What Pokemon Are Immune to Toxic Spikes?
Understanding Toxic Spikes immunity is crucial for competitive Pokémon battling. This entry hazard, a staple in many team compositions, can significantly impact a battle’s flow. However, not all Pokémon are vulnerable to its insidious effects. So, which Pokémon are immune to Toxic Spikes?
Simply put, Flying-type, Poison-type, and Steel-type Pokémon are completely immune to the effects of Toxic Spikes. Furthermore, any Pokémon with the Abilities Immunity, Levitate, Leaf Guard (during intense sunlight), or Magic Guard are also unaffected. These abilities and types provide a safeguard against the entry hazard, allowing these Pokémon to enter the field without being poisoned.
Understanding Toxic Spikes and Their Effects
How Do Toxic Spikes Work?
Toxic Spikes is a Ground-type entry hazard move that creates a layer of spikes on the opponent’s side of the field. When a Pokémon switches into the battle, they are affected by these spikes. The first layer of Toxic Spikes will inflict normal poison. The second layer will inflict toxic poison, a stronger variant that increases in damage each turn. These layers do not stack with further uses.
Why is Immunity Important?
Understanding which Pokémon are immune to Toxic Spikes is not just about avoiding damage; it’s also a critical strategic element. If your team relies heavily on switching, being able to safely pivot into Pokémon that ignore Toxic Spikes is essential. This gives you a significant advantage in managing field control and momentum.
FAQs: Delving Deeper Into Toxic Spikes Immunity
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Toxic Spikes and related concepts, designed to provide a comprehensive understanding:
1. Are Poison-type Pokémon always immune to Toxic Spikes?
Yes, Poison-type Pokémon are always immune to being poisoned by Toxic Spikes. This inherent immunity allows them to switch in freely without suffering the toxic effects. It also means they can clear them from the field by simply switching in.
2. Do Steel-type Pokémon take damage from Toxic Spikes?
No, Steel-type Pokémon are entirely immune to the effects of Toxic Spikes. This immunity stems from their unique typing, rendering them unaffected by the poisonous hazard.
3. How does the ability Levitate affect Toxic Spikes?
The ability Levitate grants immunity to Ground-type moves and entry hazards. Pokémon with Levitate will not be affected by Toxic Spikes upon switching in, making it a valuable ability against hazard-heavy teams.
4. Does Immunity help against Toxic Spikes?
Yes, the ability Immunity specifically prevents the Pokémon from being poisoned, making it a direct counter to Toxic Spikes. A Pokémon with this ability can safely switch in, regardless of the presence of the hazard.
5. How does Leaf Guard interact with Toxic Spikes?
The Leaf Guard ability protects against status conditions, including poison, during intense sunlight. This means that a Pokemon with Leaf Guard will be immune to the toxic spikes only under these weather conditions.
6. What about Magic Guard? Does it help?
Magic Guard is a powerful ability that prevents the Pokémon from taking damage from indirect sources, including entry hazards like Toxic Spikes. This makes it an excellent choice for switching into hazardous fields.
7. Can Shedinja be hurt by Toxic Spikes?
Yes, Shedinja can be affected by Toxic Spikes. Despite its unique ability Wonder Guard, which makes it immune to non-super-effective damage, Shedinja is still vulnerable to indirect damage sources, including entry hazards and status conditions like poison.
8. Can a Pokémon remove Toxic Spikes?
Yes, various moves can remove Toxic Spikes. Rapid Spin removes them from the user’s side, while Defog clears them from the entire field. Other moves like Roar and Whirlwind, which force switches, indirectly clear the spikes when used to bring a Flying, Poison or Steel-type Pokémon into play.
9. Is there a limit to how many layers of Toxic Spikes I can set?
Yes, you can set up to two layers of Toxic Spikes. The first layer inflicts normal poison, and the second inflicts toxic poison upon entry. These do not stack past the second layer.
10. Can I use both Toxic Spikes and Stealth Rock?
Yes, Toxic Spikes and Stealth Rock can be used in combination. These are different types of hazards and they do not interfere with one another. This creates a deadly setup that can severely damage opposing teams.
11. Is Toxic or Toxic Spikes better?
This depends on your battle strategy. Toxic Spikes are good for applying poison passively to opposing Pokémon as they switch in, which is great for stalling or weakening bulkier opponents. Toxic can be directly used on a target, but it relies on the user to be fast enough to apply it effectively. They serve different purposes, and neither is necessarily ‘better’ in all situations.
12. Does Terastallizing impact Toxic Spikes immunity?
Terastallization can grant or remove immunity. For example, a Garganacl that Terastallizes into a Steel-type will gain immunity to Toxic Spikes. Keep in mind that changing the Pokémon’s type can introduce new weaknesses or resistances.
13. Can Poison-type Pokemon clear Toxic Spikes upon switching in?
Yes, when a Poison-type Pokémon switches into a field with Toxic Spikes, they are not affected and also clear the entry hazard. This adds an additional layer of value to bringing Poison-types when hazards are being used.
14. Does Defog remove Toxic Spikes?
Yes, the move Defog completely removes Toxic Spikes from the entire field, including those placed on the user’s side. It is a powerful tool for clearing hazards, especially when dealing with heavy hazard teams.
15. Which Pokemon can learn Toxic Spikes?
Venonat, Venomoth, Pineco, Forretress, Froakie, Frogadier, and Greninja can all learn the move Toxic Spikes. This makes them viable hazard setters, especially for specific strategic approaches.
Conclusion
Knowing which Pokémon are immune to Toxic Spikes is essential for success in any competitive setting. By understanding the types, abilities, and moves that provide immunity or removal, you can effectively strategize and counter this common entry hazard. This knowledge will give you a significant edge and help you gain control of the battlefield.