Is Regice Useful? A Comprehensive Analysis
The short answer is: Regice’s usefulness is nuanced and highly dependent on the context. While it might not be a top-tier powerhouse, it definitely has its niches. In Pokémon GO, Regice can function as a surprisingly effective generalist in the Master League due to its respectable stat product and unresisted coverage with moves like Blizzard and Earthquake. However, its offensive potential is not top-tier and it excels much more as a defensive tank. In the core Pokémon games, Regice has struggled for viability due to its relatively low offensive capabilities, however in certain contexts and with the right strategies, it can carve out a role. This article will delve into the various aspects of Regice’s utility and discuss where it shines, and where it falters.
Regice in Pokémon GO
Master League Performance
Regice’s claim to fame in Pokémon GO largely rests within the Master League. Its bulk, combined with access to both Blizzard (Ice-type) and Earthquake (Ground-type), allows it to provide unresisted coverage against most opponents. This makes it a solid, if not outstanding, generalist pick. The stat product, while not the absolute highest, is respectable enough to make Regice a fairly sturdy wall that can dish out some damage.
Shadow vs. Purified
The question of whether to purify a Shadow Regice is a common one. Shadow Pokémon hit harder (1.2x damage) but take more damage, while purified Pokémon get a boost to their CP and a cost reduction to power up. For Regice, keeping it as a Shadow form is generally recommended for raid battles. The extra offensive pressure is valuable, even if it compromises some of its defensive capabilities. Purifying it can be more beneficial if you prioritize cost-efficiency when powering it up, and want to tailor its moveset, especially when not primarily being used in raids. A purified Regice gets a +2 boost to all of it’s IVs and this can potentially take a 2-star to a 3-star which can further boost it’s utility.
Powering Up Regice
Regice is worth powering up if you are looking for a fairly solid choice for the Master League, especially for those wanting a more bulky option with good type coverage. If a purified Regice is powered up from level 25, it can potentially be more cost-effective due to a CP boost gained when purified. However, Shadow Regice might require a higher initial investment of resources to reach its full potential.
Regice in Core Pokémon Games (Generations 3-7)
Competitive History
Historically, Regice has not been a top-tier competitive Pokémon in the main series games. Its role as a pure Ice-type makes it vulnerable to several common offensive types like Fire, Fighting, Rock, and Steel. Moreover, its relatively low base Attack stat means that its offensive output is limited. In the past, its access to powerful moves like Blizzard, combined with its good bulk, have allowed it to function as a slow special tank in a few niche teams and metas. However, it has struggled to break into the upper echelons of competitive play.
Limitations
Regice’s primary weakness is its type. Being a pure Ice-type, it gets hit hard by common attacking types. This, coupled with an underwhelming offensive stat, has relegated it to niche use at best. It has also not received any real improvements in its offensive movepool or it’s base stats over the years.
Comparative Analysis: The Regi Trio
Regice vs. Registeel
When compared to its fellow Regis, Registeel is often considered slightly superior. Registeel has better overall offensive coverage options and is a bit more well-rounded. Registeel can also hit back at opponents a little harder due to its access to moves like Iron Head, and has greater defensive versatility against more attack types than Regice.
Regice vs. Regirock
Regirock is also generally considered superior to Regice. Regirock has better physical bulk and can function as a potent physical wall, whereas Regice is reliant on its special defense. Both tend to function in a similar manner, but Regirock’s type matchups and movepool give it slightly more strategic options than Regice.
The Power of the Regis
While Regigigas has the highest stat total, its ability Slow Start cripples it for several turns, making it the least effective in most cases. Regieleki and Regidrago have shown to wield more offensive potential in their respective roles. Regice is generally considered the weakest of the Regis in terms of overall usefulness, with Registeel and Regirock often considered to be better alternatives.
Conclusion
Regice is useful in specific situations. In Pokémon GO, it can be a respectable pick in the Master League, and in core Pokémon games, its strong special defense can be useful in specific niche teams, but it is generally less viable when compared to other Pokémon with more well-rounded stats or more versatile movepools. Deciding whether to purify a Shadow Regice comes down to personal preference and the resources available. Overall, understanding Regice’s strengths and weaknesses is key to effectively utilizing this legendary Pokémon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Regice rare?
Regice is considered a rare Pokémon. In trading card games it has been labeled as Rare, and it is a limited legendary encounter in most games, including Pokémon GO.
2. What are Regice’s weaknesses?
Regice, being a pure Ice-type, is weak to Fire, Fighting, Rock, and Steel type attacks.
3. What are the best counters against Regice in Pokémon GO?
In Pokémon GO, the best counters include Mega Blaziken, Mega Charizard Y, Shadow Metagross, Mega Diancie, Terrakion, and Shadow Ho-Oh.
4. Can you melt Regice?
According to its Pokédex entries, Regice’s body is made of an ice that cannot be melted even by fire. It controls extremely cold air.
5. Which Regi is the fastest?
Regieleki is the fastest Regi, and the fastest Pokémon overall, with a base Speed of 200.
6. Is Shadow Regice worth keeping?
Yes, Shadow Regice is worth keeping if you prioritize offensive pressure in raid battles. Its 1.2x damage output is beneficial, but it also takes more damage.
7. Is purified Regice better than Shadow?
It depends. Purifying Regice reduces its power-up costs and can boost its CP. Shadow Regice is better for offense in raids, but a purified version can be more cost-effective in the long run, especially when not in raid settings.
8. Is Regice good in PvP?
Regice can be a solid choice in the Pokémon GO Master League, thanks to its bulk and decent coverage with moves like Blizzard and Earthquake. It isn’t however a high tier pick, and will be more difficult to use than other more common alternatives.
9. Is Regice the weakest Regi?
Generally, Regice is considered the weakest of the Regis in terms of overall competitive viability due to its limited type matchups and movepool.
10. Is Regice a good attacker?
While it can be a decent attacker, its offensive stats are not top-tier. It is more reliable as a tank due to its bulk and move coverage.
11. What is the weakest Pokémon type?
Bug-type is generally considered to be the weakest Pokémon type due to low stats and common weaknesses.
12. What is the weakest legendary Pokémon?
Cosmog is often considered the weakest legendary due to its abysmal stats and lack of offensive moves. Regigigas is also often cited due to its crippling ability Slow Start.
13. What is good against Regirock?
Good counters to Regirock include Metagross, Lucario, and Xurkitree due to their access to powerful moves that take advantage of Regirock’s type vulnerabilities.
14. Should I purify a 96% Shadow Regirock?
Purifying it will change its move to Return, which may be useful. Shadow Pokémon are more expensive to power up, so if you are low on resources, purifying can be a cost-effective option. Purifying will also provide +2 to all IVs which may be very beneficial.
15. What makes Regigigas weak?
Regigigas’s main weakness is its ability, Slow Start, which halves its attack and speed stats for the first five turns of battle. This makes it unreliable and difficult to use in many scenarios.