Is Last Respects Banned in Pokémon?

Last Respects has indeed been banned in Pokémon, specifically in the SV OU format upon the release of Pokémon Home, allowing Basculegion-F, M, & Houndstone to be used in this format. The OU council made this decision, impacting the competitive Pokémon scene by restricting the use of Last Respects and paving the way for other Pokémon to join the fray.

Background and Related Information

Understanding the Ban

The ban on Last Respects is a significant move in the world of competitive Pokémon, affecting how players can strategize and compete in tournaments. This decision, like many others in the Pokémon universe, is aimed at maintaining a balanced and fair experience for all players.

Impact on the Metagame

The inclusion of Basculegion-F, M, & Houndstone in SV OU upon the release of Pokémon Home brings new dynamics to the metagame, offering players more options for team building and strategy. This shift can lead to a more diverse and potentially more competitive environment, as players adapt to the new possibilities and limitations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General Pokémon Bans

1. What Pokémon were banned?

• Expanded Archeops, Chip-Chip Ice Axe, Delinquent, Flabébé, and Forest of Giant Plants are among those that have been banned in various contexts for different reasons, including their potential to create an unfair advantage or disrupt the balance of the game.

1. Why was Shadow Tag banned?

• Shadow Tag was banned due to its ability to prevent opponents from switching Pokémon, which could lead to an almost unbeatable advantage, especially when combined with certain Pokémon like Gengar.

1. What moves are banned in Pokémon tournaments?

• Moves like Fissure, Horn Drill, Guillotine, and Sheer Cold are banned due to the OHKO clause, which prohibits one-hit knockouts to ensure battles are more strategic and less based on luck.

1. How do you know if you are permanently banned on Pokémon GO?

• If you see the message “Your account has been suspended/terminated for violating the Terms of Service” when trying to log in, it indicates that your account has been banned.

Specific Pokémon Bans

5. Why is Togekiss illegal?

• Togekiss is considered too powerful due to its Serene Grace ability, which makes it a reliable support Pokémon with decent Special Attack capabilities, potentially unbalancing the metagame.

5. Why is Ninjask illegal?

• Ninjask is banned primarily because of its ability to pass stat boosts to other Pokémon through Baton Pass, making it overly powerful and capable of dominating battles.

5. Are fake Pokémon cards illegal in tournaments?

• Yes, counterfeit cards are not only worthless but also illegal to use in tournaments, as they can undermine the integrity and fairness of the competition.

5. Is Mega Gengar banned?

• Mega Gengar has been banned from SV Balanced Hackmons due to its overwhelming power and potential to disrupt the balance of the game.

5. Why was Mega Rayquaza banned?

• Mega Rayquaza was banned because of its exceptionally high base stats and its unique ability to mega evolve without a Mega Stone, making it too powerful for most formats.

Pokémon GO Bans

10. Does Niantic still ban spoofers?

    • Yes, Niantic continues to ban players who engage in spoofing and other forms of cheating, as these activities violate the Terms of Service and can ruin the experience for other players!

11. What happens after a 7-day ban on Pokémon GO?

    • After the 7-day period, the player’s access to the game’s full features is restored, but repeated offenses can lead to longer bans or even permanent account suspension.

12. How does Niantic detect spoofers?

    • Niantic uses various methods, including monitoring IP addresses for inconsistencies that might indicate spoofing, to detect and prevent cheating.

13. Can you get unbanned from Pokémon GO?

    • Players can appeal a ban by contacting Niantic’s support team, though the success of such appeals can vary depending on the circumstances of the ban.

Other Bans

14. Why is Misty’s Tears banned?

    • Misty’s Tears is banned due to controversial content in the Japanese version of the card, which depicted Misty in a way that was deemed inappropriate.

15. Why is Shedinja banned?

    • Shedinja is banned because, with the right combination of items and moves (like an Air Balloon and Tera Electric), it could become virtually invincible, only susceptible to status conditions and weather effects, thus severely unbalancing the game.