Let's Play Digimon World 3: Pick My Solo!

[Terrador]

I've been wanting to play this game again for ages, and so I have. And I've been infecting other people with the bug, too. I figure: why not take some screencaps, let everyone see how cool [and stupid!] this game really is? So I'll be doing a screencapped run, starting once I finish this one and am fully familiar with the game again; which is to say something like a week from now.

I've been thinking about how to do this run, and how to invest y'all in the process and hopefully get some interest [i'm so lonely!], and I think I'm going to pretty much solo the game with one Digimon. It's gonna be a blast, and y'all get to pick which one! However, I'd like to note: Since some non-SF members will be following this and voting, the poll will be conducted in-thread, not through the normal polling mechanism. Post for your favorite, and I'll make sure y'all know where everything stands. Sound like fun? Here are the contestants!

Agumon, perhaps the most famous Digimon. He, and his Digivolutions, have become very iconic and badass--the Charizard line of the franchise, and this guy's no different. In this installment, his offense, particularly on the special spectrum, is quite good, and his agility isn't shabby either; however, his defenses are less than stellar. As far as Digivolutions go, he can easily take a dark path to SkullGreymon and BlackWarGreymon, and has easy paths to two of the most powerful Digimon in the game: Omnimon and Imperialdramon. He also has easy access to Guilmon and Renamon's evolutions, with the latter providing wide elemental coverage. He's only in Pack B, so Renamon and Monmon will be his chumpy, chumpy sidekicks to begin with.

Guilmon is also quite the famous fellow himself. It would seem that he follows in the vein of Agumon; and, statistically, that's somewhat true. However, he is very different, in that his techniques are almost entirely support... and let me tell you, bubba, they're less than stellar. Guilmon levels up quickly, though, so he can branch out into such Digivolutions as MetalGarurumon, MegaGargomon, and Patamon's Digivolutions, although he can get access to the almighty Imperialdramon with minimal effort [and the even more intimidating Beelzumon, maybe; however, that is a long road that he most likely won't finish in this run]. He only arrives in Pack C, so Patamon and Kumamon will accompany him at the start.

Kotemon, so far as I'm aware, is a Digimon most of you are unfamiliar with. He's a swordsman, with solid stats all-around and Digivolutions with impressive physical techniques. In addition, he can equip one of the most powerful early weapons in the game. He can become Omnimon [yes, the DNA Digivolution from the movie!] very quickly, although Imperialdramon suits him better [and takes more effort]; along the way, he can dip into Agumon and MetalGarurumon's Digivolutions--indeed, he'll have to spend a lot of time as MetalGreymon to get to Omnimon! Whatever path he takes, this kendo master will kick ninety kinds of ass, and, coming exclusively in Pack A, he'll first be joined by Renamon and Patamon.

Kumamon is quite a manly little beast. His feeble reserves of MP are more than compensated for by his immense health, strength, and defensive prowess, buffered by passable elemental coverage and Hammer Rush, also known as the Wall of Pain. He has fairly easy access to Renamon and MetalGarurumon's Digivolutions, but his own bring such powerful techniques and effective stat spreads to the table that I don't suspect he'll branch out much. Even so, the investment for Paildramon, and later Imperialdramon, is minor--if late--so he'll probably have that in his toolbox come the end of the game. He comes in Pack C only, which means he'll be backed up by Patamon and Guilmon to begin with.

Monmon is... a funky little beast. He's fast and strong, but not really good at much else. Although he has near-exclusive access to powerful two-handed weapons, his personal Digivolutions bring strangely specific [and not necessarily useful] techniques to the table. As far as additional options go, he has a fairly circuitous path to Imperialdramon [yes, I'm talking about him a -lot-], and... pretty much jack shit else that he really wants. He could go through MetalGarurumon eventually, I suppose? The one great thing he has going for him is his incredible speed in gaining levels. He doesn't have great options, but what he does have is brute force, and he brings two famous Digimon, Agumon and Renamon, along to watch the show.

Patamon is famous, and adorable, and apparently has two genders, taking the forms of both Angemon and Angewomon very naturally. The cute little bugger is a healing specialist with a fair few wind and water techniques, and his huge MP make him a nice money-saver in the field as a backup once he gets a few cursory levels [did somebody say "Small Heal"?]. The fun thing about Patamon is that he can achieve a very useful Mega form--Phoenixmon--extraordinarily early, which gives him magnificent healing capabilities. Although many of Phoenixmon's techniques are more useful with a full party, trust me--being able to stall is an enormous asset in this game. The puffball can learn the Greymon line fairly painlessly... but why would he want to? He comes in both Pack A and Pack C, meaning either Kotemon and Renamon or Guilmon and Kumamon will be the first to observe the wreckage.

Finally, we have Renamon, mother of a million furries. Her special offense can't be beat, with a wide range of coverage and incredible spirit, agility, and MP reserves. However, her physical parameters are less than stellar, leaving her very dependent on her stock of MP. On the plus side, she has a handful of very good branching options: Angemon access for the inimitable Small Heal earlygame, and the earliest Imperialdramon in the game by a rather long shot. She'll be a firestorm of power, but her frality might be my downfall. She comes in Pack A or B, so her partners are either Kotemon and Patamon, or Agumon and Monmon.

Wait--I thought Renamon was the last?! She is. Veemon can only be obtained roughly halfway through the game, so I'm not going to attempt to switch trains mid-journey. However, his natural Mega form is--guess who? IMPERIALDRAMON! So he needn't track out to obtain one of the most powerful forms in the game. I don't know much about the little guy, but it seems that he's an all-around strong Digimon with a particular penchant for special offense.

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Now, I've said a lot about backups here--well, they're there for a reason. These backups will probably mooch no more than 10% of the EXP; however, because of how speed and move order work in these games, I can invest in their Speed to allow them to use Life Disks and suchlike in emergencies. Since every Digimon can be obtained over the course of the game, feel free to suggest which backups you'd most like to see enter the rotation; at any rate, I'm almost certainly going to incorporate the runners-up as my backups at some point, although Veemon might find a spot on the team if you all really want to see him in that third slot.

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Now that I've detailed the poll, I want to return to the game at hand one more time: this is one of my favorite games from when I was a kid, and for good reason. The plotline is interesting, sometimes catching you off guard, the mechanics are fun, the sandbox nature of Digivolutions is a marvel, the writing is humorous and generally good, and although the game suffers from Fetch Quest Syndrome rather badly, there's always something new to explore--be it the isle of Divermon, the auctions of the secret society El Dorado, the hunt for Digital DNA for new teammates, or just that one potential minor sequence break you've been dying to try. I'd love for y'all to drop on in and see what this classic gem is all about, even if you're no avid fan of the series--and, just between you and me? It's been at least a decade since I properly followed the franchise, and I still adore this game.

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As of now, 3 anonymous followers and 16 users have voted. The current standings are below.

Votes:

Kumamon: 10+1

Patamon: 3+1

Agumon: 2+1

Kotemon: 1+1

Guilmon: 1+1

Monmon: 1+1

Renamon: 1+1

Fuck you do Veemon anyway: 1

So, the results came up, and the winner is Agumon! Sorry all you DA BEAR voters; looks like the fire-breathing lizard is winning after all. even though I really really wanted Guilmon or Kotemon because they're BAMFs. Run starts tonight--probably. Maybe.

Edited October 12, 2013 by Terrador

[Mondoflow]

I'll vote for Kumamon. Sounds like a solid character for a solo run, I think. I might be too biased in favor of defense, though, much like I am with Fire Emblem.

[MacLovin]

Numemon

Hey 'mon, use MonMon

and uhhh, how about Veemon in that backup!

Edited September 19, 2013 by Shar Pei

[buttmuncher.ops]

gatomon

the answer's always gatomon

[spoiler="SO ADORABLE!]

[bookofholsety]

bearmon

bearmon is the only correct answer to anything ever i cannot emphasise this enough the little shit's still my favourite digimon

getting patamon and guilmon just sweetens the deal really

[Raven]

When I played through this many years ago when it was first released (it is known as Digimon 2003 in the EU since we didn't get Digimon World 2), I went for Pack C with Guilmon, Patamon and Kumamon.

So yeah, pack C.

Edit: Oh only one Digimon. So then, let it be Kumamon.

Edited September 19, 2013 by Raven

[JSND Alter Dragon Boner]

Since this is a "solo" I will vote for the best Digimon in the cast

Bearmon95.

Edited September 19, 2013 by JSND

[SB.]

DA BEAR is probably the best choice.

[Elieson]

DA BEAR is probably the best choice.

[Momentai~]

I want you to use Patamon <3

If only you could randomize the digivolutions you earn... Level 5 Imperialdramon would be hilarious

I played through this game earlier this year and I still love it after all these years. I think balance pack was the name of the set I chose (I know it had Patamon, Renamon, and Kotemon). Patamon was so amazing. Kotemon was pretty great too. Renamon was *cough*.

[Nightmare]

Hrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrm, Kotemon is tempting, as is good ol' Agumon, and maybe Patamon, but if Guilmon can become Gallantmon or Megidramon, he gets my vote.

Edited September 19, 2013 by Nightmare

[Shengar]

DA BEAR is probably the best choice.

Listen to this man. Marsmon won't disappoint you.

[arvilino]

Pick Kumamon, Soul Charge from Grap Leomon with the counter crest is ridiculous with all the HP Kumamon gets. You can one shot some bosses with a counter attack it if you take enough damage.

[JSND Alter Dragon Boner]

Renamon is pretty ridiculous >_>

[Terrador]

Numemon

Hey 'mon, use MonMon

and uhhh, how about Veemon in that backup!

Fun fact: Numemon is actually rather strong in this game. He's kind of a dick.

Pick Kumamon, Soul Charge from Grap Leomon with the counter crest is ridiculous with all the HP Kumamon gets. You can one shot some bosses with a counter attack it if you take enough damage.

Shhhhh, don't mention that item. It's how I'm gonna win :#

Kumamon: 9

Kotemon: 1

Guilmon: 1

Monmon: 1

Patamon: 1

Agumon: 0

Renamon: 0

Use Veemon Anyway!: 0

Kumamon has a commanding lead, but any Digimon might very well rally! JSND, I'm assuming you're voting Kumamon, seeing as you posted twice and it's mildly ambiguous. So much love for DA BEAR, seriously. Even though he levels slow as all hell. Doesn't matter, still a wrecking ball with that much EXP!

[Shin]

Pick Veemon, it's the only right choice!

[JSND Alter Dragon Boner]

I voted for Lonely Walbearmon of course, the second is a random post because Renamon can get broken skillz teh fastest

[Terrador]

I voted for Lonely Walbearmon of course, the second is a random post because Renamon can get broken skillz teh fastest

Well... I'd debate that. Small Heal is arguably the most broken single skill early on, simply because it means you can field heal for pretty much ever with no BIT expenditure. Kyubimon gets excellent elemental coverage, but I wouldn't call that broken.

Her incredibly early access to the death guns, on the other hand...

[Jedi]

Agumon because i'm boring.

[Titamon]

Agumon, perhaps the most famous Digimon. He, and his Digivolutions, have become very iconic and badass--the Charizard line of the franchise, and this guy's no different. In this installment, his offense, particularly on the special spectrum, is quite good, and his agility isn't shabby either; however, his defenses are less than stellar. As far as Digivolutions go, he can easily take a dark path to SkullGreymon and BlackWarGreymon, and has easy paths to two of the most powerful Digimon in the game: Omnimon and Imperialdramon. He also has easy access to Guilmon and Renamon's evolutions, with the latter providing wide elemental coverage. He's only in Pack B, so Renamon and Monmon will be his chumpy, chumpy sidekicks to begin with.1

This is backwards. Agumon's defenses are good, but his speed is atrocious

[Terrador]

This is backwards. Agumon's defenses are good, but his speed is atrocious

...shit. It's been way too long since I played this game. Way too long indeed... I always thought he was fast. Brain, stop being dumb!

[Titamon]

Also, I think you may want to consider leveling speed when you pick your partner. Kumamon and Patamon take a ton of experience to level up in comparison to the other rookies. (Monmon levels the fastest btw)

Honestly Kumamon would be my last choice for a starter (Slow leveler, No MP, and lopsided stats ftl)

But this is your playthrough, so pick who you like and have fun

[Terrador]

Also, I think you may want to consider leveling speed when you pick your partner. Kumamon and Patamon take a ton of experience to level up in comparison to the other rookies. (Monmon levels the fastest btw)

Honestly Kumamon would be my last choice for a starter (Slow leveler, No MP, and lopsided stats ftl)

But this is your playthrough, so pick who you like and have fun

Well, I'm not the one doing the picking. That said, I'd probably take Guilmon for his excellent array of options and fast leveling speed. Whatever I get, I'll manage. Care to place a vote?

[Titamon]

Well, I'm not the one doing the picking. That said, I'd probably take Guilmon for his excellent array of options and fast leveling speed. Whatever I get, I'll manage. Care to place a vote?

I vote for Renamon!

[Dandragon]

da agumon

because fuck everyone else