To spice up the franchise, each of the previous several Pokemon game generations has included a fresh and game-changing fight feature. That mechanism in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet was the terastal phenomenon.
The ability to alter a Pokemon’s type to any kind in the game is the main selling point for this mechanism. This makes it possible for defensive and offensive aspects to shift at a moment’s notice and even aids in certain Pokemon becoming more viable. However, Game Freak has experimented with type-changing systems before. The ability to alter a Pokemon’s type is really available in a variety of methods and has been from the very first games fireboy and watergirl.
Soak
One of the most accessible type-changing moves in the Pokemon series is Soak, a water type attack that was first included in Pokemon Black and White. Only water types and a few Pokemon who are close to water, including Azurill and Masquerain, may learn it.
The victim is totally changed into a water type by the attack. Even the strongest Pokemon may have their approach totally thrown off by this, although it usually isn’t all that helpful. This may be a very useful support move if a Pokemon ever comes up with the right stats for it.
Forest’s Curse/Trick or Treat
In Pokemon X and Y, both of these moves were simultaneously introduced. They are only available in the Trevenant and Gourgeist lines, which are both composed of ghost/grass kinds. The motions are together because they both have the same functionality.
These moves add a type to the target as opposed to Soak. Trick or Treat adds the ghost type, while Forest’s Curse adds the grass type. As interesting as it is to be able to design a Pokemon with three kinds, the uses are rather specialized.
Libero/Protean
Despite having distinct names, the abilities Libero and Protean are identical in how they work. They are Cinderace’s and Greninja’s respective secret skills. In order to always get a same-type attack bonus (STAB), both will adjust the user’s type to match the move they are going to employ.
In particular, Greninja from generations 6–8 has strong offensive capabilities that made them formidable adversaries. However, starting with Scarlet and Violet, these skills have been toned down and now only enable one type shift before the player changes out.
Color Change
Color Change can be considered the predecessor to abilities like Libero and Protean, and is the first type-changing ability introduced into the series. It is the signature ability of Kecleon, and has remained exclusive to it.
This ability functions as the opposite of Libero, changing its user’s type to the type of the last move to hit it. While this provides some utility due to most types resisting themselves, this can be easily exploited, since the opponent controls Kecleon’s type changes and can plan around them.
Double Shock/Burn Up
Despite these moves functioning identically, they were released separately, with Double Shock being brand new to Scarlet and Violet, while Burn Up debuted in Pokemon Sun and Moon. They can only be used by Pokemon of the corresponding type.
Both moves are extremely powerful, with a base power of 120 and 130 respectively. For comparison, most attacking moves used in competitive Pokemon hover around 80-100 base power. However, upon use, these moves rob their user of the electric or fire type respectively, meaning they are one-use moves
Roost
Roost is a very helpful move that is often used in both recreational and competitive Pokemon battles.With this flying-style maneuver, the player may regain up to 50% of their health.This is a huge benefit for flying kinds since recovery moves of this power are scarce.
Some players are not aware of the move’s function, which is that after using it, the user loses the flying type for the remainder of the round. This may not matter to slower Pokemon, but quicker Pokemon can withstand blows that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to by getting rid of their own flying type before their adversary attacks.