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How does Taunt work?
- Thread starter Microbe
- Start date
It keeps pokemon from setting which will easily make them able to kick much ass. Simply question simply answer thread is better for this question anyway.
Edit: To expound what Taunt does is prevent non-attacking moves. This includes some of the most gamebreaking moves like Roost, Recover, Rest, any status only attack, swords dance, dragon dance, etc.
With Gyarados' defenses and ability to power up quickly he can pretty much take anything out unless it has the ability to boost.
Edit: To expound what Taunt does is prevent non-attacking moves. This includes some of the most gamebreaking moves like Roost, Recover, Rest, any status only attack, swords dance, dragon dance, etc.
With Gyarados' defenses and ability to power up quickly he can pretty much take anything out unless it has the ability to boost.
I hope that your taunt gyarados has dragon dance and 2 of earthquake, ice fang, waterfall and return (not to mention bulky ev's). Taunt prevents status, substitutes, stat-ups, basically any move that could stop a gyarados sweep except electric and rock attacks. Occasionally, you will get an extra dragon dance in as a result of a taunted opponent switching to something more effective against gyara.
Case 1:
Gyarados uses Dragon Dance!
Player2 switches in Gallade
Hmm... I wonder what he's gonna do?
Gyarados uses Taunt!
Gallade uses T-Wave. Gallade can't use T-Wave after taunt!
--------------
Gyarados uses Dragon Dance!
Player2 switches in Skarmory
Hmm... I wonder what he's gonna do?
Gyarados uses Taunt!
Skarmory uses Whirlwind. Skarmory can't use Whirlwind after taunt!
---------------
Gyarados uses Dragon Dance!
Player2 switches in Starmie
Hmm.... I wonder what he's gonna do?
Player1 switches in Electavire / Jolteon
Starmie uses Thunder-bolt! Electavire / Jolteon gets a free boost
================
Essentially, when Gyarados starts to dragon dance, there are only a few pokemon that can truely take him out before its too late. Those pokemon are taken out when Electivire comese in and screws their T-Bolt over. If its a status-type pokemon (Dusknoir, Skarm, Gallade, Togekiss...), you can almost be certain that they are going to try and status you. Right then, you taunt their status and prevent it, and continue to dragon dance.
Its not un-counterable (Gardevoir and Porygon2 are well known for taking both Gyarados out with T-Bolt, and Electivire out later by stealing his motar boost with Trace), nor is it without flaws. But thats the basic gist of this combo.
They may be bluffing (which also plays a role in pokemon), but it might be a counter-star, Scarf-star to beat out Scarf Garchomps and Gyarados after DD.
In hindsight, I'd probably EQ actually and call the bluff. But the above paragraph what I was thinking when I wrote the post.
But not after 3 DDs. o.o
While we're on this topic, does substitute block out taunt? I don't remember at the moment.
That was three separated examples... If I'm not mistaken.
and Taunt works even if opponent used Substitute.
Lolz. Do Waterfall + Flail Focus Sash DD / Taunt Gyarados.
It was funny until I realized it sucked >_>
Instead of Taunt, use Substitute.
Instead of Focus Sash, use Liechi Berry.
Awesomeness!
Wow, this thread has some quite beneficial discussion. It's helped me further my knowledge on Gyarados, as I've always wanted one. I have to get one first.. And of course, I'm going to see if I can get a shiny one. :P Which will be hard. And it'll probably suck. But Gyarados is one of those Pokemon you can't go wrong with unless you have horrendous nature and horrendous IVs in the stats you need.
I came here to see what was so great about Taunt. Now I know! :D
I'm gonna get an Electivire first. Electivire is awesome... =D
SURSKIT FTW!
I came here to see what was so great about Taunt. Now I know! :D
I'm gonna get an Electivire first. Electivire is awesome... =D
SURSKIT FTW!
Substitute does not block taunt in D/P, it goes right through. It did back in advance, but I haven't played ADV since forever. o_O
Substitute didn't block Taunt in Advance either.
Its moveset should look something like this:
- Taunt
- Waterfall/Ice Fang
- Earthquake/Ice Fang
- Dragon Dance
Now the point of this set (mostly known as BulkyGyra) is to shut down any of your opponents stat-uppers, and to stop Gyra himselg from getting inflicted by annoying status moves (Wisp, Wave, Spore, etc). For example, if you use Taunt against your opponent's Pokemon, that Pokemon will be unable to use stat upping moves (Dragon Dance, Bulk Up, Swords Dance, etc). So, if used correctly, it is extremely useful. Also, Thunder Wave, Will-O-Wisp, Spore, and other annoying moves won't be used against you if Taunt is used.
Dragon Dance is to boost up your speed and attack (Gyrados's only stat-upping move). Waterfall is physical STAB, but Ice Fang is for Dragons. Earthquake hits a lot of stuff. Usually EQ and Waterfall works best.
Hope that helped a bit.
Uhhh who leaves a Gyarados agains a Electric Pokemon?
No, that's not the point of the set at all. Taunt on Gyara isn't there to prevent opponents from stat-uping, it's to prevent Gyara from getting Phazed or status'd while he's Dancing. Something like a Blissey with Softboiled/T-wave/Ice Beam/seismic toss is a huge threat to a Taunt-less DD Gyara because one T-wave negates all the speed bonuses of Dragon Dance. If Gyara has taunt, it can get in 2 or 3 free dances since Blissey will be forced to attack and use the fairly weak Seismic Toss.
You could try EQ if you have it (be warned though, some Ampharos run counter and hp/def EV's to get a KO if you try that). Otherwise it'd probably be best to switch and just use Waterfall as your next move to try and wear Ampharos down so you can bring it into KO range.