Locormus
Can we please get the older, old forum back?
I'm still not entirely sure what to expect for Ash's third against Wulfric. I'm definitely expecting Pikachu and Greninja, with one of them starring, but I'm torn between Noivern and Talonflame. On the one hand, Noivern is much more in need of a Gym battle, or just an official battle in general, and I think they could definitely give it a win against Abomasnow or Cryogonal; maybe they could even have it star, though I don't think it's super-likely. On the other hand, Talonflame is an extremely obvious choice for the battle and it'd be kind of weird for Ash not to go for it (though as I've said before, I think Talonflame would quite possibly be the fall guy; Abomasnow with Rock Tomb, Avalugg with Stone Edge, etc.). And I expect Noivern to get a good showing at the League anyway, probably starring in a battle, so I don't think it would be too terrible if it got left out of the Gym.
As for the idea of Wulfric using Articuno, I admit, it would sort of make sense. I don't think it's super likely, but it wouldn't surprise me. I would honestly rather they just use his game team, though, Ash has fought Articuno before and I'd rather see Avalugg getting the starring role, or even Mega Abomasnow.Unless Ash uses his sixth and it evolves in battle against Articuno to really complete the trilogy.
A long, long time ago.. It's not the animé's fault for there only being three Ice-type legendaries.. Regice could've been an option -be it more recent by a relatively small margin- but Kyurem sure as hell wouldn't be. Considering the birds being in Kalos, they could overlook the Noland battle. And to be honest, the contemporary audience doesn't have BF in their collective memory, simply because they weren't alive when that episode aired. Unless they reaired it during the weekend-show.
I think Noivern should get some special billing in the last gym. It's no surprise that Greninja will likely be the big star against Sawyer at the league vs Mega Sceptile. If they keep this five man band going and don't let Noivern star then they will have dropped the ball entirely when it comes to letting each of his Pokemon star in at least one gym battle (Talonflame co-stared but it has also been in seven gym battles this series, making him the best treated out of all of Ash's birds when it comes to gyms). I really hope Wulfric is given a Mega Abomasnow, keeps his Avalugg, and replaces Cryogonal with a Weavile. Mega Abomasnow can go to Noivern after defeating Greninja, Greninja can defeat Weavile (I'm picturing an intense battle of speed), and Hawlucha or Pikachu can take Avalugg.
To be entirely fair, Noibat was the last to join. I call it a miracle that Gliscor got to star in the Steel-type gym in the region in which the story was all about Ash vs. Paul, with Infernape in the middle. Granted, Chimchar got two wins in that gym..
Let's not forget Ash's team for the Snowpoint gym, where everyone thought Ash would use a team that made sense, including Pikachu and Buizel (Ice A-J), when he actually ended up using Grotle and Gliscor..
So a team of Talonflame, Hawlucha, Noivern and Pikachu wouldn't surprise me. Greninja is going to get battle spotlight outside of the gym..
Where Candice's team didn't make much sense either. People were wondering if they would put the Platinum-team in the animé at that point or not. They didn't do so until Sunyshore, they put in a Medicham.. For which Staraptor was a solid choice. Also, Gliscor had Steel Wing, Fire Fang and X-scissor as attacking moves. Yes, x4 weakness, but it certainly had the tools to do lots of damage to Grass/Ice-types.
Noivern would be instant knock out if used in ice gym. Pikachu with Iron Tail, Hawlucha with fighting move, Talonflame with fire attack and Greninja with resistance to ice are better options.
Perhaps. It's about calculating the possible damage and being able to not get hit. Noivern has proved in the Zapdos battle to be agile as hell. The chances of it avoiding damage are quite high to be frank.
If Cryogonal whips out Freeze-dry, Solarbeam or Signal Beam, then Greninja is just as screwed to be honest. Same with Talonflame, what if Abomasnow hits it with a Rock-type move point blank? What if Abomasnow wrecks Greninja with a Focus Blast or Wood Hammer to the face? Avalugg downs Talonflame with Water Pulse? Greninja with Superpower?
It comes down to whether Ash is capable to manage these challenging situations, just as much as handling the standard Ice-type moves that Wulfric will throw at him. Just look at the Santalune Gym, where Viola had a Surskit with Ice Beam to counter birds, or Vivillon with Solarbeam to counter Rock-types.. In a sense, Ash would be better prepaired to throw Noivern in this battle, knowing what to expect in terms of weaknesses, then Greninja, where Ash could be blindsided by a Superpower to the face out of nowhere. Not to mention the very typical slow enemy that Ash would be facing. Abomasnow and Avalugg are ridiculously slow, and Cryogonal isn't portrayed as being fast. But this is a pitfall, as Avalugg learns Rock Polish (Grant's Onix says hi), and they all learn Icy Wind to counter speedy critters.
Also, Soundproof Abomasnow vs. Noivern. How will Ash answer this problem will be very entertaining.
And they should have Noivern star. Unless Ash-Greninja is that more important.
Ash-Greninja is more important, just like how Blaze was important enough for Sinnoh to not give Gible a gym battle, and not even give Torterra a gym-win where both had immunities just so Infernape could pummel a Jolteon into the ground and then Luxray.. -.-
Ice takes out a Flying/Dragon pokemon. Noivern is unlikely to last against any of Wulfric's pokemon. Plus it doesn't need to star in a gym.
Ice only takes out Flying/Dragon if it hits. Noivern is incredibly speedy. Problem solved? Or maybe Ash will prepare for the obvious disadvantage. Or he will wing it, like Grotle vs. Sneasel, or Hawlucha vs. Spritzee.