Final Update
This run was really fun, though the end for the Elite 4 was rather challenging. Getting the last gym badge was easy, as Azumarill with ice punch took care of most of the gym. And I made the intentional effort to then fight every trainer up until the Elite 4 to train. I think when I finally got there, levels ranged from 37-33. Bought all the potions and revives, took on will. And it wasnt easy, but I found some type advantage for each and made it through. Koga was simple, Sudowoodo and a Sunflora with Hidden Power Fire, and a few Growths on his first Ariados, made it a breeze. I even did okay with Bruno ... until Machamp. He one shotted everything. Every single thing. Lost and tried again. Got to Bruno, taught Farfetchd attract, and when I got to Machamp, I had a 4x Swords Dance Farfetchd, with Machamp infatuated and 3-4 sand attacks for low accuracy. I thought it was done, but NOPE. His Machamp has a never-miss move. Lost again and at this point, I was out of revives and potions and had no money to buy more. So i had to spent quite awhile just fighting Will and Koga over and over for the exp and the money. Finally, once Farfetchd got to level 38, I managed to get a successful attract and thenn one shot with Fly. Finally moving on, after saving lol, it only took two tries with Karen - Sudoowoodo was incredible, so many counters to her mons. And amazingly, I did beat lance on the first try, though I was down to Sudowoodo at like 10% health, no more revives, and just happened to be left with that right after his dragonite used hyper beam, so I got one move and it worked.
There were some fun members on this team. Furrets one Ive always wanted to use but never did cause I always just had too many others I wanted to use. Sudowoodo actually helps out alot, and kinda gave me a new respect for rock-types since I rarely use them. Sunflora, for as bad a rep as it gets, was honestly great, though Ill say that may be mostly from it getting a fire move. Farfetch'd wasnt anything particularly special, and Piloswine was difficult to use because there was no physical special split, so his ice moves never really helped. Azumarill I am mixed on. I wanted to love it, and I kinda did, but I also kept getting annoyed that a 2x effective surf at similar levels did not-great damage because its attack stats are so low. I may have to try it out in a newer game where it gets the fairy typing.
I may come back to this game at some point to do the post game stuff but gonna take a break for now and possibly start another challenge.
Team
Fearret / Furret (M) Lvl. 42
Slam
Thunder Punch
Shadow Ball
Mud Slap
Solia / Sunkern (F) Lvl. 42
Petal Dance
Growth
Mega Drain
Hidden Power (Fire)
Shamrock / Sudowoodo (M) Lvl. 44
Rock Slide
Faint Attack
Dig
Low Kick
Raiblu / Marill (M) Lvl. 39
Surf
Ice Punch
Waterfall
Rollout
Mallardi / Farfetch'd (F) Lvl. 38
Swords Dance
Sand Attack
Attract
Fly
Woolice / Piloswine (M) Lvl. 39
Earthquake
Icy Wind
Powder Snow
Strength
