ROUTE 38 - GYM 5
Another pretty uneventful trek to Olivine, but on the way Slugma learned Recover at lv 24 and Ancient Power at 26. Ancient Power is a good move for him since he is heavy on Sp Atk. But its PP is only 5. God willing, he'll learn Power Gem. Skiploom learned Leech Seed at lv 24, which replaced Poisonpowder and evolved into Jumpluff at 27. Drowzee learned Psybeam at 26 and then immediately evolved into Hypno.
The Olivine Lighthouse was a breeze. Jumpluff got a chance to strut his stuff while surfing (I taught Surf to Psyduck) down Route 40 and 41. He grew to lv 30 by the time I reached Cianwood City. Quick note: using moves that drain HP from Tentacool is inadvisable. He sometimes has the ability of Clear Jelly, which hurts your Pokemon instead of healing it.
Hypno handled most of the junior trainers in Chuck's Fighting type gym. Shuckle finished off Poliwrath when Hypno was not up to the task.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Nickel Film 8
Ryan and I are back for our full review of Jackass 3D. We also discuss Red, Splice, Leaves of Grass and Winter's Bone and list our Top 5 Monster Movies.
Gotta Train 'Em All Part 1 - Gym 4
ROUTE 34 - GYM 4
The trek to Ecruteak City via Routes 34, the National Park, 35 and 37 were pretty uneventful. I just played the type alignments to win battles. No particular type has given this team a tough time yet except for Flying. The lack of an effective Electric type means that birds take a couple of moves to beat. Slugma does know Rock Throw, but his increasingly unimpressive Atk stat makes that move less useful on Flying types than Ember.
Sudowoodo didn't put up much of a fight against Psyduck, who learned Water Pulse at lv 22. A few other worthwhile notes: Shuckle learned Wrap at lv 22 (not a very good move, but another way to slowly drain an opponent's health) and Ekans evolved into Arbok at lv 22, learning Crunch right after. His stats got a 10 or 15 point boost, and he is definitely my most effective physical Atk Pokemon.
I battled my rival again in the Burned Tower. He added a Mangemite to his team. Slugma easily beat him.
I planned on using Arbok's Dark type Bite and Crunch to power my way past Morty, but some success. He took out a Ghastly and Haunter in a single hit. His lv 25 Gengar got the better of Arbok. I made an error in judgment and tossed out Drowzee next, and Gengar killed him in one Shadow Ball. Psyduck finally killed him off, but with only 8 HP remaining. Morty had one Haunter still to use, and Psyduck's low Speed ensured his death. So I switched to Slugma, hoping he could power through the final opponent. In a stroke of luck, Slugma burned Haunter on the first move. I thought then that Shuckle could just take a bunch of hits and wait for the burn to finish it off. However, this Haunter knew Night Shade, which did 23 damage to Shuckle every turn. I changed once again to Skiploom, and the combination of Bullet Seed and well timed Synthesis won the battle.
The trek to Ecruteak City via Routes 34, the National Park, 35 and 37 were pretty uneventful. I just played the type alignments to win battles. No particular type has given this team a tough time yet except for Flying. The lack of an effective Electric type means that birds take a couple of moves to beat. Slugma does know Rock Throw, but his increasingly unimpressive Atk stat makes that move less useful on Flying types than Ember.
Sudowoodo didn't put up much of a fight against Psyduck, who learned Water Pulse at lv 22. A few other worthwhile notes: Shuckle learned Wrap at lv 22 (not a very good move, but another way to slowly drain an opponent's health) and Ekans evolved into Arbok at lv 22, learning Crunch right after. His stats got a 10 or 15 point boost, and he is definitely my most effective physical Atk Pokemon.
I battled my rival again in the Burned Tower. He added a Mangemite to his team. Slugma easily beat him.
I planned on using Arbok's Dark type Bite and Crunch to power my way past Morty, but some success. He took out a Ghastly and Haunter in a single hit. His lv 25 Gengar got the better of Arbok. I made an error in judgment and tossed out Drowzee next, and Gengar killed him in one Shadow Ball. Psyduck finally killed him off, but with only 8 HP remaining. Morty had one Haunter still to use, and Psyduck's low Speed ensured his death. So I switched to Slugma, hoping he could power through the final opponent. In a stroke of luck, Slugma burned Haunter on the first move. I thought then that Shuckle could just take a bunch of hits and wait for the burn to finish it off. However, this Haunter knew Night Shade, which did 23 damage to Shuckle every turn. I changed once again to Skiploom, and the combination of Bullet Seed and well timed Synthesis won the battle.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Gotta Train 'Em All Part 1 - Gym 3
ILEX FOREST - GYM 3
Before entering the Ilex Forest, I had a rival battle; but I was aware this would happen and I threw Drowzee out first knowing he'd most likely start with a Ghastly. Indeed he did, and Drowzee made quick work of it and the following Zubat. My rival also had a Quilava, whom Psyduck took care of easily, growing to lv 18 and learning Confusion with the victory.
In the Ilex Forest itself are only wild Pokemon. I used mainly Drowzee and Slugma to play the type alignments here.
On Route 34, I battled trainers using type alignments to win. Hoppip evolved into Skiploom at lv 18. He did not get much of a stat boost from evolving. Drowzee tried to learn Poison Gas at lv 18, but I declined because Skiploom and Shuckle already could poison opponents and I think I want to try a different strategy with Drowzee.
In the Underground Tunnel in Goldenrod, I again used type alignments to win. Also in Goldenrod, I played in the Game Corner until I had enough coins to buy the 6th member of the team: Ekans. I'm hoping that his Atk stat will be a standout among the other team members.
The junior trainers and Whitney herself did not put up much of a fight against Shuckle. Miltank was a bit of a pain, but not so much that I had to switch strategies. A couple of Super Potions solved that problem.
Before entering the Ilex Forest, I had a rival battle; but I was aware this would happen and I threw Drowzee out first knowing he'd most likely start with a Ghastly. Indeed he did, and Drowzee made quick work of it and the following Zubat. My rival also had a Quilava, whom Psyduck took care of easily, growing to lv 18 and learning Confusion with the victory.
In the Ilex Forest itself are only wild Pokemon. I used mainly Drowzee and Slugma to play the type alignments here.
On Route 34, I battled trainers using type alignments to win. Hoppip evolved into Skiploom at lv 18. He did not get much of a stat boost from evolving. Drowzee tried to learn Poison Gas at lv 18, but I declined because Skiploom and Shuckle already could poison opponents and I think I want to try a different strategy with Drowzee.
In the Underground Tunnel in Goldenrod, I again used type alignments to win. Also in Goldenrod, I played in the Game Corner until I had enough coins to buy the 6th member of the team: Ekans. I'm hoping that his Atk stat will be a standout among the other team members.
The junior trainers and Whitney herself did not put up much of a fight against Shuckle. Miltank was a bit of a pain, but not so much that I had to switch strategies. A couple of Super Potions solved that problem.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Gotta Train 'Em All Part 1 - Gym 2
ROUTE 32 - GYM 2
With the first gym badge hot in hand, I headed South to Azalea. Already pleased as punch with how my first 3 active team members had performed, I was ready to let Hoppip and Drowzee shine.
On Route 32, you can find TM9 (Bullet Seed). Hoppip's descent Sp Atk and lack of any other worthwhile attack moves make this one a descent move for it. Furthermore, it learned Poisonpowder at lv 12. There's a few fisherman trainers on the east bridge of the route, who are easy picking for Hoppip with these couple of moves.
Slugma picked up Rock Throw at lv 11, but his low Atk stat render it not quite as useful at Ember. Still, the variety in the move type is nothing to scoff at. His and Psyduck's stat growth continued to be solid, alternating between a balanced boost and large gains in Sp Atk.
Psyduck was the clear MVP of Union Cave. He quickly dispatched hikers and wild geodudes, gaining several level on the way. Shuckle continues to surprise me with how quickly he gains levels, which is good because it takes him forever to win battles.
I did not get a chance to give Drowzee a shot until Slowpoke Well, but he was the only Pokemon I needed to clean house. His strong Def and Sp Def as well as his solid Sp Atk and Confusion made quick work of any wild Zubats, and the Team Rocket leader there had a Zubat and Koffing. Child's play.
The junior trainers in Bugsy's gym didn't put up much of a fight against Slugma; and once again Shuckle was the standout monster against the gym leader. This time, he took Scyther's U-Turn like a champ, poisoned Metapod and Kakuna before swapping out to Slugma to mop up, and used his poison to slowly whittle away Scyther.
With the first gym badge hot in hand, I headed South to Azalea. Already pleased as punch with how my first 3 active team members had performed, I was ready to let Hoppip and Drowzee shine.
On Route 32, you can find TM9 (Bullet Seed). Hoppip's descent Sp Atk and lack of any other worthwhile attack moves make this one a descent move for it. Furthermore, it learned Poisonpowder at lv 12. There's a few fisherman trainers on the east bridge of the route, who are easy picking for Hoppip with these couple of moves.
Slugma picked up Rock Throw at lv 11, but his low Atk stat render it not quite as useful at Ember. Still, the variety in the move type is nothing to scoff at. His and Psyduck's stat growth continued to be solid, alternating between a balanced boost and large gains in Sp Atk.
Psyduck was the clear MVP of Union Cave. He quickly dispatched hikers and wild geodudes, gaining several level on the way. Shuckle continues to surprise me with how quickly he gains levels, which is good because it takes him forever to win battles.
I did not get a chance to give Drowzee a shot until Slowpoke Well, but he was the only Pokemon I needed to clean house. His strong Def and Sp Def as well as his solid Sp Atk and Confusion made quick work of any wild Zubats, and the Team Rocket leader there had a Zubat and Koffing. Child's play.
The junior trainers in Bugsy's gym didn't put up much of a fight against Slugma; and once again Shuckle was the standout monster against the gym leader. This time, he took Scyther's U-Turn like a champ, poisoned Metapod and Kakuna before swapping out to Slugma to mop up, and used his poison to slowly whittle away Scyther.
Gotta Train 'Em All Part 1 - Gym 1
For this new section, Wes and I are going through Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver as many times as it take to use every single Pokemon from the original 250 Pokedex. This is an effort to use the monsters we never would have considered using before. We'll both use the same 6 Pokemon and then compare what strategies we used and how they developed after we beat the Elite 4.
In our inaugural run, we're using Psyduck, Slugma, Shuckle, Drowzee, Hoppip and Ekans. We'll have a full written feature after we both finish the game, but you can read all out my run step-by-step exclusively here at the blog.
As a disclaimer, we are allowing ourselves to trade the Pokemon over from another version and allowing TM's to be taught to 3 Pokemon, 1 move each.
BEGINNING - GYM 1
I sent over a lv 1 Psyduck, lv 1 Slugma, lv 1 Shuckle (taught it Toxic), lv 9 Hoppip, lv 12 Drowzee. I'll pick up and Ekans later. I used the Hoppip and Drowzee to help grind the other 3 to lv 5. Shuckle's def and sp def grew +5 or +6 every level. His HP also grew by +2, but all other stat either did not grow at all or by just +1) Slugma and Psyduck grew very similarly, both gaining large boosts to Sp Atk (+2 or +3) every other level (or so), while in between gaining even stats (+1) all around. The toughest part to winning battles once they got strong enough to fight on their own was that they only knew weak moves: Psyduck only knew Scratch and did now have an impressive At stat, Slugma only knew the weak and inaccurate move Smog, but also knew Fire Blast as a result of breeding. That move helped out quite a bit in the Bellsprout Tower.
Slugma carried the party (of which I was only using Slugma, Shuckle and Psyduck because Hoppip and Drowsee were above lv 11 and unruly) through the Bellsprout Tower, learning Ember at lv 8. Psyduck helped out a bit with Hoothoots, learning Water Gun at lv 9. But the time I got to the top of the Tower, Slugma was nearly at lv 10. So to fight the Sage on top, I had to switch between Shuckle and Slugma to divide the experience to that Slugma would be obedient. Shuckle grew to lv 7.
My "Toxic" strategy with Shuckle paid off big when fighting the first gym. By badly poisoning his opponents and just sitting back raising my already impressive defense. I had to use Psyduck for a fight or two just to make sure Shuckle didn't get unruly. Using the "Toxic" strategy, Falkner was no problem.
In our inaugural run, we're using Psyduck, Slugma, Shuckle, Drowzee, Hoppip and Ekans. We'll have a full written feature after we both finish the game, but you can read all out my run step-by-step exclusively here at the blog.
As a disclaimer, we are allowing ourselves to trade the Pokemon over from another version and allowing TM's to be taught to 3 Pokemon, 1 move each.
BEGINNING - GYM 1
I sent over a lv 1 Psyduck, lv 1 Slugma, lv 1 Shuckle (taught it Toxic), lv 9 Hoppip, lv 12 Drowzee. I'll pick up and Ekans later. I used the Hoppip and Drowzee to help grind the other 3 to lv 5. Shuckle's def and sp def grew +5 or +6 every level. His HP also grew by +2, but all other stat either did not grow at all or by just +1) Slugma and Psyduck grew very similarly, both gaining large boosts to Sp Atk (+2 or +3) every other level (or so), while in between gaining even stats (+1) all around. The toughest part to winning battles once they got strong enough to fight on their own was that they only knew weak moves: Psyduck only knew Scratch and did now have an impressive At stat, Slugma only knew the weak and inaccurate move Smog, but also knew Fire Blast as a result of breeding. That move helped out quite a bit in the Bellsprout Tower.
Slugma carried the party (of which I was only using Slugma, Shuckle and Psyduck because Hoppip and Drowsee were above lv 11 and unruly) through the Bellsprout Tower, learning Ember at lv 8. Psyduck helped out a bit with Hoothoots, learning Water Gun at lv 9. But the time I got to the top of the Tower, Slugma was nearly at lv 10. So to fight the Sage on top, I had to switch between Shuckle and Slugma to divide the experience to that Slugma would be obedient. Shuckle grew to lv 7.
My "Toxic" strategy with Shuckle paid off big when fighting the first gym. By badly poisoning his opponents and just sitting back raising my already impressive defense. I had to use Psyduck for a fight or two just to make sure Shuckle didn't get unruly. Using the "Toxic" strategy, Falkner was no problem.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
New Show
I was a little concerned about not getting any content posted today. We had a hot streak going. Ryan and I had to delay the next Nickel Film Podcast again, so I decided to try something new: The Nintenshow.
Wes and I talk Nintendo news, give our take on Nintendo games released this month, and talk about what Nintendo games in November we're excited about. It's all-Nintendo all the time.
We did something similar to this in the latest Jon and Carlos Show, but I think that show works better when we pick a theme and run with it, so we probably won't be reviewing or previewing games any more in that show.
Wes and I talk Nintendo news, give our take on Nintendo games released this month, and talk about what Nintendo games in November we're excited about. It's all-Nintendo all the time.
We did something similar to this in the latest Jon and Carlos Show, but I think that show works better when we pick a theme and run with it, so we probably won't be reviewing or previewing games any more in that show.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Kirby's Epic Yarn
Des was kind enough to pick up Kirby's Epic Yarn for me while I was at work. She's a peach.
I've breezed through the first few levels, and it's really enjoyable so far. I'm digging the art style and the simple music and the overall feel of the game. The controls are tight and responsive. It's not like other Kirby games where he devours enemies to gain their powers. Instead, he uses his yarn-arm as a whip to unravel enemies and pull switches and zippers and such. He can also carry enemies to toss as projectiles into other enemies. At first, I thought they'd make it like Klonoa: using enemies to toss downward when you're mid-air to gain more altitude, as a sort of double-jump. But alas, they did not.
I can't wait to try out the co-op. I know Wes will be down, but he's not here and I could not convince Des to join me. I'm sure she will at some point, but she's working on her Halloween costume. She's using brown shoe polish to distress he angel costume in order to make it into a fallen angel costume. I asked her to save me some of the shoe polish so I could go as a black person. She smacked me for being racist and laughed. That's why I love her.
After I post this, I'll be working on editing Wes's Super Scribblenauts review. That'll be up on the site late tonight.
UPDATE:
The Super Scribblenauts review is now on the site.
I've breezed through the first few levels, and it's really enjoyable so far. I'm digging the art style and the simple music and the overall feel of the game. The controls are tight and responsive. It's not like other Kirby games where he devours enemies to gain their powers. Instead, he uses his yarn-arm as a whip to unravel enemies and pull switches and zippers and such. He can also carry enemies to toss as projectiles into other enemies. At first, I thought they'd make it like Klonoa: using enemies to toss downward when you're mid-air to gain more altitude, as a sort of double-jump. But alas, they did not.
I can't wait to try out the co-op. I know Wes will be down, but he's not here and I could not convince Des to join me. I'm sure she will at some point, but she's working on her Halloween costume. She's using brown shoe polish to distress he angel costume in order to make it into a fallen angel costume. I asked her to save me some of the shoe polish so I could go as a black person. She smacked me for being racist and laughed. That's why I love her.
After I post this, I'll be working on editing Wes's Super Scribblenauts review. That'll be up on the site late tonight.
UPDATE:
The Super Scribblenauts review is now on the site.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Nickel Film 7
4 Heroes of Light is starting to get on my nerves. It's a cool games, and I like the job system they use (although I usually don't like job systems), but they keep on splitting my party. At the start of the game, all 4 characters are together, but then they split into pairs, and then all go their own ways. They meet up with each other every now and then, but walking around as 1 solo character does not make for fun gameplay in an RPG.
At least they don't taunt you with other characters in battles that you don't control, like Final Fantasy 12 and 13. Battles are the gameplay in RPG's. You don't play RPG's because you like to roam around towns talking to NPC's. Taking in the scenery and local color is a nice break from battles, but when you're going back into gameplay, that's what it's all about. The most important element to an RPG is a fun battle system.
Ryan returns for this week's episode. He and I give our Top 5 Vampire Characters in movies, chat about horror and slasher genres, and review The Social Network.
At least they don't taunt you with other characters in battles that you don't control, like Final Fantasy 12 and 13. Battles are the gameplay in RPG's. You don't play RPG's because you like to roam around towns talking to NPC's. Taking in the scenery and local color is a nice break from battles, but when you're going back into gameplay, that's what it's all about. The most important element to an RPG is a fun battle system.
Ryan returns for this week's episode. He and I give our Top 5 Vampire Characters in movies, chat about horror and slasher genres, and review The Social Network.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Something Really Cool
I posted my reviews for NBA Jam and Let Me In on the site. Both are very good. Both the movie and the game, that is. Both reviews are good too, but I was trying to praise the game and movie, not my own writing.
I just wanted to bring some attention to this, for all you pokemon fans out there.
I just wanted to bring some attention to this, for all you pokemon fans out there.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Jon and Carlos Show Episode 9
Carlos could not join us for this week's episode, but new member of the show, Miguel makes his debut to talk about upcoming game for the HD consoles. Wes and I are of course present. We talk a little 3DS, Metroid Other M, Professor Layton, and talk about tons of games coming out in October and November.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Nickel Film 6
Friday, October 1, 2010
Brand New Month
October is here, and before the deluge of games and movies in this month and the next, I've got some pretty good content up on the site today. My review of The Town is now up, and in a few minutes, my take on who is missing from the rosters in the new NBA Jam will be on the site as well.
Ryan will not be able to make it to the podcast tomorrow as planned, but hopefully I'll be getting Des to make her podcast debut with me. She's not a myth, she's real and I hope to prove it tomorrow. Carlos is a bit elusive right now, but I'm trying to drag him to our scheduled podcast on Sunday. If he won't come, we'll press on without him.
As far as the next week's worth of content, look out for movie reviews of Exit Through the Gift Shop, The Social Network, and Let Me In. I'll also have game reviews for NBA Jam on Wii and Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light on DS. I'll put in a couple of features to fill in some gaps as well.
Ryan will not be able to make it to the podcast tomorrow as planned, but hopefully I'll be getting Des to make her podcast debut with me. She's not a myth, she's real and I hope to prove it tomorrow. Carlos is a bit elusive right now, but I'm trying to drag him to our scheduled podcast on Sunday. If he won't come, we'll press on without him.
As far as the next week's worth of content, look out for movie reviews of Exit Through the Gift Shop, The Social Network, and Let Me In. I'll also have game reviews for NBA Jam on Wii and Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light on DS. I'll put in a couple of features to fill in some gaps as well.
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