#^ not true but it needs time..I REALLY LIKE THE SYGNA SUITS

[whenthelightisrunninglow]

i don't think i'm ever gonna draw them in their normal outfits again

[epicspheal]

Suppose DeNA ultimately incorporates the Let’s Go kids into Masters (Chase, Elaine, Trace, and maybe even Green). How would you go about incorporating them to exist alongside the FRLG Pallet trio?

Hi there @ether-gearhead!

Oooh this is a good and tough question! I feel like DeNA is going to likely pull a Johto where they just sort of combine FRLG and Let's Go together like they did with Crystal and HGSS. By that I mean Kris just exist alongside Ethan and Lyra's in the same universe and kind of having her own thing I will say it's a much easier task to do this with Kris because she has the benefeit of the Pokespe manga being able to inform some of her character since in Pokespe she works with Oak and we see her conversing with him a lot in Pokemas and she was searching for Suicune in the manga which again informed her partner for her Sygna Suit. Let's go isn't going to be as seamless of an addition because they truly exist in a different timeline as: 1) The first Kantrio female protagonist is named Green and not Leaf 2) The first Kantrio have a different starter and team composition 3) Chase/Elaine take the place of Red's role in Let's Go being the one to defeat Team Rocket and capture Mewtwo (if we add Origins into this) 4) Trace takes the place of Blue as the surprise champion who gets defeated soon after While Pokemon Masters is definitely a multiverse crossover (especially with the addition of Ash from the anime) I feel like Let's Go's cast is a little harder to integrate since from the PML league, various smaller stories, and the Kanto Villain arc they really hyped up Red as this living legend who defeated Team Rocket and became champion by taking down his true rival Blue. It gets referenced so much that I don't know if they'd be that eager to try a mulitversal counterpart for that scenario, especially when the reception of the Let's Go cast isn't as great unfortunately. And while I can see them adding Green to the mix, I feel like with Leaf already being shafted (she needs another alt I'm hoping she gets a Neo Champion one or something) it would just further hurt Leaf. All this to say (as a long aside)...this is Gamefreak's fault for being too chicken to just go all in on making Let's Go a true sequel and not this halfway reimagining/halfway sequel thing. Because the idea of Red, Blue and Green/Leaf being mentors to a younger squad of Pallet Town kids is fantastic. With a younger Mina appearing in Let's Go and Adult versions of Red and Blue appearing in SM/USUM I think it would've been wiser to just have had Adult Red and Blue with an adult female protagonist (doesn't matter if they name her Leaf or Green) appear in Let's Go as mentors and have Chase/Elaine and Trace take on a new story set in Kanto. Like center it on Meltan/Melmetal and Shadow Pokemon from remnants of Team Rocket (to tie in with Pokemon Go). Maybe since Trace shows that he's easily frightened, make him already a champion (like how they did Nemona) but his lack of courage and at times unwillingness to push his Pokemon in situations be the reason why Chase/Elaine have to step in...which ultimately ends in him losing the title. But since Red and Blue would be adults here, perhaps at some point they run into Kukui and learn about his dream for Alola and we see them decide to go be facility heads for the Battle Tree. And then in the post-game we see Blue handing the reigns of the Viridian City gym to Trace (who I think could be a good successor). They could even with this add more of a plot to the female protagonist. Maybe she decides to stay in Kanto to help the kids out...or maybe she teases traveling to some other region.

That, in my opinion, would've been a way better use of the new kids while giving the first Kantrio some time to shine. And most importantly, it would've made adding the Let's Go kids to Pokemon Masters way more seamless. And more lucrative for DeNA since a more original story would've enhanced the popularities of Trace, Elaine and Chase. But unfortunately that didn't happen I think if DeNA does add them, given what's actually canon for them, I think they may just focus more on Alolan/Kanto variants of Pokemon. Like an event where Alola and Kanto characters (mainly Let's Go) compare variants. Trace has the Marowak so they could have a battle with him and Kiawe and his Alolan Marowak. I could see them just combining Green's character into Leaf and giving her a Ninetales and then giving Lillie an Alola Ninetales (as a nod to the anime) and have them face off. They could then give Chase/Elaine Kantonian Golem and Dugtrio against Alolan Dugtrio (Molayne) and Alolan Golem (Sophocles). They could also use Meltan/Melmetal for a Let's Go event, but I could honestly see them doing an Ash Alt for that since he has Melmetal (if Ash does get more Alts, a Melmetal and Greninja alt are the most likely ones in my opinion). If they were to give it to the let's go kids I can see them doing it for any one of them honestly.

[crystalelemental]

Now that I have my Alola concerns out of the way, Kalos VA.

I’m going to start this with “What the fuck is that invisible Pokemon Calem’s talking about?”  This is the first time I’ve felt like I have no idea what something is.  I’ve seen speculation about Volcanion because of the steam, but that’s not invisibility.  I’ve seen people mention AZ’s Floette, but that’s stupid, it doesn’t have that ability as far as I’ve ever known.  And I’ve seen people mention Kecleon, which...okay look.  It’s probably not Kecleon.  Probably.  I’ll get to that.

Anyway!  At present, this arc has some really interesting ground rules.  Diantha’s been achieved, and the protagonists feel wildly unlikely given the recent Champion alts.  This leaves us open on like three potential slots for alts.  Which...isn’t a hard rule, but a general guideline.  Arcs tend to have between 4 and 5 pairs introduced, and we’ve effectively only got two.  So I’m hoping for three more.

Malva is possible, and perhaps downright likely.  I will be sad if Drasna is the only one not introduced, but the eventual CS will fix it.  That’s the one good thing about being E4: inevitability.  But they could also delay Malva until then, or lump her in with it if it happens next month after the VA.  Who knows.

Lysandre is a big hope, but we’ve had villains receive nothing before.  It’s far from guaranteed.  Mega Gyarados, probably shiny, feels most likely if he does get in.  I wouldn’t mind it.  But there’s also the possibility of Volcanion.  Who...had yet to be so much as referenced.

But the big remaining option is Emma.  Not gonna lie, if Emma doesn’t make it in, I’m going to be bothered.  This is important, goddammit.  Looker Fam assemble.  I know she talks about Crobat being her partner, but I’m hoping for Mimi the Espurr.  It’s iconic, and it’s stupid they don’t battle together.  But assuming it is Crobat, god I hope they give her Tech with defense drops and possibly straight-up Poison Zone like Courtney.  Looker needs some goddamn help.  It would also be nice to have a Crobat that functions on the physical side compared to Koga’s.

But as you may notice...all three are questions.  Malva may be with CS.  Lysandre may get nothing at all.  Emma may get nothing at all.  Which leaves us...kinda high and dry here.  We’re picking at straws, with the possibility of Sycamore, the possibility of Tierno and Trevor, the possibility of Gym Leader sygna suits, the possibility of AZ (please no).  But there is one that, if all goes well, would be a delight.

Looker alt.  Looker’s been front and center of importance in this arc, and I think he’s well worth it.  “But how?” you may be asking yourselves.  Hear me out.  Kecleon.  As a member of the international police with an emphasis on his ability to disguise himself, Kecleon would be a wonderful partner to him.  DeNA has also shown this increase in attention to Normal types recently, so another cool Normal type being used by Looker?  That’d be great.  Add in, consider how the arc has been playing out.  There’s apparent infiltrators to Team Flare, trying to use the weapon.  More than likely, this is Team Rocket in disguise like with Aqua and Magma.  I hate to say it, but it’s true.  In retaliation, Malva has plainclothes agents of Team Flare monitoring the entire island for information, and to intercept the rebels.  Looker seems to be on the back foot right now, being at an impasse as far as what’s actually happening, and having to rely on Malva’s support to maintain peace.  The idea that this culminates in Looker having a plan, and using his Kecleon’s disguise to gather his own intel on the sly, would be fantastic.  And it’s the only way this whole invisible Pokemon thing feels like it really comes together narratively speaking.

My personal hope is Emma, Looker, Lysandre, with Malva and Drasna occurring as a “separate” event later in the month, similar to how Sinnoh was introduced.  I think this would be the most exciting outcome for me personally.

[crystalelemental]

Here's a question: is Champion Marnie the most ridiculous striker in the game? I don't know, I didn't pull Ash, who seems to be the main contender, but at a guess I'm gonna say "hell yeah."

General Overview Marnie here is 1/5, non-EX. This is the bare essentials of Marnie, no frills or traits that make her excel. And she annihilated Gauntlet.

Rosa and Maylene. Almost entirely Rosa, the only exception being for a really good reason. Like, that's insane. Beating shit with Rosa. Like, beating Tornadus, who is super-effective against her. Beating Moltres and Latias with lower-tier supports. These are obscene successes that Marnie's pulling off with just the base kit. I just...

When Sygna Suit Serena came out, I remember being fairly underwhelmed with her, not because she wasn't good, but because she didn't live up to the hype. Estimations were that she'd beat basically everything, with little resistance, and that...categorically isn't true. She's good, but she can be worn down, obliterated by sure-crit AoE moves, blanked by damage reduction gimmicks without support. And every time a comparable striker has come out, it's felt the same. People lose their minds over the raw damage that is produced, and are salivating over how good this damage dealer is. And every time I'm like "They're fine but they can be stopped, I still prefer a good support over this."

Champion Marnie may be the first time I've actually understood the hype.

Vs. Tornadus Rosa is weak to Tornadus. She's weak to Flying, and I forgot. I walked in here with the single wrongest support. And Marnie still won. It's absurd. Even in the final phases, Buddy Fiery Wrath cuts through damage reduction. That damage could not be stopped. She was going to win no matter what. Marnie's starting off with the craziest clear I've seen in a while.

Vs. Tapu Bulu Rosa heals under the Grassy Terrain, and Persian's Charm meant damage dealt by Bulu is really low. Marnie's flinch off Buddy move lasts forever, so as long as we could keep gauge rolling, she'd win. I will note, her gauge control isn't great. Rosa's trainer move is really needed to keep up pressure, despite the speed boosts she gets.

Vs. Cobalion Cobalion's a scary fight. This is I think the only one I had to reset, and it was largely because of how successfully it could truck Rosa if Snorlax wasn't getting its flinch rate going. With it, Marnie can win, but without it, it's a real struggle.

Vs. Cresselia Catharsis. Seriously, do you see those numbers? And remember, the Buddy move bypasses damage reduction. Marnie is a guarantee to avoid the paralysis, so long as she can hit. And here's the issue: her buddy move is not guaranteed to hit. So you do need to bring a Brycen along to clear those evasion boosts.

Vs. Azelf Another really scary one. Granted, scary because I refused to bring a proper flinch or sleep bot, but I think the results speak for themselves. Marnie's endure effect literally saved it.

Vs. Uxie Lucy setting up what's needed allows Marnie to actually truck this fight. Uxie being eventually immune to flinch means Marnie really can't get around what's hard required for this.

Vs. Latios ...I mean, come on. I will not be surprised if she can solo this dude.

Vs. Latias Maylene was brought for the aforementioned accuracy issues. If the team misses Latias too often in Bar 2, even Marnie's Buddy move can miss, and then it's a disaster. Gauges are already a problem, but missing on top of that? Horrific. Maylene's grid gave her Precision Pals, which is tremendously helpful for this fight in particular.

Vs. Regirock I had to bring Acerola because 1/5 Marnie doesn't have a reliable flinch rate on Fiery Wrath. She'd need 3/5 for it. With the flinch, she...dominated, to the shock of no one. I am impressed with her damage output, though. Clearing the rest of Bar 2 through crit shield is no small feat.

Vs. Entei I figured I wouldn't go classic flinch bot, and instead go special damage reduction, and...wow, that actually worked. Color me impressed, girls.

Vs. Moltres This one was spooky. Acerola's back in for weather and flinch, and that was pretty necessary. The thing is, in the final phase, we ran out of Sandstorm. And Buddy move/move damage was so high she just KO'd anyway. So that's hilarious.

Final Thoughts Marnie's obscene. Like, this much firepower at 1/5 is ridiculous. This is without her multipliers. This is without the 60% flinch rate on her Fiery Wrath that makes her wildly disruptive. This is without Double Endure that would've made her even more impossible to kill. Like...I'm stunned. This is the first time a Striker has lived up to its reputation for me.