Chapter 20: Match Rules

Chapter 20: Match Rules

"Due to the Sky Crown Team's lead in points, this match will have the Sky Crown Team choose their side first!" The host announced loudly as the arena was set up.

Hearing the host's voice, the Sky Crown Team's Trainer immediately raised a red sign, indicating their choice of the red side.

"With the sides chosen, the Sky Crown Team has selected the red side. It is now the Devon Team's turn to send out their Pokémon first!"

"Go, Flygon!"

After receiving the announcement from the host, a member of the Devon Team pulled out a Poké Ball, releasing a Flygon onto the field.

"Oh, the Devon Team has sent out Flygon first! This is a Ground and Dragon-type Pokémon, and Flygon possesses a special ability to be immune to Ground-type moves. How will the Sky Crown Team respond?!" The host began to commentate passionately.

"Flygon's immunity to Electric and Ground-type moves makes it a great front-line Pokémon!" Another host who was also commentating nodded, clearly expressing his admiration.

"Go, Walrein!" The Sky Crown Team quickly responded, sending out a Walrein to battle.

The host immediately took the microphone and reported, "Here it comes! In response to the Ground and Dragon-type Flygon, the Sky Crown Team has indeed sent out an Ice-type Walrein!"

"Ice-type has quadruple damage against Flygon, and its Water-type can effectively counter Rock-type Pokémon, making it a great choice," another host nodded in agreement.

"To deal with Walrein, you'll be up, Electabuzz!" The Devon Team sent out their next Pokémon.

"Here it is! This is the Devon Team's artillery strategy. With Flygon covering Ground-type Pokémon, Electabuzz now has no natural enemy!" The host's expertise in Pokémon battles made the commentary engaging, stirring the audience into a lively cheer!

"Go, Rhydon!"

The Sky Crown Team sent out Rhydon to face off. While Flygon could dodge Ground-type moves, if Electabuzz rode on Flygon, it could indeed avoid Ground-type attacks entirely, becoming an aerial artillery piece.

However, Rhydon's own Ground typing could still protect it from Electric-type moves, and when Ryoma saw the confident expressions on the Sky Crown Team, something suddenly clicked in his mind.

This Rhydon might have the Lightning Rod ability! Although this world hasn't clearly defined abilities, Flygon's levitation was referred to as a special ability that provides immunity to Ground-type moves.

However, this doesn't stop others from noticing Rhydon's Lightning Rod ability. If this Rhydon has the Lightning Rod ability, then Electabuzz and Flygon's aerial artillery strategy would be completely nullified!

Furthermore, Lightning Rod can boost its Special Attack with the electrical energy, so with a few successful hits, Rhydon could turn the tables and become an even more terrifying ground artillery unit!

Additionally, this Electabuzz was clearly sent out to counter Walrein, but with the Lightning Rod ability in play, Walrein would lose its ace, ensuring that the Devon Team would have a tough battle ahead!

"Rhydon, huh? It seems you also have a secret weapon. Then go, Feraligatr!" Upon seeing Rhydon, the Devon Team promptly sent out a Water-type Pokémon that had a four times advantage against Rhydon.

The Sky Crown Team had clearly prepared for the Water-type Pokémon, as immediately upon Feraligatr's entry, they threw out a Poké Ball, revealing a dazzling Altaria!

"Faced with a Water-type Pokémon, the Sky Crown Team has sent out a dual-type Dragon and Flying Altaria to battle!"

"Altaria is indeed a good choice; not only can it cover against Water-type Feraligatr, but it can also negate Ground-type moves while countering the aerial advantage of Flygon. It really is a three-in-one strategy!"

Both hosts praised the Sky Crown Team's selection enthusiastically.

Ryoma was also watching the intense competition between both sides with great interest. However, when he saw Altaria enter the arena, his pupils suddenly narrowed, and he began to suspect the Sky Crown Team's intentions.

Aside from the three points mentioned by the host, this Altaria perhaps also aimed to entice the Devon Team to send out Ice-type Pokémon. Furthermore, Altaria had a four times advantage over Grass-type Pokémon and a two times advantage against Fighting-type Pokémon, so the Devon Team would likely abandon any Grass-type and Fighting-type Pokémon.

If Ryoma's suspicions were correct, then with Electabuzz perfectly countered by Rhydon, which had the Lightning Rod ability, and with the block on Grass-type and Fighting-type Pokémon, Rock-types would also be countered by Walrein.

Ryoma also speculated that this Walrein might have the Thick Fat ability, providing eight times resistance to Ice-type moves. If the Devon Team really did deploy an Ice-type Pokémon, Walrein could potentially become a formidable force!

As expected, the Devon Team sent out an Ice-type Sneasel, which was backed by Dark-type defenses against Psychic and Ghost types.

Upon seeing the Sneasel deployed by the Devon Team, the Sky Crown Team's Trainer immediately broke into a knowing smile. Then, a teammate from the Sky Crown Team threw out a Heracross.

Heracross's Fighting-type had a four times advantage over Sneasel, making this choice perfectly reasonable. Additionally, Heracross's Bug-type provided defensive advantages against Psychic, Dark, and Grass types.

"Not only does Fighting-type have a four times advantage, but against Bug-types, the Devon Team will likely prioritize Grass, Fire, and Rock types, right?"

"With Flygon already as a flying Pokémon, it's down to Fire and Rock then?"

Ryoma narrowed his eyes. Both Fire and Rock types were countered by Walrein.

If his guess was accurate, then the Sky Crown Team's strategy was a classic "big brother" tactic. One could imagine, without any natural enemies, Walrein would be nearly invincible!

After the Sky Crown Team sent out Heracross, the Devon Team immediately responded by bringing out a Charizard, which had both Fire and Flying types, easily countering Heracross and also providing a strong aerial advantage against Altaria.

This move by the Devon Team was certainly one of the most brilliant choices in the entire Pokémon selection. If they could truly gain aerial dominance, they could pose a significant threat to the grounded Walrein.

However, it seemed the Sky Crown Team had anticipated this and immediately responded by bringing out a Pelipper.