User:SuperPikaPool13/Surfing

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Hilda using Surf

Surfing is a mechanic in the core series Pokémon games, allowing the player to travel over bodies of water.

Mechanics

Generations I to VI

The player can traverse bodies of water using the HM move Surf. In most games, Surf requires a specific badge to use outside of battle; the Soul Badge^RBYFRLG, Fog Badge^GSCHGSS, Balance Badge^RSEORAS, Relic Badge^DPBDSP, Fen Badge^Pt, or Rumble Badge^XY. Surf is required to complete almost all games where it is usable outside of battle, with the exception of Pokémon Black and White. This move is needed to reach some cities, towns, and ultimately the Pokémon League where the Elite Four reside.

From Generation I onwards, Surf is usable from the party screen if the player is facing a water tile. From Generation II onwards, it is also possible to use Surf simply by interacting with a water tile. A surfing player can resume walking by simply moving onto land.

When surfing, Pokémon Trainers and wild Pokémon can be encountered. The field moves Waterfall, Whirlpool, and Dive may only be used outside of battle when the player is surfing. The player is also able to fish for Pokémon while surfing.

The speed of Surfing has varied back and forth through games:

• In Generations I and II, and in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, the speed is the same as walking.
• In Generation III, and from Pokémon Platinum onwards, the speed is the same as running.
  • In Generation VI, surfing on Kyogre is faster than usual, and surfing on Sharpedo is twice as fast as usual.

When Surf is used outside of battle, the surfing Pokémon is controlled by the player. A generic aquatic Pokémon shape is used for most or all Pokémon in a given game. In Generations I and II, the player character is not seen in the surfing sprite; only the Pokémon is seen. Starting in Generation III, the player character is visibly riding the surfing Pokémon as well.

• In Generation I, the surfing sprite used for almost all Pokémon resembles Seel and Dewgong. This is the same generic sprite that represents fifteen Water Pokémon species in the party screen, except the color palette is not the same.
  • In Pokémon Yellow, if Pikachu uses Surf outside of battle, the sprite is a surfing Pikachu.
• In Generation II, the surfing sprite used for almost all Pokémon is a Lapras. This Lapras is red if the player is male, or blue if the player is female. This is the same Lapras sprite used in the party screen.
  • If Pikachu uses Surf outside of battle, the sprite is a surfing Pikachu as well. This Pikachu has a red surfboard if the player is male, or a blue surfboard if the player is female.
• In Generation VI, surfing on Lapras specifically will show the player riding on Lapras instead of the usual generic shape. In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Kyogre, Wailmer, and Sharpedo all have their own surfing models; additionally, Kyogre moves faster and has a larger hitbox, while Sharpedo moves twice as fast as normal but prevents fishing.

In several games, there are water currents where the surfing player is forced to go in a certain direction. They are found in the Seafoam Islands, Hoenn routes 132, 133, and 134, as well as in Unova Route 17. Additionally, in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, there are some fast currents in the Sevii Islands where the player is unable to use Surf.

Generation VII

In Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, players can travel over water with the help of Poké Ride Lapras Paddle and Sharpedo Jet. They can also fish from the back of these ride Pokémon. Aditionally, using Sharpedo Jet, they can also clear breakable rocks in the water.

In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, the player can use the Secret Technique Sea Skim instead.

Generation VIII

In Pokémon Sword and Shield, the player can travel across water after getting their Rotom Bike upgraded to the Water mode.

In Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Surf is usable in the field again, through the use of the Pokétch's Hidden Moves app. A wild Bibarel is summoned by the app to perform the move.

In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the player can travel across water using the Ride Pokémon Basculegion. Unlike other Ride Pokémon in this game, the player can throw Pokémon and items while riding on Basculegion.

Generation IX

In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, players can travel over water using the partner Koraidon's Swimming Build^S or Miraidon's Aquatic Mode^V. Initially, Koraidon/Miraidon can only surf in bodies inside of settlements, but after obtaining the Herba Mystica by defeating the Open Sky Titan, the full ability to surf is unlocked, allowing travel over water outside of settlements as well.

Gallery

RBY GSC RS FRLG E DP Pt HGSS BW B2W2 XY ORAS

Surf in RBY	Surf in GSC	Surf in RSEFRLG

Surf in DPPt	Surf in HGSS	Surf in BWB2W2

Surf in XYORAS	Surf used by Lapras in XYORAS

Surf used by Wailmer in ORAS	Surf used by Sharpedo in ORAS	Surf used by Kyogre in ORAS

Lapras Paddle in SMUSUM	Sharpedo Jet in SMUSUM	Sea Skim in PE

Rotom Bike Water Mode in SwSh	Surf in BDSP	Ride Basculegion in LA

Koraidon's Swimming Build in S	Miraidon's Aquatic Mode in V

See also

• Field move
• Surf (move)
• Water tile
• Poké Ride
• Secret Technique
• Rotom Bike
• Ride Pokémon
• Koraidon / Miraidon