>>44485779It would have been one of the stars of gen 1, honestly. Immunity to all the Body Slams, Hyper Beams, and Explosions, and a typing that lets it beat Exeggutor and Jynx? Yes please. It would still likely be overshadowed by Tauros, Chansey, Alakazam, etc. But it would absolutely have a role in gen 1 OU.
Gen 2 would end up with it getting a bit shafted. It loses a good chunk of its Special Attack, and wouldn't get much out of it. I could see it being used for Mean Look/Curse/Protect shenanigans, but it would probably not be one of the top dogs, especially with Houndoom and Tyranitar running around. I can't imagine it not getting Shadow Ball here for STAB as well, but then again I didn't realize it only got Shadow Ball in gen 8, so I don't know.
Gen 3 would be its biggest low point most likely. I can't imagine it being much different from where it is as a plain fire type. It might end up in BL in the OMGON meta, since massively powerful threats like Armaldo and Miltank are there, but I don't know.
Gen 4 would be a massive boon for it. Gaining Shadow Ball off its better Special attack stat, access to Nasty Plot, and whatever new coverage moves it might gain for being a ghost? That'll be nice. It would probably be one of the best fire types in UU, along with Arcanine and Moltres.
Gen 5 would be totally changed, honestly. A weather setter that can switch in on Normal and Fighting moves for free, as well as blocking rapid spin? Sun would absolutely be miles better than it is right now, leaving Hail as the one weather that's not good enough to be used in gen 5. Poor hail.
