Here’s how gamers can alter the type of their Pokemon without Terastallising them.
To spice up the series, the last several generations of Pokemon games have each incorporated a new and game-changing battle mechanic. That mechanic was the terastal phenomenon in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
The ability to change a Pokemon’s type to any type in the game is the main selling point for this mechanism. This allows defensive and offensive dynamics to shift on a dime and even aids in the viability of particular Pokemon. It’s not the first time Game Freak has experimented with type-changing mechanics. In actuality, there are numerous methods for changing a Pokemon’s type, and they have existed since the first games.
Soak
Soak is a water type move introduced in Pokemon Black and White, and it is one of the most prevalent type-changing moves in the series. Water types and water-adjacent Pokemon such as Azurill and Masquerain can only learn it.
The move totally changes the target’s type to water. This can drastically disrupt the strategy of even the strongest Pokemon, although it is rarely useful. If a Pokemon with the necessary stats is ever produced, this could be an excellent support move.
Forest’s Curse/Trick or Treat
Both of these moves were first introduced in Pokemon X and Y. They are only available in the Trevenant and Gourgeist lines, which are all ghost/grass types. The maneuvers are grouped together because they work in the same way.
Unlike Soak, these moves add a kind to the target. The grass kind is added by Forest’s Curse, while the ghost type is added by Trick or Treat. This means they can construct a Pokemon with three types, but the applications are fairly limited.
Libero/Protean
Libero and Protean are two abilities that perform the same job despite their differing names. Cinderace’s and Greninja’s hidden skills, respectively. Both will change the user’s type to match the move they are about to use, giving them a same-type attack bonus (STAB).
These were formidable abilities from generations 6-8 that made their bearers powerful offensive threats, notably Greninja. These skills, however, have been nerfed as of Scarlet and Violet, and will only allow a type shift once before the player changes out.
Color Change
Color Change is the forerunner to abilities such as Libero and Protean, as well as the first type-changing ability featured in the series. It is Kecleon’s hallmark talent and has remained such to this day.
This ability works in the opposite way of Libero, changing the kind of the last move that hit it. While most types resist themselves, this can be easily exploited because the opponent has control over Kecleon’s type changes and can plan around them.
Double Shock/Burn Up
Despite the fact that both attacks perform identically, they were launched separately, with Double Shock being exclusive to Scarlet and Violet and Burn Up debuting in Pokemon Sun and Moon. They can only be used by Pokemon of the same type.
With base powers of 120 and 130, respectively, these moves are incredibly powerful. In comparison, most attacking moves utilized in competitive Pokemon have a base power of 80-100. However, when used, these moves deprive their user of the electric or fire type, implying that they are one-use moves.
Roost
Roost is a very helpful move that is used frequently in both casual and competitive Pokemon. It’s a flying move that can restore up to 50% of the user’s health. Recovery maneuvers of this strength are rare, therefore this is a huge benefit for flying kinds.
Some players are unaware that after using the move, the user loses the flying type for the remainder of the turn. This may not make a difference on slower Pokemon, but quicker Pokemon can escape attacks they wouldn’t normally withstand by removing their own flying type before their opponent can attack.
Conversion
This is the first of two Conversion actions. Conversion is unique to the Porygon evolution line and was first featured in Pokemon Red and Blue, making it the series’ first type-altering move.
It modifies the user’s type to match the first move in their move list when used. This is an extremely flexible approach to change a Pokemon’s type, but due to the limited moveset of the Porygon series, there are only so many types that this can truly transform them into.
Conversion 2
Conversion 2 was introduced in the second generation of games, beginning with Pokemon Gold and Silver. It’s also unique to the Porygon line. Unlike Eggy Car, this move alters the user’s type to one that resists the last move that hit it.
In practice, it’s a more powerful form of Kecleon’s Color Change ability, and it’s more unpredictable, because various varieties repel one other. However, the same randomness makes it untrustworthy, so it’s not worth using in most situations.
Reflect Type
Reflect Type is a move introduced in Pokemon Black and White that acts similarly to Ditto’s transform ability. It has been learned by a few Pokemon over the years, but it is most frequently seen on Mew’s moveset.
When used, Reflect Type accurately reflects the target’s type, transforming the user into the same type as the target. Using it against a Blastoise, for example, would turn the user into a water type. This has limited utility because most Pokemon resist themselves, however it is rarely used outside of niche strategies.
