Move-of-the-Week Discussion #9: Trick Room

winstein

winstein

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Announcement: You can now click the picture to go directly to the Bulbapedia page! Remember to vote for the next move based on criteria if you are done (must also contribute to the thread).

In Pokemon, there are a lot of different moves used by different Pokémon. However, there are certain moves we don't normally see being used, heard about, or used in a meaningful manner. On the other hand, there are moves we see that are famous or used often. In this type of discussion, we shall discuss the ins-and-outs of the move of the topic, and there will be some base questions that will help you. Every Saturday, a different move will be discussed.

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In-game Description said:
The user creates a bizarre space in which slower Pokémon get to move first for five turns.
Click to expand...

This week, we shall discuss Trick Room, which is an odd move indeed. That's because it makes any Pokemon with less Speed move first, but the very move is always the last to execute. This move lasts for five turns, including the turn you used it, so there are essentially four turns to use this effect. Remember that using Trick Room again, whether by your Pokemon or your opponent's, will end the effect as well.

Note that despite what the description says, the faster Pokemon will still move first if they used a move with higher priority, like Protect or Quick Attack. It just means that if both used moves with the same priority, the slower one will move first, that's all. The main Pokemon which can learn this move are Psychics and Ghosts, along with some others like a group of gears and the legendaries who control time and space.

Here are the usual possible questions about this move (though you could ask other critical questions beyond the listed):
  • 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?
  • Realistically, would there be any advantage or disadvantage associated with using this move? If yes, what kind of advantage/disadvantage would they have when they use it?
  • 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 competitive battling, realistically or video game-wise?

Other questions:
  • What is the limitations of the amount of room Trick Room can cover?
  • How does the environment in the affected area of Trick Room look like?

Here are the current users of this move (put in Spoiler since there are so many to list):
  • Abra, Kadabra & Alakazam
  • Slowpoke, Slowbro & Slowking
  • Gastly, Haunter & Gengar
  • Drowzee & Hypno
  • Exeggcute & Exeggutor
  • Starmie
  • Mime Jr. & Mr. Mime
  • Smoochum & Jynx
  • Porygon, Porygon2 & Porygon-Z
  • Mewtwo
  • Mew
  • Natu & Xatu
  • Espeon
  • Misdreavus & Mismagius
  • Girafarig
  • Stantler
  • Celebi
  • Ralts, Kirlia, Gardevoir & Gallade
  • Spoink & Grumpig
  • Spinda
  • Lunatone & Solrock
  • Baltoy & Claydol
  • Kecleon
  • Shuppet & Banette
  • Duskull, Dusclops & Dusknoir
  • Chingling & Chimecho
  • Jirachi
  • Deoxys
  • Bronzor & Bronzong
  • Uxie, Mesprit & Azelf
  • Dialga & Palkia
  • Cresselia
  • Arceus
  • Victini
  • Munna & Musharna
  • Woobat & Swoobat
  • Audino
  • Whimsicott
  • Sigilyph
  • Yamask & Cofagrigus
  • Gothita, Gothorita & Gothitelle
  • Solosis, Duosion & Reuniclus
  • Frillish & Jellicent
  • Klinklang
  • Elgyem & Beheeyem
  • Litwick, Lampent & Chandelure
  • Meloetta

Thanks for reading, and happy discussing!

~ The Pokemon World Forum Staff


For every five weeks, users get to vote for the next move to be the next Move-of-the-Week. However, you can't choose just any move. 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 to give your post some substance (and also 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.

Criteria for next move: Hidden Machine (Check here for the list)

Previous Move-of-the-Weeks:
 
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Trick Room is probably the worst field effect move when being compared to the weathers (I'm not including stuff like Wonder Room because that is a joke), however there are people who have had success with it. In terms of competitive play, Trick Room is only good to a point because against the very best players on the ladder it is practically hopeless, particularly with it being decimated by stall. In singles play, Reunculus is the epitome of Trick Room and no Trick Room teams can be run without it in my opinion. In terms of doubles, although it has slightly fallen from grace from where it once was (In VGC 11 is was arguably the best strategy there was)
, it is still a great force.
For the next topic I'm going to vote for waterfall because there are a few underrated water Pokemon who are great on the physical side.
 
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The biggest disadvantage using this move seems that you have to offer your Trick Room using pokemon as sacrifice so that your slow, but powerful tanks can turn the tables for you. So in turn - it's basically having one less pokemon that can attack

EDIT: I'm voting Waterfall
 
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Perhaps in singles it works like that, but in doubles it is a really useful move, that temporarily gives incredibly bulky tanks (which won't really mind wasting a turn) the ability to sweep foes.
It also works for shutting down foes that use agility or dragon dance so you can easilly counter them.

Of course though, given how the metagame became very offense-oriented in Gen IV, actually setting up for this move is a challenge (and it doesn't last enough to set up while it is in effect)... not to mention that by its very nature it IS for defense>speed kind of pokémon.


I am voting for Flash, solely to hear about accuracy reduction uses.
 
In doubles, other than Spore this is possibly the best move in the entire game.
 
The move allows powerful but slow attackers like Marowak and Reuniclus to usually move first. In Black, I had a Cofagrigus with the move and it was just brilliant. A great move IMO.

For the next topic, my vote goes to Waterfall. It's one of three good physical Water type moves along with Aqua Tail and Crabhammer, and is often thought to be the most reliable. Even ignoring it's out of battle effect, it is still a great move.
 
I never found much use for Trick Room. It seems like too much effort. Now if there were a perma-trick room inducer, things would be different but as things stand, it's just another gimmicky move.

I nominate Surf. With Scald having almost the same distribution, is Surf's marginally higher power worth it? Or should one just use Scald with its awesome effect and use a move like hydro Pump if they need raw power?
 
The Pokemon that should know Trick Room must be really slow and be able to take a hit without losing most of its HP.

For next week: Rock Smash
 
Please note: The thread is from 14 years ago.
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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