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Move-of-the-Week Discussion #82: Weather Ball

winstein

winstein

Mari-yo Puyo
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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, Weather Ball is chosen.

Castform's talent for adapting to the weather is not only because of its ability Forecast, but also its then-signature move Weather Ball, introduced in Generation 3. Basically, this move will have a type change if the weather changed, in addition to having more power. It makes it an ideal move in for a weather attacker for this reason. Fog will not change this move's type, but it will still double its power.

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

In-game Description (XY) said:
Type: Normal (Special)
Base Power: 50
Accuracy: 100%
PP: 10

An attack move that varies in power and type depending on the weather.
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):
  • The animation of this move shows the "ball" being hurled up into the air, followed by hitting the target from high up. Why does it need to be in a high place?
  • The current weather we have so far are Sun (Fire), Rain (Water), Sandstorm (Rock), Hail (Ice), Fog (Normal) and Shadow Sky (Typeless). What other weather could affect this move, and what type would it be?

Here are the current users of this move:
(Level-up)​
  • Lugia & Ho-oh
  • Castform
  • Roserade
  • Vanilluxe

    (Breeding)
  • Bellsprout, Weepinbell & Victreebel
  • Snorunt, Glalie & Froslass
  • Cherubi & Cherrim
  • Drifloon & Drifblim

    (Event only)
  • Bulbasaur, Ivysaur & Venusaur (Gen 5)
  • Raikou (Gen 4)

Thanks for reading, and happy discussing!

~ The General Pokémon Forum Staff


Previous Move-of-the-Weeks:

Next Move-of-the-Week: Ball of poison.​
 
How does certain Pokémon (who knows it) use this move? What kind of purpose would this move have for them (in the Pokémon World)?
Click to expand...

Lugia and Ho-oh are somewhat deeply related to weather. Lugia causes hurricanes at sea, and Ho-oh makes rainbows. Also they are guardians of the seas and skies. The weather - and on a larger scale, climate - depend on the ocean and the atmosphere, so I can see them being able to use Weather Ball.

Drifloon and Drifblim are balloons, and there are weather balloons used in real life. I'm guessing they are based on those and thus are able to learn it.

Vanilluxe
Vanilluxe pokedex said:
Swallowing large amounts of water, they make snow clouds inside their bodies and, when angry, cause violent blizzards.
Click to expand...
I was wondering how they could control the weather, but then I remembered that in Gen5, the ice-cream family had an animation of them constantly forming ice cubes around them. Thus, they are capable of forming snow clouds, and thus creating hail. This makes me wonder why they don't have Snow Warning for their ability.

According to the dex, Froslass can breathe -60 degrees F, which can probably freeze the air (or water particles in the air). It can also learn hail.


I really don't understand how or why Roserade, Victreebel, and Cherrim can learn this move. I know plants are closely associated with weather, but then not all Grass-types can learn this move. I guess Cherrim is similar to Castform since it also changes it's appearance based on the weather, but why can the other two learn it? How?

I never thought I'd do research for a pokemon move XD

Roserade and Victreebel have one thing in common - they both lure preys with sweet aroma (according to dex entries), so there must be something about aroma. Scent is very sensitive to weather in real life, and it is easy to see that in pokemon games as well since Sweet Scent is useless in rainy weather. Also, the strength of the flower scent differs from season to season depending on humidity and warmth. The weather has to be warm, moist and stable for the aroma particles to be best recognized as scent. For Roserade and Victreebel, the more their scent can spread, the better chances of attracting prey and eventually increasing their chances of survival. However, they can't control their own scent since it depends on how toxic they were in the first place (again, from dex entries). Thus, if they can't change how toxic they are, they'd have to be able to control the weather instead. As a result, their sensitivity to environments and ability to control the weather gives them a reason to be able to use Weather Ball to their advantage.

Could this move realistically be used by any Pokémon who doesn't learn it normally? If yes, please explain your choices.
Click to expand...
Obviously, Snover and Abomasnow. They are natural weather controllers with the ability Snow Warning, causing Hail. They are also part Grass-type, and like I mentioned before, plants are closely associated to weather. If they could learn Weather Ball, they'd have a good STAB 100 power move for themselves.

Also, most ironically, the Weather Trio are unable to learn it when their legends are based on weather. Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza should be able to learn Weather Ball...though it'll be useless for Rayquaza...

There's also the Kami Trio. Tornadus, Thundurus, and Landorus are Forces of Nature. Tornadus and Thundurus causes thunderstorms wherever they go (as shown in the Black and White games) so they are also related to weather, thus capable of learning Weather Ball.



The current weather we have so far are Sun (Fire), Rain (Water), Sandstorm (Rock), Hail (Ice), Fog (Normal) and Shadow Sky (Typeless). What other weather could affect this move, and what type would it be?
Click to expand...
Windy weather. Hurricanes, tornadoes, typhoons... all include strong winds. If Sandstorm can be a weather condition, I don't see why simple windy weather can't be one.
Like how Sunny and Rainy weather gives power boosts to Fire and Water types respectively, Windy weather can give a power boost to Flying types.
example system message said:
A strong wind pressures on
Click to expand...
Weather Ball would be Flying-type.
 
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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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