Over the last two decades,Pokemonhas added a number of new types, making its already complicated system of type advantages and disadvantages even more complicated than they already were. Sometimes, this leads to mechanics that do not accurately reflect how the real-life element, animal, or concept a type is based on actually behaves. Recently, a group ofPokemonfans began discussing whether or not ice-type moves should be super effective against water Pokemon the way that ice can freeze water in real life.
Redditor peacemaker2710 started the conversation by raising the topic, adding that thePokemonfranchise expects fans to believe thatpsychic Pokemon are weak to bug-typesbut hasn’t taken into account the fact that water freezes. The user claimed that their partner was not interested in discussing this contradiction with them, leading them to turn to the internet.
RELATED:Pokemon Unite Battle Pass Challenge Can’t Be Completed Without Buying A Character
One group of users built off the argument that the weaknesses of psychic-types are common fears, including bugs, ghosts, and the dark, and started quoting the lyrics of “Fear of the Dark” by Iron Maiden. However, another discussion thread brought up a second possibility concerning ice Pokemon. These users pointed out that hot water melts ice, so the water-type move Scald should be super effective against ice Pokemon. This isn’t the first timePokemonfans have noticed odd design choicesin the franchise, but it would make a lot more sense if Scald did extra damage against ice Pokemon.
Several users commented about the powerful moveFreeze-Dry, an ice-type move that is specifically super effective against water Pokemon. According to several testimonies, Freeze-Dry is so useful that users hung on to Pokemon who know it, such as Glalie, well into the post-game ofPokemon SwordandShieldas well asOmega RubyandAlpha Sapphire. A number of users raised the possibility that Scald should have a similar special effect against ice-types as well as bug-types, arguing that neither ice nor bugs usually survive being boiled.
Although most fans appear to agree with peacemaker2710 that ice moves should be super effective against water Pokemon, one user pointed out that adding ice to a cup of water generally results in more water, not more ice. However, that user suggests that ice- and water-types should be neutral to each other when as ofPokemonGen 7 ice is not very effective against water Pokemon. Another user pointed out that the poison-type move Acid should beeffective against steel-type Pokemon, for the same reasons as Scald and Freeze-Dry.
