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[GoldStarz]

Well of course. They're based off of letters. One letter is nothing. A few make a word. Thousands or millions together make language, one of the strongest forces in the world.

Then how come when I spell "W-I-N-N-E-R" in my party, I don't just decimate the competition? ;o;

Yeah I'm tempted to watch the third movie again too. I remember it being my favourite, at least.

It's generally considered the best movie despite more or less being the only movie without immediate repercussions for the rest of the world (I mean I guess Celebi's movie doesn't either but I mean other than the tree monster, that's one's kinda boring).

 

[NipplesAndToes23]

Fuck glitch causing Unown. I was okay with it until it started fucking with my game.

 

[Toxi]

Lance should have also had a Tyranitar. I mean he has an Aerodactyl so he isn't a pure dragon trainer (aesthetically). Having multiple of a Kanto Pokemon on his team in second gen is dumb.

Lance is actually a Flying type trainer in Gen 2. His entire time is Flying type, while only three are Dragons.

But yeah, replace a Dragonite with Kingdra and another with Tyranitar.

 

[Aaronrules380]

Then how come when I spell "W-I-N-N-E-R" in my party, I don't just decimate the competition? ;o;

Because while doing that determines the winner, the winner it determines won't be you

 

[GoldStarz]

Because while doing that determines the winner, the winner it determines won't be you

I guess I should be spelling "R-U-D-E" instead then.

To be honest, I wish Pokemon revisted the Unown some time, I think if Pokemon games back in Gen II were like how they are now, the Unown would probably play some kind of story role.

 

[PK Gaming]

Falkner should have had a Hoothoot and Noctowl (Or if Noctowl is too strong, Delibird).

Bugsy should have had a Spinarak and Ledyba.

Morty should have had a Misdreavus.

Chuck should have had a Heracross.

Lance should have had a Kingdra.

 

[Seven Force]

I still love Gen II despite it's flaws and weird ass design decisions, but it's pure comedy that the Kanto gym leaders have more Johto Pokemon combined than the Johto leaders (7 to Johto's 4, IIRC).

Like, it doesn't bother me, but it is kinda silly.

 

[Dr. Feel Good]

Speaking of the Gastly line... one of my biggest pet peeves in Generation I was the abundance of Poison dual types. Bulbasaur line, Bellsprout line, Gastly line, Venonat line, and even Bedrill was completely stupid. I don't get it.

 

[balladofwindfishes]

Unown never got more than one sprite in the entire series. Its Ruby/Sapphire Sprite is just its GS sprite with some added color. It's a pixel to pixel match, other than the shading (obviously).

It's pretty obvious Unown is a pain for them to implement.

 

[Toxi]

Speaking of the Gastly line... one of my biggest pet peeves in Generation I was the abundance of Poison dual types. Bulbasaur line, Bellsprout line, Gastly line, Venonat line, and even Bedrill was completely stupid. I don't get it.

Gastly is based on poisonous gas. It's right there in the name.

Bellsprout is based on a plant filled with digestive fluid.

Beedrill is a venomous insect.

Venomoth is based on the many poisonous lepidopterans.

I got nuthin' for Bulbasaur though.

Poison is my favorite type, so I'm probably biased when I say Gen 1 is my second favorite generation. I love having so many Poison types.

 

[jnWake]

I've never cared about Unown. I didn't see their movie though so maybe that's why.

Ruins of Alph had some cool stuff though.

 

[ajim]

Mismagius is the bomb! She's always on my team!

 

[The Silver]

All that time I wasted in the ruins, solving puzzles and catching all 26 Unowns.......expecting something cool to happen......and then nothing....

 

[The Technomancer]

"I haven't seen this many strange letters since I last placed a Personals ad"

Thank you James

 

[NipplesAndToes23]

Mismagius is the bomb! She's always on my team!

Oh yeah, I meant to comment on that. I wanted to use one of those, but I think it didn't show up in Soul Silver until Mt. Silver. Didn't run into one or its preevolved form at all in Black 2. I always wanted to use Misdreavious. It's something about her name and design.

 

[Toxi]

"I haven't seen this many strange letters since I last placed a Personals ad"

Thank you James

Team Rocket really make Pokemon watchable.

 

[CazTGG]

Then how come when I spell "W-I-N-N-E-R" in my party, I don't just decimate the competition? ;o;

Because that's not how you spell Exodia.

Unknown is one of the best examples of Game Freak's lack of rebalancing/tweaking older, less popular Pokémon to be viable for newer generations (Yes I know they gave certain Pokémon a 10 point boost or Mega Evolution, some of which were good like Mega Mawile. Doesn't really help the ones that need it), especially gimmicky Pokémon like Unknown, instead of fixing what was never broken (Salamence, Metagross and Garchomp did not need a Mega evolution, to name a few). Only being able to use one move whose type is determined by invisible numbers combine with largely unimpressive stats make Eviolite Sunkern a more viable member to fill one's team with it. It really should be given more moves or, at the very least, the ability to learn TMs like Psychic, Shadow Ball, the usual TMs Psychic-Type Pokémon are known to use along with some changes to its stats or go the Rotom route and give it an upgrade-esque evolution like Unknown-Dimension D.

Metagross was actually no longer all that great competitively before they added the Mega (Plus, it's Steven's signature Pokemon, so they probably wanted it for the champion battle in ORAS as well)

It's been OU ever since it was introduced, mostly due to a good movepool, great stat spread (except for speed) and solid typing. I kind of expected it to get a Mega, but that's besides the point.

 

[papertoonz]

Poison is my favorite type, so I'm probably biased when I say Gen 1 is my second favorite generation. I love having so many Poison types.

i'm guessing you like gen 5 then, not that there is anything bad about that

also pokemon movies i have a special place for power of one in my heart but i will admit it's not the best, Spell of the Unown is good

 

[Aaronrules380]

Because that's not how you spell Exodia.

Unknown is one of the best examples of Game Freak's lack of rebalancing/tweaking older, less popular Pokémon to be viable for newer generations (Yes I know they gave certain Pokémon a 10 point boost or Mega Evolution, some of which were good like Mega Mawile. Doesn't really help the ones that need it), especially gimmicky Pokémon like Unknown, instead of fixing what was never broken (Salamence, Metagross and Garchomp did not need a Mega evolution, to name a few). Only being able to use one move whose type is determined by invisible numbers combine with largely unimpressive stats make Eviolite Sunkern a more viable member to fill one's team with it. It really should be given more moves or, at the very least, the ability to learn TMs like Psychic, Shadow Ball, the usual TMs Psychic-Type Pokémon are known to use along with some changes to its stats or go the Rotom route and give it an upgrade-esque evolution like Unknown-Dimension D.

Unown was never meant to be viable. And Metagross was actually no longer all that great competitively before they added the Mega (Plus, it's Steven's signature Pokemon, so they probably wanted it for the champion battle in ORAS as well)

Salamence was also not very popular anymore before it got it's mega

 

[balladofwindfishes]

Because that's not how you spell Exodia.

Unknown is one of the best examples of Game Freak's lack of rebalancing/tweaking older, less popular Pokémon to be viable for newer generations (Yes I know they gave certain Pokémon a 10 point boost or Mega Evolution, some of which were good like Mega Mawile. Doesn't really help the ones that need it), especially gimmicky Pokémon like Unknown, instead of fixing what was never broken (Salamence, Metagross and Garchomp did not need a Mega evolution, to name a few). Only being able to use one move whose type is determined by invisible numbers combine with largely unimpressive stats make Eviolite Sunkern a more viable member to fill one's team with it. It really should be given more moves or, at the very least, the ability to learn TMs like Psychic, Shadow Ball, the usual TMs Psychic-Type Pokémon are known to use along with some changes to its stats or go the Rotom route and give it an upgrade-esque evolution like Unknown-Dimension D.

Has Game Freak ever rebalanced a gimmick Pokemon?

In the case of Chatot they actually removed its gimmick so it's just a bad normal/flying type lol

 

[The Technomancer]

Man the Pokemon movies aren't very long huh?

 

[Toxi]

i'm guessing you like gen 5 then, not that there is anything bad about that

Yep. In terms of Pokemon, Gen 5>Gen 1>Gen 3>Gen 4=Gen 2>Gen 6

I guess I like odd-numbered generations better.

Has Game Freak ever rebalanced a gimmick Pokemon?

In the case of Chatot they actually removed its gimmick so it's just a bad normal/flying type lol

Wobbuffet. In Gen 2, it was completely useless. Then Gen 3 gave it Shadow Tag and Encore and it became broken.

 

[NotDreamcast]

The Unown have cute animations in Gen 6.

 

[Daemul]

The Unown are cool as all hell. Even though they're probably the most useless Pokemon for battling, lorewise they rank among the top 5 most interesting. The Unown seem to have an extremely close relationship with Arceus, appearing in large numbers during the HGSS event when Arceus creates an egg of Giratina, Palkia or Dialga out of nothing.

I very much suspect that the "Thousand Arms" of Arceus is a metaphor for the Unown, and I wouldn't be surprised at all to see the Unown incorporated into any possible Primal/ Mega Evolution design for Arceus.

 

[PataHikari]

Unown have always been really cool, if not exactly useful in game.

Of course, it helps that they're clearly not meant to be particularly battle worthy.

 

[Toxi]

Man, after Wobbuffet we're gonna run into quite an interesting stretch of Pokemon. :-\

 

[Nightii]

As much as we all would like it to be different, not all Pokemon are meant to be viable fighters, and Unown are the perfect example of this. It would be like complaining that Azurill can't fight alone or that Whimsicott (AKA The BEST) can't be an all-out attacker, it's just not their role.

 

[Toxi]

As much as we all would like it to be different, not all Pokemon are meant to be viable fighters, and Unown are the perfect example of this. It would be like complaining that Azurill can't fight alone or that Whimsicott (AKA The BEST) can't be an all-out attacker, it's just not their role.

I can complain about Azurill: It's a completely pointless Pokemon that doesn't need to exist because Marill already functioned fine as a "baby". Also, its typing makes no goddamn sense.

But yes, Whimsicott is awesome.

 

[Nightii]

I can complain about Azurill: It's a completely pointless Pokemon that doesn't need to exist because Marill already functioned fine as a "baby". Also, its typing makes no goddamn sense.

But yes, Whimsicott is awesome.

You see pointless, I see a cute as hell Pokemon, that much is enough sometimes, to be honest. Plus, Pikablu needed it's own Pichublu.

But that's beside the point I was making, about not all Pokemon being viable fighters.

 

[Aaronrules380]

As much as we all would like it to be different, not all Pokemon are meant to be viable fighters, and Unown are the perfect example of this. It would be like complaining that Azurill can't fight alone or that Whimsicott (AKA The BEST) can't be an all-out attacker, it's just not their role.

Yep. Unown are quite clearly meant to be lore pokemon rather than useful in battle. And there really isn't any good way to make them viable. You could add some decent moves, but that wouldn't really make them useful, just less useless. Kind of like Luvdisc, who has a decent number of fantastic moves, but is still totally useless

 

[Toxi]

Yep. Unown are quite clearly meant to be lore pokemon rather than useful in battle. And there really isn't any good way to make them viable. You could add some decent moves, but that wouldn't really make them useful, just less useless. Kind of like Luvdisc, who has a decent number of fantastic moves, but is still totally useless

Speaking of shitty Pokemon, I can't wait until WatchDaBirdie reaches Delibird just so I can post the BW Delibird Smogon analysis.

 

[unknownstranger]

As much as we all would like it to be different, not all Pokemon are meant to be viable fighters, and Unown are the perfect example of this. It would be like complaining that Azurill can't fight alone or that Whimsicott (AKA The BEST) can't be an all-out attacker, it's just not their role.

Would still be nice if they buffed/redistributed stats for some weaker Pokémon making them viable in single player. Look at Ledian whose moveset focuses on physical attacks but has garbage attack. It randomly has insanely high special defense though. Take 30 points out of special defensive and put it into attack, and it still isn't viable competitively but it's at least useful in single player. If some of the single evolution Pokémon like Qwilfish and Stantler don't get an evolution/mega then give them a 10-20 point increase so more people use them and they aren't completely forgotten.

 

[Nightii]

I find Stantler to actually be quite decent in-game, he is forgettable to most people due to the nature of it's design, but I don't it is quite screwed overall.

Ledian is definitely a complete insult, though. That Pokemon more than deserves to be an above average fighter.

 

[balladofwindfishes]

Speaking of shitty Pokemon, I can't wait until WatchDaBirdie reaches Delibird just so I can post the BW Delibird Smogon analysis.

I like that they decided to put the cherry on top and give Delibird a redundant hidden ability

 

[DeviousAngel]

The unown always fascinated me as a kid, and I always caught them all hoping that something cool happened. Alas, wasted time...

However, lore-wise they're among the coolest pokemon, and they still captivate me in that regard. The unown seem to have the power to bend reality, and having seen what they can do in the hands of a child like Molly, it is mindboggling to think what they'd be capable of when their power is put to good (or evil) use.

If the unown and Arceus are indeed related as has been hinted, then what we could potentially have here is a relationship between language and the creation of the world, a rather biblical idea, and that makes the unown essentially akin to god's word. That is insane to think about when considering the individual unown are so weak lol.

 

[Phoenixus]

The Unown have cute animations in Gen 6.

Is every single letter uniquely animated? Id love to see that.

 

[WarAdept]

Is every single letter uniquely animated? Id love to see that.

Indeed they all are!

 

[Anth0ny]

neat!

 

[Seven Force]

Speaking of shitty Pokemon, I can't wait until WatchDaBirdie reaches Delibird just so I can post the BW Delibird Smogon analysis.

Say what you want about Smogon, but their analysis pages for joke tier Pokemon are almost always on point.

Let's face it, if you're using Castform at all, it's for the pure novelty value of Weather Ball. Having Castform on your team and not using Weather Ball is like visiting Paris without going to the Louvre, visiting New York without eating a hot dog, or visting Johannesburg without setting a car on fire.

 

[The Technomancer]

Every Unown looks more or less like the letter you would expect and then you find this fucker

G? G? Apparently this is G?

 

[WarAdept]

...Where is its mouth?!

 

[Phoenixus]

Indeed they all are!

Haha, wow. Credit to game freak for that.

 

[ColtraineGF]

 

[Dad]

Spoiler

 

[TriggerShy]

Say what you want about Smogon, but their analysis pages for joke tier Pokemon are almost always on point.

Speaking of which, did anyone post the BW analysis on Unknown yet?

 

[Toxi]

Say what you want about Smogon, but their analysis pages for joke tier Pokemon are almost always on point.

Overview

Kakuna is still one of the most interesting Bugs out there. I expect it to be Underused for a while as people drool over sweepers like Scizor and Azelf, and then returned to as people go back for the old reliable standards. Overall, Kakuna hasn't changed much, but it didn't really need to. That said, it got a few new toys in terms of moves and items. Expect to see Kakuna work the same way it did in Advance.

With Kakuna's new Bug Bite, it's justifiable that it has moved up to the NFE (Notoriously Freaking Epic) tier. (Seriously, who thinks of the names for these tiers, anyway?) With this new, extremely useful move under its shell, Kakuna has the ability to effectively shape its tier to its personal needs.

Tank

Poison Sting
Iron Defense
String Shot
Bug Bite

Leftovers/Black Sludge
Impish
252 HP/80 Atk/176 Def

As the standard, this is easily the most popular Kakuna set.

Iron Defense increases its already high Defense. String Shot can be used to try and mediate quicker things such as Weavile and Dugtrio. Bug Bite is a solid move to use—as Kakuna's most powerful STAB—and is useful to nab a Ganlon or Apicot Berry, both of which will help Kakuna take hits more easily. Black Sludge is an option to not only heal Kakuna, but to help ward off use of Trick or Covet. It is important to note, however, that if you opt for Black Sludge, your opponent can cripple one of your other teammates by Tricking it on to them.

The given EVs provide a good balance between offense and defense, as well as allowing Kakuna to take physical hits quite well.

Sweeper

Poison Sting
Iron Defense
String Shot
Bug Bite

Metronome
Adamant
4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe

A sweeping set. Iron Defense a few times, then sweep with Bug Bite—Kakuna's most reliable STAB option—using the Metronome. Be careful about Steel-types switching in, as they easily counter this set. Poison Sting is for an additional STAB option, though you'll usually be using Bug Bite. With Metronome, make sure to stick with the same attack, as your Metronome boost will eventually equal the boost given even by a Choice Band by spamming the same attack repetitively.

Choice

Poison Sting
Bug Bite

Choice Band/Choice Scarf
Adamant/Jolly
4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe

This is your standard Choice sweeper. With Bug Bite, Kakuna is not walled by the likes of Steelix and Steel-type Arceus. As a matter of fact, Bug Bite's addition lowers max HP / max Def Steelix from a 94HKO to a 36HKO. Max HP Steel-type Arceus is now a 25 HKO, while min HP/Def Psychic Arceus is a 22HKO.

With Jolly and a Choice Scarf, Kakuna outruns anything slower than Heatran, but if it manages to bite a Salac Berry off of some unsuspecting opponent, it gets boosted up to under Ninjask, allowing for a fast physical sweeper. Without the Attack boost from Adamant and Choice Band, you get a 45HKO on Steelix. In 2 vs. 2, pair it up with something with a Salac Berry and Bug Bite the Berry to receive the extra Speed boost.

Trapper Counter

Poison Sting
Iron Defense
String Shot
Bug Bite

Shed Shell
Impish
252 HP/252 Def/4 SpD

This Kakuna is mainly a Trapinch and Dugtrio counter, though it will also work against Wobbuffet if you're willing to use Kakuna in Ubers. Use String Shot to decrease Dugtrio's Speed, possibly hit it with poison status from Poison Sting, and then switch out using Shed Shell. Wobbuffet especially hates being poisoned, but watch out for Encore. If the enemy Wobbuffet Encores your String Shot, they can switch in an already slow sweeper, such as Tyranitar or Rhyperior; a locked Poison Sting makes way for an entrance by a Steel-type, such as Metagross or Dialga.

Classic Tank

Iron Defense
Bug Bite
Poison Sting

Sticky Barb
Impish
252 HP/252 Def/4 SpD

The old in-game standard. It's as good of a tank as it ever was. With the inclusion of Sticky Barb, it now has an opportunity to deal damage better and faster than it could before. This set works better with Leech Seed, Toxic Spikes, and/or other residual damage support.

The given EVs maximize Kakuna's ability to take physical hits.

Other Options

Kakuna's movepool is rather shallow; however, it still has a couple different choices. A Lum Berry can be used should Kakuna accidentally switch into Hypnosis. Type-resist Berries can also be useful. The big three that will help Kakuna are Charti, Coba, and Occa. Charti will reduce damage inflicted from Rock-type attacks, Coba the same with Flying, while Occa will do the trick for Fire. Occa is most helpful when considering the widespread usage of Heatran and Infernape. Rock- and Flying-type attacks are much less common.

Checks and Counters

Parasect can kill it, but it has to be careful switching in because of Bug Bite and Poison Sting. Farfetch'd resists its moves, but can be walled by Iron Defense. Thief Banette with Frisk also causes some problems by selectively stealing items while snatching away Kakuna's Iron Defenses.

Steelix and Steel-type Arceus, although somewhat manageable thanks to Bug Bite, still cause problems for our cocooned friend. Other Steel-types, such as Dialga, give Kakuna issues. Luckily, the Steel / Psychic-typed Pokemon are neutral to Bug-type attacks, meaning that Kakuna can ravage them with a powerful STAB Bug Bite.

.

 

[Crayolan]

In my Murkrow review, I said that its Generation IV evolution in my opinion basically justified what was once a pretty lackluster and uninteresting design---I don't quite feel the same way with Misdreavus and Mismagius. For me, I grew to find Misdreavus cool enough on its own that when Mismagius was revealed I didn't go "finally, Misdreavus has a point", rather I was just happy to see a pretty neat, yet oft-forgotten single-stager, get placed back in the spotlight. Mismagius is neat, but I don't think the gap between Misdreavus and Mismagius in terms of design is as wide as the gap between Murkrow and Honchkrow, where it was like, "thank god they finally did something with this Pokemon".

I feel the exact opposite. Murkrow, despite being rather unremarkable and weak, has always seemed like a pretty complete design to me. Misdreavus on the other hand has always been ugly until Mismagius fixed it.

Just look at these sprites:

It's like Gamefreak specifically tries to make it as ugly or off-looking as possible.

 

[Benzychenz]

Every Unown looks more or less like the letter you would expect and then you find this fucker

G? G? Apparently this is G?

Yeah this has always baffled me.

Someone explain this shit.

 

[Azuran]

You guys talking about Smogon and no one has shared this Unown classic yet:

http://www.smogon.com/dex/dp/pokemon/unown/

Unown is just like Man; it dies to Pokemon with move. But for those who are unprepared for Man's—or rather, Unown's, for they are one and the same—unpredictability, they too will fall.

Unown @ Choice Specs
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hidden Power Ice

This is an ingenious moveset spread across the ages, constructed piece by piece with painstaking care in the arching caverns and ancient machinery of the most devious and cunning hive mind in the history of anything.

This moveset brings Unown's fullest potential into the light. His most powerful move, Hidden Power, rips through Magikarp, Hoppip, and Feebas with its unimaginable power, 2HKOing and OHKOing Magikarp and Hoppip with Hidden Power Ice, respectively. A neutral Hidden Power gives Feebas the ol' one-two-hit KO. When facing such opponents, Unown is unbeatable.

As if this wasn't proof enough of Unown's superiority, Hidden Power Ice OHKOs Flygon. Transporting to prehistoric ages, Unown can 2HKO the powerful T-rex, Tyranitar, with Hidden Power Fighting. And going even higher up on the evolutionary ladder, Groudon is 2HKOed by Hidden Power Ice.

Other Options

There is no need to use any move but another typed Hidden Power, for its power is secret, hidden, locked away.

 

[TriggerShy]

You guys talking about Smogon and no one has shared this Unown classic yet:

http://www.smogon.com/dex/dp/pokemon/unown/

This one is from Black and White, lets keep the Unknown love going.

http://www.smogon.com/dex/bw/pokemon/unown/

Overview

Some may prefer Alakazam as their Psychic-type of choice, probably thanks to its magnificent moustache, or perhaps the slow and ugly Reuniclus. However, Unown does the job of a Psychic-type just as well this generation as always. To be blunt, it is unknown why one would choose not to use Unown. Unchanged from DPP, it deals with most of the OU threats that would otherwise roam free—unless it gets hit first, of course.

The Swift Death

Move 1
Hidden Power IceHidden Power FightingHidden Power PsychicHidden Power Electric
Item
Choice Scarf
Nature
TimidModest
EVs
4 HP252 SpA252 Spe
Whilst this set does not grant the incredible damage Choice Specs Unown can deal, being the speediest in the current metagame—faster than those living in the modern world—is key to success. The most powerful Unown can outspeed several foes with a Timid nature such as Jolly Gliscor, Jolly 176 Speed Jirachi, and Adamant Salamence. Should you choose to take the more powerful choice and try a Modest nature instead, almighty Unown can still outspeed Jolly Gyarados, Timid Heatran, Jolly Breloom and Jolly Cloyster, allowing it to utterly destroy these enemies with the Hidden Power of choice.

There are no more options for this set, for Unown runs Hidden Power and only Hidden Power, its pride does not allow it to try other moves. It won't need any other attacks, anyway, as it's the perfect revenge killer and will just need to switch in and deal huge damage to its foe, then run away while a teammate deals with the remnants of the opposition.

This set requires the same teammates and help as The Most Almighty Unown, so you'd better read the additional comments there to see how can you utilize the utmost power of Unown.

Other Options

You can literally run any type of Hidden Power! Unown has an option for every type and its power knows no limits—other than being hit by any other opposing Pokemon, of course. Unown wouldn't want to learn any other moves anyway, because it does not need them. Hidden Power is all it needs to wreak havoc, cause despair, and spread fear amongst the opposing team. Using stronger moves such as the boring Fire Blast, Hydro Pump, or Draco Meteor would make Unown a little girl who can't fight and likes to risk a miss that could cost you a game. Unown is no gambler.

Checks and Counters

Literally nothing can counter or check almighty Unown, as it is a force to be reckoned with by all teams. Well, nothing unless you face that rare opposing Pokemon that's either faster, has a damaging move, resists its Hidden Power type, has an existent Special Defense stat, has a priority move, or is just not Unown.