Here, at the top of Mount Lanakila, awaits our final challenge. This challenge will prevent us from doing a number of things, but chief among them is switching our team members. The six Pokemon you are about to see will be the only Pokemon who can accompany me to the final boss. That's not to say the rest of the team won't have a role in the postgame, but in the end, there can only be six.
Our first partner, here to help at our final juncture. Oatchi was non-negotiable, and he will have a legitimate part to play in the upcoming battles- I'm not just bringing him out for favouritism.
Nebby could probably run rampant over the final bosses. I'll try to hold him back, but sometimes you're going to need Nebby.
Switching Flare Blitz for Crunch was for one specific purpose. I just thought I'd mention that now.
The queen of victory dances, Flambebe isn't really ready for a specific fight, but we'll be glad she's there. Of anyone, she's the only party member here for favouritism, and were I to replace her, it would be with Murphy.
Keokeo is pretty and she shoots Ice Beams. Her coverage won't go amiss, either. She is a bit on the weaker end, though, and that might cause issues.
Lord Huggington wishes he had a Fighting move that didn't induce a stat drop. It could probably afford to fit Close Combat into his kit, but that would be playing with fire.
Sturm is... Sturm is hilarious. And it turns out we are going to see that he makes a great ally. In spite of appearances.
Anyway... hey, Kukui. Let's see your little playpen, then.
Kukui has a nice little celebratory message for getting this far, and possibly the greatest response you can make.
Kukui, man, you're on top of a freezing mountain. Wear a damn shirt.
Just making sure that's not the hypothermia talking.
Here's hoping I can pull it off. I've got plenty of Berries...
This line only happens if you happen to have Nebby in your party. If you don't bring Nebby, he shares a similar idea, he just phrases it differently.
The way Kukui talks about Nebby, I kinda think he isn't actually aware that the lion that's currently at our side is the same Pokemon that Lillie spent so long baby-sitting. Which is... certainly an insight into that relationship.
Nebby: "Pew?"
Also, so much for this being about the Tapu. Do you even remember that the Tapu and Nebby aren't exactly related?
Kukui then stops talking about dedicating the Pokemon League to Nebby or the Tapu or whoever he's justifying it to to talk about his actual reasons for starting up the League.
That time he took on the Indigo League in the Kanto region.
Come to think of it, I'm not actually entirely certain who it was Kukui fought here.
Since Bethany is Kantonian and our mother talks about watching Kukui's battles, I (and I think most people) imagine Kukui as challenging the Indigo League as present in the RBY games- Lorelei > Bruno > Agatha > Lance > Blue. However, the Indigo League is the final challenge in the GSC games too, with its lineup changed, and given the fact that SM is implied to be set after GSC (and that Kukui presumably only did his challenge recently), these new roster changes should be reflected- they're based on certain members retiring, after all!
And with the GSC lineup, Lance would be the title match. I always thought he lost to Lance, member of the Elite Four, to explain this line, but no, turns out he lost to the title match.
I have absolutely no idea how.
Anyway, Kukui remembers he's ostensibly doing this for the kids, and tells us it's time to attempt Alola's own homegrown version of the Indigo League.
This is good advice- once we go in, we can not come out for any reason. No Pokemon Centre. No free full heals. No restocking of inventory items. No team cycling.
Because of the way I recorded this, I wound up forgetting to buy my usual complement of 50 Hyper Potions and 30 Revives to make sure I could handle it. This didn't turn into a problem, although that's mainly because I'm carrying 999 Sitrus Berries (and I barely needed to dip into those!). Noah remembered, and since Ray and Ailey have Roto Bargain, they already bought theirs ages ago.
Glad for the show of faith, buddy. Considering my level deficit thanks to team cycling (and, of course, the fact that's not an option anymore), I am actually much more worried about my chances.
...That looks nothing like Tapu Bulu or Solgaleo. Looks more like the nondescript statues that adorn the Indigo League and other games set on the Pokemon equivalent to the Japanese archipelago. Kukui, man, you've gotta learn to admit it.
The final Pokemon League challenge, in past games, has often had an Ace Trainer character standing at the entrance to bar us entry until they checked for all eight badges- particularly in RSE and DPPt, where this was the Badge Check. There is no Badge Check in this game- because the League wasn't invented until we qualified- and they're just slightly more attractive pot plants.
...Actually, on second thought, I think I prefer the pot plants.
The Pokemon League proper has this rather weighty song playing in the background. It really conveys the proper tone as to how this battle is the hardest one the games will ever throw at us, for combining powerful trainers and resource management.
How happy for Kukui, that the Elite Four has always been traditionally composed of four people.
Somewhat hilariously, the fact that they spend all their time cooped up in the Pokemon League means that they tend to be the least-well developed characters in the series. Every Pokemon League includes at least one member who is never caught outside the League HQ for any reason, with Alola managing to avoid this fate only by technicality. Considering what they do with the Elite Four challenge in future games, I suspect they've caught on to this, but it's worth mentioning that's the history we're working with.
In Alola, the members of the Elite Four are not original characters. We have met all four members before, although one of them is by technicality. With that said, even SM has at least heard of that errant member.
...You didn't think to mention this until it was too late to back out? Dangit, Kukui, give me something to work with here!
This is based on the lead member of your party. I intentionally put Oatchi into this position for the symbolism.
Here's hoping I can live up to your lofty expectations chasing your nostalgia, Kukui.
Starting with BW and continuing until SM, the four members of the E4 can be challenged in an order of the player's choosing. SM shows what type you can expect to fight before entering the room- before, you could enter the room, but not necessarily commit to fighting them once you saw the type. They changed back to the E4 being in a fixed order after this, and while I didn't exactly have a Rapidash in the race, I do think this produces the nicer difficulty curve.
My moves won't change between rounds, so for the sake of not showing off the team every time, here is the only thing you need to know for this match: my items.
- Sturm: Rockium Z
- Nebby: Expert Belt
- Flambebe: Amulet Coin
- Keokeo: Salac Berry
- Lord Huggington: Leftovers
- Oatchi: Scope Lens
Every challenge with a member of the E4 will open with this panning shot. I think there is supposed to be a reveal element, particularly due to the fact that Alola is drawing from "characters the player recognises but who did not identify as members of the Elite Four" (something other games never do), but you can see them before you get this far.
Seems Kukui hasn't changed things too far from back when we're meant to fight all four Kahunas in a row, hasn't he? I kinda think that original challenge was sequential, and there's a part of me that feels the SM Elite Four should've been sequential because of that, but non-sequential E4s were all the rage.
Once you get close enough to a member of a BW or beyond E4 member, there's a dramatic animation related to their type that plays out, ultimately preventing you from turning around and choosing someone else. Curiously, this element was also dropped after this game, although that may be less because they dropped the non-linear challenge and more down to the way the E4 is portrayed in those games (and budget reasons).
You're not actually locked into battle until you click on them, though. You still have a chance to save.
Hala's team is no longer level 15. It is, however, still mono-Fighting- at this juncture, though, the mono-typing actually adds an extra layer. If we're going to rely on just one team member, they better be a damn good team member.
There's a nice dramatic pan-around before the fight begins, where the Elite Four member performs a showing-off animation. Although to be frank, I think Hala and the third member are the only ones to use this time.
Despite having a 3D battle animation, the Elite Four uses just the normal Trainer art. Hala keeps a remnant of his 3D pose, however, and the Elite Four also has a cool animation before the battle starts relevant to their typing. I suspect the Island Trials would've done the same thing, if they weren't Totems.
The Elite Four Battle Theme is this. The Elite Four didn't really get their own theme until BW (RSE introduced the unique music, but both RSE and DPPt decided to use remakes of the Gym Leader theme). All unique Elite Four themes agree on one thing- it should be bass-heavy. Even RSE and SwSh, which use remixes, go for the bass as their focal instrument. It's a pretty fitting choice, although it does mean the themes tend to blend together slightly.
And yeah, also worth mentioning: Five Pokemon each. That's up from four each that the BW games also introduced, and a welcome buff. If your "one counter" fails, you'll be fighting tooth and nail for that one win. You're expected to do this four times with no refreshment.
We've seen a million of this Hariyama on Black Belts. 31/31/15/15/31/15 IVs, 252 EVs in HP/Sp. Def, Adamant Nature, and carrying the moves Fake Out, Close Combat, Knock Off, along with the Thick Fat Ability. This is certainly a Hariyama designed to be an absolute pain in the rear for the Specially strong Psychic types you expect to work, and even many Fairies.
Not sure what Sturm's gonna do in the face of that, but I am going somewhere with this.
That somewhere is "burning Fake Out", but I'm going somewhere.
I gave Sturm Rockium Z as a means of avoiding Knock Off's damage boost, although ultimately, I think that was a bit of a valiant effort.
...
Every little bit helps? The +1 Def would be nice, for giving Sturm a chance to do some damage, but...
Turns out Sturm isn't exactly doing a great job here. Shell Smash would break me.
At least Sturm actually broke out of his shell for once?
Yeah, I think I'd rather Sturm get the EXP. We're counting on you, Oatchi...
Switching into immunities never gets old.
Oatchi goes right for the throat with that remnant of the time he was a Flying type, to break right through that bulk.
Without HP investment, this Hariyama has nothing for Physical hits. And fortunately, Oatchi was able to secure that KO.
I am not seeing it work more than a second time.
Oh, hello, Crabominable, you're a surprise! Much like it was in his first fight, Crabominable is his ace, carrying a full complement of 31 IVs, 252 EVs in Atk/Def, an Adamant Nature, the moves Ice Hammer and Close Combat, the Iron Fist Ability, and a piece of Fightinium Z. Iron Fist is boosting Ice Hammer, in spite of the name.
Crabominable is going to take the most damage from Stealth Rocks- I cared more about the +1 Def than the Rocks in this fight. As for Crabominable as an opponent, well...
Despite his perfect investments, he's not exactly Fist Sr. What a way for your ace to go.
Poliwrath is copying Hariyama's homework- 31/31/15/15/31/15 IVs, 252 EVs in Atk/Sp. Def, Adamant Nature. It has the Water Absorb Ability, and has gone all-in on STAB- Waterfall and Submission. Both of which are 80 BP moves. Poliwrath may have a dishonourable mention as the weak link of the team, owing to not really enjoying strong benefits from Waterfall's flinch or Submission's recoil, and after what I did to Fist Sr., that's saying something.
The damage we could expect from Stealth Rock on a resistance. It is the most inconsequential thing that is going to happen in this fight.
Poliwrath does have the Speed to outspeed Oatchi, but even as dented as he is, it was not enough to finish. That's more on the resist than on Poliwrath, but it should tell you something about his power level.
Oatchi didn't even need Brave Bird.
Primeape is 31/31/15/15/15/31 IVs, 252 EVs in Atk/Spd, an Adamant Nature, with the moves Cross Chop, Outrage, Punishment and Pursuit, going with Anger Point on the Ability. Primeape is literally the only Pokemon here carrying non-Dark coverage, and it's gone with... the type that categorically doesn't work on Fairies. Hala is not representing the E4 well.
On the other hand, without her Fighting resist, Keokeo could take nothing from it. I was hoping that Fairy typing would matter more.
Punishment, incidentally, is 60 BP, doing +20 BP for every stat stage your opponent has gained. If you're wondering, it's only really available on Vullaby while the Totems are relevant. They eventually cut the move, which is a shame, because it could be more viable if more things had it.
Nebby, you wanted some time in the spotlight?
Let him have it!
Bewear has joined Crabominable with 31/31/31/15/15/15 IVs, 252 EVs in Atk/Def, an Adamant Nature, the moves Hammer Arm and Brutal Swing, and the Fluffy Ability. Bewear is so much better than Crabominable, it's almost hilarious, and that's with it running the inferior (and absent) STAB options. Pity Lusamine called dibs.
It's so fluffy! I don't think the difference between Bewear and Crabominable is coming through, given they both went down to a judicious application of the ultimate cleanser.
The victory wipe is the same as a Kahuna, incidentally.
Elite Four have a nice, healthy pay packet of x200. More than a Kahuna of the same level, and a nice little bit of extra money in case you fail and need to try again.
After defeating a member of the Elite Four, a teleporter appears to take you back to the opening chamber. This is how they justify the Elite Four being in an order of your choosing physically.
It makes sense for Pokemon, but this is clearly a relic of other RPGs where teleporting magic was more common. I don't think I ever questioned it before now.
This was a philosophy that a Game Freak staff member in HGSS actually pointed out, when discussing the challenges of remaking GSC.
Honestly, considering the modern Pokemon trends, I'm not entirely convinced I know what their current position is on this nugget.
I think you need to teach your Pokemon some more moves, old man.
If you talk to the Elite Four member again, they'll say a new line, one that entirely depends on the order in which you face them. Hala's are as follows:
First: Oh ho ho! So it's me who faced you first. Defeating the Elite Four will become a fine part of our island challenge!
Second: Oh ho ho! So I was the second to face you? Some people would say you're halfway there, while some may say you've still got halfway to go. How you see it is up to you.
Third: Oh ho ho! So I was the third to face you? If you'll take a bit of advice from this old man, I wouldn't let my guard down yet if I were you.
Fourth: Oh ho ho! So I was the last to face you? But then who do you think awaits you in the Champion's chamber?
One shiny light opened. Once all four lights are on, our path will be clear.
Next in line... that looks like Rock, all right.
- Oatchi: Scope Lens
- Nebby: Expert Belt
- Flambebe: Charti Berry
- Keokeo: Icium Z
- Lord Huggington: Leftovers
- Sturm: Amulet Coin
Olivia is stepping up to be the very first Rock-type Elite Four member. Fighting has been represented in three Elite Fours by two experts (Bruno is present in both RBY and GSC's incarnations of the Indigo League), but Rock, with its traditionally poor defensive profile, usually hangs around as one of the first Gym Leader fights.
Well, she certainly doesn't beat around the bush when it comes to opening the fight.
Olivia has a huge hurdle to clear to parlay the traditionally hard-to-use Rock typing into a position of strength, and her SM battle, sadly, does not make use of the tools she has to pull it off. She doesn't even use any Fossils this time!
Also surprisingly, she's not running Natures, like Hala is. Then again, Hala was an overgrown Black Belt...
...Well, OK, living Fossil, technicalities. Relicanth is 31/31/15/15/15/31 IVs, 252 EVs in Sp. Atk/Spd, and the moves Hydro Pump, Ancient Power, and Yawn. Swift Swim for the Ability, seemingly just to punish Pelipper, but otherwise, I've got no idea what this fish is doing. 45 base Sp. Atk and 55 base Speed.
I think literally the only reason Relicanth got that Yawn off is because Decidueye is particularly slow, and I'm not investing in Speed. Alena would wipe this thing off the face of the earth.
And Relicanth is supposed to have 130 base Defence. Imagine what Nimue could do to it.
Lycanroc is still its Midnight form, but it's doing loads better for itself than Crabominable. Flat 31 IVs, 252 EVs in HP/Def (...weird plan, but OK), the moves Crunch, Stone Edge, Counter, and Rock Climb, the Keen Eye Ability this time (remember Vital Spirit?) and, of course, her Rockium Z. Continental Crush on a Stone Edge is going to sting, and that bulk might actually matter.
Oatchi could actually finish the job with Leaf Blade. I'm actively choosing not to, though.
If Oatchi does finish the job with Leaf Blade, he'll fall asleep thanks to Yawn, and I really need Oatchi still awake for some future opponents. I just baited out the Crunch first- I would have rathered Oatchi go first, but I can deal with this.
Olivia probably finds this very familiar.
Didn't bother with the Continental Crush this time? Odd choice.
...Ah. I see where you're going with this.
Eeyup. Lord Huggington, let's see if that huge bulk is still paying dividends.
I don't mean to imply Isabella couldn't do that.
But it probably wouldn't be as funny.
Anyway, that's enough out of you.
Carbink is an interesting choice for the Elite Four. Not the first time it's shown up, though. 31/15/31/15/31/15 IVs, 252 EVs in HP/Sp. Def, the moves Power Gem, Moonblast, and Reflect, and the Clear Body Ability. Carbink is not going to go down, and that Reflect might mean business, but otherwise, it's not got much else it'll do when it's up.
Olivia's remaining two Pokemon both have the Sturdy Ability, so now is a good time to set some Stealth Rocks and deny them the ability to benefit from it. It turns out that Stealth Rocks are amazing in here.
Didn't even reduce me to Core Form.
...Actually, I don't really like that.
I need this Carbink broken through more than I need to worry about how. Nebby, this is on you.
Carbink had no chance.
This was probably overkill.
Olivia's Probopass is finding use in battle, and makes a tricky opponent too. 31/15/31/15/31/15 IVs, 252 EVs in HP/Sp. Def, the Sturdy Ability, and the moves Earth Power, Power Gem, Thunder Wave and Sandstorm. Fortunately, Rock/Steel retains its weaknesses as a typing, and Probopass isn't running anything too subversive.
...I'm not sure what the plan was here. If there was a plan.
There, see, now that was a plan. And no Sandstorm, either.
Tempting, but pass. It'd probably replace U-Turn, I'm just not 100% certain what I'm Feather Dancing.
Golem has sprung for 31/15/31/15/31/15 IVs, 252 EVs in HP/Def (lot of defensive investment this time around), the Sturdy Ability, and the moves Thunder Punch, Rock Blast, and Steamroller. Lot of low BP moves in this kit, that's an easy weak point to take advantage of if you have the right Resists.
Or Oatchi can blast right past those invested Defences and secure the KO. I think it says a lot about when that happens.
Nebby has participated in two Elite Four fights and has only gained one level out of it. At least the rest of the party is doing better.
Thank you. I'm liking how Lord Huggington's shaping up here, myself.
I went into the belly of the beast to save Lillie, and I don't think I managed to pull her free. Yeah, I think you could say that.
I am... 95% sure Olivia is talking about us moving on in our League Challenge. But the fact she says this right after she notices our character development is... probably the worst timing ever.
First: You should get moving. You still have three more rooms left, right?
Second: Don't stop now. You still have two more rooms left, right?
Third: I'll stay here and wonder why you left me waiting so long for your challenge...
Fourth: Let me guess... you're the type who likes to save the most delicious bite for the end of the meal?
...Wow, that ego on the later challenges. I usually wind up challenging Olivia early myself, mostly because her diverse weakness list helps shore up my team for the later fights.
Still, a win is a win.
...That's an odd colour/symbol for a Dark type, admittedly.
- Sturm: Expert Belt
- Nebby: Leftovers
- Flambebe: Persim Berry
- Keokeo: Icium Z
- Lord Huggington: Amulet Coin
- Oatchi: Scope Lens
Oh, er... hi, Acerola! Was not expecting to see you here in the Elite Four!
While the Elite Four has traditionally only been composed of people over the age of majority in prior games, Acerola joined the Elite Four for unique-to-Alola reasons... and since then, they've actually started to include more minors in the League. I'm not sure if this was a trend Acerola started or just a coincidence, but it is worth commenting on.
Anyway, why is Acerola here? Nanu said no- the Pokemon League, as Nanu correctly observes, was made up by "some guy", and Nanu's obligations to Tapu Bulu do not extend to satisfying Kukui's whims. Good for him, honestly.
Nanu's refusal to join the Elite Four has an interesting bit of associated meta-history with it. At this point in the series, there has been no Dark-type Pokemon expert that has filled the role of a Gym Leader. GSC was huge for making sure Gym Leaders had a diverse type list- no Gym between Kanto and Johto shares a type specialty, and with only 17 types at the time, that left only one type left out. They just... never wound up making a Dark expert, and with Dark serving on three Elite Fours by now, people were eager to finally see the type represented outside the League. From a series history standpoint, Nanu is saying "no, I'm not going to be another Dark-type expert kicked upstairs to the Elite Four". Fortunately for fans of the type, SwSh would be the game to finally introduce a Dark-type Gym Leader with no ambiguity.
As a bit of an interesting collorary observation to that, Ghost has actually been equally well-represented on the Elite Four. Strangely, Ghost almost always seems to be on the same Leagues Dark is- Indigo, Hoenn, and Unova. Ghost and Dark weren't on the Indigo League at the same time, and whenever Ghost is not on the Elite Four, there is a Gym Leader for it (except in XY).
Funnily enough, because of the restrictions on the Elite Four placed in these earlier Leagues, Acerola is the first Ghost type Elite Four member to possess five unique Ghost type Pokemon.
Acerola's opening animation has her do this twirl three times, from different camera angles. I'm not sure if she's actually doing the twirl three times, or if this is just one twirl enhanced for dramatic effect.
Acerola's position on the Elite Four is why the game has been sure never to let us fight her- which stood out like a sore thumb in Mina's Trial. Her team is built similarly to Olivia's, with the same amount of IV and EV investments- and of course, no Natures, too.
Acerola, as one might expect, has some playful animations for throwing her Poke Ball and her idle pose, bouncing on her heels as she watches the battle unfold.
Anyway, her lead, Sableye, does as Nanu's does. 31/31/15/15/15/31 IVs, 252 EVs in Atk/Spd, and the moves Shadow Claw, Zen Headbutt, Confuse Ray, and Fake Out. Keen Eye for the Ability, and like Olivia's Relicanth, this is a Sableye that is deeply confused about what its strengths and weaknesses are. At least it's not Stall.
Sturm is leading for two main reasons- one, Acerola does have some good targets for Stealth Rocks, and two, Sableye is weak to Fairy and Sturm can do Dazzling Gleam once the Rocks are set.
Not that this is a trivial ask.
Thankfully, the only major result is Confusion. Plus, I've always got Keokeo if Sturm doesn't hack it.
Sableye's doing so poorly that I try a Shell Smash.
A bit of a risky strategy, but given I'm still in Meteor Form, I'm not in too much danger.
Plus, I was worried about defensive investment. You'd expect there to be some, wouldn't you?
Froslass (Ultra Sun): It freezes hikers who have come to climb snowy mountains and carries them back to its home. It only goes after men it thinks are handsome.
Oh hey, this is our first Froslass, too. Her Pokedex entries are all terrifying, it's hard to pick just one. Anyway, that transfers to battle, too- 31/15/15/31/15/31 IVs, 252 EVs in Sp. Atk/Spd, the Snow Cloak Ability (so don't set hail), and the moves Blizzard, Shadow Ball, Confuse Ray, and Ice Shard. She can be an intimidating opponent, but thankfully, her lack of access to Hail denies her some potent tools she clearly wants to have available to her. Just don't give her Hail to work with.
Froslass was good reason to get in some Stealth Rock chip.
Sadly, she did hit the Blizzard. Even without Hail, the odds aren't that terrible. I was just hoping Sturm could outspeed. Maybe in Core Form.
Anyway, fire.
It's always a perfect feeling when you can pull this exact shenanigans off. Now I know why the AI likes carrying so many Full Heals.
Flambebe does have one more opponent to beat, but Poison is resisted by Ghost, so she can't exactly sweep on her own.
Lusamine made me quite aware of why that is a bad decision, thank you.
Acerola's ace would also be a new Pokemon had we not seen Earthwerk evolve at the final moments. Palossand has flat 31 IVs, 252 EVs in HP/Sp. Atk, the Water Compaction Ability, the moves Shadow Ball, Earth Power, Giga Drain, and Iron Defence, and a piece of Ghostium Z. All told, a pretty impressive Palossand, and one Earthwerk is living up to- just with a different idea on what to run in that fourth slot.
...Slightly creepy that Acerola has a Palossand ace, actually.
We need to see the Ice Z-Move, though. Not that I think Never-ending Nightmare has come up yet, but at least we have Sinister Arrow Raid to show for it.
The Ice dance is kind of esoteric, which makes me suspect it comes from the Hawai'ians this time. Bethany crosses her arms, repeating the cross higher and higher in the sky, before spreading her arms wide, following by pushing them forward. This is either meant to represent a snowflake or the concept of falling temperature, and it's a pose I kinda feel like needs a bit more elaboration than simple appearance. Pity it's one of the Z-Moves without a demonstrator.
No beating around the bush on that run. Rather than a play on snowstorms or the like, we're just dropping the temperature down low.
The user is raised into the air on a pillar of ice, blasting a massive, zig-zagging ice beam into the target, before it bursts into a beautiful ice crystal. Ice can really be so elegant in its animations.
But effective all the same.
Anyway, Dhelmise. 31/15/31/15/31/15 IVs, 252 EVs in Def/Sp. Def, the Steelworker Ability, and the moves Shadow Ball, Energy Ball, Slam, and Whirlpool. If you wanted me to describe the worst possible Dhelmise, I think this is a pretty good approximation. Absolutely ignoring that 131 Atk stat and third STAB for Water trapping and Normal coverage.
It felt right, to make this a battle of Alola's two Ghost/Grass types.
We both deal heavy damage to the other, but I am faster. My investments are also HP/Atk, while the only relevant investment Dhelmise has is Def.
You tried your best, buddy. We'll see you in another run.
This Drifblim is probably the greatest disconnect between build and Trainer AI I have ever seen. 31/15/31/15/31/15 IVs, 252 Def/Sp. Def EVs, the Aftermath Ability, and the moves Ominous Wind, Focus Energy, Amnesia, and Baton Pass. Clearly, this Drifblim is supposed to be (a weird) Baton Passer, giving some other member of the team a heightened crit rate and extra Sp. Def to avoid Shadow Balls with. But on top of this being a plainly terrible idea, across all four runs, Acerola sent Drifblim out last every time. The AI doesn't think that far ahead.
Stealth Rock would have been amazing on Drifblim had it actually successfully Baton Passed, since that meant it would have to take them twice.
Drifblim is helpless against Lord Huggington. Occupational hazard of your only attacking move having an immunity.
Sadly, Lord Huggington doesn't oneshot, but he's got all the time in the world.
1.5x 0 is still 0.
The worst part is, this doesn't even help when it's the final damage done. Does mean I need to do extra healing, but still.
Acerola's got some good expressions.
I... don't think that's how it works. You're welcome to try, though, you'd have a good time on Hala.
It's baseball if it was played on the Pentagon.
First: You've got three more Trainers to take on! Thanks for picking me to battle first, while you were still fresh and full of energy!
Second: You have two more Trainers to take on! Are you getting tired? If you are, and you still are beating us, then I guess we've got quite a bit farther to go ourselves!
Third: You've made it to third base! Now you've just got to bring it home! Or would this be second base? I don't really get baseball metaphors...
Fourth: You've blasted right through the Elite Four! Well, first off, let me say congratulations! But don't lose your momentum now! Just keep storming ahead!
Acerola second's a pretty good one, I will admit.
One more Elite Four member to go...
- Sturm: Babiri Berry
- Nebby: Rockium Z
- Flambebe: Amulet Coin
- Keokeo: Expert Belt
- Lord Huggington: Leftovers
- Oatchi: Scope Lens
As promised, the Elite Four possesses a character whom Bethany has not encountered at all thus far. She gained an early cameo in USUM, if you went out of your way to pick up the Flyinium Z, but otherwise, the only mention you would get of this lady is if you asked around Hano Grand Resort, home of the golfing strip on which Kahili has made her name outside battle.
She uses Flying types. As a type with little personal identity (the number of pure Flying types can be counted on one hand), Flying is a bit of an odd duck when it comes to representatives. Kahili is the first Elite Four member for the type, but this is as much because of how few chances each type has to roll Elite Four representation.
The fact that she is a Flying type expert is a possible explanation for why so many Golfers use Flying types in USUM.
Kahili is a former Alola League Champion- a position that clearly existed before us- and since Hapu was busy "not being a Kahuna" when Kukui was organising this, Kukui called her in to lend a hand and round out the numbers.
Like many of the Alola League officiants, Kahili has a day job, and since she didn't officially take a League title until now, she's spent most of her time on said day job.
But that's not to say she's not up for a battle every now and then. I'm not sure whether Hapu would be happy to be on the League or not, but I can't say Kahili exactly needs to be booted out now that she's available.
Despite being a Flying expert, Kahili spends a lot of her time in battle doing a golfer crouch. Although I do appreciate the flavour associated with that golf club's handle.
Kahili, much like Olivia and Acerola, uses IVs, EVs, but no Natures. All of Hala's Adamants was a bit of an outlier, hm? Incidentally, she is named for the Hawai'ian word for a particular type of feathery plant, a name also used for a real golf course on Maui. She was destined for the Flying type.
I almost wish she used her golf club to send out her Poke Balls. Not sure if that's animal cruelty or not. Anyway, Skarmory is once again running a sweeper's set- 15/31/31/15/15/31 IVs, 252 EVs in Atk/Spd, the Sturdy Ability, and the moves Steel Wing, Slash, Feint, and Spikes. At least the Sturdy Ability gives Skarmory the leeway to be secretly fast, although it could probably afford to have Aerial Ace, at least.
Sturm's role is obvious: As a Flying type expert, Kahili hates Stealth Rocks. Being in the Elite Four means bringing a Stealth Rocker means having them around for the whole set, but honestly, the whole set has enough good openings for Stealth Rocks that I can say bringing one is well worth it.
With the only options available to it "Steel STAB" or "resisted Normal coverage", Skarmory hits right into my Berry. Doesn't even break my Meteor, though- perhaps abandoning the Babiri Berry was the way to go. Looks like Sturm could've taken it.
At least the Rocks are up now.
Flambebe switches in, and takes that Steel Wing handily. In hindsight, the play was to have Sturm break Skarmory's Sturdy while it was out- that would've been so much cleaner than what's about to happen.
Because now Skarmory gets to do things with Flambebe out.
Like return the favour.
And show off something we've been avoiding up until now- the fact the Elite Four are carrying Full Restores and are willing to use them mid-battle.
Meaning Flambebe has to break Sturdy again. This is why you break Sturdy with a weak hit.
Sighs. It's over now.
Mandibuzz (Moon): It circles in the sky, keeping a keen eye out for Pokémon in a weakened state. Its choicest food is Cubone.
It's taken this long, but it's finally time to meet the evolutions of those birds we found on Route 3. Mandibuzz is the Dark/Flying type evolution of Vullaby, with quite the impressive defensive profile to show for itself. 31/15/31/15/31/15 IVs, 252 EVs in Def/Sp. Def, the Big Pecks Ability, and the moves Bone Rush, Brave Bird, Punishment, and Flatter. It's a tricky prospect to defeat this thing in a hurry- even with Brave Bird, it's Atk isn't great.
Spikes does 12.5% at one stack, while Stealth Rock does 25% to a Flying type without a resistance to Rock- a profile that fits everything Kahili has left. So long as I don't be too fancy with my switches, I at least have the advantage.
Although I think I will take some extra Sp. Atk.
I really do not understand Flatter. Swagger gives +2 Atk, but if the confusion procs, the target hits itself harder. Flatter's +1 Sp. Atk is nothing but bad news for the user. Perhaps it's meant to discourage the opponent from switching?
Confusion isn't that likely to work. Although it would have made Punishment quite effective.
That was also a crit Ice Beam. Just to make sure.
Neat, someone who respects the power of Crobat. 31/15/15/31/15/31 IVs, 252 EVs in Sp. Atk and Speed, the Inner Focus Ability, and the moves Air Slash, Poison Fang, Swift, and Supersonic.
...Maybe I was too quick to say she respected the power of Crobat.
Crobat may be faster than it is strong, but it should not be leaving Keokeo still standing after a super-effective STAB hit. The fact she did so is a failure on both choosing EVs and choosing the Poison move.
I sentence you to being Iced.
Kahili's ace is none other than Alola's regional bird, Toucannon. Flat 31 IVs, 252 EVs in Atk and Spd, the Skill Link Ability, the moves Beak Blast, Rock Blast, Bullet Seed, and Screech, and a piece of Flyinium Z. Toucannon remains a bit slow, but I am definitely in respect of those moves. Had Sam had access to the same tools in the main story, perhaps she wouldn't have been benched.
...I can't help but notice that, after she's used Supersonic Skystrike, this Toucannon is actually helpless against a Bulletproof Isabella.
...OK, Keokeo is currently on an Ice Beam rampage right now, she won't be allowing that Toucannon to demonstrate anything but an angry glare.
And of course, what Flying team would be complete without an appearance from Oricorio? 31/15/15/31/15/31 IVs, 252 EVs in Sp. Atk/Spd, and the moves Revelation Dance, Air Slash, Teeter Dance, and Feather Dance.
Aside from the mystifying decision to go with Ula'ula Oricorio instead of Melemele or Poni, this is absolutely a terrifying Pokemon worthy of respect.
And this time she's actually going to capitalise on it. That's what a Speed score worth writing home about does for you.
Right, Sturm, you have x4 SE. You finish us out.
And fortunately, we won't be dealing with that confusion on the way.
Nebby's second level. At least the pattern is consistent.
Remind you of yourself on your Island Challenge? Or have I gotten higher than that?
...You did make it sound like you were enthusiastic to return before the battle. Well then... seems Nanu's not the only one a mite judgemental of Kukui's life choices.
First: There are three more members of the Elite Four. And every one of them is a top-class Trainer.
Second: There are two more members of the Elite Four... And I wouldn't be surprised if you have a hard time deciding which one to take on next.
Third: There is just one member of the Elite Four left. I hope you enjoy the transcendent kind of battle you only find at the top of the Pokémon League!
Fourth: Do you wonder what lies beyond the Elite Four? Go. See with your own eyes what awaits you.
Not really hitting it out of the park with these. Although I imagine that's not something you want to get in the habit of doing.
At last... the portal to the Champion's battle is approaching.
Next time: The title match.
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