Tuesday, August 26, 2014

My Favorite 718 Pokémon

   Inspired by my previous, Top Pokémon post, I have slowly pieced together a list of all 719 Pokémon and ranked them according to my whims. I graded each one on various things that I look for in a Pokémon, and they each got scores out of 12. Then, I grouped all similar numbers together, and began ranking them each Pokémon in each group individually until I came up with a complete list from my favorite, to my least favorite. Without further ado, my favorite 718 (and my least favorite) Pokémon!
These are my opinions and aren't facts blablablah ...

12 out of 12

1. Absol
2. Greninja
3. Weavile

11 out of 12

4. Yveltal
5. Swampert
6. Volcarona
7. Giratina
8. Chandelure
9. Scrafty
10. Inkay

10 out of 12

11. Crobat
12. Gyarados
13. Nidoking
14. Arcanine
15. Sylveon
16. Umbreon
17. Espeon
18. Spiritomb
19. Blaziken
20. Bisharp
21. Sandslash
22. Suicune
23. Butterfree
24. Shedinja
25. Hydreigon
26. Feraligatr
27. Froslass
28. Zoroark
29. Honchkrow
30. Aerodactyl
 31. Aegislash
32. Sneasel
33. Galvantula
34. Gastrodon
35. Scolipede
36. Kangaskhan
37. Piplup
38. Arbok
39. Gliscor
40. Hawlucha
41. Houndoom
42. Sableye
43. Prinplup
44. Groudon
45. Skarmory
46. Liepard
47. Garchomp
48. Growlithe
49. Dragalge
50. Entei
51. Kyogre
52. Vulpix
53. Trevenant
54. Rotom
55. Zorua
56. Carvanha
57. Larvesta

9 out of 12

58. Braviary
59. Pancham
60. Ninetales
61. Glaceon
62. Klefki
63. Eelektross
64. Lucario
65. Empoleon
66. Talonflame
67. Banette
68. Starmie
69. Shiftry
70. Victini
71. Mewtwo
72. Aggron
73. Vaporeon
74. Flareon
75. Charizard
76. Seviper
77. Krokorok
78. Scizor
79. Tyranitar
80. Azumarill
81. Gourgeist
82. Gardevoir
83. Froakie
84. Purrloin
85. Sandile
86. Ponyta
87. Barbaracle
88. Tentaruel
89. Ferrothorn
90. Torchic
91. Marowak
92. Pangoro
93. Malamar
94. Krookodile
95. Metagross
96. Kabutops
97. Shuckle
98. Typhlosion
99. Scraggy
100. Kadabra
101. Houndour
102. Nidoqueen
103. Milotic
104. Infernape
105. Vivillon
106. Blastoise
107. Seadra
108. Zebstrika
109. Mudkip
110. Delphox
111. Corsola
112. Weezing
113. Steelix
114. Mismagius
115. Pinsir
116. Misdreavus
117. Mew
118. Salamence
119. Xerneas
120. Zangoose
121. Mandibuzz
122. Chesnaught
123. Breloom
124. Lucdicolo
125. Litwick
126. Kricketune
127. Abra
128. Totodile
129. Staryu
130. Tentacool
131. Pawniard
132. Joltik
133. Pumpkaboo
134. Murkrow
135. Skrelp
136. Piloswine
137. Hippowdon
138. Frogadier
139. Dusclops
140. Magmortar
141. Mamoswine
142. Croconaw

8 out of 12

143. Lairon
144. Doublade
145. Lapras
146. Florges
147. Carbink
148. Nidorino
149. Kingler
150. Krabby
151. Haunter
152. Tyrantrum
153. Archeops
154. Dewott
155. Virizion
156. Rapidash
157. Zigzagoon
158. Flabébé
159. Jolteon
160. Lillipup
161. Rayquaza
162. Torkoal
163. Shuppet
164. Celebi
165. Cubone
166. Floette
167. Scyther
168. Armaldo
169. Cobalion
170. Magmar
171. Stunfisk
172. Honedge
173. Blissey
174. Pyroar
175. Zapdos
176. Cacturne
177. Venipede
178. Whirlipede
179. Shiftry
180. Cyndaquil
181. Charmeleon
182. Wingull
183. Mawile
184. Phantump
185. Shellos
186. Shieldon
187. Cloyster
188. Gligar
189. Quilava
190. Excadrilll
191. Kabuto
192. Drilbur
193. Onix
194. Ampharos
195. Raikou
196. Nidorina
197. Whimsicott
198. Fennekin
199. Aron
200. Togekiss
201. Zweilous
202. Koffing
203. Bastiodon
204. Machamp
205. Keldeo
206. Archen
207. Diglett
208. Altaria
209. Ninjask
210. Lampent
211. Cottonee
212. Dwebble
213. Samurott
214. Torterra
215. Sharpedo
216. Marshtomp
217. Dugtrio
218. Gengar
219. Horsea
220. Omastar
221. Donphan
222. Yanmega
223. Manaphy
224. Braxien
225. Fletchinder
226. Omanyte
227. Vullaby
228. Psyduck
229. Gulpin
230. Gastly
231. Swanna
232. Duskull
233. Skuntank
234. Aurorus
235. Camerupt
236. Alakazam
237. Medicham
238. Ekans
239. Walrein
240. Tirtouga
241. Hippopotas
242. Darumaka
243. Yanma
244. Octillery
245. Durant
246. Binacle
247. Slowbro
248. Heatmor
249. Ferroseed
250. Alomola
251. Latios
252. Latias
253. Darkrai

7 out of 12

254. Grovyle
255. Leafeon
256. Hypno
257. Emolga
258. Dragonair
259. Articuno
260. Skiddo
261. Eevee
262. Roselia
263. Skorupi
264. Nuzleaf
265. Ditto
266. Deino
267. Bunnelby
268. Ariados
269. Azelf
270. Uxie
271. Mesprit
272. Nidoran (m)
273. Mareep
274. Farfetch'd
275. Beedrill
276. Manectric
277. Tropius
278. Cresselia
279. Venonat
280. Blitzle
281. Golduck
282. Escavalier
283. Cradily
284. Vespiquen
285. Floatzel
286. Relicanth
287. Anorith
288. Clefable
289. Buizel
290. Unfezant
291. Zygarde
292. Abomasnow
293. Qwilfish
294. Nidoran (f)
295. Litleo
296. Squirtle
297. Chansey
298. Heracross
299. Mightyena
300. Lumineon
301. Solosis
302. Duosion
303. Reuniclus
304. Swalot
305. Avalugg
306. Phione
307. Togepi
308. Togetic
309. Oshawott
310. Swinub
311. Forretress
312. Kingdra
313. Grumpig
314. Wailord
315. Finneon
316. Ducklett
317. Sandshrew
318. Lanturn
319. Sceptile
320. Zubat
321. Rhydon
322. Flaaffy
323. Herdier
324. Charmander
325. Riolu
326. Kricketot
327. Smeargle
328. Kecleon
329. Dialga
330. Ho-Oh
331. Dusknoir
332. Rhyperior
333. Masquerain
334. Phanpy
335. Wartortle
336. Numel
337. Clamperl
338. Feebas
339. Spritzee
340. Graveler
341. Muk
342. Drapion
343. Heatran
344. Tympole
345. Darmanitan
346. Trapinch
347. Gabite
348. Combusken
349. Nincada
350. Slowpoke
351. Corphish
352. Chinchou
353. Tepig
354. Poliwag
355. Fletchling
356. Palkia
357. Cranidos
358. Yamask
359. Slowking
360. Jirachi
361. Palpitoad
362. Carracosta
363. Geodude
364. Slugma
365. Terrakion
366. Basculin
367. Lugia
368. Marill
369. Pelipper
370. Bronzong
371. Mienfoo
372. Meditite
373. Croagunk
374. Gallade
375. Metang
376. Genesect
377. Shellder
378. Seel
379. Barboach
380. Politoed
381. Remoraid
382. Wailmer
383. Stoutland

6 out of 12

384. Pidgeotto
385. Pachirisu
386. Magikarp
387. Slaking
388. Bayleef
389. Golbat
390. Heliolisk
391. Pikachu
392. Cryogonal
393. Gogoat
394. Crawdaunt
395. Diancie
396. Meganium
397. Foongus
398. Tauros
399. Accelgor
400. Exploud
401. Glalie
402. Carnivine
403. Monferno
404. Venusaur
405. Goodra
406. Spinda
407. Xatu
408. Rhyhorn
409. Magcargo
410. Eelektrik
411. Crawdaunt
412. Gigalith
413. Dodrio
414. Meowth
415. Noivern
416. Mantine
417. Dustox
418. Espurr
419. Electrike
420. Raichu
421. Lombre
422. Poliwhirl
423. Cofagrigus
424. Serperior
425. Bagon
426. Electabuzz
427. Noctowl
428. Poliwrath
429. Chimchar
430. Porygon
431. Tynamo
432. Noibat
433. Audino
434. Dedenne
435. Dewgong
436. Whiscash
437. Beldum
438. Doduo
439. Surskit
440. Toxicroak
441. Aipom
442. Exeggutor
443. Primeape
444. Rufflet
445. Chespin
446. Spinarak
447. Poochyena
448. Venomoth
449. Furfrou
450. Claydol
451. Meowstic
452. Frillish
453. Moltres
454. Taillow
455. Pupitar
456. Electivire
457. Ambipom
458. Deoxys
459. Emboar
460. Drowzee
461. Ledian
462. Goldeen
463. Volbeat
464. Wooper
465. Lileep
466. Dragonite
467. Mankey
468. Snover
469. Clawitzer
470. Bergmite
471. Gible
472. Larvitar
473. Treecko
474. Baltoy
475. Beartic
476. Kirlia
477. Lunatone
478. Solrock
479. Seaking
480. Seismitoad
481. Mienshao
482. Clauncher
483. Quagsire
484. Karrablast
485. Shelmet
486. Natu
487. Shaymin
488. Lotad
489. Druddigon
490. Arceus
491. Chimecho
492. Ledyba
493. Golett
494. Golurk
495. Gothitelle
496. Huntail
497. Gorebyss
498. Landorus
499. Thundurus
500. Tornadus
501. Jellicent
502. Jumpluff
503. Snubbull
504. Skiploom
505. Hoppip
506. Magnemite
507. Grimer
508. Spoink
509. Exeggcute

5 out of 12

510. Fearow
511. Dratini
512. Staraptor
513. Pidgeot
514. Snorlax
515. Ivysaur
516. Electrode
517. Meloetta
518. Lilligant
519. Cacnea
520. Linoone
521. Weepinbell
522. Tranquill
523. Swellow
524. Porygon2
525. Vigoroth
526. Leavanny
527. Flygon
528. Miltank
529. Heliotile
530. Vileplume
531. Voltorb
532. Ursaring
533. Castform
534. Vibrava
535. Girafarig
536. Bulbasaur
537. Amaura
538. Ralts
539. Cinccino
540. Teddiursa
541. Porygon-Z
542. Staravia
543. Sliggoo
544. Starly
545. Loudred
546. Delibrid
547. Seedot
548. Caterpie
549. Metapod
550. Rattata
551. Grotle
552. Turtwig
553. Lickitung
554. Shinx
555. Tyrunt
556. Petilil
557. Pidove
558. Minccino
559. Clefairy
560. Oddish
561. Scatterbug
562. Haxorus
563. Roserade
564. Amoongus
565. Victreebel
566. Shelgon
567. Delcatty
568. Parasect
569. Boldore
570. Cherrim
571. Dunsparce
572. Shroomish
573. Spearow
574. Wobbuffet
575. Paras
576. Sigilyph
577. Wigglytuff
578. Chatot
579. Buneary
580. Sudowoodo
581. Fraxure
582. Axew
583. Raticate
584. Persian
585. Furret
586. Servine
587. Snivy
588. Sewaddle
589. Swadloon
590. Tangela
591. Jigglypuff
592. Registeel
593. Bellossom
594. Maractus
595. Pidgey
596. Mothim
597. Hariyama
598. Rampardos
599. Magnezone
600. Granbull
601. Stantler
602. Hitmontop
603. Quilladin
604. Magneton
605. Luxray
606. Luxio
607. Kakuna
608. Pineco
609. Cherubi
610. Sentret
611. Sunkern
612. Weedle
613. Magby
614. Bronzor
615. Snorunt
616. Deerling
617. Sawsbuck
618. Trubbish
619. Timburr
620. Illumise
621. Swablu
622. Garbodor
623. Spheal
624. Sealeo
625. Musharna
626. Munna
627. Makuhita
628. Beautifly
629. Pignite
630. Mr. Mime
631. Conkeldurr
632. Reshiram
633. Zekrom
634. Kyurem
635. Beheeym
636. Elgyem
637. Jynx
638. Gothita
639. Probopass
640. Aromatisse

4 our ot 12

641. Goomy
642. Pichu
643. Lopunny
644. Wurmple
645. Spewpa
646. Machoke
647. Glameow
648. Combee
649. Crustle
650. Klinklang
651. Klang
652. Klink
653. Cleffa
654. Machop
655. Drifblim
656. Drifloon
657. Hoothoot
658. Bellsprout
659. Wynaut
660. Hitmonlee
661. Hitmonchan
662. Skitty
663. Unown
664. Chingling
665. Mime Jr.
666. Golem
667. Bibarel
668. Bidoof
669. Tyrogue
670. Roggenrola
671. Tangrowth
672. Elekid
673. Mantyke
674. Igglybuff
675. Azurill
676. Sunflora
677. Luvdisc
678. Regice
679. Regirock
680. Gurdurr
681. Pansear
682. Panpour
683. Simisear
684. Simipour
685. Watchog
686. Gloom
687. Bouffalant
688. Swirlix
689. Purugly
690. Gothorita
691. Diggersby
692. Woobat
693. Swoobat
694. Nosepass
695. Slurpuff

3 out of 12

696. Slakoth
697. Wormadam
698. Happiny
699. Whismur
700. Cascoon
701. Silcoon
702. Patrat
703. Munchlax
704. Cubchoo
705. Budew
706. Bonsly
707. Burmy

2 out of 12

708. Minun
709. Plusle
710. Sawk
711. Throh
712. Regigigas

1 out of 12

713. Vanilluxe
714. Vanillish
715. Vanillite
716. Simisage
717. Pansage
718. Smoochum
719. Lickilicky

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

The Nuzlog (Yellow) - Day 53

     I am replaying the Pokémon games from Gen I to Gen VI, in order. I have at least one game for each generation and will be playing what I have available to me. The one unique thing about this play through, for me, is going with a Nuzlocke challenge. Before I start with the log here are the rules I will be enforcing.

1) If a Pokémon faints, it dies and must be released.

2) I can only catch the first Pokémon in each area to use for my team. I can catch more (to meet Pokédex requirements), but they can't be used on the team.

3) I will be creating a story, certain situations will inspire new rules or restrictions later. This will be explained as the story itself progresses.

4) I lose if my entire team faints, and I am unable to collect a new team. EX: I faint in a cave. Before I release my Pokémon. I will go to where I fainted, and use any and all remaining Poké Balls (without battling) to see if I can catch a new Pokémon. If I can't, then my quest is officially over.


With those rules setting me up for failure. Here goes the beginning of my quest. Also, I'm using the logic of every 10 minutes (that I play the game) is 1 day (game time) for the story aspect of this journal.

==xx==

The Nuzlog (Yellow) - Day 53


   It took me a few days to entirely cope with my loss of Hope. I meandered down to Saffron City, but I was stopped by a thirsty guard. Instead, I went underground to Vermillion.

   Once at Vermillion, I found that I would need to face the gym leader, Lt. Surge. My mind fluttered off to my Lt. Pikams and I became depressed for a few more days. During this time I explored the various houses and caught a Magikarp by the sea; I named it Poseidon, for it would become the god of the sea.

   Poseidon didn't like that I named my Magikarp after him apparently. My first battle against a Weedle did me in. A poisonous stinger flew directly into his eye, and his immune system ceased to work before I could cure it. Are these Pokémon completely helpless? As I see them as an epitome of me, am I completely helpless?

   I was fishing along Route 6 in hopes of finding some cool water Pokémon, but instead was attacked by a Magikarp. To this, I figured a Pokémon was better than no Pokémon, so I added her to my team. I named her Tsunami; I didn't want to invoke the rage of the gods once again.

   It has been DAYS since anything exciting happened. Magikarp is still a Magikarp, and my herculean fear of bushes prevents me from combating the gym leader. Some old guy gave me a bike voucher though, and I heard that the S.S. Anne is having a going away party sometime soon, and Bill did give me a ticket; it'd be a shame not to go.

   Wait a minute, I have a Bike Voucher!



==xx==

The Pokémon Team:

03.14.14 - Captain, a level 23 Pidgey. Caught at Route 1.

03.16.14 - Rhina, a level 25 Nidoqueen. Caught at Route 22.

03.18.14 - Blue, a level 16 Oddish. Caught at Route 4.

03.18.14 - Spyro, a level 16 Charmander. Adopted at Route 4.

03.22.14 - Tsunami, a level 14 Magikarp. Caught on Route 6.


---

The Fallen Pokémon:

03.14.14 - LT. Pikams a level 5 Pikachu. Rival's Eevee used tackle. I forgot to use my potion.

03.15.14 - - - - a level 6 Mankey. Wild Pidgey used Gust. I forgot to switch it out.

03.16.14 - - - - a level 4 Rattata. Bug Catcher's Metapod used tackle. Do I really need to explain this one?

03.20.14 - Hope a level 18 Magikarp. Misty's Starmie used tackle. Critical hit.

03.21.14 - Poseidon a level 7 Magikarp. Critical hit and poison damage. I didn't make it to the Pokémon Center in time.


00.00.00

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

The Nuzlog (Yellow) - Day 38

   I am replaying the Pokémon games from Gen I to Gen VI, in order. I have at least one game for each generation and will be playing what I have available to me. The one unique thing about this play through, for me, is going with a Nuzlocke challenge. Before I start with the log here are the rules I will be enforcing.

1) If a Pokémon faints, it dies and must be released.

2) I can only catch the first Pokémon in each area to use for my team. I can catch more (to meet Pokédex requirements), but they can't be used on the team.

3) I will be creating a story, certain situations will inspire new rules or restrictions later. This will be explained as the story itself progresses.

4) I lose if my entire team faints, and I am unable to collect a new team. EX: I faint in a cave. Before I release my Pokémon. I will go to where I fainted, and use any and all remaining Poké Balls (without battling) to see if I can catch a new Pokémon. If I can't, then my quest is officially over.

OPTIONAL) I can't use Pokémon Centers. I can only rely on my own money, or my mother (or other healing people). For now, it's optional. If I feel that I am able to pull this off, I certainly will (I know I can in later generations, but 1 and 2 will be very difficult).

(Going through my first Nuzlocke WITHOUT going to Pokémon Centers is insane. Sorry, but this rule is getting dropped.)

With those rules setting me up for failure. Here goes the beginning of my quest. Also, I'm using the logic of every 10 minutes (that I play the game) is 1 day (game time) for the story aspect of this journal.

==xx==

The Nuzlog (Yellow) - Day 38


   Mt. Moon was easy. I got through it in roughly three days time. I killed a few Zubat, but they seemed to be in controlled quantities.

   I stumbled across some fossils, and was about to take them, but a maniac claimed that he found them first. I offered to split them 50/50, but he decided that we should battle for control of them instead (I told him that I wanted the fossil dedicated to Lord Helix himself, and he didn't like that). I won. I gave him a fossil anyways (the dome fossil). I was now walking with the power of the deity from old, Lord Helix; I was unstoppable.

   As I was leaving two goons from Team Rocket battled me. I didn't quite catch all of their nonsense, but I kicked their butts and told them to go home. Now, there was nothing stopping me from reaching Cerulean.

   I decided to train a bit before properly entering Cerulean, and I met Lucas on Route 4. I completely demolished him, and proceeded to beat a "challenge" on the bridge. I felt confident with my abilities (I caught an Oddish), so I turned back and finally entered Cerulean.

   The first day in Cerulean, I had a strange dream. I was walking through the grass when a trainer asked me to battle. Instead, a lazy fox teleported me to the Pokémon Center and I decided to battle Misty. I was stopped by Michael Phelps and we battled. After the battle, I decided to meet up with the original trainer and give him the loss I owed him. A strange Pokémon, Mew, blocked my way. I caught it, and my dream ended. Now, this is the weird part, when I discovered the Pokémon Daycare about a week later, the Old Man running it told me that I had already left a Pokémon there. When I asked him which one, he pointed out the window to the floating pink phenomenon called Mew. Weird right? I named her Phenomena, and left her with the daycare; it was time for me to beat Misty.

   As I battled Misty, I knew something was wrong. She claims to use an all out offensive strategy, but the only thing her Pokémon did was harden. When her Starmie was a stiff as steel, she began flying at Captain (my Pidgeotto) with such ferocity that I had to switch him out. I poisoned it with Blue, and swapped in Hope. Hope could tank any of the water attacks that all my other Pokémon were susceptible to.

   I was wrong.

   Starmie, in a good old fashion Metapod way, completely flattened Hope under its steely form. My hope had both literally and figuratively been crushed. Upon killing hope, and unable to switch in Spyro, I brought out Rhina (my Nidoqueen) to take the last hit. Starmie blasted it with water before keeling over from its infection, and I was horrified by what I saw.

   Rhina was laying on the ground struggling to breathe. I rushed over, and she wrapped her arm around me. She was struggling, but she would make it.

   Misty tried talking to me, but I pushed her into the water and ran as fast as I could to the Pokémon Center. I had defeated my second gym, but I had lost Hope, again, both literally and figuratively. I needed to find more.

   Hope, you will not be forgotten.



==xx==

The Pokémon Team:

03.14.14 - Captain, a level 23 Pidgey. Caught at Route 1.

03.16.14 - Rhina, a level 22 Nidoqueen. Caught at Route 22.

03.18.14 - Blue, a level 16 Oddish. Caught at Route 4.

03.08.14 - Spyro, a level 11 Charmander. Adopted at Route 4.


---

The Fallen Pokémon:

03.14.14 - LT. Pikams a level 5 Pikachu. Rival's Eevee used tackle. I forgot to use my potion.

03.15.14 - - - - a level 6 Mankey. Wild Pidgey used Gust. I forgot to switch it out.

03.16.14 - - - - a level 4 Rattata. Bug Catcher's Metapod used tackle. Do I really need to explain this one?

03.20.14 - Hope a level 18 Magikarp. Misty's Starmie used tackle. Critical hit.


00.00.00

Monday, March 17, 2014

The Nuzlog (Yellow) - Day 20

   I am replaying the Pokémon games from Gen I to Gen VI, in order. I have at least one game for each generation and will be playing what I have available to me. The one unique thing about this play through, for me, is going with a Nuzlocke challenge. Before I start with the log here are the rules I will be enforcing.

1) If a Pokémon faints, it dies and must be released.

2) I can only catch the first Pokémon in each area to use for my team. I can catch more (to meet Pokédex requirements), but they can't be used on the team.

3) I will be creating a story, certain situations will inspire new rules or restrictions later. This will be explained as the story itself progresses.

4) I lose if my entire team faints, and I am unable to collect a new team. EX: I faint in a cave. Before I release my Pokémon. I will go to where I fainted, and use any and all remaining Poké Balls (without battling) to see if I can catch a new Pokémon. If I can't, then my quest is officially over.

OPTIONAL) I can't use Pokémon Centers. I can only rely on my own money, or my mother (or other healing people). For now, it's optional. If I feel that I am able to pull this off, I certainly will (I know I can in later generations, but 1 and 2 will be very difficult).

With those rules setting me up for failure. Here goes the beginning of my quest. Also, I'm using the logic of every 10 minutes (that I play the game) is 1 day (game time) for the story aspect of this journal.

==xx==

The Nuzlog (Yellow) - Day 20


   I had a difficult time coping with LT. Pikams death. I mourned at home for days. Pidgey and Mankey did their best to keep me entertained, but it didn't work.

   After two weeks, I braved the road again. Very quickly Mankey wandered off. I heard it cry out, but before I could get to it, it was too late. The Pidgey had blown it away with a powerful gust, I was unable to catch it on its way by my head. I never saw Mankey again.

   Disheartened again, but determined to avenge his death, I quickly shifted to the side of Viridian to catch a new teammate. I wanted a Nidoran and was graced by its appearance. Without much thought, I threw a Poké Ball and caught it. It was a female rather than a male, but I was more excited to have the tiny rhino to play with.

   I showed my mother, and she was happy that I was slowly able to put my dead Pikachu behind me.

   I ran through Viridian Forest and found a Rattata. Ecstatic, I brought it back in Viridian Forest to battle the immobile Pokémon Metapod. Unfortunately, I was duped. After the Metapod hardened its sinewy shell, it toppled over atop my Rattata. It was completely flattened.

   I went home to tell my mother, but on my way back I discovered my rival, Lucas, was hovering around Route 22. I battled him and defeated him this time. It's time I started avenging LT. Pikams' death.

   Frightened about this gym Leader, Brock, now that my Rattata was dead, I trained my team to the extreme. When they were well enough, I brought them into the gym. I pulverized Brock and his trainers to get the Boulder badge.

   I have traveled long across Route 3, and have come across a small Pokémon Center. Within, I purchased a Magikarp. I was very excited by this purchase, but she just flaps in my hands during battle. With each battle, I slowly discover that she is sadly weak. I named her Hope, because I was weak once, and I am making myself strong. I will not give up on this Magikarp, I will train her and make her stronger.

   I have a long road ahead of me before I reach Cerulean. I am frightened by Mt. Moon, but the journey seems straightforward enough.

   I hope I don't run into any Zubat.

==xx==

The Team:

3.14.14 - - - - a level 18 Pidgey. Caught at Route 1.

3.16.14 - - - - a level 18 Nidorina. Caught at Route 22.

3.17.14 - Hope a level 5 Magikarp. Bought at Route 3.

---

The Fallen:

03.14.14 - LT. Pikams a level 5 Pikachu. Rival's Eevee used tackle. I forgot to use my potion.

03.15.14 - - - - a level 6 Mankey. Wild Pidgey used Gust. I forgot to switch it out.

03.16.14 - - - - a level 4 Rattata. Bug Catcher's Metapod used tackle. Do I really need to explain this one?

00.00.00

Saturday, March 15, 2014

The Nuzlog (Yellow) - Day One

   I am replaying the Pokémon games from Gen I to Gen VI, in order. I have at least one game for each generation and will be playing what I have available to me. The one unique thing about this play through, for me, is going with a Nuzlocke challenge. Before I start with the log here are the rules I will be enforcing.

1) If a Pokémon faints, it dies and must be released.

2) I can only catch the first Pokémon in each area to use for my team. I can catch more (to meet Pokédex requirements and HM's), but they can't be used on the team.

3) I will be creating a story, certain situations will inspire new rules or restrictions later. This will be explained as the story itself progresses.

4) I lose if my entire team faints, and I am unable to collect a new team. EX: I faint in a cave. Before I release my Pokémon. I will go to where I fainted, and use any and all remaining Poké Balls (without battling) to see if I can catch a new Pokémon. If I can't, then my quest is officially over.

OPTIONAL) I can't use Pokémon Centers. I can only rely on my own money, or my mother (or other healing people). For now, it's optional. If I feel that I am able to pull this off, I certainly will (I know I can in later generations, but 1 and 2 will be very difficult).

With those rules setting me up for failure. Here goes the beginning of my quest.

==xx==

The Nuzlog (Yellow) - Day 1


   I awoke today excited for the start of my Pokémon journey. I knew exactly what Pokémon I was going to choose: Eevee. I wanted an Eevee.

   The professor wasn't at his lab, so I decided to go looking for him. I walked into the tall grass (I forgot that my mother wasn't with me) and Professor Oak shouted from afar. Before he could catch up to me, a wild Pikachu appeared. It's strange that a Pikachu would stray so far from the Viridian Forest.

   The professor caught it with no difficulty and brought me to the lab; Lucas was already waiting. He actually had already befriended the Eevee I wanted. I got the wild Pikachu instead. I didn't care, I finally had a Pokémon.

   I had my own Pokémon. I could battle with it, I could dance with it, I could even make parfaits with it. It was mine, and it was glorious.

   I named it LT. Pikams. He would be my friend forever. Eager to battle, my rival and I battled right there in the lab. That's when it happened.

   His Eevee just wailed on LT. Pikams... hard. In two hits LT. Pikams was pleading for his life, but his weak an tattered form was unable to utter those pleas. I had a potion, but I was too shocked at this carnage to use it. With one more blow, Lucas' Eevee crushed the skull of LT. Pikams to a pulp.

   He died.

   There. Right there on the ground.

   Everyone in the lab turned away, Professor Oak even received a perfectly-timed e-mail. I couldn't take it.

   The blood. The life of my newest friend, gone.

   Nobody stopped me as I walked into the grass alone, and it was a miracle that no Pokémon attacked me on my wake to the next town. I delivered a Pokédex to the professor for the store (he slid a Pokédex in my direction in return for the favor).

   I trudged back to Viridian and the Pokémon gave me a wide radius. My pain was tangible, I could feel the agony of my fallen friend trailing behind me; he must have been spooking the other Pokémon.

   Finally, one brave Pokémon was left in my path. I pathetically threw a Poké Ball at it and knocked it unconscious. The next one I threw captured the fiend. It was Pidgey. I refused to give it a name, I refused to get so attached like I did with LT. Pikams.

   Just outside of Viridian I caught a Mankey. He, too, was looking to try and console me, to no avail. I brought them both back home in Pallet. My mother will console me. Maybe, later I can brave another battle with my new friends.

   He will always be remembered, I just can't let him go.

==xx==

The Team:


--- a lvl 4 Pidgey

--- a lvl 3 Mankey


---

The Fallen:


LT. Pikams a lvl 5 Pikachu - Oak's Lab 15.3.2014

Friday, March 14, 2014

Top Ten: Directions For Pokémon

   I love Pokémon. That's it. That's all. Pokémon have been doing many things right (and a lot of things wrong *cough*SPECIAL*cough*) since the very first game came out years ago. The game holds a very delicate balance of maturity as it appeals to ages from children to adults.

   To a child, you can play through the game and Hyper Beam and Hydro Pump your way to victory, but to the more mature player you can breed, and train, and compete with the fiercest team available. There is as much strategy as you care to look for and that's the number one reason why (I think) Pokémon has had so much success as a game.

   With the relatively recent release of Pokémon X and Y, I have been studying competitive teams and trying to put one together (and wondering why nobody loves poor Absol), but then Twitch Plays Pokémon came about and brought a whole new level of awesomeness to the Pokémon games. It is as amazing as it is frustrating (Route 9 I'm looking at you), because of how many people are aware of and love the game. If you were a fan of two heads are better than one, I'd like you to ask yourself the same of is 16,408 better than 1?

   I digress.

   Part of the fun for me of Pokémon is imagining what will come in the next release, and here are some of my projections for the upcoming versions of Pokémon. The most obvious ones are low on the list and the ideas get more unique the closer they get to number 1. Enjoy!

10 - Character Customization

   This was a great addition to X and Y, and I'm positive they will be keeping this in the upcoming releases. One thing I REALLY hope that they bring, is throwing the Poké Ball customization.

   That might seem a bit of a stretch, but how you throw the Poké Ball says a lot about your character; it would be cool to pick from different poses while you send your Pokémon into battle. Whether it's as simple as letting the ball roll out of your hand, to pitching it at 90 mph, to juggling or spinning... the possibilities are endless. I don't expect endless possibilities (especially with the first iteration of this idea), but being able to select from at least a few animations would be as cool as changing your outfit is now.
  

09 - Evolutions

   When I first saw Inkay, I knew I needed the adorable little squid. I'm not one for cutesy Pokémon, but this one was able to pack a punch thanks to Foul Play (you can see me conversion story on my Top Ten: Pokémon). Needless to say, ever since I captured one I was eager as to what it would evolve into (I refused to look online, not that there was much there anyways). The anticipation was killing me level, after level, after level, after level.

   It wasn't towards later in the game that I fought against its evolution, whiles still not having it myself. It was unbearable. How did this little guy evolve into the less adorable monster from "20,000 leagues Under the Sea". I mean (and this is also due to not looking online), it was shaking every time I sent it into battle. It was beckoning to me. It was telling me that it was ready to evolve... but how?

   Finally, while showing off for my friends, one of them (shout out to you!) said "Isn't that the one that evolves when you hold the DS upside down?" I smacked my forehead that day at the creativity. The thing attacks upside down, and it's evolved form is the inverse of its previous form. I was enthralled and I really hope they do more of those evolutions. I also enjoy how Eevee turns into Sylveon.

   The second part to this is Mega Evolutions. I like them, and hate them at the same time. Competitively, they offer a unique situation where we have to wonder if the Pokémon is holding a mega stone, or not. But that's really about as far as I see mega evolution going. I really enjoyed the plot point around it in the X and Y games, but now that we've investigated it, it lost its charm (for now). How can they evolve Mega Evolution? One thing I was personally hoping for, is that there becomes a way to make it permanent. How cool would it be to be able to play with your Princess... I mean Mega Absol (brohoof!). I thought that it could have been an AMAZING reward for the player to choose one Pokémon to stay mega evolved permanently. Think of this missed plot opportunity:
At the end of the Team Flare side quest, you find that there is leftover energy floating int he chamber. Someone (probably Professor Sycamore, heck I'd even take Oak) comes in an explains that this energy is waiting for something and later discovers that it can be absorbed into the mega stone... aka you pick a mega evolving Pokémon and it stays permanently mega evolved.

   AMAZING!

   All that being said, I really don't like the current future of Mega Evolutions, and unless there is more Pokémon that mega evolve or that we can get rid of the mega stones (both of which just negate what I like about it in the first place) I don't see a solid future in mega evolutions.

08 - Multiple save files

   This one should be obvious, and I can see both sides of the argument. Honestly, I don't care about having multiple save files on one game (I used to), but something that having a second save file would help with comes up later in this list so I mention it now. Plus, with the previous entry being really long, I'll give you a break from reading for now. :)
  

07 - Getting rid of HM restriction

   I'm really glad of how little this recent version is HM dependent. Surf is OBVIOUSLY a necessity, strength too, but a lot of the other ones seem just tacked on to restrict the player from going places to soon. I'm sure we've all seen the meme where the character is staring longingly over a small shrub and unable "step" over it due to game logic. The toning down of the HM necessity is great and how they explained, in game, why you weren't able to go to certain places was solid (with the exception of Lumiose where other people were allowed in the blacked out portions but not ME).

   Next thing we need to work on, is removing the restriction from them. Now that TM's don't break after use, it shouldn't be a problem. It shouldn't have been a problem before as HM's didn't break after use anyways. Now I won't go into too much detail of some cool suggestions for HM possibilities here (it will be covered later), but I think the HM system should be overhauled completely in an upcoming version.
  

06 - Poké Ball Customization

   Straying away from the completely obvious suggestions, we get into some more subtle suggestions. Poké Ball customization. I really liked what they did in Diamond, Pearl and Platinum with the Capsules. My Little Eevee's all had capsules to match their characteristics. I haven't seen it in Black/White / 2 yet, and it wasn't in X or Y. I really missed that. I have to settle with buying hundreds of each ball from the store in Lumiose and then color coordinating for cool shows. For example: Heal ball while searching for Sneasel (in hopes of breeding a shiny), or a luxury ball while catching a Froakie/Frogadier/Greninja in Friend Safari's (again in hopes of breeding for shiny).

   That's the closest to capsules as I have been able to get, and my current goal of reincarnating my all Eeveelutions (with the addition of Pinkie Pie thanks to X and Y), I am slowly Eevee hunting and plan on capturing on with each kind of ball possible. Seeing as I was fortunate enough to get a Masterball in a trade, I have one to spare. Thank you that random guy! I hope you liked the Pokémon I traded you for it (it wasn't a wondertrade, but I no longer remember the details).

   Needless to say, Poké Ball customization would be cool, whether it is another capsule system, or maybe even creating your own balls. They did that (kinda) in Gold, Silver, and Crystal and it was BROUGHT BACK in D/P/P. Why do you keep getting rid of it Game Freak. PEOPLE WANT IT!

05 - Realism

   I am saying this one in acknowledgement that... it's a game. I fully understand that. There are just somethings that they can do better in the sense of realism.

   First of all, the antagonist teams. I go over that one in an earlier post. Team Rocket was based on realistic goals an visions. Teams since then haven't really done the same thing. BUT, someone got me thinking about Team Flare and their goal. It really is a legitimate goal, I just don't like the extreme they took it too in the game. I bring this up to show that Pokémon's villains are getting better, but with some tweaking they could become top of the line.

   Secondly, travel restrictions. Boulders or water blocking your way is one thing. This twig of a bush blocking my path is another thing. They got better with this in X and Y, but there should be a better example of restrictions when it comes to stopping the player from going places. If I have my 463 pound almost 29 foot-long Onix, I think I can find a way over that bush. I can ask it to pick me up and drop me on the other side. I could have it squash the bush and probably many other surrounding buildings (in the case of LT. Surge's gym). You kinda see what I mean now?

   That being said, I feel that HM's should still be moves (given that they already are), but that other factors should allow you access to other places. For example, when a water Pokémon becomes bigger than you, you can use it to cross water. If a Pokémon has a certain amount of strength it can move boulders. This would result in a complete overhaul of the HM system, but that would be PERFECT for a next Gen plot point. You'd need to carefully monitor what Pokémon show up when, but that would increase the realism of the game in the way that I'm thinking about.

   A brief mention to dual-type attacks. The elemental punches and tri attack and more are all BEGGING for it. Make it happen.

   Finally, relationships. I'll get more into this later.

   Really finally, have the elite four and league champion roam except in certain situations (such as disasters or tournaments. Heck, start a system where tournaments are held). Being an elite four and champion must be the MOST BORING JOB ever. The champion seems to travel quite a bit, but the elite four don't seem to. Fix that. Once the player is recognized to be able to battle them, have the league organizers give them contact information for the elite four. Have the player look for and find them. Give the elite four a "schedule". Then, once all of the elite four are defeated, have them do the same thing in regards to the champion. It also wouldn't hurt to actually be recognized as the champion once you beat the game... but this brings me to my next topic.

   It would be fun to have some characters wander the entire world. They kind of did it in RSE (the reporters), but having some people actually on a schedule throughout the world would be awesome. It would be great for a rival to have a schedule, so that now you have a clock to race against too. If this was done, then YOU'D be the champion and could roam around and people would come to YOU to battle. This brings me to ANOTHER topic, but before this gets too long, I'll stop (you guys get a bonus at the end).
  

04 - Prequel

   Remember how I said that Mega Evolution doesn't have the greatest future? This is one way to work around that, AND explain some of the history of Pokémon.

   This is less about the mega evolution and more about going back to the ancient times. How cool would it be to play as a character in a prehistoric Pokémon world where Aerodactyls and Archeops are the Pidgeys and Fearows? That factor aside, I think it would be great to explore a less modernized Pokémon world and actually seeing some of the history, we can read about now, happen.

   Yeah, this one was a short one.
  

03 - Plot

   This is another short one, but high on the list because of the immense potential.

   The advances to the aesthetics and game play have been amazing the last view years, but the plot needs some finishing. The general plot is fine. You have a friend, and you both want to be the best. I get it. The part I'm more concerned with is one, as mentioned above, the antagonists and two, not mentioned above, the legendary Pokémon. The antagonists I'll leave alone for now, I don't want to beat them to a pulp, but the legendary Pokémon is where my major concern lies in regards to plot.

   In every generation there are legendary Pokémon that tend to gravitate towards the player. Why? I mean really, WHY? I get that the player does good, the player is the protagonist. Other people are good too. What makes the legendary Pokémon more apt to follow the main character than other characters? Explain that in the plot.

   Pokémon X and Y get into this slightly as the main character literally saves the Pokémon from death. But even then, it should be more difficult to meet it than "You saved me? Let's battle!" It should "thank" the player (by destroying the facility) and then fly off. The player should have to put EFFORT into finding the legendary Pokémon. It would make a GREAT post-game quest and it would make more flavorful sense for the legendary Pokémon to gravitate towards the Pokémon League Champion.

   That being said, a throwback to Dragonheart (similar to the Ho-oh and the legendary cats) could be cool too. Example: The legendary Pokémon, that doesn't like death, could have seen a baby struggling to live after birth. It could have entered the hospital tended to/cared for the main character and then left. That gives them a bond worthy of gravitation. Roaming legendary Pokémon are fine, but one thing needed to have more fun with this is to have more MYSTICALMAN EUSINE type people too as mentioned earlier.
  

02 - Immersion

   They did it regarding Pokémon in Pokémonamie, but now let's see if we can direct that towards people. It turns it more RPGish, but given character customization just happened, the next logical step is this. This would help me, as a plot gamer, immerse myself into my character. I don't mean getting a girl friend, or something like that (though it would be a direction to take this), but I mean affiliation. If I do something mean to someone, they won't like me. If I get a bad reputation with a gang, they will hinder me; if i get a good reputation, they will help me etc. Let my actions affect the game more than did I win or did I lose.
  

01 - MMORPG

   There are two ways they could go down this road.

   First, literally make a MMORPG where players can interact with and meet other players. Instead of fighting they battle Pokémon.

   Second, they can make a second save file. How does this make an MMORPG you might ask; it doesn't. BUT one save file can be single player mode. And, you guessed it, a second save file can be multiplayer mode. Have you ever wanted to play WITH your friends, your second save slot is the solution. As a second save slot, you have the option of playing in your solo world, and whenever your friend and you have the same time free, you can both open the second save slot and journey together.

   If this gets implemented, it would take Pokémon to a WHOLE new level of awesomeness. It would be even cooler if there was a separate plot for the multiplayer version too. Maybe the two games cross paths every now and then. For example, you pass by a couple while shopping at the mart, or as the duo you see your single self leave the gym you're about to face. Things like that would make the Pokémon world that much cooler.




00 - *Bonus*

   Battle Types:

   You can select what type of battle you want to have (in a majority of cases). I agree it's a big endeavor, but maybe the gym leaders and elite four etc. You could request a single, or double etc. Then, if you become the champion and people ask you to battle, you get to say whether its a triple battle or whatever.

   Last thing regarding battles, but this would require a complete overhaul of most of the games mechanics so this is wishful thinking at best, a version where (during the battles) your point of view was that of the Pokémon. You'd run around, and attack the opponent; it would be an real-time version rather than turn-based. Again, wishful thinking, but an awesome idea.

==xx==

   That was a massive Top Ten List, I hope you can see why it took so long for me to want to do another one. I'm hoping to do more of them, but they will probably not be weekly like before, but I will get them out on Tuesdays from now on; this one was special.

   I'd like to hear whatever you guys think too. I know this isn't the most popular blog, but it gives me something to do to distract me from other things I have to do :)

   Also, a side note, I'm replaying the Pokémon games starting from Generation I onwards. This gave me the idea to start my own Nuzlocke challenge and to keep a record of the happenings. You can expect regular updates in my diary called: The [Version] Nuzlog. I've started already and will post the first entry soon, you'll laugh. It's pretty bad. Nowhere to go but up, right?

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Don't Dead Open Inside - S02:E03

   As the preface this week, I wanted to point out something that I just realized (and I'm already two episodes in!), I'm terrible. The underlying theme of last season was to dehumanize zombies. This season, they humanize them. It becomes very apparent this episode when Darryl and Andrea go searching for Sophia. The reasoning is still slightly unclear (as of this episode), but seeing as the purpose of last season was to help them "cover" for themselves. They are slowly growing accustomed to their new lives, and losing a small sense of their humanity. It's odd given the amount of serenity in this season; but that's also the main factor that shows them losing their humanity. It's not that the world is becoming more peaceful, it's that their brains are just not fearing the world anymore. So, I now present to you my rendition of:

Save the Last One


   (Shane and Otis)

   They run into the school and are being hunted by people. They get themselves cornered in the gymnasium. They talk for the few seconds they have before the mob of people break through the doors (they decide to split up). The crowd doesn't notice Shane and they chase Otis. While Shane sneaks outside, everyone follows Otis.

   After a while, Otis and Shane get back together, but Otis is still being chased by people. As they shamble off together, the crowd starts firing a few shots at them. A lucky shot hits Otis, and he goes down; meanwhile Shane's head gets grazed by a bullet. Shane, wanting to continue the charade of life for the group, dismembers Otis and leaves him for the crowd. Otis cries out until they silence him by destroying his brain. They try to chase Shane, but he is already hiding and wasn't able to be found. Let's be honest, it was at night, so they weren't keen on looking to much for a zombie that was already trying to get away from them.
                                                                                                   
   Shane starts heading back to Hershel's farm.

   (Highway Crew)

   Now it's night time (remember that they didn't actually spend the night that they said they did last episode), Carol is crying like a baby for her baby. Neither Darryl nor Andrea can take it anymore. They leave to get some peace and quiet. While out walking they come across a man who hanged himself. He just did it and is struggling to breathe when they come across him. He flails around trying to avoid them as best he can. Darryl and Andrea talk about Andrea's decision last season. In the meantime it distracts them as they eat the flesh off his legs and him die. They didn't even realize what happened because they were distracted.

   They return and Andrea replaces Dale as watch.

   (Farmhouse)

   Back at the farmhouse, Rick tries to convince Lori that everything will be okay. Lori thinks it's better is Carl dies, Rick knows what it would mean if Carl "dies" and suggests that it's better for him to live. Lori gives a valid reason for her suggestion; when she asks Rick for his reasoning, he stays silent.

   T-Dog and Glen arrive and offer/get whatever help they can. Shortly after, Carl wakes up. He tells his mother about the deer, and then has a seizure. Rick uses this opportunity to tell Lori that THIS is the reason why Carl should live.

   After a painful night, Carl is in "dire" need of an operation, or he's going to die. Just then, Shane arrives with the supplies. Hershel goes through with the operation successfully. Shane, careful to keep his wound out of sight showers upstairs. While he showers, he examines his wound.

   A chunk of his skull is missing. In order to cover it up, he finds a razor and starts to work. He cuts a few layers of unseen skin off and attaches them over his wound. Then he covers that with a new hairstyle. All the while he is haunted by Otis' death.

==xx==

   This was a good episode, and I can't wait to continue this season. One thing is that Hershel seemed to try and push the surgery for Carl. He knew that the surgery, without the supplies, would result in Carl's death and lead to some food (which he subconciously wanted). Obviously, this didn't happen, but it's the reason for such a push. I mentioned a lot in the preface, so there's not much to go on here except just some questions:

*How come Carol didn't cry like this last "night"? ANSWER: There wasn't a last night.

*IF zombies are more active at night, how come Darryl and Andrea didn't come across any (dangerous) zombies?

*If you pay attention to how Otis and Shane leave, you'll notice that Shane (obviously) didn't need to shoot Otis. There were no zombies ahead of them, they were all behind them. They wasted about a minute fighting, so where was this terrible need to buy time? Why did Shane shoot Otis or, what actually happened?

*Just how big is Hershel's plot of land? It seems very big, but everyone navigates it very quickly. Which leads to:

*How did Shane know how to get back to Hershel's farm? Unless the farm was visible from where Shane was, he must have been very far away. They were far enough away that gunshots couldn't be heard by the farmhouse people, but near enough that Shane knew how to get back? I'm going to research into this because I'm sure Otis mentioned somewhere a rough estimate as to the distance but my daughter and I are currently too busy with My Little Pony (so it'll have to be later).

That's just about all of the questions I had during the episode. I hope you guys enjoyed it!

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Don't Dead Open Inside - S02:E02

   It's Wednesday, and that means another post about the Walking Dead.

   Last week Carl was shot. This week, with minimal zombie interaction (I jest), we see how two different groups react to each other. Let's dive in and find out what surprises are in store.

Bloodletting:


   Zombie Rick is running while carrying Carl in his arms. Rick is frantic, Carl is in shock, Shane is dragging Otis, Otis is apologizing. Now, one thing they forgot to mention, they never point out which direction Otis was when the deer was shot. The deer was shot, Carl was shot; Otis did not fire the shot. Here's what happened prior to the episode:

   Carl and deer get shot, Rick goes to Carl. Otis heard the shot and comes towards the noise, Shane starts looking for the source of the shot. Otis and Shane meet and Otis sees Shane as human, Shane sees Otis as a zombie. Shane knows that there are only humans hunting out here and accuses Otis of shooting the deer and Carl. Otis, more Otis' brain very vulnerable to the power of persuasion, instantly accepts that as true. Thus the current scenario.

   Otis apologizes and directs these three towards a nearby farmhouse, he yells "Hershel will help your boy!" At the farmhouse, Hershel reveals that he has the ability to save Carl, but it requires immediate action and blood. Shane calms Rick down and the family at the farm help come up with a plan for getting everyone together. Rick gives blood for Carl (because the bullet fragmented), Shane and Otis go to a nearby school for supplies, Maggie is sent to get the group in the woods. While Hershel waits for supplies, the surgery is put on hold (causing Carl to need more blood). Rick and Hershel get to know each other better, and Lori soon meets up with them. Now, Hershel is revealed to be a Veterinarian.

   This brings us to the group in the woods. The gunshot was heard by the group and Lori fears that the rest of their group is involved. They are more on edge, and while looking for Sophia, Andrea is attacked by the hunter that shot the deer. He was too ill-prepared to handle multiple zombies (which is why he left the deer in the first place), and the group help defend Andrea as the meet Maggie (from the farm). Maggie takes Lori back to the farm and gives directions on how to get there to the others. The others go to Dale and T-Dog, before bring everyone back to the farm as a base.

   This brings us the Dale and T-Dog. T-Dog was injured last episode (I think I skipped that part). When Dale does a closer inspection of T-Dog's arm he finds the arm "heavily infected" and T-Dog has a "fever". Really, Dale was just finally seeing the zombiism in T-Dog's arm (but given that was the only thing he was looking for, the arms was the only thing that look infected. The fever was because zombies obviously can't sweat in the sun so T-Dog's face is obviously going to be hot). When the group comes back to the cars, Daryl gives T-Dog Merle's "stash". Seemingly better for now, everyone heads to the farmhouse after leaving a message for Sophia.

   Now at the school, the FEMA shelter, this is where it gets really tricky. The FEMA shelter is run mostly by scientists who are VERY LIGHTLY armed. Shane and Otis start a fire in one area, and all the scientists flood that area to put out the fire. Meanwhile, Shane and Otis get supplies from the supply cart. Once both sides are done, Shane and Otis try to leave but are spotted. All the scientists start looking for the few weapons they have, and none of them are very good shots. They quickly run out of ammo and Shane and Otis run into the school to get out of the open.

==xx==

   I hope you enjoyed this take on Bloodletting. A few questions I asked during the episode.

1) Just how far away was Otis from the farm? Honestly, I would think that Carl would have died long before reaching the farm.

2) Why was Otis out hunting, when they live on a farm, and have a nearby town to scavenge from?

3) How did Sophia get so distracted that shouldn't couldn't make it back to the highway and was out of earshot of everyone (when she got lost)?

4) DID OTIS gather SOPHIA and then come back to look for MORE? OH, the scandal! And,

5) What's the deal with gathering people anyways?

Until next week, have fun!

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Don't Dead Open Inside - S02:E01

   I bet you guys thought I forgot about this huh?
   Nope.
   But I did take a break. I decided, that if I went faster than the new episodes came out, I would run out of new material that wouldn't contain spoilers for all but the most dedicated fans.

   Next time, I promise I will make a post about it, but I didn't think about it until after the fact, and it was already after the fact so there we go.

   As a quick summary, the theory is that Rick actually died in the hospital and returned as a zombie. What we see as zombies are actually humans, and what we see as humans are actually zombies. Basically, the group (which are zombies) are remembering their human lives, and their decaying brains are interpreting their world to help perpetuate the idea that they are, in fact, survivors.

   The overall theme last season was that the group was de-humanizing zombies to try and humanize themselves. They were trying to explain humanity. In season two, an overlying theme is that they are trying to find their humanity. Without going to in-depth now: the search for Sophia, meeting Hershel and the "perfection" that is the farm. Before we being I wish to remind you of two things first:

1) At this point, both Rick and Shane know that everyone in the group are zombies. Rick was told by Dr. Jenner; Shane figured it out. Neither are telling the group.

2) This will contain spoilers (in some weird twisted way), so I recommend watching the actual episode first. Without further delay, I present:

What Lies Ahead:


   Rick starts by Walkie Talkie-ing Morgan about the groups plan to mobilize. One thing I want to point out, is that the Walkie-Talkie doesn't even work. Zombie Rick just "thinks" it works, this becomes important later and is something that I forgot to mention above. I am going to write as if the zombie theory is correct. I'm not going to say, you see this, but this is happening, I'm just going to say the "this is happening" bit.

   Again, Rick talks to Morgan using the broken Walkie-Talkie. He almost reveals the truth about their condition, but he decides it's better to keep that information from people. That would ruin their humanity, and plus he doesn't quite believe it himself yet.

   The group makes their way down the highway towards Fort Benning. They come across hundreds (maybe thousands) of cars blocking their path. Despite this obvious road block, they press forwards. Why? The dinner bell is ringing; they smell humans nearby.

   Now, they act as if they are in an RV, but there are a few things that disprove this. Glen says they should turn back, but T-Dog says that the can't spare the fuel. I know, right? No fuel in a car graveyard. Once people start to realize what they are doing, the RV all of a sudden breaks down. Thank goodness for the coincidence, or was it really them making an excuse to retain humanity? Back to the theory.

   They stop and spread out looking for supplies, when their supplies find them. The group of humans using this car graveyard as a supply depot, heard something and are coming to investigate. The group panics and hides under, in, and around the cars (there are a lot of dead bodies in case you didn't notice).

   One of the guys thinks that the RV seems a good place to explore, and goes to investigate; Andrea is torn. She doesn't understand the feeling she has (the hunger for brains). She panics, but Dale gives her enough of an excuse that she can pretend that she was killing a zombie. Then she eats his brains. For a quick recap of how this works:

   Both Andrea and Dale see what they presume is a zombie. Andrea has a "broken" gun, and Dale has a "screwdriver" (he was fixing the RV remember).
   So, Andrea knows that she can't put the gun back together so she has no ability to hold to humanity AND kill the person investigating the RV. In this action, had she killed the person, she would ultimately be admitting that she was a zombie (this freaks her out). But, when she sees Dale and remembers that he was "fixing" the RV, her brain conjures up this falsity that he gave her a screwdriver. This allows her mind to kill the person in a way that lets her feel human; meanwhile all that's really happening is that she's killing him and eating his brains. Dale was too worried about the moving horde to notice. Let's get back on track.

   Once the horde of people pass, Sophia comes out of her hiding place and surprises some stragglers. They all go running into the woods (Rick chases after them). After a while the stragglers realize it's two people to one zombie and they gather their wits enough to chase her. Rick finally catches up to Sophia and hides her. When the two people come across Rick they still see only one zombie and so they decide to chase him as well. Rick gets the better of them, but finds Sophia missing. At this point, Sophia lost herself to the disease. We don't know why, but we have some proof of it later.

   Rick gets a small group to look for Sophia, and soon it's just Rick and Daryl tracking Sophia. As Daryl tracks Sophia the entire time they mention that there is only one set of tracks. They also mention that the tracks get lighter. This means that there is no outside force causing Sophia to alter her direction AND that Sophia is either losing weight, or making less defined steps. This is technically speculation, but if they were tracking her, the steps should be getting more defined as they got closer, not less (less time passes to distort the tracks. I'm not a hunter so this could be wrong).

   Rick and Daryl stumble upon a hunter and kill him and eat him and his woodchuck.

   Once back at the highway the group is torn with a decision. Press onwards, or look for Sophia. Give into their instincts, or retain their humanity. At first, everyone is quite keen on staying; this changes later. They form a group and Andrea and Dale argue about not wanting each other's blood on their hands. Given the stalemate, Shane uses this time set a no guns policy. This will greatly help the group retain their humanity (they need to hear gunshots in order for their brains to justify themselves shooting a gun; see last season the camp raid). Shane also distances himself from Carl and the rest of the group; he is planning on leaving before he accidentally reveals that he knows everyone is already a zombie. This kind of behavior is also evident in the fact that Shane was constantly disagreeing with Rick last season, but now is overly agreeable with him. He wants the group to retain its humanity as much as possible, so he chooses to support decisions that support them having humanity.

   As they hunt for Sophia, they hear church bells in the distance. They get really excited for two reasons: they could lead to Sophia; they could be literal dinner bells. They hurry after the noise and find a small group of survivors taking time to pray. The group overwhelms the three soloists, and dines. When they can't wait for Sophia any longer they split up again leaving Shane, Carl and Rick behind.

   The group going back to the highway are irritable partly because they left some leftovers for the other three, and partly because they are missing a large piece of their humanity (Sophia, being a child, was important to them).

   Meanwhile, Dale explains that he was not exactly fixing the RV, that it's been fixed since yesterday. I don't believe they really spent the night, and thus making this statement false (As a side note, if they did spend the night, they REALLY glossed over it in the show). Where did they all sleep? Who kept watch? Why didn't Andrea look for her gun then? So many questions come up if they actually spent the night.

   Finally, Carl got shot and his dad went ballistic (puns, I know).

==xx==

   This was a long episode. Things that I question about the episode (that I haven't yet pointed out):

* When Carl was shot, why was there so little blood? Why was Carl so peaceful looking so soon?

* Why did the "zombie" even climb into the RV? If you say it was because it smelled human, then why couldn't it smell human when Andrea was in the bathroom (originally)?

* Why no baby zombies?

I hope you guys are looking forwards to my interpretation of season two, I'm really looking forward to delving into the whole farm scenario, and the final confrontation between Rick and Shane!

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Don't Dead Open Inside - S01:E06

   I apologize for the delay!

   I wanted this post to be special, as it is a defining moment in the series both as a finale and as a massive convincing point to my theory. With this speciality, came indecision and with this indecision, came delay. In short, that's why today's Walking Dead Wednesday is on Thursday. Enjoy the season one finale of Walking Dead.

TS-19

   First off, the way Shane "protects" Rick is abysmal. Any zombie with half a brain could have gotten into the room. But, I'm above that now. Also, this was back when they were human. Rick HASN'T died yet.

   Jenner is a mysterious man. He keeps making logs of his research and progress. He stays locked inside a barricaded building that is almost ready to explode. The timer counts down as the power is used up, which means that the less power used the longer it takes to reach 0. If I was running on a clock, and had no intention of leaving the facility, I would have shut down the power to the outside long before Jenner did. But, that also adds to his character development as well.
   Per this theory, we know that Jenner is dead, is a scientist, and had had a partner at some time. The building is abnormally clean and has an immense amount of food. These are all things that I'm going to touch on in this post.

   Jenner was telling the truth about the scientists once the apocalypse happened. Most left, some "left", and barely a handful stayed. Originally, he and the other staff were alive, but at some point they all died. Here are some scenarios:
1) The same reason that the building was going to blow up in the first place, infected the remaining staff. They didn't initially keep the top side locked which let people in and a raid gone wrong left everyone dead except Jenner.
2) Everyone becomes infected, and Jenner realizes this. Because he doesn't quite understand zombiism yet, he thinks he'll starve as a zombie. He plans ahead; he kills the remaining staff and keeps them fresh by putting them in the refrigerator.
3) Jenner got infected from his wife, but doesn't tell anyone. One night he wakes up as a zombie and eats the remaining crew. Then he keeps them fresh by storing them.
4) The staff don't even realize that they're dead. They simply wake up one day and keep on experimenting. Slowly they die do to accidents (that fire seemed rather intense), until only Jenner remains.
*My personal choice is roughly aligned with option 3* (One person turns and kills others. This way, Jenner knows that there were zombies in the facility, but he thinks he got them all. What he doesn't know, is that he died and turned.)

   Whichever seems more believable to you, I just want to point out that the facility is abnormally clean for post-apocalyptic. This is their human brains recognizing this place as a haven for them. They ignore all the disgusting mess that is sure to be in some of the rooms, and replace it with perfection.

   The important part is, Jenner doesn't know that he's dead. He knows that he's alone, on limited time. He keeps all the power running for observational purposes. He studies the zombie outside and sees many people fall outside the walls. He also finds a lone zombie walking the halls on surveillance. Knowing the danger, he goes to investigate, but he never finds the zombie. Through several iterations of this, he slowly realizes something. The zombie is always where he was at the time of surveillance. HE IS THE ZOMBIE.

   This horrible truth make him realize that there is no hope for him, and he finally starts shutting down the facility to conserve power. He might not survive, but he is still going to try and find a cure (using the remains of his wife). One thing he continues to do, is to monitor outside to see the state of the world. What he didn't realize, is that he'd find another group of zombies as well. They came banging on the doors, looking for solace, and that's when Jenner had to make another decision.

   He knew the truth, that they were zombies, he also knew that this place would blow up shortly. He was torn between two terrible choices. Let the live, unknowing, outside, or let them die inside, but knowing the truth. He finally decides to let them in, and seals the door behind them.
   A side note: the zombies outside were sleeping, right? Wrong. Those were all dead bodies. If zombies slept, we would have noticed by now. As of now, zombies are mobile until death as soon as they are "born". Thus, those are strictly dead bodies. That means, all the commotion they were facing outside was a group of people looking to raid the facility.

   Once inside, Jenner tries his best to appear scientific to this group. Obviously, he tells them everything he knows except that they are dead. That's part of the reason that he traps them inside. He doesn't want them to find out, he thinks that the truth would be too much to bare. The group convinces him otherwise and people start to make their choices. Rick thanks Jenner for all of the generosity, but Jenner pulls him aside and whispers, "We're already dead."

   The group escapes, and starts their journey towards season two.

Monday, January 6, 2014

Top Ten: Reasons Why Team Rocket Was the Best

   I just restarted my Pokémon Y game, and it got me thinking about the villains of the series. Throughout the series we have had numerous antagonistic groups, but there was one that I fell in love with and I can't stop enjoying.
   Now, I understand that since the first Pokémon games, it has switched demographics. It was originally aimed towards young adults, but the reception was greater for children. However, the more they adapt to this change, and the more groups they throw at me these days, the more I appreciate Team Rocket. Here's why:


Top Ten: Reasons Team Rocket were the best antagonists for Pokémon

10 - Realistic: Team Rocket was a very realistic group. This will be explained in more detail through various explanations. This is also why it is number ten. It is the most important reason why I like Team Rocket, but it is also a combination of other individual reasons why I like them.

09 - Original: Team Rocket was the original big bad group. This doesn't consciously affect my decision, but I'm sure that it subconsciously does. This is the reason why it is also so low on the list.

08 - Cool outfits: Team Rocket had some cool outfits. They were intimidating, they were uniform, and they weren't overly complex. They sent the message that this group meant business. The next coolest uniforms were Generation III's uniforms by the way.

07 - Not extreme: Team Rocket didn't try to blow up the world. Period. *facepalm*

06 - Not misguided: Obviously, as antagonists, they were. However, they weren't blindly following a leader (I'm looking at you Plasma), they were taking part in well-prepared plans for benefit. They thought their moves out, they carried them out carefully (somewhat), and they had a very real goals.

05 - Agenda: Speaking of goals, they were always thinking of something. They had plans that stretched through the entire region. You could see the effect of the group even before you actually meet the group. You also know where the group is going to go. They have a plan, and you act on what their plan is.

04 - Plot: Team Rocket, though integrated into the game, never really stole away from the plot. This is very similar to the lack of extremism. Recent teams try to destroy the world, and with such big extremes, take center stage as the plot. Team Rocket, didn't really steal from the plot, but actually helped move the plot along in a majority of the cases.

03 - Competence: Team Rocket knew how to get things done. Granted, they were defeated by a child Pokémon prodigy, but they infiltrated facilities and corporations etc. They knew how to accomplish the goals they prepared. The groups seem to grow more incompetent each generation (Plasma, I'm looking at you again), to the point that they don't even know what they're doing.

02 - Goals: I keep talking about the general agenda, but why did Team Rocket have an agenda? They were looking for gain. They were a group dedicated to using Pokémon for profit. That gave them enough criminality for me. Not to mention the conspiracy theory that Giovanni was actually a good guy trying to contain Mewtwo (YouTube it, you'll thank me later).

01 - Strong: Team Rocket, as a group, wasn't exactly stronger than any other group really. But, Giovanni, the leader of Team Rocket, was one of the strongest trainers in the region (I am specifically leaving certain facts out in case you HAVEN'T played Red, Blue, or Yellow version yet). Giovanni was very difficult to beat, and led the group with pride.

==xx==

What do you guys think? Which is your favorite antagonist group? Discuss!

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Don't Dead Open Inside - S01:E04 and S01:E05

   I'm back with another two episodes of my Walking Dead conspiracy. If you guys enjoy the show, they are doing a marathon right now on AMC, until about 4am Thursday! Start watching!

Vatos

   AT CAMP:
   Andrea and Amy are sitting around a lake remembering their human lives. Meanwhile, everyone is scared that they find Jim freaking out about a number of holes he found atop a hill. They assume that he dug them, but Jim really doesn't remember (he didn't; they were there). Jim recounts the moment he was torn from his family. They had escaped while he was bitten by a zombie, and left for dead. Shane keeps questioning Jim about the holes and even ties him to a tree. Jim honestly can't remember why the holes were there, because he didn't dig them (it's complicated mentally though).

AT ATLANTA:
   Meanwhile, Rick and those searching for Merle are now attempting to recover Rick's "guns". They discover another group of zombies in the process. In the confusion, Glenn is taken, they capture someone in return. They find this group through some interrogation techniques like showing a dismembered hand (the one Daryl kept for later). The kid wants the hand (but doesn't? again, it's complicated mentally for these zombies at this time), but they refuse to tell him unless they find their bigger, more organized, group of zombies.

   Guillermo explains the situation. It boils down to this: they both aren't convinced that the others are zombies (Zombiism is still relatively recent this is the third day from Rick's perspective, but it's probably been four MAYBE five days tops) Needless to say, all the bodies are too fresh. They don't trust each other, but they also don't want to kill each other. Suddenly, and old lady zombie comes downstairs and interrupts. This confirms it for Rick's group, which in turn confirms it for the other group.
  
   Guillermo explains how the staff just "left" the old people to die. Really, they were chased out and or eaten by the already dead people. Rick wishes the group well, and gives them "guns". Now, when I say guns, I really mean "insanity" in that they allow their dying brains to continue to think that they're human. They leave, but are forced to walk all the way back to camp because somebody stole their truck.

   The people who dug the holes on the hill come an attack the camp. There are losses on both sides, but eventually the zombies win (especially when Rick and group shows up). In the aftermath of the attack, Jim remembers digging those holes; this was Jim's camp before he was a zombie. We don't learn too much about this, because Jim dies shortly, but it's true. Mmhmm...


Moving right along...

Wildfire

   Rick warns Morgan that Atlanta is not overcome by the dead. He warns that the living haunt the city, and that maybe there is a cure for this disease. He tells hims that they're going to look at the CDC for a cure. At this point, they are actually more interested in the people finding the cure, not the cure itself.
  
   Andrea is mourning her dead sister. Everyone tries convincing her that she's dead, and that they shouldn't waste good meat, but Andrea rebels. She waits until nobody wants to eat Amy, before she eats her brains (it is more justifiable that way).

   Jim is physically shaken by his revelation (he just learned that his current life has been a lie), and shies awkwardly away from the group. Jacqui notices, and forces Jim to reveal his bite. Jim is frantic; he knows that he is a zombie, but that nobody else knows that they are zombies. He reveals his bite, and slowly thinks of ways to isolate himself from the group (to protect them from the truth).

   The group, after a heated debate, conclude to go to the CDC. Morales and family disagrees and goes to follow family. On the road to the CDC, Jim becomes progressively worse and begins dreaming of the night he became a zombie. As he remembers more and more of his zombie actions, he gets more feverish and frail. When the group stops, he tricks them into leaving him alone. He kills himself and his demented memories of his life as a zombie. Shane, however, is slightly unnerved. He knows something isn't quite right, but he doesn't know what.

   Jenner, the scientist, is making videos of "science". He's all alone, in the slowly failing lab. He specifically notes, blowing his brains out (so he can eat them) before he sees the group hoping to come into the locked facility. Jenner notes the time on the clock, hesitates, and finally lets them in.

   I'll get into more detail about the CDC in the next review; I'm saving the best for last. But this episode starts to show that zombies are capable of being reminded of their zombification. This is obviously a very traumatic experience both the first time and in recollection, which is why Jim became so sick so fast.

Happy New Years everybody!