A new balance update for Pokémon GO changes some attacks in trainer battles. Niantic specifically wanted to target plant attackers. Giratina is also included.
What has changed? In a message to the community, Niantic explains what has changed in PvP (in trainer battles). The focus was on adjustments to plant Pokémon and plant attacks. There were also general adjustments.
How the attacks and Pokémon changed in the April update
Changes to attacks: In addition to plant attacks, the developers also changed attacks of the Rock, Bug, and Ghost types. The details are as follows:
- Seed Bomb (Fast Attack, Plant) – Now generates energy faster
- Energy Ball (Charge Attack, Plant) – Now charges faster and can lower the opponent’s defense by one stage
- Grass Mixer (Charge Attack, Plant) – Can now lower the opponent’s attack by 2 stages
- Ancient Power (Charge Attack, Rock) – Damage has been reduced in trainer battles
- Silver Wind (Charge Attack, Bug) – Damage has been reduced in trainer battles
- Ominous Wind (Charge Attack, Ghost) – Damage has been reduced in trainer battles. It takes longer to charge the attack
Pokémon with new attacks: In addition to the changes, some Pokémon can now learn new attacks.
- Blubella can learn Seed Bomb
- Papungha can learn Aerial Ace
- Kappalores can learn Energy Ball
- Wielie can learn Seed Bomb
- Kinoso in sun form can learn Weather Ball (Fire)
- Tangoloss can learn Rock Slide
Aside from trainer battles, you can find the strongest plant attackers for your raid teams here.
The winners and losers of the changes
The winners: Kinoso and Papungha can be pleased, as they now have useful fast and charge attacks due to the changes. But Blubella, Kappalores, and Wielie can also be happy about the changes.
The losers: According to Gamepress.gg, almost all attackers that relied on Ancient Power and Silver Wind have been hit hard. Owei, Lorblatt, Yanma, and Relicanth have been significantly affected. Omot and Pudox are also struggling now.
Giratina in its altered form has been nerfed, but it is still expected to remain strong with other attacks like Dragon Claw and Shadow Force.
What do the players say about it?
Changes are being actively discussed on Reddit. Especially the changes concerning Giratina are causing conversations.
What stands out about Giratina: “It lost power in Ominous Wind and Ancient Power. Yes, rest in peace, Giratina,” writes user blitzzardpls and adds that the Pokémon is dropping from a super strong rank to a strong rank.
In response, a user mentions that Ancient Power dropped from 70 power to 45 power and Ominous Wind is now also at 45 power. Along with the nerf in energy gain, “This definitely puts both down a couple of ranks. Especially Altered Form Giratina.”
What else is bothering players? Players are dissatisfied with the timing of the changes. A user writes hreflet “Am I the only one who thinks that multiple attack changes should be made like this between seasons, instead of mid-season?” The player wishes that Niantic would announce something like this before a season so that people can prepare for it.
Are your PvP teams affected by the changes? It is quite possible that the tier list for the PvP league in Pokémon GO will change in the coming days due to these buffs and nerfs.
