Move-of-the-Week Discussion #47: Grass Knot

winstein

winstein

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(Click picture to go to the Bulbapedia page)​

In Pokémon, there are lots of different moves used by different Pokémon. Every week, we shall focus the discussion on a different move, and there will be some base questions that would help you start this off. This week, Grass Knot is chosen.

In a bid to diversify the offensive abilities of every type, Generation 4 introduced several attacks that would do that. Grass Knot is a product of a lack of useful Grass-type attacks. The interesting thing about this move is the ability to punish any heavy Pokémon by doing a lot of damage to them, usually by tripping them from underneath. As the saying goes, "The bigger they are, the harder they fall". Usually, fully-evolved Pokémon are heavy, so this is quite a useful move. As you can guess, this one does too. There is a diverse range of learners, making it one of the most widespread moves out there.

Here's the in-game description of this move:

In-game Description (BW) said:
Type: Grass (Special)
Base Power: Varies
Accuracy: 100%
PP: 20

The user snares the target with grass and trips it. The heavier the target, the greater the damage.
Click to expand...

Here are the usual possible questions about this move:
  • How does certain Pokémon (who knows it) use this move? What kind of purpose would this move have for them (in the Pokémon World)?
  • How could this move be used to aid a profession in the Pokémon World?
  • Could this move realistically be used by any Pokémon who doesn't learn it normally? If yes, please explain your choices.
  • How would this move be used in battling, realistically or video game-wise?

Other questions (You could ask other critical questions beyond the listed):
  • How does the user make a rope out of Grass when attacking? (Note: Japanese name is translated as Grass Rope)
  • This move is one of the few Special attacks that make contact. How is that possible? (Note: Non Grass-types even learn this, so keep that in mind)
  • Do the learners have anything in common in regards to learning this move? If yes, what is it?

Here are the current users of this move (put in Spoiler tag due to the large list):
(Level-up)​
  • Pansage

    (Technical Machine)
  • Bulbasaur, Ivysaur & Venusaur
  • Rattata & Raticate
  • Pichu, Pikachu & Raichu
  • Cleffa, Clefairy & Clefable
  • Igglybuff, Jigglypuff & Wigglytuff
  • Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume & Bellossom
  • Paras & Parasect
  • Abra, Kadabra & Alakazam
  • Bellsprout, Weepinbell & Victreebel
  • Slowpoke, Slowbro & Slowking
  • Drowzee & Hypno
  • Exeggcute & Exeggutor
  • Happiny, Chansey & Blissey
  • Tangela & Tangrowth
  • Starmie
  • Mime Jr. & Mr. Mime
  • Smoochum & Jynx
  • Mewtwo
  • Mew
  • Chikorita, Bayleef & Meganium
  • Sentret & Furret
  • Togepi, Togetic & Togekiss
  • Natu & Xatu
  • Marill & Azumarill
  • Hoppip, Skiploom & Jumpluff
  • Aipom & Ambipom
  • Sunkern & Sunflora
  • Espeon & Leafeon
  • Girafarig
  • Celebi
  • Treecko, Grovyle & Sceptile
  • Zigzagoon & Linoone
  • Lotad, Lombre & Ludicolo
  • Seedot, Nuzleaf & Shiftry
  • Ralts, Kirlia, Gardevoir & Gallade
  • Shroomish & Breloom
  • Skitty & Delcatty
  • Mawile
  • Meditite & Medicham
  • Plusle & Minun
  • Budew, Roselia & Roserade
  • Spoink & Grumpig
  • Cacnea & Cacturne
  • Lunatone & Solrock
  • Baltoy & Claydol
  • Lileep & Cradily
  • Kecleon
  • Tropius
  • Chingling & Chimecho
  • Metang & Metagross
  • Latias & Latios
  • Jirachi
  • Deoxys
  • Turtwig, Grotle & Torterra
  • Chimchar, Monferno & Infernape
  • Piplup, Prinplup & Empoleon
  • Bidoof & Bibarel
  • Wormadam (Plant)
  • Pachirisu
  • Cherubi & Cherrim
  • Buneary & Lopunny
  • Bronzor & Bronzong
  • Carnivine
  • Snover & Abomasnow
  • Uxie, Mesprit & Azelf
  • Cresselia
  • Phione & Manaphy
  • Shaymin
  • Arceus
  • Victini
  • Snivy, Servine & Serperior
  • Tepig, Pignite & Emboar
  • Oshawott, Dewott & Samurott
  • Patrat & Watchog
  • Purrloin & Liepard
  • Simisage
  • Pansear & Simisear
  • Panpour & Simipour
  • Timburr, Gurdurr & Conkeldurr
  • Seismitoad
  • Throh & Sawk
  • Sewaddle, Swadloon & Leavanny
  • Cottonee & Whimsicott
  • Petilil & Lilligant
  • Krokorok & Krookodile
  • Darumaka & Darmanitan
  • Maractus
  • Scraggy & Scrafty
  • Cofagrigus
  • Zorua & Zoroark
  • Minccino & Cinccino
  • Gothita, Gothorita & Gothitelle
  • Reuniclus
  • Deerling & Sawsbuck
  • Foongus & Amoonguss
  • Ferrothorn
  • Eelektross
  • Haxorus
  • Cubchoo & Beartic
  • Mienfoo & Mienshao
  • Golett & Golurk
  • Pawniard & Bisharp
  • Virizion
  • Tornadus, Thundurus & Landorus
  • Meloetta

Thanks for reading, and happy discussing!

~ The Pokémon World Forum Staff


Previous Move-of-the-Weeks:


For every four weeks, users get to vote for the next Move-of-the-Week. To narrow down the selection of potential moves, a criteria for the next move would be placed. If you want to vote, at least contribute to the topic in hand (because this topic is about the current move, not about voting for the next move). If you posted just to vote, your vote won't be considered.

Criterion for next move: Dragon-type move (Check here for the list)
 
This move has always confused me due to how many Pokemon can learn it that aren't Grass-types, as it involves controlling plant life; I have no idea why most learn it. I once thought that maybe the more "natural/nature" Pokemon learned it, but there's some like Bronzong which don't fall into that category. I guess it's just a move they wanted to give a wide distribution to, since it can be quite useful (like Stealth Rock).

As for its use, since it seems to be used to trip Pokemon over, it could be use to stop fleeing Pokemon or people (criminals and co) so maybe the police would use it... although it would only work on grass environments, I guess. It could also be used to stop fleeing prey or to annoy a predator giving you chase, but that's an obvious use.
 
I can see why Grass Knot is a contact move: It summons knots of grass that trips the opponent, and you normally need to make contact with your target in order to trip him/her/it.

I vote Dragon Tail.
 
Zeb said:
This move has always confused me due to how many Pokemon can learn it that aren't Grass-types, as it involves controlling plant life
Click to expand...
For the longest time, that confused me too. As all the flavor messages seemed to point that a knot would be made controlling grass onto which the foe would trip over.

But then I noticed that it makes contact. So it isn't remotely manipulated, summoned grass; contact means the user will be actually close and maybe even touching the opponent.

Yet that manages to only make things more complicated: More than stealthily setting it up for the opponent to trip it could only work as a grappling throw (specifically, a leg hook). Which kind of makes sense despite being close to Fighting as other general and specific fighting techniques are branded with other elemental powers from its origins...

However in this case it comes from... employing a grass rope. With actual, physical grass. Other moves, such as Aerial Ace or Bullet Punch, take their typing more from theming, and even then are less widespread outside their typings...
But here, the pokémon, regardless of their type, can use specifically a grass rope and that alone makes this move grass typed.


But not only that, but it is Special. Now, Special moves that make contact make perfect sense, since they might require proximity/touch yet still attack with mystical propertypes, which is probably how Petal Dance works. Yet I'd think something as... physical as a leg hook or even actually remote tripping would be, well, Physical. (I even thought for a long time the move was Physical, until I actually saw its status screen)
The best explanation I can think for this is relating it to the Aikido martial art's philosophy that blends the spiritual and physical... but this is way closer to what the Fighting type represents. And while it could easily have flavoring relating Ki to plant life (heck, some real techniques do relate specific ways to manipulate Ki to plants) which would explain the scenario of a "grappling contact-special-grass move"... in this case there's no such flavor.
It is merely tying the opponent with grass which a really wide variety of pokémon have access to for some reason.


So yeah, no matter how much I overthink it, I still don't get this move.


-- Dragon Dance
 
Last edited:
I'm reminded of an old asian folklore on Grass Knots where a ghost/spirit expresses his gratitude to a certain man by tying all the grass together in knots, enabling him to escape from harm (his pursuers trip and fall from the tied grass).

So making the opponent trip from knots of grass sort of makes sense. The heavier the pokemon, the more damage.

I dislike Dragon-types and dragon moves... but maybe Dragon Pulse
 
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