Game Review: Pokemon Mystery Dungeon

September 29, 2006 | 25 Comments

The newest Pokemon game has arrived, but how does it stack up?

The Blue Rescue Team game is for the DS and the Red Rescue Team is for the GBA. Both play similar but Blue Rescue Team takes good advantage of the touch screen and the dual display.

I own one of each so I will attempt to tell you about them.

In Pokemon Mystery Dungeon you take on the role of a Pokemon. The Pokemon you start with depends on a series of questions the game asks you and how you answer them. A guide for this has been posted HERE for your reading pleasure. Based on who you end up as will also dictate who you get to select from as your partner.

The game starts off with you and your partner going on a rescue mission to the “Tiny Woods” to rescue a Caterpie. The missions are what this game is all about and I will get into that in due time…

For those who are used to playing the GBA Pokemon games you will find one very big surprise. No, it’s not the lack of trainers and your being a Pokemon, it is the removal of the start button as a way to access the menu system. In Pokemon Mystery Dungeon you use the *B* button to access your menu.

It’s a stumbling block for those of us who are set in our ways and I don’t understand why Nintendo chose to change this most basic of functions, but they did.

DS Note: Users of the DS game have access to the menu at the bottom of the touch screen and can easily use the stylus to navigate through the menu system.

When your Pokemon is involved in a battle you are allowed to “set” a move and use it by holding down the “Left” button while pressing the “A” button. Pressing the “A” button by itself has your Pokemon do a very basic attack similar to a tackle attack. Because of this, all Pokemon could be considered to have 5 attacks. If you want to use an attack other then the basic attack or your set move you need to hit the “B” button to access the menu, select “Moves” and then choose the attack to use.

It seems complicated at first but you will quickly get used to the change.

One very big advantage of the DS version is the use of the top screen to display the status of your Pokemon friends. In the GBA game you only see the hit points for yourself at the top of the screen. Pressing the “B” button will give you a quick look at everyone’s hit points but the DS is so much nicer in that, while in a dungeon, you have a constant visual of your friend’s hit points.

The “B” button has a few other uses aside from bringing up the menu. If you hold it down while moving you will run. If you hold the “A” and “B” buttons down simultaneously time will move faster.

Why would you want time to move faster? Because you heal naturally as time goes by. you also get hungry so be sure to pack some food in your Rescue Kit.

What’s a “Rescue Kit” you ask? It is a special box which holds your items. There is a small limit to the number of items you can store in the kit and each Pokemon can carry one item as well.

Now, because you can not directly control what your friends do you need an alternate way to let them know what you want them to do. This is where Pokemon “tactics” come in.

You can give each Pokemon a general command such as “stay close together” or “attack all enemies” or even “get away” when times get tough. I try to leave my friends on “attack all enemies” but it does backfire on me sometimes. Especially when you run down a hallway and one of your friends takes a turn towards an enemy you did not see. Now you are stuck 6 spaces away from them (or more) and once combat begins you can only move one space at a time!

When you defeat a wild Pokemon there is a chance they will join you. The only way to get one to join you is if the leader deals the knock-out blow and you have a spare slot on your team. It’s good to accumulate friends as later on in the game you will be able to change who is the leader and play without your two starting Pokemon.

Combat is turn-based but you no longer have a Speed score, instead everyone attacks once (or moves one space) and then a new combat turn begins. Although there is no Speed score moves that affect speed are very useful in Pokemon Mystery Dungeon as they allow you to attack multiple times in a combat turn.

In fact, many “so-so” moves in the past Pokemon games became far more valuable in Pokemon Mystery Dungeon. For instance, the move Swords Dance only gave you a bonus in one combat in the old games but, in Pokemon Mystery Dungeon, the bonus lasts for the whole level!

You also gain the ability to “link” moves. What this means is that instead of doing Growl one round and then Tackle the next you can set a linked move to do both at the same time! This is a very important strategy when facing tough opponents such as legendary Pokemon.

Let’s say you have a Mudkip with Water Gun, Whirlpool, Growl and Tackle and you are facing off against Groudon… By having your moves linked you could effectively use all four moves at the same time. It is the equivalent of getting in four attacks at once! Your chance of winning just went up four-fold!

I do not want to get too deep into the game play as that might give away to many spoilers. Suffice to say, I enjoy the game. It grew on me. With that said, there are a few things that might bother the existing Pokemon players:

1) You can not trade Pokemon… Ever.
2) You can not evolve your Pokemon until you reach a certain point in the game.
3) There are a lot of “cut scenes” that advance the plot but can take up to five minutes or more to get through.

One of the nice features is the use of the “dual slot” mode where you can put one game in the DS slot and another in the GBA slot and trade items and rescue codes.

Oh yes, I almost forgot!

One of the big things you are able to do in Pokemon Mystery Dungeon is get help from a friend.

If you get knocked out in a dungeon you can give a code to your friend so that they can rescue you! Once the rescue you they send you a code back and you are revived where you fainted. The rescuer earns some rescue points and an item for doing the job!

If you find yourself knocked out I highly suggest you go to the PokeFarm Forums where there is a thread just for rescue requests.

That about raps up my review.

Happy rescuing!

UPDATE
I’ve had the games for a while now and I have to say that PMD will not stand the test of time. I’m already tired of it (though my daughter is not) and I’m back to playing my Emerald/Ruby/Leaf Green games.

Posted by Jolly | Filed Under News, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon, Review 

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: What Pokemon are You?

September 20, 2006 | 1 Comment

NOTE: If you are looking for information on the new Pokemon Mystery Dungeon game than you want to read the What Pokemon are you: Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of time and Explorers of Darkness article.

Well, I got my copy of Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team last night, my daughter gets her copy of Blue Rescue Team today and later on I will publish an article about what questions to answer to get each of the different starting pokemon. 

=========================================================================
  ===         POKEMON MYSTERY DUNGEON  -  PERSONALITY TEST GUIDE        ===
  =========================================================================
                                     v1.00

                   by Terence Fergusson 

Pokemon Copyright 1995-2006 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
Mystery Dungeon Copyright 1993-2006 CHUNSOFT.

This document is entirely my work, and was written and is owned by me,
Terence Fergusson.  All copyrights and trademarks are acknowledged where not
specifically mentioned.  If you wish to reproduce this document AS IS, you
may do so without having to ask my permission, providing that the entire
document including this copyright notice is left intact, preferably in ASCII
text format, and is done so for non-profit purposes.  I do, however, reserve
the right to revoke permission and ask for it to be taken down should I feel
it necessary.

Please do not e-mail me about this guide.  If you have questions or
submissions to the knowledge base, please post on the GameFAQs message board;
the information will get to the correct people quicker this way, and you
have a far better chance of getting an answer expediently.

=============================================================================
                       V E R S I O N   H I S T O R Y
=============================================================================

v1.00 : 20/09/06 : Original Conversion of Fushigi no Dungeon Guide
                     into English

=============================================================================
                        A B O U T   T H E   T E S T
=============================================================================

To determine your starting Pokemon, you will be given a personality test.
This will involve a random question from 8 out of 14 Categories, with each
Category leaning towards a particular personality type.  Once you have been
asked the full eight questions, you will be given a final question that
simply asks for your gender.  Once this has been answered, the results are
all tallied and your final personality and resulting Pokemon is determined.

You will be given a Pokemon relating to the personality type you scored
highest in.  In the event of a tie between multiple personality types, one
will be chosen randomly out of those you scored highest in.  Finally, your
choice of gender dictates which of two Pokemon you will get for that
personality.

                              Male               Female
               Hardy:      #004 Charmander    #025 Pikachu
               Docile:     #001 Bulbasaur     #152 Chikorita
               Brave:      #066 Machop        #004 Charmander
               Jolly:      #007 Squirtle      #158 Totodile
               Impish:     #025 Pikachu       #104 Cubone
               Naive:      #158 Totodile      #133 Eevee
               Timid:      #155 Cyndaquil     #258 Mudkip
               Hasty:      #255 Torchic       #300 Skitty
               Sassy:      #252 Treecko       #255 Torchic
               Calm:       #258 Mudkip        #001 Bulbasaur
               Relaxed:    #054 Psyduck       #007 Squirtle
               Lonely:     #104 Cubone        #054 Psyduck
               Quirky:     #052 Meowth        #252 Treecko

Note that this gives a choice of 16 possible Pokemon, with 6 of them unique
to a particular gender.  Cyndaquil, Machop and Meowth are only available to
males, while Chikorita, Eevee and Skitty are only available to females.

Once your Pokemon has been chosen, you will be given a choice of partner.
The available partners are:

                     Bulbasaur   Charmander  Squirtle
                     Chikorita   Cyndaquil   Totodile
                     Treecko     Torchic     Mudkip
                                 Pikachu

You are unable to choose a partner that matches the Type of your own Pokemon.
Hence, Bulbasaur, Chikorita and Treecko cannot choose a Grass Type partner;
Charmander, Cyndaquil and Torchic cannot choose a Fire Type partner; and
Squirtle, Totodile, Mudkip and Psyduck cannot choose a Water Type partner.
Furthermore, if you get Pikachu as a result of the personality test, you
obviously cannot also choose Pikachu as your partner.

=============================================================================
                              S T R A T E G Y
=============================================================================

If you’re looking to try to get a particular Pokemon, you should keep the
following in mind:

   * Remember that six of the 16 possible Pokemon are available to one
     gender only - you will not be able to get them if you pick the
     wrong gender.

   * Keep in mind the personality of the Pokemon you’re trying to get.
     You want to always answer questions that increase that personality
     trait.

   * When you’re asked a question that doesn’t have an answer for your
     chosen personality, pick answers that increase traits you haven’t
     answered for yet and have low increases.  It’s often better to
     answer a question with something that increases a bunch of traits
     by 1 instead of an answer that increases a single trait by 2 or
     even 3.

If you can increase your chosen trait high enough and keep the rest below
that, then it’s not so difficult to get your chosen Pokemon.  Don’t be
discouraged if it doesn’t work the first time however - there is some luck
involved with which questions you will be asked.

=============================================================================
                         T H E   Q U E S T I O N S
=============================================================================

Remember that you will only be asked one question out of any Category chosen,
unless your answer to a question deliberately redirects you to another
question within that category.  You will also only be asked questions from
8 Categories maximum before you are given the final question to determine
your gender.

Category #01 - Hardy
====================
  Question #1     A test is coming up.
                  How do you study for it?

  Answers:        Study hard.
                      +2 Hardy
                  At the last second.
                      +2 Relaxed
                  Ignore it and play.
                      +2 Impish

  Question #2     Can you focus on something you like?

  Answers:        Yes.
                      +2 Hardy, +1 Docile
                  No.
                      +2 Quirky

  Question #3     When the going gets tough, do you get
                  going?

  Answers:        Yes.
                      +2 Hardy, +2 Brave
                  No.
                      +2 Sassy, +2 Quirky

  Question #4     There is a bucket. If you put
                  water in it, how high will you fill it?

  Answers:        Full.
                      +2 Hardy
                  Half.
                      +2 Calm
                  A little.
                      +2 Quirky

Category #02 - Docile
=====================
  Question #1     You are offered a choice of two gifts.
                  Which one will you take?

  Answers:        Big box.
                      +2 Docile, +1 Naive
                  Small box.
                      +2 Timid, +1 Calm

  Question #2     You broke a rotten egg in your room!
                  What will you do?

  Answers:        Open a window right away.
                      +2 Docile, +1 Hasty
                  Take a sniff first.
                      +2 Naive, +1 Relaxed

  Question #3     A friend brought over something you’d
                  forgotten.
                  How do you thank your friend?

  Answers:        Say thank you regularly.
                      +2 Docile
                  Say thanks with a joke.
                      +1 Naive, +1 Lonely
                  Say thanks, but be cool.
                      +2 Sassy

  Question #4     There is a wallet at the side of a road.

  Answers:        Turn it in to the police!
                      +2 Docile
                  Yay! Yay!
                      +2 Naive
                  Is anyone watching…?
                      +2 Impish

Category #03 - Brave
====================
  Question #1     You’re going bungee jumping for the first
                  time.

                  Since it’s scary, you decide to test the
                  jump with a doll…
                  And the bungee cord snaps!

                  Will you still try to make a jump anyway?

  Answers:        Yes.
                      +3 Brave, +1 Impish
                  No.
                      +2 Docile, +1 Timid

  Question #2     There is an alien invasion!
                  What will you do?

  Answers:        Fight.
                      Do Question #2b
                  Run.
                      +2 Timid
                  Ignore it.
                      +2 Relaxed

  Question #2b    You valiantly fight the aliens…
                  But, you are defeated…

                  An alien says to you…

                  “YOU HAVE IMPRESSED US.
                  IT WAS A PLEASURE TO SEE.

                  JOIN US, AND TOGETHER WE SHALL
                  RULE THE WORLD.”
                  What will you do?

  Answers:        Rule with the aliens.
                      +1 Sassy, +1 Relaxed
                  Refuse.
                      +4 Brave

  Question #3     There is a scream from behind a door!
                  How will you react?

  Answers:        Yank open the door.
                      +1 Hardy, +2 Brave
                  Scream in unison.
                      +2 Naive

  Question #4     A delinquent is hassling a girl on
                  a busy city street!
                  What will you do?

  Answers:        Help without hesitation.
                      +3 Brave
                  Help, even if scared.
                      +2 Hardy, +2 Brave
                  Call the police.
                      +1 Docile, +1 Timid, +1 Relaxed
                  Do nothing out of fear.
                      +2 Timid

Category #04 - Jolly
====================
  Question #1     Are you a cheerful personality?

  Answers:        Yes.
                      +2 Jolly, +1 Naive
                  No.
                      +1 Sassy, +1 Quirky

  Question #2     Do you like to noisily enjoy yourself
                  with others?

  Answers:        Yes.
                      +2 Jolly, +1 Lonely
                  No.
                      +1 Timid

  Question #3     It’s the summer holidays!
                  Where would you like to go?

  Answers:        The beach!
                      +2 Jolly
                  Spas.
                      +2 Calm
                  Anywhere.
                      +2 Quirky

  Question #4     A foreign person has started up a
                  conversation with you.

                  To be honest, you don’t have a clue what
                  this fellow is saying.
                  How do you reply?

  Answers:        Haha! Yes. Very funny!
                      +3 Jolly
                  Um… Could you say that again?
                      +2 Hardy
                  Right… Well, I gotta go.
                      +2 Timid

Category #05 - Impish
=====================
  Question #1     Have you ever made a pitfall trap?

  Answers:        Yes.
                      +2 Impish, +1 Lonely
                  No.
                      +2 Calm

  Question #2     Do you like pranks?

  Answers:        Yes.
                      +2 Impish
                  No.
                      +1 Docile, +1 Relaxed

  Question #3     Are there many things that you would like
                  to do?

  Answers:        Yes.
                      +1 Hardy, +2 Impish
                  No.
                      +1 Sassy, +2 Quirky

  Question #4     Your friend is being bullied!
                  What do you do?

  Answers:        Face up to the bully.
                      +3 Brave
                  Caution the bully from afar.
                      +2 Timid
                  Heckle the bully from behind.
                      +2 Impish

Category #06 - Naive
====================
  Question #1     Do you like groan-inducing puns?

  Answers:        Love them!
                      +1 Impish, +3 Naive
                  A little.
                      +2 Jolly
                  Spare me.
                      +2 Sassy

  Question #2     Do you tend to laugh a lot?

  Answers:        Yes.
                      +1 Docile, +2 Naive
                  No.
                      +2 Quirky

  Question #3     Do others often call you childish?

  Answers:        Yes.
                      +1 Jolly, +2 Naive
                  No.
                      +2 Calm

  Question #4     Do you like to imagine things for your
                  amusement?

  Answers:        Yes.
                      +2 Naive
                  No.
                      +2 Hasty

Category #07 - Timid
====================
  Question #1     A human hand extends out of a toilet!
                  What would you do?

  Answers:        Scream and run.
                      +2 Timid
                  Close the lid without a word.
                      +1 Hardy, +2 Calm
                  Shake hands with it.
                      +2 Brave, +1 Impish, +1 Naive

  Question #2     Grab any digit on your left hand with your
                  right hand.
                  Which digit did you grab?

  Answers:        Thumb.
                      +2 Timid
                  Index finger.
                      +2 Hasty
                  Middle finger.
                      +2 Jolly
                  Ring finger.
                      +2 Sassy
                  Little finger.
                      +2 Lonely

  Question #3     You are suddenly locked inside a
                  pitch-black room!
                  What do you do?

  Answers:        Kick the door.
                      +2 Timid
                  Cry.
                      +2 Lonely
                  Clean it.
                      +2 Impish, +1 Quirky

  Question #4     Can you go into a haunted house?

  Answers:        No problem!
                      +3 Brave
                  Uh… N-no…
                      +2 Timid
                  With someone I like.
                      +2 Sassy

Category #08 - Hasty
====================
  Question #1     You receive a gift!
                  But you don’t know what’s in it.
                  You’re curious, so what do you do?

  Answers:        Open it now.
                      +2 Hasty
                  Open it later.
                      +2 Calm
                  Get someone to open it.
                      +2 Timid

  Question #2     You win a lottery!
                  What do you do with the money?

  Answers:        Spend it now.
                      +2 Jolly, +1 Hasty
                  Save it.
                      +1 Hardy, +1 Calm
                  Give it away.
                      +2 Brave, +2 Quirky

  Question #3     You come across a treasure chest!
                  What do you do?

  Answers:        Open it right away!
                      +2 Hasty
                  No… Could be a trap…
                      +2 Timid
                  It’s going to be empty…
                      +2 Sassy

  Question #4     Your friend fails to show up for a meeting
                  at the promised time.
                  What do you do?

  Answers:        Become irritated.
                      +1 Docile, +2 Hasty
                  Wait patiently.
                      +2 Relaxed
                  Get angry and bail.
                      +3 Hasty

Category #09 - Sassy
====================
  Question #1     Your country’s leader is in front of you.
                  How do you speak to him or her?

  Answers:        Speak calmly.
                      +2 Hardy
                  Speak nervously.
                      +2 Docile
                  WHATEVER!!
                      +2 Sassy

  Question #2     Do others tell you to watch what you say?

  Answers:        Yes.
                      +1 Impish, +2 Sassy
                  No.
                      +2 Calm

  Question #3     Do you think you are cool?
                  Be honest.

  Answers:        Yes.
                      +2 Sassy
                  No.
                      +2 Relaxed

  Question #4     Can you sincerely thank someone when you
                  feel grateful?

  Answers:        Yes.
                      +2 Docile, +1 Calm
                  No.
                      +2 Sassy, +1 Quirky

Category #10 - Calm
===================
  Question #1     Do you occasionally consider yourself
                  dull and overly cautious?

  Answers:        Yes.
                      +2 Calm, +1 Lonely
                  No.
                      +2 Hardy

  Question #2     Do you dream of lounging around idly
                  without much excitement?

  Answers:        Yes.
                      +2 Calm
                  No.
                      +2 Impish

  Question #3     Do you like to fight?

  Answers:        Yes.
                      +1 Impish, +2 Timid
                  No.
                      +2 Calm, +1 Lonely

  Question #4     Do you often yawn?

  Answers:        Yes.
                      +2 Calm, +1 Relaxed
                  No.
                      +1 Hardy, +2 Hasty

Category #11 - Relaxed
======================
  Question #1     Are you often late for school or meetings?

  Answers:        Yes.
                      +1 Sassy, +2 Relaxed
                  No.
                      +2 Hardy, +1 Hasty

  Question #2     Do you get the feeling that you’ve slowed
                  down lately?

  Answers:        Yes.
                      +2 Relaxed
                  No.
                      +1 Impish, +2 Hasty

  Question #3     It is a pleasant day at the beach.
                  How do you feel?

  Answers:        This feels great!
                      +2 Jolly
                  Snore…
                      +2 Relaxed
                  I want to go home soon!
                      +2 Hasty

  Question #4     Do you fall asleep without noticing?

  Answers:        Yes.
                      +1 Calm, +2 Relaxed
                  No.
                      +2 Hardy

Category #12 - Lonely
=====================
  Question #1     Do you feel lonesome when you are alone?

  Answers:        Yes.
                      +1 Timid, +2 Lonely
                  No.
                      +2 Sassy

  Question #2     Do you hate to be the last person to leave
                  class at the end of a school day?

  Answers:        Yes.
                      +1 Timid, +2 Lonely
                  No.
                      +3 Brave, +1 Relaxed

  Question #3     What do you do with your room’s light
                  when you’re going to bed at night?

  Answers:        Leave it on.
                      +1 Timid, +2 Lonely
                  Turn it off.
                      +2 Calm

  Question #4     It’s a weekend, but no one will play
                  with you…
                  What do you do?

  Answers:        Go on a trip.
                      +1 Jolly, +1 Lonely
                  Hang around vacantly.
                      +1 Calm, +2 Relaxed
                  Huddle in a corner.
                      +1 Timid, +3 Lonely

Category #13 - Quirky
=====================
  Question #1     Do you sometimes run out of things to do
                  all of a sudden?

  Answers:        Yes.
                      +2 Quirky
                  No.
                      +2 Hardy

  Question #2     How quickly do you respond to an e-mail?

  Answers:        Reply right away.
                      +1 Hardy, +1 Hasty
                  May reply, may not.
                      +2 Quirky
                  Too much trouble.
                      +2 Sassy

  Question #3     There is a person you like…
                  But there’s no opportunity to get close.
                  What do you do?

  Answers:        Bravely declare my love.
                      +1 Hardy, +3 Brave
                  Might say hello…
                      +2 Quirky
                  Pull a prank to get attention.
                      +2 Impish
                  Look from afar.
                      +2 Timid

  Question #4     The road forks to the right and left.
                  You are told there is a treasure on the
                  right side. What do you do?

  Answers:        Instantly go right.
                      +2 Docile
                  It’s a trap! Go left.
                      +2 Sassy
                  Choose either side.
                      +2 Quirky

Category #14 - Miscellaneous
============================
  Question #1     On vacation outings, you want to…

  Answers:        Go alone.
                      +1 Hasty, +1 Quirky
                  Go with others.
                      +1 Jolly, +1 Lonely

  Question #2     It’s the summer festival!
                  Do you like carnivals?

  Answers:        Love them!
                      +2 Jolly
                  Don’t care.
                      +1 Sassy, +1 Quirky

  Question #3     Somebody calls you “weird but funny.”
                  How does that make you feel?

  Answers:        Happy!
                      +1 Naive, +1 Lonely
                  Not happy.
                      +1 Hasty, +1 Sassy

Final Question - Gender
=======================
  Question        Are you a boy or a girl?

  Answers:        Boy.
                      Male
                  Girl.
                      Female

—————————————————————————–

Pokemon Dungeon - Personality Test Guide, copyright 2005 Terence Fergusson

UPDATE: Evolution

A lot of people have been asking about evolution in Pokemon Mystery Dungeon.

In order to evolve your Pokemon you must first defeat Rayquaza. After he is beaten a new area will open up in Whiscash’s pool. This area allows for evolving Pokemon.

Posted by HMTKSteve | Filed Under Pokemon Mystery Dungeon 

Looking for Mew?

September 19, 2006 | 4 Comments

More information about obtaining Mew at Toys R Us stores on September 30th has just been posted at Nintendo.com.

You will be able to get Mew on Ruby, Saphire, Leaf Green, Fire Red or Emerald.

A direct link to the news story is Here.
There is also information on Pokemon.com about getting Mew:

Just make your way to the video game section of any Toys”R” Us near you on September 30, between the hours of 12 noon and 3pm, for your chance to trade Mew onto your team. You’ll have to trade a Pokemon in order to get Mew. so make sure to have one on your team that you don’t mind parting with - but it’s well worth it! But we have to warn you - Mew is still a rare and elusive Pokemon, so trades of Mew will be limited and only while supplies last!

Posted by Jolly | Filed Under News 

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon to air again on September 30, 3:00PM

September 16, 2006 | 1 Comment

The title says it all. There will be an airing of the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon animated TV show on September 30, 3:00PM EST on Cartoon Network.

I do not yet know if this will be a repeat of the the first episode or a new one.

Stay tuned to this blog entry and I will update as more information comes in!

Source - TVGuide.com

Posted by Jolly | Filed Under News, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon, Television 

Another Use for Bug Pokemon

September 9, 2006 | 7 Comments

As a long time fan of the GBA Pokemon games I’ve learned a few tricks in regards to raising Pokemon. One of those tricks I’m going to reveal to you right here.

All Pokemon, when you beat them, give your Pokemon a certain amount of experience points. What they also give you is effort points. Effort points can also be gained by feeding vitamins to your Pokemon.

· Calcium – Raises Special Attack
· Carbos – Raises Speed
· HP Up – Raises Hit Points
· Iron – Raises Special Defense
· Protein – Raises Attack
· Zinc – Raises Defense

The vitamins give you a flat 10 effort points to the statistic when given to a Pokemon. However, once your Pokemon’s statistic passes 100 effort points you can’t feed it any more vitamins of that type. There is also a limit of 510 effort points a Pokemon can accumulate before no more can be gained.

If you use the EXP Share the Pokemon will also receive the full effort points for the battle. Using the Macho Brace will double the effort points gained.

When a Pokemon gains a level, through battling, they get a statistic increase of 1 point for every 4 effort points they have earned in that statistic!

Now, you are probably looking at the title of this article and wondering where the bug Pokemon comes in. Well, I’ll tell you.

In Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald GBA games you have the ability to make a “secret base” and then trade that secret base to your friend’s game. If you, like me, have several copies of the games (or at least one of each) you can use the secret base feature as a “training base” feature.

The idea behind the training base is to make a series of secret bases with Pokemon that give you a high number of effort points but a low number of experience points when battling them. Now, what sort of Pokemon fits this bill? Why bug Pokemon of course!

Bug Pokemon are the only Pokemon that can reach their highest evolved form at level 10.

The bug Pokemon I favor are:

· Beautifly – 3 EP to Special Attack
· Dustox – 3 EP to Special Defense
· Butterfree – 2 EP to Special Attack and 1 EP to Defense
· Beedrill – 2 EP Attack to and 1 EP to Special Defense

All of the above Pokemon make their final evolution upon reaching level 10 and give 3 effort points when battled. Most non-bug Pokemon that give 3 effort points are in the level 36+ range.

What I have done is create two training bases. Training base one has 6 Beautifly in it and the other has 6 Dustox in it. Each Pokemon has had all but the String Shot move removed so there is no danger to my freshly hatched Pokemon. They typically give about 510 experience points when beaten so I suggest you give your Pokemon a few vitamins before going to the training base.

The training bases give my Pokemon a minimum of 18 effort points after beating the base and it can be bumped up to 36 effort points by using the Macho Brace!

Using this technique I have seen my Pokemon gain six points in a single statistic when going up a level. This has proven to be a tremendous boom for me in creating very tough low level Pokemon.

I have not populated all of the secret base spots on my games yet, but I am working towards it.

For more information on Effort Points and proper Breeding of Pokemon I suggest you visit serebii.net.

Your comments are always welcome.

Posted by Jolly | Filed Under Tips 

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon to air Sept 8, 2006 8:00 PM EST

September 8, 2006 | 2 Comments

It’s true!

The new series is coming to America on September 8th , 2006 at 8:00 PM EST!

Unlike the previous Pokemon TV shows this one will feature Pokemon themselves as the main characters. There will not be Ash, Brock or any of the regulars we have gotten used to. The Pokemon will not talk their usual way, they will be understandable!

Rather then hearing Squirtle say, “squirtle squirt squirt!” He’ll say, “You dudes, wasup?” Or words to that affect.

To find more information about the show, and to see some screen shots I suggest you visit Serebeii.net

You can also check out The Cartoon Network TV Schedule to see what time it will be on in your time zone.

Bonus Link: For those who are unaware, Toys R Us stores will be giving you a chance to get Mew in your GBA games. How to Get Mew from Toys R Us is an article that reports on September 30th Toys R Us stores will be giving away the rare Pokemon and all you have to do is bring in your GBA and Ruby, Saphire, Emerald, Leaf Green or Fire Red.

Update: gonintendo has a little bit more information about this.

Update #2: Here is a link to the TV Guide entry for Pokemon Dungeons but they state there are no shows in the next 14 days.

Update #3: Newest Blog Entry

Update #4: More information on Mew

Posted by Jolly | Filed Under News, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon, Television