Gastro Acid was a relatively rare move, but Zhang Cheng still knew something about it. Pokémon hit by Gastro Acid took no damage; instead, their Abilities were suppressed.
Han Tian's intention was clear. He wanted to suppress Poliwrath's Swift Swim Ability and slow it down, making it easier for Victreebel to attack.
Otherwise, with Poliwrath's high speed, many of Victreebel's moves would struggle to land.
"Poliwrath, use Protect!"
Naturally, Zhang Cheng wasn't about to let Han Tian have his way. He chose the safest option, using a Protect barrier to block Gastro Acid.
"Poli~ Poli~"
Upon receiving Zhang Cheng's command, Poliwrath quickly gathered energy into a transparent barrier that enclosed its entire body.
Once the barrier formed, Victreebel's Gastro Acid landed on it. Yet the expected piercing hiss of intense corrosion never came.
Gastro Acid actually passed through the barrier with ease, as though it didn't exist at all. It penetrated Protect's defenses and splashed onto Poliwrath's body.
Under the effects of Gastro Acid, Poliwrath's Swift Swim Ability stopped working, and its speed dropped back to its original level.
"Didn't expect that, did you? Victreebel's Gastro Acid isn't ordinary venom. Protect can't stop it," Han Tian said with a hint of mockery.
Clearly, Han Tian used this trick often, and it really was difficult to guard against.
"Poliwrath, use Dynamic Punch!"
Zhang Cheng ignored Han Tian's mockery and ordered Poliwrath to keep attacking.
Against the Grass- and Poison-type Victreebel, neither the Fighting-type nor the Water-type moves Poliwrath specialized in would be very effective. In the end, Zhang Cheng chose the Fighting-type move Dynamic Punch.
That was because Dynamic Punch had a guaranteed secondary effect of causing confusion. As long as it hit Victreebel, it would leave it confused.
"Poli!"
Poliwrath roared in fury. Its arm muscles surged with strength as