Weather: Difference between revisions

Weather conditions (Japanese: てんき Weather) are mechanics of the Pokémon games, and have been included in every main series game since Generation II. The weather system was expanded on in Generation III, and again further expanded in Generation IV. In each generation, the weather has been determined either by the location of the battle or the Pokémon involved. Only one weather condition may be present at one time, and only the most recent weather condition will take effect.

Characteristics

In all generations since Generation II, some moves, such as Thunder and SolarBeam, take advantage of certain weather conditions and have increased power or accuracy. Other moves can directly cause or cease weather, such as Sunny Day and Defog. Beginning in Generation III, some Abilities have revolved around weather effects: two members of the weather trio can cause changes in the weather; while the other neutralizes it.

Weather-utilization

Main article: Castform

One of the Pokémon introduced in Generation III was designed to take full advantage of the varying weather conditions. In a battle, where no weather effects are present, Castform is a Template:Type2 Pokémon. However, when any of the effects besides a sandstorm or Shadow Sky are applied, Castform's type and shape change to match the weather, due to its Ability, Forecast. Also, when it is leveled up, it learns a move called Weather Ball, which also changes type with the weather, doubling its power when any weather was in effect. Unlike Forecast, Weather Ball's type differs even in a sandstorm, becoming a Rock-type move, and Shadow Sky, becoming a ???-type move.

History

Generation II

In the Generation II games, three moves were introduced that could change the weather during a battle to alter the playing field slightly. These moves were Sunny Day, which caused intense sunlight for five rounds, which allowed a Pokémon to attack with SolarBeam without waiting a turn; Rain Dance, which caused heavy rain for five rounds, which increased Thunder's accuracy to 100%; and Sandstorm, which caused a sandstorm. These three moves can change the course of a battle, with intense sun and heavy rain powering up Fire- and Water-type moves, and powering down the other, respectively, and a sandstorm slightly damaging any Pokémon that are not Rock-, Ground-, or Steel-type.

Although weather conditions were introduced in this generation, they could not be seen in the overworld until the next generation.

Generation III

The Generation III games introduced a new weather condition: hail. Hail is caused by the identically titled move Hail, which, like Sunny Day, Rain Dance, and Sandstorm before it, changes the weather for five turns. Hail, similar to sandstorm, slightly damages all Pokémon that are not Ice-type each turn.

The version mascots of Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald have weather-related Abilities. Ruby's Groudon's Drought causes intense sunlight until the battle ends or another weather effect takes its place; likewise, Sapphire's Kyogre's Drizzle causes heavy rain until the battle ends or another weather effect takes its place. Emerald's Rayquaza's Air Lock suppresses the effect of all weather conditions, but the weather itself continues. Psyduck and Golduck can also have the Ability Cloud Nine, which has the same effect as Air Lock.

During a specific part of the game, Groudon and Kyogre's weather effects can be seen out of battle, throughout the Hoenn region. Some routes are also naturally affected by the weather: Route 119 is often covered in rain; Route 111 has an area in which a sandstorm always blows. These field weather effects carry onto later games. A location in Hoenn, the Weather Institute, is dedicated to the study of weather. The Weather Institute is said to have created Castform, a Pokémon that changes with the weather.

Tyranitar has the ability Sand Stream, which causes a sandstorm until the battle ends or another weather effect takes its place. Other Pokémon have abilities that benefit from weather that is already in effect, such as Lotad's Rain Dish.

Generation IV

In the Generation IV games Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver, there are routes which are constantly affected by rain, sandstorm, or snow. A new weather condition was also introduced: fog. Unlike the other conditions, fog cannot be caused by a move; instead it appears in certain areas, and Defog can remove it.

A new Ability is introduced that acts as a counterpart to some of the Abilities introduced in Generation III. Snow Warning causes a hailstorm for the duration of the battle, in the same way as Drought, Drizzle and Sand Stream. Four held items were also introduced, which each correspond to a certain weather condition and will increase the duration of the weather condition, if caused by a move used by the holder, by three turns.

More interesting things introduced within Generation IV were other conditions that had nothing to do with the weather, but behaved similarly to the weather-activating moves. Like the weather conditions, these moves would affect all Pokémon on the field for five turns, and in various ways. For example, Gravity makes all Pokémon fall to the ground, enabling all Pokémon to be susceptible to things such as Template:Type2 moves, Spikes, Arena Trap, and others; decreases the Evasion of all Pokémon by two stages; as well as disabling moves like Fly and Hi Jump Kick. Trick Room makes slower Pokémon attack first, and Tailwind doubles the Speed of the user's team for three turns.

Acid rain, a weather-related glitch, is present in HeartGold, SoulSilver, and Platinum, in which all weather conditions are present at once.

Generation V

Generation V introduced seasons, which can affect the occurrence of weather in certain cities and routes. For instance, in Driftveil City, hail and snow are present only during the winter, while rain is common during the spring and autumn. The Pokémon Thundurus and Tornadus cause a storm on the route they are on, which is treated as rain in battle. Despite still being present on some routes, fog is no longer present in battles and cannot be removed via Defog.

Also introduced were several new abilities that make use of the weather. Sand Rush and Sand Force both benefit a Pokémon during a sandstorm, while Overcoat negates the damage taken in a hailstorm and sandstorm. With the addition of Hidden Abilities, many old Pokémon now have access to weather-related Abilities. Most notability, Drought and Drizzle, previously available only to Groudon and Kyogre, are now available to more Pokémon. Specifically, Vulpix and Ninetales now have access to Drought, while Politoed now has access to Drizzle.

Types of weathers

There have been six different weather conditions that affect battling in the main series of Pokémon games, and six different conditions that have effects in the overworld.

Intense sunlight

• Effect:
  • Increases the power of Fire-type moves by 50%.
  • Decreases the power of Water-type moves by 50%.
  • Allows SolarBeam to be used instantly.
  • Lowers accuracy of Thunder and Hurricane to 50%.
  • Causes Moonlight, Synthesis, and Morning Sun to recover 2/3 of max HP (full HP in Generation II).
  • In Generation V, causes Growth to raise Attack and Special Attack two stages each.
  • Activates the following abilities: Chlorophyll, Dry Skin, Flower Gift, Forecast, Leaf Guard, Solar Power.
  • Removes the chance of Harvest failing to restore a held berry.
  • Changes Weather Ball to a Fire-type move and doubles its power, Castform to its Sunny form, and Cherrim to its Sunshine form.
  • Reduces the chance of Pokémon becoming frozen.
  • Can be lengthened from 5 to 8 turns with the use of the Heat Rock.
• Field effect: When the sun shines brightly, the screen brightens and dims alternately. The screen may also turn a shade of orange that flows while dark spots ride across.
• Activating move: Sunny Day
• Activating ability: Drought
• Routes where it is encountered naturally: Eastern Hoenn water routes (after Groudon is awakened, before it is battled)^{Wrong template. See Template:Sup/doc.Wrong template. See Template:Sup/doc.}; Routes 114, 115, 116, and 118 when Terra Cave appears there^{Wrong template. See Template:Sup/doc.}

Heavy rain

• Effect:
  • Increases the power of Water-type moves by 50%.
  • Decreases the power of Fire-type moves by 50%.
  • Causes SolarBeam to only deal half of its normal damage.
  • Allows Thunder and Hurricane to bypass accuracy check.
    • In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, allows Thunder to hit through Protect and Detect 30% of the time.
  • Causes Moonlight, Synthesis, and Morning Sun to recover ¼ of max HP.
  • Activates the following abilities: Dry Skin, Forecast, Hydration, Rain Dish, Swift Swim.
  • Changes Weather Ball to a Water-type move and doubles its power, and Castform to its Rainy form.
  • Can be lengthened from 5 to 8 turns with the use of the Damp Rock.
  • Prevents Pokémon from exploding in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon.
• Field effects: There have been three different rain conditions.
  • Normal rain: Rain falls. Found in all places where rain is found on the field.
  • Heavy rain: Rains falls heavily, at a lower angle than in the other. Found occasionally on Route 212.
  • Thunderstorm: Rain falls heavily, much like the Heavy Rain does, and occasionally, lightning will strike and thunder will rumble. Found on Route 119 as part of the four-day rain-thunderstorm-rain-clear cycle. Found on Route 212 on occasion. It happens on predetermined days, such as the anniversaries of the game's release in each country. It also appeared on St. Patrick's Day; February 29, 2008; and Christmas Day (December 25).
  • Cloudy sky: Not technically a rain condition, but related. Sometimes clouds gather over Route 213, and the whole area gets darker than usual. Rarely happens on Route 212.
• Activating move: Rain Dance
• Activating ability: Drizzle
• Routes where it is encountered naturally: Route 119 (some days); Route 120 (always); Route 123 (some days); eastern Hoenn water routes (after Kyogre is awakened, before it is battled)^{Wrong template. See Template:Sup/doc.Wrong template. See Template:Sup/doc.}; Routes 105, 125, 127, and 129 when Marine Cave appears there^{Wrong template. See Template:Sup/doc.}; Route 212 (always); Route 213 (sometimes); Route 214 (south leg); Route 215 (always); Route 33 (always)^{Wrong template. See Template:Sup/doc.}; Lake of Rage (every day except Wednesday)^{Wrong template. See Template:Sup/doc.}

Sandstorm

• Effect:
  • Damages all Pokémon who are not Rock-, Ground-, or Steel-type.
  • Does not damage Pokémon with the following abilities: Sand Veil, Sand Rush, Sand Force, Overcoat, Magic Guard
  • Raises the Special Defense of all Rock-type Pokémon by 50%.
  • Causes SolarBeam to deal only half of its normal damage.
  • Causes Moonlight, Synthesis, and Morning Sun to recover ¼ of max HP.
  • Activates the following abilities: Sand Veil, Sand Force and Sand Rush.
  • Changes Weather Ball to a Rock-type move and doubles its power, but Castform stays in its normal form.
  • Can be lengthened from 5 to 8 turns with the use of the Smooth Rock.
• Field effects: There has been only one sandstorm condition. Wind whips sand around, making it difficult to see.
• Activating move: Sandstorm
• Activating ability: Sand Stream
• Routes where it is encountered naturally: Route 111, Route 228, Route 4

Hailstorm

Battling in a hailstorm

• Effect:
  • Damages all Pokémon who are not Template:Type2.
  • Does not damage Pokémon with the following abilities: Ice Body, Snow Cloak, Magic Guard, Overcoat.
  • Allows Blizzard to bypass accuracy check.
    • In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, allows it to hit through Protect and Detect 25% of the time.
  • Causes SolarBeam to deal only half of its normal damage.
  • Causes Moonlight, Synthesis, and Morning Sun to recover ¼ of max HP.
  • Activates the abilities: Forecast, Ice Body, Snow Cloak.
  • Changes Weather Ball to an Ice-type move and doubles its power, and Castform to its Hail form.
  • Can be lengthened from 5 to 8 turns with the use of the Icy Rock.

• Field effects: There have been four snowy conditions.

Snow redirects here. For the tile, see Snow tile.

• • Light snow: Snow falls lightly and appears to fall vertically from the top of the screen. Found in Snowpoint City, and less often, in Acuity Lakefront and on Route 216. It also occurs in the most western areas of the Unova region during the wintertime. This overworld condition does not result in an in-battle condition.
  • Heavy snow: Snow falls more quickly and heavily, falling diagonally from one of the top corners of the screen (leaving the impression that it is being carried by strong winds), and sometimes appears to be mixed with hail. Found on Route 216, Acuity Lakefront and sometimes in Icirrus City and Route 8 during the Winter. In battle this overworld condition results in a hailstorm.
  • Blizzard: Snow whips around, making it difficult to see. Found on Route 217, and less often on Route 216. In battle this overworld condition results in a hailstorm.
  • Diamond dust: Small ice crystals twinkle in the air. Found on certain special days in Snowpoint City, Mt. Silver and Icirrus City. Diamond dust, however, does not have the same effect as other snowy conditions in battle and instead has no effect in battle.
• Activating move: Hail
• Activating ability: Snow Warning
• Routes where it is encountered naturally: Route 216, 217, Mt. Coronet peak, Mt. Silver peak.

Shadow Sky

Battling in Shadow Sky

• Effect:
  • Damages all Pokémon that are not Shadow Pokémon.
  • Changes Weather Ball to a ???-type move and doubles its power, but Castform stays in its normal form.
• Activating move: Shadow Sky.
• Activating ability: None.
• Routes where it is encountered naturally: Not encountered naturally.

Fog

Battling in the fog

• Effect:
  • Lowers accuracy of all Pokémon battling.
  • Doubles the power of Weather Ball, but Castform stays in its normal form.
  • Honey cannot be used to attract wild Pokémon in tall grass or in caves.
  • Causes Moonlight, Synthesis, and Morning Sun to recover ¼ of max HP.
• Clearing move: Defog
• Field effects: Thick fog blankets everything. Obstacles and Trainers are difficult to see. Can be cleared with Defog.
• Activating ability: None.
• Routes/areas where it is encountered naturally: Route 210 (north leg); Lost Tower^{Wrong template. See Template:Sup/doc.}; Mt. Coronet basement; Victory Road (path to Route 224); Turnback Cave; Courtyard Colosseum

Other appearances

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon

Various weather effects appear in certain dungeons in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series. Weather effects can change from floor to floor, and can also be altered through the use of Wonder Orbs.

• Sunny: Fire-type moves increase power by 50%, while Water moves are cut in half.
• Fog: The power of Electric-type moves is cut in half.
• Snow: Ice-type Pokémon have an increased movement speed.
• Rain: Water-type moves increase power by 50%, while Fire moves are cut in half. Also prevents explosions from traps and moves like Selfdestruct.
• Hail: Deals 5 points of damage to non-Ice-types every 10 turns.
• Sandstorm: Deals 5 points of damage to non-Rock-, Ground-, and Steel-types every 10 turns.
• Cloudy: Reduces the damage of all non-Normal-type moves by 25%.

Gallery

• Sunny Field.png

  The blindingly hot sun shines down

• Rainy Field.png

  A gloomy day on Route 101

• Sandstorm Field.png

  A sandstorm rages

• Fog.jpg

  Fog looming ahead

• Diamond Dust Platinum.gif

  Diamond dust in Snowpoint City in Platinum

Trivia

• All weather-creating abilities (Drought, Drizzle, Sand Stream, and Snow Warning) debuted the generation after their respective moves/weather (Sunny Day, Rain Dance, Sandstorm, and Hail).
• Fog first appeared in Generation III on Mt. Pyre, but had no effect on battles.
• Snow technically exists as an overworld weather condition in Generation III, but is unused.

This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.