September 9th: PM2019 124 - The Semifinals III: Valor

[GLTSRY]

Is it a waste? If I had to guess, the purpose of relying on Togekiss isn't to beat Lucario; Togekiss just needs to wear down Lucario enough for Garchomp to finish the job. Togekiss is in a good position to tank Aura Sphere--if we're going off of game type matchups--and just needs to hang on long enough to get a good Max Move or two in. Realistically, Cynthia expecting that to be enough for Garchomp to finish the job seems reasonable.

Exactly. Let’s imagine we’re Cynthia and we’re preparing for this battle by rewatching Ash’s old PWC battles.

Lucario defeated Machamp and Duraludon because he was at full health when fighting them. Thus, she probably wants to weaken him before finishing him of with Garchomp.

On the flip side, she most likely isn’t too concerned with Sirfetch’d and Dracovish since they didn’t have the best track record.

 

[GLTSRY]

Considering both of them took on a elite four and won im not sure about that

They seem to be less of a threat than Ash’s other members though, especially from Cynthia’s perspective. Both of them struggled greatly against Drasna, and Dracovish didn’t have the best time against Steven while Sirfetch’d straight up has no experience against Master Class opponents.

 

[DuquÊ?]

Yeah it’s basically more or less confirmed that Mega ain’t happening. While disappointing we won’t get a Mega slugfest I gotta admit it’s consistent with Cynthia’s strategies this battle in being unpredictable and subverting Ash’s expectations. We also have the only other competitor who’s utilizing more than one gimmick this M8 and that’s cool.

Not really copium I’m just fine with this change if that’s how they wanna play it, it makes sense.

This. It’s different it shows Ash isn’t the only one who’s up to surprises.

I mean you would think that Cynthia wouldn't underestimate Lucario. It feels like she underestimates Lucario somehow.

Well, pikachu is Ash’s trump card every time and she already did a quick job with his two previous pokemon, it makes sense she’s confident about deal with the others.

She’ll regret soon after, tho.

 

[Eevee903]

Is it a waste? If I had to guess, the purpose of relying on Togekiss isn't to beat Lucario; Togekiss just needs to wear down Lucario enough for Garchomp to finish the job. Togekiss is in a good position to tank Aura Sphere--if we're going off of game type matchups--and just needs to hang on long enough to get a good Max Move or two in. Realistically, Cynthia expecting that to be enough for Garchomp to finish the job seems reasonable.

I understand that Togekiss is meant to slow Lucario down for Garchomp to finish it. This is Lance's Dynamax Dragonite all over lol. It didn't work once, doubt it will work twice. Or this is Gigantamax Gengar vs Goodra

The alternative would be Togekiss being little more than sacrificial fodder to make way for a Mega showdown, and taking a comparatively riskier gamble that Garchomp can defeat Lucario almost entirely 1v1.

I mean most Pokemon battle were the last Pokemon gimmick vs Pokemon gimmick
So idk why this should be suddenly be different. Especially when Garchomp has the type advantage over Lucario.

 

[GLTSRY]

Unlikely but: What if Sirfetch’d will damage Garchomp so much that Cynthia will think that it’d be risky to “waste” her gimmick with Garchomp?

 

[Eevee903]

Unlikely but: What if Sirfetch’d will damage Garchomp so much that Cynthia will think that it’d be risky to “waste” her gimmick with Garchomp?

Hmm I doubt it. I think Cynthia will use Stealth Rock when battling Sirfetch’d. Cynthia will use Togekiss to slow Lucario down. That makes sense

 

[Hekym]

I’m looking forward to it to be honest. I like it if a trainer doesn’t have one ace to do all the work, but several options depending on the battle. Ash has 3 gimmick users, Leon has Rillaboom, Volkner and Bea have 2 aces - it’s a nice change and closer to the games imo.

I also like it. I know there was a whole thing about Cynthia not using gimmicks, but in truth the whole "travelling archaeologist" seems like a great setup to use it to strengthen your pokemon and learn new techniques. Seems like a winning combination and I'm glad we're getting to see what she's learned and some new strategies. Otherwise she's just been game Cynthia again.

However I have to add the obligatory comment that coming into this tournament with two new techniques she had to go out of her way to get, mega evolution and dynamaxing, make the idea of her retirement even less believable.

 

[Mistycallsstaryu]

I hope Sirfetch'd doesn't get a win so Lucario can have a bigger sweep. It would be really cool to see Lucario take out half of Cynthia's team. A feat like that would further add to his legend and cement his status as Ash's ultimate ace.

 

[Eevee903]

I hope Sirfetch'd doesn't get a win so Lucario can have a bigger sweep. It would be really cool to see Lucario take out half of Cynthia's team. A feat like that would further add to his legend and cement his status as Ash's ultimate ace.

No. Just no

 

[DragonKahuna]

Too bad that Sirfetch'd is getting at least one win, and two if the leaks are real.
The dog is already overrated enough anyway, hope they'll get rid of it by having it stay in Galar as a gardener like Greninja.

What else do the leaks say?

 

[Pteranodonte]

What else do the leaks say?

There is a thread for the leaks. I never trusted the so called "leakers" that much, but sometimes (likely by sheer luck) they get their predictions correct, so who knows.

 

[Mistycallsstaryu]

Too bad that Sirfetch'd is getting at least one win, and two if the leaks are real.
The dog is already overrated enough anyway, hope they'll get rid of it by having it stay in Galar as a gardener like Greninja.

Sirfetch'd stealing Lucario's wins just means it will job vs Leon to make room for the badass jackal to get more wins in that battle. And also, Lucario is never leaving Ash's team. He is the star of the team and Ash's most important ace. Pikachu is chopped liver at this point.

 

[divinepokemonXZ]

I hope Sirfetch'd doesn't get a win so Lucario can have a bigger sweep. It would be really cool to see Lucario take out half of Cynthia's team. A feat like that would further add to his legend and cement his status as Ash's ultimate ace.

I really did not need to see a Squirtle getting chopped up like calamari in your signature...

 

[lemoncatpower]

I really did not need to see a Squirtle getting chopped up like calamari in your signature...

lol i was going to comment something but im glad someone said it... Needs an NSFW label lol

 

[Sceptilee]

I'm avoiding the leaks because I don't want spoilers (and there's like 2 days left anyway). Perhaps Garchomp doesn't use Mega Evolution until it's final showdown with Lucario? So it might not even happen in this episode but rather the next one.

That said, if Cynthia does something else like Dmax Togekiss, it would be interesting for sure. And I guess Mega Lucario ultimately defeating Base Garchomp makes a heck of a lot more sense atleast, I can still keep my head canon that Mega Garchomp would have wiped the floor with Mega Lucario lol.

 

[cricketlaxwolvesbandy]

Bugs the hell out of me that Cynthia underestimating Lucario will be her downfall

 

[cricketlaxwolvesbandy]

It also bugs me that they didn’t let Ash become unbeatable in XY but let him become unbeatable but he wins in the most bs ways and looks and acts 5

 

[Mistycallsstaryu]

lol i was going to comment something but im glad someone said it... Needs an NSFW label lol

I really did not need to see a Squirtle getting chopped up like calamari in your signature...

That's just a Squirtle cake...

 

[AuraChannelerChris]

I guess there was no conceivable way for Lucario to use his super move on a small target so they want the target to be big enough for the clash to make more sense.

(Also, what the hell is that sig, Mistycallsstaryu!)

 

[SkyBlaze9125]

So…. It Garchomp set up Stealth Rock and switch out.

Cynthia likely intend for Milotic to take down Sirfetch’d

Than Lucario come in and get damage by Stelath Rock.

If he manage to beat Milotic than Dynamaxed Togekiss to beat or further weaken Lucario (Mega)

Than Garchomp come back to finish thing kff