Ghost Pokémon Information
States
While each ghost has a preferred state to be in, they may use a move to shift to another state if allowed by their species characteristics. Shifting back into 'natural' mode does not cost a move, and will also be done automatically when a ghost is instructed to perform a move that cannot be done in their current state . If a pokémon falls asleep or is afflicted by some other status condition, they will automatically shift to their 'natural' state. Ghosts in 'natural' mode will automatically shift into the state which will take the lowest amount of damage, should they get enough warning of an incoming attack. While changing states does not consume any notable amount of energy, Ghosts require a brief period of time after changing state before they can do it again. Pokémon may not change state more than once per round.
Unless the ghost is ordered to be in a certain state, it remains fluctuating between solid and ethereal/gaseous. If it sees a solid/physical attack coming, it will easily become ethereal or gaseous to avoid the damage. If a 'special' attack is coming at it, it will shift to solid state to minimize the damage, as it is more susceptible to it in ethereal state. Ghosts which cannot enter the ethereal or gaseous state do not possess this attribute and will not automatically switch states to avoid attacks.
Solid
The solid state is the state that most pokémon, such as Pikachu or Marill, take. Solid pokémons' bodies can be harmed and damaged by physical blows as normal. Pokémon must be in the solid state to use physical attacks like Tackle and Fire Punch; if a pokémon cannot achieve the solid state, such as Gastly, it will use a half strength version of the move by generating an orb of energy in front of it to strike with instead of tackling, punching etc.
Ethereal
In this state, pokémon are visible, yet all attempts at physical damage pass right through. In contrast, while in this state pokémon are more vulnerable to 'special' attacks such as Flamethrower and Thunderbolt and take 50% more damage from them. Physical projectiles such as wind, rocks or water will also pass through pokémon in this state, though fire will strike them as a special move. Attacks such as Skull Bash, Zen Headbutt or Silver Wind which are physical in nature but have a 'glow' of energy will deal 50% of the damage they would usually do and do not trigger the 50% extra damage clause. Ref's discretion is advised where the situation is unclear. Pokémon in this state can pass through walls, roofs, floors, pokémon and any other obstacle in the arena, so long as they keep moving and are not in solid space for more than five seconds. This means Ghost Pokémon cannot go and hide underground in the ethereal state, though they can go under momentarily, coming back out a few seconds later for perhaps a surprise attack. Ghosts may not use Selfdestruct or Explosion whilst in the ethereal state.
Gaseous
This state is similar to the ethereal state. Like ethereal, gaseous pokémon can't be damaged by physical attacks, but the attacks passing through still produce a little effect, a 'funny feeling' that can become quite distracting if it's a large or fast 'hit'. 'Special' attacks are still more effective than physical ones and will deal about 25% extra damage. Attacks such as Skull Bash or Zen Headbutt which are physical in nature but have a 'glow' of energy will deal 75% of the damage they would usually do and do no trigger the 25% extra damage clause. Ref's discretion is advised where the situation is unclear. Gaseous ghosts are not capable of passing through walls, but can fit through even the tiniest of gaps, say, a crack or split in a wall. The time it takes to pass through this hole though will depend on it's size, obviously a while for a tiny crack or pinhole. Ghosts may not use Selfdestruct or Explosion whilst in the gaseous state.
Invisible
In this state, pokémon become invisible and cannot be seen with the naked eye. However, they will still make noise, emit odour etc and pokémon with enhanced senses may be able to detect them. Pokémon are solid whilst invisible and thus do not enjoy any of the benefits associated with the ethereal or gaseous state. Pokémon can only remain invisible for two rounds in total per battle, though they may split this time in to two rounds if they wish. Pokémon which are invisible can use attacks which involve physical contact,mind affecting moves such as Hypnosis or Confuse Ray and moves like Curse and Pain Split as normal. However, they may not used ranged attacks such as Thunder or Sludge Bomb and cannot use Explosion or Selfdestruct.
The Rotom Formes
A Rotom's forme can be changed freely through Squad Submissions - Hidden Power/Attachables/Miscellaneous. Note that changing a Rotom forme while having a sig move dependent on that forme may require that the sig be changed/removed. If Rotom is bonded with an appliance, it becomes part Electric and part [type], gaining that type's species characteristic instead of the Ghost type's while remaining familiar with the Ghost type. So for example, a Fan Rotom is Electric/Flying, with all associated weaknesses, resistances and characteristics and familiarity with the Ghost type. When a Rotom occupies a forme other than its default Ghost type forme, it is locked in to the solid state insted of the 'plasma' state and cannot shift states at all. Rotom cannot change formes during a Pokemon battle: even if an object that could be possessed is inexplicably around, it takes too long for the Rotom to bind with it to be practical in combat. Similarly, a Rotom will never willingly unbind with an item in combat, as doing so leaves it extremely vulnerable during the process.
Here are the forme specific species characteristics for Rotom. All Rotom Formes are inorganic and cannot be posioned. If Rotom has changed forme from its default forme, the appropriate SC replaces its default SC.
Rotom [Heat Forme] (Electric/Fire): In this Forme, Rotom has possessed an electric oven, having bonded with its electric motor. This is the smallest of all the formes, and is somewhat slower than the Fan Forme and Cut Forme and the most agile, only somewhat slower and less agile than the untransformed Rotom. Its tendrils are shaped like mitts and are semi-solid, which give it a limited ability to manipulate objects but it has a poor grasping ability. The oven door is its primary energy release point where it unleashes its attacks. This allows it to generate energy attacks from a protected point, but will leave it vulnerable for a short time when firing the attack. Attacks that hit the inner portion of the appliance will deal slightly more damage than normal. In this Forme alone, Rotom is capable of using Overheat.
Rotom [Wash Forme] (Electric/Water): In this Forme, Rotom has possessed a washing machine, having bonded with its electric motor. This is the second largest forme, being rather bulky. While it can levitate, it has a low flight ceiling of only three feet and moves primarily through erratic hopping and short bursts. While fairly slow, it is relatively agile, allowing it to make short, quick evasive movements. In this Forme, Rotom has two firing points. The first and primary is the pipe at its side, from which it fires its Hydro Pump. Attacks fired from the pipe allow for faster firing and better aim. The second is from its door. This allows it to generate energy attacks from a protected point, but will leave it vulnerable for a short time when firing the attack. Attacks that hit the inner portion of the appliance will deal slightly more damage than normal. In this Forme alone, Rotom is capable of using Hydro Pump.
Rotom [Frost Forme] (Electric/Ice): In this Forme, Rotom has possessed a refrigerator, having bonded with its electric motor. This is the largest forme, being fairly bulky. While it can levitate, it has a low flight ceiling of only two feet and moves primarily through erratic hopping and short bursts. This forme is neither fast nor agile, but its large and well-insulated frame give it a slight resistance against all attacks. In this Forme, Rotom fires its attacks from behind the refrigerator doors. This allows it to generate energy attacks from a protected point, but will leave it vulnerable for a short time when firing the attack. Attacks that hit the inner portion of the appliance will deal slightly more damage than normal. In this Forme alone, Rotom is capable of using Blizzard.
Rotom [Fan Forme] (Electric/Flying): In this Forme, Rotom has possessed an electric table fan, having bonded with its electric motor. This forme is only slightly larger than Heat Rotom, and is the fastest, rivaling the unbonded Rotom in speed. Its levitation is more akin to flight, using a combination of its natural levitation and propulsion generated by its fan to move very fast through the air with a high flight ceiling of nearly twenty feet. However, due to the limited turning ability of the fan, it is unable to turn sharply at even moderate speeds. While unlike its other Formes, it has no protected charging site, it is able to charge in front of its fan and use a burst of air to propel the attack forward. This gives it a higher speed, making it more difficult to evade and easier to surprise with. In this Forme alone, Rotom is capable of using Air Slash.
Rotom [Cut Forme] (Electric/Grass): In this Forme, Rotom has possessed a lawnmower, having bonded with its electric motor. This forme is just slightly slower than Fan Rotom, but can equal or overcome its speeds on the ground. While it can levitate, it prefers to travel along the ground, where it can use its wheels to build high speeds. Like the Fan Forme, it has a wide turning radius, even at low speeds, but it can accelerate to high speeds in a very short time. When levitating, it is unable to build or maintain this speed and cannot levitate higher than five feet. In this Forme, it charges its attacks from the hopper in the back, releasing them from its toothy mouth. This allows it to generate energy attacks from a protected point, but will leave it vulnerable for a short time when firing the attack. Attacks that hit the inner portion of the appliance will deal slightly more damage than normal. In this Forme alone, Rotom is capable of using Leaf Storm.
