After rewatching this, i've realised so many things Ash could have done to at least but up a better fight.
Oshawott. He shouldn't have been used right after Boldore. Stephan and Bianca noticed the ridiculous move, why couldn't Ash. I understand Cilan said Ash's style is to go full on, but common sense would have it that Ash knew Pignite would put up a better fight. Oshawott's usage felt a complete waste, and Bianca even felt the same stating it herself.
Talking about Pignite, why the hell didn't Ash recall him after defeating Ferrothorn or during the battle against Samurott? Yes Ash knows that type disadvantage isn't everything, but this was a blind move when he knew Pignite was very tired battling (which can be seen easily) and had Pikachu at full health ready to battle. If Pignite was recalled here he may have given Ash the upperhand against Lucario.
What makes me laugh is how Pikachu wins two battles (just like Pignite) and is extremely tired after (just like Pignite), so Ash recalls him right away!?
Stupid moves, written by stupid writers in my opinion. Yes, i can see that Ash was always destined to lose, but Ash vs Harrison and Tyson (and Tobias debatedly) were executed fine making it believable.
Oh, and one more thing. 5 Pokemon? Really. The writers couldn't just have Cameron use a fall guy who lasted in battle for 30 seconds or something. That was really too much hassle. Way to make Ash look EVEN weaker.
this. This post sums up my feelings about this battle. It's so sad that the pokemon league, ash's purpose for traveling, that has been built up to for this season, has ended on such a low note. All the previous leagues had something that made them special,
Kanto: Ashs first league, despite how charizard acted, it was his first league and then he had the orange islands win that kinda made it better.
Johto: Ash beats his rival gary. Still loses the league but Harrison shows new pokemon to hype up for next season.
Hoenn: Also ends with a loss but he then goes on to win the battle frontier
Sinnoh: Ash beats his rival paul in a 6-6 battle where infernape shows it's true growth. Ash then goes on to battle that darkrai trainer that never had his darkrai K.Oed and ends up beating that and then tying with another legendary, latios, despite losing.
Unova: He gets beat by a kid who thought Registration was a pokemon and almost didn't even participate without ash's help and also didn't know to bring 6 pokemon when it was clearly stated to bring six pokemon.
Idk how the rest of the season will look (episode N looks like the season that will make it all okay, even without a goal like the orange islands or battle frontier) but this was a horrible way to end the league for him.
oh and rank up