Reminder that this is still a thing and that I need one more pre-Eterna mon that can take the gym.
I'm looking for a Very Hard Platinum Scramble with two caveats:
-All Pokemon must be able to reach their final evolution by the time I fight Cynthia
-I reserve the right to deny any challenge that is too tedious (eg. solo Fantina with a Wurmple) and/or requires too much grinding.
Go nuts.
CJorex take
Rocky the Aron
Rocky is, of course, inspired by the movies. However, it quickly discovers that as an Aron, it learns no punching moves or, for that matter, Rock-type moves, by level-up. As a result, it must be taught, by whatever means necessary, Rock-type moves and moves boosted by Iron Fist, and must use one of these moves the first time it is sent out in any battle.
Rocky is a fearless fighter. Whenever an enemy Pokemon damages a teammate with any Rock-type moves or punching moves (the ones boosted by Iron Fist), Aron must switch in and solo that Pokemon, unless this conflicts with another Pokemon's solo. Evolve into Lairon after soloing 10 of these Pokemon, and Aggron after soloing 15.
Once it evolves into Aggron, it begins to truly believe that it is invincible. It must now use Iron Defense the first time it is sent out in any battle, though it still must keep the aforementioned Rock-type and punching moves. Have Aggron solo an Elite Four of your choice.
Phoice take
Attack the Shieldon/Defend the Cranidos (depending on Trainer ID)
This challenge varies based on which fossil you find in your Underground. You may obtain this Pokemon after Eterna Gym for convenience.
If you get a Shieldon, it becomes a reckless attacker. However, its main problem lies in its Attack and Special Attack stats, which are pitifully low. Another problem is its movepool; you obtain it with Taunt/Metal Sound/Take Down/Iron Defense, not exactly the most offensive moveset. As a result, Shieldon becomes attached to Taunt, and must always use it the first time it is sent out in any battle, because if it can't be offensive, it can make its opponent so. Furthermore, besides Taunt, your movepool should have only moves with 100 or more Base Power as soon as possible, and once you learn your first such move, Shieldon may only use these moves and Taunt. Solo a Gym Leader to evolve.
Once Shieldon evolves, it realizes that its best form of damage lies in absorbing a hit, then retaliating with a no-immunity Metal Burst. Bastiodon must always use Metal Burst at least once against any Pokemon with 50 or more base Speed, regardless of whether it is actually slower. Solo an Elite Four member.
If you get a Cranidos, it becomes a cautions defender. However, its main problem lies in its Defense and Special Defense stats, which are pretty low. Another problem is its movepool; you obtain it with Focus Energy/Pursuit/Take Down/Scary Face, not exactly the most defensive of movesets. As a result, Cranidos becomes attached to Scary Face, and must always use it the first time it is sent out in any battle. Also, since Cranidos has no healing itself, whenever its HP drops below 30% of its max, you must heal it manually. Solo a Gym Leader to evolve.
Once Cranidos evolves, it realizes that the best defensive moves are Protect and Endure, and that Scary Face is not that useful on a defensive Pokemon. Learn Protect and Endure, replacing Scary Face, ASAP. Once Protect is learned, Rampardos must always use it the first time it is sent out in any battle. Solo an Elite Four member.
Yoshiblaze take
Variety the Sunkern
Variety is, as its name suggests, a Sunkern that doesn't like to do everything the same way. As a result, it must, as soon as possible, have a moveset consisting of moves of four different types (Hidden Power counts as Normal-type). TM and HM moves must be taught if they further this goal. Sunkern may not evolve until this is achieved. Also, Sunkern doesn't believe in killing foes the same way. Thus, if it uses a move in a battle in which it successfully defeats an opponent, it may not use the move in the next battle (it doesn't necessarily have to participate in this battle, just the next battle you participate in, wild Pokemon encounters don't count for this).
To prove that variety is the spice of life, Variety must solo a variety of trainers. Said variety comes, of course, in Victory Road (solo Victory Road).