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Global PokédeX Plus Forums _ General Pokémon _ Common Misconceptions / Q&A thread

Posted by: RyanK Dec 24 2007, 12:33 PM

Ok this is going to be a list thread of common misconceptions not only in DP but in pokemon in general so far I can only think of a few but if anyone can suggest any more of these or if you want to ask a question in this thread then I will try to answer it to the best of my ability.

ANYWAY now for the list I know it's a little empty now but as I go along I will add to it.

- Evolving something at a higher or lower level impacts stats.
The EVs and such even out as you go along so there is no difference whether you use that fire stone at level 5 or level 55. The only differences that occur are the moves you learn.

- Super Effective always = more damage.
Again not true. Now I'm not saying not to but using things like aerial ace on tyranitar to counter fighting types or something like that isnt always good because you should do STAB calculations (Same Type Attack Bonus gives a 1.5x boost to the base power of a move) and such to see how much you will do. Here's an example.

QUOTE(Smogon's RS Slaking analysis)
Why you shouldn't use Brick Break and Rock Slide on Slaking

I see a lot of newer players using Slaking, but many of them make the same common mistake over and over. They'll use moves like Brick Break or Rock Slide over Focus Punch. There is no reason for this. The moveset shown above (Return / Earthquake / Shadow Ball / Focus Punch) will deal with every single Pokémon in the game. If you predict them switching in something weak to Fighting, why would you need to Brick Break instead of Focus Punch? Predicting is a big part of Slaking, both when using it and playing against it, so expect lots of switches.

Let's take a look at Rock Slide first. What exactly do you need Rock Slide for? You have Return and Earthquake for Fire types, Return and Focus Punch for Ice types and finally Return alone will defeat all the Bug types in the game with an OHKO, save Shuckle, who will be defeated by multiple Returns or Earthquakes. You might think you need Rock Slide for Flying types, but what Flying types won't you be killing with Return anyways? Here are some damage calculations for Slaking's standard moves against Aerodactyl and Zapdos (typical flying types) as compared to the damage output by Rock Slide. These damage calculations are using a Slaking holding Choice Band.

Slaking's Return vs. Above Average Defense Zapdos
Minimum Damage: 323
Average Damage: 352
Maximum Damage: 380
Slaking's Rock Slide vs. Above Average Defense Zapdos
Minimum Damage: 318
Average Damage: 346
Maximum Damage: 373

In fact, Rock Slide does even less to the Zapdos by a few points than Return. There is no point to waste a needed move slot on Rock Slide in this case. Both Return and Rock Slide will kill the Zapdos in a single hit, though.
Slaking's Return vs. Standard Aerodactyl
Minimum Damage: 228
Average Damage: 248
Maximum Damage: 268
Slaking's Focus Punch vs. Standard Aerodactyl
Minimum Damage: 447
Average Damage: 486
Maximum Damage: 525
Slaking's Rock Slide vs. Standard Aerodactyl
Minimum Damage: 449
Average Damage: 488
Maximum Damage: 527

Even Return will take away an 82% average of Aerodactyl's HP. Both Rock Slide and Focus Punch are about equal in damage and easily kill Aerodactyl, but without Focus Punch you'll be lost against Pokémon like Skarmory. The only advantage of Rock Slide here is if you switch Slaking into Aerodactyl, and then need to OHKO it as it attacks. Aerodactyl is rare, and isn't the best switch in for Slaking, anyway, and as such there is no reason to use Rock Slide when Return and Focus Punch will take care of all flying types equally as well.

For Brick Break it's much of the same. People believe they need this to defeat Normals, Rocks and Steels when Slaking's existing moves will get the job done with the same efficiently and can cover even more Pokémon. Let's look at Snorlax right now and compare the damage done to it by Return and Brick Break.

Slaking's Return to Average Defense Snorlax
Minimum Damage: 379
Average Damage: 413
Maximum Damage: 446
Slaking's Brick Break to Average Defense Snorlax
Minimum Damage: 373
Average Damage: 406
Maximum Damage: 438

On average they will do about equal damage. Earthquake and Focus Punch will do more to Rock and Steel types than Brick Break will. It is common sense. The only advantage of Brick Break is to hit the extremely rare Cradily more than the three non-Focus Punch moves, but that is not worth it at all.

Newer players are obsessed with seeing the words "It's Super Effective" and don't bother looking at the damage powerful STAB moves will do, even at neutral damage. Against Skarmory, Focus Punch will do more damage than either Brick Break or Rock Slide mainly because of the Base Power. 150 as compared to 75 in both cases. Focus Punch will do double the damage in that case. When you are doing lots of damage, STAB means a lot more than "It's Super Effective" without STAB. Please don't use Brick Break or Rock Slide Slaking—it's not worth it.


- Countering a pokemon involves just hitting it with a super effective move or something that will kill it.
Countering a pokemon is being able to switch in on all or most of its attacks, or even just its main one and being able to get rid of it. Pidgeot isn't a heracross counter just because it's flying lol it can't take a hit for beans.

- Ubers and Legends are one and the same
Ubers are the pokemon like Kyogre, Soul Dew Latios/Latias, Mewtwo, etc. That are too powerful for the metagame or overcentralize it (sup wobbufett). Something most of them share is a 600+ BST (base stat total). Slaking has a 650 BST iirc but he isn;t uber since his ability holds him back and he doesnt overcentralize the metagame. Wobba is uber because it would cause everyone to need dugtrio, weavile, or spiritomb or something and has no counters really. Most legends, with the exception of Celebi, and Jirachi have 580 BST. For reference, Salamence, Tyranitar, Metagross, Garchomp, Dragonite all have 600 BST (as well as Celebi and Jirachi which are allowed in OU). Mew is banned because it can do anything well and is pretty much uncounterable except for being overpowered by something in the uber tier and Manaphy is banned because it requires people to have blissey and/or empoleon but even those are shaky counters at best.

- Legends are always better than non legendary counterparts.
Ok no lol. Stats aren't everything and some legends such as Entei, and articuno to a lesser extent well....suck lol. Entei has no movepool to speak of and articuno tries to be defensive with a shitty typing and double stealth rock weakness.

- Stats take precedence when choosing a pokemon.
Again with the legend example this isn't true. In addition to that the base power of a move tends to have more precedence over a stat advantage. Meaning Weavile will tend to do less damage than Infernape on average (ignoring type advantages and such) because while Weavile has 120 base attack, it's main moves of Ice Punch, Night Slash, etc. have lacking base power. (ice punch's bp is 75 * 1.5 = 112.5 rounded down = 112 bp is the strongest weavile can muster.

Infernape's 104 base attack is somewhat average but the high bp of its moves such as flare blitz, close combat and stone edge make up for it.

For example, I gave both Weavile and Infernape +Attack nature, Choice Band, 252 EVs in attack vs. 148 HP/252 Defense EVd Blissey with +Defense Nature

Infernape Flare Blitz

Defender HP: 688
Move Damage: 502 - 591
Damage: 72.97% - 85.90%

Weavile Ice Punch

Defender HP: 688
Move Damage: 347 - 409
Damage: 50.44% - 59.45%

Calculations done using Metalkid's Damage calculator, proven accurate and effective as he has done this for the other games as well and in addition the calculations are consistent to the game. (http://metalkid.info/Pokemon/OnlineProgram/Calculators/DamageDP.aspx)

- Skarmbliss is broken
Yes it's an annoyingly effective combination(especially blissey lol) But in DP it is definitely breakable you can use the powerful mixed sweepers this generation has introduced, such as Infernape, Mixed Salamence, Tyranitar, Lucario, etc. Or you can use magnezone and trap skarm and explode on bliss etc. Use your imagination but it's far from invincible in DP

Again if you have any questions or anything to add you can post in this thread but I am more accessible over AIM. My AIM s/n is: Sevenpiecesix.

Cheers.

Posted by: BidoofsAreSassy Dec 24 2007, 12:38 PM

Looks good. *pin*

Posted by: blax8192 Jan 30 2008, 07:20 PM

some people think rock is immune to electric but it isn't, it's not very effective, only ground is immune to electric

Posted by: LittleShadowPokemon Aug 2 2008, 09:26 PM

I don't know if anyone else ever thought this, but here's a misconception I made recently.

Tauros can only breed with Ditto to get a Tauros, so Miltank must be the same way because it's always female. I never really thought about it too much, but when I did, I realized you could breed any male pokemon in the same egg group and get a Miltank. tongue.gif Silly me. I haven't done it yet, but that makes sense.

I also read that Nidoran (F) becomes sterile after evolution. Is this true?

Posted by: Raven Aug 2 2008, 11:49 PM

QUOTE
Tauros can only breed with Ditto to get a Tauros, so Miltank must be the same way because it's always female. I never really thought about it too much, but when I did, I realized you could breed any male pokemon in the same egg group and get a Miltank. tongue.gif
From my viewpoint, it's not a misconception; you probably didn't know how exactly it worked. To me, a misconception is something like "Breeding a shiny ditto with any pokemon gets you a shiny version of that pokemon, it was like that in GSC" as opposed to that...

QUOTE
I also read that Nidoran (F) becomes sterile after evolution. Is this true?
Nope.

Posted by: RyanK Aug 10 2008, 01:45 PM

QUOTE(blax8192 @ Jan 30 2008, 08:20 PM) *
some people think rock is immune to electric but it isn't, it's not very effective, only ground is immune to electric


rock and electric are neutral to each other.

Posted by: es gameplanet Oct 5 2008, 09:20 PM

Q:My friend has very little(no) battling skills, so he uses a lot of UBERS (like ARCEUS with judgemen) and he doesn't think this is cheap... tell me if I'm wrong but I think it is extremly cheap.

Posted by: Raven Oct 5 2008, 09:30 PM

It's not cheap. It's just banned from standard play because of their pure power.

Posted by: Jaima Oct 6 2008, 09:16 AM

QUOTE
I also read that Nidoran (F) becomes sterile after evolution. Is this true?


Actually, this is true. Nidorina and Nidoqueen cannot breed, however Nidoran (M and F), Nidorino and Nidoking CAN. There's not real reason given for it, it's just one of those goofy things, kind of like the Tauros problem. I mean, Volbeat (a male only pokemon) and Illumise (a female only pokemon that looks similar to Volbeat) can breed together and either get a volbeat or an illumise. Why can't Tauros and Miltank do the same?

Posted by: Kirvee Mar 22 2009, 02:14 AM

I think the biggest misconception by a lot of people is:

"Pokemon is only for little kids in 4th grade!" when in actual fact more than half the people who play Pokemon are either in Middle School, High School, or College or even older.

Posted by: Nathan Graves Mar 22 2009, 10:37 AM

Well that really doesn't have much to do with gameplay.

Posted by: Dar Ksereth Apr 26 2009, 10:44 AM

well, i have looked at serebii and smogon, but couldn't find this piece of info, so i'll ask it to you instead of making a whole new topic:

how do techniques like swords dance and screech work?, thei say the stat rose (+1) sharply (+2) or fell (-1) sharply (-2) but the game never tells by how much, could you give the formula for it?

Posted by: Neko Gato Kitty Jun 8 2009, 06:24 PM

-6: 25% (of original stat)
-5: 29%
-4: 33%
-3: 40%
-2: 50%
-1: 67%
0: 100% (starting point)
+1: 150%
+2: 200%
+3: 250%
+4: 300%
+5: 350%
+6: 400%

I forgot where I got these numbers, but I had these copied onto my personal Pokemon FAQ for a quick reference.

Posted by: BrainpanSonata Jul 11 2009, 06:47 PM

Here's an interesting fact that might be a common misconception: the damage negation between normal types and ghost types works both ways.

While it's well known that normal type offensive attacks don't work on ghost type pokemon, not many people may realize that ghost type offensive attacks don't work on normal type pokemon, either.

However, this isn't true with the damage dealt between fighting types and ghosts types- ghost type offensive moves will hit fighting type pokemon while fighting type moves don't affect ghost type pokemon.


Posted by: Daxdiv Jul 13 2009, 03:32 AM

QUOTE(Jaima @ Oct 6 2008, 10:16 AM) *
QUOTE
I also read that Nidoran (F) becomes sterile after evolution. Is this true?


Actually, this is true. Nidorina and Nidoqueen cannot breed, however Nidoran (M and F), Nidorino and Nidoking CAN. There's not real reason given for it, it's just one of those goofy things, kind of like the Tauros problem. I mean, Volbeat (a male only pokemon) and Illumise (a female only pokemon that looks similar to Volbeat) can breed together and either get a volbeat or an illumise. Why can't Tauros and Miltank do the same?


I think it might have to do with something in Gen II coding, and they decided to be consistent with that ever since, but I think that should be fixed, along with everyone that gained a baby form in the recent generation.

Posted by: Izzy Aug 16 2009, 11:59 AM

I'm not entirely sure about this...

Many people seem to think a baby Kangashkan is its own Pokemon, when its just, well, a baby Kangashkan that would grow to an adult, not evolve into one.

Posted by: Ace Trainer Chaos Aug 17 2009, 11:19 AM

I read on Super Smash Bros. Brawl, that when Lucario uses Aura-based moves like Aura Sphere or Dark Pulse, it's more powerful then when other Pokemon use it. Does this have an effect in the games?

Posted by: Suikun Aug 17 2009, 10:50 PM

No.

Posted by: Plasma12 Aug 30 2009, 12:13 AM

the moveset (return,Earthquake,Shadowball,Focus Punch) might have problems with a skarmory.

Posted by: SoulSilverSwampert Sep 1 2009, 02:53 PM

What are the differences between stats and IVs in the 2nd and 4th generations? I'm planning on using cheats to replicate my Crystal team onto Platinum, and I want to know any possible problems that will occur with copying stats.

Posted by: draconitas Sep 3 2009, 05:53 AM

From what I know, quite a bit. The IV system was changed from Gen II to Gen III. One of the most important ones was the number of bits per IV - up to Gen II, IVs had 4 bits each, meaning they ranged from 0-15, and affected gender and shininess, also, IVs for Sp. Atk and Sp. Def are the same, and HP is determined based on the other stats (i.e. only 4 IV values are stored, for Atk, Def, Speed and Special). In Gen IV, each stat (Atk, Def, Sp Atk, Sp Def, Spd, HP) each have their own IV values, they now have one more bit each, and range from 0-31. IVs no longer affect gender nor shininess. The coding for the Pokemon in Gen IV also has two extra bits that set whether the Pokemon is an Egg or is nicknamed. Your Crystal Pokemon are probably going to have some missing bits, but as to how that affects them in-game I have no practical knowledge.

more info http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Individual_values

btw, bit and in '8 bits = a byte', not bit as in, well, 'bits and pieces'.

Posted by: Alucard van Hellsing Sep 5 2009, 07:17 PM

Here's some attack misconceptions i found at serebii:

Myth 1: If your pokemon is at a low level and uses fissure on a higher level enemy, it will hit.

FALSE. Fissure will not work for a level 30 pokemon against a level 50 enemy. In this case, you're shit outta luck if you think it'll happen.


Posted by: GoldenMagikarp Nov 15 2009, 08:48 PM

This answered a few of my questions, Thanks! =)

Posted by: WYZURD Jun 1 2010, 05:23 PM

Some people think Ground and Rock types are the same thing. they are wrong. Ground types beat Rock types.

Posted by: Missingno610 Jul 17 2010, 10:32 PM

QUOTE
Wobba is uber because it would cause everyone to need dugtrio, weavile, or spiritomb or something and has no counters really.


*Raises hand*
Why Dugtrio? I can see Weavile and Spiritomb being useful, but why Dugtrio?

Posted by: Pidgey Pox Aug 6 2010, 12:12 PM

QUOTE(Missingno610 @ Jul 17 2010, 11:32 PM) *
QUOTE
Wobba is uber because it would cause everyone to need dugtrio, weavile, or spiritomb or something and has no counters really.


*Raises hand*
Why Dugtrio? I can see Weavile and Spiritomb being useful, but why Dugtrio?

I think it's because of Arena Trap.
Wobbuffets Shadow Tag traps the opponent, regardless of type, and they remain trapped even if Wobbuffet switches out. Of course Wobbuffet can use Encore in addition to having its countering moves, so why you would want to switch out I don't know.
Other than that Dugtrio has some good dark attacks. Other than that I don't know.

Also, Darkrai is a very good counter to Wobbuffet in Uber league.

Posted by: Barryc10 Feb 12 2011, 08:04 PM

The first post stated that Focus Punch was better than Brick Break. Wrong! Focus Punch takes time to charge and will ultimately fail if the user is hit by an offensive move on the same turn it was used, unless the Focus Punch's user is slower than the opponent. Besides that, Brick Break can destroy barriers like Light Screen and Reflect. Focus Punch can't. So while Brick Break will charge through those barriers at full power, Focus Punch will deal half-damage when faced with a Reflect barrier. Also, it's better to give Slaking Flamethrower or Thunderbolt when faced with a Skarmory, as either one will do double damage to it, whereas a Fighting type move of any kind will do neutral damage. Not only that, but you'd have the element of surprise in some competitive battles. Not many people would expect a Flamethrowing or Thunderbolting Slaking, in my opinion.

Posted by: Ruins Mar 2 2011, 09:59 AM

What's the best way of getting more Eevees? I wanted to breed some in SS, but I seem to remember the 'shove it in with it Ditto' method didn't work... Help? bucktooth.gif

Posted by: Phoenix Rising Apr 14 2011, 05:04 AM

...One question. Can you breed Ditto?

To answer to above's question: as long as the Eevee and Ditto are of similar levels, it should work, just give it time.

Posted by: Dark Heart Oct 23 2011, 01:26 AM

QUOTE(Jaima @ Oct 7 2008, 12:16 AM) *
QUOTE
I also read that Nidoran (F) becomes sterile after evolution. Is this true?


Actually, this is true. Nidorina and Nidoqueen cannot breed, however Nidoran (M and F), Nidorino and Nidoking CAN. There's not real reason given for it, it's just one of those goofy things, kind of like the Tauros problem. I mean, Volbeat (a male only pokemon) and Illumise (a female only pokemon that looks similar to Volbeat) can breed together and either get a volbeat or an illumise. Why can't Tauros and Miltank do the same?
The more you know, but i have to be honest i didn't know that they couldn't breed after they evolve.

Posted by: Nokkin Jan 18 2012, 04:47 PM

QUOTE(Barryc10 @ Feb 12 2011, 08:04 PM) *
The first post stated that Focus Punch was better than Brick Break. Wrong! Focus Punch takes time to charge and will ultimately fail if the user is hit by an offensive move on the same turn it was used, unless the Focus Punch's user is slower than the opponent. Besides that, Brick Break can destroy barriers like Light Screen and Reflect. Focus Punch can't. So while Brick Break will charge through those barriers at full power, Focus Punch will deal half-damage when faced with a Reflect barrier. Also, it's better to give Slaking Flamethrower or Thunderbolt when faced with a Skarmory, as either one will do double damage to it, whereas a Fighting type move of any kind will do neutral damage. Not only that, but you'd have the element of surprise in some competitive battles. Not many people would expect a Flamethrowing or Thunderbolting Slaking, in my opinion.



idk if this is considered neckrow posting a thread cuz you know its already pinned but if it is im sorry!!!!

anyway thunderbolt and flamethrower on slaking would be horrible because its more of a physical attacking pokemon and both those moves are spiecal based so they wouldnt do as much as a return would on it double damage or not you have to take the pokemons stats layout into consideration

Posted by: Numpty Nov 1 2015, 09:38 PM

I seriously do NOT recommend trying to give your CLEARLY winged bugs Fly.

It's never worked for the past 6 Generations.

Posted by: Kirbu Dec 13 2017, 09:25 PM

I've got two misconceptions to add:

Shiny Pokémon are stronger than the rest of Pokémon.
Obviously not the case, but it's still believed to be true by lots of people.

Pokérus is a virus, therefore is harmful and must be avoided!
Anyone who had never heard of Pokérus before might get surprised of seeing their Pokémon with that status.

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