Pokemon Umbral Theatre 8: Introducing the Hexagon Harem

[Astral Harmony]

The reason for the title will be answered in the next RP post, which will be started as soon as I deal with you fuckers. But first, the traditional pictures. Here's some interesting stuff...

http://i1038.photobucket.com/albums/a469/PokemonUmbral/PokemonUmbral23.jpg

Apparently someone is trying to use science to explain Pokemon.

http://i1038.photobucket.com/albums/a469/PokemonUmbral/PokemonUmbral56.jpg

I love well done crossovers. Not sure if I already did this one, thought. And finally, where would Pokemon Umbral be without the sexy picture?

http://i1038.photobucket.com/albums/a469/PokemonUmbral/PokemonUmbral55.png

Right. Now that that's over, it's time to address your time-consuming questions...

AB: Is there any chance of being able to upgrade our characters later on for when the new moves and abilities from the new pokemon games Black and White are revealed? Sure, we might be ignoring the new pokemons mainly, but just wondering about new items, the new abilities, new attacking moves (some of them even are combination attacks!) and such like that. Otherwise, is it possible to retroactively change an upgrade or ability if a pokemon or character get a better one?

I'm assuming we're not going to be upgrading to triple battle system (Shock Troopers aside).

It'll have to wait until the sequel. Additionally, the DSS will be situated into a multi-formation dealie where characters with Pokemon and themselves can fight with three units. There just won't be full deployments on the battlefield for everyone.

In other words, you should expect to be split up far more often than you will be in Pokemon Umbral, with small DSS's that will only allow for the placement of two or three characters, and that includes you PCs.

If we're going to make Black & White work for everyone, let's just agree to not bother trying to explain the changes. When the sequel signup is posted, you post your characters with the new changes and we'll treat it all like it's always been that way, no questions asked or expected.

AB's to do list (in no particular order):

1: Post regarding Charlotte and Chibi-Phantomere.

2: Post including Renny/Lola. (Likely the same post)

3: Stats and details on new members to join PATCA including Mio, Sakuya, Silk and perhaps Laurith. (Mainly so we can discuss who is joining which groups presumably.)

4: Sprite Comic

5: Answer in forum questions and any relevant PMs.


AB or Drac: Is the area where we will be fighting for the sidequest large enough for standard force deployments? Or are there any restrictions such as fewer members due to cramped quarters or such like that?

1. I'll get on it as soon as you stop asking questions that take time for me to answer.
2. Please see 1.
3. I'll get it done tonight since I don't really feel like playing Halo: Reach.
4. Just like Duke Nukem Forever, it'll get done when it gets done.

DSS's for Pierce's sidequest will be shrunken down. Battles during Pierce's sidequest will should be quick and frenetic. Pierce didn't really leave me with a whole lot of opponents for himself to deal with, so I have to keep combat rapidly paced so that you all eventually collide at the boss chamber. You all have to be there at roughly the same time because if one group makes it too early without help from the others, they're fuckin' dead. The Poison Ruin General will see to that easily. And he's not by himself.

AB: Are snipers available this mission? If not, can I get Whitney as my enforcer?

I'll make arrangements, but no Snipers or Destroyers. Shit is going to be too close quarters for that kind of long range support.

A good DSS for both teams would be two PCs with Enforcer backup and two other Specialists (Shock Trooper, Medic, Engineer) for a total of six units in total.

Aaaaand I think that's all the questions. Enjoy the pictures while I do my fine work.

[Geminex]

Heeeere we are again!
Ah. Home.
Well, not quite. Staying at grandma's for a day. Then home. But this is a good substitute.
Shanghai was... actually, quite awesome. The social and economic environment itself is remarkably like the one I'm used to, though the social contract between individuals isn't. There's very little in terms of politeness or mutual respect, a very every-man-for-himself attitude. Though it's better in the younger generation.
Anyway, I learned one hell of a lot, enjoyed myself, I'm very glad I did it.
Now, back to umbral.

STDs don't exist in fantasy worlds.
Tell that to Pierce's Herpes.

Anyway, I hope you're not thinking this Chosen One business designates you as the main character. A) Pierce still fits the "Hero" role better, and B) like Sakuya says, everybody and their mothers is one, particularly evil sons of bitches like Burkmont and Faynoc. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Pierce is one. Hey AB, make it happen.
No. Course not. We all have a role to play. Impact is the villain who pretty much betrays himself, loses all restraint, gains power, and uses it in a way that only he can, for good and for evil. Pierce is the hero who wants to lose restraint, but won't let himself. And so on. We all have roles, roles that're unique to us that no one else could fill. Roles of equal importance. And out of these roles, these characters, we will weave, are weaving an epic tale. Of power and loss and destruction and love and breasts and so much else. I like this story. I think it should go on.
...
And yeah, I don't place much importance on the 'chosen one' thing. It's gonna take more than a title to rule the world. Hell, Pierce could be named chosen one for all I care, he'd still fail miserably. Cause that's not his role. 'tis mine. He's no more suited to being the chosen one than Impact is to being the Dragon.
What I'm saying is "Step off, bitch, find your own role! "Evil conquerer" is mine!

Also, all of you should remember I called first dibs on all spoils forever. Don't like it? Build a time machine. Or offer me something nice in exchange for my +5 Idollus' Kidney of Bitchass
Or how about we just ignore you. Yeah, let's do that. Particuarly because I was the one who came up with the whole 'trophies' thing, and Charlotte's best suited to continuing the trend. Also, I don't see you being leader very much at all. So yeah, no dibs for you.
Dick.

Inspiration: Reduce the rage cost of the next ability that costs rage that one of Renny's pokemon uses by 10. Said ability can stack but cannot be carried over toward the next round.
This pretty much comes out to "generate 10 rage", which is too strong for an action, I feel. I take it that 5 would be too low for you, though? Huh. Maybe rethink it altogether?

Attentive care: Restore the health of both his pokemons by 30% (Copy of your technique, I know)
Sure. Like you said, like Liz'. Tis fine.

Guiding eye sounds allright, but I'll have to see how it actually plays out in battle.

Some chick holding a revolver with a guy who was presumably shot in the background. Where does that sound familiar?
Nice. Though speaking of which, what did she do with Impact's revolver?

One thing Gem wanted to do though after the results of the Renny/Lola thing that is still going on is for Impact to attempt to train Renny in Slayer-ship (And failing to teach anything aside from very basic hands-on combat). At the same time, his character wanted to address some thoughts about Renny's reaction with Kurika or something. Gem says that part of his character development is riding on that interaction.
Yah. He's gonna consider the benefits of placing importance on the individual, rather than just the whole. This is big for him.
And yeah, I'll prolly PM you about that.

I'm going to use mostly standard, but I plan on throwing a few minor custom effects in it. Mostly morale effects.
Kay. Though post your upgrade sheet anyway, won't you?

Well, Gem isn't around for another week and we're handling his stuff through flashbacks anyway.
The original forecast was for the 25th, but I managed to persuade the individuals responsible to come earlier. 22nd if I'm lucky. So I'm not entirely out for the count. And I'm at my grandma's today, so I can do a little. Certainly PM all of you and arrange some interactions.

And yeah, I'm delaying the RDPA for a couple of reasons. I'll get two levels of demon after Pierce's thing. The upgrade sheet's coming, worry not.

And I'm thinking Renny/Impact on one team and Matt/Charlotte on the other. Primarily cause I want Charlotte to do some leading independently of anyone. Also, I want Impact to go with Renny, in case Renny retains some distrust of Impact. Also also, if I should go AWOL, that team'd have someone in control. I think we should do it that way.

What I intended was for said attack to deal quad damage, even though the target only has one type. Y'dig?
Yeah... you didn't say that, initially, though. And if it can do that, it goes from 'occasionally useful technique' to 'pretty fuckin' powerful'.
Not that I have a problem with that as such. But the technique itself would have to be nerfed a little (probably by adding a rage cost), just to fit in as a trainer action, and we'd have to see how else Pierce would get weakened in order to accomodate that. I have no problem at all with that action getting more powerful... as long as Pierce loses power in some other way to restore BALANCE. Suggestions on how that should/could happend without messing up your build?

And I really hope Impact gets to fight those bitches in the sequel. Just because I want him to kill something overpowered and awesome.

Also, how about a 'between missions' timeline? What interactions are happening when?

[Astral Harmony]

A lot of it happens around the middle of the week, except in Renny and Charlotte's cases which seem to occur on the same day of the mission's conclusion, or the day after.

[Geminex]

So we have...
Day of the mission: Everyone heals up their pokemon, chills. Renny grows closer to Lola, Charlotte meets Chibi-Phantomere. Impact considers his position. Pierce realizes that Tyranitar's in pain, brings him to Ricewood. Then gets drunk and has sex with Aria.
Day 1: Tyranitar evovles to Adamanitar. Impact talks to Renny about the Kurika thing, realizes that part of Renny's strength lies in his regard for the individual, rather than the whole. Also realizes that his rise to power is raising suspicion in his allies. Resolves to fix this.
Day 2: Impact continues Renny's training, talks to Rayleen about the leadership transfer. Mentions said transfer to Charlotte
Day 3: Transfer gets discussed, training continues, Pierce goes clubbing with Harliette in the evening
Day 4: Pierce finds out about Mugworth, calls him. Resolves to go after him. Sakuya and Silk arrive.
Day 5: Leadership transfer takes place, Pierce goes rogue. Mission starts.

Does that sound right to everzone?

[Dracorion]

Nah, Pierce goes clubbing with Harliette on Day 4, finds out about Horace on Day 5.

...
And yeah, I don't place much importance on the 'chosen one' thing. It's gonna take more than a title to rule the world. Hell, Pierce could be named chosen one for all I care, he'd still fail miserably. Cause that's not his role. 'tis mine. He's no more suited to being the chosen one than Impact is to being the Dragon.
What I'm saying is "Step off, bitch, find your own role! "Evil conquerer" is mine!

"Chosen One" does not equate to "world conqueror". STFU.

Besides, as Faynoc and Burkmont have demonstrated, you don't have to live up to title just 'cause you got it. Pierce is certainly capable of doing so, only in a different way than Faynoc and Burkmont.

Or how about we just ignore you. Yeah, let's do that. Particuarly because I was the one who came up with the whole 'trophies' thing, and Charlotte's best suited to continuing the trend. Also, I don't see you being leader very much at all. So yeah, no dibs for you.
Dick.

No fuck you I called dibs!

Kay. Though post your upgrade sheet anyway, won't you?

Post yours first!

And I'm thinking Renny/Impact on one team and Matt/Charlotte on the other. Primarily cause I want Charlotte to do some leading independently of anyone. Also, I want Impact to go with Renny, in case Renny retains some distrust of Impact. Also also, if I should go AWOL, that team'd have someone in control. I think we should do it that way.

Well okay, Bard said he wants to take part in planning, so sure.

Yeah... you didn't say that, initially, though. And if it can do that, it goes from 'occasionally useful technique' to 'pretty fuckin' powerful'.
Not that I have a problem with that as such. But the technique itself would have to be nerfed a little (probably by adding a rage cost), just to fit in as a trainer action, and we'd have to see how else Pierce would get weakened in order to accomodate that. I have no problem at all with that action getting more powerful... as long as Pierce loses power in some other way to restore BALANCE. Suggestions on how that should/could happend without messing up your build?

Well, like I said, I really should've picked up on it earlier.

In my defense, if it didn't do that, then how would it be different from any regular attack? I mean really, how would it have been "occasionally useful"?

Anyway, aside from the possibility of adding a Rage cost... maybe the pokemon that uses it can't take action next turn?

And I really hope Impact gets to fight those bitches in the sequel. Just because I want him to kill something overpowered and awesome.

Oh, we probably all will.

Also, you're shitting me, right? There's an assload of overpowered and awesome things to kill already.


EDIT: It's sidequest time, bitches!

[Geminex]

"Chosen One" does not equate to "world conqueror". STFU.

Besides, as Faynoc and Burkmont have demonstrated, you don't have to live up to title just 'cause you got it. Pierce is certainly capable of doing so, only in a different way than Faynoc and Burkmont.
...
Ok, now you're just embarassing yourself. Seriously, sit down. You're out of your depth.
Edit: Honestly, you're pretty much doing a Menarker here). Just... stop, kay? It hurts to watch you.

No fuck you I called dibs!
Y'wanna know where you can shove those dibs?

Also, you're shitting me, right? There's an assload of overpowered and awesome things to kill already.
I have a feeling the Harem are special.

EDIT: It's sidequest time, bitches!
No, fuck you. Can't this wait a bit longer?

[Dracorion]

If it hurts you that's just more reason to keep going.

Y'wanna know where you can shove those dibs?

Up my awesome +5 Sexy's Nipple Ring of Hotness?

No, fuck you. Can't this wait a bit longer?

Well, are you going? Are you not going? Are you posting? Are we handling your stuff through flashbacks?

[Menarker]

Firstly, I agree with Renny being teamed with Impact.
If only because it'll make the mission unique. Drac has already been with Impact during mission 2. Charlotte already been with Renny during mission 2. Pierce already been with Renny for mission 1 and Impact already been with Charlotte and Matthias for Mission 1. Matthias was also briefly with Renny during Renny's Sidequest. Same for Charlotte with Pierce.

Gem, since the Lola thing has concluded, feel free to initiate the posts approaching Renny on the second day regarding Kurika and whatever.

[Geminex]

Well, are you going? Are you not going? Are you posting? Are we handling your stuff through flashbacks?
Gah. I've been gone already, and I'll be gone again for probably about 48 hours, but I can use some of that time to type up the encounters I'll hopefully have with the others. Thing is, I'll need at least some time to arrange at least vaguely how the conversations will go.

Also, there's a PM from me in AB's inbox. I'd hope to have a response to that before this begins.

In other words, I have no idea. Gimme 6 hours, I'll get back to you before I go to sleep.

[Dracorion]

'Kay.

[Menarker]

Inspiration: Reduce the rage cost of the next ability that costs rage that one of Renny's pokemon uses by 10. Said ability can stack but cannot be carried over toward the next round.
This pretty much comes out to "generate 10 rage", which is too strong for an action, I feel. I take it that 5 would be too low for you, though? Huh. Maybe rethink it altogether?

Well, the thing is, it is very specific in that only influence rage cost of abilities that are linked with upgrades of Trainers. (Divide, Focus and Testament Drive). And since it can only be used that same turn, it's not like rage which can be stockpiled for immense use later.

But I'll try to think of a different technique somehow.

[Geminex]

Kay. If you can't, maybe we could just make it so that it uses two actions, in exchange for 15 rage. So he could either use both actions on it, or he'd need next turn to recharge.

[Dracorion]

Gem, nothing else to say about Combined Attack?

[Geminex]

Oh, right. Didn't see that.


The ability to use that technique would have given you quite a significant attack boost, I think. I mean, even if just half of your attack becomes super-effective (which, with Pierce's lineup, is quite possible in most situations), that's a boost of 0.5. That's a helping hand. It's less if you assume that the original half had STAB, but still. It's a good bonus, and one that can really make a difference. I think it would actually have been one of Pierce's more popular techniques.
But ok. I think the whole 'pokemon can't take action next turn' would actually underpower it. ANd I mean, you could strengthen it to compensate for that, but then it's suddenly really quite a significant technique, more imporant than all other trainer actions. Huh. Apart from rage, I really can't think of much, though.
Maybe instead of giving it a cost, just make it so that the pokemon in question doesn't earn rage with that attack?

[Dracorion]

Well, the extra type is the primary type of the other pokemon on the field, so the types available would be, Rock, Fire, Electric, Steel, Dark and Dragon.

And, okay, I can see your point.

Let's keep it as is, for now, though I reserve the right to change it later to add multipliers, but the pokemon in question doesn't gain Rage.

[Menarker]

I'll think of a replacement for the rage-deduction action later. With Attentive Care and Guiding Support, that's already the 2 actions that Renny can carry right now.

[Dracorion]

AB, don't worry about Pierce's battles being too short. I can make them as long as they need to be.

I mean, you shouldn't make long, boring battles, but you also don't have to make them stupidly short. Pierce's battles are story battles, and since it's his story and his sidequest, those can take as long as I want.

[Geminex]

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT THIS SIDEQUEST IS TAKING MUCH TOO LONG AND IS BECOMING BORING I MEAN COME ON WE HAVEN'T HAD A SINGLE BATTLE YET SO HOW ABOUT WE END IT EARLY AND FAYNOC CAN GET EATEN BY A GIANT, BIONIC DUCK WHICH ALSO SAVES PIERCE'S SISTER AND THAT WILL TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING KTHNXBAI

edit:
ALL IN FAVOR

[Dracorion]

Aye!

[Astral Harmony]

AB, don't worry about Pierce's battles being too short. I can make them as long as they need to be.

I mean, you shouldn't make long, boring battles, but you also don't have to make them stupidly short. Pierce's battles are story battles, and since it's his story and his sidequest, those can take as long as I want.

Understood. I think it's about time we start setting up. I'll finish my portion of the characters (at least those who'll be available for DSS) perhaps before I even come home from work.

Then we can use tonight to decide on DSS formations and do all the setup posts, like Pierce going rogue and Renny going off to see Herr Doktor.

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT THIS SIDEQUEST IS TAKING MUCH TOO LONG AND IS BECOMING BORING I MEAN COME ON WE HAVEN'T HAD A SINGLE BATTLE YET SO HOW ABOUT WE END IT EARLY AND FAYNOC CAN GET EATEN BY A GIANT, BIONIC DUCK WHICH ALSO SAVES PIERCE'S SISTER AND THAT WILL TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING KTHNXBAI

Crap, he totally took my plot twist about a bionic duck. I was gonna name it Monjo the Psyduck and it was gonna be a Destroyer.

[Dracorion]

His catchphrase needs to be "Let's get dangerous!"

[Geminex]

Also, I'll be gone for the next 48 hours, probably. Have the sidequest go ahead, but please don't get ahead too much. I don't want to have to do much catching up.

[Dracorion]

Okay, fuck what I said, let's fast forward through my sidequest AB.

Also, Gem, what, you ain't gonna post?

[Geminex]

I'm arranging all the other stuff via PMs. All that'll be necessar is Impact's thoughts, and I'll write those up myself while I'm gone, post them when I'm on again. That'll also be when you all get to see my magnificent upgrade sheet.

[Dracorion]

Dammit AB, you realize there's nothing stopping Pierce from throwing down with Gardenoir?

[Geminex]

Gardenoir. Mine. Fuck off.

Besides, if you did that, you'd be very dead very soon, I imagine.

[Menarker]

And you would screw up your own attempt to retrieve Sam, since I doubt you would be able to defeat her without several casualties.

[Dracorion]

Shush you. Characterization trumps anything you said.

Pierce's got a pretty big checklist for Millenium House. It's not just "Beat the crap out of Horace, blow up a machine, get Sam, go home."

It's more like "Beat the crap out of Horace, blow up a machine, beat the crap out of Faynoc, beat the crap out of the Harbingers, get Sam, get Myrie Ricewood, get everyone else, go home."

And after that fight at Prime Square, he has no trouble adding "Beat the crap out of Gardenoir and Lopunnish" to the list.

[Astral Harmony]

Ha ha ha. That's so cute. Dracorian thinks that Pierce can defeat Gardenoir.

Anyways, I'm off to work. Smell y'all later.

[Dracorion]

God no, he'd get his ass handed to him. I know it, you know it, we all know it.

Except Pierce. He doesn't care to know it right now.

[Menarker]

Pierce better hopes he doesn't come across someone with overpowered dragon moves. Half his pokemons are dragon types.

For that matter, he better hope he doesn't come across a Kingdra. With Tyranitar being rock type and Blaziken being fire type, and said pokemon being dragon type as well, Kingdra would be super effective against every one of his pokemons except Metagross.

[Dracorion]

A) Pierce's got overpowered Dragon moves of his own, and B) Ground is a much more common weakness, don't you think?

[Menarker]

Oh man, your team is so screwed. With all your team being sweeped by a single pokemon and half or more of your team being weak to 2 types if not more. (Fighting is a bitch with it being quad effective against Adamanitar and super effective against Dialga.)

[Dracorion]

A single pokemon?

Dude, it's a Kingdra. I mean, sure, they got a kickass type combination, but their stats ain't that great.

Seriously, put Pierce up against someone with a team full of Kingdra? The other guy'd lose. They may be able to take out, like, half of Pierce's team out, at most.

As for Pierce's team being weak to two types, yeah, so what? He can't get a team that doesn't have weaknesses! So his team is weak to Ground, which is a very common attacking type.

That's why he has PATCA watching his back. So he doesn't need to get a team that doesn't have weaknesses. Admittedly, he doesn't have PATCA watching his back right now.

But the chances of him running into a trainer with a team full of Ground-types or a team full of Kingdra is rather slim.

[Menarker]

Kingdra's stats not good? I think you missed the part where aside from hitpoints and speed, all of Kingdra's stats are 95, just 5 short of basic slayer stats. It's stats may not be "optimized" but total base stat wise, it is one of the strongest non-legendary pokemon.

You only have 3 items, you don't seem to have any pokemons with moves like recover or roost, and you got a common weakness as well as another potent weakness.

You'll REALLY get into trouble after the 2nd or 3rd trainer and your health and supplies run low. Unless of course, you're stealing items for use from certain facilities or so.

[Dracorion]

Oh, well, yeah, the fact that Pierce's not nearly equipped enough for the long run?

That's a given.

Anyway, on another matter, what about the move Metal Burst? How would it work in this system?

Maybe it should take into account the last damage taken by the user last turn?

[Menarker]

Hehe, Charlotte warning Bretton about flirting with jailbait Mio was neat. But one small detail was not mentioned...

If Mio's mother, THE EMPRESS learns that Bretton did such an act, it's probably pretty certain that there wouldn't be any jail-time involved. (And no, I doubt she would let him go.)

[Bard The 5th LW]

She's saving that part on the off-chance that he acts unphased or pretends he knew. Because I honestly doubt Sakuya would accept any justification he offered.

[Menarker]

One thing I'm trying to remember. Did we agree that Pokebrids would be able to carry 6 items in a manner similar to Slayers? I thought we did, but I just want to make sure.

[Dracorion]

Yes, Menarker, we did.

Also, I still can't get over the fact that Bretton knocked up Ricewood.

I mean, seriously, I had Myrie pegged as another bastard child of Burkmont's.

[Menarker]

>_> Now I'm getting mental images of Sakuya confronting Bretton for flirting with her child (maybe even doing her!), only to fall for his body/ego herself and forgive him or even oblige him. >_<


Anyhow, good to know about the Pokebrid holding 6 item thing.

[Bard The 5th LW]

Really, we had hardly any info on Bretton up till this point.

[Dracorion]

Now that's just...

Okay, I guess it's true.

But did someone like Bretton really need a backstory?

[Bard The 5th LW]

Bretton's too sexy for a backstory.

I would draw some BrettonxBackstory (OTP) stuff, but I'm low on time here.

[Dracorion]

I'm sayin' if we're gonna give Pierce more competition on the bastard children front, I might just screw it all and just give Pierce more bastard children than everyone else in the world combined.

AB, do the other Ruin Generals go through the same shit Phantomere does? Y'know, dying and turning Chibi?

[Astral Harmony]

AB, do the other Ruin Generals go through the same shit Phantomere does? Y'know, dying and turning Chibi?

Nah, just Phantomere. He's afforded these kinds of bizarre benefits because his undead nature kinda helps him out. So, he can rebirth himself from his own blood, though depending on the amount of blood (ectoplasm?) that remains, Phantomere has always (well, this is only the second time) come back as a severely weakened version of himself.

And it will take a very long time before Phantomere regains his original level of power back, so Charlotte could change Phantomere over the course of the RP and even the sequel. Which, I think could actually change how the Infinity Crush executes and what it does.

It should be expected considering what Phantomere is feeding on, but Charlotte's Infinity Crush will execute more likely when Charlotte's confronting a hated enemy. So foes like Moera should beware.

[Dracorion]

Hated?

Shit, everyone should beware.

Anyway, I'm only asking because I'm trying to guess why the Rogue Generals are only acting up now, after sixteen hundred years.

I mean, that Gaea's Tri-Scar weakened all the Ruin Generals enough that they've only now returned to their original power is a rather lame explanation, isn't it?

[DanteFalcon]

Hated?

Shit, everyone should beware.

Anyway, I'm only asking because I'm trying to guess why the Rogue Generals are only acting up now, after sixteen hundred years.

I mean, that Gaea's Tri-Scar weakened all the Ruin Generals enough that they've only now returned to their original power is a rather lame explanation, isn't it?

I'm trying to figure out why your asking for logical reasoning from this rp. So Drac. Why are you asking for logical reasoning from this rp?

[Astral Harmony]

The reason they're all showing up now? That's very simple. It's pretty much the reason that all RPGs do it. Because this is the point of the story where our protagonists first begin their adventure.

Think about it. It always seems to be when the protagonist is beginning his first adventure that shit always goes to hell. You get all this prophecy shit and "he's the only one who can save the world" nonsense.

Just keeping up with the classic concepts.

[Menarker]

AB... Charlotte isn't going to be able to use Ghost Reach to plunge her arm into someone, grab their heart and ghost yank it out of their body... right?

[Astral Harmony]

Actually, that was exactly the idea I had in mind when I first thought of it. Not right now, she can't, but eventually she will. It requires absolute concentration, and it's difficult for even a badass like Charlotte to achieve it right yet. Plus, the body of the enemy tends to move alot, so Charlotte will have difficulty grabbing the dude's heart and yanking it out even when she and Chibi-Phantomere achieve a strong level of trust and experience.

More than likely, she'll find it more useful to have Chibi-Phantomere possess things. Chibi-Phantomere could make thrown objects deal more damage by possessing them and arching them around to hit weaker areas. He can also do more obscure things, like say, make a gatling gun misfire by possessing the gun and causing the rotating barrels to halt. It's like a severely downscaled version of Matthias's hacking abilities.

[DanteFalcon]

Speaking of hacking abilities.

There'll be a pm in your inbox shortly AB.

[Astral Harmony]

Do you want me to post the results of your PM now (most likely by editing the post I just made) or would you rather do an RP post and then have me post the results?

[DanteFalcon]

I can do a RP post in a few describing the action in question.

If nothing else this could possibly land me in a world of trouble.

[Astral Harmony]

I doubt it. Utilizing the powers of your Pokemon DNA is as easy as though you were that Pokemon in a previous life. With the DNA comes the knowledge and the talent, and any learning curve is nonexistent. You're simply too good to get caught hacking.

Man, this whole character updating stuff is a bitch. I might need another day or two. It's like writing several battle posts.

[DanteFalcon]

Wait. You mean to tell me the PATCA didn't consider this and doesn't have other porygon Z pokebrids specifically to fight this?

Edit: Wait. Logic. My bad.

[Astral Harmony]

Man, I typed all that up and it still felt rushed. I'm exhausted.

[Menarker]

Wow interesting results...

Ruin types are now only 2x weak to dragon instead of 4x. Although Dragon type got buffed by being one of the types effective against humanoids (alongside Fire, Poison and Psychic).

More Pokegeddon info was interesting, although these new ones seem quite different from the originals. The original ones have different typing for sure, but they were still based on one pokemon. The new generation of them seem to be two pokemons combined together (3 in Hitmontri's case).

Gaea being super strong was obvious, as noted by Tri Scar which created a god damn canyon. The only thing that peaks my curiousity is how Gaea's Second Wind works. Either she is watching PATCA from the sidelines VERY well so as no one to even notice her even as she heals the party, or she has a very robust aura length and is doing it from so far away...

[Dracorion]

AB... Charlotte isn't going to be able to use Ghost Reach to plunge her arm into someone, grab their heart and ghost yank it out of their body... right?

Nope, sorry, Enmakki has dibs on this. Get something else for Charlotte.

Anyway, Gaea.

Matthias has seen her before. Could either be someone from his past, or someone we've all seen before.

Thoughts: Kyrie, Angela Hornsbury, Renny's mom, Dinner, Rayne.

Also, Menarker, Altarisect is already quite obviously a cross between Altaria and Parasect.

EDIT: Awwww, don't tell me you didn't tear up a little.

[Menarker]

^^; I went back to sleep after my post.

That and I tend to cry at heart-warming stuff. I seen too much tradegy in real life for me to get choked up on something as mildly cliche as that.
Don't get me wrong. I'm interested but not choked up.

As for Altarisect being a Parasect copy, that's kinda feasible from the naming and bug scheme of it... but the problem is that Parasect is based on a real life species of parasitic PLANT. A fungus that would grow on certain insects, stealing their nutrients and ultimately even wipe their mind. Altarisect doesn't have the parasitic fungus, but rather bugs.

I'd guess Gardenoir is really a Psychic/Ghost type, taking its name sake from Dusknoir?

As for Gaea's identity and whom you listed...
Kyrie: Unlikely. She has been with the Kimonos for ages, has her own wings to fly by as opposed to the sword's wings, and I don't think she would hide any details from her team-mates and friends.

Angela: Presumed dead. I'm assuming you're thinking that might have been an cover. Possible I guess.

Renny's Mom: "I'm a housewife and a lawyer, not a combat amazon!"

Dinner: I doubt it, since she has been spent most of her time in the demon realm, but it's definately possible, and she would probably be a rival for Gaea.

Rayne: I guess it's possible. But I wonder why Matthias doesn't try to look up her data on the PATCA computer? Someone as renown as her at the head of a powerful organization should probably be on the database. There should probably be a photograph. Even if she wasn't Gaea, knowing more about the organization that tried to attack PATCA via mercenaries hired by Burkmont might be of some use.

[Dracorion]

Well, you go and put your obsessive wild-guessing skills to work and scour the RP threads for any chicks that may or may not have ever been in the vicinity of the same area as the Watchmen.

Also, before anyone asks or if you're wondering:

There is no mystery behind Pierce's parents' death simply because I haven't decided there is one. I left it purposefully open, but for now the truth is simply that it was a freak incident.

That and I tend to cry at heart-warming stuff. I seen too much tradegy in real life for me to get choked up on something as mildly cliche as that.
Don't get me wrong. I'm interested but not choked up.

No shut up.

[Astral Harmony]

Sorry, I was really short on time and couldn't even proofread it.

No reinforcements except for the Trainer's other Pokemon, so have at it, Pierce. You've got the command.

[Menarker]

Well, you go and put your obsessive wild-guessing skills to work and scour the RP threads for any chicks that may or may not have ever been in the vicinity of the same area as the Watchmen.

*Starts wild speculation*

Well, there isn't much evidence about Gaea since
A: Her first action was her unexpected Second Wind ability during Renny's sidequest.
B: Until recently, everyone including Lexhur (who provided most of the info that everyone else in PATCA knows) thought that Gaea was a legendary pokemon, and not a person.

However, Lexhur did state that the writings in the caves that the Kimonos live and are trying to decipher came from Gaea herself. The same caves that Burkmont and his Gabriel Force are trying to invade. If Matthias is right about Gaea fighting alongside Burkmont and Irene during the fight against Sakuya, then it can probably be said that Gaea hid some information that Burkmont knew she had but was unwilling to tell him.

Even more interesting is how Gaea might be one of the Hexagon Harem. The Hexagon Harem seem to be opposed to Eldys. However, Eldys listed several "chosen ones". Burkmont being one of them and Sakyua being another. If Matthias and I am correct, that would be Gaea the Hexagon Harem member fought alongside one of the chosen ones of their sworn enemy. Of course, the question to be asked is whether Sakuya was the chosen one at the time of the battle, or if the title was assigned to Burkmont then... Of course, even if I am right, there is still the question of whether the cause of Gaea's teamwork with the enemy was based on strictly on fulfilling a need for the Hexagon Harem, or if she rebelled, or if she started growing attached to Honmyr and its citizens and pokemons... or just plain loves fighting.

Mind you, this is all off the top of my head after a few bits of checking up on things.

*Ends Speculation*

[Dracorion]

I meant speculation about her identity.

But anyway, it's possible that Gaea fought against Sakuya in order to keep Honmyr divided.

Y'know, would be easier for the Knomere fleet to conquer the place without a united country or world standing up against them.

[DanteFalcon]

The reason I didn't search for every name and every keyword ever was that we only had a fairly short time between the previous mission and this one. And even with an extreme curiosity Matt can't absorb an infinite amount of information each day and he'd also have to read through a bunch of useless files to find the important ones.

Time and Mind constraints.

[Bard The 5th LW]

I was mostly surprised that Gaea was a physical person. Sort of thought she was like the force or something.

And I'm not posting yet, but Charlotte was pretty damn creeped out by the Ghost Reach. Physical alterations are just not something she is comfortable with. She'll probably get over it though in this instance.

[Dracorion]

AB, remind me how Roar works now. Does it affect the whole field, or do I have to target it at one enemy? I understand it's not a sure shot at making them run away, but the first one at least covers more ground.

Also, it'd be nice to know what moves are available to Shizuka's Ho-Oh and Allegion, and Shizuka herself.

[Menarker]

Just to spread something interesting... Here is a live action pokemon video that Lev posted recently in case you guys didn't notice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDX1m0Y2Vkg

And yes, that's a Jigglypuff singing by the stripper pole at the Lickitung's Gentleman Club...

[Astral Harmony]

Roar works on a single target. That target runs away. The number of turns the affected unit spends away increase if morale is lower. Just note that an effective tactic like that will earn the Pokemon who uses it all the aggro he can never hope to eat.

Unfortunately, I cannot give out that information right now. No time left until work.

[Menarker]

Hey Bard, any thoughts on you might want in your team?

I'd imagine that Sakuya and Mio will want a piece of Faynoc.

Of course, we kinda have to wait until AB is done with work to have enough time to make the character sheets.

[Dracorion]

You know, if Faynoc has any more Asuras to throw at you, Mio could come in handy with her fancy Ruin Harmonic.

'Kay, thanks AB.

[Menarker]

For your reference, I pulled out some info on Shizuka from the last time she fought against Lexhur.

Although this was before the rage system was implemented and all that, so the signature techniques will naturally have a rage cost. But the pokemon moves themselves should be useful.


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


And geez, looking back, Thunder Crush is over-powered as hell.

[Dracorion]

That it is.

I'm going to abuse the hell out of it.

But I'd also like to know the attacks available to Shizuka herself. Y'know, since she's a Battle Master and all.

[Astral Harmony]

Yeah, better nerf the shit out of Thunder Crush, now that I've looked at all those badass moves legendaries have.

Thunder Crush ~ 2 foes, 100 Pwr, 30% Paralyze, Electric.

That's not ridiculous, is it?

I'll work on Shizuka real quick.

[Dracorion]

What the-

Dammit AB!

[Menarker]

Don't forget Sakuya, Mio and everyone else! ^-^ The rest of us can't proceed very far with the story without knowing who we can put in our group and their respective slot and abilities!

[Dracorion]

So, kids. Yeah, I mean you jerks. Is it okay with y'all if Pierce gets the kill on Faynoc?

[Astral Harmony]

I'm workin', I'm workin'. I got tripped up by the fact that I have a lotta Slayers and Battle Masters, and that means a lot of RDPAs.

Here's a note of interest: RDPAs, despite what the fucking acronym stands for, doesn't always have to involve a powered armor or even something you wear. Shizuka's will be a transformation. Wilhelmina's will be a special combat mode. Harliette's will be an independent Evolith-like golem. Be imaginative if you ever end up getting one. Despite the fact that there was a plot point mentioning Impact's armor, he can choose what he really has.

[Menarker]

So, kids. Yeah, I mean you jerks. Is it okay with y'all if Pierce gets the kill on Faynoc?

Well, I got a few choice lines to direct to Faynoc. A sort of "Reason You Suck" sort of speech. :3 Would rather that if the group gets to fight him, that Renny gets the chance to get that across, probably infuriate Faynoc or at least motivating the rest of the group (as if they needed it, although Faynoc might try something to weaken people's resolve. ^^; ). Would like to deal a good blow against him too. But I don't care about dealing the last one.

[Astral Harmony]

Here ya go, Pierce.

* Shizuka Mizuno (War Goddess/Shock Trooper)
- Callsign: Arachne
- Slayer Attacks: Flashing Steel (Almighty) / Offspring (Bug) / Scorpion
(Flying) / Strange Bite (Poison) / Bladegash (Steel)
- Slayer Defenses: Normal, Steel -50% / Bug, Flying, Poison, Bleed
Immunity
- Shock Trooper Skill: Red Kimono ~ +2 AllStat to in-Formation Kimonos.
- RDPA: Arachnophobia (Medium)
1. Weapon / Mandibles: 200 Pwr, 50% BadPois, Bug.
2. Weapon / Leg Strike: 200 Pwr, 50% Bleed, Steel.
3. Weapon / Banshee: 3 Foes, 150 Pwr, Almighty.
4. Weapon / Gargantuan Leap: 5 Foes (Splash), 300 Pwr, Low Accuracy.
5. Armor / Sturdy Hide: Phys -50%.
6. Armor / Leg Spines: 50% BadPois Counter on Melee.
7. Armor / Quick Jump: 30% Avoid & Counter.
8. Armor / Devour: 25% MaxHP heal on Foe KO.
- Signature Techniques...
1: Apple Slicer ~ 30 RPs, 150 Pwr, 75% to 25% Flinch to KO, Almighty.
2: Apple Splitter ~ 70 RPs, 200 Pwr, 3 foes, Almighty.
3: Applesauce ~ 50 RPs, 500 Pwr, 100% KO, Almighty.
- Pokemon Arsenal...
1. Leader Allegion (Legendary Bug/Electric) [Male]
Moves: Thunder Crush (2 foes, 100 Pwr, 30% Paralyze, Electric) / Charge /
Zap Cannon / X-Scissor / Thunder / Megahorn
Ability: Volt Absorb
Hold Item: Alastor ~ Electric Buff, % Paralyze Double
2. Leader Ho-Oh (Legendary Fire/Flying)
Moves: Sky Attack / Sacred Fire / Fire Blast / Sunny Day / Thunder / Solar Beam
Ability: Flash Fire
Item: Sharp Beak

* Chizuru Suzuki (Battle Master/Medic) [CHSU*]
- Callsign: Housewife
- Slayer Attacks: Tonfa Strike (Fighting) / Piercing Strike (Dark) /
Stalagmite Lance (Rock) / Dust Dervish (Ground) / Assassin Strike (Poison)
- Slayer Defenses: Normal -100% / Dark, Rock, Ground -50% / Flinch, Debuff
Immunity
- Shock Trooper Skill: Sharp Eye ~ Generates a random item per turn.
- RDPA: N/A
- Signature Techniques...
1. Solidarity Guard ~ 50 RPs, Self, Special. Choose a type of attack
excluding Almighty. Chizuru draws all attacks to herself and
counterstrikes those opponents. She takes no damage.
2. Flash Feast ~ 100 RPs, Formation, 50% MaxHP Heal, NegStat Heal.
3. Crippling Beatdown ~ 50 RPs, 200 Pwr, AllStat -2, Fighting.
- Medic Skill: Share Item ~ Allows an item to be used on two adjacent
targets without loss of effectiveness.
- Pokemon Arsenal...
1. Leader Giratina [Origin Forme] (Ghost/Dragon Legendary)
Moves: Shadow Force / Shadow Claw / Dragon Claw / Aura Sphere / Ominous
Wind / Heal Block
Ability: Levitate

[Menarker]

Something seems odd... Doesn't Shizuka entire Spider theme sound an awful lot like another Kimono character? Specifically the one who is supposably cursed to be a spider-demon by day and bootylicious lady by night? The one whose's personality is as ugly on the inside as her cursed form is on the outside? Or am I mistaking that one with a different form or so?

Oh, and Drac, I would advise heavily on not using Ho-oh's Sunny Day if you intend to use Allegion's and Ho-oh's Thunder attacks (I doubt you will though). It'll cause them to lose Accuracy so they only be 50% accurate. But Allegion has Thunder Crush which is almost as strong and hits two targets, and Ho-oh gets STAB with fire attacks, not electric.


And the ability to customize how the RDPA is formed sounds awesome. ^^ Although I won't be able to use it for at LEAST 6 levels, perhaps 7.

[Astral Harmony]

Shizuka's spider form is more controlled and a lot less hideous. One would even go as far as to describe her form as artfully monstrous. Even is a spider demon, Shizuka pulls of an elegance and look that draws eyes on her like she does in her human form.

Fujiko's spider form is entirely forced, highly undesired, and quite stomach-turning.

But they share one thing. Their forms do not attack very gracefully.

[Dracorion]

While Sunny Day would be nice, all the human enemies have some resistance to Fire.

Also, why doesn't Chizuru have a RPDA? And why does she have a Shock Trooper skill?

[Astral Harmony]

Chizuru doesn't want a damn RDPA. And her Shock Trooper skill kinda makes up for it...I guess I'll just call it a second Medic skill.

Some Slayers or dualclassers just won't have RDPAs. Kurika won't have one. Melanie won't have one. Bretton won't have one. They may have other things to compensate but not all of 'em are going to have RDPAs. And on top of that, not every Trainer is going to have Xth Stage Pokemon.

The main issue is that a lot of them outrank the PCs, something I really don't like. After all, you're the PCs. You should be the fuckers in the spotlight, doing the dance, making the love, getting down tonight and every night. Obviously there are exceptions, such as all the hardcore badasses. Can't be helped. But I will try to keep them out of the limelight as much the plot allows.

[Dracorion]

Right... And how exactly does Chizuru's second Medic skill work? She generates an item for Pierce to hold? She randomly uses an item for free on an ally?

[Menarker]

AB, what I think Drac meant is that Chizuru is a Medic slot character in terms of the DSS system, not a Shock Trooper slot. So, why does she have a Shock Trooper ability in addition to everything a Medic has? Being able to use slayer attacks and a pokemon is all well and good. But the Shock Trooper ability seems to be unique to only those Shock Trooper slotted characters and the unlimited items for Medic seem to be limited only to those Medic Slotted. So why does Chizuru have both when she is slotted as a Medic type?

[Astral Harmony]

Chizuru finds a random item every turn. She reveals what it is an, if you have an empty item slot, you can hold and use it. If your items are full, you can trade it and lose the item you traded. NPCs aside from Medics don't have inventories.

I already fixed the skill issue from my end, so just treat it like a second Medic skill.

[Dracorion]

Boom!

[Menarker]

Don't forget to keep Speed in consideration for now on. We're trying to test the crit system that has been hammered out.


1) All attackers start at stage 1.
2) The percentages incrementally starting at 1 is 6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, 33%, 50%, 66%.
3) If the Attacker wins the Speed Clash, add +2 to crit stage.
4) If the Attacker wins the Speed Clash with double the speed of the defender, the bonus is +3 instead.
5) All other boosts to Crit stage adds +1
6) Two types of crit: Standard and Massive
7) Standard crits deal only double damage
8) Massive crits deal double damage and ignore enemy buffs and own debuffs (This is the way Crit is done normally in the games.)
9) Massive crits can only be dealt by using an improved crit move (which raise crit by one stage and allow massive crits) or by having the ability super luck (which upgrades all crits to massive crits in addition to increasing crit by 1 stage)


Hmmm... If Impact and Renny are going to be the PCs in one group, and Whitney becomes Renny's enforcer and Lola is the medic, that leaves one enforcer for Impact and one other slot specialist character.

Naturally will have to wait until AB finish with all the data though. (And Gem will probably want to be the one to choose them, since I already chosen 2 characters myself.) I'd be willing to guess Sakuya due to her interest in why Impact is designated a Chosen One.

[Dracorion]

On that note, AB, can you post or add into the document the stats of all your custom pokemon like Allegion and Cerebraptor?

Not that you have to do it now. Just, y'know, sometime after your to-do list deflates.

Menarker, I'd suggest a Shock Trooper as your other specialist. Because, see, unlike Battle Master or Trainer Medics, Lola's going to be a sitting duck. You'll need the firepower.

And Bard might want to get an Engineer and a Trainer Medic.

[Menarker]

Sakuya is a Shocker Trooper, judging from the fact she arrived in a fancy Samurai RDPA. From a roleplaying perspective and from a tactical perspective, she'd be a good choice. At least that's what I'm saying before I even seen what her stats and abilities are like (and everyone else's stats).

[Dracorion]

She might be an Enforcer!

Also, I believe AB said she wouldn't be available for this mission. I'm not sure why.

[Menarker]

Well, Gem also needs an enforcer. So that part won't be a problem. Although I'd think that she is a Shock Trooper and Mio being an enforcer. Just guessing though.

As for her potentially not being available for the mission, guess I'll just wait for AB to finish everything then. ^^; I thought that she would take great pride in leaving Faynoc and all his works bloodied and broken after what he did to her daughter.

[Astral Harmony]

I don't even care about stats, really. I don't intend to give stats to original Pokemon. And if you want stats to count in battle, you should post them out yourself, like Renny tends to do.

Renny: "My Magnezone is doing this, and it has a really high Special stat so it's going to hurt more than what you're going to guesstimate."

There's no way I can juggle all that. If you told me to try and do it anyways, I'd cancel the RP and use an altered version of this system to create a survival horror style RP I've been wanting to do for a very long time.

[Dracorion]

Fair 'nuff.

God knows, I don't want to be like Menarker.

[Menarker]

:(

Well, there isn't anything I can do until AB finishes the data, so I'm heading for bed since I got 3 assignments due soonish and I'll need to spend most of tomorrow to do it.

[Astral Harmony]

Thank God this is going to be the last big batch of characters until the sequel. Throughout the rest of the RP, we'll probably have one per episode, if even that.

But Menarker's important. He's like some kind of Pokemon Wikipedia. Hell, he may even know how I can access a program which lets me calculate damage based on actual stats.

Like, I dunno, I could go "This is the power, this is the accuracy, this is the attacking statistic being used, and these are the other effects for the user and the move. And over there is the defending statistic, it's going to be super-effective, and then there's this debuff that matters. Calculate that for me and tell me the HP damage." and the program would do it for me.

Even a helpful program like that would take too long because I have to use it for every flippin' attack on both sides. Well, except for attacks where it's plainly obvious that it's going to be a KO, but still, that's a lotta data.

[Menarker]

Such a program does exist somewhat, but we would have to be heavily scale down damage (or increase hitpoints) because pokemons with pretty high stats like the ones we're using on tend to reliably OHKO or do 70-80% of a pokemon's maximum hitpoints ingame if they hit for STAB and super effectiveness. It would indeed be too much work to get all the data anyhow. It's not the sort of scale we would want to use for the setting we have.

Anyhow, I do try to be useful to AB (and everyone else) as a middle-man bulbapedia and being willing to sum up all the details so AB doesn't have to spend as much time on guesstimating what effects we might do to the opposing side. >_> Although there isn't much I can do to help with the opposing side attacking us. (Such as with that incident with the hardy and stamina powered Swampert being knocked out by Snorlax's hyper beam which uses its weak special attack stat as opposed to its strong physical attack stat.)

[Dracorion]

Shush you.

[Astral Harmony]

RP post will be done tonight after work. Hopefully, that mess of character data can be done as well. At least I'm hoping they'll let us off early. We didn't really leave much work left to do.

[Dracorion]

'S cool. I can entertain myself with watching an awesome Chrono Cross/Trigger Medley until then.

[Bard The 5th LW]

Sakuya and Mio will probably be around if its viable for this mission. Primarily Sakuya. I'd like data first though. Who are our engineers again? I remember Moon, but who else?

[Dracorion]

Heidi and Mirror.

[Menarker]

The enginneers we have thus far are Moon, Mirror and Heidi. Moon is the trainer one, Mirror is the slayer one, and Heidi is the pokebrid one.

* Moon Travorian (Pokemon Trainer/Engineer) [MOTR*]
- Callsign: Sapphire
Pokemon Lineup:
1. Leader Vaporeon "Fathom" (Water) [Male]
Moves: Hydro Pump / Muddy Water / Blizzard / Rain Dance / Ice Beam / Helping Hand
Ability: Water Absorb
2. Leader Starmie "Shanelle" (Water/Psychic) [Female]
Moves: Ice Beam / Psychic / Hydro Pump / Power Gem / Cosmic Power / Flash Cannon
Ability: Illuminate
3. Crawdaunt (Water/Dark) (Male)
Moves: Guillotine / Crabhammer / Swords Dance / Blizzard
Ability: Shell Armor
4. Poliwrath (Water/Fighting) [Male]
Moves: Dynamic Punch / Focus Blast / Bulk Up / Protect
Ability: Water Absorb
5. Lanturn (Water/Electric) [Female]
Moves: Take Down / Hydro Pump / Discharge / Signal Beam
Ability: Volt Absorb
6. Kingdra (Water/Dragon) [Male]
Moves: Dragon Pulse / Hydro Pump / Brine / Dragon Dance
Ability: Sniper
- Pokemon Co-Op: Tidal Wrath ~ 80/100 RP, 3 Enemies, Severe Water Type Damage, 50% Flinching. Moon floods the battlefield with a flurry of water moves. This could leave the enemy gagging and gasping for air.
- Moonbeam Disco ~ 80/100 RP Total, Used with Shannon, 3 Enemies, Severe Dark Damage, 100% Flinching. Showers the enemies in deadly moonrays.
- Engineer Skill:
1. Construct Water Evolith ~ Constructs a Water Evolith. These tend to resemble mermaids. Water Evoliths can use the moves Water Sport, Dive, Hydro Cannon, Hydro Pump, Rain Dance, and Muddy Water.
2. Construct Ice Evolith ~ Constructs an Ice Evolith using a Water Stone in conjunction with prototype technology. These have the look of an armored crab with icicle lances instead of pincers. Ice Evoliths can use the moves Hail, Blizzard, Haze, Ice Beam, Mist, and Sheer Cold.
3. Construct Power Amplifier ~ Increases Special statistic of all allies by +2.
4. Construct Barrier Amplifier ~ Increases SpDefense statistics of all allies by +2.
5. Construct Targeting Beacon ~ Allows Sniper to hit targets in Hailstorm, Sandstorm, and Fog.
6. Construct Deprecipitating Device ~ Removes Rainstorm.
7. Construct Heating Device ~ Removes Hailstorm.

* Mirror Brisholm (Slayer/Engineer) [MIBR*]
- Callsign: Absolute
- Slayer Attacks: Sledge Smash (Rock) / Wrenching Swing (Steel) / Dust Cluster (Ground) / Bone Breaker (Fighting) / Hammer Fall (Dark)
- Slayer Defenses: Rock, Ground, Grass, Poison, Bug -50% / Poison Immunity
- Signature Technique: Centrifugal Cannon ~ 25/100 RPs, 2 Enemy Targets, 1 Selected, 1 Random. Severe Normal Damage, 50% Instant Death. Mirror cannot attack on the following turn. Mirror throws her sledge at the enemy. But ummm...how is she going to attack after that?
- Signature Sequence: Dance of Damsels ~ 50/100 RP Total, Used With Wilhelmina, Two Enemies, Severe Steel Damage, 100% Internal Bleeding. Mirror and Wilhemina dance well together. Their partners, though...
- Engineer Skill:
1. Construct Fire Evolith ~ Constructs a Fire Evolith. These tend to resemble leviathans. Fire Evoliths can use Blast Burn, Eruption, Heat Wave, Sunny Day, Will-O-Wisp, and Overheat.
2. Construct Dusk Evolith ~ Constructs a Dusk Evolith. These tend to resemble lizardmen with very large maws. Dusk Evoliths can use Crunch, Faint Attack, Night Slash, Punishment, Thief, and Torment.
3. Construct Strength Amplifier ~ Increases Attack statistic of all allies by +2.
4. Construct Defense Amplifier ~ Increases Defense statistic of all allies by +2.
5. Construct Targeting Beacon ~ Allows Sniper to hit targets in Hailstorm, Sandstorm, and Fog.
6. Construct Cooling Device ~ Removes Sunny Day.


* Heidi Knoman (Pokebrid/Engineer) [HEKN*]
- Callsign: Punisher
- Pokebrid Forms & Synchronization Techniques:
1. Machoke (Raw Power) ~ Self Targeted, 3 turns. Increases Attack and SpAttack statistics by +5.
2. Heracross (Horn Harrassment) ~ 3 Targets, Severe Bug Damage. When you mess with the bug, you get the horns.
3. Infernape (Blazing Blitz) ~ 2 Targets, Severe Fire Damage, 100% Burn. A devastating combination of wicked martial arts and agonizing fire.
- Engineer Skill:
1. Construct Shiny Evolith ~ Constructs a Shiny Evolith. Shiny Evoliths resemble obese but shapeless humanoids with long arms and large hands. Shiny Evoliths can use Brick Break, Cross Chop, Drain Punch, Dynamic Punch, Sky Uppercut, and Bulk Up. Scientists are still trying to figure out why Shiny Stones create Fighting type Evoliths.
2. Construct Smooth Evolith ~ Constructs a Smooth Evolith. Smooth Evoliths resemble a large fish-like upper body in a small sea of sand. Smooth Evoliths can use Dig, Earth Power, Earthquake, Fissure, Mud Bomb, and Mud Sport. These are actually created by using a Smooth Rock as a power core with amplifier technology, which somehow works just as good as an Evolution Stone for creating Ground type Evoliths.
3. Construct Claymore Mines ~ Constructs three landmines. Landmines use the move Explosion on any enemy that attempts to use a melee attack. These will not cause the victim to forfeit his or her turn.
4. Construct Bear Trap ~ Constructs a bear trap. This trap inflicts good damage on an enemy that uses a melee attack for 3 turns and prevents the victim from attacking during those turns.
5. Construct Targeting Beacon ~ Allows Snipers to fire during Sandstorm, Hailstorm, and Fog.
6. Construct Dust Buster Device ~ Removes Sandstorm.

[Astral Harmony]

Alice Hornsbury, Rayleen's mole in the Prideguard, will be joining as an Engineer Enforcer. She's learned pretty much all she can about the Prideguard and has decided to cut her losses before Burkmont does something to her.

There's gonna be another hulking post regarding a meeting of the biggest minds. The general results of the meeting will be that Lucian and Discord get hired, Irene rejoins PATCA, Rayleen begins her super secret operation to recruit allies from the far west (and thus leaves PATCA), Sakuya and Mio join in the fight against the Prideguard, Alice and Muon are recruited, and lotsa other crap.

Probably the best time to get PATCA involved in the mission is right after Pierce's battle concludes. Then we can unleash the freaks.

[Dracorion]

An Engineer... Enforcer?

Are doing dual-specialties now?

[Astral Harmony]

Sorry. Meant Engineer Slayer.

God, I need more time to stop being retarded.

[Dracorion]

Shame. I was hoping to turn Sam into an Enforcer-Shock Trooper.

[Menarker]

Well, Gem is back safe and sound. *Or at least I assume so if he's signed on*

So I guess we can hear his thoughts on what some of the speculations or whom he'd want on the team as his enforcer.

EDIT: I just looked at the list of new moves for Black and White and HOLY SHIT, some of them look drastically powerful. Including this Fire type attack that deals 180 base power but sharply lowers 3 of your stats.

Although we won't have to deal with that until the sequel.

[Geminex]

Well, Gem is back safe and sound. *Or at least I assume so if he's signed on*
Noooooo.
I dieeeeeed and I came back from the deeeeeeeeead to trooooooooll you guys. Also, stop staaaaaaalking meeeee.

I don't have the time to read all that stuff yet, I'll do that tomorrow morning. Just logging in now to post mah upgrades. I think they're allright. I dunno though, I'll trust in your hopefully-balanced judgement. Also, I ran out of ideas for the final level, so either make suggestions, or we treat that one as a reserved, in case my stuff isn't as weak as I thought it was.

Anyway, enjoy!
Fuckers.

Demon:1: Taction generation: 2 per turn, Gets active Tactical Ability (TA) "Signature Break"
Demon 2: Taction generation: increases by 1 per turn, Gets active TA "Formation shift", Gets passive TA "Analyst"
Demon 3: Taction generation: increases by 1 per turn, Gets active TA "Despecialize", gets active TA "Ability drain"
Demon 4: Taction generation: increases by 1 per turngains active TA "Fire at will",
Demon 5: Taction generation: increases by 1 per turn, Gets active TA "Deathly calm"
Slayer 5: RDPA
Demon 6: Taction generation: increases by 1 per turn, Gets active TA "Haunting"
Demon 7: Taction generation: increases by 1 per turn, Gets active TA "Massive Feedback"
Demon 8: Gains passive TA "Ultimate Warlord".
Demon 9: Taction generation: increases by 1 per turn, gets active TA "Superanalysis"
Demon 10:

Signature Break:
Cost: 1 Taction
Effect: Impact mentally assaults the target's aura, disrupting the target and preventing them from focusing enough to bring their strongest abilities to bear. One Sig-tech, Sync-tech, love-tech or Co-op technique (or anything else of that nature) cannot be used until the end of next turn (effect counts as a debuff).
Conditions: Can be used 3 times per turn at most

Analyst:
Cost: Passive
Effect: In combat, Impact's especially aware of his surroundings and may draw conclusions that seem inexplicable, or even supernatural in their accuracy. Basically, in combat, when we get info about enemies or our situation, AB gives us a little extra. What is up to him, as long as it's useful.

Formation shift:
Cost: 1 Taction
Effect: Impact coordinates rapid maneuvers to modify either an allied formation, or force the enemy to modify theirs. Select one member of a formation somewhere on the battlefield and replace this member somewhere else within the same formation.
Conditions: None.

Despecialize:
Cost: 3 Tactions
Effect: Select 1 enemy specialist. This specialist loses all 'priveleges' and counts as an ordinary unit for 3 turns. For the first turn only, this removes any protective effects on this specialist.
Conditions: Use once per turn only.
Example: Enemy medic is pissing us off. Use despecialize to take away his ability to use items.
Shock Troopers can only use one pokemon when despecialized, Snipers are attackable, Engineers cannot construct. And so on.

Fire at will:
Cost: 1 Taction to activate, plus up to 6 optional tactions
Effect: Impact helps coordinate the team's Destroyer to unleash a rain of destruction upon their hapless foes. For every two optional Tactions payed, the destroyer gains 100 aditional rage, for this turn only. Rage generated by this technique can raise the destroyer's gague above maximum.
Conditions: 6 optional tactions (working out to 300 rage max), can be used only every second turn

Deathly Calm:
Cost: 5 Tactions
Effect: Impact invades the minds of up to 3 foes, and bestows upon them a cold, deathly sense of calm and indifference. For one turn, they will lose rage whenever they would gain it. Techniques or abilities that cost rage have their cost increased by 10.
Conditions: Use once per turn at most

Massive feedback:
Cost: 25 rage to activate, 1 taction per attack
Effect: Impact gathers his strength and responds to every enemy attack with a massive wave of Aura-shock. The enemies take no damage, but they're so shaken that the attack or weapon they last used is now disabled.
Conditions: Once ever two turns only.

Superanalysis
Cost: 40 rage to activate, 2 Tactions per target
Effect: Impact rapidly analyzes the condition and vulnerabilities of various foes and feeds that info to his allies. For the duration of next turn, all affected foes become extremely vulnerable to secondary attack effects such as status effects, debuffs, stat reductions, flinch, etc... Attack with these effects are 2 times as likely to successfully inflict them. If a target is immune to an effect, it becomes normally vulnerable under the effect of this ability. Foes also gain an increased vulnerability to critical hits (equivalent to a 2-stage boost to all attacks), and suffer -2 stages to defense and special defense.
Coniditions: 6 targets max, once every two turns only

Ability drain
Cost: 1 taction
Effect: Select one enemy ability. This ability is nullified for two turns.
Conditions: 3 times per turn at most

RDPA:

Weapon 1: Weather Spire: Gives access to the "Weatherman" TA.
Weapon 2: yyy: Gives access to the "Dust Stream" TA
Weapon 3: Assault amplifier: Lets Impact attack with one of his standard weapons, and boosts the relevant attack stat by two stages. Attacking this way is more effective, but distracts him, costing him 2 tactions.
Weapon 4: Banshee Emitter: Gives access to the "Doom Howl" TA.

Armor 1: Survival Field Generator: Covers Impact and two allies to either side of him. Can be charged with up to 3 charges, at the cost of 1 taction per charge. Whenever an enemy attack would crit against a covered ally, the field uses one charge, and the crit is downgraded to a normal attack.
Armor 2: Variable Immunity Armor A: When RDPA is first deployed, this armor gives no immunity. Impact can initially pay 1 taction to have it grant immunity against a certain element, and from then on, another two tactions to change the immunity it provides. (E.g.: Impact goes initiates RDPA while in battle agains several fire tanks. He pays a taction to set the immunity to 'fire', to protect himself against their attacks. Once those are destroyed, they get reinforced by water tanks, so Impact pays 2 tactions to make himself immune to water instead.)
Armor 3: Variable Immunity Armor B: See above
Armor 4: Processing unit: Generates an extra taction per turn


"Ultimate Warlord":
Effect: Gains an extra Taction per turn, and makes his tactions much harder to resist (enemies with immunity now just have a 50% chance to resist his TAs). Also gains ability to switch to the 'tactician' position. As 'tactician', the same limiations that would apply to snipers apply to him (meaning that FOW or the weather limit the degree to which he can affect the battle), and he gains no actions other than tactical actions, but he gains the defensive properties of a sniper, gets an extra taction per turn and his tactions become even harder to resist (50% chance drops down to 33%). Switching between 'active combatant' and 'tactician' costs him half his tactions for the turn, rounded up, he begins battles in 'combatant' mode. While the switch to tactician may be impossible during very hectic, close-in fighting, it will be available even in situations where Snipers and Destroyers aren't present.

Weatherman:
Cost: 1 taction per change
Effect: Impact channels power through the RPDA to change the weather. He can remove and add different weather effects at will.

Dust Stream:
Cost: 5 tactions:
Effect: Impact eliminates FOW on the enemy side by 35 and increases FOW on the allied side by as much.

"Haunting"
Cost: 4 tactions initially, 1 per turn afterwards
Effect: Impact pierces the target's mental defenses, to strike directly at its aura and mind. Instead of just attacking, however, he does something more subtle. He leaves a fragment of his mind in the foe's, then withdraws. This fragment disrupts the foe, haunts them, causes them to become confused for two turns, and utterly exhausted thereafter. It cannot be dispelled. When the foe in question faints or dies, Impact partakes in its agony and rage, gaining a quarter of what the foe had left. The fragment then jumps to a random adjacent foe, to do the same to it, unless Impact recalls it, at the cost of another 4 tactions.
Conditions: Can use once per turn at most, and three times per battle. For every fragment of Impact's mind in circulation, he loses 1 taction and 5 rage per turn.

Doom Howl:
Cost: 4 Tactions
Effect: Deals no direct morale damage. However, enemies become subtly, but powerfully unsettled by the unearthly sounds of this device, and become far more (twice as) vulnerable to negative morale effects for three turns.

[Dracorion]

First off:

Tactical Actions. Explain. The way I understand it, Impact's max number of Tactical Actions increases as he gains levels in Demon, correct? But how does he gain more Tactical Actions while in battle?

Also, Formation Shift might be overpowered.

Despecialize, too, could be overpowered as hell, even at 3 Tactical Actions per use.

Deathly Calm and Ability Drain too, perhaps. We really need to know how Impact generates Tactions in battle.

Also, elaborate on "Haunting" 's effect.

[Menarker]

I'll let Geminex explain himself about how this build is supposed to work, both mechanically and what the general results would be in a standard battle. List his pros and cons. That sort of thing...

But my first impression is NO NO NO. The benefits seem overpowered to the point where no one character can fight against you and win. (Even Pierce and Renny still have a chance to lose 1 on 1.) As it is, if all 5 of us PCs maxed out out levels (and we just compared yours and Drac and my character because we don't know Charlotte or Matthias's build, and we were to pit Pierce or Renny against your character, your chance of victory would be almost certain. Your tactions is almost like Double Attack or even Triple Attacking with status moves and you gain an additional sort of currency to pay for a bunch of your skills that seems to regenerate automatically.

With Drac's character, he is basically a pokemon trainer and slayer with increased stats and especially resilient stamina and ability to protect people and the 2 demon attacks. Roughly the same number of actions, and can only do 3 attacks and 1 action at most with Shock Trooper effect in action.

My character is much the same way but in a different fashion. Instead of super high stats all around especially defense, my character mainly attempts to take advantage of element types with ICT and bigger move pool, although his weapon power is technically no better than a slayer, only more flexible. But he can still only do 3 attacks and 2 actions at full upgrade with Shock Trooper.

Your character on the other hand is capable of shutting down several key parts of a team or a specific character while still able to attack and use accessories in one round! And even more so, your class feature seems to be able to shut down key character's features! The features that make up the character in the first place. It's like when it was objected to me having immunity to Snaggers but this is even bigger and more flexible.


First, let me list the stuff I'm fine with. (At the moment. Subject to change based on what you explain)

1) Analyst
2) Formation Shift seems fine if there is a way for us to spend actions to get back to our position somehow. Like maybe a trainer action for every 3 or so slots we been displaced or an attack to get back to our position? We're not motionless after all. (Does this switches out enforcers from the back row too?) Unless Drac can tell me why he thinks it's bad?
3) Your RDPA
4) Weatherman
5) Dust Stream
6) Massive Feedback
7) Fire at Will is scary as hell, but I don't have an objection to it atm.
8) Ability Drain. I don't know what Drac is worried about with this one. Of course, it will depend on further details on how your proposed upgrades work.
9) VERY POWERFUL, but it's a late game ability and has a significant cost. Practically a Nuke button on select target though, assuming you have allies (which is sure to happen the way you seem to be going.)
10) Doom Howl

Now for the stuff I definately have hesitations or outright objections to.

1) Signature Break. (For a moment, I thought you were trying to get us to stop playing.) Taking away a character's key ability completely for a turn at a price of 1 is really powerful, especially when it seems like you get additional Tactions turn by turn and can do it over and over. What I might suggest instead is that instead of stopping the technique, that afflicted targets trying to use the technique end up paying a certain percentage of their life total and make it last longer.

2) Despecialize should NOT work for that nearly that long, especially not without some way to dispel it.

3) Haunting. It's the undispellability and not knowing how you gain tactions that bug me.

4) Deathly Calm. Once again, this bugs me when I don't know how you gain tactions.

5) Ultimate Warlord. Just because I don't know how you're gaining Tactions and gaining too much of a supply would be justification to our concerns.


Next for the questions:

How many tactions do you start the battle with?
How do you get tactions? This is the biggest concern, so go heavy on the detail.
Why does your Ultimate Warlord have the ability "Reduce a person's ability to resist tactions"? Are these tactions normally resistable to a degree in the first place depending on some factor you have not mentioned? Because at first impression, they sound like they were meant to work 100% of the time.


Anyhow, I won't be available to respond until later on tomorrow, due to finishing off a paper that is urgently needed.

Looking forward to whatever comes.

[Geminex]

That's not his max tactions increasing. That's tactions he generates per turn. I'll edit that in.

I was thinking about raising the cost for formation shift... Does 2 tactions sound allright? Keep in mind, it is fairly situational. Basically helps us use multi-target techniques.


Y'think Despecialize is that bad? It wouldn't be effective against destroyers, that'd be bullshit. And against the rest? Sure, engineer can't construct. And medics can't use items. But medic items have been nerfed anyway, and enemy engies... well, ok, they're good. But it's usually not at all difficult to kill them quickly. This just gives us an alternative to killing them.

Ability Drain: Again, you really think so? Nullify one ability for two turns?
Though I sorta see what you're getting at. With worry seed, this'd take us a full attack, albeit to make it permanent. What if the duration's just one turn?

Well, haunting. I've been thinking about this one.
What happens is:
Can't target pokemon (just thought of this one, cause that'd be stupid)
Turn 1: Impact pays 4 tactions to use techniuqe. Target A becomes confused.
Turn 2: Impact loses 1 taction and 5 rage at the start of his turn. Uses technique again, for another 4 Tactions. Target A still confused, Target B becomes confused
Turn 3: Impact loses 2 taction and 10 rage at the start of his turn. Target A becomes exhausted. Target B still confused
Turn 4: Impact loses 2 Tactions and 10 rage at the start of his turn. Target A gets knocked out. It had 60 rage left, so Impact gets 15. Impact now has the choice to pay 4 tactions to retrieve the fragment. If he does not, it jumps to an adjacted opponent, Target C. Target C then becomes confused, will remain so for another 2 turns, before coming exhausted. If Target C dies, Impact will gain another quarter of its rage, and the fragment will travel to another opponent.

My german sense is tingling. It is telling me that you will not like any of this very much at all, that you'd want to reduce the amount of tactions I get per turn, and nerf the techniques as well. Because fuck, look at all the stuff I can do! It's insane!
Well, yes. But see, that's all I can do. While all of you are getting combat ranks and better stats, better pokemon, better items, more rage, Impact's remaining at Slayer level 5. He'll be no better in combat in 10 levels' time than he is now. I'm putting everything I have into this whole "tactical disruptor" aspect. I'm thinking it has the right to be pretty powerful. It's all I'm getting.

Edit:
Menarker.
I'll leave to to read what I wrote above, Impact can do a lot, but this is really all he can do. He's not a fighter, doesn't generate very much rage, and a lot of his stuff is situational.
Why does your Ultimate Warlord have the ability "Reduce a person's ability to resist tactions"? Are these tactions normally resistable to a degree in the first place depending on some factor you have not mentioned? Because at first impression, they sound like they were meant to work 100% of the time.
Well, I'm thinking that most of the stuff Impact does counts as a debuff. Enemies immune to debuffs would be immune to his shit.