92nd moon [video]

[paladinlost]

Would you all mind telling me what is your favorite technical machine, and why you favor it? I swear I'll not use that information against you should we ever meet in battle.

[Using it for future Christmas present ideas is completely fair game, though.]

I'll be happy to offer TM recommendations in return, of course. Goodness knows I've tried plenty.

[Today is a day for both questions and understatements, it seems.]

Comments

text;

[ladywithnovoice]

Technical machine?

[video]

[paladinlost]

Disks that allow your Pokémon to learn new attacks if they are compatible. You can earn them after Gym battles, or buy them in department stores.

[text forever, sorry cecil]

[ladywithnovoice]

I see. They sound useful.

It sounds like you might have some favorites of your own.

[it's okay, he's used to it]

[paladinlost]

I do, as a matter of fact. As a Normal-type move, Return does not cover any type weaknesses, but it can be learned by nearly every species and its power depends on your Pokémon's happiness. Making a strong attack out of it should be simple.

[ladywithnovoice]

So don't catch them on a bad day.

It doesn't seem too hard to keep the ones I've gotten so far happy.

[paladinlost]

If anything, keeping them miserable is much harder, considering that they enjoy both food and victory. Which is why Return often becomes one of their strongest attack move, and one with no downsides.

[ladywithnovoice]

It sounds like they're really meant to get into fights. Have you ever run into a specific kind of Pokemon that doesn't?

[paladinlost]

You mean a non-combative species as a whole? No. But individual Pokémon sometimes prefer peace and quiet. Rosie felt as such, before we caught Avenger; a healthy rivalry changed her mind.

[ladywithnovoice]

What kind of Pokemon is she?

txt;

[otakon_geek]

Uh, Technical Machine?

[No, he isn't talking about an actual machine like the MK.II, Otacon.]

[video]

[paladinlost]

They are more disk than machine, truly. They allow anyone to teach a new attack to their Pokémon, as long as said Pokémon is compatible with the TM you are using.

[otakon_geek]

A disk? How do you teach Pokémon a move from a disk? I'm still quite new to all of this, so you'll have to forgive me.

[Disks? Now, he was interested.]

I'm a sort of techy geek, so I'd love to know more.

[paladinlost]

It's no trouble at all, you've no need to worry. You simply need to break the disk over the Pokémon's head. Most are single-use, but HMs and a few select TMs even repair themselves as often as needed. Understanding how that all works is far beyond me, sadly.

[otakon_geek]

Break the disk, huh? [He hoped that breaking a disk over the Pokémon's head wouldn't frighten it.]

It sounds pretty impressive and I'd really like to find out how these TMs and HMs work. What does HM mean?

[paladinlost]

Hidden Machine. Unlike TMs, their use in battle is greatly overshadowed by their use on the road; they include Fly and Surf, which everyone should obtain as soon as possible.

[otakon_geek]

How do I go about gaining these moves such as Surf and Fly? How do I know if my Pokémon can learn these or not?

[paladinlost]

Most are won by defeating Gym leaders, but a kind elder in Azalea gifts each of his visitors with Cut. The others can be earned in both Johto and Kanto.

[Video]

[tearsofademon]

Ahh, well, I'd recommend Hidden Power, but I haven't seen it sold anywhere.

[Video]

[paladinlost]

It's one of those reusable TMs we sometimes receive, then? What is its effect?

[Video]

[tearsofademon]

Its type changes depending on the Pokemon using it. It seems random what type each of them get, too. But almost all of them can learn it, which is nice.

[Video]

[paladinlost]

Which means that nearly all Pokémon could theoretically use any attack type, including those that cover their weaknesses?

[...That. That is so beautiful.]

If only it could somehow be taught to the same Pokémon more than once...

[Video]

[tearsofademon]

That'd be pretty fascinating, if that was possible.

[Video]

[paladinlost]

Though I imagine telling a Pokémon which one to use in battle would be complicated at first, but some practice and training would easily improve that.

[Video]

[tearsofademon]

Yeah, probably. And even if you left it up to the pokemon, it'd keep everybody guessing.

[Video]

[paladinlost]

With any luck, even Psychic-types would be unable to predict the results.