Abilities in the Anime

[BigDocFan]

Just wondering why many abilities in the anime haven't always been mentioned or used though could be helpful in battle.

True Infernape, Pikachu, Leavanny, Boldore, Blaziken and Sceptile have used theirs but how many times could Pignite, Scraggy and the others use their abilities.

Would it be useful if their's are used in future more?

 

[Paulisthebest]

Considering the way the BW series has been identifying the main character's Pokemon genders (well most of them anyway) it would be a nice touch because it would make the battle a lot more interesting that way. However, its all about plot and making a certain Pokemon shine (depending on how the writers feel).

They seem to wait until certain moments or battles to unleash an ability. For example, Pikachu's Static against Panpour it was hit with Scratch multiple times before it was defeated. Though Static wasn't activated, but that was because Pikachu was "supposed" to lose that match. Yet, Doubleslap from Garbordor activated it just in the nick of time to win the match.

Just a way of keeping the plot game going, think about it most battles are quick and over before you know it. Abilities like Blaze or Swarm only work when a Pokemon takes A LOT of damage, that would mean longer battles than the typical 1-2 minutes ones with COTD at the start or end of an episode.

 

[Mareepy]

I'd really rather Snivy's ability to be Contrary, I think it fits her better.

And yeah, they only activate the ability when the plot needs, not under the condition of its activation. If the plot needed, even 1 physical hit can activate Static; when not needed, 10 hit in a row won't activate Static.

 

[Paulisthebest]

@Mareepy I agree completely. I think a good example would be Treecko during Ash's second Hoenn Gym Battle even though it took heavy damage against Brawly's Pokemon it didn't activate Overgrow. However, even if it did would it have really mattered? It didn't know a single Grass type move until Advanced Challenge.

I also agree with how 1 physical hit can activate an ability. Pikachu's Quick Attack was its first move on Paul's Magmortar and that set off Flame Body and his Ursaring's first move on Pikachu (after it hit it in the chest with Quick Attack) was a Hammer Arm that got it paralyzed by Static.

The list goes on when abilities are easily triggered and other times when they are simply ignored due to plot. I mean just a couple of episodes before Ursaring got hit by Regice's Zap Cannon and got paralyzed but Guts was not seen to be activated. Since it was the main goal of the battle to make Brandon look nearly unbeatable.