Max Frequency

Pokémon Black Version 2 Notes

The first direct Pokémon sequel and it came out after the 3DS was in the world (can't ignore that DS install base). Game Freak really explored the narrative potential and space beyond the usual and I think it works well enough. The world and activities with Pokémon were also diverse and a real lived in feel.

Warning

Spoilers below!

Stats

  • Started Playing: 11/26/23
  • Beat: 12/23/23 with 21:41 on the clock
  • Total Playtime: 22:19:00

Overall

  • The game only feels like a sequel in the sense that characters crossover and the evil team is the same. But the plot sorta suffers. The villains ambitions are reveled at the eleventh hour. Your "rival" is revenge focused. The gym leaders and champ are not integrated. You don't get any satisfaction from it being in the same world beyond a few references. Gold and Silver did this to much better effect.

Graphics/Performance

  • Sprites still reign supreme
  • The DS had such unique graphics capabilities. It led to memorable art.

Gameplay

  • I like the battle menu look more. Angular
  • The EXP gain seems to be greatly improved. My Oshawott is nearly second evo by the second gym.
  • This studio business totally hijacks pacing. Shame after the plays in the previous game didn’t force itself upon you.
  • Cardinal sin of making HMs required on Victory Road

Music/Sound Design

  • Rival music is slightly better
  • Aspertia City (first town) is real sweet
  • Undella Town is a beachy/Animal Crossing vibe. Subtle, gentle, soothing. I dig.
  • Route 13 pairs nicely with Undella
  • Cave theme
  • Ghetis theme better this time
  • Champ theme not hype enough.

World

  • Team Plasma design is different. Very Team Skull?
  • There is almost zero Plasma plot 6 badges in
  • I don’t care that my character from Black 1 seems to just not exist?

Story

  • I thought I was playing me again. Nope. New kid.
    • “I won’t forget the pain you just out my partner through!” - my rival, the boy that made me battle him.
  • I like the punk rock gym leader
  • Wonder why my rival hates Plasma
    • Stole his baby sister's pokémon two years prior
  • Plasma’s motivation/pace is much slower. The biggest push is actually your rival’s hatred of them.
  • And after Badge 7, Plasma freezes dragon town and looks for DNA splicers?

Pokémon Tier List

  • I started playing April 8, 2022 and now have beaten them all. That was a few months before Eloise was born. I’ve grown from a total novice, not even knowing the type match ups, to building hyperfocussd teams. While it is a lot of the same type of RPG in a 20 month period, I’m glad I can finally say I’ve played and own all the mainline Pokémon games.
  • I want the series to evolve though. Be more like Violet and Arceus. Open, exploratory, liberating, without bogus systems obstructing progression and team building.
    1. HeartGold/SoulSilver
    1. Black/White
    1. Scarlet/Violet
    1. Sun/Moon
    1. Diamond/Pearl
    1. Black 2/White 2
    1. Red/Blue/Green
    1. Sword/Shield
    1. Sapphire/Ruby
    1. X/Y

Pokémon Black 2 Team

  • Logan has
    • Zorok, dark dog thing - weak to fighting, enters in disguise
    • Klink, gears - weak to
    • Arcanine?
    • Something knows surf, Jellicent?
  • Durant (Bug/Steel)
    • Location
      • Victory Road, 40% Black ✅
    • Evolution - N/A
    • Ability - Hustle
    • Moves
      • Iron Head (lvl 36) ✅
      • X-Scissor (TM 81) ✅
      • Rock Slide (TM 80) ✅
      • Crunch (lvl 31) ✅
    • Item - Focus Sash
  • Conkeldurr (Fight)
    • Location
      • Have ✅
    • Evolution - Trade Gurdurr, lvl 25,
    • Moves
      • Drain Punch (Move Tutor, Yellow, 10 Shards)✅ / Hammer Arm (lvl 45)✅
      • Rock Slide (lvl 33)✅ / Payback (TM 66)✅
      • Mach Punch (Egg) X, swap with payback
      • Detect / Protect (TM 17) Black 1✅
    • Item - Flame Orb, (16BP) ✅
  • Altaria (Flying/Dragon)
    • Location
      • Route 14, 10% Black ✅
    • Evolution - lvl 35
    • Moves
      • Dragon Dance (lvl 34)✅
      • Roost (6 Yellow shards)✅
      • Heal Bell (4 Yellow shard)✅
      • Dragon Claw (TM 02)✅
    • Item - Leftovers
  • Excadrill (Ground/Steel) (Pair with Tyranitar)
    • Location
      • Mistralton Cave or Chargestone Cave ✅
    • Evolution - lvl 31✅
    • Moves
      • Earthquake (lvl 33/36)✅
      • Rock Slide (lvl 29)✅
      • X-Scissor (TM 81)✅
      • Protect (TM 17) (Get in Black 1)✅ / Substitute (TM 90)
    • Item - Chople Berry
  • Tyranitar (Rock/Dark) (Pair with Excadrill)
    • Location
      • Route 15, 10-15% ✅
    • Evolution - lvl 55
    • Moves
      • Protect (TM 17) ✅
      • Dark Pulse (lvl 34)✅
      • Ice Beam (TM 13)✅
      • Flamethrower (TM 35)✅
    • Item - Chople Berry
  • Sigilyph (Psychic/Flying)
    • Location
      • Desert Resort, 10% ✅
    • Evolution - N/A
    • Ability - Magic Guard
    • Moves
      • Tailwind (lvl 11)✅
      • Ice Beam (TM 13)✅
      • Psychic (lvl 44)✅
      • Shadow Ball (TM 30)✅
    • Item - Life Orb (24 BP, in B2, 48 in B1) or rocky helmet as backup
  • Fight Order?
      1. Tyranitar
      1. Sigilyph
      1. Excadrill
      1. Durant
      1. Conkeldurr
      1. Altaria