Recent posts

#1

General Pokémon Discussion / Re: Which Pokemon Winds and Wa...

Last post by DrampardonMe - July 11, 2026, 20:38

Haven't been keeping up with outside opinions/discourse on the starters since they were announced, but I guess now's as good a time to ask: Anyone else getting worried about the lack of announcements? I know it's probably not coming out until late 2027, but I'm impressed there hasn't been any major leaks or such since. Good on Game Freak, etc. for keeping their cards close, and if I'm optimistic, they're hiding some big things, but... Well, I was hoping to see some basic regional Pokemon by now. I guess compared to previous gens, it's better than just Announcing Everything Outright, but I dunno what to make of it. I mean, I'm just guessing there's a new gimmick, but what else can surprise at this point? New types? Whether we need more of those or not is up for debate, but place ya bets, I guess!

Anyway, more directly on topic, I've since decided I might want to do a mono-Water run (It's my favorite type and I've never done that before), so I feel like starting with Gecqua only makes sense. Since Pelipper is in, might as well do a rain team. Haven't done that since *squint* the X and Y days, I think.

I know I was gonna hold off on theorizing on their evos, but I hope Gecqua is Water/Poison. Already seems halfway there, honestly. Pombon... idk, as long as it doesn't stay pure Fire for no good reason, I'm not picky. I think it'd be cool if Browt's final evo was some sort of bean-based owlbear-type thing, but we already have TWO (2) Decidueye forms, probably don't wanna triple up there, lest I give Game Freak ideas, lol. As for typing... I honestly dunno, but I hope it's cool, too.

#2

PKMN.NET / Re: Happy 20 years

Last post by Joeno - July 07, 2026, 22:55

I know it's been mentioned on the Discord as well, but yeah - it's weird how social media showed how moderation has a point, even if you can disagree about the boundaries. I'm glad to hear that people appreciate it - the discussions about it weren't always that friendly!

And I'm happy to keep the forums around - the server is one I use for a couple of other things, so I just do bits of maintenance to keep things running when needed, but mostly it just keeps working without me doing much anyway.

#3

PKMN.NET / Re: Happy 20 years

Last post by DrampardonMe - July 04, 2026, 17:38

Oh dang, Iceduck! Haven't heard from you in years! I think we only interacted like, twice, but I remember you being a chill guy. It's good to hear you and the others are doing well and pursuing cool things! I had no idea anyone from here was actually doing stuff for The Pokemon Company itself-- that's kinda huge! And so is the fact you won an award!!

...and not to get too mushy or anything, but generally speaking, if I haven't said it elsewhere on here: I remember PUK being especially welcoming for me when I first joined, compared to other sites' forums which were a little... well, typical 2000s Internet-y, in retrospect (and those sites were that way for better or worse, lol). I don't wanna ramble TOO much on the topic, but... Thank you. Joeno, Iceduck, and whichever mods/admins happen to see this. I'm glad the forum's still around-- it means more to me than I think even I understand sometimes!

All those MSN Messenger meetings about handling issues! Balancing how users liked to use the site with our desire to curate a space with a particular ethos.

Imagine if people applied that kind of thinking to modern social media ...

Confession time: I tried to get back into social media despite swearing it off for five years and, after about a year back in, have come to the conclusion I need a minimum of at least a month away from it again. Been not-logged-in for about two days and am already feeling the detox, lol

#4

PKMN.NET / Re: Happy 20 years

Last post by Iceduck - July 02, 2026, 10:25

But it's great to see you here, it's been great occasionally seeing a sign of your success (congrats on the award!). Good to see we've not yet outgrown you! I think it's fair to say that by the time I joined, the tone and feel of the site was already set, and I think you had a large hand in that as well.

Oh, that's so nice! Thanks for saying so. I think a lot of the early tone came from James's love of politics and my love of pop culture. And I think British videogame magazine journalism was a bit influence too.

But I always think the site really found its identity when you came on board. Outgrowing the old "Pokémon UK" name, and thinking properly about serving the growing community on the forums.

All those MSN Messenger meetings about handling issues! Balancing how users liked to use the site with our desire to curate a space with a particular ethos.

Imagine if people applied that kind of thinking to modern social media ...

#5

Say Hello! / Re: Sign-In Book

Last post by Mimikyu - July 01, 2026, 19:08

I know I haven't really been on this website since like 2008 or 2009. It's been a really long time since I've been here. Hope everybody's been doing OK. I was probably named something like Gold, back then...

It's been a long time and i hope everyone has been okay!

#6

PKMN.NET / Re: Happy 20 years

Last post by Joeno - June 29, 2026, 19:00

That seems like the right order. I can confirm I'm still around - paying the bills and making sure everything keeps running, luckily the forums have been quiet (yay Discord) so there's little for me to keep up with.

Still good friends with Mike too - that's carried through as the site became smaller, we end up meeting up a few times a year and occasional holidays - we were in Singapore together a few months ago.

But it's great to see you here, it's been great occasionally seeing a sign of your success (congrats on the award!). Good to see we've not yet outgrown you! I think it's fair to say that by the time I joined, the tone and feel of the site was already set, and I think you had a large hand in that as well.

#7

PKMN.NET / Re: Happy 20 years

Last post by Iceduck - June 29, 2026, 14:36

On a more serious note, it makes me wonder what all the founding fathers of the site are up to these days... but at any rate, let's all have a good one!

Oh, hello! Happy 23rd to the site. Nearly 23 and a half!

Site creator James O'Malley (Psythor) runs a substack about UK politics called Odds and Ends of History.

Second to join was Matt Ward (Pokedude) - and I haven't been able to hunt him down! He was such a brilliant coder, and in those early days PKMN.NET (or Pokemon UK as it was in those days!) really looked so far ahead of the pack as Matt applied his magic touch.

Then I joined! Steffan Alun/Iceduck. These days I'm a professional standup comedian. Last year I won a Pegasus Award at the Edinburgh Fringe for my solo comedy show, and I'm currently touring the new show ahead of THIS year's Edinburgh Festival. Details at www.steffanalun.com if you're interested!

Next, if memory serves, was Jeroen te Strake (Joeno) - a wonderful, diligent member of the forum who proved himself as a mod, became promoted to admin, and ended up being arguably the most significant member of the team, holding the fort as the rest of us got busy. He's still a Facebook friend - he's ten years married and living in London.

Was Mike Harper next? And was his name here Typhlosion? Mike's another Facebook friend, and I know he's maintained friendships with other PKMN.NET people. He's living his best life, with a great social group in Stockport.

Kay Dyson (whose username I forget!) is the last "major" admin I remember, even though I was drifting away when she arrived. She's embraced Pokemon more than any of us, travelling the world as events manager for The Pokemon Company, creating tournaments at which she's also been a brilliant commentator!

It's so nice to see people pop into this thread to connect with their memories. Joining this site was such a happy time for me, and it's been such a pleasure to see members of our community make their way through life.

(And apologies to all the staff I skipped to focus on the ones I remember most!)

#8

General Pokémon Discussion / Re: Which Pokemon Winds and Wa...

Last post by Iceduck - June 29, 2026, 12:55

I really like them all. Pombon seems especially fresh. I'll probably go Browt, though - that face!

#9

Your Art / Re: musharna, jolteon, ampharo...

Last post by DrampardonMe - June 21, 2026, 13:50

Not for nothing, but I'm not seeing any pictures here... Not just me, right?

Ampharos is one of my faves, though, so I'd like to see that one, at least!

#10

Your Art / musharna, jolteon, ampharos

Last post by wilbie - June 21, 2026, 02:07

3 quick pokemon from this june!!! i've been having a lot of fun experimenting with different styles and stuff