Has Scald took over surf?

[Cradily]

Got me thinking really, Does the 30 percent burn rate of Scald make it more attractive then Surf now? Example Starmie, weak defence, would people now think scald is a more safer option to surf.

Surf can hit multiple pokemon but even your own.


Personally i reckon Scald has took over surf for me!

[dragonomega]

First of all it hasn't necessarily become more popular, just the fact that it has a nice burn rate, helps to burn things, a powerful move that would usually be STAB with a nice burn is good.

No one plays Doubles/Triples competitively so, yeah, the Surf drawback isn't a worry, only for nubs.

That's your opinion, some people prefer still using a solid 95 BP move over an 80 BP with a 30% burn rate.

[Cradily]

I am thinking of using Scald over Surf for Starmie

Some reason i like to play safe and with Starmie's average defence it can work, but as you say surf is still powerful with Stab and its better to faint there pokemon then burn them.

I really dont know what to pick, the fact i will be double battling is spurring me to Scald as the other partners wont be too good against water, but then gain can work with special wall.

I dont know, hmm

[DayDreamer]

I prefer Scald. Chance of burn is good back up if they decide to switch to a water resistant type in hopes of countering.

[Cradily]

Yeah, i think Scald offers more protection with the attack halfed which could actually end up killing baton passers or dragon dancers, though ice beam is actually enough for garchomp with the evs anyway.

Thanks for the advice, i think ill go with scald, not a popular attack for Starmie and as you said can suprise some on switching out with the burn.


thanks :D

[Cycle]

Scald is more useful for defensive pokemon.

Surf is pretty much obsolete except for accuracy freaks, since Hydro Pump is more or less better in all instances.

[Cradily]

Yeah i think i would come under Accuracy freak as well =P i have terrible luck hit at all with power moves like Hydro Pump or Fire Blast, it seems like i only hit 1 is 3 which is actually pretty sucky.

I guess then i go for more reliable attacks!


What do you think would be better for lets say Starmie? Surf or Scald?

[Cycle]

Hydro Pump is superior, otherwise you're walled by the universe. Starmie needs as much power as it can get.

[Cradily]

Yeah as for any sweepers, you reckons its much better to rely on luck and to hit harder? PP is also a main factor for me, but i think i have plenty of pp ups.

I think i go for Hydro Pump or Thunder or Thunderbolt or Scald, i dont think it would be too wise to have a sweeper with too many un accurate moves!

[Vrai]

When deciding between Surf, Hydro Pump, and Scald, you've gotta take into consideration several things: firstly, does the Pokemon actually benefit from the burn? Starmie, as an example, could possibly benefit from the burn. It could cut down the attack of something trying to Pursuit it like Tyranitar and then Recover off the damage. However, if the burn doesn't occur, Starmie is royally screwed into spamming Recover to stay alive or try for Scald again for a parting shot at Tyranitar. Surf/Hydro Pump provide power, albeit without the power to burn and a slight drop in accuracy in Hydro Pump's case. The thing with Scald is, imo, a Pokemon that should use it is a Pokemon that can not only use it effectively to take out potential threats, but should have the bulk to be able to use it until it becomes effective (burns them). Suicune and Jellicent are perfect examples of what I'm talking about.

[Cradily]

Yea i understand that if you think like it mathematically in your case, a 30 percent chance of burn is worse then a 80 percent chance of a powerful Hydro Pump which can see of Tyranitar.

Ok Vrai you helped me a bunch with my decision! :D

[TheMysteryEgg]

Overpowered Surf in my case. I'm getting through the battle subway with my Basculin and Scald.

[Dark Piplup]

Not IMO. I still use Surf. None of my Pokemon even know scald. And I tend to just power down something then give it a status condition.

[Barrage]

I only use Scald for bulky waters. As Vrai said. Like Suicune or Jellicent who really benefits from this move, as they can take lots of hits while still spamming off Scald to get a Burn effect .

For sweeping uses? This move just doesn't cut it for me. You have Surf and Hydro Pump, which pack more power. Sure the burn effect is nice, but for sweepers that isn't necessary, sweepers need all the power they can get so they effectively take down opponents.

Bottomline:
Scald + Defensive play? = Perfect match.
Scald + Offensive play? = Pass.

[Cradily]

Yea all right, i learnt something new now, im gonna go for Hydro Pump but i aint sure what item to use.

I am thinkings of using recover with Thunderbolt and Ice Beam, i think that is good enough range.

Thanks all! :D

[Suicune™]

Well yeah, Scald has proven to be a popular move, but taking over Surf? I don't think so, although the Burn 30% chance does make it really intresting so I'm undecided, I'm a big fan of Surf I haven't tried Scald out all too much so I will. What's the power of it btw?

[Cradily]

Its 80 but as others said, sweepers are more suited to rely on better power so the better powerful moves would be better! :D

[Zeffy]

Yeah, I'll always go with Surf/Hydro Pump. Unless I'm using Jellicent--or even Suicune to an extent, because Jellicent is much more of a defensive Pokemon and I think Scald will suit it fine.

[PlatinumDude]

Scald is often seen on bulky Water sets rather than pure attacking sets. If an offensive Water Pokemon like Starmie or Politoed opts for Scald over Surf, then they won't like the drop in power. Those Pokemon are better off with Surf or Hydro Pump for their STAB. Bulky Water Pokemon like Jellicent, Milotic or Suicune are better with Scald because they support the team by spreading burn around.

[Twilight Sky]

I'm agreeing with Vrai. Leave Scald for things that can at least take a hit. If somehow the target doesn't get burned, then you're pretty much stuck/screwed over; 30% chance of a burn may seem like a lot, but you can't be too comfortable with the move. Milotic is a perfect example of a Pokemon that should have this move.

I don't really see a purpose to surf other than the accuracy. And even then, I'd prefer Hydro Pump over Surf far better. It's inaccurate, of course, but combine it with life orb and it'd do some pretty destructive damage(using Starmie here as an example. LO Starmie Hydro Pump can OHKO/2HKO a lot of things in competitive, so it really isn't anything to mess with, compared to surf starmie, which isn't bad for the most part, but...eh).

[Soul_Silver_pkmnbreeder]

It really is situational. Bulky pokemon benefit from Scald, and Suicides or Attackers prefer Surf. I personally have access to Hydro Pump, but it's my Salamence that uses it, not a water type.