Alex, who was in the sky, sitting on Crobat's back, looked at the cave that was barely visible from this height.
After he had fulfilled his task and had accompanied Lars for a day, he decided to rest. He went to sleep earlier that day so that he could wake up early. As the saying goes, "The early bird gets the worm."
With the help of Crobat, he flew back to the marked spot after finishing the breakfast.
In front of the entrance to this cave, Alex could see a couple of Rhyhorn sunbathing.
After checking the information about these Pokémon, he realized that the strength of this group was weaker than he was told.
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Pokémon: Rhyhorn
LV: 41
Type: Ground/Rock
Abilities: Rock Head
Gender: Male
Potential: Deep Silver
Move:
- Horn Attack [E], Tail Whip, Fury Attack, Scary Face, Smack Down [E], Stomp, Bulldoze, Chip Away, Rock Blast, Drill Run, Stone Edge
- (Innate Talent) Ice Beam [E]
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There were 6 Rhyhorn in total, and only one was a real threat to Alex's team.
2 Rhyhorn had a Silver potential & Deep Silver and were at LV 40 & LV 41, respectively. All the other 4 Rhyhorn were much weaker and between LV 19 and LV 34. In addition, the potential of the other 4 was only Bronze.
'Hmm... This cave should supposedly be occupied by several Elite-level Pokémon, but I see only 2 weak Elite-level Pokémon. I don't think this Team Rocket Captain has the courage to lie to me. There should be more Elite-level Pokémon inside the cave.'
Alex thought about his next step on Crobat hovering in the sky. After thinking for a while, Alex said, "Crobat, land 200 yards away from the entrance such that they don't notice us."
Crobat nodded and landed in a place where no Pokémon was near, and it was approx 200 meters away from the cave.
Alex then called each of his Pokémon— except Shuppet and Vulpix— out from their Pokéballs.
Fighting against several Elite-level Pokémon is extremely dangerous, and Alex didn't want to let a few kids run around in the middle of the fighting.
He didn't have time to babysit them. Thus, he decided to not take any chances.
One or two Elite Pokémon is not a problem. But from the Captain's report, he had seen at least 5 Elite-level Pokémon, one of which was almost a Mid-Elite Pokémon.
The level assessment of an average trainer is often incorrect and only a rough estimate. But it is always better to have a rough estimate of the opponent's level than being in complete darkness.
He wanted the Diamonds and not lose the chance of making a good amount of money.
Alex had never even thought about working this out peacefully with the Rhyhorn herd who own this cave.
He believed that these Rhyhorn would not be giving up this cave just because a random trainer asks them to. This cave was just too beneficial to them.
Diamonds are pretty much the best food a Rock, Ground, or Steel-type Pokémon can find in nature. They can even improve the potential of a Pokémon if it eats enough of them.
Though it is very ineffective, and hardly any Diamonds are used in this way.
It makes more sense to sell the Diamonds for big bucks and buy Pokémon food or items that can improve the potential of a Pokémon from that money.
Although it is a very ineffective Pokémon food for Alex (cost-wise), it is the perfect food for the Rhyhorn group.
That's probably the reason why there were so many Elite Pokémon in this group of Rhyhorn.
You are reading story Pokemon: Master of tactics at novel35.com
Alex prefers to use a surprise attack and defeat a pair of Elite Pokémon before the whole group of Rhyhorn can assemble.
There was no way that this herd of Rhyhorn would give up this cave when an enemy comes with superficially weaker strength.
"Alright. It's time to attack." Alex looked at his Pokémon as if saying, 'Everyone knows what to do.'
His Pokémon gave a battle-ready nod and started using buff moves.
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(AN: I will explain once what everyone does and never again afterward.)
Crobat: Wait in the Pokéball
Scizor: Focus Energy, Double Team, Agility, Iron Defense, Swords Dance
Gardevoir: Double Team, Lucky Chant, Calm Mind, Helping Hand (Scizor)
Bastiodon: Iron Defense, Rock Polish
Blaziken: Bulk Up, Focus Energy
Umbreon: Helping Hand (Blaziken), Work Up, Baton Pass (Crobat), Work Up (again)
Ditto: Transform to Scizor
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Alex has tried many combinations, and this one was by far the most effective.
He also tested how effective it is to let Umbreon use [Work Up] and then [Baton Pass] to Scizor instead of Crobat. But he found out that a Pokémon apparently has a certain limit before reinforcements become ineffective.
The more reinforcements a Pokémon has, the smaller the effects of the following buff— of the same type— will be.
Alex said with a serious tone, "Ok, we will now run towards these Pokémon quickly. Everyone, get ready to defeat the 6 opponents in the shortest time possible.
And Bastiodon, you stay with me and watch the situation."
Then he left and told each of his Pokémon their exact targets so the surprise attack could inflict massive damage.
Bastiodon was given the task of protecting Alex. Because in this dangerous situation, Alex cannot remain unprotected, or he would be a weak point of his team.
He got on the uncomfortable back of Bastiodon and made a hand gesture to go ahead and attack.
After the signal, all of his Pokémon started running towards their targets like arrows shot from a bow.
The response from Alex's team was so quick that after only a few seconds, they were in attack range.
One of the 6 Rhyhorn recognized the danger and gave out a loud cry to warn the other Rhyhorn.
Suddenly, the 6 Rhyhorn find themselves in a fight against Alex's Pokémon. But after not exchanging even two moves, the whole group was utterly defeated.
Alex knew that these sounds of battle were very likely to attract the rest of the Rhyhorn. So he was looking at the cave's entrance with a watchful eye.
And as if to confirm his suspicion, Crobat said, "Several large Pokémon are moving from this cave to us with a raging pace."
Alex looked at his Pokémon and said, "Get ready for a tough fight."
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