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Form Changing Significance and Analysis

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Form Changing Significance and Analysis

Hey Trainers,In a recent update, there were sections datamined for form changing mechanics. Whether a minor aesthetic difference or a total stat overhaul, there’s no arguing that this isn’t a massive deal.

There are numerous Pokémon that’ll benefit from interchangeable forms, both for PvP and raid battles. Let’s take a look at them and see how different forms influence different Pokémon’s stats and performance.


Castform

Castform (Overcast) Normal
Max CP 1845
ATK 139 DEF 139 HP 172
Fast Moves Charge Moves
  • Tackle Normal
  • Hex Ghost
  • Hurricane Flying
  • Energy Ball Grass
  • Weather Ball Normal
Alternate Forms
Form Stats Fast Attacks Charge Attacks
Castform (sunny) Water
  • Atk  139
  • Def  139
  • HP  172
  • Ember Fire
  • Tackle Normal
  • Weather Ball Fire
  • Fire Blast Fire
  • Solar Beam Grass
Castform (rainy) Water
  • Atk  139
  • Def  139
  • HP  172
  • Water Gun Water
  • Tackle Normal
  • Weather Ball Water
  • Hydro Pump Water
  • Thunder Electric
Castform (snowy) Ice
  • Atk  139
  • Def  139
  • HP  172
  • Powder Snow Ice
  • Tackle Normal
  • Weather Ball Ice
  • Blizzard Ice
  • Ice Beam Ice

Castform changes its form depending on the weather in battle, and this mechanic partially carries over to GO. However, the form is locked for it.

Being able to change between them means that you only need to power up one rather than four, which for a Pokémon that needs to be powered all the way up with a 75k dust secondary move would save you a ton. They all have identical stats, so they’re interchangeable at will for great league application.

Deoxys

Deoxys (Normal) Psychic
Max CP 3578
ATK 345 DEF 115 HP 137
Fast Moves Charge Moves
  • Zen Headbutt Psychic
  • Charge Beam Electric
  • Psycho Boost Psychic
  • Thunderbolt Electric
  • Hyper Beam Normal
Alternate Forms
Form Stats Fast Attacks Charge Attacks
Deoxys (Attack) Psychic
  • Atk  414
  • Def  46
  • HP  137
  • Zen Headbutt Psychic
  • Poison Jab Poison
  • Dark Pulse Dark
  • Zap Cannon Electric
  • Psycho Boost Psychic
Deoxys (Defense) Psychic
  • Atk  144
  • Def  330
  • HP  137
  • Counter Fighting
  • Zen Headbutt Psychic
  • Rock Slide Rock
  • Thunderbolt Electric
  • Psycho Boost Psychic
Deoxys (Speed) Psychic
  • Atk  414
  • Def  46
  • HP  137
  • Zen Headbutt Psychic
  • Charge Beam Electric
  • Swift Normal
  • Thunderbolt Electric
  • Psycho Boost Psychic

Deoxys changes its form by coming into contact with a meteorite. In GO, the form is limited to which one you got from raids. Even with the ability to swap between the forms freely, Defence form is the only useful one. The only mild use is that you could use your Ultra League Defence form to add a bit of DPS to raids using the Attack form… though it has the bulk of damp tissue paper.

Shiny Deoxys is also currently limited to Normal form, so you could get the other forms as shiny by changing it.

Cherrim

Cherrim (Overcast) Grass Cherrim (Sunshine) Grass
Max CP 2315
ATK 170 DEF 153 HP 172
Fast Moves Charge Moves
  • Razor Leaf Grass
  • Bullet Seed Grass
  • Solar Beam Grass
  • Dazzling Gleam Fairy
  • Hyper Beam Normal
  • Weather Ball (Sunshine only) Fire

Cherrim’s default form is its Overcast form, changing into Sunshine form when it’s sunny. The only difference in GO is that Sunshine form has Weather Ball Fire, and is, therefore, better by default. Being able to change Overcast into Sunshine would make it significantly easier to obtain a high ranking Sunshine Cherrim for PvP since usually it’s weather boosted.

Rotom

Rotom ElectricGhost
Max CP 2296
ATK 185 DEF 159 HP 137
Fast Moves Charge Moves
  • Astonish Ghost
  • Thunder Shock Electric
  • Ominous Wind Ghost
  • Thunderbolt Electric
  • Thunder Electric
Alternate Forms
Form Stats Fast Attacks Charge Attacks
Rotom (Wash) ElectricWater
  • Atk  204
  • Def  219
  • HP  137
  • Thunder Shock Electric
  • Astonish Ghost
  • Thunderbolt Electric
  • Thunder Electric
  • Hydro Pump Water
Rotom (Heat) ElectricFire
  • Atk  204
  • Def  219
  • HP  137
  • Thunder Shock Electric
  • Astonish Ghost
  • Thunderbolt Electric
  • Thunder Electric
  • Overheat Fire
Rotom (Frost) ElectricIce
  • Atk  204
  • Def  219
  • HP  137
  • Thunder Shock Electric
  • Astonish Ghost
  • Thunderbolt Electric
  • Thunder Electric
  • Blizzard Ice
Rotom (Fan) ElectricFlying
  • Atk  204
  • Def  219
  • HP  137
  • Air Slash Flying
  • Astonish Ghost
  • Thunderbolt Electric
  • Thunder Electric
  • Ominous Wind Ghost
Rotom (Mow) ElectricGrass
  • Atk  204
  • Def  219
  • HP  137
  • Thunder Shock Electric
  • Astonish Ghost
  • Thunderbolt Electric
  • Thunder Electric
  • Ominous Wind Ghost

Rotom changes forms by possessing different appliances, or by using a catalogue in Sword and Shield. In GO, only Wash Rotom has been made available via snapshots for GO Fest ticket holders. All the appliance forms have the same stats as each other, so you only need to build up one Great and Ultra league Rotom.

Wash and Frost both have the powerful yet slow attacks Hydro Pump and Blizzard, while Heat has Overheat. Fan has Air Slash instead of Thunder Shock, to its detriment, and Mow has the same moves as base Rotom due to Leaf Storm not being in GO currently.

Heat is probably the strongest in terms of moves, with Thunder Shock giving it the speed to fire off 2 Overheats in sequence then switch away to remove the attack debuff. Electric/Fire is a dangerous typing, however, being weak to Water, Rock, and doubly weak to Ground, all of which are popular Great League typings. It’s unfortunate that Levitate, an ability Rotom has that gives it a ground immunity, isn’t in GO.

Giratina

Giratina (Altered) GhostDragon
Max CP 3820
ATK 187 DEF 225 HP 284
Fast Moves Charge Moves
  • Shadow Claw Ghost
  • Dragon Breath Dragon
  • Shadow Sneak Ghost
  • Dragon Claw Dragon
  • Ancient Power Rock
Giratina (Origin) GhostDragon
Max CP 4162
ATK 225 DEF 187 HP 284
Fast Moves Charge Moves
  • Shadow Claw Ghost
  • Dragon Tail Dragon
  • Ominous Wind Ghost
  • Shadow Ball Ghost
  • Dragon Pulse Dragon

Altered Giratina is the default, changing into Origin Giratina if it holds the Griseous Orb or is in the Distortion World. In GO, they’re limited to which one you raided.

The difference between the two is significant, with Altered having a more defence based stat pool and PvP focused moveset while Origin Giratina has a more offence based stat pool and a raid focused moveset.

Both have a solid place in Master League, so being able to swap between the two at will saves a lot of dust and candy. You can also turn your Master League Altered into Origin if Master League is out of rotation and there’s a psychic type raid boss you want some help with.

Both forms have had their shiny released in raids separately, so if you were unlucky with one form you can change either form into the one you want.

Shaymin

Shaymin (Land) Grass
Max CP 3691
ATK 210 DEF 210 HP 225
Fast Moves Charge Moves
  • Hidden Power
  • Zen Headbutt Psychic
  • Grass Knot Grass
  • Solar Beam Grass
  • Energy Ball Grass
Shaymin (Sky) GrassFlying
Max CP 4061
ATK 261 DEF 166 HP 225
Fast Moves Charge Moves
  • Hidden Power
  • Zen Headbutt Psychic
  • Grass Knot Grass
  • Solar Beam Grass
  • Energy Ball Grass

Shaymin changes into its Sky form when you give it the Gracidea flower. It changes back at night, when it’s frozen, or when it’s deposited into the PC box. Shaymin is unavailable in GO currently.

Both forms of Shaymin have really bad fast attacks and no coverage. If you somehow get grass Hidden Power, Sky form’s higher attack makes it a top-ranking Grass attacker. However, you’ll likely only have one shot from research to get it, and all other typings of Hidden Power are, at best, niche.

Arceus

Arceus (Normal) Normal
Max CP 4510
ATK 238 DEF 238 HP 237
Fast Moves Charge Moves
  • Shadow Claw Ghost
  • Iron Tail Steel
  • Hyper Beam Normal
  • Outrage Dragon
  • Future Sight Psychic

Arceus changes its typing depending on what plate it’s holding. The type of its signature move Judgement also changes to match. Arceus isn’t available in GO yet.

Arceus can match its type to Ghost, Dragon, Psychic, Steel or Normal to give one of its moves the same type bonus, or to make its defensive type whatever you need, like Fairy to counter Dragons in master league or Flying to counter Groudon. It’s a case-by-case thing.

Darmanitan (Unova)

Darmanitan (Standard) Fire
Max CP 3511
ATK 263 DEF 114 HP 233
Fast Moves Charge Moves
  • Fire Fang Fire
  • Incinerate Fire
  • Tackle Normal
  • Overheat Fire
  • Psychic Psychic
  • Rock Slide Rock
  • Focus Blast Fighting
Darmanitan (Zen) FirePsychic
Max CP 4226
ATK 243 DEF 202 HP 233
Fast Moves Charge Moves
  • Fire Fang Fire
  • Incinerate Fire
  • Tackle Normal
  • Overheat Fire
  • Psychic Psychic
  • Rock Slide Rock
  • Focus Blast Fighting

Darmanitan turns into its Zen form if it has the Zen Mode ability and its health drops below half. Standard Darmanitan is available in GO, but Zen isn’t yet.

Zen Darmanitan trades a paltry 20 attack for nearly double the defence, making Darmanitan much less glassy. It also has a pretty great movepool for PvP, which the extra bulk will let it actually survive. Standard form’s extra attack may make it better for short personing or soloing raid battles, especially ones where every second counts.

Darmanitan (Galar)

Darmanitan (Galarian Standard) Ice
Max CP 3511
ATK 263 DEF 114 HP 233
Fast Moves Charge Moves
  • Ice Fang Ice
  • Tackle Normal
  • Overheat Fire
  • Avalanche Ice
  • Ice Punch Ice
  • Superpower Fighting
Darmanitan (Galarian Zen) IceFire
Max CP 4415
ATK 323 DEF 123 HP 233
Fast Moves Charge Moves
  • Ice Fang Ice
  • Tackle Normal
  • Overheat Fire
  • Avalanche Ice
  • Ice Punch Ice
  • Superpower Fighting

Galarian Darmanitan has the same requirements as its Unovan form, turning into its Zen form if it has the Zen Mode ability and its health drops below half. Galarian Darmanitan is available in GO from 7km eggs, and it’s Zen mode is currently unavailable.

Galarian Zen Darmanitan does the opposite of its Unovan counterpart, trading its bulk for absurd attack. Galarian Zen Darmanitan would be the strongest Ice attacker in the game, and Ice is arguably the best offensive type so it’s pretty great. There are many raid bosses that are weak to Ice, both mega and legendary, a lot of which are doubly so. Galarian Zen Darmanitan will be a top tier, practically making its standard form obsolete.

Tornadus

Tornadus (Incarnate) Flying
Max CP 3782
ATK 266 DEF 164 HP 188
Fast Moves Charge Moves
  • Air Slash Flying
  • Bite Dark
  • Hurricane Flying
  • Grass Knot Grass
  • Dark Pulse Dark
  • Hyper Beam Normal
Tornadus (Therian) Flying
Max CP 3635
ATK 238 DEF 189 HP 188
Fast Moves Charge Moves
  • Air Slash Flying
  • Bite Dark
  • Hurricane Flying
  • Grass Knot Grass
  • Dark Pulse Dark
  • Hyper Beam Normal

Tornadus changes into its Therian form when the Reveal Glass item is used on it. Tornadus is available in GO, while its Therian form isn’t.

Therian form has a little more defence and a little less attack, making it a bit more bulky in Ultra League PvP. It’s not a major difference, but it will help a little bit. Air Slash and Hurricane need a buff, frankly.

Thundurus

Thundurus (Incarnate) ElectricFlying
Max CP 3782
ATK 266 DEF 164 HP 188
Fast Moves Charge Moves
  • Thunder Shock Electric
  • Astonish Ghost
  • Thunder Punch Electric
  • Thunder Electric
  • Crunch Dark
  • Brick Break Fighting
Thundurus (Therian) ElectricFlying
Max CP 4137
ATK 295 DEF 161 HP 188
Fast Moves Charge Moves
  • Thunder Shock Electric
  • Astonish Ghost
  • Thunder Punch Electric
  • Thunder Electric
  • Crunch Dark
  • Brick Break Fighting

Thundurus changes into its Therian form when the Reveal Glass item is used on it. Thundurus is available in GO, while its Therian form isn’t.

The extra attack makes it a formidable Electric attacker, although the lack of Wild Charge or Thunderbolt holds it back a little. There’s not a lot to talk about.

Landorus

Landorus (Incarnate) GroundFlying
Max CP 4057
ATK 261 DEF 182 HP 205
Fast Moves Charge Moves
  • Mud Shot Ground
  • Rock Throw Rock
  • Earth Power Ground
  • Rock Slide Rock
  • Focus Blast Fighting
  • Outrage Dragon
Landorus (Therian) GroundFlying
Max CP 4434
ATK 289 DEF 179 HP 205
Fast Moves Charge Moves
  • Mud Shot Ground
  • Rock Throw Rock
  • Earth Power Ground
  • Rock Slide Rock
  • Focus Blast Fighting
  • Outrage Dragon

Landorus changes into its Therian form when the Reveal Glass item is used on it. Landorus is available in GO, while its Therian form isn’t.

Therian form Landorus is a strict upgrade to Incarnate in GO, making it among the best Ground and Rock-type raiders, even without STAB on the latter. Master League also gets rocked by its amazing coverage, letting it beat a majority of the meta staples.

Kyurem

Kyurem (Normal) DragonIce
Max CP 4041
ATK 246 DEF 170 HP 245
Fast Moves Charge Moves
  • Dragon Breath Dragon
  • Steel Wing Steel
  • Dragon Claw Dragon
  • Draco Meteor Dragon
  • Blizzard Ice
Kyurem (Black) DragonIce
Max CP 5206
ATK 310 DEF 183 HP 245
Fast Moves Charge Moves
  • Dragon Tail Dragon
  • Shadow Claw Ghost
  • Iron Head Steel
  • Outrage Dragon
  • Blizzard Ice
  • Stone Edge Rock
Kyurem (White) DragonIce
Max CP 5206
ATK 310 DEF 183 HP 245
Fast Moves Charge Moves
  • Dragon Breath Dragon
  • Steel Wing Steel
  • Blizzard Ice
  • Dragon Pulse Dragon
  • Focus Blast Fighting
  • Ancient Power Rock

 

Kyurem can be fused with Zekrom using the DNA Splicers to become Black Kyurem, or fused with Reshiram to become White Kyurem. Kyurem is available in GO, while its Black and White forms aren’t currently.

Suffice to say, Normal Kyurem is a disappointment. If it had gotten Icy Wind, it’d at least have a fun niche. As is, it’s bad.

Black Kyurem, on the other hand, is probably the best non-mega non-shadow Dragon-type raid Pokémon. With the stellar set of Dragon Tail and Outrage, its moves are top of it’s class. Shadow Claw, Iron Head and Stone Edge also make it an amazing contender in Master League.

White Kyurem has objectively worse charge attacks than Black Kyurem and even base Kyurem.

Meloetta

Meloetta (Aria) NormalPsychic
Max CP 4490
ATK 250 DEF 225 HP 225
Fast Moves Charge Moves
  • Confusion Psychic
  • Quick Attack Normal
  • Psyshock Psychic
  • Hyper Beam Normal
  • Thunderbolt Electric
  • Dazzling Gleam Fairy
Meloetta (Pirouette) NormalFighting
Max CP 4426
ATK 269 DEF 188 HP 255
Fast Moves Charge Moves
  • Low Kick Fighting
  • Quick Attack Normal
  • Close Combat Fighting
  • Hyper Beam Normal
  • Ice Punch Ice
  • Fire Punch Fire

Meloetta changes its form when it uses its exclusive attack Relic Song in battle. Neither form is in GO yet.

Meloetta in its Aria form has a pretty balanced stat set and a decent movepool for both raids and PvP. Its type is also strong, with it’s Normal typing covering Ghost and its Psychic typing covering Fighting.

Meloetta in its Pirouette form takes on more offence-based stats and changes it’s typing. Its fast attacks could use a little work, but it has strong charge moves for PvP. With Quick Attack and Hyper Beam, it’s probably the strongest normal type attacker for raids… if that means anything.

Genesect

Genesect (Normal) BugSteel
Max CP 3791
ATK 252 DEF 199 HP 174
Fast Moves Charge Moves
  • Fury Cutter Bug
  • Metal Claw Steel
  • X-Scissor Bug
  • Magnet Bomb Steel
  • Hyper Beam Normal
Alternate Forms
Form Stats Fast Attacks Charge Attacks
Genesect (Burn) BugSteel
  • Atk  252
  • Def  199
  • HP  174
  • Fury Cutter Bug
  • Metal Claw Steel
  • X-Scissor Bug
  • Magnet Bomb Steel
  • Flamethrower Fire
  • Technoblast (event) Fire
Genesect (Chill) BugSteel
  • Atk  252
  • Def  199
  • HP  174
  • Fury Cutter Bug
  • Metal Claw Steel
  • X-Scissor Bug
  • Magnet Bomb Steel
  • Ice Beam Ice
Genesect (Shock) BugSteel
  • Atk  252
  • Def  199
  • HP  174
  • Fury Cutter Bug
  • Metal Claw Steel
  • X-Scissor Bug
  • Magnet Bomb Steel
  • Zap Cannon Electric
Genesect (Douse) BugSteel
  • Atk – 252
  • Def  199
  • HP  174
  • Fury Cutter Bug
  • Metal Claw Steel
  • X-Scissor Bug
  • Magnet Bomb Steel
  • Gunk Shot Poison

Genesect changes its form depending on what Drive it holds; Burn, Shock, Chill, or Douse. This changes the typing of its exclusive move Technoblast. Normal and Burn Genesect have been made available in GO, the latter learning fire-type Technoblast as a special move. The rest aren’t available yet.

Technoblast is a powerful charge attack in PvP, and being able to switch between the forms allows you to pick whatever coverage you want for your team.

Misc.

There’s a handful of other Pokémon with interchangeable forms, but they’re mostly just aesthetical.

Burmy changes its form by battling in certain environments. This dictates what Wormadam form it evolves into, but only if it’s female.

The Deerling family changes its form by being in your party when the season changes in Black, White, Black 2, and White 2. The forms are unchangeable in later games.

Keldeo, a Unovan mythical, has its Ordinary and Resolute forms. The only difference is that the latter has the exclusive move Secret Sword.

In Closing

Although the methods are unknown as of now, Form Changes should be quite the game-changer for certain Pokémon. At the very least, it’d save some raid passes! It’s been a much anticipated feature since Castform’s introduction, and Sinnoh went and added a whole bunch of Pokémon with multiple forms. Better late than never, of course.