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Move-of-the-Week Discussion #98: Will-O-Wisp

winstein

winstein

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In Pokémon, there are lots of different moves used by different Pokémon. Every week, we shall focus the discussion on a different move, and there will be some base questions that would help you start this off. This week, Will-O-Wisp is chosen by @cityvillain;.

Burn was one of the status conditions you could inflict way back when the games begun, but the only way to do this is to use an attack, that is, until Generation 3. This is the first move that always burn the target, making it a great move on account for what burn does, which is to do passive damage and reduce Attack. It's learned by every Fire-type and most Ghost-types (as well as some odd ones), so there is a sizable sample of users to make use of its useful effects. Recently, its accuracy received an improvement, making it better than ever since the reliability makes it much more useful.

Here's the in-game description for this move:

In-game Description (XY) said:
Type: Fire (Other)
Base Power: --
Accuracy: 85%
PP: 15

The user shoots a sinister, bluish-white flame at the target to inflict a burn.
Click to expand...

Here are the usual possible questions about this move:
  • How does certain Pokémon (who knows it) use this move? What kind of purpose would this move have for them (in the Pokémon World)?
  • How could this move be used to aid a profession in the Pokémon World?
  • Could this move realistically be used by any Pokémon who doesn't learn it normally? If yes, please explain your choices.
  • How would this move be used in battling, realistically or video game-wise?

Other questions (You could ask other critical questions beyond the listed):
  • Why is it that most Ghost-types are able to learn this Fire move? Why do a few other Ghost-types lack this move?
  • How do any non-Fire- and non-Ghost-type learn this move? Examples include the Ralts family, Absol and Darkrai.
  • How does the fire of this move guarantees a burn on the target, despite its lack of power?
  • Are the flames from this move controlled or propelled?
  • It should be noted that in some interpretations, this move is considered a damaging attack, yet does not cause burn. Is this another way to use this move?

Here are the current users for this move (put in Spoiler tag due to the large list):
(Level-up)​
  • Vulpix
  • Shuppet & Banette
  • Duskull, Dusclops & Dusknoir
  • Yamask & Cofagrigus
  • Litwick & Lampent
  • Fennekin, Braixen & Delphox
  • Phantump & Trevenant

    (Technical Machine) [TM61]
  • Charmander, Charmeleon & Charizard
  • Vulpix & Ninetales
  • Growlithe & Ninetales
  • Ponyta & Rapidash
  • Gastly, Haunter & Gengar
  • Koffing & Weezing
  • Magby, Magmar & Magmortar
  • Flareon
  • Mewtwo
  • Mew
  • Cyndaquil, Quilava & Typhlosion
  • Misdreavus & Mismagius
  • Slugma & Magcargo
  • Houndour & Houndoom
  • Entei
  • Torchic, Combusken & Blaziken
  • Ralts, Kirlia, Gardevoir & Gallade
  • Shedinja
  • Sableye
  • Numel & Camerupt
  • Torkoal
  • Solrock
  • Absol
  • Chimchar, Monferno & Infernape
  • Drifloon & Drifblim
  • Spiritomb
  • Rotom
  • Heatran
  • Giratina
  • Darkrai
  • Arceus
  • Victini
  • Tepig, Pignite & Emboar
  • Pansear & Simisear
  • Darumaka & Darmanitan
  • Frillish & Jellicent
  • Litwick, Lampent & Chandelure
  • Heatmor
  • Larvesta & Volcarona
  • Reshiram
  • Fletchinder & Talonflame
  • Litleo & Pyroar
  • Pumpkaboo & Gourgeist

Thanks for reading, and happy discussing!

~ The General Pokémon Forum Staff


Previous Move-of-the-Weeks:
The user with the best post will receive the right to vote for next week's move on a Friday, as chosen by the mods of this section. The next move is based on criteria, as listed below.

Next Move Criteria: Any move

Moves: (Any move not listed in the Previous Move-of-the-Weeks section)​
 
Last edited:
Most ghost-type Pokemons are capable of using Will-O-Wisp because the move originates from the folklore Will-o-the-Wisp which is like a ghastly, ethereal floating fire ball. In my culture (the Philippines), we had a similar supernatural phenomenon and we call it "santelmo" which the appearance is the same but it is said to burn you internally (not physically). So ghost-type Pokemons are able to conjure an energy that is fire-like, burn you and affect your physical power. I think the way the projectile works is, it is controlled by the user an exclusively targets or chases the target. Which explains why sometimes it misses.
I wonder though why this is fire-type move as opposed to ghost-type move when the move's origins and mechanism is something ghastly or supernatural. I think Will-o-Wisp is more fitting to be a ghost-type move than fire-type.
 
How do any non-Fire- and non-Ghost-type learn this move? Examples include the Ralts family, Absol and Darkrai.

Are the flames from this move controlled or propelled?
Click to expand...

I like to think that those Pokemon that aren't Ghost- or Fire-Types are able to learn the move generally because of their 'connection' to the more mystic side of Pokemon. For example, the Ralts family are all Psychics and Absol and Darkrai are both Dark pokemon. In fables, 'darker' creatures include witches and ghosts, which both happen to be supernatural creatures sometimes with mystical powers over things, generally inanimate objects or elements, such as fire. In addition, Psychics/people with supernatural powers in our world are sometimes referred to with the suffix '-mancer', implying they have control over something. One of such things is a Pyromancer; someone that has control over flames. As Will-O-Wisp is a fire-based move, such a connection actually isn't that far of a stretch, assuming that both Psychic-tyes and Dark-types can apply in these genre.

Regarding the controlled vs Propelled theory, I'd have to say controlled as all the Pokemon that learn the move in one way or another have a certain degree of control over the flames, either with telekinetic sorts of powers or something more fabled/magical. For example, Vulpix and Ninetales are based on the Kitsune, a Japanese Kaiju that happens to be a fox spirit, giving it that mystical flare. Delphox and it's line are based on some sort of mystic up to your interpretation (for example a witch, shaman, or sorceress) which could also explain it's use of the ability. Plain fire-types already have a degree of power over fire, shown by their actual element.
 
Please note: The thread is from 10 years ago.
Please take the age of this thread into consideration in writing your reply. Depending on what exactly you wanted to say, you may want to consider if it would be better to post a new thread instead.

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