The battle didn't take long, and Du Juan seemed to have lost in a daze.
Double battles are like that, emphasizing "team attack" rather than "team defense." The combined attack of two Pokémon, covering each other, is enough to break through most shields.
The priority of "rotating" is slightly lower, while the requirements for team composition and tactical rationality are greatly increased.
Based on these basic battle principles, it's clear why Du Juan lost.
Undoubtedly, Du Juan greatly underestimated her opponent, actually using a tactic like Spikes and Whirlwind in a double battle—a tactic whose effectiveness is longer than its lifespan.
The four Pokémon in the team also lacked any coordination, fighting independently without any interference or support (Nosepass barely counts). Their speed and offensive power were generally poor.
The entire team was characterized by slow speed, low special defense, and poor durability. If Onix had the ability "Shatter Armor," Link would have considered it an effort, but clearly it didn't.
Or perhaps the entire team had the Steady build with the Explosion ability, shamelessly switching out.
Honestly, Link felt that even a single, well-trained Pikachu could easily defeat all four of her Pokémon with Grass Knot and Thunderbolt.
Faced with such a lineup and tactics, he really wanted to ask—do you think you deserve to win? What makes you think you can win?
Only a cheat code and an absolute level advantage could defeat such a lineup.
The sudden defeat momentarily stunned Du Juan, who considered herself a top student, but she quickly regained her composure.
"Ah... I lost... Undeniably, you were a model trainer, this is how battles should be fought!"
Despite being defeated 2-4, she wasn't discouraged. Instead, she excitedly ran to Link, her eyes shining as she grabbed his hand: "Link, the battle just now taught me a lot. I realized there's so much more to learn about battles, which makes me love battles even more! It also makes me want to get to know you better!"
Hearing this, Link instinctively withdrew his hand, maintaining a polite smile.
"Aren't the people in this world a bit crazy? How could
they lose so badly and then suddenly change their style like this?
" "It was just luck. I barely won; I almost lost just now."
"No! I can see you not only understand your own Pokémon, but you also understand mine!"
Even with a Water-type Pokémon, Link didn't use his type advantage to unleash moves like "Aqua Jet" on Onix and others. Instead, he constantly suppressed and disrupted them until he was absolutely certain of victory before using "Water Gun," or only resorting to "Earthquake" with "Nature Force" when he had no other moves available.
"Aqua Jet" is super effective against Rock-type Pokémon, but Onix, Golem, and Proboscis all have incredibly strong physical defenses. Even a relatively weak Pokémon like Finneon (which doesn't even have a level advantage) might not be able to defeat one after three or four attacks.
Therefore, he constantly used "Encore" to create opportunities and then relied on special moves like "Water Gun" for damage.
The reason for choosing to transform the "Nature Force" move into the physical attack "Earthquake" is because this move is effective against Kabuto and Onix, and can cause greater damage to Onix underground.
The young Fennekin was clearly an untrained, even recently hatched, Pokémon, yet it managed to interfere with "Stealth Rock" using "Psychic," and even somehow stole two Pokémon's Berries. Finally, it prepared in advance, using the vast external energy rather than its own weak energy to unleash "Rock Slide."
If Fennekin's "Rock Slide" hadn't been far more powerful than its level, causing Nosepass to cower, and "Explosion" had been used, leaving only Finneon and Golem to fight one-on-one, the outcome would have been uncertain!
However, in reality, without being stopped, the target of "Water Jet" would have been the hole left by Onix's "Dig."
Link had already written the formula for victory, but he really didn't expect Du juan to underestimate him to the point of setting up entry hazards at the start... In addition, the fact that Finneon ignored Onix's "Roar" was also a surprise to both sides. "You flatter me. My understanding of Rock-type Pokémon is only theoretical, but I do think there is room for improvement in your lineup and tactics."
Seeing Du Juan's enthusiasm, he didn't want to go too far, so he simply mentioned some details that Rock-type Pokémon must pay attention to in battle.
"Since they are all slow Pokémon, 'Protect' and 'Trick Room' are moves you have to consider. As far as I know, Meteor Falls north of Rustboro City has two Rock/Psychic-type Pokémon, Solrock and Luna Stone, which will definitely complete your team.
Otherwise, how will you fight against Grass/Steel-type physical defenders?
"Also, Aggron from the Hoenn region is excellent. Its Steel type makes up for its lack of Rock resistance, and its move pool is much deeper than that of ordinary Pokémon.
"If you like setting up entry hazards so much, why not consider Crystal Blossom from the Paldea region, which has Rock/Poison type?
"Also, since Nosepass is so talented with Electric-type moves, why not try giving it a whole Thunder Stone to experience Electric-type energy and try to use the Electromagnetic Conversion ability to gain more diverse means of attack..."
Nosepass can evolve into Greater Nosepass using a Thunder Stone, which is probably a research result that Professor Yamanashi will not publish for the next three years.
Although he claimed to know little, Link launched into a long explanation when asked what Du Juan lacked.
Firstly, Du Juan's team composition was so impressive it was almost mind-boggling, and secondly, even if his tens of thousands of battles before his transmigration couldn't be fully translated into real-world experience, they still held some merit.
Link might not be very skilled with Rock-type Pokémon, but he certainly knew how to fight them.
By the end, even the self-assured and knowledgeable Du Juan had to admit she was practically illiterate in front of this "Little Link."
But in reality, if Link were to actually try it out, he'd be exposed within two days.
Regardless, a win was a win. After discussing Pokémon, tactics, and strategies for double battles for most of the day, Du Juan handed him the Rock Badge and the Rock Tomb TM for the Kanaz Gym.
If it weren't for Miki, the receptionist, mentioning a seemingly prematurely gray-haired boy who actually wore a hat and had already defeated several Gym Leaders to challenge the Gym Master, Du Juan probably would have kept him talking until the evening.
Upon hearing Miki's message, Link immediately recognized the person.
Yuu.
He wondered if she was Senri's child or the professor's child in this timeline.
Trainers in the Pokémon world all seem to have some Gravity-type abilities.
Du juan's Emerald Rematch:
I'm so glad to see you again. I'm Du juan, the Gym Leader of this Gym. I believe we can enjoy many more exciting battles like last time. I want to see how much stronger we've both become. Let's begin! Before the World Championship Battle:
What Pokémon did you use, and how did you fight? Can you tell me? (Quarterfinals)
Battling with more trainers will teach me a lot. (Semifinals)
I'll apply what I learned at Trainer School to my battles. What Pokémon did you use, and how did you fight? Can you tell me? (Finals)
World Championship Defeat:
It seems there's still so much to learn… I'll participate in the tournament again. Can I have you as my opponent then?
Impeccable… a true model for trainers. That's how you should fight. Your championship is well-deserved! I want to know you better. (Final)
Master Pokémon:
The beauty of rocks is no less than that of gems or stars. But you also radiate a brilliance that rivals them. That is passion. A passion burning like a raging fire is essential for any Pokémon trainer. A trainer's preferences can be seen in a single Pokémon battle. I like battles where the outcome is as I predict.
But what I like even more is...a battle with you where victory cannot be determined by knowledge alone, where the outcome is unpredictable!
This passion seems to melt even the rocks!
Read 10+ Chapters Advanced chapters ahead at Patreon.
[email protected]/Horizons685
(End of Chapter)