Noir

Well, this is certainly deep. Everyone's special in their own way. You've done things most of us here haven't, and there are things you should be proud of. I can relate to how thoughts like that happen; it's only when we get over them do we find actually the true meaning and purpose behind our lives, and I'm sure most would agree that you've done amazing things throughout the years of cultivating the Reborn community. Mewtwo did say that it is what you do with the gift (or whatever you'd see it now) of life that determines who you are. You've flourished it to become, well, pretty much being a person that brought so many people together and bringing joy and entertainment to people who play the game. You've even inspired people to gave their own games akin to yours. Happy birthday, and a wish of joy and happiness I convey to you for the days to come.

Giving specifics, such as moves, stats, natures of your team members can be significant in gaining more advice. Given how centralized your team your team is with a fair bit of Dark types, it's a mild surprise you're having issues, not to come across as an insult.

There's a lot you can do, honestly. Physically offensive Pokemon that provide defensive synergy against Grass and Electric types particularly stand out, such as Darmanitan against Grass types or Druddigon against both, as can more specially bulky Pokemon that resist the two typings, such as Dragalge and Venusaur, despite being special Attackers. Rain support, as mentioned a few times in this thread, is also beneficial in increasing damage output. The only flaw is that it disallows you to effectively use Fire types as effective synergy against Grass types, although Pokemon that abuse Hurricane, while rare, are also effective in Rain.

As a start, welcome to Reborn, with this being your first post here. That being said, I'll be kinda blunt on what I think of the team in general. I'm not sure if you've finished the game at its current point and just want to make a team for well...purposes, or if this is you making a new team before continuing with your progress, so not everything I say will be relevant. While the establishment of Greninja/Excavalier/Dragalge is solid enough, Whimsicott fails to offer effective support utility with the exception of Chandelure, as the remaining teammates are either fast enough or far too slow to effectively utilize Tailwind. As such, it at best serves as a stall Pokemon with SubSeed of sorts, which isn't that effective in a playthrough sans specific NPCs with high levels like Arceus and Garchomp. Should you wish to still use Whimsicott on your team, it's perfectly fine synergetically, just that you'd might want to use a more offensive set rather than a utility one, since until we get competitive battling which is in the far future, it's usually pretty ineffective in an in-game playthrough. With a moveset of Energy Ball/Hurricane or Hidden Power Fire/Moonblast/Substitute, and well, a few other select options, it would be more effective in-game, but less popular competitively. From a competitive standpoint, not everything from Smogon is relevant here (me being an avid user of the site myself I can very easily tell where the Speed on the two slow guys come from), and with apologies for being either rude or judgmental with this statement. I'm not saying looking up Smogon is bad, it's just that especially in in-game playthroughs like this, it's not fully relevant; quite the opposite, in fact. Assuming 31 IVs across the board and whatnot, (correct me) while investing Speed on Excavalier and Dragalge has its merits, it usually won't be as relevant because in-game playthroughs aren't divided by tiers, so chances are the Speed creeps won't be as helpful as you'd hope for them to be. I'd advise shifting the Speed EVs to a particular defensive stat or HP. Energy Ball generally is more effective than Hidden Power Ice as a coverage move on Chandelure, especially considering that your two STAB moves alone outdamage it even super effectively so long as the target takes neutral damage. As for new members, with your team currently centralized on Special Attackers with only one physical attacker, putting one and one together a physical attacker that resists Flying would be an effective fit, given that you don't have anything that resists it. Rock types come to mind since you'd rather not compound on multiple Steels with Excavalier on board, as can Electric types. Examples of such Pokemon include Rhyperior and Electivire, although Eelektross, due to Levitate, is also an option given that you'd have three Ground weaknesses on your team with only Grass Knot Greninja and Whimsicott as viable resists. Archeops falls under a similar role, especially if you want Flying STAB to use. I'd advise a choice of the latter two, since an immunity to Ground-type moves is always welcome while still having resists to Flying, given the fantastic offensive coverage the two provide. Hope my advice was helpful.

I sleep every two to three days. I've had worse in the past, but now I've been trying to balance it. If I do sleep consecutively, though, it would be the equivalent of my sleep pattern anyway, meaning I sleep only an average of 2-4 hours.

A field that nullifies all active abilities of active Pokemon apart from Fairy types? Sure, more toxic-relative fields would make more sense since Gastro Acid, but meh, it's a guess.

Oh. I wonder where I missed her reaffirming that, I was assured by how it would be dead..... It warms my heart to see it not gone, I guess. Thanks for the clarification.

So since Sucker Punch is kinda dead either when this releases or some initial bug fix patch or whatever comes out, what exactly happens? Are files with Pokemon with the move going to be put at risk of being unable to load due to inaccessible/removed content (well, from experience of swapping between versions this has happened before) or is it just going to go poof as if deleted by the move deleter?

A shell of flesh, or a shell of metal? Both ring hollow. Matthew's unsuccessful attack wasn't entirely in vain, Debronee had to admit. It was an elaborate plan; it was simply that the enemy was beyond an opponent to scath with anything material. At the very least, well, despite the heavy consequence that followed -- that the enemy's body was empty. A blade against empty armor was, needless to say, a ridiculous matchup, akin to the servants that stood on his door before guiding him to the halls. Nothing remained inside. No weak spot, no opening. Debronee knew not if the revelation was an omen of capital realization or that of despair; was there actually a way for the three of them to defeat her? Debronee eyed the suit of armor solemnly from his directed gaze towards the injured pirate, knowing that she was now expecting, anticipating his turn to attack, after watching the other two. As if to deny him of his initial thought, the woman didn't seem inclined to take the advantage of the injured man's severely crippled state, black and blue with wounds and bearing the excruciating gaush he was now putting the final touches in cauterizing. If she wanted to, she would have done so any second instead of giving him the time to heal. The silver-haired elf faced her own gaze, and he who had been barely scathed in the action -- well, he did little of it, if at all -- would now fight her alone, perhaps. Zagi had to attend to Matthew's injuries, but at the very least, Debronee had to buy time until Matthew was capable again. He then pondered on what he was supposed to do. Taking a deep breath upon noticing Snow's icicle blades, he decided his first move. It wasn't like him to use such it especially when initiating a fight, but it was his best choice, as of the moment. A direct, frontal assault would be nothing but reckless, even with Debronee's speed. Analyzing Snow's initial attack on Matthew, he was convinced that she was at least as fast as he was, but she had both powerful offense and defense to complement such speed. She would at the very least parry him, but she had to have a weak spot; she was distracted through their combined efforts, but perhaps her sheer defense itself would be enough. Opponents like her were, as much as he hated to admit it, a real pickle for a more opportunistic fighter like him to face. Debronee smashed the tip of his signature blade into the ground, before a giant sword appeared from the heavens crashing down onto the battlefield from directly above Snow at an unseeable speed. ((Execute -- Active))

Debronee had only watched the two men clash with Snow from a distance. He wasn't waiting; he was observing. Knowing was half the battle. He hadn't expected this to lay on a team effort; he had anticipated more of something of a fight to the death or a free for all, but perhaps he'd though so too soon. Debronee found it surprising that he was left alone, but not until the two men's squabbles over cooperation aroused him from his thoughts. Debronee felt slightly repulsed at the pirate's commanding tone; who was he dictate how things went, especially when he had yet to explain a proper plan, and expose it out in the open, in front of the enemy, no less? Despite what he saw to be a foolish, rash move, Debronee seemed to acknowledge him as a quick thinker rather than an analytical one, an aspect that would perhaps prove to be more useful in this battle. And while all three seemed to understand that they needed to work together, none had yet to put it into practise. This was part of why Debronee hated group activity. The two men, akin to him, were users of blades, but one, Zagi, had a touch of magic in his abilities as well. More important, their adversary, the armor-clad female who was know controlling blades of ice in her assault against the two, was evidently an opponent Debronee had slim chances, if not no chance at all, of beating alone. As far as he hated to admit it and as far as he was better off alone, especially due to the conflict that would happen between teamwork, Debronee knew that the wisest move, the wisest act one could do now is to trust and cooperate with the others instead of acting on their own. Whoever was willing to give up their ego and trust in the other first would earn back even the slightest advantage in a team fight, he recalled Donovac's words. Debronee lunged beside the pirate, replying with a noncommittal nod. This better be worth me trusting you, whatever the heck you're up to, he thought, as he wondered if the look in his eyes gave away the message. Debronee had yet to reveal any of his skills; how this man, Matthew would concoct a plan amidst such vague circumstances, Debronee spared a moment of curiosity amidst the tense atmosphere. Withdrawing his blade, he would strike given the opportunity at a moment's notice.

Thanks. To my information Australia's about two hours in the future from where I come from, so I doubt it's really polar; of course, we'll discuss that in PM or something. Since I'm free from work for some time I'll polish up the Poison Rankings before I move on to the rest. Not to sound rude or be a grammar nazi, but also try and notice a few rankings for things like inappropriately placed spoilers, missing letters/punctuation like the missing V on Venusaur, and the like. Not too significant, but it can help avoid the minor eyesore. One more thing I'd like to note about Poison is the availability of Venoshock; correct me if I'm wrong about the legitimacy of it being available, but I think I stumbled upon it in the Bysbysion Wasteland. Venoshock in tandem with Toxic Spikes support can prove to be a decently potent combo, although it's probably better off used by things that lack a Poison STAB and are Special, such as Venusaur/Amoongus and the like. Include it on what doesn't have a Poison STAB, I guess. Put the Venusaur and Roserade rankings from Grass into S for Poison, unless you'd rather I make an alternative one. I'll probably just make another one (see below). With a typing that provides a neutrality in addition to being super effective to one of the more problematic types on Poison runs -- being Ground -- they merit a spot to deal with these Pokemon, specifically Venusaur and its potent bulk, although Roserade also provides nice things to the run as well. There are options missing and changes that need to be precedented, such as Shadow Ball on Nidoqueen/Nidoking, which is no longer available. Icy Wind is an option for the two of them as a temporary replacement over Ice Beam, obtainable through the available move tutors (which some things here are missing too) benefitting from Sheer Force. Ice is going to prove important (against the two big bad Garchomps) as the game progresses. Nidoqueen will have to opt for Crunch to hit Ghost types with, or if you've evolved it earlier than the obtainable level, Shadow Claw. Head Smash and Iron Tail are also notable moves for Nidoking to use, depending on whether or not you want to put them there. Bulldoze is also a considerable option on the two of them, I guess, particularly Nidoking because while it's better with Special Attacks has the ability to hit from both spectrums. Drapion has access to Brick Break and Bulldoze as options to combat Steels, competing with Fire Fang. Venomoth can utilize Hidden Power Fire/Ground/Fighting/Rock if obtainable; while Tinted Lens helps with the damage, you'll generally appreciate the coverage nonetheless,moreso useful on sets that don't run TL. Venomoth also gets Baton Pass and Giga Drain through breeding, the former being pretty nice since you can provide your teammates with yummy Quiver Dance boosts. Muk can Explode too. I suppose some people aren't that fond of it, but it's an option. Crobat has potency for a Special Attacking set with Nasty Plot (from Honchkrow) and unlike its physical counterpart can damage Steel types with a Hidden Power of choice, particularly Fire/Fighting/Ground. You rely on Venoshock and Air Slash as STAB moves, in additon to Dark Pulse for extra coverage. Zen Headbutt is another option you can run on physical sets, although you can't run both Brave Bird and Zen Headbutt on the same set. Weezing gets Flamethrower, which is important for it to take down Steels; Dark Pulse is also effective against Ghost types. Vileplume benefits from HP Fire/Ground/Ice/Rock, too. That and status such as Sleep Powder, Stun Spore and Aromatherapy support are also meritable options. Arbok has a lot of missing options there; Iron Tail, Fire Fang, Thunder Fang, Ice Fang, Sucker Punch, Bulldoze and Rock Tomb. I'd shove it onto B, but I'll let you decide. I'll probably rewrite the rest from here; hope I don't exceed the limit though. Let's start: Venusaur Ranking: S Ability: Overgrow/Chlorophyll Moves: Giga Drain, Venoshock, Sleep Powder, Leaf Storm, Hidden Power Fire/Ice/Rock/Ground, Power Whip, Curse, Grassy Terrain, Nature Power, Seed Bomb, Growth, Bulldoze, Petal Blizzard, Petal Dance, Leech Seed, Synthesis. Roserade Ranking: S Ability: Technician/Natural Cure Moves: Giga Drain, Venoshock,Hidden Power Fire/Ground/Rock/Fighting, Petal Blizzard, Leaf Storm, Sleep Powder, Spikes, Toxic Spikes, Aromatherapy, Weather Ball, Extrasensory, Synthesis. Petal Dance, Leech Seed, Magical Leaf, Grassy Terrain. Victreebel Ranking: B Ability: Chlorophyll Moves: Leaf Blade, Giga Drain, Leaf Storm, Venoshock, Power Whip, Knock Off, Growth, Bullet Seed, Natural Gift, Acid Spray, Sleep Powder, Weather Ball, Nature Power, Hidden Power Fire/Ice/Ground/Rock. Scolipede Ranking: B Ability: Speed Boost Moves: Baton Pass, Iron Defense, Protect, Toxic, Megahorn, Pin Missile, Bulldoze, Rock Tomb, Double-Edge, Spikes, Toxic Spikes, Endeavor. Tentacruel Ranking: B Ability: Clear Body/Liquid Ooze/Rain Dish Moves: Surf, Sludge Wave, Hydro Pump, Waterfall, Poison Jab, Mirror Coat, Knock Off, Venoshock, Hidden Power Grass/Electric/Ice, Toxic Spikes, Brine. Ariados Ranking: C Ability: Swarm/Sniper Moves: Poison Jab, Cross Poison, Megahorn, Sucker Punch, Night Slash, Shadow Sneak, Sticky Web, Agility, Baton Pass, Toxic Spikes, Bounce, Pin Missile, Bug Bite, Fell Stinger. It Seviper Ranking: B/C Ability: Infiltrator/Shed Skin Moves: Sludge Wave, Flamethrower, Coil, Poison Jab, Hidden Power Ice/Ground/Water, Crunch, Iron Tail, Bulldoze, Dark Pulse, Venoshock, Glare. Dustox Ranking: C Ability: Shield Dust Moves: Venoshock, Bug Buzz, Light Screen, Quiver Dance, Hidden Power Fire/Ice/Rock/Ground, Protect, Toxic, Moonlight, Venoshock, Electroweb. Beedrill Ranking: D Ability: Swarm/Sniper Moves: Toxic Spikes, Poison Jab, Agility, Pin Missile, Endeavor, Fell Stinger, Assurance, Brick Break, Acrobatics. Swalot Ranking: D Ability: Liquid Ooze/Sticky Hold Moves: Sludge Wave, Sludge Bomb, Gunk Shot, Venoshock, Hidden Power Fire/Ground/Fighting, Curse, Pain Split, Destiny Bond, Encore, Amnesia, Yawn. Aaand that concludes everything from Poison. I'll work on more of this soon.

Fair enough, but the only other defensive/support utility Pokemon that we actually can get and are as useful is perhaps Forretress, although event Ferrothorn will come out eventually through tournaments. I stand by how Bronzong is important as it's probably the best thing you can use as a defensive pivot depending on your team configuration, since again, it allows Steels to invest in bulk over Speed investment, and the fact that it really helps stuff like Excavalier, Steelix, and Hammer Arm Metagross. Nothing else can use TR unless you're building a team entirely around Speed relative things. That said, though, where would you want to put Forretress and the myriad of offensive Steel type Pokemon I listed in the previous post? The competition means that all but Excadrill or Lucario perhaps (due to their ability to damage opposing Steels, and in Excadrill's case Electric as well) will probably have to be discussed before I put the rankings on. I'd personally like to discuss with you on the guide in general if you'd like. From the beginning I partook in this I did say conflict will be inevitable although, of course, I'll keep it civil. We could do it through PM or on Showdown sometimes, depending on whether or not you consent to this.

I wonder if I'm supposed to do anything. Totally not being overly subconscious like it's a killer responsibility Last I spoke I just "followed someone to the door."

Wonder why Trick Room is not relevant in Steel runs. I personally think you can't compare Metagross and Bronzong when their roles are entirely different. I personally also have conflicting opinions on Gross given the wide competition of physical attacking Steels like Excadrill, Excavalier,Lucario and debatably Aggron that I planned to do later. "Specially Defensive Special sweeper" says a lot of the degree of understanding you guys put on Bronzong. Ill admit TR isn't always needed depending on what you run, since some Steels can boost Speed, but you can run bulk on a TR team, which is why I put it S. Ill respect the lack of screens but the lack of SR and Toxic isn't super significant in game and you dont want to get too full on support.

It's Calm, not Clam. It increases Special Defense but reduces Attack.

Rankings from a man with a heart of Steel: Bronzong Ranking: S Ability: Levitate/Heatproof Moves: Trick Room, Gyro Ball, Extrasensory, Explosion, Payback, Rain Dance, Sandstorm, Bulldoze, Hidden Power Fire/Ground, Grass Knot, Signal Beam. Bronzong is the backbone of every serious Steel mono run that should always be considered, if not always used. What makes it so efficient is its mixed versatility that gives it decent offensive presence, including a nifty Psychic STAB against Fighting types, and fantastic support and defensive capabilities. It's one of the rare Steels with Levitate, which is an essential free and yummy immunity to Ground-type moves, occasional field damage, and the like, and can also opt for Heatproof if you have concerns against the ever-dominant Fire leader Charlotte. Apart from that, Bronzong is the only Steel with access to the very useful Trick Room that allows it to support the very common slower variety of Steel types in the run. Apart from that, it can provide weather support in Rain Dance for teams consisting of Empoleon and covering Fire weaknesses, or Sandstorm for teams with Rock/Steels and Excadrill. It can act as an offensive suicide lead with Trick Room and or weather support and it can also stick around as a defensive pivot and tank with its decent coverage all around. The closest things to flaws are additional weaknesses to Ghost and Dark types, which can be patched up by other teammates and doesn't hinder it from being a giant piece of support to the team. A redirected opinion of an already existing ranking: Empoleon Ranking: S Ability: Torrent/Defiant Moves: Surf, Hydro Pump, Water Pledge, Hidden Power Electric/Ice, Icy Wind, Grass Knot, Signal Beam, Waterfall, Aqua Jet, Drill Peck, Agility, Swords Dance, Shadow Claw. Empoleon is another versatile Steel for teams to consider; ranging from strong offense to defense, it can fulfill both roles very potently with it's typing and offensive capability. Most importantly, a Water-type in a Steel run is incredibly important, especially when you intend to spar against Charlotte. What leads from first glance is it's Special Attacking capability but a considerably lacking Speed that inclines to be more of a tanky attacker, but it can patch this up with Agility as well that allows it to sweep teams fairly well. Empoleon's effectiveness against opposing Ground types also makes it a fantastic cannon in the offense v defense war, and Aqua Jet is another tool that complements physical and special archetypes very well to pick off weakened opponents. Speaking of physical archetypes, Empoleon's access to Swords Dance also merits use as a physical attacker, although the special attacker's niche is very much needed in a mono-Steel. To top this all off, Empoleon has a wide array of resistances to utilize and is also the main contender in rain-based Steel runs with support from Pokemon like Bronzong, and Torrent and Defiant are both decent abilities that bolster it's offensive potential. Always consider this guy when making a team, as it gives things no other Steel can actually replace. Magnezone Ranking: S Ability: Sturdy/Analytic Moves: Discharge, Flash Cannon, Hidden Power Fire/Ice/Ground/Water, Thunder Wave, Magnet Rise, Metal Sound, Charge Beam, Signal Beam, Mirror Coat, Explosion. Magnezone brings a mixed bag of utility to the table of Steel mono-runs. What first appeals is its nuke 135 Special Attack further bolstered by Analytic, making it unrivaled in Special Attacking on such a run with the exception of Empoleon. Magnezone also provides a coveted Electric type offense against the Water types that resist Steel-type damage, in addition to having a stupid amount of 11 resistances, as well as something not everyone has -- Magnet Rise. Although it's very situational and takes off a moveslot most of the time, it does provide it with a nifty immunity to Ground for five turns, which removes its main weakness. It can also provide Thunder Wave and Metal Sound support for itself or other teammates, depending on how the team is built; its low Speed also makes it functional in Trick Room, although it no longer benefits from Analytic if it does so. Sturdy also allows it a free Focus Sash, which is great especially when paired with options such as Explosion and Mirror Coat. And more coming up later.

Only Debronee's eyes spoke. He raised a brow at the new revelation of his sorting, as he examined the card landing into the Cyan Goblet. The Goblet of Mind. For once, Debronee opened his curiosity to the other individuals alongside him, each separated and divided into groups much like he was now; the Goblet of Spirit, the Goblet of Body, the Goblet of Knowledge. Debronee had been through enough mystery and vagueness of the place to know that thinking that they were divided according to capability might not be the most accurate presumption. And these mentors -- what purpose would they provide during the Clash of Fates? Debronee only had one mentor in his life, and only him would he adhere to and respect. But perhaps he had no other choice in the matter; perhaps it would prove useful to him, in a way he would only know when every mystery would finally materialize into experience -- whenever it would. It was coming soon. Beneath the uncertainty of everything, he seemed assured of one thing, though; no one here was to be underestimated, something he'd probably convinced himself multiple times during his short while in the vicinity. He was then guided to his room, a slight vigor coercing his every step.

I could get into this, if there's room to spare.

I wonder what we're supposed to do now. I'm getting a bit too busy to keep up with the pace of how things are going, but I'll try to be active here nonetheless. The pairs and stuff are getting interesting now though.

Infernape. I use him on nearly 75% of every Reborn run since it's just strong starting early-game while not being stupidly easy mode like Blaziken. Anything that isn't a bulky Dragon is literally decimated, whereas bulky Water and Ground types can say hello to Grass Knot. Gets priority, too -- Mach Punch helped a couple of times in the past, but I eventually grew to use another coverage move over it and it can hit tons of things super hard.

It's entirely dependent on the approach you intend to take with your Scrafty. More offensively-orientated sets that intend to outspeed foes and sweep will opt for max Attack and at least a significant investment in Speed, needless to say. Bulkier sets would appreciate max HP over Defenses. Max HP not only gives you balanced defenses with minimal EV investment but also gives you more defense in general. Investing in the lower base stat between HP and Defense is generally superior, although maybe that's just me.

"Get ready to have your life ruined, if it's going to be a repeat of what I've gone through. Maybe you'd recover from it earlier than I do."

What post are you referring to? The OP specifically says that you can get Vanillite after beating Julia.