Pokémon Immune to Thunder Wave: A Comprehensive Guide
What Pokémon are unaffected by Thunder Wave? The short answer is: Ground-type Pokémon are immune to Thunder Wave. This is due to Thunder Wave being an Electric-type status move, and Ground types naturally resist Electric-type attacks, rendering them completely immune to the paralysis effect of Thunder Wave. Additionally, Pokémon with the ability Lightning Rod are also immune to Thunder Wave, as this ability redirects Electric-type moves to the user, making them immune to the paralysis status effect and boosting their special attack in the process.
Understanding Thunder Wave
Thunder Wave is a status move in the Pokémon world that inflicts paralysis on a target with 100% accuracy. This paralysis effect reduces the target’s speed by 50% and introduces a 25% chance that the target will be fully immobilized in place, thus unable to attack during their turn. While incredibly powerful due to its ability to drastically disrupt enemy strategies, Thunder Wave is not unstoppable. It has specific limitations based on type immunities and abilities that are crucial for trainers to be aware of.
Why Ground Types Are Immune
The fundamental reason Ground types are immune to Thunder Wave is rooted in the type matchup system. In Pokémon, certain types of Pokémon are naturally resistant or immune to attacks from other types. Ground types are a direct counter to Electric types, meaning electric-type attacks have no effect on them. Consequently, any status move that comes from an electric attack, like the paralyzing effect of Thunder Wave, will fail to impact a Ground-type Pokémon. This mechanic provides a crucial defensive advantage for Ground types in battles.
The Impact of Abilities: Lightning Rod
Beyond type matchups, abilities can also grant Pokémon immunity to Thunder Wave. The most relevant example is the Lightning Rod ability. Pokémon with this ability not only attract all Electric-type moves in double or triple battles, but also become completely immune to their effects, including paralysis from Thunder Wave. When hit with an electric-type move the pokemon’s Special Attack stat will be raised by one stage. Therefore, the effectiveness of Thunder Wave becomes unpredictable when facing a pokemon that can potentially have this ability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Garchomp Immune to Thunder Wave?
Yes, Garchomp is immune to Thunder Wave. As a dual Dragon/Ground-type, Garchomp’s Ground typing provides it with the necessary immunity to electric-type attacks. This makes Garchomp a reliable switch-in against Pokemon reliant on Thunder Wave for disruption.
2. Does Thunder Wave Damage the Target?
No, Thunder Wave does not deal damage. It is a status move that inflicts the paralysis effect. There is another move that can be confused with it and deals damage that is similarly named.
3. Can Prankster Boosted Thunder Wave affect Dark Types?
No, Prankster does not bypass the immunity of Dark types to moves like Thunder Wave. While Prankster does grant priority to status moves, it does not override type immunities. Dark-type Pokemon cannot be targeted directly by prankster-boosted moves.
4. Can Groudon Be Paralyzed by Thunder Wave?
No, Groudon is immune to Thunder Wave because it is a Ground-type. This immunity is a significant advantage for Groudon, as it allows it to avoid the speed and potential immobilization penalties of paralysis.
5. Can Psychic Terrain Protect Against Thunder Wave?
No, Psychic Terrain does not protect against Thunder Wave. Psychic Terrain only prevents priority moves from being used on grounded Pokémon. Thunder Wave is a priority move if the Pokemon using it has the ability Prankster, but it won’t be stopped by psychic terrain. Since Thunder Wave’s success is based on typing and ability.
6. Is Thunder Wave affected by Lightning Rod?
Yes, Thunder Wave is affected by Lightning Rod. Pokémon with the Lightning Rod ability will draw in Thunder Wave and completely negate the paralysis effect, along with their special attack being boosted. This is a key consideration when using Thunder Wave against a Pokemon that could have Lightning Rod.
7. Why Would Thunder Wave Fail?
Thunder Wave will fail if the target is a Ground-type Pokémon or a Pokémon with the Lightning Rod ability. Also, If a Pokemon is holding a ground-type item such as the Air Balloon, they will be immune to the effects of thunder wave because they are considered to be airborne.
8. Is Thunder Wave a Good Move?
Thunder Wave is considered a highly effective move. It inflicts paralysis, drastically reducing the target’s speed and potentially immobilizing them, making it a potent tool for controlling the pace of battles and setting up tactical advantages.
9. What Types Are Immune to Paralysis?
Only Ground-type Pokémon are immune to paralysis from Thunder Wave, which is an electric-type move. Electric types are still vulnerable to paralysis from Thunder Wave unless they have the Lightning Rod ability.
10. Does Thunder Wave Work on Pokemon With Levitate?
Thunder Wave works on Pokémon with the Levitate ability. Levitate only protects a pokemon against ground-type attacks, not electric-type attacks.
11. Is Thunder Wave Better Than Shock Wave?
Thunder Wave and Shock Wave serve different purposes. Thunder Wave is a status move used to inflict paralysis, while Shock Wave is a damage-dealing electric-type move with 100% accuracy. The choice depends on the desired strategy: disruption or direct damage.
12. What are Garchomp’s Weaknesses?
Garchomp is weak to Ice-type moves and Fairy-Type moves. As a dual Dragon/Ground-type, it takes double damage from both types, making these types advantageous to use when fighting it.
13. Which Pokémon Can Outspeed Garchomp?
Various faster Pokemon can outspeed Garchomp, especially Fairy-types like Tapu Lele and Mega Diancie with Choice Scarf, and Tapu Koko using Hidden Power Ice or Dazzling Gleam. Choice Scarf items greatly increase speed which can help outspeed an opponent.
14. Can Gallade Learn Thunder Wave?
Yes, Gallade can learn Thunder Wave. This move provides Gallade with a useful status move to disrupt opponents’ strategy, complementing its offensive moveset.
15. What are the Strongest Electric-type Moves in Pokemon?
Some of the strongest Electric-type moves include Catastropika, Thunder, Bolt Strike, Fusion Bolt, Zing Zap, Wild Charge, Volt Tackle and Thunder Fang. These attacks offer significant damage potential and are staples of many Electric-type Pokémon’s movesets.
Conclusion
Understanding the intricacies of Thunder Wave and its limitations is essential for strategic play in Pokémon. Knowing that Ground-type Pokémon and Pokémon with the Lightning Rod ability are immune allows trainers to build their teams and adjust their strategies accordingly, providing a significant edge in battles. By referencing the FAQs in this article, trainers will be able to anticipate when Thunder Wave will succeed or fail, and ultimately make the best use of this powerful status move, or counter its effects.