New Z-Moves
A mechanic first introduced in Pokemon Sun and Moon, Z-Moves are powerful Moves whose base power depends on the Move compatible with the Pokemon Z Crystal. All Pokemon can use Z-Moves with offensive moves being referred to as the same Z-Move. For instance, whether you choose to select Z-Scald or Z-Hydro Pump on your Golduck it will result to Hydro Vortex. The difference between the two lies on the base power. Hydro Pump deserves a slot since as a Z-move it gains a 1-time use for a sure-hit against 1 opponent. Coupled with an active rain, it transforms Golduck into a rain-sweeping powerhouse.
Source: Pokemon
New Z-Moves: Unique Z-Moves
Over the course of the first release, several Pokemon gained additional unique Z-Moves exclusive to their Species. Some of these were showcased on trailers and Championship matches. Trainers can assign certain Pokemon gifted with it to fulfill a niche. One example is the Alola Raichu as it is capable of carrying the AloRaichium-Z. This move in conjunction with Tapu Koko’s Electric Terrain will double its speed, causing it to almost always guarantee to send a flurry of Shockwaves with Stoked Sparksurfer.
New Z-Moves: Clangorous Soulblaze
Source: Pokemon
According to the Pokemon Official Youtube Channel, the first move released is the Dragon-type Z-Move Clangorous Soulblaze.
Kommo-o used it against 2 opposing Dragon-type Pokemon. Based on the effect, it shows that this unique Z-move is capable of causing spread damage rather than single-target. However, the trailer fails to note which move in particular this Z-move runs with.
New Z-Moves: Splintered Stormshards
Source: Pokemon
The second Z-Move revealed on the following Trailer is Splintered Stormshards. This is a unique Z-move used by the Event Lycanroc. This Pokemon harnesses the Power of Rocks to deliver massive amounts of damage.
Similar to Kommo-o’s Z-move, it is unknown at the moment which move causes the Event Lycanroc to perform this Z-Move.
New Z-Moves: Future of Z-Moves
Source: Official Pokemon Youtube Channel
Pokemon Ultra Sun and Moon attempts to give new tools for Pokemon whose usage seemed to fare poorly in terms of the Championships format. This holds true for a couple of Alola Pokemon, making a case for Kommo-o. Lycanroc on the other hand gained a fair amount of usage, specifically its Day forme. One case is the team of the VGC 2017 Japanese Nationals Player Gouki Nakagawa who ran a duo Hail and Sandstorm Team. Only time will tell if Splintered Stormshards would gain viability. One thing to be wary of however is that since it’s exclusive to Event distributed Rockruff, which may impact the team selections.
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