Pokemon Ruby: The Exploud Solo Run

 

 

Well well, what do we have here? I know, I know: the Pokemon 2020 Summer Season has overstayed its welcome already, stretching long into the autumn; however, I felt like I needed just one last shot of Gen III before I bade the series adieu for the time being. It was thus gloriously fitting that my Whismur should be named Encore — in homage to the sound theme running through its line and to the fact that he is the star of my last run of the season.

Although I knew fairly well of Whismur and Loudred, I don't think I had ever encountered a wild Exploud before that run; and if I stumbled upon a Trainer with one, it totally failed to register. I was quite thrilled to cruise with a another three-stage Normal 'Mon that wasn't pink and cute, and I fully expected a stellar performance from my Encore — a performance that would crown the Pokemon 2020 Summer Season in the most dazzling and fulfilling way. 

The Exploud line didn't disappoint indeed. All three forms are perfectly balanced mixed attackers with the learnset to match, and they offered me a smooth and most satisfying cruising experience. I decided to tweak their evolution rhythm by alloting each form 33 levels to shine; and by a slick coincidence, each form ended up wielding its own unique Move pool. Whismur had Stomp, Uproar, Pound and Astonish; Loudred had Secret Power, Uproar, Astonish and Shock Wave; last but not least, Exploud had Return, Ice Beam, Shadow Ball and Earthquake. I sure didn't expect a Normal 'Mon to be granted not just one, but two Ghost Moves; Astonish certainly came in handy in the Rustboro Gym, saving me from many tedious turns of gnawing at Rock Mons' HP bar with non-effective Normal Moves. Once I was done with Dewford's Fighting Gym with a bit of welcome help from the Silk Scarf, the rest of the Pokemon League swiftly submitted to my Encore's badassness, granting me the glorious season ending I so craved. 

 
And so, the Pokemon Summer 2020 Season officially comes to a close — and boy, was it an awesome season indeed. It was all about Gen III and VI, with other Gens not even standing a chance. That being said, I'm currently feeling the faintest itch to play Gens VII and VIII; and with the recent release of the second part of the Sword&Shield Expansion Pass, a Pokemon Christmas 2020 Season may well become a thing indeed. But for now, dear fellow gamers, let's sail together towards new gaming shores!