Does Using Frustration Lower Friendship in Pokémon?

No, using the move Frustration in the Pokémon games does not directly lower a Pokémon’s friendship (also often referred to as happiness). Instead, the inverse is true: a Pokémon’s friendship level directly affects the power of the Frustration move. The lower the Pokémon’s friendship, the higher the base power of the move. It’s important to differentiate between cause and effect here. Your Pokémon’s happiness dictates the strength of Frustration, not the other way around.

To put it simply: Frustration is stronger when your Pokémon dislikes you, and weaker when they adore you.

This mechanic contrasts sharply with the move Return, which functions oppositely. Return’s power increases in direct proportion to your Pokémon’s friendship level; a happy Pokémon will unleash a powerful Return attack.

Understanding the mechanics of friendship and how it interacts with these moves is critical for strategic gameplay, especially when dealing with Shadow Pokémon (more on that later).

Understanding Pokémon Friendship Mechanics

Friendship, or happiness, is a hidden stat in Pokémon games that influences various aspects of gameplay beyond the power of Frustration and Return. High friendship can lead to faster evolution for certain Pokémon (like Eevee into Espeon or Umbreon), improved performance in battle (such as increased critical hit ratios or resilience to status conditions in some generations), and access to special in-game events or items.

So, how does friendship change? A variety of actions can influence a Pokémon’s friendship:

• Increasing Friendship:

  • Keeping the Pokémon in your party.
  • Leveling up the Pokémon.
  • Using vitamins and other stat-boosting items (Protein, Iron, Calcium, etc.).
  • Giving the Pokémon massages (in certain locations in some games).
  • Winning battles with the Pokémon.

• Decreasing Friendship:

  • Allowing the Pokémon to faint in battle.
  • Using bitter herbal medicines (Energy Powder, Heal Powder, Energy Root, Revival Herb). These are effective for healing, but Pokémon dislike their taste.
  • Trading the Pokémon (friendship is reset upon trading).

The starting friendship value varies between Pokémon. For example, Buneary traditionally starts with a friendship of 0, while most Pokémon begin around 70. Pokémon obtained through trading or special events might also have different starting values.

Frustration and Shadow Pokémon: A Powerful Combination

Shadow Pokémon, introduced in Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness and later revived in Pokémon GO, are corrupted Pokémon with significantly boosted attack power. However, they initially can only use the move Frustration.

This forced move highlights the core mechanic of Frustration. Shadow Pokémon are effectively “unhappy” and resentful, hence the powerful Frustration attack. Purifying a Shadow Pokémon removes the Frustration move (usually replacing it with Return or another compatible move) and allows it to gain friendship through conventional methods.

In Pokémon GO, Shadow Pokémon also receive a significant attack boost. This makes Frustration, despite its Normal-type classification and sometimes low damage output, a very powerful move. This is why players usually wait for special events to TM Frustration away.

FAQs: All About Frustration and Friendship

Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions to give you an even better understanding of Frustration and Pokémon friendship:

1. Is Frustration better than Return?

Whether Frustration is “better” than Return depends entirely on the Pokémon’s friendship. At maximum friendship (255), Return has a base power of 102. At minimum friendship (0), Frustration also has a base power of 102. Therefore, they are equally powerful at their respective extremes. However, it is generally much easier to max out a Pokémon’s happiness for Return than it is to keep a Pokémon at 0 happiness for Frustration. Realistically, Return is almost always a more reliable and easier-to-use option.

2. How much damage does Frustration do in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon?

In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, Frustration’s damage is based on the user’s IQ (Intelligence Quotient). At 0 IQ, it deals 45 damage. This damage decreases by 5 after reaching 50 and 100 IQ, and then every 100 IQ thereafter, until it deals only 5 damage at 700 IQ.

3. What actions decrease a Pokémon’s friendship?

Letting a Pokémon faint in battle and using bitter herbal medicines (Energy Powder, Heal Powder, Energy Root, and Revival Herb) directly decrease a Pokémon’s friendship. Trading will reset friendship to a base value.

4. What actions increase a Pokémon’s friendship?

Keeping a Pokémon in your party, leveling it up, using vitamins on it, winning battles, and grooming it (in games where grooming is available) will typically increase friendship.

5. Does battling increase friendship?

Yes, battling with a Pokémon increases its friendship. The more a Pokémon participates in battles and gains experience, the happier it becomes.

6. Does depositing a Pokémon in the PC lower happiness?

No, depositing a Pokémon in the PC does not affect its friendship. Its friendship will remain constant while stored in the PC.

7. What is the maximum friendship value?

The maximum friendship value in most Pokémon games is 255. This value is required to maximize the power of the Return move.

8. How do I check a Pokémon’s friendship level?

The method for checking friendship varies between games. Often, there is an NPC in a specific location (usually a Pokémon Center) who will provide a general assessment of your Pokémon’s happiness. In later games, more precise methods, like accessing the Pokémon’s summary screen or using a special item (like the Soothe Bell), are available.

9. Why is Frustration the default move for Shadow Pokémon?

Frustration perfectly embodies the concept of Shadow Pokémon. These Pokémon are corrupted and resentful, which is reflected in their inability to use other moves and their reliance on Frustration, a move powered by their unhappiness.

10. Can I remove Frustration from a Shadow Pokémon?

Yes, but only by purifying the Shadow Pokémon. Purifying removes the “shadow” status and converts Frustration into a more standard move (often Return). In Pokémon GO, Frustration can be removed with a Charged TM during special events.

11. What’s the best strategy for dealing with Frustration on a Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

The best strategy is to wait for a Team GO Rocket Takeover event where you can use a Charged TM to replace Frustration with a more desirable move. If you have a very high IV Shadow Pokémon you may want to wait for an event to TM Frustration and power it up. Shadow Pokémon are particularly powerful due to their 20% damage bonus, so losing that potential by purifying it is a waste.

12. What are the benefits of purifying a Shadow Pokémon?

Purifying a Shadow Pokémon lowers the Stardust and Candy costs for powering it up and evolving it. It also improves its IVs, adds the move Return, and makes it eligible for Mega Evolution (if applicable).

13. Does trading a Pokémon reset its friendship?

Yes, trading a Pokémon resets its friendship to its base value. This means you’ll need to rebuild the friendship from scratch after trading.

14. How does the Soothe Bell affect friendship?

The Soothe Bell is an item that, when held by a Pokémon, increases the rate at which its friendship grows. It’s a valuable tool for quickly raising a Pokémon’s friendship to evolve it or maximize the power of Return.

15. Where can I learn more about the complexities of game design and learning through games?

For those interested in the deeper connections between game design, learning, and player behavior, I recommend visiting the Games Learning Society. It’s a valuable resource for understanding how games can be used for educational purposes and exploring the psychological aspects of gameplay. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org for fascinating insights.

Conclusion

While Frustration itself doesn’t lower friendship, understanding its relationship with friendship is key to mastering the Pokémon games. Whether you’re aiming to unleash the power of a resentful Shadow Pokémon or cultivate a strong bond with your team, manipulating friendship is an essential skill for any aspiring Pokémon Trainer. Good luck, and happy training!