Let's have a look at Route 3, shall we? I smell new pokémon...

 

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Just taking a moment to admire my new brand new badge. I hope you're looking at it, too, Sparkly Ilario, because this right here means that you need to keep your smooth little behind in line, son. Any more sass and you'll be shipped off to the box, and you don't want to go to the box. Pierre's in there, you know.

Let's clear up what's going on with that TM while we're at it...

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Ah, there's the risk and reward. It never missed me (grumble grumble), so I guess that's why I couldn't tell. Interesting.

(Update: Proud swivel's effect has been changed in more recent versions.)

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Time to get these rocks out of the way! TIEROG SMASH!

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Whoa, a wild moston! Wasn't sure whether there'd be wilds in the rocks. Let's get to catchin', then!

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Moston in hand, we can go see what's in that sandy grass up there next...

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Albaloo is another one that's news to me. A water-type, possibly? I was wondering when some options for people who didn't choose bubull would put in an appearance, haha. Shame it's probably also part flying, though...

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Hm, I wonder what the rest of it says.

Not going to use either of these for now, but I really could use some more diversity in my team at some point... let's keep looking, shall we?

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Barcush, the poké ball mimic. This was found just wandering around in the grass, but I wonder if maybe there'll be some deceptive item balls lying around further along the route? Ball mimics that are actually mimicking are usually stronger than the regular encounters, too... I think I'll pass on this one for now and see what there is to see down the road.

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This groufin isn't wild, but rather belongs to a fisherman on a nearby dock. I probably need a fishing rod to get it and don't have one now, so I guess all I can do is practice against this one. A shame it's not a higher level, though. Looks like it'll be a while before the trainers catch up to my team.

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How convenient! Hopefully that's the next town along, then.

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So this is where you find wild opaby. (Dear lord, that's some of the worst washing out yet. It's gone completely grayscale. :/ ) Now we can settle the matter of this thing's type once and for all!

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Oh.

Why's Regina have one, then? It's not like dark helps deal with normal's single weakness, since it's weak to the same thing and all. That's a bit of an odd choice.

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You know, I think I will be taking this guy with me. Like I said, I've gotta do something about all the duplicate types I have. Catching him up will be a bit of work, but at least he's closer to the local trainers' levels and should still get some decent experience. (Halmar is another bad guy; I'm a hair too tired and he's a hair too complicated for me to say much else.)

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Sorry, Tierog. I appreciate you (finally) dealing with Regina's opaby, but I've got enough normal and grass going on and you just don't pack enough punch to make up for it. It's been fun.

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Some campers (I assume), out enjoying the sea air on the boardwalk. Let's ruin their day!

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Oh. Well, I guess that makes sense.

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Ooh, sweet items. Get out of my way and gimme it, then!

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Hm. Maybe the level 7 stuff won't be as common as I thought. Ah, well, that just means more experience for Halmar.

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A lot of you kids have friends in Kanto, don't you?

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That's not the word you really wanted to s-s-s-s-s-say, is it?

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You're extremely lost, aren't you?

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Aw, man, that's not the fishing rod place!

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Our first look at squeaker in battle. Pretty cute.

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And fuegruff! Still no idea where to find either of these wild, though... the selection around here seems to be limited to moston, albaloo, opaby and barcush for now.

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Fling, huh? That's an interesting choice.

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I stand corrected, apparently! Well, ottum is my favorite season, so I suppose I should catch this guy and see what he's all about!

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Hm! Bite isn't very effective, and it knows disarming voice. Are you a *fairy*, ottum? :D

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Poison sting is SE! Faaaaaaairyyyyyyy~

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Oops, the type is missing there. I think the devs already know about that, though. I may give this thing a spin later, but I think catching Halmar up is enough work for the moment, so ottum here can wait.

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Thought you could hide from me back there, did you, item? (It's another sitrus berry.)

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Aha! I knew one of these things would jump out at me!

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Aaaand caught! Only one level higher than the ones in the grass, but every little helps if I end up using it.

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Is anyone surprised?

The rest of the route was uneventful, and I'm getting a bit tired. I'm right at the next gatehouse, though, so I'll start fresh with the next area later!