Tag Archives: Pokemon Go

Best Monotype Runs for Pokemon Let’s Go

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The Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu (LGP) and Eevee (LGE) games gave fans of the series a new opportunity to dive back into Kanto and replay Pokemon Yellow but with many improvements. But if you want to try something new and not go through the same old routine, why not try a Monotype Run? A Monotype Run is a run where you only catch and train Pokemon of a certain type (emulating the role of a Gym Leader if you will). This offers a layer of challenge to the games you may not experience and give you an opportunity to train other Pokemon you may originally pass over. The new catching system and the introduction of Alolan forms have also given new life to certain types, like Poison or Grass, who may have been lackluster in the original games. With that said, let’s take a look at the best and worst types for Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee!

RULES

  1. You can only catch and train Pokémon of a certain type. Once you capture your first Pokemon of that type, disregard any previous Pokemon on your team.
  2. If a Pokémon evolves to said type you may train it but evolve it ASAP.
  3. No outside trading allowed, this includes from Pokemon Go
  4. If a Pokémon changes to said type via Mega Evolution you are allowed to train it provided you Mega evolve it every time.
  5. Only Pokémon caught before the Elite Four are counted.

Image result for Pidgeot

Best Types

Hold onto your butts everyone, I think exclusive Pokemon affect the Let’s Go games more than any Pokemon games in the entire series! This is primary because A. the amount of Pokemon is limited and B. many of the exclusives have Alolan forms which further compounds the issue as you have to trade a non-Alolan Pokemon to get its Alolan form. So PLEASE pay attention which version you have as this can drastically change your first Pokemon and your team.

With that said, I think the Normal type is the best type in the games for a Monotype Run followed by Poison (LGP), Electric, and Flying (although I would also consider Bug, Ground, Grass and if you’re patient, Water and Rock). Normal is the overall winner here due to its abundance, strong late-game Pokemon, and of course early availability whether it’s a Route 1 Pokemon or, of course, your starter Eevee in LGE. Normal Pokemon also can learn a variety of moves which is super fantastic! Wigglytuff’s Normal/Fairy typing is really nice against Fighters and Snorlax is so iconic you just have to ask why wouldn’t you train one??

I’m a huge fan of Poison type so I’m bias but I think LGP is among the best in the series for a Poison run! That’s right! You heard it here first. You can catch an Oddish in the first route, catch both Nidorans right afterwards in Route 22, then catch a Weedle and Bulbasaur (!) in Viridian Forest. Of course, you have Tentacruel, Golbat, Venomoth, and Haunter backing you up but the real kicker that puts LGP above LGE is the Alolan Muk which gives you that sweet, sweet, immunity to Psychic Pokemon who are so very common in Kanto. I’m currently playing the game for a Poison run and it’s like every dream coming true for me.

Electric was already decent in RBY but I think it’s much better here as Electric Pokemon can now learn a variety of moves and you can get an Alolan Graveler and an Alolan Raichu which gives you that nice variation that many Electric teams are really lacking in. Throw in the Zapdos and your partner Pikachu and you’re in for a fun time!

Finally, Flying type is really good as you can catch all three legendary birds before the Elite Four, acquire a Pidgey in the first route, train a Dragonite and Charizard, resurrect an Aerodactyl, and farm Magikarps for that amazing Gyarados. Your only issue here is that weakness to Rock attacks which can be covered thanks to Gyarados’ Water attacks.

Image result for Persian alolan

Worst Types

Quite a few of types I would not recommend unfortunately. Ghost is probably the worst as you can only catch one after the third gym and you basically have two team members, Haunter and Alolan Marowak. Dark type is also very abysmal as you only have two partners, an Alolan Raticate and either an Alolan Persian (LGE) or Alolan Muk (LGP) which are acquired much later (plus, LGE is exposed to all of Dark’s weaknesses). Dragon Pokemon are very rare and although you can catch a Charmander early on, your first true Dragon Pokemon won’t come until after you get the Sea Skim ability which is basically just past the game’s halfway point. Other types I would not recommend due to late availability would be Ice, Steel, and Fighting (LGE).
Team Combinations

Bug

Ideal Team: Parasect, Venomoth, Scyther (LGP)/Pinsir (LGE), Butterfree, Beedrill

First available Pokémon: Caterpie and Weedle via Route 2 before the first gym.

Cover weaknesses? No, Flying, Fire, and Rock not neutralized.

Dark

Ideal Team: Alolan Raticate, Alolan Persian (LGE)/Alolan Muk (LGP)

First Available Pokemon: Alolan Rattata in Cerulean City before the second gym

Cover Weaknesses? Yes in LGP thanks to Alolan Muk. In LGE, Fighting, Fairy, and Bug are not neutralized.

Dragon

Ideal Team: Dragonite, Mega Charizard X, Alolan Exeggutor

First Available Pokémon: From a certain point of view, Charmander via rare spawn in Route 3 after the first gym. You can catch a Dratini via Route 10 after you get the Sea Skim ability.

Covers Weaknesses? No, Dragon not covered

Electric

Ideal Team: Pikachu/Jolteon, Alolan Graveler, Electabuzz, Magneton, Alolan Raichu, Zapdos

Optional: Electrode

First Available Pokémon: Pikachu in Viridian Forest in LGE or Pikachu as a starter in LGP

Covers weaknesses? Yes

Fairy

Ideal Team: Wigglytuff, Clefable, Mr. Mime, Alolan Ninetales (LGE)

First Available Pokémon: Clefairy in Mt. Moon after first gym

Covers Weaknesses? No, Poison or Steel are not neutralized

Fighting

Ideal Team: Machoke, Hitmonlee/Hitmonchan, Primeape (LGP), Poliwrath

First Available Pokémon: For LGP, Mankey via Route 3 after the first gym. For LGE, Machop via Rock Tunnel after the third gym.

Covers Weaknesses? No, Flying or Psychic not neutralized.

Fire

Ideal Team: (Mega) Charizard, Arcanine (LGP)/Ninetales (LGE), Magmar, Alolan Marowak, Rapidash, Moltres

Optional: Flareon

First Available Pokémon: Charmander via Route 3 after the first gym (special spawn)

Covers Weaknesses? No, Rock is not neutralized

Flying

Ideal Team: Charizard, Dragonite, Aerodactyl, Gyarados, Zapdos, Articuno

Optional: Pidgeot, Fearow, Dodrio, Scyther (LGP), Moltres

First Available Pokémon: Pidgey via Route 1

Covers Weaknesses? No, Rock is not covered.

Ghost

Ideal Team: Haunter, Alolan Marowak

First Available Pokémon: Gastly at Lavender Tower well after the third gym

Covers Weaknesses? No, Ghost and Dark is not covered

Grass

Ideal Team: Mega Venusaur, Exeggutor, Vileplume (LGP)/Victreebel (LGE), Parasect, Alolan Exeggutor, Tangela

First Available Pokémon: Oddish (LGP) or Bellsprout (LGE) via Route 1

Covers Weaknesses? No, Flying and Ice is not neutralized.

Ground

Ideal Team: Nidoking, Nidoqueen, Rhydon, Onix, Alolan Dugtrio, Sandslash (LGP)

Optional: Graveler, Dugtrio

First Available Pokémon: Nidorans in Route 22

Covers Weaknesses? No, Water is not neutralized

Ice

Ideal Team: Lapras, Articuno, Dewgong, Jynx, Cloyster, Alolan Sandlash (LGP)/Alolan Ninetales (LGE)

First Available Pokémon: Alolan Vulpix (LGE) or Alolan Sandshrew (LGP) via trade in Celadon City before the fourth gym.

Covers Weaknesses? Yes in LGP thanks to Alolan Sandlash. In LGE, Rock is not neutralized.

Normal

Ideal Team: Snorlax, Tauros, Pidgeot, Wigglytuff, Kangaskhan, Eevee (LGE)/Chansey

Optional: Porygon, Fearow, Dodrio, Raticate, Persian (LGE), Farfetch’d, Lickitung, Ditto, Alolan Raticate

First Available Pokémon: Eevee as a starter in LGE or Pidgey and Rattata in Route 1 in LGP

Covers Weaknesses? Yes!

Poison

Ideal Team: Venomoth, Alolan Muk (LGP)/Haunter, Venusaur, Nidoking, Nidoqueen, Tentacruel

Optional: Vileplume (LGP)/Victreebel (LGE), Weezing (LGE), Arbok (LGE), Golbat

First Available Pokémon: Oddish (LGP) or Bellsprout (LGE) via Route 1

Covers Weaknesses? Yes in LGP thanks to Alolan Muk. In LGE, Psychic is not neutralized.

Psychic

Ideal Team: Alolan Raichu, Mr. Mime, Exeggutor, Jynx, Starmie, Slowbro

Optional: Kadabra

First Available Pokémon: Abra via Route 5 after the second gym

Covers Weaknesses? No, Ghost is not neutralized.

Rock

Ideal Team: Graveler, Rhydon, Onix, Aerodactyl, Omastar/Kabutops, Alolan Graveler

First Available Pokémon: Geodude and Onix at Mt. Moon after the first gym

Covers Weaknesses? Surprisingly, yes.

Steel

Ideal Team: Magneton, Alolan Sandlash (LGP), Alolan Dugtrio

First Available Pokémon: Alolan Diglett via trade in Lavender Town after the third gym.

Covers Weaknesses? No, Ground, Fighting, and Fire not neutralized.

Water

Ideal Team: Blastoise, Slowbro, Poliwrath, Lapras, Tentacruel, Vaporeon

Optional: Starmie, Gyrados, Omastar/Kabutops, Cloyster, Dewgong

First Available Pokémon: Magikarp via the Pokecenter just before Mt. Moon, after the first gym. Psyduck can be caught right after Mt. Moon thankfully in Route 4.

Covers Weaknesses? No, Electric is not neutralized.

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Pokemon Go, the National Park Service, and Our Drive to Collect Them All

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Author’s note, this article does not necessarily reflect the views of the National Park Service or Fossil Butte National Monument. This is just my own personal opinion.

When I was a kid, I would bike to a nearby state park and walk through the woods in blissful delight. I would imagine myself walking through Viridian Woods, a fictional location in the Pokémon video games, and pretend I was catching forest Pokémon that lived in that forest such as Caterpies or Heracross. I would envision myself on a journey; to fight other trainers and travel across the land. This was only imagination but that never stopped me from hoping this might be true one day.

Image from http://www.forbes.com/sites/andyrobertson/2015/09/10/pokemon-go-ios/#518def687502

And now, Pokémon Go has given us that opportunity to get as close as we can to capture Pokémon in the real world. So many fans have responded positively to this App that its no wonder Nintendo’s shares have been soaring. There is a real sense of discovery, excitement, and wonder packaged in this app. And this app doesn’t take you to just localized areas in your city but across the country as well. To such places as the National Parks.

The National Park Service (NPS) is currently facing a rather perilous position on park visitation. On the one hand, such great and notable parks such as Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Grand Tetons are receiving too much love. The parks are super crowded and the park facilities are strained to their limit to deal with the massive amount of people that visit. On the other hand, some parks and monuments are facing too little visitation or simply aren’t viewed as parks as all. These parks go out of their way, whether it be social media, attending county fairs or visiting local communities, to connect to their local audience and attract those that live miles away. In my opinion, these are the parks that are on the forefront of innovation.

The NPS has had a history of adapting through perseverance. In the early 1900s, train companies would boast what national parks they go by, in the 1920s, roads were built and more eastern parks were established to attract a wider audience, in the 1960s, visitor centers and facilities were built to accommodate the large amount of visitors and in the modern age, parks are using social media to reach out in ways that would be impossible even 15 years ago. Our latest slogan, “Find Your Park,” encourages people from across the country to find nearby parks they should visit.

Now, who’s to say that the NPS shouldn’t use Pokémon Go or other geographic-depending apps?

Pokémon has had a surprising history of bringing people off the couch and together, even outside, since its birth. In fact, the main reason why Pokémon has yet to see a home console release is that the creators firmly believe it would devalue the branding (it is short for “Pocket Monsters” after all). Children would bring their Gameboys around and trade with each other. The DS generation got rid of cables and introduced global trading as well. It’s a very interactive game.

Image from http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pok%C3%A9walker

The Pokewalker was the best device that got people outside. The Pokewalker was compatible to Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. You could transfer your Pokémon to this pedometer and walk around outside. Every step you took added another experience point to your Pokémon and as such, I would constantly find myself going that extra thousand steps to ensure my Pokémon would level up and get stronger. And now, people can do this not with the pedometer but with their phones! Hatching eggs and catching Pokémon is out there! They’re walking about ready to be caught! It’s exciting! And this is what the National Park Service should be capitalizing on.

Here’s the biggest reason why I think this could work.

At the National Park Service we sell such things as hiking medallions, pins, patches, and magnets. Each park, for the most part, have their own, unique, collectable items along with the iconic stamping stations. Visitors are incessant on acquiring these stamps and items. It’s sometimes one of the first things they do when they enter the visitor center. Two of the most common questions I answer are “Where’s the bathroom” and “Where’s the stamping station?” No other question even comes close to their popularity. The visitors desire to collect every stamp or item for each National Park they visit (sound familiar??).

And the best part? Sometimes, the stamp stations are the only reason why they come. And when they come they are surprised by what we have to offer. Beautiful fossils preserved almost to perfection. A whole ancient ecosystem of fishes, birds, early mammals, plants, and insects are at their beck and call. Leaves have their veins intact, fishes have their scales, and delicate feathers are still attached to their host. We are unusual, that’s why we are a national monument. That’s why we are here. That’s why you are stamping your station.

Pokémon Go has tapped into that same desire of Catching Them All. We get off our couches and computer chairs and go outside! It’s crazy! Every day I read so many fantastic things that are happening because of Pokémon Go. People are interacting with each other, discovering new places and walking so much their legs get sore. It’s fantastic!

And how do we combine these two? Well, this is the best part (and I’m surprised no one has thought of this yet to the best of my knowledge…)!

Image from http://onehallyu.com/topic/290600-favourite-pokemon-legendary-trio/

As of the writing of this article, we have 57 (counting the three in the upcoming games) Legendary Pokémon. And ALSO right now we have 58 national parks in the United States! That’s crazy! It’s like the stars aligned for us because what if we could find a legendary Pokémon for each of our national parks?

Think about it.

Our national parks are treasured for their uniqueness. There is nothing else like them in the world. As such we protect them to make sure they are preserved for future generations. Likewise, there is only one Legendary Pokémon (i.e., there can be multiple Pikachus but only one Mew). So what if you were to go to say Yellowstone and go through one of the trails and find Volcanion (which is essentially a geyser Pokémon). Or enjoy Denali and find Regice? How about Celebi at Great Smoky Mountains or Heatran at Hawai’i Volcanoes? If your desire to catch them all is that strong then visit us. And be amazed at what you have to find here.

Image from https://www.nps.gov/slbe/learn/education/classrooms/arrowhead.htm

The biggest downside to this though is that Pokémon Go could depreciate the value of parks and even outright insult them. People working at parks that are more scenic or scientifically inclined would likely not care as much about Pokémon Go visitors as those working at monuments that value an emotional event. I certainly cannot imagine a case where the NPS would embrace Pokémon Go at such sites as Flight 93, Battle of the Little Bighorn, or Boston African American National Historic Site and that’s fine. We don’t have to do that. It is a tricky subject and I’m certainly not the guy to try to resolve that situation.

But for those of you that believe that Pokémon Go will devalue the parks consider this. A passage from Interpreting our Heritage by Freeman Tilden, one of the greatest books about interpretation in the NPS.  In chapter 2 Tilden writes

“A roster of the reasons why people visit parks, museums, historic houses, and similar preserves, though a fascinating excursion into human psychology, need not detain us here. All interpreters know from their experiences that the reasons are so many and diverse that merely to name them all would take pages of this book.

I go upon the assumption that whatever their reasons for coming, the visitors are there. What we should determine, then, if we aim at establishing our first principle of interpretation is: now that the visitor is here, in what will be his chief interest, and inevitably his chief interest, while he is with us?

The answer is: The visitor’s chief interest is in whatever touches his personality, his experience and his ideals.”

And from there, we must connect, our experiences, our ideas, emotions, feelings, and attitudes towards the visitor. Pokémon Go can act as a gateway to the NPS. They are here so perhaps we may find some connection with them on a personal level (why can you find an Articuno at Glacier?). And before you do so ask yourself, what is Pokémon all about? How can it be related to the NPS?

For me the two are similar in that they are a sense of discovery, exploration, social connection, and wonder. It harkens back to what I was saying earlier of my childhood. Walking through the forest and catching that caterpie. Now, I can do that for real.

And as for you. Will you Find Your Park today and decide to Catch Them All?

P.S.  Check this video by the National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis.  That’s awesome!