Move-of-the-Week Discussion #99: Mega Punch

winstein · Jun 13, 2014

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, Mega Punch is chosen by @Shadowkat777;.

In the penultimate Move-of-the-Week, we will be looking at Mega Punch, an ordinary punching attack introduced in Generation 1. It was the move that was associated with Hitmonchan, an expert in punching. Despite that, two other Pokémon learns it, so it's not as unique as Mega Kick. The fact that Return or Frustration have more power makes this move seem obsolete, and even Iron Fist cannot top it. Still, it was an OK alternative to the aforementioned moves when it didn't exist.

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

In-game Description (XY) said:
Type: Normal (Physical)
Base Power: 80
Accuracy: 85%
PP: 20

The target is slugged by a punch thrown with muscle-packed power.

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):

How is Mega Punch different from the other punching attacks that exists?
Despite having a name implying sheer power, why is this move comparatively weaker than some other punching attacks, such as Meteor Mash, Focus Punch and Sky Uppercut?
In order to make Mega Punch more useful, what is the best thing to do with it? List only one or two changes.

Here are the current users for this move (put in Spoiler tag due to the large list):

(Level-up)

Hitmonchan
Kangaskhan
Mew
Regigigas
Golett & Golurk

(Breeding)
Geodude, Graveler & Golem
Magby, Magmar & Magmortar

(Move Tutor) [Gen 3]
Charmander, Charmeleon & Charizard
Squirtle, Wartortle & Blastoise
Pichu, Pikachu & Raichu
Nidoqueen & Nidoking
Cleffa, Clefairy & Clefable
Igglybuff, Jigglypuff & Wigglytuff
Psyduck & Golduck
Mankey & Primeape
Poliwhirl, Poliwrath & Politoed
Abra, Kadabra & Alakazam
Machop, Machoke & Machamp
Slowbro & Slowking
Gengar
Drowzee & Hypno
Cubone & Marowak
Hitmonlee
Lickitung & Lickilicky
Rhydon & Rhyperior
Chansey & Blissey
Mr. Mime
Smoochum & Jynx
Elekid, Electabuzz & Electivire
Snorlax
Mewtwo
Typhlosion
Totodile, Croconaw & Feraligatr
Ledyba & Ledian
Togepi, Togetic & Togekiss
Flaaffy & Ampharos
Marill & Azumarill
Sudowoodo
Aipom & Ambipom
Quagsire
Snubbull & Granbull
Teddiursa & Ursaring
Delibird
Miltank
Tyranitar
Treecko, Grovyle & Sceptile
Torchic, Combusken & Blaziken
Marshtomp & Swampert
Ludicolo
Breloom
Slakoth, Vigoroth & Slaking
Whismur, Loudred & Exploud
Makuhita & Hariyama
Sableye
Mawile
Aggron
Meditite & Medicham
Plusle & Minun
Volbeat & Illumise
Grumpig
Spinda
Cacnea & Cacturne
Zangoose
Kecleon
Dusclops & Dusknoir
Regirock, Regice & Registeel
Groudon
Deoxys

Thanks for reading, and happy discussing!

~ The General Pokémon Forum Staff

Previous Move-of-the-Weeks:

Next Move-of-the-Week: A move best used during times of anniversaries.

Shadowkat777 · Jun 13, 2014

I would have to guess that the purpose Mega Punch serves in the Pokemon world is to be a 'basic' sort of attack, like tackle or scratch, though admittedly stronger than either of them. Realistically speaking, any Pokemon with arms should really be able to learn it as it's a fairly simplistic sort of move. You just...punch something, more or less. As of such I'd have to say that Pokemon that don't learn it normally would be able to use it, again so long as they had arms or at least hands like a Haunter does.

Mega Punch is somewhat different from other punching moves, namely in its lower accuracy, non-priority status, and typing. Though it sounds like a stronger move-and it was back when it first came out- the move is weaker than moves like Meteor Mash, Focus Punch, and Sky Uppercut for a few reasons that vary depending on the move. In all their cases, the attacks have a different type than Normal (Steel for meteor mash and fighting for both of the other two) which allows for super-effective moves which deal more damage in the first place. This is the same case as with the Elemental Punches (Fire, Thunder, and Ice). Sky Uppercut has the same accuracy as Mega Punch whereas the other moves have better accuracy (Generation dependent). However, even though Sky Uppercut has the same accuracy, it has the added bonus of dealing extra damage during and being able to strike Pokemon in the first turn of Fly, Bounce, and Sky Drop. Mega Punch doesn't get any such benefit or special ability; it's a basic punch move. Meteor Mash has a chance to raise the user's attack. Once again, Mega Punch doesn't do that. Focus Punch has the misfortune of needing to charge up. If your Pokemon is hit during this stage, the move fail, which is actually a downgrade from Mega Punch. However, with the considerably larger amount of damage it does (without even adding in STAB attacks, crits, or super-effective hits), Focus Punch is still a much better alternative to the move.

Furthermore, these moves just have a higher base damage: 90 for Meteor Mash (again, generation dependent as it was 100 in Gens 3-5), 150 for Focus Punch, and 85 for Sky Uppercut. The Elemental Punches, while having 5 less Base Damage, have the added bonus of a 10% chance of freezing, burning, or paralyzing the target respectively which kind of balances out this lack of power, especially since they again can result in super-effective moves.

A Final difference between the moves (barring the elemental punches) is that all these more powerful punches were added into later generations, all of the three examples being introduced in the same generation as a matter of fact: 3. This leads me to the conclusion that these moves aren't just better because of their ability to be more effective but because they were designed to help balance out strong moves that were strong against other Pokemon. I mean, you aren't going to want to use Mega Punch on a Rhydon, especially not with the other options given, four out of the six mentioned doing Super-Effective damage rather than a not very effective move.

As Pokemon has gone on, a move like Mega Punch that was once very powerful when compared to similar moves has become obsolete. With moves that are stronger, more accurate, and more beneficial to the user, Mega Punch has become less and less 'Mega' and more Mediocre. If we wanted to change it to something more useful, the best things to do would be to beef up the accuracy of the move, even just by 5 as it can at least compare to the accuracy of other Punch moves. Another thing would be to beef up the base power by a bit. As it isn't ever going to be super effective, there's no reason it should have such a low attack as the only bonuses it'll get are from STAB or a critical hit. No, better yet, change the typing to something other than normal. After all, Dynamic Punch and Dizzy Punch are already both normal type Punches. Why not make Mega Punch have a new type, like fighting or maybe even fairy just to make it all the more different?

Move-of-the-Week Discussion #99: Mega Punch

More options

winstein

Mari-yo Puyo

Shadowkat777

New Member

Similar threads