Clear Smog: Unveiling the Secrets of this Potent Pokémon Move

Clear Smog is a Poison-type move in the Pokémon world that has a unique effect: it deals damage to a single target and resets their stat levels to zero. Unlike the move Haze, which affects all Pokémon on the field, Clear Smog focuses its power on a single opponent.

Clear Smog: One-Sided Stat Reset

Clear Smog affects only the target Pokémon. It does not affect the user’s stats or the stats of any other Pokémon on the field. Its primary function is to neutralize stat boosts (or reductions) an opponent has accumulated during battle, effectively bringing them back to their base state for stat modifiers. This makes it a valuable tool for countering strategies that rely on boosting stats to gain an advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Clear Smog

1. Does Clear Smog remove negative effects like paralysis or poison?

No, Clear Smog only resets stat changes. Status conditions such as paralysis, poison, burn, freeze, and sleep remain unaffected by Clear Smog. You’ll need other moves or items to cure those ailments.

2. Can Clear Smog miss?

Clear Smog bypasses accuracy checks to always hit, unless the target is in the semi-invulnerable turn of a move such as Dig or Fly. Evasion boosts do not affect Clear Smog’s accuracy.

3. Is Clear Smog or Haze better?

The “better” move depends on the situation. Haze clears stat changes from all Pokémon on the field, which can be beneficial if your team is also suffering from stat reductions. However, Haze is blocked by Taunt. Clear Smog targets a single Pokémon, does damage, is not affected by accuracy (evasion), and is not blocked by Taunt.

4. What happens if a Steel-type Pokémon is hit by Clear Smog?

Clear Smog is a Poison-type move. Steel-type Pokémon are immune to Poison-type moves, so Clear Smog will have no effect on them, including its stat-resetting properties.

5. Does Clear Amulet or Covert Cloak protect against Clear Smog?

No, Clear Amulet and Covert Cloak do not protect against Clear Smog. These items prevent stat reductions caused by other Pokémon’s moves or abilities, but Clear Smog’s stat reset is not considered a stat reduction in that sense.

6. Does Clear Smog work through a Substitute?

No, Clear Smog will not affect a Pokémon hiding behind a Substitute. The Substitute absorbs the damage, and the stat-resetting effect is also negated.

7. Can Clear Smog be learned through breeding?

Yes, Clear Smog can be learned as an Egg Move by certain Pokémon. Consult breeding guides to determine which Pokémon can pass down Clear Smog to their offspring.

8. What are some strategies to counter Clear Smog?

• Use Steel-type Pokémon: Steel-types are immune to Poison-type moves.
• Protect or Detect: These moves will prevent Clear Smog from hitting.
• Substitute: A Substitute will block Clear Smog’s effects.
• Rapid Spin or Defog: If you have a way of clearing hazards, you can force a switch and reset the stats of the opposing pokemon that way.
• Taunt: While Taunt does not block Clear Smog directly, using Taunt before the opponent has the opportunity to set up stat boosts can prevent the need for Clear Smog in the first place.
• Outspeed and KO: Sometimes the best defense is a good offense. If you can eliminate the opponent’s Pokémon before it becomes a threat, you won’t need to worry about its stat boosts.

9. Does Clear Smog affect Pokémon with abilities like Clear Body or White Smoke?

No, Clear Body and White Smoke only prevent stat reductions. Since Clear Smog resets stats and does not reduce them, these abilities do not have an effect.

10. Does Clear Smog remove stat boosts granted by items like Swords Dance?

Yes, Clear Smog removes the effects of stat boosts from moves like Swords Dance as well as stat boosts from held items like X Attack.

11. Is Clear Smog affected by abilities that change type effectiveness, such as Delta Stream or Desolate Land?

Yes, Clear Smog’s damage calculation is affected by abilities that alter type effectiveness. Desolate Land, which negates Water-type attacks, and Delta Stream, which weakens Flying-type attacks, do not directly impact Clear Smog.

12. If a Pokémon uses Clear Smog on a Pokémon that is already at base stats, what happens?

Clear Smog still inflicts damage, even if the target’s stats are already at their base values (0 for stat modifiers). The stat reset effect simply has no impact since there are no stats to reset.

13. Are there any Z-Moves or Max Moves that are based on Clear Smog?

No, there are no Z-Moves or Max Moves specifically based on Clear Smog. However, when a Pokémon uses a Poison-type move as the basis for a Max Move in Pokémon Sword and Shield, it becomes Max Ooze.

14. How does Clear Smog interact with the move “Psych Up?”

“Psych Up” copies the target’s stat changes. If a Pokémon uses Psych Up on an opponent and then the opponent gets hit by Clear Smog, the user (the Pokémon that used Psych Up) will not have their stats reset. The stat changes copied by “Psych Up” are independent of the target’s stats after the Clear Smog. “Any changes made to the target’s stats after Psych Up is used will not affect the user’s stats.”

15. What role does game-based learning play in understanding Pokémon mechanics?

Understanding complex game mechanics like Clear Smog is a perfect example of how games can foster learning and problem-solving skills. Platforms like the Games Learning Society use games to explore education, engagement, and social impact. By engaging in games, learners can experiment with strategies, analyze data, and collaborate with others to achieve common goals. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to explore more about the transformative power of games in education.

Conclusion

Clear Smog is a potent and strategic move in the Pokémon battling landscape, and its one-sided stat reset can change the tide of battle. By understanding how Clear Smog works, its strengths, and its weaknesses, you can become a more proficient Pokémon trainer.