Iron Ball?

[baltor85]

Well, I just grabbed an Iron Ball in Iron Island, and my question: Why would anyone make their Pokemon hold it? It lowers speed, and makes it so that the Pokemon that's holding it can be hit by Ground moves if it's a Flying - type or has the ability Levitate.

What's the deal? It would just screw your flying-type sweeper over...

 

[Zhen Lin]

It seems to me to be used for precisely that: you use Trick or let someone Thief the Iron Ball away.

 

[baltor85]

Ah, that makes sense. I didn't consider that. An odd strategy, but it could be very effective if you know how and when to use it. Thanks, that makes sence.

 

[Mukubird]

Most of the ball hold items, such as Iron Ball and Flame Ball, are meant to be used with Trick. Using that strategy online could be a good move, such as Tricking the Iron Ball to Zapdos so it'll be weak to an EQ.

 

[Doctor Oak]

Obviously best for 2-2 matches. I like the extra touches to strategies that GameFreak has dropped into these games - for the first time they're pretty much as well geared towards the competitive battlers as they are to the young kids that just play it to see the cool new Pokemon.

 

[Arseus Ex Machina]

Most of the ball hold items, such as Iron Ball and Flame Ball, are meant to be used with Trick. Using that strategy online could be a good move, such as Tricking the Iron Ball to Zapdos so it'll be weak to an EQ.

Well, I've also seen Pokemon with a trait that activates when under a Status Condition with a Flame Orb or a Poison Orb (mostly Guts Trait Pokemon).

 

[baltor85]

Now, if only any of my friends were competitive battlers...

Well, I'll just have to nab a few FC's from the sticky...

 

[codemonkey85]

Well, I've also seen Pokemon with a trait that activates when under a Status Condition with a Flame Orb or a Poison Orb (mostly Guts Trait Pokemon).

Hah, yeah, that's how I use my Heracross (Flame Orb). I figure I'll use a Toxic Orb with my Breloom (with the Poison Heal ability).

 

[Surgo]

You can also use the Iron Ball if you want to crank up the base power of Gyro Ball, but losing Leftovers recovery there isn't entirely recommended.

Also you can Fling the Iron Ball for a one-time 130 base power Dark attack.

 

[baltor85]

Yah, I think I'll stick to Leftovers when using Gyro Ball.

 

[Zhen Lin]

You can also use the Iron Ball if you want to crank up the base power of Gyro Ball, but losing Leftovers recovery there isn't entirely recommended.

Also you can Fling the Iron Ball for a one-time 130 base power Dark attack.

Hmm, I do wonder where the data for how much damage each item causes is stored...

 

[Silktree]

Obviously best for 2-2 matches. I like the extra touches to strategies that GameFreak has dropped into these games - for the first time they're pretty much as well geared towards the competitive battlers as they are to the young kids that just play it to see the cool new Pokemon.

Both your assertions are far from self-explanatory.

For the double battles, I do hope you are not suggesting using Trick or Thief/Covet on a partner. Perhaps you are thinking of an alternative to Gravity which would prove useful where Ground-immune Pokémon are ubiquitous; it makes for a poor alternative.

For the latter claim, Diamond and Pearl make no exception to the long-held rule of the games that has dictated that the nature of battle depends entirely on the knowledge of players. The competitive battlers have the same amount of new content to study and with which to become familiar; the light-hearted battlers can settle for the same formula expanded to new Pokémon, moves and items based on in-game descriptions.

 

[Surgo]

Hmm, I do wonder where the data for how much damage each item causes is stored...

Not sure myself, but Team Rocket Elite over at Smogon figured it out.

 

[Zhen Lin]

Perhaps that was from reverse-calculation? I mean, we know the damage formulae...

 

[Surgo]

We don't know the exact damage formula; we're still figuring out where some multipliers go. I'm sure he figured it out by taking many examples, in any case.

 

[Joe]

I thought the Iron Ball's purpose was for when you use Fling. Throws the hold item, and I think that the heavier the item is, the more damage it causes.

Edit: Wow, I need to read through threads properly before posting. xfd What Surgo said a few posts up.