28th moon [video]

[paladinlost]

[In the foreground, one Cecil Harvey, who is holding a few TMs and staring at them thoughtfully. In the background, one Kayne the dragonite and one Mist the Swablu, apparently arguing. Mist seems to be winning.]

How do you choose which of your Pokémon receive a particular Technical Machine? Normally, I'd simply buy two copies, but those were won from Gym leaders. I doubt they have the means to give each trainer more than one.

[The argument becomes louder and louder with each passing moment. A terrified Ralts climbs on her trainer's shoulder and clings to his hair.]

...As you can see, the potential users are having a slight disagreement. If anyone has a suggestion, I'd be happy to hear it.

Comments

[video]

[used-vinewhip.livejournal.com]

Um.. do a coin flip! And fast, it seems like that bird is about to kill the dragon..

[video]

[paladinlost]

There is no need to worry. Her level is much too low to harm him.

[Not that it would stop her from trying.]

[Video]

[savedinapinch.livejournal.com]

Put them in their pokéballs and then randomly pick one! That way it's fair!

[Video]

[paladinlost]

That's an excellent ide-

[He suddenly finds himself interrupted by roars and chirps of rage. It appears certain Pokémon do not like fifty-fifty odds.]

...I believe your idea has been vetoed by the majority. How do they expect me to choose?

[Video]

[savedinapinch.livejournal.com]

Well, they'll just have to deal with it! Neither one of them likes the odds but at least they can't accuse you of playing favorites.

[Video]

[paladinlost]

Actually, I believe they do want me to play favorites. As long as they are the favorite, of course.

[As an obvious attempt at emotional manipulation, Mist zooms toward the Pokégear and makes sad eyes at Tifa. Don't you think a cute girl like me deserves a nice TM, Miss?]

[usedfuryswipes.livejournal.com]

Why don't they just make one that can be used more than once?

[Hi, Gen 5 meta, how are you doing tonight?]

[video]

[paladinlost]

That's an excellent question. We know they have the means to do it; the Hidden Machines have multiple uses, after all.

[*holds that meta gently*]

[video]

[usedfuryswipes.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I forgot about that, even.

I guess they wouldn't have as many people buying duplicates. But if you make them more expensive or something...?

[Stop being clairvoyant, Ken.]

[video]

[paladinlost]

They could raise their prices while only allowing about five uses. Many would still need to buy duplicates, and each TM would give them more money. Still, why enforce scarcity for only some of them?

[Close, but not quite.]

Re: [video]

[usedfuryswipes.livejournal.com]

Dunno. Are TM attacks stupidly overpowered or something?

[video]

[paladinlost]

They can help cover type weaknesses, sometimes, but they seem as strong as the attacks Pokémon normally learn. Of course, if you use one to teach a newborn Pokémon an attack it should not know for weeks, you could say they are overpowered.

[video]

[islandshore.livejournal.com]

[Ah, TMs. Riku's faced a similar dilemma before.]

Think it depends on the Pokémon. Who do you think needs it more? Sometimes TM moves help when dealing with weaknesses, or you could teach it to a Pokémon of the same type for an attack boost.

[video]

[paladinlost]

[Cecil picks up a particular TM, and turns it over in his hands a few times.]

This one is Roost, the healing move we receive from Falkner. Three of my Pokémon can learn it; Esuna declined, but those two...

[He gestures toward the arguing Pokémon in the background.]

In both cases, healing would be a useful boon.

[Video]

[savedinapinch.livejournal.com]

Ah, but that causes all sorts of problems.

[!!]

Well, aren't you cute! Too bad that won't work on me. [She grins.]

[video]

[swordofimpulse.livejournal.com]

...I... presume both of them can't learn the moves naturally?

[Video]

[paladinlost]

You'd think they'd realize that. But sibling rivalries are a powerful thing.

[Mist chirps angrily before returning to her argument. She tried, at least.]

[video]

[paladinlost]

Apparently not. The handbook says that Kayne could do so in theory, but it does not explain how.

[video]

[swordofimpulse.livejournal.com]

...hm.

...

What is the move you are trying to teach them?

[video]

[paladinlost]

Roost. It allows Flying-type Pokémon to heal themselves, but it grounds them for a few moments.

[video]

[swordofimpulse.livejournal.com]

[Hm! Well Shinn's not intending to catch anymore flying Pokémon right now, so.]

...You can have mine.

[video]

[paladinlost]

...I could never accept that. It is a gift from a defeated Gym leader; It might become quite useful to you someday.

[video]

[used-vinewhip.livejournal.com]

A-Are you sure? I mean, she looks like she's.. ready to hurt him. Really bad.

[video]

[swordofimpulse.livejournal.com]

[Shrug]

The only Pokémon in my team who can learn this already has this move in her moveset, so it has been piling up dust ever since I got it from him.

[video]

[combat_butler]

... I only really use TMs on the members of my team who I know I'll always be using for important battles.