Slugma Only - Pokemon Crystal

Rules:
1. Only my starter in battle
2. No items in battle, except held items
3. No glitches, exploits, save states, or RNG manipulation
4. No evasion moves before level 100*
Rule details:
-- *In gen1, evasion boosting is allowed if the Pokemon does it through means other than learning the move by level up or TM. For example, using Mimic or Mirror Move to boost evasion is allowed. (This exception is to keep ranking consistent with my legacy videos.)
-- I am allowed to manipulate my starter
-- I play the game at 4x game speed
-- For fair comparisons all my Pokemon have perfect (or near perfect) DVs / IVs
-- I am allowed to catch HM users - I can use all field moves
-- All in-battle glitches are allowed in generation 1
-- In generation 1, I'm allowed to skip Marowak with the Poke Doll
-- Surge's trash-can-puzzle is automatically solved
-- The bike is allowed in gen1, banned in gen2, and allowed for bypassing terrain in gen3
-- Saving between league members is allowed
-- If the solo Pokemon faints and I choose to blackout it counts towards my reset counter
-- I can pause the game and timer to take breaks
-- The footage is sped up / slowed down to match the pace of my narration
-- The ability Pickup can only be used if the starter has it
Patreon: / scottsthoughts
KZbin memberships:
/ @scottsthoughtspokemon
Twitter: / psychicflying
Twitch: / scottsthoughtspokemon
Illustrations by / sarinavail
Thumbnail art by / brianlsart
STAB: bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wi...
DVs / IVs: bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wi...
Damage Calculations: bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wi...
Gen1 Stat Calculator: pycosites.com/pkmn/stat_gen1.php
Gen2 Stat Calculator: pycosites.com/pkmn/stat_gen2.php
Gen1 Crit Rates: www.smogon.com/rb/articles/cr...
Learnsets: bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wi...
Base Stats: bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wi...)

[@hermit3043]

The reason why smog has low accuracy is probably the same reason early rock moves had low accuracy, to benefit the player against the AI, so that you aren't poisoned constantly when facing rockets in this case.

[@johngleeman8347]

Couldn't they have just added a special debuff to NPC pokemon using smog?

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

I like this logic a lot.

[@ChaosWindScar99]

Its funny cause I am almost always poisoned whenever I actually am hit with smog so that could be the reason lol

[@hawkticus_history_corner]

@@johngleeman8347 They did, sorta, in Gen 2 all Status moves used by the AI has a miss chance

[@johngleeman8347]

Exactly. Just add smog to the NPC increased miss chance list and buff smog's accuracy! XD@@hawkticus_history_corner

[@bensrandomshows1482]

Please do the backport for slugma, sounds interesting

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

Okay :)

[@KainaX122]

@@ScottsThoughtsPokemonI’d really like to see a Gen 1 run with updated stats for the Pokémon and moves. Like how does a 70 base power Leech Life on Zubat affect it’s time or how and extra 5 or 10 points to a base stat on a Pokémon changes it’s ranges?

[@grundgutigertv6170]

@@ScottsThoughtsPokemon actually I agree. It might be its only time to shine. Slugma only got worse over the generations.

[@888Grim]

@@ScottsThoughtsPokemon I agree, but maybe it makes more sense to backport Magcargo? Fire/Rock is interesting for gen one, and it has equal Special Attack/Defense

[@Coreyc04]

A backport of shuckle is interesting as well

[@grateoraclelewot6326]

I think the idea behind Johto Pokemon being locked to Kanto was to give you more to do in Kanto, you know, catch new Pokemon. But yeah, when they're especially weak, it's not a great incentive.

[@ryomaanime4563]

It would maybe work if Kanto was somewhat a challenge but we just breeze through it, no way the player is gonna take time to train a new pokemon at this point especially with the vivid memory that it take ages to level up in this game We did at Mr Silver because Red gave us a reality check but that's all

[@jeanbob1481]

I wish they did something like confiscate your pokemons and force you to restart the entire game in Kanto with a new starter but higher level (because all trainers are much higher level here) Say a lvl 30 starter and you have to train your entire team back. Of course adapt wild pokemon level they are now all lvl 25 or something. Lore wise trainers from Johto are weaker because Pokemon started in Kanto, it is normal to see all gym leaders being about as strong as the strongest gym leader in Johto. And all randoms trainers are also much stronger then the losers in Johto.

[@inventiveusername5191]

Being able to get a bunch of gen1 pokemon that weren't available in Johto would have been a fine incentive for me at least. I think it's not just a few mons. I replayed Silver just recently and for me Johto really should have focused more on the newest 100, including making them more common and having more trainers use them. For example, that neither of the first two gym leaders have a single gen2 mon feels really silly to me. Part of their purpose should be to show off what the latest additions to the series can do. Faulkner could have had a hoothoot rather than his pidgey, and instead of his metapod and kakuna Bugsy could have had pineco, yanma, ledyba or spinarak. Could even have replaced his scyther with a heracross.

[@youtube-kit9450]

@@inventiveusername5191 You really notice that Johto was made more as an add-on to gen 1 than its own region. People blather on about how great Johto's postgame is, but I'm glad slowly the nostalgia-riddled genwunner opinion is being phased out and that Johto really suffered from cramming Kanto into it.

[@michaellousich9703]

you did my sluggy boi justice in gen 2, now im super intrigued to see how you do with it in a gen 1 backport ;) as always love the content cheers!

[@xfluffytraxy4996]

43:15 *gasp* you take that back young sir. Wooper has been nothing but a good Boy and I feel very uncomfortable calling him anything else, especially weak...

[@perkypenguin1663]

Considering how good Amnesia was in Gen 1, seeing Slugma use it in a backport has me very intrigued (I’m also very fascinated but terrified by how Magcargo would perform in Crystal). Awesome video!

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

Yeah! I want to try Amnesia Fire-types in gen1.

[@shimauta1941]

Six to say your backport videos have served as some of your most entertaining content to date so I do hope to see a "What if Slugma was in Gen 1?" run someday. Hope it proves to be as rewarding for you as you're hoping for if you do eventually do it.

[@Medabee8]

Six to say?

[@AndrewDavis2112]

Whatever you do, make sure not to let Slugma evolve accidentally. Otherwise you’ll have to do the rest of the run with Ligma…

[@pikapuffin368]

What’s Slugma?

[@wideright7567]

@@pikapuffin368joe mama

[@patonosequecosa]

Ligma ball

[@Kingdeathtrooper]

@pikapuffin368 Mah Car go fast 🏎

[@HaydnG266]

What's "updoc?"

[@myggmastaren3365]

first move until level 8 is smog, a move with 20 power, no STAB and 70% accuracy, well at least it learns flamethrower

[@paulnewton2284]

Excellent video as always. With regards to Wooper: At first blush, Grass seems pretty easy to work around as a 4x weakness. After all, the only Grass specialist is Erika in Kanto, and Karen's Vileplume probably wouldn't be too bad with Earthquake. But then I remembered that the rival's Bayleef exists. Godspeed.

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

Yeah… at first I thought it wouldn’t be too bad either…

[@mgloriousone9823]

Am just happy to see that crystal version's chuck has the poliwrath whose dynamicpunch also has the same effect as swift.

[@ryanwells137]

"I hope level 46 will be enough to beat Chuck" is a sentence that's never been said before

[@HaydnG266]

Magcargo would probably be harder, an extra weakness plus water would be quad stronger and grass actually becomes neutral

[@veghesther3204]

I agree but Slugma kind of gets the better Lv up moves/TM's though.

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

Yeah... Magcargo is going to be rough.

[@HaydnG266]

@@veghesther3204 well that's why I said it would be harder

[@tsawy6]

gets 2x the SpDef tho. And there's very little grass here, in exchange for some useful rock resistances, especially early game

[@Smileyrat]

On the other hand, it would have rock through and ember to start with.

[@libraryscholaralexis6581]

I think a backport for Slugma would be good put this little fire slug in a good light since Amnesia is amazing in Gen 1. Thanks for the great content and keep up the great work.

[@KRACKSMACK]

Man, I’ve been waiting for this one. I’m sure you have been dreading it on some level. It’s Pokémon like this that make you take a step back and bask in the beautiful silliness that was gen 1 and 2 game design.

[@PureStealth]

Slugma was my first ever shiny! It will always hold a special place in my heart for that

[@Killagoose77]

I've been looking forward to this one. Magcargo sounds like it'll have some frustrations as well, and I imagine any water Pokemon that looks at it funny will give it a worse time than Slugma had here. Great video!

[@SporkyMcFly]

With double the Sp.def Magcargo tanks water attacks equal to Slugma.

[@thebigmermaid]

Slugma and Magcargo have been some of my favorites since gen 3, when I actually got to use them! Yes, he’s trash, but he’s so cute!

[@garrett7261]

awesome video I've always loved slugma and magcargo I used one in Pokemon colosseum and it's was tough to use but had very good defense could take those physical hits pretty good just 4 times weakness is a problem for sure keep up your wonderful content can't wait for the next one gonna be fun for sure thanks for all your hard work

[@ivankelava9191]

Also Lava Slug is a real thing !!!! :D Love the video !! The Gen2 music is just too nostalgic

[@scottfitzgerald5944]

Woof, if Slugma's movepool wasnt decent this would be a really painful run. Having to be over lvl 50 for Chuck and almost lvl 60 for Claire with that good of a movepool shows how bad those stats are 😅

[@iantaakalla8180]

It is also worth noting it needs to be Pikachu’s level to take on Red’s team. It is that bad in terms of stats.

[@4chanisback]

my favorite slug and my 2nd favorite fire type pokemon of any gen. i was so happy to see this run. the backport would be very interesting to see

[@shadowwolf9595]

I really enjoy your content. I've been trying some of the DS Pokemon games and find them boring to try with normal playthroughs, so I'm doing solo runs through them. Right now I'm trying a HeartGold solo Growlithe run. Just beat Whitney, and having fun with it!

[@Mimikuxo11]

Scott, I ❤ your videos! Greetings from Brazil

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

Thanks so much!

[@milkdud8993]

Ah the old apocalypse blob. I loved the idea that something could live at that temperature as a kid.

[@PrincessZeldaHyrule213]

Did you know that in terms of Pokémon Jokes Slugma is the most common use in jokes like Slugma Nuts and Slugma Balls?!

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

Yeah… I didn’t know that until I released this video.

[@justinpowell5904]

Can't wait never caught a premier or you live love the videos

[@SquallLionhart409]

Fun fact, the odds of Chuck hitting hypnosis in to two dynamic punches are 11.25%. The odds of hitting four dynamic punches in a row are 6.25%. Hypnosis in to 4 hits with dynamic punch would be 2.8125%. Those are about 1/9, 1/16 and 2/71. (Exactly 1/8.88 repeating, 1/16 and 1/35.5 repeating.)

[@hikarimemeirooficial]

I always thought Skarmory was from Emerald since it's easier to find there.

[@Luxfalcon]

Wooper might not be the strongest Pokémon, but at least it is a lovely derp, so nice to see how it will perform next time.

[@ninolifegawd4826]

Body Slam woulda kinda been clutch.. the chance for paralysis is clutch for slow Pokémon Good vid Ghoul

[@grinbrothers]

Happy to hear some appreciation for Slugma; he's an adorable fella. I also never got to use this Pokémon back in Gen 2; only in Pokémon Stadium 2 and Pokémon Soul Silver. 3:07 - Lucky that Crystal version added these pre-first gym Hoppip's to aid Kanto the Slugma here. Also, love the name of Kanto for Slugma here. 8:06 - Neat, the Hiker outside Union Cave has artwork for him. Love the chill blue theme and vibe he gives off. 11:26 - I would have gone for a Mud Slap strategy myself but Rollout worked out. 13:53 - It amazes me that the Hiker got an artwork before Bird Keeper Dennis. 15:39 - The fortune is finally starting to favour Kanto the Slugma with the Burned Tower rival fight and this here Morty fight. 18:10 - Okay, perhaps I spoke too soon about luck being on Slugma's side now. That Dynamic Punch situation was most unfortunate. 20:58 - I know Slugma has better special attack but I figured that Seel's lower physical defence would have made Rock Slide the more viable option. Though I just now remember that you are using a Slugma, not a Marcargo; that extra STAB and special attack combined would make Flamethrower superior in most situations. 23:40 - So even on a mere 43 HP, the rest of the rival's team was not a challenge to Slugma. Good to know. 26:10 - Awesome to see the Fire type hotter than the sun utilise the power of the sun. Always nice when weather effects come into play with your videos. 30:12 - The battle of the Johto Fire types both found within Kanto. You beat fire with fire... and then lost to Grass. 31:57 - Kanto had been storing up all his luck for this moment. So cool to see the Rock Slide flinch at play in this playthrough; certainly unexpected given you're using a slow Pokémon. 35:54 - Slugma may have had a slow run but a successful first go against Red is incredibly rare. Fantastic to see. 37:37 - Happy to see the Mud Slap strategy come into play. It seemed the natural choice for a lot of your situations so I was surprised it wasn't more common. 40:31 - The buff Slugma so desperately needs whilst still keeping it true to itself; more Special Attack diversity. Hidden Power Ice is working out so well for it. Gen 2 lacks that whole Physical/Special split but why is Slugma's movepool so limited in latter games (given it starts off with Smog, you think it would access to Sludge Wave and Sludge Bomb). It should have most the move options of fellow slugs such as Goomy/Sligoo and Gastrodon. 42:23 - I adore Slugma, but I know they aren't great, so at least avoiding the Bruno tier is pleasant enough news for me.

[@shimauta1941]

One for managing to make an interesting video out of runs for a mon destined for poor results. This one was quite entertaining IMHO despite knowing it was gonna end up in a terrible spot on the tier list. All the different strategies you showcased to try and mitigate obstacles made for quite the ride.

[@breadpope0358]

Really cool that you've started doing backports of gen 3 mon

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

Heh

[@thebigbean8783]

Big fan of this guy. I really hope it does a good job. I'm not so sure it will, but it deserves the best.

[@lurkingone7079]

As always a fun run to watch. Amnesia seemed to be quite the save here. One can only imagine how horrible Blastoise may have went without. And honestly I would watch a Slugma Gen 1 backport. Would probably do better there. Yes speed is the issue but the badge boosts and Amnesia can carry it most likely.

[@mickgorro]

Scott: ...another really bad pokemon: ...only a Wooper. SmallAnt: And I took that personally.

[@nightfan1983]

Let's see how fast this little slug can run though Johto ^^

[@willlllllllb]

he may be a silly little slug but still has one of the best shinies of all time imo

[@leekyb3837]

I cannot express my loathing for this Pokémon enough. I rarely ever dislike a Pokémon but my experience with this mon has never been good. But I am excited to watch this

[@Poiman64]

There are a number of ways you could make Smog somewhat interesting without changing a lot. Of course, Game Freak did none of these, but, y'know, what else do you expect from the guys who made Flash. You already went over a very possible effect, but I got a crazy idea: Make it always Poison, but have it rarely do Toxic instead, like, 90/10.

[@Austin007]

I'm incredibly impressed by how well Slugma handled Red. It deserves credit for that ha.

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

It does! As soon as it gets Curse + Amnesia it just dominates.

[@TomatoSalad123]

A lot of the Reality cool Pokémon could only be obtained in kanto really a shame. I am glad you’re doing this playthroughs it’s the platform those Pokémon deserved.

[@rjthepoet500]

Great job Scott! I think the friendship hurt the return a lot against Claire. Maybe because the Slugma kept fainting, lowering the power of return but I’m not sure if those faints were saved or not.

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

Faints weren’t saved, so friendship remained high.

[@rjthepoet500]

@@ScottsThoughtsPokemon okay cool beans!

[@youtube-kit9450]

Ahh... Magcargo and Slugma. A Pokémon you only can get in Kanto, that evolves at a ludicrous level 38... to end up with a BST of 410, which is lower than Quagsire, who has superior typing, BST, moveset and evolves at nearly half the level. You mentioned it, and I agree - Magcargo is one of the pokémon I absolutely can see doing worse than its pre-evolution because its additional rock typing only gives it rock STAB, a resistance against flying and normal... Which doesn't help when it is weak to fighting, rock and ground (4x). Not to mention the 4x weakness to water. Even worse is that nearly all of the BST increase went to defense, so Magcargo is weak af still. Clair's Kingdra, Misty and the rival's Gator will slaughter this thing. GF really messed up with this one, and it absolutely needs a further evolution.

[@thenerdbeast7375]

Part of the reason why the misconception that Rock resists Rock exists is because in early generations most Rock types were part Ground, which _does_ resist Rock.

[@gabr.7878]

i love this adorable little slug

[@MeesterMichelM]

That thumbnail has to be the cutest Slugma ever.

[@BloodfelX]

(28:08) Perhaps the reason Slowbro was given no Water moves is the same as why in Generation 3 Team Magma and Team Aqua don't use any Fire or Water type moves; they didn't want to give a potential disadvantage to choosing any of the starters over the others against a mandatory fight for the story. (Though that logic falls apart in numerous ways, here for example because the Jynx has Ice Punch which specifically disadvantages Meganium over the other two starters - and even in Generation 3 where this phenomenon can be observed they backtracked on it in Emerald and just outright made the Champion a Water monotype trainer.)

[@Shadowvanify]

I think it’s likely due to them giving Slowbro Curse. It’s gotta have Psychic because that’s Will’s type specialty, but they also wanted to give it a physical move to take advantage of the attack boost from Curse. Why they didn’t give it Surf instead of Amnesia? That I dunno, maybe because it’s an iconic move for the slowpoke line and they wanted it to be a tanky wall?

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

That’s an interesting theory!

[@SproingBoing]

"It's so sad Professor Oak died of Slugma" "Who's Professor Oak?" "Slugma berries"

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

…

[@MrVelyx]

"Professor! Lava! Hot!" -Hubert Farnsworth

[@Dialandcey]

Hi Scott, if you're reading this was just wondering if you plan on running cloyster on Pokemon Yellow any time soon. Love the vids - keep it up big guy xoxo

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

No plans for Cloyster soon. But it will be done, don’t worry!

[@garryfischer3679]

great run scott!

[@mr.number9279]

Looking forward to Magcargo. Slugma did honestly pretty good... rough, but good.

[@TheDanishGuyReviews]

Slugma. The WORST Deez Nuts joke you can make.

[@doctorjudo]

You should consider doing a side series of "what if" pokemon, such as a gligar who learns earthquake, so we can fond out exactly how much better they would be :)

[@chrisdixon7377]

Slugma, the bane of my man parts in middle school.

[@LunarWingCloud]

I love Wooper!! Can't wait for that

[@loulou3676]

Can't believe this madlad nicknamed Slugma "Kanto" when it is clearly a Hoenn Pokemon

[@manemanen]

Something ive been thinking about for some pokemon since berries are limited and when you are picking up return etc some battles might be won with a berry if you take the time to pick them up

[@JBIHbibs]

ah yes, slugma, the pokemon where every time i see it, i think "oh yeah, that one, from gen 3 right?"

[@ArgentHat]

The tone of the run is set perfectly when the first battle against a level 2 Sentret nearly causes a reset. The berry put in work! I'm thinking Magcargo is a contender for worst fully evolved Pokemon in Crystal. Hopefully it can avoid Bruno tier!

[@dr0g_Oakblood]

11:53 - Much like the misconception of "Ice is Super Effective against Rock", it probably stems from so many rock types being part Ground, which gives the Rock resist and Ice weakness.....

[@PokeMaster22222]

2:57 It's saying something when a *Fire-type* has to run away from Weedle. Like, that's not normal.

[@gabbagundam]

Bouth slugma and macargo belong to the "Pokemon I really wanted to own" club! Something just clicked in side me when I saw the two slug pokemon, to bad they turned out to be hot garbadge. :^(

[@135forte]

Scott, I was hoping to not have to be the one to tell you, but the most likely reason the Slowbro doesn't have Surf is because Gen 2 is filled with questionable and outright bad design choices. Looking at Will, the Slowbro should be a Slowking and the second Xatu should be Girafarig to prevent Shadow Ball sweeps.

[@dragonslayerz2220]

I think it's funny to compare Smog to Nuzzle. Nuzzle is a great move, despite it's 20 power. It's 100% accurate, amd guarantees paralysis.

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

Omg… that comparison makes me so sad.

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

Paralysis is way better too…

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

Ughhhh

[@iantaakalla8180]

You can just tell that they just catered to competitive stuff after Gen 5. Everything else wavers save maybe the aesthetics of the Pokémon and even then.

[@lamiaprincess6371]

Yeah I didn't have the highest hopes for this run, Slugma is just so slow which is always going to be a liability in a solo playthrough. The amount of free turns that being slower than your opponent gives them is really, really rough. Magcargo is just going to be really rough by comparison: 50/80 bulk actually doesn't do much to save it, if we look at the best case scenario (Level 100) Kingdra Surf vs. Slugma: 336-396 (118.7 - 139.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO Kingdra Surf vs. Magcargo: 462-544 (152.4 - 179.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO At Level 100, this is when the differences in BST are at their most pronounced, and Magcargo still takes 37% more damage from Surf than Slugma does. At Level 5: 0 SpA Kingdra Surf vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Slugma: 35-42 (175 - 210%) -- guaranteed OHKO 0 SpA Kingdra Surf vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Magcargo: 51-60 (242.8 - 285.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO Magcargo takes about 44% more damage from Surf than Slugma does. So while the extra bulk matters a lot for other special moves and the massive increase in physical bulk is appreciated (Magcargo actually takes about the same amount of damage from Ground moves as Slugma) you're cursed to always be taking stronger Water-type moves. At least you have 30 speed now I guess.

[@Gungho73]

The coolest slug in fiction? Not a big list I'd imagine. Competing with that dancer from Futuramas slurm episode.

[@bortzanator3018]

Huge fan of Slugma. Magcargo should get its own signature ability that absorbs water and ups physical defense, IMO.

[@mattiamerlo2688]

Can't wait to see the first run of hoothoot, man without hidden power that base special attack and jasmine on the way that sounds awful. Maybe some hypnosis+dream eater strats are on the way for it. A series of pokemon backported from gen 2 using ammesia in yellow sounds amazing. Usually i like fire types even if they aren't great, but slugma is just too much it really has nothing going for it, poor fellow.

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

Oh gosh, Hoothoot will be bad.

[@Fredzeppelin15]

I’m here for the Slugma Gen 1 run. I think Gen 1 runs of a lot of the 1st stage, “forgotten” Gen 2 Pokémon can be a lot of fun to watch. I’d love to see how they’d do if they are introduced earlier.

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

Oh yes! I should revive that series and do it in gen1. Okay, I’ll plan for that.

[@jacobross7270]

Can't wait to see how macargo does. 4x weakness to water and ground. Also can't wait to see alakazam calling it now best pokemon. Gets elemental punches and I know it can minimum battles with non perfect stats with a bit of luck.

[@coldfrostzero2000]

Sweet that you back port slugma to Gen 2. Everyone knows it's only found in the volcano pass area in Gen 3. Nice try Scott! Before someone gets upset, this is sarcasm

[@Megaloblastic]

I always liked the slugma line but they were admittedly pretty bad i hope this run goes better than expected :)

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

I always liked them too! Magcargo’s Fire Rock typing is such trash though… I did a blind egg playthrough of X and Y once and one of the Pokémon I got was Slugma. It didn’t perform very well…

[@mamodokod4613]

Slugma is one of my all time favorite pokemon.

[@Sanisgillon]

Ahhhh I’m early to a Scott video so my comment is algorithmically relevant. I never had a lot of time for fire types, let alone Slugma so I can’t wait to learn 🎉

[@Sanisgillon]

Ok! Now I’ve watched it. Great stuff as always! I think I forget how much time passes for you. I was rewatching the Victreebell race earlier and when you said how long Slugma took I balked! I forget how compared with some of the higher tiers these little guys can DRAG. Way way down the line you should arrange another race but only for the most bottom rung of Pokemon, or something like that. This data must be tested!

[@Brando1444]

Man I love me a Scott’s Thoughts run

[@ZorziZone]

Scott, sorry if you mentioned this anywhere and I missed, but I believe you can buy Charcoal in Azealea's Town PokeMart after you finish the Farfetch portion of the Ilex Forest. Maybe it would be helpful for Fire-Types, if you have the cash to afford it at that point in the game? Love your content!! :)

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

You can actually get one for free from one of the guys in the house just south of the poke mart.

[@mikeblades4839]

Might be late saying this, but I think Magcargo’s stats more than make up for its double weaknesses. Its defense is tripled, its special defense is doubled, and it also gains a slight boost to health. Sadly, it only gets a slight boost to its attacking stats.

[@SillyInsaneGamer]

Yeah, it surprises me how many often assume Magcargo is tougher, sure the double weakness and all.. but I've done both in a solo run, and the evolution makes such a huge difference. The better stats, amnesia, stab with it's rock moves, and given how easy you can get up during important battles with water trainers. I honestly thought Slugma was brutal, especially early game; but Magcargo was a welcomed relaxing run tbh.

[@mikeblades4839]

@@SillyInsaneGamer Also, the rock typing affects 5 types negatively: Fighting, Steel, Ground, Water, and Grass. Because of the triple defence boost, Fighting, Steel, and Ground Type moves (Gen2-Gen3) should actually be weaker against Magcargo even though they are more effective. Water and Grass should do about the same, but it has slightly more health so percentage-wise, it should take more hits. This is all assuming that base stats are completely equal with each other (I don't know the exact formula). That typing also gives it a resistance to Normal and Flying which is really useful. Technically, it also gets a resistance to Poison and a double resistance to Fire which really don't matter all that much. I initially thought that the advantage Slugma gets would be an earlier level up learnset, but the only moves it benefits from are Rock Slide and Body Slam. The rest of Magcargo's learnset is either earlier or the same, which I think kinda gets rid of most reasons to start a game with Slugma over Magcargo. Magcargo even learns more TM's (both in Gen2 and Gen3). I thought I'd share more of my thoughts.

[@SillyInsaneGamer]

Yea, flamethrower and Rock slide just pack a punch, combined with amnesia, Bodyslam is just a fine move to pack on types that resist it :) It learns Earthquake, which helps out a bit here and there, but tbh, I didn't use it much if I recall.. been a while since I did that solo run LOL! Nearly done 105 in Gen2, giving how slugma was an early one, I also can't recall much.. Crystal does offer some additional small changes, but I doubt it affects Slugma all too much.. you know what run is brutal though, Tyrogue LOL... seen that movepool? @@mikeblades4839

[@PrincessGoth574]

I love these 2, slugs and snails are wonderful

[@raptors11111]

Oh buddy pleeeaassse do a Slugma/Magcargo gen 1 backport that would be amazing! Great video as usual btw.

[@Victini862]

I would make that one slugma joke, but I have standards.

[@Aaron.Seabolt]

I received a shiny magcargo in Ultra Moon. I used it throughout the playthrough and it was level 60 when I received it. It was poor at dealing damage, I still liked it though since it had flame body.

[@Smileyrat]

So many worisum pokemon to look farward to. Dotto, magcargo, up coming wooper, and more. I look farward to your suffering. I mean, good luck.👍 ...Actualy, I look farward to you finding unique and clever ways to solve them. Those are the best parts of your videos.

[@GloriousSmite]

That poliwrath....bruno needs a couple of them.

[@captainziggymfzb6737]

Dude, i am watching your Videos while modifying gameboy colors with pokemon shells and New background light screens. I already been through 12 Videos 👌question Why didnt you evolve slugma ? Could you do shuckle or Hitmochan? 😂 ❤ Could alakazam or Gengar be faster than Lugia and Ho Oh ? What do you think about it ?

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

Gengar soon! I don’t evolve in my playthroughs in Gen2 anymore. More challenge!

[@justinsims655]

Theory: Slugma was originally designed to use the slow level up curve (because he's a slug) and set to evolve in the 32-36 range, but after they shifted it to medium-fast, they adjusted the level to an awkward 39.

[@Tuerktok]

Next Time Woooper!!!! I`m hyped! =D

[@DragonBookWriter]

I assume Slugma evolves at such a late level because you could only catch it, normally, very late in the game

[@Shenaldrac]

So, I'm going to predict that Wooper will do extremely well once you get to Goldenrod and beyond. It does ave a quad weakness to Grass but there's not a lot of dangerous grass types in Johto, and since you already are skipping Sprout tower usually that doesn't hurt it. My precious Woopie Boi gets access to Ice Punch, and we've seen time and time again what an indicator access to a decent ice-type move is for 'mons in this gen. Not only is this an answer to grass types, it also gets access to Amnesia like Slugma did, meaning it can have a similar endgame moveset. It gets STAB earthquake, and because of Ice Punch it can leave Hidden Power open for something else. Yeah, its Specials are in the gutter but I still think it'll be ok.

[@Zorafin]

To answer your question on why the elite four has bad moves, It's because they're so hard for that point in the game. My romhack has a fully decked out Elite Four, and I honestly need a full heal between each one. I'm talking meta Smogon moves, fully powered moves, an Umbreon with Psychic to deal with fighting types, Hi Jump Kick on Hitmonchan since it's an egg move, they are not joking around. You're supposed to be there at like level 35, where a lot of pokemon aren't evolved yet. Not to mention not having great moves. What level does Charizard learn Flamethrower, like mid 50s? You're not getting that in time for the league. And Rhyhorn evolves at 42, which is so hard to get by then. So they nerf the pokemon by giving them mediocre moves. With a team at their mid 30s, with a fully decked out Elite Four, I was getting through each fight with one pokemon left at 20% health in my hack. I think in a normal playthrough, I lost maybe two or three pokemon, and otherwise swept easily. Now, why does Brock have a Rhyhorn? That's a good question. At that point I feel like you should have fully evolved pokemon. You have plenty of chances to level up after all.

[@travv88]

I thought Slugma was a gen 3 Pokemon until I saw some random shorts video explaining it was gen 2.

[@Mocita]

I’m surprised you got through Koga’s Venomoth with no trouble, especially with its Water/Fire typing!

[@alexandrkrupka1766]

I think Hidden Power Grass would have been the better choice as it would deal super effective damage on Chuck’s Poliwrath, Will’s Slowbro, Blue’s Rhydon, the Rival’s Croconaw, and all of Misty’s and Brock’s team. HP grass still deals neutral damage to Kingdra.

[@cameronneveu7277]

If I had to guess why Will's Slowbro doesn't have Surf, its so the AI will prioritize using Psychic, since he is the Psychic League Member. By intentional not giving it another STAB move, It will almost always use Psychic, because Normal type moves would only be useful against other Psychic types and Dark types. Also since Surf had 95 Base power It would prioritize it over Psychic in neutral coverage situations.

[@ComfortableTool86]

Not sure if this would help, but in training Slugma to lvl 23, you could train most of the way before beating Bugsy, which would allow you to train much more easily by using ember on mons in the forest (because you can enter the forest without triggering the rival fight)

[@ComfortableTool86]

Because the mons in the forest are higher level and mostly weak to fire, as opposed to the mons in the cave

[@shimauta1941]

Seventh and final to pose the question, what happens if you do a run with Slugma starting out with Body Slam, Curse, Amnesia, and Rest? Would you be able to take its finishing time to an hour and a half or under this way or is the Johto portion of the run just too hard on it to significantly shave off time?

[@ScottsThoughtsPokemon]

That’s an interesting question…

[@tneon9132]

Wobbuffet fact: Wobbuffet was the first non legendary pokemon that got in the smogon uber competetive tier

[@tsawy6]

What's just /so/ ridiculous to me about making so many new pokemon only findable in Kanto is that they could /so/ easily have just made it so that Kanto is cool cuz you can find all the cool Kanto pokemon you love from RBY there. Johto should have Johto mons! Slugma has a bit of a special place for me, cuz it's one of the starters in Garbage Green. It's generally considered the worst one: Goldeen has strong damage with horn attack and water is a useful type (tho it doesn't get waterfall until ridiculously late), and Paras has great utility for boss pokemon. /but/ with slugma you get to go up against the weaker rival team with Blastoise. I spent many a run leaving pallet town with my trusty slugma. Notably, Magcargo does have an extra 2x weakness to water, but it's SpDef is also 2x greater!