Ask a simple question, get a simple answer - mark 21 (READ THE OP)

[cantab]

I've got a question.
For some pokemon (e.g. Breloom), the smogon sets recommend that you pump up the the defense (impish nature, 252 HP/252 Def) but with nothing done to the special defense, or the other way round. I was wondering why this is so. Wouldn't it allow the opponent can exploit this weakness?

Various considerations:

It may be that there are more numerous powerful special attackers which you wouldn't send the Pokemon in on anyway. Part of this comes from types - Fire and Ice are both common special attacking types, and Breloom is weak to both. You shouldn't be sending Breloom in on something that tends to run Flamethrower. Meanwhile, Rock and Ground are commonly physical attacking types, and Breloom resists them. (Comes in handy on the Swords Dance set I find)

Also, if you split your defenses, you may be unable to survive strong hits from either side. By concentrating your defenses, you take the powerful hits from one side. Meanwhile, you commonly know whether your opponent's Pokemon is likely to use physical or special attacks (Gengar won't run any physical attack other than Explosion, and Metagross isn't going to use special attacks), and can switch accordingly.

Finally, people tend to boost the better stats. Breloom's physical defense is somewhat higher than his special.

By all means, if you have reason to want different defenses, use different defenses. The Smogon sets are a good starting point, and you should be willing to alter them to fit your team.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Do stats only go to +6, or is that just stat boosts?

Example: If I Baton Pass three Agilities to a Pokémon with Choice Scarf, will their speed be at +7 (due to the three agilities and the +1 from Choice Scarf), or will it cap at +6?

 

[afterburn]

+6 is the max you can go up, and -6 the lowest you can go. So 3 agilities= + 6 boosts, because one agity= +2. So if you've done 3 agilities, when you do the 4th boost, it'll say: 'X's speed won't go higher!'

 

[cantab]

The behaviour on Smogon's calculator indicates that the choice boost is not part of the standard boosts/drops sequence, meaning the situation you describe reaches an effective +7. But there's no guarantee the calculator is correct.

EDIT: @The LegendKiller: Indeed +/-6 is the most you can get with boosting moves. The question is are the boosts provided by choice items part of those stages, or separate?

 

[callforjudgement]

EDIT: @The LegendKiller: Indeed +/-6 is the most you can get with boosting moves. The question is are the boosts provided by choice items part of those stages, or separate?

Choice items don't give a +1 boost, they give a 50% boost. The two come out the same if there are no other boosts involved; but, for instance, a pokemon with +4 Attack that uses Howl will end up on +5 Attack (a 250% boost), but a pokemon with +4 Attack with a Choice Band will have a total attack multiplier of (300% * 150%) = 450%, for a total 350% boost to its Attack. So the answer is that the question's kind-of irrelevant; Attack boosts from moves like Howl and Swords Dance are completely separate from Attack multipliers from items like Choice Band. (And yes, they stack; but even before you reach +6 in a stat, choice items combined with boosts will give you a higher stat than one more boost would.)

 

[Eternal]

Choice items don't give a +1 boost, they give a 50% boost. The two come out the same if there are no other boosts involved; but, for instance, a pokemon with +4 Attack that uses Howl will end up on +5 Attack (a 250% boost), but a pokemon with +4 Attack with a Choice Band will have a total attack multiplier of (300% * 150%) = 450%, for a total 350% boost to its Attack. So the answer is that the question's kind-of irrelevant; Attack boosts from moves like Howl and Swords Dance are completely separate from Attack multipliers from items like Choice Band. (And yes, they stack; but even before you reach +6 in a stat, choice items combined with boosts will give you a higher stat than one more boost would.)

If Choice Scarf raises a users speed by 50% rather than 1 stage, then is this correct?

Gyarados @ 287 Speed uses Dragon Dragon three times. So it's speed is now 287*2.5 = 717 speed.

Ninjask with +1 speed boost Baton Pass to a Choice Scarfed Gengar @ 350 speed. So Gengar's speed is now 350 x 1.5 x 1.5 = 787 speed

As you can see, since Choice Scarf raises an users speed by 50% a boost in speed again would be another 50% boost. So Gengar's speed was multiplied by 2.25 instead of 2 (which is two stages). While if it wasn't a 50% increase in speed, rather a stage boost, then its speed would have been 350(2) or 700 and still be slower than Gyarados.

 

[Strapps]

so, uh... ::blush::
how do you insert pokemon sprites in a post?

 

[Hutch3]

I'm evolving my riolu, and I can't remember, when I use the app does it have to have the big hearts, or just the 2 "normal" hearts for it to evolve?

 

[shuckles my hero]

im pretty sure it needs to be big hearts but im not 100%

i like the power of specs latias but like the revenge killing of scarf latias , my question is
s there a pokemon inbetween with good sped like scar latias but good pwer like specs latias

edit: okay i have changed a different pokemon my jarachi inow has body slam to slow down stuff

 

[cantab]

Well obviously you will need either a faster Specs user, or a more powerful Scarfer. For a more powerful Scarfer, there's maybe Gengar, but it doesn't get the mighty Draco Meteor. For a faster Specs user, there's Jolteon, or maybe Starmie. Alakazam or Azelf could fill both roles.
However, Latias is popular for a reason. Most of the alternatives I'm suggesting are quitre frail, whereas Latias is bulky. The others also don't get Draco Meteor. And they have different typing, so you can't just swap Latias out in favour of one and expect your team to still be well-balanced.

 

[Eternal]

so, uh... ::blush::
how do you insert pokemon sprites in a post?

There is an "insert image" option in the tools bar you see in advanced options. Simply place the link of the sprite.

im pretty sure it needs to be big hearts but im not 100%

i like the power of specs latias but like the revenge killing of scarf latias , my question is
s there a pokemon inbetween with good sped like scar latias but good pwer like specs latias

Specs Jolteon, Specs/Mix Salamence, and Specs Heatran are some powerful special attackers.

 

[CCM30]

Question.

Let's say Rayquaza and Kyogre are on the field. Ray's Air Lock is in effect, blocking Kyogre's Drizzle. If Ray is taken out with Kyogre still on the field, does Drizzle automatically go into effect the next turn or does Kyogre need to switch out and come back in for it to take effect?

 

[jc104]

It comes into effect automatically.

 

[Eternal]

Question.

Let's say Rayquaza and Kyogre are on the field. Ray's Air Lock is in effect, blocking Kyogre's Drizzle. If Ray is taken out with Kyogre still on the field, does Drizzle automatically go into effect the next turn or does Kyogre need to switch out and come back in for it to take effect?

If Kyogre want sent in the field, it automatically summons Rain. If you then send in Rayquaza on it, Air Lock will cancel out the rain. However, If Rayquaza is in the field and the opponent sends in Kyogre, Air Lock won't activate and Rain will be summoned. So if you sent in Rayquaza to cancel out Rain and then switched it out, Rain will not appear again unless the opponent also switches out Kyogre and brings it in play again later. Hope this is clear.

 

[CCM30]

Well, what if Kyogre and Rayquaza appeared on the field at the same time and then Ray was removed from the field with Kyogre still in?

 

[Eternal]

Well, what if Kyogre and Rayquaza appeared on the field at the same time and then Ray was removed from the field with Kyogre still in?

If you mean that they were both summoned at the same time then Kyogre's Drizzle takes effect and summons Rain. If then Rayquaza was removed from the with Kyogre still in, then Rain will continue to fall.

 

[CCM30]

Alright, just making sure, because my Kyogre has extremely low speed to make sure any other weather effects/air lock allows drizzle to come in. So, with what you said, if Kyogre and Rayquaza come out at the same time, Kyogre's rain will prevail. Wonderful. Thanks.

 

[cantab]

I though Air Lock nullifies the effects of weather, not weather itself. Meaning as long as Rayquaza is out, it can still be raining, but all the effects of rain, like boosting water attacks and making Thunder always hit, don't happen.

Thus:
If Rayquaza is present and Kyogre comes in, rain starts, but it has no effects. When Rayquaza switches out, the effects of rain come into play.

If Kyogre is present, and Rayquaza comes in, the effects of rain stop, but the rain itself remains. If Rayquaza switches out, whether or not Kyogre switched out previously, the effects of rain resume.

If they are both sent out together, it will start raining, but the rain will do nothing, REGARDLESS of speeds.

You run min speed Kyogre to get the weather against opposing Groudon, and vice versa. (If it's very critical you get the weather, you could even run level 99). It makes no difference against Rayquaza.

I think I remember it said that if there is a speed tie between Kyogre and Groudon, the second switch gets the weather, and the second switch is the player who choose to switch second. Meaning people sometimes play chicken against the timer.

EDIT: My question: There is an upcoming Mew event that's for DPPt as well as HGSS. But is it for all DPPt, or only Japanese versions of the game?

 

[Eternal]

I though Air Lock nullifies the effects of weather, not weather itself. Meaning as long as Rayquaza is out, it can still be raining, but all the effects of rain, like boosting water attacks and making Thunder always hit, don't happen.

Thus:
If Rayquaza is present and Kyogre comes in, rain starts, but it has no effects. When Rayquaza switches out, the effects of rain come into play.

If Kyogre is present, and Rayquaza comes in, the effects of rain stop, but the rain itself remains. If Rayquaza switches out, whether or not Kyogre switched out previously, the effects of rain resume.

If they are both sent out together, it will start raining, but the rain will do nothing, REGARDLESS of speeds.

You run min speed Kyogre to get the weather against opposing Groudon, and vice versa. (If you REALLY want the weather, you could even run level 99). It makes no difference against Rayquaza.

Yea, you're right. Air Lock doesn't cancel ou weather, it just negates the effect of weather.

 

[CCM30]

Alright, that's what I was wondering, because the Kyogre I'm using was tailored to make sure Drizzle goes into effect as opposed to an opposing Groudon's Drought.

So, for me to utilize the actual rain, Rayquaza simply has to be off the field. So, in my case, I'll have to make sure Rayquaza is rid of as quickly as possible for the rain effects to begin helping my team again.

 

[WoOoShoOo!!]

What are other spreads for Defensive Shaymin? Are the 36 EV's really needed to outspeed Tyranitar?

 

[zero2exe]

I don't know if this has been answered yet but here I come: regarding the effects of sunny day (and yes i have checked smogon's article about it) I've seen through Internet several people claiming that the sunny weather also halves the power of ice type attacks, not only water; a friend of mine also claims to have noticed it during normal gameplay.
So people, could it be true or not? o.o

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

I don't know if this has been answered yet but here I come: regarding the effects of sunny day (and yes i have checked smogon's article about it) I've seen through Internet several people claiming that the sunny weather also halves the power of ice type attacks, not only water; a friend of mine also claims to have noticed it during normal gameplay.
So people, could it be true or not? o.o

It's not true. Only effect it has on Ice-type moves is that they can't freeze anything, and anything frozen instantly thaws.

What are other spreads for Defensive Shaymin? Are the 36 EV's really needed to outspeed Tyranitar?

They're probably a very good idea, as even with the 36 EVs in HP or Defense or something, you'll still take more damage because you're taking two hits instead of one.

 

[veedub08]

here's another silly EV question,
I have a lvl 72 kyogre that im trying my best to EV train for the Choice Specs Set recommended here.. im not sure if i hit 252 SpA EVS yet but i cant raise his SpA with Calcium anymore. Does this mean that ive reached 252 SpA ? and is it true that those (protein, calcium, carbos, etc.) boost EVs by 10 each time you give one?

Also can anyone tell me what my stats should look like at lvl 100 if im running the Choice Specs Kyogre build with 252 SpA and 252 Spd? thanks

 

[WoOoShoOo!!]

They're probably a very good idea, as even with the 36 EVs in HP or Defense or something, you'll still take more damage because you're taking two hits instead of one.

No...Are 36 EV's needed to outspeed Tyranitar? Of course I'm placing 252 EV's on HP, that is a necessity, 220 at Def. So, like defensive Celebi. What about Sp.Def?