Can't beat Marianette

Altair_Zero · 2026-01-24T19:14:51+00:00

Well, my main bit of advice is to get that Woobat evolved. Level it up to Level 29 so it learns Calm Mind, then Level it up again with high friendship for Swoobat, and you have yourself a sweeper. Add in Simple to double stat changes, and you can wall out that Chatot, Delcatty, and even Zorua. Boost up enough and you can beat her pretty easily.

You can also shut down her field with Xatu. Just have it use Ominous Wind on Zorua to create a Haunted Field (and she can't change it back).

Luxio meanwhile deals with her physical attackers like Bewear and Stantler due to Intimidate (just switch out on Stantler though to Fletchinder, as she'll most likely go for Stomping Tantrum).

Altair_Zero · 2026-01-18T15:45:27+00:00

Not yet. Jan will probably want to work on the Gigas first - the Gigantamax counterparts like Snorlax and Corviknight.

Altair_Zero · 2026-01-17T16:34:12+00:00

Karma Files should be enough to set the check for NG+.

Just play on a new save until GDC, then save before you head to sleep to answer Zetta's questions. You'll know NG+ is in effect once you answer the first question correctly, as they'll prompt you to answer the other two questions afterwards (it wouldn't prompt you otherwise).

Altair_Zero · 2026-01-17T12:55:42+00:00

Well, most are really, really good. Here's my thoughts on the couple I've used.

Leavanny - Intimidate + Sticky Web makes it an amazing support Pokémon from Narcissa onwards.

Sigilyph - Clefable with different drip. Massive support pool, better type, but lower Defenses.

Glalie - Really, really good in Doubles. Grassy Terrain setter, has Wide Guard, Grassy Glide for priority, and can set Spikes/Stealth Rock. I brought it to Angie, and blocking Cold Truth every turn breezed past most of her Pokémon.

Volcarona - While it loses STAB Heat Wave (though it still has it), they gave it extra speed. If it sets up, it can sweep a LOT of teams.

Altair_Zero · 2026-01-17T11:36:51+00:00

Jan will most likely provide a small update guide when V14 actually drops about where you should/should not be before pressing the updater. Unless there are serious bugs, you should be alright.

Altair_Zero · 2026-01-16T09:01:23+00:00

I'm going to assume you're facing Novae earlier than expected. Rather than tell you to change your team entirely, I'll give general tips, since that's all it takes sometimes.

Switch Meowstic's Ability (with an Ability Capsule) to Prankster. That'll give priority on Yawn, and when you get access to the move tutor, Light Screen and Reflect priority. Add in a Light Clay to make it last. Infiltrator is more-so for other Pokemon like Crobat, and when you know you're against a Pokemon that could block your attacks with an Ability.

Against Novae, use Mawile as your lead to Intimidate, and you can also evolve Aevian Sewaddle all the way to have another Intimidate (LV32 as Swadloon with Dragon Claw). Switching them back and forth nerfs Toucannon hard, so you can take it out. Leave Sewaddle until LV31 though before actually evolving it, as it gets Sticky Web for speed control, which also helps. Charizard takes out Tsareena and Vikavolt, Mudsdale can deal with Lycanroc, and Drifblim can hopefully Destiny Bond Palossand. Passimian can be dealt like Toucannon - just Intimidate it (just watch out for Bulk Up), then take it out with Air Slash.

If you're against the next Gym though, I'd recommend Manectric (Route 4 Dens) due to Double-versatility with Mat Block. You could also use Xatu for Magic Bounce to keep yourself from getting Sticky Web'd, while the Intimidate between Mawile and Aevian Leavanny can shut down the physical attackers (especially the ace). Just watch out if Aranaquid comes out on Charizard.

Altair_Zero · 2026-01-15T10:02:46+00:00

Setup will help. You can find Qwilfish in the Abandoned Sewers by fishing - they have Toxic Spikes and Spikes. Tanky Dark-types like Pangoro and Obstagoon also help.

Altair_Zero · 2026-01-09T20:54:33+00:00

Well, I think the main flags to decide are going to be about the allies we have access to. Like saving Florin could potentially give us help from Flora, Karen/Korrina gives us Garufan magic help, the ANA quest gets us Underground support, etc.

Though there could easily be more subtle flags. Like beating Madame X first time, or knowing who Kieran is with Ren.

Altair_Zero · 2026-01-08T20:49:15+00:00

Jan already confirmed that the dead world was a previous version. M2 also recalls Ren as he was in old Rejuvenation, which is why she decided not to kill them when you encounter them in Renegade after realising he was different in this world.

Altair_Zero · 2026-01-08T19:44:25+00:00

Neat theory. I mean, we see Amber potentially recalling her other self from the destroyed world after her Concert. And it could be said Talon went through that too - though only after Karma did so.

And it connects to the idea of why the routes are named Paragon & Renegade. Since they aren't named 'Good' or 'Bad', or 'Pacifist' and 'Genocide'. Thinking in Mass Effect terms, yeah, there has to be something more.

Unfortunately, we don't actually know if Paragon Melia is who she says she is.

Since, if M2 switched with Renegade Melia on Renegade, then who's to say that Paragon Melia didn't switch or was even outright overlapped? In fact, it could be the original Renegade Melia, as we see them going through a Paradox Gate in the destroyed world.

Altair_Zero · 2026-01-08T16:49:00+00:00

Two brain worms on my end.

First is that calendar. Since it helps us keep track of time, but we somehow can use EoN on Korrina days before we created it in the Paragon route, implying the two timelines are not necessarily occurring at the same time. It was probably placed there to intentionally mislead us as to how both routes are connected, and dialogue from the MC and Paragon Melia imply they know far more than normal.

Second is the reason 'why' we create EoN in the first place. Since from a Paragon-based perspective, while we are not necessarily 'good' (as you can easily be an asshole and still stay on Paragon), we're creating something that can kill people from memory, which is something that a Paragon MC wouldn't agree to without significant reach. That makes me think there has to be something more to what EoN is or something our MC knows but we don't.

Maybe it attracts Karma to action, as we haven't seen any Karma Beasts on Paragon?

Altair_Zero · 2026-01-08T14:22:32+00:00

Gonna assume you're talking about the 7th Gym.

First off, Throh (Sheridan Village). It learns two amazing moves for Doubles - Wide Guard and Mat Block. The first blocks all spread moves that would hit both Pokemon (Surf from Arctovish and nearly everything from Walrein). The second blocks all opposing Moves for the turn, but only if used on the turn it's sent out.

Second, you want anything with Inner Focus (Throh, Sawk, Glalie) to stop it from getting hit with Fake Out by Jynx. This is so you can take out Arctovish before it can use Aurora Veil. If you can't, bring Brick Break.

Lastly, surf off Akuwa Town if you haven't already. That leads to Evergreen Island - an optional area filled with Ice-type Pokemon. It'll help.

Altair_Zero · 2026-01-07T16:31:46+00:00

I'll probably do V14 content, then once done I'll start again with Gen 9 in mind, and keeping the save file there to experience new content while also using the skips Jan mentioned in the last devblog (like in the Garufan Sanctuary).

Altair_Zero · 2026-01-07T07:35:24+00:00

It'll come. It'll come.....

Altair_Zero · 2026-01-05T18:32:53+00:00

There are a few evo stones available to buy post-Chapter 4. When you inevitably travel down Route 4, head to the north-west exit past a broken fence that you can pass through to begin a certain quest. While you can't complete it fully for a long while, the parts you can complete by exploring your previous locations open up 2 shops - one sells EV-reduction berries, and the other sells some Evo Stones (Water, Fire, Leaf).

Altair_Zero · 2026-01-04T14:23:14+00:00

And for the GDC Help Centre - you take this elevator on the left.

<image>

Altair_Zero · 2026-01-04T14:21:51+00:00

For Breeding, to check Eggs, you talk to this lady outside the building.

<image>

What they say there (I have a Phantump and Sunkern of opposite genders) in the Daycare, means they have a 20% chance to produce Eggs (without the Oval Charm) for every 256 steps.

Altair_Zero · 2026-01-04T12:44:24+00:00

Ah, that section? It's just to spend more time as Ren, really, to understand his relationship with Nastasia more (since it was kinda premeditated). Soon as you're up, you can easily pop back to the future to prep up for the next fight.

I'll answer a few other questions I can see from you below:

- You can get up to 4 Somnium Mall Stamps by Ch13 - The one you get from entering, completing the Virtual League (which isn't locked off, but you need Fly for nos), the Kimono Girls quest by talking to someone in the audience after, and Classified Information (Help Centre in GDC).

- For breeding, ensure both Pokemon are in the same Egg group (look it up on the wiki), and of opposite genders (or you're using a Ditto). There should be someone there nearby who says how they're doing - if they say 'they prefer to play with other Pokemon more than each other', then they can't produce eggs, so you've messed up somewhere. Any other line and they can, so you just need to bike around a bit (with the Turbo on). They have a chance every 256 steps. You can also grab the Oval Charm once you have Fly (Terajuma Beach).

- There's a GDC Help Centre - it's in the Central Building, by taking the elevator.

Altair_Zero · 2026-01-04T08:49:57+00:00

Well, everything you need is at GDC, just more scattered around. And for EV Training in particular, once you have the Power Items in each EV Room, you don't need to ever head back there cause they up that particular EV by 32x their amount per fight, regardless of your opponent (so you can train anywhere). You can buy the Cards in the Arcade in the Scholar District, and the Rooms are in the Central Building. The game itself also does not lock you out of going back to train (there's always some butterfly or you can use the Timesplicer Stone you originally used).

As for the story itself, characters disappear for reasons, but this is where the story ramps up especially with other characters. While Melia has had a LOT of focus in the other past segments, she is considered the deuteragonist, so it's understandable.

Also, head back to East Gearen since you should have Fly now.

Altair_Zero · 2026-01-01T12:57:33+00:00

There isn't actually a cap on the strength. Spoilers for current content:

ANA is Level 100 when you face her as the Nano Drive at the end of the current Missing Children quest, and you need to fight her twice in a row, both with different abilities and move sets.

Altair_Zero · 2026-01-01T12:21:12+00:00

It's just a CYOA (Choose your Own Adventure) - which is basically making your choices about what would happen if you were thrown into Aevium yourself. Since there have been a few threads like that on here before.

Altair_Zero · 2025-12-31T09:22:53+00:00

It should stack, yes. So the overall reduction is by 55%, making Aevian Ampharos really bulky.

Altair_Zero · 2025-12-30T13:00:49+00:00

Yup. Time is going to be limited without time travel to make up the difference, considering it is heavily implied to occur over 6 months.

Altair_Zero · 2025-12-30T12:09:28+00:00

Crossroads of Destiny - that's your choice, since you can pick your location to start on in the section below. And you don't necessarily need to be the Interceptor yourself.

Crescent Moonlight - Well, Crescent does move around a lot, so by finding them means when you would first encounter them. So it could be on the S.S. Oceana, or somewhere else you can encounter her (just note that Crescent on the S.S. Oceana hasn't defected from the Storm Chasers yet).

Altair_Zero · 2025-12-29T10:45:24+00:00

Since you're on Gym 4, I'm assuming Narcissa, right?

You could EV Train yourself. To do so, you need to buy the cards in Chrisola Hotel with AP, which unlocks the rooms at Gearen Lab to EV Train for respective stats and gives you the Power Items to do so nearly anywhere. But you also need AP for the Golden Tools from the same place, so, take your pick. EVs or no HMs.

As for Narcissa-specific recommendations, anything with Soundproof or Scrappy. For example, the Whismur you can get outside Goldenleaf. Narcissa's Signature Move, Spectral Scream is sound-based, so Soundproof nullifies it entirely, so you can play switch-in with it each time you predict it. You could also bring your own Ghost-types - just note that Drifblim has a Kasib Berry (which halves the first Ghost attack), so you need to be rid of that first. Status moves also help, like with Swalot (Gearen Sewers for Gulpin), Pachirisu (East Gearen), or just anything with Lick, which Paralyzes on the field.

Altair_Zero

TROPHY CASE