What does Thunder Wave not work on?

Thunder Wave does not work on Ground-type Pokémon, Electric-type Pokémon, and Pokémon with the ability Limber or those behind a Substitute, as these are immune to paralysis. Additionally, Dark-type Pokémon are immune to Prankster-boosted Thunder Wave, and Magic Bounce can reflect Thunder Wave back to the user, making it ineffective.

Understanding Thunder Wave Immunities

To fully comprehend the effects and limitations of Thunder Wave, it’s essential to explore the various scenarios and Pokémon that are not affected by this move.

Ground-type Pokémon and Thunder Wave

Given the nature of Thunder Wave as an Electric-type move, it’s logical that Ground-type Pokémon are immune to its paralyzing effects. This is a fundamental aspect of Pokémon battles, where types play a crucial role in determining the effectiveness of moves.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does Thunder Wave work on Dark-type Pokémon with Prankster?

• No, Dark-type Pokémon are immune to Prankster-boosted moves, including Thunder Wave.

1. Can Thunder Wave paralyze Electric-type Pokémon?

• No, Electric-type Pokémon are immune to paralysis, making Thunder Wave ineffective against them.

1. Does Thunder Wave affect Pokémon with the Limber ability?

• No, Pokémon with the Limber ability are immune to paralysis, thus Thunder Wave does not affect them.

1. How does Magic Bounce interact with Thunder Wave?

• Magic Bounce can reflect Thunder Wave back to the user, making it ineffective.

1. Is Thunder Wave affected by Normalize?

• Yes, if Thunder Wave is affected by Normalize, it becomes a Normal-type move, which can affect Ghost-type Pokémon but may have different effects based on other type interactions.

1. Does Thunder Wave work on Garchomp?

• No, Garchomp, being a Ground/Dragon-type Pokémon, is immune to Thunder Wave due to its Ground typing.

1. Can Thunder Wave paralyze Groudon?

• No, Groudon, as a Ground-type Pokémon, is immune to Thunder Wave.

1. How does Thunder Wave compare to Shock Wave?

• Thunder Wave and Shock Wave are both Electric-type moves, but Shock Wave never misses, whereas Thunder Wave has a chance to miss and paralyzes the opponent.

1. Does Thunder Wave work on Substitute?

• No, a Substitute does not protect against direct paralysis effects like Thunder Wave.

1. Can Thunder Wave affect Zekrom?

   • Yes, Thunder Wave can be used on Zekrom, and it can paralyze it, affecting its ability to switch in effectively.

2. Does Thunder Wave do damage?

   • No, Thunder Wave does not deal any damage but instead applies the paralysis status condition.

3. Is there a weakest Dark-type move?

   • Yes, Power Trip is considered one of the weakest Dark-type moves with a power of 20.

4. Does Prankster ignore Lagging Tail?

   • Prankster allows status moves to go first, even if the opponent has Lagging Tail, unless the opponent also uses a priority move.

5. Can Electric Pokémon be paralyzed?

   • No, Electric-type Pokémon are now immune to paralysis.

6. Does Psychic Terrain protect against Thunder Wave?

   • Psychic Terrain does not protect against Thunder Wave; however, the Levitate ability can make a Pokémon unaffected by Psychic Terrain, but this does not apply to Thunder Wave under normal circumstances.