Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness FAQ

Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness FAQ by Zewing

Updated March 28th, 2020

Any% FAQ

Q) What's with all the menuing prior to the run?
A) Detailed Explanation: https://aldelaro5.wordpress.com/2018/09/09/controlling-luck-in-video-games-an-explanation-of-the-rng-manipulation-on-pokemon-colosseum-and-xd/

Simplistic Explanation:  By using a program we can figure out our starting seed, thus making it possible to know the exact IV's of a level 10 Eevee during a new game.  This is major since this program allows us to find an Eevee with specified natures, iv's, and hidden power typing + power


Q) What stats are you looking for?
A) I want the following per Ryziken's recommendation:

Nature: Modest, Rash, or Mild*
31 Sp. Atk
22+ Speed
Hidden Power Electric 68+

*If Mild -> 10+ Defense

The above can and will be done for every single run.  However we still use a secondary pokemon that we can't manipulate, who happens to be the first shadow pokemon snaggable, Teddiursa.

For Teddiursa, most runners will require 25 Attack and 15 Speed with the following natures considered not runnable -> BRAVE, BOLD, RELAXED, TIMID, MODEST, QUIET, CALM, SASSY, NAUGHTY

Finally, Teddiursa must be purified with no additional battles in Agate.  Even some of the good natures have potential to be a reset due to no Reverse Mode call outs.

Q) Why Teddiursa?
A) Teddiursa in itself isn't that special of a Pokemon.  However, upon purification (which is a forced story event), Teddiursa retains the move "Return."  This move, coupled with its STAB bonus and getting it early on (friendship building) makes Teddiursa an incredibly high physically offensive Pokemon for the remainder of the game once evolved to Ursaring (its base Attack is 130).  Ursaring also, surprisingly, doesn't get outspeeded much in the run, even with base 55 speed.

Q) Why Espeon?
A) Espeon has base 130 Special Attack and base 110 Speed.  I gain access to Psychic ridiculously early (just before Gonzap), and overall it is the best suited Eeveelution due to the large number of Pokemon that are immune / resistant to electric attacks, as well as a Rhydon and Manectric that have the lightning rod ability (draws in all Electrical Attacks).  In addition, Espeon can survive an Earthquake or 2, letting one take out 3 Pokemon in a single turn.

Recently, with the addition of the Manip Program, Espeon now has another typing we can rely on with Hidden Power Electric, this covers up a ton of weakness while also saving Psychic PP + faster animations.  Espeon has always been considered the best starter to go with, this hidden power amplified it as well.

Q) Any other Pokemon you get?
A) This is purely runner preference as the current route does not actually require any more pokemon to be picked up once you snag Teddiursa.

For safety reasons, Shadow Togepi is picked up after the Mirror B 2 fight.  Ursaring uses Earthquake in a few fights in the end game which, upon critting, could take out Espeon.  In addition the final fight has a pretty risky strategy that has chance of the run dying, and that's a hard pill to swallow 4.5 hours in.

Q) What is Shadow Sky?
A) Shadow Sky is a damaging "weather" move that has the attributes that can be best described as "Shadow Hail."  Like hail that doesn't attack pokemon that are Ice type, Shadow Sky's "Hail" will not attack Pokemon that are part Shadow typing.  Due to advancements in the route, Shadow Sky has all but become nullified in the run.

Q) Shadow typing?
A) Pokemon XD is the only Pokemon game to introduce the Shadow typing.  This is a temporary typing belonging to the 83 unique Shadow Pokemon in this game.  Shadow type moves are super effective against all non-shadow Pokemon but only 1/2 effective against other Shadow type Pokemon.  This makes Shadow Pokemon, with the exception of a few, highest priority targets.

Q) You lost fights, why?
A) These are long fights that have a flag in the code that do not punish the player for losing.  Story progress still advances at the cost of Money and Experience loss.  However this is negligible and has nearly 0 downside.  Exol, Smarton (on S.S Libra), and Zook 1 are the only fights we currently lose intentionally.

Q) What are run enders?
A) This game is pretty generous when it comes to completion of a speedrun even before the Manip Program came out.  Now that our Espeon is OP, the run enders drastically lowered due to more available information and higher stat standards.  Generally, the way a run will end if by losing a fight due to extremely unfavorable circumstances.

Q) What is your goal time?
A) Sub 4:30 looks like a great time