Can You Haze a Substitute? A Deep Dive into Pokémon Mechanics
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The simple answer is: Yes, you absolutely can Haze a Pokémon that is behind a Substitute. This is a fundamental aspect of how these two moves interact within the Pokémon battle system. Haze is a move that resets all stat changes of all Pokémon on the field, and it will work regardless of whether a Pokémon is protected by a Substitute. Understanding this interaction is crucial for strategic play in the Pokémon games. Let’s delve deeper into the mechanics of Haze and Substitute, and explore other related questions.
Haze vs. Substitute: Understanding the Interaction
Substitute is a non-damaging move that creates a decoy using 25% of the user’s maximum health. This decoy will then take damage from attacks aimed at the user. Think of it as a temporary shield. However, it’s important to note that Substitute doesn’t provide complete invulnerability. Certain moves and abilities can bypass it, and importantly, it does not prevent status moves, such as Haze, from affecting the Pokémon behind it.
Haze, on the other hand, is a status move with a field-wide effect. It doesn’t target an individual Pokémon; instead, it resets all stat changes, both positive and negative, for every Pokémon on the field. This means that whether a Pokémon is hiding behind a Substitute or not, if it has experienced any changes to its stats, Haze will reset those stats. Haze’s wide-reaching effect ignores the protective nature of Substitute.
Therefore, if you’re facing a Pokémon that is hiding behind a Substitute and has boosted its stats with moves like Swords Dance or Calm Mind, Haze is a perfect counter. It effectively removes their stat boosts and the Substitute cannot block this effect. This makes Haze a valuable tool in battles where opponents heavily rely on stat-boosting tactics or evasiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Substitute and Haze
Here are 15 frequently asked questions that delve deeper into the nuances of Substitute, Haze, and related moves and abilities:
1. What kind of moves does Substitute block?
Substitute generally blocks direct damage from most attacks. It takes the brunt of the hit until it’s broken. It also protects the user from most status condition moves, such as paralysis or sleep. However, as outlined previously, it doesn’t block all status moves, including Haze, Taunt, and Roar.
2. What moves can bypass a Substitute?
Several moves can bypass a substitute including, but not limited to:
- Sound-based moves: Like Boomburst, Hyper Voice, Bug Buzz, and Uproar.
- Infiltrator ability: Allows a Pokémon to ignore the effects of Substitute.
- Hyperspace Hole and Fury: These unique moves completely ignore Substitute.
- Moves like Parting Shot, Play Nice, and Spectral Thief: These moves can bypass Substitute to apply their effect directly to the target.
- Torch Song: This move also bypasses substitute.
3. How much damage does it take to break a Substitute?
A Substitute is created using 25% of the user’s maximum health. The Substitute itself will act as a barrier until its HP reaches zero. Thus, any move that deals more than 25% damage of the user’s total HP can break the substitute with one hit. It takes 2 hits in case damage is less than 25% of the user’s health. A one-hit KO attack will always break a Substitute, regardless of the original user’s health, if it lands.
4. Can a Substitute be poisoned, burned or paralyzed?
No. While the Substitute will take damage on behalf of the user, it doesn’t inherit the user’s status conditions. If a Pokémon that is poisoned, burnt, or paralyzed creates a substitute, the substitute itself won’t be afflicted by those statuses. It is a decoy, not a replica with shared ailments. Status effects that were on the Pokemon before it makes the sub stay on the Pokemon behind the substitute and can be removed via switching or the use of status healing moves or items.
5. Does Leftovers heal a Substitute?
Leftovers is an item that heals the holder by a fraction of its health each turn. It will heal the Pokémon behind the Substitute but does not directly heal the Substitute itself. The Substitute’s HP remains as it was initially created until damage is dealt to it.
6. Can you Leech Seed a Substitute?
No. You cannot use Leech Seed on a Substitute. The Leech Seed move will miss if the target has an active substitute. However, If the user switches out and the original target of leech seed does not, they will continue to take damage.
7. Does Volt Absorb and similar abilities work through a Substitute?
Yes. Abilities like Volt Absorb, Water Absorb, and Flash Fire will activate and provide their respective effects through a Substitute. If a Pokémon with these abilities is targeted by the appropriate attack type, it will heal even though it’s protected by a Substitute.
8. Can Roar or Whirlwind remove a Substitute?
Yes, Roar and Whirlwind can force a switch, effectively removing the Substitute from the battle. These moves are very useful in disrupting strategies built around Substitute.
9. Can you Taunt a Pokémon behind a Substitute?
Yes. Taunt will work through a Substitute, preventing the target from using status moves for a couple of turns. Taunt is a useful move to prevent stall tactics or stat boosts.
10. Can a Pokémon be paralyzed through a Substitute?
No. A Substitute provides protection from paralysis, as well as other status effects such as sleep and confusion. These effects will not affect a Pokemon behind a substitute, but will still affect the Pokemon before they set up a substitute.
11. Can a sound move hit through a Substitute?
Yes, Sound moves bypass Substitute. Moves like Boomburst, Bug Buzz, Hyper Voice, Uproar, and others, will hit the Pokémon behind the substitute. This makes Sound moves great options when facing opponents who rely heavily on Substitute.
12. Does Infiltrator bypass a Substitute?
Yes. The ability Infiltrator allows a Pokémon to ignore the effects of Substitute and hit the opponent directly. This is an excellent ability for Pokémon that frequently face Substitute users.
13. How does a Substitute fade away?
A Substitute fades away when it takes damage equal to its HP, which is equivalent to 25% of the user’s maximum health. Any damaging move, except for those that specifically bypass it, will reduce its HP. Once the Substitute’s HP reaches zero, it vanishes.
14. Is Substitute a good move for Greninja?
While Substitute can be a versatile tool for Greninja, it’s important to consider its drawbacks. Greninja has a relatively slow Substitute animation and a relatively low duration, making it not as effective as on some other Pokemon. However, Substitute can still be a good option for Greninja for predicting switch-outs, for providing free turns of setup and for avoiding status moves.
15. Why is Substitute such a versatile move?
Substitute is versatile because it allows for a number of strategic options, such as:
- Protecting from status moves: Avoiding paralysis, poison, burn, etc.
- Scouting opponent moves: Allowing a free turn to see what your opponent will do.
- Buying time: For stat boosts, or healing.
- Protecting against damage: Providing a shield from direct attacks.
Understanding the relationship between Haze and Substitute, as well as the vast array of related mechanics, is vital for any serious Pokémon player. Mastering these intricacies allows for more strategic and well-informed decisions in battles. Remember that while Substitute is a potent defensive tool, it’s not impenetrable, and moves like Haze will always affect the Pokémon behind the decoy.