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Is Strong or Agile Style Better in Pokémon Legends: Arceus? A Deep Dive

The question of whether Strong Style or Agile Style is “better” in Pokémon Legends: Arceus doesn’t have a simple answer. It fundamentally depends on the situation, your Pokémon’s stats, the opponent’s stats, and your overall strategy. There is no universally superior style; mastering both and knowing when to use each is key to success. The most effective trainer will dynamically switch between them to maximize their effectiveness in any given battle. Some trainers might consider Agile Style a better choice, it is important to consider the whole picture.

Understanding Strong and Agile Styles

Before diving into specific scenarios, let’s solidify our understanding of what each style does:

Agile Style: Increases your Pokémon’s action speed but reduces the move’s power. This allows you to potentially act multiple times in a row, or at least move sooner in the turn order. Status moves using Agile Style have a shorter duration.
Strong Style: Decreases your Pokémon’s action speed but increases the move’s power and the likelihood of secondary effects activating. Status moves using Strong Style have a longer duration.

The choice between them is a tactical decision, and you need to weigh the pros and cons for each specific scenario. A game like Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a great way to learn more about decision making! The Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org provides more information about the intersection of games and learning.

Scenarios Where Agile Style Shines

Exploiting Type Advantages: If you know you can KO an opponent with a super-effective move, even with reduced power, Agile Style lets you strike first and potentially prevent them from attacking at all.
Setting Up Status Conditions Quickly: While the duration is shorter, Agile Style allows you to paralyze, poison, or burn an opponent before they can hit you with a powerful attack.
Outspeeding Slower Opponents: When facing a Pokémon with significantly lower speed, using Agile Style allows you to chain multiple attacks and overwhelm them before they can retaliate.
Gaining Momentum: Agile Style is especially effective in getting the first hit in and disrupting an opponent’s plan. It can be essential for setting the pace of battle.
Swiftly Applying Buffs: Agile Style can be valuable for rapidly applying buffs like Swords Dance or Nasty Plot to set up for future attacks.

Scenarios Where Strong Style Dominates

One-Hit KOs: When you need maximum damage to knock out a tough opponent, Strong Style is the obvious choice. The increased power can make the difference between a close call and a decisive victory.
Capitalizing on Status Effects: If you need a status condition like paralysis or sleep to last longer, Strong Style can give you the extra turns you need to take advantage of the situation.
Boosting Secondary Effects: Moves with helpful secondary effects, such as a chance to burn, freeze, or flinch, become even more reliable with Strong Style.
Facing Faster Opponents: When up against speedy foes, using Strong Style allows you to land a hard-hitting attack, even if you have to take a hit in return.
Utilizing High-Base Power Moves: Moves like Hyper Beam or Giga Impact, which already pack a punch, get an even greater boost with Strong Style. This can be particularly beneficial in a pinch.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Style

Pokémon Stats: A Pokémon with naturally high speed benefits more from Agile Style, while a Pokémon with high attack or special attack benefits more from Strong Style.
Move Selection: Some moves are inherently better suited for one style over the other. High-power, low-accuracy moves benefit from Strong Style, while quick, status-inflicting moves benefit from Agile Style.
Opponent’s Stats: Consider the opponent’s speed, attack, and defense stats when choosing your style. This will help you predict their actions and react accordingly.
Turn Order: Pay close attention to the turn order display. This will tell you how many times you can act in a row and help you plan your strategy accordingly.
Available Items: Items like X Speed or X Attack can further enhance the effectiveness of Agile Style or Strong Style, respectively.
Weather Conditions: Rain boosts Water-type moves, and Sun boosts Fire-type moves. Take this into consideration when choosing a style, you don’t want to waste a turn when conditions are not favorable.

Beyond Power and Speed: The Psychological Factor

Don’t underestimate the psychological impact of using Strong or Agile Style. Using Strong Style can intimidate your opponent, forcing them to play defensively. Conversely, using Agile Style can disrupt their rhythm and throw them off balance. Mastering these styles is about more than just stats; it’s about predicting your opponent’s actions and reacting accordingly.

Adapting to the Situation

The best trainers are adaptable. They can switch between Strong and Agile Styles on the fly, depending on the circumstances. There are no hard and fast rules. Analyze the battlefield, understand your opponent, and make the best decision based on the information at hand.

FAQs About Strong and Agile Styles in Pokémon Legends: Arceus

1. Does Agile Style always guarantee two turns in a row?

No, Agile Style only increases your chances of acting multiple times in a row. It’s not a guaranteed effect. Your Pokémon’s speed stat and the opponent’s speed stat still play a significant role.

2. How much does Strong Style increase damage?

Strong Style increases damage output by approximately 60%.

3. How much does Agile Style decrease damage?

Agile Style decreases damage output by approximately 40%.

4. Does Strong Style increase the accuracy of all moves?

The document states “Agile style or strong style can affect accuracy though, agile accuracy down/ strong accuracy up. It was a random example”. Thus, Strong Style does not always increase accuracy.

5. Can you change styles mid-battle?

Yes! You can freely switch between Agile and Strong Style whenever you select a move. This is a crucial part of the gameplay strategy.

6. Are there any Pokémon that benefit more from one style than the other?

Absolutely. Fast, frail Pokémon like Jolteon benefit more from Agile Style, while slow, powerful Pokémon like Torterra benefit more from Strong Style.

7. Do Strong and Agile Styles affect the PP (Power Points) of moves?

No, these styles do not affect PP usage.

8. Are there any moves that are unusable with Strong or Agile Style?

No, you can use any move with either style.

9. How can I master moves to unlock Strong and Agile Styles?

You can master a move by either leveling up with it equipped or using it repeatedly in battle. There is a mastery level that needs to be met.

10. Are there any items that enhance Strong or Agile Style?

Items like X Attack and X Speed can complement the effects of Strong and Agile Styles, respectively.

11. Does Strong Style always make me go last?

Not always. It significantly lowers your action speed, but if your Pokémon is already slower than the opponent, you might still go first due to other factors.

12. How does weather affect Strong and Agile Style?

Weather conditions primarily affect the power of certain move types, such as Water moves in rain or Fire moves in sunlight. These boosts are then further amplified by Strong Style.

13. Is it better to use Agile Style for status moves like Thunder Wave?

It depends. Agile Thunder Wave paralyzes for three turns, whereas Strong Thunder Wave paralyzes for seven turns. This can be helpful if you need to capitalize on the status effect quickly.

14. Does Strong Style affect healing moves?

Yes, Strong Style increases the amount of HP recovered by healing moves.

15. Does Agile Style affect self-buffing moves like Swords Dance?

Yes, Agile Style allows you to quickly apply buffs like Swords Dance or Nasty Plot to set up for future attacks, though the speed increase will only allow you to strike first in the turn order.

Is strong or Agile Style better?