Torch Song

 

Power of Torch Song

Intro:

As I stated in my last post, I've chosen Fuecoco to be my starter Pokemon and transformed him into "Crikey":

However,  I made one critical change to Crikey's moveset based on the wisdom of my son. He reminded me that the starter Pokemon all have signature moves. I checked this out in more detail and this became a game changer! 

Body:

Torch Song Description

The move is described as follows:

"The user blows out raging flames as if singing a song, scorching the target. This also boosts the user's Sp. Atk. stat."

The move has a power of 80 and a 100% accuracy. But the important aspect of the description not to glance over is the effect the move has on boosting the special attack. 

Torch Song Effect

The move's effect is described as follows:

"Torch Song inflicts damage and raises the user's Special Attack by one stage."

While this might not sound impressive at first, trust me, it is very impressive. The next section will explain why. 

Torch Song Impact

Stages in Pokemon work as follows:

• there are 13 total stages a stat can be in
• the default stage is 0 (neutral)
• there are six negative stages from -1 to -6
• there are six positive stages from +1 to +6  
• the power of the stat is increased by 50% for increasing a stage (e.g. stage 0 to stage 1)
• the power of the stat is decreased by 50% for decreasing a stage (e.g. stage 1 to stage 0)

This is a simple summary of stages, but for you hard core Pokemon fans, stages are described in much more detail in this article.

Note:

It gets even more complicated when the respective attacking and speed stat goes from stage 0 to -1 (e.g. -33% decrease). Even more complicated are the accuracy and evasion stats, which have their own unique stage modifiers. Read all the juicy math details here.

The stage boost is what makes Torch Song such a big deal. Every Torch Song hit landed means the next special attack move used will be 50% more powerful. Check out the following example:

• Special Attack of 80 = 120 after landing 1st Torch Song move (stage +1)
• Special Attack of 80 = 180 after landing 2nd Torch Song move (stage +2)
• Special Attack of 80 = 200 after landing 3rd Torch Song move (stage +3)
• Special Attack of 80 = 240 after landing 4th Torch Song move (stage +4)
• Special Attack of 80 = 280 after landing 5th Torch Song move (stage +5)
• Special Attack of 80 = 320 after landing 6th Torch Song move (stage +6)

Can I hear Crikey sweeping through the entire team of our rival Nemona?

Conclusion:

Flamethrower offers a STAB move with the power of 90. Choosing that move over Torch Song is classic short term thinking. After landing just one hit of Torch Song, both Torch Song and Shadow Ball will have a power of 120 on the next hit. The fun has just started because the power is increasing by 50% after every Torch Song strike.

Torch Song makes Crikey a devastating sweeper in the story mode battles, as you'll face up to six Pokemon from the opposing trainer.

Have fun sweeping! Paldea should fear the Croc even more!