Freeze (status condition)
- Freeze redirects here. For the unexpected freezes which prevent the game from continuing, see game freeze. For the Badge given by Brycen, see Badge → Freeze Badge.
The freeze condition (FRZ) (Japanese: こおり Ice) causes a Pokémon to be unable to make a move. It is the only status condition that does not have a move that will always cause it, and because of this, it is arguably the most uncommon.
It is evidently associated with the Ice type, as the majority of moves that can freeze are of this type, and Ice-type Pokémon are immune to being frozen. In Generation V, Pokémon glow blue and stop moving when afflicted with freeze.
Effect
Freezing causes a Pokémon to be unable to make a move for an indeterminate number of moves. The specifics vary between generations.
Generation I
Once frozen, a Pokémon can't be thawed out in battle other than via the use of items such as an Ice Heal or being hit by a damaging Fire-type move. Due to a glitch, if a frozen Pokémon uses a move with 0 PP on the same turn that it thaws out, the PP of the move will roll over to 63 PP.
Generation II onwards
A frozen Pokémon has a 20% chance of being thawed out every turn. On the turn that a Pokémon defrosts, it cannot attack until the next turn, similar to Sleep in Generation I. In addition, several moves can still be used by the frozen Pokémon while frozen (thawing it out in the process); Pokémon can't be frozen in intense sunlight, but they don't thaw out faster if already frozen, contrary to popular belief.
Generation III onwards
Same as Generation II, but Pokémon can attack on the turn that they defrost. Animation also shows up on every turn Pokémon is frozen (in contrast to previous generations, where animation showed up only when freeze was inflicted).
Freezing also disables the Ability Flash Fire.
Generation IV onwards
Same as Generation III. A frozen Sky Forme Shaymin will revert to its Land Forme.
Generation V onwards
Pokémon glow blue and have their animation stopped when inflicted with freeze. It no longer stops Flash Fire from working.
Appearance
Causes
Moves
Unlike other major status conditions, Freeze status can only be caused by Pokémon moves (rather than by abilities or items), with those moves rarely causing it. Currently no moves have Freeze as a primary effect. This is likely due to freeze being a powerful status that can be overcome only via items or by the chance of defrosting (Compare this with Sleep, which can be overcome by the move Sleep Talk). Additionally Freeze is the only non-volatile status condition, where all moves that can cause it do deal damage separately from inflicting the status condition. The following are the moves that can cause the Freeze status:
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Other causes
Pokémon can be frozen by the Gentleman's Dusclops in the Battle Pike, and by the Battle Arcade.
Prevention and curing
Being frozen can be cured with the use of an Ice Heal or an Aspear Berry (Burnt Berry in Generation II). In addition, like all other major status conditions, it can be cured by the items Full Heal, Lava Cookie, Full Restore, Old Gateau, Heal Powder, Lum Berry, Casteliacone, and Sacred Ash. Heal Bell and Aromatherapy also removes it from all Pokémon in the party. A Pokémon with Natural Cure will be cured upon switching out, one with the Hydration Ability will be cured while it is raining, and one with Shed Skin has a 30% chance of being cured every turn.
Damaging Fire-type moves used on a frozen Pokémon will remove the freeze status. (This includes Hidden Power, if its type is Fire). However, Pokémon with the Ability Flash Fire will not be thawed out by any Fire type moves in Generation V, since they will not be damaged by them. As of Generation II, freeze has a random, 20% chance to be cured on its own on the frozen Pokémon's turn. Consequently, the frozen Pokémon may thaw out on the turn of freezing—however, in Generation I, a frozen Pokémon never thaws without external aid. Pokémon cannot be frozen in sunny weather, but contrary to popular belief, sunny weather does not cause a quicker thawing.
A frozen Pokémon can still use the moves Flame Wheel, Sacred Fire, Flare Blitz, Fusion Flare, and Scald while frozen; these moves, if used successfully, will thaw the user, thaw the opponent if possible, and deal damage to the opponent. Ice-type Pokémon and those with the Magma Armor Ability are completely immune to being frozen by Ice-type moves; however, Ice-type Pokémon can be frozen by Tri Attack and Secret Power.
In the spin-off games
Pokémon Conquest
Frozen Pokémon cannot take any action, but their Warrior can still use Warrior Skills or items on their turn. At the start of each turn there is a chance of a frozen Pokémon thawing, and they may act normally during that turn. Freeze can be inflicted by Abilities and by Ice-type attacks, and Ice types are immune to freezing. Freezing can be cured by certain Warrior Skills, items, or by ending a Pokémon's turn on a status condition-curing tile of the battlefield, such as a Hot Spring or a Water Bucket.
In the anime
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This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. |
In the anime, the frozen status is literally the same as in the games; once a Pokémon in frozen it can't move and is open to attacks. In some cases, a referee may call a frozen Pokémon unable to battle.
Freezing is one of the most common status conditions featured in the anime, resulting almost always when a Pokémon gets hit by an Ice-type attack like Ice Beam or Blizzard.
- In Charizard Chills, Ash's Charizard was frozen by an Ice Beam from Tad's Poliwrath, winning its Trainer the match. Ash stayed up all night with Charizard to treat its injuries, winning back its loyalty.
- In Freeze Frame, Jigglypuff was frozen, but thawed by Ash's Cyndaquil.
- In Pace - The Final Frontier!, Ash's Pikachu was frozen by Brandon's Regice's Ice Beam. However, thanks to Ash's brave encouragements, Pikachu was able to break free from the ice with a Thunderbolt.
- In A Pyramiding Rage!, Paul's Lairon is frozen when it is hit by Brandon's Regice's Ice Beam.
- In A Real Rival Rouser, Ash's Pikachu was frozen by Paul's Froslass's Ice Beam, but thawed itself out by using Volt Tackle.
- In Iris and Excadrill Against the Dragon Buster!, Iris's Excadrill was frozen by an Ice Beam in a battle with Georgia's Beartic.
- In Jostling for the Junior Cup!, Iris's Dragonite was frozen by Georgia's Beartic's Ice Beam.
- In Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice, Kyurem froze the three Swords of Justice with Ice Burn* and also froze Keldeo with Freeze Shock*.
Trivia
- Freeze is the only status condition that cannot be automatically caused if a certain move hits.
- Freeze is the only status condition that cannot be caused by an ability.
| Status conditions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| BURN | FREEZE | PARALYSIS | POISON |
| SLEEP | CONFUSION | FLINCH | FAINTING |
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This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games. |
