Now then, it's Ailey's turn. How is she going to handle the pressure when we're asking for the best of the best?
Of course we're bringing Moss. Why wouldn't we? In hindsight, I'm not sure about Cross Chop over Thunder Punch, but it did carry its weight. More than Leech Life, frankly.
Hawkeye is going to be the big carry. No more Flying Press, but it was always the one that tended to miss. Hopefully that's not a jinx.
Ridley has gone from "I don't see myself using it ever" to "member of the final team". Still no Shell Smash, but if I wanted Shell Smash, I wouldn't have Ridley for the rest of the story. Not worth it.
Genevieve: Because apparently Ampharos is still able to hold her own in the Elite Four. I always thought this was a bit of a foolish choice when I did it in HGSS, but no, here she is in a more modern selection.
Justy, it turns outs, has made a horrible decision. Fortunately, it's not related to a reason he's on the team, but we are going to get the chance to point and laugh at him.
Ailey has also decided to bring her legendary. Unlike Nebby, who was just here to be cool, Zossie actually feels like a reward for sticking by her through the Poipole days.
Turns out this bit is the same between versions. Although asking him if he's cold strikes me as a better idea when Ailey is playing during ambient snow.
The speech he gives about where he built the Pokemon League if he's not addressing it to Nebby. None of the substance has changed, and the whole "so are you honouring the Tapu or Nebby?" question remains muddled.
It's not like Kukui is exactly a reliable source of information on the topic.
Anyway, there is a brand new scene here in USUM. Much like Kukui addressing Nebby personally, this one is also dependent on there being a specific Pokemon on your team.
This time, that Pokemon is your first partner.
Ailey nods, and Incineroar gives a triumphant response. Of all the extra scenes they added, I think this one is the best one they've done, and I'm absolutely on board for them doing more of this.
Rotom has one last question for us before we enter.
I'm genuinely uncertain of Ailey's chances, although that's off the back of her string of failures thus far, as well as several past runs that saw great difficulty fighting one of the USUM changes to the Elite Four.
I could've sworn these guys got a new line, but no, it turns out it's the same. Maybe it was a delay issue.
Let's get started, Ailey.
The speech in here is the same, too, although you might be able to notice that the label on Hala's door has changed colour.
Glad someone has faith in Ailey. You clearly didn't see what she had to do to get past Ribombee.
I bumped into this sorta by accident, but it turns out that Kukui's line checking your first team member will change dynamically, if you change who your first team member is.
Ailey will do the Elite Four in the same order Bethany did, to make direct comparisons easier, which means starting with the new guy.
- Genevieve: Wise Glasses
- Zossie: Choice Specs
- Hawkeye: Amulet Coin
- Ridley: Leftovers
- Justy: Ghostium Z
- Moss: Expert Belt
So, I've danced around this one a bit thus far, but here's what Molayne was doing when he was moving out of Hokulani Observatory: Serving as the fourth member of the Elite Four. Aside from giving Sophocles's role in Mina's Trial some flavour, I think the main purpose of this change was less to get Molayne in and more to get Hala out- we'll see why the developers were interested in this later.
Despite Molayne being the member of the Elite Four with the least credibility for the position in Alola, he manages to be the one I've struggled with most across all of my runs. Steel is an incredible type, and Molayne's team really makes use of it to the fullest.
Two of my runs being a mono-Fairy and a mono-Ice are not helping.
Not helping the dissonance between Molayne's strength and his characterisation is how hapless he looks in his readying animation.
Same theme, new team. The IV distribution has changed for USUM Elite Four members, but they retain their lack of Natures, something Molayne has fallen in line with. Hala really was an overgrown Black Belt, clearly.
Klefki as a lead. 30/25/30/25/30/25 IVs, 252 EVs in Def/Sp. Def, the Prankster Ability, and the moves Thunder Wave, Reflect, Spikes, and Flash Cannon. Molayne's immediate predecessor as "Steel type E4 member" also carried a Klefki lead, but his only Prankster moves were Torment and Spikes. Molayne has done a much better job taking what makes Klefki a nightmare to fight and leaning hard into it.
I originally led with Zossie to try and set up a Flamethrower sweep, but Prankster T-Wave was being too much of an issue. Genevieve is inherently immune to T-Wave, so dealing with Klefki falls to her.
Means Molayne is guaranteed to go for Reflect, but right now, that's not my problem.
How's it feel for the shoe to be on the other foot now, huh?
...Wow. That short the KO. I can only imagine I got the top level range on the first hit and the bottom level range on the second.
In hindsight, I have no idea why I didn't put the Magnet on Genevieve. I didn't foresee her being important to the fight originally, but even then, it's not like Dragon Pulse or Power Gem would be good on Molayne.
Genevieve resists Steel, and Klefki is not famous for being good at attacking. She has all the time in the world.
Although she will have to repeat her efforts.
Yup. Definitely a really good range the first time.
Sadly, this means that Molayne gets some Spikes up, but I'm impressed at his relative restraint. I was expecting more Spikes.
Molayne's ace is Dugtrio, and it somehow manages to be his weak link. 30 IVs, 252 EVs in Atk/Spd, the Tangling Hair Ability, the moves Earthquake, Iron Head, Sucker Punch, and Fissure, and the piece of Steelium Z. Fissure is just him being a gigantic jerk- if he clicks that, he has a 30 + (57- your level) chance of just instantly KOing you regardless of type chart or defensive statistics. If you're higher levelled than him, it won't work at all. Nobody seriously uses the moves because it's gambling to bypass the parts of the game that are fun, and I don't know what they were thinking giving the move to Molayne.
...OK, Glacia loved the move Sheer Cold in the RSE League...
On the subject of Molayne's real tactics, Dugtrio is basically guaranteed to get one attack off, and then a halfway decent SE or even neutral hit will get him on the rebound. You more or less want to make that move be Earthquake or Sucker Punch, wasting his Corkscrew Crash.
No better way to do that than with a physically tanky Pokemon resistant to Steel. Although wow, that is a lot of damage.
Magnezone got demoted to E4 member compared to SM, apparently. 30/25/30/30/25/25 IVs, 252 EVs in Def/Sp. Atk, the Sturdy Ability, and the moves Flash Cannon, Thunderbolt, Tri Attack and Screech. You've seen one Magnezone, you've seen them all, but this one actually kinda thinks that Screech is helpful to it, specifically? This is not true, but I have seen it attempt it when it's the last mon out.
Or... in general. In Molayne's defence, his only offensive option is Flash Cannon.
Justy went for Dynamic Punch, in the vague hopes that Magnezone will do nothing with its next turn.
Justy was not so lucky. Imagine if Magnezone actually used Flash Cannon both times.
Why do I need Earthquake, I've got High Horsepower that won't miss!
Bisharp next. 25/30/30/25/25/30 IVs, 252 EVs in Atk/Def, the Defiant Ability, and the moves Night Slash, Iron Head, X-Scissor, and Metal Sound. Something's telling me Magnezone and Bisharp had some issues organising their team together. With that said, Magnezone's Screech does more for the rest of the team- Metal Sound is just support for Magnezone. I notice Bisharp does Metal Sound less, though- it does tend to notice it's better off using its actual attacking moves.
All that defensive investment couldn't save it from Hawkeye hitting it in a x4 weakness. Magnezone at least has Sturdy.
And this is the real ace of the team. Metagross has 30/25/30/25/30/25 IVs, 252 EVs in Def/Sp. Def, the Clear Body Ability, and the moves Meteor Mash, Zen Headbutt, Hammer Arm, and Bullet Punch. Molayne's Metagross addresses a surprising shortcoming in the Pokemon League's team in SM- no members of the 600 club! Every Elite Four in series history has used the local member of their 600 club except Johto and Alola- and Johto used three Dragonite to make up for that! Kommo-o has still been omitted from the local Elite Four, but Metagross will be happy to pick up the slack.
Not sure what Ridley was doing here, other than rolling for a Scald. I was hoping "outspeed", but it seems that comparison isn't in Ridley's favour.
Let's go for paralysis, then.
...Not how I was expecting it, but it'll do.
I was planning on using T-Wave, so that's Genevieve's turn wasted, but at least it's applied.
I'm calling my shot: Zen Headbutt again.
Or just denying the paralysis, OK then.
Fortunately, Moss survived that.
Also fortunate that I got that crit. I think I was considering Flare Blitz on Moss, too, but perhaps I was a little worried about survivability with that tactic. Clearly Fire Punch is doing the job.
If I wasn't fishing for Burns, though, Darkest Lariat was the way to go.
Remember, USUM Molayne hasn't fought us yet. I wonder if Molayne is aware of just how good his team really is.
At least Molayne seems somewhat aware we're not Alolan and lets that colour his view on my rise to fame.
Annoyingly, I forgot to talk to Molayne before I left, but his dialogue all the same:
First: Ailey! You're gonna be a Trainer who everyone admires.
Second: In the battle with you, I realized the areas in which Sophocles needs to improve.
Third: Battling with you is interesting! I think you outdo even Kukui. You're second to none!
Fourth: Just what I'd expect of a Pokémon Trainer discovered by the Masked Royal.
You can tell he's the new guy- he doesn't acknowledge how far you are in the challenge at all, but instead has general comments.
One down, three familiar foes to go.
- Ridley: Leftovers
- Hawkeye: Amulet Coin
- Justy: Expert Belt
- Moss: Focus Band
- Genevieve: Wise Glasses
- Zossie: Choice Specs
The other three Elite Four members stick to their SM scripts.
Olivia actually has a pretty substantial buff over Molayne- she's running flat 30 IVs! Her team is also more well constructed, but she's still got her problems of being a Rock type user to push through.
That's a good start. We've seen what Armaldo can do thanks to Captain Nemo, and now it's time to see if we can deal with it in return. 252 EVs in Atk/Spd, the Battle Armour Ability, and the moves Crush Claw, X-Scissor, and Rock Blast. Well... she tried. Bug is going to be a pain for Grass types, but having Rock Blast for Rock STAB isn't going to do her any favours. Just remember she's weak to Rock/Steel/Water and you're good.
Water it is.
This is Ridley in her element.
Cradily (Ultra Moon): This carnivorous Pokémon lived in primordial seas. It catches prey in its eight tentacles and dissolves them with digestive fluid as it eats.
And there's the matching Cradily. The evolved form of Olivia's Lileep, you can expect tough defences, reaasonable offenses, slow speed, and a weakness list of Bug/Fighting/Steel/Ice. Olivia's went with 252 EVs in Def/Sp. Def, the moves Rock Tomb, Energy Ball, and Stealth Rock. She's fixed her Nature issue from last time, and once again, she's not much of a Rock type, preferring to use her surprise STAB- this time on Water and Ground types.
I was trying not to get Stealth Rocked...
So much for that.
Olivia threw out a Full Restore, and my plan is not deal with that again. Swords Dance will ensure I get the KO this time.
Yup. Nailed it.
So hey, did you notice that Olivia has a Boldore in SM, but no Gigalith in USUM? She's fixed that now! 252 EVs in HP/Def, the moves Stone Edge, Bulldoze, and Iron Head, and the piece de resistance, the Sand Stream Ability. The free passive damage and +50% Sp. Def buff for Rock types should be a keystone of any serious mono-Rock team, and the presence of it in her USUM set gives her that extra edge she lacks in the original. What was that Golem adding to the team, anyway...?
At this point, you should probably have an idea where this is going. I'll admit that I didn't, but not for the reason you think. Still, full Physical Defense investment and didn't take a High Jump Kick from Hawkeye.
Lycanroc has, if anything, been slightly nerfed by the new IV distribution. Flat 30s instead of flat 31s, the extra two levels from USUM should make up for it statistically, but the 252 HP/Def EVs, Stone Edge, Crunch, Rock Climb, Counter moves, Rockium Z hold item and Keen Eye Ability are all equal.
Gigalith went down like a chump, what was Lycanroc going to do? Outspeed?
Probopass was the thing I was afraid of. 252 EVs in HP/Sp. Def this time, with the same moves Earth Power, Power Gem, Thunder Wave, and Sandstorm. It still has the Sturdy Ability, which means that it can take a High Jump Kick, and then a Thunder Wave or a Power Gem could interrupt Hawkeye's streak.
Or, uh... not?
...Oh, right! Mold Breaker breaks Sturdy! I don't usually remember that interaction, and in hindsight I wonder if Hawkeye couldn't have made Magnezone think twice, but that make this fight a lot more simple than I had expected.
The last thing you need is the ability to deny your opponents the right to bother. That's what Swords Dance is for.
There's a reason Hawlucha is a speedrun Pokemon of choice. Imagine doing that, but on everybody. I do like the push and pull of using the whole team, but there's something satisfying about reaching critical mass and just going "click X to victory".
The other two members of the Elite Four are immune and resistant to Fighting. Don't worry, we can't do that again.
Lines that you'd think the editing pass of USUM would have convinced the developers needed to be rewritten, but weren't: +1.
I will say it's a nice bolt of confidence, having a fight where Ailey just wins under her belt.
- Moss: Expert Belt
- Hawkeye: No Item
- Justy: Leftovers
- Ridley: Choice Specs
- Genevieve: Amulet Coin
- Zossie: Metronome
Acerola has only changed her main. No, seriously, movesets and EVs are identical between her SM team and her USUM team outside her lead. Even the IV patterns are the same (just with 31s and 15s replaced with 30s and 25s)- with the sole exception of her Palossand, which has inexplicably lost its distinction of flat IVs.
Acerola's new Banette runs 30/30/25/25/25/30 IVs, 252 EVs in Atk/Spd, the Insomnia Ability, and the moves Shadow Claw, Feint Attack, Infestation, and Screech. This is the same IV distribution and EVs that her old Sableye possessed, with the notable difference that Banette is a Pokemon that is expected to be building in this fashion. Strictly speaking, I think Banette's choices are inferior to Sableye's, and with the extra loss of the typing, Banette probably shakes out as the worse lead.
How's that extra 40 points in base Atk helping you?
This is Moss's fight. Darkest Lariat was made for a nice little Ghost type set of fights.
Palossand has been reduced to 30/25/25/30/30/25 IVs. This actually makes her slower than the SM Palossand, but the variance in stats still means her other stats are higher. Moveset's Shadow Ball, Earth Power, Giga Drain, Iron Defence, and it's all in on HP and Sp. Atk.
Now, Moss probably could've managed, but this is the one opponent where Moss would be facing some risks if she failed, so I had Ridley clean up for her.
Dhelmise. Same high bulk EVs, same weird aversion to actually using its Physical attack stat for good.
At least it took a Darkest Lariat for its efforts.
You call that a Slam?
Acerola healed, only for Fire Punch to bring it back to significantly less than nearly done.
At least I got a good Burn. Can't hurt, but mainly I was trying to avoid-
You know that's only delaying the inevitable, right?
No burn this time, but really, I win as soon as she doesn't heal.
And the odds she heals on something else have just went down.
Froslass comes next. Blizzard, Shadow Ball, Confuse Ray, Ice Shard. Another opponent so, so scared of Moss in particular.
To be fair, this is probably Acerola's only real option.
And it actually worked.
...Once. Damn, what did Froslass do to deserve that shutout?
And now, we move on to Drifblim. As alluded to, Ominous Wind, Amnesia, Focus Energy, Baton Pass, and sent out last. Pity I don't have a Normal type this time.
...In retrospect, I'm not sure what Genevieve is doing. Amnesia strikes me as preventing exactly this from working.
Oh come on, he's not even Minimising!
Well, at least we're both taking our time. Drifblim even crit!
Got the paralysis. For... what that's worth.
Justy switches in. Justy will be able to land some good physical hits in!
At least he's not punished for the switch in.
Ouch. Drifblim outspeeds. Not to worry, this can still be solved.
It was a crit, anyway!
Oh. Drifblim got the omnibuff. Well... that's unfortunate, but we can work around that.
Justy begins Phantom Force, preparing to hit Drifblim super-effectively.
Did you spot it? My giant mistake here? No? Me neither, I briefly thought Ominous Wind had hitherto unknown behaviour for breaking Phantom Force's turn of semi-invulnerability.
No, you know how No Guard breaks semi-invulnerability? And how it applies to both user and target? Yeah, it turns out Phantom Force No Guard Golurk is what is known as a bad idea. So much for finally having a Ghost move.
Fine, Moss'll do it.
...Although she is going second. That was briefly concerning. Especially since...
Yeah. Aftermath.
Thankfully, Moss took it. Also I wouldn't have lost either way, but it would still be a hilarious way of losing either way.
And that's the story of why I'm starting to regret Justy choosing No Guard over Iron Fist.
That's Acerola down. Just Kahili left.
- Ridley: Choice Specs
- Hawkeye: No Item
- Justy: Amulet Coin
- Moss: Leftovers
- Genevieve: Expert Belt
- Zossie: Metronome
Kahili, like Olivia, has flat 30 IVs, and has switched two team members. That's six out of fifteen total between all three Elite Four veterans. I'm curious why the Elite Four got different treatment from the IVs, though- the SM Elite Four was consistent on that front, Hala's errant Adamant Natures notwithstanding.
Well, hello- not just Magnezone, but Braviary, too, found themselves on an Elite Four member's teams. Braviary has 252 EVs in Atk/Spd, the Sheer Force Ability, and the moves Crush Claw, Brave Bird, Air Slash, and Scary Face. While her old lead Skarmory was about being tough to beat and setting Spikes, this lead is about crushing any attempts at building momentum under the sheer force of Brave Bird. Fortunately, Brave Bird isn't actually buffed by Sheer Force, but the other two moves are.
Also remember- Kukui's Braviary didn't invest in Atk. This one has.
Now imagine what that's like to something that isn't physically bulky.
Fortunately, carving chunks out of your team is accompanied by carving chunks out of his own HP bar. Just, you know, err on the side of caution in relying on that.
Choice Specs coming in handy here.
Mandibuzz is the same as last time- 252 EVs in Def/Sp. Def, Bone Rush, Brave Bird, Punishment, and Flatter in her kit.
And even from the less offensive America bird, Brave Bird is still a 140 BP move running off STAB. This is her only other Brave Bird, but still.
Right, Genevieve's turn.
Huh. Interesting strategy, to Flatter a Special attacker without a boosting move.
I hope you enjoyed having deep-fried vulture on the menu.
Her other new Pokemon, replacing Crobat, is Hawlucha. 252 EVs in Atk/Spd, the Mold Breaker Ability (...wasn't that HA, Kahili?), and the moves Flying Press, Throat Chop, Dual Chop, and Poison Jab. With that set of coverage moves, this is a battle that can very easily get away from you fast if you can't respond in kind.
So much for Mold Breaker, eh? Throat Chop is an 80 BP Dark move that prevents the target from using any sound-based moves for two turns. It was originally designed as a second Incineroar signature move, learned by Reminder, only for it to be added to the fourth Tutor list we haven't found yet for USUM.
Thunderbolt is not a sound move.
Oricorio. 252 EVs in Sp. Atk/Spd, Dancer Ability, Revelation Dance, Air Slash, Teeter Dance, Ula'ula Form, as we remember her. No Stealth Rocks mean no easy path to taking out a chunk of her HP, but it's not like we needed the free chip.
Revelation Dance did one big number on Genevieve. And the Flatter has still confused her.
Still clicking Thunderbolt to victory. At least Kahili is putting up more of a fight than Olivia- one more big attack and Genevieve is gone too.
Toucannon is 252 Atk/Spd, Skill Link, Beak Blast, Bullet Seed, Rock Blast, Screech, and Flyinium Z. Still helpless against Bulletproof after Supersonic Skystrike, but Toucannon is more than capable of landing a good hit in on Genevieve. I mean, what's Kahili going to do, Beak Blast? That move that Genevieve resists?
Kahili used Beak Blast. As a reminder, the other options were guaranteed five-hit moves Genevieve didn't resist, or Supersonic Skystrike, which doesn't have negative priority.
But no, you clicked the one move that guarantees Genevieve has a chance to throw out a Thunderbolt without interruption.
...OK, not gonna lie, the fact I didn't deploy Justy and reap the Amulet Coin benefits does kinda sting, but also, Genevieve sweeping was funny because Kahili set that up herself. This wasn't me using a setup move and bowling her over like ninepins. This was Kahili using all the setup moves on Genevieve.
Were you trying to throw the match to get Kukui to change his mind?
Anyway, it's time for the Champion battle. And Ailey is feeling much more prepared for it after two sweeps. And whatever that Acerola fight was.
- Justy: Amulet Coin
- Genevieve: Choice Specs
- Hawkeye: Payapa Berry
- Ridley: Leftovers
- Zossie: Metronome
- Moss: Expert Belt
One weird change between SM and USUM- Ailey doesn't get to sit down before Kukui walks up and talks about her last challenge.
Anyway, it's time for Ailey to show off her battling skills and prove her skill before Professor Kukui-
So yeah, remember what I said Professor Kukui made an excellent final boss? Turns out USUM has decided it wants no part in that and gone with another candidate.
Hau.
The final rival battle has been a bit of an interesting one, for the devs. Blue became the official Champion just before Red in RBY, making the final plot sequence finally proving yourself superior to him, but he was the only rival who got that far. The last rival battle being during or after Victory Road, as Hau was in SM, is the typical position for the final rival fight, but the developers have been agreeing with the players that there's something wanting in that placement. Hence, promoting Hau to Champion fight in a bid to give him relevance that he failed to claim in SM.
So, what's justifying Hau's visions being set so high and agreeing to serve the role of our final boss?
Of all things, hero worship.
To be fair to Hau, I kinda get what he's going for here. We have served as an inspirational companion, and Hau has felt kind of bad about never being able, or even willing, to engage with us as an equal. He's always been friendly, always been helpful, but he's never matched us.
But they tried a bit too hard to keep everything tightly wrapped up, and Hau thinks about one idea too many here. Hau has an interesting character arc going on here, but the right hand's not talking to the left hand and I think nobody seems entirely sure on what point of his character arc he's supposed to be on every time we find him. Maybe there is something to be tapped after all...
But enough about that, we've gotta do our Champion battle now.
Champion Hau actually gets his own theme, remixing Hau's old peppy theme to try and carry the same weight as the SM theme. In this, I kinda think they failed, but fortunately, the old Champion theme's still around- only Hau uses this theme in rematches.
As a battle, Hau actually has a pretty simple team, all told. Flat 30 IVs across the board, and every Pokemon except his starter has chosen to invest 252 EVs in their dominant attacking stat and Speed. The starter went with "dominant attacking stat and HP". Serious Natures, still.
Since his Pokemon is still in his Poke Ball, he's going with the SM standby and leading with Raichu. Remember, USUM Hau didn't do this- he led with his starter. Like in SM, Hau is running Thunderbolt, Psychic, Focus Blast, and Quick Attack, and it's just as terrifying as ever.
Fortunately, I came prepared.
Oh, wow. Hau's gained two levels or so over Kukui, but all the extra EXP Ailey's been fed means this is a surprisingly equal fight.
At any rate, remember Noah and his Palossand? Justy is also a Ground/Ghost type.
Who is apparently just as good at dealing with Psychics.
Learned my lesson about Phantom Force, though. We're sticking with High Horsepower.
...That could come in handy, I'll take it.
Hau's Eeveelution has taken a very strange approach to its moveset. No matter which one it is, its moveset includes Quick Attack and both Charm and Baby-Doll Eyes. The fourth move will be Flare Blitz, Hydro Pump, or Leaf Blade, depending on which Eeveelution it is, and the 252 EVs are assigned to the attacking type that will increase the power of said move. A bit of a typical Eevee, really, but it's not like Scald is Guardia's only claim to fame.
Yeah, how did Baby-Doll Eyes work out for you there? I'm impressed that Vaporeon went down in one Thunderbolt, though- I'm used to Guardia being a bit bulkier than that.
Another of Ray's old friends, Tauros is a bit more versatile than Wiingo- although not by much. 252 EVs in Atk/Spd support a ruthless set of Double-Edge, Earthquake, Zen Headbutt and Iron Head, along with a bonus Intimidate to make it harder to take out with a Fighting type. We've seen Wiingo isn't that scary, but don't think it's not scary at all.
I know Mold Breaker has a set definition, but it always feels bad when Hawkeye gets inconvenienced by an Ability that doesn't count as "ignorable".
Right, let's get some Atk back up, before-
...OK, I get it, I got greedy.
Justy's a little dented, but I think he can tank a non-STAB Physical hit...
Yup, he's good.
There's the power of Dynamic Punch. It's always nice to have two options, but when the opponent has six team members, that's not always an option.
That is a huge help! Crabominable has, like all of Hau's non-starter options, invested 252 EVs into its Speed, something that increases its terrible Speed to "moderate", leaving it helpless for anything fast and strong. Its kit is Ice Hammer, Power-up Punch, Stone Edge, and Dizzy Punch, and this one is Iron Fist. Hau has a Crabominable in his post-game team in SM, too, and the main thing that really stands out is that of course Hau is using his grandfather's ace.
Considering she couldn't cut it against Molayne and wasn't awesome in the other three fights because other Pokemon were, this turns out to be Zossie's first deployment. To deal with a Crabominable.
And the worst part is, she doesn't even oneshot.
...Good thing that missed, because that would have been a STAB SE hit boosted by Iron Fist! As cool as Zossie is, and as much as she's the second-most powerful UB in competitive (Pheromosa is the top spot), this Pokemon League has strangely lacked opponents suited to Zossie's skills.
Then again, her STAB is only SE on three types.
When you can get a Beast Boost rampage going, it's a joy to behold.
Hau's long-running joke of a Noibat has finally become a Noivern worth respecting. Dragon Pulse, Air Slash, Dark Pulse, Super Fang for moves, and the Infiltrator Ability to break Screens. As much as I really want Zossie to snipe this KO, I am fully cognizant of the fact that Noivern is all-in on Speed. There is no way Zossie outspeeds, and in fact she loses the speed tie by 22 points.
In hindsight, a Haban Berry could do it, but I had a better plan for Noivern.
Ridley, time to show off the power of Water types using Ice moves.
It's funny to think that Ice types suck because Waters do their job so much better.
Oh, you get Air Slash by level the conventional way, too. Hm... I think I'll stick with Flamethrower.
Hau's starter, rather unfortunately, is much less impressive than Kukui's. Each one only has three moves- their two STABs and a single coverage option. They all carry 252 EVs in HP/their Attacking stat alongside their typed Z-Crystals, which does suit them all just fine, but the devil's in the details.
- Incineroar gets Darkest Lariat/Flare Blitz/Earthquake. An excellent coverage option that suits its wants well.
- Primarina gets Sparkling Aria/Moonblast/Hyper Voice. Normal coverage is a bit weird, but it is thematic enough.
- Decidueye gets Spirit Shackle/Leaf Blade/Smack Down. Smack Down. A 50 BP Rock move. Rock does answer three of its weaknesses, but it had to have a better option than that....
The fact that Hau's starter is the one weak to yours is just a drop in the bucket, really. Hau's Decidueye is just flatly worse than the one Kukui gets. On top of that, the lack of a Kukui boss means USUM never gets to fight their superior starter. The Teacher Emily fight doesn't really make up for that.
That was Smack Down.
That was Decidueye's plan for Incineroar.
And it comes down to a Flare Blitz. Remember, Darkest Lariat works too, I didn't even need that.
Neither of us used Z-Moves. That was Ailey's first try.
I'm not sure if it's the extra levels or Hau's stats, but... Kukui really was the better final opponent, wasn't he...?
Hau gets a more dramatic take on his old "heheh, I lost, huh", pose, that leads up with him wiping his eyes first. Another bit that I feel like is part of a whole, but that's not really where the whole is going.
Hau still gets the x240 prize payout afforded to a Champion. And the victory theme.
I know that's what you believe, but somehow, I'm not sure that's what's going on up there.
I'm not saying your team is bad, but I am saying you might need to think a little harder about what you put on it.
I dunno, the Malie battle was pretty intense already in USUM. Hau's battle can be pretty exciting, especially with all the Speed he's throwing around, but I do think Kukui's was the much better constructed one. And that's not even getting to the missing surprise factor.
Even Hau doesn't fully understand what it is he's feeling.
It says a lot that we're equals in this comparison.
This is when Kukui gets back to repeating his SM speech.
...Honestly, I think the whole "actually, Ailey is the best Trainer in all of Alola" thing is worse in USUM, because we kinda did just beat a product of the Alolan system to prove that. Like, beating you makes some amount of sense, you're the one thinking with the non-Alolan system, but Hau's known nothing but Alola's ways.
Anyway, recording ourselves in the Hall of Fame. Same procedure as in SM.
Down to the animation and everything.
Justy- Golurk
Ground/Ghost
Apparently met at- Haina Desert
Golurk is a Pokemon of many contrasts. No Guard gave it the powerful Dynamic Punch, but the way USUM works deprives it of what it really wants- High Horsepower and a Ghost STAB. No Guard breaking Phantom Force was icing on the cake.
Genevieve- Ampharos
Electric
Met at- Paniola Ranch
Sheepy can do so many things. Take Physical hits, paralyse things, have surprisingly decent coverage options, and Electric is as Electric does. Discount it at your peril.
Hawkeye- Hawlucha
Fighting/Flying
Met at- Route 3
Hawkeye, no doubt about it, carried the run. Being fast and hitting hard are the two things you really need, and Hawkeye has more than adequate numbers of each.
Ridley- Gorebyss
Water
Met at- Melemele Sea
Why are you never available at a reasonable time? You're not that broken, although you are good. If only the same could be said for your twin.
Zossie- Naganadel
Poison/Dragon
Met at- Megalo Tower
Zossie KOed one Pokemon in the League, and she had to rely on a dodge to do it. One day, we'll find a niche for Zossie to excel in. I can think of one, at least, but she hasn't established herself yet at all.
Moss- Incineroar
Fire/Dark
Met at- Route 1
Moss's job was to be actually-kinda-decent on tanking, hence why I kept using her as a sweeper. His reputation really depends on the specific niche Doubles and HA access allows her, and there's a reason Singles hasn't been so quick to adopt it.
Ailey has her Pokemon League stamp in the stamp book.
The Elite Four still show up for USUM, but this somehow manages to be one of the most hilarious implementations of a USUM change.
Molayne doesn't have any lines to replace Hala's comments, so the game just completely skips him and starts with Acerola's scene.
He doesn't even speak after the girls are done. He really is just here to make sure Hala isn't.
And this is why Hala was kicked out- they didn't want him to be present here after Hau lost. There's a bit more specifics than that, but it's close enough.
His ace being Crabominable probably wouldn't help.
Molayne still gets to talk to Kahili before we head off.
Now then, remember how long the ending was before the credits actually started in SM? USUM has decided to simplify matters and make this scene a credits sequence.
Hala replaces Hau on the Iki Town stage, to come to greet us after we come back from the League. The ability to include this scene seems to be the reason for Hala's absence from the League.
It's an entirely non-verbal bit of "I'm proud of you" between grandfather and grandson.
I mean, it works...
Sophocles comes right up and starts crying to Molayne about his absence. Don't worry, Sophocles, I don't think Molayne's job is permanent, you don't have to worry about doing his job. Clearly you're not ready for it.
And, as promised, there's Lillie, back from whatever business occupies her time in this reality.
Despite the fact the credits have started, there is still dialogue here. Only, like, three textboxes, but it does make an unfortunate event- we'll have to make sure we mash through all of them before we can properly use the credits as an opportunity to use the bathroom.
...At least SM was honest about the fact they still wanted you paying attention.
This is the point where the credits start to diverge from the scene in SM.
We get a shot of the Shady House, where Guzma and Plumeria have gathered the Skull Grunts for an announcement.
Of all the ways to reveal the disbandment of Team Skull, this is one of them. Yeah, no dialogue, but still.
Plumeria gives a speech, and the Skull Grunts run off.
Huh. Looks like Guzma just doesn't want to show his face to anyone in Skull. That must've been a huge piece of humble pie. And you didn't even go to the Ultra Deep Sea this time!
The Skull Grunts come back as Punks, which satisfies Plumeria. Guzma is still not showing his face.
Over on Route 16, Sina and Dexio have an almost villain-like look at the Reconstruction Chamber. This scene is a showcase of "hey, you remember Zygarde? He is still in this game!"
Look, there he is! This is Zygarde in his 50% Form, and Ray and Ailey will be able to encounter him pre-assembled. There's more to it than that- this isn't a 100% Form- but it's relatively trivial.
Ironically, I've never actually done it, but there's a first time for everything.
Next up, a scene in the Aether Paradise.
Phyco and Colress have a conversation while Soliera is waving goofishly at a Corsola.
You ever see a scene that's clearly based on the Ultra Sun version? I do feel a little skeevy about Soliera being made to fill Zossie's position, but I can see Phyco filling it even less. It is pretty lazy on all counts, though.
While this conversation is happening, Faba goes to the lower levels in a very "I'm being suspicious" way. I'm sure it's nothing. Since when has Faba done something impactful?
The giga Z-Pose is still here, but now Nanu is invited to match Molayne and Kahili's appearances. But there's still supposed to be a bit where someone's out of position...
Oh, Mina's doing it.
From the look on her face, I think it's less "I'm having fun where no one can judge me" and more "I wasn't listening when what we were doing was explained."
...Actually, was Mina at the SM party at all?
Gladion has taken leave of the party to go visit the ferry.
Only to be immediately stopped by Wicke on the way out. Instead of Lillie going to Kanto to talk to Bill, USUM instead decides Gladion will do it. This suits their respective characters just fine, but it does rob the story of a bit of its weight. Although that may just be because they never really make Gladion a friend of Bethany, Hau, or even Lillie while he's still in the plot, so they're forced to lean on the more theoretical angle of what Gladion's departure will do.
If nothing else, Gladion's "you can't stop me" personality loves being the character who'd do something like this.
Gladion's farewell is seen off entirely by Aether Foundation folks, a random joe, and a random joe kid who isn't entirely interested. I remain curious what's going to happen to Hau when he realises his boyfriend's skipped town without him being informed.
At least Gladion was smart enough to leave before the festival was over.
While Gladion is contemptuously ignoring the Aether farewells, he notices that Lusamine has woken up and is going to see him off too.
...Hey, yeah, Lusamine isn't out of commission because of a Pokemon fusion-related mishap, she's out because of a good old-fashioned Necrozma-punch to the gut, and also falling on Guzma's ribs. The whole "Bill" excuse holds no water here. Gladion is still going to Kanto, though- it remains to be seen if this has anything to do with us this time.
We still go to the Ruins of Conflict, but everyone comes with this time. Turns out, if Lillie had waited, it was an official part of the party anyway.
...She just wanted some alone time with us, didn't she?
Both us and Hau have something to share with Tapu Koko, who remains more or less inert this time.
As we leave, Tapu Koko briefly flashes on screen in the void of black, and Ailey turns back, wondering if she heard something.
Kukui tells her to come back to the party before she properly investigates the matter.
Looks like you'll have your battle with us another day, Tapu Koko. And I'll be ready for you that time.
As everyone runs back, Lillie pauses to bow to Tapu Koko. She still gets her moment to thank it personally, which was part of the reason she pulled us away in private for SM. Since the thing was an official bit in USUM, there wasn't dedicated time for Lillie to address private matters.
And fireworks time.
Hau gets to join in with Lillie's more personal moment, not that Lillie has any of her "are you sure this is platonic" dialogue. Or indeed, any dialogue.
As promised, more textboxes to clear, just to make sure you haven't wandered off yet.
Hau's dialogue has been changed, to accommodate for the fact he's already taken a shot at our title.
They still do this moment.
Complete with cutting away before we see the Pokemon, too.
Instead of sending a care package to Gladion full of pictures of the places we've been, we instead get, of all things, a GSC-style credits, where the actual "crediting people" happens in the middle of the screen while we get awesomely drawn sprite-art of the Totem Pokemon jamming out to this very Shantae-sounding credits composition. I'm not complaining about any part of this change, but this feels like yet another case of "wait, you could've done this any time you wanted?"
The shot of the Normal Totem jamming will be Gumshoos or Raticate depending on which version you're playing- you only get one.
The respective dances of each Totem do vary in quality slightly- Araquanid and Ribombee don't really do anything special, while Marowak gets a bone-twirling routine and Mimikyu's dance breaks its Disguise. Still, compared to the Pokemon chosen in the original version of this credits routine (which were mostly just "which Pokemon are marketable and cute", I prefer choosing the Pokemon that were important to our adventure. About the only thing that could be better was using the player's team, but that would be far too effort-intensive.
The credits end with Ailey heading home, without her Mum to greet her, and in the game's standard animation. Clearly didn't want to reuse SM's cutscene, and the pixel art apparently finished up the credits budget.
Next time: Still got a few more Pokemon Leagues to go.
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