Pokémon Go Updates Combat System And Introduces New Attack

8.5
  • Android
  • iOS
  • Open World
2016-07-06
Changes to combat arriving.
Changes to combat arriving. Niantic

Pokémon Go is making updates to its combat system along with some existing attacks. Not only that, new attacks are also going to be introduced to the game.

So let's start with the combat system. This new update introduces the latest set of changes arriving to Trainer Battles. This is to set the stage for a rather exciting upcoming feature. That said, Charged Attacks and switching are going to be queued and activated at the end of the current Fast Attack. In addition, these actions are not going to be overridden by any following Fast Attacks.

For existing attacks, this new update makes changes to the Bug-type Charged Attack Megahorn, which now brings in more damage. The Electric-type Fast Attack Volt Switch has also been updated, and can now activate and generate energy more quickly.

Along with the attacks that have been improved, some Pokémon in the game are going to learn attacks that haven't been available until now. The new attack this time is known as the Flying Press, which is a Fighting-type Charged Attack. While it is coming to the game, the Pokémon Go team revealed that they have yet to decide who gets to learn it.

Learning Attacks

Pokémon can learn more attacks and many of the attacks are ones they couldn’t use before. These are:

  • Plusle and Minun: Grass Knot
    • This Grass-type Charged Attack is sure to help the Cheering Pokémon deal with and Ground-type Pokémon that could give them some difficulty in the Great League.
  • Lanturn: Spark
    • This Pokémon didn't have an Electric-type attack, which was comparable to its Water-type attacks in power. With Spark Lanturn is sure a strong lead and probably be able to counter Azumarill with supereffective damage and even hit Altaria with neutral damage.
  • Ampharos: Thunder Punch
    • This Charged Attack gives Ampharos a powerful Electric-type attacker that's useful not only in the Great League, but also the Ultra League.
  • Masquerain: Bubble Beam
    • By having a Water-type Charged Attack, Masquerain should be able to counter Fire-type and Rock-type Pokémon.
  • Vespiquen: Fury Cutter and Air Slash
    • The addition of these Bug- and Flying-type attacks allows Vespiquen to have an increase in power considering that the attacks match Vespiquen’s types and making Vespiquen even more viable in battle.

In addition to new attacks, Pokémon are also going to be able to learn old attacks once again. Since its release, some of the Pokémon that have originally been discovered have had their attacks change. As such, some of the stronger attacks are making a return. These include:

  • Raichu
    • Thunder Shock
  • Magneton
    • Thunder Shock
    • Discharge
  • Venomoth
    • Poison Fang
  • Haunter
    • Shadow Ball
  • Hypno
    • Shadow Ball
REVIEW SUMMARY
Pokémon Go
8.5
A Flawed But Magnificent Experience
Pokémon Go has swept the country but is the mobile game worth an install? Despite its flaws, Pokémon Go really delivers the Pokemon-capture experience.
  • As Close To Living Pokémon Fantasy As It Gets
  • Active And Engaging Experience
  • Lots Of Mon And Events
  • Battles Aren't What Fans Expect
  • Very Grindy
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