Do you think each pokémon species should have 'attributes' as well as abilities?

[Hellpest]

So here's the idea: each species gets it own 'attributes', which are sort of like abilities. These do not differ between different pokémon of the same species. Have you ever wondered why pokémon like Pinsir Heracross, Jigglypuff, or Magnemite, that can fly, can get hit by ground type attacks? Or why pokemon like Stunfisk and Lugia that live in the water receive the same amount of damage fron water-type attacks as normal? This would be the solution.

Each pokémon could have none to a couple of these attributes, and they would mostly have small effects. Another couple of attribute ideas I can think of would cause Bisharp to increase the power of Pawniard, as it is supposedly their leader, and giving Houndoom a small chance to cause poison with fire type attacks, as 'the flames it breathes contains toxins' (although whether the pokédex is canon is debatable).

These attributes could also be negative too, such as decreasing the speed of Seaking outside of water, or increasing ground-type damage done to Diglet as it cannot leave the ground.

Some of these attributes would replace abilities. The abilities that cause effects on contact would be prime for this (spiky pokémon will cause damage, pokémon like Magcargo may cause burn as it's literally a blob of lava), as well as levitate. Basically anything that should be caused by the design of the pokémon.

I would love to hear whether you think this would be a good idea or not, and also any more attributes you can think of!

 

[SirOni]

I've also had this type of idea even calling it 'attributes' as well. Pretty much for some of the same things like addressing the disconnect between some Pokemon designs and how they perform in battle. I had the Levitating one that you mentioned as well as a few others like Aquatic (gives a resistance to Water-type moves) for non-Water aquatic Pokemon like Stunfisk and Insectivore (user's STAB moves are super effective on Bug-types) for Victreebel and Carnivine.

A big problem I see with introducing something like this is that it adds another category of information to remember. For some people it's already difficult to remember a lot of battle information. When facing a certain Pokemon there are a lot of things to keep in mind like types, abilities, and possible moves. Add a few attributes to each Pokemon and it can easily become too much for a lot of people. I feel like in order to introduce something like this there also needs to be an additional in-battle option that gives the player some information about the opposing Pokemon. Basically have the Pokedex usable in battle and also have it store moves and ability info.

 

[1023475849038261304976210]

Almost like it is in a trading card game video game, with every aspect of the card viewable if desired.

I feel like things could get unbalanced where they don't want it to-take Jolteon. It should have Rough Skin due to its spikes, likewise Umbreon should have Poison Point because of its sweat. But with vaporeon, its design poses no such extra abilities.

 

[Hellpest]

I've also had this type of idea even calling it 'attributes' as well. Pretty much for some of the same things like addressing the disconnect between some Pokemon designs and how they perform in battle. I had the Levitating one that you mentioned as well as a few others like Aquatic (gives a resistance to Water-type moves) for non-Water aquatic Pokemon like Stunfisk and Insectivore (user's STAB moves are super effective on Bug-types) for Victreebel and Carnivine.

A big problem I see with introducing something like this is that it adds another category of information to remember. For some people it's already difficult to remember a lot of battle information. When facing a certain Pokemon there are a lot of things to keep in mind like types, abilities, and possible moves. Add a few attributes to each Pokemon and it can easily become too much for a lot of people. I feel like in order to introduce something like this there also needs to be an additional in-battle option that gives the player some information about the opposing Pokemon. Basically have the Pokedex usable in battle and also have it store moves and ability info.

Nice ideas!

Although I do agree with you that the attributes would be another thing to remember that would increase the complexity of battles, most of them would be relatively clear from the pokemon's design.

A feature that lets you view some stats about your opponent would be quite nice though, especially for new players. It could be like the pokédex in the anime, which is only ever used on specific pokémon.

Almost like it is in a trading card game video game, with every aspect of the card viewable if desired.

I feel like things could get unbalanced where they don't want it to-take Jolteon. It should have Rough Skin due to its spikes, likewise Umbreon should have Poison Point because of its sweat. But with vaporeon, its design poses no such extra abilities.

This is a problem that the idea creates; pokémon which are supposed to be equals would face being split.

An attribute I can think of is for Vaporeon to be completely invulnerable when using dive, as apparently it can dissolve into the water. Maybe also an evasion boost whilst underwater; or in rain if you want to get really OP

 

[Lufenium]

I...don't like the idea. It's a good one, but like SirOni said, it's even more information to consider and take in, on top of abilities, moves, types, EVs, IVs, shiny coloration, etc. I think if executed correctly this could potentially end up working well, and adding a lot more character to many Pokemon. But that is an if, and not a guarantee.

 

[Gengarzilla]

It could work. Heavy emphasis on "could" though...

 

[Muur]

It would certainly be interesting. I wouldn't give too many though, although it would render a lot of abilities moot. Heck, maybe just allow multiple abilities at once. Like PMD and PMD2.

 

[Stratelier]

I don't like the idea that a Pokemon could have "none to a couple" of said quirks, because you KNOW players are going to breed for the best combination of attributes (on top of everything players already breed for).

Rather, I think that just having a 'primary' and 'secondary' ability is a better option.

 

[Hellpest]

I don't like the idea that a Pokemon could have "none to a couple" of said quirks, because you KNOW players are going to breed for the best combination of attributes (on top of everything players already breed for).

Rather, I think that just having a 'primary' and 'secondary' ability is a better option.

The atrributes are set for each species of pokémon, there would be nothing to breed them for.

 

[Stratelier]

Okay, yeah. I did miss that point that these would be fixed quirks of a species that all members have in common.

 

[Pokémon Spectrum]

Pinsir can't fly. It doesn't have wings until it Mega Evolves, and then it gets a Flying sub-type. You're probably thinking of Heracross. Jigglypuff can't technically "fly" either, it just floats a little when it puffs up because it's full of air and acts like a balloon (which, being the Balloon Pokémon, makes sense).

And no, I don't think that Pokémon should have attributes. That'd make things a bit too complex. I mean, that'd essentially be giving certain Pokémon two or more Abilities. I do admit that certain Pokémon don't make sense when you think about them, but you have to take into account that Pokémon attacks are based around elemental energy. I mean, how else do you explain summoning a freaking tidal wave in the middle of the desert? Or spewing columns of fire on the bottom of the ocean? Or, even better, the fact that nearly every Pokémon in existence can use Toxic, even if they aren't based around venomous or poisonous creatures? How about the logistics of freezing something by punching it? Why can you paralyze an opponent by licking them? When you're in the Safari Zone throwing rocks or mud at the Pokémon you're trying to catch, why is that any different from a Pokémon using Mud Slap or Rock Throw? The instant you start questioning the physics of any fantasy setting, the entire thing falls apart. Weakness and resistance, to me at least, isn't about the interaction of physical laws. It's that each Type has a natural vulnerability or resilience to or against different kinds of elemental energy.

 

[Lone_Garurumon]

It's definitely an interesting concept. Having it would shake up the meta to hell, and give old Pokemon potential viability again. But, like everything, it would need to be done in moderation. It would also replace some abilities, as "Spiky" could easily replace Iron Barbs and Rough Skin, which would necessitate a new ability for some species. It does seem cool though and could definitely work if done properly.

 

[Rainami]

nah bro that's way too completed. That's basically just another set of abilities, only with a different name. Beedrill, volcarona and the like getting hit by ground attacks may be kinda weird, but every single non-flying type airborne pokemon getting levitate would be dull, so you just gotta deal (not to mention ground has enough immunities as it is). Now, an idea that could work is if they were out of battle, like how shuckle (used to) turn berries into rare candies. I would like to see more things like that.

I wouldn't mind some purely aesthetic attributes either. As with previous example, they practically don't exist atm, but I'm talking about like how toxic acts wonky when used by spinda or carnivine in pbr.