Freeze (status condition): Difference between revisions

Freeze redirects here. For unexpected freezes which prevent the game from continuing, see game freeze.

Pikachu is frozen

The freeze condition (FRZ) causes a Pokémon to be unable to make a move. It is one of the most powerful status ailments, but is also one of the rarest, with very few ways of causing it and relatively many ways to cure it.

It is evidently associated with the Template:Type2, as the majority of moves that can freeze are of this type, and Template:Type2 Pokémon are immune to being frozen. In Generation V, Pokémon glow blue and stop moving when afflicted with freeze.

Effect

Jigglypuff is frozen

Freezing causes a Pokémon to be unable to make a move for an indeterminate number of moves. The specifics vary among Generations.

Generation I

Once frozen, a Pokémon can't be thawed out in battle other than via the use of items such as an Ice Heal or being hit by a damaging Fire-type move.

Generation II onwards

A frozen Pokémon has a 20% chance of being thawed out every turn. On the turn that a Pokémon defrosts, it cannot attack until the next turn, similar to Sleep in Generation I. In addition, several moves can still be used by the frozen Pokémon while frozen (thawing it out in the process); Pokémon can't be frozen in intense sunlight, but they don't thaw out faster if already frozen, contrary to popular belief.

Generation III onwards

Same as Generation II, but Pokémon can attack on the turn that they defrost.

In addition, a frozen Sky Forme Shaymin will revert to its Land Forme.

Causes

Unlike other major status ailments, there is nothing that can cause freezing except for several moves, and even then those freeze rarely, with no move having freezing the opponent as a primary effect. This is likely due to the aforementioned rarity imposed due to freeze being a powerful effect. The following are the moves that can freeze their targets.

Prevention and curing

Being frozen can be cured with the use of an Ice Heal or an Aspear Berry (Burnt Berry in Generation II). In addition, like all other major status ailments, it can be cured by the items Full Heal, Lava Cookie, Full Restore, Old Gateau, Heal Powder, Lum Berry, Hiun Ice, and Sacred Ash. Heal Bell and Aromatherapy also removes it from all Pokémon in the party. A Pokémon with Natural Cure will be cured upon switching out, one with the Hydration ability will be cured whilst it is raining, and one with Shed Skin has a 1/3 chance of being cured every turn.

Damaging Template:Type2 moves used on a frozen Pokémon will remove the freeze status. As of Generation II, freeze has a random, 20% chance to be cured on its own on the frozen Pokémon's turn. Consequently, the frozen Pokémon may thaw out on the turn of freezing; however, in Generation I, a frozen Pokémon never thaws without external aid. Pokémon cannot be frozen in sunny weather; contrary to popular belief, sunny weather does not cause a quicker thawing.

A frozen Pokémon can still use the moves Flame Wheel, Sacred Fire, Flare Blitz and Boiling Water while frozen; these moves will thaw the user, thaw the opponent if possible, and deal damage to the opponent. Template:Type2 Pokémon and those with the Magma Armor ability are completely immune to being frozen.