Board 8 > Going to play my first Pokemon game in about 15 years

(+) Yeah! (+)

Let's see how my 27-year-old self will like X.

Is there anything that I need to know going in? Also, is there anything that is missable?
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make sure you don't save in lumiere city
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Am I supposed to read that spoiler tag or not?
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well it depends if you can think of any spoilers in a pokemon game to begin with that have 4 characters
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They fixed that in a patch.
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oh well then I guess you can safely avoid my 4 character spoiler tag kcf
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Tag

Which starter you using?
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I will cross that bridge when I come to it
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Don't restrict yourself to a team of six. X and Y give you a huge variety of Pokemon to catch and an Exp Share that makes it so you don't have to grind for hours. Have fun with a squad of Pokémon.
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I will provide an update soon-ish, but do I get this EXP Share early in the game?
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It's before the second gym.
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mnkbear907 posted...

It's before the second gym.

Then again, like half of the game is before the second gym. <_<
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x and y are the weakest in the series by a very very wide margin but good luck!
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SantaRPidgey posted...

x and y are the best in the series by a very very wide margin but good luck!

FTFY
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At the very least its definitley one of the easiest in the series but also has the highest amount of catchable Pokemon before the Elite 4
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I personally suggest that you turn the EXP Share off. If that thing is on, the game is a cakewalk. If it's off, it can actually have moments of challenge.

I echo the earlier sentiment that you rotate 8-9 Pokemon at a time. There is a HUGE variety in XY. Whenever I replay it, I rotate a larger party and sometimes have to bench somebody. Rotating 8-9 also increases the challenge a bit.

Also, remember to watch for shinies. Catch them.

If character customization means anything to you, play as a girl. The guy options are meh compared to the girl options. If that doesn't matter to you, just ignore this.

XY is definitely worlds better than S&M so you made the right choice here. Have fun!
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Like I said, you can leave Exp Share on if your team is big enough. I rotated through a squad of 17 Pokemon iirc and was pretty underleveled when I got to the E4. Heck, I had to Toxic-stall to beat the Champion!
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I nearly went with a girl avatar. I really disliked the boy's hair. That may sound silly, and I will admit that it is, but I had the same issue with Mario Golf: Advance Tour. I could not stand the boy's appearance, so I went with the girl. Not that there's anything wrong with selecting the opposite sex, but I tend to go with male characters in games whose main protagonist is really just a walking puppet for the player for that extra sense of immersion.

Along with the boy's struggles with making a fashion statement, I think his mom was wearing beige overalls tied around her waist. Yikes! Speaking of the mom, I assumed that this was her house, but a sign on the front yard indicates that it is my house. I also have nicer things than the other homes. Just how did a prepubescent boy become a home-owning, free-spending guy? There's no father in the picture, so I am just assuming that the dad died and gave everything to me while the mom had no legal right to anything in the following proceedings.

I initially found it creepy that two girls (Shauna and Serena) were just standing outside of my house waiting for me, but they didn't bother knocking on the front door or anything. It later occurred to me that we live in some fancy region where all front doors are motion sensor. I can totally understand why the girls waited until someone came through those doors. I think that this all motion-sensor front door phase could become quite problematic when it comes to crime and privacy concerns.

Anyway, the girls wanted to tell me an adult has requested five kids. This didn't sound off any alarms to anyone. As far as I could tell, the peppy one (Shauna) was not from around here while the not-as-peppy one (Serena) was.

Moving on, there was this beach ball-loving Rhyhorn chilling outside of my front door, which I vaguely remembered "mom" talking abo...WHAT THE FUCK, I CAN RIDE THIS RHYHORN?! My elation quickly evaporated when it wouldn't budge.
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You can change the hair actually. There's a barber shop in Lumiose.

And yes, that describes everyone's reaction when you start the game. Wish you could ride Rhyhorn to the next town...
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Outside of my property, there was a girl who wanted a Pokemon. What do you want from me? Go visit the man who wants kids to visit him. 50% chance you end up with a Pokemon. Otherwise, just go throw Poke Balls at random Pokemon.

The lack of a proper role model in my life became painfully obvious when I saw my character running. It was sad to watch. My mom made it sound like she was a spry gal. How could you do this to your son?

It didn't take long to explore all that Vaniville had to offer. It is literally three houses. I did a head count, and that girl who wanted the Pokemon and two guys with backpacks don't seem to belong. Is Vaniville's population a quarter homeless?

The next town (Aquacorde) is the very definition of being a hop, skip, and a jump away. What is even the point of Vaniville? Did somebody in an earlier generation get sick and tired of paying taxes in Aquacorde and made their own settlement 50 yards away? Did somebody from Aquacorde manage to be banished for life and went a minute outside of the city limits before saying fuck it and built a town there? The intriguing possibilities are endless, but I sadly know will never be answered.

The fact that everyone, in either town so far, only talks about Pokemon reminds me of the insane fascination of puzzles that everyone in alternate-reality England has in Professor Layton. The possibility for some sick cults is very real. I would sleep with one eye open if I was visiting here.
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I met up with four other kids (I guess we are the chosen five by this mysterious professor that I have never even seen). A kid with either large lips or a perpetually open mouth (blurry pixels make it hard to tell) suddenly whips out a bunch of Pokemon. Sketchy, but I guess this is the underwhelming story of how I got my first Pokemon. For the first time ever, I chose the water starter (Froakie). Pokemon is quite possibly the only game that I rarely change character names, so it is staying Froakie.

Shauna took the fire starter, and Serena took the grass starter. If my memory serves me well, your rival always takes the starter whose element is strong against yours, so I am assuming Serena will be my rival. Shauna though was the first to battle me. 3D battles eh? This is different. I mean, it's pretty basic, but it will take another battle or two to get used to its presentation.

It's a bit jarring that they have these updated visuals but they have Pokemon sounds that seem like they would fit into the games from 20 years ago.

My first wild-caught Pokemon was a female Pidgey. Comically, I immediately had to see a tutorial on how to catch a Pokemon. At least she gave me a whopping 10 Poke Balls. I do have to wonder how she scrounged up enough cash to give out 20 to Shauna and myself. I did notice that she too is a homeowner (mysteriously no father figure was found within), but I have nicer things in mine!

I don't know how to properly identify this, but I'm really digging the effect at the beginning of battles where they indicate the kind of terrain/surrounding that you are battling at.
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More wild Pokemon were caught or not caught:
- Male Panpour (success)
- Female Weedle (fail)
- Male Caterpie (success)
- Male Pikachu (success)
- Male Fletchling (success)

I surprisingly knew most of the Pokemon that I encountered (including trainer battles) up to this point, but I'm sure that will change before long.

I was utterly baffled that Pikachu's Thunder Shock was not super effective against Azurill. I may not have played Pokemon in a long time, but I thought electric > water. I have to assume that Azurill is not a water type then, but it used three different water moves!

During my travels inside the forest and just outside of it, my Caterpie evolved into a Metapod and then into a Butterfree. That was fast!

More wild Pokemon encounters:
- Male Azurill (success, and it is a normal/fairy type?)
- Female Farfetch'd (success, though it took my only Great Ball after breaking three Poke Balls)
- Female Psyduck (fail)
- Male Bunnelby (fail)
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I couldn't go much further because the gym leader's sister somehow had legal authority over who leaves the northern exit of Aquacorde, and I couldn't go past the Elite Four or whatever entrance because some random woman said it was too tough for me. I will be the judge of that...is what I said to myself internally as I went back the way that I came.

I had a hard time adjusting to using skate wheels on my shoes. I think I prefer not having them, but they are faster means of travel. SEE WHAT YOU ARE MAKING ME DO RHYHORN!

All those extra battles paid off when I went into the gym. I had no idea that I had to do it all in one fell swoop. My plans to heal up before the gym leader (Viola?) were foiled! It didn't make much of a difference as she only had two Pokemon, the first of which was a total pushover. Her second did manage to knock out my Pikachu with some move that wouldn't let me swap Pokemon. I know that she gave me the TM for said move after the battle.

I stopped after that. This isn't accurate, but I think this is my Pokemon setup right now:
- Level 15 Froakie
- Level 13 Pidgey
- Level 13 Butterfree
- Level 11 Panpour
- Level 9 Pikachu
- Level 7 Azurill

I have all these normal and water types, but hardly anything else. I would prefer to go with Pokemon not from the games that I've played, so I'm looking to eventually sub everyone out except Froakie and Panpour, though I'm not sure that I need two water types. You guys make it sound like I will have a lot of lineup changes regardless.
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Azurill is for some stupid reason Normal/Fairy

When it evolves Normal goes to Water
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By the way, TMs can be used an unlimited number of times now
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Yeah, I remember Viola or maybe it was an omniscient voice saying TMs had limitless uses.

I also tried some this thing where I kicked soccer balls into a goal post in front of a balloon. I didn't understand why, but Froakie received a defense stat boost. I don't know if it is permanent or not.
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Panpour is good through the second gym. After that, it sucks hard. I also suggest you snag a Fletchling.

You're not going to regret the Froakie. Trust me.

KCF0107 posted...

I also tried some this thing where I kicked soccer balls into a goal post in front of a balloon. I didn't understand why, but Froakie received a defense stat boost. I don't know if it is permanent or not.

That's how EV training works in XY.
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Hell yeah Froakie.

I suggest you drop Panpour down the road. Unless you actually like him, that is. The monkeys are ugh.

Also, rollerskates are awesome.
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KCF0107 posted...

It's a bit jarring that they have these updated visuals but they have Pokemon sounds that seem like they would fit into the games from 20 years ago.

They actually updated the sounds they make in this game.
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Tag
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They don't sound updated!

Also Crystal, I did catch a Fletchling awhile back.

I didn't play much from when I last posted, but I really just went hunting for Pokemon to give me a wide of a variety to choose from whem I restructure my core team. I will post all that I have tomorrow.
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Grand Kirby posted...

KCF0107 posted...

It's a bit jarring that they have these updated visuals but they have Pokemon sounds that seem like they would fit into the games from 20 years ago.

They actually updated the sounds they make in this game.

Also, Pikachu's sound had the biggest update to the sound it makes. Beginning with Pokemon X/Y, Pikachu actually says its name like it does in the anime.
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LusterSoldier posted...

Also, Pikachu's sound had the biggest update to the sound it makes. Beginning with Pokemon X/Y, Pikachu actually says its name like it does in the anime.

With the actual anime voice actress.

KCF0107 posted...

Also Crystal, I did catch a Fletchling awhile back.

That's a new Pokemon that's going to surprise you. I suggest you sub out the Pidgey for it.
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Regular Fletchling is nothing special. It's only the hidden ability that made it good.
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For the record, I am talking about the out-of-battle sounds Pokemon make, specifically that Rhyhorn.
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Pokemon should just go open world.
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Aww yeah, best gen
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So I did get the EXP Share from the woman who wouldn't let me leave Santalune (I think that I referred this to still being Aquacorde earlier). I will keep EXP Share on because I am far more unforgiving toward necessary grinding than I am for a game being too easy. That being said, I turned EXP Share off when I went on a giant Pokemon hunt.

During this time, Froakie evolved into Frogadier. I seem to recall that starter Pokemon tend to have underwhelming second forms. Also during this time, I found out that flying moves are effective on flying Pokemon. That or Butterfree sucks (Gust was used on Butterfree and it was super effective).

Back to said Pokemon hunt, I caught all of these:
- Female Dunsparce
- Male Bunnelby
- Female Skitty
- Female Ladyba
- Male Budew
- Male Riolu
- Female Bidoof
- Male Weedle
- Male Scatterbug
- Female Pansear
- Male Pansage
- Female Psyduck
- Male Combee
- Two Female Flabebes (one had waist petal that was red, the other was yellow)

Normally, I just catch one of each Pokemon, but I wasn't sure if the difference in colors for Flabebe mattered.
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My full list of Pokemon (by level):
- Lv 17 Male Frogadier
- Lv 15 Female Pidgey
- Lv 12 Male Butterfree
- Lv 12 Male Panpour
- Lv 11 Male Pikachu
- Lv 11 Male Azurill
- Lv 8 Male Combee
- Lv 8 Male Budew
- Lv 8 Female Skitty
- Lv 8 Female Ladyba
- Lv 7 Female Farfetch'd
- Lv 7 Female Dunsparce
- Lv 7 Male Bunnelby
- Lv 6 Female Psyduck
- Twin Lv 6 Female Flabebes
- Lv 6 Male Riolu
- Lv 4 Male Pansage
- Lv 4 Female Pansear
- Lv 4 Male Fletchling
- Lv 3 Female Bidoof
- Lv 2 Male Scatterbug
- Lv 2 Male Weedle
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KCF0107 posted...

For the record, I am talking about the out-of-battle sounds Pokemon make, specifically that Rhyhorn.

Those are the same sounds a Pokemon makes when it's sent out into battle.
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I have made it through the route north of Santalune to the point just past the large fountain. My current core team is:
- Frogadier -> Water
- Pikachu -> Electric
- Combee -> Bug + Flying
- Budew -> Grass + Poison
- Riolu -> Fighting
- Pansear -> Fire

I wanted type flexibility instead of having all normal, bug, or water types like I did previously. I am tempted to swap out Pikachu with one of the Flabebes (Fairy type) to give me a team full of Pokemon that I was unfamiliar with entering the game. That would leave me with only one Pokemon above Lv 10, but I would like to think that Frogadier can carry my team for the time being.
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I know that since I last played, breeding has become much more detailed and serious for competitive players, but for someone like me, does gender, nature, ability, or characteristic matter?
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Just so you know that male Combee can't evolve, it's a pretty worthless Pokemon.
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KCF0107 posted...

I know that since I last played, breeding has become much more detailed and serious for competitive players, but for someone like me, does gender, nature, ability, or characteristic matter?

Aside from the Combee gender thing? No.
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Oh...I will try and find a female one then. I am in the right area!
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KCF0107 posted...

I know that since I last played, breeding has become much more detailed and serious for competitive players, but for someone like me, does gender, nature, ability, or characteristic matter?

Generally, no. However, some natures and abilities are better for in-game usage than other ones. The preferred natures for each Pokemon will depend on their base stats.

Nature and abilities are extremely important in competitive play, though. Gender and characteristic don't matter for competitive play. The "characteristic" thing serves no purpose other than giving breeders a clue as to which stat has the highest IV.
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KCF0107 posted...

Also during this time, I found out that flying moves are effective on flying Pokemon. That or Butterfree sucks (Gust was used on Butterfree and it was super effective).

Butterfree is also Bug-type, and Flying is super effective against Bug.

Normally, I just catch one of each Pokemon, but I wasn't sure if the difference in colors for Flabebe mattered.

I think it's just a collector/preference thing, no actual differences.
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KCF0107 posted...

I was utterly baffled that Pikachu's Thunder Shock was not super effective against Azurill. I may not have played Pokemon in a long time, but I thought electric > water. I have to assume that Azurill is not a water type then, but it used three different water moves!

Azurill was never a Water type, even back in Gen III where it appeared for the first time. After Azurill evolves, it picks up the Water type.

KCF0107 posted...

More wild Pokemon encounters:
- Male Azurill (success, and it is a normal/fairy type?)

Congratulations, you caught your first Fairy type. This is a new type that was introduced in Pokemon X/Y. Fairy type is weak against Poison and Steel, so keep that in mind while playing the game.
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KCF0107 posted...

I will keep EXP Share on because I am far more unforgiving toward necessary grinding than I am for a game being too easy.

It's Pokemon. There's no such thing as "necessary grinding". The game is still going to be easy no matter what you do.

With that in mind, paying attention to Abilities/Natures for going through the story is pointless. That said, if a Pokemon has an Ability that's way better than the other one then it might be worth getting the good one just to make things more fun. Also, while you don't need to min/max Natures, it's still not a great idea to have a Special attacker with a -Special/+Attack Nature. You're just crippling yourself, although again, it won't be that big of a deal.

LusterSoldier posted...

KCF0107 posted...

I was utterly baffled that Pikachu's Thunder Shock was not super effective against Azurill. I may not have played Pokemon in a long time, but I thought electric > water. I have to assume that Azurill is not a water type then, but it used three different water moves!



Azurill was never a Water type, even back in Gen III where it appeared for the first time. After Azurill evolves, it picks up the Water type.

Yeah, Azurill was always a bit weird. Aside from the type mismatch, it's Gender Ratio was different for Azurill than it's evolved forms. Since the variable that determines Gender stays the same even when a Pokemon evolves, it meant it had a chance of completely changing sex when it evolved into Marill.
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I almost immediately caught a female Combee. I also caught a third Flabebe since it had a white flower. Are there more Pokemon that have multiple palette swaps that are meaningless?

I also am wondering when I should transfer from standard Poke Balls to Great Balls. I've faced multiple Pokemon where a Poke Ball wasn't good enough even though their health was in the red.

After swapping the Combees and Pikachu with one of the Flabebes, I met up with the saddest people you will ever meet, Poke Fans. The woman just reeked was loneliness. She was obsessed with this seemingly handcrafted Flabebe plush, but all she owned were Burmies. The man was clearly alone, but in the time we met on the route and the still of his image, he kidnapped a young child and put him in some costume, all the while the kid was fighting to get free from his captor. These Poke Fans need serious help.

Should I feel like shit taking money from preschoolers? It's happened about half a dozen times now in broad daylight, and no adult has stopped by to tell me that it's wrong to take advantage of four-year-olds. Then again, nobody stepped in to help that captured child.
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