "planned" to be "fleshed out" according to the beta version of the second generation games, but that didn't happen, so at least for now the lore still serves the explanatory purpose.

Whether or not the apparently disparate parts of certain Pokémon species, which look like other and/or related species, have a bearing on the constitution of those species as a whole, having them seemingly integrated into those species makes for an insightful consideration of how the species manifest themselves in design and appearance - not to mention lore. Even such a repetitive design and appearance seems to have much to convey.

One year ago: Cosplay: Seishun! Japan Fest

Two years ago: Pokémon Emblems in Pokémon Unite

Three years ago: Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Unleashed

Four years ago: Till Death Do Us Part

Five years ago: A Theme Event Dream

Six years ago: Fans of Fans

Seven years ago: Cosplay: MINORI 5

Immersive Cards in TCG Pocket

I've already explained pretty much most of the core content of Pokémon TCG Pocket, so now I can take different posts occasionally to deal with other aspects of the game, one of which is for today. As previewed earlier in Pokémon Presents, a defining feature of the game is what are called "immersive cards", and given the electronic or technological aspect of the game, it's a natural way to enhance the quality of the game with that aspect. Based on the current manifestation of the feature, that seems to have been realized excellently.

For the currently available Genetic Apex expansion, three cards - Pikachu, Charizard, and Mewtwo, all of the ex kind and representing the "branches" of the expansion - are of the immersive kind; they have a rarity of three stars and are naturally full art themselves. Upon earning them, the immersion is activated, showing the image of the card in full screen, along with aspects of the environmental art setting and even just a little beyond that; notably, the Pikachu and Charizard cards also show several other Pokémon in their immersive display. This can also be viewed at any time by viewing the card in one's own collection and tapping and holding on the cards, or if one hasn't earned them, in other people's (friends') collections.

Apart from the special imagery and the rarity level, these cards function as any other cards in battle - particularly the plain ex cards - and the immersion can be considered to be purely for aesthetics more than anything else. The rarity level, though, suggests that they may be somewhat difficult to get, and I've only gotten one (of the Charizard ex kind) since I've started playing; even so, some people I know of have earned either all three or multiple copies of any of the three or even both, making them either very, very lucky or the rarity not as apparent in getting the cards. 

Because of the above and the (expected) space that the animation takes up, not to mention the effort that goes into making them, future immersive cards are likely to be limited to a few per expansion. If more can be added, it would likely be because of a matter of convenience rather than possibility, although players would be happy to collect them all the same, especially if they can happen to be less rare.

Technology makes a lot of things possible, and for the Pokémon TCG in its Pocket incarnation, it allows one to look within and beyond the imagery of certain cards through the immersive aspect introduced as part of the game. That alone makes it an excellent feature of the game, alongside other implementation of its current (and future) implementation.

One year ago: Focus and Control: Two Keys to Pokémon Power

Two years ago: Scarlet and Violet Unleashed

Three years ago: Living Further with My Buddy

Four years ago: Pokémon "Genealogy"

Five years ago: Drafts Piling Up

Six years ago: Trough of Disillusionment

Seven years ago: A Little Teaser... and Guessing Game

Cosplay: Toys & Hobbies Week 2024

Ash: Oh, Toys & Hobbies is back!

Me: Sure!

Goh: Nice! Is this going to be like last year, to meet our friend's friends?

Me: Well, my local friend, why not. But my faraway friend, surely not this time.

Goh: I guess that's understandable. 

Ash: And uh... this is close to the time many years ago we connected - can I wear my Unova outfit?

Me: Of course. It just so happens that I still have it at the ready from last week.

Ash: Thanks!

Goh: So, did you get to meet her?

Ash: Yeah - just after I got there. 

Pikachu: Pika pika pika! ["Almost right away!"]

Goh: OK, so you must have spent almost the entire time with her. 

Ash: Pretty much.

Goh: But then there was the festival, which was...

Me: A week long, and this was its final day. 

Goh: OK, well, I'm looking at the schedule, and most of it wasn't quite what it looked like last year.

Me: Nope. Most competitions from last year are gone, but there are still character competitions (performance yesterday, parade today).

Goh: And the performance one you couldn't fit in because... oh, I see. It's in the evening and Ash cannot possibly make it for that.

Me: Right. And no singing or other kinds of performance either.

Goh: Ash and our friend's friend must have been bummed out.

Ash: A little. 

Pikachu: Pika pika. ["Just a bit."]

Ash: But I know we can make it happen some other time.

Goh: The only thing left is the parade. How was that?

Ash: It went by so quickly! But I didn't get anything. 

Goh: Knowing the place, there must have been tons of characters in it.

Ash: Yup. And some of them knew me! 

Goh: OK, so it was just for sightseeing today.

Me: Almost. Did you get a certain thing promoted?

Ash: I think I did. At least a little bit.

Me: A little is better than nothing.

Goh: I'm intrigued.

Me: You should be. It's familiar... but I can't say much more about it now.

Goh: I trust you. So it wasn't all a waste of time today.

Ash: No - I got to meet my friend's other friends and even played a game (tile game) too.

Goh: Well, sure. Just like the festival's name. 

Pikachu: Pika! ["Well put!"]

Goh: By the way, it was crowded, yes?

Ash: It was! And... I think I knocked over something...

Me: If whoever owned it didn't make a fuss about it, then that's fine.

Ash: Luckily... I think.

Goh: So, I think the people tried to make things simple compared to last year.

Ash: I think so! There was a zone each for toys, hobbies, and "e-sports", and they all had place names.

Me: Taken from Japan, I might add.

Ash: Everything seemed to work out for them, so I'm happy.

Pikachu: Pika chu. ["Same here."]

Goh: Why not? Even without many competitions, working out is the most important thing.

Ash: Maybe they can bring some back next time.

Me: True. I think it also worked out for me - I wanted (you) to "get away" from some sources of recent bother.

Goh: That's a nice plus.

Me: Sure thing.

Ash: It was definitely more.

Me: And after all that, we hope it definitely won't be "less".

One year ago: End of Main Orders for Café Remix

Two years ago: Fun Pokémon Memes by a Fun Tortoise

Three years ago: Loyalty

Four years ago: Matters of Cosplay and Current Conditions

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 11/16/2019

Six years ago: PikaPool

Seven years ago: Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Unleashed

Encroaching Upon the Wild Area

It is known that by now, Pokémon Go has two "big-ticket" events (figuratively and literally) at certain points in the year: Go Fest in the middle of the year (Northern Hemisphere summer), and Go Tour at the beginning of the year (Northern Hemisphere winter). The seasons in between (spring/fall) don't seem to have any for certain reasons, though there seems to be no harm in trying to fill them with one as well. Now, there might be one such way to do so, and in a manner that befits new things added to the game.

The new event is called Pokémon Go Wild Area - shortened as "Go Wild Area" hereinafter. This short form also makes sense because the event itself is obviously based on a particular facet of some recent installments of the main series games, particularly those of the eighth generation. True to that, its features have also been disclosed, with rough correspondence: one of them is the particular debut of a Pokémon species and its Dynamax and Gigantamax forms, but I'll have more on this when the event takes place.

Actually, to be precise, it is taking place now: in parallel with Go Tour, there is a Live edition of the event, and it's taking place this weekend (today and tomorrow) in Fukuoka, Japan. Thus, Trainers in Japan have the privilege of "beta-testing" the event for when its Global edition takes place the very next week(end) for everyone around the world. The Live edition is predictably already sold out by now, but the Global edition is still available... though some Trainers will already have purchased its Event Ticket at this point.

Like Go Tour furthermore, the other features - besides the obvious one mentioned above - will also define this brand-new paid event. In fact, it seems this event may have an overload of new features even for the most seasoned Pokémon Go veterans like me, and it will prove to be challenging for everyone (if Gigantamax itself hasn't already reared its ugly head). This also prompts the question of whether the event might be repeated in six months with all the same features yet certainly different Pokémon, given its focus.

Years pass on, and paid events in Pokémon Go have risen to prominence at certain times of the year, though not in others. The new Go Wild Area event may just provide the event to take prominence in those other times and exemplify current developments in Pokémon Go. As its inaugural edition takes place with a current Live edition, which will also encroach upon its Global edition very soon, some very wild things are being encroached upon as well, and that may be considered the course of things to come in the game in much of the times ahead.

One year ago: A Fascination for Noctowl

Two years ago: To Cart or To Download?

Three years ago: Connectivity

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 11/15/2020

Five years ago: Cosplay: Mini Futsal Cup 2019

Six years ago: The Detective Goes Live!!

Seven years ago: Go My Dear One, and Pursue Your Dreams

The World According to Ursaring

As I've mentioned a real long time ago, I enjoy delving into (portions of) my past for pure enjoyment as well as the simple reason of not forgetting them, as roots that contribute to my Pokémon-filled present. This applies even for some sentimental things that I've chosen to detach - or more appropriately, had to detach from - because of them being associated with areas that I do not wish to explore. In pure isolation, though, they might be worth exploring, and one such thing that I've recently delved into is something that encapsulates the world... for which in Pokémon terms, that would be (partly) through the view of an Ursaring.

For those who know what I'm referencing, the choice of representation by Ursaring might be an odd one, but it is known that even Pokémon with a gruff countenance (Ursaring included) might have a pure and kind heart, and that is exactly what the Ursaring I'm thinking of has. The Ursaring tells things like they are and presents things in ways that make one think to make the best sense of the situations involved. It's a novel thing to do for an Ursaring - at least compared to others of the same species.

That Ursaring is also technically not alone, as other Pokémon are there to make sense of all their world. By practical species correspondence alone, as with Ursaring, there could be a Pikachu, two Oshawott (perhaps one of which is Shiny), a Chimchar, and a Teddiursa living with and around the Ursaring. Then, there is a Solrock that greets as a new day begins and a Lunatone that does the same as a day comes to a close, both of which also prompt the deep exchange of thoughts. There might be others too, but that's for their wider world.

With all of these Pokémon, they seem to always have many things to take into account in their lives, and they do. Again, it's the Ursaring that guides everyone, especially when there's a sort of stagnation in things. The result of that guiding is likely to be just what everyone needs in their situations. And at the end of the day, there is something to be taken; after that, everything starts all over again for Ursaring and crew.

It seems funny how some things can be made to have a Pokémon correspondence, but that's my point of view at work. That could be considered the case for the sentimental thing I've been referencing for and throughout this post, and it carries a feeling that remains even if the thing has to be detached from me for certain reasons. Perhaps that's what it would take right now: an Ursaring to make sense of my greater and Pokémon world.

One year ago: Pokémon Monuments of Our Hearts

Two years ago: Preparing for Scarlet and Violet

Three years ago: Pokémon Cafe Delights

Four years ago: Cosplay: The Bros Contest

Five years ago: Sword and Shield Unleashed

Six years ago: Seeing Red: Cosplay Teaser for 12/2/2018

Seven years ago: Ma? Ma? Ma? Marshadow...!

Profs and Comrades: Professor Elm

Pokémon Professors are people too, and like them, they can be popular or not so popular. The latter seems to be the case for the next Pokémon Professor I'm about to discuss as part of this month's "four fours" on the topic, and it concerns the next one in line, as Professor Elm of Johto fame. The professor can be considered "understated" as he is encountered at the start of the journey in the region but scarcely after, and this situation would also similarly apply to some of the professors that come afterwards. Still, considering the title, there is something to be said about this (and those other professors) being "comrades" of sorts.

The journey role of the professor - and the others like him - is still crucial, being there to start out the journey of Trainers in the region with the "first partner" (here Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile). While the role might be minimal, there is a sense that the professor defines the region maximally (again here, Johto) in that it is not possible to distance him from the region. His English name - Elm, of course - seems to be a "chip" off of the tree name of his predecessor and slightly more eastern colleague, also suggesting that distance is not a matter.

What seems to matter most is the "comrade" status, whether for Trainers who originally hail from this region (Ethan/Hibiki comes to mind) or other Trainers (Ash, of course, as the prominent example). Handily starting off their excursions in the region is at the very least indicative of that "comrade" status even if later showings are scarce. While it could also be argued that this is a result of being distant from them, the initial showing may be considered sufficient.

Similar states of affairs may be considered to apply to some of the later Pokémon Professors, so Professor Elm can be considered to be initially indicative (and representative) of them. Yet that's not something to be discounted, and as "understated" as they may be, Professor Elm and the others are still comrades for each other, any Pokémon Trainer, and certainly faithful fans.

One year ago: Doing What's Necessary: Transferring (Releasing) Shiny Pokémon

Two years ago: Tunnels of My Heart

Three years ago: The Shops of Unite

Four years ago: Graduation of Regionals?

Five years ago: The Music of Shuffle

Six years ago: GTS and Wonder Trade in Pokémon Go?

Seven years ago: 1000 Episodes!!!

The Compact Battles of TCG Pocket

Now that I've discussed about the release of the TCG Pocket game and the matter of collecting cards in it, it's time to discuss how those cards can be used - that is, in gameplay and battle. I had already given a semblance of how this might be realized when I discussed the number of cards in a deck, but the reality is somewhat different than what was expected, even though there are still some correspondences, including to the full-fledged Pokémon TCG. And as indicated by the title of this post, it can be described in some ways as "compact".

Compared to the full-fledged Pokémon TCG, the Pocket battles are radically simplified - as the general picture of the situation. Some types of cards are absent, but there are still Item and Supporter cards, as well as Pokémon ex cards. The most important absence is of Energy cards; in lieu of them, matches feature Energy Zones (one for each player) that generate Energy on each turn after the second, still ensuring that the first player cannot attack on the first turn. A deck consists of 20 cards, so card functions are redesigned to support this situation - in particular, there are no Prize cards, so cards cannot get stuck as such, which is sometimes a problem with the full-fledged TCG. Regardless, players play to defeat other Pokémon in battle with up to three Pokémon on the Bench, and defeating a Pokémon results in one point (two for a Pokémon ex), with three points awarding victory.

This radical simplification definitely makes things more "compact": it is small enough that someone new to the Pokémon TCG can easily pick up the absolute basics of play with the cards and apply them to the full-fledged TCG, even if the latter is somehow very different and expansive from the Pocket implementation. That being said, the compactness seems to have managed to rear up some problems of its own, mainly due to the functions of cards as well as their interactions with the Energy Zone to furnish Energy in unconstrained ways, something that the full-fledged TCG constrains with actual Energy cards. This seems to be a problem that is neither "compact" nor easily resolvable.

As for possibly attempting to replicate these "compact" battles with physical cards, it seems fairly easy to craft a makeshift Energy Zone and use, for example, dice to keep track of Energy. What would be not so easy is to consider the functions of the cards as they are stated on the cards and adapt them with the constraints of the battles, especially ones that force certain discards to be made. In the end, it may be easier to have a half deck battle instead, although as an example, points can still be used in lieu of Prize cards and the same kinds of excluded card types in the Pocket implementation can be applied.

By a popularly cited saying, everything should be as simple as possible but no simpler, and that seems to be a guiding principle for the "compact" implementation of TCG Pocket. That compactness may have to be refined in other ways within the game and for use outside it, but it is regardless very much apparent and will have to continue to define the "Pocket" moniker.

One year ago: Finding a Diancie Amongst Carbink

Two years ago: Evaluating Elite Raids in Their EX Raid Places

Three years ago: Inspiration from Characters

Four years ago: The Spirit of Brothers

Five years ago: Shuffle Special Stage Play Limits

Six years ago: Marshadow and Mimikyu Keychains

Seven years ago: Cosplay Assistants

The Tricks (No Tricks) to Card Collection in TCG Pocket

Before one can play with the cards, one must collect said cards. This is the norm that applies to the real and full-fledged Pokémon TCG as well as the Pocket version, the latter of which having been released recently. That is also what I wish to discuss in this post, and not so much of the former. For that, plenty of players have mentioned a few "tricks" that may hold water (and in one case, previously) for getting certain cards, although in some sense such a body of "tricks" is non-existent. Such is the situation that I will attempt to explain here.

First, it is important to understand how one collects and procures cards in the game. The main method of doing so is of course through booster packs; in the case of the current Genetic Apex expansion, it's one of three editions (Charizard, Mewtwo, and Pikachu). A selection of 15 virtual packs is generated for one of these, and one can examine their "physical" aspects before deciding to open one of them by swiping (emulating a "tear-off"); as with real packs, they contain five cards of random kinds, most likely of Pokémon. One can also perform a Wonder Pick to "snipe" a duplicate card from a recently opened pack by a friend or someone else in the world, or to get one from special events. The former, in fact, will be the primary action before one reaches Level 3, at which point they can battle.

Now, that "physical" aspect examination is the important (and equally dicey) part. Apparently, it used to be that some packs would "curl" at the edges, and this could be taken as a sign of packs with venerable cards; now they don't, and the examination of other "physical" aspects may become the key. The theory is that some packs could appear "plumper", which may indicate those venerable cards, though admittedly this is kind of hard to point out. Meanwhile, some packs also appear upside-down initially, and this might also be a sign, though not always. Still, these "tricks" to physical examination may be worth a try, and might just lead to a truly venerable pack with very special cards.

Then there are other supposed "tricks" to getting a venerable pack, though I'm apt to discount them as "no tricks" to getting one. Turning a pack upside-down manually - which forces the cards to be revealed from a face-down state - is claimed to work, but it might be still dicey as above. Yet other "(no) tricks" include selecting a pack by "roulette" fashion (as they are arranged as such), watching for signs of "sparkles" in the back, and skipping the animation for when packs are opened. They can be tried to enhance the experience, but I still would discount them as "tricks" for getting really special cards.

In any case, collecting cards is necessary in TCG Pocket before being able to play with them, and at least some things may be discerned in order to be able to get good and special cards for playing. Whether they may be "tricks" or "no tricks", getting the cards themselves is still the point of it all, as accomplished through its implementation, which is not too far off from the full-fledged Pokémon TCG and might just be as intricate and arcane as anything else related.

One year ago: Cosplay: Foodtopia Season 2

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 11/12/2022

Three years ago: Perfection Under Imperfection

Four years ago: The Little Cup of GBL

Five years ago: Performance Critique: Mezase Pokémon Master feat. Maestoso

Six years ago: Rediscover Cosplay

Seven years ago: Cosplay: Japan Pop Culture 2017

Little Things, Little Packages: TCG Pocket

There's been a bit of hubbub in the Pokémon TCG realm in the past couple of weeks, and it's something that I ought to cover, moreover since I'm now also a part of it. And that's what I'll be doing for a few days ahead while things are still fresh. The hubbub concerns the newest member of the TCG family, which was previewed earlier this year and now has come to fruition, offering a simplified virtual experience to the cards in a portable (and indeed, little) form. No doubt it's the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket - hereinafter, TCG Pocket - and it's now available to greet many prospective players.

While the game was released just at the end of last month, it was actually beta-tested over the course of that month for select groups of players, and the test seemed to work out pretty well, given that the release proceeded. It too was received pretty well, especially by my TCG fellows, who also downloaded the game and started playing; there were also a few other friends even without apparent connection to the TCG who also started playing (and led me as such), which gives further affirmation to the reception of the game.

As for the "little" part of this, the gameplay (the battle part) is definitely smaller than for the common TCG counterpart, though a discussion of this would have to be made separately - as in, not now. The card-collecting part is still done through opening booster packs as well as other methods, and they're little things that mean a lot; still, they do have not-so-little intricacies and need to be covered separately as well. Then, there's plenty of yet other little aspects that also just beg to be discussed later.

Like the common TCG, there are also expansions, though there is currently but one: Genetic Apex. There are also over 250 unique cards for it available, so it's not exactly a little thing by any means, though its package is still "little" in a way. Future expansions will definitely make things not so little, though perhaps still not quite on par with common TCG, so this may be one "little" aspect that will persist as the game flourishes. 

It is said that sweet things - and little things - come in little packages, and the newly released TCG Pocket encapsulates that somehow well, at least in its current and initial incarnation. How much of it can remain "little" as the game expands remains to be seen, but even having a few things remain "little" may be a wonderful thing, as does having a playable implementation of the TCG in a package of such scale, as offered by this game.

One year ago: Cosplay: Bocchi Noizu First Anniversary

Two years ago: Changing Deliveries in Café Remix

Three years ago: Wingull Place Mat

Four years ago: PokéJournalists

Five years ago: A Story of Bands

Six years ago: Cosplay: Manga no Kiseki & Japan Pop Culture 2018

Seven years ago: Heroes, Veterans, and Special Ones

Pokémon Go Community Day, 11/10/2024

For those who have been around to witness the spectacle and experience the happening that is Community Day in Pokémon Go, they will likely understand the patterns of the event and what to expect in each of the monthly editions (including the one for next month, but I'm getting ahead of things). Of course, there will always be a degree of unexpected things, but that's par for the course of anything, even Pokémon. The expected things are still always important, even if they might be somewhat surprising.

So, let's get to it: November's featured Pokémon for Community Day is Mankey. It might look surprising, but the Pokémon was found to have a third evolutionary stage in the Paldea region (Annihilape) - which is now in Pokémon Go since January this year, immediately making the species family fodder for Community Day, even long after Mankey has had its Shiny form, now realized as such. After evolving it to Primeape, a task needs to be completed, with it being set as a Buddy Pokémon, before it can then evolve into Annihilape; normally, this would involve defeating 30 Pokémon of the Psychic or Ghost types, but during the event period for today, that is changed to just capturing 20 Fighting-type Pokémon. Regardless, both Pokémon get the same special Charged move of Rage Fist, a Ghost-type attack that favors the latter species (due to its typing) more than the former, especially for its PvP prowess in all leagues.

Aside from this "crutch", most everything is standard as far as Community Day goes. The main bonus is triple XP, supplemented by double Candy and Candy XL chance bonuses. The featured Pokémon can be made to appear through extended Lure Modules and Incense, as well as photo bombs and after defeating Primeape in raids after 5 PM. As usual in modern editions, trades are discounted and there is an extra Special Trade. For Research, along with Field tasks that are the norm and the extra paid Special set (which is back to being as such and titled "Mankey Business"), there is a Community Timed Research set for those who check in through Campfire. Showcases, item bundles in the Web Store and in-game shop, and stickers complete the whole deal.

Today, being myself and not sending Ash, I caught a number of Shiny Mankey, the first of which was for the very first time and was immediately put through a mirror Lucky Trade, resulting in almost the best possible IV. The rest of the day was simply spent on capturing the Pokémon to continue building up stock for it, as well as to evolve Primeape, which took a lot of Buddy Pokémon theatrics. In all the efforts, there might have been a bit of confusion and one or two things left behind... but I still got all the Annihilape I needed to evolve (and could have evolved), which is better than not having done so over the course of the event period, overall making this day rather productive.

Execution in my local area was also interesting as it was in a park my raid group used to frequent, and it was done with a certain national snack food sponsor. That meant treats for everyone along with the usual contests, of which I won one thanks to a very small Shiny Mankey. That execution, though, was under looming threat of rain, which almost manifested at the very end - luckily not during the event itself. There was also a grand contest that I couldn't participate in due to not meeting the requirements and social media circus, but that may have been for the better, as I have all that I need without its reward.

Overall, many things above were expected for Community Day, even if the featured Pokémon was on the unexpected side, along with the grand sponsor. It is of the understanding that I (and other Trainers) will have to adjust to them, but if the situation is anything like today, that means the results should be very good and prepared for top fighting form, for which the featured species family of this edition very much embodies that.

One year ago: The Money Deal: The Main Series Currency

Two years ago: Ed's "Starry Expanse" with Pokémon

Three years ago: Asymmetrical Friend Levels?

Four years ago: Life with a Go Plus Peripheral

Five years ago: In the November Sky

Six years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 11/10/2018

Seven years ago: Mission Cards in Shuffle

Cosplay: Kaioken Fest

Me: OK, let's try this again. 

Ash: Another festival!

Me: Sure. I only heard this one just yesterday, but I think it might work out, not like the one on Sunday.

Goh: Oh, just like the card game shop one, but not as sudden.

Me: No, but it's still a bit sudden even for me. Plus, it's also farther than you think...

Goh: How far?

Me: It's almost at the edge of town where I am.

Goh: Wow.

Ash: But I got there in one shot! Luckily, just before it rained. 

Goh: Lucky! 

Ash: I guess so. 

Pikachu: Pika pika chuu~ ["A little more, and boom~"]

Ash: OK, so the place is... a hardware store??

Me: Yup, you'd better believe it. Apparently, if I read this right, the festival is part of its re-launching celebration.

Goh: Well then, it should work - if not, the store is to blame.

Me: Couldn't have said it better myself.

Ash: They got started a bit late. Friends of ours didn't come until just before it started. 

Goh: Like you said, they might have gotten caught in the rain. 

Ash: That's true. 

Goh: ...Hey, is there a schedule of any kind? Mind if I see it?

Me: Here you go.

Goh: Oh, that's... very slim, just like the one for the card game shop.

Ash: I saw two dance groups.

Goh: OK, that's the first two things after the opening... so then it's time for the character parade. 

Ash: You bet! And it happened this time!

Pikachu: Pi! ["Indeed!"]

Me: Thank goodness. So, that makes up for last Sunday.

Goh: So how many characters were there? 

Ash: Just nine, including me.

Goh: That's not crowded at all - wait, was Sunday like this too with the people?

Ash: Uh... Pretty much. There might have been a few more people on Sunday than today.

Me: It might be because of the suddenness.

Goh: I'm sure you're right. OK, since the parade happened, then there must have been results. 

Ash: Hey, wouldn't you know - Judge Favorite!!

Me: Yes! Nice work! That definitely more than makes up for Sunday now.

Pikachu: Pika chu! ["Very nice!"]

Goh: Awesome. So after that...

Ash: I heard they were supposed to have a dance-off, but they skipped it for a DJ.

Goh: OK, now maybe people aren't interested for that. 

Ash: Like, what other people?

Goh: You said it.

Ash: After that, most everyone went away - and I decided to peek at a friend of our friend in the area.

Goh: Nice! You must have had a good time there too.

Ash: Sure. And then I went back to our friend.

Me: A very nice day. You know, if I had heard of this one too late, I might have been up to hijinks at home or around.

Goh: So it kept you in line. 

Me: For sure. Also, a long time ago, there was a festival here... but I sent Ash to Community Day instead.

Ash: Oh! I understand now. It was even farther from there, so you made a good call for me.

Pikachu: Pika pika~ ["It works~"]

Me: Now that the store re-launched, hopefully they can get good business going.

Ash: Hope that rubs off on us.

Me: Why not? Even a short festival like this can really do wonders.

Goh: Especially if things go as planned.

Me: Very much so. Now I'm off to plan a few things of my own... but it could still work with you two.

One year ago: Stuck in a Rut... or Rank

Two years ago: Running (through) the World with Pokémon Shoes

Three years ago: Pressing the B Button... Realistically

Four years ago: Stepping into the Marsh

Five years ago: Tournament: Raid Group Ferocious Cup

Six years ago: 3D Printing and Pokémon

Seven years ago: (Mid-)Generational Updates

Profs and Comrades: Professor Oak

Since the beginning of this month, I'd been wracking my brains in regard to what I wanted to discuss for this month's "four fours", and I even intended for the first one to be put up yesterday - which obviously didn't materialize. Today, though, I've finally settled on a topic, which would be the Pokémon Professors, whose character and renown are magnificent and impressive for many Pokémon fans like me. Appropriately, I start out with one for whom the above quality is decidedly so for many fans and particularly old ones, as Professor Oak of Kanto.

For many long-time fans, this Pokémon Professor might represent the epitome of any character who possesses the title. His research laboratory is well-known, and he serves a "mentoring" role for several characters - one of which might have a certain special relation. Not to mention, he is the character first seen in the original first generation games, which automatically means that he also introduces not only the game but also the world of Pokémon itself. The significance of all of these aspects may then be considered somewhat extreme as such.

In that regard, Professor Oak can also be considered "the people's professor", as many people (fans) can readily identify something related to him, the associated generation, and/or Pokémon as a whole, something that most other professors down the line may have a hard time claiming. As a bit of an aside, his Japanese name (Yukinari Orchid - the latter word corresponding to "Oak" by sound) has an elegant connection in a way, for fans on that side of the pond.

Although people who come first are not necessarily significant - besides being for that fact - Professor Oak is as such and will likely always remain that way for all of the aspects mentioned above, and even as Pokémon provides continued novelty of many other aspects. Considering the title of this post, he too may be considered a "comrade" in some ways because of the above, and it seems fitting to open a good and important series topic for me to write about.

One year ago: Quickies: Sailing on the Seas with Pokémon

Two years ago: The Varied Hues of PokéStops

Three years ago: YouTube Pokémon Highlights: Other Species Channels

Four years ago: The Beautiful Game(s)?

Five years ago: Fantastic Beasts (and How to Battle with Them)

Six years ago: A Raid Dream

Seven years ago: Too Much Information, Too Much Excitement?

The Busiest of Poké-Days

I've been having one of the busiest days in recent memory, and that has made me unable to consider Pokémon matters - at least extensively - yet I've tried to fit in at least still a few things. Yet if people in that world are of any concern, it is that they can become just as busy as I am, being unable to consider other matters besides pressing Pokémon matters. It seems this situation could also be worthy of some consideration, specifically here.

To envisage some traveling Trainers as being very busy does not seem like a hard thing - and in fact, it's extremely plausible, if they have lots of Pokémon to train for all kinds of purposes and battles. Looking at the collection of Pokémon I've amassed in Pokémon Go and Pokémon Home, that could very well be the case, and the amount of time and effort to make them prepared for battle could almost be regarded as "herculean", which evidently means certain Trainers might face the busiest of days yet in some cases.

Some Trainers who are resident in one place are likely to become very busy as well. I'm of course suggesting Gym Leaders, who are expected to accept challengers each day. It's quite possible, though, that on certain days, there might be a greater influx of challengers than normal, which would indeed make them very busy - in fact, the busiest - on those days. At that point, they'd be as busy as I am today, even if our businesses are decidedly different; the effort to deal with them, however, could be regarded to be quite similar.

Even Pokémon Trainers can become very busy with what they do - raising Pokémon and battling with them, aside from other things - and sometimes, that just might happen within the span of one day, similar to what I've got going. Still, if all that business leads to wondrous things, in one form or another, then it's worthwhile for the people of concern, with Pokémon or even otherwise. That consideration will likely keep all of us going with our things.

One year ago: Six Places, Six Types

Two years ago: Quickies: Feeling (and Healing) Like a Snorlax (Again)

Three years ago: From Games to...

Four years ago: A New Series of Legendary Pokémon

Five years ago: (Out of) the Mainstream

Six years ago: Local EX Raid (vs. Rain), 11/7/2018

Seven years ago: Closer and Farther PokéStops

Conforming to and Deviating from Terms

The world of Pokémon today has many elements and just as many terms for those elements. In fact, some of them are used by different people related to Pokémon in different ways, and they might be official or "not-so-official". In the latter case, the people who use the different terms might be considered to conform or deviate, respectively, to the terms being used. As a person who is interested in languages and their use, this becomes a matter I'd like to examine, particularly with some relevant examples.

One example is the term "starter Pokémon", which many fans including me use and has been discussed as in the linked post. Officially, though, there is another term in play, which would be "first partner Pokémon"; in that respect, the common fan term is not too far off in spirit - which would make it "conform" in that way - yet it's still slightly deviating because the nuances of the "partner" aspect aren't captured. Meanwhile, the fan term itself captures other nuances that the official term doesn't capture, still making its use attractive. 

In line with the first term, there is the one for "pseudo-Legendary Pokémon", also used by fans and deriving from a well-established official term (and now common as such). As expected, the term itself isn't in play officially, and the official reference for them is "powerhouse Pokémon". The fan term is thus only slightly conformant to an official aspect and is rather deviant in other respects, though an implication of "power" may still be considered to be present - which would then make it slightly conformant to the official term. 

Given the above, conformation and deviation seems to take place in a number of ways with the senses of the terms. Of course, the most major conformation and deviation would be in the decision to use any of the terms above. One could conform with fans and use the established fan terms, or conform officially and use the designated terms, and the deviation would occur in the other respect. It's a decision that would have to be considered in many regards and circumstances.

For as long as there is Pokémon to deal with, there will be lots of elements as well to deal with, which means ascribing to them certain terms. As certain as they are, there might be some that will remain in fandom parlance, others that are present in official parlance, and many that will be in common parlance. Conformation and deviation to any of these are also certain to occur as the terms themselves conform and deviate in certain respects to the elements - though most likely, not for their understanding.

One year ago: The GS Ball That (Never) Was

Two years ago: Cosplay: 5USUME! Spirit of the Winter - JMS 5th Anniversary

Three years ago: Quickies: Yawning Away Matters

Four years ago: The Flying Cup of GBL

Five years ago: Performance Critique: Project "Untitled" J-Karaoke

Six years ago: Let's Rule the World, Together

Seven years ago: Triplets and Pairs

More Changes to Slow Cooking in Café Remix

Around half a year ago, I detailed about some changes to the Slow Cooking format in Café Remix, varying up and improving some aspects of the format from its initial incarnation. Yet, a few nagging aspects may still have been left hanging... and it seems for that, the game went for another round of changes to improve the format further, and that is with a Cooking Festival event that is currently taking place. It seems these are worth to be detailed as well like the earlier time, and I've designated this post for that purpose.

This first change actually also applies to its "speedy sibling", One-Minute Cooking, but it really comes into its own here. Now, recommended Pokémon for a stage can be chosen directly from the list (if said Pokémon has joined the staff) instead of having to go into the Pokémon selection screen to do so, thereby saving one step. As usual, though, one Pokémon applies as the leader for one dish being cooked, so it's still necessary to have some different Pokémon, but at the least if the need to change arises, then the process is simpler.

Fever time, which was implemented in the last batch of changes, also received improvements. Now, when Fever time is achieved, an extra move is added, guaranteeing that it can be used to clear icons and gimmicks to advance and/or earn points - or just the latter if achieved at the last moment of the final stage. Regardless, the extra move is awarded as soon as the gauge is filled, for which if it happens along with clearing a stage, Fever time carries over to the next stage - as long as it's not the end of the final stage.

Speaking of stage transitions, when a stage is complete (or when all moves have been used), all remaining skills and megaphones on the stage are activated to clear icons and/or possibly remnant gimmicks, just like as they do at the end of One-Minute Cooking, giving out minor additional points. They may also clear out Café Likes - as in the current implementation - but they won't clear out +1 Moves, not even in the middle of a run, and they won't contribute to the Fever gauge either. This change seems to be just to maintain commonality as above.

In a way, these current changes are not many, but they are very much meaningful, making things a little easier and bearable for the players. Regardless, these are also the second set of changes to the Slow Cooking format, which may be considered to continue to highlight its certain deficiencies - although mostly no more, now that the changes have been made. The next step may just be ensuring that players can take advantage of everything to keep on getting high scores and serving the café customers with great service as usual.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 11/5/2023

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Classic, 11/5/2022

Three years ago: The Structure of Factions

Four years ago: Spending Afternoons with Eevee(lutions)

Five years ago: Where My Voice Gets Heard

Six years ago: Dexterity, Pokémon Games, and Me

Seven years ago: Team Harmony

Quickies: Metal Sounds in My (Pokémon) Life

Early in the morning in my local area, I'm often awakened by a certain somewhat loud metal sound. Yet I'm comforted by the fact that the metal sound serves more as a good signal rather than the result of anything nefarious - unless there's an evident commotion, which has never been the case. As wired to Pokémon as I am, I have the tendency of thinking that they could be generated by or with the aid of Pokémon, and that becomes something to really think about.

The most likely Pokémon aids for the sound that I mentioned would be from the Bronzor family, which makes distinct sounds of their own, if their species cries are of any indication. The sounds that they make are distinctly metallic and seem to be able to substitute nicely for that sound, if they weren't already prompted to generate themselves. As mentioned, as long as a commotion doesn't come, they can serve the sound role very well.

Of course, other Pokémon of the Steel type might make other sounds of their own, particularly if they have the Metal Sound move. Even so, this is a move with jarring effects, and its sound is expected to be jarring as well. That would in theory make it useful to be used to break up a commotion, perhaps something that would be reported by different metal sounds with even more different Pokémon than the above.

Sounds will always be heard in my (Pokémon) life, and some of them, like the ones in my local area, can be expected to be metallic in nature. The hope is that they will remain mostly as good signals rather than indications of anything bad. That still would bode well for my early mornings when I expect the good signals to come as I continue to rest... or become active for the day, when there could be even more metal (Pokémon) sounds waiting to be heard.

One year ago: Cosplay: ChibiCon x Ghosty's Comic

Two years ago: The Halloween Cup of GBL... Ultra League Edition

Three years ago: A Glimpse into Faction Battlefields

Four years ago: Hype and Habit and Pokémon

Five years ago: Cosplay: Erafun Cosplay Contest

Six years ago: Cosplay: Art and Cosplay Stage "PANSOS"

Seven years ago: How Many Is Too Many?

Cosplay: Aratana Matsuri - ITTAF Exhibition

Me: Well, I did say "busy weekend", didn't I?

Goh: You said it.

Me: Although, after I received the report from Ash, I was hesitant in telling it like it is... but then, I decided that it should be done.

Ash: Yeah, um...

Goh: This doesn't look different from any other festival, though (it has the "Matsuri" thing).

Me: What I can say is that the festival is also a part of an exhibition for small businesses.

Goh: I see - so it's a festival to get people going there.

Ash: I saw many of them! They had all kinds of things for sale.

Goh: Oh, like artsy things?

Ash: Yeah, mostly. Some had food too.

Pikachu: Pika pika pika. ["Very nice stuff."]

Me: And as usual, the festival had the entertainment we could count on, right?

Ash: Sure. There were two dance groups, a band, and a community with mini games.

Goh: If I didn't know any better, I think that community is familiar to us.

Ash: It is - it was Bocchi Noizu!

Goh: I called it. The entertainment was like the ones at their events, right?

Ash: Yup, pretty much.

Goh: OK, then why was our friend a bit touchy on this one?

Me: It was about the character parade, one big reason I always send Ash to things like this.

Goh: Well, of course. So, what's the story?

Ash: I got there and signed up for it, like the hosts told me to.

Goh: But then...

Ash: The organizers canceled it.

Goh: Canceled?!

Ash: Yeah. They said it was because not many were interested. 

Pikachu: Pika chuu... ["What a shame..."]

Ash: They said that to me and someone else we know who signed up, right in front of our faces, just after we signed up.

Goh: Ouch. So our friend ended up sending you here for nothing, pretty much. Unless talking with friends and seeing the entertainment counts.

Ash: Which we did.

Goh: Maybe our friend could explain why this happened?

Me: Well, actually, there was another festival with similar content scheduled on this day - including a character parade.

Goh: That must be it. That festival stole away the visitors to this one - and all the characters too.

Ash: Just like that one time.

Me: Maybe we made some wrong choices. But I thought I had it fully considered, especially the price.

Goh: But how were you supposed to know?

Me: There's that. And it seems kind of "unfair" to just cancel the parade on the day of, without advance information. Who knows - there might have been a "spillover" from the other festival.

Ash: Like us!

Pikachu: Pi! ["Exactly!"]

Me: And if I knew way ahead, I could have sent Ash to the other one instead.

Goh: I'm sure you would.

Me: So for those who think that this report is outlandish, I want to put up the disclaimer that everything was exactly as Ash [OOC: I as Ash] said. Like I said, I tell it like it is.

Ash: The festival and exhibition was still OK. I got some food for you.

Me: That, it was great. Thanks.

Goh: Hopefully you and Ash can get something from somewhere else.

Me: There's always that hope. So, life goes on, and business goes on, just like for those who exhibited here.

One year ago: From Apricorn to Balls

Two years ago: Cheer Moments for Pokémon Games

Three years ago: Going for an Arena Brawl

Four years ago: Singing My Hearts Out: After One Year

Five years ago: Cosplay: Project "Untitled"

Six years ago: The Joys and Sorrows of Raid Marathons

Seven years ago: Late-Night Lure Party

Cosplay: Card Game Shop Halloween Party

Me: I had suspected that it could be a busy weekend, but...

Goh: This wasn't what you expected?

Me: You could say that.

Ash: But it's the same card game shop like before, right?

Me: It is. They said there would be a workshop today... but I wasn't expecting characters to be part of the deal as well.

Goh: And you found that out...

Me: The morning of today.

Goh: Oh! That is very sudden.

Ash: But if our friend wants it, we can make that happen.

Pikachu: Chu, pika pika... ["Well, sure enough..."]

Me: I almost couldn't send you there. It seemed like it was about to rain hard a couple of hours before it.

Ash: We got through it! But it did sprinkle a little.

Goh: So, same shop, same people, same stuff.

Ash: Yeah! They made it just a little spooky to get with the theme.

Me: There's still some Halloween vibes, after all.

Goh: My guess is that the whole thing was only a few hours, tops.

Me: In fact, here's the schedule.

Goh: Um... OK, that's even more slim than I thought it would be. There's just registration for the parade, then the workshop, character parade, a Gym, auctions, and awarding.

Me: How'd they all go?

Ash: The workshop was for a different card game!

Me: OK, so we didn't have to mind about that. 

Ash: I spent that time with your friends - and bought a Pokémon drink for you. 

Goh: That's nice. Will you talk about it?

Me: Of course! But not now. Parade time. 

Ash: A lot of characters were in it. And I had fun too. I tried to extend my time a bit just like you told me to.

Pikachu: Pika chu pika. ["I liked it too."]

Me: That is sometimes a criticism, so I'm glad it can be done.

Goh: What about that Gym?

Me: Did you see people playing the cards? 

Ash: I didn't - they went straight to the auction.

Me: OK, so there might have been a change in plans. I hear there's also a big tournament tomorrow, so that might have been another thing.

Goh: The auction must have been exciting. 

Ash: Yeah! Maybe even more than the parade. I got caught up in all the people bidding on Pokémon stuff. 

Goh: But you didn't bid.

Me: If I had funds to spare, I'd have you take part to get something. But not this time.

Goh: Anything you fancy? 

Ash: There was a Pikachu doll with the special shirt and a card game box set with a Charizard figure in it. 

Goh: Very nice! Those must have gone for a lot. 

Ash: They did.

Me: That's pretty much a given. Last up: awarding.

Ash: They had eight winners! ... But not me. 

Goh: Sorry about that.

Me: I think all the characters were attracted to this one, so it figures. 

Goh: But you know, I think this means the card game shop is going to be around for some time. 

Ash: They'll have something else for this month and the next one too!

Pikachu: Pi pika! ["Looks nice!"]

Me: Well, we'll deal with them. And the cards, of course. 

Goh: By the way, don't you think this local shop could be a way for you to send Ash more often and get rewarded for it?

Ash: That would be awesome!

Me: If only that can happen. But yes, if it's "in the cards", then it would indeed be awesome. For now, we've got this and more.

One year ago: Slow Cooking in Café Remix

Two years ago: Pikachu and Togekiss Mini Figures on the Cheap

Three years ago: The Currencies of Unite

Four years ago: The Pokémon Evolution (and More) Music

Five years ago: Pokémon Go: A Colossal Discovery

Six years ago: Balance of Topics

Seven years ago: Kids (...or Trainers, Fans) These Days

Gigantamax in Pokémon Go: Harrowing Magnitudes

Well, for those who had read my event rollup for last month, the inevitable has come to fruition: Gigantamax Pokémon are now also in Pokémon Go, starting last week with the evolved Kanto starters and continuing this week with Gengar. Therefore, as with Dynamax earlier, I have the need to make a writeup on it, being that I possess the associated Pokémon and have observed the process that one goes through to get them. And as indicated by the title of this post, that has a "harrowing" (that is, distressing) quality about it.

As with Dynamax-capable Pokémon, Gigantamax-capable Pokémon are marked with the "X arch" logo, which is solid for Gigantamax compared to hollow for Dynamax. They have the same three extra moves of Max Attack (different for each Pokémon - perhaps something to explore), Max Guard, and Max Spirit that likewise need to be unlocked and/or powered up. Conceivably, with Dynamax already being "given" to start out with, these Pokémon are to be obtained after the completion of a Max Battle and likely nowhere else. The question for older Pokémon, also as with Dynamax, is open... or perhaps barely as such. Additionally, they are locked to this form (meaning that Gigantamax Pokémon aren't also Dynamax-capable) and cannot be sent to Pokémon Home, perhaps more a blessing than a curse.

The Max Battles are the same as for the Dynamax-capable Pokémon, but with major differences: they are six stars in level, indicating their exceptional difficulty, but in dealing with this, they can be battled by up to 40 Trainers in parties of 4 each, with all parties contributing damage. The difficulty seems to lie in the strategic use of Max Moves and the importance of parties... which was not quite apparent for Dynamax Pokémon of one and three stars. Regardless, given the "giga" aspect and how long Dynamax has been around, one should also come with their best Pokémon, powered up as high as necessary - for if all the Pokémon faint, one can only Cheer (there is an actual function for this), meaning that one can't rejoin as with raids. Both Dynamax and (previously caught) Gigantamax Pokémon are fair game for these Max Battles, the latter being especially helpful.

So, what makes them "harrowing" is the initial experience of the Max Battles. There had been reports of losing battles even with 40 people, but it turned out that many of them didn't have suitable Pokémon (of a high enough level, no less). Even with suitable Pokémon, some battles were still lost... until some people finally figured out the "trick" (strategy) for using the defensive Max Moves and could turn things around even with just around 20 people. Still, for some, losing a battle with this many people - something that hasn't happened in a long time - is pretty harrowing, and in my case, it has deepened a current "rift" with some people I've gotten along better in the past - which is harrowing enough.

In any case, Niantic has recognized that the Max Battles with these Pokémon may in fact be a bit too hard, and has knocked down ("nerfed") some battle parameters and increased rewards for participating in them. These changes, however, could be seen to come as "too little, too late", especially for those who have advocated non-participation in the battles (at least until many have a fair shot, including being able to make them work with fewer people). It's just another one in a long run of "harrowing" experiences, and it may take more time to alleviate all the issues and complaints.

Now that Gigantamax has made it into Pokémon Go, the "gargantuan phenomenon" of the Galar region has both parts represented in the game. However, it seems that for this part, with great power comes great responsibility grief in at least one way, according to some specific observations. Even so, past that grief, there is something to be had, and once that happens in the best way, there may just be less grief for more "big" things.

One year ago: Cosplay: District 18 Halloween & Cosplay Party

Two years ago: Shiny Pokémon in Café Remix

Three years ago: My Current Unite License Targets

Four years ago: The Halloween Cup of GBL

Five years ago: Later, Psyduck

Six years ago: Hardcore (Dis)United

Seven years ago: Duff Knows Pokémon