Pokéathlon: Difference between revisions

[[File:Pokéathlon art.png|thumb|250px|Artwork of the Pokéathlon]]

[[File:Pokéathlon logo.png|thumb|250px|Pokéathlon logo]]

Like the [[Contest condition|five stats]] introduced for Contests, [[performance|five additional stats]] were added for the Pokéathlon: Speed, Power, Skill, Stamina, and Jump. Like the Contest conditions and battle stats, a Pokémon's performance stats are affected by its [[Nature]] (more directly so, like the battle stats, than the condition). Using the Apriblender, Aprijuice can be made and used to boost or lower these Performance Stats.

Once the National Pokédex <!-- Or is it simply beating the Elite Four? --> is obtained and the player has talked with [[Magnus]] in the Friendship Room, the Supreme Cup is unlocked. The opponents are slightly harder, but Trainers who get in first place here will earn a bonus 300 points instead of the regular 100.

One of five courses can be chosen, each representing a single performance stat. There are three events for each course.  

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==Events==

===Hurdle Dash===

[[File:Hurdle Dash HGSS.png|thumb|200px|Cyndaquil holds first place in Hurdle Dash, while Totodile and Pikachu try to catch up.]]

The player controls all three of the Pokémon simultaneously. The three Pokémon automatically run forward. Tapping a Pokémon with the stylus will cause it to jump, with Pokémon tapped just before jumping a hurdle gaining a speed boost. Pokémon that have a speed boost will have a blue wind tunnel appear around them. The boosts stack, and a Pokémon that gets four such boosts will have its wind tunnel turn red; this indicates the maximum possible speed boost. The boost lasts until the Pokémon either crashes into a hurdle or finishes the course. It is even possible for a Pokémon to bounce off a hurdle when it would ordinarily crash-land by tapping the Pokémon the instant it touches the hurdle — in this manner, it is not slowed down and may even get a speed boost.  

According to [[Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver: Prima's Official Strategy Guide]], the top six recommended Pokémon are {{p|Golbat}}, {{p|Crobat}}, {{p|Jumpluff}}, {{p|Voltorb}}, {{p|Skarmory}}, and {{p|Aerodactyl}}. The Hurdle Dash appears as the first course in the Speed competition and as the final course in the Jump competition.

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===Ring Drop===

[[File:Ring Drop HGSS.png|thumb|200px|Totodile and Marill go head-to-head in Ring Drop]]

One Pokémon is controlled at a time. Flicking the stylus will cause the Pokémon to do a tackle in that direction. If it hits an opponent, the opponent is pushed back some distance, which is determined by the tackler's Power stat, the opponent's Stamina stat, and the opponent's fatigue level. Tapping the Pokémon with the stylus will cause it to jump in place, with little lateral movement, but if it lands on an opponent the opponent is launched quite far. Pokémon also get fatigued when they are hit by tackles, which decreases their resistance to launching. A Pokémon who is very fatigued will start to sweat, and a Pokémon who is extremely fatigued will faint, becoming immobile and losing a great deal of launch resistance for a few seconds. Pokémon can be switched out, but only when the Pokémon is near the team's starting corner. Pokémon who are switched out gradually have their fatigue restored. When a Pokémon falls off the ring or is switched out, the next Pokémon takes its place, spawning in the team's corner. If a Pokémon has just spawned, it is immune to any form of contact with opposing Pokémon until either 2 seconds pass or it moves. This event lasts for 60 seconds.

According to [[Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver: Prima's Official Strategy Guide]], the top six recommended Pokémon are {{p|Quagsire}}, {{p|Slowbro}}, {{p|Vileplume}}, {{p|Wobbuffet}}, {{p|Shuckle}}, and {{p|Ursaring}}. This is the first event in the Stamina competition, the only competition it is a part of.

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===Snow Throw===

[[File:Snow Throw HGSS.png|thumb|200px|Slowpoke takes a direct hit in Snow Throw.]]

All three Pokémon are controlled simultaneously. The three Pokémon cannot move around in this event, and can only create and throw snowballs. Tapping a Pokémon with the stylus will cause it to make a snowball, and flicking the stylus throws the snowball in the direction of the flick. If the snowball hits an opponent, the hit counter increases by one, and the opponent's fatigue goes up. Larger snowballs can be made by tapping multiple times before throwing; these do not give additional points, but fatigue opponents more if they hit. If a Pokémon's fatigue gets too high, it will faint, making it unable to do anything for a few seconds. Any snowballs that collide with each other destroy each other, regardless of size. This event lasts for 60 seconds.

According to [[Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver: Prima's Official Strategy Guide]], the top six recommended Pokémon are {{p|Raichu}}, {{p|Machamp}}, {{p|Meganium}}, {{p|Tangrowth}}, {{p|Poliwrath}}, and {{p|Tyranitar}}. This event is the first in the Skill competition, the only competition it is part of.

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===Lamp Jump===

[[File:Lamp Jump HGSS.png|thumb|200px|Pikachu and Cyndaquil wait to be launched in Lamp Jump.]]

All three Pokémon are controlled simultaneously. The player must drag the Pokémon down to the bottom of the screen with the stylus, then release to catapult it high into the air, where lamps shine. A lamp that is touched is put out and cannot be scored from again for a while; all lamps are re-lit every 8 seconds. The danger in this event comes not from opponents, but from the player's own Pokémon — if two Pokémon collide (either in midair or on the ground), they are both stunned and cannot jump for several seconds, though they can still touch lamps if already in midair. Pokémon with an extremely high Jump stat that are launched very high may bounce again automatically after their first jump, though this counts as a separate jump for scoring purposes. This event lasts for 60 seconds.

According to [[Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver: Prima's Official Strategy Guide]], the top six recommended Pokémon are {{p|Scyther}}, {{p|Pikachu}}, {{p|Ledian}}, {{p|Bellossom}}, {{p|Ambipom}}, and {{p|Politoed}}. This is the first event in the Jump competition, which it is exclusive to.

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===Relay Run===

[[File:Relay Run HGSS.png|thumb|200px|Pikachu and Growlithe race towards completion of another lap in Relay Run.]]

One Pokémon is controlled at a time. Pokémon are moved by flicking them towards the right with the stylus. A set of obstacles will be randomly placed on the track that the Pokémon must avoid. These obstacles are always placed such that a Pokémon never has a clear, perfectly straight path from one lap to the next. Small patches of rocks will greatly slow any Pokémon that crosses them, and Pokémon who hit the larger gray rocks will bounce backwards off them. In addition, as a Pokémon runs, it gets fatigued. When its fatigue is high enough, it starts to sweat and becomes much slower. If its fatigue gets even higher, the Pokémon faints, becoming immobile for a few seconds. Fatigue is also gained upon collision with another Pokémon, which also stuns both Pokémon for a moment, though the Pokémon in front is stunned for a shorter time (and afterwards, it gets a small boost). A Pokémon can be switched out at any time (except when fainted), which resets its fatigue and puts the next Pokémon in its place. This event lasts for 90 seconds.

According to [[Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver: Prima's Official Strategy Guide]], the top six recommended Pokémon are {{p|Togepi}}, {{p|Oddish}}, {{p|Venonat}}, {{p|Electrode}}, {{p|Rapidash}}, and {{p|Dratini}}. Relay Run is the third and final course of the Speed competition and the second course of the Stamina competition.

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===Block Smash===

[[File:Block Smash HGSS.png|thumb|200px|Totodile tries its hardest to smash the blocks quickly.]]

One Pokémon is controlled at a time. The blocks can be broken by tapping them on the touchscreen, with the Power stat determining the number of times each block must be tapped before breaking. Breaking blocks raises a Pokémon's fatigue based on its Stamina and Skill. Dangerously high fatigue is indicated by the "switch" button blinking red. If a Pokémon gets too fatigued, it faints for a few seconds, during which it cannot break blocks or switch out. Switching out a Pokémon restores its fatigue over time. Also, each block has one or two small cracks on it. Tapping these cracks will destroy multiple blocks at once and display a blue fist for a moment. If the player taps multiple cracks in succession, the Pokémon will radiate a blue aura (known as Tension) for a while which will affect the entire team. If even more cracks are tapped, the aura will turn red, indicating that Tension has maxed out and the selected Pokémon has entered into High Tension mode. During High Tension mode, the Pokémon no longer gains fatigue and is now capable of destroying multiple blocks per hit until it switches out or a limited amount of time has passed (after which the Pokémon immediately has high fatigue). This event lasts for 30 seconds.

According to [[Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver: Prima's Official Strategy Guide]], the top six recommended Pokémon are {{p|Typhlosion}}, {{p|Steelix}}, {{p|Poliwrath}}, {{p|Nidoqueen}}, {{p|Muk}}, and {{p|Snorlax}}. Block Smash is the first course in the Power competition and the third in the Stamina competition.

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===Circle Push===

[[File:Circle Push HGSS.png|thumb|200px|Pikachu, Totodile, and Cyndaquil duke it out with the other nine Pokéathletes.]]

All three Pokémon are controlled simultaneously. A Pokémon can be moved by dragging it with the stylus. There are six rounds, each shorter than the last, with several numbered circles. The goal of the event is have as many of your Pokémon as possible inside the circles at the end of each round, with smaller circles granting more points to each Pokémon inside them. Pokémon can try to push opponents out of the circles, with a high Power stat granting more pushing ability. However, pushing other Pokémon can make a Pokémon fatigued or temporarily faint if done too much. Pokémon can also be pushed off the stage entirely; if this happens, that Pokémon returns to the ring after the current round finishes.  

According to [[Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver: Prima's Official Strategy Guide]], the top six recommended Pokémon are {{p|Gyarados}}, {{p|Nidoking}}, {{p|Azumarill}}, {{p|Machamp}}, {{p|Donphan}}, and {{p|Dragonite}}. This event is exclusive to the Power Competition, in which it appears second.

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===Disc Catch===

[[File:Disc Catch HGSS.png|thumb|200px|Croconaw, Hoothoot, and Pidgeotto compete with the other Pokémon to catch the discs.]]

All three Pokémon are controlled simultaneously. Dragging a Pokémon with the stylus moves it, and tapping a Pokémon causes it to jump. Discs are constantly thrown towards the pier. At first, one disc is thrown at a time and the discs move slowly, but later on the discs may fly quickly or multiple discs may be thrown at once. If a Pokémon jumps while a disc is flying above it, the disc is caught. The arena is striated with four regions, and catching a disc awards points based on which region it was caught in (the further the disc is allowed to travel before being caught, the more points are awarded for the catch). If a Pokémon moves into another Pokémon (friend or foe), the two Pokémon bounce off each other, being propelled a short distance that varies based on Power and Stamina stats. Pokémon can fall off or be knocked off the pier, returning to the field of play about 3 seconds after falling. Pokémon always respawn in the same place regardless of where they fall from, depending on their team color and where in the team order they were placed. This event lasts for 60 seconds.

According to [[Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver: Prima's Official Strategy Guide]], the top six recommended Pokémon are {{p|Fearow}}, {{p|Skarmory}}, {{p|Dodrio}}, {{p|Gyarados}}, {{p|Hitmonlee}}, and {{p|Dragonite}}. This is the second event in the Jump competition, the only competition it appears in.

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===Pennant Capture===

[[File:Pennant Capture HGSS.png|thumb|200px|Psyduck and Pikachu competing over the pennant flags.]]

One Pokémon is controlled at a time. Flicking the stylus causes a Pokémon move in that direction (and also to face that direction, which is relevant for stealing flags). Flags will appear and re-appear on the field in pre-set positions, generally forming paths that go along the two sides of the sandbox, as well as up the center. There are also obstacles on the field, as well as parasols that sometimes hide flags under them. Pokémon collect flags by running into them, and can hold a maximum of nine at a time. After collecting flags, the Pokémon must return to the start area to tag off the next Pokémon and deposit their flags, which will not count towards the score unless this is done. Pokémon can also collide with each other. If a Pokémon rams an opponent from behind, the rammed Pokémon is stunned for a moment and gives up to two flags to the attacker (if a Pokémon does not have enough flags, all its flags are given). If time runs out as a Pokémon is depositing its flags, all the flags will still count towards the score. This event lasts for 60 seconds.

According to [[Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver: Prima's Official Strategy Guide]], the top six recommended Pokémon are {{p|Ledian}}, {{p|Clefairy}}, {{p|Alakazam}}, {{p|Meowth}}, {{p|Jolteon}}, and {{p|Sneasel}}. This event appears as the second event in the Speed competition and as the third event in the Skill competition.

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===Goal Roll===

[[File:Goal Roll HGSS.png|thumb|200px|The Red team has successfully scored a goal.]]

All three Pokémon are controlled simultaneously. Dragging a Pokémon with the stylus moves it, and flicking the stylus causes a Pokémon to dash in that direction. A ball starts in the center of the field; balls can be either small and white, or (less commonly) large and golden. Pokémon can either roll the ball slowly by moving into it, or perform a Power Shot by dashing into it. A Power Shot launches the ball farther, and being hit by a Power Shot will raise a Pokémon's fatigue depending on its Stamina, the shooter's Power, and how far the ball traveled before hitting the Pokémon. Fatigued Pokémon are more likely to be stunned by Power Shots (causing them to spin around, stunned). Pokémon with high fatigue will start to sweat, reducing their movement speed and eliminating their ability to dash.  

According to [[Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver: Prima's Official Strategy Guide]], the top six recommended Pokémon are {{p|Meganium}}, {{p|Raichu}}, {{p|Granbull}}, {{p|Hitmontop}}, {{p|Tangrowth}}, and {{p|Tyranitar}}. This is the third event in the Power competition and the second event in the Skill competition.

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==Bonus points==

Four players can participate in a link Pokéathlon. Instead of three, there are four events with each course<!--also for F course?-->. Courses A-E offer two medals dependent on the name of the course. Course F does not offer any Medals but offers double the Athlete Points. Below are the courses and events for each course.

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==In the anime==

{{Ash}} joined the competition using his {{AP|Monferno}} and {{AP|Pikachu}} for Disc Catch and Hurdle Dash, respectively. However, he lost to {{OBP|Daniel|DP160}} and his {{p|Snorlax}} in Hurdle Dash. The Pokéathlon was confirmed to have started in Johto, with the current Pokéathlon being the first to be held in Sinnoh. The Pokéathlon was a qualifying match, with the winner moving on to compete in the regional competition.

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! style="background:#{{thlon color light}}; {{roundytl|5px}}" | {{color2|000|Pokémon Trainer|Trainer}}

! style="background:#{{thlon color light}}; {{roundytr|5px}}" | Place

| {{OBP|Daniel|DP160}}

| {{MSP|106|Hitmonlee}}

| {{p|Snorlax}}

| [[DP160|Winner]]

| style="{{roundybl|5px}}" | {{Ash}}

| {{MSP|391|Monferno}}

* {{p|Sunkern}} and {{p|Ditto}} are both relatively common Pokémon that are capable of maximum stars.

* Pokémon seen in the Pokéathlon which have not been seen before are not recorded in the [[Pokédex]].

==See also==