Pokémon Y Playthrough Pt. 7 - Story Reprieve

After the lengthy last entry and the large amount of story stuff that went down, this should be a relatively smaller blog post.

For the first time, I decided to turn the Experience Share back on after I realized that most of my Pokémon were underleveled compared even to the Pokémon I met on the route. Most trainers also had stronger Pokémon than I, which further influenced my decision. I was reintroduced to my favorite city in all of Kalos: Snowbelle City. I like the music and the general atmosphere of it. It’s one of the few music pieces I actually remember by heart. I don’t really care for or remember the rest of the music for X and Y.

I went into the forest to find Wulfric. I found him in what is now one of my favorite places in Kalos. The Pokémon Village is a really interesting place to me. It’s where abused Pokémon and Pokémon that are cast out by the world come to live in safety. Wulfric is so kind and respectful of Pokémon that he’s allowed to exist in this space, and the Pokémon there trust him. After I showed up, he approved of me, so the Pokémon that exist there trust me too. There’s something heartwarming about this refuge of safety these Pokémon have created for themselves.

Wulfric is an interesting gym leader. Most ice-type gym leaders are, well, cold, distant, and severe. Wulfric is, in comparison, more laid back and friendly. He acknowledges that he is either a very strong gym leader or a very weak one due to the type he specializes in. Indeed, the ice typing has had a problem with fragility since the very day it has existed. Unlike some other gym leaders, he doesn’t have an obsession with being the best, even though he’s the 8^th and final gym leader. This is a nice change of pace, and it shows that there’s a great deal of strength in admitting one’s weaknesses. I admire this a lot.

He also gives me the vibes of a yeehaw hillbilly in a snowy climate. I love this.

I also had the opportunity to listen to the music some more due to watching an X/Y speedrun. I think I never really gave the music a fair shake. The tunes just weren’t as memorable to me the first time around I played it, so I haven’t had my sound on for the majority of the run (with the exception of the scene where Shauna and the player watch fireworks together). But after hearing the sound through the video, I found I actually quite liked the music.

For better or for worse though, I’ll not be hearing it very much since I play Toontown and watch videos while I play. Otherwise I can’t focus on it or stick with it for very long. I'll be turning the Experience Share off and continuing through the game the old-fashioned way. If the game starts to drag its feet though, I'll be switching it back on.

I went back and made some edits to previous entries. I made a bulletin about it, but I figured it would be great to mention it here. There's navigation links now!

Montu was able to sweep the gym pretty easily. I remember having more difficulty when I first played through the game, but this time around it wasn’t an issue at all. Now we’re on to the Elite 4!

Amount of in-game time: 40 hours 22 minutes

Gym Badges: 8

Pokémon:

• Montu - Simisear - Level 56 - Hardy Nature - Gluttony Ability - Met in Santalune Forest on November 13th, 2022 - Moveset: Yawn, Bite, Flamethrower, Return - Somewhat of a clown
  
• Frogger - Greninja - Level 55 - Modest Nature - Torrent Ability - Met in Aquacorde Town on November 13th, 2022 - Moveset: Water Pledge, Strength, Hydro Cannon, Surf - Hates to lose
  
• Poppy - Florges - Level 57 - Calm Nature - Flower Veil Ability - Met on Route 4 on November 15th, 2022 - Moveset: Wish, Magical Leaf, Dazzling Gleam, Petal Blizzard - Likes to thrash about
  
• Bulbapedia - Venusaur - Level 56 - Modest Nature - Overgrow Ability - Met in Lumiose City on November 15th, 2022 - Moveset: Petal Dance, Toxic, Leech Seed, Venoshock - Likes to relax
  
• Slushie - Aurorus - Level 55 - Adamant Nature - Refrigerate Ability - Met in Ambrette Town on November 16th, 2022 - Moveset: Ice Beam, Nature Power, Ancient Power, Aurora Beam - Good endurance
  
• Lucha - Hawlucha - Level 55 - Careful Nature - Unburden Ability - Met on Route 10 on November 17th, 2022 - Moveset: High Jump Kick, Flying Press, Fly, Sky Attack - Takes plenty of siestas

New moves are now bolded so readers can keep track of moveset changes! I'm considering reverting Sky Attack to Aerial Ace. Having a move that always hits is very useful and having a two turn attack wherein the Pokémon isn't (mostly) invincible is frankly quite painful. Will keep y'all updated!