What Moves Does Levitate Avoid? A Comprehensive Guide
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The Levitate ability in the Pokémon world is a game-changer, offering immunity to a range of attacks and field conditions. Primarily, Levitate grants the Pokémon possessing it complete immunity to all damaging Ground-type moves. But the benefits don’t stop there! It also provides immunity to several other effects, making it a highly valuable asset in battles.
In essence, Levitate avoids all direct damage from Ground-type attacks, entry hazards like Spikes and Toxic Spikes, and effects that specifically target grounded Pokémon like Arena Trap. It’s a powerful defensive ability that can significantly alter the course of a battle.
The Core Immunity: Ground-Type Attacks
The primary function of Levitate is to make the Pokémon immune to Ground-type attacks. This means that moves like Earthquake, Earth Power, Magnitude, and Bulldoze will have absolutely no effect on a Pokémon with Levitate. This is especially useful when facing Pokémon known for their strong Ground-type moves, such as Garchomp or Great Tusk, as mentioned in the provided text.
Hazards and Terrain Effects Negated by Levitate
Beyond direct attacks, Levitate also offers protection against several passive effects and entry hazards. These include:
- Spikes: These are entry hazards that damage Pokémon switching into battle.
- Toxic Spikes: Similar to Spikes, but they inflict poison (or badly poison) on entering Pokémon.
- Sticky Web: Lowers the Speed stat of Pokémon switching into battle.
- Arena Trap: This ability prevents grounded Pokémon from switching out.
- Rototiller: This move raises the Attack and Special Attack of Grass-type Pokémon.
- Terrain: Effects like Electric Terrain and Grassy Terrain do not affect Pokémon with Levitate.
Exceptions to the Rule
It’s important to note that there are exceptions to Levitate’s immunity. Moves and abilities that circumvent Levitate’s effects exist:
- Thousand Arrows: This Ground-type move bypasses Levitate, hitting Flying-type Pokémon and those with Levitate.
- Mold Breaker/Teravolt/Turboblaze: Abilities like Mold Breaker ignore the opponent’s abilities, including Levitate, allowing Ground-type moves to hit.
- Gravity: This move negates Levitate, making the Pokémon vulnerable to Ground-type attacks for five turns.
- Iron Ball: Holding an Iron Ball negates the effects of Levitate, making the Pokémon susceptible to Ground-type moves.
- Smack Down/Ingrain: Moves like Smack Down and the effect of Ingrain can ground a Pokémon with Levitate, rendering them vulnerable to Ground-type moves.
The Strategic Importance of Levitate
Levitate is a valuable ability in both casual and competitive Pokémon battles. It can completely shut down Ground-type strategies, which are common due to the effectiveness of Ground-type attacks against popular types like Electric and Rock. The immunity to entry hazards also allows a Levitate Pokémon to switch in and out without taking damage, providing tactical flexibility.
FAQs About Levitate
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Levitate ability to further clarify its function and limitations:
Does Levitate make a Pokémon immune to Earthquake?
Yes, Levitate makes a Pokémon immune to the damaging effects of Earthquake, provided that no ability or item is negating the effects of Levitate.
Does Levitate protect against Stealth Rock?
No, Stealth Rock is an exception. While Levitate protects against Spikes, Toxic Spikes, and Sticky Web, it does not protect against Stealth Rock. Flying-types and those with Levitate will still take damage based on their Rock-type weakness.
What happens if a Pokémon with Levitate holds an Iron Ball?
Holding an Iron Ball negates the effects of Levitate, making the Pokémon susceptible to Ground-type moves. The Iron Ball also reduces the Pokémon’s Speed.
How does Gravity affect a Pokémon with Levitate?
Gravity intensifies the pull of the earth for five turns, negating the effects of Levitate. This allows Ground-type moves to hit Pokémon that would otherwise be immune.
Does Psychic Terrain affect Pokémon with Levitate?
Psychic Terrain prevents grounded Pokémon from using priority moves. However, since a Pokémon with levitate is not on the ground, it is immune to this effect.
Can a Pokémon with Levitate be hit by Arena Trap?
No, Arena Trap only affects grounded Pokémon. Since Pokémon with Levitate are considered to be hovering, they are immune to Arena Trap and can switch out freely.
Does Levitate stop fall damage?
While Levitate does not exist in real life, the article mentions that it doesn’t fully stop fall damage but it does weaken it.
Can a Pokémon with Levitate be hit by Smack Down?
Yes, Smack Down makes a target vulnerable to Ground-type moves, even if they have Levitate or are Flying-type. This effect lasts until the affected Pokémon switches out.
What happens if a Pokémon with Levitate is hit by Thousand Arrows?
The Ground-type move Thousand Arrows is a special case; it bypasses Levitate and hits Flying-type Pokémon and those with Levitate.
Does Levitate grant immunity to all terrain effects?
No, while it’s mentioned that Electric Terrain and Grassy Terrain do not affect Pokémon with Levitate, Terrains that boost the damage of certain moves will still deal extra damage to Flying types or Pokémon with Levitate if the attacking Pokémon is grounded.
Is Levitate always the best ability choice for a Pokémon?
Not necessarily. While Levitate is generally a strong ability, the best ability depends on the Pokémon’s typing, stats, and role on a team. Sometimes, another ability might offer more strategic advantages.
Can a Pokémon with Levitate still be affected by entry hazards if it uses Ingrain?
Yes. If a pokemon with Levitate uses Ingrain, it is now considered to be a grounded Pokémon and entry hazards will now affect it.
Does Trace copy Levitate?
Yes, the Ability Trace allows a Pokémon to copy the Ability of an opponent that it is facing in battle. Therefore, if a Pokémon with Trace faces a Pokémon with Levitate, it will gain the Levitate Ability.
How common is the Levitate ability?
Levitate is quite common and seen on the ranked ladder, the article even mentions the ability is critical in a game flooded with earthquake users.
What is a good Pokemon with Levitate?
Eelektross and Hydreigon are great Pokemon with the Levitate ability.
Conclusion: Mastering the Art of Levitation
The Levitate ability is a significant asset in the Pokémon world, providing immunity to Ground-type moves and various field effects. Understanding its function and limitations is crucial for strategic gameplay. By mastering the art of Levitation, trainers can gain a competitive edge and achieve victory in battles. Understanding these game mechanics can foster strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Explore more about the educational aspects of gaming at the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, where the fun of gaming meets the power of learning. GamesLearningSociety.org believes that well-designed games can offer powerful learning experiences and foster the development of important skills.