In the latest update to Pokémon GO, dataminers found six new moves' preliminary code and the downgrade of Take Down (an unused move that's been sitting in the code for a long time) from a Charged Attack to a Fast Attack. Obviously, these moves are likely to get used with Generation 3, so what do they mean for the future and which Pokémon will get access to them? Let's discuss.
PSYCHO BOOST: Psycho Boost is a move that is only usable by the Mythical Pokémon Deoxys. It is a very powerful Psychic-type attack. it will be good to see some other high-tier Psychic-attack that's different than Psychic or Future Sight.
DOOM DESIRE: Doom Desire is a move that is only usable by the Mythical Pokémon Jirachi. It is a powerful Steel-type attack. It takes two turns to deal damage in the main-series, so we expect it to have a rather long animation.
YAWN: Yawn is a move that puts opposing Pokémon to sleep in the main-series. This could be an indication of status effects coming to Pokémon GO, but it seems extremely unlikely.
Theories have been circulating around The Silph Road Reddit that this is Niantic's way of balancing Slaking. Slaking could have Yawn as its only possible Fast Attack. Similar to Splash, it would deal no damage, but still gain energy for its Charged Attack. Personally, we really hope that Niantic does not go this route.
One day, status effects will be introduced into the game. When that happens, any Slaking with Yawn (be it a legacy move or not) will be totally broken and overpowered. Its sky-high stats accompanied with a status-bringing Fast Attack would be a complete game-breaker. Niantic needs to think ahead if they give this move to Slaking.
WATERFALL: People on Reddit are also very excited about Waterfall. Allowing Gyarados to learn Waterfall may make it (depending on Waterfall's power) the new best Water-type attacker. Poor Suicune, it just keeps getting worse (which is a travesty).
TAKE DOWN: Take Down should be a very good Fast Attack. It doesn't really seem like a usual candidate for a Fast Attack, but it should be pretty good addition to a variety of Pokémon's movepools.
DRACO METEOR: Draco Meteor is a very strong Dragon-type move that was introduced in Generation 4. Some Dragon-types from Generation 3 (Salamence, Flygon, and Rayquaza) have it in their main-series learnset. This will definitely make them stand out against Dragonite and Kingdra, as this move could prove better than Dragon Pulse or Outrage. Either way, Dragonite is certainly going to receive some very formidable rivals.
SURF: Surf is a strong Water-type attack. In the main-series, it was an HM (before they were removed in Generation 7). Regardless whether Niantic makes it usable or not, it will certainly be interesting to see it tsunami-like animation. We don't expect Surf to outrank Hydro Pump, but it will certainly be a nice mix-up (and probably better than Aqua Tail or Water Pulse).
PSYCHO BOOST: Psycho Boost is a move that is only usable by the Mythical Pokémon Deoxys. It is a very powerful Psychic-type attack. it will be good to see some other high-tier Psychic-attack that's different than Psychic or Future Sight.
DOOM DESIRE: Doom Desire is a move that is only usable by the Mythical Pokémon Jirachi. It is a powerful Steel-type attack. It takes two turns to deal damage in the main-series, so we expect it to have a rather long animation.
YAWN: Yawn is a move that puts opposing Pokémon to sleep in the main-series. This could be an indication of status effects coming to Pokémon GO, but it seems extremely unlikely.
Theories have been circulating around The Silph Road Reddit that this is Niantic's way of balancing Slaking. Slaking could have Yawn as its only possible Fast Attack. Similar to Splash, it would deal no damage, but still gain energy for its Charged Attack. Personally, we really hope that Niantic does not go this route.
One day, status effects will be introduced into the game. When that happens, any Slaking with Yawn (be it a legacy move or not) will be totally broken and overpowered. Its sky-high stats accompanied with a status-bringing Fast Attack would be a complete game-breaker. Niantic needs to think ahead if they give this move to Slaking.
WATERFALL: People on Reddit are also very excited about Waterfall. Allowing Gyarados to learn Waterfall may make it (depending on Waterfall's power) the new best Water-type attacker. Poor Suicune, it just keeps getting worse (which is a travesty).
TAKE DOWN: Take Down should be a very good Fast Attack. It doesn't really seem like a usual candidate for a Fast Attack, but it should be pretty good addition to a variety of Pokémon's movepools.
DRACO METEOR: Draco Meteor is a very strong Dragon-type move that was introduced in Generation 4. Some Dragon-types from Generation 3 (Salamence, Flygon, and Rayquaza) have it in their main-series learnset. This will definitely make them stand out against Dragonite and Kingdra, as this move could prove better than Dragon Pulse or Outrage. Either way, Dragonite is certainly going to receive some very formidable rivals.
SURF: Surf is a strong Water-type attack. In the main-series, it was an HM (before they were removed in Generation 7). Regardless whether Niantic makes it usable or not, it will certainly be interesting to see it tsunami-like animation. We don't expect Surf to outrank Hydro Pump, but it will certainly be a nice mix-up (and probably better than Aqua Tail or Water Pulse).