What Pokémon Has 200 Defense? A Deep Dive into Defensive Powerhouses
The Pokémon world is filled with creatures of varying strengths and weaknesses, but when it comes to pure, unadulterated defense, one name often springs to mind: Steelix. With a base Defense stat of 200, Steelix stands out as a formidable physical wall, capable of withstanding a significant amount of punishment. While other Pokémon might surpass this number through abilities, items, or stat boosts in battle, Steelix’s innate defensive power is undeniably impressive and lands it among the top defenders in the Pokémon universe. Let’s explore this defensive titan and related aspects in more detail.
Steelix: The Iron Snake’s Defensive Prowess
Steelix evolved from Onix by trading via holding a Metal Coat in early games, or using the metal coat in later games, undergoes a drastic transformation, swapping its Rock typing for Steel while retaining its Ground typing. This change not only grants it new resistances but also drastically increases its defensive capabilities. The Defense stat of 200 is a cornerstone of Steelix’s identity, making it a popular choice for trainers looking for a reliable physical wall on their teams. Its high Defense, combined with access to moves like Iron Defense to further boost its defensive stats, makes Steelix extremely difficult to take down with physical attacks.
Steelix in Battle: Strategies and Considerations
While Steelix boasts an impressive Defense stat, it’s important to understand its limitations. Special Attackers can easily exploit Steelix’s relatively low Special Defense. Strategies often involve pairing Steelix with Pokémon that can provide support against special attacks or utilizing moves like Sandstorm to boost Steelix’s Special Defense due to its Ground typing. Moreover, moves that inflict status conditions, such as burns or paralysis, can cripple Steelix’s effectiveness by reducing its offensive output or limiting its speed. Even with its solid Defense, smart teambuilding is essential to make the most of Steelix’s potential.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Pokémon Defense
Here are 15 FAQs to further expand your knowledge regarding Pokémon Defense:
1. Which Pokémon has the absolute highest Defense stat?
Shuckle reigns supreme in the Defense department, boasting a staggering base Defense stat of 230. This makes it the undisputed champion of physical defense in the Pokémon world.
2. Are there any legendary Pokémon with a Defense stat comparable to Steelix?
Yes, several legendary Pokémon have high Defense stats. Regirock and Stakataka are known for their exceptional physical bulk, rivaling and surpassing Steelix.
3. What is the lowest possible Defense stat a Pokémon can have?
Some Pokémon start with extremely low Defense stats. Chansey and Happiny are notorious for having a base Defense stat of only 5, making them incredibly vulnerable to physical attacks.
4. How does Defense interact with Special Defense?
Defense affects the damage taken from Physical attacks, while Special Defense affects the damage taken from Special attacks. A Pokémon with high Defense can withstand physical hits effectively, but may be easily defeated by a Special Attacker, and vice versa.
5. Can a Pokémon’s Defense stat be raised during battle?
Yes, several moves can raise a Pokémon’s Defense stat during battle. Iron Defense is a popular choice that sharply increases Defense. Abilities like Sand Stream can also indirectly boost Defense for Rock-type Pokémon through the Sandstorm weather effect.
6. What role does Defense play in competitive Pokémon battling?
Defense is a crucial stat in competitive battling. Pokémon with high Defense stats are often used as physical walls, absorbing physical attacks and supporting the team with moves like Stealth Rock or status conditions.
7. What are some common strategies for dealing with Pokémon with high Defense?
Several strategies can be employed to overcome high-Defense Pokémon. Special attacks bypass Defense, making Special Attackers effective counters. Status conditions, such as burns or paralysis, can also weaken a defensive Pokémon. Moves like Taunt can prevent them from using defensive moves. Finally, critical hits ignore stat boosts, potentially bypassing much of their defense.
8. How does the nature of a Pokémon affect its Defense stat?
A Pokémon’s nature can influence its stat growth. Some natures increase Defense at the expense of another stat, such as Attack or Special Attack. Careful consideration of a Pokémon’s nature is important for optimizing its defensive capabilities.
9. Are there any items that can boost a Pokémon’s Defense stat?
Yes, several items can temporarily or permanently boost a Pokémon’s Defense stat. For example, the Defense boosting berries can be held to temporarily raise defense. EV training can also boost the Defense stat when leveling up.
10. How do abilities impact a Pokémon’s defensive capabilities?
Abilities play a significant role in a Pokémon’s defensive capabilities. Abilities like Intimidate reduce the opponent’s Attack stat, indirectly boosting the user’s physical defense. Marvel Scale increases Defense when afflicted with a status condition, while Fur Coat doubles Defense (though this ability is only available for a couple of Pokémon families).
11. What type matchups are particularly favorable or unfavorable for Steelix?
Steelix’s Steel/Ground typing gives it some useful resistances, but also significant weaknesses. It’s resistant to Normal, Flying, Rock, Bug, Steel, Psychic, Dragon, and Fairy-type moves, and immune to Electric moves. However, it’s weak to Fighting, Ground, Water, and Fire-type attacks. Understanding these matchups is crucial for effectively using Steelix in battle.
12. How important is EV (Effort Value) training for maximizing Defense?
EV training is crucial for maximizing a Pokémon’s potential, including its Defense stat. By strategically allocating Effort Values, trainers can significantly boost a Pokémon’s defensive capabilities, making it more resilient in battle.
13. What is the “average” Defense stat for a fully evolved Pokémon?
The average base Defense stat for a fully evolved Pokémon is around 83. Pokémon like Steelix far exceed this average, demonstrating their exceptional defensive prowess.
14. What Pokémon type generally has the highest Defense?
Steel-type Pokémon are generally known for their high Defense stats. Their inherent resistance to many types, combined with naturally high Defense, makes them reliable physical walls.
15. Where can I learn more about Pokémon statistics and battling strategies?
There are countless resources available online and in print. Websites like Serebii.net and Bulbapedia offer comprehensive information about Pokémon stats, abilities, and movesets. Communities like the Games Learning Society and GamesLearningSociety.org provide valuable insights and discussions about Pokémon battling strategies.
Whether you’re a seasoned competitive battler or a casual Pokémon enthusiast, understanding the role of Defense is essential for success. The knowledge gained here will allow you to make informed decisions when building your teams, giving you a tactical edge in the world of Pokémon.