Ever wanted to learn how to battle?

...competitively, of course. :3


In an effort to promote activity in a couple of sections, you may have noticed that the CBC was born! That's right, we're actively trying to get more people interested and available in PC's competitive battling community. So this is what I'm here to ask y'all for now:


Wolflare and myself and various other members have been working on a new tutoring program for CBC. If you've ever seen the past attempts at tutoring programs, you'd know they all were... well, they were only kind of successful, for various reasons. Timezone issues between tutors and students, trying to be strict with schedules, lack of knowing exactly what to teach even from our tutors...

Well, this time we're gonna fix all of that! You see, this time, tutoring is going to be a great big class, with the tutors instructing everyone in general! This way, we don't have to hold potential students up to any standard. In fact, if you just want to go to the tutoring session to see what it's like and halfway through decide it's something you're not going to be into, it'd be perfectly fine to leave right then and there. BUT we want to encourage anyone and everyone who has any kind of interest at all to give it a try! The only thing we'd like for any potential students to have is some general knowledge about Pokémon - stuff like typing charts (not exactly memorized but having most of it down would be awesome) and the names of most Pokémon, etc. We will be covering subjects that are common in battling such as EVs and IVs, however.

Now, the purpose of this blog! The actual thread about the tutoring will be posted on June 11th, and hopefully we'll begin to have some idea about the timeframe by then. This is what I wanna ask you in addition to that big question up there...

If you're interested, what would be the best timeframe for you to be able to get online? Weekends are preferable as more people will be available then - a specific time would be awesome as well. We just want to be able to host this at the best possible time, with the biggest amount of interested people online as we possibly can. The text log of the class will be posted eventually too, so if you miss the class you can come read up on what you missed out on. And all of the tutors will be available on PC as well so if you have a question you can ask them!

I'm really really excited for this show to get rolling, guys. 8D If you've been great enough to read up until here, it'd be even better if you can leave a comment on your opinion. And if you're interested, just for us to get a little demographic...


Thanks for your time! Please post a comment if you can - we need all the feedback we can get right now! (And if you know someone who might be interested, do mention this to them!)

(Edit: Classes will be conducted on the PC Pokémon Online server! You can get Pokémon Online by going to this link and downloading the client. When you're running the program, you can click on the Advanced Connection input and type in "home.brokenrevolution.com" to access PC's server! You can also scroll through the list of servers to find ours. Don't be afraid to join up and start a chat!) also thank yeww Aero for reminding me that I never mentioned it was going to be on PO ;-;

What would be the best timeframe for you to be able to get online?

All day err day (Except when I'm working =3)

Have you ever battled competitively before? (Not like a casual match with your friends - this means using things like EVs and breeding for Hidden Powers, or battling online with a simulator like Pokémon Online)

You know the answer to this =)

If you have, can you categorize what you struggle most with? (things like predicting, team building, dealing with opposing threats, etc.) If not, that's alright too.. this question is just so we can better identify what we need to focus on.

I just don't know Gen V...I can pick up everything else =P

THIS IS AMAZING.

As a member of the PokeCommunity competitive battling community, I want to encourage all of those who are even slightly interested into giving this program a chance. As Vrai had stated in the blog, it's something that you can basically do on your own time. If you're not present for a class, we'll have text logs for you to read, and any questions you have while reading the logs can be sent to any of the tutors (as at least one of us is online at most times).

We'll be starting from the beginning, so if you have no competitive experience at all, you'll be set for success even after the first class! It's an exciting new program in the making and even I'm looking forward to it!

I just want to say thank you to all the members in the past who had helped out with the activity in the competitive department, especially Vrai with his vast ideals of a wonderful battling community filled with fun events and a helpful community.

And to all you who are hesitating on joining for whatever reason, just give it a shot! We'd love to see as many people as possible try the program out.

What would be the best timeframe for you to be able to get online?

I guess any time on weekends pretty much.

Have you ever battled competitively before? (Not like a casual match with your friends - this means using things like EVs and breeding for Hidden Powers, or battling online with a simulator like Pokémon Online)

I've EV'd, battled on PO a lot, but I've never bred for IV's or Hidden Powers.

If you have, can you categorize what you struggle most with? (things like predicting, team building, dealing with opposing threats, etc.) If not, that's alright too.. this question is just so we can better identify what we need to focus on.

I guess predicting a bit. I tend to waver between predicting and not because some people on PO tend to predict my prediction. XD
My main problem is Team Building. My "team" on PO is just a bunch of Random Pokes that work well together. XD

I love watching competitive battling on YouTube, and omg I hate when I have such little understanding of the vid's comments. :( I wish to KNOW!

What would be the best timeframe for you to be able to get online?

I'm normally available starting at 12:30 Central, no matter what day of the week. But that's this month only. Next month and beyond will be bad timing for everything, lol.

Have you ever battled competitively before? (Not like a casual match with your friends - this means using things like EVs and breeding for Hidden Powers, or battling online with a simulator like Pokémon Online)

Yeah, I did Shoddy back in 2009. Used a nice stall team and lalapizzame was kinda my tutor at the time, as well as James. I doubt they remember this though, cause my competitive career was short lived since my laptop crashed and I lost Shoddy and didn't reinstall.

If you have, can you categorize what you struggle most with? (things like predicting, team building, dealing with opposing threats, etc.) If not, that's alright too.. this question is just so we can better identify what we need to focus on.

It's been so long, but I'd say predicting and team building. I'd say basically, I have to start from scratch again. It's been that long, lol.

I have been wanting to learn how to be a competitive battler for quite some time, and I even made an account on Smogon just to sign up for their tutoring thing, but I always miss it because I never really go to the forums :<

What would be the best timeframe for you to be able to get online?
I'm mostly free on weekends, and Monday-Tuesday I'm available in the afternoon starting at 12:00 EST. Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays I'll be available in the morning, probably around 10:00 EST? It depends on my work schedule, which I have yet to get.

Have you ever battled competitively before? (Not like a casual match with your friends - this means using things like EVs and breeding for Hidden Powers, or battling online with a simulator like Pokémon Online)
I think I've tried, but epically failed ._.;

If you have, can you categorize what you struggle most with? (things like predicting, team building, dealing with opposing threats, etc.) If not, that's alright too.. this question is just so we can better identify what we need to focus on.
To be honest, I think I need improvement in all of these categories, but if I had to choose, it'd be team building. I will honestly say that I like using favorites, which isn't a good idea when competitive battling (unless said favorites actually make a good team), so yeah.

Roswell;bt63022 said:

I will honestly say that I like using favorites, which isn't a good idea when competitive battling (unless said favorites actually make a good team), so yeah.

Click to expand...

you can use your favorites in competitive battling, no one is forcing you to use top notch pokémon. some people find battling with common pokémon fun, some don't. it all depends on the battler to use what they find to be fun, because if it wasn't fun, we wouldn't do it at all. of course, certain pokémon such as delibird and luvdisc are truly horrible at battling (though luvdisc's annoyer moveset is very...annoying in rain x_x), and they may not do well at all in battles. though personally, in the past i used only a select few favorite pokémon, but after using them over and over, it starts to get boring. but now i just pick pokémon movesets that seem fun, and build a team with it. that's just my opinion though, but i hope users don't get turned off by competitive battling just because you can't use your favorites.

I LOVE YOU FOR MAKING THIS VRAI
Thought of signing up as a student before but I suppose I'm good enough to be a tutor now. I know the basics, I can build teams, I can predict, etc. My only problem, however, is figuring out what my opponent is thinking. I also don't know what counters/checks mons that I rarely see in OU such as Venusaur and Virizion, but I don't have much problems with that.

Looking forward to the tutoring program! I hope it'll be a success!

I'll give this a try.

What would be the best timeframe for you to be able to get online?
Somewhere around 4:00 EST

Have you ever battled competitively before? (Not like a casual match with your friends - this means using things like EVs and breeding for Hidden Powers, or battling online with a simulator like Pokémon Online)
I'm familiar with EVs, IVs, Hidden Powers, & a few competitive movesets.

If you have, can you categorize what you struggle most with? (things like predicting, team building, dealing with opposing threats, etc.) If not, that's alright too.. this question is just so we can better identify what we need to focus on.

Mostly predicting & team building.

What would be the best timeframe for you to be able to get online?

Since I have work in the summer it really depends. Late at night after 10:30 EST is a guarantee, other than that I have no promises.

Have you ever battled competitively before? (Not like a casual match with your friends - this means using things like EVs and breeding for Hidden Powers, or battling online with a simulator like Pokémon Online)

Yes I battled for quite some time in 4th gen. I'm having some problems playing in this new seemingly weather-centric 5th gen metagame so I'm glad you guys are offering some help.

If you have, can you categorize what you struggle most with? (things like predicting, team building, dealing with opposing threats, etc.) If not, that's alright too.. this question is just so we can better identify what we need to focus on.

Team building.

Thank you so much for offering this.

What would be the best timeframe for you to be able to get online?
4-10 PM usually (EST)

Have you ever battled competitively before? (Not like a casual match with your friends - this means using things like EVs and breeding for Hidden Powers, or battling online with a simulator like Pokémon Online)
Ye.

If you have, can you categorize what you struggle most with? (things like predicting, team building, dealing with opposing threats, etc.) If not, that's alright too.. this question is just so we can better identify what we need to focus on.

Everythiiing.

What would be the best timeframe for you to be able to get online?

-Can I take night classes? I'm free of all external distraction between 11pm - 2:30am EST any night, every night.
-If not, than weekdays from 5:30pm - 7:30pm EST.
-And if all that doesn't fly, than weekends at 12:30pm - 2:30pm EST. will also work for me.

Have you ever battled competitively before? (Not like a casual match with your friends - this means using things like EVs and breeding for Hidden Powers, or battling online with a simulator like Pokémon Online)

-Yes. Very much so. The inner workings of strategy and hidden variables of each Pokemon is what peaked my interest in competitive battling, and thus, led me here. ;3

If you have, can you categorize what you struggle most with? (things like predicting, team building, dealing with opposing threats, etc.) If not, that's alright too.. this question is just so we can better identify what we need to focus on.

Okay.. I feel like I need work on a lot of things.
-My biggest weakness is, I feel, my general lack of knowledge about everything every Pokemon is capable of. I want to know every moveset, every available item, every weakness, every ability, every EV spread, every tiny detail for every (relevant) Pokemon out there. I realize that this is something gained through years of competitive batting experience and cannot just be "taught". But I figured I'd at least ask.
-I would like a better understanding of team building. Why do some Pokemon work and others don't? How do I identify all my threats and respond to them correctly? What can I do to give my team truly unique and dynamic synergy?
-And things about battling. How can I anticipate what somebody's team is going to be like based off of the lead Pokemon? How do I deal with that? How did competitive battling evolve to make certain strategies amazing and others irrelevant? Will that effect my team? If I don't have a counter to a certain threat, what's my next best option based on what my team offers?

Thing of this nature.

Vrai, this is a wonderful idea. I wish you and everyone involved nothing but the best in your endeavor. I hope I can help young battlers like this someday.

What would be the best timeframe for you to be able to get online?
4:30-10:00pm ACST

Have you ever battled competitively before? (Not like a casual match with your friends - this means using things like EVs and breeding for Hidden Powers, or battling online with a simulator like Pokémon Online)
Yeah sorta, I am currently learning to RNG.

If you have, can you categorize what you struggle most with? (things like predicting, team building, dealing with opposing threats, etc.) If not, that's alright too.. this question is just so we can better identify what we need to focus on.
Prediction is my big failure, I know all the types an stuff, I just need to predict and everything else.

What would be the best timeframe for you to be able to get online?
Weekdays and Weekends from 8 AM - 11 PM EST

Have you ever battled competitively before? (Not like a casual match with your friends - this means using things like EVs and breeding for Hidden Powers, or battling online with a simulator like Pokémon Online)

I haven't actually ever battled competitively, but I have EV trained and I have IV bred and I understand everything about it pretty much except team building and strategy.

If you have, can you categorize what you struggle most with? (things like predicting, team building, dealing with opposing threats, etc.) If not, that's alright too.. this question is just so we can better identify what we need to focus on.
everything you listed as an example. xD

Starting on Thursday ill be free pretty much 24/7 most of the time, so thats good.
i've never battled competitively.
the thing that im having the most trouble really understanding is ev's and iv's, so help with those would be great. also, my team building needs a little work.
i can follow types, names, etc for all generations pretty much
looking forward to this! its gonna be great!
thanks,

-goodberger

This sounds great!

What would be the best timeframe for you to be able to get online? Pretty much whenever. I work from home, so I'm free a lot of the time...except for real late at night. My timezone is Mountain Time (US) UTC -7.

Have you ever battled competitively before? (Not like a casual match with your friends - this means using things like EVs and breeding for Hidden Powers, or battling online with a simulator like Pokémon Online) Battled once using Pokemon Online...and did not do well at all.

If you have, can you categorize what you struggle most with? (things like predicting, team building, dealing with opposing threats, etc.) If not, that's alright too.. this question is just so we can better identify what we need to focus on. With all my years playing Pokemon, I have never battled competitively, except for that one time. Just been a in-game and collector guy. I understand IVs, EVs and things like that, but need help with pretty much everything else.

What would be the best timeframe for you to be able to get online?
Anytime, preferably at night time. (Est. time)
Have you ever battled competitively before? (Not like a casual match with your friends - this means using things like EVs and breeding for Hidden Powers, or battling online with a simulator like Pokémon Online)
Nope, not once.
If you have, can you categorize what you struggle most with? (things like predicting, team building, dealing with opposing threats, etc.) If not, that's alright too.. this question is just so we can better identify what we need to focus on.
I need help with everything, I don't understand competitive battling, but I really want to get into it.

b]What would be the best timeframe for you to be able to get online?[/b]
Just about every day. But my schedule is kind of crazy so I'm not really sure.
Have you ever battled competitively before? (Not like a casual match with your friends - this means using things like EVs and breeding for Hidden Powers, or battling online with a simulator like Pokémon Online)
Yup. Went to south VGC '11 and battled there.

If you have, can you categorize what you struggle most with? (things like predicting, team building, dealing with opposing threats, etc.) If not, that's alright too.. this question is just so we can better identify what we need to focus on.
Probably team building and dealing with threats. Also I'm not really good with strategies.

What would be the best timeframe for you to be able to get online? Anytime, really. Unless I'm doing chores or something like that.

Have you ever battled competitively before? (Not like a casual match with your friends - this means using things like EVs and breeding for Hidden Powers, or battling online with a simulator like Pokémon Online) I have been using Pokemon Online for a few days now.

If you have, can you categorize what you struggle most with? (things like predicting, team building, dealing with opposing threats, etc.) If not, that's alright too.. this question is just so we can better identify what we need to focus on. Team building for sure. And threats.