[Spoilers] E16 Status Discussion

[Sheep]

It is my belief that, as the status quo in Pokémon Reborn currently stands, it is acceptable to grant players access to a Mega Ring for the purpose of turning underplayed Pokémon into more viable in-game options. The side effect to this is that, in doing so, we will also gain access to Mega Pinsir and Mega Heracross, which are two objectively powerful Megas.

HOWEVER, I believe that this is an acceptable sacrifice from the perspective of a game designer.

Surely that's a sacrifice that doesn't even need to be made? Why not lobby for delaying access to the Heracronite and Pinsirite along with receiving a mega ring in the near future?

[biboo195]

That's exactly the point I'm trying to make, so I dunno what we're arguing about. These Pokémon were so influential to the players' collective experience that they drastically decreased overall gameplay variance, which is why they were moved around or cut entirely. Mega Pinsir in Episode 16 won't have that effect, mainly because we're so far into the game. We're quickly approaching a point in the game where our options should be expanding, not remaining constricted.

Let me clarify the argument that I'm trying to make here. It is twofold.

It is my belief that, as the status quo in Pokémon Reborn currently stands, it is acceptable to grant players access to a Mega Ring for the purpose of turning underplayed Pokémon into more viable in-game options. The side effect to this is that, in doing so, we will also gain access to Mega Pinsir and Mega Heracross, which are two objectively powerful Megas.

HOWEVER, I believe that this is an acceptable sacrifice from the perspective of a game designer.

(Note: the following is only conjecture.)

Furthermore, if we do receive a Mega Ring, it will most likely occur when "the heart of Reborn falls." I believe that Lin will spearhead a massive siege upon the Reborn League headquarters in the Opal Ward, where we will help Ame repel Team Meteor's forces. During a dire moment in the battle, Ame will deliver a cheesy, inspiring message to the tune of "We will not allow Reborn to fall. This is our city, and we WILL protect it!" before giving the player a Mega Ring.

Hm, i thought about it for quite a bit. And I agree with giving the players the Mega Ring in the next episode. Sure Mega Pinsir and Heracross can be scary, but we'll also face with Team Meteor (especially Lin) in what could be the biggest battle ever. If there's a time and place for the Mega Ring, this is it. Also, we also have upcoming leaders like Titania and Hardy (who will also be using megas) to challenge as well. Pinsir and Heracross may be extremely good, but with the right teams and challenging field effects, they won't be able to solo carry your team like you would've expected.

[Foamy]

Surely that's a sacrifice that doesn't even need to be made? why not lobby for delaying access to the Heracronite and Pinsirite along with receiving a mega ring in the near future?

True. I'm personally not a fan of moving things around unless it's absolutely necessary, but this could also work. Perhaps, after we liberate Agate City, Nyu will call us up and say "Hihi, I found some nifty rocks in the woods~ Got any ice cream for trade?"

[TheGamedawg]

This is pretty cool. As someone who got into Reborn around when EP15 was just released, I've never actively watched the updates before.

[The God Fist]

Lets be honest, we all know that Ame isn't going to give us the Mega Ring until episode 20...

All right enough fooling around, I feel like episode 16 would be the perfect time, plot wise to get the mega ring. We'll probably get it as some kind of reward after we stop the supposed meteor invasion, but much like with HMs' in past episodes we won't be able to use it until next episode . While I do think that M- Harecross and M-Pinsir are OP AF, considering what gym leaders we have left they won't be terribly useful.

[GenOneRaisedGenY]

That's exactly the point I'm trying to make, so I dunno what we're arguing about. These Pokémon were so influential to the players' collective experience that they drastically decreased overall gameplay variance, which is why they were moved around or cut entirely. Mega Pinsir in Episode 16 won't have that effect, mainly because we're so far into the game. We're quickly approaching a point in the game where our options should be expanding, not remaining constricted.

Let me clarify the argument that I'm trying to make here. It is twofold.

It is my belief that, as the status quo in Pokémon Reborn currently stands, it is acceptable to grant players access to a Mega Ring for the purpose of turning underplayed Pokémon into more viable in-game options. The side effect to this is that, in doing so, we will also gain access to Mega Pinsir and Mega Heracross, which are two objectively powerful Megas.

HOWEVER, I believe that this is an acceptable sacrifice from the perspective of a game designer.

(Note: the following is only conjecture.)

Furthermore, if we do receive a Mega Ring, it will most likely occur when "the heart of Reborn falls." I believe that Lin will spearhead a massive siege upon the Reborn League headquarters in the Opal Ward, where we will help Ame repel Team Meteor's forces. During a dire moment in the battle, Ame will deliver a cheesy, inspiring message to the tune of "We will not allow Reborn to fall. This is our city, and we WILL protect it!" before giving the player a Mega Ring.

...you could be right. The idea's growing on me a bit now (although cheesy messages rarely inspire me). One way to find out, right? As an aside, I personally expect our first fight with Lin to be another "impossible" fight.

[Foamy]

...you could be right. The idea's growing on me a bit now (although cheesy messages rarely inspire me). One way to find out, right? As an aside, I personally expect our first fight with Lin to be another "impossible" fight.

Hey, that actually got me thinking!

Assuming that we DO fight Lin in the next episode, and assuming that it is indeed meant to be an "impossible" battle, it could create a rather drastic storyline split.

If we lose the battle, Ame's character could give us the Mega Ring and say something like, "If we want to protect our city properly, then we'll need to utilize every resource we can get. Everyone needs to be in top form. Here, this Mega Ring should help you put up more of a fight next time."

But if we win, we will continue through the game without receiving the Mega Ring, thus making the game (slightly) more difficult. We would still obtain it in a future episode, but we wouldn't get it until much later.

(Kinda like that storyline split in Cave Story where you can obtain the prototype Booster right away and play for a regular ending, or skip over it to receive an upgraded Booster later in the game and get the best ending.)

If Ame (the person, not the character) is feeling particularly sadistic, this purported storyline split will also include Mega Stones that can ONLY be obtained by choosing the path that makes you wait for the Mega Ring.

"What's that, you want the Salamencite? Well TOO BAD, you should've beaten Lin back in Episode 16~!"

Edited December 3, 2015 by Foamy

[biboo195]

Hey, that actually got me thinking!

Assuming that we DO fight Lin in the next episode, and assuming that it is indeed meant to be an "impossible" battle, it could create a rather drastic storyline split.

If we lose the battle, Ame's character could give us the Mega Ring and say something like, "If we want to protect our city properly, then we'll need to utilize every resource we can get. Everyone needs to be in top form. Here, this Mega Ring should help you put up more of a fight next time."

But if we win, we will continue through the game without receiving the Mega Ring, thus making the game (slightly) more difficult. We would still obtain it in a future episode, but we wouldn't get it until much later.

(Kinda like that storyline split in Cave Story where you can obtain the prototype Booster right away and play for a regular ending, or skip over it to receive an upgraded Booster later in the game and get the best ending.)

If Ame (the person, not the character) is feeling particularly sadistic, this purported storyline split will also include Mega Stones that can ONLY be obtained by choosing the path that makes you wait for the Mega Ring.

"What's that, you want the Salamencite? Well TOO BAD, you should've beaten Lin back in Episode 16~!"

What are you doing ? Don't give her ideas.

[Another Felix]

If a Pokemon is the champ, it should be Budew or Dunsparce.

Edited December 3, 2015 by Generalguy64

[Ice Cream Sand Witch]

At this point I don't see how an "impossible" battle could be done. The level cap right now is 80, and I don't think beating level 100s with a team of level 80s sounds as hard as beating a level 75 Garchomp with a team of level 45s. It seems reasonably possible to me to do without using "cheap" strategies (FEAR, Destiny Bond, etc.).

[Marcello]

At this point I don't see how an "impossible" battle could be done. The level cap right now is 80, and I don't think beating level 100s with a team of level 80s sounds as hard as beating a level 75 Garchomp with a team of level 45s. It seems reasonably possible to me to do without using "cheap" strategies (FEAR, Destiny Bond, etc.).

I was having similar thoughts. I mean, even if Lin was given six Level 100s, including a Mega and probably a PULSE too, I think it would still be beatable with brute force and intelligence, whereas Solaris you sorta needed to be cheap.

That said, I think it would still be perfectly fine to make it a battle you don't have to win. I mean, sure, you could PROBABLY fairly win against a team of full 100s now, but most people won't without some degree of planning beforehand. So while it perhaps won't be as 'impossible' as Solaris, I imagine if Ame wanted to put Lin in as an 'impossible' battle, it would no doubt work just fine.

[GenOneRaisedGenY]

At this point I don't see how an "impossible" battle could be done. The level cap right now is 80, and I don't think beating level 100s with a team of level 80s sounds as hard as beating a level 75 Garchomp with a team of level 45s. It seems reasonably possible to me to do without using "cheap" strategies (FEAR, Destiny Bond, etc.).

"Impossible" was in quotes for a reason, albeit probably a poor choice of words in retrospect. I just think she'll be overpowered compared to us. In theory a PULSE Pokemon could also have whatever stats are needed to be "impossible" but, now that I think about this a bit more, maybe we just won't fight her this episode. I'd expect us to fight her before our cap is LV 100 though.

[biboo195]

"Impossible" was in quotes for a reason, albeit probably a poor choice of words in retrospect. I just think she'll be overpowered compared to us. In theory a PULSE Pokemon could also have whatever stats are needed to be "impossible" but, now that I think about this a bit more, maybe we just won't fight her this episode. I'd expect us to fight her before our cap is LV 100 though.

I'm thinking that we'll face off against Adrien first, and get our level cap up to 85. Then Lin will attack Opal Ward, and we'll have to help. The closer the cap is to 100, the easier the fight against Lin will be.

[BreezyPonie]

I'm thinking that we'll face off against Adrien first, and get our level cap up to 85. Then Lin will attack Opal Ward, and we'll have to help. The closer the cap is to 100, the easier the fight against Lin will be.

But the level cap won't reach 85, according to your trainer card. It hits 80 with Adrienn and then that's it, free game for Lv. 100... unless Ame decides to add another one in at the last moment.

[biboo195]

But the level cap won't reach 85, according to your trainer card. It hits 80 with Adrienn and then that's it, free game for Lv. 100... unless Ame decides to add another one in at the last moment.

The current level cap at the end of E15 is 80. I know that because i've trained my entire team up to 78 just fine.

[Ice Cream Sand Witch]

The badge slots in the trainer card list what the cap is until you get the badge that goes in that slot, not what it is after getting the badge.

[Commander]

At this point I don't see how an "impossible" battle could be done. The level cap right now is 80, and I don't think beating level 100s with a team of level 80s sounds as hard as beating a level 75 Garchomp with a team of level 45s. It seems reasonably possible to me to do without using "cheap" strategies (FEAR, Destiny Bond, etc.).

You underestimate what could be accomplished by creative minds. I suppose this episode would be the last section of impossible battles as Players' Pokemon would be almost too strong without fakemon. The difference between 80-100 might not be super big, but a 6 vs 12 could easily curbstomb a player seeing as your opponent has twice as many Pokemon. Trust me, impossible battles are far from dead.

[Dragon116]

You underestimate what could be accomplished by creative minds. I suppose this episode would be the last section of impossible battles as Players' Pokemon would be almost too strong without fakemon. The difference between 80-100 might not be super big, but a 6 vs 12 could easily curbstomb a player seeing as your opponent has twice as many Pokemon. Trust me, impossible battles are far from dead.

Don't forget field effects. Those can easily change the flow of a battle.

[Xiri]

You underestimate what could be accomplished by creative minds. I suppose this episode would be the last section of impossible battles as Players' Pokemon would be almost too strong without fakemon. The difference between 80-100 might not be super big, but a 6 vs 12 could easily curbstomb a player seeing as your opponent has twice as many Pokemon. Trust me, impossible battles are far from dead.

Oh god... this would be pretty difficult yeah.

[GenOneRaisedGenY]

But the level cap won't reach 85, according to your trainer card. It hits 80 with Adrienn and then that's it, free game for Lv. 100... unless Ame decides to add another one in at the last moment.

In E16 that will likely change. In E14, level 75 was the cap and no 80 cap existed. The caps get added as the game becomes further developed.

You underestimate what could be accomplished by creative minds. I suppose this episode would be the last section of impossible battles as Players' Pokemon would be almost too strong without fakemon. The difference between 80-100 might not be super big, but a 6 vs 12 could easily curbstomb a player seeing as your opponent has twice as many Pokemon. Trust me, impossible battles are far from dead.

^ This.

Don't forget field effects. Those can easily change the flow of a battle.

^ This too.

[Alchemia Chan]

We must not forget about the number of PULSE battles left in which an impossible battle could still probably be built around. :3

I don't know if it's just me but I guess we'll battle Hardy before Titania. Those guys at Agate have been sleeping for too long without life support; I don't know how long they're supposed to last in that situation. A portion of Agate's map already exist while we still have never entered the desert. The desert is just too big in my opinion. I just don't know whether he'll let us fight him before we save Aya except maybe in a grave situation where we are desperate to receive the badge as soon as possible as a requirement (perhaps for Rock Climb). All of this after we return and do stuff in Reborn City of course.

Anyways, I saw Titania at the North Aventurine Forest after I beat Ciel. What was that about? I have never seen anyone talk about that event.

[mde2001]

Anyways, I saw Titania at the North Aventurine Forest after I beat Ciel. What was that about? I have never seen anyone talk about that event.

You're meant to activate that event before E15. You must have missed it and the switch never turned off.

[Amethyst]

All right, I now have all of the field app graphics for existing fields made.

Next up will be putting for them into the scripts. The field dex is already coded, so this basically amounts to a lot of tedious data entry. I think, however, it is less data than is in the graphics themselves, so my hope is that I'm now over the hump for development.

Don't quote me on that or anything tho.

oh just saw this

Those are really high detail, I love them! Will this impact the Beryl Ward library as well?

This system will replace the upper floor of the library, the website detail, and the included text file-- though they may or may not vanish until E17, we'll see.

[Sheep]

Next up will be putting for them into the scripts. The field dex is already coded, so this basically amounts to a lot of tedious data entry.

If all it is is data entry into a notepad would it be possible to outsource it to people that aren't able to work on more important things?

[Marcello]

If all it is is data entry into a notepad would it be possible to outsource it to people that aren't able to work on more important things?

*narrows eyelids*

I have a feeling I know who this would get lumped on.