Is Flatter useless?

Question

Flatter is a move that raises the opponents Sp. Attack two stages, and confuses them as well.
(The equivalent to Swagger.)

Last time l thought, l thought confusion was based on Attack, and not Sp. Attack.
Doesn't this mean Flatter is another useless move?

Answer 1

Swagger would work better with the confusion, but flatter can still have a few uses:

• If you're battling a pokemon that you know won't carry special moves (like a Rhydon for instance) then the boosts that are supposed to benefit them are useless.
• Since the opponent gets a stat boost, you can use the move punishment to do extra damage.
• In double battles, you can boost up special attack with it if you have something to cure the confusion.

Comments

THAT IS A GREAT POINT!
Wow, you and your ideas!