NERDCULTURE SMACKDOWN! POKÉMON OF THE WEEK! AUGUST 3- AUGUST 9/13!

#390 CHIMCHAR, #391 MONFERNO, & #392 INFERNAPE

If you haven't figured it out by now, I'm the sort of Pokémon player who goes with the Fire Starter every time and, unless Fennekin evolves into something that sucks, this is unlikely to change any time soon. Another thing you might've figured out by now is that my favorite generation is 4th Generation. I love the designs, the mechanics, the games, etc, I could go on, and the 4th Generation Starters are my favorites. That's why, this week, I'm excited to talk about the Fire/Fighting simians of the Sinnoh region.

LAST WEEK'S POKÉMON: #347 ANORITH & #348 ARMALDO

NERDCULTURE SMACKDOWN! POKÉMON OF THE WEEK! JULY 20- JULY 26/13!

#493 ARCEUS

Today, we're talking about the Alpha and the Omega, the big A, the Holy Pokéfather, the Ubermon of the Ubertier, and the creator of the Pokémon world, Arceus. I've discussed his work before in the BOOK OF POKÉMON and today we're gonna talk about some of the nifty elements of this legendary's design.

LAST WEEK'S POKÉMON OF THE WEEK: #69 BELLSPROUT, #70 WEEPINBELL, #71 VICTREEBEL

WORD OF THE DAY! 5/31/13!

bait and switch [beyt-and-swich]

adjective

1. Denoting a deceptive method of selling, by which customers, attracted to a store by sale items, are told either that the advertised bargain item is out of stock or is inferior to a higher-priced item that is available.

noun

2. An act or instance of such practice.

SOURCE: Dictionary.com

EX. Bait and switch trade? That's a paddlin'.

THAT'S A PADDLIN'!

WORD OF THE DAY! 5/24/13!

bogle [boh-guhl]
noun
1. A bogy, ghost, specter, boogie man or other spirit or being, especially said to haunt children or exist in stories meant to scare children.

EX. The Bogle. By Sean Barnes

       Don't look outside the window at night. That's what Mama said.
       Don't lean out into the inky darkness. Or you'll wind up dead.
       Don't leer back into faceless eyes. That's what Mama said.
       Don't listen to the bogle's sad cries. Or it'll get in your head.
       Don't 'llow the bogle in from the cold. That's what Mama said.
       Don't let the bogle hold your hand. Or it'll drag you outta bed.
       Don't leave the house by it's lead. That's what Mama said.
       Don't look outside the window at night. Or you'll wind up dead.

       That's what Mama said. That's what Mama said. That's what Mama said.

NERDCULTURE SMACKDOWN! POKÉMON OF THE WEEK! MAY 18- MAY 24/13!

#489 Phione & #490 Manaphy

In Generation 1, there were five Legendary Pokémon if you include Mew (six if you include Arcanine, but that just makes you a know-it all nerdwad). In the proceeding four generations (and including the two new ones for X & Y announced so far), we were introduced to an additional forty-five legendary Pokémon. That's right. We know of FIFTY legendary Pokémon before the release of Generation 6..

And, to be frank, many fans, including myself, have become fatigued by this. Almost 8% of Pokémon species are legendary. Does every generation need legendary Pokémon? Yes. But do we really need over a dozen in a generation with multiple forms? HELL NO. I'm putting my foot down and today we're talking about my very least favorite type of Legendary Pokémon. The vague formless childish fairy type of Legendary made to sell movie tickets and plushies today we're talking about Phione and Manaphy.

LAST WEEK'S POKÉMON OF THE WEEK: #66 MACHOP, #67 MACHOKE, #68 MACHAMP

NERDCULTURE SMACKDOWN! POKÉMON OF THE WEEK! MAR 16-MAR 22/13!

#434 STUNKY & #435 SKUNTANK

Well, I'm afraid to say, today I've got a couple of Pokéstinkers on my Pokéledger and, if I don't talk about them, I'll be violating my Pokécontract. *cough* I suppose if there is anything positive about the situation is that  I wasn't expecting them, but then again you never expect to have skunk roll up under your house and die... until it happens.

LAST WEEK'S POKÉMON OF THE WEEK: #382 KYOGRE, #383 GROUDON, & #384 RAYQUAZA

NERDCULTURE SMACKDOWN! POKEMONS OF THE WEEK! FEB 9-15/13!

POKEMONS OF THE WEEK! FEB 9-15/13!

RAMPARDOS VS. BASTIODON!

This week we're looking at the two exceptionally unappealing dinosaur fossil Pokemons, #409 Rampardos & #411 Bastiodon! I'm gonna explain what I do and don't like about their designs and hopefully we'll learn something from the ramble about to rumble.

LAST WEEK'S POKEMONS OF THE WEEK! TENTACOOL & TENTACRUEL!

NERD CULTURE SMACKDOWN! POKEMONS OF THE WEEK #1

POKEMONS OF THE WEEK #1

ELECTIVIRE & MAGMORTAR

That's right, kiddies. You didn't really ask for it, but I demanded it, so here is our very first randomly generated Pokemons of the Week. I ran a number generator and got #467 Magmortar and thought I'd get #466 out of the way while I was at it with Electivire. I'm glad we're starting on a high note as these two Pokemon are, in my opinion, two of the best designs of the 4th Generation. I thought the evolutions of older Pokemon that they introduced in 4th Gen were awesome (Pokemon fans love our third evolutions) and Magmar & Electabuzz were due for an evolution to elevate them to a new state of awesomeness.

WEEKLY ROUND-UP! 4/16- 4/22

WEEKLY ROUND-UP PRESENTS

FOR THE LOVE OF TEAM ROCKET WEEK!

7. WORD OF THE DAY! 4/21/12. Alpha & Omega

Two of the most successful articles from the early days of the blog were a funny little diversion I called "The Book of Pokemon." Its basically the result of me using my shoddy fan knowledge of the Pokemon universe to create a biblical text that gets more insane with each entry.

6. WORD OF THE DAY! 4/16/12. Hebetude.

Oh the glory days of playing Pokemon Blue back in the day. Unfortunately, my handicap made it difficult... Did I mention that growing up I sucked at video games? It took me nearly two decades to finally getting around to finishing up Zelda: Ocarina of Time on my own and I have never gotten around to catching a Mewtwo.

P.S. I've never used a Masterball.

5. WORD OF THE DAY! 4/16/12. Sucker Punch.

Super Mutant Magic Academy is probably my favorite web comic I've discovered in a good long while. The humor is pretty damn smart, using a mix of brainy humor, grim irony, and visual gags to create a truly special experience.

4. WORD OF THE DAY! 4/22/12. Deviant.

Not only did I finally get around to sharing this incredible X-Men & Scott Pilgrim crossover art I've had squatting in my download folder for moths, I got to talk a little about the rivalry of intellectuals to sculpt the youth into their proteges.

3. MUSICAL MONDAY! HOLY MUSICAL B@MAN!

I've probably listened to this musical from Starkids about 10 times over the last week and I think it might be my favorite of the bunch. The above fancomic encapsulates a tiny iota of the awesomeness that is the Holy Musical B@man! This is a must-see for all musical fans, very potter musical fans, and Batman fans.

2. WTF WEDNESDAY! TEAM ROCKET IS BACK?!

I was more than happy to share my old chum's work with you guys again. His Pokemon stuff is pretty funny and pretty weird. I hope you guys check it out and, if you like it, help him out by liking it or subscribing.

1. TABLE TOP TALES: KING OF THE HILL DECK

This is probably the best deck I've ever built. I began with the materials provided in the Koth duel deck and then I combined it with the dozens of Red Rares I've collected since last semester when I started collecting. From the Claw of Valakuts to the Conquering Manticore, I built a casual competitive deck that is a blast to play.

"I SELL PROPANE AND PROPANE ACCESSORIES!" -HANK HILL, KING OF THE HILL

WORD OF THE DAY! 4/21/12

SOURCE!

alpha and omega [al-fuh-and-oh-mey-guh]
noun
1. The beginning and the end.
2. The basic or essential element or elements.

EX. Arceus is apparently the alpha & omega of the Pokemon universe.

Anyone remember when I posted "The Book of Pokemon" articles, way back when.

Expect more additions to the book in May...

THE BOOK OF POKEGENESIS AND THE BOOK OF PROFESSOR OAK

THE BOOK OF GARY MUTHAF***IN' OAK!

MIXED BAG! POKEMON FANART...BY ME?

As I've said before, and I'll say again, I love Pokémon. After finding out some of my friends were changing their profile pics to Pokémon for December, I couldn't choose a favorite and instead took it one step further and drew a Pokémon trainer version of myself with six Pokémon I could see myself running around with.

First, I drew myself as a trainer. I tried to draw in the style of the Pokémon anime but instead decided to nix that and draw it my way. I am regrowing my epic beard so I went with that. I would've drawn myself more rotund, but if I was a traveling Pokémon trainer I reckon I would be in better shape. Gotta lose some weight!

Now from left to right and top to bottom:

"Heracross!" is hands down one of the coolest designs and coolest sounding Pokémon. He is a physical sweeping battle beetle that fulfills the specialize niche of being both a Bug Type and Fighter Type. Did you know that Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of Pokémon, came up with the concept of Pokémon based on his childhood past time of insect collection (beetle fighting is huge in Japan).

To quote an earlier article, Togekiss makes up for the disappointing evolution and design of Togetic. Not only is Togetic one of the cutest designs, as well as one of the cleanest, she uses her wings to Wall against both Physical and Special moves and is one of the most flexible Flying Pokémon of all time. She is one of the best Pokémon you could have watching your back from a bird's eye view.

My starter of choice? Tepig! I have always ran fire starters, and Tepig, being a cartoon pig, was too hard for me not to choose. Emboar is really cool, with his samurai style/sumo gusto. He is a Recoiling Piggy Powerhouse! He seems like he would be really good natured and heroic-- or maybe just really hungry..

The first Pokémon I tried to draw today was Golduck. I have always been a fan of the cool Water Pokémon, especially since he evolves from the fan favorite Psyduck, and usually enjoy having him on board as my Special Sweeper with a great movepool; my Mallard of Malice! I especially like how the expression came out on his bill-- a devious smirk!

Electric Pokémon are one of my favorite types. As I mentioned in another article, Ampharos was one of my favorite designs but fell flat in combat. How do we make up for that? Replace a sheep with a lion! Luxray has a cool name, a Sphinx inspired design, and, with a roar, he charges into battle with confidence of a king!

Last, but not least, is one of my two favorite grass-type Pokémon, Roserade (the other is probably Torterra). The rose-petal Zorro of the Pokémon world, Roserade is another reason to love 4th Generation for evolving Pokémon that, otherwise, weren't worth the time. Sure, she is small, but my Roserade always comes in to save the day just in the nick of time.

Thanks for reading my blog. Make sure to subscribe, comment, and leave ideas for how to improve the blog/ see more of the kinds of things you like.

Here is a link to my article on the Five Generations of Pokémon.

NERD CULTURE SMACKDOWN! #1 POKEMON GENERATIONS.