With Pokémon Sun and Moon looming ever closer, more and more details are emerging while players can also try out the Special Demo Version. The upcoming dual release kicks off a new generation, too, and with that it introduces a range of new ideas for players to try out.
Some things remain the same, though, including the 'Masuda Method'. This trick that encourages trading in order to increase the chances of getting Shiny Pokémon is long established, and a video by Eurogamer explains what it is and gets confirmation that the method is still effective in Sun and Moon.
Eurogamer's interview with Masuda-san also explored Z-Moves, a new feature that also ties into deliciously chunky plastic toys. It's a different way of powering up 'mon, and in spirit seems to be taking over from Mega Evolutions. Though the latter are supported in Sun and Moon, Mega Pokémon and Stones feature in the new games will just be those already seen in X & Y / Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire; Eurogamer says it's had confirmation that Mega Evolutions won't be explored further in the new games.
Masuda-san explained the switch and the design logic behind Z-Moves.
This time around we've got various different things for people to enjoy in Pokémon Sun and Moon and one of these things is Z-moves. This is something every Pokémon can use.
What we have now is a way for people to use the Pokémon they want to use, so their favourites types, their favourite Pokémon, even those which perhaps weren't so popular before, now they can focus on their favourites in battle. That's why we've focused on the Z-moves this time around.
It's not just about letting you use your favourites, either (as many of the most popular did get Mega Evolutions). It's also a way to resurface little-used creatures and give them a boost.
Previously, there were Pokémon that weren't perhaps used too much in battle and they're perhaps going to come to the fore a bit more like 'ah, I can use this this way', and perhaps make a different effect than was previously possible.
So there you have it. Are you pleased about the continuation of the 'Masuda Method', and are you keen to try out Z-Moves in the full games?
[source eurogamer.net]
Comments 22
I'm glad this features returning. Now I can get my shinies super easily again!
I wonder if FarFetch'd has any Z-Moves...
@DrRandle If it learns a move of a type it can use a Z-Move of that type. Just the move you use as the base for the Z-Move determines its power and whether its physical or special.
Interesting they won't be implementing Mega evolutions in future entries... While it was a semi-cool concept, it felt half-baked in practice and didn't really add anything to the overall gameplay (other than a few Pokés gaining a cool, new "Mega" look). Hopefully, these Z-moves will add more to the actual gameplay rather than being almost an exclusively cosmetic addition a la Mega Pokés.
Assuming non-damaging moves count towards Z-moves, then this could seriously boost some Pokemon, by giving them access to offensive moves for types that they never had any offence in previously.
e.g. Pikachu previously had no offensive Psychic moves, but if it knows Agility of Light Screen, then it could use the Psychic-type Z-move.
I wonder how strong Mega Rayquaza's Dragon Ascent-inspired Z move will be.
In the demo, Pikachu's Z move based on Nuzzle had a power of 100. It's Z move based Electro Ball had a power of 160.
Mega Rayquaza's Dragon Ascent Z move will be strongest move in the game based on Mega Rayquaza having the highest base attack.
Cool! Its good to see the Masuda Method will be coming back! Though it did take days to get shinies that way at least they'll have the right nature and IV's rather than if you were to go into the Friend Safari. Its also really nice to know some of the un-used Pokemon can now become somewhat stronger with Z-Moves.
@c1pher_c0mplet Not sure how you're drawing that conclusion. What I read was that there would be no new Mega Evolutions in Sun/Moon, not that they're scrapping them completely.
Edit: Nevermind, that is definitely implied in the Eurogamer article.
Count me skeptical, but wouldn't there still be no competitive use of weaker Pokémon which don't have any decent move to use as a Z-Move? At least Mega Evolutions provided situational shifts in stats, types, and abilities, so I'd assume that unless there's more support-type Z-Moves (like Eevee's), we're still only gonna see Pokémon which could hold their own regardless.
It's a shame that no new Megas will be introduced; hopefully they decide to add more in Gen 8 or the next games after Sun and Moon. I also wonder if they will release physical Mega Stones that work with the Z-Ring toy... 🤔
@ShadowLuigi2 Synchronize gives you a 50:50 chance of getting the right nature from a wild shiny, and breeding IVs will be far less important with the addition of hyper training... so the Masuda method isn't going to be as important as it once was when it comes to competitive shiny hunting.
"What we have now is a way for people to use the Pokémon they want to use, so their favourites types, their favourite Pokémon, even those which perhaps weren't so popular before, now they can focus on their favourites in battle."
...Great now I can go to the VGC with my Sunkern! Watch out kids!
@DragonEleven You're still left with that 50% chance. It's not guaranteed unlike breeding with a Ditto. Yeah we have Hyper Training, but to me it feels a bit too convenient. I feel like there's gonna be some sort of catch to it, but I guess we'll see.
Victini, Rayquaza, Darkrai and Mewtwo to name a few have moves which are going to make Z-Moves so broken or straight up just 1 shotting some Pokémon, including tanks.
@c1pher_c0mplet You probably aren't into the competitive scene... Mega Kangaskhan isn't even near to regular Kangaskhan, and I think I don't even need to mention God Mode Rayquaza.
How about a method of reliably getting shinies fast, if you know what you're doing? Like buying food for Pokemon and equipment for the Daycare that drastically rise the chances. Also, hatch eggs en masse with minigames. Riding a bike endlessly on a route is not my image of fun.
@Yorumi The thing is, when somebody tells me how they had to farm 20 hours for their shiny, I'm not impressed by how special that Pokemon is, I'm only thinking about how much time they wasted.
I was just thinking of Mienshao my favourite pokemon...
Its Hi jump kick is already a really powerful move (combined with reckless makes mienshao a wallbreaker) and if we add a Z move based on HJK then my little mon is gonna one shot most things =D!!
@Yorumi Some people do care about aesthetics. I wanted to put Serperior into my team and like Serperior's shiny colors so decided to breed one. Only one I got in acceptable time of me watching Youtube while riding back and forth got me one with Overgrow instead of Contrary. Meanwhile, I have 3 completely legit shiny Roserades, because RNG. I'd much rather spend that time building/equipping a daycare and playing minigames with my Pokemon to get the few shinies I actually want.
Steel type z-move aggron, here I come.
Great news, hopefully there will another method as well.
Shiny hunting starts soon!!!
Shame they're letting mega evolution fall by the wayside. M-evos aren't just cosmetic; they add a new layer of psych strategy to battles (which Pokemon will she mega evolve, if any?), as well as actually making some 'not-worth-it' Pokemon into 'worth-it' Pokemon. M-evos actually change the way a Pokemon can battle, which gives you more options when creating a team strategy. For example, Mega Blastoise becomes an offensive monster compared to the stally Blastoise junior; Mega Charizard X and Y both fight very differently, and 'Zard X quite differently from 'Zard junior too.
Z-moves, on the other hand, don't look like they will be enough to completely reinvigorate individual Pokemon*. If Flygon and Garchomp are both capable of using the same Dragon-type Z-move, you're still going to get more bang for your buck by delivering it from Garchomp's base 130 Attack than from Flygon's base 100 Attack - so Flygon has not been given new life when the Pokemon who already one-up it are given the same boost. Mega evolution, on the other hand, was a mechanic by which Flygon could have been made to function in a unique new way.
*At this time. I am not operating under complete knowledge of Z-move mechanics, so new information may change my assessment.
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