I first considered posting this in National Dex. However, because this change was, as far as I know, done independently of National Dex, I have decided to post it here.
I cannot find any evidence of discussion of potential consequences of this change in affected metas (specifically NatDex); the only discussion of this change happens in a pull request initially about Max Weather Ball. As I understand it, the decision was made to generalize the finding of Weather Ball changing type in weather to moves cut in Sword and Shield, notably Hidden Power and Natural Gift.
Now, WHY is Hidden Power changing type for Dynamaxed Pokemon a problem? Hidden Power is a problem because it gives ALL past gen Pokemon access to any Max Move they wish, often allowing them to achieve "idealized" coverage while Dynamaxed or gain a special Max Airstream even if they know no flying type moves.
As someone who mainly plays NatDex AG, I'd like to bring up Geomancy Xerneas. With this change, Dynamaxing with Hidden Power Fire or Hidden Power Ground removes ALL reasonable offensive checks to it. Zacian, Necrozma-Dusk-Mane, and Ferrothorn--not to mention niche stuff like Mega Venusaur--are taken out with a single slot. Xerneas was never able to beat Necrozma-Dusk-Mane or Zacian easily before this change, and they were really the only things keeping the new GeoMax Xerneas phenomenon at all in check; Geomax Xerneas is so strong it can overwhelm Ditto that tries to copy it. It is now virtually impossible to beat Xerneas without gimmicks, all because of this one change.
Normally, this would be okay; after all, this is AG, where everything is allowed. In addition, NatDex OU is probably going to remove Dynamax anyway, which should solve the problem there. However, I argue that there is a fundamental difference here: this change is not reflective of Sword and Shield. In fact, it isn't unlikely Game Freak cut Hidden Power to avoid this interaction in the first place, argument of prioritization of mechanics aside.
Dexited moves should not respond to future precedent changes. Please consider reverting this change and forcing Hidden Power to become Max Strike.
Thank you for your time.
I cannot find any evidence of discussion of potential consequences of this change in affected metas (specifically NatDex); the only discussion of this change happens in a pull request initially about Max Weather Ball. As I understand it, the decision was made to generalize the finding of Weather Ball changing type in weather to moves cut in Sword and Shield, notably Hidden Power and Natural Gift.
Now, WHY is Hidden Power changing type for Dynamaxed Pokemon a problem? Hidden Power is a problem because it gives ALL past gen Pokemon access to any Max Move they wish, often allowing them to achieve "idealized" coverage while Dynamaxed or gain a special Max Airstream even if they know no flying type moves.
As someone who mainly plays NatDex AG, I'd like to bring up Geomancy Xerneas. With this change, Dynamaxing with Hidden Power Fire or Hidden Power Ground removes ALL reasonable offensive checks to it. Zacian, Necrozma-Dusk-Mane, and Ferrothorn--not to mention niche stuff like Mega Venusaur--are taken out with a single slot. Xerneas was never able to beat Necrozma-Dusk-Mane or Zacian easily before this change, and they were really the only things keeping the new GeoMax Xerneas phenomenon at all in check; Geomax Xerneas is so strong it can overwhelm Ditto that tries to copy it. It is now virtually impossible to beat Xerneas without gimmicks, all because of this one change.
Normally, this would be okay; after all, this is AG, where everything is allowed. In addition, NatDex OU is probably going to remove Dynamax anyway, which should solve the problem there. However, I argue that there is a fundamental difference here: this change is not reflective of Sword and Shield. In fact, it isn't unlikely Game Freak cut Hidden Power to avoid this interaction in the first place, argument of prioritization of mechanics aside.
Dexited moves should not respond to future precedent changes. Please consider reverting this change and forcing Hidden Power to become Max Strike.
Thank you for your time.
