So, we all know how the battle system in Legends: Arceus is very different from what we're used to. But how would we be able to possibly emulate that system in Showdown?
First off, we have to deal with the Pokémon themselves. Obviously since we're trying to emulate how Legends: Arceus works we can't let them have held items. But what about abilities? There are none in the game, right? Well, actually there is code for abilities of the new creatures within the game. For example, Enamorus gets Healer/Contrary in her Incarnate form while her Therian form gets Overcoat. So we can actually allow them to have abilities based off of this!
Next, we have to deal with Sleep and Freeze, or more accurately, Drowsy and Frostbite, as well as the lack of entry hazards. The two most annoying status conditions underwent a serious change in this game, with Drowsy being more like a stronger Paralysis that makes you take more damage as well and Frostbite being like Burn except it halves Special Attack instead of Attack. During Hail's effects, Drowsy has a higher chance to prevent the victim from moving and moves that inflict Frostbite have a higher chance to do so. Using certain moves will cure the user of drowsiness, like Spark or Wild Charge. So any moves that can inflict these statuses normally would have to be changed to inflict the new statuses. And moves like Stealth Rock will instead inflict Splinters, which
Now we have to deal with the weirdest parts of the battle system: Action Speed and Strong/Agile Style. These mechanics completely overhaul the turn-based system the series is known for. Since it's way too complicated, we'll do this. Strong Style moves have higher power, higher accuracy, higher chance to activate the move's effect(s), and instead of making your turns come later, it instead has a 100% chance to lower the priority on your next moves, with each turn after having 1/3 of the previous chance to keep the -1 priority until it rolls the chance to no longer give you lower priority, similar to the way Protect works. Agile moves will have lower power and sometimes lower accuracy, with effect chances being reduced, but your next turn gives you a 100% to boost priority for moves, again with a 1/3 of previous chance each turn until rolling the normal priority. These take double the PP to use, however (and yes, Pressure will cause these to cost 4 PP) but they can completely change the tide of battle.
Finally, we set the restrictions. Alphas will not be put into the mode as these are too gamebreaking and weird. The Stat Level system will not be added as they destroy the thinking for IVs and EVs, just like AVs did in the past. The 5 turn timer for status conditions will not be added. And lastly, the boost/drop system that affects both versions of attack/defense for 5 turns will not be added as this destroys the need for major setup teams.
I hope you enjoyed this attempt at an idea for how we could add Legends: Arceus' battle system into Showdown.
First off, we have to deal with the Pokémon themselves. Obviously since we're trying to emulate how Legends: Arceus works we can't let them have held items. But what about abilities? There are none in the game, right? Well, actually there is code for abilities of the new creatures within the game. For example, Enamorus gets Healer/Contrary in her Incarnate form while her Therian form gets Overcoat. So we can actually allow them to have abilities based off of this!
Next, we have to deal with Sleep and Freeze, or more accurately, Drowsy and Frostbite, as well as the lack of entry hazards. The two most annoying status conditions underwent a serious change in this game, with Drowsy being more like a stronger Paralysis that makes you take more damage as well and Frostbite being like Burn except it halves Special Attack instead of Attack. During Hail's effects, Drowsy has a higher chance to prevent the victim from moving and moves that inflict Frostbite have a higher chance to do so. Using certain moves will cure the user of drowsiness, like Spark or Wild Charge. So any moves that can inflict these statuses normally would have to be changed to inflict the new statuses. And moves like Stealth Rock will instead inflict Splinters, which
Now we have to deal with the weirdest parts of the battle system: Action Speed and Strong/Agile Style. These mechanics completely overhaul the turn-based system the series is known for. Since it's way too complicated, we'll do this. Strong Style moves have higher power, higher accuracy, higher chance to activate the move's effect(s), and instead of making your turns come later, it instead has a 100% chance to lower the priority on your next moves, with each turn after having 1/3 of the previous chance to keep the -1 priority until it rolls the chance to no longer give you lower priority, similar to the way Protect works. Agile moves will have lower power and sometimes lower accuracy, with effect chances being reduced, but your next turn gives you a 100% to boost priority for moves, again with a 1/3 of previous chance each turn until rolling the normal priority. These take double the PP to use, however (and yes, Pressure will cause these to cost 4 PP) but they can completely change the tide of battle.
Finally, we set the restrictions. Alphas will not be put into the mode as these are too gamebreaking and weird. The Stat Level system will not be added as they destroy the thinking for IVs and EVs, just like AVs did in the past. The 5 turn timer for status conditions will not be added. And lastly, the boost/drop system that affects both versions of attack/defense for 5 turns will not be added as this destroys the need for major setup teams.
I hope you enjoyed this attempt at an idea for how we could add Legends: Arceus' battle system into Showdown.
