whateveryoueatliveitspart

[The video opens on the Lake of Rage, before angling down to show Apollo's face. He's lying on his back in the grass next to the lake. Unlike some of his previous posts, he's not just his usual calm self. He's in a good mood right now, if that contented smile is anything to go by.]

This place really reminds me of home. A lake, a forest, mountains... The giant water snakes who sometimes try to eat me when I go swimming are different, but other than that it's a lot like home. It's nice here. The Pokémon with me like it too.

[The arm holding the gear falls to the ground and the camera films the sky through blades of grass for a while before Apollo sits up and points it back at his face. He's serious now.]

What do I need to know to beat the gym in Goldenrod City? How do I know if the Pokémon with me are strong enough to win?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

whateveryoueatliveitspart

Fearow's been with me for about three-and-a-half lunar cycles, and the others for less time, but they've all been training themselves. Fearow's been looking for more Pokémon to fight lately and he's gotten the others more interested in fighting too. [There's a brief flicker of irritation on his face.] Ever since I was able to make fire appear for a few days my scent's been different and it's been harder to avoid Pokémon while I'm traveling, so the Pokémon with me have been fighting more than usual.

From:

dreamsofahero

Well, in that case you likely may stand a chance. At least, I'd been here about that long by the time I challenged that gym... Though it also helps if you have pokemon that can use moves of an advantageous type, of course.

From:

whateveryoueatliveitspart

What type does the Goldenrod Gym use?

From:

dreamsofahero

Normal, so the most effective type offensively would be fighting type. Defensively, rock, steel, and ghost are useful.

From:

whateveryoueatliveitspart

I know that Furret are Normal-type, and when Deerling kicks one he does more damage than when he attacks other ways, so his kicks might be Fighting-type. And I've noticed that a lot of simple attacks like tackles or scratching don't hurt Golett at all, so maybe Golett is one of the types that are strong against Normal? Golett looks kind of like a human made of rock.

[Yup, he has a Ground/Ghost type.]

From:

dreamsofahero

I can't say I'm familiar with the one called Golett, but if normal-type attacks aren't affecting it, it's probably a ghost type. Ah, though of course, just because the gym uses mostly normal types, doesn't mean they only have attacks of that type, so while ghosts are useful, you shouldn't rely on them to be simply immune to everything.

From:

whateveryoueatliveitspart

I guess when I get there I should watch a few people try to beat the gym and see how the Pokémon fight. I'll ask the Pokémon with me if they think they can win after seeing some fights, too.

From:

dreamsofahero

It shouldn't be too difficult if you've raised your team well and use a good strategy, at least.

From:

whateveryoueatliveitspart

Strategy?

From:

dreamsofahero

Yes, like using types that are most effective against your opponent, or using particular combinations of moves to defeat an otherwise difficult opponent.

From:

whateveryoueatliveitspart

I usually let the Pokémon with me fight however they want. Golett usually needs me to give advice if punching someone doesn't work, but none of them have lost a fight or been knocked out since I've known them. It looks like they know how to fight without me.

From:

dreamsofahero

Most generally do, yes, but facing a team that's working with a human is rather different than battling in the wild. Your opponent will be using strategies themselves, after all, and instructing and coordinating their team to make the best use of their strengths and offset any weaknesses.

From:

whateveryoueatliveitspart

I don't like telling them what to do, but I guess I should practice in case I need to. I know Golett and Combee don't mind, but Fearow hates being told what to do. I'm not sure about Furret and Deerling.

From:

dreamsofahero

Oh? I know some of them can be stubborn, but since all of you need to be able to work together as a team, it's important for them to learn to trust you and your judgment at times, just like how you have to trust them to handle themselves at others.

From:

whateveryoueatliveitspart

Deerling's the really stubborn one. [Who, along with Fearow, led the charge on getting Apollo to do this in the first place.] Fearow just doesn't like being told what to do, even if it's what he would do anyway. They all trust me though, and I trust them to be able to take care of themselves. I just don't want to see them getting hurt if they don't have to.

From:

dreamsofahero

To be honest, if they were to get seriously hurt in just a gym battle, then something is being done wrong. Exhausted, certainly, but they seem to have an incredible endurance and ability to recover far beyond most humans. I've certainly never seen one bleed or even be badly bruised, even in some of their more challenging battles.

From:

whateveryoueatliveitspart

Me neither, but it doesn't feel good for them when they get hit. And sometimes things happen that you aren't expecting.

From:

dreamsofahero

Well, by that logic, even just traveling outdoors between cities is risky, isn't it?

From:

whateveryoueatliveitspart

Yeah, but I don't go out of my way to get into fights. Once I have a place to live ready I won't be traveling as much though, so I won't need to worry about them getting hurt as much.

From:

dreamsofahero

Gym matches are probably as relatively safe and controlled as you could find, really. Certainly far less riskier than what you might encounter while traveling...

From:

whateveryoueatliveitspart

That's good to hear.

From:

dreamsofahero

If nothing else, gyms are in cities, which means pokemon centers are nearby. Although I believe the one in Goldenrod may still be closed due to those attacks last month.