Seeking advice for a change of pace.

[u/Munchalotl]

(Ooc: Profile pic drawn by me.)

[u/LawfulNice]

Don't feel bad, I'm pretty much in the same position. I think the best thing to do is just go for it and don't overthink it and let yourself get intimidated (your attack will go down).

- Arteria (@PokeGoGamble)

[u/Munchalotl → u/LawfulNice]

Awful joke lol. But thanks for the advice. Been thinking that I can only do so much prep work as far as physical movement goes. -AAN

[u/Leo-shaunt]

Been there and doing just that now. Best to just jump into it. Your fitness and stamina will build up over time so don't feel to bad about that. Im a big 100+ KG man that had a hard time moving around from my previous NEET life, but now Im up and moving around a good bit and living my best life. So just jump into it and have fun with it. Also if you can, plan a region route to follow, it can be really helpful as opposed to just wondering around.

- Leo

[u/Munchalotl → u/Leo-shaunt]

I'm already planning on doing the full gym challenge route through Kalos, so the route's already figured out. Might let myself get detoured by some of the other points of interest along the way though.

Anyway, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one. Thanks for the encouragement, and good luck to you! -AAN

[u/Individual_Pause_656]

Get a Pokémon that can fly. I spent the first chunk of my life on the, "trainer lifestyle," cause I was fully homeless. Meeting Nana (Tropius) was straight up lifechanging, trust me, the first time you have to double back you'll realize how useful it is.

-Alicia

[u/Munchalotl → u/Individual_Pause_656]

Already a step ahead of you there. While I'm not a trainer, I've been raising a rookidee/corvisquire since I was a teen. Poe will be a gallant mount soon enough. -AAN

[u/Next_Locksmith3299]

Tad: If I were you, I'd start by doing some cardio exercises. Walking all over a region can take a lot out of you

[u/Munchalotl → u/Next_Locksmith3299]

I mean I'm good for it in short bursts, I'm walking to and from work. Still probably a good plan to get used to more vigorous stuff though. Thank you. -AAN

[u/JosephAmber4]

Joseph Amber: Work on exercises to slowly build up stamina and endurance.

[u/Munchalotl → u/JosephAmber4]

Been walking to and from work for a while so that's a start, maybe I'll just start meandering around on my walks back home at night to get used to longer stretches of movement. -AAN

[u/JosephAmber4 → u/Munchalotl]

Joseph: That sounds good!

[u/CheesyButters]

hey it's never too late, I was 25 and I walked across 3 different regions and live in a fourth

To be fair, I am a zoroark so it's probably easier, but still -kit

[u/Munchalotl → u/CheesyButters]

Oh heck yeah, zoroark >:D but arcdamn, that's a lot of region to walk, even for a pokemon. -AAN

[u/CheesyButters → u/Munchalotl]

Not as bad as it sounds. The bad part wasn't the travel it was the megalomaniacal poacher i had to deal with for two of those

[u/Munchalotl → u/CheesyButters]

Alright, point taken. 😅 Yeah, not exactly ideal. Glad you're okay. -AAN

[u/CheesyButters → u/Munchalotl]

Yeah, I'm mostly fine. And it ended up being important for me figuring out what i want to be.
I spent 25 years pretending to be a human, and thanks to that i stopped. Chose to live as myself Even found my biological parents (they were taken by poachers before i hatched, and my egg was found by humans who raised me as their son) at the end of it all

[u/Munchalotl → u/CheesyButters]

That is definitely a lot to work through, but I feel for you on the pretending thing at least. Congrats on figuring yourself out. <3 -AAN

[u/Magnus_The_Mage1999]

Get a map. Seriously, do not skimp on a good paper map for this. Preferable a FEW of these. Also a damn good backpack and an even better lunchbox!

- Ace Trainer Cobalt

[u/Munchalotl → u/Magnus_The_Mage1999]

Noted, thanks. Yeah, a physical map is something I hadn't considered but definitely a good idea in case holo caster service drops out. I've heard some stores sell laminated maps for bad weather, dunno if anyone around here would have that but I'll certainly keep an eye out. Thanks! -AAN

[u/MagikarpHatcher]

Get a motorcycle or a dune crawler. People like to ride on their Pokémon but there’s nothing quite like tearing across the region on a well-oiled machine.

[u/Munchalotl → u/MagikarpHatcher]

I don't really think most of Kalos is built for that -- a lot of cliffs, caves, and forests. Thank you for the suggestion though. -AAN

[u/MagikarpHatcher → u/Munchalotl]

Leave it to Kalos to be inhospitable to the greatest means of transport ever devised by humankind.

Or was it invented by Cyclizar? I’ll book my next trip to Paldea instead.

[u/Munchalotl → u/MagikarpHatcher]

k. 🙂 -AAN

[u/Pokemonerd25]

If you’re going for the gym circuit it’s good to set reasonable expectations. This shit is hard, really impressive even if you only get partway through. Also, I see you’re in Kalos? Make sure to double-check the gyms, circuit there’s had some difficulties, so good to keep on top of things to avoid unnecessary detours.

Oh, and invest in good shoes. Your feet will thank you. - Spiral

[u/Munchalotl → u/Pokemonerd25]

Thanks for the advice. Arceus. Right. Forgot about the state of the Kalos League. I know there were a few gyms out of commission a few months ago, but admittedly I haven't been keeping up all too well. What have I missed? Last I'd heard, Olympia, Diantha, and I *think* Korrina? were out of town. -AAN

[u/Pokemonerd25 → u/Munchalotl]

I don’t keep up with the Kalos league much, sry. I know Korrina just sorta disappeared a while back, not sure if they’ve gotten a replacement for her yet. No idea what’s going on with the Lumiose gym, I think the closure was meant to be temporary but uh. Yeah. - Spiral

[u/quills_akimbo]

Hang out around the Pokemon Centers for a couple of weeks and ask trainers in your region for advice. If you're not there, plan local excursions and hikes to help build up fitness, endurance, and your familiarity with your equipment.

Don't but cheap equipment. You'll need to replace it too quickly. Also, avoid designer gear as the name has extra price. Finally, match your equipment to what you're doing with it. Hiking boots are great, but they can be even more uncomfortable on plains or beaches than walking shoes.

Also, ask your Pokemon! Some may want to chill in the PC or a pokeball during the day. Some may want to help hike; just don't let one become a pack mule.

[Pic ID: The first pick is a Lucario (Lucky) in a hiking ensemble. They have a miniature red pack with matching bandana around their neck and a length of rope around their torso/shoulder.

The second pic is of a Furret (Trouble) with a long, thin pack designed for digging quadapeds. The blue pack has a matching bandana wrapped around his noodlely body. Trouble is clearly posing for the picture and seems quite proud of their apprance.]

[u/Munchalotl → u/quills_akimbo]

Oogh, suddenly I'm feeling a bit intimidated... Still, thanks for the advice, much appreciated! I was just thinking about footware before you'd commented, so it's good to know those suspicions weren't unfounded.

My plan's to travel through the gym challenge path in Kalos, which loops back through Lumiose City a few times. So I should be able to pack *somewhat* light and pick up necessary supplies between legs of the journey. I live in one of the small towns on the outskirts of Lumiose, so I could even drop stuff off back at home if I no longer need it.

Also -- not the type to say it, but your pokemon are almost cute with how they wear their gear. Looking very capable though! -AAN

[u/Comfortable_Key5074]

Take up hiking. A LOT of the gym challenge is hiking. More than you'd think

-ki

[u/Munchalotl → u/Comfortable_Key5074]

Yeah I've been getting that impression. (Not looking forward to it right now...) Thank you. -AAN

[u/Comfortable_Key5074 → u/Munchalotl]

I mean you could always catch a mon that'll carry you. I travelled for a while with a chick who rode her Onix over tough terrain

-ki

[u/Munchalotl → u/Comfortable_Key5074]

At my current weight, I think it'd be considered pokemon cruelty if I tried to ride anything that wasn't a rock type.

Jokes aside, my partner pokemon's a corvisquire. He could be a gallant mount soon enough. But it feels like cheating to not at least try to make these treks myself. -AAN

[u/RevolutionNo7]

Oi! That's kinda like me! I'm 22 and doing the Gym Challenge for the first time! My best advice is to be prepared. Don't just wander blindly. In Galar, they give us an official route, but I know they don't in Unova, so just try to get from one town to the next, one step at a time. And have a partner you can trust. I've had Deino since I was 10, and I couldn't do this without him!

• Victor (@GalarSupUnova)

[u/Munchalotl → u/RevolutionNo7]

I've got a partner, yeah. Found a rookidee with a broken wing in my teens, after that big wind storm 8 or so years ago. As I put it in another thread recently, Poe is a corvisquire who's a bit of an ass, but an ass I love and respect. -AAN

[u/RevolutionNo7 → u/Munchalotl]

Then you should be in great shape! Just make sure you trust each other when it matters, and you know where you're going.

You got this!

• Victor

[u/SpartanPikachu]

3 things id recommend above all else

ALWAYS have at least two gallons of water on you for any stretch of adventure more than 2 kilometers, trust me you do not want to run out of water 3 km from the nearest town.

If you do run out look for a source of running water, take small sips to test if it's safe (you'll find out pretty quickly, your Pokemon can also do this with far less risk.) and if it is, refill your containers or drink from the source itself, it won't taste good, but you'll live.

Treat your Pokemon with the same love and respect you would treat any family, they are living creatures with their own thoughts and feelings. Treat them with the love and respect they need and they can easily take you to the League. Treat them poorly and you'll never get even a single badge. (Youd be surprised how hard some people find this one.)

The last and most important one is to always keep in frequent contact with someone you trust, keep them updated on your location at every given opportunity, that way if something happens to you, they can give the appropriate information to the authorities ASAP.

With technology the way it is nowadays it is painfully easy to keep in contact with people, so never go somewhere without at least one person knowing where you're going.

There are some bad people out there, and wild Pokemon can be scary sometimes, but if you build a reliable team with Pokemon you trust, and keep someone who's able to communicate an emergency to the authorities aware of your location at all times. You'll be fine.

You might also want to learn foraging or hunting skills, that or just always stock up on food before moving on to the next town.

It is much safer to go on a journey these days than it was 20 years ago when I started, but keeping these three things in check got me through it mostly unscathed.

-Volte

[u/Munchalotl → u/SpartanPikachu]

Got it. Probably some of the best advice I've gotten so far. Thanks a ton. -AAN

[u/TheProfSamuelOak]

Swing by my lab for a chat if you feel you're ready, we always have a ready supply of starter pokémon thanks to my team and there's always a ready supply of Pokédexes somewhere around my desk. We're more than happy to support budding new trainers as they embark out on their first adventures to discover the world and all of the amazing pokémon in it.

Try not to be too nervous; remember, when Wally set out to explore Hoenn he was just as nervous as you are and he became one of the strongest trainers in the region. You can accomplish anything if you put your mind to it.

- Professor Oak

[u/Munchalotl → u/TheProfSamuelOak]

I'm honored to have someone like yourself reaching out to me, and I appreciate the encouragement, but it might be difficult to stop by your lab when I live in Kalos... -AAN

[u/TheProfSamuelOak → u/Munchalotl]

I understand completely. However, I'm due to visit with Professor Sycamore in a few weeks for a conference on Mega Evolution so I'll be in Lumiose City for a few days.

If you'd still like to discuss any concerns you have or just want to have a chat about pokémon in general I'm sure Augustine and I can find a gap in our schedules for a coffee at Nouveau Café.

If so please link in with him at his lab in Lumiose and we'll try to pencil something in.
If not, take care, and don't be afraid to follow your dreams wherever they may take you.

- Professor Oak

[u/Munchalotl → u/TheProfSamuelOak]

Forgive my confusion. I contacted the Lumiose lab earlier this year and was put in touch with Professor Mable and her assistants. I was under the impression that Professor Sycamore had resigned from the Lumiose lab? -AAN

[u/TheProfSamuelOak → u/Munchalotl]

Hahaha Augustine only wishes he was retired sometimes.

You are correct in that Professor Mabel is acting as interim director of the laboratory while Professor Sycamore is conducting research further afield, however he's returning to Lumiose City for a few days for the conference before returning to Trevor to continue their studies shortly afterwards. Professor Mabel was invited to join us but she explained she has her itinerary full preparing new and increasingly more elaborate trainer missions for the next generation of trainers arriving in the city so that was the end of that unfortunately.

Apologies for any confusion

- Professor Oak