Battle Mechanics

[Wobbu]

One major difference between the games and the anime is the methods of battling. The games limit Pokémon to four attacks, whereas the anime doesn't have a limit. Offensive attacks in the games can be used defensively in the anime. Attacks that would render without effect in the games have the ability to damage those Pokémon in the anime, such as Pikachu damaging Ground types with Electric type attacks). Those are just a few examples of the greater contrast.

What do you think about the different style of battles? Would you prefer the anime to follow suit from the games? Or do you prefer the anime's style of battling as it is? Is there just one thing that bothers you? Or maybe you have ideas on how the anime could improve its battles? You discuss anything you want about the anime's battle mechanics and how it compares to the games here.

 

[ilias_]

I really wish they could bring the anime battling style to the games!! In the games, the Pokemon that's going to win is the one that has perfect IVs & EVs etc. It's all about numbers and maths. I wish they could change that..

Also, one thing that's in the anime and not in the games, is that two moves can never collide. Wouldn't it be interesting?

I don't want them to change the anime battling style. The graphics are so good now. The only thing that they should keep in mind is the immunities. I don't like when an Electric attack hits a Ground-type Pokemon! But I guess the anime is kinda "real life" so it might be different there, I don't know.

 

[Hiatus]

I really like the current battling system in anime, personally. Anime's like real world, where anything can happen. Limiting its creativity would sort of ruin the feeling. Games are... well, games. They do try to be realistic every now and then, but their main goal is to use your mind and think. Due to that, their battling system was designed in a special kind of way, so that you'd have to come up with different strategies, movesets, etc. which all utilize your brain. Anime, though, is not about that--it's there only for your viewing pleasure. If it fails to entertain you, you would simply be losing interest. All in all, I think it'd be best if they keep their current style. Hope I didn't sound confuse you guys too much, haha. ^^"

 

[Pinkie-Dawn]

The lack of battle mechanics from the games were part of the reason why fans don't like the anime (thus why we have "WTF Pokémon" as a webshow) and praised Pokémon Origins. The fact that base stats were never considered when it comes to movesets and dodging being a command would only mistake newcomers who watch the anime before playing the games to believe they are part of the games.

 

[Wobbu]

I really wish they could bring the anime battling style to the games!! In the games, the Pokemon that's going to win is the one that has perfect IVs & EVs etc. It's all about numbers and maths. I wish they could change that..

The games would have to ditch the standard turn-based battles though. The anime is also turn-based but the foe can counter immediately after you execute your attack.

I don't want them to change the anime battling style. The graphics are so good now. The only thing that they should keep in mind is the immunities. I don't like when an Electric attack hits a Ground-type Pokemon! But I guess the anime is kinda "real life" so it might be different there, I don't know.

Immunities are possibly the most inconsistent aspect of anime battling. It was stated that Grass and Ground type Pokémon are immune to Electric type attacks because they can diffuse the electricity into the ground. That explains how Pikachu can harm Ground types with Thunderbolt. For example, Pikachu was able to use Thunderbolt on a Gligar because Gligar was airborne and had nothing to diffuse the electricity into. The problem is that there are instances when Pikachu successively used Thunderbolt on grounded Ground types.

The lack of battle mechanics from the games were part of the reason why fans don't like the anime (thus why we have "WTF Pokémon" as a webshow) and praised Pokémon Origins. The fact that base stats were never considered when it comes to movesets and dodging being a command would only mistake newcomers who watch the anime before playing the games to believe they are part of the games.

Contrary to those who think that way, I really like that the anime takes battling to a different perspective. Why watch the anime if the battles puppet the games? The game battles are repetitive enough -_-

 

[Drayton]

Counter, Dodge and more counter or dodge, the anime battles makes more interesting gimmick compare to the game; Countering attack relays on certain move (counter, mirror coat) also a move with 100 or more tends to have lower accuracy and it may make the attack fail and dodged (some move like rock slide have less accuracy than it's non-all target cousins).

Furthermore, Anime ignores type resistant (Using gust on Electric pokemon) and act as was normal effectiveness. Using move like Razor Wind or Solar Beam as were instant instead waiting for the attack to charge up. Last thing; Prior to series were electric type attack have nil effect towards ground-type, this function is removed after several episode later and proven to be 1x effectiveness.

Also anime doesn't tend to follow the pokemons' in-game moveset (which normally can't be learned). I understand the director's creativity here, but I further can't stand anime move errors. I mean it isn't normal, just crazy creativeness on the noggin

** Up till now, I realize Gamefreak made the impossible to super-insanely possible.

 

[DevinKy]

turn-based battling would've been BORING to watch as a tv show. Origins Red didnt battle like Ash but battling wasn't the main part in a 4-parter series so I really didnt care about the battles.

The way Ash battles makes the anime pretty unpredictable (although I knew Ash will be defeating Paul and Trip in the leagues respectively XD) His faith into his pokemon and unique methods like combining attacks and burning the battlefield are way more easier to remember and interesting than predicting switch ins and set up billions of entry hazards IMO.

The faith mechanic did make its way into the games by Pokemon-Amie but it still doesnt give us the feelings like the anime did.

 

[waveguidebuizel]

I feel that anime-style battling is an extension of battling in the games, where things are more simplified (in a sense). This media is basically an interpretation of the battles in the games, only taken to another level, in my opinion. What I like about this is that it makes the battles come alive (without having to use your imagination).

Like many others here, my main problem is how immunities are handled. I keep picturing the "aim for the horn" thing when I think of this. And then there's the "Thunder Armor" thing that actually shatters my suspension of disbelief too... The contest combinations though, are pretty cool and creative from what I've seen.