RE: Pokedex 2.0 - Region Thread
I'm quite happy with the idea of having 32 Mega Evolutions - if we keep 12 pre-Hall of Fame Mega Stones. I know it's a large number compared to XY (though you did leave out Lucarionite, and players who played at launch were more than happy to use their Blazikenite pre-E4), but, again, that's part of the fangame format versus an official game. Philosophically, I think I want to push for it because XY left me feeling that I would have liked a more diverse pool of Mega options earlier in the game, and considering that Mega-using trainers are much more widespread in Baloncé than in Kalos, I think it's more fair than overbalancing. Having 32 in total would mean we could have 20 Battle Nexus opponents, which would be a better number to build it around than 13.
Though, I do want to talk about that name, Battle Nexus. I chose it in an adrenaline-filled late night typing session, and it's a bit silly when the Nexus Stone is the focal point of the other major postgame storyline. I originally conceived it as the Battle Matrix, but felt that might be a bit too obvious. Maybe it's the Battle Sphere, referencing its shape? Or, like, the Digital Frontier, paying homage to the Battle Frontier and incorporating its digital nature? Battle Factory and Battle Institute are both literal descriptions of what it does, but both names already describe a different kind of battle facility. Or, if you guys like Battle Nexus, we can keep that, I just felt maybe we should think about alternatives.
I'm really looking forward to seeing Mothem and Saland Megas, I feel like those are evolutionary lines that needed a little extra oomph at the end. Robopoke isn't actually fully evolved, but I think having a Mega for it anyway is a cool idea - you can evolve it into Glytch for goofy moves and the ability to hold an item, but Robopoke has a viable Mega evolution for people who don't want to meddle with those kinds of unnatural forces. And I'm guessing Raikou will make a resurgence as Thundog's Mega? Because it fits there way better than it did for Brutauox.
One gripe about Mega Ovorphan, though, I'd rather it keep Shadow Tag than go over to Levitate...Mega Gengar obviously proves that Shadow Tag is an Ability to be taken seriously, plus its Pokédex entry alludes to it having Shadow Tag. Since the new stat line alleviates its fatal flaw Defense, that's enough change to legitimize it as a Mega worth playing for certain sets.
As for Reggie's point about Team Shadow, I'll make sure to post Imago Circus tomorrow, and that area is all about Team Shadow. Still, Routes shouldn't be overlooked for their ability to demonstrate Team Shadow's influence. For example, let's look at Route B8:
Route B8 needs some sort of blockade to prevent people from moving on who haven't yet completed Frescourse City and Imago Circus, since Arioso Glassworks isn't far away, and that requires both of those events to have occured. The Judo Badge provides Fly, so an HM blockade doesn't work - and that means it's time for Team Shadow:
By adding that paragraph, Route B8 now has the invisible wall it needs, and the players can take out their frustrations for being walled against the right people - against Team Shadow, our designated antagonists.
I'm quite happy with the idea of having 32 Mega Evolutions - if we keep 12 pre-Hall of Fame Mega Stones. I know it's a large number compared to XY (though you did leave out Lucarionite, and players who played at launch were more than happy to use their Blazikenite pre-E4), but, again, that's part of the fangame format versus an official game. Philosophically, I think I want to push for it because XY left me feeling that I would have liked a more diverse pool of Mega options earlier in the game, and considering that Mega-using trainers are much more widespread in Baloncé than in Kalos, I think it's more fair than overbalancing. Having 32 in total would mean we could have 20 Battle Nexus opponents, which would be a better number to build it around than 13.
Though, I do want to talk about that name, Battle Nexus. I chose it in an adrenaline-filled late night typing session, and it's a bit silly when the Nexus Stone is the focal point of the other major postgame storyline. I originally conceived it as the Battle Matrix, but felt that might be a bit too obvious. Maybe it's the Battle Sphere, referencing its shape? Or, like, the Digital Frontier, paying homage to the Battle Frontier and incorporating its digital nature? Battle Factory and Battle Institute are both literal descriptions of what it does, but both names already describe a different kind of battle facility. Or, if you guys like Battle Nexus, we can keep that, I just felt maybe we should think about alternatives.
I'm really looking forward to seeing Mothem and Saland Megas, I feel like those are evolutionary lines that needed a little extra oomph at the end. Robopoke isn't actually fully evolved, but I think having a Mega for it anyway is a cool idea - you can evolve it into Glytch for goofy moves and the ability to hold an item, but Robopoke has a viable Mega evolution for people who don't want to meddle with those kinds of unnatural forces. And I'm guessing Raikou will make a resurgence as Thundog's Mega? Because it fits there way better than it did for Brutauox.
One gripe about Mega Ovorphan, though, I'd rather it keep Shadow Tag than go over to Levitate...Mega Gengar obviously proves that Shadow Tag is an Ability to be taken seriously, plus its Pokédex entry alludes to it having Shadow Tag. Since the new stat line alleviates its fatal flaw Defense, that's enough change to legitimize it as a Mega worth playing for certain sets.
As for Reggie's point about Team Shadow, I'll make sure to post Imago Circus tomorrow, and that area is all about Team Shadow. Still, Routes shouldn't be overlooked for their ability to demonstrate Team Shadow's influence. For example, let's look at Route B8:
Route B8 needs some sort of blockade to prevent people from moving on who haven't yet completed Frescourse City and Imago Circus, since Arioso Glassworks isn't far away, and that requires both of those events to have occured. The Judo Badge provides Fly, so an HM blockade doesn't work - and that means it's time for Team Shadow:
Code:
Spangloup Sea- The Sea that connects Wrustye Island to the mainland.
When the player first reaches Spangloup Sea, there will be a number of ships lined up blocking the player from proceeding. A number of sailors are on the docks on the north end of Wrustye Island, complaining that some criminal syndicate isn't letting anyone pass to dock at the port to the north. After completing Imago Circus, the officials of Frescourse City crack down on this embargo, and it clears up by the time you return.By adding that paragraph, Route B8 now has the invisible wall it needs, and the players can take out their frustrations for being walled against the right people - against Team Shadow, our designated antagonists.
