Does Prankster Work on Dark Types? A Comprehensive Guide
The short answer is: no, Prankster generally does not work on Dark-type Pokémon. Since Generation 7, Dark-type Pokémon are immune to status moves that receive priority from the Prankster ability. This crucial change significantly impacts competitive battles and the strategic use of Prankster. Let’s delve deeper into the mechanics, limitations, and implications of this interaction.
Understanding Prankster and Its Effects
The Prankster ability, possessed by Pokémon like Sableye, Whimsicott, and Grimmsnarl, grants a +1 priority to status moves. This means that if a Pokémon with Prankster uses a status move like Taunt, Will-O-Wisp, or Thunder Wave, it will typically move before other Pokémon attempting a move with standard priority. This allows for swift disruption and strategic advantage. However, this advantage has its limitations when facing Dark-types.
Dark-Type Immunity: A Game-Changer
The introduction of immunity for Dark-types to Prankster-boosted status moves was designed to balance the game. Previously, Prankster users could easily control the battlefield, leading to repetitive and sometimes frustrating gameplay. Now, Dark-type Pokémon are entirely unaffected by any status move that has its priority increased by Prankster.
What Moves are Affected?
This immunity covers a wide array of status moves, including:
- Taunt: Prevents the target from using status moves.
- Will-O-Wisp: Burns the target.
- Thunder Wave: Paralyzes the target.
- Leech Seed: Drains the target’s HP each turn.
- Encore: Forces the target to repeat the last move used.
- Toxic: Badly poisons the target.
- Swagger: Confuses the target while sharply increasing its attack stat.
- Light Screen & Reflect: Reduces damage from special and physical attacks, respectively.
- Recover: Heals the user.
Essentially, if a move would have standard priority but receives +1 priority from Prankster, it will fail to affect a Dark-type Pokémon.
Exceptions to the Rule
It’s important to note a few key exceptions:
- Moves targeting all Pokémon: Moves that affect all Pokémon on the field, such as Perish Song and Rototiller, are successful regardless of the presence of Dark-type Pokémon. However, if these moves gain a boost from Prankster they will fail against Dark types.
- Moves that set traps: Moves such as Spikes, Stealth Rock, and Toxic Spikes also function normally, as they do not directly target a Pokémon.
- Instruct: Moves that are repeated as a result of Prankster-affected Instruct will work on Dark-types.
- Moves Called by Other Moves: Moves called by other moves, such as Assist and Nature Power, if boosted by Prankster, will not affect Dark types.
Strategic Implications
This immunity has significantly altered the way players approach team building and strategy. It’s crucial to understand these implications:
- Countering Prankster: Dark-type Pokémon serve as a solid check to many Prankster-reliant teams.
- Adaptability: Players must diversify strategies to avoid over-reliance on Prankster.
- Mind Games: The opponent might anticipate a status move and switch to a Dark-type, forcing the Prankster user to reconsider their plan.
- Setup Potential: Players can use Dark Types to set up moves that might not work against other types.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some commonly asked questions about Prankster and its interaction with Dark-types:
1. Does Prankster Taunt work on Dark types?
No, Prankster Taunt does not work on Dark types. The immunity to Prankster-boosted status moves prevents it from affecting Dark Pokémon.
2. Does Prankster Haze work on Dark types?
Similar to Taunt, Prankster Haze will not affect a Dark-type Pokémon. Haze is a status move and it will fail to work.
3. What moves does Prankster work with?
Prankster works with a wide variety of status moves, including Taunt, Will-O-Wisp, Thunder Wave, Leech Seed, Encore, Substitute, Toxic, Swagger, Light Screen, Reflect, Recover, and others. However, it only increases the priority of status moves.
4. Can you Taunt a Dark type?
No, you cannot use Taunt successfully on a Dark-type Pokémon. Dark-types are now immune to Taunt as a status move.
5. Are Dark types immune to Prankster Tailwind?
Yes and no. While Prankster-boosted Tailwind cannot be used directly on a Dark type, the move will still work on the team, because the move targets the user and the user’s team, not the opponent.
6. Do Dark types ignore Prankster?
Yes, Dark-type Pokémon effectively ignore the priority boost provided by Prankster for all applicable status moves.
7. Does Prankster work with Bulk Up?
No, Prankster does not work with Bulk Up. Bulk Up is not a status move, thus does not receive the priority boost. However, Pokémon like Grimmsnarl can use Prankster with Rest and Sleep Talk for setup.
8. Does Psychic Terrain stop Prankster?
Yes, Psychic Terrain will block moves boosted by Prankster, so long as both Pokémon using the move and the target are both on the ground.
9. Does Armor Tail stop Prankster?
Yes, Armor Tail will prevent moves boosted by Prankster from targeting it or its allies, completely shutting down any boosted status moves.
10. What is the strongest Dark-type move?
Some of the strongest Dark-type moves include Wicked Blow/G-Max One Blow, Fiery Wrath, Crunch, Dark Pulse, Hyperspace Fury, Sucker Punch, Throat Chop, and Foul Play.
11. Does Prankster work in Electric Terrain?
No, Electric Terrain does not directly interact with the Prankster ability. However, if the terrain is setup by a move, and that move is boosted by prankster, the terrain setting will still occur, however, that prankster boost will not work on any dark type pokemon
12. Is Dark a defensive type?
Dark can be a very useful defensive type. When paired with other types like Poison, it can create formidable defensive combinations due to its immunity to Psychic. It will still suffer weakness to fighting, bug, and fairy.
13. Why is Prankster so good in Pokémon?
Prankster’s value comes from its ability to grant priority to status moves, allowing Pokémon to disrupt opponents, set up strategies, and control the pace of battles.
14. Does Prankster beat priority moves?
Prankster does not block priority moves. It only gives priority to status moves. Therefore, a priority move from a non-Prankster user will always go before a Prankster boosted status move.
15. Is Dark weak to Fairy?
Yes, Dark-type Pokémon are weak to Fairy-type moves. Fairy-type moves do 2x damage against Dark types.
Conclusion
The interaction between Prankster and Dark types is a fundamental aspect of Pokémon battles. Understanding the immunity provided to Dark-types is essential for effective team building and strategy. By staying informed and adapting to these core mechanics, players can gain a competitive edge in the ever-evolving world of Pokémon.