What happened to selfdestruct/explosion?

Question

In pre Gen V games explosion and selfdestruct were the dooms day moves.

Just last night my MIENSHAO, worst defensive Pokemon ever, barely took damage from an explosion move. Now a huge lvl difference either, I think six.

Did it just get less powerful or what, cause I have memories of it OHKO'ing all of my non-steel/rock Pokemon.

Answer 1

Before, in DPP and before, SelfDestruct and Explosion would halve the opponent's Defense before hitting, which would really hit like a nuclear bomb. In BW, they changed this, as it no longer reduces the opponents Defense, consequently dealing much less damage.

Source

Comments

So that's what they did. Huh, thanks JCM!

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No problem.

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Is it really that weak though? It's still a pretty powerful move, right?