Ask a simple question, get a simple answer - mark 23 (READ THE OP)

[Dracolosse]

Hi! I am playing on cartridge and i want to create a Calm Mind Lucario ( Odd, yes, but it works a lot better than you would think because nodoby ever expects it).
Of course, I am giving it calm mind and Aura Sphere, but for the 2 remaining moves, I am hesitating between 3 possibilities : Dark Pulse (or Shadow Ball), Dragon Pulse and Vacuum Wave. No Hidden Power because on cartridge, theyre a pain to get right typing and power.
Dark Pulse / Shadow Ball give perfect coverage with Aura Sphere although Dark Pulse leaves me helpless againt Heracross if I also pick Vacuum Wave. They are a pretty strong option and let me destroy bulky ghosts that want to switch in and burn me expecting a physical set.
Dragon Pulse lets me OHKO Mence/Flygon on their switch-in (I even have a good chance to do so without SR for Mence) and also provides perfect coverage with Fighting as well as a general stronger option against fighting-resists.
Vacuum Wave gives me a priority move which can be useful against weakened foes like Infernape and other Lucario's, but above all is protects me from Scarf Heatran and ScarfTar. The fact that Starmie resists it doesnt really matter since it cannot KO me with +1 SpD, while I OHKO with Dark Pulse.

So, really, I can't make up my mind. Which of these 3 moves should i choose for my 2 remaining attacking slots? Is priority really needed? Remember I am playing on cartridge...

 

[Lucalibur]

shadow ball and vaccum wave are IMO your best options, you get perfect coverage and a STAB priority out of this, dragon pulse is there only if you get dragons on the switch, what will probably not happen.

 

[purple crobatchop]

If you are feeling lucky you should use Dark Pulse for 20% flinch rate. only use shadow ball if Heracross is really a big deal; it is UU now. Keep vaccum wave for good.

 

[nesan]

Can Thunder Bolt hit a foe using Bounce ?
I know Thunder does but do they both have the same effect?

 

[Lamby102]

Hey,

I'm a regular viewer of these boards but have never really posted anything on Smogon, I just had a quick query that I'm hoping someone would be able to clear up for me.

I've just started looking into RNGing in order to hatch some shiny pokemon, for this, as many of you will know, I need my Secret ID. I don't have an Action Replay, nor do I want to buy one just to find my Secret ID, I have also never caught a shiny pokemon.

I was wondering if anyone would be able to help me in finding out what my secret ID is?

Thanks in advance

 

[Scepticallistic]

Can Thunder Bolt hit a foe using Bounce ?
I know Thunder does but do they both have the same effect?

Nope, Thunderbolt can't hit foes during Bounce or Fly.

 

[Sixfortyfive]

I'm building a Hail team and am noticing a rather massive weakness to fighting moves, what could I do to combat say... Infernapes more readily. Currently the team stands in the concept as Abomasnow Lead, Glaceon C.Scarf, Weavile Revenge Kill, Walrein Stall, Clefable Toxic Abuse, and Hitmonchan. Glaceon and Abomasnow I'd prefer to have stay on the team. Admittedly It's taking bits from UU and NU as well as OU, but for some reason I took it that avoiding Hail damage was the priority.

Froslass pays dividends more often than not.

Choice Scarf Abomasnow is superior to a SubSeeder if you're using it as a lead imo. The subseeder is too slow and will get shut down by Taunt among other things, while the scarfed version can pull off a vital suprise KO. If EVed correctly, I think it can OHKO either Infernape (Earthquake) or Scizor (HP Fire).

Revenge Kill Weavile is kind of underwhelming imo, but if you can use him to trigger and exploit glitched weather, it pretty much results in an instant win as long as Walrein's still healthy.

Glaceon has questionable utility. Having the strongest Blizzard in the game counts for a lot, and its defenses are adequate, but that slow speed coupled with an ice typing spells certain doom. I use one in a doubles hail + trick room team though, and it's managed to pull its weight and then some in that environment. (100% accurate double-hitting strongest Blizzard in the game with low speed turned into a strength = terrifying Life Orb sweeper. Yes plz.)

You don't want to toss around too many Choice items on a hail team imo, as that will lead to more required switching and more Stealth Rock damage, which ice types hate. I prefer running hail in doubles because of the lack of emphasis on switching and entry hazards, among other things.

 

[PhredLevi]

I have 78 BP, so I could get Earthquake somewhat quickly if I wanted...
I'll need your advice on this one.
Electivire
-Thunder Punch
-Ice Punch
-???
-Magnet Rise
I already have 2 Pokemon with Earthquake, but no fighting moves.
Should I go with Earthquake number 3 or Brick Break for a third attack?
(

,

,

,

,

and

, by the way)

 

[Jaxx]

I have 78 BP, so I could get Earthquake somewhat quickly if I wanted...
I'll need your advice on this one.
Electivire
-Thunder Punch
-Ice Punch
-???
-Magnet Rise
I already have 2 Pokemon with Earthquake, but no fighting moves.
Should I go with Earthquake number 3 or Brick Break for a third attack?

I'm not sure magnet rise is the best choice for electivire since it can't survive most hits anyways. You could have brick break or cross chop to take out blissey but fire punch is good to take steel types.

 

[PhredLevi]

I'm not sure magnet rise is the best choice for electivire since it can't survive most hits anyways. You could have brick break or cross chop to take out blissey but fire punch is good to take steel types.

It's all part of a daring strategy for double battles, it should be okay.
I've got Fire Fang for Fire, so I think I will go with Brick Break after all. I forgot about Blissey. Thanks!
I might make a RMT thread for it later, but does a doubles only OU team still go in OU or other?

 

[Alphacme]

Sorry to ask, but I'm a bit confuse...

I'm thinking of giving Flygon a chance on my new team, but from what I've seen so far about Flygon, people give it Fire Blast + Jolly Nature. Is this some kind of mistake, or do they really sacrifice power for just a bit of bulk?

 

[Jaxx]

Sorry to ask, but I'm a bit confuse...

I'm thinking of giving Flygon a chance on my new team, but from what I've seen so far about Flygon, people give it Fire Blast + Jolly Nature. Is this some kind of mistake, or do they really sacrifice power for just a bit of bulk?

A jolly flygon with Fire blast would be a silly choice.

Jolly - + speed - sp.att

 

[cantab]

My guess is that even with the -SpA, Fire Blast still does enough to what it hits.

 

[Very]

edit- To answer Jax, you might find Jolly if Flygon is mostly a physical attacker, and Fire Blast is really just for those weak to Fire.


I was thinking of a team with Intimidate, burn, and lots of special defence. This way it would be hard to hurt my guys. Generic STAB to do damage, like Surf, EQ, and Brick Break. Maybe entry hazards or SS to help with damage. Sound like it would work?

 

[Jaxx]

Then why not make it Naive?

 

[M BLADE]

Does Leech Seed "goes away" when you BP to a grass type?

For example:

Tropius used Leech Seed
Mr. Mime used Baton Pass

Celebi came in
Celebi used Baton Pass to whatever poke... say, Smeargle

Does Celebi got rid of Leech Seed, or it passed to Smeargle?
Technical shit huh...

 

[Alphacme]

Then why not make it Naive?

That's what I was thinking.. but everywhere I look, people choose Jolly. I just don't understand why.

 

[Jaxx]

That's what I was thinking.. but everywhere I look, people choose Jolly. I just don't understand why.

Jolly on a physical Flygon makes sense. If people want a jolly flygon with fire blast its up to them but it won't help.

 

[Joel]

Needing a Damage calc ran for me if someone has the time...

Relaxed natured Spiritomb (no status problems) uses Shadow Sneak on a Jolly natured Azelf...How much damage ill it do assuming these things...

Relaxed Spiritomb has 0 Atk EV's, and a 31 IV in Atk.

Jolly Azelf has 0 Def EV's, and a 31 IV in Def.

 

[Jaxx]

Needing a Damage calc ran for me if someone has the time...

Relaxed natured Spiritomb (no status problems) uses Shadow Sneak on a Jolly natured Azelf...How much damage ill it do assuming these things...

Relaxed Spiritomb has 0 Atk EV's, and a 31 IV in Atk.

Jolly Azelf has 0 Def EV's, and a 31 IV in Def.

Around 120 average if both spiritomb and azelf are healthy and have min att and def.

 

[Ucal]

I see how it's a bug. If the following happens:

EDIT: had to fix this

Turn 1: Slaking switches in.

Turn 2: Slaking acts. Porygon2 switches in

Turn 3: Slaking loafs around, Porygon2 loafs around

Shouldn't Porygon2 act on turn 3, and loaf around on turn 4? I mean Slaking doesn't loaf around the turn after it switched in.

If anyone can recall where in Platinum to find a Truant using opponent, I'll test this in game. (I'm pretty sure I have a trace Ralts or Kirlia)

Any luck on testing this? I understand if not, swarms can't be too reliable. Thanks!

 

[cantab]

Sorry, upon learning it was only by swarms or Battle Frontier, I haven't bothered.

Apparently Slakoth can be found a bit more easily in HGSS, but I'm not sure I have a Tracer there...

 

[Kefky]

How does Sucker Punch work in a Double Battle? Does it work as long as the target is using an offensive move or does it need to attack the Sucker Punch user specifically?

 

[Lucalibur]

fire blast 2hko most skarmorys after SR even with jolly nature, no need to waste special defense used to switch into fire blasts and power gems(example) for no good reason, fire blast is just for skarmory(2hko), foretress(ohko) and scizor(ohko, but eat a lot of damage from EQ)

edit:kefka, it dont need to atack the sucker punch user, has long the target is using a atacking move sucker punch will work.

 

[smileydude689]

I know EV spread is different between like a lvl 5 and a lvl 100 (hence the little cup guide and stuff) but I was wondering what's the difference in EV spread between a lvl 50 and lvl 100. I usually play PBR, so the rules are lvl 50.
I hope I made sense... D: