Does Clear Smog Remove Lowered Stats? Understanding the Nuances
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Alright, let’s cut straight to the chase: Yes, Clear Smog removes lowered stats. But, like most things in the complex world of battling, especially when dealing with abilities like Clear Smog, the devil’s in the details. This isn’t a simple “yes or no” situation; it’s more of a “yes, but…” kind of answer. Clear Smog, primarily a damage-dealing Poison-type move, not only inflicts damage but also resets all stat modifications on the target Pokémon. This means that any boosts or drops to stats like Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed are nullified on the Pokémon hit by the move. It doesn’t affect the user’s stat modifications. It’s a powerful tool against teams reliant on stat boosting strategies. Now, let’s dive deeper and clear up some common misconceptions with a series of frequently asked questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Clear Smog
Here are the 15 most frequently asked questions about Clear Smog:
1. Does Clear Smog remove stat boosts from my Pokémon?
No. Clear Smog only affects the target Pokémon. Your Pokémon’s stat boosts (or drops) remain unaffected after using Clear Smog. It only resets the stats of the Pokémon hit by the move. It’s a key distinction to remember when planning your strategy.
2. Does Clear Smog remove stat boosts granted by items like X Attack or X Defense?
Yes. Clear Smog removes all stat boosts, regardless of their source. This includes boosts from items, abilities, and moves. If the target’s stats are enhanced by an X Attack, Clear Smog will wipe those boosts away.
3. What happens if a Pokémon uses Swords Dance and then gets hit by Clear Smog?
Swords Dance sharply raises the user’s Attack stat (by two stages). If a Pokémon uses Swords Dance and is then hit by Clear Smog, its Attack stat will return to its original, unmodified value before the Swords Dance boost. The effect is immediate.
4. Does Clear Smog remove the stat boosts from a Dynamaxed Pokémon?
Yes. Clear Smog works on Dynamaxed Pokémon. Even the immense power of Dynamaxing can’t protect a Pokémon from having its stat changes erased by Clear Smog. This makes it a surprisingly effective counter in Dynamax battles.
5. Does Clear Smog remove the effects of stat-boosting abilities like Moxie?
Yes. Moxie raises the user’s Attack stat by one stage after knocking out a Pokémon. If a Pokémon with Moxie has its Attack raised and is then hit by Clear Smog, the Attack boost is removed. This also goes for abilities like Beast Boost.
6. Can Clear Smog remove stat drops inflicted by moves like Intimidate?
Absolutely. Intimidate lowers the Attack stat of opposing Pokémon upon entry into battle. Clear Smog can remove the Attack drop inflicted by Intimidate. It effectively resets the stats, whether they’re positive or negative changes.
7. What happens if a Pokémon with Contrary is hit by Clear Smog?
Contrary reverses all stat changes. For example, if a Pokémon with Contrary uses Tail Whip (which lowers Defense), its Defense actually increases. When Clear Smog hits a Pokémon with Contrary, it removes these reversed stat changes, returning the stats to their original, unmodified values.
8. Does Clear Smog remove the effects of Sticky Web?
No. Sticky Web lowers the Speed stat of opposing Pokémon that switch into battle. However, Sticky Web places a hazard on the opponent’s side of the field and it is not a stat modifier on the affected Pokemon. It does not directly modify the stats of the Pokemon who switch in, so Clear Smog will not remove the effects of Sticky Web once the affected Pokémon is on the field.
9. Does Clear Smog have any effect on stats that have not been changed?
No. Clear Smog only affects stats that have been modified. If a Pokémon’s stats haven’t been boosted or lowered, Clear Smog does nothing to those stats. It effectively just resets stats that have been altered.
10. What is the accuracy of Clear Smog?
Clear Smog has an accuracy of 100%. This means it will always hit unless the target uses a move like Protect, Detect, or is under the effect of an ability like Wonder Guard, or is in the semi-invulnerable turn of a move like Fly or Dig. The reliable accuracy is a significant advantage.
11. What Pokémon typically learn Clear Smog?
Clear Smog is most often learned by Poison-type Pokémon, like Koffing, Weezing, and Toxapex. However, it can also be learned by some Dragon-type Pokémon and Water-type Pokémon. Check specific game data to confirm which Pokémon have access to the move.
12. How effective is Clear Smog against teams that don’t rely on stat boosting?
Against teams that don’t rely on stat boosting, Clear Smog functions simply as a damage-dealing move. It won’t have its stat-resetting effect, but it still deals Poison-type damage, which can be useful against certain opponents. In these cases, its usefulness depends solely on type matchups.
13. Does Clear Smog remove the effects of Power-Up Punch?
Yes. Power-Up Punch raises the user’s Attack stat by one stage each time it is used. If the target is hit by Clear Smog after the user of Power-Up Punch has increased their Attack stat, it resets the Attack stat back to normal.
14. Does Clear Smog work on Substitute?
No. Substitute creates a decoy that takes damage in place of the Pokémon. Clear Smog will hit the Substitute if it’s present, but the stat reset effect will not pass through the Substitute to affect the actual Pokémon behind it.
15. Can Clear Smog be reflected by Magic Coat or Magic Bounce?
No. Clear Smog is a direct attack, so it cannot be reflected by Magic Coat or Magic Bounce. These abilities only reflect status moves that target the user, not damage-dealing moves.
The Strategic Value of Clear Smog
Clear Smog is a valuable tool in competitive battling. Its ability to completely negate an opponent’s stat boosts can turn the tide of a battle, particularly against teams built around strategies like Baton Pass, Quiver Dance, or Swords Dance. It essentially acts as a hard reset, forcing opponents to rebuild their momentum. While its primary function is to remove stat changes, it shouldn’t be underestimated as a regular attacking move.
Understanding the ins and outs of Clear Smog, as we’ve covered here, provides a significant strategic advantage. This understanding of game mechanics highlights the importance of understanding complex systems and how they interact, and it’s something that organizations like the Games Learning Society, accessible at GamesLearningSociety.org, emphasize. Learning through gameplay, and understanding the intricate rules that govern these games, can develop a deep appreciation for strategic thinking and problem-solving.
By mastering the nuances of moves like Clear Smog, you can elevate your battling skills and outsmart your opponents. Now get out there and start battling!