Relicanth Only - Pokemon Emerald

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.bul...
DVs / IVs: bulbapedia.bul...
Damage Calculation: bulbapedia.bul...
Stat and Catch Calculators: pycosites.com/...
Gen1 Crit Rates: www.smogon.com...
Growth Rates: bulbapedia.bul...
Learnsets: bulbapedia.bul...
Base Stats: bulbapedia.bul...)
If you're new around here, Venomoth is a Psychic/Flying type, you can't change my mind.

[@steveh1474]

39:00 , talking about surviving leaf blade because of your nature, rewind the video and check your stats. you have 16 more hp, one point less of special defense, and die in one hit, while later on you survive with 23 hp but only 1 more special defense. what happened? Grovyles ability supercharged his grass type attacks to deal more damage! having higher speed but not enough power to one-shot is what killed you. just because you cant see what abilities the enemies have doesnt mean they arent working against you, gotta remember those abilities!

[@SproingBoing]

Schrödinger's Ability, you both have an ability and you don't until proven by the opponent walking straight into it

[@ArchonZach]

As a kid I always loved Relicanth the pokedex calling this grandpa fish a living fossil made me feel like it was this super cool ancient pokemon

[@Inserteggpunshere]

That face is the face of a fish who has seen it all.

[@Nikolaj11]

Would have been kinda cool if Scarlet had a pure water Paradox version of Relicanth.

[@Erranteumbra]

The luditrollo in the thumbs is amazing

[@jaytaytay3205]

Thank you for pointing this out XD

[@browncow5210]

When you're a rock type that needs hidden power for your STAB to not suck, you know things are dire. Funny thing is this fish got to pioneer the head smash/rock head combo in the next games.

[@warcriminalyes]

When you are a flying type and your best move is a HP Flying. Signed by every flying type. Especially GYARADOS. Gen 3 movepool was horrible still.

[@BloodfelX]

With all the Ludicolo representation, Miror B from Pokemon Colosseum is building up to be the true Rival of Scott. :P

[@ProfessorWFS]

Please keep Ludicolo in the thumbnails!!!

[@input-latency2684]

it’s starting to scare me tbh

[@MichaelSotoCE]

If it's the villain of the run sure

[@NishaBird]

Regice in Lucario and the mystery of Mew actually calls itself "Regi-ice" and Ash also calls it Regi-ice. So it is the canon pronunciation. It may not be spelled the way we want it to, but let be honest, Regice is more cleaner looking than Regiice.

[@JDFrank20Diaz]

Ludicolo living rent free in Scotts head now it's in his thumbnails 😅

[@ryanwells137]

I love how ludicolo is the villain of these runs lol

[@perkypenguin1663]

Considering how much Ludicolo appears in thumbnails lately, causing trouble for soloists, as well as all the bugs from the Ludicolo live stream, surely this means Scott will someday consider Ludicolo his favorite Pokemon, just ahead of Seel :) Also I'm very impressed that a slow experience group Pokemon managed to pull ahead by a decent margin of various other Pokemon. Maybe that's the power of Calm Mind, but even so, very well done to you and Relicanth!

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

Calm Mind is definitely a game changer! But I also think a high defense stat really benefits a Pokémon late game against Steven. That’s another thing Relicanth has going for it!

[@sopadumacacoumadelicia5]

Lass Robin feels like the Self Destructing Hiker a bit due to how restrictive her team is to some Pokémon

[@tsawy6]

Notably, she's optional, just there for a rare candy

[@sopadumacacoumadelicia5]

​​​@@tsawy6 That too. I couldn't think of any gen 1 trainer that would be an actual equal to Lass Robin, not one that's optional anyway. Maybe the Hypno Rockets or some of the Tamers at Koga's gym?

[@jimmiewoodsjw]

Grand dad???

[@AD34534]

Finding the Regis with this thing was one of the best videogame experiences I've ever had.

[@Dojibu]

Back when one of my other favorite poketubers used to play Romhacks, Grandpa here was one of the saving graces of his nuzlockes. I'll be watching this analysis with baited breath

[@inventiveusername5191]

My first thought for HP was Bug. Relicanth hates grass types and wants a physical move to take them out quickly. Posting at 7:25, so let's see if Scott reaches the same conclusion or sticks with STAB...

[@PaulRudd1941]

"I was in the war." -Relicanth

[@SentretPeanut]

My sister loves this Pokémon cause it looks like a grumpy little old man 😆 Also I’m loving that thumbnail lmao

[@RoninCatholic]

Just commenting Sentret is one of my all time faves.

[@WorkInProgressX]

The (un)holy trinity of Scott videos: Sandslash, Magneton and Ludicolo

[@C_Train74]

This is the best thumbnail of the trio. Art.

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

Hehehe. Brian did such a good job with these!

[@MFMegaZeroX7]

Relicanth is a Pokemon I always got confused with Feebas as a kid. Both are rare, and as such are Pokemon I never caught.

[@CasualVideoGamer]

Despite Relicanth's lacking stats/movepool, it's always been one of my favorite designs. As a fan of prehistoric creatures, the fact they used a living fossil as inspiration just makes me happy. Just wish it had a bit of a boost to it somewhere. Like if I wanted a water/rock-type, I'd probably go with Kabutops.

[@UltimateDarknezz999]

I just want to say I really liked Relicanth as a kid and I still do. It’s like Castform to me, not strong but a really awesome concept of a mon and a great design.

[@dvillines26]

I dunno why but watching this made me want a Relicanth plush. it appears it's actually in stock on the Pokemon Center website, if anyone's interested. FYI there's a plush line that has every Pokemon from Gen I-V. they often sell out but they seem to get restocked every now and then.

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

Omg now I want this plush…

[@Ectar2003]

As much as Hidden Power isn't my favorite move, I actually quite like it when it's used in this way. Giving a mon just a better STAB move feels a lot nicer than using it to fill gaps in coverage, somehow.

[@Joker22593]

In Pokémon XY, EVERY Competitive team was using a Talonflame. I bred perfect IV Relicanth en masse and gave them out to my friends because it's the only hard counter to talonflame. It took people by surprise a lot.

[@arckrokosz3123]

heck yeah! Seel mentioned. Love that little guy. Keep up all the good work!!

[@natezuniga-qd7pe]

Scott, I watched this after the livestream and it’s FRIGGING LIVING AT THE TOP OF MY FEED!

[@WildLastFrontier]

*Count Dooku voice* "I've been looking forward to this..."

[@PraefMace]

You weren't kidding about this being a special week. It is LUDICOLO WEEK. At this point you might as well slap Miror B's theme whenever Ludicolo shows up for its shenanigans. Also DROOPPED MY BALLSSSSS

[@funkydirk3797]

It’s sad that a lot of these great idea. Pokémon don’t get the spotlight they should at the games they started in. With the physical, special split, and the ability rock, Head this Pokémon took off in usability. Love your work, keep up the good job.

[@Smileyrat]

This pokemon has a special place in my heart. I like the design and this generation. But celocanth, on witch is is based, introduced me to the idea of living foils and that they might be hidden deep in the seas. So relicanth always felt something like a legendary pokemon to me.

[@chubbubdreamer6904]

Im living for these Ludicolo thumbnails 🙏

[@TheGamingCamel22]

I really like this fish's design and was happy to see it on the Elite 4 in Sun and Moon, it's also in BDSP in Roark rematch with a wacky moveset of just Head Smash and a choice band, and happy it got a decent finish here ❤

[@francescganau7679]

Am I alone in thinking Relicanth is super cute? In its grumpy, calm, sensei/grampa-esque style

[@Peelster1]

I had a Relicanth as a starter in Emerald Rogue. Mine had the Rock Head ability. Take-down and Double-Edge proved very useful. Physical Relicanth turned out to be pretty good. A big difference to note is that Emerald Rogue has a dramatic exp acceleration based on a level cap system and so I got Double-Edge much faster.

[@Cjbball4]

Love that Scott talks about expectations and I immediately think of his gripe with Seel Also Ludicolo giving major FNAF vibes these runs

[@aLime404]

I think Rain Dance is criminally underrated on Relicanth here. Rain Dance + Swift swim + Mystic water + Surf seems like it would rock Tate & Liza specifically.

[@benediktwindisch2778]

I enjoyed the idea of the deep sea pokemon in Gen 3. Even if difficult to obtain and barely seen in a team, Huntail, Gorebyss, Relicanth are cool designwise for me. I traded my Clamperl in 2005, got a Huntail at Lvl. 100 which I transfered all the way to my 3DS games and Switch

[@HarveyMeadowlark]

Thanks for another great video Mr. Thoughts. I’m not sure if you guys celebrate Easter tomorrow or not in Canadia, but either way, I hope you have a nice Easter

[@lazypaladin]

Couldnt be there live due to work but I'm hoping Relicanth suprises us here. _I've always been facinated by it's design and typing. Always wished it was buffed, deserved better._

[@JD-ve6kn]

i've always loved this grandpa, probably stemming from my obsession with the coelacanth bc of GC Animal Crossing

[@TastyMeerkat]

Venomoth Fact #10: Venomoth is old enough to call Relicanth 'Boy'

[@n64_kfp]

Better than I thought. I honestly expected an F tier finish at best

[@RandomDude-k7w]

Ludicolo strikes again Seriously Mirror B. had a point that most of us simply glossed over

[@bitterzombie]

Rain also boosts water damage, its part of the reason swift swim is superior to chlorophil. Chlorophil raises the speed of grass types, but sun doesnt boost the power of grass moves at all, the only grass move that benefits from it is solarbeam. A lot more pokemon resist grass than than water too.

[@sopadumacacoumadelicia5]

Yesterday's Watson fight was very tense but this one was the exact opposite, surprising honestly I expected Wailord to do better there

[@battathebeast13]

Relicanth is one of my all time favorite Pokemon, so happy to see someone giving it some love (even if you said at the start you didn’t like it that much 😭) Since you mentioned it, because it’s based on a Coelacanth shouldn’t they have named it “Roelacanth”? Maybe they didn’t want to confuse the children but I say it’s never too early to start teaching kids to fear the English language.

[@red-eyessolares1817]

I think an underrated factor for why Relincanth was at least better than expected was that 100 base HP. That helped it be able to survive even 2-4 times super effective moves at the levels it was at.

[@breadpope0358]

I relicant believe my eyes! A fish that old should be in a museum!

[@danielwatson7386]

Scott, Given that your routing software instructs you on which trainers to fight, you should be able to know ideally how many EVs you'd have in all of the specific stats. This would allow you know exactly when and where the speed stat thresholds would be and how a -spd nature would affect you. In addition, this would allow you to also know the base speed threshold you need to be above in order to outspeed everything over the course of the game and take the -10% speed stat. Not sure if this is something you've looked into, but I figured I'd point this out while I watch the vid.

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

It doesn’t tell me who to fight, I tell it who I’ll fight and it tells me how that impacts all the statistic.

[@danielwatson7386]

@@ScottsThoughtsPokemon but if you know who you'll fight, you can always determine all the EVs gained, right? This still uses game hook, correct? So you know all of the trainers, exp yields and such? I would imagine that you could set a query function to pull an EV value if you input a pokemon name. You could always do it by brute force and just revisit past videos and manually pull all the pokemon data. This way you could at least have a rough idea of what Evs you'd get during a playthrough!

[@MrEnte3000]

No, pronouncing it as Regi-Ice is absolutely completely legitimate, as looking at the Japanese spelling makes it clear that that was the intention.

[@dannylongfellow]

Are we just on a "pokemon that suffer at ludicolo" kick?

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

Apparently

[@atraxian5881]

Speed is binary and not on a spectrum like other abilities. Either you are faster or not and most of the time to be faster you just need a few extra levels even with the slower pokemon. Just ignore the commenters saying "speed is everything! Don't lower your speed, noob!" This ISN'T competitive pokemon where everything is at the same level.

[@RoninCatholic]

Your attacking stat is always more important unless you _can_ invest to get Speed a single point higher than your for at no cost to your one shot ranges against it or other relevant foes. And the biggest downside of a non dominant Speed by a single point is your HP, DEF, SpDF, and defensive typing suddenly mattering a little instead of none.

[@aceinspaces]

Relicanth was my first shiny pokemon! I have a lot of fond memories of it because of that

[@TerraEmperor1]

Pickle Dill just finished a what if story where ash used a Relicanth and it gave me a new appreciation for it

[@TheOvalOwl]

As a water Pokemon fan, I approve of this fish 👍

[@rooislangwtf]

I swear the 10% omni boost is the rarest thing in pokemon, I've gotten more full odds shinies than omni boosts and I'm not even a shiny hunter

[@karatgaming5792]

17:12 When I played Pokemon Emerald a few years back, I used hidden power ice against Norman's Slaking, and the AI somehow mistook hidden power ice as a physical hit, and I was totally stumped when my Pokemon got hit by Slaking's counter!

[@randya4173]

The arrow at 16:02 made my day

[@davidlaton3478]

Scott’s Thoughts needs to do a collab with Quinn’s Ideas to talk about the sci-fi elements in Pokémon. Then you guys can livestream getting Taco Bell with Brett’s Sharts.

[@SilverSmith459]

I reli-can't-h believe you've done this!

[@StevenDaniels81]

Commenting before run starts: I really do Love Relicanth underrated Mon

[@rexisaurx9427]

After all these ancient Pokémon, it would be funny to see all three Regis on April 1st.

[@andreapareti324]

Lol, I knew you were gonna mention Seel during your "expectations" bit!

[@CelticGuardian7]

I had no idea Relicanth could learn Calm Mind. Kinda cool from a flavor perspective, just feels weird. XD

[@chapolinm_]

Whatching the fight against Flannery and seeing the arrow pointing to the 150 power Rock Tomb makes me thinkk of Scott facepalming watching it with us ahahahahah

[@chapolinm_]

AND YOU GO FOR WATER GUN ON THE THIRD RUN TOO! SCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTT! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

I know!!!!!

[@thefaz3744]

My favorite Relicanth fact is that its eye is not its red spot, but rather, the horizontal line on its head - it's an old man with a closed eye.

[@bobosmith101]

I NEVER KNEW THIS????WHAT??? Is there any media that has it open/shift?

[@dustindean4618]

Ive never thought that red dot was the eyes

[@i_am_dementia9926]

I just did playthrough of using Pokémon that done evolve, and it was surprisingly easy (no item use during battles and set mode). My team at the end was Sableye, Skarmoury, Tropius, Plusle, castform, and Heracross.

[@hhjan594]

Don't worry Scott, Regice is in fact called "Regi-ice" in Japanese. If anyone tells you that pronunciation is incorrect, just tell them you were saying the name in Japanese.

[@stardf29]

Now I’m curious how well Relicanth and Aggron would do if they had Head Smash in these games. Yes, I know it’s a Gen 4 move, and it might not be that good for a solo run due to low accuracy and small PP. But these two were the first mons with access to this combo, with Relicanth being the very first and thus who I associate the move with. If nothing else, I think it’d be a fun bonus vid.

[@Flarezap]

20:13 Grovyle was also in Overgrowth giving it an even stronger boost to grass type moves

[@Sunaki1000]

I love Cealacanths. One of my favorite Pokemon, and Animals. And in random Battle Choice Band Rock Head Relicanth is a beast. A delete Button on legs.

[@jacoblawton7716]

Kinda funny how relicanth struggles so much in the base game but is a super important part of some e4 teams in emerald kaizo. I forget if it got any base stat changes for the hack but nevertheless. Just goes to show there’s a role for all kinds of Pokémon.

[@ImperialHarbinger]

Official sources do have Regice being pronounced Regi-ice, so it's fine (Lucario and the Mystery of Mew).

[@mufasa5851]

Used relicanth in my rock mono run in ORAS. Rock head, head smash was pretty cool.

[@thelucidexperience]

I wish Relicanth learned rollout because then it would’ve been time to rock ‘n’ roll. Also ReliCAN. Until we meet again 🏃🏾‍♂️😂😂😂

[@shammy7098]

I know Relicanth isn't that great, but I was blessed with one early as a kid and fell in love with my old rock fish

[@Kandraith]

Ludicolo's gonna snipe Venomoth's spot as mascot at this point 😂

[@jinxtheunluckypony]

Mirror B would approve of the Ludicolo love.

[@frankieinjapan]

I had no idea relicanth learned calm mind. That's hilarious 😂

[@thebigbean8783]

A pokemon I've always wanted to use, but it comes so so late in the game. It's crazy, but i really like it, and I want it to do well. It probably won't, though This thing is about to be AWFUL! I'm kinda proud of it

[@rooislangwtf]

I don't get why Rock doesn't resist Electric, they probably didn't think of it since all the Rock types were also Ground types in gen 1, but it definitely should've been changed since then. Mainly thinking about this since Water makes Rock a better type defensively, but Rock just makes Water worse.

[@RoninCatholic]

Many minerals conduct electricity, and water is a conductor almost exclusively because all natural water sources are mineral solutions or suspensions. Still, I think rock type should resist electric too.

[@yamiryushi]

Lass Robin has gone full Nightwing after these last runs xD

[@JakeTheHawk]

I checked Relicanth on Smogon, just for the heck of it. I don't really like Smogon but it can be interesting to see where they rate pokemon sometimes. Dude is in ZU - ZeroUsed. A tier under PU 😭😭

[@pauldm5222]

Well, Omastar is one of the best water/rock pokemon to use in a playthrough since it has great special attack. 🔥

[@buggydust]

my little guy!!! i love relicanth SO much

[@Ky0usha]

It always bugged me that relicanth never learnt headbutt naturally since its made of rock and the design really emphasises the head

[@tsawy6]

Notably there's a double edge tutor in Sootopolis. So kinda similarly placed to in Fire Red (where it's at the end of Victory Road). In place to be used for just the league. Double Edge wasn't really /necessary/ for Relicanth, but if it didn't have calm mind, woulda been better than HP Rock Wallace.

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

Just have to keep it with you throughout the entire league.

[@scotthaley8050]

I miss the old bloopers at the end of the videos should bring them back.

[@connor-3455]

gonna guess tomorrow is the super long epicly explosive Regi/Regi/Regi vs video? edit: realized i watched this a day late and its the 31st for me when i commented this

[@alexkulis7295]

I know what you mean about the rival feeling like a bit of a letdown for never having a fully evolved starter to face you with in gen 3. Wally always felt like the true rival to me since his team was more fleshed out and he faces you on Victory Road.

[@ktvx.94]

Tomorrow's video is gonna be *explosive,* that's my assumption

[@greyscaleadaven]

Love relicanth so this video is a cool one to see! I am honestly curious how well this thing would do focusing on a physical set with a lonely nature and Rock Head, might play through it myself sometime just to test it out casually. The opportunity cost of low Sp. Atk special moves might not be worth the nature boost (still gonna be used, just not something I would choose to boost personally). It has the tools to get past early and mid game with a mixed kit, but no recoil on Double Edge and Take Down seems to be better neutral damage than Return or even Rock STAB moves for some portions of the game (there's a period from what I saw where Return is weaker than Take Down and it also gets the move before Return anyways), and Swift Swim to me would be not as useful most of the time without Rain Dance on the set (which is unsynergistic to run with its 45 Sp. Atk). I'd like to maybe try out a strat with HP Rock/Ice Beam (replaced by Earthquake)/Double Edge/Water move or Rest for my run bc I feel like maybe leaning into its physical kit is the way to go with this mon. Side Note: I hard agree with the structure changes ORAS making being generally good for the story and characters. Especially Wally, who goes from being a fairly inconsequential rival to this capable person who pushed himself to his limit despite his circumstances. In the base games, it feels like you just effortlessly crush him at the point where the final battle happens. Compared to other final rivals like say Blue or Barry who both feel genuinely threatening at the end or Silver who is narratively unthreatening due to his unevolved friendship pokemon (which pays off in HGSS beautifully) it just feels like some of the rival fights are out of place in gen 3. I could say that about a lot of gens though like 6 and 8 also have this problem (7 and 9 IMO handle rival fights themselves pretty good with narrative payoff/reasons at least, Gladion being genuinely threatening at early points in the game with his pseudo mythical pokemon and Nemona having a solid reason why she's holding back against you) Thanks for reading if you got this far, looking forward to seeing how you solve the Regis! You've got all the mons that unseal them out of the way so surely that means there's some way to unlock their potential and actually complete a run...

[@greyscaleadaven]

Also for Wallace, A White herb from Route 104 after defeating Watson can negate intimidate for that fight making spamming 120 BP double edge for free or HP Rock against his Gyarados very safe. I think for Steven just reverting to the set used in the video is the best play, as it is otherwise very hard to break through (also the more physical set allows you more moveset flexibility if you're saving calm mind for Steven)

[@somectguy17]

I think yawn is better than people think! It takes 2 turns but it's better than Hypnosis

[@olmo7177]

People say that in Emerald there aren't grass type especialists, but that Ludicolo is more than enough on its own

[@ave_maria323]

This is one mon that's helped by the special split.

[@MrVelyx]

Always remember that natures lower stat by 10%. so lowering a stat with a low base value makes you loose less stat point if you look at it in absolute terms. For exsmple a value of 50 looses 5 points while a value of 130 looses 13. Almost trice as much

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

I used to point this out but then it was mentioned to me by Redreiocy that damage is calculated using the ratio of attack to defense. So regardless of the nature or raw stat gain/loss the damage will be increased or decreased by 10%. So instead of thinking about raw stat values it is better to think about how 10% damage in one direction will affect the run.

[@MrVelyx]

I checked my calcs you are right. But remember it for speed

[@Fangreius]

Love this little guy hes just a big dumb fish

[@johngleeman8347]

I feel bad for all the mons with a solid design that were made trash due to bad stats or a lacking move pool.

[@Dolph1nRacer]

New drinking game: take a drink every time Scott says "utilize".

[@Silvitewolf]

I know its not a compition but seeing you finish this 26? i think it was levels earlier than Mah Dry bread amused me, of corse you guys do have different goals and all that