Trainers!
Pokémon Day 2023 had an exciting Pokémon Presents that brought to us several bits of info on various Pokémon games, including Scarlet and Violet. Not only did we get to have a sneak peak into the upcoming DLC but we also got introduced to 2 new Paradox mons: Walking Wave (Paradox Suicune) that is exclusive to Scarlet, and Iron Leaves (Paradox Virizion) that is exclusive to Violet.
One of the most unique aspects of these games (apart from the Terastallization gimmick) is the introduction of Paradox Pokémon, past and future forms that look similar to certain existing Pokémon but are entirely different Pokémon altogether. They are similar in essence to Ultra Beasts, except for the fact that Paradox mons are not from another dimension… rather, they are from different timelines.
So, as I’d done for Walking Wake (Paradox Suicune), Roaring Moon (Paradox Salamence), and Iron Valiant (Paradox Gardevoir/Gallade), I reckoned I should do the same for Iron Leaves as well!
Introduction to Iron Leaves
Iron Leaves is a Grass and Psychic type Paradox Pokémon that is exclusive to Pokémon Violet.
It is literally a mechanical/robotic version of Virizion and the design upgrades compared to the OG Virizion are akin to Iron Thorns (Paradox Tyranitar) and Iron Jugulis (Paradox Hydreigon), where they don’t look too different from the OG mons, and are literally just mechanized avatars.
| Regular Sprite | Shiny Sprite |
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Main Series Stats
Iron Leaves has the following stats in the MSG:
| HP | 90 |
| ATK | 130 |
| DEF | 88 |
| SpA | 70 |
| SpD | 108 |
| Spe | 104 |
Stats in Pokémon GO
The following article explains how one can obtain a Pokémon’s stats in GO from its MSG stats. Based on the mathematical formulae for the same, we obtain the following values for Iron Leaves:
ATK: 259
DEF: 213
HP: 207
Max CP (lvl 50): 4253
Iron Leaves has good stats that can earn it a place in the Master League as well as PvE meta as long as it gets a good moveset to salvage.
Naturally, Iron Leaves will be speculated as a Grass type and Psychic type. However, there are some important pointers to be kept in mind:
- As a Grass type, there is great potential with a workable moveset. There aren’t too many Grass types in the ML meta and its ATK is reasonably higher than most grassy Pokémon out there. Fingers crossed!
- As a Psychic type, the competition is fierce. Even if you don’t consider Megas, Mewtwo exists. And then there are the likes of Alakazam, Azelf, and Espeon to boot.
- The dual typing of Grass and Psychic is notorious for having 7 weaknesses. More on this later.
Viable Moveset Options
Unlike my analyses of Roaring Moon, Iron Valiant, and Walking Wake, Iron Leaves won’t be compared with any particular Pokémon per see. Rather, I’ll list down the possible moves and see how this paradox mon fares as a Grass and Psychic type.
| Fast Moves | Charged Moves |
|---|---|
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As a Psychic type
Umm, I know what you’re thinking… and no, I didn’t forget to include Iron Leaves’ Psychic type moves. The thing is, there aren’t any that are learnable in Pokémon GO!
Now you see why Iron Leaves is so underwhelming compared to the other Paradox Pokémon I’ve analyzed? It’s sad though because Iron Leaves actually has a nice appeal.
As a Grass type
In PvP
Fortunately for Iron Leaves, it does get some bragging rights as a Grass type. It gets Magical Leaf as the only possible Grass fast move and it’s fine, actually. Yes, something like Vine Whip would have been great but Magical Leaf works. Not only is it one of those rare moves to cross the famed 3 EPT (Magical Leaf gets 3.33 EPT), but it also deals decent damage. And with possible access to relatively low energy charged moves like Leaf Blade (35 energy), Grass Knot (50 energy), and even the powerful Leaf Storm (130 DMG at only 55 energy), Iron Leaves does seem sorted for good PvP performance. You can go full grass and threaten the likes of poor Swampert, Groudon (be careful of Fire Punch though) and Kyogre, Rhyperior etc. Yes, Grass isn’t the most coveted type in an ML scenario but in the right match-ups with some infamous ML heavyweights, Iron Leaves will cut through, literally!
PS: Though it doesn’t get STAB, Sacred Sword (preferably this over Close Combat), can be a viable move to boot.
In PvE
With a higher ATK than Zarude, Sceptile, Roserade and Tapu Bulu, Iron Leaves can potentially become one of the premier Grass type raid attackers of choice. The combination of Magical Leaf with Grass Knot + Leaf Blade can give you a flexible playstyle in raids. Leaf Storm is a 1-bar charged move but still powerful. So if you’re looking for an absolute Grass type unit that deals heavy damage in raids, Iron Leaves with the right moveset is what you need.
The Overall Best Moveset Scenario
Fast moves: Magical Leaf
Charged moves: Leaf Blade, Grass Knot, Leaf Storm, Sacred Sword
Type-matchups
Iron Leaves has an awkward profile when it comes to type match-ups.
For starters, it has no Psychic moves to threaten Fighting type. Its Grass moves may save it from falling into oblivion due to positive match-ups against some well-known ML mons but that’s about it. Its slew of seven weaknesses that include the Bug, Dark, Fire, , Ghost, Ice, and Poison types is a matter of concern. So don’t expect it to be reliable in PvP. Let’s just be happy that it has very good potential in PvP!
Parting words…
Virizion never really made a mark in the game but Iron Leaves can do that in the Grass type PvE meta as long as it gets the right moveset. And there’s some good news in this regard: Iron Leaves movepool is anyway very limited in the main series games, and even more limited when it comes to learnable moves in Pokémon GO.
So while it probably won’t be as exciting as some of the other Paradox Pokémon, it can be usable. The concept of Paradox Pokémon is one of the most innovative and exciting stuff done in the franchise and they can cause a stir in the meta if treated well by Niantic!
With that being said, let’s hope that Iron Leaves gets what it deserves!
