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

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.

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   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?

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.

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

Top Ten: Holidays

   Now that it is between Christmas and the New year, I have decided to do my holiday post. And as much as I wanted to put my birthday on this list, I put my egotistical views aside and put up a proper list instead (aren't I great?).

   Without taking up too much time of your holiday family time:

Top Ten Holidays:

10 - Pi day - I'm a mathlete, I like math. I also like pie. These are hardly related, but on 3.14.xx every year, they combine for one day. That day, is amazing, if only to a small few. Thus it is recognized as a top ten list worthy holiday.

09 - Easter - This is one of the holidays where my family gets together (you'll notice that this is a trend for my favorite holidays). We have all of my cousins together for an Easter egg hunt, while the adults sit around and talk about childhood rivalries. I have seven uncles and aunts, so the stories are always very "informative".

08 - Bring Your Kid Into Work Day - When I becomes President of the United States (positive thinking for the win), I am going to make this a national holiday. My favorite days when I was a kid, was spending time with my dad at his work. I hated the driving time because he listened to sports talk radio, but at work I got to see a cool office building. He also set me up to play Worms World Party, that helped a lot. If you love Bring Your Kid Into Work Day, vote (write in) Geoffrey Nelson 2040!

07 - Memorial Day - This is more of an inside joke more than anything. My mom just bought new pans and she had been bragging about how wonderful they were. All week, all day and all throughout lunch she was bragging about how well-cooked dessert would be. "The pans made it so it cooks evenly, they don't stick, the pans aren't too hot..." etc. When dessert came, it was near impossible to chisel it out of the pans (but it was delicious). It was very memorable.

06 - April Fool's Day - I really don't need to explain this one do I? It's a holiday based on jokes, gags, and foolishness. Next...

05 - Groundhog Day - I love this holiday, because it's based around an animal. The movie with the same names just happens to be an excellent movie. I'm sure that those aren't entirely related at all...

04 - Veteran's Day - Finally, a holiday of sentiment. I am truly grateful to be able to live where I do live. I am more than willing to spend at least one day remembering the sacrifices of others to help make America the way it is today. Veterans, thank you for your service, your time, and your sacrifice!

03 - Thanksgiving - Another holiday where my family get together. This one is really high on the list because it involves a LOT of food. Need I say anymore?

02 - Christmas - I love Christmas. Getting presents is almost as fun as watching other people open your presents. One of the huge benefits of working 11 to 7 on the holidays (especially Christmas), is that you get to be the first person to wish them a Merry Christmas that year. That feeling is magical in and of itself. Many people probably expected Christmas to be number one. But people wh0o know me, also know that there is one holiday that I haven't gone over yet.

01 - Halloween - You get free candy. You get to dress up. You get to scare people. Boom, boom, boom! Halloween is the number one holiday for me when all is said and done.

Happy New Years!

Top Ten: Worst Feelings in the World

   We all have those moments. You are having a good day, and then something comes along and makes your stomach just sink to your stomach. It's nothing that is going to ruin your life, it just ruins that moment of your day.
   These are the feelings where, no matter what you are doing, you try to avoid. When you run into one of them, you hate yourself for it. These aren't feelings like those from tragic accidents, but those of "oh crap" moments.
   Next week will be my Top Ten Holidays, but for now, let us remember the stomach stirring feelings of fear.



10 - The "Broken bag of cereal" feeling
   The first thing I like to do every morning when I wake up (or whatever time of day I wake up), is eat a bowl of cereal. I don't like any complications, but sometimes I have to start a new bag. I would open the bag by sticking my thumbs in the "Bunny-ear" corners and pulling apart (I had long given up trying to open it using the center folded-over piece).
   Roughly 30% of the time, the bag would rip in some unholy way to form a mass of tentacles wrought forth from the remains of an ex-inanimate object, whose twisted tentacles would steal the cereal you are trying to pour and save them at the bottom of the box. Very few things are worse than watching your cereal miss the bowl for various reasons due to the tentacles birthed earlier.

09 - The "I just started preparing a meal, and I'm missing things" feeling
   Following the food theme, we all have those days when you get hungry and you feel like preparing something snazzy. I like to make a nice sandwich, with mayonnaise turkey, ham, bacon and cheese etc.
   I don't like putting the mayonnaise on the bread, and then finding out that we don't have any meat to put on it (pouring a bowl of cereal and realizing that there isn't milk isn't as bad, but it's still bad).
   Mayonnaised bread (or breaded mayonnaise) can't be put back where it belongs, and can't be truly enjoyed. I hate to waste food, but I can't choke down a mayonnaise sandwich (even if I added cheese).

08 - The "I'm sweating" feeling
   Anyone who knows me, knew that this was going to be on my list. I hate sweating, and I hate the feeling just before sweating, and I hate that feeling where I think I'm sweating but I'm really not.
   I constantly go out of my way to avoid sweating, it makes me feel gross. Even worse is when you are running around in the humidity and you get all tacky. Sweating is the grossest most-useful thing besides pooping.
  
07 - The "Oh my gosh, what did I just say" feeling
   We all have those days where we are saying something innocent, but circumstances decide to change that innocence. Timing and speaking too fast are the biggest culprits in my book. It's times like these where I wish I had a restart button.
   I do a mental face palm and hope that the other person doesn't notice. When/if they notice, I apologize and continue the conversation as though it hadn't happened.

06 - The "This person is obviously looking for an answer, but I wasn't paying attention" feeling
   This happens primarily at school. The teacher is talking in a lecture and asks a question; you know it by the tone, and when nobody answers you realize that the teacher asked you. This also happens on dates where your date is talking about something that you do not at all understand (or care about).
   Whenever this feeling happens, something bad is about to follow. The only way to avoid that is to learn to listen; but where's the fun in that right (NO! That's wrong! That's very wrong. Learn to listen)?

05 - The "Could have made it, no I can't, but I could" feeling
   This is traditionally felt when you are driving in the car:
You stop at an intersection and a car is coming, preventing you from going; you stay and wait for the car.
A few moments go by, and you realize that you could have successfully made the turn if you had gone before, but now you wait to let the car go first.
A few moments go by, and you realize that you STILL could have successfully made the turn if you had gone even then, but now it's far too late and the car is passing you right as you say this...
   I hate when that happens, and it happens quite often (I prefer this feeling to cutting someone off every day though).

04 - The "I was going to break up with you, but now you got me some really expensive present, so now I feel like a jerk" feeling
   I can't tell you how many times I've tried to break up when this happened (I lied, I can, twice). It is one of the worst feelings in the world.
   Breaking up is hard to do in the first place, you can't do it during the date because then the date will stink, and you can't do it after because then they'll think they did something wrong during the date, you can't do it over the phone (this one is obvious), but in person you fear for your life (maybe that's a little extreme). The worst is when you are about to break up with someone, and you've been trying to find the right time to do it, and the day you are going to do it, you're significant other happens to have tickets to a concert or a game, or they bought you a random present.
   YAY! wait... ...now what ?

03 - The "I know I'm supposed to know you, but I can't think of your name right now" feeling
   One of the worst feelings for me, is knowing somebody, but not knowing their name even though I should. Usually this happens at work with coworkers, they stop by and say hi and ask about my family and I'm like "Hi they're doing good... yeah..." It's awkward because I know the person, and it's a perfectly normal conversation, but I just can't remember their name.
   I always appreciate talking with other people, so this is one of the more frustrating feelings, because I'm too stubborn to ask and I'm too afraid to guess. Needless to say, if any of you start or attempt to have a conversation with me, and it gets awkward this is probably the reason why.

02 - The "I leaned too far back in my chair, and I can't stop myself from falling" feeling
   If you haven't yet experienced this feeling, you are one of the very few people that haven't. This is the most embarrassing feeling for two reasons, 1) Someone is always there that has said not to lean back in your chair, and 2) You know you are about to attract an enormous amount of unflattering attention to yourself.
   The worst of this feeling, is sitting sideways in a wheeled chair that can lean back. If you lean back and someone pushes you down further, for that brief moment you feel like you are going to fall face first onto the floor (due to the already skewered perception of being sideways).
   This is also a very popular prank at school, so watch out chair tippers.

01 - The "My ride left without me" or the "I think we forgot someone" feeling
   Honestly, if you've ever experienced this, enough said.
   Also, if you are the cause of this feeling, you should feel sorry. You shouldn't be ashamed, it happens, but you should feel sorry.


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   Going back on this Top Ten, I really dislike the five sentence limit, from a writing perspective. Somethings really can't be explained in only five sentences. But, at the same time, I don't want to write another novel anytime soon. So I am putting it up to a vote. Partially, because I want to know, and partially because I also want to setup a poll (What? I'm curious 8^p )

   Merry Christmas Eve Day! The holidays are almost done for the year. Next week I'll reveal my Top Ten Favorite Holidays!

Top Ten: Pokémon (as of Gen VI)

    I just finished Pokémon Y as a Dark-type gym leader. I was super excited, until I actually beat the game. Starting the game with no foreknowledge and limiting myself to the Dark type, while fun, didn't create an excellent sense of exploration of the new fairy types and competitive battles. That's besides the point.

   I restarted the game this time playing for fun (however, I will rebuild this team and character again as I absolutely loved it. I just want to explore a little too). I know what to do, what not to do, and I know where my choices are, and I'm going to make different choices than last time. This will give me a chance to beat the game with my favorite Pokémon (outside the Dark type). This brings me to my Top Ten Today.


   There will ALWAYS be disputes of which Pokémon are the best and greatest, and each person's view is very different. Today I throw my ideas out there.

   Coming up with a list of my favorite Pokémon was easy.
   Narrowing it down to ten was not.

   For your enjoyment and for my ease of mind (to help me select Pokémon and to make sure the list isn't entirely unbalanced), I created a few rules for today's Top Ten. Here they are:

1) For each type, I picked my favorite Pokémon. My favorite ten Pokémon come from that list of 17 (Fairy is not included as I have not played with any yet).

2) I could only pick one starter. Though I only had a few favorite starter Pokémon, I had to limit myself to one for my top ten list.

3) I could only pick one legendary Pokémon. I defined legendary Pokémon as a Pokémon that there was only one of. Examples include: Lapras, Zapdos, Castform etc.

4) Pokémon I haven't used yet, if they make it onto the list (even though it isn't said, the list is implied to be about Pokémon I have used), are last. To be fair, I haven't finished Pokémon Black version yet so I haven't gotten to use a few Pokémon that I have plans for.

   Now that that is out of the way, here are the Pokémon that didn't make my top ten.
(FIRE) Ninetales
(ELEC) Zebstrika
(ROCK) Aggron
(FIGT) Pancham
(ICE.) Weavile
(WATR) Lapras
(GRAS) Sceptile
(FAIR) Sylveon (Sylveon is both on and not on this list. You'll find out later.)
   If you think these Pokémon are great, wait until you see the rest of my list!

My Top Ten Pokémon (as of Gen VI)

10 - #609 - (GHST)

Chandelure (Luring Pokémon): The spirits burned up in its ominous flame lose their way and wander this world forever.

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   When I first played Gen I, I fell in love with Ghost-type Pokémon (and Ground). Unfortunately, I was never able to evolve Haunter into Gengar (which I later learned to enjoy, because Haunter is higher on my list than Gengar), so I have been looking for a new favorite Ghost Pokémon ever since.
   Gen III got me hooked on Banette and Sableye (Dark/Ghost type combination WAS my favorite until Fairy was introduced and ruined the "nothing is super-effective against it" selling point), and finally Gen V introduced Chandelure. I haven't gotten a chance to use Chandelure yet, but the design is amazing and the type combination is cool. The concept of this Pokémon intrigues me greatly and so it deserves a spot on my list.

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09 - #635 - (DRAG)

Hydreigon (Brutal Pokémon): It responds to movement by attacking. This scary, three-headed Pokémon devours everything in its path!

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   I have never ever, ever been a fan of Dragon-type Pokémon. The Dragonite ruined that image for me for a long time. Once I played Gen III, and Dragons were cooler, I started paying attention to Salamence. When I first saw Hydreigon, I fell in love. I have been unable to use one yet, but I will as soon as I restart my Pokémon Black campaign.

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08 - #133 - (NORM)

Eevee (Evolution Pokémon): Thanks to its unstable genetic makeup, this special Pokémon conceals many different possible evolutions.
 
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   Let's be honest, everyone loves Eevee. Now, let's be really honest, nobody loves Eevee; they love the potential Eevee has. Eevee holds a special place in my heart, and has since the beginning of Pokémon, because of the various evolutions it holds.
   My first (and so far only) time through Platinum was with an all Eeveelution team named after ponies (durn right!). One other thing that all of Eeveelutions has going for it, that many other of my favorite Pokémon have going for them, is it's rather lupine design (I can only pray for a Rockeon, Scuteon, Eeveon, Draceon, Steeleon, Puncheon, Creepeon, Poiseon, and Flyingeon; have fun trying to guess which name is which type).

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07 - #292 - (BUG.)

Shedinja (Shed Pokémon): A most peculiar Pokémon that somehow appears in a Poké Ball when a Nincada evolves.

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   Do you like creepy Pokémon (if you haven't noticed, I like dark/creepy/cool Pokémon)? That means that Bug Pokémon are at a huge disadvantage when fighting for my love. Shedinja remedied that by being completely awesome and amazing (being immune to almost 70% of attacks helps a lot). The method of obtaining Shedinja is obscure, the Pokédex entry is creepy, and using it in battle just frustrates more opponents than I can count. If you pull out a Shedinja towards the end of a battle, a majority of the time you will win that battle.

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06 - #169 - (POIS)

Crobat (Bat Pokémon): Having four wings allows it to fly more quickly and quietly so it can sneak up on prey without its noticing.

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   If you have never ever fought against a Zubat andor a Golbat then I don't know whether to call you lucky, or unfortunate. Crobat is a real upgrade to the Zubat family. It is one of the fastest Pokémon of it's time, and it is very hard difficult to defeat. It has a very good attack stat, and coupled with it's incredible speed, it has a very good annoyer-type moves, and it doesn't flinch. Crobat was my goto Pokémon as of Gen III.

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05 - #717 - (FLYI)

Yveltal (Destruction Pokémon): When its life comes to an end, it absorbs the life energy of every living thing and turns into a cocoon once more.

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   I know what you all are thinking, Yveltal is on the list only because I just beat Pokémon Y. That probably influenced it a bit, but that's not the reason. I was SO excited when this guy turned out to be Dark/Flying, I almost peed myself. I was doing a base Dark team, and the legendary is Dark type. Whodathunk?
   Now, as for it's power, amazing; that goes without saying. But the story behind  it is amazing as well. At first I was confused as to it's move Oblivion Wing. I had no idea what it was doing in it's move set, until I realized that it represents the Yveltal absorbing the life energy etc. VERY COOL.
   The design of Yveltal is amazing as well. It reminds me of a combination of one of my old favorites (Spearow/Fearow) and one of my new favorites (Absol) with a new paint job. This Pokémon is simply a beast that isn't to be trifled with. Unless, of course, you are 'The One'.

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04 - #625 - (STEL)

Bisharp (Sword Blade Pokémon): Bisharp pursues prey in the company of a large group of Pawniard. Then Bisharp finishes off the prey.

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   Anyone who has ever taken karate knows what it is like to have your body become a weapon. Bisharp takes this phrase literally. When I heard that I could trade my (terrible) Jigglypuff for a new slot in the Pokédex, I said "Of course!" When I saw what Bisharp looked like, I said "I like him." When I saw that Bisharp was Dark/Steel (and I needed some steel-type moves at the time), I said "Instant addition to the team." Bisharp did not disappoint.
   Bisharp is an amazingly strong Pokémon if you put him up against the right opponent. He learns very powerful moves, and is backed by a great physical build. As long as your opponent is physical based, Bisharp would love to dice them to pieces.
   The fact that Bisharp looks like a ninja-torpedo-sword is cool to me. I normally dislike humanized Pokémon (Machop, Sawk, Throh I'm looking at you!), but Bisharp was fairly different. Sure it was bipedal and had two arms, but... it... it was a weapon. It was like a sword (and an axe) that fights for you. I couldn't resist.
   This also made me laugh when I was trying to interact with it in Pokémon-Amie. My Bisharp's sweet spot was in the middle of the blades of his razor spine. I had to be very precise when I was giving him a belly rub.

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03 - #260 - (GRND)

Swampert (Mud Fish Pokémon): DATA UNKNOWN [Data entry is from Pokémon Ruby] Swampert is very strong. It has enough power to easily drag a boulder weighing more than a ton. This Pokémon also has powerful vision that lets it see even in murky water.

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   Swampert was everything I wanted in a Pokémon when I played Pokémon Ruby. It was Water (one of my favorite type because it was very needed Dive, Waterfall, Surf ugh), AND Ground (always a favorite). It was super-effective against Electric, and it just had monstrous stats. I even ran through Ruby in about 16 hours with a single Swampert (and five pick uppers). It knew Surf, Brick Break, Earthquake, and Ice Beam.
   Besides the great adaptability this Pokémon has, Swampert looks amazing. It's like Godzilla and the Cloverfield monster had a baby, and painted it pretty. He learns ground-type moves early enough to be effective against Roxanne, and just owns almost every Pokémon that crosses it's path.
   It's best stat is it's HP, but that doesn't mean that any of the other stats are terrible, except for it's speed. As the saying goes, it doesn't start a fight, but it certainly ends it. If you are playing Ruby, Sapphire or Emerald and you have no idea what your starter should be, Mudkip is your kind of Pokémon.

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02 - #686 - (PSYC)

Inkay (Revolving Pokémon): It flashes the light-emitting spots on its body, which drains its opponent's will to fight. It takes the opportunity to scuttle away and hide.

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   Inkay (and yes, I mean Inkay, not Malamar) is a rather different Pokémon than many of the others on my top ten list, but it's this difference that also helps it hold second place in my top ten list. Inkay is amazing. Enough said right there. Get one. However, that doesn't do him justice, so I will spew out more description of his awesomeness.
   Mine was (and will be again once I replay it) called Squink. It's a cute little floating squid. It's Dark/Psychic and... wait... I used the word cute? Blegh! Yes, Inkay is one of the very, very, very, very, very few Pokémon I will ever refer to as cute or adorable (and most of them I do so as a joke, Shedinja for example is adorable). Why? Because he is also very, very, very, very, very powerful. If you aren't convinced yet, you haven't faced one yet (because I'm certainly not helping change your mind).
   Let me spell it out for you. When I was playing and acquiring my Dark team in Pokémon Y, I came across a level 15 Inkay, with my level 35 Frogadier. That's clearly going to end in my favor, right? Wrong. The level 15 Inkay took me down to size... more than once. Are you convinced yet?
   The thing that is amazing about Inkay, is that it is so innocent looking, but it's power lies in one really creative move: Foul Play. The thing with Foul Play, is that it is a power 95 dark-type move that uses the "target"s attack stat rather than your own. That means, while both Inkay's defenses are great, and it's attack is lackluster, Foul Play is still very able to take down another Pokémon.
   Now, I choose Inkay, because I like how it looks and attacks over Malamar. It floats around as Inkay, and when it uses certain moves it turns upside down  and uses them. It's fighting style is so adorable that your opponent will be saying, "is this guy serious?" as his Pokémon slowly falls to the ground unwilling to fight.
   This was is all nothing compared to my all-time favorite Pokémon. It has been so since it's release.

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01 - #359 - (DARK)

and

Absol (Disaster Pokémon): It appears when it senses an impending natural disaster. As a result, it was mistaken as a doom bringer.

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   When I first played Gen I, my favorite Pokémon was Eevee. Eevee could fill any role on my team and it was cute (another one of those very few Pokémon). That quickly changed when my 500 dollar Magikarp evolved into Gyarados (which was vastly OP in those days, but not quite as OP as every Psychic). That changed back to Umbreon once Gen II was released, when I found out what an absolute tank it was (I mean, really, it took three Earthquakes to the face before it fainted and in later levels it learns moonlight, rest etc...). That changed quickly back to Gyarados when I caught the Red Gyarados.
   Upon replaying those Generations I realize that Gyarados was less OP in Gen II and my favorite went back to Umbreon and Ninetales and (the best of both worlds) Houndoom. What do you notice about this trend? All of my favorite (not broken Pokémon) are lupine Pokémon.
   It's true. I love Eevee, Growlithe, Ninetales, Lucario, Mightyena... etc. When I first laid eyes on Absol, I knew I had to catch it. It was one of the first Pokémon I encountered in route 120. I attacked it once and it fainted. I was disappointed, but knew that I was going to have it. The next Pokémon I encountered, was another Absol. Again it fainted, and then my search continued for days. I didn't know Absol was a rare Pokémon in those parts. Meanwhile, my Pokémon were getting stronger and stronger. I began to lose hope of catching one.
   Finally, I saw another Absol and stuck my tank in front of it. I knew better than to attack it, and I just threw Poké ball after Poké ball until I caught it. Once I caught it, I discovered why it fainted so easily. It's defense stinks. It's HP stinks. It's attack is stellar. The only thing you really need to work on is it's speed and even then it's pretty decent (in it's defense the game gives it Razor Wind which is a two-turn attack where it attacks on the second turn... if it's still around).
   When I started using it, my opponents kept falling left and right before it. It knew only a few select moves that really worked with it (back in Gen III), but with the overhaul of the original attack system, and making each type physical or special REALLY increased the power of Absol (and other Pokémon too). Ever since I caught one in Gen III, an Absol immediately has a spot on my team. Always. No matter what. And finding out that it can mega evolve... I peed myself again.
   Even now, as I'm replaying Pokémon Y and exploring the game a bit better, I have an Absol on my team. It truly is my favorite Pokémon.

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   Let me know what you guys think. Sorry this one was really long, especially at the end, but I couldn't let my top five be unknown. Especially, not the top two.
   I hope you enjoyed this one, I promise next Tuesday won't be Pokémon-related (even though I already have two more Pokémon-related top tens planned).

Top Ten: Things People Should Do, But Don't

Welcome to Top Ten Tuesdays!
Whenever I have an idea for a top ten, it will appear on Tuesday. My top tens won't ALWAYS be ten things, but I will try.
Also, to reduce the amount of reading on your part I will limit myself to five sentences each. There is obviously more that can be said about each topic, but I don't want you to spend hours listening to me, amazing though that would be.
Without further ado:

Top Ten: Things People Should Do, But Don't

10 - Drive the speed limit

This is coming from an ex-speeder, so I've been there before.
Don't do it.
If you do do it, don't get mad at other people for doing it.
If you plan your life so that you don't need to speed, and then don't speed, your driving and your life will be less stressful because of it. Less stress usually means happier (and in this case safer).

9 - Clean up

DISCLAIMER: If you are my parents or my wife, don't have a heart attack just yet.
People should clean up after themselves.
I know I'm a slob at home, but at least at home my slobbiness is organized. When I'm at work, surrounded by professionals, I expect that the workplace (especially the employee lounge) to be clean (especially if the trash barrels are on the way out of the employee lounge). A clean and organized environment is a less stressful environment, and a healthier environment.

8 - Learn to Drive

People need to learn to drive and control their vehicles.
Whenever the first snowfall happens, there are numerous accidents. People blame the weather, I blame four-wheel drive; honestly, if your entire plan while driving is to rely on FWD, then you shouldn't be driving. You need to understand your vehicle's capabilities, how it handles, and you need to learn what to do in an emergency situation (FWD doesn't save you from everything).
This is completely neglecting the crap drivers pull during non-winter months (which still should change too).

7 - Work

If you are at work, you are getting paid to work. You shouldn't sit around talking or texting on your phone; you should be working. If you have down time, or are on break, things are different, but in the middle of the busiest time of the night, you should be working.
Finally, if you are one of those people who goof off at work, don't get mad at other people for asking you to do your job.
You should be doing your job anyways, you should say thank you for not reporting me to the supervisor.

6 - Think better of others

There is too much distrust in the world today that is perpetuated by a constant train of distrust.
In order to illustrate my point, how do you feel if someone distrusts you? If I am misjudged negatively, I am more inclined to do less than if the opposite is true. I know that is a selfish attitude, but I have a (minor) inkling that I'm (probably) not the only selfish person in the world today (maybe).
Simply treat other people with respect, and they will give it back; you choose to either perpetuate a downward spiral, or an upward spiral.

5 - Respect

There is an increasingly obvious lack of respect in the world today.
The next generation is becoming more and more about "me" and less about "you".
I believe that this is because there is a difference between strict, and mean. I think that because people are afraid of being mean, they are not being strict.
Without being strict, the next generation isn't learning respect, responsibility or self-control.

4 - Think

If everyone thought more, the world would be 20% cooler than it is.
Think more about others, and the impact your life has (or can have) on them.
Think more about your problems, and how you can solve them, or prevent them. You can't expect other people to solve your problems for you.
Also, the education system could use a revamp...

3 - Say thank you

Saying thank you can make the difference in any one's day.
It encourages me to do more for you, if you take even a little time to acknowledge my work. If you are too busy to spare half a second to say thank you, then YOU are too busy in life.
Here is a video that links happiness to gratitude (in more than five sentences):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHv6vTKD6lg

2 - Understand marriage

Marriage means you will love each other through the good and the bad. It doesn't say that you will love each other only when it is convenient.
People discover, post-marriage, the marriage isn't all good, and they want to get out of it. We need to teach people to think carefully before they marry someone, and not to take it lightly.
Broken families and broken homes lead to a broken world.

Finally, the number one spot on my list:

1 - Speak your mind

A lot of problems in the world stem from people being afraid to speak up.
When they are having difficulty, or if others are doing something wrong, they are afraid of being mocked and remain silent. People need to understand that if they feel something is wrong, they need to speak up.
There are many voices that aren't heard, snuffed out because of fear. How much brighter could the world be if those voices are finally heard?

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That's all I have for you. Do you agree, disagree? Like, dislike?
This is my first Top Ten, I look forwards to more.