Pokemon Stadium 2 GLC Round 2 FAQ

Pokemon Stadium 2 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) Generally speaking, worse stat Pokemon have better moves, it's about finding the right combinations. So in a lot of cases you will see me use for example, Kadabra (Has Psychic/Thunder Punch), but never Alakazam (Has Psybeam/Theif)

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 Red 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 are you doing that order?
A: Any order is 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. Red still must be done last because timing ends during the cutscene after his battle (would be slower to not do him last because of that anyway).

Since this is a race though, we're going as "in order" as possible. Starting with Bugsy instead of Falkner is because the route uses all 10 roistered team slots and an 11th for the first gym of the run, and Falkner uses a team used elsewhere so he can't be done first.

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. It's not like in the games where you only have a small team, since you have access to every Pokemon, they need coverage in order to be a challenge at all.

Q: Can you manipulate the Pokemon the trainers use by using other Pokemon? Does it effect it at all?
A: Yes and no. The team of 6 Pokemon that you show -does- impact the Pokemon the trainer you fight use. However, it is both A) Never completely reliable, as they can always choose multiple teams, and B) Not as simple as you might think. For example, just having a team full of Electric types does not mean Brock won't pick Slowbro. They act differently seeing different Pokemon, but not in any coherent way.

All leaders (except for Blue and Red) also have a Pokemon that they always bring no matter what. In some cases, these Pokemon are also always the lead Pokemon. Some are the same from Round 1 but some are different, and in general much harder (for example Falkner's 'ace' in Round 1 is Pidgeot, whereas in Round 2 it is Zapdos)

Q: What is the record?
A: http://www.speedrun.com/pkmnstadium2#Gym_Leader_Castle_Round_2

My splits are 20 minutes worse than my PB just to adjust for race luck.

Q: Why is Round 2 so much longer than Round 1?
A: They use much better pokemon, so in general they are harder to take out. They also have much better stats. Because of that, many don't fall to Explosion, or outspeed Haunter so you can't Destiny Bond, making 1 turning the Pokemon less possible too. Add on top of that, that the fights are much harder, and you need to switch a lot more in order to win as well. Every fight is just longer, in every way.

Q: So what's your goal?
A: To win the race =)

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.