[15] Music Dragon vs Byrus (ref: JackPK)

[Eifie]

2 vs 2 Inverse Battle
Style: Set
DQ: 7 days
Damage Cap: 35%
Banned/Restricted Moves: OHKOs, Pain Split, Perish Song, moves that KO the user; direct recovery is restricted to 1 use in the match (by any Pokémon), Chills are restricted to 5 uses (per Pokémon), and damage-dealing Normal-type moves are restricted to 3 uses (per Pokémon).
Arena: Route 19/Grande Vallée Way

The great wooden bridge across the valley will be the site of this battle. It's long and wide, with high protective rails (though they may be not much more than a widely spaced net of ropes). The bridge is very sturdy and will readily withstand much of the action, although inevitably it isn't entirely unbreakable, and sufficiently extreme trauma may cause it to snap. The fall is unlikely to be painful for many Pokémon other than those of the Fire-type, however, as the height isn't too great and what waits below is not much more than soft marshy ground and calm waters. While the thing is still standing, at least, the battle gets a picturesque backdrop, with just the right setup of waters, hills, and skies.

The most important trick to this battle as it's being influenced by the mysterious powers of the Psychic known as Inver, who causes super-effective moves to deal not very effective damage while not very effective or entirely ineffective moves deal super-effective damage. To battle under these circumstances is known as an Inverse Battle. Furthermore, as Normal-types are extremely advantaged in these battles, Pokémon whose only type is Normal may not be sent out in this match.

Music Dragon's active squad

Doctor Proctor the male Exeggutor <Chlorophyll>
Goach the male Whiscash <Oblivious>
Parfenova the female Spritzee <Aroma Veil> @ Sachet
King of Hearts the male Sigilyph <Magic Guard> @ Sticky Barb
Lillibeth the female Grumpig <Own Tempo> @ Iron Ball
Witch Doctor Nana the female Carnivine <Levitate> @ Binding Band
Ant Heater the shiny male Heatmor <Flash Fire> @ Smoke Ball
Corphoot the male Corphish <Hyper Cutter>
Witch Doctor Cheep Cheep the shiny male Torchic <Speed Boost> @ Stick
Coldie Freeze the genderless Cryogonal <Levitate> @ Rocky Helmet


Byrus's active squad

Christy the female Houndoom <Flash Fire> @ Electirizer
Billy Kincaid the male Vanillite <Ice Body> @ Eviolite
Zack Ryder the male Machop <Guts> @ Weakness Policy
Prospero the shiny male Abra <Synchronize> @ Eviolite
Seamlas the male Aerodactyl <Rock Head> @ Muscle Band
The Strand the male Eelektross <Levitate> @ Jaboca Berry
Eluria the female Natu <Synchronize> @ Red Card
Castor Troy the male Sneasel <Inner Focus> @ Razor Claw
Lou Carcolh the male Goomy <Sap Sipper> @ Lucky Egg
The Jaws the female Carnivine <Levitate> @ Big Root

Up next:
1. Byrus sends out
2. Music Dragon sends out and issues commands
3. Byrus issues commands

 

[Byrus]

I'll start with The Strand!

 

[Music Dragon]

What's colder than cold? Coldie Freeze! Okay okay okay o -

Alright, listen up, newbie snowflake. I bought you specifically for this battle, so you better not disappoint! If you do, I'll... I'll give you a signature move that turns you into a frisbee! An ice frisbee! Or a Freezbe, if you will. How humiliating to be thrown around like that! That'll teach you! Haha! Actually, I might do that anyway, it sounds great. Now, on to business.

Let's lead with Toxic, if you can manage that. Follow that up with some Flash Cannons. Nothing fancy; you're just keeping them occupied while I work out a master plan. Oh, two caveats: if anything reflectable comes your way, bounce it back with Magic Coat, and if your opponent tries one of those dreadful Super Fang things, preempt it with a really small Substitute. Let's see what you can do, eh?

Toxic / Magic Coat / Substitute ~ Flash Cannon / Magic Coat / Substitute ~ Flash Cannon / Magic Coat / Substitute

 

[Byrus]

Unfortunately, it looks like you'll have to take that Toxic, because setting up a Light Screen is more important. Once you've done that, go for a double Discharge and hope for paralysis, since we won't be able to sneak a Thunder wave past that Magic Coat.

Light Screen ~ Discharge~ Discharge

 

[JackPK]

[size=+2]Music Dragon vs Byrus: Round One[/size]

Spoiler: Arena

2 vs 2 Inverse Battle
Style: Set
DQ: 7 days
Damage Cap: 35%
Banned/Restricted Moves: OHKOs, Pain Split, Perish Song, moves that KO the user; direct recovery is restricted to 1 use in the match (by any Pokémon), Chills are restricted to 5 uses (per Pokémon), and damage-dealing Normal-type moves are restricted to 3 uses (per Pokémon).
Arena: Route 19/Grande Vallée Way

The great wooden bridge across the valley will be the site of this battle. It's long and wide, with high protective rails (though they may be not much more than a widely spaced net of ropes). The bridge is very sturdy and will readily withstand much of the action, although inevitably it isn't entirely unbreakable, and sufficiently extreme trauma may cause it to snap. The fall is unlikely to be painful for many Pokémon other than those of the Fire-type, however, as the height isn't too great and what waits below is not much more than soft marshy ground and calm waters. While the thing is still standing, at least, the battle gets a picturesque backdrop, with just the right setup of waters, hills, and skies.

The most important trick to this battle as it's being influenced by the mysterious powers of the Psychic known as Inver, who causes super-effective moves to deal not very effective damage while not very effective or entirely ineffective moves deal super-effective damage. To battle under these circumstances is known as an Inverse Battle. Furthermore, as Normal-types are extremely advantaged in these battles, Pokémon whose only type is Normal may not be sent out in this match.

The Asber League Championship progresses to the quarterfinals, and with that, the League’s tour of Kalos progresses to the majestic Grande Vallée Way. The route, a path of greenery leading up to a bridge overlooking the swamp at the bottom of an appropriately grand valley, is just one town over from the mysterious Inverse House, so the League has decided to double-dip and get the best of both worlds. To that end, it’s hired the Inverse House’s proprietor, Inver, to work his tricks on the competitors’ Pokemon, making fire douse water, among other wondrous effects.

Though they lagged slightly in setting up their active squads, Music Dragon and Byrus are one of the first pairs to actually get their battle up and running. The former, who advanced to this round after the unfortunate withdrawal of TruetoCheese, sends out a huge, scowling snowflake as his first Pokemon, the sunlight shining off its pristinely faceted edges. On the other side of the battlefield, coming off an eleventh-hour breakaway victory against Superbird, Byrus picks a ferocious eel that oscillates in the air, clicking its teeth hungrily. Inver casts his spell, and with a wave of the referee’s flags, the battle begins!

Team Music Dragon (OO)

Coldie Freeze (X) the Cryogonal
<Levitate> Unaffected by Ground-type moves.
@Rocky Helmet Foes take 2% damage when they use contact moves.
███████████ 100% Health
███████████ 100% Energy
Speed: 105
Status: Normal.
Condition: Aggressively shimmering.
Commands: Toxic / Magic Coat / Substitute ~ Flash Cannon / Magic Coat / Substitute ~ Flash Cannon / Magic Coat / Substitute

Team Byrus (OO)

The Strand (M) the Eelektross
<Levitate> Unaffected by Ground-type moves.
@Jaboca Berry Damages the foe for half the damage taken from a physical move.
███████████ 100% Health
███████████ 100% Energy
Speed: 50
Status: Normal.
Condition: Chomping at the bit.
Commands: Light Screen ~ Discharge ~ Discharge

Coldie Freeze floats like a butterfly on the wind, easily outspeeding its foe for the first move. Extending its chain of ice chunks far down to the swamp below, it soaks the last piece of ice in the muck, immersing it with toxins before hauling it back up. The filthy snowball glimmers sickeningly in the morning light for a moment before Coldie suddenly tosses it at The Strand, landing it straight into the Eelektross’ mouth before he can react. The Strand feels the toxins seep into his body even as he furiously spits out the dirty snowball, but there’s nothing he can do about it now. Instead, he funnels his energy into a thin but sturdy golden barrier angled to block incoming projectiles but let his own pass through unfettered.

The shield gets its first test quickly, as Coldie angles his body to reflect a sunbeam, aiming it at The Strand before flaring a wave of Steel-type energy into the beam with a glimmering flash. With type interactions all topsy-turvy from Inver’s influence, the Steel-type energy The Strand would normally have shrugged off easily is able to pound into him with force despite his barrier, wounding him more than he had expected. To counter that, the Eelektross sets his internal electric organ into overdrive, building up a huge static charge before letting it loose in every direction. A couple of chinks appear on Coldie’s edges, but the Cryogonal looks otherwise none the worse for wear — unlike the battlers, whose hair is set totally on end from the static shock.

The chinks are no obstacle for Coldie as it catches another sunbeam on its brow and reflects it through The Strand’s screen, focusing the Steel-type energy with satisfaction. The Eelektross counters with another massive discharge of electricity, but this time Coldie isn’t as lucky — the shock momentarily overloads the brain-like icy organ in its core, and as it tentatively tries to swing its chain, it finds its mobility has been significantly impaired by the static. The paralysis is a grim success for The Strand as he feels the poison flow through his veins, throbbing as it grows in potency.

Team Music Dragon (OO)

Coldie Freeze (X) the Cryogonal
<Levitate> Unaffected by Ground-type moves.
@Rocky Helmet Foes take 2% damage when they use contact moves.
█████████ 80% Health
█████████ 88% Energy
Speed: 26.25
Status: Severely paralyzed (25% chance of failure).
Condition: Gingerly testing its range of motion.
Commands used: Toxic ~ Flash Cannon ~ Flash Cannon

Team Byrus (OO)

The Strand (M) the Eelektross
<Levitate> Unaffected by Ground-type moves.
@Jaboca Berry Damages the foe for half the damage taken from a physical move.
█████████ 87% Health
█████████ 88% Energy
Speed: 50
Status: Toxic-poisoned (2% this round, 3% next). Protected by Light Screen (3 more actions).
Condition: Glad to have his Light Screen.
Commands used: Light Screen ~ Discharge ~ Discharge

Spoiler: Rolls:

Unless otherwise stated, all rolls are on a scale from 001-100 where the roll must be equal to or lower than the accuracy in order to hit, the effect chance in order to have an effect, or the critical hit chance to crit.

On confusion/paralysis/attraction etc. rolls, anything equal to or lower than the failure chance is a failure; anything higher lets the Pokemon use its command.

Action One
Coldie Freeze uses Toxic.
~ Toxic has 90% accuracy. With a roll of 42, it hits.
~ The Strand is badly poisoned.

The Strand uses Light Screen.
~ The Strand’s side of the field is shielded from special attacks (5 more actions).

Action Two
Coldie Freeze uses Flash Cannon.
~ Flash Cannon has 100% accuracy, so it hits without needing a roll.
~ Flash Cannon’s critical hit domain is 1 (5%). It fails to crit with a roll of 20.
~ Flash Cannon has a 10% chance to lower Sp. Def. This effect fails with a roll of 31.

The Strand uses Discharge.
~ Discharge has 100% accuracy, so it hits without needing a roll.
~ Discharge’s critical hit domain is 1 (5%). It fails to crit with a roll of 28.
~ Discharge has a 30% chance to paralyze. This effect fails with a roll of 75.

The Strand’s side of the field is shielded from special attacks (4 more actions).

Action Two
Coldie Freeze uses Flash Cannon.
~ Flash Cannon has 100% accuracy, so it hits without needing a roll.
~ Flash Cannon’s critical hit domain is 1 (5%). It fails to crit with a roll of 10.
~ Flash Cannon has a 10% chance to lower Sp. Def. This effect fails with a roll of 14.

The Strand uses Discharge.
~ Discharge has 100% accuracy, so it hits without needing a roll.
~ Discharge’s critical hit domain is 1 (5%). It fails to crit with a roll of 51.
~ Discharge has a 30% chance to paralyze. This effect succeeds with a roll of 3.
~ Coldie Freeze is paralyzed (25% failure chance).
~ Coldie Freeze’s recalculated Speed: 105 × 0.25 = 26.25

The Strand’s side of the field is shielded from special attacks (3 more actions).

Spoiler: Calculations:

For all calculations, please completely ignore all the rules you learned in school about order of operations. Everything in this section just goes left to right.

Action One

Coldie Freeze uses Toxic.
~ Toxic does not deal damage.
~ Base energy 4% = Coldie Freeze expends 4% energy.

The Strand uses Light Screen.
~ Light Screen does not deal damage.
~ Base energy 1% = The Strand expends 1% energy.

The Strand expends 1% energy for upkeep to Light Screen.

100% health, 96% energy
100% health, 98% energy

Action Two

Coldie Freeze uses Flash Cannon.
~ Base power 8% + not STAB + no stats have been boosted + 0 EXP bonus × 1.5 since Electric is inverse-weak to Steel = 12 × 0.5 for Light Screen = The Strand takes 6% damage.
~ Base energy 4% = Coldie Freeze expends 4% energy.

The Strand uses Discharge.
~ Base power 8% + 2 for STAB + no stats have been boosted + 0 EXP bonus × 1 for the standard type modification = Coldie Freeze takes 10% damage.
~ Base energy 5% - 1 for STAB = The Strand expends 4% energy.

The Strand expends 1% energy for upkeep to Light Screen.
The Strand takes 1% damage for toxic poisoning.

90% health, 92% energy
93% health, 93% energy

Action Three

Coldie Freeze uses Flash Cannon.
~ Base power 8% + not STAB + no stats have been boosted + 0 EXP bonus × 1.5 since Electric is inverse-weak to Steel = 12 × 0.5 for Light Screen = The Strand takes 6% damage.
~ Base energy 4% = Coldie Freeze expends 4% energy.

The Strand uses Discharge.
~ Base power 8% + 2 for STAB + no stats have been boosted + 0 EXP bonus × 1 for the standard type modification = Coldie Freeze takes 10% damage.
~ Base energy 5% - 1 for STAB = The Strand expends 4% energy.

The Strand expends 1% energy for upkeep to Light Screen.
The Strand takes 1% damage for toxic poisoning.

80% health, 88% energy
87% health, 88% energy

Arena
The Grande Vallée Way’s rope bridge remains sturdy and untouched.

Notes:
1. Speed order: The Strand (50) > Coldie Freeze (26.25)
2. The Strand was toxic-poisoned on the first action. Coldie Freeze was severely paralyzed on the third action. I’m following the D&E Guide’s official severity scales for both conditions.
3. There aren’t official guidelines on exactly when to apply poison damage, so unless anyone objects, the damage will be split up as near to evenly as possible between the three actions, with weight being given more to the last actions if the damage doesn’t split evenly. So this round, the toxic-poisoning damage was dealt as 0-1-1; next round it will be 1-1-1; the round after that, it will be 1-1-2, then 1-2-2, and so forth.
Next round, Byrus commands first, followed by Music Dragon.

 

[Byrus]

Thank you, RNG Gods, now my lamprey/eel friend is faster for once

We're gonna go straight for a Giga Drain (Health), then fire off some Thunderbolts. But if Coldie ditches its item and goes for Acrobatics, stop it in its tracks by Binding it up tight. Only do this if it drops its item, because Acrobatics at 55 base power is not something I'm hugely concerned about. If Coldie has a Light Screen up, smash it down with Brick Break.

Giga Drain/Bind/Brick Break ~ Thunderbolt/Bind/Brick Break ~ Thunderbolt/Bind/Brick Break

 

[Music Dragon]

P-paralyzed? What!? I told you not to embarrass me, Coldie Freeze! Augh! Just for that, I'm going to make sure you get properly pummeled this round. Use Confuse Ray until your opponent is confused; then, switch over to Light Screen and let him hit your Rocky Helmet; or if you've already got a Light Screen up, go with Frost Breath.

Confuse Ray ~ Confuse Ray / Light Screen ~ Confuse Ray / Light Screen / Frost Breath

 

[JackPK]

[size=+2]Music Dragon vs Byrus: Round Two[/size]

Spoiler: Arena

2 vs 2 Inverse Battle
Style: Set
DQ: 7 days
Damage Cap: 35%
Banned/Restricted Moves: OHKOs, Pain Split, Perish Song, moves that KO the user; direct recovery is restricted to 1 use in the match (by any Pokémon), Chills are restricted to 5 uses (per Pokémon), and damage-dealing Normal-type moves are restricted to 3 uses (per Pokémon).
Arena: Route 19/Grande Vallée Way

The great wooden bridge across the valley will be the site of this battle. It's long and wide, with high protective rails (though they may be not much more than a widely spaced net of ropes). The bridge is very sturdy and will readily withstand much of the action, although inevitably it isn't entirely unbreakable, and sufficiently extreme trauma may cause it to snap. The fall is unlikely to be painful for many Pokémon other than those of the Fire-type, however, as the height isn't too great and what waits below is not much more than soft marshy ground and calm waters. While the thing is still standing, at least, the battle gets a picturesque backdrop, with just the right setup of waters, hills, and skies.

The most important trick to this battle as it's being influenced by the mysterious powers of the Psychic known as Inver, who causes super-effective moves to deal not very effective damage while not very effective or entirely ineffective moves deal super-effective damage. To battle under these circumstances is known as an Inverse Battle. Furthermore, as Normal-types are extremely advantaged in these battles, Pokémon whose only type is Normal may not be sent out in this match.

Team Music Dragon (OO)

Coldie Freeze (X) the Cryogonal
<Levitate> Unaffected by Ground-type moves.
@Rocky Helmet Foes take 2% damage when they use contact moves.
█████████ 80% Health
█████████ 88% Energy
Speed: 26.25
Status: Severely paralyzed (25% chance of failure).
Condition: Gingerly testing its range of motion.
Commands: Confuse Ray ~ Confuse Ray / Light Screen ~ Confuse Ray / Light Screen / Frost Breath

Team Byrus (OO)

The Strand (M) the Eelektross
<Levitate> Unaffected by Ground-type moves.
@Jaboca Berry Damages the foe for half the damage taken from a physical move.
█████████ 87% Health
█████████ 88% Energy
Speed: 50
Status: Toxic-poisoned (2% last round, 3% this). Protected by Light Screen (3 more actions).
Condition: Glad to have his Light Screen.
Commands: Giga Drain/Bind/Brick Break ~ Thunderbolt/Bind/Brick Break ~ Thunderbolt/Bind/Brick Break

Having successfully paralyzed his chilly foe, The Strand’s next course of action is to heal himself slightly. Dabbling outside his area of expertise by calling on nature’s power, he reaches out a green tendril of energy that latches itself to the end of Coldie Freeze’s chain. Coldie is powerless to stop the draining strand from sucking its life force away and returning it to the Eelektross, which feels slightly reinvigorated by the move. But Coldie has its own plot up its sleeve — with an intricate dance, it catches the sunlight and reflects it across several of its surfaces at once to create a show of dancing lights that catch The Strand’s eyes and easily make him dizzy.

The Strand knows he should be fighting, but the lights are so pretty. Their blinding brightness seared his sight at first, but even after Coldie stopped its dance, the afterimages continued theirs across the back of his eyes. With the lights distracting him, it’s even a bit difficult to tell which way is up, and as The Strand tries what he thinks is righting himself, he ends up floating face-first into the planks of wood making up the bridge. Ouch. Across the field, though, Coldie isn’t doing any better, its core overloaded with effort as it tries and fails to shield itself.

Peeling himself off the bottom of the bridge, The Strand thinks through his commands. There were a bunch of them, and those distracting lights are not helping at all. He finally settles on trying to punch Coldie in two, but doesn’t even make it halfway to the Cryogonal before punching himself in the face instead. Coldie, on the other hand, manages to overcome its paralysis long enough to set up a flickering screen of golden light just as The Strand’s fades away. With satisfaction, it rests for a moment as the Trainers issue another round of commands.

Team Music Dragon (OO)

Coldie Freeze (X) the Cryogonal
<Levitate> Unaffected by Ground-type moves.
@Rocky Helmet Foes take 2% damage when they use contact moves.
████████ 73% Health
█████████ 82% Energy
Speed: 26.25
Status: Severely paralyzed (21% chance of failure). Protected by Light Screen (5 more actions).
Condition: ”NOW who’s got a shield?”
Commands used: Confuse Ray ~ (paralyzed) ~ Light Screen

Team Byrus (OO)

The Strand (M) the Eelektross
<Levitate> Unaffected by Ground-type moves.
@Jaboca Berry Damages the foe for half the damage taken from a physical move.
████████ 79% Health
████████ 77% Energy
Speed: 50
Status: Toxic-poisoned (3% this round, 4% next). Severely confused (40% chance of failure).
Condition: Utterly miserable.
Commands used: Giga Drain ~ (confused) ~ (confused)

Spoiler: Rolls:

Unless otherwise stated, all rolls are on a scale from 001-100 where the roll must be equal to or lower than the accuracy in order to hit, the effect chance in order to have an effect, or the critical hit chance to crit.

On confusion/paralysis/attraction etc. rolls, anything equal to or lower than the failure chance is a failure; anything higher lets the Pokemon use its command.

Action One
The Strand uses Giga Drain (health).
~ Giga Drain has 100% accuracy, so it hits without needing a roll.
~ Giga Drain’s critical hit domain is 1 (5%). It fails to crit with a roll of 92.

Coldie Freeze makes a paralysis check (25% difficulty). It succeeds with a roll of 44.
~ Coldie Freeze’s paralysis softens to 23% difficulty.

Coldie Freeze uses Confuse Ray.
~ Confuse Ray has 100% accuracy, so it hits without needing a roll.
~ The Strand is severely confused (50% failure chance).

The Strand’s side of the field is shielded from special attacks (2 more actions).

Action Two
The Strand makes a confusion check (50% difficulty). He fails with a roll of 37.
~ The Strand’s confusion softens to 45% difficulty.

Coldie Freeze makes a paralysis check (23% difficulty). It fails with a roll of 4.

The Strand’s side of the field is shielded from special attacks (1 more action).

Action Three
The Strand makes a confusion check (45% difficulty). He fails with a roll of 15.
~ The Strand’s confusion softens to 40% difficulty.

Coldie Freeze makes a paralysis check (23% difficulty). It succeeds with a roll of 33.
~ Coldie Freeze’s paralysis softens to 21% difficulty.

Coldie Freeze uses Light Screen.
~ Coldie Freeze’s side of the field is shielded from special attacks (5 more actions).

The Strand’s side of the field is no longer shielded from special attacks.

Spoiler: Calculations:

For all calculations, please completely ignore all the rules you learned in school about order of operations. Everything in this section just goes left to right.

Last Round

80% health, 88% energy
87% health, 88% energy

Action One

The Strand uses Giga Drain (health).
~ Base power 7.5% + not STAB + no stats have been boosted + 0 EXP bonus × 1 for the standard type modification = 7.5 rounded down = Coldie Freeze takes 7% damage.
~ 7% damage × 0.5 = 3.5 rounded down = The Strand recovers 3% health.
~ Base energy 4% = The Strand expends 4% energy.

Coldie Freeze uses Confuse Ray.
~ Confuse Ray does not deal damage.
~ Base energy 4% = Coldie Freeze expends 4% energy.

The Strand expends 1% energy for upkeep to Light Screen.
The Strand takes 1% damage for toxic poisoning.

73% health, 84% energy
89% health, 83% energy

Action Two

The Strand is fully confused. It hurts itself in its confusion.
~ Base power 4% + not STAB + no stats have been boosted + 0 EXP bonus × 1 for the standard type modification = The Strand takes 4% damage.
~ Base energy 2% = The Strand expends 2% energy.

Coldie Freeze is fully paralyzed.

The Strand expends 1% energy for upkeep to Light Screen.
The Strand takes 1% damage for toxic poisoning.

73% health, 84% energy
84% health, 80% energy

Action Three

The Strand is fully confused. It hurts itself in its confusion.
~ Base power 4% + not STAB + no stats have been boosted + 0 EXP bonus × 1 for the standard type modification = The Strand takes 4% damage.
~ Base energy 2% = The Strand expends 2% energy.

Coldie Freeze uses Light Screen.
~ Light Screen does not deal damage.
~ Base energy 1% = Coldie Freeze expends 1% energy.

Coldie Freeze expends 1% energy for upkeep to Light Screen.
The Strand expends 1% energy for upkeep to Light Screen.
The Strand takes 1% damage for toxic poisoning.

73% health, 82% energy
79% health, 77% energy

Arena
The Grande Vallée Way’s rope bridge remains sturdy and untouched.

Notes:
1. Speed order: The Strand (50) > Coldie Freeze (26.25)
2. The Strand hurt itself in its confusion on actions two and three. Coldie Freeze was fully paralyzed on action two.
Next round, Music Dragon commands first, followed by Byrus.

 

[Music Dragon]

Hmm! Not bad! Let's see what we can do here...

Now that your opponent's Light Screen is gone and you've got one of your own, let's go back to firing off those Flash Cannons. However, drop your item and use Acrobatics instead if he puts up another Light Screen and you're mobile enough to actually use Acrobatics. Finally, bounce back any reflectable moves with Magic Coat.

Flash Cannon / drop item + Acrobatics / Magic Coat ~ Flash Cannon / drop item + Acrobatics / Magic Coat ~ Flash Cannon / drop item + Acrobatics / Magic Coat

 

[Byrus]

Aw man, I was worrying about leaving myself open to Confuse Ray/Swagger, but I just didn't have enough conditionals left to cover it.

Alright, I'm not sure if you can do this in your current state, but I want you to wait until Coldie attacks before you try setting up a Light Screen. Taking the full-powered Flash Cannon is definitely not ideal, but I'm not liking the 40% failure chance we have right now and taking the hit will at least lower your severity rate. Coldie should go for an Acrobatics after that, so wait until its about to strike, then Bind it up tight to prevent it. Finish with a Super Fang while its trapped in your coils.

If you confusion-fail on the first action, try LS again on the second action (no waiting around this time).

Light Screen ~ Bind/Light Screen ~ Super Fang

 

[JackPK]

[size=+2]Music Dragon vs Byrus: Round Three[/size]

Spoiler: Arena

2 vs 2 Inverse Battle
Style: Set
DQ: 7 days
Damage Cap: 35%
Banned/Restricted Moves: OHKOs, Pain Split, Perish Song, moves that KO the user; direct recovery is restricted to 1 use in the match (by any Pokémon), Chills are restricted to 5 uses (per Pokémon), and damage-dealing Normal-type moves are restricted to 3 uses (per Pokémon).
Arena: Route 19/Grande Vallée Way

The great wooden bridge across the valley will be the site of this battle. It's long and wide, with high protective rails (though they may be not much more than a widely spaced net of ropes). The bridge is very sturdy and will readily withstand much of the action, although inevitably it isn't entirely unbreakable, and sufficiently extreme trauma may cause it to snap. The fall is unlikely to be painful for many Pokémon other than those of the Fire-type, however, as the height isn't too great and what waits below is not much more than soft marshy ground and calm waters. While the thing is still standing, at least, the battle gets a picturesque backdrop, with just the right setup of waters, hills, and skies.

The most important trick to this battle as it's being influenced by the mysterious powers of the Psychic known as Inver, who causes super-effective moves to deal not very effective damage while not very effective or entirely ineffective moves deal super-effective damage. To battle under these circumstances is known as an Inverse Battle. Furthermore, as Normal-types are extremely advantaged in these battles, Pokémon whose only type is Normal may not be sent out in this match.

Team Music Dragon (OO)

Coldie Freeze (X) the Cryogonal
<Levitate> Unaffected by Ground-type moves.
@Rocky Helmet Foes take 2% damage when they use contact moves.
████████ 73% Health
█████████ 82% Energy
Speed: 26.25
Status: Severely paralyzed (21% chance of failure). Protected by Light Screen (5 more actions).
Condition: ”NOW who’s got a shield?”
Commands: Flash Cannon / drop item + Acrobatics / Magic Coat ~ Flash Cannon / drop item + Acrobatics / Magic Coat ~ Flash Cannon / drop item + Acrobatics / Magic Coat

Team Byrus (OO)

The Strand (M) the Eelektross
<Levitate> Unaffected by Ground-type moves.
@Jaboca Berry Damages the foe for half the damage taken from a physical move.
████████ 79% Health
████████ 77% Energy
Speed: 50
Status: Toxic-poisoned (3% last round, 4% this). Severely confused (40% chance of failure).
Condition: Utterly miserable.
Commands: Light Screen ~ Bind/Light Screen ~ Super Fang

The Strand, knowing very well he’s confused and isn’t to be fully trusted at the moment, so at his Trainer’s order, he does nothing at first, waiting for his foe to strike him and clear up a bit of the dizziness. Agreeably, Coldie Freeze shifts slightly to reflect a bright sunbeam, infusing it with more Steel-type energy as it reflects the light into the Eelektross’ face. The searing pain shakes away a few of the spots clouding The Strand’s vision, but even so, the remaining ones dance across his eyes and distract him as he tries to set up a replacement shield. With disappointment, he finds himself falling out of the air again, landing painfully on the bridge with a thud.

He’s barely feeling any better, but Byrus told him not to wait a second time, so The Strand tentatively goes ahead and tries to make another shield. His energy flows into a solid dome around him, glowing a nearly-transparent gold as it locks into place around him to protect against special attacks. Coldie, though, knows just what the shield is meant for, and adjusts its attacking pattern accordingly. It tosses its Rocky Helmet into the swamp below and, glinting in the sunshine, twirls like a Frisbee in an elaborate airshow that ends — unimpeded by the Light Screen — with a hefty slam straight into The Strand. Unbeknownst to Coldie, the impact transfers the Eelektross’ berry onto the Cryogonal, and it begins to tick and glow red for a moment before abruptly exploding in the ice crystal’s face.

The Eelektross is furious. He spent all that time and effort to put up a Light Screen, and even if his berry was finally activated, it’s still so frustrating that his golden shield has gotten absolutely no use. He must punish Coldie Freeze for the indignity. Pumping his remora-like teeth full to bursting with dripping energy, The Strand weaves forward, also unimpeded by his foe’s Light Screen, and bites sharply into the Cryogonal’s brow, snapping off a large chunk of the snowflake’s topmost crystalline structure. Coldie responds by knocking The Strand back to his side of the bridge with another aerial twirl, but the damage is done — the opponents are back to being neck and neck, both protected by the damage cap but both fully aware that they’re unlikely to have that protection for much longer.

Team Music Dragon (OO)

Coldie Freeze (X) the Cryogonal
<Levitate> Unaffected by Ground-type moves.
@Rocky Helmet Foes take 2% damage when they use contact moves.
████ 38% Health (capped)
███████ 61% Energy
Speed: 35
Status: Moderately paralyzed (15% chance of failure). Protected by Light Screen (2 more actions).
Condition: Literally torn to pieces.
Commands used: Flash Cannon ~ drop item + Acrobatics ~ Acrobatics

Team Byrus (OO)

The Strand (M) the Eelektross
<Levitate> Unaffected by Ground-type moves.
@Jaboca Berry Damages the foe for half the damage taken from a physical move.
█████ 40% Health (capped)
█████ 48% Energy
Speed: 50
Status: Toxic-poisoned (4% this round, 5% next). -1 Sp. Def. Protected by Light Screen (3 more actions).
Condition: Emotionally torn to pieces.
Commands: (confused) ~ Light Screen ~ Super Fang

Spoiler: Rolls:

Unless otherwise stated, all rolls are on a scale from 001-100 where the roll must be equal to or lower than the accuracy in order to hit, the effect chance in order to have an effect, or the critical hit chance to crit.

On confusion/paralysis/attraction etc. rolls, anything equal to or lower than the failure chance is a failure; anything higher lets the Pokemon use its command.

Action One
The Strand waits for Coldie Freeze to act.

Coldie Freeze makes a paralysis check (21% difficulty). It succeeds with a roll of 93.
~ Coldie Freeze’s paralysis softens to 19% difficulty.

Coldie Freeze uses Flash Cannon.
~ Flash Cannon has 100% accuracy, so it hits without needing a roll.
~ Flash Cannon’s critical hit domain is 1 (5%). It fails to crit with a roll of 60.
~ Flash Cannon has a 10% chance to lower Sp. Def. This effect succeeds with a roll of 2.
~ The damage lowers the severity of The Strand’s confusion by 15%, from 40% to 25%.

The Strand makes a confusion check (25% difficulty). He fails with a roll of 16.
~ The Strand’s confusion softens to 20% difficulty.

~ Coldie Freeze’s side of the field is shielded from special attacks (4 more actions).

Action Two

The Strand makes a confusion check (20% difficulty). He succeeds with a roll of 88.
~ The Strand’s confusion softens to 15% difficulty.

The Strand uses Light Screen.
~ The Strand’s side of the field is shielded from special attacks (5 more actions).

Coldie Freeze makes a paralysis check (19% difficulty). It succeeds with a roll of 89.
~ Coldie Freeze’s paralysis softens to 17% difficulty.
~ Coldie Freeze’s Speed rises to 1/3 of normal. Coldie Freeze’s recalculates Speed: 105 × 0.33 = 35.

Coldie Freeze drops its Rocky Helmet and uses Acrobatics.
~ Acrobatics has 100% accuracy, so it hits without needing a roll.
~ Acrobatics’ critical hit domain is 1 (5%). It fails to crit with a roll of 64.
~ The damage lowers the severity of The Strand’s confusion by 20%, curing it.
~ Acrobatics triggers The Strand’s Jaboca Berry.

~ The Strand’s side of the field is shielded from special attacks (4 more actions).
~ Coldie Freeze’s side of the field is shielded from special attacks (3 more actions).

Action Three

The Strand uses Super Fang.
~ Super Fang has 90% accuracy. With a roll of 22, it hits.

Coldie Freeze makes a paralysis check (17% difficulty). It succeeds with a roll of 53.
~ Coldie Freeze’s paralysis softens to 15% difficulty.

Coldie Freeze uses Acrobatics.
~ Acrobatics has 100% accuracy, so it hits without needing a roll.
~ Acrobatics’ critical hit domain is 1 (5%). It fails to crit with a roll of 93.

~ The Strand’s side of the field is shielded from special attacks (3 more actions).
~ Coldie Freeze’s side of the field is shielded from special attacks (2 more actions).

Spoiler: Calculations:

For all calculations, please completely ignore all the rules you learned in school about order of operations. Everything in this section just goes left to right.

Last Round

73% health, 82% energy
79% health, 77% energy

Action One

Coldie Freeze uses Flash Cannon.
~ Base power 8% + not STAB + no stats have been boosted + 0 EXP bonus × 1.5 since Electric is inverse-weak to Steel = The Strand takes 12% damage.
~ Base energy 4% = Coldie Freeze expends 4% energy.

The Strand is fully confused. It hurts itself in its confusion.
~ Base power 4% + not STAB + no stats have been boosted + 0 EXP bonus × 1 for the standard type modification = The Strand takes 4% damage.
~ Base energy 2% = The Strand expends 2% energy.

Coldie Freeze expends 1% energy for upkeep to Light Screen.
The Strand takes 1% damage for toxic poisoning.

73% health, 77% energy
62% health, 75% energy

Action Two

The Strand uses Light Screen.
~ Light Screen does not deal damage.
~ Base energy 1% = The Strand expends 1% energy.

Coldie Freeze uses Acrobatics.
~ Base power 11% + not STAB + no stats have been boosted + 0 EXP bonus × 1.5 since Electric is inverse-weak to Flying = 16.5 rounded down = The Strand takes 16% damage.
~ Base energy 7% = Coldie Freeze expends 7% energy.

The Strand’s Jaboca Berry activates.
~ 16% damage × 0.5 = Coldie Freeze takes 8% damage.

Coldie Freeze expends 1% energy for upkeep to Light Screen.
The Strand expends 1% energy for upkeep to Light Screen.
The Strand takes 1% damage for toxic poisoning.

65% health, 69% energy
45% health, 73% energy

Action Three

The Strand uses Super Fang.
~ 65% health × 0.5 = 32.5 rounded down = Coldie Freeze takes 32% damage.
~ 32% damage × 0.75 = The Strand expends 24% energy.

Coldie Freeze uses Acrobatics.
~ Base power 11% + not STAB + no stats have been boosted + 0 EXP bonus × 1.5 since Electric is inverse-weak to Flying = 16.5 rounded down = The Strand takes 16% damage.
~ Base energy 7% = Coldie Freeze expends 7% energy.

Coldie Freeze expends 1% energy for upkeep to Light Screen.
The Strand expends 1% energy for upkeep to Light Screen.
The Strand takes 2% damage for toxic poisoning.

33% health (capped at 38%), 61% energy
27% health (capped at 40%), 48% energy

Arena
The Grande Vallée Way’s rope bridge remains sturdy and untouched. A Rocky Helmet floats gently in the murky swamp waters below.

Notes:
1. Speed order: The Strand (50) > Coldie Freeze (35)
2. The Strand hurt himself in his confusion on the first action, but his confusion was totally cured by the damage dealt by the end of action two.
3. Coldie Freeze threw away its Rocky Helmet and The Strand’s Jaboca Berry was activated, so neither battler has access to their held item anymore.
4. Coldie Freeze’s paralysis softened to moderate on the second action, improving its Speed to one-third of normal. The Strand is still faster, though. The next threshold is at 12% severity, at which point its Speed will improve to one-half of normal and it will again surpass The Strand (unless, of course, something else affects their Speeds between now and then).
5. Both battlers hit the damage cap on the third action.
6. I’ve been having much heavier duties at work lately, so forgive me for this round’s lateness and I apologize in advance for the fact that future rounds will also likely be late (though hopefully not this much). In particular, I had to piece together this round in a lot of separate small writing sessions, so I’d much appreciate a more attentive than usual eye from y’all to make sure everything looks right and that I didn’t forget to account for anything. Thanks!
Next round, Byrus commands first, followed by Music Dragon.

 

[Byrus]

Alright, be ready to use Bind if you see it going for Acrobatics, try and catch it just as it's preparing to strike. Set up a small sub if it goes for Confuse Ray or Swagger. Otherwise, go for Spark, Thunder punch, then Discharge.

Don't use bind more than once, though. If it breaks free of your bind early, or has a sub, just go for your attacking option.

Bind/Substitute (10%)/Spark ~ Bind/Substitute (10%)/Thunder Punch ~ Bind/Substitute (10%)/Discharge

 

[Music Dragon]

Hmm! Not bad, Coldie Freeze! We might win this yet. Let's start with a small Substitute; according to my calculations, it should be just strong enough to survive one attack. If you manage to do that successfully, you're free to use Acrobatics unimpeded on your second action; otherwise, try Substitute again. On your last action, finish with Facade. That should deal precisely enough damage to hit the cap - assuming, of course, that you don't fail me again...

And don't get critically hit, okay!?

Substitute (10%) ~ Substitute (10%) / Acrobatics ~ Facade

 

[Eifie]

Round Four​

Music Dragon (2/2 left)

Coldie Freeze
Ability: Levitate
Health: 38%
Energy: 61%
Status: Literally torn to pieces. Has a Light Screen (2 more actions). Moderately paralyzed (15% failure chance).

Byrus (2/2 left)

The Strand ♂
Ability: Levitate
Health: 40%
Energy: 48%
Status: Emotionally torn to pieces. Has a Light Screen (3 more actions). Toxic poisoned (4% last round, 5% this round). -1 Special Defense.

------------------------------​

Coldie Freeze glances nervously back at its trainer and grits its icy teeth, determined not to spend the rest of its unfortunate life as a freezbe... Who let its trainer into the adoption office, anyway? With a sigh, it waves its elegant moustachey tendrils back and forth, a viscous white substance oozing out of them and pooling on the bridge below. The unappealing puddle of goop visibly shudders as Coldie Freeze exhales a cool breath upon it, and the material solidifies into a pale white snowflake, a poor imitation of Coldie Freeze itself what with its unimpressive moustachio. Hrrm...

Brittle as it appears, the doppelganger stands firm as The Strand rears back and then slithers forward through the air, electricity sparking around his serpentine body, to give the snowflake a good smack. The Eelektross hisses in frustration at the mere dent he leaves upon its surface, and Coldie Freeze takes advantage of his distraction to leap through the air itself. Spinning about in an absolutely not frisbee-like fashion, the Cryogonal whirls across the bridge, pointed edges battering The Strand's skin as he twists and roars in pain. The Strand's electrified tail snakes across in revenge to slam into the fake Coldie Freeze again, and this time it shatters across the middle, sharp pieces of ice flying in all directions. A few shards pieces through Coldie Freeze's protective transparent bubble, which gives in and disappears at last.

Coldie Freeze's moustachey tendrils wave about in fury at this affront to its artistic sensibilities. Forcing itself to ignore the electricity still pulsing faintly through its body, the Cryogonal throws itself full force at its opponent, smacking every inch of his body it can reach with icy cold snowflake edge things. Howling in pain, The Strand begins charging up an uncontrollable amount of electricity in its body, and at such close range Coldie Freeze is completely unable to get away in time. The Strand releases a violent pulse of electricity in all directions, and Coldie Freeze screams as a ripple of static passes through its body, causing its muscles to stiffen even more than before. As The Strand's Light Screen also fades away, both Pokémon face each other in exhaustion, struggling not to be the first to fall.

------------------------------​

Music Dragon (2/2 left)

Coldie Freeze
Ability: Levitate
Health: 18%
Energy: 41%
Status: Hugely frustrated at its renewed paralysis. Severely paralyzed (19% failure chance).
Used: Substitute (10%) ~ Acrobatics ~ Facade

Byrus (2/2 left)

The Strand ♂
Ability: Levitate
Health: 5%
Energy: 37%
Status: Barely able to remain in the air. Toxic poisoned (5% this round, 6% next round). -1 Special Defense.
Used: Spark ~ Thunder Punch ~ Discharge

Arena Status

• The Grande Vallée Way’s rope bridge remains sturdy and untouched. A Rocky Helmet floats gently in the murky swamp waters below.

Damage and Energy

• Coldie Freeze's Health: 38% - 10% (Substitute) - 10% (Discharge) = 18%
• Coldie Freeze's Substitute: 10% - 8% (Spark) - 9% (Thunder Punch) = 0%
• Coldie Freeze's Energy: 61% - 5% (Substitute) - 7% (Acrobatics) - 8% (Facade) = 41%
• The Strand's Health: 40% - 16% (Acrobatics) - 14% (Facade) - 5% (poison) = 5%
• The Strand's Energy: 48% - 4% (Spark) - 3% (Thunder Punch) - 4% (Discharge) = 37%

Notes

• Speed order: The Strand (50) > Coldie Freeze (26).
• The severity of Coldie Freeze's paralysis dropped to mild on the second action. It now (or, well, for an action; see notes below) just barely outspeeds The Strand. Its Light Screen also faded on that action.
• The Strand's Thunder Punch destroyed Coldie Freeze's Substitute.
• Discharge rolled a 1 for paralysis, so it bumped Coldie Freeze's paralysis up another 10%. (If it had rolled for paralysis but not been such a low roll, it would have only increased it by 5%.)
• By the way, if Coldie Freeze just barely passes its paralysis roll (which didn't come close to happening this round), attacks requiring a lot of movement such as Acrobatics and Facade will take a small damage and/or energy penalty, depending on just how close the roll is.
• The Strand's Light Screen faded on the third action.
• The Strand exactly hit the damage cap from poison damage.
• Music Dragon commands first.

 

[Music Dragon]

Aha! Victory is within sight! Still, you never know what tricks Byrus might have up his sleeve...

A single Ice Shard should be enough to finish off the Strand, and the probability of you being fully paralyzed twice in a row is less than 5%, so we're probably going to be fine if you just keep attacking. But if your opponent is impossible to hit or you can't use Ice Shard for whatever reason, use Recover to buy yourself some more time. If you've already used Recover once, make that Chill instead.

And now we wait.

Ice Shard / Recover ~ Ice Shard / Recover / Chill ~ Ice Shard / Recover / Chill

 

[Byrus]

Not too many options here, but let's see if we can try something tricky. Start with a Protect first to make Freezie use Recover, then sap its energy with Giga Drain. If it para-fails on the first action, try the same tactic again, and if it para-fails on both actions, just curl up and cry at the painful irony, just attempt a Giga drain for health on the last action, I guess. You did good, either way.

Protect ~ Giga Drain (Energy)/Protect ~ Giga Drain (Energy)/Giga Drain (Health)

 

[Eifie]

Round Five​

Music Dragon (2/2 left)

Coldie Freeze
Ability: Levitate
Health: 18%
Energy: 41%
Status: Hugely frustrated at its renewed paralysis. Severely paralyzed (19% failure chance).

Byrus (2/2 left)

The Strand ♂
Ability: Levitate
Health: 5%
Energy: 37%
Status: Barely able to remain in the air. Toxic poisoned (5% last round, 6% this round). -1 Special Defense.

------------------------------​

Both on their last non-legs, the two battlers briefly take a pause to focus on regaining their strength. As The Strand curls up within a transparent protective bubble, leisurely watching the swampy water flow by beneath the bridge, Coldie Freeze's body glows a blinding white as it stimulates its natural healing processes. Icy water is secreted from its body to fill in its wounds, freezing as it reaches the surface until the Cryogonal's body gleams brilliantly in the sun, portions of its sleek snowflakey surface restored to their former icy glory.

Unfortunately, this takes a lot out of Coldie Freeze. Huffing and puffing, the Cryogonal struggles to face its foe for one final strike. It opens its mouth... it... opens its mouth... Curses! How is it supposed to spit ice at its opponent if it can't even get its jaw muscles to respond?! As Coldie Freeze furiously waves its moustache about, The Strand takes advantage of its hesitation to swoop in and latch on to one of its pointy snowflakey edges. He's only able to absorb a tiny thread of Coldie Freeze's life energy before the Cryogonal, unable to hold itself up any longer, goes hurtling downward toward the water in defeat...

------------------------------​

Music Dragon (1/2 left)

Coldie Freeze
Ability: Levitate
Health: 68%
Energy: 0%
Status: Knocked out!
Used: Recover ~ [paralyzed]

Byrus (2/2 left)

The Strand ♂
Ability: Levitate
Health: 1%
Energy: 31%
Status: Feeling too nauseated to enjoy his victory. Toxic poisoned (2%/action this round, 7% next round). -1 Special Defense.
Used: Protect ~ Giga Drain (energy)

Arena Status

• The Grande Vallée Way’s rope bridge remains sturdy and untouched. A Rocky Helmet floats gently in the murky swamp waters below.

Damage and Energy

• Coldie Freeze's Health: 18% + 50% (Recover) = 68%
• Coldie Freeze's Energy: 41% - 38% (Recover) - 7% (Giga Drain) = 0%
• The Strand's Health: 5% - 4% (poison) = 1%
• The Strand's Energy: 37% - 2% (Protect) - 5% (Giga Drain) + 1% (Giga Drain) = 31%

Notes

• Speed order: The Strand (50) levitates alone.
• Music Dragon is out of direct recovery uses for the rest of the battle.
• Coldie Freeze's paralysis dropped back to moderate after the first action.
• But it still rolled for paralysis at the worst possible moment, cementing its future as a freezbe...
• Music Dragon sends out, then Byrus commands first.

 

[Music Dragon]

Ha! Very clever, Byrus! Evens the odds a little bit, yes? I'll send out Lillibeth, my Grumpig.

 

[Byrus]

Ahhhh wow that tactic actually went off without a hitch

Unfortunately, you are most definitely not going to survive beyond the first action here, but that's okay, I'm really pleased you managed to squeeze out that win there. Go for broke with a Superpower.

Superpower x3

 

[Eifie]

Whoops! Apparently it's already been about a week. DQ warning for Music Dragon, 48 hours.