As I've mentioned in my post about how raids work, it is possible to undertake the raids in Pokémon Go with only a few people, even just one. This does beg the question: just how many people does it take to raid? The short answer is not as many as one might think (and often indicated by the "Suggested Group Size"); the long answer is that it is dependent on different factors, whether they be of the Trainers, the Pokémon involved, and the environment (weather). All these influence the successes of particular raids and therefore those that can or want to participate.
It has been proven that just one Trainer can sufficiently raid even up to Tier 3 raids, but they would have to have sufficiently strong and able Pokémon with CPs in the thousands, which means the Trainer Level has to be high as well to sustain those Pokémon. Legendary Pokémon obtained through Tier 5 raids also help too, though there is merit among some Trainers that try not to use them for Tier 3 and below. Beyond that, Tiers 4 and 5 practically demand cooperation among many Trainers and the most powerful Pokémon possible.
As raids are Pokémon battles with the possibility of cooperation, basic strategies that apply to Pokémon battles also apply here, especially for those who are familiar with how the main series games work. There are differences in type interactions (though minor, and this is also present in similar ways in Shuffle, for example), move structures (two moves instead of four), and battle method (action-based rather than turn-based), but the basics remain the same, where certain Pokémon are better suited against others. This may be the trigger for cooperation if desired and necessary, when a Trainer lacks the suitable battlers.
Weather too plays a part. Weather does not determine which raid bosses appear when, but it does affect how a battle progresses, which may prove beneficial to Trainers or not. On the other hand, some raid bosses are not only stronger in certain weather, but also have the potential to be Shiny, in which case interested Trainers should make a concerted effort to obtain them. Weather is regardless a potential factor to be considered for those wishing to take part.
The bottom line is that so many factors go into raids and so many different outcomes may result, though successes are indeed possible even without a great number of Trainers. It is up to them to decide when they can succeed in smaller groups and when they need reinforcements. But as I've said in my previous post, raids were (and still are) designed as cooperative activities, and that's where I see the enjoyment, as much as there is also enjoyment in taking down very powerful Pokémon and catching them as part of the loot.
One year ago: To Be Continued... maimai ORANGE (PLUS)
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
Bipeds and Quadrupeds
Way back during the onset of the seventh-generation Pokémon, there was a bit of a furor that the final evolution of the seventh-generation Fire starter - Incineroar - was once again bipedal, continuing a trend that has persisted since the first generation, and in contrast to its prior evolutionary forms. Some players questioned whether a Fire starter will ultimately have a quadrupedal form. This has gotten me to think about the state of Pokémon that walk on land with two or four appendages.
Many land-based Pokémon are clearly bipedal: they walk on two legs much like a human. Humanoid Pokémon like Machamp, Hariyama, and Gallade are naturally as such because they do very much resemble humans. However, so are some simians (monkey-like creatures) of the Pokémon world, including Primeape and Infernape, the fourth-generation Fire starter final form. Even more so are the wyverns or two-legged dragons of the world, like Charizard and Dragonite, at least when they're not flying. So there's a great deal of variety of bipedal Pokémon.
The same also goes for quadrupedal Pokémon. Naturally many felines and canines fall into this category, as Incineroar's prior forms Litten and Torracat, and as early as Persian for the former, while Arcanine and Rockruff are the respective examples for the latter. Other Pokémon like Rattata (Kanto form), Zigzagoon, and Yungoos are also quadrupedal, in resemblance to their respective real-world creatures. This situation is certainly expected, and yet there are others that somewhat differ.
Those that differ is what I would term "variables", being in the gray area between both patterns. Meowth seems to be one of those "variable" Pokémon as some are quadrupedal and some are bipedal (notably, that of Team Rocket). Zangoose is often depicted as bipedal when still and quadrupedal in motion, as is Pikachu as the de facto series mascot, though both also possess the opposite pattern. Even Typhlosion, one of the final form Fire starters, seem to be a variable, as it can move and attack both as a bipedal and a quadrupedal creature. These are the ones that don't fit either pattern generally, or rather fit into both patterns rather than just one.
It's not hard to suppose that this is just the realization of variety. Some Pokémon are bipedal by appearance and quadrupedal as is naturally expected of them, and that's respectable. But then there are those others that can be both in certain circumstances. Given this, it's as reasonable to expect that new Pokémon will be classified as either pattern as they are crossing over between the patterns; of course, Fire-type starters seem to have gained expectations of their own regarding the two patterns. Whether the next Fire starter meets or does not meet these expectations remains to be seen.
One year ago: Ride the Pokémon
Many land-based Pokémon are clearly bipedal: they walk on two legs much like a human. Humanoid Pokémon like Machamp, Hariyama, and Gallade are naturally as such because they do very much resemble humans. However, so are some simians (monkey-like creatures) of the Pokémon world, including Primeape and Infernape, the fourth-generation Fire starter final form. Even more so are the wyverns or two-legged dragons of the world, like Charizard and Dragonite, at least when they're not flying. So there's a great deal of variety of bipedal Pokémon.
The same also goes for quadrupedal Pokémon. Naturally many felines and canines fall into this category, as Incineroar's prior forms Litten and Torracat, and as early as Persian for the former, while Arcanine and Rockruff are the respective examples for the latter. Other Pokémon like Rattata (Kanto form), Zigzagoon, and Yungoos are also quadrupedal, in resemblance to their respective real-world creatures. This situation is certainly expected, and yet there are others that somewhat differ.
Those that differ is what I would term "variables", being in the gray area between both patterns. Meowth seems to be one of those "variable" Pokémon as some are quadrupedal and some are bipedal (notably, that of Team Rocket). Zangoose is often depicted as bipedal when still and quadrupedal in motion, as is Pikachu as the de facto series mascot, though both also possess the opposite pattern. Even Typhlosion, one of the final form Fire starters, seem to be a variable, as it can move and attack both as a bipedal and a quadrupedal creature. These are the ones that don't fit either pattern generally, or rather fit into both patterns rather than just one.
It's not hard to suppose that this is just the realization of variety. Some Pokémon are bipedal by appearance and quadrupedal as is naturally expected of them, and that's respectable. But then there are those others that can be both in certain circumstances. Given this, it's as reasonable to expect that new Pokémon will be classified as either pattern as they are crossing over between the patterns; of course, Fire-type starters seem to have gained expectations of their own regarding the two patterns. Whether the next Fire starter meets or does not meet these expectations remains to be seen.
One year ago: Ride the Pokémon
Monday, March 5, 2018
Being a Pokétaku
Along with the support given by one of my fellows the other day when things went wrong, the same person also introduced an interesting term to me, one that seems to mean even more now to us both and perhaps to other major Pokémon fans. That term is the one I put into the title of this post: Pokétaku. It's a term with equally fascinating roots and considerations, but more importantly than that, it shows how major fans of Pokémon can forge links with each other.
First, it would be helpful to understand the derivation of the term. "Pokétaku" is a portmanteau of two words: "Pokémon" and "otaku". The Pokémon part is obvious; the other part needs a more demanding explanation. The word "otaku" is a Japanese word that describes someone who possesses certain obsessions, in particular for anime or manga. Pokémon has both of those, not to mention a highly successful series of games, so the combination of both words makes sense. The term "Pokétaku" can then be taken as someone possessing an obsession for Pokémon things.
Given this meaning, I would indeed classify myself as a Pokétaku. I'm at the point where some people may consider it a full-on obsession. I wouldn't disagree to a certain extent, yet I would also classify it as a "fascination", since I'm as much fascinated as I am obsessed about all things Pokémon. The fact that my fellow uses the term must mean that the classification also applies. There is something that appeals about Pokémon for both of us personally that we pursue anything and everything related to it, even Go, which we also take up. We're Pokétaku people, and we enjoy it. And we're not the only ones.
My fellow has also stated that Pokétaku people are a family, and they will support others in their pursuit of Pokémon things. Based on what has transpired recently and in the past, I'd say I agree and that this is true. Many others whom I also would consider Pokétakus have shown support for each other in various ways and for various things, whether they're the games, the anime, and even merchandise. And through this forging of links, we're at the point where we can call ourselves a "family". This is a greatly appreciable thing, even now when things went wrong.
I'm happy to be a major fan of Pokémon, and I don't mind being a Pokétaku, especially with others who can also claim to be such, and more importantly give much-needed support when warranted. Beyond the term's roots and considerations, we can say that we're all in this together. And that carries a lot of meaning.
One year ago: I'm Swept Away
Sunday, March 4, 2018
How Do I Live, Without You?
And tell me now
How do I live without you?
I want to know,
How do I breathe without you?
If you ever go,
How do I ever, ever survive?
How do I, how do I, oh how do I live?
-- "How Do I Live?", originally sung by LeAnn Rimes
Something harrowing and regrettable happened after I shared the previous post I made on how earning PokéCoins are a lot like investing to my raid group. It made me feel very, very sad, something I haven't felt in a long time and not with a group of people who like Pokémon. One of my fellows has told me that things will be OK, but still, the damage had been done. It got me to think of what things would be like had I not become a Pokémon fan, and this in turn brought up this song. This song in actual fact has absolutely nothing to do with Pokémon, but to me it very much has connections to Pokémon.
It is very hard for me to imagine what my life would be like without Pokémon. As I've noted in this year's anniversary post, a reader said that Pokémon is a "savior" of sorts; I share the same sentiments. Without Pokémon, maybe I would have grown up to become a delinquent and caused lots of trouble for others, or maybe I would have grown up constantly feeling sad and empty, but I didn't. Pokémon filled the void that could conceivably have been filled by the negative sentiments I've mentioned, and possibly more. And I wouldn't have this blog, or any of the things now people know me for. It's like every bit said in the verses of the song, in particular one line: "I'd be lost if I lost you."
To take this connection one step further into Pokémon, I feel that this song also ties into one of the greatest links in the franchise: Ash and Pikachu. Based on the events of a particular adventure and the anime series overall, I'm convinced that Ash also can't become what he is without his partner. I would think that perhaps Ash would get up in the middle of the night and say the things that are sung in the song... or perhaps sing it outright. The connection seems not only believable but also powerful.
And now, I still feel quite a bit of sadness in my heart, but things go on. I still have this blog to write in, and I still have many, many Pokémon things to deal with so that I could put them into this blog, all with the hope that I can lift myself from this sad situation. It would be perhaps sadder still without Pokémon. I don't know how I would live and what things would be without Pokémon, but perhaps... that's not for me (or Ash) to know.
One year ago: Two Pokémon Notebooks
How do I live without you?
I want to know,
How do I breathe without you?
If you ever go,
How do I ever, ever survive?
How do I, how do I, oh how do I live?
-- "How Do I Live?", originally sung by LeAnn Rimes
Something harrowing and regrettable happened after I shared the previous post I made on how earning PokéCoins are a lot like investing to my raid group. It made me feel very, very sad, something I haven't felt in a long time and not with a group of people who like Pokémon. One of my fellows has told me that things will be OK, but still, the damage had been done. It got me to think of what things would be like had I not become a Pokémon fan, and this in turn brought up this song. This song in actual fact has absolutely nothing to do with Pokémon, but to me it very much has connections to Pokémon.
It is very hard for me to imagine what my life would be like without Pokémon. As I've noted in this year's anniversary post, a reader said that Pokémon is a "savior" of sorts; I share the same sentiments. Without Pokémon, maybe I would have grown up to become a delinquent and caused lots of trouble for others, or maybe I would have grown up constantly feeling sad and empty, but I didn't. Pokémon filled the void that could conceivably have been filled by the negative sentiments I've mentioned, and possibly more. And I wouldn't have this blog, or any of the things now people know me for. It's like every bit said in the verses of the song, in particular one line: "I'd be lost if I lost you."
To take this connection one step further into Pokémon, I feel that this song also ties into one of the greatest links in the franchise: Ash and Pikachu. Based on the events of a particular adventure and the anime series overall, I'm convinced that Ash also can't become what he is without his partner. I would think that perhaps Ash would get up in the middle of the night and say the things that are sung in the song... or perhaps sing it outright. The connection seems not only believable but also powerful.
And now, I still feel quite a bit of sadness in my heart, but things go on. I still have this blog to write in, and I still have many, many Pokémon things to deal with so that I could put them into this blog, all with the hope that I can lift myself from this sad situation. It would be perhaps sadder still without Pokémon. I don't know how I would live and what things would be without Pokémon, but perhaps... that's not for me (or Ash) to know.
One year ago: Two Pokémon Notebooks
Saturday, March 3, 2018
Investing for PokéCoins
Recently I've been investing for a kind of virtual currency. No, not that virtual currency that has aroused both positive and negative reactions alike, but a different kind of virtual currency, one that applies to a game. By the title of this post, that currency is of course PokéCoins, which are used for buying extra items in Pokémon Go. They can be gotten by spending actual money, but it's also just as fun (and cheaper) to get them by playing the game. And it is this process that could be considered tantamount to "investing".
First things first: a primer would be useful. PokéCoins are earned by putting Pokémon in Gyms that belong to a Trainer's team (which means this is another advantage of claiming a team). However, it's not as simple as that. A Trainer can only earn 50 PokéCoins a day, and this is more or less equivalent to about 9 hours of defending a Gym in one particular day. This point becomes important, because the first (few) Pokémon that return(s) from a Gym will return bearing PokéCoins, while the others won't. Think of it as a quota: the first Pokémon that returns having defended 9 hours on that day (using up the quota) will earn the maximum, and others that return that day won't; meanwhile, a number of Pokémon that defend for less time will earn coins proportionally from the quota, but once a Pokémon comes back using up the quota or what's left of it, others in the day won't earn coins.
Herein lies the "investing" portion. Gyms could be thought of as places to "invest" in for PokéCoins, based on activities that occur in them. Gyms where Pokémon rapidly go in and out can be places to earn some coins quickly (a "short-term investment"), while Gyms that don't have as much activity can be places where coins can be earned at a later time (a "long-term investment"). If coins are needed and they haven't been earned, Pokémon can be placed in a very active Gym, and the Gym can be battled and changed out as much as needed to earn the coins, or someone (most likely from a raid or playing group) can be asked to battle a not-so-active Gym with a stationed Pokémon to get coins. Of course, like any investment, there are risks; here there is a chance of Pokémon returning too quickly and not furnishing enough returns in PokéCoins, too many Pokémon returning and not providing returns at all, or Pokémon staying for too long and not providing returns at the right time.
This investment analogy seems to make sense. The Pokémon that Trainers have are their capital, while the medium of investment is the Pokémon Gym, and the returns are in the form of PokéCoins. Every Trainer that puts Pokémon into Gyms is effectively participating in the PokéCoin trade with the ultimate aim of generating as much return as possible for a single day's worth of PokéCoins, which may not always work out. It's much like what people do in the stock market, except that occurs with real money.
Notwithstanding the ability of Trainers to get PokéCoins by spending real money and the fact that this is needed to get more coins than the daily limit, the process to get coins by playing the game is quite an involved one that is in effect "investing". It bears resemblance to real investments, with many of the things associated with them. I personally find this fascinating and appreciable, that I can apply principles of the real world in a game; I'm now interested to see if I can do the same in the other direction and invest some of my own real money to get more of it.
One year ago: To Pre-Order or Not to Pre-Order?
First things first: a primer would be useful. PokéCoins are earned by putting Pokémon in Gyms that belong to a Trainer's team (which means this is another advantage of claiming a team). However, it's not as simple as that. A Trainer can only earn 50 PokéCoins a day, and this is more or less equivalent to about 9 hours of defending a Gym in one particular day. This point becomes important, because the first (few) Pokémon that return(s) from a Gym will return bearing PokéCoins, while the others won't. Think of it as a quota: the first Pokémon that returns having defended 9 hours on that day (using up the quota) will earn the maximum, and others that return that day won't; meanwhile, a number of Pokémon that defend for less time will earn coins proportionally from the quota, but once a Pokémon comes back using up the quota or what's left of it, others in the day won't earn coins.
Herein lies the "investing" portion. Gyms could be thought of as places to "invest" in for PokéCoins, based on activities that occur in them. Gyms where Pokémon rapidly go in and out can be places to earn some coins quickly (a "short-term investment"), while Gyms that don't have as much activity can be places where coins can be earned at a later time (a "long-term investment"). If coins are needed and they haven't been earned, Pokémon can be placed in a very active Gym, and the Gym can be battled and changed out as much as needed to earn the coins, or someone (most likely from a raid or playing group) can be asked to battle a not-so-active Gym with a stationed Pokémon to get coins. Of course, like any investment, there are risks; here there is a chance of Pokémon returning too quickly and not furnishing enough returns in PokéCoins, too many Pokémon returning and not providing returns at all, or Pokémon staying for too long and not providing returns at the right time.
This investment analogy seems to make sense. The Pokémon that Trainers have are their capital, while the medium of investment is the Pokémon Gym, and the returns are in the form of PokéCoins. Every Trainer that puts Pokémon into Gyms is effectively participating in the PokéCoin trade with the ultimate aim of generating as much return as possible for a single day's worth of PokéCoins, which may not always work out. It's much like what people do in the stock market, except that occurs with real money.
Notwithstanding the ability of Trainers to get PokéCoins by spending real money and the fact that this is needed to get more coins than the daily limit, the process to get coins by playing the game is quite an involved one that is in effect "investing". It bears resemblance to real investments, with many of the things associated with them. I personally find this fascinating and appreciable, that I can apply principles of the real world in a game; I'm now interested to see if I can do the same in the other direction and invest some of my own real money to get more of it.
One year ago: To Pre-Order or Not to Pre-Order?
Friday, March 2, 2018
Pikachu Cable Holder
In addition to the stickers that I got from the previous event and detailed the other day, I also obtained a distinctive and different kind of merchandise. It looks like a pair of Pikachu that would be commonly seen on a keychain, but connected by a band. It was explained that the item in question is a cable holder, designed to tie up loose cables and organize them. It essentially has the functions of zip ties, only this one is non-permanent and removable.
How it works is simple. Cables are put across the band, and then the two Pikachu ends are brought together and fastened; behind the Pikachu are button clips that hold the cables within the band. Undo the button clips, and the cables are loosened again - it's that simple. The concept is not novel by any means, but the appearance lends a unique quality to the execution; it's unlike any Pokémon merchandise I've seen or possessed so far, indie or official alike.
The central functional premise of the item is noble, but the premise of non-permanence is meaningful. It means that I can use the item for cables that I carry rather than the cables that don't move around. This includes cables for USB devices, chargers, and so on and so forth. In fact, I can immediately see where this would be helpful: when I carry my 3DS and I have to carry the charger along, for extremely long trips - I can use it to bind my 3DS charger cable, something that more often than not gets tangled up badly, by experience. Even so, I can still use it on cables that stay put, if only for the sake of demonstration:
Sometimes the most interesting merchandise are ones that do uniquely useful things, like this cable holder. Stickers and keychains may be pretty, but they're also somewhat typical. The cable holder is not only pretty but also works wonderfully. It may be regarded as a cue that can be considered for the creation of other merchandise, including Pokémon ones. If they're as uniquely interesting and functional as this one, I would be very, very happy to have them in my collection.
One year ago: Love My Life - Pokémon Too
How it works is simple. Cables are put across the band, and then the two Pikachu ends are brought together and fastened; behind the Pikachu are button clips that hold the cables within the band. Undo the button clips, and the cables are loosened again - it's that simple. The concept is not novel by any means, but the appearance lends a unique quality to the execution; it's unlike any Pokémon merchandise I've seen or possessed so far, indie or official alike.
The central functional premise of the item is noble, but the premise of non-permanence is meaningful. It means that I can use the item for cables that I carry rather than the cables that don't move around. This includes cables for USB devices, chargers, and so on and so forth. In fact, I can immediately see where this would be helpful: when I carry my 3DS and I have to carry the charger along, for extremely long trips - I can use it to bind my 3DS charger cable, something that more often than not gets tangled up badly, by experience. Even so, I can still use it on cables that stay put, if only for the sake of demonstration:
Sometimes the most interesting merchandise are ones that do uniquely useful things, like this cable holder. Stickers and keychains may be pretty, but they're also somewhat typical. The cable holder is not only pretty but also works wonderfully. It may be regarded as a cue that can be considered for the creation of other merchandise, including Pokémon ones. If they're as uniquely interesting and functional as this one, I would be very, very happy to have them in my collection.
One year ago: Love My Life - Pokémon Too
Thursday, March 1, 2018
Can't Get Enough of Pokémon (and Pikachu) Stickers
I really love getting Pokémon stickers from Japanese-themed events or conventions. They're among the cheapest merchandise that I can currently obtain, and they make great mementos of the event or convention. I've been to different ones and also have gotten different stickers each time; they look somewhat great too. Here are some of the ones I've gotten, including recent ones:
If it seems like there's a second running theme in all these stickers, you are not too far off the mark, since four out of the five stickers here are Pikachu stickers. But that's hardly my fault - Pikachu is after all the de facto series mascot and is the Pokémon most well-known by everyone, including those that are not deep fans of Pokémon. So stickers may always feature Pikachu in addition to other elements of Pokémon, and I say that's fine and good.
Now for some thoughts and tidbits about each sticker. The leftmost Pikachu sticker is clearly an independent artistic creation, as it is markedly different in style from official images. I must say that I've forgotten from which event I got this, but I'm certain that it was special. For the sticker in the middle, I officially received this from the AsiA event back in January, though the same indie stall has been present in some later events; moreover, a friend (and a fellow character) who knew it was my birthday bought the sticker for me as a gift, which is a nice consideration. The other three stickers, including the Pokémon logo sticker, came from the most recent one from Sunday, and it was great that I could get them then, for I had been eyeing the stickers for a while. The latter four stickers feature official or at least close to official images, which may be considered appreciable.
I haven't decided if and where I'll stick these stickers, as per their intended function. While I take my time for this consideration, it's still nice to have these stickers regardless because of the images present on them. It's hard to beat getting things that are so cheap and in most cases so memorable as well. I just can't get enough of them, and I will certainly get more in later events or conventions to come.
One year ago: Posters
If it seems like there's a second running theme in all these stickers, you are not too far off the mark, since four out of the five stickers here are Pikachu stickers. But that's hardly my fault - Pikachu is after all the de facto series mascot and is the Pokémon most well-known by everyone, including those that are not deep fans of Pokémon. So stickers may always feature Pikachu in addition to other elements of Pokémon, and I say that's fine and good.
Now for some thoughts and tidbits about each sticker. The leftmost Pikachu sticker is clearly an independent artistic creation, as it is markedly different in style from official images. I must say that I've forgotten from which event I got this, but I'm certain that it was special. For the sticker in the middle, I officially received this from the AsiA event back in January, though the same indie stall has been present in some later events; moreover, a friend (and a fellow character) who knew it was my birthday bought the sticker for me as a gift, which is a nice consideration. The other three stickers, including the Pokémon logo sticker, came from the most recent one from Sunday, and it was great that I could get them then, for I had been eyeing the stickers for a while. The latter four stickers feature official or at least close to official images, which may be considered appreciable.
I haven't decided if and where I'll stick these stickers, as per their intended function. While I take my time for this consideration, it's still nice to have these stickers regardless because of the images present on them. It's hard to beat getting things that are so cheap and in most cases so memorable as well. I just can't get enough of them, and I will certainly get more in later events or conventions to come.
One year ago: Posters
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