Fearow-line Solo Challenge - Pokemon FireRed

Rules:
1. Only my starter in battle
2. No items in battle, except held items
3. No glitches, exploits, or save states
4. No movepool evasion-boosting moves before level 100*
Rule details:
-- I make no attempt to have the exact same rule details between generations.
-- I am allowed to manipulate my starter
-- I play the game at 4x game speed
-- For fair comparisons my Pokemon have perfect (or near perfect) DVs / IVs
-- I am allowed to catch HM users - I can use all field moves
-- Evasion boosting is allowed if the move is not obtained from the Pokemon’s movepool. For example, using Mimic or Mirror Move to boost evasion is allowed.
-- Surge's trash-can-puzzle is automatically solved
-- The bike is allowed in gen1 & 4, banned in gen2, and allowed only to bypass terrain in gen3
-- Saving between league members is allowed
-- I can pause the game and timer to take breaks
-- Items obtained with the ability Pickup can only be used if the starter obtained them
-- The footage is sped up & slowed down to match the pace of my narration
These Rule details apply only to generation 1:
-- All battle-mechanic glitches are allowed (glitches that occur outside of battle are banned)
-- In generation 1, I'm allowed to skip Marowak with the Poke Doll
If you didn’t read these rules and left a comment. Thanks for helping with the algorithm.
Patreon: / scottsthoughts
KZbin memberships:
/ @scottsthoughtspokemon
X: / psychicflying
Thumbnail art by BrianLS: / brianlsart
Illustrations by Sarina Vail: / sarinavail
Video Editing by Shawn McMullen
STAB: bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wi...
DVs / IVs: bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wi...
Damage Calculation: bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wi...
Stat and Catch Calculators: pycosites.com/pkmn/index.php
Gen1 Crit Rates: www.smogon.com/rb/articles/cr...
Growth Rates: bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wi...
Learnsets: bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wi...
Base Stats: bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wi...)
If you're new around here, Venomoth is a Psychic/Flying type, you can't change my mind.

[@sgtflintlock6904]

Specifically calls out immunity to sand attack in intro, spends whole playthrough terrified of sand attack anyway 😂

[@andrewbartlett4997]

It’s a Classic Scott Moment (TM)

[@ktvx.94]

Scott seems to forget abilities a lot, probably from so much gen 1 and gen 2. He's forgotten about starter pinch abilities many times pokemon get a KO thanks to them.

[@HelloJohnRyan]

Scott's gonna Scott

[@snupietherat6814]

Yeah I noticed that flintlock

[@Chzydawg]

In his defense, It’s coarse and it gets everywhere.

[@robertleite6650]

Scott obviously has PTSD Post Traumatic Sand-Attack Disorder

[@wildstorm3486]

😂😂😂

[@ImmacHn]

Scott: Today I don't have to fear sand attack because of one of my favorite abilities, Keen eye Scott: *Proceeds to fear sand attacks anyway*

[@tesladrew2608]

Or evasion

[@ImmacHn]

@@tesladrew2608 Keen Eye does not prevent evasion misses in this Gen.

[@tesladrew2608]

@@ImmacHn I wasn't saying it did

[@zeldapadawan5634]

I hate Sand Attack. Its course and rough and irritating and it ruins my accuracy - Scott probably

[@FreyRosfield]

Scott noticing that he forgot Steel Wing during Pidgeot's run: "it's me, hi, i'm the problem, it's me!"

[@reshawshid]

Is that phrase from something? I recognize it from someone in FFXIV.

[@bigbear514]

​@@reshawshid It's a reference to a Taylor Swift song

[@FreyRosfield]

@@reshawshid as @bigbear514 has said, it is indeed a reference to a Taylor Swift song, the name of the song is Anti-Hero

[@raygunner87]

6:48 yes sand attack may affect flying types... but you're keen eye...

[@kamewoni]

this triggered me

[@stopstopp]

Correction: at 6:57 you say it’s lucky no sand attack but you also have keen eye so it is actually unlucky

[@kamewoni]

right? sand attacks would be welcome as they are a wasted turn for the opponent

[@retloclive9118]

I can already tell that most solo runs for physical mons in this game is going to come down to "Get Substitute to protect against Intimidate and Pidgeot's Featherdance."

[@davidgardner6677]

I thought this early on. But it's way more interesting than "grind until you one-hit"

[@ArgieBee1124]

According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way that a Dragonite should be able to fly. Its wings are too small to get its fat little body off the ground. The Dragonite, of course, flies anyways. Because Dragonite doesn't care what Scott thinks is impossible.

[@RoninCatholic]

I like Rest from a design perspective. It's a "high risk, high reward" move, which is an archetype I'm already fond of, and is also a healing move which is something I like. The reward is "you get healed", but the risk is "the enemy now has a few turns to attack, set up, or use his own heals". Recover is "safer" but doesn't heal as much and doesn't remove status, and not as many Pokemon can learn it. Almost everyone can learn Rest because sleeping is natural.

[@redwings13400]

While Fearow is probably much better than Pidgeot regardless, that improvement in time is definitely largely an improvement in your play :) The AI really needed to be given a substitute specific behavior modifier, it's hilarious how broken this move is in so many battles.

[@MrMovees87]

I remember pretty much always having a Spearow/Fearow on my teams back in the day, and liking them a lot

[@cameronneveu7277]

Rain Dance on Cloyster Helps more by Reducing Fire Type Damage, and Setting up her ACE which has Surf and Thunder

[@shirounshiroun7555]

But Hail would make Blizzard 100% accuracy on top of the chip damage (and thematically it's more fitting); if Pilowswine hit its Blizzard in the rematch then Lapras's following Ice Beam would have ko'd

[@user-lh5dc5cy1b]

​@@shirounshiroun7555 gen 3 hail does not affect blizzards accuracy That started in gen 4

[@shirounshiroun7555]

@@user-lh5dc5cy1b You're right, my bad

[@Smileyrat]

Bruno has come so far. I'm so proud.

[@trains3377]

I LOVE rest its awesome! it totally negates para hax and preseure from poisons/stray burns that might proc on Charizard flamethrower or something like that. I think the healing utility is amazing too. When I first started playing Smoogon singles in Gen6 ORAS OU I very quickly learned how powerful Calm Mind + Rest +Sleep Talk can be against bulkier teams who struggle to break a PhysDef suicine past 1+/1+ . So, naturally, when I started playing Gen7 OU I wondered, "Is Suicine just as strong in this generation?" and as is turns out, yes, yes it is. If you can build around threats like Tapu Koko, Tapu Fini, Kartana, and Volcaninon you can utterly destroy the rest of the tier because Bold Suicine Has No Weaknesses. So please by all means, REST IT UP Scott‼️‼️‼️ its a great move that reduces variance and lets bulkyier mons sit on opposing threats.

[@skeetermania3202]

Bold Suicune has no weak.

[@greyscaleadaven]

I think people just don't like it because they can't handle the best option not always being to click the supereffective button over and over again. Like it's so helpful for any mon with a decent defensive spread ingame, and helps mons like Registeel or Suicune in competitive who would otherwise not have a way to recover at all. Glad they did nerf the PP of all recovery moves that have no drawbacks in newer games because justice for Synthesis, Morning Sun, and Moonlight. But I think that's all the action that needs to be taken in general about them. It's a part of people's playstyles and there's counterplay if you know what you're doing, others kinda need to get over it lmao

[@mimiccave]

It's great to see you get better at fire red! It's always been one of my favorite pokemon games.

[@Fyrafox77]

Re: feedback for voice over Polishes X off Great video as always Scott :)

[@cody6685]

Hey Scott. I wanted to thank you for never yelling during your videos. Some KZbinrs I have enjoyed started adding livestream clips into their videos and their live reactions to things often result in shouting. I can’t watch them anymore because the sudden spikes in volume are difficult for me. You are so smart and methodical in the way you present your runs, I really appreciate how you go about making your videos. You matter to me and I’m thankful you’re here, playing Pokémon and being yourself without falling into the trope of over the top reactions. You are yourself and it’s the best thing you could be and I appreciate you.

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

Over the top reactions can come off as really fake too. I don't want to become the over energetic KZbin trope.

[@FigaroBrothers]

Scott farming on Mankeys?! I'm so happy 😭 hehe, sorry, I couldn't help myself :P. Great video as always. Nitpick of the day: Lanc'es dragonite does 66-74 with outrage, so keeping drill peck was a viable strat if you had used the route 23 sitrus berry. Not that there's anything wrong with rest, whatever gets the W. But having drill peck over rest for the exeggutor and the sevii plotline is probably nifty. The quality of play for this firered series is through the roof compared to where it started, btw. Pretty soon you'll be as comfortable with it as you are with the first 2 gens!

[@bettyunicorn6132]

Go! My Popcorn! What I nickname my Spearows/Fearows

[@perkypenguin1663]

Seeing the stark difference in Fearow vs Pidgeot with regards to their first solos really shows how far you've come as a player in FireRed. You're doing a great job :)

[@Willingmess]

I love Rest! You actually converted me to a rester for some of the interesting use cases! It’s also great with lum berry too!

[@SmashMath151]

Very well done! Seems like it could've done Brock at 19 without evolving just fine and I would've liked to see how far away it was at 18 for context, but I understand it probably would've lost comfortably. Rest is certainly polarizing. While it isn't always the fastest solution, it can be quite useful. I just had to abandon a great Crystal run at Red because I forgot the TM. It's certainly tricky finding when it's the optimal solution and when it just slows winnable battles down.

[@shootingstardust97]

It is so nice to see your improvement from the initial plays for FRLG, still i hope the advice will help u a bit for future runs. 1)regarding substitute on blaine, if possible set it up on ponyta instead, it has a lower sp. Attack so u may have a better chance of the sub being able to tank instead of the initial Growlithe. 2) i still feel that the blastoise team will pose the hardest overall challenge for fearow, just due to it being more tanky and arcanine actually being a threat when u get to low health due to its priority extremespeed,plus i believe in the 2nd E4 rematch the blastoise does have a ice type move in ice beam for round 2. 3) grab the leftovers for all round 2 matches, though for round 1 if u ever need it u should still grab it by catching 30 pokemon, that may be needed especially for the weaker non fully evolved pkmn that u are possibly running in the future. Also, from watching your videos i have started to appreciate the move rest a lot more for solo runs and honestly it is quite clutch for some runs so i hope u continue to utilize it for future runs since resto chesto is a legit strat for gen 2 games and beyond. Lastly for a firered run, u will notmally just need 2 HM friends in Farfetch and Lapras, early surf user if u do not want to catch a water type u can actually get the free eevee and just use a water stone on it for vaporeon for early access to blaine

[@hugosantos7180]

As you went to battle blane youtube showed an ad for doritos flaming hot, i was surprised at YT algorithm sense of humor

[@xfluffytraxy4996]

Nice run! I love your streams, but line showcases are my favorite Also give Rest some love my guys

[@DavesGames1]

Absolutely love rest! Has saved a number of my nuzlockes, specifically a snorlax in my first ever nuzlocke that finished off the champion ONLY because it had snore and everything else was either dead or unable to survive a switch into his Charizard

[@eduardwolfsmilch3904]

Fearow has always been my favorite of the common bird Pokémon. This will be interesting to see.

[@j.r.1704]

I’m personally a Rest enjoyer in Gens 2 and 3 specifically for curing status conditions, and it also feels like a gambit since you don’t know when you’ll wake up but the chance to do so on turns 2 and 3 can make it hype in certain fights

[@TheGamingCamel22]

That's a decent result for Fearow! Can't wait to see how well Dodrio will do

[@Randroth]

The Golbat line is going to suck... In this game in particular, it is super painful. I love the whole line despite their drawbacks, and I could even get past the fact that the game refuses to evolve your Golbat into Crobat until the post game... but... the fact that Golbat cannot learn Fly, and Sludge Bomb is a post-game TM, yeah, that just kills it for me. In any way, great video Scott! If Fearow was this good, I am looking forward to Dodrio! (who is basically a better Fearow)

[@Unwillkurlich]

Well, Golbat doesn't get Fly but Crobat does... Crobat also has a slightly better range of special attacks with almost 10 points more spe. attack.

[@Randroth]

@@Unwillkurlich Yes, Crobat is awesome, he's literally one of my all time favorite Pokemon. But that's the thing. In FireRed and LeafGreen, you cannot evolve Golbat into Crobat until the post game. That's why using the Zubat line in these games sucks.

[@Unwillkurlich]

@@Randroth oh, didn't know he couldn't evolve. Tbh I never liked Fire red or leaf green...🙈

[@ShneekeyTheLost]

Rest is a good move, assuming it has support with Sleep Talk or, at worst case, Snore. Or at a minimum a berry to wake it up, Resto-Chesto style. But if you're using a berry to wake you up from rest, you aren't using what would probably be a better recovery tactic like Leftovers or a way of guaranteeing a kill before it can hurt you to begin with like with Quick Claw. Without that support, however, Rest is likely to cause more problems than it solves. Especially on relatively fragile mons like Fearow. It's best used on big bulky defensive pokemon like Snorlax as part of a stall tactic. Note that Snorlax has the ability to learn Toxic, so you can Toxic Stall with Rest, Snore, Toxic, and Earthquake.

[@garethleahy412]

I kept count and was surprised to see that you didn't get hit by one sand attack, not one!

[@jdogx211]

I, personally, would challenge every trainer in the Gyms. It's been awhile, but when I played these games, once you beat the Gum Leader, you couldn't challenge them anymore. And its not often you find a large collection of trainers in such close quarters. But, hey, that's me.

[@shadowpaw9223]

Love your work scoot

[@thebigbean8783]

A pretty great pokemon. Once it gets drill peck, we should be off to the races. I'm definitely hoping for the best today!

[@PraefMace]

Haven't said anything because I am currently on a trip, so my internet access has been uhhh bad to say the least. At least until recently, as now my mobile internet is working. So now I can watch your videos again and of course also say DROOOOPPEEED MY BALLSSS

[@mickgorro]

Scott: Bruno, the man, the myth, the legend Me: Who are you and what have you done to Scott

[@darrelleffingeez]

Thanks! You’re amazing, dude

[@mr.number9279]

Always loved Fearow growing up. Had more fun using Fearow, but Pidgeot is always my favorite Flying-type. Awesome run. I agree with allowing Leftovers post-game---you'd have to have 60 Pokemon normally, so there's no issue with the Itemfinder. I would also agree with allowing it pre-E4 if the Pokemon can't beat the Elite Four otherwise even at Level 100 **without evasion boosts** (as I'd still regard those as more "dirty" than Leftovers, might just be me though), but who would that really be? Magikarp, lol? Fearow got a huge power boost in Gen 7 ((Ultra) Sun/Moon). It got a Ground-type move called Drill Run that is pretty accurate (90 I think?) and 85 Power. Lets it have awesome coverage.

[@ReederMG]

Scott: I think Rest is my favorite move Sand Attack: has left the chat...

[@ChoosenOneStudios]

I like the way you use rest! :)

[@david52089]

I do think your use of rest is innovative. I’d never seen people use it as frequently as you and to good effect. You may have used it too much as a crutch in the past but watching your more recent stuff I think you’ve mostly kicked that bias (along with hypnosis :))

[@analystenbananed4058]

great video, i enjoyed it

[@TastyMeerkat]

Venomoth Fact #13: Venomoth was disappointed in the Pokemon anime when Ash's Pidgeot absolutely bodied Fearow. Even though it is not only weaker, but at that time it was also slower. But Venomoth understands that we are simple creatures that judge books by their cover and put Pidgeot looking cooler above Fearow being better built.

[@Xtr3mePurple]

Hi Scott! Have you considers making your reset counter graphic include blackouts, i.e Reset/Blackouts 7/1? The top number representing the resets and the bottom representing blackouts. Love your videos

[@thecarsongardner]

Do you plan to incorporate Hidden Power into your firered playthroughs, Scott? I know you have debated it in both this video and some of the livestreams. Personally, I kind of like it not being present. I think it could centralize playthroughs in a way similar to that of curse/return in gen 2.

[@Wow1w]

I believe it's the fact that hidden power is only accessible through pickup, which isnt allowed in Scott's playthrough rules, unless the solo mon starts with that ability

[@GhoullyXX]

After watching this video with Fearow utilizing Substitute to great effect, I'm more convinced than ever that Pidgeot got screwed.

[@GoonTune97]

Love the little nice that popped up next to 69 HP during the first Giovanni fight.

[@Mr.Pokemanluck]

Yes! After you’ve defeated Brock this should be a fun run😊

[@Great_Olaf5]

Probably not what you were looking for, but I like the move rest. When my opponents use it. Makes it really easy to knock them out.

[@postapocalypticnewsradio]

Keep up the rest! It's a great move!

[@Ectar2003]

I tend to enjoy defensive pokemon, so I really like rest. I also like helping Scott with the algorithm, so I appreciate the comment prompt in the video

[@Eldarronnin]

I’m down with Rest - my brother and I have the opinion “a win is a win” when it comes to games, so I’m behind it if it helps you optimize the routing of your playthroughs.

[@delvintodavo9419]

I like rest alright. But I don’t love it But I support your admiration for the move so I will comment my support for it. Especially in your Poké-endeavors

[@LockedLoadedDestruct]

Mankey and Nidoran M usually are good for attack Evs for the early stage against brock. The metapod/kakuna encounters for defense. Since kanto is overrun with trainers set with speed ev yields, a nature promoting attack and reducing speed will help with fast flying and electric types in solo runs for the early game.

[@ryomaanime4563]

My favorite fake starter ! Everytime i did a Gen1 play-trough trying to avoid starter I ended up using this line I felt so smart as a kid, seeing everyone using pidgeot like Ash in the anime, but right next to it there's fearow that's just better with a fast evolution and better moves

[@bedbathandyourmom6565]

I’m going to start a Scott’s thought drinking game. Every time. Scott says “polishes off” take a shot. We might end up in the hospital

[@yamilaxus]

Waiting for Scyther!! That bug is a MONSTER with swords dance!

[@anthonypeterman959]

Rest is really fun on pokemon that can get sleep talk and have guts. I don't know how useful that would be in any playthrough, but in post game and online battles, it's really fun, especially with an item like toxic or flame orb

[@gokufirespit8418]

This suggestion is a little bit different from your standard formula for you comparison series, but since there are so many of them would you do a comparison of the fire/fighting starters? None of them start with the fighting type, of course, but all 3 achieve it by their final evolution. Infernape was always my favorite (probably because Diamond was my first Pokémon game) but I’d love to see a more factual and unbiased take on the matter. I know it might be a bit of a challenge to change up the formula that much, not only by comparing 3 Pokémon instead of 2 but also comparing them across generations/regions, but I feel like if anyone can do it it’s you. Edit: I didn’t realize you had a starter vs starter series already, that’s awesome! I suppose now it’s time to binge the series to see how the format works.

[@ItzZeeOfficial]

Today’s my birthday! Thanks for the gift!

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

Happy Birthday!

[@TheSorrowfulAngel]

I love the move rest

[@mehdibenjaafar6181]

I like rest! Waiting for the rest king with a snorlax run :)

[@linksmith1057]

Rest is always on my moveset especially if I have a Vaporeon. Rest, Acid Armor, Ice Beam, and Baton Pass. Either take out the enemy itself, or setup acid armor and baton pass into something like my Scizor.

[@henry5274]

Global can turn into Crobat during the postgame correct? I hope it evolves for the league upgrade!

[@sopadumacacoumadelicia5]

I always liked Fearow, specially since it was one of the few decent rentals in Stadium 2

[@Kyle211919]

Let's be real here: Blue's ace is that beast Arcanine. I've been swept by it's Extremespeed before. The way I played it was always Blue's final Pokémon

[@PedroSilva-tt4tn]

Hoping for a Magmar line only soon! My fave Pokemon, would love to see it in emerald!

[@thatponybro6940]

i kinda want to see Scott rank type combinations (or maybe two, one for type combos that exists and a part two for ones that don't exist yet)

[@mobiust708]

Do you think having a reliable method to getting hidden power would have improved these results? Or maybe sacrificed a bit of time to catch a pick up mewoth or 2 would be worth it? It would have allowed you to get an additional coverage move to help against some problem areas. Fighting would have helped against the first 2 E4 members, ghost might have helped against agatha (pretty sure hp ghost would out dps stab drill peck), maybe even something a little uncommon like ground or rock. You wouldn't have to rely on rest as much late game if you had better coverage is my guess.

[@snupietherat6814]

I gotta say that I love the move rest, but when I use it myself, prefferably with a chesto berry or gen 2 sleep talk

[@Xeraser2]

Now I'm wondering just how much Pidgeot would benefit from Steel Wing. Something tells me not THAT much overall due to its stat spread but a rerun would be interesting.

[@banditrests]

In later gens it will get drill run, and knowing how much that smooths out its move sets really makes me think HP ground would be the call for fearow

[@iskander0725]

I'm curious about something, Scott. Obviously, you're gonna get there eventually. But, is there a chance we get the Gen. 2 starters in Fire Red this year? I ask cause I actually believe Fire Red might be Meganium's best shot at a great time. Kanto is really nice to Grass types, and Meganium's home Generation isn't too nice to her.

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

No gen2 starters in FireRed this year :(

[@iskander0725]

@@ScottsThoughtsPokemon No worries! I will enjoy the content which ever Pokemon are run this year. Rest assured. You and few of the other solo artists got me motivated, on an emulator, and soloing Gen. 6 for fun, so your content is the good stuff.

[@lemurw431]

I’ve been doing solo fire red runs for my own pleasure for the better part of 2 years on emulator. If any of you have seen RBY Challenges I’ve been copying the Super Minimum battle route to see how this game compares without badge boost glitch. My favourite part has been doing reruns where I let Pokemon start with moves that are locked until post game normally - E.G Swords Dance Snorlax, hands down the most surprising run I’ve done. Super minimum battles completed, level 44 was the level after beating the champion! Will try the Fearow run and report back to see how it gets on, but flying Pokemon for the most part except Lugia have struggled massively. Lorelei is the wall.

[@BigBensClock]

Hey Scott, have you considered summing up Resets and Blackouts to "Losses"? Both Resets and Blackouts occur when you either lose or give up, which is a Loss either way

[@masterjedi8072]

As a kid I actually played through leaf green with a fearow. I loved how strong it was.

[@thorobliterator1934]

Is there a mechanical reason why critical hits seem inflict secondary effects more frequently than non-crits? Like the crit body slam at 15:12 , what are the chances that it both crits AND paralyzes? Seems like it happens a lot both in my experience and watching these solo challenges.

[@lure207]

It ocurred to me while watching this vídeo, you had trouble getting the Leftovers late game, doesnt snorlax always come with a leftovers? What if you save the snorlax left of celadon for later, and catch it with the masterball(for consistency)? This way you are gonna have leftovers in all playtroughs. Just a thought i had watching the vídeo. Sorry about my english, keep it up with the good work, love your vídeos, looking forward for Scyther/Scizor on gen3!

[@lure207]

Or maybe save the snorlax down lavender… up to you, i’m not entirely sure it always come with leftovers in gen 3. Just trying to help ❤

[@XxDeividdoxX]

The number of comments that were baited by the sand attack comments are impressive. The engagement algorithm is eating good today.

[@matthewhenry8008]

For a solo run, Rest is almost required for most pokemon. The majority of pokemon are base/middle form, or a gimmicky single stage. Very few can pack a mewtwo/ uber-tier punch for the easy 1 - 2 hit ko without multiple turns of setup.

[@azurrayne4140]

Ooo, fun question. Will you evolve into a crobat after the league and when you have the national Dex,or are you going to keep it golbat the entire time?

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

Patience!

[@louis7166]

Great job ! The music was very low on this video tho

[@ragnamalamity]

i'm mostly ambivalent towards Rest, myself - i understand its place in the challenges; it's a move most pokémon get access to and it's the only way many of them can recover properly. even if just in the name of convenience and keeping runs from not grinding to a halt i certainly think it has its place, though it feels like it can be too "easy" of an answer sometimes. that might be bias speaking, i know many crystal runs end in return/curse/rest sets... that reliable recovery can kind of stifle the fun of specializing movesets and admittedly it can be kind of a bummer to see a competitor doing so well and being forced to use the move just because there's no other way. i get it, and i certainly don't think it should be nixed altogether (especially from future runs!), but i do wish/hope that rest winds up more of a last resort type of thing instead of a staple pickup compared to other moves. tl;dr "i think it's fine, i don't want it gone but if runs can happen without the move i think it would be a benefit"

[@charlessegale6493]

15:48: So really, this battle is just a waste of time. *BLASPHEMY,* Scott! Any chance to display Sabrina's glorious depiction of this majestic fisherman shall not, I repeat, SHALL NOT *EVER* be a waste of time!

[@justsomejojo]

I already like the sound of paying attention to EVs. I think that's a major difference between Gen3 up and the first 2 generations. So many pokemon get significant advantages/disadvantages from how encounters are laid out. Typically physical attackers are favored quite a bit if I remember correctly. Defenses overall got nerfed quite a bit by this change though. It's been a while since I took EV trained pokemon on an ingame outing, but whenever I did, the offensve ones especially tended to struggle longterm because they just didn't have their often average defenses bolstered by passive stat exp. I'm actually kinda torn about the EV changes. It definitely upped the customizability in competitive and it sort of nerfed the play compared to the NPCs (which I think is a good thing), but at the same time, it created a rift between those who knew and those who didn't. The extra qualifier before casual matches of "do you EV train?" kinda ends up as a necessity because EV trained mons run laps around anything unspecific, even if they get KOed faster. I also find it more relaxing to know my stats are going up no matter what I fight, but that's just the perfectionist in me acting up. And that's my rant about EVs... I actually like Fearow. I think it's one of the few flying types that looks really cool flapping its wings in 3D. I also think it's less annoying to use than the Pidgey line because its movepool is more optimized physically (Gen4 up I mean)

[@andreapareti324]

A weird quirk is that Spearow learns Aerial Ace at level 25 while Fearow does not; granted, given the immunity to accuracy reduction and the early Secret Power TM, I don't necessarily think delaying the evolution would be a good choice, from a time-perspective, but still.

[@LordThanathos]

About the Surge battle, Secret Power doesn't make contact, so Static won't affect you.

[@shadowpaw9223]

Love rest helped me in so many tough situations

[@KRP71390]

Commenting during the S.S. Anne fight, aka second time I’m noticing mention of “luckily” avoiding Sand-Attack: Will an enemy trainer _ever_ use an accuracy lowering move on a Pokemon whose accuracy cannot be lowered? I’m wondering, because I can’t tell if this is actually unlucky, or just won’t ever happen.

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

They will. The AI doesn’t know what your ability is until it triggers. Then they play around it. This is most obvious in the case of Levitate where foes will use Earthquake against you on turn one.

[@KRP71390]

Ah. Guess that makes things firmly “unlucky”, then. I’d also comment about worrying about Koga’s use of smokescreen, but even without that, I think avoiding the poison status would be reason enough to make preparations/set defenses, anyways. Also, Keen Eyes probably doesn’t affect evasion (minimize, specifically), right? Since it’s preventing accuracy loss, not granting any type of perfect accuracy? So there are still things to worry about.

[@InsanityForce]

Rest has always been my favourite move (And Snorlax my favourite pokémon). It may not always help you get a really good time, though.

[@Lilzor]

Rest might not enable the flashiest playthrough, but in a series like yours that is focused on optimizing each and every Pokemon, I think its necessary to have some slower playstyles. Without it, someone's favorite Pokemon would struggle a lot more than it needs to.

[@Nagassh]

I think rest is a cool move, it's ability to be used to remove status effects by replacing them with it's own is pretty unique. I, uh, understand peoples annoyance with it's prevelence in your runs though. It is what is is though, the aim is to go fast, not flashy - at least it's not Return.

[@ArchonZach]

I was shiny hunting Spearow just last night what coincidence!

[@midge2946]

Golbat sounds interesting. Would Crobat be on the table for postgame?

[@NativeGolfer10]

I’d love to see the dual typings get half the STAB. That would make things real interesting when it comes to teaching moves and team construction. Idk why I just thought of that with Fearow’s dual typing

[@Hell_Kaizer]

I'd love to see how a backport for mega pidgeot and beedrill would change their rankings, really would highlight how big mega's were for some pokemon

[@justinsims655]

Without Rest, many routes would just devolve into critical hit/enemy miss lotteries. That can be entertaining, but too inconsistent to optimize on a human timescale. So for your project, Rest gives us satisfying results.

[@marlysalt]

With 221 max health in that Lance battle there was a chance you could have used one more sub and hoped for a 2-turn outrage with confusion luck and/or crit luck. Substitute uses the same logic that nightmare and curse do when it comes to health percentages( in practice at least.)