I’m still taking my time playing pokémon. I find a million things to distract me other than playing, not least of which are studying and maintaining my towns in Animal Crossing. But at least I have two more badges under my belt now.

Yesterday I took on the rock gym in Cyllage City. That was rough not because the gym was difficult, but because by the time I got there half of my pokémon were on the verge of no longer obeying my orders. I thought it was weird how much there was to do in between the first two gyms. Usually in pokémon games the first few gyms are fairly close together. In this game you go through a couple cities before you even find the second gym.

I was worried I would have the same trouble in between the next two gyms (over-leveling) so I didn’t really explore as much as I would like. I also still don’t have a guide, so I’m blissfully unaware of what pokémon or items I missed. When I called my local Gamestop today and inquired they said there had been a mixup in their order and they didn’t expect it until next week. Talk about dropping the ball! By the time it comes out I won’t want it anymore (except that I printed out a coupon to get it free).

I just took on the Shalour City gym leader and stomped her thanks in large part to my fully evolved Delphox. I’m really enjoying him and his lovely animations. I took Chespin, the grass starter on my Japanese game (that I haven’t touched recently) and I don’t like him at all. He looks like a weird little man wearing a grass suit after he gets to his second evolution and even worse for his final one (not that I’ve gotten that far).

So, now I’m finally able to go off to the Tower of Mastery and learn about mega evolutions. I think things are going to get a bit more interesting.

Stats

Pokédex: 137
Badges: 3

My “team” thus far:

• Pidgeotto Lv. 31
• Delphox Lv. 38
• Pikachu Lv. 33
• Venusaur Lv. 36
• Amaura Lv. 32
• Bibarel Lv. 35 (with 3 Hms)