Unleashing Inner Evil: Mastering Nasty Plot in Pokémon
Ever felt like your Pokémon needed more *oomph* in Special Attack? Like they’re just whispering instead of unleashing powerful moves? Trainers, it’s time to explore the devious world of Nasty Plot. This move focuses on nasty thoughts turned into strong special attack power.
What is Nasty Plot?
Picture your Pokémon in a shadowy corner, plotting world domination, or stealing Poké Puffs. That’s Nasty Plot. When a Pokémon uses this move, it’s channeling its inner villain. It doesn’t deal damage; it’s a setup move. Think of it as mental push-ups for Special Attack. Each use raises the Special Attack stat sharply by two stages. That’s a massive boost.
Don’t think you can spam Nasty Plot endlessly to become a special attack beast. A limit exists to how nasty a Pokémon can think in one battle. While the text doesn’t state an exact limit, the game mechanics suggest you can use Nasty Plot several times, but the benefits fade after a few uses. You might find that two or three Nasty Plots is the sweet spot in battles.
Teaching Your Pokémon Nasty Plot
How do you give your Pokémon this concentrated spite move? Thankfully, no villain school is needed. There are Technical Machines (TMs) and Technical Records (TRs). Depending on your Pokémon game, the method varies:
- Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: Look for TM140. TMs are breakable, so use wisely (or craft more). Gholdengo can learn Nasty Plot via this TM. Fitting for a coin Pokémon to plot nefarious acts.
- Pokémon Sword and Shield: In Galar, find TR68. TRs are single-use, like old TMs. Use it on the right candidate.
- Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl: In Sinnoh, Nasty Plot is TM63. Another single-use TM, so select carefully.
While the text notes Gholdengo can learn Nasty Plot via TM in Scarlet and Violet, many Pokémon learn it through leveling up, breeding, or other TMs/TRs across generations. Check your Pokémon’s movepool and TM/TR compatibility!
Crafting Nasty Plot TMs in Scarlet and Violet
Low on TM140s in Scarlet and Violet? Fear not! You can craft Nasty Plot TMs at TM Machines in Pokémon Centers. Just gather some ingredients:
- League Points (LP) ×5,000: Earn these by battling trainers, completing Tera Raid Battles, and exchanging materials.
- Meowth Fur ×3: Defeat or catch Meowths to collect their fur. It grows back.
- Spiritomb Fragment ×3: Spiritomb drops these fragments. Time for ghost hunting!
- Tatsugiri Scales ×3: Hunt Tatsugiri and collect its scales.
Collect these, visit a TM Machine, and *poof* – you’ve crafted a new Nasty Plot TM, ready to unleash special attacks.
Z-Nasty Plot: The Ultimate Act of Villainy
For those trainers who go to eleven, there’s Z-Nasty Plot. In games with Z-Moves (Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon), if your Pokémon holds a Darkinium Z crystal and knows Nasty Plot, upgrade it to a Z-Move. Z-Nasty Plot boosts Special Attack and removes any stat drops. Hit by an Intimidate? String Shot? Z-Nasty Plot counters stat reduction for a special sweeping rampage.
Nasty Plot vs. Calm Mind
You may wonder, “Isn’t there another move for Special Attack? Something calmer?” Yes, Calm Mind. Both moves boost Special Attack, but in different ways suited to different Pokémon and strategies.
Calm Mind offers a calm approach. It boosts Special Attack and Special Defense by one stage. It suits bulky Pokémon with defensive types, like Slowbro or Cresselia. They become hard to take down while boosting offensively.
Nasty Plot focuses on pure Special Attack power. It gives a two-stage boost with no defensive benefits. It’s best for offensive Pokémon that hit hard and fast. Gholdengo and frail special attackers thrive with it. Maximize offensive pressure quickly.
Simply put, for balanced boosts and extra bulk, choose Calm Mind. For maximum special attacking devastation quickly, opt for Nasty Plot.
Pokémon That Thrive on Nasty Thoughts
Which Pokémon are ideal candidates for learning and using Nasty Plot? Here are some examples:
- Gholdengo: This coin-collecting menace learns Nasty Plot via TM in Scarlet and Violet. High Special Attack and powerful moves like Shadow Ball make it a fearsome user.
- Deoxys-S (Speed Forme): This fast Pokémon boosts its Special Attack with Nasty Plot. It threatens Water, Flying, Electric, and Ground types.
- Mismagius: This ghost can use Nasty Plot to break through defensive walls. In older generations with Z-Moves, Mismagius could become a devastating special attacker.
- Ninetales: Even Ninetales can get nasty! Nasty Plot boosts its Special Attack for OHKO potential.
- Mega Houndoom: Mega Evolved Houndoom becomes a powerhouse. Nasty Plot enhances it further, turning it into a terrifying sweeper.
These are just a few examples. Many Pokémon can excel with Nasty Plot. Look for those with decent to high Special Attack stats and solid special movepools. Ghost, Dark, Psychic, and Electric types are typically strong Nasty Plot users.
Nasty Plot and Baton Pass: The Banned Combo
Now, let’s discuss a controversial topic: Baton Pass. This move allows a Pokémon to switch out and pass stat boosts to the incoming Pokémon. Sounds harmless, right? Not exactly.
Imagine a Pokémon uses Nasty Plot to max out its Special Attack, then uses Baton Pass to transfer that boost to another attacker. Suddenly, a Pokémon enters battle with maxed-out Special Attack, ready to unleash devastation. Pair this with Speed boosts, and chaos ensues.
This is why, in many competitive Pokémon formats, especially those governed by Smogon, Baton Pass is banned.
OU (Diamond, Pearl, Platinum OverUsed) and National Dex have banned Baton Pass. This ban exists due to its potential to create unbalanced gameplay. Passing multiple stat boosts can create tough teams. Many consider this style uncompetitive.
Baton Pass might appear in older formats. However, the consensus in competitive Pokémon is clear. Baton Pass with setup moves like Nasty Plot is too strong. This imbalance hurts the game’s competitiveness. While a maximum Nasty Plot boost sounds enticing, in serious battles, you must release that power yourself!
Mewtwo and Mew: A Note on Power and Versatility
This text brings forth a classic debate: Mewtwo vs. Mew. In terms of raw strength, Mewtwo is seen as stronger than Mew. Mewtwo holds higher stats and Mega Evolutions. This grants it a significant power edge. However, Mew shines in versatility. Mew can learn *every* TM, TR, and HM, offering a vast movepool and the chance to adapt. Mewtwo hits harder, but Mew does much more.
And yes, for those who wonder, Mewtwo can learn Nasty Plot via TM. Picture a Mega Mewtwo Y with a fully maxed Nasty Plot boost. *shudders*. That’s some powerful stuff.
So there you have it – a look into Nasty Plot’s world. From its tricky nature to its strategic uses and the Baton Pass ban, Nasty Plot elevates your special attacking game. Now go forth, think nasty thoughts, and unleash your Pokémon’s special attacking fury!
