Friday, September 18, 2026

These Guys Are Good

There is a saying that applies to a certain realm, and that saying describes the best of the best people who are involved in that realm. Naturally, that saying is placed as the title of this post, which then serves as a guide to the discussion to come. That discussion most certainly involves Pokémon as the core topic of this blog, and with the nature of the presented saying, some relations are to be had with Pokémon and other aspects of real life.

With that, when applied to Pokémon, the saying then describes the best of the best people who deal with all kinds of Pokémon matters. Many of them would be the fierce competitors of the World Championships (like the most recent one), and especially those who can get to the later tournament stages or come out as the winner. In that sense, they're quite capable people who truly exemplify that saying of the certain other realm.

Meanwhile, other people involved with Pokémon may not be as competitive, but they can bring out the best of themselves and Pokémon in other ways. They can be artistic, influential, relatable, or any or all of the above. Their inherent capabilities with regard and relation to Pokémon would be quite different from the competitive people as above, but the fact remains that they would be considered "good" in whatever they can do with it.

Speaking of which, the saying has "guys" in it... since its original context does pertain to men in some way. But Pokémon fascinates people of all genders - including "esoteric" ones - so the saying above may need to be changed to suit. That could mean addition of or replacement by "gals" to represent the women as well as certain terms for the "esoteric" ones. Whatever happens, they can all share the spirit of the saying.

Certain people are good at certain things, and that applies well to Pokémon fans with all the things they can do that involve this great franchise. With that, the given saying in the title can and should become applicable to any and every one of those fans with their capabilities. The result would be a wonderful thing to show off; in a way that could perhaps be like the original intent of the saying that applied in the realm of its concern.

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Thursday, September 17, 2026

Common Things Seen in My Other Pokémon Dreams

I've written about my Pokémon dreams from time to time on this blog, at least when they happen and I'm fortunate enough to (have a way to) remember them - and most aren't. That seems to be the case for some of my most recent dreams as well as others from the past. Yet while the dreams are lost to time by now, I can still identify a few things that are apparent features of those dreams along with their relation to Pokémon, though the things themselves may not necessarily be related to Pokémon.

Since I'm a Pokémon cosplayer, it would be conceivable that sometimes a stage would appear in some of those dreams. That stage would obviously be where I'd be performing with my Pokémon cosplay - which more often than not would involve Ash - whether as part of a competition, or if I'm lucky, with a group performing together. Admittedly, the latter has been a rarity in real life, and the same goes for its appearance in my dreams - but they do appear, and so it has to be included in this discussion.

Then, bicycles also make an occasional appearance. I've noted in the past that I enjoy two-wheeled vehicles to some capacity, and Pokémon has those in some form. Naturally, in some of my dreams, they come together, additionally with the Trainers who are known to have used them (Red comes to mind in this case). They make for nice dreams, but at some point I have to be aware that the dream is just a dream, lest other fantasies "take over" and that's when I start a digress from Pokémon, not for discussion here.

Most simply, sometimes a table may appear in my Pokémon dreams. Tables are important in some instances of Pokémon gaming (TCG, obviously), and as such, they've occasionally made an appearance where Pokémon games have been a concern in my dreams. Of course, tables can and do serve as a feature for where people meet, and that becomes the context in my Pokémon dreams when gaming didn't become a concern. Whatever the case, both contexts involve me relating to other people and Pokémon.

A dream can be described as an amalgam of thoughts and experiences that occur while the mind is at rest. For someone whose mind may constantly involve Pokémon matters, that means it can become involved in dreams if the mind lets it, and that is a given fact with all the Pokémon dreams I've had. And if those dreams happen to involve particular things appearing within them, like the things above, they might just be telling of how I regard Pokémon and how different things apply to all my dealings with it.

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Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Symbolic Representation of TCG Actions

Something that players of the Pokémon TCG may or may not realize is that no matter what language the cards are in - given the fact that the cards do in fact have different language versions - they have to perform the same exact actions, which hopefully the different language versions should outline clearly. To that end, I then thought about how the action descriptions in the cards could also be expressed in symbolic form as an alternative to expression by language.

A few reasons play into this thought and interest. One of them is that the card actions as they are described on some cards, in particular with rather stretchy ideations of the card actions, can seem like "walls of text". Using symbols for descriptions might make things less daunting for some players, although decoding the symbols might in turn demand the brunt of the work. Therefore, symbols might be a better fit for players who already have the basic skills down pat.

For example, various "flip a coin" actions can be expressed as the following, using actions denoted by emoji since they're rather ubiquitous by now:

"Flip a coin" = 🪙
"Flip n coins" = 🪙🔢 (where 🔢 is a number n)
"Flip a coin until you get tails" = 🪙➡️🐉 (🐉 can be subbed for the Rhydon face, the archetype of "tails")

Certainly, if this were to be made official, Pokémon would have to make the symbols purposively unique and not just simply use generic emoji.

It can be seen that if the right symbols are used with proper sequencing of those symbols, it would not be hard to make them mean the same as with any language the Pokémon TCG comes in. As such, the usage of symbols allows the cards to take one closer step of becoming "language independent", although more would still need to be done to achieve this. That's also something good to be saved for a future discussion, but the gist is that the possibility may be achievable.

Having the card actions in Pokémon TCG be described in an abstract yet meaningful manner through symbols is admittedly rather fanciful, yet it could also be regarded as surprisingly workable, depending on the viewpoints of certain parties that might be involved. It would take some development and a little persuasion to get things going, but the results might be off some interest to some players as a succinct and independent way of describing the familiar card actions.

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Tuesday, September 15, 2026

More Boost Emblems for Pokémon Unite - Possible?

Although Pokémon Unite at this point could be considered to be in a state of decline, there may be room to discuss what could be added to or improved for the game, with the hope that the decline could perhaps be stalled or reversed somehow. One of those things concerns boost emblems, which in the past I've updated my progress on a couple of times. Now I'm bringing it back, albeit for positing additions or improvements to it.

In my earlier update, I had said that they are currently composed of Pokémon species from the first and second generations, as well as the Eon Pokémon (Latias and Latios), Zacian, the Sprigatito line, and Miraidon. The complete generations are pretty solid, but the "out of band" Pokémon seem like an afterthought - yet it's not completely a bad thing if the emblems could one day be expanded to fill their generations, which obviously hasn't happened.

While there may be several reasons for explaining why these emblems haven't been expanded, a couple of them may be the primary ones. The first would be the apparent decline as I have mentioned; the second would be that the current set of emblems are likely sufficient in all their combinations for boosting the Pokémon that players use. Both of these may hinder a planned expansion, though if it is willed, it may just happen regardless.

For that, the most obvious target for expansion would certainly be filling in the rest of the third generation species so that the Eon Pokémon aren't lonely where they are. That can potentially generate emblems that could work in new combinations. If that seems like it could become a burden for the game, then relevant species to Unite Licenses that are currently present may be an option to do the same but in a more direct manner with relation to them.

The addition of new Pokémon boost emblems to Pokémon Unite may or may not happen at the current pace the game is going, but it's still fanciful to think about and consider, since other additions are still in progress for the game despite its apparent status of decline. In any case, the system itself still has to be dealt with by new and old players alike, so it has to be taken into account by them to make the most (and best) of this continuing Pokémon game.

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Monday, September 14, 2026

Mediocre with Niantic, Downgraded with Scopely?

Many of those who play Pokémon Go will recognize that the game has had its highs and lows during the Niantic Games era, which in a way averages out to make a mediocre experience - which some players could attest. After the sale of Niantic Games to Scopely, becoming Scopely Explore under it, there were still the same highs and lows... yet there seems to be some more of the latter by way of the new party's control. As a result, some players have construed the experience as being "downgraded", and I'd like to discuss that.

One way that the "downgrade" has actually happened is the most recent reduction of Team Go Rocket balloons from four a day (every six hours) to just one, forcing Trainers to scout areas for grunts and leaders, which is already hard with their low frequency and can be even harder for those in rural areas with few PokéStops. In any case, it is a "downgrade" because the previous standard of four is, well... a standard, offering a modest experience amidst the mediocrity of still having to scout for Team Go Rocket PokéStops for more battle chances.

Then, the gaffes that occur with Niantic Games still occur under Scopely Explore, similarly even though the circumstances are different. The most recent one is the forced makeup of the second day of Go Fest Global, specifically with regard to raids; raid events needing to be made up has happened before and from time to time, but if they keep happening, there may be something to be said about the game's handling of the feature, then and now. Also, other features may still glitch up occasionally.

If there is something to be gained from the situation, it is that the sale of Niantic Games to Scopely does not necessarily solve all problems that may, have, or will come up. In addition, the changes like the big one mentioned above shows that the "heavy-handedness" of Scopely itself that I had previously mentioned in discussing the sale is starting to creep in, becoming a manifestation of the concerns also previously outlined. That could become a disincentive for those already playing or even coming back to play.

Even with the problems that plague it (at least, from time to time), Pokémon Go is still a good game, just hampered by the arcane developments it had to go through and more recently the sale to another "suitor". That may be what reflects its mediocrity as has been evident all throughout the Niantic Games era. Now that the era has turned over to Scopely, the challenge becomes how to maintain the existing player base and rake in both inactive and new players alike while upgrading profits while not "downgrading" things further.

Three years ago: Watch What I Say
Four years ago: Into the Deep Blue
Five years ago: Dancing with Pokémon
Seven years ago: The Appeal of the TCG
Eight years ago: A Pokémon Watch
Nine years ago: Three's Demise
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Sunday, September 13, 2026

Cosplay: MCP Coshow 2 & Foodtopia Season 5

Goh: Yeah, that's expected. So, another "twofer" this weekend?

Me: Yup, yesterday and today. That was the thing after Community Day yesterday and all day today.

Ash: And both of them with me in my Kalos outfit! ...I guess it's to make things easy for all of us.

Pikachu: Pika chu! ["Very easy!"]

Me: That would certainly be the point. 

Goh: And we're familiar with both of them because one was earlier this year...


Me: Good recall. For that, I also thought of combining both into a single discussion (and since Community Day was yesterday anyhow). So, let's start with the first one. 

Goh: That one was yesterday, I'll bet.

Ash: It was! At the same place, obviously.

Goh: With the same people?

Ash: Sure! But they did bring in a game community - not for us, but you get the drift.

Goh: But beyond that, the entertainment had to be practically the same.

Ash: Dance groups, singers, and games. I saw pretty much the main ones.

Pikachu: Pika pika pika... ["All still the same..."]

Goh: Well, I'm sure the character parade is also still the same, and you got into it.

Ash: No strings attached, so yeah. But I did try to make things different. I started with my cap and gloves off this time and put them on when it happened.

Goh: OK, yeah, that's different all right. Was it enough to get something?

Ash: Yeah! I got Favorite Male Character!

Me: Very nice! The effort can really work out sometimes.

Goh: That is great. And you had a good time at the place with your friends.

Ash: I did.

Me: Then that brings us to the second one, which was today and should be the same old food festival trying to bring in people.

Ash: Same place, same people, and all that. But I did come when there was a cheerleading competition before our stuff began.

Goh: So the festival brings in all kinds of organizers for different things.

Me: Goh is right. This seems to be the methodology for all kinds of festivals here for bringing in people.

Pikachu: Chu! Pika! [imitates cheering]

Goh: Can't blame them for trying. OK, so this time, did you try any of the food? I don't think we talked about that much in any of the past years. 

Ash: Well, back then it was only little bits of things, but this time I got to try quite a bit of things - enough for lunch and dinner. They always have a lot of things going on.

Goh: I would think. But then that also goes for our festival.

Ash: Just some dance groups this time, along with the character parade.

Me: Speaking of which... since you dealt with food, you didn't deal with that.

Ash: No - I thought it could be like three years ago when I came with the same outfit, so I spent the day eating and talking with your friends.

Me: Well, I think that's a good call. I'm sure the winners were "just that".

Ash: Um... yeah. "Just that."

Goh: After eating and talking with friends, then it was back to our friend.

Ash: Yup, just like that.

Pikachu: Pika pika chu. ["All done after that."]

Me: So, after all that, the old saying is true again - the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Ash: But not completely! All your friends are (were) really different for each one.

Goh: I think both of you have your points.

Me: While I'm not sure what or where the next big one will be, there might just be some ways to make it different.

Ash: But Pokémon can always stay the same for us. 

Goh: That's a sure thing.

Me: Absolutely. It's a "go-to" for wherever we go to. You get my drift.

Three years ago: Spoiler Alert
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Saturday, September 12, 2026

Pokémon Go Community Day Classic, 9/12/2026

Today is Community Day Classic in Pokémon Go, but I'm going to preface it by saying that apparently, it will be the only kind of Community Day that will be present this month - which means that the non-Classic regular edition is absent. Nothing else has been stated (officially) about the plan, and some Trainers have associated the missing regular edition with Go Fest Mega Finale, with it taking a "bite" (and a big one at that) of the regular edition. Nevertheless, there is a "biting" element to this edition of Community Day Classic as well.

Since Totodile has already been done, it's obviously for a different Pokémon that can bite, and that would be for Gible, last seen in June 2021. When it's fully evolved to Garchomp through Gabite, it still learns the special move of Earth Power, and the bonus also remains triple XP for those who still seek it. As usual, there are extensions for Incense and Lure Modules, both with their modern lengths of three hours and and one hour, and photo bombs. Thus, the effort of updating past editions with modern features is still an ongoing one for this edition.

For that, some Gible in the wild as well as encounters from Field Research, Timed Research (community), and Special Research (paid, still with the title of "Just a Nibble") have the modern special background; the last of these also has the modern structure. Of course, those who still want to make the most of it can encounter a few more Gible past the main event hours by putting up Lure Modules up to 9 PM, which is also the cutoff for obtaining the special move as above and represents another added modern feature.

New this time is a Collection Challenge that is completed by catching a Gible and evolving it through its evolution line to earn Garchomp Mega Energy. This makes it the first time that the feature has returned since March this year, which is what I hinted in an earlier post. Certainly, it is well-deserved and becomes a novel implementation for it.

Meanwhile, as for my dealings with this edition, it's not exactly "mine", and there are good reasons for that, which are to be explained with the help of others...

Me: Right then, so it's the Gible line today. You have one, don't you?

Ash: Yeah! And we all know Cynthia has a Garchomp.

Goh: And then there's Mega Evolution and all that jazz.

Ash: You had me take care of this one in your area today. Luckily, I met a couple of your friends who could help out with that.

Pikachu: Pika pika. ["Good thing."]

Me: Well, don't expect it to happen every time with them. (I don't expect it to happen for myself either.) But at least today worked out somehow.

Ash: Yeah. We met at the mall and walked a little bit past it. I caught as many Gible as possible, completed the challenge, and then... went off for something else.

Goh: Well, if there's a "something else", that means our friend has something in mind - something that happens locally.

Me: Certainly. But that's for a separate discussion soon enough.

Without a regular or non-Classic edition for this month, it might seem that something is afoot with Pokémon Go - perhaps, not in this particular context. But having the ever-popular Gible line return for Community Day might be a satisfactory way to take a bite off the big things.

Two years ago: No Lies... and Lies
Three years ago: A Win for the Ages
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