Move-of-the-Week Discussion #58: Mirror Shot

winstein

winstein

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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, Mirror Shot is chosen.

Introduced in Generation 4, this is one of the only Special Steel-type attacks, in a type that's mainly Physical. Of them all, it's also the weakest of the three, so this would probably be a nice intermediary move before Flash Cannon is learned. Based on its name, this attack has to do with a polished surface, since that causes reflections like a mirror. It is probably so shiny that it hinders the opponent's concentration, thus reducing their accuracy.

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

In-game Description (BW) said:
Type: Steel (Special)
Base Power: 65
Accuracy: 85%
PP: 10

The user looses a flash of energy at the target from its polished body. It may also lower the target's accuracy.
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):
  • Why is this move not fully accurate?
  • How is Vanillite and family able to learn this move?
  • What makes other Steel-types incompatible with this move?
  • How does the user's polished body generate the energy to fire this attack?

Here are the current users of this move:
(Level-up)​
  • Magnemite, Magneton & Magnezone
  • Forretress
  • Wormadam-Trash
  • Vanillite, Vanillish & Vanilluxe
  • Ferroseed & Ferrothorn
  • Klink, Klang & Klinklang

Thanks for reading, and happy discussing!

~ The General Pokémon Forum Staff


Previous Move-of-the-Weeks:

Next Move-of-the-Week: A move that works differently based on the user's type.​
 
Okay, so the Pokemon can use it because they're either shiny or made a material that can show a reflection; the Vanilite family is not ice cream, they're icicles, so they can use that move. I'm not sure about Wormadam, though. The move is not fully accurate because the Pokemon could always look away before it hurts their eyes. Some steel Pokemon can't use it because they aren't shiny enough. And, while off-topic, I'm gonna guess the next move-of-the-week is Curse.
 
Good to have you back at MotW, winstein.

Wormadam is probably meant to be pretty shiny, as she appears to be made of aluminum or another thin metallic substance. Jdog1020 is right about Vanillite. They are covered in snow, and if you've ever looked out on an open field of snow in the morning, it can be pretty blinding. It makes sense that this move lowers accuracy. It's basically an offensive version of Flash in the sense that it shines a bright flash of light in the opponents eyes. This is one of the few moves I would imagine that the user doesn't use its own energy to attack with, but rather shapes its body so that the surrounding light is bent in a way that it can be fired at the opponent offensively. It may contribute some energy to amplify the light and make it brighter and more powerful. About the accuracy, it seems like it would try to attack by positioning its body in a certain way to properly catch the light, and if you've ever played the game where you reflect a light off of your watch or other shiny object into your friend's eyes, you probably won't hit directly on the first try.
 
You know those parabolic mirrors that focus light into a single point? I'm imagining Mirror Shot does the same thing. It focuses ambient light into a laser-like beam.

One other question, if it uses ambient light, does that mean it's weakened or even useless in a low-light or dark environment?
 
The real question here is why doesn't Bronzor (literally a mirror) learn Mirror Shot?
 
Drakon said:
You know those parabolic mirrors that focus light into a single point? I'm imagining Mirror Shot does the same thing. It focuses ambient light into a laser-like beam.

One other question, if it uses ambient light, does that mean it's weakened or even useless in a low-light or dark environment?
Click to expand...

It's something that I wondered too, because this move is light-related. I suppose when there are attacks that create flashes (Flash, Flash Cannon, SolarBeam), the light must be generated from nowhere like they do.

Karpi said:
The real question here is why doesn't Bronzor (literally a mirror) learn Mirror Shot?
Click to expand...

Indeed that is odd. Maybe it's one of those move compatibilities that are overlooked?

Thanks for reading.
 
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Please take the age of this thread into consideration in writing your reply. Depending on what exactly you wanted to say, you may want to consider if it would be better to post a new thread instead.
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