Gym Leader Strategies - Prof. Kaden Chang, Alien Researcher

[ddrussianinja]

If you're wondering what this is exactly, go to [url=http://paxpokemonleague.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1453ax3]this thread[/urlax3] where I explain it a bit better. Essentially, I'll be sharing my speculation and strategies regarding PPL Gym Leaders as they're announced.

Disclaimer: I have absolutely no inside knowledge regarding the PPL and everything I suggest is pure speculation. While last year a number of my guesses turned out to be spot-on, a decent number of them were dead wrong. I assume the same will hold true for this year. I imagine that the Gym Leaders will neither confirm nor deny any of our speculation and they may well decide to change their team lineup just to keep us on our toes. This is purely for fun and to help out newbies who might not know which Pokemon they want to train in preparation for the PPL. Also, with that in mind, let's try to keep the strategies as plain English as possible. Not everyone knows all the crazy terms.

[bax3][url=http://paxpokemonleague.net/2014/02/prof-kaden-chang-the-alien-researcher/ax3]Prof. Kaden Chang, the Alien Researcher[/urlax3][/bax3]
[spoilerax3]Professor Kaden Chang was once a well-respected Astrophysicist. However, after a close encounter with what she claims to have been a Clefairy spaceship, her interests rapidly turned to aliens and her credibility plummeted. Years later, she has continued her search for proof of aliens and proof of Pokémons’ extraterrestrial origins, proof she claims to have found when she and her assistant (Woopy the Wooper) attempted to resurrect a Deoxys from its hibernating state. Chang claims Deoxys enlightened her to the truth of aliens. She has now joined the Pokémon Advancement Expo at the PAX Pokémon League (the only place that would hire her) in hopes to share her wisdom with those who dare challenge her and regain her credibility. Come challenger, and prove you have what it takes to win the UFO Badge![/spoilerax3]

[bax3][uax3]Initial Impressions[/uax3][/bax3]
There's a pretty clear theme here.
[imgax3]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7tFPgXhfE_A/TzAbcwDp_EI/AAAAAAAAAMU/ytqkJZa4jlw/s320/9189283.jpg[/imgax3]
There are a number of Pokemon that are theorized to be of extraterrestrial origin. It is also speculated, perhaps, that [iax3]all[/iax3] Pokemon are derived from the same extraterrestrial ancestry. The problem with this is that a large number of these Pokemon are in the PPL Banned list, including Deoxys, so while Deoxys is a part of her backstory, I find it somewhat unlikely that it will be included. That said, some Gym Leaders have been allowed to bend the rules in the past for the sake of maintaining a particular theme, but it should be possible to build a team along the lines of this theme without doing so. Also, it seems that this Gym Leader is the same person who was known as [url=http://paxpokemonleague.net/2013/02/leader-melanie-the-wooper-fanatic/ax3]Melanie, the Wooper Fanatic[/urlax3] last year. If anyone challenged Melanie last year and can provide some insight, that would be helpful.

[bax3][uax3]Probable Pokemon[/uax3][/bax3]
[bax3]Clefable[/bax3] - Clefairy is probably the most well-known ET Pokemon due to its episode in the anime early on with a researcher who first stated the UFO theory in the show's canon during the Mount Moon episode.
[bax3]Starmie[/bax3] - A number of Pokedex entries explicitly state that some believe that Starmie is of alien origin and that it communicates via radio signals with outer space. Also, Starmie is a pretty excellent Pokemon in general.
[bax3]Lunatone[/bax3] - One of the two Meteorite Pokemon.
[bax3]Solrock[/bax3] - The other Meteorite Pokemon.
[bax3]Jirachi[/bax3] - A Limited Pokemon, but not Banned like Deoxys.
[bax3]Beheeyem[/bax3] - Elgyem's Pokedex entry makes allusions to the Roswell UFO incident, making it and its evolved form, Beheeyem, probable ET Pokemon.

[bax3][uax3]Possible Pokemon[/uax3][/bax3]
[bax3]Wooper/Quagsire[/bax3] - While explicitly mentioned in the description, Wooper is not an extra-terrestrial Pokemon (unless you believe that ALL Pokemon are extraterrestrial in origin) and is probably included as a reference to the Gym Leader's previous persona. And while mentioned as a Wooper, if it is included, it's somewhat expected that it will be Quagsire instead, since Wooper is very frail comparatively.
[bax3]Deoxys[/bax3] - Again, while explicitly mentioned, Deoxys is on the ban list and so I doubt it will appear on the team, and if it does, it likely won't be exploiting its power.

[bax3][uax3]Strategy[/uax3][/bax3]
It's pretty hard to build a strategy when you have to use Lunatone and Solrock. Neither of them are particularly good. The only thing I could imagine them doing is using Trick Room, a move that makes it so that slower Pokemon that would normally go last go first instead. Very useful for Pokemon like Beheeyem.

Jirachi, Starmie, and Clefable are a different story, however.

So let's assume for kicks that Prof. Chang... oh dear, that's a Community reference, isn't it? Sorry, as I was saying, let's assume that Chang includes either Solrock or Lunatone but not both and gives that open slot to Quagsire, particularly since, like Beheeyem, Quagsire could benefit from a Trick Room. That makes the team a bit stronger.

So what are some weaknesses we can exploit given this hypothetical configuration? Well, Ghost is a pretty reliable type here. Jirachi is no longer resistant to Ghost in this generation thanks to Steel losing that resistance, and Starmie, Solrock/Lunatone, and Beheeyem are weak to Ghost as well. That leaves only Clefable, who is no longer immune to Ghost attacks since it is no longer a Normal Pokemon, and Quagsire, which isn't resistant to Ghost either. Bug is another type that could work against most of the Pokemon here, with the notable exception of Clefable, which is now resistant to Bug Pokemon, and Jirachi and Quagsire, which are neutral to them. Also, if you want to destroy Quagsire, bring out a Grass Pokemon. Just don't pit a Grass Pokemon against Jirachi. Similarly, if you're worried about Clefable, maybe bring in a Steel Pokemon as a ringer. Steel won't work well against Jirachi, Quagsire, or Starmie, but it will work wonders on Clefable and Solrock/Lunatone.

OK, so Ghost, Bug, Grass, and Steel. What are some good choices here? Well, Ferrothorn could cover your Grass AND Steel needs pretty effectively. Ferrothorn is a real pain and unless your opponent is packing a Fire Pokemon (which Prof. Chang isn't), you'll definitely put them in a bit of a panic. Scizor is my personal favorite Bug Pokemon, and also happens to cover the Steel type as well. If you've got a Scizor with the Technician Ability and Bullet Punch and you give it a stat boost move like Swords Dance, it can wipe through a lot of Pokemon with a boosted Bullet Punch, which is a higher Priority move, meaning it usually goes first (this will not be affected by Trick Room). As for the Ghost type, Aegislash is probably a good bet since it also has the Steel type. If you want a more pure Ghost experience, however, Gengar is a good bet (just don't give him a Mega Stone).

Just keep in mind that Fire is a concern for all of these and Jirachi and Clefable can easily learn pretty good Fire moves.

[bax3][uax3]Mock Battle[/uax3][/bax3]
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/customgame-91728714

[bax3][uax3]Conclusion[/uax3][/bax3]
While perhaps not the strongest matchup, these otherworldly Pokemon probably shouldn't be taken too lightly. Still, with the proper coverage, most of these Pokemon can easily be handled. I'd expect this to be an Easy to Intermediate fight depending on how Prof. Chang builds her team.

[Propriety]

I can say that none of the gym leaders are using Pokemon on the Banned list.

It wouldn't be fair now, would it? :B

Also: ALIENS

[Erkenhelm]

I battled her last year and she was letting people choose what type of battle they wanted to do. Maybe she'll be doing that again.

[Shrain]

I miss these posts so much! Hope all is well, ddrussianninja.

[Propriety]