Pokémon Champions Unleashed

Meanwhile, the next stage in Pokémon battling in the style of the main series games and by proxy VGC as well has been released - specifically, on this very day. So, with that, it seems deserving to make an "unleashed" post for it, for that very reason in line with mostly other games in the same vein that have received the same treatment on this very blog. After that, things are to be taken as they proceed for this game and beyond.

As duly noted by its preview in Pokémon Presents, this first release is for the Nintendo Switch, with the mobile versions (phones and the like) to come later. Because the game itself is free, even prospective Pokémon fans like me should download it right away if they possess the console... and I've done just that. The rest of the dealings with the game will be something for me to take care of when I'm a little more free from other matters.

Yet whether it's on the Switch or on mobile later on, the game will be able to be augmented through paid items and things. On the Switch, that has partially come in the form of a Starter Pack that adds Pokémon storage and includes quantities of two items. For the hardcore battle fiends, they'll be useful to get immediately, but I'm going to take my time and see how things go before making the decision to "invest" on it for its offerings.

Then, a tournament has already been planned for the game involving a local group, but I'm not going to participate in it or any others before I deem myself to be ready for that purpose. Meanwhile, I'm also looking into renewing my Pokémon Home subscription so that I can already use the stock of Pokémon I already have for possible usage in this game. If anything, the possibilities are already indicated to be grand for this game.

One of my VGC fellows has stated that VGC enters a "new era" with this game, and with that, it really seems like a "new era" worth considering. The prospect of actually using Pokémon from various other linkable games to battle in the same style as the regular main series games is attractive, especially since it is officially sanctioned for the upcoming World Championships as such. That is a really great thing to be "unleashed", even by this post.

One year ago: Shiny Pokémon in TCGP

Two years ago: Pokémon for the Sake of Pokémon?

Three years ago: Pokémon: Hisuian Snow

Four years ago: On Trainer Footwear

Five years ago: Doing Well on Pokémon Quizzes, Right Now

Six years ago: Voyager of Glory

Seven years ago: You Can, I Can

Eight years ago: (Continuing the) Local Ex-Raid, 4/8/2018

Nine years ago: On the Road Again

Justice for Celebration

This blog is intended to cover all kinds of Pokémon matters, including the ones that present themselves as "problems", for as I've said some years ago, I consider those "problems" as ones that also apply to me. One of them, incidentally, has come in a "this-just-in" manner and has become quite pertinent to me: it pertains to Pokémon Go and its competitive (PvP) side, the latter of which has colored a part of my experiences with said game. It also affords me to take a stand... for the matter also involves taking a stand, in a way.

Recently, at the Orlando Regional Championships, a very determined Firestar73 won the final battle of the final match... only for the competitor to place headphones a little too hard while on stream just after doing so. The act was deemed as "unsportsmanlike behavior", and this annulled the hard-earned victory by giving the match win to the opponent instead. Yet the act was not done out of spite nor intended as such - the competitor simply just got excited about the win, and quite so. As such, observers have regarded the situation as being an "injustice" and have called for the win to be restored or perhaps made up for in some way.

Word about the situation has been making the rounds on social media, including a certain Pokémon Go group close to me, so having been informed about it, I thought that I needed to make a discussion about it. What also needs to be discussed is how the situation reflects not only an "injustice" to what actually happened (by reports, Firestar73 was in fact sportsmanlike after the happening by shaking hands with the competitor) but also an "injustice" to spur-of-the-moment celebration - especially one that arises out of sudden elation - after a fair match, which is why this post is titled as such, to address the situation in a fair manner.

Given the circumstances of the matter, I feel that it could totally apply to me, if I had the chops to compete at such a high level. It is quite possible for me to be "caught up in the moment" as Firestar73 had been at that time, especially with the progression that allowed the competitor to reach the finals. In this way, I might just do exactly what the competitor did, and in that state of affairs, things might just turn out in the same way with me at the center of it. I'd also be nervous and wary about competing - notwithstanding an already "toxic" environment for such in my local area - if my efforts can be annulled by a situation like the above.

Calls are still mounting for justice to be given to Firestar73, and this post by me represents my contribution to the matter. As I've stated above, I consider problematic matters of Pokémon to be my problem as well, and what transpired with the competitor is a real problem indeed for competitive Pokémon gaming (specifically for the rather fast-paced Pokémon Go realm that becomes its precursor), and evidently to some extent for me as well. Justice has to be delivered rightfully, and at that point there will be a time to celebrate.

One year ago: TCGP: Welcoming the Shining Revelry

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Classic, 4/7/2024

Three years ago: Quickies: Pokémon in My Countryside

Four years ago: The Silph Arena Factions Post-Season

Five years ago: Let's Go Meet New and Old Friends

Six years ago: Leaping off Ledges

Seven years ago: Scat-Poké-Land

Eight years ago: Let's Go Research

Nine years ago: Caravansary

The Joy of Clearing Mission Bingo Cards All at Once

I've covered the quite rewarding feature of Mission Bingo in Café Remix a somewhat longish time ago, and this time I want to come back to it to discuss a more pleasant aspect concerning the feature. Now, the objective is certainly to clear the bingo cards line by line, but something that might bring joy to some players (like me) is being able to clear an entire card and all of its lines all at once. It's a fascinating feat that is certainly doable with this feature, and thus this post serves to "enlighten" regarding that feat.

Recall that the bingo cards are composed of spaces containing objectives, which when cleared mark off the lines. Thus, to accomplish the above feat, all of the objectives (or at least, the ones remaining) need to be cleared at the same time. I say "remaining" because a player will most likely need to look at a bingo card at least once to find out the objectives on it, and in doing so is likely to have several of them already completed and marking off spaces. As such, only the ones left incomplete are crucial for accomplishing it.

For that, most of the current bingo cards will have objectives tied to a current event (if not obvious, at least they're implied), so it's possible to mark off those spaces and lines by playing through the event. It's the remaining objectives that aren't tied to an event (or its gameplay) that a player will have to look at, keep in mind, and complete right away - which means the above situation. After that, it's mostly an easy matter of playing through the event for the remaining objectives, which will allow that feat to be achieved.

As a historical note, it used to be that the bingo cards had objectives that demanded certain numbers of lines to be cleared (5 or 10 lines), which meant that the feat was not possible since those objectives could only be cleared by viewing the card to verify their completion. Recent bingo cards have dispensed with these objectives, and that made the feat possible with just the objectives currently present, with all remaining objectives marked off in a cascade, the lines cleared by indication, and the rewards shown and obtained all at once.

The satisfaction in accomplishing the feat, of course, is the completion of the cards in the best way possible, being in an immediate fashion. There too is a sense of excitement with the way the card is marked off - and perhaps to some extent, obtaining the rewards outlined for it - which would definitely make any player of the game happy, including me. Now that I have outlined and discussed the feat and its joy, it's up to other players to try to accomplish it and feel the same happiness that I feel and have felt with that very accomplishment.

One year ago: Graphic Improvements, Lagging in Gameplay?

Two years ago: Changes to Slow Cooking in Café Remix

Three years ago: Few Abilities, Much Wisdom

Four years ago: One More Day, Time, and Chance

Five years ago: Quickies: Going to the Safari

Six years ago: PvP Charged Attack Technique

Seven years ago: Friend Cascade

Eight years ago: Icons, Images, and Such

Nine years ago: These Foolish Things Remind Me of Pokémon

Cosplay: Cosplay Expo Regional Event

Me: Continuing on...

Ash: Oh, this continues the one from January!

Me: You bet. So we don't have to talk too much about the background, because it's clear. 

Goh: But this is the "regional" one... as in your region?

Me: It sure is. That means it's also in the faraway place as promised...

Goh: So it's another "there and back" thing like last Saturday. 

Ash: Yeah. I guess it's a little tiring, but anything for our friend. 

Pikachu: Pi pika chu... ["It's tiring..."]

Goh: Well, if it's like the one before, then this must have been a two-day thing.

Me: Right you are.

Ash: And... the character parade was yesterday, wasn't it. I saw only a performance competition today.

Me: On the money. I was busy with something else, so I couldn't possibly send you yesterday.

Ash: I see. Yeah, so today it is.

Goh: What else did you see other than the competition?

Ash: Lots of booths, for the character people and goodies people.

Goh: Well, you must have met all the people our friend wanted you to meet.

Ash: Yeah! So that happened, with me in my Sinnoh outfit just like last week.

Pikachu: Pi pika chu! ["It was so fun!"]

Goh: And there had to have been entertainment today too.

Ash: Dance groups and a band. Plus a dance-off in the late afternoon.

Goh: That's pretty standard. But maybe there were other highlights for you today.

Ash: One of the booths held an open mic, so I jumped in and sang!

Goh: What did you sing?

Ash: Um... that pirate theme thing... since the others sent in characters from that.

Me: Oh, well, I guess I'm in that kind mood too.

Ash: Maybe if they have it again somewhere else, I'll sing "Mezase Pokémon Master".

Me: Sure! We can make up for it whenever.

Pikachu: Pika pika! ["Very neat!"]

Goh: Anything else? 

Ash: I caught a lot of Dedenne before going back from the place.

Goh: Oh, an added Pokémon thing. 

Me: Well, there you go. So, maybe some things didn't turn out the way I intended, but um... I'm surely going to try to get on with them somehow.

Goh: I'm still interested to see how you'd make that work out.

Me: Again, I'll have to find out how that can be possible

Ash: You know, the place was so big, so everyone had a great time.

Goh: Where was it?

Ash: It was an expo center outside of the city downtown.

Me: I've been there myself for a different event, so yeah, that's a pretty neat place.

Pikachu: Pika pika! ["Very neat!"]

Me: Anyhow, I still want to start out smaller somehow to get on with those things.

Goh: Don't pressure yourself too hard - but try to get it done.

Ash: Goh has the right idea!

Me: After these two expos, the intent and drive to "expose" is still there.

One year ago: Reward Road: The Pokémon Go "Loyalty Program"

Two years ago: Let's Talk About Common Causes

Three years ago: The Language of Money

Four years ago: Keeping Things Down

Five years ago: Pretty Colors of the Prism

Six years ago: Writer Shortcuts

Seven years ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2017 T-Shirt Replica

Eight years ago: 1000 Pokémon Species?

Nine years ago: That Way You've Got

Dealing with Go Pass Offerings

Now that the Go Pass is more widespread in Pokémon Go beyond the prime paid events (Go Tour, Go Fest, and Go Wild Area) and their associated prelude events, I consider that it is necessary to provide tips - based on my experience - for dealing with what they have to offer. It certainly makes the events a lot more exciting and rewarding, but at the same time they have a few quirks that one can take advantage of according to one's needs and situations. Hence, the tips may just be useful in that regard.

First up, aside from purchasing the Deluxe track through the in-game shop, it can also be purchased through the Web Store, and like most other purchases, it has more value that way. In fact, many will feature just the Deluxe track, Deluxe track with extra ranks, and Deluxe track with extra ranks and more bonus items as purchasing options - each of them valued differently, of course. It is up to the player to choose the best option for them and how far (in rank) they've progressed on the Go Pass accordingly.

With that, if a player is already set to want or need the prime item of a Go Pass (such as the Lucky Trinket or a Bottle Cap), that player should buy the Deluxe track right away - with the rank boost if necessary or applicable - and deal with the extra rewards as they come. Otherwise, if the player is still unsure, the player can defer purchase of the Deluxe track until the last moment the Go Pass is available... which I've done in the past. Still, that does mean dealing with a lot of rewards all at once.

Speaking of which, the "Claim All" button makes it easy to get everything - especially if only "petty" rewards are left - but a player should try to claim certain rewards as their usage potential becomes apparent (like Poké Balls for a capture event) instead of waiting until the end. Pokémon encounters in the past had to be dealt with individually, but although they can now be dealt with in a sequential manner by "Claim All", it's still advisable to manually go through them one by one for what they may be.

Last but not least is making sure that one earns all the points one needs to go up through the ranks. On the initial few days, there is often a limit, but on the final days, there are no limits - and thanks to Daily Discoveries, Mondays are double point days. Players will have to check which actions earn points for a Go Pass by tapping the rank progression points, especially for the days for which limits are set. Whatever the tasks, some commitment is surely needed to ensure good progression on this.

The Go Pass is now certainly a vital part of minor and major events in Pokémon Go, and as such, knowing how to deal with it for its paid aspect and rewards can be quite helpful to make sure that the effort of obtaining and using the rewards measure up to what was paid (or not paid) for them. The aspect will be here to stay for the events ahead - even if their rewards are fleeting due to the way they are used up - and there will certainly be some lasting impressions from making good use of all that it can offer.

One year ago: Pokémon and (Other) Sports: New Inroads

Two years ago: The Profile of My Saved WhatsApp Pokémon Stickers

Three years ago: Silph Arena Web Site Quirks

Four years ago: All the Trainers Are Nemesis

Five years ago: Moody Friends, Moody Pokémon

Six years ago: The Primary Warning of Pokémon Go

Seven years ago: Local EX Raid (and Nothing), 4/4/2019

Eight years ago: Gambling Not Permitted

Nine years ago: One Thing

Pokémon Paths on Water

There are two ways of interpreting "paths on water": it could be a track on land (or other surfaces) that is bordered by water on two sides, or it could be a course that is fully or almost fully present on water. Both of these "paths" are present in the real world in various guises. Since the Pokémon world is based on (or a mirror of) the real world, it is conceivable that they would also be present there - and in fact, they are. For that reason (and one more), it seems apt to try to make a discussion out of them somehow, which this post attempts to do.

For the first kind, some examples are noticeable across various regions in the Pokémon world. The causeways on the eastern side of Kanto are particularly long instances in this regard, while the one in the Hoenn region for a pond between Petalburg City and Rustboro City is a shorter one. Then there are the strips of land under the Cycling Road in the latter region, serving as the alternate track (for non-cyclists, especially) to that venue. These paths definitely cross or pass through water and thus satisfy one of the interpretations of the phrase above.

Meanwhile, the second kind is particularly evident for the first few early regions where one is expected to have a Pokémon that knows the Surf move for carrying the Trainer across water (and a requisite Gym badge to be able to do so) to go through various region portions that are almost completely over water - termed "sea routes". Later regions don't follow the mechanic as much, although Alola does allow actual surfing to be able to travel across certain islands. In a way, you see the path when you see them, a concept that does take some effort to grasp.

What about the phrase itself? Well, for me, that's evocative of a musical piece with the exact same title by Yanni, an artist I'm obviously fond of. It's actually a fast-sounding piece that could be construed as a remix of another one of his pieces, which I might or might not get to on this blog at a later point in time. The vision that I have is a dynamic one of literally hopping across water, which is evocative of traversing the "sea routes" as above. Then again, it is also very much evocative of the surface paths as explained; in either case, Pokémon can play into that.

"Paths on water" do conjure up certain images and interpretations, particularly for traveling over them; they're certainly likely to appear in some places where bodies of water are present, and moving over them might be literally and figuratively quick, as quick as the sound of the mentioned musical piece. And in all of this, Pokémon can become relevant by the presence of such paths in the world as well as the imagery of being with them on these paths according to the circumstances. It's a vivid and lively one for Pokémon fans, and especially me.

One year ago: A Unite's Dozen of Victories

Two years ago: Three Pokémon Visions in Dreams

Three years ago: Tournament: SWEEP JR vs. Sac and The City (SA Factions)

Four years ago: The Type Is Wild

Five years ago: Cosplay: "How Are You, Communities?"

Six years ago: Subcultures and Specialties

Seven years ago: Pokémon and eSports

Eight years ago: Fondness for Latias and Latios

Nine years ago: A Story of Love, A Story of Passion

Quickies: Washed-Out Altaria

Many fans will recognize the "cotton bird" that is Altaria as the evolved form of Swablu. It's certainly an impressive-looking creature with its wings that are literally made of "fluff". Despite that being the case, what may be less known is that those wings can actually be quite delicate; said wings can actually lose their fluff when exposed to water (and particularly a lot of that), making it and the Pokémon seem "washed-out" as a result.

This situation has in fact been depicted in the anime at one point in time. An Altaria was shown as having been exposed to a lot of water, turning its wings from a fluffy wonder to a limp shade of itself. Understandably, the wings had to go through a drying process in order for them to return to their glorious appearance, and the situation becomes a practical confirmation of a Pokémon oddity that may or may not be known by many.

Meanwhile, as a more sentimental and personal relation to this phenomenon, at times I feel like a "washed-out" Altaria myself, in the sense that I feel like I was flushed with great quantities of water spiritually or figuratively, and not in a good way either. Like the actual Altaria being incredibly moistened with that water, I'd have to go through the "drying process", which may not necessarily be simple or brief according to the situation.

The example of Altaria losing the fluff in its wings due to exposure to lots of water may seem comical at the surface, but beyond that, it can be rather serious for real Trainers who possess this very species in this world. Dealing with it could be an effort in itself, analogous to dealing with feelings of figuratively going through the same thing. At least, Altaria remains majestic even with this situation and conundrum that could make it less so.

One year ago: My Prospects for Pokémon Virtual Console Games?

Two years ago: Going through the 13s

Three years ago: Seeing Polkadots in the Silph Arena

Four years ago: Language Bridging Songs

Five years ago: Getting Collective and Connective with Pokémon

Six years ago: Quizzes and Knowledge

Seven years ago: Going For New Competitions

Eight years ago: Artistic License

Nine years ago: I Found You, Black and White