Move-of-the-Week Discussion #76: Aurora Beam

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, Aurora Beam is chosen.

This week, a move learned by Delibird is chosen, since a Christmas week means that this festively-themed bird gets the spotlight. Since nobody voted (again), the chosen move will be Aurora Beam. It's a Generation 1 move that is the middle ground between Powder Snow and Ice Beam due to its medium power. Unlike most Ice attacks, this one reduces Attack instead of freezing, since auroras are not as ice-cold as other ice-oriented moves.

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

In-game Description (XY) said:
Type: Ice (Special)
Base Power: 65
Accuracy: 100%
PP: 20

The target is hit with a rainbow-colored beam. This may also lower the target's Attack stat.
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):
  • Aurora beam is described as a rainbow-coloured beam. How is a rainbow-coloured beam associated with coldness?
  • Is this a good move to use for signalling, similar to Signal Beam?
  • What do Water-types that learn this move have in common?

Here are the current users of this move:
(Level-up)​
  • Seel & Dewgong
  • Shellder & Cloyster
  • Vaporeon
  • Remoraid & Octillery
  • Suicune
  • Spheal, Sealeo & Walrein
  • Cresselia
  • Cryogonal
  • Amaura & Aurorus
  • Xerneas

    (Breeding)
  • Tentacool & Tentacruel
  • Horsea, Seadra & Kingdra
  • Staryu & Starmie (Gen 2 only)
  • Lapras
  • Omanyte & Omastar
  • Kabuto & Kabutops
  • Delibird
  • Finneon & Lumineon

Thanks for reading, and happy discussing!

~ The General Pokémon Forum Staff


Previous Move-of-the-Weeks:

Next Move-of-the-Week: A somewhat weak move that leeches health.​
 
Despite being a mediocre move, I'm surprised that there's only a few pokemon that can learn it. Why can't more Ice-types learn it? Why not Mamoswine, or Froslass? And why can't more Water-types learn it? Why not Empoleon? The move doesn't seem to be distributed among pokemons that are based on animals who can survive near the poles.
 
Dark Chocolate said:
Despite being a mediocre move, I'm surprised that there's only a few pokemon that can learn it. Why can't more Ice-types learn it? Why not Mamoswine, or Froslass? And why can't more Water-types learn it? Why not Empoleon? The move doesn't seem to be distributed among pokemons that are based on animals who can survive near the poles.
Click to expand...

I too, am surprised to see this move receive a small distribution. It would seem like every Ice-type needs this move, but that isn't the case. Weirder than this is that Vaporeon gets is but not Glaceon. What is even more surprising is that Powder Snow (a weaker Ice attack) has a smaller distribution than this (though it's only found on Ice-types).

You're right in that the Pokemon that tend to get this move are more of sea water Pokemon (for Water-types), not the fresh water ones like frogs. It could have something to do with how they could be found around the North/South pole. It does seem odd that Empoleon didn't receive this move, now that you mention it.

Thanks for reading.
 
winstein said:
  • How does certain Pokémon (who knows it) use this move? What kind of purpose would this move have for them (in the Pokémon World)?
  • Aurora beam is described as a rainbow-coloured beam. How is a rainbow-coloured beam associated with coldness?
Click to expand...

-I'd say they create a burst of cold air, and the air freezes. When this happens, little bits of ice are created. These refract light into a rainbow.
-Because they're cool.
 
Also surprised that this move doesn't get more coverage, in terms of Pokemon. Seems to me to be the ice version of Water Pulse or even Bubblebeam, yet few Pokemon get it. And, of course, very few forego it to use the superior Ice Beam.

I do like auroras, however. It's a cool concept.
 
Seems a bit of an odd one, 'realism'-wise.

The move's an obvious reference to the Aurora Borealis & Aurora Australis, pretty colours which can be found over the poles. The Ice-typing comes into question pretty quickly, as the Aurora aren't caused by the cold in any way, they're caused by the interaction of particles from the sun and the earth's magnetic field. I'd be inclined to view it as an electric attack. But whatever, the effect happens over cold regions so the attack becomes an Ice attack to reflect that I guess.

It would make sense, then, for Aurora Beam to be a trademark of Pokemon associated with the polar regions. This could include any number of ice-types you'd like to throw out there, along with a grab-bag of others like Stantler which are theme-appropriate. But as others have noted, that's not the case. Apart from the understandable Seal Pokemon and a couple of other Ice types, the move is confined to a rather arbitrary selection of water types and Xerneas (I guess because it's colourful?).

The move's secondary effect is to reduce the attack of the foe, presumably by dazzling them with the pretty lights. Confusion (sparkly lights!) or paralysis (magnetic interaction) would seem a better choice.
 
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