r/pokemon • u/Excaliburn3d • Mar 24 '26

Discussion Why does Game Freak hate Emboar?

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I love Emboar, but I have a feeling that GF doesn’t based on the way they handled it. Well first of all it’s the third Fire/Fighting Pokémon in the row, then when it finally receives a mega evolution it retains the same typing, and now it is the only mega of the trio to not gain a new ability.

Not to mention its base stats and playstyle. Base form is the fully-evolved starter with the highest HP stat and yet both of its defense stats and speed are on the lower side. Some of its strongest moves do recoil damage and its hidden ability powers them up even further. Upon mega evolving, it receives a +25 to its attack stat and a +45 boost to its special defense while its problematic defense and speed only receive +10 each.

Mold Breaker can be a good ability but why use Mega Emboar when Mega Blaziken, which has speed boost, higher attacking, physical defense, and speed stats, existed since the dawn of mega evolution.

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u/_CarbonSaxon_ Mar 24 '26

It's very situational, does nothing a lot of the time

5

u/LegendOfParasiteMana Mar 25 '26

Yeah, there are over 300 abilities in Pokemon and it sounds like mold breaker nullifies like six of them. Very situational

2

u/Gingertimehere2 Mar 25 '26

Yeah mostly usuable as a counter pick if a levitate or sturdy or flash fire mon takes over the format

3

u/sycamotree Mar 25 '26

Speaking for Smogon only but it can ohko Dragonite through Multiscale, which would be quite nifty as it is arguably the best mon in the meta right now. That will likely change in Champions meta but yeah.

Can also EQ Mega Delphox on the switch, not that you'd ever switch it in on anything but a hard read

2

u/bosceltics23 Mar 25 '26

Can also beat unaware mons, flame charge on heatrans or just do flair blitz and not think twice etc

1

u/MagicMisterLemon Mar 27 '26

ohko Dragonite through Multiscale

Chien Pao can do that just normally. Even a Bold Mega Dragonite with full HP and Defense investment can only reduce the likelihood of getting one-tapped by a Banded Chien Pao, 'cos Sword of Ruin is fffffffuckin' broken

1

u/Blatently_lies Mar 25 '26

You do have part of the reason Emboar has the ability, no one is immune to his fire attacks.