What Does Slaking’s Yawn Do? The Lazy King’s Signature Move Explained
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
Slaking, the Lazy Pokémon, is a fascinating paradox. Possessing incredible stats rivalling legendaries, it’s crippled by the Truant ability, which forces it to loaf around every other turn. Adding insult to injury, its signature fast move in Pokémon GO is Yawn, a Normal-type attack that does absolutely no damage. So, what does Slaking’s Yawn do?
Simply put, Yawn’s primary function is to generate energy for Slaking’s charge moves. While it inflicts no direct harm on the opponent, it allows Slaking to unleash powerful charged attacks more frequently. The amount of energy generated varies slightly depending on the game mode:
- Pokémon GO Gyms and Raids: Yawn generates 15 energy per use.
- Pokémon GO Battle League: Yawn generates 12 energy per use.
Effectively, Yawn turns Slaking into a charge move battery. The strategy hinges on enduring incoming attacks while building up enough energy to unleash a devastating charge move like Body Slam, Play Rough, or Hyper Beam. This makes Slaking a unique, albeit somewhat unreliable, Gym Defender in Pokémon GO.
Slaking’s Yawn: More Than Meets the Eye?
While Yawn appears utterly useless at first glance, consider the bigger picture. Slaking’s raw power comes from its astronomical attack stat. The combination of high CP and stamina makes it a formidable wall in Gyms. Opponents must whittle down Slaking’s massive HP pool while dealing with the threat of its powerful charge moves. Yawn, in this context, becomes a necessary evil, the price Slaking pays for its overwhelming strength. It’s a fascinating design choice that reflects the Pokémon’s lore – incredible potential hampered by inherent laziness.
Yawn in Different Pokémon Games
It’s also worth noting that Yawn functions differently in the main series Pokémon games. There, Yawn is a status move that induces drowsiness in the target. On the following turn, the target falls asleep, opening them up to further attacks. The absence of this sleep-inducing effect in Pokémon GO significantly alters Yawn’s utility, forcing Slaking to rely entirely on its charged moves for damage output.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Slaking and Yawn
Here are some frequently asked questions that delve deeper into Slaking, Yawn, and the complexities of using this unique Pokémon.
1. What is Slaking’s best moveset in Pokémon GO?
Slaking’s best moveset is generally considered to be Yawn (Fast Move) and Body Slam (Charge Move). This combination offers a decent balance between energy generation and damage output, particularly since Body Slam is a relatively quick and energy-efficient charge move. An Elite Charge TM is required to teach Slaking Body Slam.
2. Why is Yawn so bad as a fast move?
Yawn is considered poor because it deals zero damage. Fast moves are typically the primary source of damage and energy generation in Pokémon GO battles. Yawn only provides energy, leaving Slaking vulnerable to opponents who can continuously attack while Slaking charges up.
3. What are the best counters to Slaking in Pokémon GO?
The best counters to Slaking exploit its Normal-type weakness to Fighting-type attacks. Top counters include:
- Terrakion
- Mega Rayquaza
- Mega Alakazam
- Keldeo
- Shadow Hariyama
- Mega Blaziken
These Pokémon possess high attack stats and Fighting-type moves, allowing them to quickly defeat Slaking.
4. How does Slaking’s Truant ability affect its performance?
Slaking’s Truant ability forces it to skip every other turn in battle. This means Slaking can only attack once every two turns, making it predictable and vulnerable to strategic plays. In Pokémon GO, this is less directly translated, but the need to charge moves after using Yawn creates a similar vulnerability window.
5. Is Slaking good for Gym defense in Pokémon GO?
Yes, Slaking can be effective as a Gym Defender due to its exceptionally high CP and HP. This forces opponents to invest significant time and resources to defeat it. The threat of its charge moves, powered by Yawn, can also deter attackers.
6. What is the point of using Slaking if it has Truant and Yawn?
Despite its drawbacks, Slaking’s sheer attack power and stamina make it a threat. The goal is to catch opponents off guard with powerful charge moves while soaking up damage. Strategically, Slaking can be used to disrupt the opponent’s rhythm and force them to expend resources.
7. Can Slaking learn any other fast moves?
Unfortunately, no. In Pokémon GO, Slaking can only learn Yawn as its fast move. This severely limits its versatility and forces players to rely on charge moves.
8. What are Slaking’s strongest charge moves?
Slaking has access to several powerful charge moves:
- Body Slam: A 2-bar Normal-type move that’s relatively quick and reliable.
- Play Rough: A 2-bar Fairy-type move that provides coverage against Dragon-type Pokémon.
- Hyper Beam: A 1-bar Normal-type move that deals massive damage but requires a long charge time.
- Earthquake: A 1-bar Ground-type move with strong coverage and high damage.
9. Does weather affect Slaking’s Yawn and charge moves?
Yes, weather conditions in Pokémon GO can influence the power of certain moves. Normal-type moves like Yawn, Body Slam, and Hyper Beam are boosted in Partly Cloudy weather. Ground-type moves like Earthquake are boosted in Sunny weather. Fairy-type moves like Play Rough are boosted in Cloudy weather.
10. Is Slaking a Legendary or Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon?
Slaking is neither a Legendary nor a Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon. While it possesses a base stat total comparable to some Legendaries, it doesn’t meet the other criteria, such as being part of a three-stage evolution line ending with a base stat total of exactly 600 for pseudo legendaries..
11. How does Yawn in Pokémon GO differ from Yawn in the main series games?
In the main series games, Yawn is a status move that induces drowsiness, leading to sleep on the next turn. This effect is absent in Pokémon GO.
12. Can other Pokémon learn Yawn?
Yes, other Pokémon can learn the Yawn move. The list is extensive, and includes Pokémon such as Snorlax, Munclax, and Spinda.
13. Is Slaking worth investing in?
Whether Slaking is worth investing in depends on your goals. If you’re looking for a reliable attacker, Slaking’s limitations make it less desirable. However, if you need a high-CP Gym Defender to deter attackers and waste their time, Slaking can be a worthwhile investment, especially if you have access to Body Slam.
14. What are some strategies for using Slaking effectively in Pokémon GO?
Some strategies include:
- Gym Defense: Place Slaking in a Gym to take advantage of its high CP and HP.
- Raid Situational Use: Against raid bosses where its Normal-type moves are effective and its weaknesses are covered by the rest of your team.
- Charge Move Baiting: Utilize Yawn to bait out shields in PvP battles, then follow up with a powerful charge move.
15. Where can I learn more about game design and its impact on society?
You can explore the Games Learning Society and their research on how games are transforming education and culture. Visit their website at GamesLearningSociety.org or use this link: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to discover valuable resources and insights.