What Move Makes Pokémon Fall in Love?
The answer to the question of what move makes Pokémon fall in love is a bit more nuanced than a simple “this move does it.” There isn’t a single move in the Pokémon games that guarantees a Pokémon will instantly fall in love. However, the move Attract is the closest mechanic available to trigger the Infatuation status condition, which simulates the effects of falling in love.
Understanding Infatuation
Infatuation is a status condition in the Pokémon games, distinct from ailments like poison, paralysis, or sleep. When a Pokémon is infatuated, it has a 50% chance of being unable to attack. This can be a crippling debuff in battle, potentially leaving a powerful Pokémon completely helpless as it misses turns because it’s too busy daydreaming about its object of affection.
How Attract Works
Attract is a Normal-type move that only works if the target is of the opposite gender of the user. If successful, the target Pokémon becomes infatuated with the user. It’s important to note that genderless Pokémon, or Pokémon battling other Pokémon of the same gender, are immune to Attract. The effects of Attract persist until the infatuated Pokémon switches out of battle or the battle ends.
Beyond Attract: Other Influencing Factors
While Attract is the most direct way to inflict Infatuation, the concept of Pokémon “falling in love” extends beyond a single move. Certain Pokémon species are often depicted with strong bonds, suggesting a form of affection or attachment. For example, Pokémon like Plusle and Minun, or the various Eevee evolutions, often display close relationships. However, these are more narrative elements within the Pokémon universe rather than direct game mechanics.
Ultimately, the idea of Pokémon falling in love is more complex than a simple move causing an instant romantic connection. It represents a combination of status effects, narrative cues, and the overall concept of strong bonds between Pokémon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Pokémon Infatuation
1. What is the difference between Infatuation and other status conditions?
Infatuation differs from status conditions like poison, paralysis, burn, freeze, and sleep because it doesn’t inflict direct damage (like poison or burn), completely incapacitate the Pokémon (like paralysis or freeze), or force a set number of turns of inaction (like sleep). Instead, it introduces a chance-based mechanic where the Pokémon may be unable to move in a given turn due to being distracted.
2. Are there any items that prevent Infatuation?
Yes, the Mental Herb is a held item that cures a Pokémon of Infatuation, as well as other mental status conditions like taunt, torment, encore, disable, and attract. Using a Mental Herb will instantly remove the Infatuation effect, allowing the Pokémon to attack without the 50% chance of inaction.
3. Does the ability Oblivious prevent Infatuation?
Yes, the ability Oblivious makes a Pokémon immune to Infatuation. Pokémon with this ability cannot be affected by Attract or other moves that would inflict the Infatuation status condition. Oblivious also protects against the move Captivate.
4. Can genderless Pokémon be infatuated?
No, genderless Pokémon are immune to the effects of Attract and cannot become infatuated. The move only works if the target is of the opposite gender.
5. What happens if a Pokémon with Infatuation switches out?
If a Pokémon inflicted with Infatuation is switched out of battle, the Infatuation status condition is cured. The effect is no longer active when the Pokémon returns to the battlefield.
6. Does the move Heal Bell cure Infatuation?
Yes, the move Heal Bell will cure Infatuation for the user’s entire party. It removes all status conditions, including Infatuation, from all Pokémon currently in the party.
7. Are there other moves that are similar to Attract?
While Attract is the primary move for inflicting Infatuation, the move Captivate reduces the Special Attack stat of all opposing Pokémon by two stages. Although Captivate doesn’t inflict Infatuation directly, it also only works if the target is of the opposite gender.
8. How long does Infatuation last?
Infatuation lasts until the Pokémon inflicting or suffering the condition switches out, the battle ends, or the condition is cured by an item or move. Unlike other status conditions, it doesn’t have a set duration.
9. Can Double Battles affect the usefulness of Attract?
Yes, in Double Battles, Attract can be tactically used to disrupt the opposing team. Since it targets only one Pokémon of the opposite gender, it can effectively neutralize a key threat for several turns if successful.
10. Does the move Protect prevent Attract from working?
Yes, if a Pokémon uses Protect successfully, it will be immune to Attract on that turn. Protect blocks all damaging and status moves, including those that inflict Infatuation.
11. How does the ability Cute Charm interact with Infatuation?
The ability Cute Charm has a chance of inflicting Infatuation on an opponent that makes physical contact with the Pokémon possessing the ability. This is different from Attract, as Cute Charm activates passively when the Pokémon is hit by a physical move.
12. Are there any Pokémon that are immune to all status conditions, including Infatuation?
Some Pokémon are immune to specific status conditions due to their abilities, but there are no Pokémon inherently immune to all status conditions, including Infatuation (unless they have Oblivious and are battling a Pokémon using Attract). However, certain moves and abilities like Magic Bounce can reflect status moves back at the user.
13. Is Infatuation more effective on certain Pokémon types?
No, Infatuation is not affected by Pokémon types. Its effectiveness depends solely on the gender of the Pokémon and whether it has an ability that prevents Infatuation, such as Oblivious.
14. Does the move Refresh cure Infatuation?
Yes, the move Refresh cures the user of any poisoning, burning, or paralysis. More recent games include Infatuation as a status effect that is also cured.
15. How does the Romancing mechanic differ between Legends Arceus and other Pokemon games?
In Pokemon Legends Arceus, the concept of “romancing” Pokemon is completely absent in the gameplay, status effect, or move sense. Interactions and battling are the main components to the relationship between the player and their Pokemon, along with the player’s Pokemon and others.