ORAS mechanics overview

This page aims to list the most important mechanics introduced in the sixth generation, which began with the X and Y versions, released worldwide for the first time in October 2013, and followed by the third generation's remakes Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire in November 2014. Unlike what you'll find on the ORAS Banlist page, everything here is directly tied to the games' core mechanics and do not depend on some specific community rules. Therefore, everything described below applies both on cartridge and simulators.

Introduction of Mega Evolution

A Pokémon holding a Mega Stone corresponding to its species can Mega Evolve. For example, Gyarados can Mega Evolve while holding a Gyaradosite. As of Generation 6, there are 48 Mega Evolutions. Besides the significant change in appearance, Mega Evolution also brings several major gameplay changes that are less immediately noticeable:

• some Pokémon have their type changed :
  • if they have two types, they may either lose one of them or have one of their types changed.
  • if they have a single type, they may gain an additional type while retaining their original one.
• some Pokémon have their Ability changed.
• a Mega Evolution gains 100 Base Stat points compared to its original form, distributed across at least two stats (HP excluded). The only exception is Alakazam, which only gained 90 points (this has since been fixed in Generation 7).
• the Speed stat of a Mega Evolved Pokémon only takes effect from the turn after it Mega Evolves.
• a Mega Stone cannot be removed, whether by Knock Off or moves such as Trick.
• once Mega Evolved, a Pokémon cannot revert to its base form until the end of the battle.

The Mega Evolution is triggered at the beginning of a turn, before move selection. Although multiple Pokémon on a team may hold a Mega Stone, a player can only trigger one Mega Evolution per battle.

Charizard and Mewtwo are the only two Pokémon that own two different Mega Stones, each corresponding to a distinct Mega Evolution form.

28 Mega-Evolutions have been introduced in Pokémon X & Y:

20 more Mega-Evolutions have been added in Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire:

Weathers

Rather than being permanent as in previous generations, weather conditions induced by Abilities (Drizzle, Sand Stream, Drought, and Snow Warning) are now limited to 5 turns (8 when holding Damp Rock, Smooth Rock, Heat Rock, and Icy Rock respectively). As such, they now function exactly like the moves Rain Dance, Sandstorm, Sunny Day, and Hail.

Status condition changes

Sleep

Switching out no longer resets the sleep counter. As a result, a Pokémon put to sleep by the opponent will remain asleep for 1 to 3 turns, whether it stays on the field or not.

Electric type and paralysis

Electric-type Pokémon can no longer be paralyzed.

Grass-type Pokémon and powder moves immunity

"Powder moves" (Spore, Sleep Powder, Stun Spore, etc.), as well as the Effect Spore ability, no longer affect Grass-type Pokémon.

Critical hits

Critical hits now deal only 1.5x normal damage instead of 2x.

Type chart changes

• introduction of the type.
• the and types now deal neutral damage on type Pokémon.

Move changes

Defog

In addition to still lowering the target’s evasion and removing the opponent’s screens (Reflect and Light Screen), Defog now also removes Entry Hazards from both sides of the field.

Knock Off

The move Knock Off received a significant power increase, rising from 20 to 60 base power while also gaining a 50% power boost if the target is holding a removable item; for example, this boost won't apply against a Mega Stone holder.

Substitute and sound moves

"Sound-based" moves such as Bug Buzz and Hyper Voice can now hit targets behind a substitute without breaking it. Pokémon with the Infiltrator ability gain the same effect with all of their moves.

Facade

From Genration 3 to 5, a burned Pokémon still had its damage halved. From Generation 6 onward, Facade ignores this burning effect.

Toxic

If used by a Poison-type Pokémon, the move Toxic can no longer fail.

Trapping

Ghost-type Pokémon can no longer be trapped, whether by an Ability (Arena Trap, Shadow Tag) or by a move (Magma Storm).

Move power reductions

A good amount of attacks have seen their power lowered:

• Hidden Power: 70 > 60.
• Hurricane: 120 > 110.
• Overheat: 140 > 130.
• Magma Storm: 120 > 100.
• Fire Blast: 120 > 110.
• Heat Wave: 100 > 95.
• Flamethrower: 95 > 90.
• Blizzard: 120 > 110.
• Ice Beam: 95 > 90.
• Thunder: 120 > 110.
• Thunderbolt 95 > 90.
• Hydro Pump: 120 > 110.
• Surf: 95 > 90.
• Draco Meteor: 140 > 130.
• Dragon Pulse: 90 > 85
• Leaf Storm: 140 > 130

Summary

A red box means that the feature is absent from that generation, while a green box indicates that it is present.