# Pokemon Black and White **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [March 7, 2011, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pokemon-black-and-white/573753 "2011-03-07T04:59:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pokemon-black-and-white/573753/21 "2011-03-08T04:47:28Z")
> [@Jragon](#): > > I have no idea, to be honest, but my inkling is that it’s a continuation of the “portrait” thing from other games. You appear as the trainer you type you pick, so I assume that the nature is how you TALK, so you get a certain set of standard dialogue that other trainers have based on your nature. I have no experience or cites to back this up, but it’s my first guess. I have no clue either. Mine says “Hardy” as well. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pokemon-black-and-white/573753/22 "2011-03-08T05:19:39Z")
If you tap your nature it will change. ETA: Apparently it has no effect on anything whatsoever, according to the internet. It’s the Pokemon version of “Perfect Gem Activated!” ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pokemon-black-and-white/573753/23 "2011-03-08T05:43:54Z")
> [@Trion](#): > > Oh, I have no doubt that Team Plasma is wrong (whatever their motivation might be). I just hope this game explains why they’re wrong rather than having me just assume it because it’s required for the franchise. Previous entries have been less than totally convincing. As soon as I saw the first plasma cinematic my guess was: Pokemon are pretty much the most powerful weapons in this world. If they convince everybody to give up their Pokemon they can pretty much just curbstomp the world into obedience under their oppressive reign. It’s possible the grunts don’t know this, but I think it may be the leadership’s intention. Is this the case? No idea. But it was the first motivation that came to mind that could be “evil” for what they’re preaching. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pokemon-black-and-white/573753/24 "2011-03-08T13:39:41Z")
Bricker Jr weighs in: The previous villainous teams have been Team Rocket (wanted to steal powerful Pokemon so they could rule the world); Team Magma (wanted to expand the dry land and decrease the water surface); Team Aqua (wanted to increase the water surface and decrease land); Team Galactic (wanted to completely destroy the world and make a new one). None of them wanted to push Pokemon rights. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pokemon-black-and-white/573753/25 "2011-03-08T18:13:07Z")
> [@Jragon](#): > > Of course, I’ve never been a competitive battler, I have no word on how this game’s generation stacks in the top bracket of competition goers, but from a strictly aesthetic and casual single-player trainer perspective this lineup is very nice. I’d argue it may even be better than Gen 1, this is the first generation I’ve ever been tempted to want to get every new pokemon. A part of me wants to try and competitively battle, but my God, if you go by Serebii there’s a ton of work involved. Not only EV training but having the right types, movesets, knowing their moveset in order to counter. It’s a ton of work. I’m enjoying this new game moreso than I did the others. I’m not so enamored with the starting Pokemon, I’m conflicted on my Sandile, but I love my Zebstrika. I just got my 5th badge, but I still have a while to go. My main problem is who do I pick? I’m trying to breed my perfect Litwick, I have a while until I can get a Rufflet, nor can I get my Axew yet. With my Oshwott I should have all the different types covered. But I really want a Larvesta, but I don’t know who I’d replace. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pokemon-black-and-white/573753/26 "2011-03-09T18:37:15Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > A part of me wants to try and competitively battle, but my God, if you go by Serebii there’s a ton of work involved. Not only EV training but having the right types, movesets, knowing their moveset in order to counter. It’s a ton of work. > > I’m enjoying this new game moreso than I did the others. I’m not so enamored with the starting Pokemon, I’m conflicted on my Sandile, but I love my Zebstrika. I just got my 5th badge, but I still have a while to go. > > My main problem is who do I pick? I’m trying to breed my perfect Litwick, I have a while until I can get a Rufflet, nor can I get my Axew yet. With my Oshwott I should have all the different types covered. But I really want a Larvesta, but I don’t know who I’d replace. Sandile (and his evolutions) are AWESOME. I’m especially loving the Moxie ability; every time he faints an opponent, his Attack stat goes up by one stage. As my son put it yesterday, “Faint two opponents in a battle and it’s like a free Swords Dance!” I only have three badges, though. I find myself pretty risk-adverse. I’d rather spend a day training and leveling up my team so that when I go into a gym, it’s a series of one-hit, knockout attacks. Another ability I instinctively feel could be used to great effect is Mummy, Yamask/Cofagrigus’ little secret. It has no effect on the wearer, but if another Pokemon makes contact with a Mummy ability-Pokemon (i.e. uses a physical attack on it) then the attack’s ability ALSO becomes Mummy. So this could be devastating to an opponent who relies on his ability… say you’re battling with a Pokemon that has Levitate, secure in your immunity to ground moves. Then you hit Yamask and – surprise! – you’re now ripe for Earthquakin’!! Your Insomnia Pokemon can be put to sleep, your Shed Skin Pokemon will STAY asleep, your Guts will lose their attack boot when statused. How’s that for a monkey wrench in a battle team? ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pokemon-black-and-white/573753/27 "2011-03-09T19:59:21Z")
Sheesh, just how rare is shaking grass(/swirling dust/whatever water)? I’ve been following a pokedex so I know what’s on each route, but Audino is listed as being in shaking grass on routes 1, 2, and 3. It mentioned you can get shaking grass pretty reliably by walking around the border of the grass (but not in it) for about 2 minutes, but despite doing this on different routes, different visits, and longer than 3-5 minutes I’ve never seen it happen. Am I just supremely unlucky? > [@Bricker](#): > > Another ability I instinctively feel could be used to great effect is Mummy, Yamask/Cofagrigus’ little secret. It has no effect on the wearer, but if another Pokemon makes contact with a Mummy ability-Pokemon (i.e. uses a physical attack on it) then the attack’s ability ALSO becomes Mummy. So this could be devastating to an opponent who relies on his ability… say you’re battling with a Pokemon that has Levitate, secure in your immunity to ground moves. Then you hit Yamask and – surprise! – you’re now ripe for Earthquakin’!! Your Insomnia Pokemon can be put to sleep, your Shed Skin Pokemon will STAY asleep, your Guts will lose their attack boot when statused. How’s that for a monkey wrench in a battle team? Useful, but do many Pokemon with Levitate even use physical attacks? Most of the ones I can think of rely on psychic type attacks which tend to be special. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pokemon-black-and-white/573753/28 "2011-03-09T20:37:55Z")
> [@Jragon](#): > > Useful, but do many Pokemon with Levitate even use physical attacks? Most of the ones I can think of rely on psychic type attacks which tend to be special. Claydol packs a mean Earthquake. > [@Jragon](#): > > Sheesh, just how rare is shaking grass(/swirling dust/whatever water)? I’ve been following a pokedex so I know what’s on each route, but Audino is listed as being in shaking grass on routes 1, 2, and 3. It mentioned you can get shaking grass pretty reliably by walking around the border of the grass (but not in it) for about 2 minutes, but despite doing this on different routes, different visits, and longer than 3-5 minutes I’ve never seen it happen. Am I just supremely unlucky? I’ve only seen one. And I fainted it. Got a boatload of EXP for it, though. I agree that the shaking grass has been a tease more than a reality so far. ---
**Author:** ![Trion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Trion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trion)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pokemon-black-and-white/573753/29 "2011-03-09T20:59:33Z")
Huh. I’ve gotten the shaking grass several times by now and caught an Audino first time. I also got one of the monkeys from the shaking grass too, if I remember correctly. ---
**Author:** ![ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chockfullofheadygoodness/32/511_2.png) [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2011, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pokemon-black-and-white/573753/30 "2011-03-10T00:50:37Z")
> [@Jragon](#): > > Sheesh, just how rare is shaking grass(/swirling dust/whatever water)? I’ve been following a pokedex so I know what’s on each route, but Audino is listed as being in shaking grass on routes 1, 2, and 3. It mentioned you can get shaking grass pretty reliably by walking around the border of the grass (but not in it) for about 2 minutes, but despite doing this on different routes, different visits, and longer than 3-5 minutes I’ve never seen it happen. Am I just supremely unlucky? > . Sounds like you’re unlucky. I’ve been playing relatively spoiler-free (flipped through the booklet that came with the game, but I’ve been avoiding [serebii.net](http://serebii.net) and the guide my kids got) so I didn’t know about the grass in advance. I noticed some twitching grass in the Dreamyard and caught an Audino. I also caught a Panpour in the Pinhead Forest. I’ve knocked out an additional 2 or 3 more Audinos as well (lots of EXP for that - I let everything in my party take one whack at it and they all got between 200-300 EXP). Both of my kids have Audino’s as well. I’m playing Black - I don’t know if there’s any frequency difference between the versions. I’ve seen the dark circles in the water several times as well, but I don’t have Surf yet. ---
**Author:** ![Trion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Trion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trion)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2011, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pokemon-black-and-white/573753/31 "2011-03-10T01:44:01Z")
> [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](#): > > Sounds like you’re unlucky. I’ve been playing relatively spoiler-free (flipped through the booklet that came with the game, but I’ve been avoiding [serebii.net](http://serebii.net) and the guide my kids got) so I didn’t know about the grass in advance. I’m playing the same way. I always go guide-free until I become the Champion. Then anything goes. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2011, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pokemon-black-and-white/573753/32 "2011-03-10T02:01:42Z")
I’m currently Elite Four-ing, by which I mean i’m currently getting easily beaten by the Elite Four. I do have what so far I think will be my final pre-National Dex team, so I think it’s just a matter of doing a bit of grinding (sigh) on Victory Road, as per usual. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2011, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pokemon-black-and-white/573753/33 "2011-03-10T02:58:10Z")
> [@Revenant\_Threshold](#): > > I’m currently Elite Four-ing, by which I mean i’m currently getting easily beaten by the Elite Four. I do have what so far I think will be my final pre-National Dex team, so I think it’s just a matter of doing a bit of grinding (sigh) on Victory Road, as per usual. What’s your team? ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2011, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pokemon-black-and-white/573753/34 "2011-03-10T10:57:24Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > What’s your team? Karrablast, Pawniard, Beartic, Carracosta, Unfezant, Samurott. I’ll need to find someone to trade with at some point, as apparently I need to trade Karrablast for Shelmet for both of them to evolve. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pokemon-black-and-white/573753/35 "2011-03-11T01:30:58Z")
> [@Revenant\_Threshold](#): > > Karrablast, Pawniard, Beartic, Carracosta, Unfezant, Samurott. I’ll need to find someone to trade with at some point, as apparently I need to trade Karrablast for Shelmet for both of them to evolve. I have: Samurott: Pretty well rounded. It has a grass hidden power so I can take out other water. Krookodile: I’m not impressed too much with this one. It’s strong and with Moxie can easily sweep, but its defense is horrid and it isn’t _quite_ fast enough to where defense can be ignored. I just don’t know what can replace it. Chandelure: This is my new favorite. It’s at lvl 43 and already has a special attack of 160. It has a flashfire ability so that makes it immune to all fire attacks. Fraxure: For being only a mid-evolution it’s still pretty strong. I was able to OKO the 8th gym leader. I chose it to have a hasty nature in order hopefully beat some off the line. Out of all 600+ available it’s up there in attack so I felt speed was more important. Ruffet: It’s still in lower 30 right now so I haven’t really been able to gauge its usefullness, but just going off Serebii it has a really high attack value. Larvestra: This one too I am training. If I can get it evolved at lvl 59 it has a high speed and really good special attack. Unfortunately it’s fairly worthless until that point. I returned Zebstrika to my pc, but I’m still really on the fence. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pokemon-black-and-white/573753/36 "2011-03-14T17:32:33Z")
I’ve just finished the Ice Badge, and don’t think I’m ready to take on the Elite Four Yet by any means. Of course, in watching my son play, he and I have very different approaches. He challenges a gym the moment he thinks he might win, and if he loses, he simply trains up and goes after it again. I tend to get my Pokes up to a very high level first, under the “sock and awe” approach, so most of my actual gym battles have been a series of one hit knockouts. I’m risk averse. 🙂 Revenant Threshold, if you want to exchange friend codes and work out a time, I’ll trade you Shelmet for Karrablast and/or vice versa. I’m **Bricker** (surprise, huh?) 0518 6546 9176 ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2011, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pokemon-black-and-white/573753/37 "2011-03-19T19:05:09Z")
Anyone else having trouble catching the legendaries? Fucking, Victini is down to one hp (I used false swipe) and asleep and my ultraballs aren’t doing a damn thing. ---
**Author:** ![Trion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Trion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trion)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2011, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pokemon-black-and-white/573753/38 "2011-03-19T19:14:32Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > Anyone else having trouble catching the legendaries? Fucking, Victini is down to one hp (I used false swipe) and asleep and my ultraballs aren’t doing a damn thing. Victini was tough, but I got him. I think it took me something like 10 Ultra Balls when he was in the red. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pokemon-black-and-white/573753/39 "2011-03-19T19:17:57Z")
> [@Trion](#): > > Victini was tough, but I got him. I think it took me something like 10 Ultra Balls when he was in the red. I used up 15 ultras and 3 timers, then I gave up. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2011, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pokemon-black-and-white/573753/40 "2011-03-19T21:15:54Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > I used up 15 ultras and 3 timers, then I gave up. The next time I tried it I got it with one quick ball. I’m getting a little flustered because I beat the elite four in my first try with around lvl 43 team, but the after-game they’re all lvl 63 and such. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pokemon-black-and-white/573753.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pokemon-black-and-white/573753.md?page=3)