Pokemon Umbral Discussion 13: I Think We Have Half of the Thread Page Filled Up

[Astral Harmony]

I'm feeling random today, so this is what you get from me...

http://www.gearfuse.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/pokemon-names.jpg

Anyways, let's talk strategy, shall we?

I plan to kick off the real fighting sometime tomorrow morning (it's really fucking early right now where I am) so I'll update hopefully a few more times before we're rudely interrupted after the commercial break.

Here's what I've got as far as sides go...

Faynoc's Pokebrids Side

Rayleen (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Moon (Trainer)
Lola (Pokebrid)
Mika (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])

Ruin Pokemon Side

Harliette (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Evangaleen (Trainer)
Rachel (Legion Mage [Pokebrid / Trainer])
Kiyomi (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])

In House Protection

Shizuka (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Shannon (Trainer)
Dormond (Pokebrid)

Conditional Setup

Whitney (Pokebrid) ~ Will fight on the side that Matthias does not fight on.

This allows for a near-balanced team which should allow you, the PCs, to pick whichever you want to fight.

Combatants have one placement slot each. That means either yourself of one of your Pokemon. Remember that legendary and pseudo-legendary Pokemon will force deploy (in that order) and cannot be recalled until defeated when the Ruin General shows up. This applies to both sides, despite the fact that the Pokebrid side will only be fighting a fourth new type of Ruin Pokemon (in addition to the usual foes and two bosses) and not the Ruin General itself.

EDIT: Oh god, I just couldn't resist...

http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs43/f/2009/153/c/3/If_Pokemon_was_Real_by_JamesDonaldson.jpg

[Dracorion]

... Dibs Ruin Pokemon side if they're fighting the Ruin General, then.

Well, I'm not demanding it, if we decided that I really absolutely must go somewhere else, I will, but I'd prefer the Ruin General.

I'll try and balance the teams when later.

Am I correct in assuming that the house protection group would be the one doing the least fighting?

EDIT:

Faynoc's Pokebrids Side

Rayleen (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Moon (Trainer)
Lola (Pokebrid)
Mika (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Charlotte (Trainer)
Matthias (Pokebrid)
Impact (Slayer)

Combatants: 29

Ruin Pokemon Side

Harliette (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Evangaleen (Trainer)
Rachel (Legion Mage [Pokebrid / Trainer])
Kiyomi (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Pierce (Trainer)
Whitney (Pokebrid)

Combatants: 34


In House Protection

Shizuka (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Shannon (Trainer)
Dormond (Pokebrid)
Renny (Trainer)

Combatants: 20

Put Renny in the house because his team is more defensively-oriented. Still, he's the team leader, so maybe he should go somewhere else.

Whitney's a better psychic than Matthias, so I put her in the Ruin pokemon group. I'm not worried too much about statuses because that group has Evangeleen and Rachel, Whitney can use Hypnosis for Sleep.

Put Impact to deal with Faynoc's Pokebrids because he's been leading a lot. Maybe Rayleen can take 'im down a notch. Still, I realize that's not a very good reason so you may wanna put him in the Ruin pokemon group. Alternately, put Renny in the Ruin pokemon group and put Impact on house protection.

Group 2 practically has 35 combatants because, armed with a knife, Dragon Slave and Ghost-staff (Phantomere's scythe), Pierce is basically a Battle Master. Y'know, unless AB says I can't do that.

Is Dormond going to be group 3's support Pokebrid?

EDIT 2.0: You're not going to see it, but in his head Pierce is secretly going "AWWWWWWWWHH FUCK YEAAAAHHH! WOOHOO FIRST BLOOD! I AM THE MAN! THE MAN!"

[DanteFalcon]

Now I haven't caught up but I'll point it out that Matthias is unlikely to engage in PvP without a really fine reason. And "Because I ordered/threatened him" isn't gonna do crap.

Edit: AB was nice enough to have a spare to fill in for me.

[Dracorion]

Don't think anyone's talked about dueling Matthias, but nice to know anyway.

[Menarker]

Back!

Anyhow, I'm torn a bit between In-house (In-character) and Faynoc (Lola). But I'll stick with In-house. I personally would not be a good choice for fighting the ruin types since I don't have any dragon pokemons, only one pokemon with a dragon move and only one pokemon with a steel move.

... I don't suppose we could switch Lola with Dormond? Dormond and Rayleen are pretty close companions and all. I'd hardly imagine Dormond would in-character leave Rayleen alone to fight the foes if he could help it.

Pierce seems like a good choice overall for the Ruin type since he got two dragon types.

But yeah, the team setup sounds good for the most part, but would be perfect if Lola switched with Dormond. (Her Chimecho form's special ability would give even more defence, and there is a certain combo I got which would be enough for anything my group would fight if I got the time to set it up. Lola would be immensely useful for that.)
Renny would give leadership to Impact and Pierce for their respective groups for combat

Btw, I must have missed something because I don't know why Whitney won't fight on the side of Matthias. Did they have a fight or argument of sort?


Also, I'm assuming that the house group would also have the Tresserhorn family pokemon helping out? (Electrode, Butterfree, Snorlax and maybe Latias and Umbreon.)

[Dracorion]

Don't see why the house pokemon shouldn't help out.

I don't think Whitney is sitting out because she doesn't like Matthias, lord knows they haven't interacted, but rather for balancing. So that each team can have one non-support Pokebrid.

EDIT: No, absolutely not. Renny cannot go to the ruins. I mean, what the hell? He already gets every single female listening to his every whim, and now he gets to shack up with the Kimonos? I call bullshit. Or else, Pierce's sex rampage will be canon.

[Geminex]

Group 2 practically has 35 combatants because, armed with a knife, Dragon Slave and Ghost-staff (Phantomere's scythe), Pierce is basically a Battle Master. Y'know, unless AB says I can't do that.
Yeah, because you've obviously had several years of military training on how to best use those weapons. And don't talk to be about "the streets", at best I'd credit you with a 65-power attack, with half the stats of a slayer.

And considering that Impact's the best we have for killing Ruin types (he has 150 attack and a 130-damage dragon attack, which is more, I think, than anyone else has) I'm rather tempted to demand a role fighting the Ruin force. Give me a minute to reconsider your lineup.

And in regards to the other thread:
Also, there's a huge flaw in Impact's plan for world domination. Mainly, even if he takes away pokemon from people he can't exterminate pokemon everywhere. The world would still be dangerous, and without pokemon people would have to learn how to fight for themselves. He'd be asking people to risk their lives, instead of the safer choice of having pokemon fight for them (and even the pokemon wouldn't be at risk because they just return to their balls when fainted!).
That's the entire point!
He doesn't want to exterminate pokemon. He just wants make humanity rely on its own ingenuity to solve problems! If the official media are anything to go by, there is no job, no task in the world that is not done by pokemon. Humans can pretty much solve every problem they have, by catching brightly colored monsters and putting them in balls. Do you know what that kind of behavior does to technological advancement? It eradicates it! If there's no need for science, do you really think it's gonna be developed, studied? Hell, kids can leave school at 10, get their starter pokemon, and still be successful in life, apparently! But the thing about using pokemon is, it's stagnant. You won't progress, since there's suddenly no need for progress. Science, on the other hand... develops. Do something using technology, and you'll still have a motive to find a better way of doing it, since, even with technology, it'll still be you doing it, instead of your pokemon.

Let me put it another way:
In Ruby and Sapphire, you begin the game in a moving van. You get into your house and see Machoke running around, placing down your furniture.
But now, imagine if that "mover", if he didn't have Machoke. To begin with, he'd be utterly screwed, since he'd have to move any loads himself, and, I imagine, he's not too fit. So, first thing, he'd hire some other guys, to help him with the job. He'd coordinate with them, he'd pay them, but he'd still have to do some work himself. After a while, he'd be sick of this, and be more than willing to pay hard cash for a better way of doing things. And do you know what that willingness to pay would do? It'd make it profitable for some engineer to design a device to help people lift heavy loads! So what next? Maybe some sort of exosuit. Maybe just a forklift! And think of all the advancement that that would bring! First, it'd require research into hydraulics. Then, you'd need to do some work on finding an engine, maybe combustion engine, maybe something more environmentally friendly. I don't intend to have Impact's empire just be a polluting stain. Manufacturing techniques would be developed, maybe heavy machinery to more easily build forklifts. In any case, the mover's demand for finding a better way of doing things would accelerate progress, since it'd make progress profitable!

That's why Impact wants to separate the societies. He hates pokemon, sure, but he's channeling that hate into improving society. He dislikes trainers, because they're a symbol of society's integration with pokemon.
...

As for your (inevitable) protests that advanced technology obviously exists in Homnyr despite people's use of pokemon, I believe pokeballs are a fairly recent technology. As such, certain things (such as cars) would have existed before pokeballs were perfected. Also, there are some areas where pokemon cannot replace technological advancement, such as Slayers' weapons or medical treatment. So yes, there's some progress, but people's use of pokemon hinders it.

...

And yes, I do overthink these things, thanks for asking.

[Menarker]

Technology has actually developed strongly even with pokemon around, due to time travel devices in the game, forklifts were being used to lift stuff like in Emerald for submarine construction (if my memory didn't fail me), and there is an entire subplot on scientists trying to explore space and using rockets to do so. (Although you had to help defend them when Team Mamga tried to steal the rocket fuel.)

Also, my computer ate my response to Pierce.

In regards to "shacking up with the Kimonos", Renny would just be helping with the mural translations. ^,^

Plus, I'm sure those with legendary pokemons like Charlotte and Pierce would be invited too since various aspects of the ruins are readable by different legendary pokemons. ^,^

[Geminex]

Technology has actually developed strongly even with pokemon around, due to time travel devices in the game, forklifts are still used to deal with stuff like the submarine construction, and there is an entire subplot on scientists trying to explore space and using rockets to do so. (Although you had to help defend them when Team Mamga tried to steal the rocket fuel.)
Yes, but the fact that that kind of technology exists is socio-economic bullshit. Scarcity is what drives demand is what drives supply is what drives technology. Taking scarcity out of the equation by giving everyone super-powered monsters is fine, as long as you're willing to accept that your society will remain stagnant and decadent. You can't have your cake and eat it too.

Plus, I'm sure those with legendary pokemons like Charlotte and Pierce would be invited too since various aspects of the ruins are readable by different legendary pokemons.
Sounds like a sidequest. I don't like the sidequest. Let's not do that sidequest.

[Dracorion]

Actually, if I remember correctly, according to AB pokeballs existed in some form sixteen hundred years ago.

Granted, they were probably only apricorns. Still, the idea was there and only got refined until they became what they are today.

[Bard The 5th LW]

Sounds like a sidequest. I don't like the sidequest. Let's not do that sidequest.
Agreed. Lets keep it at Character Sidequests.

[Menarker]

Sounds like a sidequest. I don't like the sidequest. Let's not do that sidequest.

It's entirely possible that AB may have already planned it from the start or that he would make it be part of the main plot.

Anyhow, not planning on making a sidequest for this matter, no worries. I just made my post as a sort of in-character conversation, since I'm still waiting for AB to continue on using some of the data I PMed him. ^^

Beside, the Primal Exist is UNDER the Fanghart's Ruins. It's pretty certain that we would probably HAVE to go there at some point if we have to unlock it and destroy it.

[Geminex]

Gah. See, this is why I wanted a history of Hommnyr before we began. I wanted to know how things have been developing.

Because, like I said, pokemon and cars? Not compatiable. Not when so many pokemon can either run really fast or just fucking fly. I mean seriously, catch a spearow, level it up to fearow, and there you go. Instant transport, anywhere you want to go. How would cars make sense in that context?

As for your strategy...
I'd almost reverse the teams totally. Like I said, Impact's great against Ruin types. Charlotte has super fang in her arsenal, though only once Latios is unconcious. Matt did really well at putting everyone to sleep last battle, though he might be getting sick of that by now. Anyway, what I'd send against the Pokebrids is variety. What I'd send against the Ruin types is status effects and really hard hitters.

Edit:
I just made my post as a sort of in-character conversation
We're aware of that. We're just saying that Renny had better get rejected.

[Bard The 5th LW]

I don't think Latios isn't currently in Charlotte's inventory. Unless Trainers have gained the 6th slot.

[Geminex]

Excellent! That's one less obstacle. And I just realized, I now imagine Charlotte as GC. That's the only character I have a clear mental picture of, but that's the way it is.

[Menarker]

We don't have the 6th slot. I officially don't have Umbreon on my team because of that. Yup, Charlotte left Latios with PATCA, as mentioned in a previous post.

And Geminex's plan does makes sense. Either way, as long as I'm in the house (and hopfully get Lola and Dormond switched) I'm fine. Renny will divy up leadership to Pierce and Impact in their respective groups.

[Bard The 5th LW]

And I just realized, I now imagine Charlotte as GC.

You're not alone. My original image of Charlotte was kind of just an older version of GC. Although human, and lighter hair. Keep in mind, this was before GC's appearance was shown.

[Dracorion]

As for your strategy...
I'd almost reverse the teams totally. Like I said, Impact's great against Ruin types. Charlotte has super fang in her arsenal, though only once Latios is unconcious. Matt did really well at putting everyone to sleep last battle, though he might be getting sick of that by now. Anyway, what I'd send against the Pokebrids is variety. What I'd send against the Ruin types is status effects and really hard hitters.

Well I'm assuming we can't switch AB's NPCs around (much), or we'd get Rayleen all up on the Ruin-types. Between Evangeleen and Rachel, we can rely on a lot of paralysis. Charlotte doesn't have Latios. I originally had Matthias against the Ruin Pokemon, but we've already got paralysis covered, and Harliette has some Nidoqueen and I think another Bug pokemon, so those can cover Toxic for poison. Whitney is a better psychic than Matthias, and she can use Hypnosis (which I realize is 15% less effective than Sleep Powder; still). Since Team 2 is going up agains the Ruin General, they're in for a long fight. Sure, Impact is our strongest hitter against Ruin-types, but if he goes down we lose one attacker until Rachel can revive him (which is one turn wasted), but if one of Pierce's pokemon goes down, it just gets replaced.

Plus, Rachel's Steel-types are heavy hitters enough.

The team dealing with Faynoc is varied enough between Rayleen, Mika, Charlotte, Matthias, Moon and Impact.

AB, it'd be nice if we could get each of the NPC's pokemon and their moves. Not necessary for the Kimonos if you want to keep their pokemon secret.

EDIT: Anyway. I'mma be MIA for a while. There's a party downstairs and I'm wasting my time chatting with you losers.

[Menarker]

Have fun. ^^

Anyhow, don't forget the Kimonos' signature moves! You can look them up on the first page of the 6th Discussion Thread.

http://www.nuklearforums.com/showthread.php?t=37519

[Dracorion]

Meh, it's some cranky old geezer's birthday, not a lot of fun. But I have to be there because I think he's related to me.

EDIT: In case you're wondering, Geminex and I got together and came up Pierce and Impact's combined assault being jumbled into one paragraph. That's the last paragraph of my post. Gem's post will likely be Impact's thoughts, plus the same paragraph.

I'm not sure he'd mind if AB replied now. Both of our combat parts are already in my post.

[Astral Harmony]

I've compiled and created a lot of data to submit, but right now I really need to bury my mind in videogames. There're even times I've felt that I've been on the Internet too long. So I'm going to wait until tonight to post. That's several more hours. Feel free to type up several pages in this thread to complain about it and/or talk amongst yourselves how you're going to arrange shit.

However, to give you some thoughts on my battle plan, you should know that I really didn't plan for any PCs to fight inside the house, mainly because that would allow me to skip the fight parts in there altogether. If Renny's going to be in there, I'm moving Shannon outside. There's not going to be enough room and there doesn't need to be a whole lot of allies in there, anyways. Not while Shizuka's in there.

And it's true, Whitney was only going to be on the side opposite of Matthias because that meant both sides would have two Pokebrids each. I can switch Lola with Dormond. In turn, Dormond will also be upgraded (his second form is Zangoose), and I'll provide all that data soon enough.

Another note that I'm going to make now is something already known, but now it's official. Rachel, Lola, and Dormond have a unique skill that allows them to sacrifice their use of a move on a turn to just use a second item in the same turn. They've pretty much always had this ability (except Dormond until just now) but now it's written in stone...aw crap, that was a Golem. Well, it's still official now.

NPC Slayers won't really use Slayer weapons and armor, but have unique equipment, like Rayleen's prosthetic arm and Harliette's dual submachine guns. It isn't necessarily better than what Impact can choose, and it's static so they won't change it, just like the NPC trainers won't change the moves or items of their Pokemon.

[Dracorion]

I've compiled and created a lot of data to submit, but right now I really need to bury my mind in videogames. There're even times I've felt that I've been on the Internet too long.

There's no such thing. You're just weak.

NPC Slayers won't really use Slayer weapons and armor, but have unique equipment, like Rayleen's prosthetic arm and Harliette's dual submachine guns. It isn't necessarily better than what Impact can choose, and it's static so they won't change it, just like the NPC trainers won't change the moves or items of their Pokemon.

So, what does that mean in regards to Rayleen? She's going to use weapons but not armor? Armor but not weapons?

I'm going to have to figure out where to put Shannon. Lesse...

Faynoc's Pokebrids Side

Rayleen (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Moon (Trainer)
Lola (Pokebrid)
Mika (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Matthias (Pokebrid)
Shannon (Trainer)
Impact (Slayer)

Combatants: 24

Ruin Pokemon Side

Harliette (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Evangaleen (Trainer)
Rachel (Legion Mage [Pokebrid / Trainer])
Kiyomi (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Pierce (Trainer)
Whitney (Pokebrid)
Charlotte (Trainer)

Combatants: 35

In House Protection

Shizuka (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Dormond (Pokebrid)
Renny (Trainer)

Combatants: 10

Y'know, I made a mistake earlier. I counted the Kimonos as regular Battle Masters (i.e.: having six pokemon each).

Put Shannon with Moon, can't see that she'd complain. And switched Charlotte to the Ruin pokemon group. I didn't put Impact there for several reasons:

First and foremost, I'm being selfish. Secondly, the only PC left in the first group capable of leading would be Matthias, and who would trust him to lead? Would he do so at all? Thirdly, even if Matthias could or would lead, Charlotte wouldn't listen to him.

On the other hand, if Dante would tell us whether or not Matthias would assume a leadership role, we could put him to lead that group and see how it turns out, maybe find out a few things about his character.

[Menarker]

Well, I don't know what to say... Although AB switching Lola and Dormond thing makes me happy. ^_^ (Drac forgot that)

On one hand, the house and the objects inside it don't have any value aside from being a home, so there isn't any reason why Dominic/Maria can't accompany Renny and join one of the groups, especially when accompanied by Shizuka, Lola and Shannon. That would prevent there being an unneeded 3rd combat that AB need to make, unless he had plans to begin with. On the other hand, Dominic is/was a pokemon trainer so it's not like he can't contribute to the group, and I suppose Maria can be a pure support NPC practically attached to him. On another hand, I'm having problems trying to choose how to divide the team if I do such a thing. On another hand, I could "force" Pierce AND Impact to fight the Ruin Pokemon and Renny would fight Faynoc's pokebrids... yeah, that's the better idea.

Togekiss: That's four hands! You turned into a Machamp! Or a Ledian! Maybe a Graveller!


Proposed Plan?

Faynoc's Pokebrids Side

Rayleen (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Shizuka (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Mika (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Renny (Trainer)
Matthias (Pokebrid)
Lola (Pokebrid)
Shannon (Trainer)
Moon (Trainer)
Dominic (Trainer)
Maria (Support?)


Ruin Pokemon Side


Dormond (Pokebrid)
Kiyomi (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Rachel (Legion Mage [Pokebrid / Trainer])
Harliette (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Evangaleen (Trainer)
Whitney (Pokebrid)
Pierce (Trainer)
Impact (Slayer)
Charlotte (Trainer)


Didn't include number of combatants because I don't know how many each of the NPCs have. Dominic is sure to have 5 though if he using Snorlax, Butterfree, Electrode, the Latias Renny gave him and use Renny's Umbreon as the 5th pokemon.

Team 1 would have the advantage of variety and two of the Kimonos. Team 2 would have Rayleen, Impact AND Pierce for lots of dragon moves, as well as Charlotte's Super Fang and Rachel's Steel types.

Thoughts?

EDIT: I"m thinking that the way I put Team 2 has quite a shitload of power, so maybe I'll grab Rayleen for Team 1.

[Dracorion]

Meh, I don't think so. These aren't robber you're dealing with, these are people that want nothing more than to hurt or kill you. They might burn the house down just to get at Renny.

And the fact that there needs to be people at the house to protect it means that they're going to send enemies toward it. Which will probably include Ruin pokemon. You think Ruin-types are going to grab valuables or just tear the whole place down, literally?

Still, if you want AB to only have to write up two battles, you can have Dominic and Maria convince Renny to go out and kickass while they, the house pokemon, Shizuka, Dormond and Shannon protect the place. He'd listen to his parents, right?

So the end result would be more or less like this:

Faynoc's Pokebrids Side

Rayleen (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Moon (Trainer)
Lola (Pokebrid)
Mika (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Matthias (Pokebrid)
Impact (Slayer)
Renny (Trainer)

Combatants: 24

Ruin Pokemon Side

Harliette (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Evangaleen (Trainer)
Rachel (Legion Mage [Pokebrid / Trainer])
Kiyomi (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Pierce (Trainer)
Whitney (Pokebrid)
Charlotte (Trainer)

Combatants: 35

In House Protection

Shizuka (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Dormond (Pokebrid)
Shannon (Trainer)
Dominic
Maria

Combatants: 15-ish?

[Menarker]

I guess that makes sense and is fairly accurate. Interesting to note that Renny will be teamed up with Impact and Matthias. Neither had been put in a group with him before so this might give some character development for the three. Then again, the same is true with Pierce and Charlotte. Impact will have the chance to evaluate Renny's leadership skills first-hand and Rayleen's presence means that he will have more incentives to toe the line instead of saying "You leave leading big battles to the big boys!"

Seems like a nice setup. Personally would have liked to see Shizuka fight seriously in a combat, maybe with her legendary pokemons, but... maybe there is part two for the fights? I dunno. *Shrugs*

Also, the number of combatants seem off. I thought the Kimonos only had one pokemon each except for Shizuka who has two? Or is that legendary pokemons?

*Off to sleep*

[Dracorion]

Also, the number of combatants seem off. I thought the Kimonos only had one pokemon each except for Shizuka who has two? Or is that legendary pokemons?

Let's do a quick headcount, shall we? Team 1 has Rayleen's pokemon, Moon's and Renny's. That's 18. Then there's Impact, Matthias, Lola, Rayleen and Mika themselves, plus Mika's lone pokemon. That 6. 18 + 6 = 24.

Team 2 has Harliette's pokemon, Evangaleen's, Rachel's, Pierce's and Charlotte's. That's 30. Plus Whitney, Rachel, Harliette, Kiyomi and her pokemon, that's 35.

Team 3 has Shizuka, her two pokemon, and Dormond. That's 4. Plus Shannon's 6 pokemon, that's 10. Plus Dominic, who would be using the household pokemon (Snorlax, Butterfree, Electrode, Umbreon, Latias), that's 15. Maria doesn't count because she's not a Pokebrid and would be purely a support NPC.

Seems like a nice setup. Personally would have liked to see Shizuka fight seriously in a combat, maybe with her legendary pokemons, but... maybe there is part two for the fights? I dunno. *Shrugs*

Which is why we should go with my second last setup. That is:

Faynoc's Pokebrids Side

Rayleen (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Moon (Trainer)
Dormond (Pokebrid)
Mika (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Matthias (Pokebrid)
Shannon (Trainer)
Impact (Slayer)

Combatants: 24

Ruin Pokemon Side

Harliette (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Evangaleen (Trainer)
Rachel (Legion Mage [Pokebrid / Trainer])
Kiyomi (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Pierce (Trainer)
Whitney (Pokebrid)
Charlotte (Trainer)

Combatants: 35

In House Protection

Shizuka (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Lola (Pokebrid)
Renny (Trainer)
Dominic (Trainer)
Maria (Support)

Combatants: 15

Including Dominic and Maria and the Dormond/Lola switch.

Unless you mean a setup that lets us see Shizuka in action while only doing two battles instead of three. In which case, up to AB.

[Geminex]

Argh goddammit. I had a whole page written out, explaining why I'm right and you're stupid for disagreeing with me. Then it got eaten up by the dark gods of the netherforums.

So, abbreviated form:

Number of combatants is irrelevant.

We can just put NPCs in the house, Renny can support us normally. If he wants to, he can update us on the situation inside the house in his posts. Doubtlessly, his parents will rediscover the fun of pokemon battling as their old pokemon rise up and show their true power in defense of the two people they love most. It will be sickeningly heartwarming.

Ruin types: Status-causers (I'd by far prefer sleep over paralysis, I might just claim both Matt and Whitney)and dragon-type attackers. Very offensive, with one support pokebrid (maybe we can have Lola on standby, running back and forth, depending who needs her?) to heal us.

Pokebrids: More defensive teams. If you manage to wait out their paradigm shifts, you've pretty much won, I think. Besides, unlike Ruin, we don't know what their types will be, so get more variety.


So, here's my lineup. It isn't as fancy and colorful as yours, but there's much thought behind it. See for yourself. Accept it or die.
The only problem I have is that the "pokebrids" side only has one PC, Menarker. Maybe I could put Matt on there? Yeah... Maybe switch Whitney around with Matt, then we should be good. I see Lola as less of a fixed pokebrids member, and as more of a runner, a go-between. In necessary, the pokebrids team can also have one of the EEE, who I put on house defence.

Pokebrids:
Rachel (Legion Mage [Pokebrid / Trainer])
Lola (Pokebrid)
Harliette (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Renny (Trainer)
Kiyomi (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Whitney (Pokebrid)
Rayleen (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])

Ruin:
Dormond (Pokebrid)
Matthias (Pokebrid)
Mika (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Charlotte (Trainer)
Shizuka
Impact
Pierce


House:
Moon (Trainer)
Shannon (Trainer)
Dominic (Trainer)
Maria (Support)
Evangaleen (Trainer)

I'll make my actual post soon. Really, it won't be much more than the combat post.

Edit: I just realized, contradicted AB on nearly every count. Oops. -.-
If he's ok with being contradicted, I'll stick to what I've said above, if not... I'll have to reevaluate.

[Astral Harmony]

Remember that Trainers have five Pokemon each, not six. And the Kimonos only have one apiece. I don't remember anything about Shizuka having two. Not that it'd change the strategy much.

Anyways, here's a tidal wave of combatant data.

PATCA Units

Rayleen (Battle Master [Slayer/Trainer])
Weapon(s)
- Burns & Eastclock X Series Gunblade ~ A revolutionary Gunblade that incorporates two revolver barrels that allow of simultaneous shooting of two rounds. A favorite of Rayleen's father. Rayleen has incendiary rounds for fire damage, chemical rounds for poison damage, and cryo rounds for ice damage. Using it like a sword deals steel type damage.
- Ricewood Masterworks Beta Series Prosthetic Arm ~ A mechanical prosthetic that amplifies raw damage. Rayleen can deal fighting type damage with the powerful blows delivered by this arm and use the internal generator to hit targets with electric type damage.
Armor
- Ricewood Masterworks Beta Series Godskin Bodysuit ~ A reinforced, form-fitting, fashionable black and red bodysuit that accentuates Rayleen's sexy physique while granting solid protection against normal, fighting, dark, and steel type damage.
Pokemon Lineup
- Raysha [Draceon] (Dragon) [Female]
Moves: Draco Meteor / Dragon Claw / Dragon Breath / Drain Punch
Ability: Anger Point
- Rayquaza (Dragon/Flying) [Male]
Moves: Dragon Pulse / Extreme Speed / Outrage / Air Slash
Ability: Air Lock
- Salamence (Dragon/Flying) [Male]
Moves: Double-Edge / Dragon Claw / Crunch / Zen Headbutt
Ability: Intimidation
- Altaria (Dragon/Flying) [Female]
Moves: Sky Attack / Dragon Pulse / Dragon Breath / Take Down
Ability: Natural Cure
- Flygon (Ground/Dragon) [Female]
Moves: Hyper Beam / Dragon Claw / Earthquake / Fire Blast
Ability: Levitate

-----
Dormond (Pokebrid)
Pokebrid Forms and Synchronization Techniques
- Mawile (Dormond) [Snap Trap] ~ Locks down the target foe. Target foe takes damage like poison for three turns and cannot act on those turns. Dormond returns the enemy back to his or her position when the third turn concludes (unless the target is defeated)
- Zangoose (Dormond) [Blood Reaver] ~ Lowers all statistics by two levels and induces Internal Bleeding. Internal Bleeding is an uncurable condition where the target takes damage and has a random statistic lowered by one level each turn.

-----
Rachel McConnelly (Legion Mage [Pokebrid/Trainer])
Pokebrid Forms and Synchronization Techniques
- Pikachu (Rachel) [Thunder Swarm] ~ Creates a thunderstorm that attracts dozens of Pikachus. Deals powerful electric type damage and high paralysis chances to random enemies. Let the lightning crash down!
- Magnezone (Rachel) [Magnet Crush] ~ Locks down all metal Pok?mon and objects used by the enemy and renders them unable to act or otherwise unusable (Steel type Pok?mon, metal Slayer weapons and metal improvised weapons). When Rachel shouts "Drop your weapons!", you don't get a choice but to comply...unless you use wooden or stone weapons, you old-school pussies.
Pokemon Lineup
- Quiksilver [Metaleon] (Steel) [Female]
Moves: Iron Tail / Metal Burst / Crunch / Doom Desire
Ability: Sturdy
- Lucifer (Rock/Steel) [Male]
Moves: Iron Head / Fire Blast / Stone Edge / Metal Burst
Ability: Sturdy
- Empoleon (Water/Steel) [Male]
Moves: Hydro Pump / Drill Peck / Steel Wing / Ice Beam
Ability: Torrent
- Metagross (Steel/Psychic) [Male]
Moves: Hyper Beam / Zen Headbutt / Meteor Mash / Hammer Arm
Ability: Clear Body
- Registeel (Steel) [Male]
Moves: Flash Cannon / Hyper Beam / Superpower / Zap Cannon
Ability: Clear Body

-----
[B]Lola Phelps (Pokebrid)
Pokebrid Forms and Synchronization Techniques
- Lopunny (Lola) [Sexy Party] ~ Uses Helping Hand on all allies. The more allies with her, the more effective this crucial table turner is!
- Chimecho (Lola) [Heavenly Chime] ~ Uses Safeguard, Light Screen and Reflect on the user and two other targets. A great move to kick off a tough battle. Just another way that Lola shows how much she loves keeping people alive.

-----
Evil Eevee Eight Units

Shannon Mordhaus (Pokemon Trainer)
Pokemon Lineup
- Leafeon [Florescence] (Grass Type) [Female]
Moves: Leaf Blade / Synthesis / SolarBeam / X-Scissor
Ability: Leaf Guard
Item: Lax Incense
- Roserade (Grass/Poison Type) [Female]
Moves: Poison Jab / SolarBeam / Synthesis / Shadow Ball
Ability: Poison Point
- Cacturne (Grass/Dark Type) [Male]
Moves: Needle Arm / Sucker Punch / Focus Punch / Destiny Bond
Ability: Sand Veil
- Jumpluff (Grass/Flying Type) [Female]
Moves: Giga Drain / Bounce / SolarBeam / Energy Ball
Ability: Leaf Guard
- Abomasnow (Grass/Ice Type) (Female)
Moves: Sheer Cold / Blizzard / Wood Hammer / Mist
Ability: Snow Warning

-----
Moon Travorian (Pokemon Trainer)
Pokemon Lineup
- Fathom [Vaporeon] (Water) [Male]
Moves: Hydro Pump / Muddy Water / Blizzard / Rain Dance
Ability: Water Absorb
- Shanelle [Starmie] (Water/Psychic) [Female]
Moves: Ice Beam / Psychic / Hydro Pump / Power Gem
Ability: Illuminate
- Crawdaunt (Water/Dark) (Male)
Moves: Guillotine / Crabhammer / Swords Dance / Blizzard
Ability: Shell Armor
- Poliwrath (Water/Fighting) [Male]
Moves: Dynamic Punch / Focus Blast / Bulk Up / Protect
Ability: Water Absorb
- Lanturn (Water/Electric) [Female]
Moves: Take Down / Hydro Pump / Discharge / Signal Beam
Ability: Volt Absorb

-----
Evangaleen Harris (Pokemon Trainer)
Pokemon Lineup
- Lambdavolt [Jolteon] (Electric) [Female]
Moves: Thunder / Discharge / Dig / Iron Tail
Ability: Volt Absorb
Held Item: Expert Belt
- Electivire (Electric) [Female]
Moves: Thunder / Giga Impact / Focus Blast / Rest
Ability: Motor Drive
- Luxray (Electric) [Male]
Moves: Thunder / Iron Tail / Thunder Wave / Rest
Ability: Intimidate
- Magnezone (Electric/Steel) [Male]
Moves: Zap Cannon / Flash Cannon / Gyro Ball / Explosion
Ability: Sturdy
- Raichu (Electric) [Male]
Moves: Thunder / Thunder Wave / Slam / Light Screen
Ability: Static

-----
Kimono Units

Shizuka Mizuno (Battle Master [Slayer/Trainer])
Weapon(s)
- Katana ~ Forged by demons. Very high critical hit rate. Deals no real type of damage and is able to hit any kind of target. Normally not worthy of note besides being an enchanted weapon, but coupled with Shizuka's skill and strength, this is a deadly weapon.
Armor
- Red Kimono ~ Sewn by a high priestess, annointed with mystic water, and imbued with powerful spirit energy from ancient rituals, this unassuming mini-yukata protects the body from the power of demons while leaving Shizuka's long, smooth legs free for ease of motion.
Signature Techniques
- Apple Slicer: Shizuka pulls a lovely apple out from a "hiding place" and lazily tosses it between herself and the target, then inflicts eight too-fast-to-see cuts that split the apple into eight and could do the same to her target. Severe damage is inflicted on the target, 50% chance of instant death, 100% chance of flinching.
- Apple Splitter: Shizuka pulls a lovely apple out from a "hiding place" and lazily tosses it between herself and a central point of where she will strike, then splits the apple and severely damages all foes before her with a single cut. Great damage is dealt to all targets.
- Applesauce: Like what happens when you shoot a foe up close with a shotgun in F.E.A.R., except it also happens to an apple. Certain instant death on the target, no matter who or what it is.
Pokemon Lineup
- Allegion (Bug/Electric) [Male]
Moves: Thunder Crush / Charge / Zap Cannon / X-Scissor
Ability: Volt Absorb
Item: Alastor - A large gothically decorated sword partially implanted in
Allegion's body. Increases Electric damage and double paralysis chance. Only
Allegion can hold this item.
Move Description: Thunder Crush - Locks down the target for two turns, preventing use of moves or held item. Target is dealt 50 Electric-type damage each turn and there is a 30% chance of paralysis each turn.
- Ho-Oh (Fire/Flying)
Moves: Sky Attack / Sacred Fire / Fire Blast / Sunny Day
Ability: Flash Fire
Item: Sharp Beak

-----
Kiyomi Matsuraba (Battle Master [Slayer/Trainer])
Weapon(s)
- Spear ~ The shaft is extremely durable, but the tip is what truely shines. Supposedly ripped from a powerful demon's skeleton and forged to perfection, this spear tip can inflict some truely grievous wounds, regardless of the opponent. Surprisingly, Kiyomi has made no effort to mechanize this weapon. She won't say why.
Armor
- Blue Kimono ~ A gift from Shizuka when Kiyomi proved herself to be a capable warrioress (Rio's begging helped some), Kiyomi has modified it to make it as impervious as some of the mechanized armor in this world. If Kiyomi had never talked about it, no one would notice the alterations.
Signature Techniques
- Spear Rain: Kiyomi rapidly and accurately lances the target multiple times, even launching them off the ground to continue the stinging assault. Severe damage is dealt to the target.
- Mechanized Cavalry: Kiyomi calls in for support from one of her mechanized land units, a fast and lethal gear-shaped weapon called Geartooth. Geartooth grinds random foes while scattering their entrails further with grenades. Random damage to random targets, but it's usually pretty considerable.
- Raging Raider: Kiyomi calls in for support from a powerful unmanned quadraped robot called Lobov. Lobov peppers all enemies with vulcan fire, blasts 'em with missiles, then throws it own body into the enemy formation and self-destructs. Talk about overkill.
Pokemon Lineup
- Regigigas (Normal)
Moves: Giga Impact / Crush Grip / Superpower / Hyper Beam
Ability: Slow Start
Item: Restore Brace - An item Kiyomi made for Regigigas. Negates the cooldown time for Hyper Beam.

-----
Mika Mutsumi (Battle Master [Slayer/Trainer])
Weapon(s)
- Skateboard ~ Mika's skateboard, and probably the most kickass skateboard ever. After all, few skateboards are ever forged in the netherworld, and Mika's incorporate some brutal-looking magical runes. The skateboard is imbued with Mika's elemental fury and kicked at the target, then caught on the return rebound, like a blitzball. Does Mika always use this for transportation?
Armor
- Yellow Kimono ~ Mika took a regular yellow mini-yukata and magically enchanted it herself using current-century rituals. Anyone who could see auras would notice that Mika's mini-yukata is quite radiant. Too radiant to see her own body, actually. Barrier spells cover this thing like maggots on a corpse.
Signature Techniques
- Tentacle Scourging: Mika gets a little too kinky and opens a gateway to a world one must never open a gateway to. The result is that Mika's enemies get beat the fuck up by countless tentacles belonging to a mercifully hidden apparition. Deals impressive damage to random targets.
- Paradigm Break: Mika's not a Pok?brid, but this ability is truely mysterious to the same extent. Mika transforms incoming damage into healing magic. How in the hell? Mika'll never tell. Hey, that rhymes.
- Super Switcheroo: Mika mentally dominates the target, making them fight for the other side. Mika can no longer take action until the domination ends. Under most circumstances, the enemy won't very easily attack the target Mika controls, given how they were probably friends 'n' stuff.
Pokemon Lineup
- Mewthree (Psychic)
Moves: Aura Sphere / Psychic / Psycho Cut / Rest
Ability: Wonder Guard
Item: Odd Incense

-----
Formerly of Faynoc Units

Samantha "Harliette" Phelps (Battle Master [Slayer/Trainer])
Weapon(s)
- Casanova Mark III Submachineguns ~ Harliette's well used and well cared for twin submachineguns. Incorporates internal generators that both give the guns their unique look and allow the bullets to be fired with high velocity (fighting type damage), a high electrical charge (lightning type damage), or hyper-sonic rotation (flying type damage).
- Special Attack Cartridges ~ Attachable cartridges that add versatile functionality to the Casanova Mark III's. Harliette has two different types, one that allows for high pressure water blasts and special mineral coatings for rock type damage.
Armor
- Urban Camoflauge Fatigues ~ Widely available by itself, but certainly not available with all the protective capabilities as the uniform Harliette wears. Stylish considering the way Harliette wears them (which is clearly not in regulation), these outdated but still useful military fatiques offer good protection from normal, water, ice, and ground type damage. Also negates damage from sandstorm and hail weather effects.
Pokemon Lineup
- Nidoqueen (Poison/Ground) [Female]
Moves: Super Power / Earthquake / Sludge Bomb / Toxic
Ability: Poison Point
- Illumise (Bug) [Female]
Moves: Bug Buzz / Zen Headbutt / Helping Hand / U-Turn
Ability: Tinted Lens
- Kangaskhan (Normal) [Female]
Moves: Outrage / Crunch / Dizzy Punch / Focus Blast
Ability: Scrappy
- Wormadam [Plant Cloak] (Bug/Plant) [Female]
Moves: Leaf Storm / Psychic / Bug Bite / Giga Drain
Ability: Inspiration
- Vespiquen (Bug/Flying) [Female]
Moves: Attack Order / Defend Order / Heal Order / Power Gem
Ability: Swarm

-----
Whitney Calnein (Pokebrid)
Pokebrid Forms and Signature Techniques
- Gardevoir (Whitney) [Black Hole] ~ Swallows the enemy on the first turn, deals huge damage that ignores type, and spits them out the next turn. Get rid of a threat for a crucial turn and leave them bleeding. Could be helpful during certain touch-and-go battles.
- Mismagius (Whitney) [Dance of Illusions] ~ Creates three illusory copies of the user and prevents attacks targeting the user from connecting. When attacking, these illusory copies amplify damage by half, creating an attack power of more than 2.5 if all illusions are present. An illusion is banished at the end of any turn where the user is targeted by an attack, even an attack that normally would not hit.

-----

And I think that about does it.

[Geminex]

Dude.
Nice. Extremely nice. Awesome database.

Would you be ok with the way I proposed we set up our teams? I only noticed that you had already assigned the NPCs after I had posted mine, hence my disregard of what you said in OP. ^^;;

[Menarker]

http://www.nuklearforums.com/showpost.php?p=1030927&postcount=27

-----


Tsubasa leaned against a wall covered in murals. "So we need every legendary Pokémon with us if we're going to defeat Primal Being and rid this world of Ruin Pokémon forever? That's kind of a tall order, isn't it?"
"Yes, but it's not impossible."
The Kimonos all turned to face Shizuka. "As of late, legendary Pokémon have flooded into Honmyr. It's like they can sense the weakening of the seal and the awakening of the Ruin Pokémon and their monstrous generals."
Tsubasa pulls out her Pokéball, containing the legendary dark and fire type, Cerbrapter. "Each of us have one, with Lady Shizuka possessing two."
"The Pokémon Advanced Tactics and Counterterrorism Agency has Registeel, Latios, Latias, and Shaymin. And they're good guys, so maybe we can get them to help us."

Just pointing out where Shizuka was shown to be hinted to have two legendaries. And I don't agree with Geminex's latest setup. :3

EDIT: Writing proposed change and list of reasons why. Putting in new post.

[Geminex]

Eagerly expecting proposed change and list of reasons why.

Edit: And wait, was it Bard's birthday yesterday and Draconion's birthday the day before that? Congratulations, mortalsguys! How old're you?

Edit #2: Also, in my suggestion, we could switch Rayleen and Pierce. Only downside'd be that Pierce can't fight alongside Shizuka in this battle, which was my initial motivation for putting him in Impact's team. If we do that, we wouldn't have to switch Matt and Whitney around.

[Menarker]

LIST OF CHARACTERS!

PCs:
Renny (Trainer)
Impact (Slayer)
Pierce (Trainer)
Charlotte (Trainer)
Matthias (Pokebrid)

Kimono:
Shizuka (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Mika (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Kiyomi (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])

PATCA:
Rayleen (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Rachel (Legion Mage [Pokebrid / Trainer])
Lola (Pokebrid)
Dormond (Pokebrid)
Harliette (Battle Master [Slayer / Trainer])
Whitney (Pokebrid)

EEE:
Moon (Trainer)
Shannon (Trainer)
Evangaleen (Trainer)

Misc:
Dominic (Trainer)
Maria (Support)


Those with ability against Ruin Types:
Rayleen: Team of Dragon pokemon. Strong in own right
Impact: Strong dragon weapon and base stats although also got variety in case of surprises.
Pierce: Two dragons and a steel/psychic with a bit of variety just in case.
Charlotte: Super Fang for cutting down Omnisroth and others with huge hitpoints. Lacks a bit of variety, so she be better off here.
Mika: All the Kimonos are useful, but Mewthree is immune to the ruin types damage. This makes her a shoe-in.
Rachel: Loads of steel types. Ruin hate steel! Paralysis also. Support too.
Whitney: Psychic attacks which ruin types hate and ability to remove a powerful foe for a turn.

Those with variety and power/defence or support that theme in the manner needed to handle numbers of Pokebrids/trainers:
Renny: Great variety, high defence, a few status attacks with some very respectably high attack.
Lola: ^__^ Aside from me wanting to be joined at the hip to her in a manner of speaking, both her special abilities would be useful, especially her Chimcho form when combined with Renny's Mollesk. Support is great and Helping Hand for a round will provide a nice power punch.
Shizuka: Her particular dual type pokemon be most effective here. Her attacks also great, especially against large numbers. Would be good on the other side too though, but her second attack would be even more helpful here.
Matthias: Ability to shift the weather to the group's best conditions would be best here since the elements that matter are Rock for Sandstorm for SDEF, Grass and Fire for Sunny-Day, Water and Electric for Rain Dance, and Ice for Hail. None of those elements really work against Ruin types. Status afflictions also a boon and being a mix-pokebrid gives variety.
Harriette: Her weapons have two types which suck against Ruin but are good for many other types. Much better off here. Also provide numbers.
Dominic: Retired pokemon trainer. Got variety, including a dragon legendary and one of Renny's pokemons.

Those who... don't fit?
Kiyomi: Her pokemon starts slow and I personally don't like randomness in attacks.
Maria: Housewife attempting to be helpful and protect the family. Can help with healing though. Not much else. Will stick with Dominic.
Moon/Shannon/Evangaleen: Pokemons are all one type. Useful and got numbers, but not a game-breaker.
Dormond: Not a potential primary attacker like Rachel, no ability to enhance other team-mates like Lola can. A support character who can double as a single attacker when things aren't that bad.

Proposed Gameplan:

Faynoc: (Variety, defence with a fair bit of power including Shizuka, 2 support NPC, Status affliction, a bit of power... a combo I got in mind and... the power of plot with the entire Tresserhorn family?)
Renny (5)
Matthias (1)
Lola (1)
Shizuka (2)
Harriette (6)
Dominic (5)
Maria (Support)

Combatants: 20

Combatants:

Ruin: (Very powerful dragon moves, loads of pokemon when you consider Pierce, Charlotte, Rayleen and Rachel. Still got status and tech moves due to Mika provided negating attacks for a turn which becomes healing, Whitney removing a monster, paralysis. Has a pokemon immune to Ruin type!)
Impact (1)
Pierce (5. 6 if Pierce attacks)
Charlotte (5)
Mika (2)
Rayleen (6)
Rachel (6)
Whitney (1)

Combatants: 26 (27)

House: (Many pokemons, each trainer covering the other type wise. Kiyomi to back them up and Dormond as support.)
Shannon (5)
Moon (5)
Evangaleen (5)
Kiyomi (2)
Dormond (1)

Combatants: 18

EDIT: Oh, and Happy Birthday. ^^: Wish I known about that.

I imagine you guys might want Shizuka back on your side, but AB at first intended for Shizuka to not be helping out by being in house protection. (For in character reason of protecting Dominic/Maria) This way, she can help out AND protect them. Plus you guys already have your fun times with Shizuka. Now Renny can have a try as a team-mate to show what he's worth.

[Bard The 5th LW]

Flipped a coin. Charlotte will be on the Ruin side.

And thanks guys! My Birthday is actually today, but I suppose it seems like yesaterday in Geminex's time zone.

My age? Normally don't answer that, but I'll leave with this: High School.

[DanteFalcon]

Dunno if its still relevant but Matthias would lead only if he felt no one else was competent enough to do so.

[Menarker]

Well, if we go with my proposed idea, Dante won't have to since Renny, the leader of the entire mission, is there.

Of course, this begs the question of whether Matt actually believes Renny is capable of leading competently. He never really voiced his opinion after all. Then again, Matt never saw Renny in action as a leader.

Although Shizuka would also be there and no one doubts her ability.

And Charlotte's coin flip works perfectly with my plan. ^^

[Dracorion]

Yeah, my teams were like that because I didn't wanna move AB's NPCs around, Gem.

Menarker, I'm not sure how the characters would feel about putting Dominic and Maria out in the field. I mean, Dominic is an experienced trainer and that's nice, but Maria would be one big walking target/MILF. PATCA's already put Renny's parents in danger simply by coming to their house, they might want to keep them in the safest place possible, which is the house.

There's one huge argument for putting Shizuka on the Ruin pokemon side: Her third attack. Kills anything. Even Ruin Generals.

I get that Impact is great against Ruin-types, but he's a Slayer that can switch between weapons and armor in the middle of battle, which would be extremely useful againt the Pokebrids. Also, I have a purely selfish reason. So I'd propose switching him with Shizuka.

Hey AB, y'know what I thought of? Impact is going to give Pierce a Dragon Slave, and the scythe deals Ghost-type damage... So I thought maybe Mika could forge a hilt for the Dragon Slave out of the scythe handle and make a Dragon/Ghost Slave. Would that be 6x damage or 8x damage to Ruin-types? I forget.

The only downside is it could be overpowered. I mean, a regular Slayer dual-wielding Dragon Slaves gets 8x damage. Imagine Pierce dual-wielding Dragon/Ghost Slave and a Dragon Slave for at least 10x damage.

Then again, there's probably be a lot of scythe handle left over if it's just one hilt they'd be making. They could upgrade Impact's Dragon Slave to Dragon/Ghost too, I guess.

[Menarker]

Menarker, I'm not sure how the characters would feel about putting Dominic and Maria out in the field. I mean, Dominic is an experienced trainer and that's nice, but Maria would be one big walking target/MILF. PATCA's already put Renny's parents in danger simply by coming to their house, they might want to keep them in the safest place possible, which is the house.

There's one huge argument for putting Shizuka on the Ruin pokemon side: Her third attack. Kills anything. Even Ruin Generals.

I get that Impact is great against Ruin-types, but he's a Slayer that can switch between weapons and armor in the middle of battle, which would be extremely useful againt the Pokebrids. Also, I have a purely selfish reason. So I'd propose switching him with Shizuka.


For the first thing, just assume that Dominic and Maria are being unreasonable but caring and don't just want to just stay in the house at the first sign of trouble. From what they saw of PATCA overall, (PATCAzord, army of sexy women among other things, women wearing mini-yukatas) they honestly don't think the group is REALLY that powerful. Hell, it looks like a party university which Renny somehow ends up getting on payroll instead. Entrusting their boy to a group like that in a life and death situation? If they find out that he's supposably the "team leader", that might make things worse in a way because they might think even more that it was all in jest or specifically for this mission only (which is probably right if you guys end up not choosing Renny as your leader in the future). Basically, they are relaxed when things are relaxed, but they'll be a bit protective when shit hits the fan. Renny would have to find a way to prove that PATCA is actually a competent group and that he is a full-fledged member in his own right, but until then the two are tagging along.
It's entirely possible that Dominic might give Maria some of his pokemon, dividing it between the two of them so she's more protected. (She's not totally clueless with pokemon.)

Secondly, you seriously think that AB would actually allow a Ruin General to be one-hit KOed by anyone, even Shizuka? These high end bosses tend to have immunities to these things for a reason, like how most RPG bosses aren't effected by death effects! Plus, you guys would probably lament or be bored if she dispatched him/her at once and you didn't had a fight anymore, aside from cleaning up his/her mooks.

The third argument is somewhat understandable, BUT in that case, it would be better for Impact to just transfer over, since you still would have more combatants even with him gone. (I thought that Impact could only switch equipment in between battles) Your undiviluged selfish reason aside for wanting Shizuka to come over, when you and Impact already had your fun with her. My turn!

In that case, why don't you just transfer over to Renny's team? Pierce hate Renny's guts/antics... but you get to stay near Shizuka... You don't get to fight the Ruin type... but you get to fight the pokebrids... and stay near Shizuka.


ALSO, any guess on what type the Ruin General of the chapter is or emphasize? I'm guessing Grass here.


Also, for my guess on the entire Dragon/Ghost weapon thing, I imagine that won't work too well, because the part you're hitting your targets with is the bladed portion from the dragon. Unless you're holding onto the weapon by the bladed end and smacking them with the handle portion.

[Dracorion]

My indivulged selfish reason isn't having Shizuka come over, it's making Impact go away.

Y'know, normally I would think that Shizuka's one-hit kill wouldn't work on Ruin Generals. But then, he put a lot of emphasis on the part where it can kill anything.

If Dominic and Maria wanna come over, all it takes is for Renny to grow a goddamn pair of balls and tell them to sit down and shut up. Jesus Christ, dude. They'll understand that PATCA is extremely competent when they see that they warded off the attack without help.

So not your turn. You already get all the girls listening to you! My turn!

By the way, you forgot to include Whitney in Team Ruin.

You could always port Kiyomi over to the Pokebrid side. I'm sure we want to see all the Kimonos in action, and Evangeleen, Shannon, and Moon are old friends and they know how to work together, plus they'd have Dormond. And they'd have Dominic and Maria if you put them there.

I'm thinking Bug Ruin General, maybe.

EDIT:Also, for my guess on the entire Dragon/Ghost weapon thing, I imagine that won't work too well, because the part you're hitting your targets with is the bladed portion from the dragon. Unless you're holding onto the weapon by the bladed end and smacking them with the handle portion.

I was thinking more like the ghostly energies would sorta seep into the blade or something.

[Menarker]

I'm pretty certain that Renny thinks that telling someone to sit down and shut up and all that is NOT a required part of having balls (and that such a behavior is unacceptable anyhow). Renny doesn't really demands, he negotiates or compromises. Besides, they'd be packing his Umbreon, the family Snorlax and the legendary Latias. Renny wouldn't be fast to shoo them away if he could compromise and have them come with him where he can keep an eye on them and the legendary pokemon AND help too. (I'm pretty sure you'd underestimate the utter stubborness of real life parents.) My turn! The girls only listen because it sounds totally reasonable and was never asked anything excessive or so.

Thanks for reminding about Whitney.

I figured that since AB was going to put Shizuka there in the first place, that maybe AB planned to have something really hard hit there. (Even if he wasn't going to write a fight scene). If AB thinks it's not really needed, then I can move Kiyomi to the Pokebrids... but Shizuka stays! Team 2 has almost all the power houses! I'm balancing!
Transfer over if you don't like it. Team one could use another guy!


Bug Ruin General sounds equally or even more likely now that you mentioned it.

[Dracorion]

Shizuka goes. The fates demand it!

If you think the house needs more support without Kiyomi, remember that Latias and Umbreon are Renny's pokemon and he can just order them to sit tight. Dominic and Maria would think twice about going out if all they had was a Snorlax, Butterfree and Electrode.

[Menarker]

"All they had were a Snorlax, Butterfree, and Electrode?" You make it sound like Dominic was some two bit trainer. (And Snorlax is pretty damn powerful)

The fates/plot is on my side due to it being my RP sidestory! Shizuka stays! Come over here! You guys have both your chances to demostrate your abilities, now Renny does the same, leader to leader!

Also, Geminex, you double posted in the RP. You made a placeholder and then proceeded to make a post after it instead of editing the placeholder.


I'm off to work in about 10 minutes! Keep the teams pretty much as is!

[Dracorion]

Yeah, but you're the one who said he'd only be using the house pokemon and Renny's leftovers. More importantly, if Renny's parents didn't trust their son they wouldn't have let him work for PATCA when they thought it was actually competent and would put Renny in a lot of danger. I understand full well how stubborn parents can be, but Renny is supposed to be the guy in the RP everyone can trust. More importantly, he might not want to leave his parents alone, but Renny's also the guy in the RP who's supposed to trust everyone else.

Fine, let's say Shizuka's one-hit kill doesn't work on Ruin Generals. She's still potentially the strongest fighter we have. Where do you think she'd be more useful: cleaning up random Pokebrids, or wiping out a goddamn Ruin General?

Anyway, I still say Impact should go to your team.

[Menarker]

Renny is supposed to be the guy everyone trusts in terms of his intentions and emotions and the effort he put in things. People can still worry that he might go over his head or end up failing.

Renny WOULD prefer that his parents stay put, but he knows that it's hard on them and it's easier to show them first hand what he can do.

If the multiple minions are anything like Moera or worse, then Shizuka better off here since you guys got an army of pokemons which are specifically built to handle them. :3

[Dracorion]

Fine, Dominic and Maria can fight with Renny. If we move Kiyomi over to his team as well, does he really need Shizuka? Shizuka's Bug/Electric legendary does resist Ruin-types, after all.

The only problem is we'd be leaving only Shannon, Moon, Evangaleen and Dormond alone in the house. Dormond is the only one who'd be any use against Ruin-types, and as evidenced in the bank he goes down easy to a Pulverot.

Then again, that team wouldn't have any PCs. AB might make them win without writing a battle just to say everything turned out okay.

[Astral Harmony]

Man, I guess I kinda forgot that part. Oh, well, I said so I'll change the database to reflect that.

And were we all born in April or something? Mine was just seventeen days ago. I'm 28 now, by the way.

Post in the RP thread now.

[Dracorion]

... What, no comments on the teams, AB? I was thinking you'd end up demanding that Shizuka stay in the house, or something.

Also, Dragon/Ghost Slave, yay or nay.

[Menarker]

Since Dormond got upgraded, we can probably assumed he leveled up some.

I'm a December lad.

Gotta go for work NOW. see you all later!

Nothing drastic before I get home!

[Dracorion]

Nothing drastic before I get home!

I vote Renny dies. Any against?

Motion passed. One vote in favor, five hold-outs.

[Astral Harmony]

Shizuka: "Oh my God, you killed Renny! You bastard!"
Harliette: "I'm a bitch, actually and Pierce paid me good money to do that."
Shizuka: "And if Pierce paid you money to ride his baloney pony, would you do that!?"
Harliette: "..."
Shizuka: "..."
Harliette: "Is this a hypothetical question, or should he and I start talking figures?"
Shizuka: "Yeah, I think I'll go in the house, now."

Shizuka now has Ho-Oh in her arsenal as well. Man, and I thought she couldn't get any hotter.

[Dracorion]

Not Arceus? Why the hell not? Oh God, I bet Faynoc has it.

HEY YOU. YEAH YOU. Dragon/Ghost Slave. Approved or not?

Is that an ever so subtle hint that you're putting Shizuka on house protection no matter what?

[Astral Harmony]

Let's see...according to my Legendary Pokemon Ownership notepad file, some douchecake named Major Grant has Arceus. Hey, you'll meet him in the next mission. Him and the bitch who has your Dialga.

And yeah, your silly little whacky stick is approved. Sheesh.

I'm going to go with Renny's last post about positioning to determine where everyone sits when the battle kicks off. My post is in the works and it's going to take longer because I've got to include Renny's PM posts and the first round of combat. You'll have initiative, but there's still the matter of enemy setup.

[Dracorion]

Goddamnit.

Heh, now we just wait for Geminex to protest because Pierce is now our strongest fighter against Ruin-types. Well, will be once the damn thing gets forged.

By the way, you sure you wanna give Pierce his Dialga so soon? I mean, he gets Enmakki at the end of his sidequest and that's after the next mission. You wanna give him two legendaries that are also his final pokemon so close to each other?

Not that I'm complaining.

Unless you mean we're only meeting the bitch that has his Dialga and we're not going to be killing her then, in which case nevermind.

[Bard The 5th LW]

I was under the assumption that Faynoc was an Arceus Pokebrid.

And I would post, but it would be way too short, and amount to Charlotte just saying, "I'll fight the Ruin Pokemon" and then going off in one direction. Assume that she informed Renny of the decision off screen.

[Astral Harmony]

Nah, Faynoc's not cool enough to be an Arceus Pokebrid.

Anyways, there it is. Probably loaded with the most ridiculous type-ohs ever.

This is the allied formation (well, according to Renny, it is)

Front Lawn, Fighting the Pokebrids
Renny
Matthias
Lola
Shizuka
Harriette
Dominic
Maria

Back Lawn, Fighting the Ruin Pokemon
Impact
Pierce
Charlotte
Mika
Rayleen
Rachel
Whitney

House, Fighting Nothing So Far
Shannon
Moon
Evangaleen
Kiyomi
Dormond

[Dracorion]

Am I correct in assuming that the "package" will be the NPC Snagger, or will one of the Kimonos really be joining PATCA?

Team Rocket? You're fucking kidding me.

I swear to God, if we run into Jessie and James trying to kidnap Rachel I will kill them, and then I'll kill you.

[DanteFalcon]

Set strike is done, therefore my show is done and I can get back to this. Gonna take the rest of the day to catch up on schoolwork then catch up on the RP tomorrow.

[Dracorion]

So, will the mission be done after this battle?

I'm not sure, because Menarker mentioned a sleepover before that hasn't happened yet.

Pierce is going to want to ask Mika to forge him his Dragon/Ghost Slave, and Nagarai has no name yet.

Plus, I want Pierce to find out about Dinner the Overhuman.

[Astral Harmony]

Nope, the package is a package all its own. The Kimonos are lovers, not snaggers.

Team Rocket has a presense in Honmyr, but it's pretty laughable and they'll only figure very lightly in the plot. Hell, that's probably the first and last time they'll even get a mention, unless that question loving bastard Menarker decides to have Renny investigate it further in which case we'll have to have him murdered.

That's one of two battles, the other being against two legendary Pokebrids and one Ruin General.

Hmm, I just remembered that Renny wanted it to be a sleepover. I guess there really will be a nekkid pillow fight in this RP after all.

[Dracorion]

Oooh, so legendaries and pseudo-legendaries aren't force-deploying yet?

Shit, better go edit some stuff.

Also, Bard, there's only room for one pokemon. You gotta take Arcanine back.

[Menarker]

YAY! Nekkid pillow fight! (Complete with copious amount of alcohol)

^^ I found it odd/embaressing that Shannon suspected that Renny was actually kissing girls and all that. ^^;

Anyhow, is it still daytime? (It matters because Shaymin can only be in flight mode during the day.)

[Geminex]

Renny (5)
Matthias (1)
Lola (1)
Harriette (6)
Dominic (5)
Maria (Support)
Shannon (5)
Moon (5)
Evangaleen (5)


Reserve support:
Dormond (1)

Ruin:
Impact (1)
Pierce (5. 6 if Pierce attacks)
Mika (2)
Rayleen (6)
Rachel (6)
Whitney (1)
Shizuka (2)
Charlotte (5)
Kiyomi (2)


Ok, I did some drastic things here. Firstly, I eliminated "house" totally. If Renny's parents will be fighting anyway, there's really no reason to guard it. The worst thing that'll happen is that it gets trashed and would that matter? I didn't think so. Besides, I doubt that their Designated Vandals would just attack the house while their bosses are getting killed.

Secondly, I put all Kimonos onto the Ruin side. You said you didn't want Kiyomi, and I'm not letting you have Shizuka or Mika, due to the attacks they're capable of (and besides, this'll give us some killer Signature Sequences). I gave you all the EEE members instead, pulled them from the house. I didn't know that Metagross had 135 attack, or I would have put Rachel on the Ruin side to begin with. Whitney's allright; I'd prefer Matt, but she'll do.

Anyway, what do you think?

Edit: What the fuck, we've already started fighting? Fuck that, no. First we arrange teams, then we fucking start fighting.
Edit2: No, seriously, I know this is Renny's sidequest and all, but if you think I'm letting Renny's side waste Shizuka on pokebrids then fuck you with the siege boomerang. What the fuck? I was under the assumption that we'd agree on something before starting our grand battle, instead of going over people's heads and taking advantage of the fact that they are watery bags of protein which require sleep.

[Menarker]

We'd already got the groups set up, with AB's approval. Too late. Going the way I wanted. ^^

EDIT: Do I get the choice of setting up the moves for the pokemon Dominic will be using?

EDIT: I'm getting the impression that what's going to happen is similar to the last mission.

Group 1 will beat the pokebrid's pokemons
Group 2 will beat the ruin pokemon

The two might end up meeting up at some point when the entire thing goes to shit with the leading pokebrids and the ruin general together. I dunno. ^^;

[Dracorion]

Screw it, we should totally go with Gem's setup (would be perfect if Impact were on the pokebrid side, but anyway)

I've no problem with editing my post, and AB wouldn't have to change anything at all. Neither would Bard.

[Geminex]

We'd already got the groups set up, with AB's approval. Too late. Going the way I wanted. ^^
Like I said, fuck you with the siege boomerang. We'll find a mutually acceptable compromise, whereas "mutually acceptable" means "efficient use of resources".

Edit: See? I even have support! That means I'm not being a prick!
Ok, well it does, but it totally makes it socially acceptable.

[Dracorion]

Okay, I'm a little iffy on leaving the house unprotected, because I'm not sure it would be an appropriate in-character thing to do.

BUT, I'm supporting Geminex anyway because we've been arguing about this long enough, the battle's already started, and we get all the Kimonos on our side.

[Menarker]

Screw that. AB agreed with my plan and Shizuka already promised to watch over Renny's parents in character. The battle only just started and I had only came home a short time ago.

And yeah, in character, leaving the house unprotected doesn't really make sense. (And you get Mika)

Besides, Renny is the leader. So in character, he's dictating who goes where for the most part.

[Dracorion]

Shush you. Mika isn't enough.

I'm still supporting Gem.

And Gem's reasoning for leaving the house unprotected makes some sense. There's nothing valuable and no one's there, so the enemies would, at most, start a fire and then go outside to support their buddies.

Our characters could send their water pokemon (Renny's Swampert, Pierce's Kingdra, Moon's pokemon) to douse the flames before they spread too much. I can't see AB would complain, since we'd be handicapping ourselves by sending pokemon away.

[Menarker]

Your argument before was that everything would be "fine" if Impact was traded for Shizuka.

Now, you think your situation is such that you gotta keep Impact AND get all the Kimonos?

I'm calling that you just want that selfish motive you had earlier. Team 1 offense is already lower than team 2. Not to mention that Team 2 is practically tailored for their fight with tons of dragon and steel moves/pokemons. Team 1 has no such option because variety means that we can't have a one fit all option and it's all uncertain or random, while team 2 is sure that the weaknesses will be the same. A certain amount of brute force and defence is needed for group 1.

Shizuka stays.

*Attempting to write my post because the content between gathering the teams and the family conversation and battle stuff is big.*

[Bard The 5th LW]

Wow I'm not reading that.

I personally am willing to throw tactics out the window for the time being, but if you want to make a quick change, I suppose I can edit my post. Just tell me where I need to be.

[Dracorion]

I'm calling that you just want that selfish motive you had earlier.

Well, yeah.

Hell, from now you should just assume that when I argue for anything, I have some selfish reason for it.

I'm supporting Gem now despite of what I wanted earlier because his suggestion is acceptable to me and I'm not going to split this into a three-way debate. We need a united front here.

A certain amount of brute force and defence is needed for group 1.

Which you get if we go with Gem's idea because you have a lot more characters, therefore more moves per turn, therefore more offense and defense.

I personally am willing to throw tactics out the window for the time being, but if you want to make a quick change, I suppose I can edit my post. Just tell me where I need to be.

Nah. You're okay. Any way we go, you're still in team 2.

[Geminex]

I'm calling that you just want that selfish motive you had earlier.
I just want Shizuka and Mika from a tactical perspective. Shizuka with her high damage output (you did read where I said that the Ruin team is going to be highly offensive? Yes?). And Pierce wants to fight alongside Shizuka, just as Renny wants to fight alongside Lola. That's fine, I think. And I don't want all the Kimonos. I wanted to give you Kiyomi, you said you didn't want her. So I put her in Ruin, gave you the EEE instead. It's a fairly good trade.

Team 1 offense is already lower than team 2.
Again, that's the point. Less offense. Far higher suvrivability.

[Menarker]

I didn't want Kiyomi because we needed to divide into THREE teams so each one had a darn good chance of winning. Since AB decided that there needed to be a team for the house, a Kimono which did random damage (and nothing but damage) was questionable compared to Shizuka or Mika (and Mika was better off in Ruin). Heck, AB put Shizuka in the house at first, kinda implying there would be some damn heavy force there.

If AB was willing to drop the house thing, then I'd be more forgiving about this. (I'd still want Shizuka because you guys got the chance to play around with her already.)

Although... If AB drops the house thing, I would let you guys get Shizuka if I got Mika in addition to the EEE. Half her techniques are support as well while also having a powerful pokemon. You would get Kiyomi and Shizuka if that's the case.

*Wonders if he would be allowed to pull this sort of debate on other people's sidequest. :3*

[Geminex]

Gah.

Ruin types are hierarchic. They have a base force of weak pokemon, and become steadily more until they reach their peak with Omnisroth and the generals. Admittedly, that isn't the case yet, but I'm sure that it will be. Shizuka, with her single-target, huge-damage attacks, and Mika with her mind-control technique are ideal for fighting that kind of stuff, since they can eliminate a huge amount of the Ruin types' fighting ability by just killing or mind-controlling two or three enemies. That's why I want those two specifically. Also, I'm planning on letting you guys have Dormond for most of the battle, and we'll need some kind of healing. If this Ruin General is anything like the last one, then a convert-all-damage-into-healing move is going to be really, really, really useful, since it can probably save our lives in the turn after the general unleashes his cut-all-hp-by-thee-quarters (or whatever this one'll have) signature move.

[Dracorion]

*Wonders if he would be allowed to pull this sort of debate on other people's sidequest. :3*

Maaaaybe. But I'm running my sidequest with an iron fist and a railroad track.

I mean, the whole team (minus Pierce) will probably have to be split into two, but both groups would likely be facing the same kind of enemies. So you could have a debate, but not this one specifically.

I agree with everything Gem said above. Besides, Mewthree is immune to Ruin-type damage. Although the Ruin General may be able to bypass Wonderguard, that still negates everything else.

[Menarker]

How are you lacking for damage though? You got Dragon Slave Impact, several dragon pokemons (about 7!) and some pokemons with dragon moves aside from that. Rachel got an entire team of steel types which they are also weak to. Mika, support aside, had a pokemon that they are not only weak against but they cannot defeat with ruin moves. And that's not counting Whitney's own psychic moves and Charlotte's Super Fang.

You never needed more power.

Renny's team has defence sure, but there is no winning condition with defence. No time limit where the person with the most health after time is up wins, no decking like in a children's card game. Team 2's opponents have a multitude of pokemons which their weaknesses cannot be planned or predicted, so aside from variety, sheer power of some sort is kinda required while Team two is practically always assured to hit for weakness. And Team One's ability to get more power was hampered by the entire house thing being seemed to be a required factor by AB.


*I half expect that AB is going to respond by having one of the foes nuke Renny's house at the exact moment when no one is inside and after the mission, Renny and his parents would need to rebuild and shack up with other people... Dibs on Lola while Renny's parents visit relatives or so.*

[Geminex]

*Wonders if he would be allowed to pull this sort of debate on other people's sidequest. :3*
Oh certainly. As long as your ideas are better than mine, I'll gladly accept them. As should you. ^^

((We're using smileys to hide our passive-agressiveness! Because veiled threats aren't threats if you're smiling when you utter them!))


*I half expect that AB is going to respond by having one of the foes nuke Renny's house at the exact moment when no one is inside and after the mission, Renny and his parents would need to rebuild and shack up with other people... Dibs on Lola while Renny's parents visit relatives or so.*
Renny's parents seem to have had a heavenly life of bliss so far, they'll doubtlessly shrug off the tragedy.

You never needed more power.
You can never have enough power. Particularly if the opponents' force is as offensively-oriented as ours is. The more we kill this turn, the less damage they'll deal next turn.

That isn't the case with you. No matter how much you kill this turn, they'll just replace their pokemon and return the favor next turn. That's the entire basis of my strategy.


And Pierce's orders are silly. Impact is gonna have to countermand some of those. I'd imagine that we don't need a super fang on Orbishriek. Though we're still experimenting...

[Dracorion]

And Pierce's orders are silly. Impact is gonna have to countermand some of those. I'd imagine that we don't need a super fang on Orbishriek. Though we're still experimenting...

How so? Make it quick, I gotta get up early tomorrow, so I should've been in bed fifteen minutes ago.

[Geminex]

Kay, I've posted my summary.

[Menarker]

Snorlax (Male) *Immunity*
[Item: Chesto Berry]
Rest / Earthquake
Giga Impact / Belly Drum

Butterfree (Female) *Compound Eyes: Improve Accuracy of moves by 15%. Sleep Powder has 90% chance of working*
[Item: Leftovers]
Sleep Powder / Dream Eater
Bug Buzz / Shadow Ball

Electrode (Genderless) *Soundproof*
[Item: Magnet]
Thunderbolt / Light Screen
Toxic / Signal Beam

Latias (Female) *Levitate*
[Item: Soul Dew] (Is this item allowed?)
Mist Ball / Dragon Pulse
Recover / Reflect

Umbreon (Female) *Synchronize*
[Item: Leftovers]
Helping Hand / Confuse Ray
Sucker Punch / Psych Up

[Dracorion]

Bah. We gonna do the whole "headbutting" thing again?

Pierce pulled out Metagross because it's carrying a Metronome. We're in the early stages of the fight, and pretty much the only move it's gonna be using is Meteor Mash, so we're looking at increasingly higher damage per turn. So I don't really wanna replace Metagross.

Y'know, I kinda pictured Orbishrieks to be kind of inbetween Pulverots and Omnisroths, HP-wise. It'll take more than three hits to take one of 'em down, in any case. And I'd peg Atunhands as in-between Narchams and Pulverots, HP-wise, before they get a corpse. Superfang, Impact and Rachel seems kinda overkill.

[Geminex]

Right... I didn't notice the metronome, Impact didn't either. So that's fine. I was under the Impression that it was the other way around, Orbishriek have low HP and Atunhand are a bit more resilient... We'll have to experiment a bit.

[Menarker]

Renny's parents seem to have had a heavenly life of bliss so far, they'll doubtlessly shrug off the tragedy.


That isn't the case with you. No matter how much you kill this turn, they'll just replace their pokemon and return the favor next turn. That's the entire basis of my strategy.



Both wrong. As mentioned in AB's post, Renny's father pretty much sent himself into exile after his bad experience in the pokemon league, although his life style NOW is much better thanks to family and peaceful life. But yeah, they would mostly shrug it off after a bit of lamenting.

It's true that the pokemons will keep coming, but without high power, Team One's combatant will eventually run out of items and energy and then fall since they are much more outnumbered. Being able to maintain the pressure high paced and powerful is needed in order to do the Battle Tide thing which AB hinted at. Need power.

Anyhow, trying to make my post.

[Astral Harmony]

Kind of the only reasons there was an in-house party was to guard Renny's parents and Pokemon (which in my opinion really shouldn't be dragged into the fight because, well, they're neither PATCA nor Kimonos) and so nobody could get around to your defenseless backsides. Menarker's decision to have Renny's parents and their Pokemon fight alongside them kind of threw me off guard.

[Dracorion]

Right... I didn't notice the metronome, Impact didn't either. So that's fine. I was under the Impression that it was the other way around, Orbishriek have low HP and Atunhand are a bit more resilient... We'll have to experiment a bit.

So we should go with my idea first. Next turn we switch to your proposal, and treat Atunhands as having more HP.

[Geminex]

It's true that the pokemons will keep coming, but without high power, Team One's combatant will eventually run out of items and energy and then fall since they are much more outnumbered. Being able to maintain the pressure high paced and powerful is needed in order to do the Battle Tide thing which AB hinted at. Need power.
I doubt that strongly. You'll have 2 support, three if dormond spends most of his time with you. And considering the amount of variety you have, there's shouldn't be much of a problem dealing a lot of damage. Shizuka with us and one of the EEE with you would help a lot more than vice versa.

And AB, thank god you're here! What's the HP of Orbishriek and Atunhand, relative to a Narcham?

[Menarker]

Well, now that we cleared up the entire house thing, I guess I'll go with the entire EEE and Dormond with Renny

Be happy guys. You get all the Kimonos.

*Trying to make my post but keep getting called up*

Don't go ahead without me, ok!?

[Dracorion]

Well, I can finally go to bed.

It's probably already too late, I'll oversleep, miss my thing tomorrow and my whole life will be ruined forever.

Aw, Christ, thanks for ruining my life you motherfuckers! I GODDAMN HATE YOU.

[Geminex]

Excellent! I am thankful for your willingness to compromise. I will show equal willingness in the future. My criticism of your shuckle evolution is forgotten and Pierce shall, in the future, be alone in protesting at Renny's relationship with Lola. Probably.

I GODDAMN HATE YOU.
Hug.

[Astral Harmony]

I get the feeling Mollesk is going to be the luckiest. Pokemon. Ever. He can get into so much cool shit because people think he's retarded.

*Lola is trying to find the problem with Mollesk while Renny is preoccupied elsewhere. Mollesk then uses a tentacle to raise Lola's skirt.*
Lola: "Ah! Whu-what're you doing!?"
Mollesk: "Mollesk..."
Lola: "Aww, you're just curious. It's okay. Let me show you how everything works down there."
*Porn music begins to play in the background. Mollesk's eyes bulge as Lola shows him her "promised land".*

Anyways, switch the formations out however you really want and get back to me when you're finished. Then I'll go along with it.

[Geminex]

Menarker seems to be ok with what I propsed (I'll give Renny a chance to see Shizuka in action during my side-quest, promise!), so I think we might be going with that. Of course, that'll mean that I have to edit my RP-post a bit. But before I do that, once again: Can we please get some more info on Atunhand and Orbisshriek? Pretty please? Pretty please with hentai on top?

[Menarker]

Do I control all of the NPC characters like Shannon in terms of specific moves or do I just suggest a certain course of action and you RP how they act accordingly?

And yeah, running with Gem's plan.

I'll finish my post in the late evening. Being called to watch movie for family time and all that.

EDIT: I HAVE BEEN HIT WITH A MOMENT OF INSPIRATION!

*Snicker* Those pokebrids are going to wail and weep! :3 *Writing post still*

[Astral Harmony]

You could do it either way, Renny. Hell, if you really want to get neck deep in strategy, you can choose their actions right down to which Pokemon are deployed.

And here's a general database on the new Ruin types. All damage types are Ruin unless indicated otherwise.

- Raikner ~ A Ruin Pokemon with a humanoid body and a streamlined form. Uses dual armcannons (from which the Ricewood Rifle is modified from) to deal good damage with high critical hit rates with superb accuracy, making them troublesome to leave on the battlefield for too long.
Moves
- Power Bolt: 110 Power. High critical hit rate. Damage against a single target.
- Dual Wield: 70 Power, two targets. High critical hit rate. Damage against two targets.
- Cluster Fall: 50 Power, random targets up to four. Eight shots hit four targets at random.
- Crippling Shot: 60 Power, one target. Randomly eliminates target's ability to connect with a melee or ranged attack.
Ability: Sniper
Syncstrike: Desperado ~ Attacks in tandem with Orbishriek. Concentrates wild fire on one target.

- Atunhand ~ An unstable monster that resembles a vaguely hand-shaped gelatinous ooze of an azure coloration. Five long, narrow metal spikes protrude from the fingers. The chemical involved has an mutagenic effect on living lifeforms, but Atunhands seem to only inject it into corpses to turn them into Juggernauts. Atunhands have relatively high defenses and evansion, making them difficult to hit and kill.
Moves
- Slime Shot: 60 Power, one target. Lowers a random statistic by one level.
- Fist Formation: Self targeted. Basically a guard ability that makes it highly resistant to attack. Usually uses this move when a lot of offensive and debuff moves target it.
- Stab Frenzy: 25 Power, one target. Target is jabbed with the Atunhand's finger injectors two to five times.
- Explosive Press: 200 Power, one target, fire type damage. Atunhand injects itself and causes an unstable chemical reaction. It then charges the target, knocks him down, and the chemical reaction causes the Atunhand to detonate. The Atunhand is defeated by using this move. Usually used when the Atunhand has taken severe damage.
Ability: Ooze Armor ~ Halves damage from special attacks.

- Orbishriek ~ A large, four-legged arthropod with a large illuminated sphere on its broad back. Basically, the cannons and artillery for the Ruin Pokemon invasion. Uses very powerful long-range special attacks to pulverize its targets quickly and brutally.
Moves
- Divine Breath: 150 Power, one target. A bright blast of painful energy.
- Divine Barrage: 80 Power, two targets. A painful cluster of energy bolts spread out in a narrow cone.
- Absolute Blast: 400 Power, one target. Charges for one turn, fires the next. Target is engulfed in a big, bright, burning beam of doom.
- Interceptor Shot: 80 Power, random targets. Used at the start of the turn. Hits any enemy that tries to hit the Orbishriek with a melee attack.
Ability: Hyper Cutter
Syncstrike: Desperado ~ Attacks in tandem with Raikner. Concentrates wild fire on one target.

- Juggernaut ~ Not really a Ruin Pokemon, this is what a corpse becomes when an Atunhand gets a hold of it. The musculature of the corpse is greatly expanded and mutated. The Atunhand squirms inside the Juggernaut. Juggernauts blend the awesome defenses of the Atunhand with incredible damaging abilities and ridiculous high health.
Moves
- Slam Fist ~ 180 Power, one target, fighting type damage. An oversized, rotting fist slams down on the target.
- Boulder Smash ~ 180 Power, one target, rock type damage. The Juggernaut uses its insane strength to unearth and fling a huge chunk of solid rock.
- Taunt ~ One target. Forces the target to attack the user. Usually used to protect an ally from the highest damaging enemy unit targeting it.
- Terrifying Gaze ~ One target. Charges on the first turn, then terrifies the target on the next. Lowers all statistics by one level.
Ability: Magic Guard
Syncstrike: Vertical Torture ~ Attacks in tandem with Juggernaut. Deals incredible damage and locks the target and users down until the target is defeated. Defeat or use a debilitating status effect (sleep, paralysis, freeze) on one of the users to end this Syncstrike.

- Harpressor ~ A flying Ruin Pokemon that supports deployed Ruin Pokemon. It is relative to the Orbishriek in statistics. High damage and low defenses. The Harpressor is best known for supporting Atunhands directly by airlifting enemy corpses retrieved from the battlefield to where an Atunhand can put it to good use. They do this by flying low and snatching corpses up with their disfigured and hideous hooked and barbed legs.
Moves
- Hook Stroke: 90 Power, one target. Hit critical hit rate. 50% chance of causing flinching. The target is viciously raked with deformed but effective talons.
- Corpse Clubber: 60 Power, one target. Harpressor must have a corpse in hand to use this move. Harpressor dives in and smacks the target with the held corpse. Hits one to three times.
- Corpse Bomber: 300 Power, one target. Harpressor must have a corpse in hand to use this move. The Harpressor injects some kind of explosive chemical that explodes when shaken, then drops it. Look out below...
- Abduct: One target. The Harpressor sweeps in an steals away with a captive. Defeat the Harpressor to save the abductee. Despite being alive, the target can be used for the move Corpse Clubber, and takes damage as well as the target for that move when it is used.
Ability: Soundproof
Syncstrike: Vertical Torture ~ Attacks in tandem with Juggernaut. Deals incredible damage and locks the target and users down until the target is defeated. Defeat or use a debilitating status effect (sleep, paralysis, freeze) on one of the users to end this Syncstrike.

[Geminex]

Oh.
Oh dear.
The degree to which this is not good is... staggering.
Absolutely staggering.

[Menarker]

... good thing you got the Kimonos?

*Is totally inspired by my very recent method of boosting up power in my group.*

^^

[Geminex]

... good thing you got the Kimonos?
The sweet taste of knowing I was right to be a douche is eclipsed by the amount of PAIN I foresee on the horizon. It is a lot of pain.

And very nice. Snorlax+potion. Very nice indeed. Though, yeah. Some moves aren't made for battles that're larger than 2v2, and belly drum is among them. You're not supposed to do it that way. Still, effective.

Edit: Depending on what the Ruin types' response to our attacks is, I might request Dormond from next round onwards. Sorry bout that.

[Menarker]

I meant more than just that.

Snorlax now has an attack of 440. Togekiss will protect it long enough for it to be fully healed and for the same turn after it is healed.

Dormond ALSO is boosted thanks to Psych Up effectively copying Snorlax. Now he has the attack power of 460 when he switches to Zangoose form.

Lola using Helping hand on either of them would be nasty, especially when they use a move that hurts multiple foes or use attacks with STAB bonus or hit a foe for their weak point. Taking advantage of Multipliers!

IN ADDITION, Mollesk has the same tactic... but even more brutal...

Mollesk's Simple ability makes it get double the stat changes it gets...

So it would end up with 920 DEF and SDEF after 3 uses of Cosmic Power on top of a very high 118 base hitpoint stat... Use Double Team 3 times, and he'll dodge all attacks 72% of the time. Use Power Trick and he'll have 100 DEF (still above average) and 920 ATTACK!

Also, if Sandstorm is in effect, (say due to Tyranitar or Matt's Castform ability), Mollesk will gain an additional 115 SPEF! (Half his original SPEF)

Oh, and he got Recover to regain tons of health.
Mollesk is slow to get into action, more of a wall, but when he gains momentum, he's impossible to beat by anything that isn't OHKO, Curse, and other Percentage based attacks, or stat reducing moves (which Mollesk will try to get back via Cosmic Power if the situation is safe enough.)

One of the other options that I chosen not to use was the move "Trick Room" which reverses all pokemon's speed. With a speed of 1, Mollesk will ALWAYS go first when Trick Room is in effect except for moves with increased priority like Quick Attack. Attached to a RIDICIOUS DEFENCE and similarly ABSURD offence, this tactic is scary. :3

Anyhow, off to bed!

[Geminex]

Yeah, I know. I was gonna protest against the stats distribution you have it, and demand that you give it at least 40 in each stat so it isn't over-specialized, though I've dropped that plan. I'll just make demonic Impact a bit stronger. Because what you have right now (as you've demonstrated) rather OP. In general, (again, as you just demonstrated) you're good at twisting the rules to your advantage.

So it would end up with 920 DEF and SDEF after 3 uses of Cosmic Power on top of a very high 118 base hitpoint stat... Use Double Team 3 times, and he'll dodge all attacks 72% of the time. Use Power Trick and he'll have 100 DEF (still above average) and 920 ATTACK!

Though this wouldn't work. You can only boost your stats when they're still <1000. It could use cosmic power once, at best, if we're playing at level 100.

[Dracorion]

Gah. You know how you hate it when people do things when you're asleep? I hate it too.

We should discuss strategy before anyone actually posts in the RP. Because then whoever goes first doesn't end up looking like an idiot. And Pierce is not an idiot.

Alternately, I could delete my first post, and post again with pierce acknowledging Impact's orders just because I'm a jerk. Then you'd have to edit your post to make sense. Would you like that?

[Geminex]

Pierce doesn't look too idiotic. Impact went along with most of his orders. And hey, we don't know if that's the right choice. Leave your post, maybe Pierce will have the opportunity to insult Impact and question his leadership if this works out badly.

Though yeah, from now on, we can discuss strategy before we post.

[Bard The 5th LW]

Gah. You know how you hate it when people do things when you're asleep? I hate it too.

Totally with you.

[Geminex]

We could totally organize an RP-hour. Or two. One where people are all online and most discussion takes places. Alternately, we can all just try to get our hands on real-life adrenal boosts.

[Dracorion]

Totally with you.

Shush you. Hidden people have no opinion.

Actually, with all three Kimonos on his side Pierce would actually try to down both Atunhands and have Whitney put an Orbishriek to sleep. In fact, I think that's what I'll edit my first post into.

Who knows, maybe the NPCs will like mine better.

I'm a little iffy on having Pierce attack because, he hasn't shown it yet and probably never will, he's a little tired from sparring with Shizuka.

[Geminex]

Gah. No editing. Seriously, no significant editing, nothing on that scale. I specifically tried to accept some of Pierce's stuff, what you wrote affected what I wrote. If you edit, I edit. And I don't want to edit, so don't fucking edit.

Edit (IRRRRONY):
That's one of two battles, the other being against two legendary Pokebrids and one Ruin General.
I only just realized the implications of this. "One of two battles". Does this really refer to two separate battles? As in, the kimonos can use all their signature techniques this battle... and then use them again next battle, when we're actually fighting the Ruin general? As in, I could have Shizuka apple-sauce an Atunhand, have Mika possess the other and go Juggernaut, and have Rachel use her super-pokeshift-whatever-it's-called? If so, fuck everything I've said above, let's edit the hell out of this.

[Dracorion]

What, he's supposed to just forget that there's three demon chicks on his side? Don't worry, I'll try not to screw with what you wrote.

Actually, Shizuka and Kiyomi might not be enough for one Atunhand. Think I'll tell Whitney to attack it. Then all you have to do is add one tiny little line to your post telling Whitney to use Hypnosis.

[Geminex]

Read my edit. Then reply (to this post) normally. Edits can be annoying.
Then we can discuss everything. Then we post. Then our enemies will be filled with regret.

[Dracorion]

I only just realized the implications of this. "One of two battles". Does this really refer to two separate battles? As in, the kimonos can use all their signature techniques this battle... and then use them again next battle, when we're actually fighting the Ruin general? As in, I could have Shizuka apple-sauce an Atunhand, have Mika possess the other and go Juggernaut, and have Rachel use her super-pokeshift-whatever-it's-called? If so, fuck everything I've said above, let's edit the hell out of this.

Might wanna save Shizuka's Applesauce and Rachel's pokeshift for later in this battle. There's a lot more baddies to kill. I agree on letting Mika possess one of the Atunhands and having it Juggernaut on the other one.

P.S.: Hurry up, too. I got ten more minutes before I gotta go.

[Geminex]

How so later in this battle? I'm under the impression that what we see is what we get. Or maybe not, considering that we haven't seen any Harpressor yet... Ok, so maybe no applesauce. But the other one, whatsitcalled. Apple slicer? Anyway, the single-target, huge-damage attack. Use that on an Atunhand, have Mika possess it. Then have the rest of our team devote their energies to killing Orbishriek.

[Dracorion]

Yeah, sounds good. And I wanna save Shizuka's Applesauce because, say we kill a bunch of Orbishrieks. Then they get replaced by Atunhands, that promptly go "I'M THE JUGGERNAUT BITCH" on our asses thanks to all the tasty corpses. Wouldn't you rather have her one-hit kill then?

So, how do we go about editing?

I'll let you come up with that. See you in NEVER!

[Geminex]

Phew. We can share credit in-character, I guess. Let's see how we'd divvy everyone up...

Shizuka: Apple-slicer on one Atunhand
Kiyomi: Mechanized cavalry (random damage to random targets, should work out fairly well)
Mika: Possess live Atunhand, use dead Atunhand corpse to become THE JUGGERNAUT, BITCH. Sorry. Stole Drac's joke there.
Rachel: Have Metagross hit Apple-sliced Atunhand, if it isn't dead yet. If it is (and I think it will be), have Metagross hit the most weakened Orbishriek.
Pierce: Have Metagross hit most weakened Orbishriek. If dead already, have it support Rayleen's Rayquaza
Rayleen: Have Rayquaza hit the second-most weakened Orbishriek
Charlotte: Super fang on least weakened Orbishriek
Impact: Hit the super-fanged Orbishriek
Pierce and Charlotte get attacks, right?: Hit Rayquaza's Orbishriek
Whitney: Put one Orbishriek to sleep

So, that'll give us:
1 Atunhand down
1 Atunhand possessed (we get a juggernat :3. I have never used that smiley before, but getting a juggernaut :3 totally justifies it.)
3 Orbishriek hopefully down (I'm guessing we'll get... two. Two dead, one weakened)
1 Orbishriek asleep.

We'll have used some signature techniques, but it should be allright. Shizuka and Kiyomi will still have their most powerful stuff, and Mika'll be controlling a Juggernaut, which'll be, like, so much fun.

So yeah, even if I hadn't noticed that it'll probably be split into two battles, I should have done this in the first place. Ah well. We live and learn. My greatest weakness is that I'm a hoarder, give me a nuclear warhead and no matter how dire the situation, I'll never use it, since I might need it more later. I completed the original half-life on normal using literally nothing but my pistol, and, when the going got tough, smgs and shotguns.

Anyway.

You can have Pierce give some of those orders, and I'll have Impact correct Pierce on whatever Pierce doesn't get.

Edit: Ok, so Drac is gone. What I'll do is assume that he agrees with what I've posted above, and re-edit my RP post, to present that as the final conclusion.

[Menarker]

So it would end up with 920 DEF and SDEF after 3 uses of Cosmic Power on top of a very high 118 base hitpoint stat... Use Double Team 3 times, and he'll dodge all attacks 72% of the time. Use Power Trick and he'll have 100 DEF (still above average) and 920 ATTACK!

Though this wouldn't work. You can only boost your stats when they're still <1000. It could use cosmic power once, at best, if we're playing at level 100.

I'm sorry? I don't grasp what you mean. the max that my Mollesk was able to attain after 3 uses of Cosmic Power (which counts as the max of 6 uses due to Simple nature) was 920. It never went hit 1000 or higher. So everything is still "legit" even if quite very powerful. Mind you, it would have been better if he was able to max out his def/spdef with only one use of Cosmic Power, but that would be absurd. In a way, that's his own restriction.
In order to get that high in combat, he needs to spend 3 turns using Cosmic Power, a turn to use Power Trick if he plans on attacking using the boosted attack instead of the standard 100 Attack, and that's not counting an extra turn if he wants to use Trick Room, the 3 turns if he wants to use Double Team to boost evasion, and any turns that he uses Recover to regain health while he's being attacked. And all this before attacking.
So in essence, while he can get to be quite very powerful, it's almost the same as Regigigas's Slow Start ability if he wants to get as strong as possible (which is thematically appropriate given it's a Shuckle evolution which has never been a speed type unless Trick Room is used.)

EDIT: Nevermind, I realize what you mean now. Looking at Serebii, the "base stats" that everyone has been talking about in regards to their own pokemon is the average stats that the pokemons would typically recieve upon level 50 or so. Around level 100, assuming beneficial nature, Shuckles would have 614 DEF or SDEF, thus 1 use of Cosmic Power would hit 921. ^^


>_> You know, as mentioned in AB's post and thus in my PMs, Renny basically has a Rare Candy factory going on. One of the rewards could be passing out rare candies to boost pokemon power levels. :3 Assuming they have all recieved their EVs (Effort Values) from being trained before, they won't lose out for consuming them (Stuffing them with Rare Candies before training their Effort Values made for wasted stat growth).

[Dracorion]

Shizuka: Apple-slicer on one Atunhand
Kiyomi: Mechanized cavalry (random damage to random targets, should work out fairly well)
Mika: Possess live Atunhand, use dead Atunhand corpse to become THE JUGGERNAUT, BITCH. Sorry. Stole Drac's joke there.
Rachel: Have Metagross hit Apple-sliced Atunhand, if it isn't dead yet. If it is (and I think it will be), have Metagross hit the most weakened Orbishriek.
Pierce: Have Metagross hit most weakened Orbishriek. If dead already, have it support Rayleen's Rayquaza
Rayleen: Have Rayquaza hit the second-most weakened Orbishriek
Charlotte: Super fang on least weakened Orbishriek
Impact: Hit the super-fanged Orbishriek
Pierce and Charlotte get attacks, right?: Hit Rayquaza's Orbishriek
Whitney: Put one Orbishriek to sleep

Slight correction here. I'm fairly certain Pierce and Charlotte can only attack their pokemon's targets. So Charlotte would attack Mightyena's target, and Pierce would hit thin air if his target dies. So, I'mma hold out on having Pierce attack. Nevermind, trainers can attack whoever they want.

Still, maybe it's better if Pierce's Metagross hits the weakest Orbishriek, and if it doesn't die he'll finish it off himself. Rachel can support Rayleen.

So, that'll give us:
1 Atunhand down
1 Atunhand possessed (we get a juggernat :3. I have never used that smiley before, but getting a juggernaut :3 totally justifies it.)
3 Orbishriek hopefully down (I'm guessing we'll get... two. Two dead, one weakened)
1 Orbishriek asleep.

You can have Pierce give some of those orders, and I'll have Impact correct Pierce on whatever Pierce doesn't get.

Edit: Ok, so Drac is gone. What I'll do is assume that he agrees with what I've posted above, and re-edit my RP post, to present that as the final conclusion.

Yep. Let's do this shit. Pierce'll give out some of these orders. Maybe get a couple wrong.

Y'know Menarker? Dominic can show off all he wants, but when push comes to shove, ya can't have him be all that awesome. Because then he's gonna think that he's the reason the team won, not that PATCA is actually competent.

EDIT: Post edited. I think I may have gone a little overboard with the orders, but Pierce did make a couple of mistakes for Impact to correct. To make it easier for you, here's what Pierce told everyone to do:

Shizuka: Apple-slicer on one Atunhand
Kiyomi: Mechanized cavalry (random damage to random targets, should work out fairly well)
Mika: Possess live Atunhand, use dead Atunhand corpse to become THE JUGGERNAUT, BITCH. Sorry. Stole Drac's joke there.
Rachel: Have pokemon (Pierce didn't say which, someting Impact can correct) hit Apple-sliced Atunhand, if it isn't dead yet. If it is (and I think it will be), have pokemon support Rayleen.
Pierce: Have Metagross hit most weakened Orbishriek. If it lives, attacks it himself.
Charlotte: Super fang on least weakened Orbishriek, then attack it herself.
Rayleen: Have a pokemon (Pierce didn't specify which, so that's something Impact can correct) hit the healthiest Orbishriek after Charlotte's Super Fanged one.
Impact: Support Rayleen
Whitney: Put one Orbishriek to sleep

Make your corrections so that it fits your plan, but I still think it's better if Pierce hits the weakest Orbishriek.

[Menarker]

Edit: Depending on what the Ruin types' response to our attacks is, I might request Dormond from next round onwards. Sorry bout that.

Let me at least finish off a pokemon or two with him! Now that I boosted his stat up, he'll practically OHKO anything that doesn't resist him and have a boosted DEF. If he leaves the battle to join yours, he might lose his power bonus.

And in regards to Dominic, I already kinda took in account him not being overly powerful. He opens strong with that Snorlax which is one of the stronger pokemons to have, but his others are kinda below average. So while he may be valuable, when shit starts hitting the fan, the others will have to definately pull through and show what PATCA and Renny's contributions are all about.