Ironbound

Welcome to Reborn.

Hush. That's a secret. And I'm hardly refusing, since I've already relegated some brain-juice to its cause, merely postponing the thing because for once I've no idea what the hell to make of it while still keeping its character intact. And I'm not that colourblind. I can drive a car with a valid license, after all. And yes, your replies are up for full public scrutiny, but don't let that deter you.

I'm indulging you. I hardly think an anime character would befit me, but go on anyways, it's interesting to see what another would associate me with.

Right. A tad neglected for a while, but let's address the trolley problem. In my view, pure utilitarianism dictates that it is obligatory to steer to the track with one man on it, because such a decision would be not only permissible, but, morally speaking, the better option (the other option being no action at all.) An alternate viewpoint is that since moral wrongs are already in place in the situation, moving to another track constitutes a participation in the moral wrong, making one partially responsible for the death when otherwise no one would be responsible (the question being, "Why should I dirty my hands by being complicit?") An opponent of action may also point to the incommensurability of human lives, since after all, how do we say that any one life is greater or lesser? We can't measure lives. However, under my interpretations of moral obligation, simply being present in this situation and being able to influence its outcome constitutes an obligation to participate. I cannot disclaim myself from 'dirtying my hands' if I am in such a position, for to not act would br to allow a tragedy to happen when a lesser tragedy could have been influenced by your deed to prevent a greater one. If this is the case, then deciding to do nothing would be considered an immoral act if one values five lives more than one! If, however, there is prior knowledge about the parties on the tracks, there will obviously be a bias on the part of the decision-maker, and there we enter pure subjectives. For instance, in my case, if there were five people I know nothing about on the original track, and one pregnant woman, about whom also I know nothing, I would not act to divert the trolley onto the woman, because to me the life of the unborn child is the most sacred priority, and I would willingly accept the moral consequence of not acting to save five lives over two. Let us examine the most popular corollary, the fat man problem. As before, the trolley is hurtling down a track towards five people. You are on a bridge under which it will pass, and you can stop it by putting something very heavy in front of it. As it happens, there is a very fat man next to you – your only way to stop the trolley is to push him over the bridge and onto the track, killing him to save five. Unlike the original case, this involves an active murder of an innocent who would otherwise be unharmed in the pursuit of what is in your view a potential greater good. Again, even when assuming we know nothing of the people in question, one clear distinction is that in the first case, one does not intend harm towards anyone – harming the one is a 'side effect' of switching the trolley away from the five. However, in the second case, harming the one is an integral part of the plan to save the five. Committing willful murder, in fact, for an objective. I have a very bourgeois attitude towards murder: I disapprove of murder. No one has the right to kill a life through willful action (and that includes suicide also, by the way, but that's a discussion for later...) So, I will not accept the claim. This is explainable via what is called the Doctrine of Double Effect, a thought experiment which states that you may take action which has bad side effects, but deliberately intending harm (even for perceived good causes) is wrong. That way lies the arrogance of the dictator, to decide based on personal judgment who should live and who should die. Note that in this case, Pure Utilitarianism is not, at least to me, morally superior: morally or legally committing or allowing murder of an innocent person in order to save five people is insufficient justification. Of course, it is very subjective, and if one has prior knowledge of the parties concerned, it may differ. In this case, if the fat man in question is known to be a villain who has done much evil to society, it may be morally justifiable to some to push him to his death to save others. Not to me, however. As I said, I disapprove of murder, be it off any person of any character for any reason whatsoever. Even were there five pregnant women on the track, I personally would not push the fat villain to save them. I do not murder, and it is NOT my place to decide who should live and who should die. This is not the same as being a doormat, and there are of course exceptions in case of self-defense or acting to right a wrong levelled against an interested party, but in this sterile situation, such an act would be condemnable in my eyes. If you are more interested, I suggest reading, "The Limits of Morality", by Shelly Kagan, a professor of Ethics at Oxford. That work details moral dilemmas in extension, including this one. Of course, this, like most philosophy, has an element of subjectivity, and I do not expect others to agree with me. As always, this discussion, as well as any fresh ones or any older ones even, are open to continuation. I await your opinions, readers.

Welcome to Reborn. I see you like puns. You'll have earned that upvote from me.

A sample of 100% genuine Viri: [08:18] %King Murdoc: man i'm so annoyed [08:19] %King Murdoc: they're making me not use my phone at work [08:19] +Viridescent: Oh? [08:19] %King Murdoc: even though they fuckin sit in their air conditioned office on facebook all day [08:19] Inno: Were you phoning it in, Murdoc? [08:19] +Viridescent: Well, that sounds... [08:19] %King Murdoc: Inno i swear to all that is holy and unholy [08:19] %King Murdoc: You too, Viri [08:19] +Viridescent sunglasses over glasses [08:19] Inno pats. [08:19] +Viridescent: That sounds phony [08:19] +Viridescent: :] [08:19] %King Murdoc uses Earthquake [08:20] +Viridescent: XD [08:20] +Viridescent: Sorry, couldn't resist. [08:21] +Viridescent: After all, it was such a perfect opportunity, it just called for a pun! [08:21] +Viridescent: Oh, but I'm sure it'll be fine, murdoc... [08:22] +Viridescent: You'll have cord-dial relations with your bosses soon! [08:22] @Captain Kyoyo looks [08:22] @Captain Kyoyo sees puns [08:22] @Captain Kyoyo: why

That's fine, Huk, I'm not forcing anyone. And you won't believe the number of scrunched-up papers I've dumped into the bin trying to draw that bird. Somehow I can't get an idea that I can agree with. Trust me, it's always at the back of my mind

Depends on the Pokemon. I don't bite then as attributes that have any aesthetic appeal, so I can't say that I prefer any one.

Congratulations, Jelly. Wishing you another great year ahead.

Fair point. Weenie, saying 'MM' at the top isn't quite articulate enough, seemingly. How about being a tad more next time, when there multiple drawings to review?

Oh, since everyone is going their top move of every type, I'll elaborate as well. TBH this is also fun introspection. 1. STEEL: Flash Cannon! 2. Water: Good ol' Surf. Screw Scald tbh. 3. Psychic: Lustre Purge. I like light-based moves. Lustre Purge needs a buff in power, though. 4. Ground: Earth Power. I have a preference for special moves, from a general aesthetic point of view. 5. Dark: Knock Off be praised. Unlike Scald, this isn't complete random bull, but a well-needed tool in this item-centered generation. 6. Dragon: Drop a Draco; obliterate the world. 7. Fighting: Aura Sphere for me. At least it's more refined that just beating things up, and it doesn't miss. 8. Fairy: Dazzling Gleam, as well as the yet-unreleased Light of Ruin. I like light-based moves. 9. Flying: eh... they're all the same to me. I'd go with Aeroblast, though. Cool move, the in-between of Air Slash's accuracy and Hurricane's power. Pity it's exclusive to a Pokemon that almost never uses it. 10. Fire: Sacred Fire. This is purely because of the name, and the visual aesthetics are cool, as well, with the blue flame. It looks like a special move, too, though it's physical to suit Ho-oh's higher attack. In any case, fire is indeed sacred in my philosophy, and I like things that have a connection to light. 11. Bug: Signal Beam. I like light-based moves. Saying this for the, what, fifth time? 12. Normal: Tri Attack. I like light-based...oh you know the gist. Plus, PZ is one of my favourites. 13. Grass: Seed Flare. Same reason. 14. Electric: Charge Beam and Discharge. Same reason. 15. Poison: once again, they're all the same...maybe Cross Poison. Looks cool. Toxic has to be the most relied-on move, though. 16. Ghost: I don't much like any of the Ghost moves, they're nothing very outstanding either competitively or aesthetically. I don't like Shadow Ball, since it's opposite to my liking for light. Eh.. Don't really have a favourite here. 17. Rock: Praise be to Stealth Rock. Otherwise, all the other rock moves are unimpressive. The fact that all physical rocks moves that have a base power stronger than 50 are inaccurate is hilarious. 18. Ice: Bottom of the list is always ice with me. It's an excellent offensive type though, and the moves are good. I'll go with Aurora Beam, because, you know, I happen to like light-based moves.

Ah, that is the true question. Being without apparent purpose justifies its presence in the wasteland.

But that'd defeat the purpose, Zephy.

Arcanine. The one and only.

First of all, props to you for the nicest review I have received yet (that may also be because you're about the only person who really reviews stuff here, but in that case you've bested yourself!) Next, topic by topic: thank you, thank you and thank you. 1. As for the shoulder pad on the right arm, yes, I know that the pad supersedes the arm, that's because the pad wraps around both sides of the arm. Think of it like a wraparound sleeve. 2. Yes, I'm partially colourblind. Any effect that you see from the combination of gold and red on the armour plating is purely beyond my ability to perceive. To me, it has achieved a successful copper-verdigris colour. 3. Yes, I know about the various ways to shade metal, having made a prime study of that. I just favour this style, of 'stainless anisotropic steel's as you put it, and yes, the armour is supposed to be made of coppered steel and not gold itself, because we all know that gold is so hard and durable, right? 4. I know Haxorus's scales flow upwards and not down his body, and I hate that. Logically stupid and aesthetically displeasing to me. So I made it smoother and more streamlined, in the natural way they flow from head to tail. No redundant spikes or pointed tips. 5. I deliberately altered the original, cartoony design and made it as biologically plausible as I could think it to be. That includes making it top heavy and thickening its tail, and also thinning its abdomen and belly. If you actually look at Haxorus's official design, it has a fairly round lower body, that more or less is a paunch! Not my idea of a lean, mean, killing machine. So yes, the 'crotch plate' as you put it is smaller and more flush with its belly. That's intended. 6. It's natural to assume this beast is male. Blame stereotypes in nature, but males do tend to be imposing and battle-ready to duke it out for the female and the territories. I'm not giving it an externally visible penis, however, so it's up to you if you want it to be an aggressive mother protecting its clutch. 7. There are multiple light sources. The objective was to show it in all its glory, so the light sources are fractured (or Fraxured, hehe) to illuminate the neck plates, ahoulder and belly. The tail is in shadow, as is the leg. This means the scales are slightly duller, but still reflective. 8. Sure, I don't mind looking through your work. I cannot say I am not busy, however, so no guarantee I'll get back to you at once or even for a while. And thanks for the compliments, you're always welcome. PS: I'm tired of drawing metal, however. Expect some fur coming your way soon~

TFW you're grateful that your dog doesn't behave like Zephy's. My dogs may be assiduously persistent in bringing me garden critters, despite repeated assurances that the market for the same is sluggish or even non-existent, but at least they're not incontinent!

Sigh...no hiding from you, eh? I thought since you had dipped for a few days I had escaped your scrutiny. I'll admit, I wasn't very interested in doing Milotic really. I just did it on a casual whim, so no converted effort involved. Very lazy if me, I admit. The scales were too much bloody effort for something that wasn't even a steel type, so I funked them to basics. If you want scales, LOOK AT HAXORUS. As for the tail I don't get what you mean. Articulate pls? The neck fin was a genuine mistake. Props to you for finding it. But ink and pastel can't be erased so I thought I could hide that, foolish of me. Just...forget the Milotic and look at haxorus. That's way more interesting, since I put in at least a bit of effort in it. After all, it's a steel type..

Why, thanks very much! Also, yes, I agree that in the hyperrealistic details, the individual arm might not be immediately distinguishable, but it is nevertheless distinct, I think. Also the colour was intentionally darkened in places where the light does not fall, to make it look even more realistic, because I dislike Haxorus's original, somewhat oily, mustardish colouration. I don't think it's any issue with your eyes, but then I don't know what such issue is. In any case, your points are valid, and I appreciate them. Oh, also, I completely forgot to add dimensions to the last three megas: EXCADRILL: This thing is incredibly dense. Only 3'04", a foot taller than its base form, bit it weighs a massive 144 kg, almost 100 kg heavier than its base form. MILOTIC: It's very long, 35'4", 15 feet longer than base form, and weighs a gigantic 302 kg, about 140 kg heavier than base form. HAXORUS: Man, what a lot of heavy things we have here. This thing is 6'11 tall when fully upright, the same height as mega Salamence (although Salamence is measured differently, its height being the height of its head from the ground, and not the length of its body, which is much longer) and slightly shorter than Mega Garchomp. It weighs 255 kg, a full 150 kg heavier than base form. Until later!

TFW your dogs are completely loony. Today one of 'em brought me a lizard and deposited it in my lap. It was still alive, although it had shed its tail to try and escape with it as a decoy, but obviously my dog didn't fall for that. And it expects me to be delighted with its endeavour. It's such a dumb, goofy, lovable dog.

Is it not obvious?

Right. I don't have much to say, except that I myself think I've put in more effort than usual in this one. Needs no introduction. Mega Haxorus is here, and it's crashing its way straight to Ubers. Anyways, this thing is an absolute beast. It becomes a jawsome Dragon/Steel type on mega evolving, and is clad in thick, copper-gold armour that resembles plate and chainmail. It also sports a massive axe blade on its head and another dual one on its tail, which it lashes about to great effect. Biologically, I put in more effort on this one's realistic design, so to speak. Long, stocky neck and torso means a very top heavy body balanced out by an equally stocky, long tail, and supported by massively thick hind legs. Tiny front legs emphasize its preference to just smash and lunge with its axe blades rather than perform any meticulous actions. It often lunges on all fours to better support its impressive edifice of a headpiece in battle, as illustrated. The head-axe is chipped from the constant battering that Haxorus does with it; the forward pointing tip is used in vicious downward jabs. Mega Haxorus often battles with Mega Aggron over territories and mates. They hammer away at each other's ironclad bodies in tests of endurance and strength. Makes sense, because Mega Haxorus fittingly gets Battle Armour as an ability. Yes, I know, it's a poor ability with a very cool (and perfectly fitting) name but a very situational use in preventing crits. I had to give it a nonfunctional ability just to balance it out and prevent it from becoming too broken, because oh man, look at these stats: Base form: 76/147/90/60/70/97 Mega form: 76/182/130/75/90/87 LOOK AT THAT ATTACK! And that physical bulk! Its special bulk (and pointless SpAtk) also increase a bit to passable levels, but all that added metal bulk makes its already-awkward speed drop to an ungainly level à la Mega Garchomp. Unlike Megachomp, however....Haxorus gets Dragon Dance. Oh crud. This thing is a behemoth. Nothing will want to take an Outrage from a friggin base 182 Attack stat, likely also boosted by DD or even SD if you have balls of steel. Fairies? Psh, this thing is a Steel type! And I'm granting it access to Iron Head and Head Smash, which it should've gotten to begin with. It also already has access to great moves like Iron Tail, Dual Chop, EQ, Superpower, and so on. It can even use its bulk well with a defensive RestTalk Dragon Tail set, which is pure evil. I don't see what's stopping this. True, its speed is awkward, so it is outsped by a lot of things unboosted, and even at +1, many relevant Scarfers like Lando-T, Keldeo etc can outspeed and put a huge dent in it, and some very fat Pokémon like Skarmory can deal with it, but this is overcentralising to the max and will probably get the boot to Ubers, where it will still do very well. (Although once again it needs to set up a DD, because base 87 speed falls short of the Ubers base 90 benchmark, and it must compete with Mega Salamence for a spot on a team. Still, it has its definitive niche in mad power and great defensive and offensive typing!) Until next time. May the Magnet Lord have mercy upon your souls, those who shall have to face this demon. EDIT: Reminder to all that criticism or comments of any constructive kind are always welcome! Please do tell me what you think, it is of great help to my understanding.

Welcome back, hope you enjoy your stay.

Yeah it's actually hilarious ngl I mean what.

Xiri, I will find you, and I will TorTerrorize you. In fact, I think I will do Mega Sinnoh starters next... starting with Torterra. What say, xiri?