[Gen 4] Heartgold/Soulsilver - Low Encounter Run

[Exkalipoor]

Hello.

This is the continuation of my Low Encounter Runs, which were inspired by JRose11 and Load97 .
Having finished Gold, Silver and Crystal, I'm staying in Johto and complete Heartgold/Soulsilver with the lowest amount of encounters.
I won't tackle Hoeen, as baron_iw1 recently completed a Ruby run here: https://pastebin.com/04HiNhyD


Rules

- Beat Red
- Skip as many trainers and Pokemon as possible. Always flee from wild battles
- No using items in battle and no held items either
- No Daycare
- Battle Style is Set
-No Buena's Password and Pokeahtlon (otherwise there would be a limitless amount of Rare Candies)
- No elements outside the game (trading/events)
- No Glitches (manipulating the clock to skip waiting time for Return is fine in my book)


Which version?

There is only one decisive difference: In Soulsilver, Lugia has to be confronted and in Heartgold it is Ho-Oh. To reach Lugia in the Whirl Islands, at least one trainer has to be fought, as some of them are guarding the entrances on the sea. There is no trainer in or in front of the Bell Tower. This has the minor inconvenience that two Rare Candies can't be obtained in Heartgold, as they are found in the Whirl Islands. The only other difference I noted was in the Game Corner: In Soulsilver there is Sandshrew Heartgold has Ekans. A second minor inconvenience for Heartgold, but it is the superior game for saving one encounter...


Start

The Battle Style is changed to Set.
It is theoretically possible to chose any of the three starters, as the HM pool is a bit more generous. In gen 2, only Totodile could use Whirlpool, now a Dratini can be bought for that purpose.
Chicorita has type disadvantage against the first two gym leaders and no good move pool.
Cyndaquil may be good enough to take on most gym leaders, but it still hasn't the typing and coverage of Totodiles move pool.
Totodile is chosen again for its decent all allround stats. This time, Natures exists. I made it through the game with a Nature that lowers speed, just to be walled by Red's Pikachu which OHKOed Feralgator. So I suggest a Nature that increases speed to ensure a First strike agains almost all Pokemon. The best may be Jolly (reduces Spec. Atk), as Totodile uses physical moves anyways, aside from Surf. Reseting until one with above average stats is gotten doesn't hurt either.

As usual, Mr. Pokemon has to be visited and the first Rival match is fought rather unspectacular. Route 30 only forces to fight one Youngster with a Pidgey and a Ratata, just like in Gen 2. The first major difference shows in Violet City. The Bellsprout Tower is now mandatory. Some Sages can be avoided, but four have to be fought. Despite Totodile suffering from type disadvantage, the low leveled Bellsprouts don't hurt it too much and it can take a trainer per time, though constant retreats are necessary. The Hoothoot with Hynose is arguable a larger treat.

Totodile favors the additional exp gain, because the trainer in the Violet gym can be avoided now and Falkners Pokemon got a level bump. Pidgey isn't too terrible, though it can lower Totodiles accuracy, making the following fight a larger gamble. Pidgeotto has an edge over Totodile and a critical hit of the just learned Bite move is mandantory. The AI may allow for additional chances by using Roost and even the weaker Tackle.

A decent Totodile can make it through this fight with luck. It should be noted that it is possible to get Mareep, Wooper and Slugma through an Event in the Pokecenter. Since they are gotten as eggs, they are too low leveled to do much, maybe Mareep could be trained? Still, if one takes the time to hatch one of them, Totodile can already swap in battle and cure itself of stat reductions like Sand Whirl. Mareep also has Static, so if it is switched in properly, almost every Pokemon can get paralyzed. Still, they aren't necessary and don't learn important HMs.



After the gym, Togepi can be gained. It is worth hatching it just to have another Pokemon to cure Totodile from Confusion in mid battle. It can also troll Ghost Pokemon and if it gets an opportunity to get a turn, Charm cripples the enemies offense.

Fights: 8
Level: 13

 

[Exkalipoor]

Bugsy, Rival 2

Route 32 and the Union Cave have avoidable trainers, like in Crystal. New is a different TM. Rock Tomb isn't too strong, but it is most important for exactly one following fight.

The four Rocket Grunts are still not a threat, even with the boss getting an additional Pokemon.



In the gym, only one Trainer has to be fought now and his Beedrill gives enough exp to compensate for that. Totodile wants to evolve as soon as possible. Sadly, it isn't done until the fight with the leader or the rival.

Bugsys Scyther got a nasty new attack that can 2HKO Totodile. The key is hoping for Energy Focus or Leer first. The already mentioned Rock Tomb is the only decent way to hurt Scyther and even then it survives a hit and cures itself with a Berry and a Potion. But it isn't surviving a critical and just that was what I got.




Against the Rival, Bite proves to be more useful, being learned earlier and using Croconaws superior Atk stat. Gastly can't do anything against it. Bayleef is still a danger, but with flinching and it using moves like Poison Powder, Synthesis and Reflect instead of always using Razor Leaf, it can be done. Zubat can ruin the last part of the battle with confusion. I didn't had Togetic hatched, so some luck was required.




Fights: 15
Level: 20