Pokemon Pearl Journal
Snowpoint City Gym Battle, Part 1
August 18, 2008
So, once again, I am long overdue for another gym badge. I've changed up my team a bit for the upcoming challenge. I had Haley send me my Machoke and Graveler because they both have yet to evolve and can use the experience. Also, Machoke's strong fighting-type moves will be super-effective against ice-type pokemon. But how many different pokemon will there be? I've only seen two ice-types in Sinnoh, Snover and Sneasel, but I've heard Sneasel can evolve in Sinnoh. Snover is part grass-type, so Pelipper and its Wing Attack would also help. Maybe they'll be some water-types that can use ice moves, so I took Cherrim for that scenario. Meditite can use Force Palm and paralyze opponents, and also can use a devastating but risky High-Jump Kick in a pinch. And my last spot, of course, is for my shiny Barboach with its Surf and Earthquake.
I gave all the pokemon a little warm-up training in the icy areas around Snowpoint City. As we were out there, we noticed Team Galactic near the entrance to Lake Acuity. Just as Prof Rowan thought, they're definitely up to something here. They're probably after the legendary pokemon like that Galactic Commander said. Nothing I could do for now, so I headed back to the Pokemon Center to rest up my pokemon.
Later that afternoon, I went into the Snowpoint Gym. There was a little ice-sliding puzzle to deal with to clear a path to the gym leader. (Old Wattson back in Hoenn would be proud of this set up!) There were plenty of trainers to give my team a taste of what I might be up against. As I suspected, in addition to a handful of Sneasel and Snover, most of these trainers had water-type pokemon such as Flotzel that can learn ice-type moves as well. And, ironically, one trainer had a Steelix. (THAT was completely unexpected.) Finally, after figuring out the gym's puzzle, I made it to Candice, the Snowpoint City Gym leader.
SNOWPOINT GYM CHALLENGE: vs. CANDICE!
It was a 4 on 4 battle, no time limit, substitutions allowed. Up to 1 Full Restore or lesser recovery item may be used by each side during the battle. Hold items allowed.
I decided to start out strong. "Machoke, maximize!" Candice sent out Snover. Ok, so far, this is predictable. "Machoke, get ready!"
Hail started to fill the battlefield due to Snover's Snow Warning ability. Snover started out using Leer to lower Machoke's defense. Not a problem. "Vital Throw!" Machoke closed in on Snover and threw it hard to the ground. It was unable to withstand the force of the fighting-type move. Snover was unable to battle!
"Good job, Machoke!" I figured it would be best to save such a tough combatant for later in the match. I called Machoke back. "Return, take a rest."
Candice then decided she needed to put the pressure on, so she sent out her strongest pokemon: Abomasnow! Ok, that's cool. Apparently, Snover has an evolved form. But now's not the time to admire it. It still looks like it's part grass-type, so...
"Go get 'em, Pelipper!" Being part water and part flying, Pelipper should resist both ice and grass moves well enough.
"Wing Attack, let's go!" Pelipper dived in and landed a hit, but the large pokemon seemed to shrug it off.
"Abomasnow, use Grasswhistle!" commanded Candice.
"Pelipper, quick, try to dodge!" But it was too late. Pelipper drifted off to sleep from the soothing tune. Not to mention, it was taking damage from the falling hail. Ok, I need to change tactics, or this is going to be a slaughter.
