• Hi all. We have had reports of member's signatures being edited to include malicious content. You can rest assured this wasn't done by staff and we can find no indication that the forums themselves have been compromised.

    However, remember to keep your passwords secure. If you use similar logins on multiple sites, people and even bots may be able to access your account.

    We always recommend using unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication if possible. Make sure you are secure.
  • Be sure to join the discussion on our discord at: Discord.gg/serebii
  • If you're still waiting for the e-mail, be sure to check your junk/spam e-mail folders

DP 189: Semifinals

Status
Not open for further replies.

Eternal Darkness

Eternal Evil
thank you, i was thinkin the exact same thing. the first hint was when Ash barely lost to tyson, and tyson ended up winning the league, so if he loses here i think pokemon is risking losing a major fanbase, especially since this arc has gone on for years, all for him to just lose to a darkrai? that better not happen

It will happen till they see a forseeable end to the franchise. That is what a director? said a few years back.
 

FlyAsADunsparce

Well-Known Member
I see 2 versions of the battle.

Pikachu vs Darkrai(Darkrai is recalled)
Pikachu vs Empoleon(Pikachu)
Pikachu vs Ursaring(Tie)
Heracross vs Darkrai(Darkrai)
Swellow vs Darkrai(Darkrai wins than recalled)
Sceptile vs Lucairo(Tie)
Gliscor vs Darkrai(Tie)
Corphish vs Camerupt(Corphish)
Corphish vs Alakazam(Alakazam)

Quilava vs Darkrai(Darkrai)
Bayleaf vs Darkrai(Darkrai)
Totodile vs Darkrai(Darkrai)
Heracross vs Darkrai(Darkrai)
Noctowl vs Darkrai(Noctowl)
Noctowl vs Gallede(Tie)
Infernape vs Lucairo(Infernape)
Infernape vs Metagross(Infernape)
Infernape vs Empoleon(Empoleon)

Why Ursaring and Empoleon? They will never do that, they were both already used in a League battle (Paul vs Barry). The writers won't do that. I think that they'll give it pokémon that never really got a huge battle (just like they gave Nando Armaldo, Barry Hitmonlee, Paul Gastrodon and Drapion and Paul Dusknoir, Lickylicky and Shuckle). Maybe he has a Spiritomb? I also think he has Flying types to cover the Bug and Fighting weaknesses of Darkrai. So maybe Fearow, Tropius, Honchkrow, Pidgeot or Pelipper. (Or maybe even something awesome like Chatot or Farfetch'd, very unlikely though unfortunenately.)
 

Lee-san

Limbo Messiah
I like those two and I think he would have a starter from Sinnoh so Empoleon seems best.

Why would he have a starter from Sinnoh? I don't see the logic in that. Besides, as FlyAsADunsparce pointed out, both were already featured prominently in this league.

He'll likely have dark/sinister Pokemon to go along with his character.
 

Locormus

Can we please get the older, old forum back?
why would he have a starter from sinnoh? I don't see the logic in that. Besides, as flyasadunsparce pointed out, both were already featured prominently in this league.

He'll likely have dark/sinister pokemon to go along with his character.

Bring out ze evul Cleffa!!!!
 

GaZsTiC

Alternating

HoennMaster

Well-Known Member
Forgive me, but I don't have the energy to read through 19 pages of a thread, especially on these fourms, but has any other information besides the title and Heracross being used been revealed?

I can now laugh at the people who complained that this episode wasn't going to happen. I seriously hope Darkrai doesn't dominate this battle. It would be nice to see a good last battle for Ash. If he did manage to win I'd be happy though.
 

thunderblade12

Well-Known Member
Five pokemon I want to see:

Feraligatr
- It's vicious and powerful. It looks somewhat mean

Arracks: Ice Punch, Hydro Cannon, Aqua Tail, Superpower

Tyranitar - I wouldn't be surprised if this guy had a pseudo-legendary. A dark type would fit his persona. It's Rock typing would also add nice coverage.

Attacks: Stone Edge, Dragon Dance, Hyper Beam, Crunch

Tangrowth - It's mysterious looking. A serious natured Tangrowth would be cool.

Attacks: Power Whip, Energy Ball, Sleep Powder, Poison Jab

Magnezone - Adding two types to Takuto's arsenal. Magnezone seems to fit the stereotype of going to a menacing, powerhouse trainer.

Attacks: Gyro Ball, Lock-On, Zap Cannon, Flash Cannon


Houndoom
- Well it's just badass. I'd like Takuto to be a Dark specialists. Having mostly Dark types or dark-looking pokemon. Ash has never battled one before.

Attacks: Overheat, Shadow Ball, Fire Fang, Beat Up

And

Darkrai - Dark Void, Dream Eater, Dark Pulse, Roar of Time
 
Last edited:

Locormus

Can we please get the older, old forum back?
Five pokemon I want to see:

Feraligatr
- It's vicious and powerful. It looks somewhat mean

Arracks: Ice Punch, Hydro Cannon, Aqua Tail, Superpower

Tyranitar - I wouldn't be surprised if this guy had a pseudo-legendary. A dark type would fit his persona. It's Rock typing would also add nice coverage.

Attacks: Stone Edge, Dragon Dance, Hyper Beam, Crunch

Tangrowth - It's mysterious looking. A serious natured Tangrowth would be cool.

Attacks: Power Whip, Energy Ball, Sleep Powder, Poison Jab

Magnezone - Adding two types to Takuto's arsenal. Magnezone seems to fit the stereotype of going to a menacing, powerhouse trainer.

Attacks: Gyro Ball, Lock-On, Zap Cannon, Flash Cannon


Houndoom
- Well it's just badass. I'd like Takuto to be a Dark specialists. Having mostly Dark types or dark-looking pokemon. Ash has never battled one before.

Attacks: Overheat, Shadow Ball, Fire Fang, Beat Up

And

Darkrai - Dark Void, Dream Eater, Dark Pulse, Roar of Time

I like that team. Pretty darn scary and well made, taking Darkrai out of consideration for a couple of seconds. Paul has been shown with an equally menacing team as this, and you could almost draw the comparisons:

Torterra <> Feraligatr: Fully evolved starters
Electivire <> Magnezone: New evolution, with the first of the line debuting in Gen1.
Magmortar <> Tangrowth: New evolution, with the first of the line debuting in Gen1.
Ursaring <> Tyranitar: Physical Sweeper of the team, both Johto originals.
Weavile <> Houndoom: Fast Dark/Elemental type, with both of their roots in Johto.
Honchkrow <> Darkrai: Both Darktypes, no real comparison... there..

Of course I'm not talking in power of course.

Didn't Harrison have a Houndoom in his match against Ash?

True, that's why I'm lobbying for more Houndour and less Houndoom! xD Morrison already proved that having an underevolved fire pokemon is doable in a league, referring to his Growlithe, and quite frankly, I like both these designs a lot. Talking about Houndour and Growlithe of course :p
 
Last edited:

Eternal Darkness

Eternal Evil
I like that team. Pretty darn scary and well made, taking Darkrai out of consideration for a couple of seconds. Paul has been shown with an equally menacing team as this, and you could almost draw the comparisons:

Torterra <> Feraligatr: Fully evolved starters
Electivire <> Magnezone: New evolution, with the first of the line debuting in Gen1.
Magmortar <> Tangrowth: New evolution, with the first of the line debuting in Gen1.
Ursaring <> Tyranitar: Physical Sweeper of the team, both Johto originals.
Weavile <> Houndoom: Fast Dark/Elemental type, with both of their roots in Johto.
Honchkrow <> Darkrai: Both Darktypes, no real comparison... there..

Of course I'm not talking in power of course.

Are there any real relations Ursaring and Tangrowth?
 

cauldronmaster

Well-Known Member
The problem with Takuto defeating Ash is that unlike Ritchie, Harrison, and Tyson, this trainer has nothing practical to teach Ash in regards to achieving his goal of being a pokemon master. In other words, trainers that defeat Ash in leagues do so to aid in his character devolopment, something Takuto has not yet shown.

Ritchie taught Ash to bond with and train his pokemon. Beginner's luck has its limits, as seen with Charizard.

Harrison taught Ash to expand his horizons, to explore and experiment with new pokemon.

Tyson taught Ash to improvise his own tactics, as seen with his meowth's thunderbolt.

If Takuto has something else to teach Ash, then he should, by all means, defeat Ash. However, defeating Ash with a powerful pokemon team is nothing more than a mere plot device. A plot device can only trigger character development, not replace it.
 

Lee-san

Limbo Messiah
The problem with Takuto defeating Ash is that unlike Ritchie, Harrison, and Tyson, this trainer has nothing practical to teach Ash in regards to achieving his goal of being a pokemon master. In other words, trainers that defeat Ash in leagues do so to aid in his character devolopment, something Takuto has not yet shown.

Ritchie taught Ash to bond with and train his pokemon. Beginner's luck has its limits, as seen with Charizard.

Harrison taught Ash to expand his horizons, to explore and experiment with new pokemon.

Tyson taught Ash to improvise his own tactics, as seen with his meowth's thunderbolt.

If Takuto has something else to teach Ash, then he should, by all means, defeat Ash. However, defeating Ash with a powerful pokemon team is nothing more than a mere plot device. A plot device can only trigger character development, not replace it.

Exactly my reasoning, which is why I'm 100% sure Ash will win.
 

thunderblade12

Well-Known Member
In other words, trainers that defeat Ash in leagues do so to aid in his character devolopment, something Takuto has not yet shown.

Not surprising since we've seen him for a grand total of three seconds so far.
 

SUBRICK

Hypnotize...
Not surprising since we've seen him for a grand total of three seconds so far.

I lol'd.

Like everyone has said, I see two possibilities for this episode:

-Ash battles LT Trainer. It seems likely because I'm sure they had enough time to build up the battle on the previous episode. I doubt DP 188 will have Paul and Ash fighting till the very end.

-Ash 'observes' the LT in his semi-final match. Some people have argued this because of the episode title being 'Darkrai appears' instead "Ash vs. Takuto" or something to that effect, but I have two arguments against this:

1. Maybe the writers don't want to spoil the winner of the Paul vs. Ash battle in the title? I know the writers have never cared to spoil things in the Japanese titles, but this battle is far from normal and they may want to keep the winner a secret for now (it is a fairly weak argument because of the heracross screenshot proving the victor, but alas)

2. Darkrai has already appeared before (also a weak argument because Darkrai appearing in previous episodes wasn't the focus).

While I'd say the former option is more likely, it could honestly go either way at this point.
 

BM14murph

Master Collector
I was thinking that myself that the only reason why Ash could win this battle is because the opponent that is very likely to beat him is an antagonist unlike Ritchie, Harrison and Tyson
 

dragonpsychicrules

DragonType GymLeader
Yeah...maybe this episode is the traditional 'introductory episode' for the potetial league sweeper guy, here Takuto...

Till now Ash's only heard of Takuto, but maybe he'll see Takuto battle for the first time and then plan his strategy...So in that case, he really might face Takuto in the finals...

Coz. its very unlikely for the writers to not introduce the character that beats Ash in the league(not saying he'll beat Ash for sure...I still think there's a chance Ash might win)...I mean its never happened before...furthermore this character is shown to be dark, sinister with a perpetually stony expression on his visage...so maybethis episode actually forewarns Ash to show him what he's up against...
 

phantasystar69

Well-Known Member
The Kanto Pokemon got their own League to themselves and screentime in the Battle Frontier; not to mention they were present in the Johto League as well.

It's the Johto Pokemon's turn to have the spotlight.

No it actually isn't johto's turn to have the spotlight. Right now it looks the sinnoh team is only getting one battle in their own league? So, then that would mean next league everyone would be saying his sinnoh team needs to shine (beating paul isn't enough in my opinion). Johto was mis handled ten years ago and that is just what happened.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top