Gameplay Journal An Anime Journey Through Galar

So I figured I would try doing gameplay journals, since I very recently started a new playthrough of Shield. I made up a new playthrough style for myself, which I have dubbed the 'anime-style' playthrough, aka 'Ash' style playthrough

It's loosely based on how the anime often goes, so I've created some amusing self-imposed rules for this. Some rules are looser than others, those are marked with an asterisk*.

Spoiler: Rules

1. No healing items during battle. If a Pokémon faints, it's out for the match. Healing outside battle is fine, but try to use the Pokémon Center or berries mainly, or camping.
2. Only catch a grand total of 7 Pokémon, potentially 8 altogether. (Barring special exceptions such as the Legendary or a shiny appearing). Use mainly plain pokeballs.
3. Tied to the rule above, space out captures over the course of the gym challenge. Only allowed a full team of 6 right before the 6th gym.
4. No excessive level grinding (so no more than approximately 5-7 levels above the gym leaders ace
5. Must use the same number of Pokémon as the gym leader. So 2v2, 3v3 and so on.
6. Must keep at least 1 unevolved Pokémon on the team.*
7. Only have Pokémon evolve when "ready" (basically, wait a few levels usually, until the time feels 'right')
8. 'Release' (Box) 1 member of the team partway through the journey, only to bring them back right before the championship battle.*
9. Try to stick to naturally learned moves and tutored moves.
   And finally...
10. Have fun! Make up personalities for your Pokémon and trainer! Try to create a narrative in your head. Throw a couple matches and "lose" (on purpose) to spice things up. Go where the adventure takes you. Catch a Pokémon you normally wouldn't use, and try not to plan too much.

So with the rules covered, I'll catch everyone up to speed on what has happened so far.
My main character is named Saige.

Spoiler: picture

Spoiler: So Far

Naturally, she has chosen a Grookey as her partner, and nicknamed it 'Aloe'. After a great struggle, she won her first battle against her friend, Hop. When she discovered the Wooloo who went missing, she was hesitant at first, but followed Hop anyway.

Later, after her fateful encounter with Zamazenta, she journeys to Magnolia's lab. She meets two Nickit, a brother and sister, after they try to steal a berry from Grookey. The brother chooses to join Saige, while the sister returns to the wild, both are happy.

Saige loses her second battle after foolishly calling for Grookey to use Taunt, goading Hop's Rookidee into using Peck.

After her and Hop get endorsements, Saige sets out on her journey. First stop, Wild Area! Via Train! But when she arrives, she realizes, she forgot to by berries for the trip! So she returns to Wedgehurst and buys some berries. On the train ride back, she meets a strange looking Slowpoke. She helps catch it, nicknaming it 'Temaki'. Then she decides to return to the wild area.

After the coronation ceremony, she and Hop set out for Turrfield. But along the way, she is confronted by a rude boy named Bede. After a tough battle that leaves both Slowpoke and Nickit injured, Grookey pulls through to defeat Bede's Gothita and evolves.

Now Saige has her sights set on the first gym!

TL;DR, Saige, our hero/MC, arrives in Turrfield to challenge the 1st gym with the help of Aloe her Thwackey, Knickknack the Nickit and Temaki the Slowpoke.
Aloe [Thwackey] - Female
Knickknack [Nickit] - Male
Temaki [Slowpoke] - Female
Feel free to comment, asks questions, give suggestions or whatnot!

 

Update:

So the time has arrived for my first gym battle. I decided to go with Temaki and Aloe, as this will be a 2v2 battle.

The battle kicks off to a great start with Temaki taking down gossifleur with a Yawn/Acid combo. But Milo's next Pokémon nearly knocks out Temaki, so now its time to switch to Aloe.

Despite Aloe getting hit by Milo's dynamax, she survives, and goes on to defeat him after a down to the wire back and forth trade-off of attacks. Needless to say, I was very proud of my little monkey.

After the match was done, I continued on my journey, making camp first of course, since my Pokémon deserved it. Plus it was agood way to get to know them better. Aloe seems like the playful type, and she literally always goes for the balls when I throw them. It's kinda cute actually. Knick seems pretty serious, doesn't play ball much. Likes fighting the feather tho. Temaki... well, she's determined.

After that, it was training time. My cute little Knicknack however, started to grow nervous in battle. But through the power of friendship, he overcame his fears and, during the battle against Hop on the Bridge, evolved! Hop was pretty much steamrolled in that battle.

With my newly Thievul at my side, I head for Hulbury gym.