Screenshot Johto Written Log Teen Commentary Paper Bowser and the Thousand-Year Grind

[RubyClaw]

The number of times Goombario almost died in this chapter really freaked me out! He is, our symbol!

Damn, too bad about that Lapras, though I get it as "The Luring Water Horse" is one of the deadlier rules out there with very high chance of killing one of your pokemon.

I wonder in what royal Krabby party your name came up that you lured so many of these into your ranks .

Hmm I'm not sure if I have any good advices but I'll give it a try. Taking things in proportion is a useful tip for a lot of different stages in life, but when it comes from others that been through it, it can feel condescending and unhelpful. Still, it is truly a good tip, as these things that you are worried about probably matter less than you think and your odds of overcoming them are much higher than you assume, so have faith in yourself! I think another good advice would be to talk to a lot of folks that went through what you are going and have taken this path, preferably not that long ago but not necessarily, so you would understand your options better which is really useful and helps you make much better decisions and make them more likely to fit you. Talking to as many people as you can is a great idea, but also focus on a few people who know you well and can therefore be good guides for you if possible.

 

[Spectacles]

Why is Twink so much better than you, Goombario!?

That picture of Flareon!Twink's face on star!Twink. What a crew we have.

The Vellumentals are elemental bosses in Origami King, and Slowpoke even kind of looks like the Earth Vellumental.

Ah you are so right!! Great name!

I choked at the picture of Bowser attempting to swim based on NPC advice.

QOTD: What is your advice for recent graduates (high school or college)?

My advice is don't listen to curmudgenly old people who say "if you think this is hard, just wait until you're in the real world!". While yes, working 40 hours per week has its drawbacks, I am so much happier now that I'm working and not in school, ESPECIALLY grad school. Being paid for your time is quite nice, peeps. Plus, no homework or papers or studying eating free time

 

[Empty Sun]

wait does that mean goombario is possessed by an alien parasite is kangaskhan actually helping
also based chinchou enjoyer

 

[SayleeK]

Thank goodness Kersti broke that streak of terrible lorerules... I adore Lapras, I'd hate to lose one over rolling such a terrible rule DX

Advice for new high school graduates... anybody who tells you those were the best years of your life is so wrong, and must've had a pretty sad life after high school. Your best years are just beginning. Enjoy them!
Advice for new college graduates... it's fine to move back home for a bit while you get your ducks in a row, seriously. It's 2022, nobody's judging. Also, time is gonna start feeling weird now that it's no longer hanging off the academic structure that it has been for the last 16+ years of your life, but that's fine and normal. Don't just dive into work to fill up your time, the whole jobs market is a nightmare exploitation mess right now. If you've never joined a union before, no time like the present!

 

[Skarmizard]

Shame Lapras got such a crappy rule
Although both Krabbys getting the same rule was pretty funny. It would've been even funnier if they both had the same ability too
...can Bowser actually swim? I feel like he might be too heavy, plus I doubt he'd like water much since he breathes fire. (Sunshine doesn't count because that was a giant hot tub).

 

[Bowser's Family Vacation]

Spoiler: Replies

@Green Tea : Chikorita is so cute. :pleading: And, in my opinion, Meganium is the cutest of the final evolutions. The Chikorita line is a bad candidate for a sololocke, but most nuzlocke runs run on teamwork, so when I use Chikorita in Johto (which I’ve done both here and in a wedlocke), I don’t feel like I’m playing with a big disadvantage. (And in, many battles, dual screens is a huge advantage.)

@Kit_The_Feef : Unintentional trans rep is still trans rep, and we can always use more trans rep!

@JavierE64 : 18-year-olds are only adults in law—and that’s OK! (Being “adult” doesn’t mean being “good.” :P)

@RubyClaw : It would have been great to have a STAB Ice Beam user for Lance and his Dragonite, but I still have ice type move access from other sources..! :crossed_fingers: Fellow Royals recognize each other.

@Spectacles : The Vellumentals have some really cool designs.

@Empty Sun : parasite? imposter?? amongus??? *punched by kangaskhan*

@SayleeK : If I didn’t like my team, I’d be willing to roll the dice to get a Lapras, but I do..! The curse of having such good loreluck early on..!

@Skarmizard : Indeed. Royal Krabby party. I think Bowser can swim? He swims in the Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Games side-series.

AOTD: As someone who is graduating (undergraduate) college, it’s OK if you don’t know what you want to do exactly. I think college sets up this false expectation that, if you “did college right,” the dream job will land in your lap because you’re super special and everything else will fall into place as a natural consequence of that dream job. Well, the job market changes. And, quite frankly, so do your dreams! It’s OK to get a job that you don’t want as your “career.” Because we live in a (capitalist) society, having a job you don’t care about isn’t “a waste of time.” (Nor does having “menial labor” on your resumé mark you as somehow “unworthy” of a career change later.)

Spoiler: Chapter 18: Whack-a-Man

So you're telling me there's a chance.

My team composition and leads can’t work with rules 1 and 5…

Crossing my fingers..!

Spoiler: 2) Astral Affinity

You may not sell any Stardust or Star Pieces while you own Staryu/Starmie (including in the box). In games with held items, it can only be used if it is holding one of these items. Must know at least 2 Psychic type moves if possible.

Good thing we aren't affected by money-related lorerules anyway!

Would I Use This Pokemon?
Yes (preferred lorerule).

And a picture-perfect snapshot too.

Cianwood City= Muskular the Staryu: Astral Affinity.

Muskular is a star who wears a sailor's hat. That's all.

Oh, that's actually not all! There's a gift Pokemon in Cianwood!

Chuckie the Shuckie (In the box for now but maybe into a pit later? )

​

Cianwood City Gift: Shuckie "Whacka" the Shuckle: Mighty Shell.

Spoiler: 1) Mighty Shell

Must know one of these moves if possible: Protect, Defense Curl, Light Screen, Reflect, Barrier, Endure, Iron Defense, Harden, Safeguard or Withdraw. After this pokemon dies it leaves behind its Shell. This Shell can be given to a pokemon (in addition to its held item), and can be sacrificed to prevent once its death by a lore-rule.

Shuckle has a lot of these moves available, and they’re the type of moves you’d already be using with it. And yay for avoiding lorerule consequences! XD

Would I Use This Pokemon?
Yes (preferred lorerule).

A very useful NPC… if you're willing to be cruel. Eat your juice! D:< Your shell needs to be… shiny…

Why is Toxic a post-game TM in HGSS!? If it weren't, Shuckie could be a fun wall! Without Toxic, Shuckie can’t do any damage back to opponents, and PP stalling is really only viable for one move at a time.

Have I what!? Pokemon localization, please!

Yes, ma'am, it would.

Oh my god, Goombario, it's a creature only written about in legends-

...Oh.

Huh? Sorry, dude, I was looking at Goombario's footprints. Is the white thing on Bayleef's feet a toe or a bone or a hoof or..?

So Eusine isn't into feet.

Turn 1: Goombario VS Drowzee
Light Screen!
Hypnosis!

Turn 2: Goombario VS Drowzee
Switch to Ms. Mowz!
Dream Eater! Failed!

Turn 3: Ms. Mowz VS Drowzee
Crunch! OHKO!

Turn 4: Ms. Mowz VS Electrode
Thunder!
Strength!

Huh. Electrode's attacking stats are… not good.

Turn 5: Ms. Mowz VS Electrode
Quick Attack!
Thunder! Miss!
Light Screen wears off… Oh. That explains it…

Turn 6: Ms. Mowz VS Electrode
Quick Attack! KO!

No, why would I put Sweet Scent on Goombario!? It's not even like there are horde encounters in this game. >_>
Level 32= Goombario does not learn Sweet Scent.

Now this is a good move! ❤
Level 34= Ms. Mowz learns Super Fang, replacing Bite.

Turn 7: Ms. Mowz VS Haunter
Curse!
️

With the paralysis, if I fail to hit again…

Turn 8: Ms. Mowz VS Haunter
Switch to Bobby!
Mean Look!

I made a good choice!

Turn 9: Bobby VS Haunter
Hypnosis!

Or maybe not… ._.

Turn 10: Bobby VS Haunter
Curse!

Um… OK… Thank you for sparing me from the sleep RNG???

Hey, look, Gooma, I made it!

Level 33= Goombario does not learn Petal Dance.
Too risky. This boy's job is to set up screens then get out.

I know. Meganium is such a good design.

Was Suicine looking at our footprints? Oh my, Suicune, I never knew! Hey, no shame here.

New shoes?

Aw, the Pharmacy doesn't count as a pick-up point. Hey, you! No TV on the job!

My plan for Chuck is to wall him with dual screens. Even if he gets a Focus Punch through, he won't be able to break our wall! It's your time to shine, Goombario!

I mean, if you insist...

​

Turn 1: Goombario VS Primeape
Reflect!
Focus Punch!

Today I learned that if a Pokemon using Focus Punch goes second, it charges up, there's a beat, and then it hits.

Turn 2: Goombario VS Primeape
Magical Leaf!
Leer!

Honey, I think it's too late to attempt a wall break…

Turn 3: Goombario VS Primeape
Focus Punch!
Magical Leaf KO!

Turn 4: Goombario VS Poliwrath
Focus Punch!
Magical Leaf!
Sitrus Berry!
Lost focus!

Turn 5: Goombario VS Poliwrath
Magical Leaf!
Surf! Crit!

Today I learned when Chuck decides not to spam Focus Punch, he can be scary! Who knew?

Turn 6: Goombario VS Poliwrath
Hyper Potion!
Magical Leaf!

That looks like Magical Leaf will be a 2HKO… I should have predicted the heal and healed last turn… If I heal now, I could be opening myself up to a Focus Punch…

Turn 7: Goombario VS Chuck
Focus Punch!
Magical Leaf KO!

Ma'am, I don't think he learned the right lesson.

QOTD: What is a character from Pokemon you want to appear again, outside of their home region? (i.e: Colress in Alola… for some reason that I still don’t get XD)

 

[Trollkitten]

QOTD: What is a character from Pokemon you want to appear again, outside of their home region? (i.e: Colress in Alola… for some reason that I still don’t get XD)

Gladion. I want him to show up in some future generation to give the player character a Type: Null. Also, he has a kicking theme (even if it's taken a close second to Marnie's theme in terms of my favorite rival themes).

Colress being in Alola would make more sense if he was related to the Aether family... which some people still can't believe isn't actually a thing.

 

[RubyClaw]

Fine encounters! And very fine job against Chuck, who said Chikorita is the worst starter? (Well it is, but so what :)? ).

Interesting question (just recently saw Jasmine in my BDSP run), I do like the concept of characters from the pokemon world travelling around the world and through that we get to learn more about them and their development. Meeting Kabu again could be cool. I'd love to see one of our rivals get more depth, perhaps Silver or Hugh?

 

[Trollkitten]

And very fine job against Chuck, who said Chikorita is the worst starter? (Well it is, but so what :)? ).

Chikorita is only the worst starter because Cyndaquil and Totodile are so good.

 

[Green Tea]

Chuck got a bit scary there! STAB surf's far more frightening than focus punch, even if I don't really see why it should be. Still, Goombario is bigger and better and that's all that counts. His footprints must be even more impressive now!

I didn't know that about focus punch, either. I always assumed the "charging" part of it happened first automatically. I will make sure to abuse this in future by teaching it to something painfully slow.

A character I'd like to see return? Hmm. I've not played anything from HGSS onwards, so there's a lot of potential for people to have already come back without my knowledge. Reading runs of later games on here doesn't help, as I don't know if something's canon or not! I'd like to see Agatha again, and find out what she's been doing since retiring. It would be nice to find she'd moved to another region and was enjoying life there. Galar seems like it would suit her.

 

[Trollkitten]

I'd like to see Agatha again, and find out what she's been doing since retiring. It would be nice to find she'd moved to another region and was enjoying life there. Galar seems like it would suit her.

She does appear in Pokemon Masters, and if you read her dialogue, the game goes into more detail of her long-rumored 'relationship' with Professor Oak. I'm not sure how canonical Pokemon Masters should be considered, but it is pretty interesting.

 

[Empty Sun]

shuckle's sprite looks Fucking Pissed and i love him
(maybe it's because he is an unnamed heathen with no social security number)

 

[SayleeK]

Ooooft, that was a bit tricky against Chuck, but you made it, congrats! Congrats on finally getting the Staryu, too!

As for a character I'd like to see back... I'm an OG anime weeb, I'd always love to see Misty pop up again somewhere.

 

[Spectacles]

Muskular is a star who wears a sailor's hat. That's all.

Omg I love those stars so much you are feeding my nostalgia so well.

Why is Toxic a post-game TM in HGSS!?

It is?! Omg that’s so dumb. Between that and the evolution stones HGSS really makes the main game annoying.

So Eusine isn't into feet.

This entire sequence is hilarious. Goombario has his priorities straight.

 

[Skarmizard]

What were the two bad rules for Staryu? Happy the 60% chance worked out for the .
Goombario had some top quality meme pics this time . Lmao at him being more interested in footprints than the freaking legendary Pokémon.
I'd love to see how Wally's doing, especially after ORAS made him so much more interesting. Also wouldn't mind seeing Bianca again to see if she ever became a professor, and whether Lusamine and family ever reconciled/whether Lillie ever became a trainer.

 

[Bowser's Family Vacation]

Spoiler: Replies

@Trollkitten : Ooh, that’s a good choice! Have you listened to this Gladion fan song? I’m quite a fan! Are all blondes in Pokemon related? but thats just a theory a game-

@RubyClaw : “Worst starter” isn’t a problem when you have a “good team” to back you up! (That being said, “worst starter” may matter for harder games. Like fangames, for instance. Would you guys be interested in me doing an SSWL of one of those..?) Kabu in another Hoenn remake, maybe? He is canonically from Hoenn. I would love to see Silver having reconciled with his identity! It would be awesome to see Hugh with a Liepard on his team. those who know know

@Green Tea : Well, STAB Surf is more scary than Focus Punch because as long as you land an attack every turn, Focus Punch can’t go off. That being said, Double Team + Focus Punch (or Substitute + Focus Punch) could be difficult. (Or even Sand Attack + Focus Punch!) But, uh, Chuck doesn’t have any of that. >_> Twink has some big footsteps to follow in! I’d love to see Agatha chilling out.

@Empty Sun : I would be very pissed if I learned all of a sudden that I didn’t have a Social Security number.

@SayleeK : Misty appears in the Sun/Moon anime! (In several cute “field trip” / “vacation” arcs.)

@Spectacles : Feed well, my friend. Yep, that’s the word for HGSS: “annoying.” (So stop thinking about HGSS runs, me!)

@Skarmizard : Shooting Star would have put my lead, Goombario, in danger of dying, and I didn’t have enough female Pokemon on my team to keep a Star of Ishtar. Neither of those rules are inherently bad, but I improperly prepared for them. But it worked out! :D In all fairness to Goombario, the Legendary Dogs don’t have any gravitas in this story. They just wander around, y’know? Ooh, I would also love to see how Wally is doing! What if he became the new Champion of Hoenn in a future Hoenn remake? That would be so cool! It’s so sad that only Unova got the direct sequel treatment. Bianca as a professor would also be amazing to see, and I know Journeys has been giving some attention to Lillie.

AOTD: I am SHOCKED that Fantina did not appear in Kalos in some way. At least in the English localization, she is clearly depicted as French! As for characters who I think could be a good fit in gen 9, which is based off of Spain, Galarian (British) characters make a lot of sense. I'd love to see Hop doing professor work! Alternatively, Spain has a lot of coastline. Maybe Eusine is there researching the wind currents of the Pokemon equivalent of the Atlantic Ocean (near Spain), searching for Suicune? (He also finally needs his own battle theme. HGSS gave him an encounter theme but not a battle theme! What gives!?)

Spoiler: Chapter 19: Beacon of Backtracking

Sir? Can I has SecretPotion?

*looks through notes*

I never talked to Jasmine at the Lighthouse. Welp. I've got the perfect name for this chapter. >_>

Thank Tubba Blub the Crobat for making this a little bit more bearable.

Welcome back to the team, Twink!

Goombario is useless against Steelix, and Team Rocket grunts have a lot of poison type Pokemon.

That being said, I do think Goombario will be rejoining the team for…

h e r

And I'm not making any post-Clair plans until that battle is done because that battle is terrifying.

And, uh, let me just…. Give this to Bobby….

Flinch hax time.

I hate how this Lighthouse dungeon is implemented (Does anyone fight Jasmine before Chuck!? Even if you have a team that's well-equipped to deal with steel types, Chuck only has two Pokemon!), but, aesthetically, it's great.

Look how the lighthouse transitions from looking almost like a hotel lobby (1F and 2F) to becoming strikingly utilitarian in design (3F to 5F).

It's so sad that the 3D games haven't given us any multifloor dungeons to explore. With the designs of towns like Hammerlocke, I think the series is missing out on using urban settings to their full advantage by making buildings that are an obstacle. I'm hoping that changes in gen 9! (Imagine exploring a dungeon styled off of a bullfighting arena!)

But..! It's pretty..!

You know what's not pretty? Cragley's Rock Blast missing three times. And having only five hits for three birds.

Lookin' good!!!

Yikes!

Rock on!

We only go up from here, dude.

Star-crossed lovers? You go, queen!

Then she got that glow-up.

Brock: *cries in uses Onix in the post-game*

Spoiler: It’s even in his rematch team too. ._.

Floor candy gives me health!

Twinsies!

You know, this line is rife with opportunities for commentary on contemporary circumstances. The best art reflects life. Or predicts it. Some would say that those two come from the same trait of great artists: observational skills. But I observe that it is not wise to make a joke about an ongoing crisis, so I will not. I will instead wax poetic about art, which can often be a balm on our pains. EDIT: I was diagnosed with COVID-19 weeks after writing this commentary. *X-Files theme plays*

I will comment, though, that the Pokemon world shows the power of community care. The player tells this pharmacy owner that the Lighthouse Pokemon is in trouble, and even though he knows that the SecretPotion is too strong, so if it's misused, he could be in trouble, he trusts in the community and wants to protect the resource that is the lighthouse, which helps save ships from around the world.

And then everyone in the gym just thanks you.

HGSS' Safari Zone is weird and requires a sidequest to get actually working to its full potential anyway, so… Nah...

Spoiler: Plan For Jasmine

Recommend that she vacation in Sunyshore City.

Burn to the ground her Magnemite.

While I know Twink is strong, Steelix frightens me, so our little star will work alongside Fracktail, who can weaken its physical attacks (AKA: all its attacks) and hit super effective Surfs.

Yes, you are strong! :3

Turn 1: Twink VS Magnemite
Flamethrower OHKO!

Turn 2: Twink VS Steelix
Switch to Fracktail!
Rock Throw!

It feels so strange to me that water/flying types are weak to rock.

Turn 3: Fracktail VS Steelix
Surf!
Sitrus Berry procs!
Rock Throw!

Turn 4: Fracktail VS Steelix
Surf KO!

Turn 5: Fracktail VS Magnemite

Switch to Twink!
Thunderbolt!

Turn 6: Twink VS Magnemite
Flamethrower OHKO!

Citation needed meme?

This part of the game always gives me the warm fuzzies.

This part of the game on the other hand? It gives me the cold pricklies.

QOTD: What is one feature that you want the Pokemon series to implement permanently?

 

[Trollkitten]

Have you listened to this Gladion fan song? I’m quite a fan!

I've heard it. It's awesome!

It’s so sad that only Unova got the direct sequel treatment.

Technically Johto is a direct sequel to Kanto.

But I observe that it is not wise to make a joke about an ongoing crisis, so I will not. I will instead wax poetic about art, which can often be a balm on our pains. EDIT: I was diagnosed with COVID-19 weeks after writing this commentary. *X-Files theme plays*

Ouch.

QOTD: What is one feature that you want the Pokemon series to implement permanently?

National Pokedex. Not because I personally care about the National Pokedex (in a game with literally hundreds of monsters to choose from, I'm not terribly torn up if I can't use every single one, even if best bug Masquerain didn't make the Galar cut), but because maybe then the fanbase will stop acting like their civil rights have been violated just because Game Freak made a questionable design choice.

But if we're going for what I personally want... I want an albino option for the character select screen. I myself am not albino, but I do think that adding an albino option would be an excellent choice in terms of player character diversity. Heck, we should be able to choose skin color on a sliding scale rather than have like three options only -- skin tones are very diverse, and it would definitely help the player be able to identify themselves with the player character.

 

[SayleeK]

I do love how HGSS did up the whole Amphy subplot, it's super sweet that Jasmine's trainers return to the gym with you, but just to thank you for your good deeds

The feature that should be permanent is obvious. WALKING. POKEMON. IT SPARKS JOY DAMMIT

 

[CasualGameFreak]

With regards to Fantina, it's probably as simple as the fact that she wasn't French in Japan. The French phrases were a localization of her equivalent use of English in the Japanese original.

QotD: Difficulty settings, with the caveat that they need to be designed in a manner that DOESN'T imply the devs forgot there are countries other than Japan. Ideally, available immediately.

 

[Trollkitten]

With regards to Fantina, it's probably as simple as the fact that she wasn't French in Japan. The French phrases were a localization of her equivalent use of English in the Japanese original.

Which leads to the question, why wasn't she in Unova or Galar? Cynthia made it to Unova, but Fantina didn't? Was it because of the localization?