How will Mimikyu's Ability work?

"allows it to escape damage from an enemy's attack just one time"

I think this means that it doesn't lose any hp the first time you use an attacking move on it. So basically you can use something like thunder wave and still paralyze it since it doesn't deal damage. I'm not sure how secondary effects of offensive attacks would work, but I'd assume they also would be blocked? For example if a Pokémon used Fake out on Mimikyu we know it wouldn't take any damage on the first turn, but would Mimikyu flinch or just avoid both the damage and secondary effect of the attack as a whole?

 

It is pretty much a last hit substitute as an ability, I dont think any moves made against it in the first round will do any damage to it or effects. My guess is that even if you return it and throw it out again the disguise will be still broken since that ability would be super broken competitively if not, you could just return it and throw it out for a free attack of your choice.

 

It could also have an evolution that may help it up especially if this ability transfers over. Though it is totally possible it is not going to be a very good Pokémon and they gave it an ability to try and not let it just be left in a box for ages. I have hopes for it since the back story is very cool.

 

I can only assume from the wording of it that it prevents damage from the first attack that lands on it. This would mean that it could still be statused before its disguise is broken. I'm not sure however when it comes to multi-hit moves. Would a sucker punch (assuming mimikyu attacks that turn) damage it on the second hit? Would a skill link heracross's pin missile hit it 4 times? Or does it negate damage for that turn. If it works like substitute then yeah that's how it would work, but it's quite vague in how it's worded, since the 'just one time' bit would suggest this to be the case, while the fact that it says 'escape damage from a move' suggests all damage from that move is negated.

So really we'll only really know when more information is released. As for the 'substitute' being replenished every time it is brought in, I don't think that's an unreasonable thing to suggest and it really just depends whether or not it can take advantage of the essentially free switch in it can get or free turn of set up.

 

Regardless of stats, this Pokémon could make for an effective stall if its ability resets upon switching out, which I don't think will happen. If its physical appearance seems to change when its hit, then its probably like a zoroark and just a one time use. Otherwise you just need toxic spikes, a tank, and lots of switches and protects to stall out. Certainly wouldn't be infallible but it would be sooooo annoying to deal with.

 

I think it'll act like a one hit sub, which is a scary thought indeed i hope it doesn't get focus punch

 

I have a really evil hope that it's disguise resets every time it leaves the battlefield. If they give it subpar stats, then the chance of that being a thing would increase.

Then again, I really just wanted something interesting on my Mono-Ghost team lol

 

Personally, I think Mimic will work as a one-time shield. Any attack can break it, but Mimic will prevent any effects of attacks before breaking- status effects, damage, secondary effects, etc. I don't think it will refresh upon switching out, either, since that seems a bit broken. But hey, you never know. It would be pretty cool if it did, it could lead to some interesting strategies.

 

It will pretty much be a free sub unless a Pokémon has Mold Breaker or an ability similar to that.