Can Annihilape Have the Ability Anger Point?
No, Annihilape cannot have the Ability Anger Point. While its pre-evolution, Primeape, can possess the Anger Point ability, upon evolution into Annihilape, this ability is replaced. The standard abilities for Annihilape are Vital Spirit or Inner Focus, and its hidden ability is Defiant. This is a common point of confusion for trainers, as the sheer rage associated with both Primeape and Annihilape might lead one to expect Anger Point to be a natural fit. However, this isn’t the case. The evolution process fundamentally changes the creature’s abilities, and Anger Point is not passed along. Instead, Annihilape harnesses its fury in different ways, represented by its available abilities and formidable moveset.
Annihilape’s Abilities: A Closer Look
Vital Spirit and Inner Focus
Annihilape can have either Vital Spirit or Inner Focus as its standard ability. Vital Spirit prevents the Pokémon from falling asleep, which can be crucial in battles against opponents that rely on sleep-inducing moves. This immunity to sleep can keep Annihilape in the fight longer. Inner Focus, on the other hand, prevents Annihilape from flinching. This ability shields it from moves like Fake Out and ensures that it can unleash its powerful attacks even when facing opponents who try to interrupt its rhythm. Both standard abilities provide Annihilape with useful defensive qualities, supporting its role as a powerful physical attacker.
Defiant: Annihilape’s Hidden Power
The most coveted ability for Annihilape is undoubtedly Defiant. This hidden ability is incredibly potent in the current competitive landscape. Defiant grants Annihilape a significant boost to its Attack stat (+2) whenever one of its stats is lowered by an opponent. This can happen through moves like Intimidate, Sticky Web, or even stat-lowering moves like Screech, making it a powerhouse in the face of such strategies. This makes Annihilape a formidable setup sweeper. When coupled with its already high Attack stat and strong moves like Rage Fist and Bulk Up, Defiant can make Annihilape an unstoppable force on the battlefield. This is the primary reason why most competitive trainers seek to obtain an Annihilape with the Defiant ability.
Obtaining the Defiant Ability
Unfortunately, Annihilape’s hidden ability isn’t automatically guaranteed upon evolution. In fact, it’s a randomized process when evolving a Primeape. Here’s where the importance of Ability Patches comes in. These rare items, obtainable through high-level Tera Raids, allow players to change a Pokémon’s ability to its hidden one. It is important to note, Ability Capsules cannot change a Pokemon’s ability to its Hidden Ability. If your Annihilape does not have Defiant, you’ll need to use an Ability Patch to switch it. This process, while sometimes tedious, is necessary to unlock Annihilape’s full potential and establish it as a serious threat in battles.
The Power Behind Annihilape
Annihilape’s strength stems from a combination of its formidable stat distribution, powerful moveset, and the potent Defiant ability. It boasts a high Attack stat, decent HP, and an unresisted STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) combination of Fighting and Ghost-type moves. Moves like Bulk Up, which boosts both Attack and Defense, help turn Annihilape into a dangerous setup sweeper. Moves like Rage Fist are integral as it is a powerful Ghost type attack that is dependent on the rage that the user has. This move becomes increasingly more devastating for every time it is used. The Ghost typing, gained upon evolution, is significant as it gives Annihilape the ability to hit Normal-type Pokémon, making its coverage vast. This makes Annihilape a solid choice for various battle formats, capable of exploiting weaknesses in the opponent’s strategy and taking full advantage of status debuffs with Defiant.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why doesn’t Annihilape have Anger Point when Primeape does?
The evolution from Primeape to Annihilape causes a complete shift in the creature’s internal mechanics and how it harnesses its rage. Annihilape’s anger is no longer triggered through critical hits like it is with Primeape’s Anger Point. Instead, it relies on raw power and its Defiant ability.
2. Can I change Annihilape’s ability back to Anger Point?
No, once a Primeape evolves into Annihilape, it loses the possibility of having the Anger Point ability. The ability is permanently set to either its standard or hidden ability. There is no item or mechanism to force the game to have Annihilape have Anger Point.
3. What is the best ability for Annihilape?
Generally, Defiant is considered the best ability for Annihilape. It provides an excellent boost to Attack when opposing Pokémon try to lower its stats, making it incredibly useful in competitive battles.
4. How do I get a Defiant Annihilape?
You’ll need to use an Ability Patch on an Annihilape with either Vital Spirit or Inner Focus to change it to the Defiant ability. These Ability Patches are found in 6-star Tera raids, but are very rare.
5. What are Annihilape’s weaknesses?
Annihilape is weak to Flying, Psychic, Fairy, and Ghost-type moves. These weaknesses should be considered when building a team around Annihilape.
6. What is Annihilape’s best moveset?
A common competitive moveset includes Bulk Up, Rage Fist, Drain Punch, and Taunt/Screech. However, variations exist depending on individual strategies and team synergy.
7. Why is Annihilape a Ghost-type?
Annihilape gained the Ghost type due to its rage transcending its physical body. Its unyielding anger has manifested in a way that allows it to exert its power even beyond its physical limitations.
8. Is Annihilape good in competitive play?
Yes, Annihilape is considered a very strong Pokémon in competitive play. Its combination of a high Attack stat, decent bulk, strong movepool, and the Defiant ability make it a dangerous threat.
9. What are some Pokémon that synergize well with Annihilape?
Pokémon that can offer support or remove threats like Corviknight and Clodsire will let Annihilape take out opposing Pokémon with ease.
10. What is the move Rage Fist?
Rage Fist is a powerful Ghost-type move that becomes more powerful the more times Annihilape is hit. It allows Annihilape to take advantage of its rage and deal massive damage with each subsequent attack.
11. Is Anger Point a good ability?
Anger Point is a situational ability that can be very powerful. However, it is reliant on taking a critical hit, which isn’t always a reliable strategy. It can boost attack by +6 upon hit.
12. What other Pokémon have Anger Point?
Several Pokémon can have the Anger Point ability, including Tauros, Krookodile, Primeape, Camerupt, and Crabominable.
13. How do you evolve Primeape into Annihilape?
To evolve Primeape into Annihilape, you must use the move Rage Fist 20 times in battle and then level it up. You must evolve it before going to a Pokemon Center or completing other side tasks in the game.
14. What is the best nature for Annihilape?
Generally, the Adamant nature (boosting Attack and hindering Special Attack) is considered the best for Annihilape, as it helps it make the most out of its physical attacks.
15. Is Final Gambit a good move for Annihilape?
Final Gambit is a high-risk, high-reward move that allows Annihilape to inflict damage equal to its remaining HP. While useful in certain niche situations, it isn’t generally a recommended option due to the user fainting after its use.