When last we left Ailey, she had just caught herself a pair of Stakataka and was hurried home. This update takes place shortly after the start of the postgame, and thus, she doesn't yet have things like her Mega Stones and the Choice items. Fortunately, her team doesn't mean squat.
Mum, stop fooling yourself. If you haven't justified it yet, you might need actual help to get that motivation.
Oh, another one of those weirdly tiny ? bubbles. Seems someone's knocking on the door.
Huh. Sophocles. Not who I was expecting to see.
Well, uh, if you've come running in like that, there's only one correct response to offer: Where's the fire?
Oh, I'll be the judge of that.
His response if you try to tell him "Welcome" instead. A pretty charming one, too.
..."Friend" might be pushing it on this one, Mum. Although to be fair, he did not lock me in a room for his Trial... although he did lock me in Festival Plaza tutorials without a chance of avoiding it. Might be a bit of a wash.
This is what you apologise for, Sorrocles?
Perhaps a glass of water might help in this situation?
And they're welcome to it.
...Wait, Ailey and Ray still need to trade Blacephalon and Stakataka, and Ray needs to do some trades to evolve Siri. All right, fine, I guess this is my problem...
Much like every other time Festival Plaza is relevant, Sophocles drags us into Festival Plaza and removes the option of leaving. While I understand the urgency this time, I'd like to point out that Ray has just beamed himself in as a guest. Bethany and Noah are also doing it off-screen, with a short little chime playing that kinda distracts from the ambience.
They bring back Unsettling Atmosphere for this.
Someone hacked Festival Plaza. And redecorated.
...I don't like it.
While that may be a valid sentiment, it's not the mood you're trying to cultivate in this place. You're going for friendly, and this is the sort of place that makes new people want to come back later.
...To be fair, you're always like that.
Sophocles gushing about the architecture if you agree with him.
While Sophocles approves of their taste, he's absolutely not happy with them elbowing their way in and clawing away control. That's his place!
Ehh... I recognise that emblem. No, they really don't know what they're doing.
Oh, right, you But Thou Must people into helping you. All right, fine, I guess this won't cause too much in the way of continuity errors...
So you're not going to do anything to help. Got it.
Team Rocket, last seen trying desperately to summon their boss back in the Johto region, have returned for a fiendish strategy.
Thus far, it seems to entail taking over the region's clunky trading hub. Kind of a downgrade from how they did in Johto.
You'll have to forgive them, back when Crystal was new, it was considered cutting-edge to have cellphone connectivity. Try not to mention anything more advanced than a potato.
I'd say I won't tell anyone, but I'd be lying. I don't care about you at all.
The dude literally wanders off to go be evil somewhere else. Frankly, this is an improvement on them in RBY and GSC.
Now, do you know Team Skull? ...I'd believe it if you didn't. Basically, imagine them, except... actively malicious.
Maybe next time don't click that suspicious link about Togedemaru in your area.
You manage new and unprecedented bounds in making me lose confidence in you.
As far as Team Rocket goes, I'm impressed. Even the Aether Foundation didn't pull this off, although I don't imagine it was desirable in the conservatory. But still...
In a world where using Pokemon is so normalised that everyone is expected to dabble, one doesn't typically prepare for not being in that situation.
Something I never wanted to see again: my Touch Screen does not have a Back button. I think this time, we're meant to blame Rocket, not Sophocles.
I'd believe it if I understood the method you intended to use. Your track record for stealing Pokemon is terrible.
Tell that to Leaf and Lyra.
This Grunt turns out to be the one we have to talk to to progress the story events. We cannot deal with Rainbow Rocket until we find out how we're getting our hands on something we can use, and that turns out to be the Battle Agency.
Sophocles asks a pointed question to the literal children in the audience who didn't piece together that fact.
...Ultra Wormhole? It's been ages since I was responsible for one of those. Does... does that mean the boss had one of his own?
We've invented an entirely different dimension and we're using it on a clunkily designed monstrosity masquerading as a useful website.
...Sounds like some grifts I know.
If they could see it. You're not fooling anyone in here.
So yeah, you noticed something for me to help us out here?
The Battle Agency was introduced to USUM almost certainly for the sole purpose of facilitating this plot, and USUM making the Festival Plaza tutorial mandatory is so they can be sure we'll know about this to be able to make this logical conclusion. I may not like it, but I suppose I'm going to have to deal with the fact that this counts as sound reasoning to do so.
But still. I continue to dislike that.
This is something beneficial to Team Rocket, as well as not really advancing the effort of kicking them out, so they're happy to allow it to happen without a fight.
Assuming they understand what he's doing at all.
It might be too late, at that point.
I mean... before we got the Battle Agency up, all they could do was look at us threateningly. I'm not sure what I'm doing here other than distracting them.
At any rate, we will be required to participate in the Battle Agency. This event is relatively interesting, and doesn't actually seem to play by the rules one might expect had you regularly done this.
I show this off with Ray, but Ailey will be acting as if I've never used this before.
This is a tutorial on how the Battle Agency works under normal circumstances. How Grade relates to the Pokemon you can rent isn't clear to me, but apparently it actually relates to level- being of higher grade gives you higher level Pokemon. I was expecting Grade to relate to species and movesets- I got an absolutely deplorable Darmanitan when Ray tried it outside this situation.
There's a few things we can pick up on around here in Info, which I'll go over.
We battle in three-on-three Singles battles. To begin, we borrow one of three Pokemon shown on the board behind the reception desk, and then borrow two more from people. We can choose to borrow those of our friends (helpful if we had any friends who happened to be Grade 50!), but if we don't happen to have any prepared, they will offer us random allies.
We can also learn about the rules of the Battle Agency in normal operation, but this isn't relevant. We just have to win one fight to chase Team Rocket out.
We are allowed to inspect the three Pokemon that are on offer here, which is good, because a Pokemon might be better or worse than its reputation suggests depending on what moveset it has. Pokemon available in the Battle Agency have the same possible kits that they have in the Battle Tree, and while that might sound promising, you could always get the first few rounds of chaff rather than the lategame powerhouses.
These Pokemon have fixed Natures and EVs, IVs that "depend on the Trainer" (the ones shown here seem to fit us having flat 31s), but random genders and Abilities. That last thing is super strange to me- some Pokemon change in role drastically depending on which Ability you get. You can also get HAs here, which only exemplifies that.
Starting with the only Pokemon in the Alola Dex that is on offer today, we have Chesto Berry Glaceon. Two decent attacking moves (wish it was Ice Beam, but you can't have everything), Rest combined with a Chesto Berry for a full heal consequence-free, and Barrier for +2 Def. This one has 252 EVs in HP/Def, and is a Glaceon built for Physical bulk. Odd choice, but far from unserviceable.
Honestly, it's probably the most intelligent of Glaceon's kits. It never gets Ice Beam- the other three use Blizzard as its Ice move of choice- one of them has Hail and a different one has Aurora Veil, and two of them are running Mirror Coat like they expect that to work.
You can tell this one has HA, because starters are only supposed to have Torrent. Two very inaccurate moves, a delayed sleeping move if it comes up, and Dark Pulse for something consistent. EVs on this one are 252 in HP/Sp. Atk. The Custap Berry allows Blastoise to move first within its priority bracket a single time when lowered beneath 1/4 HP, and is only available for normal use through event in SM. There are some nasty hands you can find this in, but I'm not sure Blastoise's are among them.
All Mega-capable Pokemon have at least one possible set with their Mega Stone. I'm not sure we can get one in the Battle Agency without our own Mega Ring, but they do exist.
Beartic (B2W2): They love the cold seas of the north. They create pathways across the ocean waters by freezing their own breath.
An Ice type I like a lot more than I can use, Beartic is an Ice type built like a Fighting type- high Atk and low Speed. This generation, it has seen a brand new buff of 20 Atk, and two of its three possible Abilities double its otherwise poor Speed while in weather (it has Swift Swim in HA and Slush Rush as a brand new normal Ability in this game). This one has Atk/Sp. Def EVs, and has a nice set of attacking types, a setup move, and plans on taking a hit before dishing back damage. Cunning, but doesn't play to Beartic's strengths.
Beartic actually has two Sitrus Berry kits- the other one using Swords Dance and Brick Break instead, while also not having the -Spd Nature. The best one is probably its Icium Z set that runs Jolly and a non-Avalanche Ice move, but at least it's not the one that thinks Beartic is a Special Attacker.
It proved a bit temperamental when Ray tried it out, but it turns out that interacting with people in-game counts as getting them on hand for the Battle Agency. Not only this, but Ray was able to enlist Bethany and Noah's help. I don't think it was fully intentional, though, since I couldn't do things I felt like I should be able to.
There are absolutely no illusions that the people we've just had added to our roster are people to care about.
Our first friend gives us a Flygon, and one of the better ones, too. This one has the two best Dragon and Ground moves for reliability, a surprise coverage move that it has the Special Attack to make good use of, and Endure to allow it the option of taking advantage of its Weakness Policy- with a -Sp. Def Nature, it wouldn't expect to survive a SE hit without it. 252 EVs in Atk/Spd- all Flygon sets have 252 EVs in Speed.
One of the Flygon sets is pure physical power, running Dragon Rush instead of Dragon Claw and two Physical moves instead of these gimmicky ones, along with the Rockium Z. Another one runs White Herb and an assortment of Special moves, making a surprise bid at being interesting- and not entirely terrible at that. Its last kit doesn't have any STAB, just Rock Slide and U-Turn, and manages to make a Pokemon I feared in the main story terrible.
And then there's this loser. You're running a Legendary and I think you're the weakest one of the bunch. Now granted, Cobalion's sets are generally pretty weird, but 252 Atk/Spd EVs are wasted on a kit that has one offensive move and what seems to be an attempt to apply Atk stages to the opponent and then steal those buffs for itself. It does, at least, qualify as a plan, but I prefer my gimmicks with some sort of logic to them.
Every one of its other sets does have a Steel and Fighting STAB, with curious ideas on what to do with the other slots. You've got a Calm Mind tank, a Metal Burst-Quick Attack setup, and a Protect/Quick Guard paired with the Life Orb. You can almost feel them holding back.
Glaceon was a clear winner, both because it's Alolan (thus feels more fitting to use) and because it actually had the kit I had the most comfort using. We're probably leaning on that Flygon, though.
This is a fashion item that is mandatory in the Battle Agency. You can unlock it for wear outside the facility by achieving Grade 30.
Although if we've put it on before we start, I can't see it.
Someone has an opinion on what a secret agent looks like. I always thought it was a fedora that made an agent, or maybe a bow tie.
We get the Battle Agency's theme before battle.
Are you sure they're people? Or if I take off the glasses, will I find things other than eyes?
In a normal Battle Agency operation, this dialogue is still used, but the Type of Trainer will instead describe the Trainer Class of generic Trainer you're about to fight (say, "Youngster" or "Office Worker"). Today, we of course get a "Team Rainbow Rocket"- funny, I thought Grunts were only addressed by class title.
Team Rocket- or to use the name we have finally learned, Team Rainbow Rocket- uses a remix of Team Rocket's theme from GSC (RBY did not give them a unique theme).
The Rainbow Rocket Grunt uses Pokemon one typically associates with Team Rocket, and one would expect that he is playing by the same rules I am and using Pokemon drawn from the pool of legal Battle Tree Pokemon. He is not. But this is not, strictly speaking, his fault. Every Pokemon on his team has zero sets in the Battle Tree pool.
Raticate has the set Super Fang, Bite, Quick Attack, and Focus Energy, a Modest Nature, EVs in Def/Sp. Atk, and an Oran Berry hold item. They're forcing us to do a battle with random Pokemon, did you expect the fight we had to complete to be hard?
You always lead with the Pokemon you selected.
Seems like a good plan- everything he's got is Physical.
Until he Super Fangs me. Well, that's irritating, but can't deny he's got a plan.
Fortunately, he's got diminishing returns with that strategy.
Frost Breath's imperfect accuracy striking back. I thought I was done with that when Shiva learned Ice Beam.
Hahaha, Focus Energy is cute.
The Oran Berry is just pathetic, though.
That? Even more so.
I'll gladly get some health back while you're missing.
...Probably should've waited until after Raticate. I was a little scared of crits.
Anyway, let's see if we can't get something better.
This is probably the best thing he's got. Toxic, Wing Attack, Bite, and Screech, the 252 EVs in Sp. Atk/Sp. Def support the hold item of Rocky Helmet. Either you hit in the invested stat or you take scratch damage from the Rocky Helmet. Toxic and Screech also really soften you up.
It only gets him so far.
I do wish Frost Breath was doing more, though. I'm used to having hold items that boost my power, I guess.
Still, it had little chance.
Arbok has Poison Sting, Bite, Glare, and Wrap, at least managing to have a status ailment and a trapping damage-over-time effect to work with. Lum Berry as the hold item, to prevent you statusing it back, although the fact it has Shed Skin as a possible Ability does make that funny. 252 EVs in Sp. Atk/Def, which would be pretty tough for Physical Attackers to chew on if it had Intimidate.
This one's just going to run up against Barrier.
And take some Sp. Def drops to try and speed things up.
Like so. That was a great time for that bonus effect.
Those two get to pose with us. I think the one in yellow is actually using the Girlish Battle style.
I... don't think the style of the middle Trainer means anything. I usually see the Trainer who owned the Pokemon who was used last in that position- it is Ailey here because Ailey's Glaceon was out at the end.
I feel like being hired into Team Rocket requires an understanding that you are going to be defeated by an eleven year old. What, did you watch Leaf and Lyra take down Team Rocket and decide "yeah, that totally won't happen a third time?"
I wouldn't even call what I did with Glaceon "effective". Then again, it's not like Ailey is all that great with her own team.
The Grunts decide to do something that occurs to shockingly few evil Teams: Just take advantage of the fact they're all grown adults.
...Not sure what the plan is once they attack us, though. Probably just battery, rather than trying to move us around.
If your boss has any sense, his plans should not depend on mere Grunts accomplishing objectives.
Fortunately, Sophocles has finally figured out where the virus is and has reset it out of the system.
Each Rainbow Rocket Grunt is zapped out of Festival Plaza. The last guy tries running at us, but is zapped away before physical contact is made. It's an amazing shot.
Well, until they hire new guys unrecognised by the system. Unless you can actually identify a Team Rocket Grunt by appearance.
...Also, hilariously, there is a way to see Team Rocket in here again later.
...Good question.
There are more themes you can get, but you don't unlock them until like Rank 50.
Every ten grades until 50, and then every five grades after that, the third and final battle of a Battle Agency challenge will be against a boss. Up until now, that boss has been Sophocles, using a team composed of Electivire, Golem, Magnezone, Togedemaru, and/or Vikavolt (he has two sets for each one). By uploading this data, he has either supplemented or replaced this boss fight with one against Team Rocket's boss, Giovanni. Giovanni can use one of two Arcanine, Gyarados, Exeggutor, Kangaskhan, or Marowak kits... and strangely, one errant potential Dugtrio kit.
Unlike the Rainbow Rocket Grunt, these kits do come from the same pool you can draw from.
...How do I change between themes I have, then?
We will see this in the Battle Tree later, when we actually go there, but here's the USUM freebie. If the holder is hit by a damaging move, they will be forcibly switched out and replaced by a Pokemon of the holder's choosing. It makes a neat party trick, although whether it helps depends on the user.
Fortunately, we won't need to stick around.
They seem to keep it in the Rocket castle design when I went back to do a few Trades after this.
So long, Sophocles. Worst part is, I'll probably need Festival Plaza again in the future.
...Also I already have used it again in the future.
While we were busying ourselves with the Battle Agency, Meowth's been having fun with the TV.
It's not Nasty Plot, is it? Actually, what level is that Meowth?
...I'm not sure I want it knowing that move. Unless it knows "no".
Yeah, it's cute now. It's less cute when we're woken up by late night advertising.
And they wander off without turning off the TV. Sounds like a perfect excuse to listen to some exposition!
...How long ago was that? At this point, I'd be a bit suspicious that Aether even feels the need to give such a speech. Maybe if they can offer a half-decent explanation...
Anyway, let's hear what Lusamine has to say on the subject.
"Let me put your fears to rest: we were attacked by a Pokemon from another dimension."
Yeah, I feel like that was way too much detail to inform the public of even if the threat had passed. You want to keep their concerns at reasonable levels.
Said Trainer was a) not invited to give her statement and b) I don't even have to mandatorily catch it. Necrozma was apparently dangerous enough in its basic form, and the only thing the mandatory encounter did was deprive it of access to its Ultra form.
At least Lusamine is giving something to feel good about. Could've been far worse.
Faba wanders off, for some reason. Not even sure why he's here anyway.
I feel like it would've been nice to have done a start with that, but I guess a promise is better than nothing. So long as you actually follow through on that.
...OK, it does help that they seemed to actually have ideas. An explanation of what that might have entailed is forestalled, however.
By the surprise appearance of another Wormhole.
As a member of the public, I feel reassured already!
A Rocket Grunt runs up, and knocks over the camera. I think we're only meant to assume the camera fell down, and not the man holding it. There is actually a camera crew staffing this and not just a tripod, incidentally.
The man she's addressing is someone in specific, and not just the Rocket Grunt. Grunts don't have names, which I'd expect Lusamine to know better than anyone.
You know, I wonder what the public opinion is on Team Rocket in its local form. The SM games canonically take place in a universe where the events of RBY and GSC are both in the past. At what point does "crime syndicate that took over two different large public buildings" stop being terrifying and "crime syndicate that was defeated by two different eleven year old children" start being hilarious? I want to know how panicked the public feels on hearing it's Team Rocket, of all people, pulling this stunt.
He walks off, completely ignoring Lusamine. Considering he's stealing from her, you'd think he'd care more about her.
Lusamine then runs after him. Not sure who I'm hoping to win in a fight between Lusamine and Rocket's boss, but I do think we should at least try to hope Lusamine wins. For one thing, Milotic and Lilligant should clean up his Ground types.
At this angle, I'm not sure what Wicke is doing as she says this.
The reporter clearly doesn't think too highly of the interlopers. I can never tell when a reaction like this is supposed to be "those guys?" or "what the hell are they talking about?". Particularly when the name is similar to a name that people should be familiar with.
Then again, who knows if Americans are familiar with Japanese history on this scale.
Similar to ORAS's Delta Episode, and SM's UB missions, we get a title card on a black screen with a basic font. Now that I say that aloud, these really feel like placeholders.
...Mum, I'm worried about you. You... do know how TVs work, right?
Doorbell rings-
Ah, of course. Someone from the Aether family had to come over, and Gladion's busy in Kanto.
Which makes the fact this is when Rainbow Rocket attacked feel calculated.
...Well, I guess that explains why Lillie hasn't been caught up in what's going on at the Paradise. I always thought she was hanging out there, but no, she was just across the road.
...I think that was the least interesting thing about that entire press conference, including the part where it was a standard press conference and not a hostile takeover.
The part that scares me is that you believe your mother would actually do a performance like that in the middle of a press conference on why the public should not be panicking about the existence of the Ultra Wormholes.
Your mother got Worfed by Necrozma. She is not fine.
...
Lillie, if you wanted my help, all you had to do was ask.
I reiterate my concern for you, Mum. Lillie's family is in danger and that's your reaction?
...Did we ever tell her about Necrozma? And here I thought we were being a good daughter.
Anyway, everything we have seen Ailey do between the time she caught her Stakataka and now has been done, so we are now proceeding in a logical order.
The main way this will matter, aside from EXP counts, is that I'll have the Choice Items and the Mega Stones to use to fight off Rainbow Rocket with.
I decided to chat with this fellow, just on a lark, and it turns out that every NPC on the outside of the Paradise and on 1F has new dialogue to accompany these unusual circumstances.
I did check 2F and B1F, but thankfully, this NPC is correct in that this was a wasted effort.
Rainbow Rocket clearly doesn't understand maintenance of a large building like that. I mean, they had the Rocket Hideout in Kanto, so it's not like they just haven't owned a building long enough for this to be relevant.
Nope, I saw it on the news and then my girlfriend came over to obliquely hint that she wanted my help.
We can actually see quite a bit of the new design for what used to be Lusamine's Mansion from here. I don't think we're meant to get a good look until we arrive, but...
There's something funny about calling Rocket "evil". Like, yes, they're super evil, but also they're not, like, Ganondorf.
Sorry, mafia dons don't do interviews.
An admirable objective for a member of the press, although I do question those motives.
Come to think of it, I have no idea why Team Rocket goes by that name. To be fair, it's not like every team has a name with a clear origin, but a majority do.
Considering the nature of what this is phenomenon is similar to, I wonder if Rainbow Rocket had to assemble a castle someplace else before teleporting it on top of this or if they used some other trickery. I doubt we'll be letting it stick around long enough to figure out how, though.
Nobody listens to her.
OK, this NPC doesn't have changed dialogue, but that's because she's mechanical. I'm sure Beast Balls are going to be really helpful here.
I remembered this NPC being mechanical, but on talking with her for a full heal, it turns out that actually she's not.
We really need to explain to you about the President's darker side.
...Come to think of it, has Team Rocket ever actually textually been referred to as a "mafia" before?
I'd evacuate, like the reception lady suggested, and leave this to the professionals.
...
Yes, I am a professional. I assaulted this place back when it was the Aether guys holding it! Pay no attention to the fact they're still here.
Lillie's "going on ahead" entails talking to Wicke. There's no way to avoid her to get to Lusamine's Mansion- both the Glide point and the dock converge before here.
Whatever the news is, it doesn't sound good.
Yes, I can see that. So, what exactly do we know about Team Rocket here?
...Not the response I was hoping for. Seems more tuned to the "Calm down" suggestion.
Of course Wicke can be counted on to be on top of things. Woman desperately needs a promotion, but I don't think there are any seats in front of hers other than Lusamine's and Faba's.
...Well, I saw that, too. Any further information.
Ah, nice, some exposition on what exactly this means.
You were in the Kanto region? I guess Aether has business in other regions... still, I'm not sure I'd call Rocket "underground". Everyone knew about them, they were pretty open even about owning the Celadon Game Corner, as well as the hostile takeover on Silph Co.
Well, clearly Lusamine's team didn't matter for much. I choose to assume it has to do with Rainbow Rocket being larger numerically and not because Lusamine is supposed to be less talented.
You mean they haven't made any demands of you? They're terrible at this whole hostage thing. Then again, I guess Silph didn't really involve anything of the sort.
...The fact that Lillie said "we aren't strong enough" was confusing, considering the fact that obviously I'm part of the strength going in.
Although I'd like to make it clear I'm mostly just chasing out Rainbow Rocket, I don't want to claim responsibility for dealing with the Lusamine part of it.
Sometimes I worry I'm the only one that is. Wicke and Gladion are better than nothing, though.
...I... don't know how many of them are planning on using status ailments on me. Potions and Revives are more useful at this venture than status restores.
...Wait, Lillie's coming with us?
Talking to Wicke gets some unique dialogue, where she tells us that she does want to figure out in what way it is possible to help, and also asking why Faba hasn't lined up to try. You'd think he'd be making every effort to endear himself to his superiors, wouldn't you?
As it happens, the Leek is in my back, but a fat lot of good it's going to do me without the Farfetch'd to go along with it.
Not that I think a Farfetch'd is going to be much help.
This scene feels real funky with overhead POV.
Well, just telling me to begone is hardly helpful.
Lillie reckons she can handle dealing with it.
...Wait, you haven't... have you?
Wow, Rocket's gotten more aggressive than I remember.
At any rate, the time is nigh for us to meet Rainbow Rocket ourselves. The encounter theme is a nice little prelude into the battle theme, of course.
As for how Rainbow Rocket is in battle, well... annoyingly, it's actually really hard to tell you at a glance.
The ones on the outside here are using level 61 Pokemon, while the ones on the inside are using level 62 Pokemon. These will typically be species found in the Kanto region, and while they tried to have a certain level of "the stereotypical Team Rocket Grunt Pokemon", they have far more variety than Rocket did in RBY. The ones on the outside also have 15 flat IVs and no investment... something that isn't true on the inside.
There are four Rocket Grunts on the outside here. Every single one of them was outsped and oneshot by me.
Almost gave me a false sense of security.
Team Rainbow Rocket employs female Grunts as well as male. The original Team Rocket only started employing women in GSC, and as a result, there are actually more female Rainbow Rocket Grunts in USUM than there are female Rocket Grunts between both FRLG and HGSS combined (FRLG added some in the postgame for a GSC call-forward, while HGSS has an extra over GSC).
Persian. Despite the anime's famed association between Team Rocket and Meowth, Persian has typically been the boss's and the boss's alone.
Somewhat ironically, the boss doesn't have a Persian in this game.
...So how voluntary was this hostile takeover on your guys's part?
Says the girl still using Haunter. What, no friends to trade with?
She has way more faith in the boss than he really deserves.
Considering you're using a Golbat, I don't expect you to actually be able to tell me. Which is a shame, because I really want to know.
...Oh, you do know, huh?
...Come to think of it, knowing the definition of "turncoat" as distinct from "traitor", I'm not actually convinced that the defecting party is a turncoat. Turncoats are typically described as people that did formerly have loyalty to the cause they are defecting from, while traitors are more broadly "anyone that acts against a cause to which they have pledged loyalty".
Now seems like a good time for a boss fight, don't you think? Let's prepare as such.
Zossie is a bit of a strange pick, but I need to set up a wincon for someone else and Zossie is good at that. If she actually manages to win this fight, she has earned her position as queen of the team.
That's because Robin is the one who's planning on winconning. Moxie makes her good at that.
Moss will make a good choice for cleanup in theory, but in practice, I overlooked one thing.
Crysantha was supposed to be suited for that one thing, but in hindsight... I don't think she was.
Tailwind could always come in handy, and a key Resist means Consilia stands a chance of getting it out.
Shade... well, if all else fails, this seems like the perfect time to show off what Shade can do.
There's our dramatic look at Rainbow Rocket Castle. Really feels like this was supposed to be our first look, especially since we've got the whole overhead POV going on when we'd otherwise get a good look from the backside of the Paradise.
Seeing this also kicks the actual Rainbow Rocket Castle theme into gear. Kinda wears out its welcome, honestly, but that's a matter of time.
You mean it didn't before? Well, the crenelations are new...
That is the only explanation we're ever going to get on the topic.
Anyway, boss fight, right?
Yeah, I don't think we ever needed to think too hard about who the traitor was. It was either this guy or Grunt #37.
...Lusamine herself might've been an interesting one, though. If totally incongruent with the story they think they're telling.
The fact that you have any respect for this man is a failure on your mother's part.
You merely strongly suggest? Then I decline.
Saved and then promptly turned over to Team Rainbow Rocket's control, I assume? Aether's terrible at conservation, but this would only make that worse.
Of course it's all about you. How anyone thought this was an altruistic organisation when you were hired for it is its own question.
He would, Lillie. He'd sell his soul for a promotion. If he hadn't done so already, anyway.
Honestly, I'm impressed you consider Lillie's plan to rescue Cosmog to be a positive example of her intuition. That implies you're a better person than most people think of you, including the story itself.
Yeah, and a right bang-up job you're doing of that! Scoffs.
Wow, Lils, you're really naive if you think any part of that was true.
...Says the person currently refusing to listen to a polite request to stop.
Also, I'm really not sure how I'm supposed to read a description of Lillie as "astute" if not sarcastic.
I mean... you lost to me and Hau earlier. What makes you think you'd win on the second go?
...Care to repeat that, Faba?
...It seems that Faba meant that quite literally.
Indeed. I intent to pull off the best I can do.
I love that random Grunt #37 shows up out of nowhere, to make this a proper Multi Battle.
What better rematch against Faba than a demonstration of his signature battling style: teaming up with a grunt and hope he pulls his weight? Faba has some impressive statlines- high IVs, EVs, Natures, moves- while his grunt ally is going to be a pain in the butt in the most specific way possible.
Faba's Claydol has the IVs 30/25/30/25/25/25, 252 EVs in HP and Def, a Relaxed (+Def/-Spd) Nature, and the moves Earth Power, Extrasensory, Ancient Power, and Grass Knot. Its job is to be a pain in the rear to KO, and to throw out the types of attack you don't want to see while dealing with his teammate.
The Aether Foundation Employee's Granbull has an IV spread of 30/25/30/25/30/25, 252 EVs in HP/Sp. Def, a Calm (+Sp. Def/-Atk) Nature, and only the move Snarl. Snarl will hit both opponents in a Double Battle and reduce their Sp. Atk by one stage- and yes, it does have the Intimidate Ability. The Aether Foundation Employee has figured out his sole job is to slow us down, and has done everything in his power to perform that job.
Surprise! Lillie has, at some point, found herself a Pokemon of her own! Lillie's Clefairy has 30/15/30/15/30/15 IVs, 252 EVs in HP/Sp. Def, a Calm Nature of her own, and the moves Moonblast, Reflect, Light Screen, and Sing. She has sourced one with Friend Guard for the Ability, meaning that we will take 25% less damage so long as she's around, but Faba was quite correct about one thing- having something that isn't outputting damage is only going to be so helpful in this fight.
Intimidate is only going to be so helpful when both of your opponents are Special.
Zossie's job is done. It would be nice if she could do one more thing, but that's all I really needed from her.
Friend Guard and the Assault Vest combined have set Zossie up just fine to be able to hang around- which is just fine with me, because that means I've got good chances of accomplishing the optional objective with her.
Lillie will focus on setting up Screens before going on the offensive. Part of me wishes she had an Eviolite or a Light Clay, but it's not like the other guys get hold items.
...Although giving her a Fairium Z would've been neat. Even if, lore-wise, it'd be weird for her to have a Z-Ring.
Shiinotic is the Pokemon of the Aether Foundation Employee that I'd love for Zossie to be able to handle, and it fell right in my lap! It has the same IVs, EVs, and Nature as Granbull (so, as it happens, does the third Pokemon he's got), but rather than Snarl, it's got Spore and Dazzling Gleam. Bit of a nasty shock for your Dark type you're using on Faba, and Robin wants no part of these shenanigans.
Now I'm done with Zossie. There is no reason that she has to stick around, but if I'm allowed...
Fortunately, Light Screen does wonders for Clefairy herself, even if she doesn't get the effect of Friend Guard.
That is considerably less fortunate.
There is a single Pokemon across both Faba and his companion that carry Physical moves. I'm actually worried Reflect'll go down before I see it.
Scrafty has its HA, but this is so it can do the same party trick as Granbull did. No Fairy typing, but the plan I have for Faba is one that can squeeze in dealing with this guy.
In retrospect, this would have been an amazing time to be using Bisharp.
Well, that Calm build is putting in work. That's a bit of a shame.
Earth Power's still putting in work thanks to that Sp. Def drop. Not really any ways to justify fixing that.
Clefairy was doing an excellent job dodging Snarls. Pity that doesn't really help my cause but it is rather fortunate.
Clefairy is firing Moonblasts. Her targeting could use some work.
Since Zossie is losing that Special Attack, I decided to switch her out for my real plan- Moxie Robin. Funny how the only change is which attacking stat is being part of the play.
Robin is working wonders even on a switch-in. I think we'll be going far with this.
Side note, I love the textbox when the game says a multi-target attack was NVE on different opponents. Particularly when both targets are of different types- if they're the same type, then the attack was just a bad idea in general.
Ouch. Clefairy really not pulling its weight.
Robin, meanwhile, is making use of those Leftovers, considering how much damage she expects to come her way.
Faba: "It's only fair if I attack you in turns."
See what I mean about Clefairy dodging? I think that was a crit on Robin.
And you have STAB Snarl.
Anyway, I'll take that Atk up, please and thank you.
...You know what? That'll be great, thanks. Although I do worry about those Screens.
You go, Clefairy! Show 'em who's boss!
That is... unfortunate.
Clefairy got another Moonblast off, but didn't quite score her own KO. And yeah, we are now out of both screens. That Light Screen could've come in handy...
But we're now going solo.
Fortunately, we're in a 1v1, and have the advantage of numbers. And also +2 Atk.
...Not sure what Robin would be doing with that. Then again, Robin's Speed isn't really the problem there.
Hypno first? Interesting strategy, but I know what it has in mind. 25/25/25/30/25/30 IVs, 252 EVs in Sp. Atk/Spd, a Timid Nature, and the moves Psychic, Focus Blast, Hypnosis, and Dream Eater. Standard sweeper Hypno, if "sweeper Hypno" was something to be standard.
It wanted to Focus Blast my Dark type. Obvious tactic, but one forestalled if you've got more Speed than Robin.
Or if you get the 30% miss. Happens often enough to me.
Easy KO.
Bruxish is the real threat. 25/30/25/25/25/30 IVs, 252 EVs in Atk/Spd (this one has a real Speed stat), an Adamant Nature, and the moves Waterfall, Psychic Fangs, Crunch, and Aqua Jet. Strong Jaw for the Ability, to be that much more annoying, but thankfully not immune to Sucker Punch.
Bruxish is something I should probably have packed better for than that. Not that Ailey has been known for having a strong plan for Water type attacks.
That was mostly for the Amulet Coin. I had hopes, but clearly they were false ones.
This is a better strategy.
Honestly? I probably didn't need to do this.
But it is really satisfying to pull it off.
Yeah, Shade's about to be throwing hands.
I like how it's clearly the same guy that helped out last time, since he's still impersonating the scream. Even Faba's making it out like it's something to be impressed by.
This is going to be chump change.
And he throws a childish tantrum at the idea of losing. Somehow, peak Faba.
...Something's telling me that "meanest" is not exactly the way you want to describe them. But he is correct- Rainbow Rocket is not just Team Rocket, but includes the top brass of every other villainous team before SM. Faba's role may actually be to add some Alola representation to the group, but while the trailers emphasised this factor, this is the first time that the non-Rocket parts of Rainbow Rocket have been made apparent.
Sadly, only Rocket Grunts around here. Presumably they didn't have the resources to make Grunts for the other evil teams.
Team Rainbow Rocket, overall, doesn't seem to be at the point where they are doing anything in the way of actual evil plans yet. For now, it's figuring out a viable evil plan.
The one downside of Gladion not taking over the Foundation is that this guy was not fired. Well, hopefully he will be after this.
We're stopping here, but before we go, if you walk back to this Grunt that Lillie was fighting, you'll find out that it's more likely Lillie disarmed him by decking him than with her Clefairy. I'd believe it, have you seen how much that bag weighed with Cosmoem in it?
Next time: Rainbow Rocket is going to be a doozy, strap in.
No comments:
Post a Comment