moltres is fine. xatus gonna get pummeled into a pulp, so unless u really want a flying type AND a psychic, just get hypno or dodrio (for psychic OR flying).
as for ghost:
1) the damage formula is as follows (lots of credit to Efrem Orizzonte):
2*LVL*CRT
(------------------------------ + 2)*ATT!SATT*BAP
5
(-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- + 2)*STAB*ELMT*RAND
DEF!SDEF*50
Where:
LVL = attacker's level
CRT = critical hit factot (2 if critical hit, else 1)
ATT!SATT = attacker's Attack or Special Attack (whichever is applicable)
BAP = attack's Base Attack power
DEF!SDEF = defender's Defense or Special Defense (whichever is applicable)
STAB = Same Type Attack Bonus (1.5 if attack type = pokemon type, else is 1)
ELMT = the elemental factor i.e. weakness, double weakness, neutral, not effective, resistance, double resistance which corresponds to values of 2,4,1,0,1/2,1/4 respectively
RAND = a randomness factor between D9/FF and FF/FF or ~.8509 and 1
---- = the little divide by bar thingy.
so as you see, the highest attack damage possible is actually 5741 (theoretically). however, it is unlikely that all the numbers will work out in your favor (i.e. random number is 1, STAB, critical hit, double weakness, maxxxed out DVS for u (and pkmn is highest in that stat, and lowest DV for them (and thier pokemon is lowest in that stat)). the average attack will only do about 200 some damage. therefore, i concede the point that an attack damage well over 1000 is possible; however, i contest that it is not plausible, especially if your opponent knows what he's doing.
2)confused damage is calculated by the top formula, except BAP is always 40, and CRT, ELMT, RND, and STAB do not exsist. so yes, you are correct that maxxxing thier attack and screwing thier defense WILL alter the damage, but effects are minimal. if thier defense is lowered to the minimun, and thier attack is raised by the maximun factor, they can theoretically do 2237 damage to themselves. however, a pokemon thats has the highest physical attack does not have the lowest physical defense and so a MUCH more reasonable average number is 53 damage. even with maxxed attack and lowered defense, this number only rises to 97. thus, although your presupposisitions are correct, my assesment in that a defense lowering move is not completely worthwile, is also correct.
[Edited by bobulation, 10/5/2005 6:14:50 PM]
[Edited by bobulation, 10/5/2005 6:38:53 PM]