Gotta Train 'Em All Part 4 Gyms 5 & 6

I wanted to give Wes a little bit of time to catch up, so I took my team on a detour, backtracking around Johto with Wartortle’s new Surf skill. My backtracking eventually led me back to Union Cave, where I encountered several Ace Trainers with skilled Pokemon at the same levels as mine (25/26). Most of my team members held up very well against them, except for Pidgeotto who has yet to find his niche. He did learn Featherdance at lv 27.

Charmeleon learned Fire Fang at lv 28; Butterfree learned Silver Wind also at lv 28 and Tail Wind at lv 30.

After grinding Pikachu to lv 30, I spent some time in the Pokeathelon Dome earning points to buy a Thunderstone. It only took 5 or 6 rounds in the Speed and Jump circuits to earn the points necessary. All of Raichu’s stats took a big jump, except for his Speed, which only increased by 7 points. His Sp Atk and Sp Def grew by 24 points, his Atk by 21 points and his Def and HP by 15 points. His stat growth is now much more encouraging as a Raichu, gaining 2 or 3 points in every stat almost every level; but most importantly, his Speed, Atk and Sp Atk are always growing by 2 or 3 points. His Sp Def is also very impressive.

I did quite a bit of grinding with Raichu on Route 40 and 41, but before that, I played type alignments on Routes 38 and 39 as well as in the Olivine Lighthouse.

I let Pidgeotto do most of the leg work in Chuck’s Gym, partly in hopes that he would pick up a stronger move like Wing Attack within. No such luck. He did try to learn agility, but I declined. His Featherdance/Roost combo made the enemies weak enough and Pidgeotto durable enough to give Gust enough rounds to eliminate the enemies. Chuck’s Poliwrath had a better combo in Hypnonsis/Focus Punch. Raichu had to finish the job. Immediately afterwards, I taught Fly to Pidgeotto.

Jasmine was no sweat for Charmeleon. Flamethrower easily dispatched of both Magnemites and Steelix.