Karate Chop, a Fighting-type move, has been part of the Pokémon world since the very beginning. But is Karate Chop really an elite TM move worthy of your Pokémon's arsenal? Let's break down what makes a TM move great and see how Karate Chop stacks up.

What Makes a TM Move "Elite?"

Before diving into Karate Chop specifically, it's crucial to understand the characteristics that define a top-tier TM (Technical Machine) move. An elite TM move typically possesses a combination of high base power, a desirable type, good accuracy, and, in some cases, beneficial secondary effects.

Base Power: The higher the base power, the more damage the move inflicts on the opponent. Moves with base power of 80 or higher are generally considered strong, especially if they come with few drawbacks.

Type Effectiveness: The type of a move determines its effectiveness against various Pokémon types. A move that can hit multiple common types for super-effective damage is highly valued. For example, Electric-type moves are great against Water and Flying types, which are prevalent in many battles.

Accuracy: A move's accuracy determines how often it will hit the target. Moves with 100% accuracy are ideal, as they never miss (unless affected by certain abilities or status conditions). Moves with lower accuracy can still be powerful, but the risk of missing can be a significant drawback.

Secondary Effects: Some moves come with additional effects, such as a chance to inflict a status condition (like paralysis or burn) or raise the user's stats. These secondary effects can significantly increase a move's overall value.

Coverage: A move that provides good type coverage is also highly desirable. This means the move can effectively damage a wide range of different Pokémon types, making it versatile in various battle scenarios. Moves that are super-effective against common types like Water, Flying, Ground, and Dragon are particularly useful.

Availability: How easy it is to obtain the TM for a particular move also factors into its desirability. Some TMs are readily available, while others are rare and require significant effort to acquire. The rarer and more difficult to obtain a TM is, the more valuable it is perceived to be, especially if the move is powerful.

Competitive Viability: Ultimately, the most important factor is how well a move performs in competitive battles. Moves that are frequently used by top players are generally considered elite, as they have proven their effectiveness in high-level play. This often depends on the current metagame and which Pokémon are popular.

Karate Chop: A Closer Look

Now, let's take a closer look at Karate Chop and evaluate it against the criteria mentioned above. Karate Chop is a Fighting-type move with a base power of 50 and 100% accuracy. At first glance, the 100% accuracy is a definite plus. However, the base power of 50 is quite low compared to other Fighting-type moves like Close Combat (120 base power) or even Brick Break (75 base power).

Type Effectiveness: As a Fighting-type move, Karate Chop is super effective against Normal, Rock, Steel, Ice, and Dark-type Pokémon. While this coverage is decent, it's not exceptional. Many other Fighting-type moves offer the same coverage but with significantly higher base power.

Base Power vs. Risk: When considering whether to use a move like Karate Chop, you should always weigh the base power against any potential risks. In this case, Karate Chop's 100% accuracy means there's no risk of missing, but the low base power makes it a weak option compared to higher-risk, higher-reward moves.

The Critical Hit Factor: Karate Chop has an increased critical hit ratio. This means it has a higher chance of landing a critical hit, which doubles the damage dealt (or triples in some generations). While this might seem appealing, relying on critical hits for consistent damage output is generally not a reliable strategy. Critical hits are inherently random, and you can't guarantee they will occur when you need them most.

Moreover, many modern Pokémon strategies focus on boosting stats and using moves with consistent high damage output rather than relying on chance. Moves that guarantee damage or provide strategic advantages are typically preferred in competitive play.

Karate Chop in Different Generations

It's important to consider how Karate Chop has evolved (or not evolved) across different generations of Pokémon games. In the earlier generations, the move's increased critical hit ratio might have made it a more viable option due to the limited movepools and strategies available. However, as the games have progressed, power creep has led to the introduction of stronger moves that outclass Karate Chop in almost every way.

Movepool Limitations: In some early games, certain Pokémon had very limited access to Fighting-type moves. In these cases, Karate Chop might have been one of the few options available, making it a useful, albeit not ideal, choice. However, as movepools have expanded, most Pokémon that could learn Karate Chop have gained access to better alternatives.

Power Creep: The phenomenon of power creep has significantly impacted Karate Chop's viability. As new generations of Pokémon games are released, stronger and stronger moves are introduced. This means that moves that were once considered decent can become obsolete over time. Karate Chop has definitely suffered from power creep, as its base power and secondary effects (or lack thereof) simply don't measure up to modern standards.

Alternative Options: With each new generation, the number of alternative Fighting-type moves has increased. Moves like Close Combat, Focus Blast, and even lower-power moves like Brick Break offer more strategic advantages or higher damage output. This abundance of options further diminishes Karate Chop's appeal.

Better Fighting-Type Alternatives

So, if Karate Chop isn't the best choice, what are some better Fighting-type TM moves to consider? Here are a few top contenders:

Close Combat: With a base power of 120, Close Combat is one of the strongest Fighting-type moves available. However, it lowers the user's Defense and Special Defense after use, making it a high-risk, high-reward option.

Brick Break: Brick Break has a base power of 75 and also removes the effects of Reflect and Light Screen. This can be incredibly useful for breaking through defensive setups.

Focus Blast: A Special Fighting-type move with a base power of 120. However, it has only 70% accuracy, so it's a risky choice. Still, the high damage output can be worth the risk.

Low Sweep: While having a lower base power (65), Low Sweep always lowers the target's Speed stat, making it useful for controlling the pace of battle.

These moves offer a combination of higher damage output, useful secondary effects, and strategic advantages that make them superior to Karate Chop in most situations. When choosing a Fighting-type move for your Pokémon, consider these alternatives before settling on Karate Chop.

Who Might Still Use Karate Chop?

Despite its drawbacks, there might be a few niche situations where Karate Chop could still be useful. For example, in very early-game scenarios where you have limited access to other Fighting-type moves, Karate Chop's 100% accuracy might make it a reliable option. Additionally, some Pokémon with abilities that boost critical hit rates might find some synergy with Karate Chop's increased critical hit ratio.

Early-Game Scenarios: In the very early stages of a Pokémon game, your options for TMs and move tutors are often limited. If you need a Fighting-type move early on and Karate Chop is the only one available, it can serve as a temporary solution until you find a better option. However, you should always be on the lookout for stronger alternatives as you progress through the game.

Critical Hit Synergy: Certain Pokémon have abilities or items that increase their critical hit rate. For example, the Super Luck ability or the Razor Claw item can significantly boost a Pokémon's critical hit chance. If a Pokémon has one of these abilities or is holding the Razor Claw, Karate Chop's increased critical hit ratio might become more appealing, as it would further increase the likelihood of landing a critical hit. However, even in these cases, it's important to weigh the benefits against the low base power of the move.

Niche Strategies: In very specific competitive strategies, Karate Chop might have a niche use. For example, a team built around critical hits might incorporate Karate Chop to take advantage of its increased critical hit ratio. However, such strategies are typically unconventional and require careful planning and execution.

Final Verdict

So, is Karate Chop an elite TM move? The short answer is no. While its 100% accuracy and increased critical hit ratio might seem appealing at first glance, its low base power and lack of secondary effects make it inferior to other Fighting-type moves. In most situations, you're better off choosing a move like Close Combat, Brick Break, or even Low Sweep.

While Karate Chop might have some niche uses in very early-game scenarios or with Pokémon that have abilities that boost critical hit rates, it's generally not a move you want to rely on for consistent damage output or competitive play. The power creep and abundance of better alternatives have simply made Karate Chop obsolete in modern Pokémon battles. So, save your TMs for more valuable moves and leave Karate Chop in the past.

In conclusion, Karate Chop isn't an elite TM move, but it's a piece of Pokémon history. While it may not be the best choice for your competitive team, it's a reminder of how far the game has come and how much more diverse and strategic Pokémon battles have become over the years.