Because when a video asks “can i beat [x] with [y]”, all i think is “oh gods, this is going to be a video full of someone trying to make it sound like their cakewalk was hard

I respect the people trying to make it out there as content creators, but the trends make me so angry

This isnt to say i dont like videos where someone says “im only going to use [x]”, i mean. Im doing a shiny badge quest!

But /frame it as that/

Now, there are legitimate challenge videos out there. Can i beat [x] with only a single [y]” or things that require… alterations to the game. Without exp, losing exp instead of gaining it, even something as simple as aramdomized nuzlocke!

I know its the fault of the algorithm or something in the human brain going “oh but CAN THEY?” and therefore getting it more clicks but its just so frustrating to me because it takes two seconds of thinking to realize the answer is almost always yes.

Im just not a fan of the whole “make everything sound like a challenge even when it isnt” trend.

“Can I beat Pokemon Scarlet using ONLY SHINIES?” Yeah its called playing the game except exponentially slower to shiny hunt for your team.

Only hisuian pokemon? Absolutely, they’re beefy as heck.

These games are not difficult, especially nowadays, so restricting yourself to any full party of pokemon is going to be fine. Even monotype!

The challenge comes in when its a randomizer or one specific low stat Pokemon or something of the sort.

I would like to refer them to my 20+ phase PL:A Togepi hunt

Nothing happened to spur this train of thought, just thinking abt the mindset of some people in the Discord I left a month or so ago.

Some people really made it sound like if you hunted in PL:A or ScarVio, you weren’t a real shiny hunter bc you had it too easy or smth like that.

Like I understand the sense of self-accomplishment, and the desire to do it for the personal challenge, but to imply that people who dont hunt at full odds arent as good of shiny hunters or are lazy is not a good look.

APPARENTLY FLASH LOWERS THE ENCOUNTER RATE?

"HERE HAVE A DARK CAVE. YOU WANNA LIGHT IT UP SO YOU DONT JUMP OFF A LEDGE? AIGHT, HECK UR ENCOUNTERS."

When I say "past year or so" i mean from the end of 2022, not past year from now.

Admittedly, if it were more method hunts, I'd probably have a blackout by now.

But I also know that were it not for the encouragement of my friends I wouldn't have Phione right now because Masuda hunts make my brain turn to mush.

Maybe mostly methods next year, but a larger card to make up for it.

I've gotten VERY lucky in resets and Masudas, don't get me wrong (15 resets on Regice in Ultra Moon, though MANY more in Shining Pearl beforehand, also 251 eggs for Phione, ~120 resets for Arceus), but I've also gone to 3600 resets on a 1/1365 Mewtwo.

Send help.

You might be wondering, "But Kay, if you have nearly all of the shinies, why was it a mistake?" I have. 3 solid reset hunts on there, up to 5 depending on situation. Plus two Masuda hunts.

I *hate* reset and Masuda hunts.