I really do enjoy the game. The story is interesting and I'm liking how many things look so far. The battles are fun and engaging, and the dark storyline has me intrigued.
With that being said, I'm doing my best here. I'm researching and trying everything I can, but I can't seem to beat Shelly. I'm about as high as I am comfortable training, and no matter what I do she just keeps wrecking me. I'm tired of having to grind up other pokemon I wasn't planning on using, just to see if they'll maybe give me the edge I need, because nothing gives me enough edge. This is the third badge (fourth gym technically) and not even anywhere near halfway through the game for gods' sakes. How am I supposed to see the rest of the game? I feel stuck.
I've looked over forum threads on how to beat her, for ideas, videos for tips and such, and the only answer I keep coming to is to just get lucky. I feel like I'm being punished for wanting to enjoy a new game. I went into this expecting difficult, but not "I'm at 58 hours and can't get the third official badge no matter what i try" difficult. There's way more than the standard eight in this game, that much I know, but I feel like I'll never be able to see the rest of it no matter what I try. The Anorith outspeeds everything on my team because of Rain Dance, which means I get hit by rocks before I can do anything. And if I'm particularly unlucky, then I will flinch even if I live.
I feel like I'm only going to get flamed for this, or told to "git gud" or what have you, but listen. I've already restarted once because I needed to try having a different starter. That's obviously not the issue here. Like, I could go to cap if I wanted but I doubt that would make that much of a difference at this point.
For the hell of it, I will post my current team, which I have tried to structure to beat Shelly (the keyword is tried):
Circe:
Delphox (LV34)
-Twistedspoon
Mystical Fire
Flame Charge
Psybeam
Psyshock
Dynama:
Zebstrika (LV32)
Spark
Charge
Stomp
Flame Charge
Gerald:
Unfezant (LV32)
-Super Luck
Air Cutter
Air Slash
Detect
Quick Attack
Molly:
Emolga (LV32)
Acrobatics
Nuzzle
Electroball
Double Team
Maggie:
Slugma (LV33)
-Focus Sash
Flame Burst
Rock Slide
Ancient Power
Nature Power
Bagheera:
Persian (LV34)
-Technician
Fake Out
Cut
Pay Day
Feint Attack
I'm going to give it another go, instead opting to maybe use the mareep for electric terrain and hopefully stacking those things will help? I just dont see how this is okay. My team looked totally different before I tried the strategy of burning the forest field, but I can't kill the araquanid before it just puts the rain back up. bye bye slugma. I should not have to restructure my team for every single gym battle. grinding is a pain in the ass, and some lesser rpgs use it for padding. there's more than enough content in this game, so i know it's not padding. however I just am unable to access the rest of the game at the moment because of how many resources are locked behind this, to say nothing of the obedience bullshit and the level cap.
Edit:
Taking in everyone's advice, I'm really thankful for the calm way everyone who replied handled my frustration. It's refreshing to be a part of a nice community. I've taken the sash off maggie, as she didnt even need it during my initial tries with that strategy. I'll add another edit once I've given it another go!
EDIT-EDIT:
Shelly's down! Everything paid off and i didn't even need to try twice or more because of potential bad luck. She sent out the Anorith to knock off my twistedspoon instead of trying to put the rain back up. Shrugs? Oh well, I did it! The advice was the biggest thing that encouraged me to give it another go, so thanks to everyone who commented!
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