Is Stored Power a Psychic Move? Everything You Need to Know
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Yes, Stored Power is definitively a Psychic-type move in the Pokémon series. It’s a unique damage-dealing attack introduced in Generation V, and its power scales based on the user’s stat boosts. Let’s dive deeper into what makes Stored Power so interesting and how it functions in battles.
Understanding Stored Power
How It Works
Stored Power is not your typical Psychic-type move. Unlike most attacks, its base power is a mere 20. However, what sets it apart is its ability to gain power based on the total number of positive stat stages the user has accumulated. For every stat stage boost the user has, the base power of Stored Power increases by 20. This means that a Pokémon with several stat boosts can unleash an incredibly powerful attack, making it a formidable move in the right hands.
Special Damage
Importantly, Stored Power deals Special Psychic damage. This is crucial to understand when strategizing against opposing Pokémon. It means that the move calculates damage based on the user’s Special Attack stat and the target’s Special Defense stat. This is different from moves like Power Trip, which calculate damage using Physical Attack and Defense.
TM Availability
Stored Power has also been featured as a Technical Machine (TM) throughout different generations of Pokémon games. It was initially TR82 in Generation VIII and became TM041 in Generation IX. This availability makes it easier for players to teach it to a wider range of Pokémon.
Why Stored Power is Strategic
Requires Setup
One of the key aspects of using Stored Power effectively is the need for set-up. To maximize its potential, trainers must strategically use moves that boost the user’s stats. This can include moves like Calm Mind (which boosts Special Attack and Special Defense), Nasty Plot (which sharply increases Special Attack), or Iron Defense (which increases Defense). This setup phase requires careful planning and a Pokémon that can survive long enough to accumulate those boosts.
Staying Power
The effectiveness of Stored Power is largely reliant on the user’s ability to sustain itself while building up stats. Having some form of recovery is highly advisable. Pokémon with access to recovery moves such as Recover, Soft-Boiled, or Moonlight can often use them to extend their stay and gain more boosts, ensuring that Stored Power becomes a devastating finisher.
Unique Niche
Stored Power serves a niche that few other moves fill. It rewards the user for investing in stat boosts. While some moves have their base power increased with stat boosts, Stored Power’s power is directly tied to the number of increases. This mechanism distinguishes it from other damage-dealing Psychic moves.
Counterplay
Like all strategic moves, Stored Power has its weaknesses. Because it requires stat set-up, it can be susceptible to tactics that remove stat changes or prevent boosting. For instance, moves like Haze will reset all stat changes, making all the effort to boost meaningless. It’s crucial for players to understand these nuances when using Stored Power in battles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Stored Power good on every Pokémon?
No, Stored Power is not a universally good move. It’s best suited for Pokémon with the ability to boost their stats and sustain themselves with recovery. Without those elements, its power will be limited, making it a less effective choice than other Psychic-type options.
2. Does Stored Power get weaker with stat drops?
Yes and no. Stored Power’s power increases with every stat boost but it does not decrease in power due to stat drops below 0. Once you’ve gone below zero, stat drops will not affect the move’s damage. This means that your accumulated boosts do not count as negative and will still be added to the base damage.
3. Is Stored Power affected by type matchups?
Yes, as a Psychic-type move, Stored Power is affected by type matchups. It’s super effective against Fighting and Poison types but not very effective against Steel and Psychic types. Dark-type Pokémon are completely immune to Stored Power. Understanding type matchups is essential when using this move.
4. Can Stored Power hit Dark-types?
No. Stored Power, being a Psychic-type move, cannot hit Dark-type Pokémon, due to their type immunity. Dark types are some of the best counters to Stored Power users, making it vital to have a backup strategy.
5. What Pokémon are good Stored Power users?
Espeon is one of the most notable users due to its Magic Bounce ability which can block status moves, allowing it to set up calmly. Other Pokemon with good Special Attack stats and access to set up and recovery moves like Slowbro are good options too.
6. How strong can Stored Power become?
The theoretical maximum power of Stored Power is quite high. With a base power of 20 and 12 potential stat increases, that could add 240 to its base of 20. As its power increases by 20 for each stat boost, and stat boosts can go up to +6 for each stat (and you can have 2 positive stats each), its theoretical base damage is 860.
7. Is there any relation between Nasty Plot and Stored Power?
Yes, there is a unique connection in the Contest Spectaculars. In Contests, if Nasty Plot is used before Stored Power in the same turn, it will give extra appeal points to Stored Power.
8. Does Calm Mind affect Stored Power?
Yes, Calm Mind directly affects Stored Power. As Calm Mind increases both Special Attack and Special Defense by one stage each, it boosts Stored Power’s base power by 40 for every Calm Mind used.
9. What is the most powerful Psychic move?
While Stored Power can become very powerful given the right conditions, it is not among the strongest. Photon Geyser is generally considered one of the most powerful Psychic moves with higher base power.
10. Does Psychic Terrain affect Stored Power?
Yes, Psychic Terrain boosts the power of Psychic-type moves, including Stored Power, but only if the Pokemon is on the ground. However, note that the move will not gain bonus damage due to terrain if the Pokemon using the move is airborne.
11. Does Psychic Terrain prevent status moves against Stored Power users?
Psychic Terrain does prevent grounded Pokémon from being hit by status moves such as Spore, Will-O-Wisp, and Toxic. However, it does not prevent Taunt or Encore, nor does it stop stat changes (like a Nasty Plot).
12. Why doesn’t Fake Out work in Psychic Terrain?
Fake Out doesn’t work in Psychic Terrain because the terrain blocks priority moves targeting grounded Pokémon. The target Pokémon is protected by Psychic Terrain if they are grounded.
13. What is the most powerful TM?
While TMs vary, Fire Blast is often regarded as one of the most powerful TMs due to its high damage and potential impact in battle.
14. What is the weakest move in the game?
Constrict is generally considered the weakest damaging move in Pokémon with a base power of just 10.
15. Is Stored Power always a Special Attack?
Yes, Stored Power always inflicts Special Psychic damage. Its damage is calculated using the attacker’s Special Attack and the target’s Special Defense.
Conclusion
Stored Power is an intriguing Psychic-type move that rewards strategic play and stat boosting. While it might not be the strongest Psychic move on its own, it has the potential to be devastating in the right situations. Understanding its mechanics, type matchups, and strategic considerations is crucial for anyone looking to incorporate Stored Power into their Pokémon team. By carefully setting up and using this move effectively, players can turn the tide of battle.