The Monotype Challenge v8, Tera Edition

[Reginald Cosmic]

Definitely keep me informed about the youtube channel - after all the ones I've done, it'll be great to also see other people going through the challenges. They definitely tax your brain in a different way than a solo run or a standard run does.

For the quote, there's a button on the bottom right of each post that says "Quote" that you can click. Does get a little more than that if you are quoting multiple things, but a single quote is easy enough.

Is this the quote function? I still don't know how to quote a specific reply because I only have a "respond" button that seems to do nothing. Bah, it's a mystery I'll solve later.

I'm glad to have someone interested in the channel. I'll probably send you a message when I embed the first video into a post in the appropriate forum. (I'll have to check the forum rules to make sure I don't get in trouble.) I will probably end up having to create "filler videos' and only upload an actual new challenge update weekly. In simple terms, I'll upload the big video for the month where I cover the whole challenge, which is a lot of work (by the standards of just being a hobby and not a full-time job thing like some YouTube users), and then I'll do three videos where I show off footage of the full battles with some rehearsed commentary. This will NOT be a full-on Let's Play. I just need all the help with the algorithm I can get.

So to say something a bit more on-topic, I was wondering if anyone here does the Trick House dungeons during these runs. I do it for experience, and also because it fills me with a bit of nostalgia. I love the idea of the Trick House even if the execution needed some work.

 

[StenirRPG]

That is indeed the quote function. Interesting that it shows up as respond. Sounds like you definitely have a plan, though!

 

[Reginald Cosmic]

The "respond" button does nothing and is not the "quote" button. I had to copy and paste your message between (QUOTE) and (/QUOTE) with the appropriate brackets. I might ask in the appropriate forum why I don't have the option of quoting a user's post.

I feel like just providing a quicker update instead of describing the actual gym fights, so here's a compromise between something super quick and basic and something elaborate.

Spoiler:

* I did some side quests like New Mauville and the trick house (and surfing to and from Dewford)

* I began my journey to Fortree

* I caught Tropius and named it Eden (after the Garden of Eden because I think Dante's Purgatorio says that's between Earth and heaven)

* Eden had a Adamant nature, which is not what I was planning, and I had to decide if I'd go through the effort and resetting for a different one.

* I said "Screw it" and checked its stats with PokeHex, and HOLY CRAP, it's got perfect IVs of 31 in physical Attack and physical Defense.

* So Team Aqua gets in my way at the Weather Institute, and I decide to take them down.

* Give the Mystic Water to Cloud the Gyarados at some point, at least until I got the Magnet from the Trick House.

* May challenges me to a battle, loses, and gifts me the HM for Fly.

* Do some training before battling Winona.

* Winona's Skarmory caught me underprepared, then I remembered steel doesn't resist electricity, so Gyarados takes it down pretty easily.

* Now I'm going to fast forward this recap to Lilycove

* Beat May again

* Defeat everyone in Team Aqua, though I think I unfortunately let one of the HM Pokemon experience battle due to Matt's Mightyena's Roar, but I didn't use a move or anything.

* Let's keep fast forwarding

* Beat Tate & Liza

* Use a Spheal for HM move Dive, which means doing the quest at the Abandoned Ship

* Go to Seafloor Cavern

* Get TM for Earthquake

* Beat Archie into submission

* Kyogre awakens thanks to the Red Orb

* Archie flees with Maxie in shame

* Go to Sootopolis and capture Kyogre. Gyarados was the MVP in saving the Hoenn region, but I used all my Ultra Balls and barely caught it in a Great Ball before it started using struggle

* I find it amusing how capturing box art legendaries kind of trivializes the conflict cuz I could've defeated Kyogre 40 or 50 turns earlier than I did. Archie's lying in a corner crying during all of this.

* I battle the water-type trainers locked in Wallace's basement.

* I start kicking butt against Wallace, but he sends out Milotic.

* Milotic heals too much

* Like way too much.

* They really should've limited Recover's PP to just 5 way earlier.

* I spent 15 minutes spamming Thunderbolt and even had to dip into the PP-restoring berries cuz I'm saving the ethers for the Elite Four

* So after Milotic goes down, I have one other Pokemon to beat: Seaking, I think?

* Well, anyway, I got the last of the 8 gym badges. Very nice.

 

[Infer12]

Pokémon Alpha Sapphire (Standard Mode)
Mono-Fighting
Update 4 (Lilycove City -> Ever Grande City)

- Fought all the trainers on the sea routes so everyone was around Lv 43
- Challenged Mossdeep gym and 1HKO'ed Lunatone & Solrock with Seed Bomb from Breloom and a crit Night Slash from Mega Gallade
- Went to Seafloor Cavern and defeated Archie (Mega Blaziken swept him with Double Kick & Rock Slide)
- Defeated Primal Kyogre with Mega Medicham's Thunderpunch (Origin Pulse missed!)
- Challenged Sootopolis gym and swept with Seed Bomb from Breloom
- Cleared Victory Road and defeated Wally (Mega Blaziken swept again, I'm thinking mega's are kind of OP, they trivialized a lot of the late game fights
so I'm going to put some restrictions in for X and Omega Ruby, does anyone have some suggestions?)
- Trained everyone to Lv 55
- Elite 4 was again pretty easy with the right mega (none of my team got knocked out and had to use no items in battle)
- Steven was also not very hard until Mega Metagross, he took out 4 of my mons (Mega Blaziken got him to red with Flare Blitz)
- Breloom's Effect Spore paralyzed him so Medicham could take him out
- Became the Champion and defeated Brendon after the credits

Final Team:

Spoiler:

Blaziken Lv 58
Flare Blitz/Flamethrower/Rock Slide/Sky Uppercut

Gallade Lv 58
Rock Slide/Night Slash/Close Combat/Psycho Cut

Breloom Lv 55
Seed Bomb/Sky Uppercut/Mach Punch/Leech Seed

Machamp Lv 55
Earthquake/Cross Chop/Bulk Up/Dual Chop

Heracross Lv 56
Close Combat/Megahorn/Earthquake/Night Slash

Medicham Lv 56
Thunderpunch/Ice Punch/Zen Headbutt/Hi-Jump Kick

 

[StenirRPG]

Ultimate Ice Run
Red / #1 / A Slippery Start

In this post (i.e., TL;DR)

Spoiler:

1.) Brock
2.) Misty
3.) Lt. Surge
4.) Erika
5.) Rocket Hideout
6.) Koga
7.) Blaine
8.) Silph Company

The full read:

Spoiler:

1.) Brock
So, we start with a Jynx. The reason for this is that Jynx is the earliest one you can pick up, via a trade in Cerulean. The downside with this is that Brock is a pain in the butt. I manage to eek out a victory at level 15, but it was close. I decide to skip out on sleeping the Geodude, and just power through as best I can, but I spent quite a bit of time in Viridian Forest fighting Kakuna to build up my defense. Double Slap against Brock does help a little on the Geodude, at least.

2.) Misty
Misty is a little bit of a pain, because my first two attempts were just barely not enough to knock out Starmie. So, I opt to do the entire cape section and get the S.S. Ticket, and this is enough to get me to level 28 and take out her team.

3.) Lt. Surge
Wasn't much of a pain here - I get Dux for Fly/Cut, and I complete the entire S.S. Anne. Every battle. Every item. This means Lt. Surge is stupidly easy.

4.) Erika
I have Ice Punch now. Simple.

5.) Rocket Hideout
I get Body Slam in here, so between Body Slam and Ice Punch, this is stupid easy. Still fighting everything. I also remembered that I needed to go get Psychic, so I quickly did that and taught it to Jynx.

6.) Koga
Before reaching Koga, I pick up the Super Rod and fish up a Shellder. Then I go immediately evolve it, which kinda sucks because I don't get to learn any level up moves. Oh well. I teach it Bubble Beam and Ice Beam via TM.

I do a lot of switch training, but Cloyster is still weak enough that Jynx is still my main for taking down Koga. Lots of Ice Punch...but also Psychic where I can.

7.) Blaine
Now that I can use Surf, I go and get it, and give Surf to Cloyster. I fly back to Pallet Town, surf south to Cinnabar. I grab a Ponyta, then trade it for the Seel named Sailor in the Lab. I do some training in the Pokemon Mansion to get some levels - Seel has the boosted exp, so while I'm getting the Key, I'm also getting some nice levels. Seel evolves here very easily (you get it at 30, and it's only 4 levels away). Then time for Blaine.

WATER ALL OVER THE PLACE. Heal a few times. That's about it. Cloyster was my focus for leveling here.

8.) Silph Company
This is easy enough - I went out twice, mostly to dump items into storage and a quick heal up. After defeating my rival (very easily, I might add, with Jynx), I pick up my final team member, Lapras. Unfortunately, it only starts at level 15, so a lot of switch training in the near future. Giovanni, as you might expect with my team having lots of Surf...super easy.

A.) Next Up
Sabrina's gym, then Giovanni's gym, then some final training to even out levels, Victory Road, and the Elite Four/Champion fights.

Team Stats:

Spoiler:

Please note that as this is Gen 1, the Special stat is just displayed in the Special Attack column.

 

[Reginald Cosmic]

Goodness gracious, you've accomplished a lot the past several days, huh? I guess you're likely gonna beat me to the Ice-Type challenge. Of course, I suppose this wasn't actually a race (I was half-kidding earlier), and it might be a good idea for me to do the ice-type challenge comfortably (as opposed to forcing myself to plow through). Maybe I'm not making much sense here. In any case, good luck!

 

[StenirRPG]

Ultimate Ice Run
Red / #2 / Sliding into Home Plate

In this post (i.e., TL;DR)

Spoiler:

1.) Sabrina
2.) Giovanni
3.) Elite Four - Lorelei
4.) Elite Four - Bruno
5.) Elite Four - Agatha
6.) Elite Four - Lance
7.) Champion

The full read:

Spoiler:

1.) Sabrina
Fought everyone in the gym. Kept switch training Lapras. For the actual battle with Sabrina, I used Jynx so any Psychic hits were resisted.

2.) Giovanni
Fought everyone in the gym. Probably don't need to say that anymore. A bit of last minute training on Lapras gets it to 30 at the end of the Gym. It's a Ground gym, although some of those Fighting types kinda hit pretty hard.

Preparing for Elite Four:
I train at Pokemon Mansion to get Lapras up to level 46 so my entire team is at 46, other than Jynx who is still at 50. I teach Thunderbolt to Lapras. No other real changes to moveset from TMs, though Lapras also is granted Ice Beam and Hydro Pump (instead of Surf). Final moveset is as listed in the image for team stats.

3.) Lorelei - Lapras using Thunderbolt
4.) Bruno - Lapras spamming Hydro Pump, then Cloyster using Surf
5.) Agatha - Jynx using Psychic.
6.) Lance - Everybody using Ice moves after Gyarados goes down to Thunderbolt. And hilariously, it missed the first Hyper Beam.

7.) Champion:
Pidgeot - down to 2x Ice Beam from Lapras
Gyarados - down to Thunderbolt from Lapras
Rhydon - down to Hydro Pump from Lapras
Alakazam - down to Strength from Lapras + Body Slam from Jynx
Exeggutor - down to Ice Punch from Jynx
Charizard - down to Surf from Dewgong

And there you have it...that...wasn't that hard at all. Time consuming at the start but easy enough to collect everyone for my party and train them up. Decent move pools all around, with some good coverage. Ice types seem to be bulky but with a bit of power behind them. I like it. Looking forward to the next gen.

Team Stats:

Spoiler:

Please note that as this is Gen 1, the Special stat is just displayed in the Special Attack column.

 

[StenirRPG]

Goodness gracious, you've accomplished a lot the past several days, huh? I guess you're likely gonna beat me to the Ice-Type challenge. Of course, I suppose this wasn't actually a race (I was half-kidding earlier), and it might be a good idea for me to do the ice-type challenge comfortably (as opposed to forcing myself to plow through). Maybe I'm not making much sense here. In any case, good luck!

Nah - I actually got a little bit of a head start knowing about Jynx being my first 'mon, but I also had a few days off. No worries about racing it. Sometimes, you can get through it easily...and other times, not so much. After three full ultimates under my belt, I know better than to expect anything is going to go according to plan.

 

[RedHead!]

I'd like to sign up! I may expand this to an ultimate challenge eventually, but I'd like to take it one game at a time for the moment haha

User: Redhead!
Type: Flying
Game(s): FireRed
Challenge Type: Single
Standard Mode / Free Mode: Standard

 

[Reginald Cosmic]

I'm gonna type the final update on the flying monotype run hopefully tomorrow. I'm actually really not sure how to handle the psychic-type run since Ralts can't deal with dark-type Pokémon like Poochyena for the first couple of gyms. The rules say I can hack in Beldum, but I'm a little on the fence about it. I mean, it becomes a pseudo-legendary after all. I feel like when I get around to the YouTube video for it, the few comments (if there are any) will berate me like, "Why'd you hack in the pseudo-legendary?" I plan on giving myself a Bagon in the dragon-type run, but since you can't catch a dragon-type until after the first three gyms, I don't think that one will get too many complaints. I guess I'll hack in Natu instead.

 

[Kostucha]

I'm actually really not sure how to handle the psychic-type run since Ralts can't deal with dark-type Pokémon like Poochyena for the first couple of gyms.

You can get past early game with Ralts, all you need to do is get rid of all your move PP (preferably on other wild pokemon before an upcoming battle) so you get down to struggle. It's a typeless move so you can use it to deal with dark types. You'll gain a lot of levels during the process so the recoil damage will be minimal but make sure to have lots of potions still.

 

[Reginald Cosmic]

That sounds like a nightmare, though I guess maybe it'll be okay as long as I only have to do it twice. (I think that Youngster on Route 102 is avoidable.) Just doing it once against the Grunt's Poochyena wouldn't be so bad, but doing it three or more times would just be too much. Doing it twice is kind of borderline. Initially I was going to say no outright, but I really don't want Beldum to be the only thing brought up in the comments. Plus, I didn't know Struggle had 50 Power. All this time I thought it was a really weak move like Gen III Rock Smash or something, but 50 power isn't too bad that early in the game (especially for a move that is always 1x effective). I'll think on it.

 

[Kostucha]

snip

It's really not that bad, especially if you can use the speed up function, I've done it many times in various scenarios. Also you don't have to do it more than once if you just keep on struggling as long as you keep a steady supply of potions (that's actually a decent strategy in some solo runs with weaker pokemon). Definitely better than using a pseudo in a run.

 

[Reginald Cosmic]

I don't always show up to the early rock-type gym with a Ralts, but when I do, I spam the move Struggle to assert my dominance.

 

[Explorer of Time]

One thing you may need to know is that Ralts doesn't learn a move that does damage until level 6 in RS, when it learns Confusion. It can only be caught at level 4, meaning you'll need to either use Struggle a lot to level it up twice, use another Pokemon to level it up, or catch some Zigzagoon to get a pair of Rare Candies with Pickup.

 

[Reginald Cosmic]

One thing you may need to know is that Ralts doesn't learn a move that does damage until level 6 in RS, when it learns Confusion. It can only be caught at level 4, meaning you'll need to either use Struggle a lot to level it up twice, use another Pokemon to level it up, or catch some Zigzagoon to get a pair of Rare Candies with Pickup.

I was well aware of that, but using Mudkip until Ralts is level 6 is not the same problem. Does that make sense? I think most people would agree that waiting until Ralts learns Confusion to officially start the challenge is acceptable (since it's not a "just a Ralts" challenge), but if I hacked in Beldum or even Natu, it'd at least raise some eyebrows (even if those people don't leave a comment).

Side note: I already caught the Ralts, and I was so excited it was female cuz I've played with a male Gardevoir in a casual run before.

I will issue that final update for the Flying monotype soon. I just felt like answering this question now since this thread has been pretty lax on "double posts."

 

[Infer12]

Pokémon Diamond (Standard Mode)
Mono-Flying
Update 1 (Twinleaf Town -> Veilstone City)

Extra rules:
- No items in battle
- Set mode
- Level cap (Highest lvl of gym leader or elite 4)

- Chose Piplup so rival uses Turtwig
- Caught Starly on Route 201
- Caught Zubat in Ravaged Path
- Taught Zubat Hidden Power Grass (got lucky with the type, don't know what I would've done otherwise for Roark)
- Starly evolved into Staravia (Go, Intimidate!!!)

Gym Leader Roark:

Spoiler:

- Geodude & Onix went down easily to HP Grass
- Zubat took Cranidos to yellow and Staravia finished it off with a couple of Wing Attacks (Cranidos only used Leer on Staravia)

- Caught Drifloon at Valley Windworks
- Caugth Murkrow in Eterna Forest
- Caught Magikarp on Route 205 (slapped exp share on it)
- Zubat evolved into Golbat

Gym Leader Gardenia:

Spoiler:

- One word: Wing Attack!

- Magikarp evolved into Gyarados (2x Intimidate!!!)
- With coin case acquired, hacked in Psychic & Thunderbolt for Drifloon, U-turn for Golbat
- Drifloon evolved into Drifblim

Gym Leader Maylene:

Spoiler:

- Meditite & Machoke went down to Psychic (also set up 1 Stockpile)
- Got Lucario to red and took it out with Gyarados's Dragon Rage

My Team:

Spoiler:

Staravia Lv 26
Wing Attack/Return/Quick Attack/Double Team

Golbat Lv 26
Wing Attack/Confuse Ray/U-turn/Bite

Drifblim Lv 28
Psychic/Thunderbolt/Hidden Power (Water)/Stockpile)

Murkrow Lv 26
Wing Attack/Night Shade/Assurance/Haze

Gyarados Lv 26
Dragon Rage/Bite/Hidden Power (Electric)/Return

 

[Reginald Cosmic]

It's been a while since I gave a proper update about the Flying-type run, so here's the finale:

Spoiler:

* Sidney was a pretty balanced fight. I ended up using everyone a little bit.

* The MVP against Phoebe was Luna the Crobat with her Shadow Ball, but she ended up fainting before the end.

* Glacia's first four Pokémon went down to Swellow's "Guts + Facade" combo, then I switched in Skarmory (because I don't do Set mode), and it said "Nope" to Sheer Cold thanks to its ability Sturdy. That ain't surviving Sheer Cold. I mean it took no damage from Sheer Cold. I healed Swellow with a Hyper Potion (though this was actually before Sturdy came in handy), and then I did a little bit of damage to Walrein with (I think) Steel Wing. Skarmory went down after that, but then Swellow finished the job with one more Facade.

* Drake was a pain, but Cloud the Gyarados really pulled through with Ice Beam.

* Steven Stone was a genuine challenge this time. Swellow fainted before it could use Facade at one point, and of course, when I used a Revive (not a Max Revive), it didn't retain the burn, so I just ended up using Return. Gyarados was the MVP, but Tropius dealt the finishing blow to Metagross with Earthquake. Good stuff!

Flying-Type Champion! In your face, Lance!

Spoiler:

I will create a different update for the Psychic-type run.

Spoiler:

I got two badges so far.

 

[Reginald Cosmic]

Update for the Psychic-type run of Pokémon Sapphire:

The short version: I have two Gym Badges, and yes, I use Struggle a lot.

The long version:

Spoiler:

* I picked the girl and named her Caitlyn

* I got the Mudkip and saved Professor Birch

* I have mixed feelings about Rival Brendan being a bit sexist. It's nice that he has a character arc in ORAS, but since he is forgotten about after Route 110 and is then abandoned completely after Lilycove, it's a little weird. Also I didn't know his theme music in the overworld was different. It's cool, but it's so weird hearing it differently after all this time.

* I found Ralts in Route 102 unexpectedly quickly. I think it was 6 to 8 encounters on that route. Dang!

* Thank goodness it's a female Ralts.

* Ralts, stay in the Pokéball. I only got 6

* I named Ralts "Caroline H" after Caroline Herschel (the sister of astronomer William Herschel)

* I did some switch training with Mudkip, so Ralts could learn Confusion at level 6. I also caught some Zigzagoon named "Moe," "Curly," and "Larry." Side note: I checked out of morbid curiosity, and Curly apparently has a base 70 Ground-type Hidden Power.

* I almost immediately start wasting Growl's PP for the sake of getting Struggle. I also used a PP Up I got from one of the Zigzagoon on "Confusion" during this process because I realized this didn't take quite as long as I was told.

* Besides Youngster Allen (I think) and his Poochyena on Route 102, I didn't challenge everyone. The kid with a Seedot who knows Bide was skipped, etc.

* When I get to Petalburg Forest, I had to use the last Confusion on that Bug Catcher's six Whurmple. He came out of nowhere. Jerk!

* I beat the Team Aqua Grunt's Poochyena, but then this Bug Catcher went out of his way to ruin the run with his Nincada who knew a bug-type HP-restoring move (Leech Life, I think). I had to restart from before the first Aqua Grunt, and then I had to avoid him.

* I avoid everyone on the north side of Route 104 except the Fisherman.

* I battled the Youngster and Lass on Route 116, but I didn't want to battle the other Bug Catcher's Nincada. I also didn't battle the Hiker's three Geodude.

* After some failed attempts, I came up with a strategy for Roxanne, which involved selling some items from Zigzagoon's Pickup (eg, Full Restore isn't really that useful early game) to buy more potions and four X Defend. I used two of the PP-restoring berries on Ralts to use Double Team and STAB confusion. I'm level 13 for this battle thanks to a rare candy. This whole battle was nerve-wracking cuz at any point I could get one-shot by a critical "Rock Tomb"

* Time to beat the Route 116 hiker and save Peeko from that Team Aqua Grunt.

* Go sailing to Dewford

* Catch an Abra named "MarieCurie"

* Beat Brawly with level 18 Ralts.

* Go back to Petalburg for the Exp. Share.

* Destroy the trainers I missed earlier including that double battle on Route 104.

* I hope I remember to destroy that Route 102 Youngster's Poochyena sometime way later.

* Catch Flash HM Pokémon Lotad

* Deliver the letter to Steven

* Go to Slateport

* Get TM for Thief

* The first Grunt goes down, and Abra evolves into Kadabra

* The second grunt has a Zubat, and I kind of goofed here. I switched to Kadabra after the Zubat went down to Ralts's confusion, so Ralts didn't evolve in front of the goons. More importantly, I ran out of PP for Thief unexpectedly (which could've been avoided by using Kadabra's Confusion), and it was nerve-racking getting rid of all Ralts's PP to use Struggle. At least I didn't have to use Growl 40 times, but this was not easy. I just made it look like I was toying with them.

 

[Infer12]

Pokémon Diamond (Standard Mode)
Mono-Flying
Update 2 (Veilstone City -> Canalave City)

Gym Leader Crasher Wake:

Spoiler:

- Gyarados & Floatzel went down pretty easily to Drifblim's Thunderbolt (She took a Bite from Floatzel like a champ)
- Quagsire could do nothing to me (only ground/normal moves) so I KO'd it with a couple of Psychics

- Golbat evolved into Crobat
- Picked up Shadow Ball for Drifblim and Surf for Gyarados en route & in Celestic Town
- Staravia evolved into Staraptor

Gym Leader Fantina:

Spoiler:

- My Drifblim took hers out with Thunderbolt (her Aftermath did a lot of damage) but was taken out by Mismagius
- Crobat KO'd it but Psybeam took it to red
- Gengar didn't go down to 1 Bite so used Poison Jab on my Crobat?!
- Another Bite takes it out

- Did some Surf exploration
- Taught Flamethrower to Gyarados (not ideal but might be useful for steel & ice gym)
- Cleared Iron Island

Gym Leader Byron:

Spoiler:

- Staraptor couldn't do much to Bronzor so I switched to Crobat
- Got 1 Bite off but he switched to Steelix, U-turned into Gyarados
- Aqua Tail KO'd it and got Bastiodon to red
- Bastiodon set up 2 Iron Defenses and healed so I switched to Drifblim
- Knocked it out with HP Water after a spdef drop from Shadow Ball
- Ko'd Bronzor with Shadow Ball

My Team:

Spoiler:

Staraptor Lv 39
Aerial Ace/Return/Quick Attack/Close Combat

Crobat Lv 38
Wing Attack/Confuse Ray/U-turn/Bite

Drifblim Lv 39
Psychic/Thunderbolt/Hidden Power (Water)/Shadow Ball

Murkrow Lv 38
Wing Attack/Night Shade/Faint Attack/Fly

Gyarados Lv 39
Aqua Tail/Bite/Flamethrower/Ice Fang