My first run in Pokerogue ended at Wave 12. A cocky Gyarados with Dragon Dance swept my entire team of hopefuls. I was frustrated, but then a little notification popped up: "Gyarados added to the Pokerogue Dex." That was the moment I realized this game wasn't about winning; it was about learning how not to lose. Here are the brutal lessons from my first 100 defeats.

Lesson #1: The "Cool Factor" is a Trap. On run #5, I had a choice between a sturdy Geodude and a slick, edgy Absol. I chose Absol. He looked awesome for exactly one battle before a random Fighting-type move erased him from existence. Geodude would have walled half the early game. The Dex Taught Me: A Pokémon's value is its utility, not its aesthetics. The Dex now reminds me that bulk and typing are king.

Lesson #2: Your Money is More Valuable Than You Think. I spent my first 20 runs buying every shiny TM and held item I saw. I'd enter Wave 30 with a team full of powerful moves but no cash for a crucial potion or a final-slot team member. The Pokerogue Dex Taught Me: The shop's most important items are often the boring ones. Healing items extend your run, allowing you to earn more cash later. The Pokerogue Dex now has my mental notes: "Potions > TMs until Wave 40."

Lesson #3: Synergy is Everything. I used to just collect the six strongest individual Pokémon I could find. They were a team of all-stars who couldn't play together. My rain team had no Swift Swim user; my sun team had no Chlorophyll sweeper. The Dex Taught Me: A well-oiled team of "B-tier" Pokémon with a coherent strategy will always beat a disjointed mess of "S-tier" powerhouses. The Dex is my synergy scrapbook, showing me which abilities and moves combo well together.

My Pokerogue Dex isn't a trophy case; it's a codex of my failures. Every entry is a ghost, a reminder of a strategy that didn't work. And by studying it, I've learned to build teams that can finally put those ghosts to rest.