Lol at the Substitute doll. But it's right, there really is no noteworthy Ice-type expert in SM.

Then again, some of the others don't really make a lot of sense to be type experts, notably Plumeria, Guzma and Faba. They don't have any real excuse nor theme, and all it does is make their battles easier.

Eterya said:

Lol at the Substitute doll. But it's right, there really is no noteworthy Ice-type expert in SM.

Then again, some of the others don't really make a lot of sense to be type experts, notably Plumeria, Guzma and Faba. They don't have any real excuse nor theme, and all it does is make their battles easier.

Hmm, Faba is a Psycic Trainer, Guzma is indeed a Bug trainer and Plumeria is focussing on the Poison type. That makes sense^^.

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Some argue that Sina is actually an Ice specialist and Dexio is a second Psychic specialist, from their story battles. They use a wider variety in the Battle Tree though

Provence said:

Hmm, Faba is a Psycic Trainer, Guzma is indeed a Bug trainer and Plumeria is focussing on the Poison type. That makes sense^^.

My point being that there is little to no in-universe justification for them being type specialists. Especially since it's acknowledged in-game by multiple NPCs that having a varied team with 'mons that cover each others' weaknesses is better. Case in point: Hau, Gladion, the final boss of the League. If no one else, oh-so-clever Faba should really know better.

Eterya said:

My point being that there is little to no in-universe justification for them being type specialists. Especially since it's acknowledged in-game by multiple NPCs that having a varied team with 'mons that cover each others' weaknesses is better. Case in point: Hau, Gladion, the final boss of the League. If no one else, oh-so-clever Faba should really know better.

While I have no excuses for Faba, Guzma makes sense and maybe also Plumeria.

Guzma is a failed Trial captain, meaning he probably trained his entire childhood to become a Bug type specialist, so after he failed he probably just kept his Bug team either out of personal bond with the Pokemons or to spite the world that his Bug types can fuck shit up too.

Plumeria, being Team Skull probably could just be inspired by Guzma's story. Team Skulls all respect Guzma a lot, so it wouldn't be far fetched if some of them wanted to imitate him. But yeah in that case she would've also used Bug types too and not Poison.

But Faba, yeah the man should've have Flygon, if anything.

Eterya said:

My point being that there is little to no in-universe justification for them being type specialists. Especially since it's acknowledged in-game by multiple NPCs that having a varied team with 'mons that cover each others' weaknesses is better. Case in point: Hau, Gladion, the final boss of the League. If no one else, oh-so-clever Faba should really know better.

There's plenty of justification for Guzma being there as the bug person. Such as him saying himself that his favorite type is bug, using multiple bug types, and the fact that he has a stash of bug z-crystals right next to his little throne.

Wicke is one of the few major characters not fought at all in S/M. Maybe she's our missing Ice specialist?

Mettan said:

Wicke is one of the few major characters not fought at all in S/M. Maybe she's our missing Ice specialist?

Ice specialist is definitely going to be Lillie. Her color scheme matches Ice perfectly and not to mention I think in an upcoming anime episode she is interacting with an Alolan Vulpix.

Fenen said:

Ice specialist is definitely going to be Lillie. Her color scheme matches Ice perfectly and not to mention I think in an upcoming anime episode she is interacting with an Alolan Vulpix.

Just watched the episode and I agree, if there is a SM sequel and Lillie comes back, high chance she will be Ice focused (may also mixed with other typings like her mom).