Sep 20, 2016, 08:57 PM
![[Image: oranguru.png]](http://www.serebii.net/sunmoon/oranguru.png)
Oranguru and "Instruct"
Didn't want to talk about any further speculations about any Pokemon, up until the game launches, but this new Alolan Pokemon might seem to have a "significant" influence in the upcoming VGC and other Doubles-oriented formats in Sun and Moon. The Pokemon in question is the Normal-/Psychic-type Oranguru and its unique traits.
Lets start off with the typing. Oranguru doesn't have too many weaknesses, except just against Bug- and Dark-type Pokemon, which the latter is kinda common in the VGC format. The part Normal-type for helps Oranguru via granting full immunity to all Ghost-type attacks. Offensively speaking, Normal-/Psychic-type isn't bad, but still gets walled by Steel-types so Oranguru will need some kinda of Fire/Ground-type coverage or partners to be successful. Based on the Pokemon description from the website, its seems as if Game Freak intended on making Oranguru more so a support Pokemon with respectable defensive capabilites.
In terms of abilities, both Inner Focus and Telepathy lean towards this Pokemon being more so oriented for Doubles-style battling. Inner Focus allows Oranguru to be "immune" to Fake Out, or other Flinch chances like the ever predominate Rock Slide. Given how there are many Fake Out user in the VGC format like Hitmontop, Raichu, Mega Kangaskhan, Sableye, and others allows Oranguru to potentially setup maybe a Trick Room, basing this on the fact most Psychic-type have this support. Telepathy allows Oranguru to "avoid" all allied attacks, such as spread damage (EQ, Discharge, Lava Plume, Surf), and direct attacks to itself.
Alright you all might be saying, "OK Black, so why should be care about this Pokemon in particular, as there's other viable Psychic-type support Pokemon like Cresselia (assuming its in Alola) or Gothitelle". Well the answer is basically due to a new "unique" move called "Instruct". Let me quote what its says...
"Instruct is a move that only Oranguru can learn. It can make the selected target use its most recent move again immediately."
So what we have is perhaps one of the most powerful new support move with huge implications, depending on how the exact battle mechanics of this works. We've only seen Oranguru use this ability a couple of times, in both the International and Japanese trailers. As stated, if Oranguru "instructs" one of its allies to use the same attack, they will "attack" using the same move before immediately afterward. It seems like once Oranguru goes for the Intruct move, the Pokemon it targeted will instantly use the same attack again. We don't know if this is limited to direct attacking moves, or using the same Status move twice, but the fact Oranguru has this unique move will make it "interesting" to use.
Just imagine having a strong attacker like ...say a Tyranitar use Rock Slide on the opponent, then once Oranguru instructs Tyranitar, now the Rock/Dark-type will use the same move again (lets not forget the potential "stacked" chances to flinch"). I'm actually "concern" if say the opponent instructs a Mega Kangaskhan to perform a Parental Bond Double Edge, so now it has a decent chance to obliterate a non-protecting target in one turn, or even knock both opponent's mons out. If Megas are allowed in the format (Game Freak just say whether they in or not), this can be a devastating core to abuse as Oranguru can hit Fighting-types with Psychic-type attacks, while Instruct Mega Kang, or another powerful Pokemon to hit the opposing target again.
Also the game text implies Oranguru can Instruct "select targets" so maybe the opponent's Pokemon might be put into a position where the use the same move over and over again. It could be the case that Instruct coulc "fail" if it goes "first", but again its really depends on researching the mechanics once the game launches.
Oh forgot, Smeargle might be able to "learn" Instruct via Sketch, and use it to its deep asrenal of support moves like Dark Void.
Lets start off with the typing. Oranguru doesn't have too many weaknesses, except just against Bug- and Dark-type Pokemon, which the latter is kinda common in the VGC format. The part Normal-type for helps Oranguru via granting full immunity to all Ghost-type attacks. Offensively speaking, Normal-/Psychic-type isn't bad, but still gets walled by Steel-types so Oranguru will need some kinda of Fire/Ground-type coverage or partners to be successful. Based on the Pokemon description from the website, its seems as if Game Freak intended on making Oranguru more so a support Pokemon with respectable defensive capabilites.
In terms of abilities, both Inner Focus and Telepathy lean towards this Pokemon being more so oriented for Doubles-style battling. Inner Focus allows Oranguru to be "immune" to Fake Out, or other Flinch chances like the ever predominate Rock Slide. Given how there are many Fake Out user in the VGC format like Hitmontop, Raichu, Mega Kangaskhan, Sableye, and others allows Oranguru to potentially setup maybe a Trick Room, basing this on the fact most Psychic-type have this support. Telepathy allows Oranguru to "avoid" all allied attacks, such as spread damage (EQ, Discharge, Lava Plume, Surf), and direct attacks to itself.
Alright you all might be saying, "OK Black, so why should be care about this Pokemon in particular, as there's other viable Psychic-type support Pokemon like Cresselia (assuming its in Alola) or Gothitelle". Well the answer is basically due to a new "unique" move called "Instruct". Let me quote what its says...
"Instruct is a move that only Oranguru can learn. It can make the selected target use its most recent move again immediately."
So what we have is perhaps one of the most powerful new support move with huge implications, depending on how the exact battle mechanics of this works. We've only seen Oranguru use this ability a couple of times, in both the International and Japanese trailers. As stated, if Oranguru "instructs" one of its allies to use the same attack, they will "attack" using the same move before immediately afterward. It seems like once Oranguru goes for the Intruct move, the Pokemon it targeted will instantly use the same attack again. We don't know if this is limited to direct attacking moves, or using the same Status move twice, but the fact Oranguru has this unique move will make it "interesting" to use.
Just imagine having a strong attacker like ...say a Tyranitar use Rock Slide on the opponent, then once Oranguru instructs Tyranitar, now the Rock/Dark-type will use the same move again (lets not forget the potential "stacked" chances to flinch"). I'm actually "concern" if say the opponent instructs a Mega Kangaskhan to perform a Parental Bond Double Edge, so now it has a decent chance to obliterate a non-protecting target in one turn, or even knock both opponent's mons out. If Megas are allowed in the format (Game Freak just say whether they in or not), this can be a devastating core to abuse as Oranguru can hit Fighting-types with Psychic-type attacks, while Instruct Mega Kang, or another powerful Pokemon to hit the opposing target again.
Also the game text implies Oranguru can Instruct "select targets" so maybe the opponent's Pokemon might be put into a position where the use the same move over and over again. It could be the case that Instruct coulc "fail" if it goes "first", but again its really depends on researching the mechanics once the game launches.
Oh forgot, Smeargle might be able to "learn" Instruct via Sketch, and use it to its deep asrenal of support moves like Dark Void.
