Thread: Move-of-the-Week Discussion #18: Ice Shard

In Pokémon, there are lots of different moves used by different Pokémon. However, there are certain moves we don't normally see being used, heard about, or used in a meaningful manner. On the other hand, there are moves we see that are famous or used often. In this type of discussion, we shall discuss the ins-and-outs of the move of the topic, and there will be some base questions that would help you start this off. Every Saturday, a different move will be the centre of discussion.


(Click picture to go to the Bulbapedia page)

Originally Posted by In-game Description (Move)

Type: Ice (Physical)
Base Power: 40
Accuracy: 100
PP: 30

The user flash freezes chunks of ice and hurls them at the target. This move always goes first.

In Generation 4, a slew of moves that go first are introduced, and Ice Shard is among them. Being an Ice attack, this means that Ice-types are the usual receivers. What's interesting about it is the Japanese name. It is called "Ice Throwing Stone", like as if it is a variation of Rock Throw. Besides that, it is a simple attack that finds use in any form of battling.

Here are the usual possible questions about this move:

• How does certain Pokémon (who knows it) use this move?
• What kind of purpose would this move have for them (in the Pokémon World)?
• How could this move be used to aid a profession in the Pokémon World?
• Realistically, would there be any advantage or disadvantage associated with using this move? If yes, what kind of advantage/disadvantage would the user have when they use it?
• Could this move realistically be used by any Pokémon who doesn't learn it normally? If yes, please explain your choices.
• How would this move be used in battling, realistically or video game-wise?

Other questions (You could ask other critical questions beyond the listed):

• Since the name doesn't suggest any kind of swiftness, how is it possible that this attack go first?
• How do any of the learners create an ice shard for the purpose of this attack?

Here are the current users of this move:

• Seel & Dewgong
• Shellder & Cloyster
• Lapras
• Articuno
• Sneasel & Weavile
• Swinub, Piloswine & Mamoswine
• Delibird (Breeding)
• Phanpy & Donphan (Breeding)
• Snorunt, Glalie & Froslass
• Snover & Abomasnow
• Glaceon
• Vanillite, Vanillish & Vanilluxe (Breeding)
• Cryogonal

Thanks for reading, and happy discussing!

~ The Pokémon World Forum Staff


Previous Move-of-the-Weeks:

• Move-of-the-Week Discussion #1 - Quash
• Move-of-the-Week Discussion #2 - Gravity
• Move-of-the-Week Discussion #3 - Soak
• Move-of-the-Week Discussion #4 - Pain Split
• Move-of-the-Week Discussion #5 - Eruption
• Move-of-the-Week Discussion #6: Reflect Type
• Move-of-the-Week Discussion #7: Worry Seed
• Move-of-the-Week Discussion #8: Struggle Bug
• Move-of-the-Week Discussion #9: Trick Room
• Move-of-the-Week Discussion #10: Waterfall
• Move-of-the-Week Discussion #11: Camouflage
• Move-of-the-Week Discussion #12: Smack Down
• Move-of-the-Week Discussion #13: Teleport
• Move-of-the-Week Discussion #14: Wish
• Move-of-the-Week Discussion #15: Hex
• Move-of-the-Week Discussion #16: Shift Gear
• Move-of-the-Week Discussion #17: Torment

Since the name doesn't suggest any kind of swiftness, how is it possible that this attack go first?

I'd like to think there's an "ice edge" sort of deal with it, in where small, flat ice shards are formed as opposed to solid chuncks of ice. Like the difference of when something freezes over time and instantly.

... but its japanese name denies that, specifically mentioning a solid chunk of ice.

I don't know why the ice-cream has to learn it by breeding when they themselves are ice-types. Also, it said that they can freeze repeatedly, and their sprite shows chunks of ice appearing and disappearing from time to time.

I guess it could be used to make ice blocks for igloos or something...

I'm surprised it took four Generations to come up with a move that essentially involves hurling a single icy projectile at the foe, since in various media that tends to be a very common (and basic) ability for characters with Ice-based powers. I guess Ice moves all being special prior to Gen IV had something to do with it.

Since its inception Ice Shard has always been one of the most reliable ways of putting an end to a rampaging Dragon, and with its mammoth 130 attack and beneficial Ground typing Mamoswine is still the move's poster child. It definitely has the best super effective coverage of all the priority moves, and it doesn't take a genius to realise that Ice Shard would be devastating on a Technician Pokemon (like the often theorymonned Technician Weavile).

Most Ice types seem to have the ability to freeze water vapour to create various icy implements or attacks, so I guess Ice Shard would be no different.

Its interesting to note that in the SSBB trophy data, stover is said to hide behind a fog and launch a ball of ice "as a preemptive strike", which seems to fit the bill for ice shard in terms of the attack animation, Japanese name description, and snover's commonly-found move sets in dppt. That being said, it would seem that the priority of the move comes out of the "hiding in the fog" bit instead (or moreso) than the piece of ice just being a fast projectile.

I have always felt that Ice shard works like Razor leaf, throwing Ice chunks with sharp edges which causes cuts.

This is without doubt, the most useful priority move. Mamoswine and Donphan use it well. Weavile can use it too. I wish Kyurem-B got this move. It would really appreciate this.

How do any of the learners create an ice shard for the purpose of this attack?

Fast freezing, maybe?

And for its fastness? It (might) is dagger-like, so its aerodynamics help in being fast.