4th Gen Double Team, Sand Attack etc...

[Pirate Dave]

I sometimes read guides to pick up tips on battling, or beating a gym leader etc. I do most of the obvious things, like use varied pokemon / moves etc., and also use stat altering moves, like Calm Mind or Bulk Up, i was reading on one guide however, that "...real skilled battlers often bar the use of evasion-altering moves like Double Team, and some may ridicule you for using it." To me Sand Attack etc. are legitimate moves, that the computer uses all the time - so why not allow use of them? the rest of the guide is okay, so i was wondering, does anyone really stop people from using certain moves when battling friends?

By the way, the site was 'Mycheats.com', but i can't post links yet, i'm a new guy.

 

[Richard Lynch]

I sometimes read guides to pick up tips on battling, or beating a gym leader etc. I do most of the obvious things, like use varied pokemon / moves etc., and also use stat altering moves, like Calm Mind or Bulk Up, i was reading on one guide however, that "...real skilled battlers often bar the use of evasion-altering moves like Double Team, and some may ridicule you for using it." To me Sand Attack etc. are legitimate moves, that the computer uses all the time - so why not allow use of them? the rest of the guide is okay, so i was wondering, does anyone really stop people from using certain moves when battling friends?

By the way, the site was 'Mycheats.com', but i can't post links yet, i'm a new guy.

Evasion-altering moves are okay for in-game (I beat the Elite 4 in Emerald with the sole use of Gardevoir and Double-Team), but in real competitive battling, the slots can be used for something much better. Because there's always a chance of someone having Shock Wave, or a similar move that ALWAYS hits.

The basic rule of thumb I follow with stat-altering moves is to never use moves that alter the opponent's Pokemon, always use moves that alter your own. With the exception of Swagger, which is rarely ever used competitively. So if you really want to use an evasion move, go with Double Team, as the effect won't be lost if the opponent faints.

We here never stop people from using certain moves, we just give our opinion on them. Evasion moves personally annoy me, but you rarely see them in non-AI battles.