July 7th: XY&Z033 - Mega Sceptile VS Raichu! I Received Some EXP!!

[satoshigekkouga]

Team Flare Arc is too rushed?

But the league being rushed is fine?


League > Team Flare Climax (in my opinion)

I agree with you, but it's too early to say that any of these plot points are being rushed. They're starting the League early enough that it could be quite a decent length.

 

[WhiteBlair]

Mega Sceptile vs. Raichu reminds me Sawyer vs. Tierno, and Ash gaining the experience he shouldn't use any electric attacks against M-Sceptile due to LightningRod.

 

[K.N.]

I loved things like the Barry vs Paul battle- personally I like it when they scramble the match ups. I get that it makes more narrative sense for Ash to battle all his rivals but it does seem more realistic that matchups will be between characters who have never battled before.

Definately interesting that the League is starting before Flare arc. With all the Mega Evolutions flying around, it makes me think this is all part of Lysandre's master plan or something- they want the Mega Evolution energy, do they not?

Really disappointing that it looks like there will be no reserves as of yet though.

 

[dman_dustin]

I agree with you, but it's too early to say that any of these plot points are being rushed. They're starting the League early enough that it could be quite a decent length.

I still can't imagine an 8 episode league when there's a Team Flare Climax right after.

It almost feels like they wouldn't risk it. I feel like they'd rather have a FEW more filler episodes in that instance.

I loved things like the Barry vs Paul battle- personally I like it when they scramble the match ups. I get that it makes more narrative sense for Ash to battle all his rivals but it does seem more realistic that matchups will be between characters who have never battled before.

Definately interesting that the League is starting before Flare arc. With all the Mega Evolutions flying around, it makes me think this is all part of Lysandre's master plan or something- they want the Mega Evolution energy, do they not?

Really disappointing that it looks like there will be no reserves as of yet though.

I get that, but the rivals that ACTUALLY interact with Ash get shoved under the bus, and doesn't have any satisfying resolution with Ash.

Look at Cameron, he was introduced FOR THE SOLE REASON of preventing Bianca from battling Ash. And Bianca was more important to Ash as a rival than last-minute- stupid moronic Cameron.

Paul vs Barry made sense because of Barry's fanboyism of Paul, BUT at the cost of us viewers never having one good final battle between him and Ash.

 

[(P.O.K.E.M.O.N)]

Not entirely happy the league is starting before the Team Flare Climax. But I'm glad Astrid's in the league.

Meh, i don't mind. There is plenty of time to showcase an impressive league, whilst concluding the flare arc in an interesting fashion.

Also, it's great to see that Ash's Pikachu has finally evolved.

 

[nuzamaki90]

Mega Sceptile vs. Raichu reminds me Sawyer vs. Tierno, and Ash gaining the experience he shouldn't use any electric attacks against M-Sceptile due to LightningRod.

Thing is, only move Tierno's Raichu knows that isn't Electric is Focus Blast.

And Focus Blast's inaccurate downside has been touched upon twice in XY. Tierno is quite likely going to get an embarrassing loss.

 

[Xeogran]

Really disappointing that it looks like there will be no reserves as of yet though.

People thought that even numbered leagues = reserves getting used. And yet another pattern broken.

 

[K.N.]

Yeah, it is kinda funny that all of a sudden they focus on Tierno's Raichu. I thought his star was Blastoise?

Guess the writers couldn't pass up another chance to make fun of a Raichu.

I get that, but the rivals that ACTUALLY interact with Ash get shoved under the bus, and doesn't have any satisfying resolution with Ash.

Look at Cameron, he was introduced FOR THE SOLE REASON of preventing Bianca from battling Ash. And Bianca was more important to Ash as a rival than last-minute- stupid moronic Cameron.

Paul vs Barry made sense because of Barry's fanboyism of Paul, BUT at the cost of us viewers never having one good final battle between him and Ash.

I mean, it's an either/or situation in some cases, since obviously anybody who loses is out of the League, the only options will be that Ash gets to face a rival, rivals face each other, or both happens because Ash loses to one of those rivals. More episodes spent on Ash vs Rivals also probably means less time spent on characters like Astrid battling Ash. Whatever route the writers choose they'd be gaining/losing something.

Personally, I think Trevor barely appeared so I don't think it's a big loss for him to be knocked out by another rival...as for Tierno, I do get he has some interaction with Ash (and he already had close to a full team so I really thought he'd have a full battle with Ash), but between him and Scottie obviously Sceptile boy has had way more meaningful time spent with Ash.

 

[satoshigekkouga]

I still can't imagine an 8 episode league when there's a Team Flare Climax right after.

It almost feels like they wouldn't risk it. I feel like they'd rather have a FEW more filler episodes in that instance.

I'm willing to give the writers a bit more credit at the moment. So far XYZ has been pretty stellar writing wise. As for filler, i'm not sure at this point that we'll get much more as there won't be many more episodes where they're travelling from one place to another. The Flare climax will likely be in Lumiose along with the League, and it's also puts the characters in a good place to end the XY saga - Clemont and Bonnie will go back to the gym, Serena will likely meet up with Meryl Streep and Ash will leave Kalos through Lumiose, thus bookending the series nicely.

So i think it's possible we'll get a satisfying league, a good TF climax AND a good end to the saga. Maybe i'm just being optimistic though lmao

 

[Xuxuba]

I wasn't talking about the badge quest. I was specifically referring to the League.

The Team Flare Climax hasn't happened yet, which means the league is LIKELY going to be very rushed to squeeze it in. I would've preferred the Climax first then a long league, then whatever episodes after before Sun and Moon.

I guess you didn't understand my comment. Xeogran said he was glad the League started before the Team Flare arc and you basically said it was too soon for the League and that they should've started with the Team Flare arc instead. What comes before the League is the badge quest and the Team Flare arc has nothing to do with it, they can start with the League if they want to and it won't affect this arc's plot in any way. Once Ash gets his 8th badge, there is no need to drag this any longer.

Now, regarding your complaining about the League being too short, that's completely irrational. They didn't reveal any title that hinted at the end of the League, so you have no idea when is going to end. Besides, if anything, the fact they started the League sooner and skipped a bunch of fillers just means that they will have more time to spend on the League if they want to make it longer, but don't know if that'll indeed happen, because we have no information about it yet.

 

[dman_dustin]

People thought that even numbered leagues = reserves getting used. And yet another pattern broken.

No, I'm pretty sure it was even numbered generations would conclude at the end of a journey RIGHT before the next generation. While Odd numbered generations equated to filler saga up until the next generation.

With ~15 episodes (with the new titles and speculation) for remaining episodes (not counting Team Flare Climax) does it count as a filler "saga?" or "not" I ask because all filler sagas lasted 30+ episodes before the next generation. So would ~15 episodes break that pattern or is it just regarded as a longer conclusion of generational journey before next generation keeping the pattern in tact.
====

As for reserves

I think people were just being hopeful about reserves BECAUSE it's been awhile. But it does make more sense for it to be primarily about the Kalos Team.

I guess you didn't understand my comment. Xeogran said he was glad the League started before the Team Flare arc and you basically said it was too soon for the League and that they should've started with the Team Flare arc instead.

Yes...and?

What comes before the League is the badge quest and the Team Flare arc has nothing to do with it

And you're ignoring that IN EVERY region/generation everything outside of the league is CONCLUDED FIRST THEN the league happens, and what other random stuff happens after. Team Flare happened BEFORE the end of Ash's badge quest, Team Flare climax shouldn't be AFTER the league. Look at Team Plasma, at least they happened AFTER the league.

they can start with the League if they want to and it won't affect that arc's plot in any way. Once Ash gets his 8th badge, there is no need to drag this any longer.

Sure, and you can have that opinion but it has absolutely nothing to do with my comment as I WAS ONLY talking about the league.

Now, regarding your complaining about the League being too short, that's completely irrational. They didn't reveal any title that hinted at the end of the League, so you have no idea when is going to end. Besides, if anything, the fact they started the League sooner and skipped a bunch of fillers just means that they will have more time to spend on the League if they want to make it longer, but don't know if that'll indeed happen, because we have no information about it yet.

Them doing the league now, reeks of the usual "let's just get this out of the way and move on" AKA "Rushed" AKA "LESS than 8 Episodes'

 

[GalladeRocks]

Given all the other Megas showing up, I really have a hard time believing that Tierno won't be using Mega Blastoise here. I'm guessing the main focus battle will just be Sceptile against Raichu instead (to show off Lightning Rod). Maybe a 2v2 or even 3v3 battle, something like:

Clawitzer vs. Mega Blastoise (Mega Blastoise)
Mega Sceptile vs. Mega Blastoise (Mega Sceptile)
Mega Sceptile vs. Raichu (Mega Sceptile)

 

[satoshigekkouga]

They surely would have showcased Mega Blastoise in the magazine if it was going to show up though...

 

[dman_dustin]

Yeah, it is kinda funny that all of a sudden they focus on Tierno's Raichu. I thought his star was Blastoise?

Guess the writers couldn't pass up another chance to make fun of a Raichu.



I mean, it's an either/or situation in some cases, since obviously anybody who loses is out of the League, the only options will be that Ash gets to face a rival, rivals face each other, or both happens because Ash loses to one of those rivals. More episodes spent on Ash vs Rivals also probably means less time spent on characters like Astrid battling Ash. Whatever route the writers choose they'd be gaining/losing something.

Personally, I think Trevor barely appeared so I don't think it's a big loss for him to be knocked out by another rival...as for Tierno, I do get he has some interaction with Ash (and he already had close to a full team so I really thought he'd have a full battle with Ash), but between him and Scottie obviously Sceptile boy has had way more meaningful time spent with Ash.

Sure Trevor can lose to Alain I have no problem with that. And as cool as it would be for Ash to battle Astrid a female trainer, is Ash really stuck to ONLY battling Alain and Sawyer as his ONLY rivals. That's the problem, they introduce rivals, and Ash doesn't battle them but he battles these random other characters that have no meaning.

I suppose if I had to choose between Astrid battling against Ash or Tierno, I would choose Astrid simply because she is a female trainer. But it would make MORE sense for Ash and Tierno to have a climatic battle at the league.

 

[K.N.]

I would also choose Ash vs Astrid because if you will recall, Ash needs to get revenge for his loss against her in the Diancie movie.

BTW part of me thinks that the League and Flare arc are going to overlap in some way...it would make sense considering what we know of their goals.

 

[Blue Saturday]

I would also choose Ash vs Astrid because if you will recall, Ash needs to get revenge for his loss against her in the Diancie movie.

I'm like 99% positive Ayaka was only put there to make the Kalos League not a complete sausage fest, no worries though we can count on Ayaka getting foddered off really quickly to Satoshi in a blink-and-you-miss-it battle. Ayaka hasn't exactly been great with it's portrayal of female battlers unfortunately, they usually get the short end of the stick.

 

[dman_dustin]

Pokemon Fan mentions a full battle. Will it be Sawyer/Alain or some other character? If its some other character I nominate Astrid (aka Katie 2.0).

I'm like 99% positive Ayaka was only put there to make the Kalos League not a complete sausage fest, no worries though we can count on Ayaka getting foddered off really quickly to Satoshi in a blink-and-you-miss-it battle. Ayaka hasn't exactly been great with it's portrayal of female battlers unfortunately, they usually get the short end of the stick.

She killed Hawlucha despite type disadvantage (and there was no way she was going to beat Alain). Pretty sure Astrid could easily rank close to Sawyer's level.

 

[Xuxuba]

Yes...and?

You weren't just complaining about how the League's finale will be rushed, but also how the League started too soon and i argued that once Ash gets his last badge, there's no need to drag this any longer with fillers.

And you're ignoring that IN EVERY region/generation everything outside of the league is CONCLUDED FIRST THEN the league happens, and what other random stuff happens after. Team Flare happened BEFORE the end of Ash's badge quest, Team Flare climax shouldn't be AFTER the league. Look at Team Plasma, at least they happened AFTER the league.

They broke a pattern and made things different. I don't see how that's a bad thing or how that means the League arc will suck.

Sure, and you can have that opinion but it has absolutely nothing to do with my comment as I WAS ONLY talking about the league.

Them doing the league now, reeks of the usual "let's just get this out of the way and move on" AKA "Rushed" AKA "LESS than 8 Episodes'

Or maybe they just started sooner, because they want more time. There is absolutely no way of knowing what will be more likely or not, you're just complaining about something that didn't even happen yet.

 

[1rkhachatryan]

I hope they don't introduce some last minute DEM character, seriously Alain's enough of one lol.

 

[Captain America X]

I'm like 99% positive Ayaka was only put there to make the Kalos League not a complete sausage fest, no worries though we can count on Ayaka getting foddered off really quickly to Satoshi in a blink-and-you-miss-it battle. Ayaka hasn't exactly been great with it's portrayal of female battlers unfortunately, they usually get the short end of the stick.

I somehow doubt they would mention her in the magazine and make a mega user just be a blink and miss battle.


The league always had at least 3 battles that were shown on screen for Ash.That would be Sawyer,Alain and most likely Astrid as the 3rd since she is one of the characters that was mentioned.