Useless Useful Moves

Back when I didn't know anything about Pokémon battling, I just keep teaching my team damaging attacks. But now that I know more about the game, I actually like to keep moves like Leer and Growl for some time.

I like using Grass-type starters, and they usually have a smaller attack stat than my rival's Fire-type. That's why Growl is so useful in the first rival battle because it helps you bring your rival's attack stat down to your level.

 

In Pokémon Ruby, on my Nth play through, i was stuck on the rock gym. To beat her, i had to use Sand Attack, Growl, and Tail Whip, so that Mudkip, Ralts, and Wingull could take them out.

 

Back in the day when I played blue version, I took command of the fire dragon because I thought it raised the difficulty level of the game. Being a complete idiot I kept scratch on my charizard ALL THE WAY TO LEVEL 100!!!!!! How did this save the day? It allowed me to catch a variety of stronger Pokémon without actually knocking them out. Not the decisive victory one might think of in this topic but when you have catching competitions with friends and you are judged on what Pokémon you use and what attacks you used to help catch the Pokémon, it makes all the difference. I was the only kid who thought to do this and I won a few contests with it so who knows, maybe I did know something?