Is Pokémon Showdown Legal?
Pokémon Showdown is not technically legal as it would likely be found by a court to constitute copyright infringement, but it is unlikely that any action would be taken against them due to Nintendo’s existing history of tolerance towards fan-made projects. The platform operates in a gray area, allowed to exist because it doesn’t do any harm and may even benefit the Pokémon franchise by introducing new fans to the series and encouraging them to purchase official games.
Introduction to Pokémon Showdown
Pokémon Showdown is a Pokémon battle simulator that allows users to play Pokémon battles online, either with randomly generated teams or custom-built teams, making it a valuable tool for fans of the series to simulate battles and test strategies without the need for physical games.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Pokémon Showdown used for?
Pokémon Showdown is used as a Pokémon battle simulator, allowing players to engage in online battles and test their strategies in various competitive formats.
2. Why are some Pokémon banned in Pokémon Showdown?
Some Pokémon, like Annihilape, Chi-Yu, and Cyclizar, are banned from competitive singles due to their potential to give an unfair advantage, each for different reasons related to their stats, moves, and overall competitive balance.
3. Why has Pokémon Showdown not been taken down by Nintendo?
Pokémon Showdown likely remains operational because it doesn’t harm the Pokémon franchise and may even promote it by fostering a community of enthusiastic fans, some of whom may purchase official Pokémon games after being introduced to the series through the simulator.
4. Should you play Pokémon Showdown?
Pokémon Showdown is recommended for almost every fan of the series, as it offers a unique chance to engage with the franchise without the grind of traditional Pokémon games, making it an enjoyable experience for players with varying levels of commitment and interest.
5. What is the most played mode in Pokémon Showdown?
The OverUsed (OU) tier is the most commonly played competitive format on Pokémon Showdown, reflecting its popularity among fans who seek a balance between diversity and competitiveness in their battles.
6. What does UU mean in Pokémon?
UnderUsed (UU) refers to any Pokémon or mechanic not included in the AG (Anything Goes), Ubers, OU, or the UU banlist (UUBL), offering a format where less commonly used Pokémon can shine.
7. Why are megas illegal in Pokémon Showdown for some games?
Mega Evolutions are not allowed in the Gen 8 metagame because the Sword and Shield games introduced Dynamax instead, making Mega Evolutions irrelevant to the current competitive scene.
8. Is minimize banned in Pokémon?
Yes, Minimize is banned, along with Double Team, because these evasion moves can make a Pokémon nearly unbeatable when used excessively, disrupting the competitive balance.
9. Why is Bulbasaur’s name an issue in some contexts?
Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, and Venusaur’s names contain the word “Sau“, which resembles a German curse word, leading to restrictions on using their English names in certain contexts, like the GTS (Global Trade Station).
10. Why was Ash Greninja banned?
Ash Greninja was banned due to its over-centralizing effect on battles and its ability to adapt to countermeasures with new moves, making it too powerful for competitive play.
11. Why is Caterpie banned in some contexts?
Caterpie was once banned because it could learn String Shot, a move that could freeze the game, although this issue has since been resolved, and Caterpie is no longer banned for this reason.
12. What is the longest match in Pokémon Showdown history?
The world record for the longest battle in Pokémon Showdown history is 6,491 turns, achieved by having two Dittos transform into each other repeatedly.
13. Why was National Dex AG removed?
National Dex AG was removed as a playable format due to its lack of community and competitive viability, making it unplayable by competitive standards and leading to its reclassification as a challenge-only format.
14. What is considered a good rank in Pokémon Showdown?
A rank of 1600 is considered fairly respectable, while 1900 and above indicates a highly skilled player, and 2100 or higher signifies an exceptionally skilled player, akin to being a “god” at the game.
15. Is Pokémon Showdown free?
Yes, Pokémon Showdown is free and open-source, written in TypeScript and JavaScript, and operates on Node.js, making it accessible to anyone with an internet connection, without any cost or subscription requirements.