Iron Ball

[Death Phenomeno]

Description: Cuts the holder's Speed by 50%; negates the Levitate ability from holder; makes Flying-type holders susceptible to Ground-type moves, Arena Trap, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes.

We know this item from last generation. We all know what it does. Or… what it should do, at least.

From the Research Thread:

Doryuuzu used Earthquake!

Gengar + Iron Ball - Super Effective
Skiploom + Iron Ball - Neutral
Shedinja + Iron Ball - Blocked by Wonder Guard

I think Iron Ball + non-Flying type Ground immunity acts as expected. If the target is a Flying type, the attack does neutral damage regardless of the Pokemon's other type.

What should happen if something like Moltres (x2) or Masquerain (x½) uses Roost or/and is affected by Gravity as it holds an Iron Ball?

What effect would take precedence, if any?

My Moltres with Iron Ball got super effective damage(2x) from ground moves after Roost or/and Gravity. As such Roost/Gravity take precendence.

To summarize, if a Pokémon with Levitate holds an Iron Ball, it will work as it did last generation. But, if a Pokémon whose secondary Type is Flying holds an Iron Ball, Earthquake with hit for regular damage regardless of the primary Type of said Pokémon. Roost or/and Gravity apparently "override" this effect and the Pokémon in question behaves as it "should".

Now, let's see which Pokémon are affected by this:

Should resist Earthquake

Butterfree
Scyther
Ledyba
Ledian
Hoppip
Skiploom
Jumpluff
Yanma
Yanmega
Beautifly
Masquerain
Ninjask
Tropius
Mothim
Combee
Vespiquen
Sky Shaymin

Should be weak to Earthquake

Charizard
Zubat
Golbat
Crobat
Aerodactyl
Zapdos
Moltres
Skarmory
Ho-Oh
Spin Rotom
Aaken
Aakeosu
Emonga
Vorutorosu

Will this affect the combination of Trick + Iron Ball? Will this affect anything at all?

 

[Rhys DeAnno]

If this was 4th Gen, TrickBall Metagross would be a little worse, since it cant get a SE Earthquake on Zapdos, but I cant think of anything even slightly relevant to this meta (yet).

 

[bludhoundz]

This looks like the only reason that Rotom-S should be used over its counterparts or Zapdos

 

[Mektar]

Goes great with Fling Unburden Hitmonlee.

 

[Niched]

Goes great with Fling Unburden Hitmonlee.

How so? Doesn't Normal Jewel Fake Out work better?

 

[tofucocoa]

I think FO is illegal on Lee with Unburden, since they're all males. Could be wrong though.

 

[CanadiEntei]

Goes great with Fling Unburden Hitmonlee.

Fling Hitmonlee would do 100 bas power Dark damage, not give the item over. Think "Trick".

It also slows the user down greatly making them normally move last unless priority gets used.

Metagross uses Bullet Punch. Then forks your fruit by using Trick to take your whatever.

Aren't certain moves unusable? I thought if this was given to, say a Dragonite, that Dragonite would be unable to Roost...

 

[verycoolguy]

Sableye's Mischievous Heart Trick?

 

[Raptorg]

What is Iron Ball's effect on Hi Jump Kick?

 

[tomtom5858]

I would imagine it doesn't affect it, like any other move.

 

[AriadosPerson]

I would imagine it doesn't affect it, like any other move.

Iron Ball has a grounding effect akin to Gravity, so it's a valid question if it affects moves in the same way.

 

[Randomosity]

What is Iron Ball's effect on Hi Jump Kick?

IIRC, it fails and nothing happens.

 

[Ashenlock]

Just to add a little tidbit, after about 42 battles on wifi Free Mode, I have seen this on a LOT of JP players' pokemon, especially on Scrafty. Not just in Trick Room teams either. This was in double battle mode so it may be different (Obviously, Trick Room usage is different there) but it's so noticeable that I can't imagine it isn't used at all in singles.