Pokemon TCGO- Beating all the trainers

My newest "obsession" is Pokemon Trading Card Game Online.  I dabble in the DS Pokemon games and some of them I really like, but the card game appeals to the more straegic player.  I like some of the artwork on the cards and the online card game is free to play.  I just started playing a couple of weeks ago, prompted by a Nintendo email I got promoting  some free stuff in PTCGO and Pokemon XY on the 3DS.  I figured I'd try it and it's pretty fun.

So far I'm going through beating all of the NPC trainers and earning coins.  The coins can be spent to buy digital in-game cards, avatar outfits, and cosmetic deck upgrades.  There is also a daily log-in bonus that stacks awards for each day the player logs in.  A digital booster pack is awarded every fifth day. 

Pokemon Trading Card Game Online - Trainer Penelope.  One of the last trainers to beat.

 I don't have any physical Pokemon cards, but if I did, I could scan them with a webcam or enter their individual code and the cards would be usable in-game.  I don't know anyone else who plays, and really, most players are probably kids, but I will probably play for a while and at least finish beating the trainers before even attempting to play against a real player. I'm sure even kids could whoop my booty.

Pokemon X - Dusting it off

I was prompted to pick Pokemon X back up after receiving an email from Nintendo a couple of weeks ago promoting the new Pokemon games, Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.  The promo email said that I could pick up a code for a free Shiny Gengar at Gamestop until October 26, 2014.  There was also a code for a free Pumpkaboo available via Internet through Pokemon Network until October 31, 2014.

Sweet. 

Pokemon 2014 Halloween promotions

WoW (World of Warcraft) servers were down for maintenance almost all day today, so it was a good opportunity to pick up the Pokemon for a little refresh.

I had left myself in Geosenge Town, but I am quite sure I remember being well past that the last time I played in May.  I actually checked my 3DS photos to see the last Pokemon photo I had taken.  I wonder for a while why I was back in Geosenge the last time I played.  I give up and decide to continue questing through Geosenge and into the next area.  I hop on Marriland's Pokemon X/Y Walkthrough to see where I'm at and where I should be going. 

After visiting the Pokemon Center and getting my special new Shiny Gengar and Pumkaboo (Yay!) from the delivery girl and saving, I head to Reflection Cave...where I immediately get lost.  I make the loop, forgetting that it does in fact loop back to the beginning if you don't choose the right path. 

The wandering did net me a new RARE Pokemon, Sableye!  He was a tough bugger to catch!! It took 4 regular Pokeballs, 2 Great, 2 Ultra, 1 Premium, 1 Nest, and the ball to finally catch him was my 3rd (and last!) Dusk Ball!  I don't recall ever having to use so many balls to catch a Pokemon!  He was down to less than 5 health and wouldn't go to sleep via Roserade's Grass Whistle.  It's always fun to catch a new one, though, so a great start back for me.