The Stormy Tale of Thundurus: Why This Genie Was Banned
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
Thundurus, a member of the Forces of Nature trio, has been a controversial figure in the competitive Pokémon scene. It was not banned across all formats, but in certain metagames, particularly those governed by communities like Smogon, Thundurus faced the banhammer due to its overwhelming offensive presence and crippling support capabilities. It’s not just about raw power; it’s the combination of speed, Special Attack, and access to crucial utility moves like Thunder Wave and Prankster that made it a dominating force, leading to its ban. It was a problematic Pokémon in the Gen 5 era.
The Perfect Storm: Thundurus’s Toxic Trait Cocktail
Thundurus’s ban stemmed from a confluence of factors that made it too effective and limiting to team building. Let’s break down the elements that contributed to its competitive exile:
-
Prankster: This ability is the cornerstone of Thundurus’s ban. Prankster grants +1 priority to non-damaging moves, effectively allowing Thundurus to paralyze faster threats with Thunder Wave, cripple setup sweepers with Taunt, or boost its offenses with Nasty Plot before the opponent can react.
-
Offensive Prowess: While not as monstrous as some other Special Attackers, Thundurus boasts a respectable base 125 Special Attack and base 111 Speed, further amplified by its movepool. This allows it to dish out significant damage after a Nasty Plot boost or simply act as a fast, powerful attacker.
-
Movepool Versatility: Beyond Thunder Wave and Nasty Plot, Thundurus has access to a diverse movepool that includes Thunderbolt, Focus Blast, Hidden Power (Ice), Volt Switch, and Grass Knot. This allows it to tailor its coverage to hit a wide range of threats and switch out to maintain momentum.
-
Overcentralization: These features led to metagame overcentralization. Players were forced to dedicate team slots to specifically counter Thundurus, limiting teambuilding creativity and diversity. If a Pokémon dictates too much of the metagame, it’s a prime candidate for a ban.
-
Lack of Reliable Counters: Truly reliable counters were scarce. Pokémon like Chansey could stall out Thundurus, but they were vulnerable to other threats. Faster Pokémon that could revenge kill were often paralyzed first, rendering them useless.
Understanding the Ban: Context is Key
It’s important to note that Thundurus isn’t universally banned across all competitive Pokémon formats. Its viability fluctuates depending on the specific ruleset and generation.
-
Smogon OU (OverUsed): This is where Thundurus faced the most scrutiny and ultimately received the ban. The combination of its traits proved too oppressive for the standard OU format.
-
Ubers: Thundurus is usually allowed in Ubers tier where more powerful Pokemon are typically present and Thundurus can face stiff competition from other Pokemon.
-
VGC (Video Game Championships): In the official Nintendo VGC formats, Thundurus has had periods of legality and success, often appearing in different forms (Incarnate and Therian) in the official circuit. The double battle format and differing rulesets make it less dominant than in singles formats.
The Legacy of the Lightning Bolt: A Cautionary Tale
Thundurus’s ban serves as a reminder of how seemingly balanced elements can combine to create an oppressive force in a competitive environment. It highlights the importance of considering:
-
Ability Synergies: Prankster, in particular, is a powerful ability that requires careful consideration when balancing Pokémon.
-
Movepool Diversity: A wide movepool can make a Pokémon difficult to predict and counter.
-
Speed Control: The ability to control the flow of battle through paralysis or other speed-altering effects can be incredibly valuable.
Ultimately, the ban of Thundurus reflects a desire to foster a healthy and diverse competitive metagame where players have a wide range of viable options. Learning more about the balance of Pokemon can be found at the Games Learning Society.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Thundurus and Bans
1. What is Smogon?
Smogon University is a prominent competitive Pokémon community that develops and enforces its own rulesets and tier lists, often differing from official Nintendo formats. Smogon is a platform for players to improve their games and strategies.
2. What does “OU” stand for in Smogon’s tier list?
OU stands for “OverUsed,” and it’s the most common and popular tier in Smogon’s competitive scene. Pokémon in this tier are generally considered viable and frequently used in battles.
3. What does “overcentralizing” mean in the context of Pokémon?
An overcentralizing Pokémon is one that is so powerful and versatile that it forces players to build their teams specifically to counter it, limiting teambuilding diversity.
4. What is “revenge killing”?
Revenge killing is the act of using a faster Pokémon to defeat an opponent’s Pokémon that has already done significant damage or KO’d one of your team members.
5. What is “teambuilding”?
Teambuilding is the process of selecting and training a team of Pokémon for competitive battles. It involves considering factors like type matchups, movepools, and overall strategy.
6. What is “priority” in Pokémon?
Priority is a mechanic that determines which Pokémon moves first in a turn, regardless of their Speed stat. Moves with higher priority will always go first (unless an even higher priority move is used).
7. What is “Nasty Plot”?
Nasty Plot is a non-damaging move that sharply raises the user’s Special Attack stat by two stages.
8. What is “Thunder Wave”?
Thunder Wave is a non-damaging Electric-type move that paralyzes the target, reducing their Speed and having a chance to fully paralyze them, preventing them from moving.
9. What is “Taunt”?
Taunt is a non-damaging Dark-type move that prevents the target from using non-attacking moves for a few turns.
10. What is “Hidden Power (Ice)”?
Hidden Power is a Normal-type move whose type is determined by the user’s IVs (Individual Values). Hidden Power Ice is a common coverage move used by Thundurus to hit Ground-type Pokémon that resist its Electric-type attacks.
11. What is “Volt Switch”?
Volt Switch is an Electric-type move that deals damage and then switches the user out for another Pokémon on the team.
12. What is “Grass Knot”?
Grass Knot is a Grass-type move that deals damage based on the target’s weight. It’s useful for hitting heavier Pokémon that resist Electric-type attacks.
13. What are “reliable counters”?
Reliable counters are Pokémon that can consistently defeat a specific threat without relying on luck or specific circumstances.
14. What is “Ubers” in Smogon’s tier list?
Ubers is the highest tier in Smogon’s tier list, containing the most powerful and broken Pokémon that are banned from the OverUsed (OU) tier and lower tiers.
15. Are all bans permanent?
No, bans are not always permanent. Smogon and other competitive communities regularly re-evaluate their tier lists and may unban Pokémon if the metagame shifts or if new strategies are developed to counter them.
The competitive Pokémon scene is dynamic and ever-changing. The story of Thundurus, and how game balance and the metagame interact, highlights the fascinating ways that even seemingly small adjustments can greatly impact the game. You can find information on different games and learning at GamesLearningSociety.org.