Tournament: Raid Group Master League Classic

In the last raid group tournament that I participated in, or at least the write-up for it, I noted that my raid group might be open to initiate other tournaments with other formats, and the result is this tournament. It is very, very different from the usual tournaments, especially one that is assisted by the Silph Arena, which is also the case for this tournament. But since I've taken part in it, I need to detail how it went and how I did, especially now that it has concluded.

Evidently, this tournament utilizes the Master League Classic format, which disallows Pokémon greater than Level 40. The decision to utilize Master League Classic was made by voting, and many chose it due to its relatively greater accessibility over the Master League. Either way, the format is not too common for the Silph Arena, and it certainly can't count for its season as it demands Great League and other themed cups. However, the Arena itself provides the facility to battle with a unique method, so it can and does serve well for the format. For those wondering why Ultra League was skipped, that is because there wasn't much interest for the format, and so things went on to Master League, Classic in this case.

Like the previous tournament, this one has a one-round-one-day scheduling and therefore extended times for each round. Even so, one round, the third, was extended for another day due to one of the participants being entirely unavailable then; since it's just my raid group and we know each other sufficiently well, plus this tournament being more on the informal side, it is possible to do this, whereas in more formal and time-restricted tournaments this would automatically result in a loss for the unresponsive participant. The start of the tournament itself had already been delayed a day to allow more to join in; it started on last Friday evening and ended yesterday, at which point a winner emerged.

That winner, though, wasn't me. I ended up second from the bottom, next to the only participant that bombed all rounds, without being able to win any battles. Meanwhile, I was able to win just one round with a total shutout - incidentally against the one that lost everything - while I got shut out in the others, including against the one who would win the tournament; I came very close to winning one of the battles I lost, though I'm not sure it would have made any real difference. Regardless, it seems that I may not be too fit for (competitive) affairs of this League caliber, though I may still be able to try at times and eke out a few lucky wins.

It was actually because of this tournament that my focus on the Go Battle League shifted between the Little Jungle Cup and Master League Classic; going into the latter was in part directed as practice for this tournament. In the time I practiced, I did get the lucky wins that I expected would happen before promptly bombing a series of them, and that might have been a telltale sign that the Master League Classic tournament wasn't going to end up as well as I thought it could. But switching back to Little Jungle Cup didn't do much in the way of wonders, and I ended being humbled. At least there is still a shred of confidence in Master League Classic by having gone through this tournament.

With the way this tournament went, it may be an open question as to whether my raid group will open the floor to more tournaments (particularly, for the new Silph Arena season) and whether I will participate in them. Yet it is likely that if the former happens, the latter might just happen as well. The challenge will always be how I and the other participants can adapt to the format, scheduling, and progression, as with this one of unusually high caliber.

One year ago: Let's Talk About Phones and Gadgetry

Two years ago: Livestream and Let Livestream

Three years ago: Cosplay: SJF - Tomodachi 3

Four years ago: Iron Trainers?

One Girl Is Company, Two Girls Are...

Jenny, oh Jenny

Joy, oh Joy

A one-woman man's what I wanna be

But there's two perfect girls for me...

-- "Two Perfect Girls", Eric Stuart

I've brought up the likenesses of Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy along with some real connections in two different quick posts. They're strong characters to be sure, and they're particularly strong for another Pokémon character: Brock. They're frequent subjects of his adoration, if not for any female character in general, and that adoration is the subject of a song sung by Brock himself about the company that they may provide for him.

Remarkably, the song is sung in English, which is neat for western fans. It is also in effect a "character song" as Brock himself divulges a particular characteristic of his own character - his interest for people of the opposite gender, but particularly for the two characters above. He does exactly that in two verses and a characteristic chorus that has been quoted above, plus a third variant that goes beyond those two characters.

The song is also characteristic as it highlights the singing capabilities of Eric Stuart, the old voice actor for Brock. It sounds remarkably passionate from the slow and mostly spoken intro to the upbeat rest of the song, complemented by the occasional background singers. Of course, it has to be: aside from dealing with Pokémon, Brock's passion is girls, girls, and girls, specifically the ones he has called out as "perfect".

Ostensibly, this song has a lot of character. It's about a character singing his hearts out for another two characters in the most characteristically way possible. It seems fair to say that the song is fully "perfect" for Brock as he sings about the perfection of two very specific girls (and even more) that he could only wish to have as company together yet could only have one. At least, that's a perfectly strong statement of character in some ways.

One year ago: Official Representative Pokémon for Regions

Two years ago: (Not) Sparkling Names

Three years ago: My Town, Pokémon Town

Four years ago: What's in a Name?

Quickies: Nurse Joy, the Maintainer of Health

Some of my recent affairs have dealt with real-world people that could be identified as the analogues of the Pokémon characters who deal with and preserve the health of Pokémon, which would be Nurse Joy. They're responsible for restoring the health of Pokémon when running low and if necessary to take advanced measures to make sure that happens. It's a necessity and someone has to do it, given what Pokémon are subject (or subjected) to day in and day out. The relation between the imagined characters and the real people is also deserving of a quick discussion.

One of those recent affairs involved a general but massively directed effort to maintain the health of as many people as possible. During that time, I met many people who are considered to be like "Nurse Joy", and they directed me just like any Nurse Joy would to restore Pokémon to good health in general circumstances. Meanwhile, earlier on, I had to have myself go through a health check that was assisted by a couple of people who are "Nurse Joy" in some sense, and they specifically dealt with me just like when a specific Pokémon needed their attention. In either case, their health maintenance tasks are rather evident.

When they have to deal with specific subjects, they really have to deal with them, as with a specific Charmander one time that would eventually become Ash's. Lives may be or are in fact very much at stake, and whether they are Pokémon or human, things have to be dealt with quickly. When only general subjects are involved, the procedure can be quicker due to having been standardized, but no quality is sacrificed, as in healing Pokémon after battling. They must be receptive to the state of the Pokémon and know what they need, and likewise their real-world analogues must be the same for humans.

It seems that no matter whether humans or Pokémon are involved, health is an imperative thing. Humans ought to take care of Pokémon, as Nurse Joy would specifically, and humans must take care of others, as the real-world analogues would. That can be a lot to deal with, but if my recent affairs are of any indication, there are indeed many that are willing to do so in the real world, just like there are many in the Pokémon world. I'm sure that there is always a Nurse Joy for every Pokémon health situation in that world, just like there should be of their analogues for the human situation.

One year ago: Circus You Create

Two years ago: Gym Progression in Pokémon Go

Three years ago: Starters and "Pseudo-Starters"

Four years ago: The Old New Thing: Second-Generation Games

Possible Future Unite Licenses?

In Pokémon Unite, one needs a "Unite License" in order to fully have the "right" to use that Pokémon in certain battles. Right now, there is a good deal of representation for Pokémon with Unite Licenses for use by the player. Even so, there seems to be some gaping holes in that representation, ones that I consider to be deserving to get filled in. Based on this, I have a short list of several Pokémon that may become prospects for future Unite Licenses.

Currently, Fairy types have a good representation to some extent, particularly with Gardevoir and Wigglytuff. However, it may be that others could also join the representation, such as Granbull and Togekiss. The former could be a neat two-stage addition, while the latter could be a strong three-stage addition. The balance might shift with these new additions should they be included, but it might still be possible to counter them with the current representation.

Meanwhile, the current representation may be deemed lacking in the Fighting type department, and this may be helped with new additions. Gallade could be one, but its "duplicity" with Gardevoir may have to be resolved if it is somehow included. Conkeldurr might be a more viable and unique addition in similar vein to Machamp by its unique appearance and capabilities; either of these regardless have the potential to be seen.

Looking at the current representation, Dark types are rather minimal. In the future, it might be neat and impressive for them to have a greater presence in representation. Two of the Pokémon in this regard could be Honchkrow and Tyranitar. It may be admitted that either or both of these may appear in a different map as NPC species, but with reasoning of the Cramorant "odd bird" being represented, they may just work out.

The same minimalism could be described for Dragon types, which at present is only prominent by Garchomp. Dragonite and Salamence are obvious contenders for this, and should they become included, they could become impressive but possibly challenging representative options. Past the challenge, they could also stand to dominate, which becomes the sole point of consideration if they are decided to be included.

With the Pokémon that are currently represented in Pokémon Unite, there is a good selection of fighters with Unite Licenses that appeal to strong and fan favorite species. At the same time, the selection may also be considered to lack extensiveness in some ways. The solution to that is of course to add more Unite Licenses, with the result being a dazzling representative array that should also dazzle in combat in the arenas.

One year ago: The Sun Also Rises... on SLA

Two years ago: Dub Reunion, Dub History

Three years ago: A Strongly Brilliant Thing

Four years ago: Feelings for Female Trainers

The Little Jungle Cup of GBL

Since its inception, the Little Cup format of Go Battle League has proven itself to be adaptable, in the same way that it itself is an adaptation. With three basic types, it became the Element Cup. With only a certain "divine" species of Pokémon allowed, it became the Bidoof Cup. The latest adaptation, which is to be discussed in this post, takes it to the wild green yonder and is given the name of Little Jungle Cup.

As it is a "Little Cup", only Pokémon with a CP of 500 or less are allowed. The allowed types for this format, including others as secondary types, are Normal, Grass, Electric, Bug, Ground, Flying, Poison, and Dark. Unlike the original Little Cup, however, the "must be able to evolve firstly" restriction is absent, and most Pokémon of the above types are now fair game. The only ones that are outright not allowed are Shuckle and Smeargle for the purpose of this format, while Ditto and Shedinja are not allowed in PvP regardless.

The elimination of the evolution restriction allows some Pokémon in the second or third stages of their evolution or that don't evolve to be put in battle, including some truly viable ones. Unfortunately, it also allows Legendary and Mythical Pokémon should they be able to meet the CP restriction, and at least one case has indicated this, with a Lugia just below CP 500. The way to obtain this is resourceful and legit while also being questionable and challenging. Likewise, Pokémon in further stages of evolution present uncommon challenges for this format.

The leading contender for this format is the Grass- and Fairy-type Cottonee, for which its strength and versatility can be attested. Others on the top include Galarian Stunfisk, Altaria, Chansey, Skarmory, and Onix, in roughly descending order. Some of these might be somewhat difficult to obtain if they have been transferred, given that some species don't appear in certain ways, at least any longer. Those that have them may be considered to be blessed; others that don't have them will have to scour for alternatives whether from currently locally available species or other means such as trading and Research, not to mention to prepare them for battle in this format.

This format has only been active for about a week on the GBL, and it presents an engaging challenge, perhaps too engaging for the reasons above. It may or may not be friendly for PvP upstarts, but at the least it is also an alternative to the Master League and Master League Classic formats that accompany it. Personally, as much as I'm drawn to the new format, I'm also attracted to Master League Classic in one part for accessibility and convenience - odd as it may seem - and in another part for a certain reason that I will detail later on. Sometimes my win rate is not as supportive with this format, at which point I switch. Still, being that I possess good Pokémon for this format, it can and does work out well at times.

It has to be stated that this Little Cup variant is vastly different from other Little Cup variants due to the restrictions or even "un-restrictions" that are in place. Regardless, its stature especially in light of the other accompanying formats may just be more friendlier and accessible, even in a different manner. As Trainers adapt, it seems that the Little Cup has to adapt as well, this time putting them in a perplexing "jungle" of sorts.

One year ago: Gotcha Good, Like I Should

Two years ago: Preparing for Sword and Shield

Three years ago: The Items of Shuffle's Special Shop

Four years ago: When an Iris Blooms: Episode 669 - "The Bloom Is on Axew!"

Having Pokémon Friends Over for the Night

I recently had the privilege of being able to lend an overnight stay to one of my friends at my home when my friend really needed it. That friend of mine also happens to be a sizable Pokémon fan in some respects, whom I've also mentioned on this blog in various contexts - that's for the reader to figure out, as it is important but not the point. What is the point is that I'm no stranger to letting friends who I really can trust to be able to stay over if needed, moreover if they are Pokémon fans. And that makes for a good discussion regarding who they might be and what might we do in that time.

Most Pokémon fans play the main series games, and I have the potential of letting one of them stay. If they do, then we might play together to make progress on our adventures no matter where we might be. After assisting, we can then put our teams to face off against each other, which should result in a fun battle or two. If they happen to be VGC players as well, it is likely that we might adapt our battles and assistance toward whatever ruleset might be active at that time; on my end, things might be too meager for VGC, but it might still be helpful regardless. Though the core game is mostly single-player, there is no substitute for a human opponent in battle, and that might happen as my friend stays.

With the world of Pokémon games as today, it is conceivable that my friend would be playing a spinoff game such as the hugely popular Pokémon Go or the fledgling Pokémon Unite. For the latter, we may be able to engage in one or more matches of different types during the stay; for the former, short tours of neighborhood PokéStops and Gyms might be possible, as well as PvP bouts of different kinds depending on whim and necessity. If the game happens to be entirely different, things may still just be workable by playing the same game together. With my friend, any possibility might be open.

Of course, it is possible for my friend to play the TCG or not be too involved with the games (alternatively, only with collectibles). The latter case might prompt a few exchanges of collectibles if possible during the stay, while the former case might prompt a few test matches with certain decks, possibly if my friend brought more than one as I'm not always fully equipped to play the TCG. In both cases, the fun might be a little more strained than with other cases, but my friend and I should always be able to have some fun.

Currently, I'm not certain if and when that Pokémon friend of mine will be able to stay another night at my place, but I'm open for the possibility if my friend is also open. And since my friend is a respectable Pokémon fan, that means possibilities of playing certain Pokémon games or initiating certain exchanges while my friend stays the night. As for what those possibilities might be, it will have to wait until the perfect opportunity for my friend to come and stay over. The same goes for all my other friends who are Pokémon fans and desire or need to stay over, at which point certain Pokémon things might just happen.

One year ago: I'm Gonna "GOTCHA!" Good

Two years ago: The Singapore Pokémon Center

Three years ago: (Welcome Back to) Local EX Raid, 10/2/2018

Four years ago: Preparing for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

Everyone's MOBA?

A few years back, I discussed how the LGPE games are representative of RPGs that can be "played by everyone". This time, I'd like to take the "everyone" aspect and throw it around the discussion of another Pokémon game, which from the title of this post clearly refers to Pokémon Unite, which is now released on mobile platforms after a few months ago being released on the Switch. The discussion therefore centers on whether this game could be called the "MOBA for everyone".

From what others have said about the game and in light of a prior preview, it is a MOBA through and through. The evidence partially lies in each Pokémon having what are called "skill trees" by which they upgrade their moves, in similar way to characters in other similar games obtain better skills. Yet something that is characteristically different about this game is the scoring of accumulated points in specific zones, which has been compared to a game of basketball. The time limit of 10 minutes for a standard and ranked match - obviating that of the even shorter "quick" matches - has also been felt to be shorter than comparable games. Thus, on one hand, the MOBA concept is sufficiently present, but on the other hand, it has been changed up somewhat for greater appeal, moreover by incorporating Pokémon. In covering these bases, the "MOBA for everyone" idea seems to be somewhat realized.

Meanwhile, from my experiences and particularly those of several days ago, I've found the game somewhat appealing even if most of the action goes by in a flurry, which I tend to have a hard time with. I've also been able to attain the MVP status, even if only among players of comparable levels, which I thought would take a long time. There is still much to do, including to learn more advanced tricks and techniques as well as to familiarize myself with the aforementioned "skill trees" of the Pokémon I can currently play. Still, the experiences above show how accessible the game is even for those who are just starting out, and this in turn affirms the "MOBA for everyone" idea. It won't replace the main series of Pokémon games as something to always deal with, Pokémon Go as a convenient game on the go, and other Pokémon games, but it can be sufficiently dealt with each day, which is what I've done.

The fast pace and high complexity of many MOBA games admittedly might be something that keeps some away from these games. However, it seems that by maintaining some of the pace and complexity while throwing in the most valuable media franchise in the world, something that can be played by relative newcomers like me as well as valiant experts can be created. That pretty much describes the state of affairs of Pokémon Unite, deeming it sufficient to be indeed called the "MOBA for everyone".

One year ago: The Road Ahead: More Pokémon Game News

Two years ago: Renewing the Anime

Three years ago: I Wanna Be a Pokémon (_____)

Four years ago: Playhouses, Children, and Pokémon