-- Brock (1h16m)
Obviously, starting with Bulbasaur this time, then decided to go and pick up both Nidoran. I decided to grind a little with them to get them up to where Bulbasaur was, but knew I'd just use endless Vine Whips to get through Brock.
-- Misty (7h10m)
I picked up a Zubat, as I wasn't sure what the midgame was going to look like. I ended up just dropping it to focus on my newest team member, Bellsprout. Zubat was a party member for the Misty fight, but after that, benched it. I mainly thought about whether it would be worth keeping since it removes the weakness to Ground, but don't really need to be worrying about countering anything if it's KO'd. Misty was exactly how you'd think it would be - Vine Whip by Bellsprout, then when that gets knocked out, Vine Whip by Ivysaur.
-- Surge (10h21m)
Surge wasn't much of a problem, just spamming my most powerful moves to get through it, but of course, before that we have the S.S. Anne, and I just go through the usual "defeat everybody" training. I pick up Body Slam, fully intending to use it, but never did. My original plan was to put it on Victreebel, but then I thought it might go better on Muk. And then never used it.
-- Erika (11h56m)
Fairly easy. Fairly straightforward. Do damage, survive. Also picked up Ice Beam and Rock Slide for later use, and a Leaf Stone for when I'm ready for Victreebel (I wanted Razor Leaf first).
-- Koga (18h48m)
This took some doing, because I did the Rocket Hideout after beating Erika, then of course there's the Pokémon Tower to do. And then the run down the coastline to Fuschia, where I pick up Venonat. I already had picked up Psychic, so that was a quick win to give it. Leech Life is a little more powerful in this gen due to the whole interaction between Bug and Poison. I spent some time training Venonat up to be Venomoth, then kinda just made a couple runs at the gym, clearing out a few trainers, healing up, back and forth.
-- Blaine (20h22m)
Not ready for Sabrina due to the fear of Psychic moves tearing through my entire team, I go and take on Blaine instead...which was, for the most part, boring. I picked up Solar Beam, thinking I might teach it, but just like Body Slam, I never did. I picked up a Grimer, and Minimize is so nice. Well, the BBG is what really makes it nice.
-- Sabrina (22h56m)
Was a quick turnaround to get through the Silph HQ, since I've become used to running for the key card first, then going up each floor, one by one, going out to heal as needed. Gets a nice chunk of change from that. If only the Amulet Coin exist, amirite?
Sabrina would probably have been a challenge if I didn't prepare by using a bunch of Minimize and then spamming Sludge. Easy. I normally don't bother with evasion tactics, but this isn't Double Team, because it takes much longer to set up...which can be scary as a Poison trainer going up against Psychic.
-- Giovanni (23h35m)
Straightforward battle, being ground and fighting types. Get some additional levels on Victreebel.
-- Elite Four / Champion (25h41m)
Pretty easy run. Razor Leaf and Thunderbolt to get through Lorelai, Psybeam and Surf/Bubble Beam to get through Bruno, Psybeam/Psychic to get through Agatha...and then the fun part of a Poison run. "Let's spam Agility, because Agility is a Psychic type move and Psychic type moves are always super effective on Poison types."
Basically, if you can get past the first Dragonite, switch over to Muk, load up on Minimize during the Dragonair spamming Agility, and then just Sludge away.
The Champion had two hard spots - Alakazam and not having enough party members ready to go for Charizard due to the Gyarados before it. Alakazam just requires starting with Muk and setting Minimize up on Pidgeot, then it's a quick one or two shot with Sludge to take it out. Charizard is easy, but the Gyarados knows Hydro Pump and can easily knock out my Nidos. Venusaur and Victreebel spam Razor Leaf (Muk poisoned it, which helps), and that actually pulls out the win. Charizard is a one hit with Rock Slide, and a winner is me.