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The most divisive of Pokémon Sun and Moon’s new additions is the “call for help” mechanic, which either makes wild Pokémon encounters a real challenge or a real pain in the neck. Members of the Pokémon fan community aren’t shy about voicing their distaste for the feature — or mocking the lonely Pokémon for whom calling for help just doesn’t work — as much as possible since the games launched last Friday.
“Call for help” allows enemy Pokémon to request reinforcements ad nauseam during a battle. This can make one-on-one affairs twice as tough, which is good for players who want a challenge. But it also makes them way longer, and it’s impossible to catch an opposing Pokémon if there are two in the field instead of one.
That’s left collectors frustrated more often than not, as they find themselves stuck in Pokémon battles from hell. All any good trainer wants to do is catch ‘em all, and some players find that the endless enemy back-up makes it very, very annoying to do that.
I'm really starting to hate the "call for help" feature in Sun. it's making simple tasks like catching a common Pokémon a NIGHTMARE
— your pal ched (@royalpizzaboy) November 19, 2016
I am absolutely hating this new 'wild Pokemon can call for help whenever' mechanic just let me mOVE ON GOD #PokemonSunMoon
— ｄｅａｄ ｍｅａｔ (@king_of_teeth) November 20, 2016
Pokemon should not be able to call for help the same turn a Pokemon was KO'd. Give me at least ONE turn to try and catch you -___-
— PKSparkxx (@PKSparkxx) November 20, 2016
open letter to whoever at game freak thought it'd be a good idea to allow wild Pokemon to call for help: fuck you
— brayden (@VideoBrae) November 22, 2016
But there’s a silver lining ... of sorts. Pokémon trainers aren’t the only ones who can be spurned by the feature; Pokémon can be left in the lurch too, and that’s decidedly more painful. Calling for help only works a percentage of the time, and Pokémon may find themselves waiting for the battle buddy that just won’t come.
Some players are sympathetic to the plight of the lonely wild Pokémon without a friend in this world.
Does anyone else feel kinda bad for the Pokémon who call for help, but get nothing?
— QuAgS1r3 bRuH (@theskylersofar) November 21, 2016
when wild pokemon call for help but help doesn't appear pic.twitter.com/iSAz1l609W
— silvallyfan666 @☀ (@megaxard) November 21, 2016
top 10 anime betrayals pic.twitter.com/RnQLAIlxyy
— Chantal (@Krewcabangher) November 21, 2016
Does anyone else feel really bad when the other pokemon don't show up??#PokemonSunMoon pic.twitter.com/QD2EDOdf6H
— Lauren Sassen (@LoSassen) November 21, 2016
For the most part, however, Pokémon Sun and Moon is getting docked a few points by those who can’t for the life of them stand the relentless “call for help” maneuver. There are whole threads dedicated to griping about it on Reddit and GameFAQs, which players are content to use as a general complaints thread.
For those who’d rather stay positive, just remember that Pokémon Sun and Moon features Pokémon high-fives and encourages players to make their Pokémon happy. Those should keep them calm when a Zubat has successfully summoned aid in battle 14 times in a row.
