replying to the discussion on signature had on this thread a week or two ago, my thoughts on how signature moves are handled are a bit mixed.
I think my main problem with some of these signatures is that some of these move don't really need to be stuck on only one Pokemon. Some signatures could have been given to other Pokemon, either as a somewhat common move on a decent amount of Pokemon or as a rarer move akin to how moves like quiver dance are distributed. There are definitely some some signature that might be too strong to throw onto other Pokemon like population bomb, but there are also a lot of move that could be given to more Pokemon without being broken.
A lot of signature can feel like either a somewhat average move that didn't really need the signature treatment.
Something else that can be annoying about signature is when a really interesting new effect is locked to only one Pokemon. First impression comes to mind here as it was a very interesting move that was only available at first on Golisopod and Farfetched. Over gens 8 and 9 it has gotten more distribution, with it now being a cool option for Lokix and Slither Wing. I think the move could have been given to some more weaker bug types, but the move status as something akin to quiver dance in terms of how it is distributed is way cooler than just being a signature move. This also has given bug types a cool new move that can serve as way to make the type better, similar to how they are able to get stab on u-turn.
Gigaton Hammer is a really interesting move with an unique drawback, so it is annoying that such a move is limited to one Pokemon. You might have to lower the base power a bit to give it to other Pokemon, but I think this move has the potential to be a cool balanced addition to the move roster, maybe even making copies of the move for other types. It is always cool when a move with a unique effect is added to the game and expands the gameplay. I think that battles, especially competitive ones are way richer when we access to moves with interesting effects like sucker punch, leech seed, Water Spout, dragon tail, draco meteor, hazards along with hazard removal, first impression, Hex, and so much more, and it would be a shame if the next set of cool moves are stuck being signature moves.
I think my main problem with some of these signatures is that some of these move don't really need to be stuck on only one Pokemon. Some signatures could have been given to other Pokemon, either as a somewhat common move on a decent amount of Pokemon or as a rarer move akin to how moves like quiver dance are distributed. There are definitely some some signature that might be too strong to throw onto other Pokemon like population bomb, but there are also a lot of move that could be given to more Pokemon without being broken.
A lot of signature can feel like either a somewhat average move that didn't really need the signature treatment.
Trop Kick
this move has very a similar effect to moves like Mystical Fire and Skitter Smack, while having a similar base power to them. if those move could be given to a decent amount of Pokémon, why can't this move be given a similar treatment?
Zing Zap
this move is probably one of the most mundane signatures move out there, it is a clone of the fairly normal move iron head. The description of the move also sound like something that could be done by pretty much any electric type pokemon
Spirit Break
This move is pretty similar to the situation with trop kick, but somewhat more annoying since this only one of two physical fairy moves in the game.
Leafage, Branch Poke
I think this two moves were made so the grass starter could have a base 40 move like the other starters can have with ember and water gun. These two could be given to a lot of grass types as a grass type move when at a low level.
Volt tackle
This move is just electric type double edge.
I think wild charge is actually kind of a neat concept when it is given to a non electric type Pokémon a strong coverage move at the cost of taking damage. But for electric type they should just have access to a normal electric move and have volt tackle as a additional option.
this move has very a similar effect to moves like Mystical Fire and Skitter Smack, while having a similar base power to them. if those move could be given to a decent amount of Pokémon, why can't this move be given a similar treatment?
Zing Zap
this move is probably one of the most mundane signatures move out there, it is a clone of the fairly normal move iron head. The description of the move also sound like something that could be done by pretty much any electric type pokemon
This one is extra annoying since most electric type are stuck using wild charge for a physical move. This move might have a different name or description in Japanese that is more specific with it's flavor, so increasing distribution might be harder than I think.
Spirit Break
This move is pretty similar to the situation with trop kick, but somewhat more annoying since this only one of two physical fairy moves in the game.
Leafage, Branch Poke
I think this two moves were made so the grass starter could have a base 40 move like the other starters can have with ember and water gun. These two could be given to a lot of grass types as a grass type move when at a low level.
Volt tackle
This move is just electric type double edge.
I think wild charge is actually kind of a neat concept when it is given to a non electric type Pokémon a strong coverage move at the cost of taking damage. But for electric type they should just have access to a normal electric move and have volt tackle as a additional option.
Gigaton Hammer is a really interesting move with an unique drawback, so it is annoying that such a move is limited to one Pokemon. You might have to lower the base power a bit to give it to other Pokemon, but I think this move has the potential to be a cool balanced addition to the move roster, maybe even making copies of the move for other types. It is always cool when a move with a unique effect is added to the game and expands the gameplay. I think that battles, especially competitive ones are way richer when we access to moves with interesting effects like sucker punch, leech seed, Water Spout, dragon tail, draco meteor, hazards along with hazard removal, first impression, Hex, and so much more, and it would be a shame if the next set of cool moves are stuck being signature moves.
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