My Top 10 Pokemon Abilties! · 2:49pm Jun 14th, 2016

Treehouse is today, might as well talk about Pokemon again!

Hello once again everyone! My name is SuperKamek and welcome back to another countdown!

Like previously mentioned, Nintendo Treehouse is today. For some, that means seeing Nintendo do their thing. For others, it's a total waster of time. But for most, we just wanna see what new Pokemon and Zelda news there is! And for me, I can't watch it because of a field trip I have during that time. Boo. But whatever, I suppose. Today we get to talk about one of my favorite aspects of the Pokemon games; Abilities!

There are many abilities within the Pokemon world that I like that are really good! But which are the ones I'm most fond of? Which abilities have helped me out the most in my journeys through Kanto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova and Kalos? Well, maybe stay a while and find out in my all new list I totally didn't just make up right now.

Seriously.

Stop giving me that look.

No rules apply here, other than this is my opinion and if you have any abilities you like that didn't make this list, be sure to list them down in the comments. Now, without further ado, let's go!

Number 10:
Intimidate

Starting off with the super-basic abilities, we have Intimidate, one of the more common but still useful abilities out there.

This ability does nothing fancy-shmancy like some of the other abilities on this list, but nonetheless it's still handy to have in a pinch. On switch-in, Intimidate will lower the attack stat of the opposing Pokemon by an entire stage. This may not sound like much at first, but if you're on the receiving end of this you'll suddenly find your physical attacks doing less damage. This can be troublesome when you realize just what kind of Pokemon this ability is given to.

Tauros, Gyarados, Salamence, Staraptor, Krookodile...

All these powerful Pokemon you want to deal with fast are now slightly more difficult to take out, especially if you're trying not to switch out all that often. However, I find intimidate is much better when it's with you due to game AI being stupid and not switching out when Intimidate comes about. Which is probably the reason why the elite four haven't quite been themselves lately...

...huh.

Number 9:
Moxie

This one is definitely good to have if you can sweep teams.

Moxie is basically the opposite of Intimidate; instead of causing your opponent to lose attack power, it causes you to GAIN attack power. However, this comes with a small fee; the attack is only increased once you defeat an opponent. Not much of a setback mind you, but without a doubt one of the more useful abilities to have when you're trying to sweep teams. You get stronger and stronger when you defeat foes, which just makes it easier to defeat more Pokemon.

The most OP part comes from the fact nine Pokemon evolution lines can learn this ability, all of which are powerful Pokemon, four of which can Mega Evolve, and two of which can learn the ability NATURALLY. Needless to say, if you have a Pokemon with Moxie, consider yourself lucky because you just got what could possibly be one of your most powerful sweepers in the game!

That is to say, of course, if you like sweeping. If you like just normal gameplay, Intimidate is probably better for you.

Number 8:
Super Luck

This is actually my sister's favorite ability.

In RPGs, the LCK stat is usually representative of how often a character gets critical hits on an opponent. Pokemon doesn't quite have that, but if there was any ability more overpowered combined with an item, it would be this one. Holy shit, it is absol-lutely one of the best abilities competitively. Ha... See what I did there? Yeah, I'll just be killing myself then. Anyway, Super Luck does as you'd imagine after my speech; increase a Pokemon's critical hit rate by a stage.

Here's where it gets good.

Combine this with a Scope Lens hold item, which has a +1 critical hit ratio, and the move Night Slash, which has a +2 critical hit ratio, and you have a +4 CRITCIAL HIT RATIO!!! That doesn't sound like much, but in the Pokemon world, that's basically the equivalent of a critical hit every four or five turns. That's just fucking nuts.

If you have a Pokemon with the ability Super Luck and access to any high critical hit moves, exploit the living crap out of it. Believe me, you will NOT be disappointed!

Number 7:
Prankster

Talk about an ability and a Pokemon NO ONE saw coming for competitive use!

I'll fully admit that, while I don't hate Pokemon for their designs, I do dislike Pokemon for their stats. That's why I was drawn away from the Pokemon Klefki. However, then I discovered that it had this ability and I was ALL over it! Prankster is one of the competitive juggernaut abilities that almost always sees light in tournaments. Basically, all, and I do mean all status moves are given +1 priority. That means, more often than not, when choosing a status move, you will always go first.

A total of fourteen Pokemon can know Prankster, but only two lines know it naturally, these being the Whimsicott line and, of course, the Klefki line. Both are solid Pokemon, but if you want just a little bit more defense, go for Klefki. Trust me when I say that if used correctly, any Pokemon with the Prankster ability can be dangerous.

Yes.

A keychain is now dangerous. The hell was GameFreak thinking?

Number 6:
Levitate

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

We all know THIS one, don't we? Sometimes even the simplest abilities can cause you to break your fucking DS. I'm looking at you, Fantina. But in all seriousness, Levitate IS a good ability to have on at least one of your Pokemon. Some of the greatest Pokemon have this ability and work wonders with it! Levitate does as it says; it levitates your Pokemon and allows it to avoid Ground-type moves like a Flying-type. This can be ridiculously OP if used right.

For example, Eelektross here.

Eelektross is an Electric-type Pokemon. It has the ability Levitate. Alright, all fine and dandy until you realize ground is electric's only weakness. This means that, by nature and by default, Eelektross has NO WEAKNESSES. This combined with stats equivalent to a starter Pokemon and you have a beast. Of course, other Pokemon know Levitate, such as most Ghost-types and Weezing...

...but nothing really beats Eelektross in terms of weaknesses.

Well, maybe Weezing, but only because it's such a good tank!

Number 5:
Poison Point

What's this?! Something poison that isn't number one on Kamek's Pokemon list?!

Truth be told, I do like some abilities more. Nothing more to it than that, sorry to say. But of course I still enjoy this ability! It's useful to have when you're in a pinch and you are DYING to use that new Venoshock move you just got! Basically, Poison Point has a 30% chance of poisoning your opponent, so long as they aren't a Steel-type. Again, pretty basic, but this thing can be a game changer if you use it correctly. Notice how I use it a lot in my Pokemon Showdown teams? Yeah, that's why.

But no other Pokemon uses Poison Point better in my eyes than Roserade.

Look at it! LOOK AT IT! Simply beautiful, right? Roserade's surprising tolerance of physical moves despite its low defenses is staggering; it can take a few Fighting-type moves to the face before being knocked out, that's for sure. And since most Fighting-type moves are physical, you can bet that a poisoning is within your future. Then Venoshock the shit out of it and you win! Hurray!

If you have the chance, highly suggest you get Roserade on your team. Such a good Pokemon.

Number 4:
Dry Skin

You need it. You know you do.

Dry Skin is an ability that is actually a bit difficult to control. On one hand, when hit by a Water-type move or when on the field during rainy weather, a Pokemon's HP heals up all at once and gradually, respectively. However, on the other hand, when the Pokemon is hit with a Fire-type move or when on the field during sunny weather, a Pokemon takes more damage all at once or gradually, respectively. Yeah, it is the fine definition of "Risk and Reward", but when you get in a reward, you GET the reward!

A full total of seven Pokemon can have this ability, including some of the forward best users of this like Heliolisk and Toxicroak. With Toxicroak, using Rain Dance and in combination with Leftovers will allow an already powerful attacker become all that more dangerous. Heliolisk can use Rain Dance and heal HP while also having a 100% chance of hitting with Thunder.

Both are good strategies and if you're willing to risk going against Fire-type Pokemon with this ability, then you'll find something truly special, I'd say.

I like Toxicroak's strategy more, however.

Number 3:
Gale Wings

Wow. GameFreak actually let this ability slide through the cracks. Okay...

Talk about an overpowered ability! Probably one of the best competitively, and it doesn't take the reincarnation of Einstein to see why. Don't know what Gale Wings is? Yes you do. It's been one of the most talked about abilities... ever. Basically, it gives +1 priority to all Flying-type moves. This means Aerial Ace, Wing Attack, Roost, and... yes... even Brave Bird. Using this ability correctly will allow you to sweep teams and utterly destroy your opponents both computerized and real life.

There is a few setbacks, however. One, only one Pokemon line can learn this ability: the Talonflame line. Talonflame itself is a fine Pokemon, but it's nowhere near as good as some other Flying-types out there. Plus, that 4x weakness to rock is a little off-putting. Two, Gale Wings is exclusive as a hidden ability. This means you'll either have to be hyper lucky while Pokemon hunting, or get it by trade from someone else.

But the reason this ability is so high up here is because it is just that good. These two things are minor setbacks to slapping Leftovers on Talonflame, spamming Brave Bird and then using Roost to heal that lost HP.

And this ability hasn't been banned... because?

Number 2:
Magic Guard

Magic Guard. Yep. We're done here.

This ability kicks ASS! While only a few Pokemon can have this ability, they're ALL incredible in their own right. Magic Guard is an ability you should be happy comes along, because it holds such incredible competitive value it's not even funny. Bascially, it guards a Pokemon from everything except attacking moves. This means that, while it still does get status conditions, poison, burning, paralysis, freezing, spikes or stealth rock will NOT hurt this Pokemon one bit. Wow.

Obviously to even it out, Pokemon still take negative effects from status conditions; paralysis still cuts speed in half and burning still cuts attack in half. Thank GOD most users of this ability are slow special attackers, like Reuniclus and Alakazam. Then combining a Toxic Orb with the move Facade on Clefable and... Mmmm... Like an angel's kiss.

Competitively sound, strategy-breaking and all around just a handy ability to have! But the question is...

...what could I like more?

Number 1:
Mega Launcher

Ah, now I remember why I loved Water-types so much.

This ability is simply the greatest in my eyes. Forget the fact only two Pokemon lines know this ability and focus more on how absolutely overpowered it is. All "Pulse" moves have a 50% increase in power and potency. While Mega Blastoise can use this ability effectively, Clawitzer, one of my favorite generation 6 Pokemon, is at home with it. It can learn all but one pulse move, including Water Pulse, Dark Pulse, Aura Sphere (surprisingly), Dragon Pulse, and Heal Pulse.

Don't know what this means?

This means that in double battles, Clawitzer can be a designated special attacker, with its high special attack stat right off the bat, and a designated healer at the same time, healing 75% health to an ally instead of the regular 50%. Yes; this means that Clawitzer is a better healer than Audino, Blissey and Miltank. Wow.

Looking for a Pokemon with a high special attack stat and a Pokemon that can heal? Look no further than Clawitzer, bearer of, simply put, one of the best abilities of all time!

...in my eyes, at least.

And that was the list!

There were so many more I wanted to put onto this list, including Clear Body, Liquid Ooze, Rain Dish, Swift Swim, Pickpocket, Aftermath, Sheer Force, Sniper, Defiant... Honest to god, the list goes on and on. Which also means we would have been here forever, which is why I had to round it down to ten of my favorite abilities instead of a kajillion!

And hey; do YOU have any abilities that you like that I couldn't talk about here? Put them down in the comments below. I'd love to see your own thoughts on the matter!

Until then, this is SuperKamek signing off!

...and going on a field trip during Nintendo Treehouse- GODDAMMIT!!!

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Marwile

Marwile #1 · Jun 14th, 2016 · 1 · ·

Someone seems to love sweeping

My favourite abilities are probably Protean, HugePower and Refrigerate

DT42

DT42 #2 · Jun 14th, 2016 · 1 · ·

I have an idea for you next top 10 list, moves you want in Pokemon.
For example; Corrosive Acid, 80 power, 100 accuracy, super effective to steel types and 20% chance of poison including steel types.
Basically the freezedry for poison types.

catfire13