Shiftry: Given that most if not all of Erika's pokemon have abilities that are activated in harsh sunlight, and that Shiftry has Sunny Day, the first order of business is to make sure that Shiftry can't actually use it. To that end, Cassandra brings out Violet, who is faster than Shiftry by a considerable margin and has Taunt to prevent Shiftry from using Sunny Day - or any other status abilities, for that matter - and various Flying attacks to hit Shiftry's weakness to such. Even worse for Shiftry: Cassandra made a quick trip back to Goldenrod City via Magnet Train before heading to Celadon City specifically to get Violet Flamethrower. So Violet has options. And that's without taking Violet's use of Super Fang to halve Shiftry's health and speed the battle up that much more into account.
Jumpluff: Jumpluff is relatively speedy and loaded with status attacks, so the wisest move here, in Cassandra's view, is (as ever) to deploy a faster pokemon with Taunt so it can get out ahead of Jumpluff and shut that down. Normally, Cassandra would let Violet stay in to do some more damage, but the problem with this is that Jumpluff has Fairy Wind, which while not especially strong does hit one of Violet's weaknesses. Fortunately, Violet isn't the only speedy pokemon with Taunt that Cassandra has. Neideen not only lacks that weakness to Fairy, but only takes half damage from Fairy and Poison attacks - and quarter damage from Bug and Grass. Making matters even dicier for Jumpluff, Neideen sure can hit its weaknesses to Poison and Flying, and as a partial Poison type herself, Neideen won't miss if she uses Toxic - which she will, right after Taunt. Jumpluff is probably not going to have a good day.
(Jumpluff does have U-Turn, but Neideen has Mean Look to stop that from working. If Jumpluff does somehow manage to use it to switch itself out, Neideen will immediately cast Taunt on the newcomer, after which the general battle strategy will become the one listed for whichever pokemon has switched in.)
Victreebel: It's Violet's turn again, because Violet is appreciably faster than Victreebel and can shut those status effects right down. Super Fang, Flamethrower and Flying attacks help out here as well - as does Psychic, which Celadon City sells in TM form and which Violet happens to be able to learn. Given that, and even taking into account that Violet is on his second fight, Victreebel's chances are not great.
Bellossom: At first glance, Isley does not seem like the best choice for this battle because, well, he's not speedy. However, he's still faster than Bellossom, which means he can get that Taunt out right away. It also helps that as a partial Steel-type, he's immune to Poison. He is a bit less versatile than Neideen or Violet - while he does have Hidden Power: Fire, it's not very powerful, which means he'll be mostly using Flying attacks - but he's got some very good Flying attacks, and he's a basically a flying tank defense-wise and takes only quarter damage from Grass attacks. Cassandra will also be very quick with healing items any time he uses Brave Bird, to lessen the chances of Bellossom getting in a lucky shot.
Roserade: Neideen is back for this fight, using her speed and Taunt to shut down Roserade's status moves and her Flying attacks to eat its health away (Neideen also has Leech Life to do this quite literally, although as Roselia isn't weak to Bug and Neideen doesn't get STAB with it, it won't be quite as effective as it could be). With Poison attacks only doing half-damage, Grass doing quarter damage, and Neideen being immune to Poison status, and with its multitude of status attacks blocked, Roserade is probably in for a hard time. Cassandra will of course be standing ready with healing items (including Leppa Berries) if need be.
Vileplume: If Neideen isn't hurting for moves (or in general), she'll stay in for at least some of this fight. Otherwise, Isley's back in, because his base speed is still higher than Vileplume's. The basic plan is the same: Taunt, then Flying attacks (with Neideen potentially using Leech Life to replenish her health somewhat). With its status attacks locked down via Taunt, Vileplume loses a lot of its bite, and while its special attack is formidable, both Neideen and Isley take half- or less damage from all of Vileplume's attacks, with Isley being slightly hardier than Neideen. Whichever of them ends up facing Vileplume, Vileplume's going to have its work cut out for it.
Cassandra, of course, will be ready with healing and curative items, and all of her pokemon are coming in with Lum Berries, in case any of them are hit with an attack with a status effect attached. Meanwhile, Priscilla and Vanita will be waiting in the wings in case Erika's team proves more troublesome than expected, although as Vanita lacks Taunt and Priscilla is weak to Fairy, Cassandra is hoping it doesn't come to that.
no subject
Badge/Gym Leader: Rainbow/Erika
Elite/Regular: Elite Team
Team: Violet the Noivern (with Lum Berry), Neideen the Crobat (with Lum Berry), Isley the Corviknight (with Lum Berry), Priscilla the Hydreigon (with Lum Berry - backup), Vanita the Scolipede (with Lum Berry - backup)
Battle Details: So much Taunting. So much.
Shiftry: Given that most if not all of Erika's pokemon have abilities that are activated in harsh sunlight, and that Shiftry has Sunny Day, the first order of business is to make sure that Shiftry can't actually use it. To that end, Cassandra brings out Violet, who is faster than Shiftry by a considerable margin and has Taunt to prevent Shiftry from using Sunny Day - or any other status abilities, for that matter - and various Flying attacks to hit Shiftry's weakness to such. Even worse for Shiftry: Cassandra made a quick trip back to Goldenrod City via Magnet Train before heading to Celadon City specifically to get Violet Flamethrower. So Violet has options. And that's without taking Violet's use of Super Fang to halve Shiftry's health and speed the battle up that much more into account.
Jumpluff: Jumpluff is relatively speedy and loaded with status attacks, so the wisest move here, in Cassandra's view, is (as ever) to deploy a faster pokemon with Taunt so it can get out ahead of Jumpluff and shut that down. Normally, Cassandra would let Violet stay in to do some more damage, but the problem with this is that Jumpluff has Fairy Wind, which while not especially strong does hit one of Violet's weaknesses. Fortunately, Violet isn't the only speedy pokemon with Taunt that Cassandra has. Neideen not only lacks that weakness to Fairy, but only takes half damage from Fairy and Poison attacks - and quarter damage from Bug and Grass. Making matters even dicier for Jumpluff, Neideen sure can hit its weaknesses to Poison and Flying, and as a partial Poison type herself, Neideen won't miss if she uses Toxic - which she will, right after Taunt. Jumpluff is probably not going to have a good day.
(Jumpluff does have U-Turn, but Neideen has Mean Look to stop that from working. If Jumpluff does somehow manage to use it to switch itself out, Neideen will immediately cast Taunt on the newcomer, after which the general battle strategy will become the one listed for whichever pokemon has switched in.)
Victreebel: It's Violet's turn again, because Violet is appreciably faster than Victreebel and can shut those status effects right down. Super Fang, Flamethrower and Flying attacks help out here as well - as does Psychic, which Celadon City sells in TM form and which Violet happens to be able to learn. Given that, and even taking into account that Violet is on his second fight, Victreebel's chances are not great.
Bellossom: At first glance, Isley does not seem like the best choice for this battle because, well, he's not speedy. However, he's still faster than Bellossom, which means he can get that Taunt out right away. It also helps that as a partial Steel-type, he's immune to Poison. He is a bit less versatile than Neideen or Violet - while he does have Hidden Power: Fire, it's not very powerful, which means he'll be mostly using Flying attacks - but he's got some very good Flying attacks, and he's a basically a flying tank defense-wise and takes only quarter damage from Grass attacks. Cassandra will also be very quick with healing items any time he uses Brave Bird, to lessen the chances of Bellossom getting in a lucky shot.
Roserade: Neideen is back for this fight, using her speed and Taunt to shut down Roserade's status moves and her Flying attacks to eat its health away (Neideen also has Leech Life to do this quite literally, although as Roselia isn't weak to Bug and Neideen doesn't get STAB with it, it won't be quite as effective as it could be). With Poison attacks only doing half-damage, Grass doing quarter damage, and Neideen being immune to Poison status, and with its multitude of status attacks blocked, Roserade is probably in for a hard time. Cassandra will of course be standing ready with healing items (including Leppa Berries) if need be.
Vileplume: If Neideen isn't hurting for moves (or in general), she'll stay in for at least some of this fight. Otherwise, Isley's back in, because his base speed is still higher than Vileplume's. The basic plan is the same: Taunt, then Flying attacks (with Neideen potentially using Leech Life to replenish her health somewhat). With its status attacks locked down via Taunt, Vileplume loses a lot of its bite, and while its special attack is formidable, both Neideen and Isley take half- or less damage from all of Vileplume's attacks, with Isley being slightly hardier than Neideen. Whichever of them ends up facing Vileplume, Vileplume's going to have its work cut out for it.
Cassandra, of course, will be ready with healing and curative items, and all of her pokemon are coming in with Lum Berries, in case any of them are hit with an attack with a status effect attached. Meanwhile, Priscilla and Vanita will be waiting in the wings in case Erika's team proves more troublesome than expected, although as Vanita lacks Taunt and Priscilla is weak to Fairy, Cassandra is hoping it doesn't come to that.