Clearing the Field: Understanding Moves That Reset Stat Boosts in Pokémon

The strategic depth of Pokémon battles often hinges on the manipulation of stats. Pokémon can dramatically increase their Attack, Defense, Speed, and more using various moves, creating powerful offensive or defensive juggernauts. However, these stat boosts aren’t insurmountable. Several moves exist to reset or negate these changes, leveling the playing field. So, to directly answer the question: Moves that clear stat boosts primarily include Haze and Clear Smog. While others can ignore stat changes, or reverse them, the most direct way to remove them is through these two key moves. Let’s explore them in detail and discuss other ways to counter stat boosts.

Haze vs. Clear Smog: The Primary Stat Resetters

Haze: The AoE Reset

Haze is a non-damaging move that resets the stat stages of every Pokémon on the field back to zero. This means that both your team and your opponent’s team will have all their stat changes removed. This move can be a powerful tool in team battles or double battles when your opponent has multiple stat boosters. The significant aspect of Haze is its ability to clear the board entirely, preventing a single Pokémon from running away with momentum built through stat boosts. However, it’s important to note Haze is blocked by Taunt, a move that prevents the use of non-attacking moves.

Clear Smog: Targeted Stat Erasure

Clear Smog, unlike Haze, is a damaging Poison-type move that specifically targets one Pokémon. It not only inflicts damage but also resets all of that target’s stat changes back to zero. This targeted approach makes Clear Smog incredibly useful for dealing with a specific threat that has significantly boosted its stats. Additionally, Clear Smog is not blocked by Taunt, giving it an advantage over Haze in situations where Taunt is present. However, it is blocked by Steel-type Pokémon due to its Poison-typing.

Other Ways to Counter Stat Boosts

While Haze and Clear Smog directly remove stat boosts, other strategies can also effectively counter them:

Ignoring Stat Changes

Several moves and abilities are designed to ignore an opponent’s stat boosts:

• Moves that ignore Defense and Evasion: Moves like Chip Away, Sacred Sword, and Darkest Lariat ignore changes to the target’s Physical Defense and Evasion stat stages, allowing them to inflict consistent damage despite boosts.
• Abilities that ignore boosts: The ability Unaware allows a Pokémon to ignore an opponent’s stat changes when attacking, allowing it to always deal consistent damage.
• Accuracy and Evasion Bypass: Moves like Foresight, Odor Sleuth, and Miracle Eye cause subsequent moves to ignore the target’s Evasion stat stages.

Reversing Stat Changes

• Topsy-Turvy: This move reverses all stat stage changes on the target Pokémon, turning positive changes into negative ones and vice versa.

Utilizing Revenge Killers

Revenge killers are Pokémon that switch in after one of your own has fainted to quickly KO or cripple the opposing Pokémon that may have built up stat boosts. This can be a highly effective way to turn the tables.

Switching Out

While not a direct counter, switching out your Pokémon will remove any stat changes that Pokemon had, unless the switch was done using Baton Pass. Baton Pass transfers stat boosts to the next Pokémon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Clearing Stat Boosts

1. Does switching out remove stat buffs?

Yes, switching out a Pokémon will remove all stat buffs it had, unless Baton Pass was used.

2. Can you lower a Pokémon’s base stats?

No, base stats cannot be lowered. However, you can lower stat stage changes with moves, abilities, or items. The stats you see boosted during a battle are stat stage changes, not their base stats.

3. What ability ignores stat boosts?

The ability Unaware allows the Pokémon to ignore the opponent’s stat changes.

4. What moves in Pokémon never miss?

Several moves never miss, including Swift, Aerial Ace, Flower Trick, Clear Smog, Pain Split, Mean Look/Block, Aura Sphere, and Yawn.

5. Does Power Trick work with stat boosts?

Power Trick swaps the user’s Attack and Defense before stat boosts are applied. Thus, stat boosts are not swapped, they apply as they normally would, but to the reversed stats.

6. What moves keep stat changes?

Stat changes are typically removed by switching out. However, Baton Pass will transfer those stat changes to the incoming Pokémon.

7. What move lowers the most stats in Pokémon?

Moves like Superpower, Hammer Arm, and Ice Hammer lower the user’s stats. However, Shell Smash and V-Create can significantly lower the user’s stats.

8. Are stat boosting moves worth it?

Stat boosting moves can be very powerful, especially against under-leveled opponents. They can turn the tide of a battle by creating a strong sweeper or tank. However, over-reliance on boosting can leave you vulnerable if the opponent uses Haze or Clear Smog.

9. Does Sheer Force remove stat drops?

Sheer Force removes the secondary effects of a move, including secondary stat drops like those from moves such as Bulldoze. However, it does not remove the stat drops that the user experiences from moves like Superpower.

10. Is Clear Smog a good move?

Clear Smog is generally a good move due to its damage, ability to never miss, and the removal of target stat boosts. It’s especially useful since it bypasses Taunt, unlike Haze. It’s less effective against Steel-types due to its Poison typing.

11. Does Clear Smog clear your own stats?

No, Clear Smog only resets the stat changes of the target Pokémon, not the user.

12. Can Clear Smog miss?

No, Clear Smog never misses and has perfect accuracy.

13. What move hits every Pokemon?

Many moves can hit every Pokemon in double or triple battles. Examples include Razor Leaf, Rock Slide, Swift, and Water Spout among others.

14. Is Clear Smog better than Haze?

Clear Smog is better in situations where you need to target a single boosted opponent and are facing Taunt. Haze is better when you need to reset the entire field. Both have tactical advantages depending on the situation.

15. What Pokémon move reverses stat changes?

The move Topsy-Turvy reverses all stat stage changes on the target Pokémon.

Conclusion

Understanding how to manage and counter stat boosts is critical for strategic success in Pokémon battles. While Haze and Clear Smog are the most direct ways to reset stat changes, other moves, abilities, and strategies can also effectively handle these challenges. Whether you choose to ignore stat boosts, reverse them, or simply wipe the board clean, the ability to adapt to your opponent’s strategy is key to becoming a true Pokémon master. By mastering these techniques, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the often tumultuous world of Pokémon combat.