Firelocke: Update 1

I started my Firelocke today! (If you want more info on a Firelocke, click here.)

I chose Fennekin as my starter and nicknamed it Firefox. It took quite a few random encounters to find a Fletchling for my team. I finally caught one, and nicknamed it Firebird (have you caught on to the theme yet?).

I left off at Santalune Forest, where I will work on training Firefox and Firebird. I would ideally like them to evolve before I reach Santalune City.

That's it for my first update! I'll post the next one tomorrow!

If you want to chat, trade, or battle, find me on the Gamers' Community Forums! My username is Scribbler397.

Pokemon Y

I just got my free copy of Pokemon Y from the Club Nintendo promotion. I have decided to do a Firelocke. The rules will be as follows:

• You can only use Fire Type Pokemon. You are allowed to catch any Pokemon you want (because I would like to transfer them to X via Pokemon Bank), but you can only use Fire Type Pokemon in battle.
• If a Pokemon faints, it is considered dead and must be put in a "graveyard" box or released.
• Pokemon must be nicknamed.

I will be updating the blog with my Firelocke progress and tweeting as I go as @Scribbler397, so be sure to follow the blog (just enter your email in the box to the right) and my Twitter! 

Shiny Ponyta and Shiny Slugma in the Friend Safari

The last time I posted, I discussed my research and the data that I am collecting to determine the Friend Safari Shiny Rate. (If you would like to read the post, click here. To be taken directly to the research thread, click here.)

Continuing my research, I was in the Friend Safari yesterday hunting for shiny Pokemon. I found another shiny Slugma, which I will evolve into a Magcargo, and a shiny Ponyta! I have been hunting for a shiny Ponyta for a while now, so I am quite happy to have found one. Getting shiny Pokemon is definitely a bonus of this research!

I've updated my Shiny Collection page and added my new shinies! I still haven't transferred my shiny Pokemon from White 2 now that Pokemon Bank is out, so I still need to do that. I'll update the page when I do, though!

Friend Safari Shiny Rate

I am conducting research to help determine the Friend Safari Shiny Rate. I need your help to though!

I need you guys to keep track of how many pokemon you encounter in the friend safari each time you go in, and how many shiny pokemon you encounter. I will also need you to note whether you have the shining charm or not.

With some simple math and this data, we can approximate the shiny encounter rate in the friend safari.

For more information, and to report your data, click the link here: Friend Safari Shiny Rate Project

Together, we can determine the Friend Safari Shiny Rate!

Shiny Slugma

I finally caught my first Friend Safari shiny! I was stalking the Safari for a shiny Ponyta, but I encountered a shiny Slugma instead!

Shiny Slugma (from serebii.net)

I am still thrilled! Shiny Slugma was on my capture list, so I am still quite happy despite the fact that it wasn't the Pokemon I was looking for. Now to continue the search for the elusive Shiny Ponyta!

To see the rest of my Shiny Collection, click here!

If you want to battle me, contact me on the Gamers' Community Forums! My username is Scribbler397. I am happy to take on challengers! If you are interested in trading Pokemon, you can contact me there as well!

My Final Team for Regionals

Winter Regionals was Sunday, and as promised, here's a look at my final team!

Kage (Greninja) @ King's Rock
Ability: Protean
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Grass Knot

Kanga and Roo (Kangaskhan) (F) @ Kangaskhanite
Ability: Scrappy
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Sucker Punch
- Fake Out
- Power-Up Punch
- Rock Slide

Leonardo (Smeargle) (M) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Moody
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Dark Void
- Recover
- Spikes
- Toxic Spikes

Tide (Rotom-Wash) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Dark Pulse
- Shadow Ball
- Thunderbolt

Fawkes (Talonflame) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- U-turn
- Will-O-Wisp

Glaedr (Dragonite) (M) @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Claw
- Extreme Speed
- Fire Punch
- Iron Tail

I used Kangaskhan and Greninja for every battle. They were the most stable sweepers on my team, and were able to do a good amount of damage to my opponents. Talonflame and Wash-Rotom were included more often than Dragonite and Smeargle. In fact, out of my nine battles yesterday, I only used Smeargle once. I think that that was a mistake, because in the one battle where I used him, I swept the opponent's entire team without losing any HP on my Pokemon. With a Timid Nature and 252 Speed EVs, he is pretty fast. With Kangaskhan using Fake Out first turn on the most dangerous threat, I was able to use Dark Void without any obstacles. 

What do you guys think of my team? What teams did you guys use for Regionals? Comment below, or send me a message on the Gamers' Community Forums.

If you want to battle me, contact me on the Gamers' Community Forums! My username is Scribbler397. I am happy to take on challengers! If you are interested in trading Pokemon, you can contact me there as well!

Froakie Pixel Art

I found myself longing for the nostalgia of Pokemon pixel art, so I decided to make some sprites for the new Gen 6 Pokemon myself. Here is the first sprite that I made:

Froakie was my starter in Gen 6, so I felt it was only right to start my Gen 6 pixel art with it! 

What do you guys think? 

Comment below or send me a message on the Gamers' Community Forums!

My username is Scribbler397.

Update 7

In my last post, my Pokemon and I had just made it past the Snorlax roadblock and continued on the path toward the next gym. The road to Cyllage City Gym was full of surprises.

After making it past the Snorlax, I was introduced to the Battle Chateau -- a facility where trainers with titles of nobility may battle with others of the same standing. I was granted a title and my Pokemon and I trained there for a little bit.

While battling at the Battle Chateau, Pidgey, Riolu, and Charmander evolved. 

Update 6

The last time I posted, my Froakie had just evolved into a Frogadier, and I worked on training and maxing out its base stats. After that, I decided to continue on to the next town.

It had a quaint little castle, and a charming inn, but unfortunately, no gym. I decided that it was time to move on, but I met a roadblock. 

Update 5

The last time I posted, Froakie had just  evolved in Frogadier. After that, I decided that it was time to start working on my Pokemon's stats. 

I found a Reset bag and used it to reset Frogadier's base stats. Then I started training it's Special Attack, Speed, and HP/Attack in equal amounts. Mostly working on having it be able to be a sweeper. I have its stats completely maxed out.

Riolu is up next on my training regimen, and I already have a Reset bag to use on it, but I am going to get all of the training medals first so that it will go faster after I reset. I read online that by using that method, you can completely max out the stats in about half an hour. It was too late with Frogadier to use this method, because I had already reset and trained it halfway when I learned  about it.

After Riolu, it is Pikachu's turn. I am going to max out its Special Attack, HP, and Speed.

Are you maxing out your Pokemon's stats first and then leveling up, or are you going to wait a while? Tell us in the comments below!

Don't forget to follow this blog so that you don't miss an update!

Do you want to chat, trade, or battle? Join the Gamers' Community Forums!

Update 4

When I last posted, Froakie and I had challenged Gym Leader Viola to a battle.

She used a Lv. 10 Surskit and a Lv. 12 Vivillon. My team of three and I battled hard, and came out the victors in the end. Gym Leader Viola presented us with a shining Bug badge as proof of our victory.

I decided to head out to Lumiose City next, and was met on the way by two of the Professor's older trainers whom he had sent on the same journey that I was now on two years ago. They informed me that the Professor wanted to meet me at his lab.

Update 3

The last time I posted, I had just gotten my new partner, Froakie. Since then, I have had some exciting adventures!

Here is a picture of Froakie's first battle! After receiving Froakie, I was challenged to a battle. I battled against Shauna, who chose Fennekin as their partner. Froakie won the battle with ease.

Charizard X

Not too much has been announced since my last post, so this one will be quick. Just going to give you guys some info on the AWESOME Mega Charizard X!

Mega Charizard X
(Image form the official Pokemon X and Y website.)

This thing looks amazing! The color is reminiscent of a shiny Charizard, so it makes me wonder: 

what will a shiny Mega Charizard X look like? 

The game comes out in only two days. When the game is released, I will be posting pictures and stories about my journey through the Kalos region and some musings that I have along the way. I will also be discussing competitive play in the new games, so stay tuned!

Pokemon Gotta Catch 'Em All Codes

After scouring the Internet for the Pokemon Gotta Catch 'Em All Sweepstakes codes, I found that I was still missing most of them. (I'll be honest, I didn't really bother searching too hard.) However, through the magic of Google, I found a website that lists the majority of them all on one page. All you have to do is copy and paste the code to unlock your free digital prize and enter the sweepstakes for real prizes. So while we wait (impatiently) for X and Y to be released, score yourself some cool Pokemon ringtones, notification tones, and screensavers.

If you still want to search for them yourself, don't click this link here.

I will note ahead of time though, before you think that the codes don't work, that the hint has to have been released for that code in order for it to work. Unfortunately, whichever one has the Oshawott notification tone hasn't been released yet. Must. Have. Oshawott!

Pokemon X and Y Nintendo 3DS XL Systems

Limited edition Pokemon X and Y themed 3DS XL systems.
(Image from the official Pokemon website.)

Pokemon X and Pokemon Y themed Nintendo 3DS XL systems are now available in stores. Pokemon X and Pokemon Y are sold separately from the systems. It is interesting that they are releasing the themed system so far from the release date. The Pokemon Company could have created more of a frenzy had they released them with the game a week before the game itself was available in stores. 

What do you think? 

Was this a smart move on behalf of the Pokemon Company, 

or could they have played their hand better? 

Voice your opinion in the comments below!

Pokemon Movie and XY Sneak Peak

Pokemon fans across the U.S. are excited for the premier of the new Pokemon movie Genesect and the Legend Awakened on October 19th. Viewers across the nation will finally get to watch Mega Mewtwo in action.

Now viewers have even more to look forward to, because the official Pokemon website has announced that a sneak preview of the new Pokemon X and Y anime series will air after the movie.

Do you plan on tuning in to watch Genesect and the Legend Awakened premier?

Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

New Evolution Announced - Doublade

The official Pokemon website has announced a new evolved Pokemon: Doublade. 

Doublade
(Image from the official Pokemon X and Y website.)

This Steel and Ghost type is the evolved form of Honedge. It really doesn't look all that different from its pre-evolved form, other than the fact that it now has pink markings and there are two of them. Doublade's height is the same as Honedge's, confirming the fact that it is essentially two Honedge put together. However, its weight has more than doubled from 4.4 pounds to 9.9. Two Honedge would weigh 8.8 pounds together, so one can assume that the added weight is from the link holding the two sheaths together.

I am a little on the fence about this Pokemon. I can't really decide whether I like it or not.

What do you think? 

Do you like this evolution, or would you have rather seen this Pokemon go in a different direction?

Voice your opinion in the comments below!

New Fossil Pokemon

The official Pokemon X and Y site announced two new fossil Pokemon and their evolutions today. By restoring the Jaw Fossil, you can obtain the Pokemon Tyrunt. Tyrunt (which sounds an awful lot like tyrant) is a Rock and Dragon type Pokemon. 

Tyrunt
(Image from the official Pokemon X and Y website.)

This rather small Pokemon (it is only 2 feet and 7 inches tall) evolves into massive Tyrantrum, measuring 8 feet and 2 inches high and weighing in at a whopping 595.2 pounds!

Tyrantrum
(Image from the official Pokemon X and Y website.)

By restoring the Sail Fossil, you can obtain the Pokemon Amaura. Amaura is a Rock and Ice type Pokemon, and has the new Refrigerate ability, which turns Normal type moves into Ice type moves. 

Amuara
 (Image from the official Pokemon X and Y website.)

Amaura evolves in Aurorus. Aurorus can learn the new Ice type move Freeze Dry. This attack could potentially freeze the target.

Aurorus
(Image from the official Pokemon X and Y website.)

I like the designs of all four of these Pokemon. The color schemes of both Pokemon are quite nice. They did a good job choosing those. Based solely on type advantage, I have a feeling that the Sail Fossil is going to be a popular choice. But if this were a decision of which one looked more intimidating, I feel that the Jaw Fossil would be the way to go. 

It is going to be hard to choose between these two Fossil evolutionary lines.You'll have to wait until after the game is released on October 12th to see which one I choose!

Which one of these Fossil Pokemon are you going to choose?

Tell us in the comments below!

New Pokemon - Litleo and Pyroar

The new Pokemon Litleo is a very cute little Fire and normal type Pokemon. 

Litleo
(Image from the official Pokemon X and Y website.)

Litleo honestly reminds me of Shinx, released in generation four. However, I might have a hard time finding a spot for this Pokemon on my team. Fennekin is adorable, and if I don't choose Fennekin as my Kalos starter, then I am choosing Charmander as the Kanto starter. There are also Fletchling and Talonflame to consider as well. Decisions, decisions.

Back to Litleo though. Litleo evolves into Pyroar, which has different male and female appearances. 

Male Pyroar(Image from the official Pokemon X and Y website.)

Female Pyroar(Image from the official Pokemon X and Y website.)

The male Pyroar has an impressive mane, although one must wonder how it can hear anything with all of that fur covering its ears. Female Pyroar's mane reminds me of a ponytail, which is probably what they were going for. If I do use this Pokemon on my team, I think that I will catch a male Litleo to evolve into Pyroar, because I prefer the appearance of the male Pyroar's mane.

What do you think? Would you choose the male or female Pyroar?

Tell us in the comments below!