What’s New in Pokémon Platinum: Maid Battles

March 26, 2009 | 4 Comments

Photobucket

As most of you know, Pokémon Platinum hit the stores in the U.S. on March 22 and while the basic gameplay is the same as Diamond and Pearl, there are some improvements.

One change that you will notice is when you reach Mr. Backlot’s Mansion on Route 212. The left wing of the mansion that was closed off in Diamond and Pearl is now guarded by a group of battling maids. They will challenge you to the “5-Maid Knockout Exact-Turn Attack Challenge”. Each will bring one Clefairy to battle you, with the first one starting at level 25 and each successive one being a higher level.

If you think that battling Clefairies is a piece of cake, think again. These ones will baffle you with moves that cause confusion and paralysis and immobilize you with their cute charms, not to mention their use of the moves Endure and Encore.

Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket

Once you have defeated them in the exact number of target turns, your reward is that you get to battle Lady Celeste or Master Liam and their Blissey.

Their Blisseys are level 35 and have different move sets, but both like to Fling a rare candy at challengers. While battling with your Amulet coin will net you 11,200 in pokédollars, the real Trick is to switch in a pokémon that can swipe away that rare candy before the Blissey flings it at you.

Photobucket

Don’t be discouraged if it takes a while to get through this, but the good news is that you can challenge the maids the next day for another shot at that rare treat.

This article was written by Deneves, the Cobble Gym Leader on the forum.

Posted by Deneves | Filed Under Tips 

Pokemon Farming: Tangela

March 20, 2009 | 50 Comments

No one knows exactly what Tangela is. It looks like a big ball of spaghetti come to life. In first gen it was often over looked for other grass types, but with the addition of the fourth gen games Tangela has been blessed with an evolution that makes it a great choice for teams, whether they be UU or not. When Tangela learns the move Ancient Power it evolves into the giant pasta monster Tangrowth. Tangrowth can be a monster of a wall, with resistance to the ever popular Earthquake and study base stats in HP (100), Attack (100), and Def (125), Tangrowth can do some useful walling. Couple those base stats with it’s ability to learn Knock Off and a useful physical STAB  in the move Power Whip and you have a poke that capable of revealing your foes move set (via item) or OHKOing the ever annoying Swampert.  So the Tangela I have to day are Impish(Def+, Sp. Attack-) and all have max Defense IVs, some have mulitiple 31 IVs in other stats. They also have the following move set:

Power Whip: A powerful STABed attack with a base power of 120, even without significant EV investment in attack you’ll hurt something with it or you can just use it to scare certain pokes away.

Leech Seed: A move that slowly drains the HP of your foe. It’s a great attack for forcing switches, use it in conjunction with Stealth Rock and Spikes.

Ancient Power: A rock type attack with a base power of 60. With this attack Tangela will evolve into Tangrowth at level 2.

Amnesia: An attack that increases Tangela’s Special Defense by 2 stages.

The Tangela will either have the Leaf Guard or Chlorophyll ablility.

Rules:
Please leave your name and FC, even if we traded before I will need it again.
Only 1 Pokémon per person
Please do not trade me eggs.
Be in the Wi-Fi zone at 4pm(PST), on March 22nd
Make yourself available to Trade (Invite–>Trade) I will come to you when I’m ready.
Items(rare candies, heart scales or water stones) are very appreciated but not required.
If you are new to our site, your first comment will be moderated. Don’t worry if your post doesn’t show, we will get to it in time, and you will not miss out!

My Information:
Glacier/ 1160 6656 0190

For ease of trading here are the time conversions for 4pm Pacific Standard Time
4pm PST
6pm CST
7pm EST


Posted by Babael | Filed Under Farming 

Pokémon Platinum to hit stores on March 22, 2009

March 16, 2009 | 9 Comments

Pokémon Platinum

REDMOND, Wash., March 16, 2009 – The March 22 launch of the Pokémon™ Platinum Version video game for the Nintendo DS™ system is almost upon us, and Pokémon fans are already buzzing with anticipation. This new game in the storied franchise brings a host of new features, including the mysterious new Distortion world, never-seen-before forms of powerful Pokémon, exciting online games in the new Wi-Fi Plaza and strategic battles that are the hallmark of the main Pokémon game series.

“The Pokémon franchise has been a force since it came to the United States more than 10 years ago,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “To date, our two most recent games in the core Pokémon series, Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl, have sold more than 5.3 million in the United States alone. Pokémon Platinum Version brings fans a set of new challenges, fun and entertainment.”

Pokémon Platinum

On March 21, Nintendo will host a blowout launch celebration for the game at the Nintendo World store in New York. Pokémon fans will be able to demo and purchase the game a day before it’s available in other retail stores. Rockefeller Plaza will become a Pokémon fan’s paradise with a myriad of Pokémon activities, including game-play kiosks showing off the game and its online capabilities, the “Pokémon Platinum Plunge,” where Pokémon fans will get a chance to win a copy of the Pokémon Platinum Version video game, and opportunities to take photos with their favorite Pokémon characters.

Consumers enjoy Pokémon games, in part, for both their social aspect and their re-playability. For instance, in the new Wi-Fi Plaza, up to 20 players with wireless broadband access from around the world can connect together to experience mini-games, take part in parades and even see a fireworks show. And players who visit the Global Terminal can post their Pokémon for trade to other players around the world. This allows for a greater variety of Pokémon that a player can collect, and also allows players to get Pokémon from other countries, which have become sought-after by many fans. Also the new Global Terminal allows players to use a new item, the Vs. Recorder, to save and post “videos” of their best battles online for everyone to see.

KEY INFORMATION

Pokémon Platinum
  • A new world has appeared in the Sinnoh region: the mysterious new Distortion World, where the normal rules of Time and Space don’t apply.
  • Discover never-before-seen forms of powerful Pokémon. Beyond Time and Space lies a Pokémon unlike any other: Giratina™ Origin Forme. Players can witness an epic encounter between Legendary Pokémon.
  • Travel across the Sinnoh region catching, training and battling with Pokémon.
  • Players who have wireless broadband access can explore the new Wi-Fi Plaza, a virtual Pokémon amusement park filled with activities, including three new mini-games where up to four players can compete at once. Up to 20 players from around the world can connect together in the Wi-Fi Plaza to experience games, take part in parades and even see a fireworks show.
  • The Global Terminal is where online players from all around the world can come to post their Pokémon for trade to other players without ever meeting or talking to them. This allows for a greater variety of Pokémon a player can collect, and also allows them to get Pokémon from other countries. Players can also use the new Vs. Recorder, which allows them to save and post “videos” of their most exciting battles online for everyone to see.

Enhanced Storyline: New characters add to the story, including Looker, a member of the International Police who is in pursuit of Team Galactic. Looker helps players throughout their adventure. Team Galactic has a nefarious scheme: They turn their sights on the Legendary Pokémon of Sinnoh – Dialga™ and Palkia™ – when the powerful Giratina also enters the picture (all three Pokémon appear together in this game for the first time).

Pokémon Platinum

How to progress through the game: Travel across the Sinnoh region catching, training and battling with Pokémon. Players must stop the evil plans of Team Galactic on their journey to become a Pokémon Master.

Additional Features: Battle and trade Pokémon via Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection. Players can connect with Pokémon Diamond Version and Pokémon Pearl Version (each sold separately) or import Pokémon from the Game Boy™ Advance games (Pokémon Ruby Version, Pokémon Sapphire Version, Pokémon FireRed Version, Pokémon LeafGreen Version and Pokémon Emerald Version) to complete their Pokédex.

Characters: Giratina, Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup and hundreds of other Pokémon.

New Pokémon Formes:

  • Giratina Origin Forme: In the Distortion World, Giratina appears in its new Origin Forme, exclusive to Pokémon Platinum Version. The Origin Forme features different attributes than those the character had in Pokémon Diamond Version and Pokémon Pearl Version, including the Ability Levitate, which makes Giratina immune to Ground-type attacks. Giratina will revert to its Altered Forme (seen in Pokémon Diamond Version and Pokémon Pearl Version) once a player encounters and catches it in Pokémon Platinum Version, but players may transform Giratina back into its Origin Forme by having it hold a special item found in the game.
  • Shaymin’s Sky Forme: Shaymin™, a secret character introduced in the latest Pokémon movie, will also have a new Forme exclusive to Pokémon Platinum Version. Shaymin was made available to Pokémon Diamond Version and Pokémon Pearl Version fans at a distribution event at Toys ‘R’ Us stores in the United States. In Pokémon Diamond Version and Pokémon Pearl Version, Shaymin can only appear in its Land Forme. Once Pokémon Platinum Version is released, players may trade Shaymin from their Pokémon Diamond Version or Pokémon Pearl Version game and use a special item to transform it into its exclusive Pokémon Platinum Version Sky Forme. Shaymin’s Sky Forme is both a Grass and Flying type, while its Land Forme is only a Grass-type.

Global Terminal: The Wi-Fi Global Trade Station (GTS) has been expanded in Pokémon Platinum Version, and is now called the Global Terminal. Players post Pokémon they want to trade on a board, and can browse through Pokémon other players have posted. If two people agree to trade the Pokémon they want for the one they posted, the trade will be complete, and players will be notified the next time they log on to the Global Terminal in the game. There are also a number of upgrades included with the Global Terminal in Pokémon Platinum Version, including the new Vs. Recorder, which allows players to save and post “videos” of their most exciting battles online for everyone to see.

New Locations:
Distortion World – As the story unfolds, players will encounter the mysterious new Distortion World, an area unlike any seen in a Pokémon game before. The normal rules of Time and Space don’t apply to this world. Players leap from pieces of land suspended in midair, walk sideways and even upside-down. The Distortion World, where the powerful Giratina Origin Forme resides, is somehow connected to the regular Pokémon world.

Pokémon Platinum

The Battle Frontier – A new, improved Battle Frontier has been added to Sinnoh. It contains four new battle facilities in addition to Battle Tower for Trainers to challenge, each with its own special rules. The new battle formats in each new facility allow players to challenge themselves in new ways.

Wi-Fi Plaza – When players first arrive at the Wi-Fi Plaza, they will be loaned a Tap Toy for use in the Plaza. To play with the Tap Toy, players touch a button on the touch screen to make different light and sound effects. Players can trade Tap Toys with other players in the Plaza. Also, players can get upgrades to their Tap Toys by doing well in Plaza Games. The Plaza Games consist of three mini-games that can be played by up to four players at a time. As closing time draws near, exciting things happen in the Plaza, including a fireworks show and Pokémon float parade.

Posted by HMTKSteve | Filed Under News 

Looking at Pokemon: Lileep

March 12, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Lileep

Lileep is a Rock/Grass Pokemon from the third generation of Pokemon games. Introduced in the Ruby and Sapphire games for the GBA Lileep sits at number 345 on the National Dex and is only available as a fossil that must be brought back to life by visiting a certain scientist. This Pokemon can be found in the Underground on Diamond, Pearl and Platinum in its Root Fossil form.

Lileep comes with the ability Suction Cups: Prevents moves that make you switch Pokemon from working. Increases catch rate while fishing.

Lileep can be acquired via game play by searching the Underground for a Root Fossil and bringing said fossil to the Oreburgh Mine Museum. Once revived this Pokemon will be at level 20.

Once you revive Lileep you can breed it or evolve it at level 40 into its final stage of Cradily. Its HP (66), Defense (77) and Special Defense (87) are very nice while its Speed (23) is quite low. Lileep’s high Sp Atk (61) and low Atk (41) put it securely in the role of a Special Attacker. Its Grass/Rock typing makes it weak (x2) against Ice, Fighting, Bug and Steel moves but it is not super weak (x4) against anything.

Lileep in Adventure Mode

A freshly hatched Lileep will come with the moves Astonish and Constrict. A freshly revived Lileep will be at level 20 and have the moves: Astonish, Constrict, Acid and Ingrain. For purposes of this discussion we will assume a level 1 freshly hatched Lileep.

Being part Rock Lileep is known for having good defensive numbers. While its Attack score suffers its Special Attack does not. Because of this we will focus on using Lileep’s Special Attack when leveling up. Lileep has five Special moves in its level up pool and only two Physical ones. These two are known at hatching.

A level one Lileep does not get any sort of STAB move. With Acid at level 8 we need to wait until Lileep reaches level 15 before the first Grass move is learned; Ingrain. Not a damaging move, Ingrain does help keep Lileep in the battle by restoring lost HP at the end of each turn. Ingrains built-in defense against being forced to switch out is clearly wasted on Lileep.

The first hard choice comes at level 22 when Confuse Ray becomes available. Take it. Astonish is not a very good move and Acid already does more damage AND can hit both enemy Pokemon in a Doubles Battle. Amnesia at level 29 is a bit of a mixed bag. It is a Status move that increases Special Defense. Since Lileep already has a good Sp. Def. you might not want to bother with this move.

At level 36 comes the Status move Gastro Acid. This move negates the ability of the enemy Pokemon is can be extremely useful. I can’t even count the number of times this move has saved my bacon in the game!

At level 43 we encounter our first STAB move, Ancient Power. Not only does this move provide us with a Rock STAB move it also has a slight chance of improving all of your scores when used. No Lileep should be without this move. Level 50 brings us our Grass STAB move, Energy Ball.

Upon making it to level 57 Lileep get the option to learn the triple move known as Stockpile/Spit Up/Swallow. The up side to this move set is that it allows you to increase charge up power and then either use it to attack or to heal. The downside is that it is three moves out of your four allowed.

The very last move that Lileep can learn by leveling up is Wring Out at level 64. The damage for this move is based on the foe’s remaining HP.

Adventure Mode Move Breakdown:

Move 1: Astonish -> Confuse Ray
Move 2: Constrict -> Gastro Acid
Move 3: Acid -> Ancient Power
Move 4: Ingrain -> Energy Ball

Competitive Battling Lileep

Lileep is the basic form of a two-stage Pokemon. As such it does not see much play in competitive battling. It does see use in the Little Battle Tier.

Long Lasting Lileep

EV: Sp Def:252 / HP: 252 / Sp Atk: 8
Nature: Calm (SpD+/Atk-)

Move 1: Giga Drain (Grass 60/100 TM19)
Move 2: Substitute (Normal/Status TM90)
Move 3: Ancient Power (Rock 60/100 Lvl 43)
Move 4: Recover (Normal/Status Egg)

With this Pokemon you start by using substitute and then follow it up with either Recover or one of your offensive moves. In subsequent turns you can use Giga Drain to cause damage and restore lost HP. Ancient Power performs admirably as a secondary STAB move for those Pokemon that resist Giga Drain.

Remember, this Pokemon will not be facing the power hitters of the competitive battling scene. Some might wonder why I have not placed Toxic on this Lileep. The simple answer is that because Lileep will be running in the level 1 – 5 range the effectiveness of Toxic will be lowered to the point where it is not as effective as it is at higher levels.

Other types of Lileep

I request that if you have any other ideas for a Lileep move pool to please leave them in the comments below. As good move pools are suggested I will update this article accordingly.

Posted by HMTKSteve | Filed Under Tips 

Boulder Gym Week Presents: Lileep

March 9, 2009 | 55 Comments

In continuance of Boulder Gym Week, a new pokemon has emerged from the rocks to provide a great wall for your pokemon team.  With a base HP of 86, Def of 97 and Sp. Def of 107, Cradily will be a pokemon to reckon with during a battle.  Add it to a sandstorm team and Cradily has a 50% increase in Sp. Def. making it a great special wall.  All Lileep given away this evening will have a Sassy (+Sp. Def, – Speed) nature and all will have a 31 IV in Sp. Def, allowing for a maximum value in Sp. Def. once he/she has gone through EV training.

Toxic

Poison the pokes that come in to prevent them from sticking around doing damage and with the ability suction cup, no one is going to Roar or Whirlwind you outta there.

Confuse Ray

What’s worse than having to face a wall?  How about having to face a wall with 1/4 chance of hitting them. Once they are confused, they either wait around to be hit or force a swithc out, hopefully having the new poke hitting the obstacles already in place .

Energy Ball

A special attack move with a STAB power 80 that will do some damage to those who wish to switch in.

Ancient Power

A power 60 STAB Rock move that has a 10% chance to raise all your Lileep/Cradily’s stats, making it a beast to have to deal with in battle.

Rules

- Please leave your name and friend code in a post below.
- Only one request per person. No duplicates will be given out.
- Be in the Wi-Fi zone at 7:30pm (CST) on Thurs. March 12, 2009
- Make yourself available to Trade (Invite–>Trade) I will come to you when I’m ready.
- Any items are greatly appreciated (especially rare candies) but not required.
- Please no eggs.
- No trades to evolve pokemon will be accepted. The pokemon you trade to me I will keep.
- Please pay attention to the comments under this event while the event is going on. I will try to contact those that I am having trouble connecting too via the comments section.

Thanks for viewing and hope to see you at the event!

My Information

Narnad
3823 7154 4296

Posted by Narnad | Filed Under Farming 

Pokémon Farming: Hazardous Omanytes

March 6, 2009 | 36 Comments

OmanyteOmastar

The rocky road to the Boulder Gym in fraught with perils and at its culmination waits is fearless leader Whitdjinn. You had better be prepared to face more than just your run of the mill Geodude and Onix once you get there. To illustrate the risks one might face, I have bred a particularly hazardous Omanyte.
Omanyte is a Rock and Water type and evolves to Omastar at level 40. All these little spiral pokémon have a Bold nature (- Att, + Def) to add to their already high base Defense and give them lasting power to set up their hazards.

Spikes:
Omanyte lays down a layer of spikes that damage pokemon entering the battle. Spikes can be layered, but won’t effect Flying or Levitating pokémon.

Toxic Spikes:
Toxic Spikes poison all pokemon as they switch in except Flying, Poison, Steel or Levitating Types. A second layer will give them Toxic poisoning as they enter the battle, increasing the HP loss every turn.

Stealth Rock:
A layer of rocks are set up floating around the battle arena damaging every pokémon that enters the battle based on its weakness to Rock attacks.

Ice Beam (Ice, Power 95, Acc 100):
With Omanyte/Omastar gaining STAB attacks of Brine, Ancient Power and Hydro Pump through leveling up, I bred in an Ice attack to keep surprise any Grass types that might want to step in.

Abilities:
Shell Armor – Omanyte’s shell prevents critical hits against him
Swift Swim – Doubles it Speed stat when Rain Dance is in effect

All these given away will be male.

  • Be in the wifi at 4:30 PM Pacific (7:30 PM Eastern) on Sunday, March 08, 2009
  • Comment with your Name and Friend Code
  • Get a pokemon to trade, I’m not looking for anything particular just something you don’t want.
  • Make yourself available to Trade (invite->Trade) I will come to you when I’m ready.

My info for this event is:
hcnaR 7
FC: 2965 0548 4423

Posted by Deneves | Filed Under Farming, Pearl 

Attention Pokémon Rangers, Shaymin has been spotted in Almia!

March 2, 2009 | 5 Comments

From now until April 30th, Pokémon Rangers from the US can download the newest special mission in Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia.

In this mission, “For the Bride and Shaymin!“, you begin with an invitation to a wedding and are rushed off to Altru Park. The wedding is interrupted though when Team Dim Sun shows up and the flower bouquet runs away. After searching through the flower beds of Pueltown and battling the nefarious Team Dim Sun goons with their miniremo units, you get a chance to capture Shaymin and see the happy couple get married.

Similar to the extra missions “Dialga in Hia Valley!?” and “Palkia in Haruba Desert!?“, Shaymin cannot be transferred to your Diamond or Pearl game, but does show up in your browser after the capture. To download the mission you must be a level 10 ranger in Shadows of Almia and have a wireless connection. Simply Click on Ranger Net on the opening page, then Seek New Missions, and then Search by Nintendo WFC. Although the Darkrai, Manaphy and Riolu missions are no longer available for download, the Palkia and Dialga missions are still available.

So don’t miss your chance to catch ‘em all!

Posted by Deneves | Filed Under News