For Starmie and Cress, since they could not get close to Milotic, they could only change tactics and choose to battle it with psychic powers.
That was also why Cress had sent it out.
After all, with the same typing and an opponent stronger than itself, it could only try another approach and see whether it could turn things around.
But clearly, it could not.
Dual typing did provide more ways to attack and greater flexibility, but in the purity and mastery of moves, it fell far short of single-type Pokémon.
That was not to say dual typing was bad. Quite the opposite: sometimes it brought unexpected conveniences and made Pokémon stronger. But likewise, while dual-type Pokémon devoted their energy and attention to practicing both types, single-type Pokémon only needed to master their sole type to advance further in the use and power of their moves.
As always, there were advantages and disadvantages.
Whether Starmie used psychic powers or not, Milotic responded with only Water-type moves.
Starmie used Psybeam, trying to confuse Milotic as it attacked.
But Milotic swayed its tail and used Aqua Ring, creating a curtain of water that protected it from damage while also shielding it from Psybeam's effects.
Starmie switched to Psychic, attempting to break through the water curtain with overwhelming power. But Milotic countered with Hydro Pump, not only shattering Psychic but also washing over Starmie with the remaining force.
Fortunately, damage from the same type was halved.
Even so, Starmie's situation was visibly growing worse.
If Cress's Jellicent had lost too quickly and inexplicably in the previous battle, then this time, watching with his own eyes, Cress saw how his Pokémon had gradually fallen into a disadvantage from the opening.
There was nothing wrong with his commands.
There was nothing wrong with his adjustments,