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I ended up randomizing starters too, only to see as my options a Ghastly (which I can't use), an Oddish, and a Chikorita. Picked Chiko cause, eh, might as well. To my surprise, when I was about to face Falkner I had around encountered both a Charmander and a Cyndaquil - not that long after that, a Bulbasaur (which I'll refrain from using, at least for now).
First few catches were rather abysmal, featuring Delibird, Kakuna, Metapod, and Smeargle. Since I'm a sucker for gimmicks, I'll try to make the Smeargle work - used his first sketch on Vine Whip and am holding out on the second one for now.
So far, so good.