Currently, Ash's knowledge of Pokemon is still quite lacking. Although he has some guidance from experts, he's only been traveling for less than a month. Expecting him to have even a basic understanding of Pokemon is asking too much.
He's having trouble recognizing even all the Pokemon from the Kanto Region, let alone those from other regions.
The reason he could put together this team is that Tactical Ash in the group explained in detail the appearances, names, abilities, held items, and moves of these Pokemon as examples.
To Tactical Ash, assembling this team is at most like forming a circus troupe, but using it against people who've never seen these tactics before or for handling AI is just too easy.
This circus troupe can not only annoy others and entertain oneself but likely achieve unexpected victories when first encountered. Unless the opponent randomly selects a team that just happens to counter this one, this team can only be described in four words—dominate effortlessly!
So Ash memorized this circus troupe, which is also why he was so skilled the first time he used this Pokemon simulation battle game.
Although he's not yet familiar with all the Kanto Pokemon, he chose Pokemon from the Sinnoh and Hoenn Regions. Luckily, this game includes data for almost all discovered Pokemon except Legendary Beasts and most Pokemon items. If the game version was limited to the Kanto Region, Ash could only choose a Gyarados at most.
After Ash clicked start, Joe wanted to persuade Ash to change the difficulty, but he held back. Although Ash chose some Pokemon he's not familiar with or even recognized, Joe didn't think Ash could defeat an Elite Trainer with six Level 70 Pokemon using four Level 1 Pokemon.
With discrepancies in Pokemon quantity, level, and trainer, he didn't know how it could possibly be won!
Even the Champion couldn't use these six Pokemon to defeat a fully-powered full-team Elite!
Misty and Brock also leaned in, curious about the clear image on the computer screen, wondering what Ash was planning to do.
If it were an average trainer, even if challenging Elite difficulty, they would max out their Pokemon's levels, but Ash must have his reasons for doing this.
From Ash's previously exhibited out-of-the-box thinking during battles, he must have another clever tactic in mind.
What puzzled them more was how Ash, who couldn't even recognize some Pokemon from Kanto, managed to select Pokemon not living in Kanto.
Pikachu and Ralts also hopped onto Ash's shoulder, watching the screen curiously.
In the computer, the system started randomly selecting Elites from various regions. In a moment, a beautiful and charming lady with a sexy figure and light blue hair appeared on the screen.
"What a beautiful lady, isn't she Karen from the Johto Elite?" The question was posed with a sure tone. Brock instantly recognized who was pictured.
Karen, the Dark Type Elite from Johto, is a goddess figure with a sexy physique and beautiful appearance!
She ranks in Brock's top ten most desired older sisters to meet!
"Johto Elite Karen, huh? I wonder what Pokemon she'll use." Ash marveled, but continued operating without delay.
His first Pokemon was Hippopotas, while Karen's was Umbreon.
Hippopotas started the sandstorm upon entering the field. Ash then casually selected Tackle, but Hippopotas didn't even move before being taken down by Umbreon's Dark Pulse.
Ash's face showed no emotion as he immediately sent out Aron.
A Level 1 Aron has only about a dozen HP, facing a Level 70 Umbreon. It stands no chance.
"What are you doing? Aren't you just sending your Pokemon to die?" Joe asked confusedly at Ash's actions.
I thought Ash would have some strategy, but he just blatantly exposed his Level 1 Pokemon to a Level 70 Pokemon, then got one-shot!
Then he sent out another Level 1 Pokemon to be slaughtered. Is he testing how strong the Elite level is?
But these Level 1 Pokemon can't experience the difficulty of the Elite level; any attack could take out Ash's Level 1 Pokemon. What's the point?
However, when Umbreon's Dark Pulse hit Aron, it didn't fall. Instead, it held on to the last sliver of health.
Then Aron used Endeavor, causing Umbreon's health to plummet until there was just an invisible sliver left!
With the winds of the sandstorm swirling, Umbreon's last bit of health vanished, and finally, it fell!
Misty, Brock, and Joe were all left staring, dumbfounded at the result on the screen, their minds buzzing.
What... what kind of strategy is this? Is this cheating?
Why does a Level 1 Pokemon have such damage? How did this Pokemon withstand an attack from a Level 70 Umbreon? Joe's mind was full of questions.
Brock had a thoughtful expression, having witnessed Ash's choices in Pokemon, abilities, and moves. Even though he's unfamiliar with Aron, he knows the effects of Endeavor and Sturdy.
"Sturdy allows a Pokemon with full health to survive any attack, even a one-hit KO move, which is why Aron didn't lose all its health."
"Endeavor, a move without power, can bring the opponent's health to the same level as the user's. That's why a Level 1 Aron can deal such terrifying damage."
"Lastly, the fact that sandstorms don't harm Steel Type Pokemon ensured the opponent's last bit of health was taken away. This is the whole process behind this strategy, isn't it?" Brock, a seasoned Gym Leader, quickly grasped the core of Ash's strategy compared to Misty.
He used the sandstorm, Sturdy, Endeavor, and abilities in combination to forcefully level the insurmountable differences in level.
But then the question is...
"What will you do after defeating one of their Pokemon? Sturdy doesn't work when not at full health... wait, what?" Brock hadn't finished speaking when he watched Aron's health instantly restored to full!
This hit a blind spot in his knowledge—how could this be achieved?