Up in Smoke

For many people, smoke is a real problem - especially if they're the result of wildfires that are not contained. Some Pokémon, however, are able to harness the power of smoke and accomplish interesting things with them. Specifically, those interesting things are in the form of Pokémon moves, and it seems that it would be neat to discuss them in order to glean insights from them, in particular to deal with some unresolved and actual smoky situations.

Some species of the Poison type know the move of Smog, which does damage and has a chance of poisoning the recipient. Fumes of certain substances are certainly dangerous and can cause instant poisoning, but other less dangerous ones can still build up in the body and eventually cause a similar effect. The move is essentially a testament to that, in particular the effect chance that affirms that real smog is damaging and poisonous sooner if not later.

Then there is the Smokescreen move. This one doesn't cause damage, but it makes it hard for opponents to make a hit, by way of increased evasiveness. There's a "ninja-style" renown of this move for the species that know it, but then opposing Pokémon may have to make like ninjas of their own - especially when real smoke is concerned. All kinds of caution or wariness then have to go into play in battling against other Pokémon and this particular smoke form.

Last on the smoke agenda is the Haze (and the functionally related Mist) move. They negate stat changes, which in similar respects to the above is part of the "unnerving" quality of real smoke. The latter is certainly something that one doesn't want to be around, whether it's intentionally or unintentionally caused. For Pokémon species, though, those that can invoke the move will likely do it intentionally for the better of themselves or their associations.

Right now, even, smoke is likely to be something that's quite problematic and that everyone needs to get together to eliminate for everyone's well-being. Meanwhile, Pokémon species that can take advantage of smoke can be spectacular in their own right when they do so in battle. That might just inspire people to work together to take care of their own smoke problems in ways that are no less spectacular and will certainly be beneficial for their good.

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