Pokemon Stadium 1 GLC Round 2 FAQ

Pokemon Stadium 1 GLC R2 FAQ:

Q: Why are you using <pokemon>? Why not <other pokemon>?
A: Because the restrictions in running this game involve only using rental Pokemon (as otherwise it would be incredibly easy and not at all challenging). In Stadium 1 a fair few evolved Pokes have good moves (Legendary Birds and Jolteon get a lot of useage, for example), but sometimes a lesser Pokemon is used for a better movepool (Eg Kadabra has better moves than Alakazam)

Q: What is this category?
A: This is the Gym Leader Castle, specifically Round 2. So basically beat everyone in there. They can be done in any order (so long as Elite Four is last), so I start with some of the better fights to get out of the way early. (GLC R2 stands for Gym Leader Castle, Round 2)

Q: Why is the order scrambled like that?
A: It's allowed because doing it from a fresh file would be really annoying to reset the save data for (given you'd have to remake the teams every reset as well), so it's stupid to not allow play on a completed save. And since that's allowed, no reason to restrict order either. Elite Four still must be done last because timing ends during the cutscene after that battle (would be slower to not do him last because of that anyway).

I do Giovanni first, more for his trainers than him. But they are a big chance to lose to, so take them out first. Then head off backwards through the gyms, but skip Erika and Koga (as Surge and Misty are harder gyms, I rather take them out earlier)

Q: Why does that gym leader have a Pokemon that isn't of their type??
A: Because if every leader had only their type, all these fights would be easy. There aren't too many Pokemon to choose from in Gen 1, so a lot of them might have pokes that don't make a whole lot of sense, mainly just for coverage

Q: Why is that Pokemon coloured differently?
A: Giving Pokemon nicknames in the Stadium games changes their colouration, so you can see some cool and different looking Pokes.

Q: What is the record?
A: http://www.speedrun.com/pkmnstadium#Gym_Leader_Castle_Round_2

Q: So what's your goal?
A: Atm, to get the record back. I'd love a deathless run, but we'll see how we go.

Q: Is this game easier than Stadium 2? Or harder?
A: Round 2 is probably slightly easier in Stad 1, only for the lack of held items. In Stad 2, you have to deal with so many brightpowder/quick claw/focus band scenarios, that you're bound to get duped at some point. In Stad 1, you just have to deal with the fact that their Pokemon have much higher stats than yours.

The rentals you get to work with are a lot more powerhouse-y too (Good birds, Jolteon, Nidoking, Jynx), and there are less complexities without held items and such. However, you do rely on moves that can miss a fair bit, especially Thunder, which is used a lot in the run, so getting a good time has a lot to do with hitting them. As this is Gen 1 as well, criticals are a lot more common, which becomes a larger possibility to lose, as well as make up time.

Q: Does this game have the Gen 1 1/256 miss?
A: No, it does not. Stadium changed a few mechanics from the handheld Gen 1 games (for example, switching after Wrap/Fire Spin means the other Pokemon won't attack, so you don't get stuck forever, Hyper Beam needs recharge), and the removal of the 1/256 is one of them.

Crit mechanics are slightly different. See this spreadsheet for specifics: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lab4RC9Ngt3x1Eb7qOMYvLtqhKIekOVPmv4eaiyc4nY

Q: What does "Round 2" or "Round 1" mean in this game?
A: This game repeats itself over, after you beat Round 1 of the game you unlock Round 2. Round 2 gives the opponent different pokes, with different moves, and better stats. It is in general, much much harder.

Q: What is with those split icons? What does A and B mean?
A: This is a grading system for all of my splits. I'm sure you are familiar with grades, A+ being the best then going down from there. So the idea is, if the split has an A+ next to it, my time there was really good and would be very difficult to beat. If it's a C though for example, it was quite poor, and I should be able to save time there pretty easily.

This way, everyone watching has more accurate information on where I can save time, and where I should be making up time. Also that all time loss is not equal, as losing time vs an A+ split isn't really that bad, whereas losing time vs a C split is really bad. It'll probably take a while for a lot of people watching to pick up the meaning so I will appreciate everyone who explains how this works (correctly) in chat to new people.