AOTW: Teravolt and Turboblaze

Nothing quite pulls you out of a Pokémon slump quite like a full-blown new game, does it? I’ll admit it, Abiliteers, I’ve been in the midst of a bout of disinterest of my cartridge-bound monster-wrangling. But some 20 hours into revisiting the vistas of Unova, I’ve caught the bug again (along with a Lucario and a Swadloon and a Whirlipede and…) Anyway, I figured for Black Version 2 and White Version 2’s inaugural week, it’d be appropriate to examine the Abilities of the Version mascots: Black and White Kyurem! This is Ability of the Week: Teravolt AND Turboblaze!

As you should already know, Teravolt and Turboblaze were introduced to us about 18 months ago, with the original Black and White Versions, as the signature Abilities of Zekrom and Reshiram. When Kyurem shifts into its Black Kyurem form, it gains Zekrom’s Teravolt, and does likewise with Reshiram’s Turboblaze when it becomes White Kyurem. I guess that means that the Abilities are directly tied to butt ‘bolts or butt burns. Kinda brings a new meaning to the phrase “you’re gonna eat lightning, and you’re gonna crap thunder!” Whatever. Just remember that Mickey loves ‘ya.

Teravolt and Turboblaze, while separately named, share the same effect. With each other, and also with Mold Breaker. When a pokémon with Teravolt or Turboblaze enters the battlefield, they emanate “a bursting/blazing aura”, which negates the defensive Abilities of opposing pokémon. Abilities that negate status effects like Immunity, stat alteration like Big Pecks, even Abilities that absorb attacks to grant a boost like Motor Drive, all either utterly or partially fail against Teravolt and Turboblaze. Of course, what this does is open up Kyurem and its contemporaries to absolutely decimate opponents without fear of an Ability interfering. Have White Kyurem go to work with Fusion Fire with no chance of Flash Fire negating it!

Of course, being exclusive to the gen five legendaries, neither Teravolt nor Turboblaze will see any competitive play, with all the users being prime candidates for tournament bans. But still! Have fun wreaking havoc in-game, using your electric or fire-themed dragon of choice.

I’m keeping it short this week, partially because I’ve already written about Mold Breaker, and partially because I don’t know about you, but I want to dive back into my DS. So I’ll see you next week, trainers! Have fun being way further than I am in the game!

-Wil

www.wheretheresawil.com