Does Knock Off Do Extra Damage? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, Knock Off does do extra damage under specific conditions. This Dark-type move’s power isn’t fixed; it dynamically adjusts based on the target’s held item, making it a strategic choice for many Pokémon battles. Let’s break down exactly how this works and answer other common questions.
How Knock Off’s Damage Works
At its base, Knock Off has a power of 65. However, this isn’t the end of the story. The move’s primary distinguishing feature is its ability to remove held items, but this isn’t always possible. The damage is directly related to whether the targeted Pokemon is holding a removable item:
The Item Removal Bonus
If the target Pokémon is holding an item that Knock Off can remove, the move’s damage increases by 50%. This effectively boosts the base power from 65 to 97.5. This powerful boost makes Knock Off a very threatening move, capable of significantly hurting opponents while simultaneously disrupting their strategy. This makes it a great offensive option with a strong secondary effect.
Items That Cannot Be Removed
Not all items can be removed by Knock Off. Here are examples of items that cannot be removed and therefore will not trigger the bonus damage:
- Mega Stones: If a Pokémon can use a Mega Stone to Mega Evolve, Knock Off won’t remove it, and bonus damage will not be applied.
- Z-Crystals: Z-Crystals are immune to removal by Knock Off. Similarly, bonus damage won’t occur.
- Primal Orbs: Similar to Mega Stones, Orbs used to undergo Primal Reversion cannot be removed, and there is no damage bonus.
- Held Items of Specific Pokémon: There are a handful of held items that are locked to particular Pokémon. A Rusted Sword held by Zacian, a Rusted Shield held by Zamazenta, a memory held by Silvally, and the Booster Energy held by Paradox Pokémon (excluding Koraidon and Miraidon) are all irremovable and will not give the bonus damage when hit by Knock Off.
- Sticky Hold: Pokémon with the Sticky Hold ability are immune to having their item removed, but even so, if they are still holding a removable item, the bonus damage will still apply.
Items Not Removed, But Extra Damage is Still Applied
Knock Off is still boosted in damage when the target Pokemon is holding an item that can normally be removed, even if it is not removed, by other mechanics:
- Rough Skin, Rocky Helmet, Life Orb: The items can still be knocked off even if the user faints from damage from Rough Skin or Rocky Helmet. This is not the case for all item removal effects (like the move Thief). However, if the user faints from its own held Life Orb damage, the item will still be knocked off, showing the item removal takes place after all damage calculation. This also means the damage bonus will be applied even when the user dies from recoil.
Summary of Damage Dynamics
- If the target has a removable item, Knock Off deals 50% more damage.
- If the target holds a non-removable item (e.g., Mega Stone, Z-Crystal, etc.), the base power is 65.
- Sticky Hold prevents removal, but does not prevent damage boost from Knock Off.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Knock Off
1. Is Knock Off considered a good move in competitive play?
Knock Off is generally considered an excellent move in competitive Pokémon battles. Its dual utility—dealing solid damage and removing held items—makes it a highly valuable asset. The bonus damage, when applicable, makes it a very threatening offensive move. While it might not be “broken,” it’s a very strong tool and is widely used.
2. Does Knock Off activate Weakness Policy?
Yes, Knock Off does activate Weakness Policy if the target is holding it and is hit by a super-effective Knock Off. This is because the target is “hit” with a super-effective damage type, which is the condition to activate Weakness Policy.
3. If a Pokémon resists Knock Off, does it remove the item?
No, if a Pokémon resists Knock Off the move will deal a reduced amount of damage and will not remove the item. If the target is immune to Knock Off, the move will also do no damage or remove the item.
4. What makes Knock Off such a powerful move?
Knock Off is powerful due to its versatility. It does more than just do damage. Removing an opponent’s item can disrupt their entire strategy. Items like Leftovers, Choice items, and Life Orb are often essential to certain strategies. Knocking them off can dramatically shift the battle.
5. What are the weaknesses of Dark-type moves, like Knock Off?
Dark-type Pokémon are weak to Bug, Fairy, and Fighting-type moves. These are good choices to deal with Dark types.
6. Can Knock Off remove Rusted Sword or Shield?
No. Knock Off cannot remove the Rusted Sword from Zacian or the Rusted Shield from Zamazenta. In such cases, the bonus damage will not apply and only the base power of 65 is used.
7. Can Knock Off remove items like Mega Stones and Z-Crystals?
Knock Off cannot remove a Mega Stone if the holder can use it to Mega Evolve, or Z-Crystals. These are irremovable and don’t trigger the bonus damage.
8. What is the most powerful move in Pokémon?
Several moves vie for the title of most powerful, depending on the criteria. Moves like Explosion, Eruption, Dragon Ascent, and others are among the most impactful when used at their maximum power.
9. What is the weakest move in Pokémon?
Many moves can be considered the weakest, some of them include Constrict, Will O Wisp, Nuzzle, and Arm Thrust. The weakest move depends on its type and the specific metric you’re using.
10. What is the most inaccurate move in Pokémon?
Some of the least accurate moves in Pokémon include Sing, Supersonic, Grass Whistle, and Focus Blast. All these moves have an accuracy of 70% or lower.
11. Does Knock Off affect a Pokémon with Sticky Hold?
Yes, Knock Off will still do 50% more damage if a Pokémon with Sticky Hold is holding a removable item. The item will not be removed, but the bonus damage will still apply. This highlights that Sticky Hold does not invalidate the damage boost of the move.
12. What is the difference between a “knock off” and a “rip off?”
In the context of consumer goods, “knock off” refers to a cheaper imitation of an existing product, while “rip off” refers to being overcharged or cheated. In the Pokémon context, “knock off” is the name of the move while “rip off” is not a term relevant to gameplay.
13. How much does Knock Off do when used on a Pokémon with an item?
When used on a Pokémon holding an item that can be removed, Knock Off will deal 50% extra damage. If the item is irremovable, it does base damage.
14. Is it illegal to sell or buy knock offs?
While knock-off products are not necessarily illegal to sell or buy, items branded to look like popular brands can lead to legal ramifications.
15. Does paralysis impact a Z-Move?
Yes, paralysis, flinches, confusion, and other conditions waste your one Z-move opportunity. Z-moves cannot be used under these conditions.
Conclusion
Knock Off is a highly strategic move in Pokémon battles due to its capacity to do extra damage when an opponent is holding a removable item. Understanding how it interacts with different items and abilities is crucial for success in both casual and competitive play. The move’s ability to disrupt opponents while simultaneously dealing good damage solidifies its spot as one of the best Dark-type moves. By considering the details provided in this article, you can effectively utilize Knock Off in your strategies.