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Move-of-the-Week Discussion #68: Spiky Shield

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, Spiky Shield is chosen.

Each of Kalos' starters have a signature move (Greninja has two, it seems), and with the recent release of the games, I find it appropriate to put a move one of them exclusively owns as a topic. Unfortunately, nobody voted, so I choose the Grass starter's one (the first in the list). So, when Chesnaught finished the evolution, it learns this unique move. It is essentially Protect, but the unique property is that if the attack makes contact, the attacker receives some damage (1/8 HP), which even works in horde battles. Being the knight of the starters, a defensive move is appropriate to what it does.

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

In-game Description (XY) said:
Type: Grass (Other)
Base Power: --
Accuracy: --
PP: 10

In addition to protecting the user from attacks, this move also damages any attacker who makes direct contact.
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 does Spiky Shield have a decreased rate of success when used in succession? (Note: rate drops to 1/3 when used again)

Here is the current (known) user of this move:
(Level-up)​
  • Chesnaught

Thanks for reading, and happy discussing!

~ The General Pokémon Forum Staff


Previous Move-of-the-Weeks:

Next Move-of-the-Week: A weak Water attack.​
 
This move reminds me of Rough Skin or Iron Barbs or even Rocky Helmet, just in move form. Sadly, it's only exclusive to Chesnaught. It would have been one of the most used moves in competitive battling.

Why does Spiky Shield have a decreased rate of success when used in succession? (Note: rate drops to 1/3 when used again)
Of course, to prevent abuse from overuse. Why is it only 1/3 rate decrease that concerns me. Does it have normal priority unlike Protect/Detect?
 
This is actually one of my favorite new moves, and Chesnaught is one of my favorite new 'mons.

winstein said:
How could this move be used to aid a profession in the Pokémon World?
Click to expand...
Security. If anyone tries to ambush the Chesnaught guards, they be in for some real pain.

winstein said:
How would this move be used in battling, realistically or video game-wise?
Click to expand...
The user quickly draws out said shield. Since it's a quick, instinctive motion, it has priority. If something touches it, a "jerk reflex" causes the spikes to extend.

Here's a question:

Why does Chesnaught use a retractable arm shield instead of his thorny shell?
 
Voltaire Magneton said:
Why does Spiky Shield have a decreased rate of success when used in succession? (Note: rate drops to 1/3 when used again)
Of course, to prevent abuse from overuse. Why is it only 1/3 rate decrease that concerns me. Does it have normal priority unlike Protect/Detect?
Click to expand...

Nope. It has the same priority as Protect/Detect. Like Protect/Detect, Feint/Phantom Force/Shadow Force goes through it.

Helioptile said:
Here's a question:

Why does Chesnaught use a retractable arm shield instead of his thorny shell?
Click to expand...

I think it's faster to do that rather than lug the shell. Still, it does bring the possibility of retracting into the shell like a tortoise considering that could be done quick too. I guess it's easier to animate that way.

Thanks for reading.
 
How could this move be used to aid a profession in the Pokémon World?
Click to expand...
I can see it being used to protect people against falling objects and possible flying projectiles in construction sites and other such areas.

Could this move realistically be used by any Pokémon who doesn't learn it normally? If yes, please explain your choices.
Click to expand...
Ferrothorn. How hard could it be to just turn one of its flails into a shield.

How would this move be used in battling, realistically or video game-wise?
Click to expand...
Aside from the obvious deflecting of projectiles and melee attacks, I can see the Chesnaught using the shield as a melee weapon.
 
Spiky Shield! One of my favorite moves...if only it did a bit more recoil damage. Maybe around the same recoil damage as life orb, then that'd be cool I guess. That way, Chesnaught would really have a method to counter against those that dare to use moves like Flare Blitz against it. >D

Other than that though, it doesn't seem to stand out a WHOLE lot to me. As mentioned, if it did more recoil damage, then it'd be a super cool move, but now it's just a slightly improved protect, I suppose. xD
 
Saeyru said:
Maybe around the same recoil damage as life orb, then that'd be cool I guess.
Click to expand...

So you want it to do less damage than it already does? Just so you know, Spiky Shield punishes contact attacks by inflicting damage equal to 1/8 of the attacker's max HP. Life Orb recoil is 1/10.

This is a pretty cool move for Chesnaught, and it might be for others if it weren't an exclusive move.
 
SharKing said:
Saeyru said:
Maybe around the same recoil damage as life orb, then that'd be cool I guess.
Click to expand...

So you want it to do less damage than it already does? Just so you know, Spiky Shield punishes contact attacks by inflicting damage equal to 1/8 of the attacker's max HP. Life Orb recoil is 1/10.

This is a pretty cool move for Chesnaught, and it might be for others if it weren't an exclusive move.
Click to expand...

I was unaware of this o_o I always thought it did less damage than life orb, not more.
 
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