[Gen 3] Aron the World part 1: Hoenn Throw Down -- Emerald

[SteCisGreendog]

Hi there, I'm SteC and this is:

The Basics
This is my first attempt at any kind of challenge in a long time. It's going to be a standard Solo Challenge with my boi Aron, but the main goal is to defeat every single kind of Pokémon from the regional Pokédex at least once. The scope of this undertaking will grow from clearing each successive version, region and eventually, generation with Hoenn Gen 3 as the starting point.

Path to Domination
The regions I intend to play in order.

Hoenn --> Kanto --> Sinnoh --> Johto --> Unova --> Kalos --> Alola --> Galar --> Paldea

The Rules
Detailed explanation of my playthrough in the spoiler box.

Spoiler:

1. Solo run as Aron - hacked in the game as a starter or traded - and use only that Pokémon without evolving it to defeat every type of Pokémon in the region's Pokédex at least once during a wild battle and/or trainer battle.

2. This challenge has several requirements that grow in scale of difficulty:

Req. 1 - use Aron to defeat every Pokémon in encounters at least once, including version exclusives, legendaries and mythicals. You MUST use the Pokédex Tracker from I Made A Website to track defeated Pokémon within that Generation
Example: wild Zigzagoon, rival's starter, Zangoose (R), Sableye (S, E), Rayquayza (E)

Req. 2 - Regional rules; use Aron to defeat all the Pokémon in the chosen region's Pokédex
Example: 202 Pokémon in Hoenn Pokedex (play Ruby OR Sapphire)

Req. 3 - National rules; use Aron to defeat all the Pokémon up to the specific Generation across multiple versions
Example 1: 386 Pokémon up to Gen 3 (play Emerald AND FireRed OR LeafGreen)
Example 2: 721 Pokémon up to Gen 6 (play any of the older versions including X AND Y)​

3. The challenge is completed when all requirements are met. Move on to the next Generation. This will be made up in several 'parts' below with eligible games where Aron is featured:

Part 1. Gen III Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, LeafGreen
Part 2. Gen IV Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, SoulSilver
Part 3. Gen V Black, White, Black 2, White 2
Part 4. Gen VI X, Y, OmegaRuby, AlphaSapphire
Part 5. Gen VII Sun, Moon, UltraSun, UltraMoon
Part 6. Gen VIII Sword, Shield, BrilliantDiamond, ShiningPearl inc. expansions
Part 7. Gen IX n/a (Aron is not available... yet)
Part 8. Gen I/II ???
​

4. Pokémon defeated from a previous Generation may not be carried over to each Part, but you may start from any Generation as long as you track your progress somehow. This is useful if you are starting this challenge for the first time, or only want to meet Requirement 2 for a specific region in mind (ie. Kalos, Galar).

5. Other Pokémon can only be caught for purposes of using specific TMs and HMs required to progress through the game. As for shiny Pokémon, you may catch them to keep as 'trophies' but no other purpose. Keep your Pokédex 'caught' rate as low as possible.

Example: Aron can use Cut, but not Surf. Catch a Carvanha that can learn Surf.​

6. If your party has more than one Pokémon (see Rule 5.) then try to use Aron in every single battle. It must lead your party at all times. If Aron faints in a wild encounter, you must Run to end the battle and revive it. If Aron faints in a trainer or gym battle, reset the game. Resets may be tracked. Be sure to save often.

7. Aron must NOT evolve. Cancel the evolution all the time until you give it the Everstone to hold. If Aron becomes Lairon, the challenge will fail. You MAY evolve your Aron when Requirements 1 and 2 are met (deemed as 'retired') and you are ready to move on to a new version.

8. When starting over a new version or file, Aron should be a new Pokémon, appropriately low levelled as to keep game balance and remove the hassle of file transferring.
Example: hatching an Aron in Ruby/Sword and raising it to level 5 before trading to Sapphire/Shield is perfectly acceptable.

9. For games where Aron cannot be easily hacked as a starter (Parts 5 onwards...) you should try to get an Aron at the earliest possible chance, either by conventional trading (see Rule 8) or hacking so it becomes a wild Pokémon on Route 1. Start the challenge when it joins your party and move your original starter to a PC or release it.

10. This challenge may be stacked with another Pokémon challenge (ie. Nuzlocke, item restrictions, etc.) for extra difficulty and maybe a more memorable experience.

Notes
Some points to consider...
This post serves as an introduction for my first travel journal with no regular posting schedule in mind. For the earlier games I intend to use only one hack to receive my Aron as a starter but otherwise, the games will be vanilla as ever. I also won't be stacking rules from other popular challenges until I get more comfortable with the games I've not touched in years. As for the Pokémon that can't actually be fought (Jirachi...?), I need to research on that some more. If there's a helpful database for not only catching but defeating every creature out there, I'd love to find out where they are, otherwise I'll be tracking my own data by hand. The determination is too strong!!

First part of Emerald is... coming soon!​

 

[SteCisGreendog]

Chapter 1 - Heck You, Imgur

Spoiler:

To start things off, I chose a female trainer named 'SteC' and took the Pokeball that once contained a Mudkip. Suprise! It's a boy Aron and as quick as that, it took down its first unfortunate challenger, the Zigzagoon chasing after Prof. Birch.

"I would eat your tail so you can walk straight for a change"

It's name is Cordy I, by the way. Here are its stats. It also has a smart mouth.

Off we go to find the Professor's kid. On the way we encountered a wild Wurmple - the cropped screenshots will show that Aron has beaten them - and one Poke that will cause big problems for us... Wingull, the Flying/Water type menace.

"Hey, look! Taillow's getting hungry"

That wasn't supposed to happen. Reset counter 1.

"Back to the chippy with you, salt licker"

Much better.

"Where's your bite? Where is it? Next to your broken teeth around my shell!"

We found our rival and picked off the Treecko he foolishly chose and visited the Lab for our Pokedex. "Countless Pokémon await you..." for world domination!

"You blend in nicely in the foliage where no one will notice your shameful face"

To the next place. Aron's Steel/Rock typing makes it nearly invincible to physical attacks early on, but like any starter having too much fun, the amount of PP might be a problem. That's resolved simply by using the Pokémon Center in the town up ahead. I know HP won't be an issue (yet).

"You think I have worms? Go away!"

"Plant yourself out of harm's way next time"

"Look at me - I'm still dry. Where's your pizazz, you lily livered croaker?"

ALERT! The Wingull that rained on my parade is just about to have the tables turned against it.

The next place's Pokémon Center allows me to jazz up my profile to suit my strongest needs. I couldn't think of any better way to express myself at this moment.

ALERT! The next route nestles a Marill which could've been a real problem if it doused my Aron, but we were lucky to come out on top. Meanwhile in Petalburg Wood, Aron toughened up to learn Metal Claw and that meant Tackle had to go.

"You should lend me your tail to wax my coat"

"Two words: grow up"

"Were you ever great?"

"Get outta that shell! You're missing out on all the fun of losing to me"

"Go back to your burrow before you embarrass yourself more"

"You're as much fun as the other fella"

(oops)

The solo challenge denied any right to face these twins for a double battle unless I have myself a slave later on. Don't bother telling me what they use - I can wait.

"This place ROCKS!! ...not!"

"Whatever you do... Don't. Sneeze"

Here at Rustboro City, we're about to- hang on... Don't you think it'd be cool if you could beat two TRAINERS by yourself? If I would, matey, they'd be gone in a pinch but they won't let me, so... I fought nothing but Geodudes and one Nosepass and that's your first impression of the Rock type in Gen III, everyone. The easiest of the gyms by far. The next one will not be so pretty. I know, I practiced this same challenge a few years ago.

"Awww, what's the matter? Shall we call the drama police?"

"No Poke's gonna shatter my dreams"

Off to the route ahead to save the scoundrel Wingull that could eat me for breakfast on Route 116. ALERT! Aron stood strong against Machop's Low Kick and that's one more threat in the record books. Aron's Iron Defense replaces Harden in case I feel insecure about its defense for the upcoming road ahead, and the guy's Wingull is saved.

I didn't give Aron the Cut HM so another time?

Which brings me back to Rustboro to see a familiar face on the way to the sailor's den. How will I do against him? To Be Continued...

Stats
Pokémon Faced - 18
Resets - 1
Badges - 1


Closing Notes
I assume you know Emerald's plot all the way through but I only have a recollection of 1/3 in; I never actually played much of the third gen back in the day. I had new toys to play with (*coughSonycough*)... If memory serves me right I only touched FireRed and the Ranger spinoff and that's my whole familiarity with gen 3, ironically giving me many personal favourite Pokémon that I passed by. And yeah, this is an image journal because ♥♥♥♥ you, Imgur, and your horrible content.

 

[SteCisGreendog]

Chapter 2 - Brawlhalla Awaits

Brendan got beat at the cost of an additional reset for downing my Aron the first try. Plus my Pokédex stats at the beginning of this part of the game.
Open the spoiler box to view the travel log for Chapter 2.

Spoiler:

In conclusion to the first chapter, I left Rustboro to head for Dewford after helping Briney's bird, planting berries in soil- sorry - soft, loamy soil along the way. I also had some fun in the Hall at my companion's expense before taking care of business.

"I collect 'I AM ARON' licensed merchandise." Hey, me too! #metamoment

Gorged with beauty, eyes fully intact. Picked up the Old Rod too; not that I need it. Then it's off to Route 106 and Granite Cave for said business. Take it away, Cordy I:

"If you got me wet first, then you would stand a chance, you sad calamari."

"I'll see you again. And again, and again..."

"Too fast for you. Have sumo're pain."

"Heigh ho, heigh ho. It's off to bedrock you go."

"So your skill is teleporting? Mine is hitting you very hard."

So confident we are at our abilities that we don't need the Flash HM to navigate the caverns, instead chose to fumble through the darkness.

Hail, sister!

"Sorry, sis, but this is my show! (I still love you)"

Cordy I is having a family reunion of sorts! Business comes first however, and as we trudge on deeper...

I knew there'd be an Everstone lying around here. If nothing else, Cordy I is going to hold onto that stone once he grows out of his scarf phase. As for Steven Stone, he's cool, too. One more piece of business now which I already feel optimistic about, and it's the Gym battle against Brawly and an immediate type weakness in his favour. How did I do?

"Less meditating, more pounding next time, okay?"

Cakewalk. Brawly got served in one sweep, unlike my very first try at this challenge 3 years ago (it took 10 goes). This should have DANGER! signals coming from all angles. In detail, his Machop was too busy Bulking Up to notice my Metal Claw which had not only gotten an easy STAB but two Attack stat bonuses in a row, making his Meditite and Makuhita easy pickings. It's essentially a luck based strategy but not my favourite way to play. Not that I'm complaining, now that I can go off to the next place to Headbutt some unfortunate brine soaked trainers in Route 109.

"I don't clobber babies, but you're no baby!"

"I won a prize Goldeen! Into the plastic bag you go."

It's so hot, Cordy I no longer needs his Silk Scarf. Have a kid's drink instead, buddy.

Shopping at Slateport. Good idea to look at some supplements given the nature of this challenge, but not just yet.

Hmmm, should I name my friends after number related values instead of 'Cordy I?'

We'd have strong words to say to this sad sack, but children might be around.

ALERT! This Carvanha may nibble!

"Looks like you lost your appetite for once."

Into the Shipyard and we're said to report that the Slatester looks no more prominent than any other scientist but notorious enough to garner attention from these child-hating Aqua grunts. Enter the "kid" to save the day, followed by hack writing that sounds tiresome to a 25 year Pokémon veteran like me. Anyway, after Archie and Scott puts in an appearance and the goods have been delivered, it's... off to the next place! Tune in next chapter when Solo hits the skids around Mauville and does some other stuff that I vaguely remember. ^^



Stats
Pokémon Faced - 33
Resets - 2
Badges - 2


Closing Notes
Seems like I have everything in place for this challenge now. So far I am treading familiar waters (snort) up to the point where I used to shiny hunt for Aron on my Japnese Ruby and Emerald cartridges with the help of Magnemite's ability to attract steel types in Granite Cave, and it worked, too. After that, the rest will be new to me. I've not even begun to research maps and strategies, choosing strictly to play this blind and be surprised at what's coming around the corner. And that's the way it's going to be until I come up with a way to shake the formula, especially when I have to repeat this with Ruby/Sapphire to headhunt those Pokes that got away the first time.

 

[SteCisGreendog]

Chapter 3 - Chika Chika Boom Boom

Route 110...hit it, Solo:

Spoiler:

"It's true! You are not rad, but very, very odd!"

"Hey, fido. 10 oran berries if you whizz on that fire hydrant."

"If you swallowed me down... it might be funny to see you try."

"Your own demise is worth celebrating."

"'Yippee ki-yay, I got trounced by a metal monster.' Hooray!"

Route 110 is the next destination, and what a route it was. Picking off a whole motley crew of trainers from all walks of life: fans, collectors, fisherman, pyschics, triaths and Brendans. He was no match by a long shot. Yet...

"You give garden fires a bad name."

"You shear was lucky I don't munch leaves."

He sure seemed cordial about defeat.

Shoutout to Youngster Timmy and his Aron for supporting me in a match I almost forgotten about!

We also dropped by the Trick House which is useless to us right now because I refuse to feed HMs to Solo. Later.

Lombre could have posed a threat, but did not do anything remotely close to KO' my Rock/Steel baby.

"Hey SteC, let's do the hat dance to the victory tune."

"For you, the challenge is OVER."

"You lost - to me. Don't blow yourself up over it."

"Don't get too close. Shoo, watch the static. No autographs, please."

"Playing Marco Polo with you isn't any fun."

"Both of you, shut your broken beaks!"

Mauville City proves that Old Guys Rule, and my quick research proves this in the Pokemon Center. I was greeted by the early-2000s Hipster, and I wished I had met anyone but him.

We pick up another HM in Rock Smash, and then an opportunity to learn Rollout. Not now, Solo..

The Mach Bike is a natural choice given we can ride up yet-to-be-proven slopes, or something.

There's Wally Winker by the Gym. He naively needs a peg brought down for believing, no - entertaining the idea that he's ready for Wattson. No way he's ready for what is about to come ahead (but between you and me, it looks like he's taking the solo challenge, too).

"Bad prediction, shorty. You chose the wrong pal."

"It's my name in lights, not yours."

"Read this: OO- O--O -O-- --- OO- O-O OOO"

Into the Electric Gym. The trainers inside were diverse, I give 'em that, but unfocused on their typing. Not many have Electrics but at least it's no Geodude House like Rustboro. And then we come to the big kahuna himself; Wattson. He should go down like a stack of chips.

"Three's a crowd, sparkbag. Bet you've heard that before?"

Oh, what?

Again?!

Oh, come on!

Seven tries - seven tries later - we still can't get the job done. I'm too shocked at what to say. Sweet cheeses, did my rose tinted lenses fail me, that I mistook Brawly's gym for my biggest struggle when it was actually Wattson? Four against one seems a bit much and this is only the third gym. Moreover the old fart used every dirty trick in the book to keep Solo down; super potions, berries, stat changes and two harmful moves, Sonicboom and Shockwave. What could my Aron do?

Ouch, and ouch!

Luckily, I have several choices;
1) leave the gym and explore further down the map picking off more trainers and wild Pokes to raise Solo's level, currently at 30 (don't forget the Everstone at 32!!).
2) Consider teaching Rollout from Mauville City and hope for miracles, or look into my TM bag and experiment Solo's moveset with each try. I overcame Wattson before, and I can do it again.
3) Catch a HM slave and use it to explore restricted places for more items and EXP.
4) Something else
5) Cry
6) Read a book

So let's round off the chapter with option 1 and do my best not to miss any monsters for Solo to conquer.

Stats
Pokémon Faced - 49
Resets - 9
Badges - 2


Closing Notes
This was the part where I hit my first roadblock and it came later than expected after I mistook Brawly to be the challenging opponent with his fist-happy squad. I would argue that it's down to luck and why in 2020 I ditched Fall Guys for Hades for a reason. All things considered, I feel I'm doing well with everything else.

 

[Amore]

Jumped in to this at the latest chapter (Gen III tag and pun grabbed me), its one of my favourite Gen III 'mons that I've somehow never used.
I would say options 5, 6, 3, and 1 in that order!

 

[SteCisGreendog]

Chapter 4 - Elementary Results

Recap from my last chapter.

Old man Wattson had me beat, forcing me and Solo to toughen ourselves up a few levels. Deciding to explore the areas around Mauville City, I started taking names and cashing cheques around Route 117 'til I find something of worth.

Spoiler:

"That's for spoiling my nice clean coat with your pixie dust."

"I saw weeds prettier than you. Speaking of weeds..."

"...you got black spot fever written all over your prickly face."

"Back to the city with you, Skitty and your shi-" (SteC "Hey, watch it!")

Verdanturf? Not yet.

Let's leave Romeo and Juliet here for a while.

Seems like a dead end if I can't smash a single rock, so I returned and looked towards Route 118.

Yes! Another Aron fan in Youngster Deandre. Welcome to my club.

Nothing up ahead after these trainers. Let's try Route 111.

"What an eyesore! Or is that sand in my eyes?"

"A fat camel? Explain this one to me, will you?"

Oh, this house. Oh no...

Meet the Winstrates

Spoiler:

or as I call them, the biggest waste of one-dimensional conglomorated pixels I've ever seen whose vocabulary hardly rises from 'strong' and 'stronger.' This point alone remains my biggest gripe with the writing of these games to this day, as if strength is the only thing these idiots care about. Actually, no - I tell a lie - it was Cheron from my first playthrough of Pokemon White in 2010 that distilled that irksome quirk to my brain. If I had a dollar for every time the word 'strong' is used in Pokemon as a whole, then I would run my own company. If you want my opinion, it's like talking about the water being wet, like freaking 'duh!' And the worst thing is, I have not heard anybody else taken back by this inexcuseable hack writing like I do.

Touch me, and I will sue your prune ass to the ground.

Mine.

It was a waste of time picking them out, to be fair, but that's business. On the other hand, the Macho Brace is almost worth the trouble of reading their stupid dialogue. Almost...

Wanda? Who tf is Wanda?

I need to wash my hands of this affair. What better way to do that than stop by the Mauville Game Corner and 'win' a Mudkip Doll with absolutely no effort, among other ados. Then I realised something...

...my Mach Bike! I can use it on Route 110 to rip it up with a bunch of trained Magnemites and Voltorbs. How awesomely BORING that no other Pokes were considered for this trek, which brings us full circle to the city gym. Solo's getting ticked now. There's also some brouhaha at the end of the cycle path about a record being kept for how well I can ride at the fastest time without colliding. That's a first for me, actually. Don't spoil anything for me, remember!

So here we go... the eighth (I think?) battle with Wattson went as thus:
Voltorb checked out right away with Selfdestruct, allowing Solo to level up to 34 and pass on Protect. Electrike and Magneton were unremarkable up til Manectric went back and forth with me on Super Potions and the move Shockwave. Five turns in, I beat him without resetting this time!

"You barked up your last power line, you sappy zapper."

Yeah, laugh it up, pal. I'm still smarting from my last few attempts at shutting you down.

With the Shock Wave TM that doesn't serve any use to me yet, I'm free to go my own way... but which way to go without those useful HMs? Surf to the right, Rock Smash to the left and who know's what up north. I'm not so what to expect in the next chapter (read the closing notes below to learn why), but my memory is about to be foggier than a pool full of Torkoal. Seems like the best time for Solo to make friends with a-

BUDDY!


Stats
Pokémon Faced - 52
Resets - 9
Badges - 3


Closing Notes
Now I've reached the part where my memories of Gen 3 were sketchy, prompted by the promise of a reward at the end of the cycling path. I will admit several things about this chapter;
1) the writing in Pokémon in general is piss poor and tells me everything that I already know about the game inside and out. It's unbelievable that it gets worse with each gen with Gen 1 being the least offensive. The rant is just to let off some steam for a bit.
2) I would be lost for words without my handwritten notes. It does get tougher to type up material if the days mount up between playing and typing up this post (in this case, about 5 days), and I promise myself to keep a tighter schedule that's usually suited for the weekend. If the progress feels small in this chapter, that's the reason I wrapped it up early so the lo stays fresh and not forced. Final Fantasy's 'Four Job Fiesta' event was also the cause for this, and it's good fun!
3) my last playthrough of Emerald came to a screeching halt after the third gym a few years ago when I used my Japanese cartridge to shiny hunt an Aron with Magnemite's Magnet Pull ability in Granite Cave, and successfully did so. Not just on Emerald, but Ruby, too! I faired slightly better with Omega Ruby but gave up after gym four.

 

[Amore]

Wanda? Who tf is Wanda?

I'll do you one better, why is Wanda?

I need to wash my hands of this affair. What better way to do that than stop by the Mauville Game Corner and 'win' a Mudkip Doll with absolutely no effort, among other ados. Then I realised something...

...my Mach Bike! I can use it on Route 110 to rip it up with a bunch of trained Magnemites and Voltorbs. How awesomely BORING that no other Pokes were considered for this trek, which brings us full circle to the city gym. Solo's getting ticked now. There's also some brouhaha at the end of the cycle path about a record being kept for how well I can ride at the fastest time without colliding. That's a first for me, actually. Don't spoil anything for me, remember!

Aha I used to love trying to beat the time with the Mach Bike. Apparently the fastest possible time is 9.15 seconds…given how long I spent on it, I'd like to say I got that but in truth I think I was at like 9.81

I'm considering starting up Emerald myself, just can't decide between a mix of 'mons I haven't used before (that also don't get Megas in the remakes as I still have them sitting un-playeD), and a full gimmick 'mon team (Kecleon, Slaking, Spinda, Castform, Plusle & Minun, perhaps Ninjask & Nincada) but fitting in a HM slave alongside a full team is a bit tricky. Every time I see that cute little sprite I think about adding Aron though, despite not fitting any of those criteria.

I read your full OP now and…wow. I don't have that level of commitment. Emerald was definitely the right game to pick though, as I believe with trainers the only Hoenn 'mon you'll not be able to defeat is whichever of Lati@s you don't choose.

 

[SteCisGreendog]

@Amore - I won't be able to fight both Eons? I'll be trying out Ruby/Sapphire later on to find any exclusives that were left out in Emerald. FireRed/LeafGreen will come next.

 

[Amore]

@Amore - I won't be able to fight both Eons? I'll be trying out Ruby/Sapphire later on to find any exclusives that were left out in Emerald. FireRed/LeafGreen will come next.

No, you get a choice of which one (its not immediately obvious when it happens, so look it up if you really want to know). But you can get all three of Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza plus the Regi trio. So if you're leaning towards a specific one of Ruby or Sapphire (iirc there's at least one version exclusive from each missing from Emerald so you would need to do both), pick the Lati@s that doesn't appear there.

 

[SteCisGreendog]

Ah, I see. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Amore]

Ah, I see. Thanks for the tip.

No worries! One more I remembered - if you have a RS save and get it far enough in to be able to Mix Records, do that with your Emerald save and you can get swarms of version exclusives. So you can tick off a couple more Hoenn 'mons with your first Aron :)

 

[SteCisGreendog]

Is the Mix Record compatible between roms and emus because that's how I'm running my save.

Also, next chapter is already in the bag. I'm giving it some time to stew first. :D

 

[Amore]

Is the Mix Record compatible between roms and emus because that's how I'm running my save.

Also, next chapter is already in the bag. I'm giving it some time to stew first. :D

Oh, no idea. Might be worth looking up!

 

[SteCisGreendog]

Chapter 5 - The Buddy System

Well hello there, my good people of PokéCommunity. We start this chapter with the sudden gridlock. 3 badges in, I realised I cannot go further without at least one HM to make progress. Solo needs a buddy - that's right, a buddy - and he needs one fast. And why's that?

Spoiler:

This is why. Two big dumb pieces of rock the trainer sprite could technically climb over but can't or won't.

What kind of Pokemon will I add to the party?

I think you know the answer by looking at its habitat from the Pokedex. If you didn't read this, then I will also assume you know what I'm after.

We leave Verdenturf for my destination to catch the very thing I needed so badly...

Ferbus, after two Great Balls! She's a Lotad, by the way. Not that I needed the Lotad, since its next evolution as Lombre grants a more impressive movepool from level 14. It can learn 6 out of 8 HMs in all, including Rock Smash. Raising it to that level was surprisingly smooth; still, there were rules put firmly in place in the Solo challenge, which Solo has explained to Ferbus:
"Look, Ferb. You know I can't do this without you, and I didn't ask for help either, but here's the ideal. It's my job to lay to dominate the competition while spouting one-liners. Furthermore, It's YOUR job to make me look good. Don't rub them, capiche?"
"Sure. But I still think you are NU."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHH!!

In short, Solo's partner cannot KO any foe's Pokémon in Double Battles. Not even previously encountered monsters if it could help it. It can still hurt them, but non-damaging moves are preferable. There's never enough faith on this little project to go offscript. Now I can get at those duo trainers who snubbed me for going solo.

I liked how busy the screen looks during multi-poke battles. The Switch-style resolution dropped the ball somehow, if you ask me.

There you go, buddy.

Next, let's clear that tunnel to get the Strength HM.

Her name is Wanda, and she is funky.

I've been to Route 116 and all I got was a lousy Velma Dinkley impersonator. I preferred that line from the Johnny Bravo/Scooby Doo crossover I saw as a kid: "my glasses... I cannot be seen without my glasses." Oh hey, I'm rambling. Nothing much else to do but smash my way through Route 111 for a trainer filled segway before Lavaridge Gym.

So the interview went well. Uh-huh, I winged it.

Took a raincheck on that sandstorm like the coward I am.

I get it, you #@$%A£&$ can't come up with any flavour text!

You mad because Aqua got here first?

Finally, some fresh blood for my boy!

"Hoo-ee, I could murder a Torkoal soup right now."

Brief, but delightful. Also of note was the Hidden Base feature as shown by this kid and the tree. I still feel cold to the base gimmick, including the one on Gen 4. You see, not only did I worry that it would be too many features like this when I got back into Pokemon after skipping much of Gen 3, the Secret Power TM here is required to get started. Sorry, but Tarzan I'm not, and I don't have the time for this right now.

"If this was the 12 Step Program, you'd be breakdancing."

"Open wide and say, (screaming) AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGHHH!!!!"

"And another thing? You're made in China."

"Next time, ask before you blow smoke in my face."

"You proved me one thing; bugs and ninjas are both expendable."

Hail, Pokemaniac Wyatt. Aron be with you.

The Glass maker in Route 113. I'm still scratching my head at this one.

Skarmory fainted!

"They should call you the Tin Foil Tweeter." (oops)

"What's the matter? Too much Wurmple on your plate?"

Fallabor Town gives me the excuse to put my game down for the night because my note pad is nearly full. But first, let's take a look yonder to Route 114 for the Dig and Roar TMs. It's like free candy!

"Your face says it all. OoO."

Done! No impending plot points and key battles to cover but still enough to talk about.


Stats
Pokémon Faced - 60
Resets - 9
Badges - 3
Technical errors - 2


Closing Notes
Now I've reached the part where my memories of Gen 3 are sketchy. I haven't forgotten anything within that sandstorm area. Beyond that, nilch. Let's see how much water this region can hold up.
My stats now include 'technical errors'. With the case of forgetting to capture Skarmory's fainted message, things do slip through the cracks where it's too late to correct.

 

[SteCisGreendog]

Chapter 6 - The Water/Lava is Lava/Water

As usual, collapase the tag to reveal my latest antics.

Spoiler:

Time to go to town on this again. Starting from Route 114 I discovered the house of the 'Bill' version of Hoenn, Lanette and received a Lotad Doll because why not? What was more handy was finding two of the enhancement items Carbos and Protein around the route, but let's not jump the gun. I refuse to give anything like that on Solo yet until I have no choice. Instead I switched Mud Slap for Metal Sound. It could be handy...

Pika-boo!

"You got beat, so just roll with it."

"Go home, this is no time for a pillow fight!"

Blessed art thou, Pokémaniac Steve, and your lvl 19 Aron.

The cave ahead is Meteor Falls and the start of a long awaited clash between duelling teams Aqua and Magma. After a bloodless interaction I pressed on.

"*singing* I'm walking on sunshine... Oooh-oh-ohh... and don't it feel GOOD!"

Route 115 on the other side and it was a close call from Makuhita.

"Stop bouncing! You're embarassing me!"

"Yo, Seviper says *whispers* (you're only popular 'cause you're fat)"

"Zangoose told me that *whispers* (your tail is ticklish)"

Making a stop by the glasses guy and had the fortune to find Blackglasses; sadly, they're not his and he walks off. This is going to be a thing, isn't it?

Now to take the cable car to Mt. Chimney for a GANG FIGHT WITH PITBULLS POOCHYENA on a possible waking volcano. No way you can get away with this today, I tell ya. I mean, nobody got pushed into the hot goo. I got to battle the leader of Team Magma, Maxie at the cost of 3 resets thanks to the move Magnitude X. Playing the numbers game, huh? Then I had a solution; switch to my buddy Ferbus while restoring Solo's HP so he's ready to join the fray after Ferb's cheap Fake Out. It worked on the fourth try against Maxie's Camerupt.

"You 'tee'd' your last 'hee', giggles."

"I love you guys, but a full bodied camel is too much for me."

With that, I picked up the Meteorite to give to so-and-so at who-ville, I'll get to that later. I have a gym to conquer. First, crossed through the Jagged Pass which was useless without the radical Acro Bike and Route 112, leading to the hot baths resort Lavaridge Town.

An Egg? No thanks, I'm keeping my Dex rate low. Charcoal? How nice, but it's not so useful to my bro. Mimic? Who needs that?!

The gym was an interesting maze full of desperate trainers almost suffocating themselves under hot sand just to challenge me. And how many trainers were there?! It must be a new record as all gyms go at that point.

Typical 2000's horndoggery around here.

"Why're you still green?"

Leader Flannery won't get me anywhere without the badge, so here we go!

I expected some challenge from her, and I wasn't wrong. Thanks to the move Overheat, it was beginning to remind me of the Shock Wave trouble that Wattson gave me in Mauville Gym. It didn't come to 8 resets though. Only 3 with Flannery and somehow Solo withstood the punishment from her final pokemon, Torkoal, with this sequence:

Overheat > Attract > Body Slam > Sunny Day > Attract > Body Slam > Sunny Day...

I think she didn't use Overheat enough. :P

It's kinda endearing when Flannery says it, but Brendan puts it like the cheeky hockeypucker that he is. Anyway, the badge is in the bag, and so are the TM and Go Googles from Brendan outside. Both he and Flannery were dropping me the hint for my next destination, and my note sheet is full so that's a wrap!



Stats
Pokémon Faced - 71
Resets - 15
Badges - 4
Technical errors - 2


Closing Notes
So far so good. I really have nothing more to say in closing other than reaching the unknown beyond the desert place. That's the furthest I have ever got to in my early adventures in Hoenn, so I better not miss anything important.

 

[Amore]

I would absolutely have taken Mimic, just for the lulz as until you face a Dragon-type or Ghost-type boss its not likely an opposing Pokémon is going to use a move super-effective on itself. I figured you would have an alright time against Flannery, but I guess Steel making you neutral to her is a problem, huh? I didn't realise the goggles are after that battle, I might have trouble as I was relying on my future Trapinch to beat her.

You did better than me vs. Wattson, I did 10 resets and now I'm going to grind. Only got to Manectric once.

 

[SteCisGreendog]

Chapter 7 - NORM!

By 'seen', you mean as in 'beaten,' right?

Spoiler:

We last left off the Hoenn conquest with the victory at Lavaridge Town, with the next goal of challenging the fifth gym back at Petelburg. Here's the score:

I'll take that, thank you.

ptoot

Route 111 was the part where I said 'sod it' and gave up on the Alpha Sapphire version. Come to think of it, it was AS and not OR. Little did I know that this dune filled passage happened to be a bypass to Route 113 with the excuse to discover some Ground types and find the Mirage Tower. I was actually tired of the insipid dialogue and slow, padded 3D software architecture.

"Your fancy claws can't even cut through butter."

Hey, everyone! This predated the sandwich gimmick in Scarlet/Violet 20 years earlier!

Back in Route 113, I learned that collecting ash allowed me to keep a flute that had a desired effect. From my research I desired the White Flute but sadly was way out of my cash range. Short of any type of flute, I left the Hufflepuff man alone for now.

Strength helped me to explore the Fiery Path. It almost came at a price of putting Solo in a delicate position. No way to heal those burns, either.

'The BAG is full...' *double take* No biggie, just use a Repel and pick it up. Oh-

I had a feeling I picked that up a while ago...

Yes, as I thought it would never happen to me, I ran out of space for more items at such a primitive time. Had to make it to town to sell stuff and store stuff using a PC before making it back to Petalburg for a talk with daddy.

Smart bastard. That's a good line.

Norm's gym had an interesting take: open one of a choice of doors that fall under a technicality for Pokémon battles. That's something I have not found before or since and would have liked to see it come back. Though only three rooms can be passed through before meeting the leader, I chose some good ones: SPEED (Swellot) > DEFENSE (Wigglytuff) > ONE-HIT KO (Vigoroth).

"I always wanted a balloon."

"It's hard to concentrate if you're flipping out all the time. Sheesh."

Here comes the family affair!

For the last room with Vigoroth, I laughably delivered a TKO of my own. Little did I know when Norm's Slaking countered my heavy hitting Iron Tail. Thanks, DAD! You costed me a reset! Hey, I noticed something... yo' papa's so plain, he eats steak without seasoning. How do you like them apples, pops? Huh? HUH?! No harm done, because I succeeded in the second try.

"No, I won't draw you like your French Slakings."

"Back to the trouser leg where you came from."

He's sad because I let rip on too many dad jokes.

A meeting of the minds. Here's Wally Winker's dad heaping the praise on me for helping out his son and relieving him of an honest family's duty. In fact, I did absolutely nothing to deserve that Surf HM but I took it anyway for Ferbus to learn. Let's try it out...

nnngh. If... I could just reach... for that ball... uh.

Maybe I can... grrrgh... get close... to that fella... groan.

Turns out that Surfing has no affect on land dwellers from the water. Odd.

At this point my page of notes was just about full but I couldn't resist getting my fins wet and surf around the block to season of Solo's shell with brine soaked tears of strength. Here we go at Routes 105 and 108.

Between you and me, I will never - NEVER - ever forgive Game Freak for one thing; replacing the speedo on male swimmers after Gen 3 or 4. Still pissed off with that.

"Telegram to Pelipper: you suck."

"I'm the real star around here. You ain't even a pebble on my turf."

Not shown: this double battle was incredible. No, I ignored the abandoned ship.

Foe HORSEA fainted!

"You didn't lose cleanly, and I have the ink stains to prove it." (dang it, not again!)

"Face it, you're simply too nice for this game."

No PP mean's the party's over, and a fast retreat to Dewford Center to recover. It also brings this long part to a close.

Stats
Pokémon Faced - 79
Resets - 16
Badges - 5
Technical errors - 3 (forgot capture of Horsea battle)


Closing Notes
That run was a lot of fun! It was really worth passing through the familiar rot of the first four gyms to see something fresh and new to me, and now I believe this log, and of course the challenge to beat all the Pokémon from the Advance generation, is about to get more exciting.

 

[SteCisGreendog]

Chapter 8 - Don't Say The 'S' Word

The story so far... some idiot dyed the entire ocean a deep blue, and other stuff happened. Live from Dewford:

Spoiler:

Whoever did this, I swear I'll...

I ventured down Route 108 and into the so-called Abandoned Ship. I say this because it was certainly far from being abandoned compared to, say, the Cerulean Cave in Kanto. Curious trainers everywhere - freaking place was more like an amusement park!

"Who brought a beach ball here?"

"OOOOOOOOOH YEEEEEAAAAHHHH, choke on that!"

I anticipated a grand fetch quest given where I could go around the ship solving vital clues, but had to stop on my tracks because of this:

Nu-uh. Nope. Not diving into that! Too wet.

All that anticipation for nothing. Well then, without looking at any strategy walkthrough on where to go next, I left the ship and visited the older places. Back in Rustboro I ended up with an EXP. Share for sending Mr. Stone's letter many moons ago.

Briney dude? Hello?

Where I should be going straight away was Route 118 with the sea in between. Surf to the other side (of the living) and got handed a Good Rod for being a such a sport. I feel I have a use for this in future...

"WHAT? I can't hear you for the sound of how feeble you are."

Steven Stone's surprise appearance came to motivate my purpose to continue this quest. Thanks, Steve. Up ahead Route 119 was the circle of long grass and the Mimic tribe. I came out unimpressed by their gimmick; could they have tried harder to copy my movements over one tile away from where I was walking? But, hey. The place allowed me to expand my HM range with a new buddy.

Job. That's 'o' as in 'oh.'

"Time to sink, Dances On Water."

"Ooph. You look worse than you smell."

"Looks like Banana Beard here is fresh out of vitamins."

"I'd bite your ear off but that wouldn't taste good."

Sometimes, I just gotta eat crow.

"Your trainer did me a favour - I don't have to look around so hard for you now!"

A weather institute. It's Team Aqua's turn to upset the establishment.

*sigh* Story of my goshdarn life.

Not much to write home about the weather angle, other than falling for a free Pokemon I had no use for.

It's a Macguffin. 'Geddit?'

*deep sigh* Story of my godamn life.

Brendan appears from the bridge I just crossed, waltzing in and rubbing noses for a battle. Aren't we feeling pushy today, no?
The battle was almost one-sided, if not for his Grovyle lucking out with Leaf Blade over Solo's less successive Iron Tail.

(Grovyle fans) YAAAAAAY!!!

Beat him in round 2. (Grovyle fans) BOOOOOOO! By the way, don't ask where he got HM2 Fly from.

Scott 'not Woz' was watching.

Something... offensive?

So this is Fortree Town. This was completely new to me like everything beyond the sand dunes. As there wasn't much to do with another unseen obstacle blocking the gym, Route 210 had put things in perspective with Steven's Devon Scope. Wild Kecleon were the culprit, and then I managed to try out the gym.

Right.

"If you really can see the future... tell me if I can reach my goal in this challenge?"

Winona. Lady Gaga as flight attendent vibes on this one. This time though, I steamrolled through her time in one try!

"Try carrying lighter next time, cloudy."

With that done, let's end things on a happier note, given how much ♥♥♥♥ty dialogue I had to skim through in this part. Except for the sassy parasol lady - that's a good one. Ahead on Route 120 was...

YES!! An Absol!

"Yes! You're right; you've been a walking disaster from day one."

"Have trouble flying? Lemme just chuck you over there."

Much better. :)

Stats
Pokémon Faced - 91
Resets - 17
Badges - 6
Technical errors - 3


Closing Notes
If I have to admit one thing, then putting the travel log together is sometimes better than the playthrough. This time I felt I had to trim back my findings carefully and try not to be too self-depricating in the process. However the dumb dialogue sorta ruins it for now, even right up to Gen 9. Let me put it this way; if someone chose any of the RPGs as their first Pokemon game and was impressed with the story, character growth and quality of their writing, they'd think they tapped into something special, radical, even edgy at times. Now for the seasoned player, to sit through half a dozen iterations of every 3rd NPC remarking how 'strong' they are, or how the Team grunt laments on being beaten by a 'kid' for the 100th time, that is going to get old and the player would yearn for some improvement in the writing department. But SteC, my friends say, Pokemon cannot be too sophisticated and besides, I'm not the intended audience any more. That's true, but when does quality improvement hurt anyone? I don't read for nothing, you know. Has anyone besides me ever thought of this?

Anyhow, rant over and I can put my mind at ease for a few hours. The challenge will be done. Not only for Hoenn, or Kanto and Gen 3, but the entire race will fall to the little iron critter.

 

[Amore]

It was Archie. Team Aqua took over the LIlycove Paint Factory and set it to pump straight into the sea!

Route 119 up to Fortree is - I believe - still the longest in Pokémon. Or at least the longest in a straight line, as Sinnoh has a couple with corners in them. I am very happy for team Grovyle, just evolved mine - Leaf Blade is an awesome animation.

Are you going to hunt for a Feebas back on that Route 119 before moving on?

Also just a neat thing you might not remember, Cut can be used to eliminate grass patches both long and extra long. A time-consuming but cheaper way of being undisturbed once you've beaten everything on a route than using a Repel. Also just kinda neat.

 

[SteCisGreendog]

Come to think of it, Route 119 did seem long to me, so much so I had to backtrack to a Center to heal. I believe this is where the Feebas can be found in that one tile in the sea but I could be wrong. This is just a blind run without strategy so I can be surprised.