u/Mother_Presence_2442

Starting out with Snivy, I chose my grass type early. But I’ve since been training a Petilil -> Lilligant and I’m questioning my life choices.

Lilligant is awesome. Special attack, Sleep Powder, Synthesis, Quiver Dance. Immenseness is off the charts. I’m minded to drop my starter for it, which seems sacrilegious in Pokémon circles. The other option is I power through with two grass types, which feels just as illegal.

Thoughts? I’m currently in Nimbasa, about to take on Elesa (pray for me) and I’m sporting Growlithe, Psyduck, Elekid, Crobat & Lucario.

Thoughts?

Struggling to get a Crobat. I caught a Zubat in Castellia Sewers at Level 15, I've given it the Soothe Bell and take it for daily massages. It evolved into Golbat at Level 22 but hasn't done anything since. It's now level 26. I've not let it faint and I battle with it regularly. It's never out of my team.

Any suggestions? Am I missing something?

I absolutely love this series. But I've just started reading the Shadow Rising for the first time and I've been cringing my way through the early Rand-Egwene-Elayne love triangle that resolves while they're in the Stone.

Appreciate it's difficult to meaningfully develop so many character's in a book with such staggering breadth and ambition, but these interactions have my skin crawling.

Firstly, they both sound like they're 12 years old. Secondly, it feels far too neat that Egwene and Rand both decide "Yeah we don't love each other anyway". Thirdly, the idea of having all three women chasing after Rand, who, frankly, is becoming fairly dislikable character, feels so out-of-plot. Fourthly, is it me or am I losing faith in Rand? The constant woe-is-me-I'm-not-worthy is not making me feel sorry for him, but is making me rather unlike him

Anyone else thought this?

It looks like my first earlies have succumbed to the blight this year. They’re a good way grown already and there appear to be a decent crop of tubers under the soil already.

Any tips on how to manage this? I think I’ll have the lift them this weekend before the blight kills off the whole crop.

Any suggestions on what to plant afterwards? I realise it’s pretty early in the season so would like to get another crop of something if possible

After weeks of reflection, I still can’t find a reason for Violet and Xaden to be in love.

The text makes it very clear that they are in love but the transition from “want to kill her” to “I love her more than anything that’s ever loved” seems too sudden and doesn’t really seem to have any justification. I don’t think he’s ever made her laugh. I don’t think he’s ever said anything sweet to her. They don’t appear to have any shared interests. Am I missing something?

I feel like love is borne from mutual compatibility, shared experiences, and real chemistry. All they seem to do through IF is argue and fuck. That’s a legitimate relationship for two 20 somethings to have, but to intersperse it with loud proclamations that “No one ever anywhere could love anything as much we love each other” seems slightly out of kilter.

Thoughts?

I’ve recently been replaying Diamond and my battle with Cynthia has made my jaw hit the floor on a number of occasions. Her coverage is absolutely whack.

I thought Infernape would be a good match up for her Lucario, only to have it hit me with psychic.

Then I thought I’d be able to chip it with my Garchomp, and it used Dragon Pulse.

I tried finishing her Garchomp with Weaville and I got hit by Fire Fang.

I tried using Luxray against Milotic, only to be Earthquaked out.

Am I wrong in thinking the spirit of the game is being lost here? I think coverage is great, especially when it makes you think. But just grafting the four strongest moves in the game onto the four strongest pokemon feels less like a clever tactical ploy and more like lazy design.

I think most of my enjoyment comes from pokemon who have themes that make sense, in a fantasy-realism way. So you could explain a Heracross having Aerial Ace despite not being a flying type. Lucario having Psychic just felt so totally out of character

Anyone else thought this?

I’ve been rewatching the Kanto and Johto arcs of the anime as an adult and what’s really hit me is how much of a wasted opportunity Misty was.

On paper she’s an incredible character. She’s got a great backstory, a strong personality and an unique blend of toughness and vulnerability that make her one of the most human and compelling characters in the franchise.

But she’s never allowed to grow. Her role is repeatedly undermined by the writing. Her insecurities about living in her sister’s shadow, her ambitions as a water type specialist and her struggles for recognition are rarely developed in any meaningful way. She’s nearly always the “girl who argues with ash” or the “one who narrates Ash’s battle”

Anyone else notice this?

Am the only one who feels this? Xaden’s character is so unquestionably perfect that he loses all believability for me. Aesthetically beautiful, incredibly strong, witty, intelligent, reserved and emotionally damaged. He’s a living archetype. Every scene seems scripted so he wins the argument or has the upper hand. Every battle fought so that he’s unbeatable. His only flaws are that he’s too perfect, too loyal, too loving, too devoted, too honourable.

Im getting to the end of the second book and (no spoilers) his interactions with Melgren, supposedly the most powerful rider in the continent make Melgren look like a stuttering, comic book baddie. Im struggling to reconcile this with Yarros’ internal fantasy hierarchy. I feel like Melgren should be able to snuff him out in a heartbeat. He’s a recently graduated early 20 something solider right? Talented for sure, but he possesses these superman like physical characteristics and the wisdom of a 300 year old, Gandalf-equivalent wizard.

Thoughts?