A new battle effect was introduced in the first Generation 3 games (Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire): Abilities. Abilities are passive effects that Pokémon have. For example, Pikachu's Static can paralyze an opponent if they make physical contact in battle. Abilities were tuned for the turn-based battle system of the mainstream games, but how would they work inside of Pokémon GO?
Obviously, Pokémon GO's battle system is more all-out pummeling than the main series' take-your-turn-beating-everyone-up system. So a "turn" in the main series needs to be defined as a certain amount of time. Lets say five seconds. So how would that work? Lets use Slaking's signature Ability, Truant, as an example. The Ability only allows Slaking to use a move every other turn, meaning every other five seconds in Pokémon GO. This would be a good counterbalance for the overpowered Slaking, as it would only be able to attack for half of every battle.
Other Abilities bring weather effects to the battlefield. For example, Drought brings harsh sunlight and Snow Warning brings hail. Some abilities give status effects to the attacker. For example, Static brings paralysis and Flame Body brings burn. Some Abilities (such as Electric Surge) activate an elemental terrain. Some Abilities change the form of Pokémon, such as Castform's Forecast, Zoroark's Illusion, and Ditto's Imposter. Shedinja's Wonder Guard only allows super effective attacks to damage it. There are many more effects of different Abilities, bringing such diversity and needed increased complexity to the battle system.
So some Abilities may need their effects slightly altered so they work in the Pokémon GO battle system. But weather, terrain, stat boostings, secondary effects to moves, etc will also need to be added to allow some of these Abilities to work. They could work in Pokémon GO, but will we see them soon? Probably not. A Niantic official said earlier this year that no new changes would be made to the Gym system this year beyond bug fixes. We may see them this year, but probably not with the release of Gen 3.
We are hoping for Abilities to come soon, as the battle system could use something new. Good luck with you Beast Raids, and remember they will migrate this Saturday (09/30/2017).
Obviously, Pokémon GO's battle system is more all-out pummeling than the main series' take-your-turn-beating-everyone-up system. So a "turn" in the main series needs to be defined as a certain amount of time. Lets say five seconds. So how would that work? Lets use Slaking's signature Ability, Truant, as an example. The Ability only allows Slaking to use a move every other turn, meaning every other five seconds in Pokémon GO. This would be a good counterbalance for the overpowered Slaking, as it would only be able to attack for half of every battle.
Other Abilities bring weather effects to the battlefield. For example, Drought brings harsh sunlight and Snow Warning brings hail. Some abilities give status effects to the attacker. For example, Static brings paralysis and Flame Body brings burn. Some Abilities (such as Electric Surge) activate an elemental terrain. Some Abilities change the form of Pokémon, such as Castform's Forecast, Zoroark's Illusion, and Ditto's Imposter. Shedinja's Wonder Guard only allows super effective attacks to damage it. There are many more effects of different Abilities, bringing such diversity and needed increased complexity to the battle system.
So some Abilities may need their effects slightly altered so they work in the Pokémon GO battle system. But weather, terrain, stat boostings, secondary effects to moves, etc will also need to be added to allow some of these Abilities to work. They could work in Pokémon GO, but will we see them soon? Probably not. A Niantic official said earlier this year that no new changes would be made to the Gym system this year beyond bug fixes. We may see them this year, but probably not with the release of Gen 3.
We are hoping for Abilities to come soon, as the battle system could use something new. Good luck with you Beast Raids, and remember they will migrate this Saturday (09/30/2017).