Why doesn't anyone use the move "Simple Beam"?

Question

It is very hard to get (Only appearing on Psyduck, Golduck, Spoink, and Grumpig) but its BROKEN.

It changes any Pokemons ability to "Simple" which is really good.

Comments

The Pokemon that use it aren't good and it's also very situational. I assume you mean in Doubles?

---

Are you asking about battles against other people or in-game trainers?

---

doubles but immagine u just get one off on like rayquaza as it uses sd, now ray ray is +4

---

I'm not sure how you can pull this off without becoming very vulnerable. Other than Latios, its users are very slow and would probably be slower than ideal targets, meaning they cant use a setup move until the next turn, meaning for that first turn the opponent can double up on and take out a single Pokemon and invalidate the entire strategy, or the opponent can do some setup of their own. If the target partner survives, there's still the issue that you need to do a setup move, meaning yet again you only have one action while the opponent has two. Might as well just use a setup move twice and get the same effect without having to awkwardly maneuver everything.

---

What kind of doubles? VGC, OU, or something else?

Answer 1

The ability Simple is not very good. Yes it doubles stat changes, but in both directions. Meaning if you used Dragon Dance, yes, it would raise speed and attack by two stages each. However, if you are hit by a defense-lowering move, it will also double that. Meaning moves like Screech lowers your Pokemon's defense by 4 stages. Which is quite a lot, and causes your Pokemon to become extremely susceptible to any damage.

Furthermore, only 5 Pokemon can learn Simple Beam, and the only really useful of them is Latios, which has tons of better options for movesets.

Comments

I don't think anyone uses screech in competitive. Things like intimidate and icy wind are common in some formats, though.

---

I know, was just using an example. Also, just generally any stat lowering moves could be fatal. Usually it's not, since it requires 6/3 moves depending on stages. With simple it only requires 3/2. Meaning moves like Crunch can be deadly, since it'll floor your mon's defense in just 3 hits.

---

Why would you use an example that you know is irrelevant?

---

Damn somebody is on edge huh? Allright then here are all the moves that lower stats by 2 or more stages:

Charm (lowers attack by 4 stages with Simple)
Feather Dance (lowers attack by 4 stages with Simple)
Memento (lowers attack and sp. attack by 4 stages each with Simple)
Noble Roar (lowers attack and sp. attack by 2 stages each with Simple)
Parting Shot (lowers attack and sp. attack by 2 stages each with Simple)
Superpower (on self) (lowers attack and defense by 2 stages each with Simple)
Tickle (lowers attack and defense by 2 stages each with Simple)
Close Combat (on self) (lowers defense and sp. defense by 2 stages each with Simple)
Screech (lowers defense by 4 stages with Simple)
Shell Smash (on self) (lowers defense and sp. defense by 2 stages each with Simple) (also raises attack, sp. attack and speed by 4 stages each with Simple)
Captivate (lowers sp. attack by 4 stages with Simple)
Draco Meteor (on self) (lowers sp. attack by 4 stages with Simple)
Leaf Storm (on self) (lowers sp. attack by 4 stages with Simple)
Overheat (on self) (lowers sp. attack by 4 stages with Simple)
Acid Spray (lowers sp. defense by 4 stages with Simple)
Fake Tears (lowers sp. defense by 4 stages with Simple)
Metal Sound (lowers sp. defense by 4 stages with Simple)
Seed Flare (lowers sp. defense by 4 stages with Simple)
Cotton Spore (lowers speed by 4 stages with Simple)
Scary Face (lowers speed by 4 stages with Simple)
String shot (lowers speed by 4 stages with Simple)

My point still stands.

---

Just use an example that’s competitively viable. You don’t gotta throw every possible lowering move at us.

---

I have no fkn clue what is considered viable. I just use moves I think are strong. Also, I don't play Showdown so that probably explains it.

---

The only really useful move for doubles is Parting shot, which both Incineroar(Intimidate) and Grimmsnarl(Prankster) could carry, or the ones your pokemon uses. Shell Smash can be avoided by the White Herb, Superpower is useless if you aren't Malamar, and all the other ones are there for a good reason, but all can be avoided by simply switching out.

---

I could say "don't answer competitive questions if you don't play competitive", but you can easily see which moves are common by checking this site: https://www.smogon.com/stats/

---

the tag does say "scarlet-violet" tho, so I believe I have a say. Anyways, my overall point was just that simple beam is garbage. Doesn't even do anything else.