Mercenary Pen's Meticulously Planned Machine of Prose Random Banter #182

[Mutant Sheep]

So not something I'm likely to be able to do? Damn. I was really hoping I'd be able to combine my pseudo-Victorian finery with girl mode.

Moonie gonna go all the way in inhibition-less theatre class?

ION: SCHOOL TAKES TOO LOOONG.

[Rawhide]

Oh. My. Gosh!

[Mercenary Pen]

:smallpuzzled: What's a Keldeo?

Its a legendary pokemon not available through regular game play... Currently available via Mystery Gift at Lv15 this should tell you all you need to know.

[Teddy]

On the other hand, you write [English] with the finesse of a native academic.

I do? Well, I already know that I do have a reputation for eloquence, but sometimes it just feels like I can't handle the English grammar any better than a drunkard with a cudgel. It's like I forgot all the rules for sentence construction the very moment I finished my last English class, and have to get along based on pure guesses. Okay, it's not that bad, and I reckon that most of it is well stored in my consciousness anyway, but the feeling that I'm doing nothing but taking wild stabs in the dark is there nevertheless.

Also, thanks.

[MoonCat]

Aughlblaughl made so many stupids last night because of sleepiness. I'll only repsond to one thing in anything less than vague 'what the **** was I thinking when I wrote that?'

Teddy, your Englih is frigging amazing, I think the only error I've ever seen was the one about 'catastrophy', and that was so OOC it was one of the reasons I PMed you to see if you were okay. YOu sound entirely native, and while I assume you'd be different IRL, where you'd have to try and pronounce everything+do it at the speed of conversation, right now anyone would tihnk you were a regular ol' native English speaker.

If you have been wilding stabbing in the dark, then I'm telling you to go get a lottery ticket now, and not waste the luck.

[Dimonite]

Oh. My. Gosh!

KILL IT! KILL IT WITH FIRE! I NEED MORE FIRE FOR KILLING IT WITH!

[LaZodiac]

I'm off to America on a rather long flight in two weeks time (Yay, meet up in 2 weeks! =D) and I'm tempted to grab a pokemon game of some description so I have something to while away the wee hours. Black/White 2 aren't out yet are they? If not, which one would you suggest for a relative newcomer that only played blue/red?

In terms of gameplay, I'm just looking to enjoy the meat of the game (the collecting/battles/levelling) rather than too much faffing around.

Black and White 2 come out Octoer 7th, as has been elaborated on. I highly HIGHLY recomend you get Black and White though, since it takes all the bad of the older generations and gets rid of it.

Black/White 2? Is this the first real sequel they have done to the core game series?

First real numbered sequel, as has been elaborated by this point.

:smallpuzzled: What's a Keldeo?

ITS A POKEMON THAT IS A PONY! IT'S A WATER FIGHTING TYPE AND IT'S BASED ON D'ARTAGNAN FROM THE THREE MUSKATEERS. AND IS A PONY.

IT'S THE BEST POKEMON EVER! *sword swish

[MoonCat]

...What?

Who is Mr. Blobby? what happeed to Whitehall? IS THIS THE INSANITY OF NINETIES BRITAIN IN PERSON?

[The Succubus]

Black and White 2 come out Octoer 7th, as has been elaborated on. I highly HIGHLY recomend you get Black and White though, since it takes all the bad of the older generations and gets rid of it.



First real numbered sequel, as has been elaborated by this point.



ITS A POKEMON THAT IS A PONY! IT'S A WATER FIGHTING TYPE AND IT'S BASED ON D'ARTAGNAN FROM THE THREE MUSKATEERS. AND IS A PONY.

IT'S THE BEST POKEMON EVER! *sword swish

Hmmm, dunno about that. I was never very keen on water-type ones. Abra was always my favourite because it just looked really cute and could DEVOUR PEOPLE'S MINDS. Some of the fighting ones like Hitmonchan and Hitmonlee were groovy too. I also recall having a Haunter that was an absolute monster (despite the fact I never evolved it - had no one to trade with =( )

[LaZodiac]

Hmmm, dunno about that. I was never very keen on water-type ones. Abra was always my favourite because it just looked really cute and could DEVOUR PEOPLE'S MINDS. Some of the fighting ones like Hitmonchan and Hitmonlee were groovy too. I also recall having a Haunter that was an absolute monster (despite the fact I never evolved it - had no one to trade with =( )

Ah. Well, with the advancement of wi fi technology, you could totally get a Gengar! But yes, I do recomend you get Black and White, regardless of wheter or not you intend to get Black 2 and White 2.

[HalfTangible]

...What?

Who is Mr. Blobby? what happeed to Whitehall? IS THIS THE INSANITY OF NINETIES BRITAIN IN PERSON?

SHE KNOWS!! Take 'er down, boyz!! WAAAAAAGH!!!

(... I have no idea what accent that actually is.)

[Heliomance]

Black and White 2 come out Octoer 7th, as has been elaborated on. I highly HIGHLY recomend you get Black and White though, since it takes all the bad of the older generations and gets rid of it.

Except for the problem of ever increasing numbers of new pokemon that do very similar things to the old ones to the point where there are so many it's all but impossible to keep track of them all, let alone care.

(Seriously, Taillow, Starly and I assume Pidove do nothing that Spearow/Pidgey didn't, there's no need for Zigzagoon and Bidoof when you have Rattata (though I will grant that Bibarel makes a superb HM slave), there's goodness knows how many low-level three-stage bug pokemon that have a cocoon for the second stage...)

[Kneenibble]

And I meant usurp my position as resident perv, not usurp my position as male sex slave owner.

Now if I were to write something smutty, it might be a story about Cobra as the straight but affectionate Madame of a gay brothel-tavern. He takes good care of his boys, and God help the poor soul who causes trouble in his establishment.

The smuttiest things I've written were for the Shipping thread here, if you can believe it... they were fairly tame, too

I'm off to America on a rather long flight in two weeks time (Yay, meet up in 2 weeks! =D) and I'm tempted to grab a pokemon game of some description so I have something to while away the wee hours. Black/White 2 aren't out yet are they? If not, which one would you suggest for a relative newcomer that only played blue/red?

In terms of gameplay, I'm just looking to enjoy the meat of the game (the collecting/battles/levelling) rather than too much faffing around.

This phrase "faffing around" is new to us, and pleases us.

Why not stop by Canada on your way back? I will drink a wine with you that will fill your heart with petals.

So not something I'm likely to be able to do? Damn. I was really hoping I'd be able to combine my pseudo-Victorian finery with girl mode.

I don't want to discourage you from trying, but in my opinion at least, alterations of that nature are exceedingly difficult. The easiest fix would be bringing in the side seams with a gentle curve, but unless you do it well, you risk making the garment hang, bulge, or crease in awkward ways.

If you'd like to try, don't let me discourage you -- but I'd be worried that you would just ruin your clothes. You know what I would suggest to start? Buy a pattern for a lady's shirt, and look at the pattern pieces -- compare them to the pieces of your own shirts [front/back panels, yoke, armscyes] to see the way the shapes differ.

I say the pattern pieces, rather than another actual shirt, because the patterns will also show you the darts before they are sewn in. You'll get a better sense of how the architecture would need to be applied [if that makes sense].

I do? Well, I already know that I do have a reputation for eloquence, but sometimes it just feels like I can't handle the English grammar any better than a drunkard with a cudgel. It's like I forgot all the rules for sentence construction the very moment I finished my last English class, and have to get along based on pure guesses. Okay, it's not that bad, and I reckon that most of it is well stored in my consciousness anyway, but the feeling that I'm doing nothing but taking wild stabs in the dark is there nevertheless.

Also, thanks.

Trust me, and MoonCat up there -- you write English exceptionally well and clearly. Perhaps your speech is a different matter, and you sound like a certain muppet: I do not know.

My French, on the other hand, is like a dog eating peanut butter.

[LaZodiac]

Except for the problem of ever increasing numbers of new pokemon that do very similar things to the old ones to the point where there are so many it's all but impossible to keep track of them all, let alone care.

(Seriously, Taillow, Starly and I assume Pidove do nothing that Spearow/Pidgey didn't, there's no need for Zigzagoon and Bidoof when you have Rattata (though I will grant that Bibarel makes a superb HM slave), there's goodness knows how many low-level three-stage bug pokemon that have a cocoon for the second stage...)

I can keep track of them. And some pokemon have abilities that change things up. Like, Timburr it essentialy Machop, but Machop can have an ability that makes all moves hit, no matter what.

Tailow and Starly and Pidove are all relatively similiar to Pidgey and Spearow, yha, but when you say "well, these pokemon are like a lesser Spearow" you might as well get rid of Pidgey as well. Though again, the abilities and moves they CAN learn change things up. Pidove can get the ability Super Luck, which doubles your crit rate. It also learns a bunch of high crit moves that Spearow doesn't. Additionaly, Spearow is physicall based, while Pidove is special based. And really, Starly is so god damned good. It's evolution is comparable to Pidgeot. It's last evolution blows it out of the water.

There are only two three staged bug pokemon that turn into cacoons that are weak. Black and White introduces Venipede and Sewaddle, who are IMMENSLY good pokemon. Black and White made bug pokemon fricking rock and it's awesome.

Also, gonna have to agree with Knee Teddy, you're GREAT at the whole writing english thing. I've only ever noticed one or two oddities, and both were related to "Can you borrow me this item".

Also, Knee, that's the plot of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. I lurve you.

[Mercenary Pen]

Except for the problem of ever increasing numbers of new pokemon that do very similar things to the old ones to the point where there are so many it's all but impossible to keep track of them all, let alone care.

(Seriously, Taillow, Starly and I assume Pidove do nothing that Spearow/Pidgey didn't, there's no need for Zigzagoon and Bidoof when you have Rattata (though I will grant that Bibarel makes a superb HM slave), there's goodness knows how many low-level three-stage bug pokemon that have a cocoon for the second stage...)

Whilst a certain loyalty to the original generation of pokemon is to some extent understandable- I must take issue with your summation of the newer Normal/Flying types, in that there is something they can do that Pidgey and Spearow cannot- and that's actually hit things hard. Based on the sheer numbers, Pidgeot and Spearow pale in comparison with Staraptor and Unfezant- in fact the only old pokemon of the same typing that comes anywhere close is Dodrio, whose move pool is somewhat lacking by comparison...

I'll grant you that some of the newer stuff is unimaginative and just plain repetitive by comparison (see the sheer number of Ground/Dragon, Ground/Water and Fire/Fighting type pokemon) but the fact remains that Pidgeot can only suicide against Rock-types, while Staraptor can routinely kill them.

[factotum]

sometimes it just feels like I can't handle the English grammar any better than a drunkard with a cudgel. It's like I forgot all the rules for sentence construction the very moment I finished my last English class

You'd be surprised how true that is for many native English speakers!

[LaZodiac]

Whilst a certain loyalty to the original generation of pokemon is to some extent understandable- I must take issue with your summation of the newer Normal/Flying types, in that there is something they can do that Pidgey and Spearow cannot- and that's actually hit things hard. Based on the sheer numbers, Pidgeot and Spearow pale in comparison with Staraptor and Unfezant- in fact the only old pokemon of the same typing that comes anywhere close is Dodrio, whose move pool is somewhat lacking by comparison...

I'll grant you that some of the newer stuff is unimaginative and just plain repetitive by comparison (see the sheer number of Ground/Dragon, Ground/Water and Fire/Fighting type pokemon) but the fact remains that Pidgeot can only suicide against Rock-types, while Staraptor can routinely kill them.

There's only four families of water ground, if I recall. Whiscash, Seismitoad, Wooper, and the ever present Mudkip.

There is only one family of Ground Dragon, and that's Garchomp

I'll give you fire fighting though. I would like more not this.

[Heliomance]

You missed Gastrodon for Water/Ground, and Flygon is a Ground/Dragon.

[LaZodiac]

You missed Gastrodon for Water/Ground, and Flygon is a Ground/Dragon.

Ah, right. I always forget those guys

[Heliomance]

Also, there are only three families of fire/fighting, though admittedly they are the fire-type starters for the last three generations.

[LaZodiac]

Also, there are only three families of fire/fighting, though admittedly they are the fire-type starters for the last three generations.

Yha, that's why I'll give him that. It's easier to tolerate Water Ground when they're spread out, but three fire fighting starter pokemon in a row? Kind of old hat by this point.

[Mercenary Pen]

There is only one family of Ground Dragon, and that's Garchomp

Try Flygon as well- but I had misremembered for a few moments and thought that a third had joined them... my bad.

At least Ghost types and Psychic types have plenty of variety on their secondary typings these days... I still want to see Dark/Dragon and Poison/Dragon pokes though.

[LaZodiac]

Try Flygon as well- but I had misremembered for a few moments and thought that a third had joined them... my bad.

At least Ghost types and Psychic types have plenty of variety on their secondary typings these days... I still want to see Dark/Dragon and Poison/Dragon pokes though.

Dark Dragon has Deino in Black and White.

Posion Dragon would be cool though.

As for ghost, Black and White really helped with that. The ground ghost pokemon is one of my favorite pokemon, period. Still need a grass ghost though.

[Heliomance]

I'd quite like to see a fire/grass type, I think that could be interesting. Maybe a burning tree? Have it only available if a grass-type levels up while inflicted with the burn status!

[LaZodiac]

I'd quite like to see a fire/grass type, I think that could be interesting. Maybe a burning tree? Have it only available if a grass-type levels up while inflicted with the burn status!

That'd be an interesting evolution requirement, and yet not the most convoluted one I've seen.

[Heliomance]

What's the most convoluted one, in your opinion?

[LaZodiac]

What's the most convoluted one, in your opinion?

In order for Gligar to evolve, it must have max happiness, be holding the razor fang, and must level up at night.

[AsteriskAmp]

I'd quite like to see a fire/grass type, I think that could be interesting. Maybe a burning tree? Have it only available if a grass-type levels up while inflicted with the burn status!

It's an interesting method, the issue is that... burn is REALLY rare. It'd involve waiting for Will-O-Wisp to hit (while almost at the edge of levelling up because 1/8 of your HP per turn isn't fun) or finding an enemy with Inferno. Not that people wouldn't do it anyway if it was competitively worth or they wanted to complete the pokedex.

In order for Gligar to evolve, it must have max happiness, be holding the razor fang, and must level up at night.

Tyrogue to Hitmontop is just outright cruel. Shedinja is also a pokemon few people get unless they know about it, because everyone always carries six pokemons.

[Mercenary Pen]

In order for Gligar to evolve, it must have max happiness, be holding the razor fang, and must level up at night.

I've just checked and Serebii says nothing about Happiness being required to evolve Gligar- and Bulbapedia doesn't think happiness is required either...

[LaZodiac]

Huh. I could of SWORN it had happiness involved