How GREAT was Alakazam ACTUALLY? - History of Alakazam in Competitive Pokemon

[@FalseSwipeGaming]

Go to buyraycon.com/fsg for 20-40% off sitewide on Raycon products! Brought to you by Raycon!

[@Jesussaves852]

Jesus loves you and may God bless

[@shpaghettishpaghetti6219]

👍

[@endlessxendless]

how did bro comment 16 minutes ago, vid came out a minute ago

[@playersnake]

Perhaps the next theorem video could be why move sets (like mix attacking, fast physical, bulky special, etc) are close to everything or the Dragonite theorem

[@vdd1001]

​@@endlessxendless made the video private and released it publicly later? Idk

[@Rarest26]

“How much special attack and speed do you want?” -“Only a spoonful” *fuses all five spoons onto a comically large spoon*

[@michaellatten7914]

A Badger reference in an FSG video? I like.

[@Ecdemaniac]

@@michaellatten7914Badger?? You mean it’s a vine reference

[@nintendosaber1184]

Fun Fact: Mewtwo uses a large spoon to fight Deoxys in a pokemon manga

[@cheddarcheese4159]

@@EcdemaniacIs the world forgetting?

[@theskullboy8700]

Stop saying dumbass things YOU’RE NOT EVEN MAKING SENSE

[@christianbuffum-robbins8904]

32:27 "A new defensive linchpin dropped to UU: Buzzwole. Or as Alakazam knew it: Dinner." Best line in the video. Hits harder than an unresisted +2 Psychic.

[@borismuller86]

Now imagine if Buzzwole learned First Impression…

[@theschnozzler]

​@@borismuller86oh god

[@PinkaholicOfficial]

Remember, Gen 1 Alakazam's stats were similar to that of Flutter Mane, with 135 Special stat making it effectively have 135 SPA and SPD just like Flutter Mane. It also had only 15 less points in SPE than Flutter Mane does, and 120 Speed in Gen 1 is like 145 Speed in Gen 9. So it was basically Flutter Mane before Flutter Mane.

[@xaropevic7918]

Single type and not having like the 2 best offensive types goes a long way to make flutter mane way better

[@adamrod-po7dl]

@@xaropevic7918 tf you mean? Psychic in gen 1 literally best type.

[@uberlephrad8218]

​@@adamrod-po7dlI mean yeah, but the gens after it fell off hard.

[@adamrod-po7dl]

@@uberlephrad8218 But we don't talk about gens after, we talk about gen 1 Alakazam.

[@ewanphilip5604]

I think the idea is the dual STAB coverage is far better than Gen 1 Zam's limited coverage. Not to discredit the comparison, Zam was a powerhouse in Gen 1

[@CK-Phoenix]

Fun Fact: in German "Abracadabra Alakazam" translates to "Abrakadabra Simsalabim". In German Alakazam is called "Simsala" without the "bim". Imagine Alakazam being called "Alaka" minus the "zam". In the early days, that translation created playground myths in Germany that there would be a secret fourth stage Evolution of Alakazam with the german name "Bim".

[@righteouself9928]

Yeah I was there. Wild times

[@dr.sinnlosigkeit3116]

Lol nice. Schöner Fakt.

[@Pikaton659]

When Megas came around did y’all call its Mega, Bim?

[@frankunodostres473]

I remember that myth :D omg

[@borismuller86]

“Hey Bim, guess what!”

[@nintendosaber1184]

Ah, Mega Alakazam. A spoon for each Vanillite.

[@pokeballblaze9835]

Lmfao 😂😂😂

[@kamemelia]

I did a team like that once lol

[@thedude-nf1uf]

The prequel to my 600 pound life

[@mcdonnell-douglasdc-1056]

Imagine a Hoard Battle with Mega Alakazam against 5 Vanillites.

[@nullpoint3346]

@@mcdonnell-douglasdc-1056 "A hoard encounter, sounds like a job for Mega Al- Wait, where are the pokemon?"

[@smackjack78]

Alakazam is an example of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. In this case, click Psychic or coverage moves and do loads of damage. I personally never used it because I like trying out different things, but this thing is a respectable as hell psychic type

[@PlasmaEnergised.]

Problem was that it was kinda broke 💀

[@Yoda_Gaming1738]

they tried to fix it many times, from giving it every support move, to magic guard, to a mega

[@njivwathomassilavwe2056]

Losing the elemental punches was a massive blow but this thing was a demon in gen 1 and after it got it's mega

[@EggscellentTree]

He is very strong in gen 5 too because of magic guard allowing him to keep sash while hazards are on the field.

[@Lion09887]

My second favorite psychic type next to Gardevoir

[@tktyga77]

On the whole, neutral coverage is generally more important than super effective coverage. That said, I'm sure the whole Alakazam line would appreciate gaining access to such moves as Mystical Fire, Electro Ball, and/or Frost Breath if not Icy Wind alongside Aura Sphere

[@annaangelic2318]

@@tktyga77Agreed, I don’t think losing the elemental punches was really a blow when Alakazam went on to gain Focus Blast while Signal Beam and Shadow Ball became special. Gen 4’s real hits to Alakazam were the introductions of physical Pursuit, Choice Scarf, U-turn, and several new priority moves.

[@marcelomelo9977]

He gained ghost/fighting and bug (not anymore) coverage, of course elemental coverage is good, but he also gained some new toys to play with

[@HMZeroTwo]

Still waitin for that Gengar remake video, namedropping Gastly at the start gotta be a hint to that

[@JTLDrago94]

Same here I'm still waiting for Gengar as well possibly might be in 🎃👻Halloween👻🎃 maybe

[@LadiIluyomade-pf6qe]

Cause blastiose kinda sucks

[@Privatebean9183]

I want to see a clafable remake video since it’s one of my favorite Pokémon

[@buttpiratesbuttpirate5913]

​@@LadiIluyomade-pf6qethat that you just did; the Blastoise slander? We don't do that here

[@Crusina]

Arcanine deserves it more

[@PsychLantern]

13:02 I like how he just becomes Crazy Frog

[@matthewpark3435]

underrated comment

[@michaelgum97]

I dunno if this was mentioned, but Sandrush makes the user immune to sand damage, that's normally not a factor because a good number of them are Ground types that are already immune to sand to begin with, but Mega Alakazam is one of rare instances where it's not getting worn down and possibly could take a special attack if need be.

[@FarCritical]

Really appreciate being spoonfed all that Alakazam history

[@darkdragon7210]

Same here.

[@mountchichi]

Me picking Alakazam when I was 9: Wow, this pokemon is really good! Me picking Alakazam now: Wow, this pokemon is still really good!

[@dogratgirl4178]

Me checking Alakazam's stats: Wow, this pokemon is really frail!

[@Magic_Ice]

Alakazam couldn’t think of a better way to get better fighting coverage

[@justinnzamora5366]

Anything other than Focus Bluff er excuse me, Focus Blast.

[@dilli5854]

i wish it got aura sphere, i hate using focus blast

[@lop0998]

Its too weak anyways​@@dilli5854

[@miikaroos3809]

My Alakazam just use Dazzling Gleam. I don't trust Focus Blast.

[@mcdonnell-douglasdc-1056]

Quite odd for a Pokemon with 5000 IQ.

[@ES-dp6tw]

It's entertaining how, looking at gen one, if ghost had been special and dragon had been physical, plus Night Shade and Dragon Rage adjusted into tough moves rather than fixed damage, Gengar and Dragonite's opening hand would've been much more dramatic.

[@brandontherabboat4850]

Alakazam really is The Wizard of Pokémon. Not many can leave a record of multigenerational excellence as Zam can.

[@silver_was_found]

“you’re an Alakazam, Harry”

[@robertolozano2502]

Been waiting this remake for years, Alakazam is my favourite Pokemon.

[@CaptainJLinebeck]

So what this video doesn't mention is that in Gen 5 OU there was eventually a Pokemon that was found to break the Magic Guard Psychics: Cloyster. Thanks to Shell Smash and Skill Link Icicle Spears, Cloyster would easily outspeed Alakazam and the multi hit moves would bypass Focus Sash. Cloyster also dealt with Reuniclus and Latios with little trouble. Ultimately though Cloyster ended up getting banned as it was far too overwhelming for multiple team styles to deal with, almost becoming a single mon wincon.

[@mandalorianhunter1]

Sad we didn't get him back in gen 9. Rip to all the Pokemon who didn't return this gen when they should have.

[@Imoxone]

Still pisses me off what gamefreak doesn’t wanna bring back national dex. That’s bull!!

[@justinnzamora5366]

It does feel odd to see Alakazam absent in Gen 9.

[@mandalorianhunter1]

@@justinnzamora5366 him, the Nido line, the star line, the Machamp, Onix lines. Heck some mythicals and Legendaries should have returned.

[@Privatebean9183]

@@mandalorianhunter1wait the nidos isn’t in this games

[@mandalorianhunter1]

@@Privatebean9183 nah which is sad because they would have made the gen amazing this game along with the Starmie line

[@deltalord6969]

One always wonders where kadabras spoon comes from once it evolves from abra and alakazams second spoon when it evolves from kadabra

[@brunitop4753]

Iron taken from the blood of its enemies

[@sharkhaos_probably]

Home Depot

[@jaredmorales5130]

The stark difference in the first two replies is amazing.😂

[@ritwikism]

​@@brunitop4753 That makes me wanna watch the X-men sequel with THAT scene

[@Thomlin12]

​@@brunitop4753 what enemies? Prior to evolving, it can only use Teleport.

[@playersnake]

Perhaps the next theorem video could be why move sets (like mix attacking, fast physical, bulky special, etc) are close to everything or the Dragonite theorem

[@michaellatten7914]

Could've called it the Salamance theorem if it wasn't for the "Turns are nearly everything" theorem.

[@LionsEatNoobs]

One of the most overdue remakes. Alakazam is one of my favourite Psychic types, and while I enjoy using Kadabra in the past, I always evolve it by trading via my two DSs (DS and 3DS), or my friend' help

[@atomicpunk2360]

Possible hot take: Focus Blast should have never been made and all the Pokémon that can learn it should’ve just learned Aura Sphere instead

[@nicolasromani3523]

Alakazam getting Magic Guard was it's gift from Arceus. Focus sash fits it like a charm

[@Grand-Master_Owl]

Sabrina knew what she was doing when she chose Alakazam as her ace 💪🧠

[@soniablanche5672]

if only Alakazam's signature move wasn't a worse Flash

[@thefirespecialist9007]

Alakazam not given a chance to use Terastilization in Legitimate play is a Shame tbh. Honestly, I could see Psychic Tera, Fighting Tera, or Normal Tera, being the best for it! Maybe, we'll see an Alakazam Buff (to keep up with the constant Power Creep) in Gen 10/Next main series game for competitive. Edit: Alakazam BST is only 500... plenty of room for a Stat Buff!

[@gnarledcox]

The monkey's paw curls, and Alakazam gains 20 attack and defense

[@somemong989]

Legit question, why give psychic tera to a pure psychic type?

[@thefirespecialist9007]

@@somemong989 To increase the Power of STAB Psychic moves, backed behind its naturally high Sp. Attack, even more. Along with the Life Orb's 30% Power as well (Pairing with Magic Guard of course), then I'm sure Alakazam under these conditions could 2 or 3 Shot certain Resistant targets, while also Finishing off most predamaged Resistant Pokémon. Obviously Dark still being a check to this Glass Cannon.

[@somemong989]

@@thefirespecialist9007 so it further boosts STAB? Edit: I decided to just look it up and yes it does, I get it.

[@Seeker_of_Truth_and_Beauty]

Ooh, Nice man. But the Tyrant of the Sands, the GOAT, my main mon T-tar cannot be denied his remake forever.

[@vdd1001]

1h plus, maybe like 1:20, it's as great and iconic in OU as Ferrothorn or landorus but it has been around for way longer and is also excellent in doubles

[@egbertmilton4003]

Nah, Tyranitar is a fraud that deservedly fell off

[@meta1429]

His time has come! Spoons! GO!

[@aajackson35]

Dorkly reference

[@VictorAmarante]

I can only imagine how immensely dangerous Alakazam would be in g9. With all the hazards rolling, being immune to them and a threat to tusk, goldhego and kingambit? Damn...

[@jackweaver9651]

Actually criminal that this isn't sponsored by magic spoon

[@Nako3]

I thought it was pronounced "Dee-fog" and not "Deh-fog"

[@coreywong6229]

He spesks in fancy tongues.

[@jezierskioliwier2212]

I dont care if its long e or short e in defog, its still defog

[@Dankyjrthethird]

fedog shoutout to ctc

[@p00p00king]

Depends on what vowel you consider the e in defog. As Americans, we kinda decide what the vowel actually sounds like based on vibes, like in the word Mercedes. One would pronounce that mar-say-dees, in which every e vowel is deferent. With a pure English vowel it would be deh-fog rather than dee-fog. I’m sure you don’t care tho lol

[@GAMERO-PHOBIA]

Actual proun is deez-nuts

[@kaisel5975]

Manifesting a Gengar remake for Halloween!!

[@foodmr2022]

That would be like a 1hr for gen 1-9 history

[@jayanths1221]

Wait, why does the Alakazam sent out by the opponent have the cry of a Gastly when the player's Pokémon has low health? What does that even mean?

[@KaysonVanOrman-ef4ku]

Gen 1 glitches just like how it was immune to Lick

[@jayanths1221]

@@KaysonVanOrman-ef4ku Oh ok, I thought it was Alakazam trying to mock my Pokémon. Like, I'm going to kill you so bad, you're going to turn into a Gastly or something lol

[@dawnsbuneary]

When you're in red health in RB, cries are altered because of the constant beeping sound present.

[@nilvana7540]

Many Gen I cries are variations on each other (or just identical like Charizard/Rhyhorn). It takes less space to simply pitch-shift an existing cry than make a new one. As I understand it, the beeping at low health overwrites one of the audio channels, which essentially undoes the alteration to Gastly's cry that normally creates Alakazam's. This effect is also why speedrunners try to stay at low health ("redbar"), since certain sound effects get disabled and skipped.

[@gpsboy9717]

I don't know if we should do "How SLEEPY was Snorlax ACTUALLY? I mean, it was top tier in Gen 2, but in SV it was Untiered for the time being...

[@shikarixox1195]

Based Alakazam mimics a ghost cry against low health opponents to let them know he's sending them to the shadow realm

[@brettlarch8050]

The mega alakazam meme photo of it going against multiple vanillite and saying “chow time bitches!” Will always send me 🤣

[@Cerbleur07]

Truly for being an Sp. Attacker, Alakazam could be unpredictable. Just imagine getting counter back after a crunch and magic guard guarantees sash intact, or a mixed attacker which uses Foul Play of all things to deal against high atk ghosts. Hope gets a better moveset like fake out or a switching move to top more the versatility.

[@armorbearer9702]

Basically, we need to flip a coin. If heads, Alakazam is in OU. If tails, he is in BL.

[@minaly22]

Ah yes, Pursuit Victim No.1; I always wanted to play this mon but in the face of dark type mons with Pursuit all he gets to do is Focus Blast... and miss 💔💔

[@Jzwiz]

Never forget in a ranbat i got alakazam used nasty plot once and then swept, hit a crucial focus blast too

[@organicguy3462]

Let's not forget the fact that, in Gen 6, Alakazam was the only megaevolution that received a +90 BST instead of the usual +100 (they fixed it in Gen 7). Yet still broken despite being mathematically inferior.

[@MrAP217]

Gotta do either Gengar or Salamence remake

[@calvinmatthews1527]

Yes, finally! Alakazam is my favorite Psychic type. Not only does it have an iconic & badass design, but it also has been one of the few consistently good Gen I Pokémon ever. Like most mon of course, it's held back by the four-move rule. They'll break it someday.

[@Roto-J]

Focus Blast's accuracy is probably the only thing keeping Alakazam balanced after it got magic guard

[@Swagzilla233]

Alakazam hit more focus blasts in this vid than I’ve ever seen in my life

[@et34t34fdf]

Physical special split wasnt all upsides, yeah, even though overall good. So many mons missed elemental punches from pre gen 4, and mons lile zam and gengar didnt actually get coverage moves to make up for it. Yeah, they got special fighting moves, but nobody likes focus miss.

[@RASHIDOOOOO]

Is it possible that Alakazam would finally fall below UU if it were in Gen 9? The powercreep in OU is crazy and Lokix feels like he would make running Zam an extremely risky proposition in UU.

[@juandalepringle420]

Alakazam in Gen 1 was the OU equivalent of Mewtwo.

[@michaellatten7914]

Yes. If u didn't use it in Gen 1 OU, first, you're an idiot, second, you lose instantly if ur opponent has one

[@breloommaster12]

Naw Alakazam is not one of the big three (Chansey, Snorlax, Tauros) where you practically had to use at least one of them while still being possible to put them all on the same team, whereas Alakazam may clash for a teamslot with Starmie since it's slightly redundant to run both.

[@ZetaArcticana4006]

Stat wise gen 1 alakazam was similar to flutter mane. 15 less speed didn’t matter in gen 1, 5 less attack didn’t matter at all, the only thing that mattered was the 10 less defense.

[@julian0496]

You can‘t avoid gengar forever, give in already

[@salsathemonkey22]

I will never get over the reason for axing Megas was "to allow every Pokemon the opportunity for a mid battle power boost" but still giving fan favorites (and Garbodor) unique forms

[@justcallmeSheriff]

I'm so lucky that my college friends never figured out that Mega Alakazam would have trashed my Sandstorm team!

[@phellowshipstar8756]

Alakazam is really one of those Pokémon with a timeless set of traits that will pretty much always give it some kind of useful niche or place on a team. A glass cannon on the level of Alakazam with solid coverage is just never gonna be totally useless, even three decades later.

[@KatnipKuroo]

Day 34 of asking how good was Cresselia actually

[@bdt2002gaming]

There’s an Abra card in the Diamond & Pearl: Skyridge TCG set that can just straight up skip Kadabra and go straight to Alakazam 💀 happened because of some lawsuit back in the day against the Pokémon

[@aldwych285]

She's Level 12!? AlakaZAMN!!!

[@pokeballblaze9835]

Lol

[@paulmann8570]

Been praying for a Gengar remake for a long time now, and its Rival gets it first. One can hope for Halloween…

[@kings_0nlyy]

The Abra, Kadabra and Alakazam line are among my top 3 of Pokemon lines ever😎

[@banettebrochacho5636]

Can’t wait for the t-tar remake, its gonna be 2 hours long

[@lucariolawmen919]

That dinner line got me to laugh

[@_RedRightHand_]

He got a Link Cable!

[@JumboSizedRichard]

STILL waiting for “How Good Was Amoonguss Actually…”

[@kirbo4964]

How mindblown was alakazam actually

[@DutchDesires]

The Red and Blue Alakazam is just adding a little insult to injury. He makes the cry of a Gastly because hes about to turn the players pokemon into one.

[@jamesdinius7769]

Seeing Alakazam using Life Orb in Gen 4 "And this isn't even my final form!"

[@Matpit18]

Alakazam cries like a Gastly against a Pokémon that’s on low health in Gen 1 because Gastlys are all that Pokémon’s gonna be seeing once it’s done with it! 😆

[@danielmaynard239]

Still no Blastoise remake while Charizard and Venusaur got them

[@xx_squirtle8621]

We gotta wait for when he gets banned from RU now

[@rixuko2218]

So it has a succesful gen9 because it got banned too.

[@dogratgirl4178]

Hi, I just subscribed and I want you to do the following of Ash Ketchum's Pokémon that you haven’t done: *How Good:* - Bulbasaur - Squirtle - Bayleef - Quilava - Totodile - Larvitar - Torkoal - Buizel - Gible - Pignite - Oshawott - Scraggy - Talonflame - Rowlet - Incineroar - Lycanroc (especially Dusk Form) - Melmetal - Mr. Mime - Sirfetch'd *How Bad:* - Corphish - Unfezant - Boldore

[@Roguedotexe]

Oh Pleasseeee tell me Gengar is up next! Its literally its counterpart!

[@Frostipup2]

Seeing Alakazam brought back unpleasant memories in ultra sun Seeing deigo's Alakazam trace beast boost was terrifying, I nearly died if I didn't revive my mimikyu

[@Penbin123]

I fucking love Alakazam, it's my ribbon pokemon and has been with me since Emerald.

[@Gravitatis]

its been my fav pokemon since 1998

[@gio9255]

Alakazam is so amazing and continues to get better each Gen. If Alakazam retained its Mega in later gens, it would be Ubers. If it comes back next Gen, I’m hoping it gains Psychic Noise, Alluring Voice, and Aura Sphere. It would able to use its offensive utility in perfect conjunction with taunt and encore to shut down walls and stalls.

[@handanyldzhan9232]

Power creep may have caught up with it, but all in all, it was pretty good. I like how it's excellent in the two most memorable singles formats played to this day (RBY and BW), and even carved a niche in GSC in keeping with the spirit of what it's supposed to be: a pokemon that more than makes up for its lack of power and durability with ingenuity, resourcefulness and sheer brainpower, even rising to become a proper OU threat that can hang in with juggernauts as a respectable addition. Its utility there is no joke.

[@asdfrozen]

Alakazam is like the guy who was the quarterback and captain on his high school football team, then he went to college where he saw some action but was largely the benchwarmer for players who could do what he did except better, and now he reinvented himself as being top of the field as the kicker or some other specialized niche.

[@Veecy]

Next time, fellow Psychic-type Gothitelle?

[@RaymonZX200]

I never used Alakazam until its mega came out and let me tell you he was my go to mega up until the release of mega Beedrill, I loved wiping out teams with him I can't wait to use him again when ZA comes out!

[@BerryFruit]

FINALLY ALAKAZAM IN DEPTH

[@yuvalwh]

Man this pokemon was busted back then

[@terrencethompson8423]

This script is scrumptious to hear. Props to your writer.

[@jayd.doubledubs]

One of the OG goats still holding up respectably after all this time Def one of the most iconic spoon wielding psychics in media!

[@epicraptorman]

Fun fact! Mega Alakazam in generation 6 only had +90 BP instead of the typical 100. This was then corrected later

[@Hipsterjes]

Love the content and that fun fact is sick!

[@deth2munkies]

Gen 4 UU at the time was my most played format and I loved running Sash Zam lead because it could taunt most things and killed physical leads like Ambipom and U-turners with Counter. Loved that thing.

[@Arturok1992]

Of of my favorites, finally.

[@radaroriley7458]

32:32 WHAT?! DINNER?! OH! GOD!

[@Scottiesabeast]

Finally! Updating the video on my favorite Pokémon off ALL TIME

[@JaysonUbo]

MY FAVOURITE POKEMON GETS A REMAKE LETS GOOOOOO

[@kurjao5933]

0:26 My Arbok: “IS THAT THE GRIM REAPER?!”

[@JohnHunterPlayerr]

Lol when you run the barrier with screen support in doubles lets go and laugh at the crunch spam as you recover calm mind into dazzle. What a mon.

[@joeywittman9822]

Please do Abra in LC, definitely a case study alongside vullaby and mienfoo.

[@Quix0tic707]

I’ve never seen Focus Blast hit so many times

[@PkmnTrainerEmerald]

I forgot about the win Alakazam got in Korea during dynamax! Well done!

[@BlackHanzo]

My old goat almost always on my teams but unfortunately got replaced by Hatterene or latios these days

[@andrewwojtas8486]

I like your funny words magic man

[@ShadowsWrath4]

"Do not try to bend the spoon, that's impossible. Only try to realize the truth, that there is no spoon."

[@BladeTNT2018]

For Zam to use the elemental punches, it would be cool to introduce an item that causes physical moves to become special moves.

[@TheRealW.S.Foster]

I'm sad that you never mentioned Narkama - Trusted Advisor, Wisest of Bodyguards, Most Skilled of Court Wizards and the Grand Royal Vizier to his highness, God Emperor Raisin - from Team Four Star's Platinum Nuzlocke. He almost singlehandedly sweeped Elite 4 Lucien's team, and essentially sweeped Cynthia's team.

[@snapclub8751]

I’m surprised Dazzling Gleam wasn’t used on Alakazam. Then again, Dazzling Gleam doesn’t hit Steel-types for super effective damage.

[@rossruss6901]

Glad, GF did a good job on keeping one of my top 3 favorite Psychics going strong in singles. May he and Starmie return in gen 10 for base game.

[@gawdtier]

A Pokémon that I put on my team in every region it’s in ❤