Moves (Copyable):
[Mastered] (1/5000): Tackle, Take Down, Vine Whip, Sleep Powder, Poison Powder, Stun Spore, Sweet Scent, Synthesis, Razor Leaf, Growth, Leech Seed, Seed Bomb, Solar Beam, Frenzy Plant, Grassy Terrain, Power Whip, Grass Knot, Giga Drain, Sunny Day...
[Proficient] (1/1000): Growl
[Skilled] (1/500):
[Novice] (1/100): Petal Blizzard, Petal Dance
As one of the original anime's featured Pokémon, Bulbasaur had always possessed exceptional talent and potential.
Ordinary starter Pokémon typically possessed Red Potential, yet Bulbasaur had already reached Blue Potential when it first joined Ash's team.
Furthermore, through the continuous nourishment provided by Source Cleansing, although Bulbasaur's Potential hadn't undergone a qualitative leap, it had steadily improved over time.
As it trained, battled, and evolved, its hidden talents had likewise been constantly excavated and refined.
Now that it had evolved into its final form, Venusaur's Potential remained at Blue. However, when compared to ordinary starter Pokémon—and considering the improvements accumulated over the past six months through Ash's Source Cleansing—those enhancements were clearly reflected in Venusaur's six base attributes.
An ordinary Venusaur possessed a base stat total of 525.
Ash's Venusaur, however, had reached an astonishing 585—already surpassing even the lower-tier Legendary Pokémon such as Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres in terms of innate racial potential.
Of course, aside from the dramatic changes to its size, appearance, attribute values, and the two-level increase in strength that accompanied its evolution, there weren't many major changes in other aspects.
Its move framework had long since been completed. The moves it needed to learn had already been mastered during its earlier stages of growth.
Most Trainers relied on evolution as a special opportunity for their Pokémon to naturally comprehend new techniques.
However, when Ash's Ivysaur evolved into Venusaur, the only newly acquired moves were Petal Blizzard and Petal Dance.
That was because nearly every powerful and practical move that could naturally be learned through leveling had already been taught to Ivysaur beforehand.
As for moves like Petal Dance—which came with the drawback of confusing the user afterward—Ash had never been particularly fond of them. Otherwise, he would have taught Venusaur such moves long ago.
Nevertheless, no matter how one looked at it, Ivysaur's evolution into Venusaur represented a comprehensive enhancement of its overall strength. It meant that Venusaur had taken yet another step toward becoming the magical tank Grass-type ace Ash envisioned.
"Venusaur, congratulations on evolving successfully. You've become much stronger and are one step closer to reaching the Elite Tier."
"But from now on, you'll have to continue working hard."
Closing the System's status panel, Ash walked over and gently stroked Venusaur's head.
"Venu Venu!"
Although Ivysaur had evolved into Venusaur, its feelings toward Ash remained exactly as before.
Two dark green vines—each as thick as a baby's wrist—extended from beneath the palm-like leaves surrounding the giant flower on Venusaur's back and gently wrapped themselves around Ash's wrist like affectionate hands.
Perhaps it had grown. Perhaps it had evolved.
But it was still the same Pokémon.
Its heart had never changed.
Venusaur's evolution was merely a pleasant interlude.
After the battle, Ash's attention shifted toward Pinsir, which was still lying unconscious upon the ground. Faint burn marks from Solar Beam remained visible upon its muddy-brown shell.
Walking over, Ash once again utilized the power of the Viridian Blessing.
"Healing Grace."
Soft green light immediately emanated from his hand.
Bathed in the vibrant life-filled radiance, the burns left behind by Solar Beam, along with the various external injuries Pinsir had sustained during battle, rapidly healed before everyone's eyes.
"Pinsiiir~"
Its wounds healed and its stamina restored, Pinsir slowly opened its eyes and gradually regained consciousness.
Seeing that it wasn't its Trainer Samurai standing before it, but rather Ash—the very Trainer it had battled moments ago—who had personally treated its injuries, Pinsir scratched its head sheepishly.
Its gaze toward Ash was filled with gratitude.
"Pinsir, are you alright?"
Seeing both Ash's actions and Pinsir awakening, Samurai—who had momentarily been distracted by Venusaur's evolution—hurried forward and asked worriedly.
"Pinsiiir~"
Pinsir shook its head to indicate that it was perfectly fine.
"That's good. That's good."
Seeing that Pinsir was unharmed, Samurai finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Ash, I lost today's challenge. Thank you for treating Pinsir's injuries."
After a moment's hesitation, Samurai continued stubbornly, "But we're still rivals! I won't change my goal of defeating you."
"Sure. Suit yourself."
At Ash's current level of talent and strength, he feared nothing less than gaining another rival of similar age. If anything, he wished he had more worthy opponents to battle against.
"Y-You... Hmph!"
Seeing Ash's completely unconcerned attitude, Samurai—who had only just begun feeling grateful—immediately became annoyed once again. Calling over the fully recovered Pinsir, he prepared to leave.
"Pinsiiir~"
Despite its fierce appearance, Pinsir's personality was remarkably polite. It gave Ash an apologetic nod before quickly following after Samurai as they headed toward their campsite cabin deeper within the forest.
"Hey, Samurai."
Ash suddenly called out from behind.
"Pinsir is naturally suited for close-range physical offense. At its current level, the best training method is to capitalize on its strengths while compensating for its weaknesses."
"While strengthening its close-combat capabilities, you should also find ways to teach it some long-range special attacks to make up for its lack of ranged options."
"Otherwise, it'll be very easy for opponents to kite it during battle. Just like today's fight against Venusaur. Despite possessing the type advantage, it couldn't even get close enough to attack and was ultimately worn down."
"Pinsir is a pure Bug-type Pokémon and is weak against Flying- and Fire-type attacks. Most Pinsir Trainers choose Hyper Beam when teaching it long-range moves."
"They believe Pinsir doesn't need many ranged attacks and that whatever it learns should simply possess overwhelming power."
"But Hyper Beam isn't necessarily the best choice."
"Firstly, although Hyper Beam is incredibly powerful, it consumes a tremendous amount of energy and leaves the user unable to move immediately afterward. It's simply not suitable for repeated use."
"Secondly, as one of the Normal-type's ultimate moves, Hyper Beam is extremely expensive and difficult to acquire."
"In comparison, the Rock-type move Stone Edge is actually a much better option."
"Rock-type attacks are super effective against both Flying- and Fire-types. When Pinsir faces opponents that naturally counter it, Stone Edge can not only compensate for its lack of ranged attacks but can also turn the tables by gaining a type advantage of its own."
"And when your opponent thinks they've completely countered Pinsir, hitting them with a Stone Edge will definitely catch them off guard."