Birkal
We have the technology.
This concept by heartofgold was approved for discussion. Is this concept worth pursuing? If so, what questions could we ask? How could we improve this? Everyone is free to discuss the following submission as if this was a concept discussion.
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Name: Lord of the Crossing
“Can you switch? Mayhaps….”
Description: A Pokemon that controls the switching game, punishing and limiting its opponent’s ability to switch out while ensuring greater freedom of movement for itself.
Justification: Switching is one of the most powerful and dangerous tools in Pokemon, and via CAP we have an opportunity to examine its effects and measure its influence. This concept allows us to learn more about the metagame by exploring switching in its own negative, seeing its advantages and strengths in how opponents are hamstrung when their ability to switch is punished or removed. Much like Tomohawk, this concept should also teach us about momentum, and how having the advantage on a switch can grant a player control of the match.
Questions To Be Answered:
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Name: Lord of the Crossing
“Can you switch? Mayhaps….”
Description: A Pokemon that controls the switching game, punishing and limiting its opponent’s ability to switch out while ensuring greater freedom of movement for itself.
Justification: Switching is one of the most powerful and dangerous tools in Pokemon, and via CAP we have an opportunity to examine its effects and measure its influence. This concept allows us to learn more about the metagame by exploring switching in its own negative, seeing its advantages and strengths in how opponents are hamstrung when their ability to switch is punished or removed. Much like Tomohawk, this concept should also teach us about momentum, and how having the advantage on a switch can grant a player control of the match.
Questions To Be Answered:
- How does switching, and the abilities and moves that affect the mechanic, confer advantages to both players? Can those advantages be negated or multiplied?
- By what means can we punish or limit an opponents ability to switch, beyond simply using a trapping ability like Shadow Tag? Which combinations are most effective?
- How can we ensure that our Pokemon maintains an advantage on switches, when it chooses to leave the battle field?
- Given how fundamental switching is the to the meta, can a Pokemon that limits an opponent’s ability to do so be truly balanced