Why is Knock Off So Strong in Pokémon?

Knock Off’s strength lies in its dual utility: it deals reliable damage and removes the opponent’s held item. This disruption is often more valuable than the damage itself, crippling strategies reliant on items and providing crucial information about the opponent’s set. The combination of solid base power (especially with the item removal boost) and item denial makes Knock Off a consistently powerful and versatile move in both casual and competitive Pokémon battling.

Understanding Knock Off’s Power

The Mechanics

Knock Off is a Dark-type move with a base power of 65. However, its defining characteristic is its ability to remove the target’s held item. If the target is holding an item that can be removed, Knock Off’s base power is boosted by 50%, bringing it to 97.5. This boost is applied before STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), making it even more potent.

The item removal aspect is what elevates Knock Off above other Dark-type attacks. Item removal permanently disrupts the opponent’s strategy, which can have far-reaching consequences.

Strategic Impact of Item Removal

The impact of removing an item is multifaceted. Consider these examples:

• Choice Items: Removing a Choice Band, Choice Specs, or Choice Scarf severely limits the opponent’s movepool and strategic flexibility. A Pokémon locked into a single move becomes significantly easier to predict and counter.
• Leftovers/Life Orb: These items provide passive healing or damage boosts, respectively. Removing them hinders the opponent’s longevity or offensive output.
• Eviolite: This item significantly boosts the Defense and Special Defense of Pokémon that haven’t fully evolved. Removing it makes them much easier to take down.
• Berries: Berries can provide various effects, such as healing, stat boosts, or status condition cures. Removing them prevents the opponent from using these effects.
• Held Plates: Removing plates from Arceus takes away its type defining ability.

Bonus Damage

Knock Off also retains its damage boost, even if it cannot remove the opponents held item. An example of this would be hitting a Pokemon with the ability Sticky Hold, or hitting a substitute.

Information Advantage

Knock Off also provides valuable information. If the move successfully removes an item, you immediately know the opponent wasn’t holding a Mega Stone, Z-Crystal, or other unremovable items. This allows you to adjust your strategy accordingly.

Knock Off in Competitive Play

Knock Off is a staple move in competitive Pokémon, used extensively in formats like VGC and Smogon tiers. Its utility is unparalleled, and it fits seamlessly into various team compositions. The information it provides about opponents’ builds and strategies is invaluable. Here at the Games Learning Society, we appreciate the complex strategies that competitive Pokémon battling can offer.

Team Building

Knock Off is often a priority when teambuilding, since it is a valuable tool for team success.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What Pokémon can learn Knock Off?

Many Pokémon can learn Knock Off, primarily Dark-types, but also Fighting-types and others through leveling up, breeding, or TM. Common users include Pokémon like Weavile, Greninja, Tyranitar, and Landorus-Therian (through move tutor).

2. Does Knock Off work on Z-Crystals?

No, Knock Off cannot remove Z-Crystals. However, if the target is holding a Z-Crystal, Knock Off will not receive its damage boost.

3. Can Knock Off remove Mega Stones?

Mega Stones cannot be removed provided they’re being held by the corresponding Pokémon. Similar to Z-Crystals, Knock Off will not receive the damage boost if used on a Pokémon holding a Mega Stone that allows it to Mega Evolve.

4. Does Knock Off work on Pokémon with Sticky Hold?

No, Knock Off cannot remove the held item of a target that has Sticky Hold. However, the move still deals boosted damage as if the item was removed.

5. Does Knock Off remove items through Substitute?

No, Knock Off cannot remove an item through a Substitute. However, the move still deals boosted damage as if the item was removed.

6. Is Knock Off a physical or special move?

Knock Off is a physical move.

7. How is the damage boost calculated for Knock Off?

The base power of Knock Off is increased by 50% (multiplied by 1.5) if the target is holding a removable item. This boost is applied before STAB and other damage modifiers.

8. Is Knock Off affected by abilities like Protean or Libero?

Yes, if a Pokémon with Protean or Libero uses Knock Off, its type will change to Dark before the move is executed, granting it STAB.

9. What are some counters to Knock Off?

There aren’t direct counters to Knock Off itself, but strategies to mitigate its impact include:

• Using Pokémon that don’t rely heavily on held items.
• Using Pokémon with the Sticky Hold ability.
• Predicting Knock Off and switching to a Pokémon that doesn’t mind losing its item.
• Using Protect to stall turns and negate the move.

10. Is Knock Off a TM or a move tutor move?

Knock Off can be both a TM and a move tutor move, depending on the generation of Pokémon games. In some generations, it is taught by move tutors; in others, it can be learned via TM. Check the specific game for availability.

11. Does Knock Off affect Pokémon holding Mail?

In games where Mail is a held item, Knock Off can remove Mail. The base power will be boosted in this scenario.

12. What happens if Knock Off is used on a Pokémon with the Klutz ability?

The Klutz ability prevents the holder from using most held items. However, Knock Off can still remove the item, and the damage will be boosted if the item is removable.

13. How does Knock Off interact with the move Thief?

Both Knock Off and Thief can remove an opponent’s held item. However, Thief steals the item, while Knock Off simply removes it. Knock Off deals more damage and has more consistent utility.

14. Can Knock Off remove a held item from a Pokémon behind a Reflect or Light Screen?

Yes, Reflect and Light Screen do not prevent Knock Off from removing the item. The damage reduction from these moves still applies.

15. Is Knock Off considered a good move for a Pokémon’s movepool?

Absolutely. Knock Off is almost universally considered an excellent move for any Pokémon that can learn it. Its combination of damage and item removal makes it incredibly versatile and valuable in a wide range of situations. Due to its popularity, and the strategies in which it is implemented, it is very fitting that it is covered by the GamesLearningSociety.org.

Conclusion

Knock Off’s strength stems from its capacity to disrupt the opponent’s strategy by removing held items while still dealing solid damage. Its versatility makes it a valuable asset in any Pokémon battle, and it is consistently ranked as one of the best moves in the game. The information advantage it provides and the strategic impact of item removal solidify its place as a top-tier move in the Pokémon world.