Is Baton Pass banned in Pokémon Showdown?
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The answer to the question of whether Baton Pass is banned in Pokémon Showdown is a bit complex, as it depends on the specific generation and tier being played, but in general, Baton Pass has been banned in several metas, including Gen 5 on Pokémon Showdown, due to its potential to create overpowered strategies. Baton Pass is considered a broken move when used with certain Pokémon, such as Ninjask, which can pass stat boosts to other Pokémon, making them nearly unbeatable.
Understanding Baton Pass and Its Impact
To fully understand the reasoning behind the banning of Baton Pass, it’s essential to grasp how the move works and its implications in competitive battles. Baton Pass allows a Pokémon to switch out with another Pokémon in the party, passing on any stat boosts it has acquired, such as increases in Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, or Speed. This can lead to unbalanced matchups, especially when powerful Pokémon are on the receiving end of these boosts.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Baton Pass Legal in Showdown?
Baton Pass has been banned in certain generations and tiers on Pokémon Showdown, including Gen 5, to prevent uncompetitive strategies.
2. What Pokémon Are Banned in Showdown?
Several Pokémon, including Annihilape, Chi-Yu, and Cyclizar, have been banned from competitive singles in Pokémon Showdown for various reasons, including being too overpowered.
3. What is the Baton Pass Clause in Pokémon Showdown?
The Baton Pass Clause prevents more than one Pokémon from having Baton Pass and stops Pokémon from passing boosts in Speed and another stat at the same time.
4. Why is Ninjask Baton Pass Banned?
Ninjask with Baton Pass is banned because it can get stat boosts and pass them to other Pokémon, making them too powerful.
5. Is Shedinja a Dead Ninjask?
According to Pokédex entries, Shedinja is created when a Nincada evolves into a Ninjask, leaving behind an empty husk that reanimates.
6. Why is Ninjask Considered Bad?
Ninjask has fantastic stats but a horrible learnset and a useless ability, making it less desirable except for Baton Pass strategies.
7. Why Are Moves Illegal in Pokémon Showdown?
Moves are considered illegal if they create impossible combinations or are deemed uncompetitive.
8. What is the Best Baton Pass in Pokémon Showdown?
Celebi is considered one of the best Baton Passers due to its high defenses, stat-up moves, and reliable recovery options.
9. What is the Nickname Clause in Pokémon Showdown?
The nickname clause states that a player’s team cannot contain two Pokémon with the same nickname or a Pokémon nicknamed with another Pokémon’s name.
10. Why is Milotic Illegal?
The Milotic card is banned in the Pokémon TCG due to its Energy Grace Ability creating overpowered combinations.
11. Why is Darkrai Banned?
Darkrai is banned because its signature move, Dark Void, is considered broken at a competitive level.
12. Why is Shiny Greninja Banned?
Shiny Greninja was banned for being too over-centralizing and gaining new moves that allowed it to diversify its moveset.
13. Why Can’t I Baton Pass?
Characters need to have the Baton Pass ability unlocked and cannot be affected by status conditions or have an ailment themselves to use Baton Pass.
14. Is Baton Pass Banned in OU?
Baton Pass has been banned in BW OU to curb the strategy and nerf other implementations of Baton Pass.
15. Can Baton Pass Escape Shadow Tag?
Baton Pass will still cause the Pokémon to switch out, but holding a Shed Shell allows the Pokémon to switch out despite Shadow Tag.