[It's actually a Blunder Policy! What a niche item, I almost forgot it existed.]
[Wait, is Kricketune really that tough? Aerodactyl's Wing Attack, with double weakness, didn't KO it. I thought it had a Focus Sash...]
[But it still doesn't seem useful. Being heavily damaged isn't much different from being knocked out, right?]
The Blunder Policy—a peculiar battle item.
When the Pokémon holding it fails to hit with a move (i.e., "whiffs"), its Speed sharply increases.
"Go talk to my insurance!"
Though a niche item, it's something you can actually buy in this world, and the price is reasonable enough for trainers.
The craftsmen of this world can create anything.
As for why a piece of paper has such an incredible effect...
You're absolutely right, but that's just how the Pokémon world works.
The final explanation lies with Arceus, the creator god. Even the author doesn't know how it works.
Aiden's strategy for Kricketune was simple.
At the start, use Sing directly. With the Blunder Policy, whether it hits or not, Kricketune benefits either way.
If it hits, great—it forces the opponent to retreat while Kricketune boosts stats, then Baton Passes.
If it misses, no problem—Blunder Policy boosts Speed, allowing even Kricketune to safely retreat and pass its power to the next teammate.
However, under the crushing disadvantage of type matchups, Kricketune nearly fainted on the spot despite maxing out its bulk.
This was unavoidable. After all, Kricketune's base stats are what they are, and in normal battles, it struggles to contribute meaningfully.
In doubles, it could control the field with Perish Song, but in singles, it's practically nonexistent.
For unconventional Pokémon, unconventional tactics must be designed.
Fortunately, Lance played conservatively, dodging Sing while attacking. Otherwise, if he'd used Stone Edge, Aiden would've lost a Pokémon right at the start.
Of course, it was also because Lance's starter was Aerodactyl that Aiden dared to pull this off.
Aerodactyl has high Speed, decent physical attack, and the ability Rock Head, which pairs well with powerful moves.
But it can't learn two key Flying-type moves—Brave Bird and Double-Edge—and is left relying on Normal-type moves like Take Down...
Other moves either lack power or accuracy, making it hard for Aerodactyl to perform up to its potential.
This is awkward.
With its HP nearly depleted, Kricketune tossed the golden Baton Pass baton, retreating as Scolipede, shrouded in purple armor, entered the field.
Normally, in a Baton Pass team, Scolipede should have been the starter.
Because it has an incredibly strong ability:
Speed Boost!
"Scolipede, Protect."
"Aerodactyl, Stone Edge!"
Lance seemed to realize something, immediately issuing a more aggressive command the moment Scolipede appeared.
High-level trainers instinctively make the best decisions based on the situation.
He had already sensed something unusual about Aiden's team.
With both trainers almost simultaneously issuing commands, it was clear that Scolipede, now empowered by Kricketune's Baton Pass, had superior Speed.
The Protect barrier went up, and on the other side of the screen, Lance frowned slightly.
In real life, Scolipede would almost never block his Pokémon's signature move.
But in the game, differences in raw power are smoothed out, emphasizing strategy and command instead, giving the opponent a chance to defend.
After blocking Aerodactyl's thrown boulder, Scolipede's body began to glow faintly orange, just as Kricketune's had earlier.
This was the sign of stat boosts.
[Holy crap, Protect + Speed Boost can combo like this? Isn't this just easy money LOL]
[After consecutive boosts, even against Flying types, it's completely dominating in Speed...]
[This Baton Pass team seems legit. Is it time to start pushing with boosted stats?]
The effect of Speed Boost is straightforward: after every action, the Pokémon's Speed increases further. Paired with Protect, it becomes an incredibly frustrating and abusive way to boost stats in Baton Pass teams.
In real battles, overwhelming power could break through Protect barriers. But in the game, there's almost no counterplay.
After three Speed boosts, even Kricketune could outspeed almost any Pokémon.
Well, except for particularly fast Pokémon like Regieleki.
Against Aerodactyl, Aiden's next steps were simple—
Just Iron Defense once or twice, and Lance's team, mostly physical attackers, wouldn't be able to break through Scolipede's solid defense!
But Aiden wasn't in a rush.
His Speed advantage gave him the confidence to act last but strike first. It was most reliable to wait for the opponent to make a move before countering.
At this moment, Lance's next command came—
"Roar."
"Rock Slide!"
After a brief hesitation, Aiden decisively called out his own move, inwardly sighing.
Sure enough, this was Lance. He instantly figured out how to disrupt the Baton Pass team's momentum.
Indeed, truly skilled trainers in this world are tough opponents.
This Baton Pass strategy snowballs incredibly hard, but it does have weaknesses.
Against moves like Roar and Whirlwind, Scolipede couldn't Taunt to interrupt them, nor could it stay on the field—it had no choice but to gamble on Rock Slide...
Scolipede's shards of rock fell first, dealing significant damage to Aerodactyl, though not enough to KO it or cause flinching.
The next moment, Aerodactyl flapped its wings furiously, generating a powerful gust that blew Scolipede off the field.
According to battle rules, Pokémon blown off the field must be forcibly recalled.
After recalling Scolipede, Yanmega took the stage.
[This might be the streamer's first setback, huh? True strength still lags behind champion-level trainers...]
[Matching an Ultra Ball player with a Master Ball player is already ridiculous. Adding to the fact that it's also this guy? Truly "a worthy opponent"!]
[Lance: What nonsense is this, all flashy moves? Eat my Roar!]
Seeing Aiden's pre-battle setup dismantled in one move, the barrage couldn't help but start teasing.
But Aiden showed no change in expression.
"Aerodactyl, Stone Edge!"
"Yanmega, Detect!"
Skillfully issuing commands, Aiden blocked Aerodactyl's next attack, and a faint smile crept onto his lips.
"Don't rush, let the bullets fly a bit..."
He might not gain, but he certainly wouldn't lose.
At the cost of Kricketune's HP and one stat boost opportunity, the biggest threat to the Baton Pass team—Aerodactyl—had been weakened to the KO threshold. It wouldn't get another chance to Roar.
Meanwhile, his Baton Pass team remained almost undamaged, still capable of seizing opportunities for further boosts.
Though the flow wasn't perfect, it wasn't bad either—he could fully accept this.
"It's easy to say, but this match is genuinely tough..."
Aiden sighed quietly.
The true mind games were only just beginning!
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