Rotation Battle

A Rotation Battle (Japanese: ローテーションバトル Rotation Battle) is a type of Pokémon battle featuring three to six Pokémon per Trainer, with one Pokémon from each side battling at a time. It appears in the Generation V and VI games. It was introduced in Pokémon Black and White and is predominantly showcased in Black.

A Rotation Battle in Generation VI

A Rotation Battle consists of three Pokémon outside of their Poké Balls, similar to a Triple Battle, but only one Pokémon can attack at a time. Unlike switching or moving positions in a Triple Battle, rotating Pokémon is a free action, meaning both players may rotate and attack in the same turn.

In the games

When a Rotation Battle begins, the first Pokémon able to battle in the player's party will be sent out to the primary position. The second member of the party will be counterclockwise from the first, while the third will be clockwise from the first.

Rotating

Rotating can be done during both the player's and the opponent's turns and has a priority of +6. Rotating is different to switching in that it doesn't use up a turn, reset status conditions like confusion and bad poison, or reset Ability counters like Slow Start. Rotating Pokémon are not hit by Pursuit nor are they affected by Shadow Tag or Arena Trap. Rotating does not trigger Abilities that trigger upon switching such as Natural Cure.

Active Pokémon

Only the active Pokémon plays any part in the battle. Moves and Abilities that affect more than one Pokémon will only affect the opponent's active Pokémon, and Abilities like Flower Gift will only activate if the user is active. Status damage is not received while a Pokémon is inactive.

Locations

 
A Rotation Battle in Generation V

Pokémon Black



Trainer Pokémon
Route 7
 
Ace Trainer Elmer
ユウイチ Yūichi
Reward: $1920
This is a Triple Battle in White.
  Liepard Lv.32
No item
  Watchog Lv.32
No item
  Swoobat Lv.32
No item
Opelucid City
 
Ace Trainer Eileen
エリナ Erina
Reward: $2340
Rotation Battle
  Simisage Lv.39
No item
  Simipour Lv.39
No item
  Simisear Lv.39
No item
 
Ace Trainer Lou
エツヤ Etsuya
Reward: $2340
Rotation Battle
  Mienfoo Lv.39
No item
  Elgyem Lv.39
No item
  Pawniard Lv.39
No item
Black City
 
Roughneck Johnny
ジョニー Johnny
Reward: $2080
Rotation Battle
  Galvantula Lv.65
No item
  Gothitelle Lv.65
No item
  Krookodile Lv.65
No item
 
Backpacker Kiyo
ノブヒコ Nobuhiko
Reward: $1560
Rotation Battle
  Heatmor Lv.65
No item
  Beartic Lv.65
No item
  Excadrill Lv.65
No item


Pokémon White

Trainer Pokémon
Marvelous Bridge
 
Ace Trainer Glinda
ナオ Nao
Reward: $3900
This is a Triple Battle in Black.
  Alomomola Lv.65
No item
  Klinklang Lv.65
No item
  Beheeyem Lv.65
No item


Pokémon Black 2 and White 2





Trainer Pokémon
Chargestone Cave B2F
 
Ace Trainer Vicki
ノドカ Nodoka
Reward: $1980
Rotation Battle
  Stoutland Lv.33
No item
  Krokorok Lv.33
No item
  Ferroseed Lv.33
No item
Route 7
 
Youngster Cody
トモヒコ Tomohiko
Reward: $528
Rotation Battle
  Stoutland Lv.33
No item
  Deerling
Spring Form
Lv.33
No item
  Deerling
Spring Form
Lv.33
No item
Reversal Mountain
 
Black Belt Corey
ツヨシ Tsuyoshi
Reward: $1184
Rotation Battle
  Gurdurr Lv.37
No item
  Scraggy Lv.37
No item
  Scraggy Lv.37
No item
Route 14
 
Ace Trainer Kipp
ユウスケ Yūsuke
Reward: $2340
Rotation Battle
  Tangela Lv.39
No item
  Zebstrika Lv.39
No item
  Skarmory Lv.39
No item
Route 13
 
Pokémon Ranger Daryl
ダリル Daryl
Reward: $2340
Rotation Battle
  Jolteon Lv.39
No item
  Nosepass Lv.39
No item
  Galvantula Lv.39
No item
Opelucid Gym
 
Veteran Denae
ドレイク Drake
Reward: $3520
  Fraxure Lv.44
No item
  Druddigon Lv.44
No item
  Axew Lv.44
No item
Twist Mountain inside
 
Veteran Chloris
ミドリ Midori
Reward: $5120
Rotation Battle
  Gyarados Lv.64
No item
  Kangaskhan Lv.64
No item
  Archeops Lv.64
No item
Route 8
 
Parasol Lady Ingrid
ミチコ Michiko
Reward: $1920
Rotation Battle
  Castform Lv.60
No item
  Castform Lv.60
No item
  Castform Lv.60
No item
Route 3
 
School Kid Marsha
サワコ Sawako
Reward: $1220
Rotation Battle
  Skiploom Lv.61
No item
  Jumpluff Lv.61
No item
  Bellossom Lv.61
No item
Route 18
 
Veteran Chester
チェスター Chester
Reward: $5440
Rotation Battle
  Staraptor Lv.68
No item
  Relicanth Lv.68
No item
  Krookodile Lv.68
No item
Pokémon World Tournament
See Pokémon World Tournament




Pokémon X and Y

Trainer Pokémon
Restaurant Le Yeah
 
Waitress Talia
ナタリー Natalie
Reward: $1984
  Mantine Lv.31
  King's Rock
  Emolga Lv.31
  King's Rock
  Sigilyph Lv.31
  King's Rock
 
Garçon Georges
トウマ Tōma
Reward: $1984
  Shuckle Lv.31
No item
  Pidgeot Lv.31
No item
  Dugtrio Lv.31
No item
 
Owner Yannick
ヤニック Yannick
Reward: $4960
  Zangoose Lv.31
No item
  Zangoose Lv.31
No item
  Zangoose Lv.31
No item
 
Chef Albern
アルベール Albert
Reward: $1984
  Simisage Lv.31
  Liechi Berry
  Simisear Lv.31
  Petaya Berry
  Simipour Lv.31
  Salac Berry
Restaurant Le Wow
 
Owner Christophe
クリストフ Christophe
Reward: $10,080
  Qwilfish Lv.63
No item
  Druddigon Lv.63
No item
  Ferrothorn Lv.63
No item
 
Owner Christophe
クリストフ Christophe
Reward: $10,080
  Audino Lv.63
No item
  Alomomola Lv.63
No item
  Amoonguss Lv.63
No item
 
Garçon Morris
モリス Morris
Reward: $4032
  Shieldon Lv.63
No item
  Wobbuffet Lv.63
No item
  Milotic Lv.63
No item
 
Garçon Morris
モリス Morris
Reward: $4032
  Togekiss Lv.63
No item
  Floatzel Lv.63
No item
  Lucario Lv.63
No item
 
Waitress Paula
ポリーヌ Pauline
Reward: $4032
  Chatot Lv.63
No item
  Exploud Lv.63
No item
  Aurorus Lv.63
No item
Sushi High Roller
 
Furisode Girl Gwyneth
ガーリー Gurley
Reward: $4680
  Cherrim Lv.65
No item
  Ninetales Lv.65
No item
  Tropius Lv.65
No item
 
Furisode Girl Cliantha
シャーリー Shirley
Reward: $4680
  Scizor Lv.65
No item
  Hippowdon Lv.65
No item
  Gliscor Lv.65
No item
 
Furisode Girl Thalassa
サビー Savvy
Reward: $4680
  Ludicolo Lv.65
No item
  Politoed Lv.65
No item
  Beartic Lv.65
No item
 
Furisode Girl Nerissa
ネータ Neta
Reward: $4680
  Froslass Lv.65
No item
  Abomasnow Lv.65
No item
  Mamoswine Lv.65
No item
 
Owner Kazu
アガリ Agari
Reward: $10400
  Slowking Lv.65
No item
  Bronzong Lv.65
No item
  Cofagrigus Lv.65
No item
Battle Maison
See Battle Maison


Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

Trainer Pokémon
Mauville Hills
 
Rotation Girl Circie
メグル Meguru
Reward: $3,360
  Simisage Lv.42
No item
  Simisear Lv.42
No item
  Simipour Lv.42
No item
Battle Maison
See Battle Maison


In other languages

Language Title
  French Combat Rotatif
  German Reihumkampf
  Italian Lotta a Rotazione
  Korean 로테이션배틀 Rotation Battle
  Portuguese Combate Rotatório
  Spanish Combate Rotatorio


Pokémon battle variations
Double BattleMulti BattleTriple BattleRotation BattleHorde EncounterSOS BattleSupport PlayMax Raid BattleFull Battle
Contest BattleLauncher BattleSky BattleInverse BattleBattle RoyalDynamax AdventureAuto BattleTera Raid Battle
Battle modes


  This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.