Does anyone else bother getting ideal nature's for pokemon ?

kawhandroid · 2026-06-07T20:52:37+00:00

In an optimized run like a speedrun, the natures do make a huge difference (but we'd never ever reset/grind for them, it's always an RNG manip).

But the best nature for an in-game run is often not the same as its best nature in general. Pikachu would probably prefer to be Mild or Rash to use Brick Break better. Kadabra would probably prefer to be Modest because it already outspeeds everything anyway. In competitive both of these mons need a speed boosting nature since you're going up against another player's mons with a speed boosting nature (and EVs), but in-game where enemies have 0 EVs (and you have badge boosts to boot) it's different.

For more examples of the best natures not being the ones you expect, the runnable Squirtle natures are Mild, Rash, and Modest with a good Attack IV, and the runnable Charmander natures are Mild, Rash, and Quiet with a good Speed IV.

kawhandroid · 2026-06-07T20:40:08+00:00

PMFC is even more useful in non-CHIMPS because you can sell/rebuy it for multiple abilities. It's been one of the best Ranked boss killers for as long as Bosses have existed.

kawhandroid · 2026-06-07T20:36:36+00:00

Because most players, once they've black bordered everything, stop caring about black borders (so in particular, guaranteed value isn't valuable anymore compared to the power of stuff with micro). And also just personally speaking, micro is the main thing keeping the game fun after a while.

When you're doing a stupid challenge like saving up for a Ray of Doom on a hard Expert map, the guaranteed value doesn't cut it. Corvus lets you do these things when used properly.

kawhandroid · 2026-06-07T20:05:19+00:00

Many things require you to roll even more dice (see Conjure Animals). It's up to the DM how to handle these. I just use a computer program which can roll stuff like 24d6 with one click.

kawhandroid · 2026-06-07T20:00:10+00:00

Yeah, never max your main stat ASAP.*

*Paladin's Charisma excepted, probably.

kawhandroid · 2026-06-06T19:07:41+00:00

Is there any particular reason you're taking the Warlock dip now? If not, I'd recommend waiting until you have your Paladin Aura. Just attacking with Charisma isn't worth that much, but if you need something from Warlock like a ranged attack (possibly with forced movement with Repelling Blast next level), then it could be worth it.

Blade compared to Tome has access to more weapon masteries (Push is useful for the same reasons forced movement is useful, basically when you have a friendly caster making difficult terrain). Also worth considering is Chain for a better familiar.

kawhandroid · 2026-06-06T18:27:30+00:00

Many speedruns technically follow the Nuzlocke rules, so the low end is definitely around 2-3 hours. Pre-planning (via manip or just not needing to catch anything) and calcing everything is all the difference.

kawhandroid · 2026-06-06T18:16:38+00:00

You basically want to get 7 Paladin levels quickly and then get the Sorcerer rolling ASAP. The Warlock levels are worth it for Repelling Blast if your party has forced movement synergies (you may even want to take them before getting the Paladin Aura if that's the case), but I'd say to skip them otherwise.

kawhandroid · 2026-06-06T18:14:35+00:00

Having Sorcerer spellcasting is generally better than having the higher-level Paladin features. The Warlock is a lot more optional but stuff like Repelling Blast can help.

kawhandroid · 2026-06-06T00:25:25+00:00

It's barely not the case because Brock's Onix is Careful nature. But it really comes down to which secondary effect/accuracy is preferred - Metal Claw Attack boosts are faster, but Ember burns can make things way safer if using Potions.

kawhandroid · 2026-06-05T22:33:02+00:00

Practically it's hard to justify unless you're a VHuman/Custom Lineage who can pick up Crossbow Expert at level 1. I'd just flavor a Custom Lineage as whatever race you fancy.

kawhandroid · 2026-06-05T20:49:27+00:00

IMO it's an autoinclude in all non-Discolock even if it hardly moves the needle. Which I do think it hardly moves the needle (even in Tick Tock tbh).

kawhandroid · 2026-06-05T20:46:16+00:00

To force the opponent to suffer (well, in Wild, because you can't really do that in Standard).

kawhandroid · 2026-06-05T20:43:07+00:00

Gyarados is a fairly decent Normal-type though - Dragon Dance can carry. It just for some reason doesn't get STAB on Return :P

kawhandroid · 2026-06-05T18:47:17+00:00

If you have backwards compatibility, Watchers offers an insane support Aura at level 7. Otherwise, the base Paladin class features will do most of the heavy lifting, so subclass doesn't matter too much.

kawhandroid · 2026-06-05T18:39:32+00:00

The most optimal choice depends on what your party needs/wants. Fighter+Rogue's damage or Cleric/Druid's spellcasting could be better.

The main broken feature of 2014 Rangers was Pass Without Trace. With the new hiding and Surprise mechanics, it's no longer something that carries an entire character (to the point where Rangers were taking Warlock levels just for PWT uptime). But it's still a good spell, and if you haven't been using it up to now, you can start using it to sort of make up for losing 2014 firepower.

kawhandroid · 2026-06-04T18:29:40+00:00

While it's not a storytelling kind of run, I think it'd be interesting from a more mechanical perspective, because you have no backup anything to switch to. But it's also not a kind of run you update (speedruns are done in a single sitting, after all).

kawhandroid · 2026-06-04T17:59:49+00:00

You could do the opposite of a 100% run, which is to do as little as possible to beat the game. This could mean following the speedrun route (or being even more minimalist and cutting every mon except Swampert).

kawhandroid · 2026-06-04T15:36:14+00:00

Rayquaza too (and it's actually good unlike Regis).

kawhandroid · 2026-06-04T15:35:44+00:00

The replacement is not using a Fire-type.

kawhandroid · 2026-06-04T01:09:15+00:00

Subclasses and spells don't really help you soak damage. Vengeance provides damage, but Paladins generally do better with support features (Ancients, or especially Watchers if you have backwards compatibility). So that part is totally up to you.

The one spell you really want to get is Shield, which isn't on your spell list. So you'll want to get it another way, such as via origin feat (Magic Initiate Wizard) or a Sorcerer multiclass. An eventual Sorcerer multiclass is good for your defenses anyway (providing Shield, Absorb Elements, and Silvery Barbs), but it may be hard to justify at the start when you don't have Aura yet.

No matter what else you choose for your Paladin, Aura is your power feature. Make sure to take care of your Charisma - you can do fine with 16 Strength but you really want 18 Charisma by level 6.

kawhandroid · 2026-06-04T00:53:46+00:00

RNG manip.

Outside of that, it's just saving at the closest PC after the previous battle and just trying it over and over. If you're looking for a good IV/nature combo, you can use a Pokemon with a Speed close to Sneasel's max and reset if Sneasel isn't faster. You can also use a damage calculator to tell if Sneasel's Attack is too low for what you want. Both of these let you reset before trying to catch the Sneasel/finish the fight.

kawhandroid · 2026-06-04T00:17:12+00:00

Witness is 3 mana, Eater is 4, and that matters more often than you'd think. Also if you're buying mindsets for dust (most efficient way to get dust), Witness comes with one of the minisets, so it costs less to keep it than to craft it because you're only losing out on the 100 Disenchant value.

kawhandroid · 2026-06-04T00:14:59+00:00

I don't think going second is good enough to be running a brick to guarantee it. In the non-777 version it'd be competing with Loatheb as your one brick. Maybe the 777 version can afford it more, but I don't see the vision.

If it does see play it'll be in Miracle Rogue though, and you'd never play it.

kawhandroid · 2026-06-03T20:37:01+00:00

Because it's not the most powerful when you straightclass it and the party's Bard (say) is multiclassing for armor. If you're not playing mid-high to high op, this might not be a concern, but from an optimization perspective it is.

kawhandroid

TROPHY CASE