[V13.5 Mono-Dark Encounter Guide]

NOTES:

• If a similar guide already exists, I'm willing to delete this thread. I am also willing to expand this list (like this post) if other mono-type runners are willing to pitch in to create the list for other types!
• Pokemon marked with an asterisk (*) become dark types with a use of an item. Whether you consider them valid or not for a monotype run is your prerogative.
• I listed the Pokemon according to the earliest possible chapter/gym leader you can encounter them. Starter and mystery egg have been also been indicated in which earliest possible chapter/gym leader you can encounter them (if possible).
• Credits to Dred1125 and his team for the encounter spreadsheet found here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BjtFPXn8G37j621l_68fBcoNx3Qsvrg1idjS6c_Umls/edit#gid=805790757

 

Mono-Dark

 

Spoiler

Starter: Eevee (PW: eeveepls), Litten -> Incineroar, Froakie -> Greninja, Oshawott -> Hisuian Oshawott
Mystery Egg: Sneasel, Pawniard

------
Venam: Alolan Rattata, Poochyena, Seedot, Stunky, Purrloin
Keta: Houndour, Pancham
Marianette: Alolan Meowth
Narcissa: Galarian Zigzagoon, Zorua, Nickit
Valarie: Eevee -> Umbreon, Carvanha, Absol, Vullaby
Crawli: Corphish -> Crawdaunt, Spiritomb, Skorupi, Aevian Munna, Type: Null w/ Dark Memory*
Angie: Scraggy
Amber: A. Grimer
Erick: Inkay, Morpeko
Flora: Murkrow, Impidimp, Oshawott
Magenta & Neon: N/A
Souta: Sableye
Adam: Sneasel, Sandile, Litten, Magikarp*
Ryland: Larvitar -> Tyranitar, Pawniard, Froakie
Saki: N/A
.Karma Files: Deino

 

[Pokemon Reborn E19 Hall of Fame - show off your game-winning team! (Now with tier list)]

I was literally crying in tears and shaking uncontrollably as I finished Lin 2. I completed my first monotype (ice), no-item, set mode, run in one of the most difficult Pokémon fangames I have ever played. I can truly say that my knowledge of this game exponentially expanded due to the SHEER amount of weakness the ice type have. I am proud to present my champion team of six. (I am also currently taking Japanese classes in university, so I went with a Japanese naming scheme for my Pokemon! I just wish Reborn had East Asian letters installed. Meh, romaji will do. Click the spoiler below the picture for the rough translations!)

 

 

Spoiler

1. Shibuya is a city in Japan that houses Harajuku—a district known for its unorthodox fashion cultures! If I remember correctly, Jynx was inspired by the Harajuku culture, so I named her that way!
2. Yuki (snow) + Onna (woman). Of course, it's more grammatically correct to say "Yuki no onna" for "Snow woman" but I omitted the "no" particle most of the time since... why not? :P 
3. Doro (mud) + Kami (god). I attach the ~kami name IF these Pokemon house god-tier IV spreads. Safe to say, I got insanely lucky with the IV's of my other Pokemon.

4. Kori (Ice) + Ki (tree). Remember my rule for number 2? Yeah, I just added no to made it syllabically aesthetic.

5. Panchi is the "Japanglish" for "Punch"! In more correct terms, it's the "Katakanization" of it.

6. Hagane (Steel) + Kami (god). Busted Alolan Sandshrew with Slush Rush and 31 ATK IV's that carried me about 80% of the game.

 

I am willing to post a Q&A session on how I managed to pull off this godforsaken run! Do I recommend this to anybody?

...NO. The ice type has a bunch of weaknesses that require a lot of skill and planning to triumph. In the worst of battles, (Kiki, Samson, Titania, Anna, Lin 2), I had to memorize the switching patterns, micromanage held items, and choreograph EVERY SINGLE move to ensure my victory. I do not recommend it for beginners.

 

Plans for post-game? I might just drop my rules. Yes, Articuno and Kyurem might be there, but I seriously do not want to push with the monotype anymore! It's mentally, and sometimes, emotionally exhausting. As long as I have beaten the Elite Four, I have technically won the game, so that concludes my first mono-ice run!

[Who is the strongest boss battle?]

Spoiler

Hello! Player who just caught up with the recent version of Rejuvenation in intense mode here.

 

I couldn't really pick which is the strongest boss battle since I had my fair shares of nightmares and disappointments with intense mode boss battles. However, I'd like to separate my choices in early-game, mid-game, and the beginning of the end-game (where we are at right now).

 

In early-game, Angie was a NIGHTMARE. Literally had my heart pounding when I managed to defeat her after so many tries. Do note that revival herbs and revives are hard to come by at this point in the game so mistakes are brutally punished (Strategy for here was a bullet punch Pancham and a Fake Out Incineroar to lead, then Lycanroc-Dusk and Midday to deal damage w/ Accelerock).

 

Zetta and Geara's Carotos fight was also a NIGHTMARE for the early-game. However, I found their fight a fitting end to the early-game. I loved how their battle is orchestrated and how much I had to strategize my team properly. (Sky Field + Levitate is a godsend, Drampa nullifies Arenite Wall from Sand Stream Gigalith). Quite disappointed with the fact that with how intense this fight was, Amber was just... a joke. (Lead off with an Acrobatics Talonflame to deal with Infernape, then transition to Sky Field).

 

I actually found mid-game to be reasonably difficult. To be fair, this is the part of the game where you finally get revival items to help you.

 

Code: Angelus and Ryland were a NIGHTMARE at first! But just changing your field to your favor is always the way to go.

 

And as always, at this point in the game, you'll realize how stupidly broken a rainbow field is.