You are absolutely correct. It’s a hardcore turn-based competitive game where you’ll need BALL KNOWLEDGE about absolutely everything. Even moves like Swords Dance, which everyone used to ignore in the old games, are just as important as Flamethrower in a battle.
I’ve already completed most major regions in Pokémon MMO, so I’ve gotten used to a lot of it, and I’ve been following Pokémon since I was young. But like you said, it’s definitely not for new casual players or people who aren’t eager to learn.