Filling a Trainer's Home with Pokémon

If in yesterday's post I discussed a topic about Pokémon Trainers and traveling - specifically, the ways that they might opt to do - this time, I want to discuss about them and their homes. Specifically, I wish to discuss how those homes may be filled with Pokémon. Now, it seems that the matter might be an obvious one, given that their homes are in the Pokémon world after all. Yet as with different matters, there can be an insightful side of it, and that's what I'd like to explore.

Those who have experienced the very first Pokémon adventure on the original main series games will likely recognize the implication that besides being put into battle, Pokémon can also be kept as pets. Because of that, it's hard not to expect that some homes of Trainers (at the very least) will have one or two pet Pokémon, especially ones who have outlived their usefulness in "service" in some form. Some homes might even have wild Pokémon "guests" that effectively serve as pets - perhaps in that sense, no longer "wild". Whatever the case, pet Pokémon are still certain to coexist with people, especially in homes of Trainers.

Around the home, Pokémon is likely to be present in, on, and as household objects. Many of these objects could potentially resemble existing Pokémon Center merchandise, or be otherwise completely unique objects that are not (or even have not been) represented by the merchandise in question. The objects might have the involvement of a Pokémon corporation like Silph or Devon, or they might be completely and uniquely identifiable ones outside of their involvement. Any home, Pokémon or otherwise, need at least a few things within them to make a home, and for a Trainer's home, the Pokémon content will be of certainty.

Speaking of Pokémon content, the media that a Trainer will have around the home will certainly involve Pokémon as well, though the focus may be different. Trainers of the analytic sort - perhaps like Goh and fledgling Pokémon Professors - are likely to possess and view media with quite a bit of scientific orientation to complement their investigations. It is more likely, however, that many Trainers will be of the sort of pop culture fans, and they'll likely have magazines and novels instead. Trainers are after all people, and Pokémon influence aside, they'll have different influences for sure.

Everyone needs a home - even for Pokémon Trainers who wander and whether or not they'll grow tired of that wandering. Whoever they might be, those homes will likely and necessarily contain Pokémon as well, not just (but also invariably) in the actual form of the namesake species themselves. They still need to live in it after all, and they need objects for that; in the world of Pokémon, those objects are sure to contain the presence of the species somehow. In that case, they essentially "make a house a home" for the Trainers.

One year ago: Tournament: Raid Group Master League Classic

Two years ago: Let's Talk About Phones and Gadgetry

Three years ago: Livestream and Let Livestream

Four years ago: Cosplay: SJF - Tomodachi 3

Five years ago: Iron Trainers?

Means of Venturing for Trainers

Recently, I read about (more appropriately, viewed) a report about a family who has essentially made or converted a van as their home. They roam about for everything in their life, from work to play and everything in between. This situation is undoubtedly similar to active Pokémon Trainers, who need to venture across regions (and/or the world) to fulfill their objectives. To do so, they also need ways or means to accomplish that venturing, and I feel that makes an intriguing discussion topic - and so it shall be for this post.

The most natural mode of venturing is on two legs - in other words, by walking. Many Trainers also take up this mode since it's natural and it's what they're meant to do, especially over distances of a small scale. It allows them to meet Pokémon and people, and to find and do everything that they need for their journey. In fact, regardless of any other mode of venturing that they may peruse, walking is likely to be necessary to a good extent for the good of Trainers, their Pokémon, and their objectives for venturing in the first place.

For distances of a slightly greater scale, a "vehicle" of some kind has or may have to be necessary. I put the term in quotes because it may refer to a motor vehicle - typical ones like cars, motorcycles, and so on - or to a Pokémon ride, like flying on a Dragonite or Charizard or even traversing with a Rhyhorn or Mudsdale. Either of these is arguably fitting, as the likes of Sonia for the former and Lance for the latter can and do utilize them, so other Trainers can do the same, even for limited stretches.

Of course, the world of Pokémon is one of a great scale, as great as the real world it is based on if anything is to be believed about it. Therefore, for Trainers getting to distant places, they will likewise require bigger and faster vehicles like ships and planes to make the journey more efficient - and these are exactly what Ash and Goh use to get to places quickly in their role as research fellows for Professor Cerise. After that, smaller vehicles or even just walking ought to be sufficient for whatever Trainers may have in mind.

It is certain that Trainers will have to venture to places in order to battle, befriend, and/or capture Pokémon in order to fulfill their objectives, but how they would do so might be open to a little bit of interpretation, especially in consideration of necessity. That is likewise the case for the Trainers themselves as well. They might not have to go all out and convert a van in order to roam about for Pokémon, but it's certainly believable as it is for the family that lives in it as is for Trainers who live in the Pokémon world.

One year ago: One Girl Is Company, Two Girls Are...

Two years ago: Official Representative Pokémon for Regions

Three years ago: (Not) Sparkling Names

Four years ago: My Town, Pokémon Town

Five years ago: What's in a Name?

Possible Future Unite Licenses? (Take Two)

It was only a year ago (give or take) that I discussed possibilities for future inclusions to the Unite License roster of Pokémon Unite, and a lot has happened since then, including the addition of many Pokémon through them in mold-breaking ways, some of which fulfilled ones that I had listed. If last year I organized the inclusions by type, this time I'd like to organize my conjectured inclusions by thematic groups instead and take it from there.

But first, it is necessary to mention the "graduates" of my previous conjectures. Since then, Dragonite and Tyranitar have become included as Unite Licenses, and they're an occasional sight on certain teams. They're of the All-Rounder role, so they may become essential for those teams. They're also sufficiently strong and unique in their capabilities, which makes them even less of a surprise regarding their presence. Granted, they're also quite well-known, so it was a matter of time before they made their way in. Some of the ones I'm about to list may be of the same repute.

Last time, I noted that there could be the issue of "duplicity" to consider, but now that has been resolved: there are now three of the evolved forms of Eevee in the roster (Espeon and Glaceon, accompanying Sylveon), and any or all may be included on a team. Therefore, it's not hard to expect that the others might be on their way in, though in that case, I would suggest that Jolteon and Umbreon be given a "right-of-way" of sorts. Now multiple Eevee is no longer a problem, but the next problem may be ensuring the entry of the rest of its evolutions.

Mythical Pokémon and Ultra Beasts have also been granted entry, thanks to Zeraora leading the pack and Mew holding up the guard for the former as well as Buzzwole for the latter. It might not be too hard of a stretch to expect something as essential to their existence as Kartana for the latter and Jirachi for the former, for which both have been demonstrated to be quite capable. They would be as tantalizing on the Pokémon Unite maps as they are in other kinds of battling.

What seems to be true is that once Pokémon are present as field Pokémon on the maps, their chance of becoming Unite Licenses dwindle. However, with the adding and changing of maps, some of them could still maintain relevance for an entry. A friend of mine desires Magnezone, and I'm in for that; I would conjecture Alakazam to remove Abra from "Auroma Park hell". Time will tell if these two really have what it takes to become play-capable.

Possibly, with luck, it might take another year (again, give or take) to see these Pokémon in actual Unite License form. Whether by types or themes, new Pokémon will bring more liveliness and excitement to the battles that take place on the maps. That has been evident with the Unite Licenses included thus far, including the realized conjectures as above. It's a "grand pantheon" that deserves to become grander, as does the combat.

One year ago: Quickies: Nurse Joy, the Maintainer of Health

Two years ago: Circus You Create

Three years ago: Gym Progression in Pokémon Go

Four years ago: Starters and "Pseudo-Starters"

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

Quickies: Needing a Speed Boost

Very early on in the first year of this blog, I likened the efforts I made for some posts on this blog as having been imbued with Speed Boost, the special Ability that makes the Pokémon what it is. Now, it seems that everything, including some things related to Pokémon, are running together and they all need to be resolved rather quickly. Apparently, it seems I may now need that "Speed Boost" not just in terms of speedblogging but also to deal with all of those things almost in combat-like manner. For that, there is a Speed Boost in another, different guise that is relevant for the situation as well as to Pokémon itself.

Speed Boost also happens to be an Ability - albeit an alternate Hidden one - of the Torchic species family as well as Yanma, for two prominent examples other than Ninjask. Of these, the first one is notable as it applies to something other than a Bug-type Pokémon. Mega Blaziken, as the Mega Evolved form of the last evolutionary form also has a repute of its own as an upgrade over the already famous Blaziken and has been known to turn things around; overall, the Ability's contribution to the species family is profound.

And that seems to be what I need right now, to be like any member of the Torchic species family that possesses the Ability of Speed Boost. Its last two members are advanced and pioneering with the way they are as hybrids of the Fire and Fighting types. They (already) make quick work of their opponents, but with Speed Boost, they can make even quicker work. I'd like to take some of that gusto and apply it to my own situation.

In essence, it may be regarded that "Speed Boost" can now apply for me in two different ways, one of them being for speedblogging (as is the case for this post) and the other being for just a general hurry-it-up in my Pokémon life. It's an appreciable Ability for different Pokémon, and I'm sure I can appreciate it even further in self-application.

One year ago: Possible Future Unite Licenses?

Two years ago: The Sun Also Rises... on SLA

Three years ago: Dub Reunion, Dub History

Four years ago: A Strongly Brilliant Thing

Five years ago: Feelings for Female Trainers

Enjoyment at the Mercy of...

Earlier today, I saw something related to Pokémon that I cannot completely vouch for its verity (yet), and an attempt to do so would only threaten my enjoyment. As a result, I've attempted to ignore it, but the matter is starting to weigh heavily on my mind, even when I'm doing something with Pokémon but completely unrelated. It seems that by the matter, I've realized that for me and most likely other Pokémon fans, our enjoyment seems to be at the "mercy" of certain parties, which I would like to expound on in this post.

For some, a sticking point related to this matter is how the Pokédex in newer games have a limited subset of Pokémon, which is certainly the result of the brouhaha from a few years back. Most Trainers have since accepted this situation as self-evident, almost regarding it as a non-issue, but some may still regard it as a factor that decreases enjoyment even now. Regardless, it is apparent that there is an enjoyment that depends on those who create the games if things had to come to this matter, though the situation could be similar with other features of lesser repute in the same area.

Then there's the Pokémon anime (and to some extent the manga as it has the same qualities). For these, their determinant is whoever conceives them, and fans if any have very little to no input. Therefore, the enjoyment is also dependent on those parties with the hope of change being very little, though not zero. Fans will just have to take them as they are, however they're meant to be enjoyed, with what emotions they provoke. It has been true for past episodes or stories and will likely always remain true.

Speaking of fans, some of them could potentially depend on the enjoyment of other Pokémon fans for their own, though I would recommend against such a situation. I've never depended as such, and anyone shouldn't really. My enjoyment has always been mine in the face of the two enjoyment situations above, and there are always appropriate times for enjoyment, even as the situations above are evident.

I'm not sure if or when I'll be able to address the matter I mentioned in the beginning that's nagging at my Pokémon enjoyment, but given the above situations of enjoyment by the "mercy" of others, I believe that I shouldn't ponder on it too greatly. Eventually, I'll have to deal with it, especially in regard to my enjoyment, and only then will the full impact become evident. For now, it's back to business as usual to enjoy as much of Pokémon as I possibly can, certainly with what is right here and now.

One year ago: The Little Jungle Cup of GBL

Two years ago: Gotcha Good, Like I Should

Three years ago: Preparing for Sword and Shield

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

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

Leveling Up Pokémon in Café Remix

Like its predecessor of Pokémon Shuffle, in Café Remix, individual Pokémon possess levels through which they are raised. Training is an important part of that effort, as has been explained earlier and separately. What is also important, though, is the level structure for the Pokémon and the things that the structure entails. As such, it seems helpful to go over that.

In Shuffle, the initial standard for each Pokémon was 10 levels, which later became able to be uncapped piecemeal (one at a time with usage of the Raise Max Level enhancement) and variably (5-20 levels higher). Café Remix has a different standard, which is 20 levels for each Pokémon, with uncapping conducted every five levels by way of using Pokémon cookies and paying Golden Acorns (with certain exceptions to be noted). This structure will likely remain fixed, though because of the relative infancy of the game, it doesn't preclude that additions won't be made at a later time, and significant ones at that.

Pokémon that are obtained outside the Delivery feature take 23 Pokémon cookies for uncapping levels (3, 10, and 10 at each milestone) plus the Golden Acorns (200, 1000, and 1800 respectively). Pokémon that are obtained through Delivery do not need Golden Acorns but still require their cookies, which are differently shaped and sized, for the Level 10 and 15 milestones; the cookies are obtained through Delivery as well. Mew is a big fat exception, as it requires neither and just progresses straight through, though the uncapping still has to be confirmed at each milestone just like any other Pokémon.

The process of leveling up can take quite a bit of effort and resources, particularly as the cookies may be hard to earn and the amount of Golden Acorns is somewhat significant. Especially for the latter, even with the cookies available, it may be worth it to wait until it is necessary to level up the Pokémon - this is even more true as there are "Appreciation" events that demand the spending of Golden Acorns, and the uncapping may then be conducted at that time to take advantage of the premise of the event. Of course, one can and should uncap whenever it is absolutely necessary, regardless of whatever event is taking place.

Structurally, the leveling up of Pokémon in Café Remix is unique, though more resources do go into the process and it may have to be wisely conducted, whether by necessity or opportunity. Either way, the process remains key as it was in the predecessor, and obviously will remain important for achieving success in later Café Remix happenings.

One year ago: Having Pokémon Friends Over for the Night

Two years ago: I'm Gonna "GOTCHA!" Good

Three years ago: The Singapore Pokémon Center

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

Five years ago: Preparing for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

Three September Wonders in the GBL

In September (last month), there were actually three new special formats for the GBL, which ran for a week each alongside one of the basic Leagues, which ran for two weeks. That is incidentally how things will continue to progress in the Season of Light in its two remaining months, this one and the next. But before going on ahead to what the rest of the season has to offer, it is good to review those PvP happenings from last month.

The first of those is called the Little Jungle Cup Remix, which is obviously a remix of the format introduced last year. The types and general restrictions are still the same, but as with other "remix" formats, there are limitations on what Pokémon can be brought in. Alongside Shuckle and Smeargle still being unallowed, Skorupi, Cottonee, and Ducklett as the three most-used Pokémon from the last run of the format are not allowed. Due to its introduction as well as disruption and accessibility concerns, Salandit is also not allowed. That leaves all the remaining Pokémon that aren't commonly used in this special format, which can still be daunting to find by the restrictions above.

Moving on to the second, there is the Psychic Cup. This one has the basis of the Great League, and in similar vein to the Fighting Cup, only Pokémon of the Psychic type are allowed, and there is one "hustler" Pokémon that is not allowed. That "hustler" would be Mew, a Pokémon known for its wide variety of moves in many Pokémon games - including this one - and adaptability; for that reason, it is disallowed. Fortunately, Psychic Pokémon are numerous today, and some of them (like Alolan Raichu and Galarian Rapidash) form a complement with another type, being Electric and Fairy respectively. But that also might create a selection and countering problem for this format.

And then, there is what is called the Weather Cup. The new format is unique, in that it makes use of the Ultra League as its basis - a breakthrough. For this format, the restrictions are based on types; Fire, Water, Rock, and Ice are the "focus types", with at least one of them needing to apply to the Pokémon being used. Because of the way the types are for this format, though, the Water type is arguably the most important, as it fends off two of the other three types and has minimal effect on the one other, while on the opposing end, the other types can't do much when faced against the Water type. Of course, as always, other types coupled with them will slightly complicate matters.

September was a nice month in starting the new Pokémon Go season along with all the twists and turns of the Go Battle League season along with it, and the first three of those twists and turns happened conveniently within the month. All of the introduced formats had something unique going for them, and they can only be described as "wonders" - as if the titular season doesn't already suggest that such "wonders" can and will occur, early on in this case.

One year ago: Everyone's MOBA?

Two years ago: The Road Ahead: More Pokémon Game News

Three years ago: Renewing the Anime

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

Five years ago: Playhouses, Children, and Pokémon