Trap (Legends: Z-A)

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Traps or trap moves are moves that create lingering effects in the battlefield which can get in the way or harm Pokémon or Trainers that enter their area of effect. In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, trap moves include traps (known by fans as entry hazards) and certain trapping moves from other core series games, as well as other moves that create effects on the field such as Mist and Smokescreen.

Mechanics

In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, traps are placed on the field for a short period of time in front of the Pokémon who used the trap move. Traps will affect any Pokémon within their area of effect, including the Pokémon that created it if they enter their own trap. Pokémon in damaging traps can move out of the trap's area of effect or be switched out to avoid further damage. Outside of Trainer battles, the player can also take hits from damaging traps, including those created by their own Pokémon, reducing the player's health and potentially causing them to black out if their health is depleted.

There are a few differences in the functionality of these moves compared to previous games.

• Some trapping moves such as Whirlpool and Fire Spin have been changed to set up traps in the field instead, and they do not prevent Pokémon from moving out of the trap or being switched out. However, certain moves such as Thousand Waves and Octolock are not traps in this game and prevent Pokémon from being switched out as expected.
• While multiple traps can be set in the field at the same time, the effects of traps such as spikes and poison spikes cannot be stacked to deal more damage or stronger effects.
• Although groundedness is not fully present, Flying-type Pokémon are still immune to traps on the ground (which does not include the levitating stones created by Stealth Rock or the firestorm created by Magma Storm).
• Poison-type Pokémon do not clear away poison spikes when entering the battle.

Like many other moves, when trap moves are used as Plus Moves, their effects and visuals can differ, such as having a larger area of effect or longer duration.

List of traps in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: likely missing various traps, especially non-damaging traps; missing Plus Move variations for some traps

Trap	Causes	Effect
Spikes	Spikes	Non-Flying-type Pokémon within the area of effect will periodically take damage proportional to their maximum HP. When used as a Plus Move, the spikes are visibly larger.
Pointed stones	Stealth Rock	Pokémon within the area of effect will periodically take damage proportional to their maximum HP, based on how effective Rock-type moves are against that Pokémon's types. When used as a Plus Move, the pointed stones are visibly larger.
Poison spikes	Toxic Spikes	Non-Flying-type Pokémon within the area of effect will be poisoned. When used as a Plus Move, the poison spikes are visibly larger.
Sticky web	Sticky Web	Non-Flying-type Pokémon within the area of effect will have their movement speed reduced for a short period of time. When used as a Plus Move, the sticky web has a much larger area of effect.
Whirlpool	Whirlpool	Non-Flying-type Pokémon within the area of effect will periodically take damage proportional to their maximum HP, based on how effective Water-type moves are against that Pokémon's types. When used as a Plus Move, the whirlpool has a larger area of effect.
Fiery vortex	Fire Spin	Non-Flying-type Pokémon within the area of effect will periodically take damage proportional to their maximum HP, based on how effective Fire-type moves are against that Pokémon's types. When used as a Plus Move, the fiery vortex has a larger area of effect.
Sandstorm	Sand Tomb	Non-Flying-type Pokémon within the area of effect will periodically take damage proportional to their maximum HP, based on how effective Ground-type moves are against that Pokémon's types. When used as a Plus Move, the sandstorm has a larger area of effect.
Firestorm	Magma Storm	Pokémon within the area of effect will periodically take damage proportional to their maximum HP, based on how effective Fire-type moves are against that Pokémon's types. The duration of this trap is very short. When used as a Plus Move, the firestorm has a longer duration.[needs verification]
Boulder	Rock Tomb	A boulder is dropped at a fixed distance in front of the user. If the boulder hits a target, it deals damage and reduces the target's movement speed. If it does not hit a target, the boulder will instead remain in place as an obstacle that can block pathing and projectile attacks. The boulder can be targeted, and will be destroyed upon being hit by any attacking move. When used as a Plus Move, Rock Tomb creates a larger boulder that can exist separately of the normal-sized one.
Substitute doll	Substitute	A substitute doll is placed on the field, serving as an obstacle that can block pathing and projectile attacks. The substitute can be targeted by moves and destroyed by damaging moves, including by the user and other party Pokémon. Only one substitute per party can be active at a time. If Substitute is used while a substitute doll created by a Pokémon in the same party is active, the previous doll will be removed. When used as a Plus Move, Substitute creates a larger doll that takes more damage to break and can exist separately of the normal-sized one.
White mist	Mist	A white mist covers a wide area, preventing Pokémon within its area of effect from having their stats lowered by opponents.
Grey cloud	Smokescreen	A dark grey cloud covers a wide area, causing those within its area of effect to be undetectable to wild Pokémon.

References

This article is part of Project Moves and Abilities, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on two related aspects of the Pokémon games.