Explosion

[Death Phenomeno]

So… Explosion no longer halves the opponent's Defence. This causes a gigantic change for… pretty much every user, since most of them used it either as a last resort, or to take someone else with them.

Let's first take a look at who learns the damn move:

By leveling up:

43 Geodude
53 Graveler
53 Golem
47 Voltorb
57 Electrode
42 Koffing
46 Weezing
34 Pineco
42 Forretress
43 Seedot
56 Lunatone
56 Solrock
60 Baltoy
72 Claydol
-- Regirock
-- Regice
-- Registeel
46 Drifloon
56 Drifblim
49 Stunky
61 Skuntank
76 Azelf
40 Dangoro
55 Gantoru
55 Gigaiasu
47 Yabakuron
59 Dasutodasu
55 Tesshiido
67 Nattorei

By breeding:

Grimer
Gastly
Onix
Nosepass

By TM64:

Geodude  
Graveler  
Golem  
Magnemite  
Magneton  
Grimer 
Muk 
Shellder 
Cloyster  
Gastly  
Haunter  
Gengar  
Onix  
Voltorb 
Electrode 
Exeggcute  
Exeggutor  
Koffing 
Weezing 
Mew 
Sudowoodo 
Pineco 
Forretress  
Steelix  
Qwilfish  
Magcargo  
Corsola  
Seedot 
Nuzleaf  
Shiftry  
Nosepass 
Gulpin 
Swalot 
Camerupt  
Torkoal 
Lunatone  
Solrock
Baltoy  
Claydol  
Glalie 
Metang  
Metagross  
Regirock
Regice
Registeel
Drifloon  
Drifblim  
Stunky  
Skuntank  
Bronzong  
Bonsly 
Magnezone  
Lickilicky 
Probopass  
Azelf 
Heatran  
Dangoro
Gantoru
Gigaiasu
Yabakuron
Dasutodasu
Yuniran
Daburan
Rankurusu
Banipucchi
Baniricchi
Baibanira
Tesshiido
Nattorei
Furiijio
Randorosu
Genosekuto

Seems like a lot, right? But now that Explosion is, for lack of a better term, half as useful as it was… we should trim that list. Remember how you used to give Magnezone only around 88 EVs to always kill some Blissey? Those days are gone. GONE!

Why don't we take a look first?

With Psypoke's calculator, I've obtained the following results using the Physical Defence Tiers representatives; for the purposes of the test, since the calculator uses the old formula, the defending Pokémon will be under the effect of Iron Defence at all times:

Warning: HUGE

Level 100 Adamant max Attack Mew vs. Level 100 Bold max Defence Pichu:

Min      Average      Max
416     450         490
170%    184%        200%

Level 100 Adamant max Attack Mew vs. Level 100 Bold max Defence Abra:

Min      Average      Max
416     450         490
163%    177%        192%

Level 100 Adamant max Attack Mew vs. Level 100 Bold max Defence Diglett:

Min      Average      Max
360     390         424
160%    174%        189%

Level 100 Adamant max Attack Mew vs. Level 100 Bold max Defence Happiny:

Min      Average      Max
493     533         580
122%    131%        143%

Level 100 Adamant max Attack Mew vs. Level 100 Bold max Defence A-Deoxys:

Min      Average      Max
386     418         455
126%    137%        149%

Level 100 Adamant max Attack Mew vs. Level 100 Bold max Defence Sunkern:

Min      Average      Max
337     365         397
127%    138%        150%

Level 100 Adamant max Attack Mew vs. Level 100 Bold max Defence Kadabra:

Min      Average      Max
337     365         397
118%    128%        139%

Level 100 Adamant max Attack Mew vs. Level 100 Bold max Defence Treecko:

Min      Average      Max
317     344         374
111%    121%        131%

Level 100 Adamant max Attack Mew vs. Level 100 Bold max Defence Smeargle:

Min      Average      Max
317     344         374
100%    109%        119%

Level 100 Adamant max Attack Mew vs. Level 100 Bold max Defence Dugtrio:

Min      Average      Max
269     291         317
098%    106%        115%

Level 100 Adamant max Attack Mew vs. Level 100 Bold max Defence Alakazam:

Min      Average      Max
283     307         334
090%    097%        106%

Level 100 Adamant max Attack Mew vs. Level 100 Bold max Defence Ninjask:

Min      Average      Max
283     307         334
086%    094%        102%

Level 100 Adamant max Attack Mew vs. Level 100 Bold max Defence Blissey:

Min      Average      Max
451     488         531
063%    068%        074%

Level 100 Adamant max Attack Mew vs. Level 100 Bold max Defence Volbeat:

Min      Average      Max
256     277         302
076%    082%        090%

Level 100 Adamant max Attack Mew vs. Level 100 Bold max Defence Floatzel:

Min      Average      Max
256     277         302
068%    074%        080%

Level 100 Adamant max Attack Mew vs. Level 100 Bold max Defence Azelf:

Min      Average      Max
224     242         264
063%    068%        074%

Level 100 Adamant max Attack Mew vs. Level 100 Bold max Defence Porygon-Z:

Min      Average      Max
224     242         264
059%    064%        070%

Level 100 Adamant max Attack Mew vs. Level 100 Bold max Defence Altaria:

Min      Average      Max
192     208         227
054%    058%        064%

Level 100 Adamant max Attack Mew vs. Level 100 Bold max Defence Kangaskhan:

Min      Average      Max
207     224         244
50%    54%        058%

Level 100 Adamant max Attack Mew vs. Level 100 Bold max Defence Weezing:

Min      Average      Max
158     172         187
047%    051%        055%

Level 100 Adamant max Attack Mew vs. Level 100 Bold max Defence Mew:

Min      Average      Max
180     195         212
044%    048%        052%

Level 100 Adamant max Attack Mew vs. Level 100 Bold max Defence Regigigas:

Min      Average      Max
168     182         198
039%    042%        046%

Level 100 Adamant max Attack Mew vs. Level 100 Bold max Defence Hippowdon:

Min      Average      Max
160     173         189
038%    041%        045%

Level 100 Adamant max Attack Mew vs. Level 100 Bold max Defence Cresselia:

Min      Average      Max
158     172         187
035%    038%        042%

Level 100 Adamant max Attack Mew vs. Level 100 Bold max Defence Groudon:

Min      Average      Max
141     153         167
034%    037%        041

Altered Giratina, Steelix, and Regirock were not included because… yeah.

Wow…

So… about trimming that list… where exactly should the trim happen? Base 100 Attack? Base 120 Attack? Regardless of where we put it, the number of Pokémon that can effectively use this move has drastically dropped.


Just for the sake of completeness, I've listed the Pokémon that learn Explosion from the most destructive one (that being Lickilicky's) to the most pathetic one (that being Yuniran's) based only on base attack (and STAB where applicable).

I've highlighted Lickilicky and Smeargle, since they get STAB

Most powerful Explosion
↑
|
| [B]Lickilicky[/B]
| Metagross | Gigaiasu
| Azelf | Landorosu
| Genosekuto
| Golem
| Muk | Gantoru
| Mew | Sudowoodo | Shiftry | Camerupt | Regirock
| Graveler | Exeggutor | Cloyster | Qwilfish | Solrock | Dasutodasu | Baibanira
| Nattorei
| Skuntank
| Weezing | Heatran | Forretress
| Bronzong
| Steelix | Torkoal
| Geodude | Grimer | Glalie | Bonsly | Drifblim
| Metang | Registeel | Dangoro
| Swalot
| Nuzleaf | Claydol | Magnezone
| Koffing | Shellder | Gengar | Pineco | Rankurusu | Baniricchi
| Stunky
| Magneton
| Corsola | Lunatone | Probopass
| [B]Smeargle[/B]
| Electrode | Haunter | Magcargo | Regice | Drifloon | Yabakuron | Tesshiido | Banipucchi | Furijio
| Onix | Nosepass
| Gulpin
| Exeggcute | Seedot | Baltoy | Daburan
| Magnemite | Gastly
| Voltorb | Yuniran
|
↓
Least powerful Explosion

 

[breh]

Er... what exactly are the mew calcs proving? I'm confused, lol. Just say who it invalidates (Electrode, Magnezone, etc.) as opposed to who is still usable (Metagross, Azelf, etc.).

Otherwise why not just use the Smogon calculator? it has adjustable base power for this kind of thing.

 

[Lord Yawgmoth]

Just as I was going to make an Explosion team to spam with Sturdy-Sash. =/
Did Selfdestruct get this nerf too, or did it never halve defense in the first place?

 

[Farukon_o_miru]

This is a really awful change, now Heatran and Magnezone will can´t doing nothing to Blissey (even with Explosion).

 

[ΩDonut]

I sincerely hope Explosion doesn't halve Defense only because a programmer at Game Freak didn't get the memo.

 

[revdjweb]

GF probably had more than one eye on triple battles and the effect of explosion there and with in mind, i can't say i blame them.

 

[Zowayix]

Explosion is now worse than RBY Selfdestruct. =(

Selfdestruct had 130 power but effectively had 260. Now Explosion only has 250.
(Explosion had 170 power in RBY by the way)

 

[petrie911]

Why would they do this? I mean, I could understand them cutting its BP a bit if they thought it was overpowered. 200 for Splode and 160 for SD would be reasonable. But this just makes both moves terrible.

 

[RockinX]

Maybe it'll get fixed in Grey. Remember when Hypnosis's accuracy went back to 60 in Platinum?

 

[STEELDRAGON]

:( I hate this change, I would have really liked it stay how it was. Also, to note, Mewtwo and Snorlax and learn Selfdestruct, so at least Snorlax might be able to do something with it. I guess in this sense many special attackers can't sacrifice them selves to KO Blissey.

 

[Phantom_IV]

Well, on the other hand, a lot of Psychic special attackers luck out with that "special move that hits defense" thing.

 

[NeoSeth]

Bleh... every generation, Blissey just gets more and more difficult to kill.

When will Special Attackers (Without that defense-hitting move thing) be usable again? Maybe Porygon-X , with 250 SA and 250 Spe or something.

That's sarcasm.

 

[EpicTurtle]

So explosion gets nerfed, great this makes blissey so much more annoying.

 

[Super Mario Bro]

I never liked Explosion because people would always switch to their ghosts whenever I tried to blow up! I don't mind this change at all.

 

[Lazyboy0337]

Way to nerf Lickilicky, my favorite pokemon. Now all he can do without being outclassed is abuse Cloud Nine and the Weather Wars.

 

[greg3064]

Uhg this is a really disappointing change. CB Azelf / Metagross Explosions could even take out some Steel types. Alas, no more. Stuff like Swampert getting Damp is pointless now, considering he can probably survive any Explosion now, and few people will use it anyway.

This along with the Pre-Evolution Stone will help balancing out what initially seemed to be a quite offensive metagame.

 

[STEELDRAGON]

Okay I did some Damage calcs:

A pokemon with a Non-stab explosion and no boosting item/ability needs 519 attack to OHKO Wish Blissey 100% of the time.

A pokemon with a Non-stab explosion and Life Orb needs 400 attack to OHKO Wish Blissey 100% of the time.

A pokemon with a Non-stab explosion and Choice Band needs 346 attack to OHKO Wish Blissey 100% of the time.

This is quite scary.........not a lot of pokemon can OHKO Blissey with Explosion anymore. Gengar, Magenzone, Heatran, in particular with probably be with out explosion now. I'm actually temped to try to use a mixed LO Heatran now.A 10 HP/244 Atk/252 SPA, Rash looks cool. Only the pokemon with exceptional attack should now viably use expolsion/self-destruct if at all.

 

[ShinyAzelf]

Explosion isn't going to be used that much...even Azelf won't be good with Explosion =(

 

[Misa]

By any chance that the power of Selfdestruct has halved as well? Even if it has, Snorlax still makes good use of it with 200 BP with STAB (also Choice Band).

Also, what are the EVs for WishBliss right now anyways? I imagine it's like 6 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpD?

EDIT: NVM it's 252 HP / 252 Def / 6 SpD.
Really though, if Explosion's power is halved, I would've imagined that it would take a LOT more than just 346 Attack to OHKO Blissey with Explosion (excluding STAB)? People are underestimating 714 HP / 130 Def.

 

[blasphemy1]

Most Pokemon used to lose to Blissey a lot due to Protect anyways. Swampert has Damp now, so Heatran and Metagross shouldn't consider it for taking him out. On the other side, one of the most common Pokemon for taking Explosion, Rotom-A, no longer has its Ghost-typing. It's still an extremely powerful attack, and it will be useful on Pokemon at low HP still. I'm actually glad about this, as Explosion was very easy to spam before.

 

[STEELDRAGON]

The Wish Blissey evs, for the calcs, are Bold, 252 HP/252 Def/6 Spe, the bulkiest Blissey possible.

 

[McNUTTY]

TBH i'm quite disappointed by this, but those people who are complaining about Blissey she isn't all that much of problem all she can do is wall special attackers. Mixed Attackers and Pure Attackers destroy her.

 

[Azure Demon]

I don't see what's so bad here I mean we lose power on explosion but I mean damn it was an annoying move anyway even if I did like to go boom myself sometimes. Explosion was way passed over powered and this bring not only a change to the regular metagame but also vgc

 

[soon]

Darn.... there goes my NFE team - self-destructing munchlax.

 

[Elemt]

Yea this sucks, last VGC I used a double explosion Azelf Metagross.