Pokemon Brilliant Diamond - 0 Exp Part 17: Volkner

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MoogleBoss

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Published on September 23, 2022 4:48:22 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfpbRy-y_ew

Game:

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (2021)

Duration: 4:22

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Our last gym leader battle, Volkner is the only gym leader a half of whose team is not of his main typing. Candice set the trend by using a Medicham earlier, somewhat explained by the limited ice roster in BDSP, with Volkner also running out of electric-types to use. He could always use Pachirisu and Jolteon, even Luxio and Light Ball Pikachu, but Ambipom and Octillery enter his team instead. This trend will later cultivate in Flint using an even more limited fire-type lineup soon enough in the Elite Four.

Volkner's lead Pokemon is a true sensation - it's a genuine Surfing Raichu! We use Golem's double weakness to water to our advantage by powering ourselves up with Liechi Berry, OHKOing despite Shuca Berry halving the damage dealt.

Octillery is coming in next, Charge Beam being the only thing that connects it to this gym. Perhaps he's there to counter rock/ground types trying to solo this fight? You'd think Surfchu already covered that. Without an expendable grass-type TM to teach Abomasnow, I end up relying on STABless sources of damage instead. Between Thunderpunching Medicham and Clefable armed with Thunderbolt, the same Pokemon I had ready for Gyarados against Cyrus, both 2HKO the target with their electric-type coverage moves while getting outsped. Clefable can survive a double Octazooka, though Focus Energy is very likely to be used before one, working rather effectively with Focus Energy. I have no idea why a Scope Lens isn't held in lieu of its Expert Belt, but boltbeam + water does give it really good coverage, I suppose.

Ambipom would be easily walled by any Golem or Steelix, but I go for the one-turn kill with the tried and tested Guts!Machamp strategy. Revenge doubles in power in counter, taking out Ambipom in one hit, Protect securing Machamp from extra damage on the first turn of his duel. Again, a Chople Berry is used up to halve the damage received, all in vain as we get the OHKO regardless - for the second time in this battle no less.

Luxray is the last foe, its Intimidate ability (and to a lesser extent good coverage in boltbeam, dark and steel) making physical counters less desirable. Luckily for us, Gastrodon comes equipped with special STABS in Muddy Water and Earth Power when caught in the wild, the latter being a perfect move to use here to end the battle. I don't think I even needed a Choice Specs here? I kept it anyway because this Gastrodon wallops with it against all the sea trainers with its water absorption.

We now progress in the direction of the game's Elite Four... I expect a good challenge from Cynthia and co.

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