So the big new mechanic in Gen 7 is Z-moves! These are onetime use superpowerful moves that can, potentially turn the tide of battle. Every move, with the exceptions of Lunar Dance and Healing Wish, have a Z-move. Yes, this includes status moves. You can use these moves at the cost of your item slot, so the pros and cons must be considered.
A few mechanics notes:
- Attacking Z-moves cannot miss and will break through protect for 25% of normal damage.
- Hidden Power will always be Breakneck Blitz (Normal type)
- Z-Crystals cannot be knocked off and are not removed once being used.
Here are some notable Z-moves that I've encounters in my time playing:
- Z-Parting Shot: In addition to dropping the opponent's Atk and SpA by 1 stage, it also fully heals the incoming Pokemon.
- Z-Rain Dance: While all weather moves share the effect of raising speed by 1 stage in addition to setting the weather, Z-Rain Dance is the most common as it allows Manaphy to be a fantastic cleaner.
- Corkscrew Crash: Commonly ran on Magearna, this 160BP move is designed to force Soul-Heart into activating and turning Magearna into a fearsome sweeper
- Z-Memento: While it does KO the using Pokemon, it does drop the opponent's Atk and SpA by 2 stages and now heals the incoming Pokemon fully.
- Z-Conversion: This single handedly turns Porygon-Z into an insane threat, as it raises all of its stats by one stage.
- Sonic Skystrike: Seen on both Landorus-T and Gyarados, this is designed to lure common grass switchins.
- Z-Splash: This normally useless move now raises your attack by three stages!
- Z-Hold Hands: This has the same effect as Z-Conversion, but is instead used on Jirachi
- Z-Belly Drum: Before dropping the user's HP by 50%, it fully heals, which can open up a sweep.
- Bloom Doom: Heatran's premier set, as it is a 190BP move designed to lure the Water-types that normally try to kill Heatran
- Tectonic Rage: Usually seen on Dugtrio, this 180BP move gives Dugtrio a lot more power if it needs to revenge bulkier foes
- Z-Haze: So far seen on Tapu Fini, this move gives it a full heal on a Pokemon that otherwise lacks recovery
- Z-Hypnosis: Seen on Xurkitree, this gives it a speed increase in addition to possibly putting a foe to sleep, which opens up for a sweep.
- Breakneck Blitz: While niche, this has been seen on users of Explosion and Hyper Beam to be a 200BP move with no negative effects.
What other Z-moves have you seen and been using? This is certainly an interesting mechanic that opens up for a lot of creativity.
A few mechanics notes:
- Attacking Z-moves cannot miss and will break through protect for 25% of normal damage.
- Hidden Power will always be Breakneck Blitz (Normal type)
- Z-Crystals cannot be knocked off and are not removed once being used.
Here are some notable Z-moves that I've encounters in my time playing:
- Z-Parting Shot: In addition to dropping the opponent's Atk and SpA by 1 stage, it also fully heals the incoming Pokemon.
- Z-Rain Dance: While all weather moves share the effect of raising speed by 1 stage in addition to setting the weather, Z-Rain Dance is the most common as it allows Manaphy to be a fantastic cleaner.
- Corkscrew Crash: Commonly ran on Magearna, this 160BP move is designed to force Soul-Heart into activating and turning Magearna into a fearsome sweeper
- Z-Memento: While it does KO the using Pokemon, it does drop the opponent's Atk and SpA by 2 stages and now heals the incoming Pokemon fully.
- Z-Conversion: This single handedly turns Porygon-Z into an insane threat, as it raises all of its stats by one stage.
- Sonic Skystrike: Seen on both Landorus-T and Gyarados, this is designed to lure common grass switchins.
- Z-Splash: This normally useless move now raises your attack by three stages!
- Z-Hold Hands: This has the same effect as Z-Conversion, but is instead used on Jirachi
- Z-Belly Drum: Before dropping the user's HP by 50%, it fully heals, which can open up a sweep.
- Bloom Doom: Heatran's premier set, as it is a 190BP move designed to lure the Water-types that normally try to kill Heatran
- Tectonic Rage: Usually seen on Dugtrio, this 180BP move gives Dugtrio a lot more power if it needs to revenge bulkier foes
- Z-Haze: So far seen on Tapu Fini, this move gives it a full heal on a Pokemon that otherwise lacks recovery
- Z-Hypnosis: Seen on Xurkitree, this gives it a speed increase in addition to possibly putting a foe to sleep, which opens up for a sweep.
- Breakneck Blitz: While niche, this has been seen on users of Explosion and Hyper Beam to be a 200BP move with no negative effects.
What other Z-moves have you seen and been using? This is certainly an interesting mechanic that opens up for a lot of creativity.
