Pokémon Platinum
Pokémon Platinum

How to Beat Weather Effects in Battle

Master weather effects in Pokemon Platinum battles. Learn to initiate, utilize, and counter conditions like Sandstorm and Rain to gain a strategic advantage.

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Weather Effects in Battle

Weather conditions can dramatically shift the tide of battle in Pokémon Platinum, affecting move power, Pokémon abilities, and even causing passive damage or healing. Understanding and manipulating these effects is crucial for any aspiring Pokémon Trainer. This section will detail each weather condition, how to initiate them, and strategies for both utilizing and countering them.

Initiating Weather

Weather can be initiated in a few key ways:

  • Moves: Certain moves directly change the weather. These are often the most reliable way to set up your desired conditions.
  • Abilities: Many Pokémon possess abilities that automatically trigger a specific weather condition upon entering battle.
  • Held Items: While less common for *initiating* weather, some items can extend its duration.

Persistent Weather Conditions

1. Sunny Day (Harsh Sunlight)

This weather condition bathes the battlefield in intense sunlight, lasting for 5 turns normally, or 8 turns if the Pokémon holding a Heat Rock initiates it.

  • Initiation:
    • Move: Sunny Day (TM11, found in the Veilstone Department Store for 50,000 Poké Dollars).
    • Ability: Drought (Groudon, though not available in Platinum without trading).
  • Effects:
    • Fire-type moves deal 1.5x damage.
    • Water-type moves deal 0.5x damage.
    • The moves Solar Beam and Solar Blade require no charge turn.
    • The move Growth raises Attack and Special Attack by two stages instead of one.
    • Pokémon with the ability Chlorophyll have their Speed doubled.
    • Pokémon with the ability Leaf Guard are immune to status conditions.
    • Pokémon with the ability Flower Gift (Cherrim) have their Attack and Special Defense boosted.
    • The move Synthesis, Morning Sun, and Moonlight recover 2/3 of max HP instead of 1/2.
  • Strategy: Pair Sunny Day with Fire-type attackers like Arcanine or Rapidash, or Grass-types with Chlorophyll such as Victreebel or Tangrowth for a significant Speed boost. Be wary of opposing Water-types.

2. Rain Dance (Rain)

A downpour drenches the battle, lasting for 5 turns normally, or 8 turns if the Pokémon holding a Damp Rock initiates it.

  • Initiation:
    • Move: Rain Dance (TM18, found in the Veilstone Department Store for 50,000 Poké Dollars).
    • Ability: Drizzle (Kyogre, though not available in Platinum without trading).
  • Effects:
    • Water-type moves deal 1.5x damage.
    • Fire-type moves deal 0.5x damage.
    • The move Thunder has 100% accuracy.
    • The move Hurricane has 100% accuracy.
    • Pokémon with the ability Swift Swim have their Speed doubled.
    • Pokémon with the ability Dry Skin recover 1/8 of their max HP each turn, but take 1.25x damage from Fire-type moves.
    • Pokémon with the ability Hydration are cured of status conditions at the end of each turn.
    • The move Synthesis, Morning Sun, and Moonlight recover 1/4 of max HP instead of 1/2.
  • Strategy: Excellent for Water-type sweepers like Floatzel or Gyarados, especially those with Swift Swim. Consider pairing with Electric-types for guaranteed Thunder hits.

3. Sandstorm

A swirling sandstorm rages across the field, lasting for 5 turns normally, or 8 turns if the Pokémon holding a Smooth Rock initiates it.

  • Initiation:
    • Move: Sandstorm (TM37, found on Route 212 near Hearthome City, requiring Surf).
    • Ability: Sand Stream (Tyranitar and Hippowdon). Hippowdon can be found in the wild on Route 215, albeit rarely.
  • Effects:
    • All non-Rock, Ground, or Steel-type Pokémon take 1/16 of their max HP in damage each turn.
    • Rock-type Pokémon have their Special Defense increased by 1.5x.
    • Pokémon with the ability Sand Veil have their Evasion increased by 20%.
    • Pokémon with the ability Sand Rush have their Speed doubled.
  • Strategy: A fantastic setup for Rock, Ground, and Steel-type teams. Pokémon like Garchomp (Sand Veil) or Rhyperior (Rock-type Special Defense boost) thrive in Sandstorm. Be mindful of your team composition to avoid passive damage.

4. Hail

A barrage of hailstones pelts the battlefield, lasting for 5 turns normally, or 8 turns if the Pokémon holding an Icy Rock initiates it.

  • Initiation:
    • Move: Hail (TM07, found on Route 217, requiring Surf).
    • Ability: Snow Warning (Abomasnow). Abomasnow can be found on Mt. Coronet (north side, near Snowpoint City).
  • Effects:
    • All non-Ice-type Pokémon take 1/16 of their max HP in damage each turn.
    • The move Blizzard has 100% accuracy.
    • Pokémon with the ability Ice Body recover 1/16 of their max HP each turn.
    • Pokémon with the ability Snow Cloak have their Evasion increased by 20%.
  • Strategy: Ideal for Ice-type teams. Abomasnow itself benefits greatly from Hail due to Snow Warning. Froslass with Snow Cloak can become incredibly evasive, while Walrein with Ice Body can recover health.

Countering Weather

If an opponent sets up a weather condition that hinders your team, you have several options:

  • Change the Weather: Use your own weather-initiating move (Sunny Day, Rain Dance, Sandstorm, Hail) or switch in a Pokémon with a weather-setting ability to overwrite the current effect.
  • Ability Negation:
    • Cloud Nine (Altaria, Lickilicky) and Air Lock (Rayquaza) abilities completely negate all weather effects while the Pokémon is active.
  • Held Items:
    • Safety Goggles (not available in Platinum) would protect from passive weather damage, but this item is not present in this generation.
    • Utility Umbrella (not available in Platinum) would protect from weather effects on moves, but this item is not present in this generation.
  • Strategic Switches: Bring in Pokémon that are immune to the passive damage (e.g., Rock-types in Sandstorm) or benefit from the current weather.

Mastering weather effects adds a deep layer of strategy to Pokémon Platinum battles. Experiment with different combinations and find what works best for your team!