Fomantis remains a lovable Grass Type Pokémon since its Generation VII appearance, and even in Pokémon Sword and Shield. Its signature leafy appearance, pink skin, and red eyes are to die for - especially for any fan who wants an adorable Pokémon. However, Fomantis isn't anywhere near a pushover. Its natural traits and access to formidable abilities make Fomantis a decent threat - and all the more so once it evolves.
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When evolved, Fomantis becomes the taller and more slender Lurantis. While Lurantis retains Fomantis's Grass Type nature, its new traits make Lurantis quite a formidable "next stage" for any Fomantis fan. With the right approach to growth, any player's Fomantis can become a powerful Lurantis.
Fomantis graced the franchise back in the release of Sun and Moon, remaining as one of the cutest new additions among Generation VII Pokémon. And despite its diminutive and childish appearance, Fomantis does boast the potential to be one of the best support Pokémon anyone could have in their team. As the saying goes, Trainers shouldn't judge a Pokémon by their cuteness.
Before players can evolve a Fomantis, they've got to acquire one first. In terms of Sword and Shield, they can acquire Fomantis in a variety of ways.
- Base Game (V1.2.0+). If players have the Sword and Shield base game, they can only acquire Fomantis through Trading. And even then, Fomantis only becomes playable after the V1.2.0 patch.
If players get the Expansion Pass and acquire access to the Isle of Armor, they can obtain Fomantis in a lot of areas there:
- Challenge Beach
- Fields of Honor and the Forest of Focus
- Soothing Wetlands
- Training Lowlands
Given their nature as a Grass Type Pokémon, Fomantis does have interesting relationships with its fellow Pokémon. Albeit not a particular power player when compared to other Pokémon in the game, Fomantis remains a decent Grass Type should the player need one in their party.
When acquired, Fomantis can boast some pretty handy Abilities. Players need to take note that these Abilities can be very specific in nature, though - meaning, they've got to take note where battles take place if they want to capitalize on these certain Abilities.
- Leaf Guard. This Ability helps Fomantis endure status effects that occur during harsh sunlight. Given the nature of various battlefields in Sword and Shield, fights that happen in harsh sunlight tend to be extremely rare.
- Contrary. This Ability helps Fomantis transform status conditions have the opposite effect. This can transform debilitating conditions into helpful buffs for them.
Being a monotype Pokémon, Fomantis needs to take note that it can have specific Type relationships with specific Pokémon. Considering their nature as a Grass Pokémon, they tend to have multiple relationships with Pokémon of other Types:
- Ground/Rock/Water Type: Deal 2x Damage. Fomantis can become quite the formidable foe when it comes to facing Pokémon of the Ground, Rock, and Water Type variants.
- Bug/Dragon/Fire/Flying/Grass/Poison/Steel: Deal Half Damage. Fomantis isn't quite as potent when it comes to facing Bug, Dragon, Fire, Flying, Grass, Poison, and Steel Types.
- Electric/Grass/Ground/Water: Take Half Damage. Fomantis can defend itself quite well against Electric, Grass, Ground, and Water Type Pokémon.
- Bug/Fire/Flying/Ice/Poison: Take 2x Damage. Fomantis needs to be careful when facing Bug, Fire, Flying, Ice, and Poison Pokémon.
- Effect Spore, Powder and Spore Moves: Immunity. Grass Type Pokémon have a natural immunity against Effect Spore as well as moves that have relationships with spore and powders.
When summoned for battle, Fomantis can offer quite a wide range of nifty moves that can help players gain the upper hand in combat. Certain learnable moves can help Fomantis become quite the formidable foe in battle, provided Trainers assign these attacks properly:
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- Slash: Despite the straightforward nature of this attack, Slash does leave opponents more susceptible to critical hits. Fomantis with a high-enough critical stat can dish out more damage than expected.
- Sweet Scent: Players in a pinch can rely on Sweet Scent to help Fomantis become more evasive in combat. This can certainly enable Fomantis to waste the opponent's time and make them deplete more resources across combat.
- Razor Leaf: Similar to Slash, Razor Leaf greatly improves the potential of Fomantis to land more critical hits in combat. This makes it quite the reliable early-level combat tool.
- X-Scissor. Albeit straightforward, X-Scissor is a decent-enough Grass Type move to dish out when facing regular foes.
Players tired of Fomantis and its cuteness can look forward to obtaining their stronger evolution, Lurantis. Contrary to Fomantis, Lurantis has a more lady-like frame, now boasting more pinks compared to greens. Trainers looking for an ace in the hole in their Contests could definitely rely on Lurantis to do the job - at least aesthetically.
Unlike other Pokémon, evolving Fomantis into Lurantis does require them to meet particular conditions. Thankfully for Trainers, the conditions needed to achieve a successful evolution for Fomantis doesn't need them to do anything particularly extreme.
- Level 34. First, players planning on evolving Fomantis need them to become Level 34 first.
- Level up during Daytime. Secondly, players who want to transform Fomantis into Lurantis need to reach Level 34 during the day. This is the only way for them to acquire Lurantis through leveling up.
Taking after Fomantis, Lurantis is once again quite the peculiar Grass Type Pokémon. Unlike other Pokémon of their Type, Lurantis doesn't have anything particularly exceptional to offer during combat. Regardless of these circumstances, players looking for a reliable Grass Type to take on more difficult battles may very well want to add Lurantis to their party and make particular changes to its moveset and stats.
Similar to Fomantis, Lurantis does have peculiar Abilities that affect them in extremely specific circumstances. Depending on the Trainer, they can take full advantage of these special setups in order to transform Lurantis into a juggernaut that may suit their needs. Here are its abilities:
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- Leaf Guard: Lurantis has a version of Leaf Guard that prevents problems that happen during sunny weather. Given the game's unique weather system, Lurantis may be a go-to Grass Type should players like battle during the day.
- Contrary: Similar to Fomantis, Lurantis possesses Leaf Guard that transforms its status ailments to have opposite effects. Given the stronger nature of Lurantis, this can become quite helpful against tricky opponents.
Taking from Fomantis, Lurantis remains a Grass Type Pokémon. With this in mind, players need to note that Lurantis can have complicated relationships to Pokémon. And when combined with effective team members, Lurantis can dish out effective punishments in team play.
- Ground/Rock/Water Type: Deal 2x Damage. Lurantis can become quite the amazing Pokémon when it comes to facing Pokémon of the Ground, Rock, and Water Type variants.
- Bug/Dragon/Fire/Flying/Grass/Poison/Steel: Deal Half Damage. Lurantis isn't quite as effective when it comes to facing Bug, Dragon, Fire, Flying, Grass, Poison, and Steel Types.
- Electric/Grass/Ground/Water: Take Half Damage. Lurantis boasts efficient defense against Electric, Grass, Ground, and Water Type Pokémon.
- Bug/Fire/Flying/Ice/Poison: Take 2x Damage. Lurantis needs to stay wary when facing Bug, Fire, Flying, Ice, and Poison Pokémon.
- Effect Spore, Powder and Spore Moves: Immunity. Grass Type Pokémon have a natural immunity against Effect Spore as well as moves that have relationships with spore and powders.
With the right approach to growth, Lurantis can become quite the formidable asset to any team. Thanks to their access to some nifty damaging and non-damaging moves even across their natural leveling stage, Lurantis can develop into becoming quite the reliable Grass Type Pokémon for any squad. Here are some recommended moves:
- Sunny Day: A Lurantis that gains access to Fire-Type moves can rely on Sunny Day to further boost their potency. With Sunny Day, Lurantis intensifies the rays of the sun for as long as five turns. Not only does this boost Fire-Type moves, this also weakens Water-Type moves. Given that Lurantis is already putting Water Types at a disadvantage, this can further boost Lurantis's lethal advantage.
- Leaf Storm: When used, Leaf Storm lowers the Evasiveness of their opponents. If this is successful, effects such as Aurora Veil, Light Screen, Mist, Reflect, Safeguard, Stealth Rock, and Sticky Web also end for the target. Likewise, Lurantis will no longer have Sticky Web, Stealth Rock, Toxic Spikes, and Spikes.
- Synthesis: With Synthesis, Lurantis will gain the ability to heal according to the weather. While this is already a good way to self-heal, Lurantis gains a nifty healing boost if they use this move with Sunny Day activated.
- Solar Blade: Despite being a two-turn move, Lurantis can rely on Solar Blade for a stunning finish. If they can endure the punishment, Solar Blade can become a nifty ace in the hole. With Sunny Day, Solar Blade won't even need to charge.
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