Four-Move Limitation in Pokefics

[Wondrous Sableye]

This is more or less a generic question-poll topic.

The question I'm trying to have answered here is as follows:

Do you believe that the "four-move limit" imposed in the games should or can be utilized in a Pokemon fanfiction effectively and realistically? Why or why not?

 

[Arcanine Royale]

Well, I don't think it should. It just applies to the game and manga? (not sure), but not to the anime. And since the anime is the most realistic portrayal and the most similar portrayal used in fan fiction, I guess the anime usually applies.

Meanwhile, I'm off in a different circle of thought. In my stories, pokemon can basically use any attacks that make sense. I don't really even have a list of attacks that a pokemon uses or not. Just all of them that make sense...

But I'm a looney from Michigan...

 

[Yami Ryu]

Well this depends how you think moves evolve.

Like ember becoming flamethrower becoming firespin becomes fireblast becomes overheat and finally eruption on things like Camerupt.

The move grows in strength untill it's 'lost'. And depending how tackle is used, it could become takedown, then doubleedge, or bodyslam.

Meaning- 4 move limitation, for the knowledge to hold each of these powerfull moves takes alot of memory space.


But I really don't like the 4 move limit as even the anime breaks the rule. Dunno about the manga.

 

[Jonouchi]

In all honesty. If you can handle something like using at least every attack that it would know in any chapter, I say go for it.

If not, then it doesn't do harm to stick to four attacks.

Go with what's easier for you.

 

[Negrek]

I try to stick to it as much as possible; theoretically, any of the pokemon in my 'fics can use any of the level-up attacks up to their level, any egg moves they might have and TM's/HM's they've been taught, but generally they only have around four attacks that they use regularly. Because, really, once you've learned crush claw, what's the point in going back to scratch?

 

[Astinus]

I'm with Negrek on this one. There really is no point to a Pokémon character going back to a basic attack once they learn the stronger version. Obviously, Slash is greater than Scratch. So there is that limit there, as there is no need for a Pokémon to know more than the most trusted attacks tested in battle and elsewhere.

And yes, the four-attack limit is broken in the anime. Ash's Pikachu knows Thunderbolt, Thunder, Agility, Quick Attack, Iron Tail, and others that are used on a regular basis.

In other words, it is up to you to really decide. If you need to use the basic Tackle in a later chapter, even if the Pokémon has learned the move Take Down, then use it. Not the world's greatest example of what I'm trying to illistrate. I'm just saying that there might be times when the basic attack is called for. Like when Ash was battling Paras in the episode "The Problem With Paras" and needed to use weaker attacks.

 

[+Rhapsody+]

Just as a Pokemon matures, its movepool also matures. I agree with those who have said that weaker moves are forgotten for their stronger counterparts.

As for a Pokemon knowing more than four moves at a time, I say yes. If they are naturally intelligent creatures, then they should have that ability. But I think that neither the anime, manga, nor games are really the true canon sources. Just use your imagination based on a mix of those.

 

[Dilasc]

Eh, I don't see how a pokemon needs to forget a light move for a swifter assault. It's like using only fierce punches because jabs are weaker. Jabs are lighter powered, but they strike faster and can help set up a strong attack, or you may not have time for a strong move.

As such, a Double Edge may be a bit risky and require too much effort. It'd be quicker to use a Tackle or Quick Attack when in need of a light assault.

 

[Matt Silver]

I'm not going to stick to it in my upcoming FF, cause it's kinda a game only thing (I mean how could you tell a pokemon to ditch a move for a more powerful one?)

I dont mind breaking it, but I dont want to go overboard (With 100 moves zomg)

btw, the 4 move thing was never in the manga. I think.

 

[Sneaky]

I don't believe in the four-move limit in fics because having more than just four moves for a Pokemon would make battles more interesting and allows a wider variety of possible attacks and combinations.

 

[SBaby]

It can be used in Fics, but it shouldn't. It just isn't realistic to have creatures learn new attacks and then forget the attack of the Trainer's choosing. That just doesn't happen.

For example, we don't forget how to read and write after we learn how to cook hot dogs and burritos. Our brain capacity is larger than that. And animals/Pokemon are no exception. Granted, there are things that everyone forgets at one point or another, but they don't happen after learning four things.

The point I'm trying to make is though it can be used in Fics, it usually takes alot of the realism out of the story.

 

[jwla]

I don't use the four move limit when I write (not that I do often). My attacks tend to be like the anime attacks. Regardless of the strength of it. they still use it. Tackle can be powerful if there is a weight behind it. I think that way.

 

[Orange_Flaaffy]

I don't use the four move limit becuase so many moves are'nt true 'moves' really, but just things that a real animal could do , like fly or tackle