Return vs. Frustration: Which Pokémon Move Reigns Supreme?
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The question of whether Return or Frustration is the stronger move is deceptively simple. The answer, in short, is: Return is significantly stronger than Frustration under almost all circumstances. Frustration is intentionally designed as a weak move to discourage players from using Shadow Pokémon without purification or specific events that allow TMing it away.
Understanding the Mechanics
To understand why Return wins out, we need to delve into the mechanics of these two unique Normal-type moves. Their power is directly tied to a Pokémon’s Happiness (Friendship) stat.
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Return: Its base power scales with the Pokémon’s happiness, ranging from a measly 1 at minimum happiness (0) to a formidable 102 at maximum happiness (255).
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Frustration: Conversely, Frustration’s power decreases as happiness increases. It’s strongest when happiness is at its absolute lowest.
The crucial point is that Frustration will only be stronger than Return if a Pokémon’s happiness stat is extremely low (127 or less in the main series games). This is almost never the case for regularly used Pokémon that have been raised with care. In Pokémon GO, Frustration’s damage is fixed and intentionally low, making it virtually unusable.
Return: The Power of Friendship
Return is essentially the embodiment of the bond between trainer and Pokémon. A happy, well-cared-for Pokémon will unleash a powerful attack fuelled by its affection. This makes Return a potent option for any Pokémon that can learn it, particularly those lacking strong STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus) moves in their own elemental typing. It’s a reliable, high-damage option with no drawbacks, making it situationally better than moves with secondary effects or recoil.
Return in Pokémon GO
In Pokémon GO, Return is a Charged Attack that hits hard, especially in Player vs Player (PvP) battles. It’s a three-bar move, meaning it charges relatively quickly, and its high damage output can surprise opponents. While not the fastest-charging move, its sheer power makes it a worthwhile addition to many Pokémon’s movesets.
Maximizing Return’s Potential
To get the most out of Return, ensure your Pokémon’s happiness is maximized. This involves activities like:
- Battling alongside your Pokémon
- Using it in your party frequently
- Giving it vitamins (in main series games)
- Feeding it berries (in Pokémon GO)
Frustration: The Shadow’s Curse
Frustration represents the resentment a Shadow Pokémon feels towards its captors. It is deliberately designed as a poor move. This serves as a gameplay mechanic to encourage players to purify Shadow Pokémon or participate in specific events that allow them to replace Frustration with a better move using a Charged TM.
Frustration in Pokémon GO
In Pokémon GO, Frustration is a terrible move. Even with the 20% damage bonus Shadow Pokémon receive, its base power of 12 is abysmal. It’s virtually unusable in raids, Gym battles, or PvP.
Why Frustration Exists
Frustration serves several purposes:
- Gameplay Balance: Prevents Shadow Pokémon from immediately becoming overpowered due to their damage bonus.
- Encourages Purification: Incentivizes players to purify Shadow Pokémon, removing the damage bonus but allowing them to learn better moves.
- Event Engagement: Creates opportunities for special events where players can TM away Frustration, providing a temporary advantage.
FAQs: Return and Frustration
1. Is Frustration worth keeping in Pokémon GO?
Absolutely not. Frustration is one of the worst moves in the game and should be replaced with a better option as soon as possible.
2. Can I TM away Frustration?
Normally, no. Frustration can only be replaced with a Charged TM during specific events announced by Niantic.
3. How do I get rid of Frustration?
Wait for an event that allows you to use a Charged TM on your Shadow Pokémon to replace Frustration. Keep an eye on official Pokémon GO news for announcements.
4. What is the strongest Normal-type move?
In terms of raw power with no drawbacks, Return is often considered one of the strongest Normal-type moves when used with a Pokémon at maximum happiness. However, other moves like Hyper Beam may have higher base power but come with significant drawbacks like a recharge turn.
5. Does happiness affect Frustration?
Yes, but in reverse. The lower the happiness, the stronger Frustration would be in the main series games. However, in Pokémon GO, Frustration has a fixed, low damage output regardless of happiness.
6. Is Return a good move for competitive battling?
Return can be a viable option for Pokémon that lack strong STAB moves or require reliable Normal-type coverage. Its high base power and lack of drawbacks make it a consistent choice.
7. How do I increase my Pokémon’s happiness?
In the main series games, you can increase happiness by battling with the Pokémon, giving it vitamins, and avoiding fainting. In Pokémon GO, happiness isn’t explicitly tracked, but using the Pokémon frequently generally translates to better performance.
8. What are Shadow Pokémon?
Shadow Pokémon are Pokémon that have been corrupted by Team Rocket. They have a 20% damage bonus but initially know only the move Frustration.
9. Should I purify my Shadow Pokémon?
Purifying a Shadow Pokémon removes the damage bonus and Frustration, but it also lowers its attack stat and allows it to learn better moves. It also gets IV boosts. The decision depends on the specific Pokémon and your battle strategy.
10. What does STAB mean?
STAB stands for Same-Type Attack Bonus. It means that if a Pokémon uses a move of the same type as itself, the move’s damage is increased by 50%.
11. Is Body Slam better than Return?
It depends. Return has higher raw power, but Body Slam has a chance to paralyze the opponent. The best choice depends on the Pokémon’s stats, your overall strategy, and whether you need paralysis support.
12. What’s the maximum damage Return can do?
In the main series games, Return’s base power can reach 102 with maximum happiness. In Pokémon GO, the damage is determined by the move’s stats in the game and the Pokémon’s attack stat.
13. Are there any other moves like Return and Frustration?
Yes, Friend Guard and Annoy are also affected by the friendship stat.
14. Why can’t Frustration be forgotten easily?
Frustration exists as a game mechanic. It is designed to be difficult to remove, incentivizing purification or participation in specific events.
15. Where can I learn more about the mechanics of Pokémon games?
You can learn more about the mechanics of the game and the science behind games from the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Conclusion
In almost every scenario, Return is the superior move due to its high damage output at maximum happiness. Frustration is intentionally weak and serves as a gameplay element to balance Shadow Pokémon. Unless you’re deliberately trying to keep a Pokémon at rock-bottom happiness for a niche strategy (which is generally not advisable), focus on maximizing your Pokémon’s happiness and unleashing the power of Return.