Oscarus

There's a lotta of opinions about newest Paldean Gym Leader - Iono. 

Barring fanbase's whining and lamenting about character, design, personality and voice acting (which, in my opinion, are awesome... or at the very least unique; like c'mon - Gym Leader who's a influencer/V-Tuber? I don't believe that even in fanmade games I found such a combination), the main 'problem' (or should I say 'conundrum') is her... real identity 

According to available news, Iono is a character/personality of sorts; a fake persona in fact, just like most (if not all) VTubers have. I don't know if she's just a cyber creation, or also the one with the role poses as her in real life (especially during Gym Battles), but for sure that look and personality isn't the true one, because:

1. As I said, many/all VTubers and influencers of similar functioning have their public character changed, differing from their real one, more or less
2. Iono's German and Spanish names, Enigmara and E-Nigma come from "enigma", meaning "unknown". And her Italian name, "Kissana" comes from  "Chi sarà?" - "Who will it be?". That signifies that no one knows truth about her, at least in the public sphere of things. 

The question is... Who IS Iono actually? Who's hiding behind the mask/image of the most electryfing star of Paldean pop-culture?

And, a very popular theory says that Iono is actually... Penny. Yes, you heard me right, the 3rd, shy and timid "rival", being one of the most extravagant and flashy Gym Leaders in the entire Europe? I'd lose my shit if that turned out to be true. But, still, that would be one hell of a plot twist, and a very positive one, because the last mega plot twist GameFreak gave us was a bit... heart-breaking, not gonna lie... 

At first I thought since Nemona would lead us through Paldea League, and Arven would "hire" us to help him gather Herba Mystica, Penny would be a key character in hunting down Team Star... only to be revealed as one of the Admins, if not The Head Boss of all fractions. And now... I don't know which would be more sick from story-telling point, but I sure know that I'd rather be proud of her... rather than feeling the urge to break her back in three pieces. 

But that'd mean that our passionate chef Arven would be the only "rival" to not have any plot twist/sudden reveal to his character:

• Penny being the one behind the persona of Electric Leader Iono (or Team Star's Head Boss) 
• Nemona rumored to be one of Paldea League's Champions
• Arven... has nothing

I, honestly, don't want him to have some super mind-breaking twist (like... using the power of Herba Mystica to turn his Pokemon into Titans and, by controlling them, conquer Paldea Region, and then the entire world), but something as impactful, but without breaking immensions. Maybe have some other important character, like some truly competent Trainer, be revealed as his relative, and then reveal that his lack of talent in battling has caused them/his family to reject him, so he decided to use his cooking skills, and gathered Herba Mystica, to show his value as a human being. 

Why do I say it...? Maybe 'cause I love theorizing, and story creation? And I wanna talk about it? So... @SolareInferno, @Evi Crystal, @Q-Jei, anyone?

Anything? Any ideas? 

To my knowledge, Elemental Fangs (Fire, Ice, Thunder) are the only attacks to have TWO independent effects on the opponent: inflicting status conditions and flinching (but there's only 1% chance of that happening (since both effects have 10% chance), assuming opponent hasn't moved yet and it isn't immune to inflictable status conditions). All of the others have only one, one at once (like Tri Attack) or simply none. 

And no, I don't count moves like Flare Blitz or Infernal Parade because one of the effects (in this case burning) affect opponent, but the other (recoil or doubled damage against opponent with status condition) is affecting the user or the move itself. 

And while there are moves that also can inflict two different effects while being independent on each other, like Toxic Thread, those are status moves, so doesn't count. 

And I think it's wild, especially when considering that Fire, Thunder and Ice Fangs have existed since Generation 4. You would think they have done something similar before but nope, they haven't. 

I hope Gen 9 will bring at least one move with the same aspect, as it appears astounding. 

To quote Rose from Juno Songs' cover 

"It... pains me to have to do this... 

But you leave me no choice"

After I fought with a Trainer who had FULL TEAM of OU Legendaries, I've legitimately ragequit after the battle (which I've barely won, with some luck and their really stupid decisions like outright using Psychic on Hydreigon), and decided: "Fine! You wanna see me using Legends! I WILL be using Legends!" 

Since I've reset my old W/L record (I had a winrate of only 45%, but only because I haven't reset it earlier, because when I first played competitive, I sucked so much that my winrate was pathetically low), every Trainer had at least 2 OU Legendaries (expect one - a Trick Room specialist - who I had fought twice; once I lost with his one Pokemon standing, and the other I won with my one Pokemon standing; he was having only Cresselia). 

I know that many (and myself) call this cheap and so on... but I was so livid that I've decided to do it myself. After all, two can play that game, huh? 

I know that having two Pseudo-Legendaries would already put me on the aim for hate, technically using 4 Legendary Pokemon... But there's a reason why everyone are salty about Legendaries and Ultra Beasts, and not Pseudos. Moreover, after returning to competitive, my team consisted of only two true OU Pokemon - Tyranitar and Skarmory. The other three (Hydreigon, Scizor and Chandelure) are UU, while Megas were UUBL at best. So I think it's fair for me 

What is better overall? Slow, bulky pivoter, or fast and very offensive pivoter? 

Should that specific Pokemon take hit, then switch out to other, or switch out as fast as possible, and give it to bulkier Pokemon or someone who resists? 

Oh, I should specify that the specific Pokemon is is pretty defensively built in terms of base stats and typing, but also isn't particularly slow either, around 80 Base Speed. 

I know that this might be a dumb question, but I have a dilemma about the project... the 15th one this day... 

What is Pokemon Trainers' favorite way of killing enemies...? 

With Pokemon Presents already presented, I can say a few things about Paldea Region.

First, let us acknowledge that fans were just joking about Legendary Pokemon being rideable... And it turns out to the true?! Th'fuck?
But at the very least this is a truly unique usage of box art legends.

Also, the name of the schools are "Naranja Academy" and "Uva Academy"...?  

Welp, at least the logos are accurate, as 'naranja' and 'uva' are 'orange' and 'grapes' in Spanish. And those logos have those. 

About characters, some of them are interesting and I'm intrigued in them, like Principal Clavell (who I wouldn't be suprised if he was the main antagonist with ulterior motives, under the demeanor and appearance of old, intelligent man; and that the 'Treasure Hunt' is to have students help him in his plans), Arven (Spanish Brock and probably the other rival), Grusha (Ice Leader of Paldea League; i think she's usually shy, but in battles she tend to show fangs) and that yet unnamed muscular man with mustache and a big ahoge (I don't know his name, but judging by appearance he might be Gym Leader or League Chairman). Of course, I also have interest in Nemona and Sada/Turo, but we know them from previous trailer, so I skipped them.

Plus... We didn't get to see the Grand Champion yet... Which is surprising; by that time we've been presented to the Champ of a new region, and it's not like Paldea League is fresh off the oven; it's apparently quite old. Maybe the Championship spot is vacant, like in Uranium, and we have to get all 8 Badges to get to the League Conference and win it. And I hope that there'll be an Elite Four in the game - we don't necessarily have to fight them, but at least they should exist. 

We didn't see many new Pokemon, except (I think) Poison-Ground Wooper, Normal and/or Fairy Fidough, and Ice or Ice-Steel Cetitan. The last mentioned is my favorite from Paldea so far, with Sprigatito and Wooper behind them.

Perhaps the biggest relevantion is the "Terastar Phenomenon", which appears to be a 'tad downgraded Mega Evolution'. According to the trailer and the website, Terastar Phenomenon works on every Pokemon, and can give them "Tera Type", which is one from the 18 different types, and replaces the original. It can be once per battle and last the entire match, just like Mega Evolutions. And that moves with the same type as Tera or originals are said to be "extra powered". I don't know how much, but I bet it's gonna be a x2 boost - bigger than STAB, but not ludicrously overpowered. At least I hope; I don't want every attack falling under those categories to be as deadly as Black Hole Eclipse on the New World Field. 

With V19 starting... very soon, I think it's time for big bang preparations.

Especially for that Lin, which is actually the only battle I'm truly concerned for:

• Saphira - it's basically Dragon Tamer vs Dragon Tamer; I am already prepared 
• PULSE Mr. Mime - I bet this is a very defensive Pokemon, so it shouldn't pose any real threat 
• PULSE Clawitzer - the reverse or Mr. Mime; a speedy glass cannon (I hope), so if I get a chance to boost, it can be defeated rather easily... assuming it doesn't get a priority move 
  • I say that, assuming those are controlled by Sigmund and Sirius respectively; which I think is logical - those two are counterparts of sorts 
• Elite Four - they may pose a threat, but after reading various theories, and seeing potential teams, I might create a team for them from the Pokemon I already have (assuming we could change teams between battles; if not... I just create the most universal team I can; I'm quite good at it) 

But Lin, especially Darkium Z Hydreigon and Arceus, those scare me. Especially when considering they will have PULSE2 or other cheating bullshit. 

However! I do have the strategy; which involves turning the advantage of her Field... against her. 

With how she likes to overpower and break through everything at ease, she is no match for the strategic mastermind such as myself. 

I will make her sweat, cry and bleed... until I hear her crumbling and begging for mercy.

We... are in endgame. 

And it's high time to put the end to her plans... and entire existence. 

I will futfill Ame's last request, to make Reborn great again... by eliminating that witch once, and, for, all... 

You have said that Porygon2 was my weakest Pokemon in the Trick Room team. 

And thanks to it I've won my first match lol. 

My opponent quit after its' Blizzard froze BOTH Mega Alakazam and Zapdos at once! The did survive both the Blizzard and Stakataka's Rock Slide, but barely, and only because of Aurora Veil. Still, that was hilarious

You know what would be truly hilarious...? 

If in the game there was an Easter Egg where there's a secret room with devs (before the possibly of actually meeting and challenging them) who were talking about some projects or life... but each one in their own, native language. 

And, just like in Tekken, everyone would understand each other and continue like nothing happened. 

That would work if every person in the said room was from different nation, and no two selected people would speak the same laungage. Also bonus points if the spoken laungage isn't some who is spoken by large masses and is common like English, Spanish, French, Italian etc. 

Maybe some like: Hungarian, Swedish, or some "exotic" ones like Hebrew, Arabic, Mandarin, Japanese (so those who use different alphabets than Latin or Cyrillic, which are the most common ones used in Europe and American continents) 

I don't know, but it'd be unusual... and hilarious. 

A question... Is peace and harmony in life too much to ask for? 

I know this is not quite the place to ask, but I honestly can't find a better place, especially since my "friends" are apparently defending the bullying-and-toxic kind of behaviors everyone around me loves to present in public and in private life. 

I honestly could write down an entire article about my life situation... But right now I'm feeling under the weather (and not even Pokemon Scarlet/Violet - perhaps the best canon Pokemon games in terms of plotline - lightened my mood), so maybe one day, one day... 

I was a little of a dickhead, I know. 

• Not saying or responding to wishes during Christmas' and New Year's seasons
• Being overall silent in the forum
• Being serious and hardly laughing at all
• Forgetting myself and accidentally spoiling plot of the gang just because "it's been public for a while"
• Not giving a fuck about other people's deaths or tragedies (perhaps the most insensitive was my reaction on Joseph Ratzinger's passing, which was like: "Well, I saw that coming...")

In fact, I feel like I'm slowly becoming insensitive, bored and way too straightforward, but in a bad way. Just like Larry. 

But there's a difference here - Larry is a fictional character, within a fictional universe, fullon unique personaliies. And I am pretty much real. And... I don't wanna lose the will to live!

Maybe it's just me getting desperate over lack of any human contact ("quite unique" for an introvert since early elementary school), or my life is getting repetitive, or it's real depression... or combination for all.

I know I don't need to say it... well, I guess I just did... maybe because not even my family doesn't want to hear my problems, even daring to say that "depression and all 'mental illnesses' are a figment of lazy humans"

...

Do I need to say more? 

Maybe it's on me for not having close friends in real life... because I wish NOT to be in the vicinity of vandals, drug dealers and third-rated racketeers. 

And- and why am I saying this? Who will care? Are you trying to make a victim out of yourself, Oscar?

...y'know, forget it. 

Maybe I shouldn't type it... but, somehow, I have the urge to speak about my problems with others whenever I'm feeling under the weather. 

I'm cheugy. 

Nowadays, in my life, there's either superluck, or no luck at all. Recently, I've experienced the first one.

I have a love-hate relationship with gacha games; the thrill of seeing whenever I receive 3️, 4️, or 5️ is addicting... too addicting, in fact. Even though I maintain my F2P virginity, I feel like I'm craving the lottery-like adrenaline a little too much.

But moments such as those are worth the trouble.

I haven't rolled for a quite some time in Pokemon Masters (no wonder I have 22k gems right now), so I've decided to test my luck; on Master Banner.

Master Banner are pretty rare banners with event-exclusive Master Units: those are not only better overall than most in-game units, but also have the Master Passive Skills, which give large boosts to the entire team, which are getting stronger the more allies share the Theme with the Passive (either Type Speciality or Region)

Now, Master Banners include wholly new "Champion Outfit" for Calem and Serena; those appear to be better Sygna Suits. And, as all Master Units, they have only 1% to be pulled, unlike 2% for all the other 5️ banner-leading units. But, since I ultimately decided not to pull for them, trying to sum up on some other banners, I've decided to do "one random pull", just for gigs.

For Calem, I got Bugsy (3️), so nothing special

But for Serena... the screen of Kalos at night made me screech for real, not believing it actually worked.

But, it did - Champion Serena on my first attempt. I felt like all those Poketubers who got Shiny Legendary from Ultra Wormhole on the first encounter. I was, and still am, stoked.