Clover (Water Monotype) - Elite 4/Champion

Описание: This took 9 attempts. I guess when you have Semdemen on the team, a W is almost guaranteed? It depends. Let me get some things out the way. First of all, the level cap. According to a doc that shared the level caps for each major point in the main game (post game has level scaling), 75 was the cap for the E4. However, some asterisks were placed after certain caps. For this one, 75 as the cap was based on dev info. Some other caps were more or less theorized. They are "soft" level caps basically. I bring this up because I was at risk of overleveling. I glanced at Allen Chinginzoh's walkthrough (which includes trainer documentation that he got from the Wiki replacement) and apart from Masdawg, the highest level mon in the E4 seemed to be 73. I tried to cap my team at 73 but after some losses to Ginosaji, I found my team hitting level 75, with Mabster, an in-game trade, teetering on level 76. At that point, I had to save-scum. This was purely for the purpose of preventing further overleveling, as well as wanting to keep the impromptu rival battle. I believe on subsequent attempts, the rival doesn't appear, if I remember my previous playthrough correctly.

Basically, I saved just before starting the E4 challenge, and would reset after losing. While the main reasons were for the level cap and to show off the rival battle, I can't deny that keeping my inventory of healing items was beneficial. I never figured out a consistent, top notch method of money grinding. I know about Pickup with 5 Carracolds/Ballacles, I know about Pay Day/Amulet Coin, Thiefing off Chompest (who is pretty rare in Rock Tunnel, that detail is left out for some reason). I didn't want to money grind for too long, and with previous E4 losses before I committed to saving and resetting along with spending money on coins for TM13 Ice Beam, I pretty much exhausted my funds to get just enough healing items for the E4. Obviously, to use after battles, not after. I hate this kind of maintenance, especially when I forget to use Elixirs, a big issue for Mabster in the Tyrone battle.

Now, as for the team, I had 5 of the slots worked out. Manatank was the 6th mon. I wasn't feeling Mimimie, even though it would've probably dealt with Phantash and Sprucifix, the most annoying mons in Ginosaji's team. Ginosaji in general is the most annoying E4 member, I have trauma from the playthrough last year when I battled his rematch team. Manatank's access to Huge Power was the main reason to use it. Great bulk is a bonus, and Ice coverage was kind of necessary.

Now knowing Semdemen and Condoom are Uber-tier mons in Clover Showdown, I guess I don't need to explain why they are on the team. The sets for the team are mostly lifted from a doc on "example" sets for Clover mons. It's through there that I learned both mons can learn Calm Mind. That's kind of crazy, 2 bulky mons with great Special Attack moves and decent stats in that department can set up and sweep. Condoom though was used for switching in though, but did try to setup sweep in the Ginosaji battle. For the Champion battle, I didn't know exactly what Lick Clean did. I looked it up later, and, yeah, keeping Condoom in was a mistake.

Segue to Baitmaster, because that explains why I have Trick on it. To remove the Eviolite off that doggo. I was wary with the Scarf because of not knowing Baitmaster's Speed IV and EVs. There's an NPC who tells you in Beehive City but I didn't think about that option at the time. I had another choice, I didn't feel like farming for the Specs (wild Smogaroben have a low chance of carrying them). If anything, the Scarf ensured that at least one mon in my team can outspeed. Ice Beam was for coverage, Surf and Moonblast is obvious.

Mabster impressed me with Shell Smash, so I kept it here. It made Bendova easy. The only issue was dealing with other Sash holders, like Saxton Hale's Mabster. Also, Crabhammer missing, that sucks. I had no control over ability, I had a Dream Pill that I didn't want to use (like a Master Ball, you don't want to use it unless necessary and you end up never using it). Swift Swim seemed fine when Sadfish had Drizzle, but it didn't matter in the end. Iron Fist would've required a moveset change. I would've loved to use Drain Punch to regain HP after a Sash proc. Thank goodness the in-game trade Mabster was Adamant.

Lastly, Sadfish, poor old Sadfish. I wanted to get off some Destiny Bond kills, but the AI is at least smarter than RR's when it comes to that move. Switching, blatantly using weaker moves, and I'd fall for their Destiny Bond too. Sadfish was often used for being a sacrifice. I guess it makes sense, look at the nickname I gave it.

The music's from Clover, E4 theme, then Edgie's theme, then the Champion theme. I have more to say, look for the pinned comment.

Enjoy the video.