>>12068420Alright, a lot of progress was made.
Grinding from level 1 was the scariest part, as a single critical hit would have spelled the end for a party member.
Luckily, Straw started off with Psycho Cut which made the earlier fights slightly easier with the high base power, STAB, and crit ratio.
Once everyone was around level 8 I went and fought my rival. Apparently I chose Chimchar (this file was started almost 3 years ago), so Bakura's Absorb made quick work of Piplup.
Everything else went fine...until Roark
>Start battle with Jesse to get the Intimidate off on Geodude>Switch to Straw as Roark uses Stealth Rocks>Set up 5 Meditates while he throws rocks for 3 damage per turn>Use a Potion on Straw>Psycho Cut for the OHKO>Roark sends out Cranidos who, much to my surprise, outspeeds Straw and hits with HeadbuttI was literally shitting bullets as Straw's health went down, thinking it was going to be an OHKO or it would flinch me.
>Headbutt deals 21 damage. On a non-crit.>Thankfully Straw doesn't flinch and counters with Psycho Cut for the kill and a level up>Straw only has 10 hp left>Roark sends out Onix>Psycho Cut again>Onix survives with 1 hp>Onix does Rock Throw for 3 damage>Psycho Cut for the badgeAlso I haven't trained Joy yet because I'm waiting until I can get an Oval Stone and evolve her so she learns Softboiled.
