What changed the way you play?

[Vandslaux]

Competitive battling.

[pokemonsquared]

Natures

10char

[FireEmblemAddict]

The internet. Before R/S, I just played through Pokemon games without planning a thing, catching and training whatever struck me as interesting in-the-moment. When R/S were about to launch, I began to use the computer often, and in turn I began to research information on various video games. For Pokemon, this was the start of me planning teams before starting a new game. Now I always have a set team plan before I start a new adventure.

[Kyro13]

Well, before Platinum I was always just playing in-game and not planning ahead whatsoever. When Platinum came out, a couple things happened:

a) I planned my team before hand
b) After watching so much competitive battling on Youtube I got interested in that, so I started EV training and such

[Hilda]

Gen 4 made me train competitive Pokemon.

[Winter02]

Third generation changed my style of playing to become more competitive (for the in-game Battle Facilities). It happened when I was battling in the Battle Pyramid and I lost since my Houndoom was defeated by a Roselia just because the Pokemon I used was so bad. After that had happened, I started EV-training, giving my Pokemon better movesets, and made sure they had the most useful Natures. A while later, I started IV breeding as well. Those changes made it possible for me to win at the facilities, and I have kept that up in 4th and 5th gen as well. I don't regret this change at all.

[wobbanut]

When I played Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FR, and LG, I used to restart the games all the time for new adventures and because I mistakenly thought that more restarts = better chances of a shiny appearing. Now I know the value of saving one game for a while to keep good pokemon in, whether to restart other games in or to trade to later generations.

I also used to breed pokemon the minute the daycare center became available in RSE, and I would wind up with a bunch of pokemon with lousy movesets. Now I wait until at least after the E4 so I can breed great moves onto pokemon. Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum were especially helpful with the high-level pokemon after the E4 with great moves.

On the not-so-positive side, I used to play the RSE and FRLG games with the sound on all the time because it enhanced the playing of the game. I also loved the random sounds of wild pokemon. Since Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum I frequently play with the sound off because I detest the bike music in those games. It sounds like a circus. I'll listen to HG, SS, and Black and White's music, but not those three.

[PopPrincess_Lyra]

Used to only catch and raise electric and water types in Gen 1 but in Gen 3 I changed coz Swampert was part ground... so now my team is variety, nya~

[cascadethewarrior]

When I was younger I would restart my game after I beat it and use the same Pokemon over and over again lol

Now I actually plan my team.

[Poliwhirl'sMittens]

When I was younger I would restart my game after I beat it and use the same Pokemon over and over again lol

Now I actually plan my team.

I used to restart my games all of the time too, although I would vary my teams as much as possible and use different starters. Now, however, I can't restart my games since everything has so much more value nowadays and transferring a bunch of pokemon to another game would take way too long.

[DannyAbeL]

I like playing game.I try to play it well but i don't know some skills that used in it. Anyone can tell me.

[BNator92]

If you mean competitively, man, oh man, you're in for a long road. Lots to learn, but we all have to start somewhere.

[BNator92]

That was a reply to the above post, forgot to quote. >_>

[Cloud_Arcanine]

I suppose the physical/special split started things off, more Pokemon became viable to use as they suddenly had more options and became more varied, which in turn helped with nature choosing.

[AquaMilotic]

When I discovered competitive battling during Gen III, my playing style changed. I started EV training, IV breeding and nature-selecting. When Gen V started, I quit competitive battling, but I still EV train, IV breed and nature-select.

[Elysian]

Well, everyone started talking about EV's etc. and kick-arse stats, and when I looked up my own Pokemon, they were actually incredibly weak! As I have been ignorant to nature etc.

[Sigilyph2]

When I found about EVs and Natures it totally change the way I built team. Before that, I thought that Level was all that mattered.

[Exeggudork]

Ev training and IV breeding.

[Astrint]

When I found about EVs and Natures it totally change the way I built team. Before that, I thought that Level was all that mattered.

yeah, i used to think that you just had to be ten levels higher than your opponent to beat him soundly. Then i realized how dim that line of thought was when i started playing pearl and diamond >.>

But i have been taking everything that everyone has been talking about into consideration and I am still learning. I had no idea this thread would be so popular but I'm more surprised how helpful it has been.

[sidrick]

Before Black and White I used to play for fun, now with B & W and wi-fi competitive battling I had to do a lot of research in to EV training and IV breeding. Having lots of fun with it!