Battle Sims

Battle Sims (Japanese: バーチャルなバトル Virtual Battle) are a feature in Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness.

Battle CDs, of which 50 can be located throughout Orre, are used to create simulated battles at Realgam Tower. The player is given a team of Pokémon to use in the battle. Generally, there are turn limits to the battles and the battles have a theme. The first time the player successfully completes a Battle CD, a prize is awarded.

Battle Sims are also found in Pokémon HQ Lab, hosted by the Battle Coach using the Battle Sim System. However, these are only beginner simulations.

The first battle in Pokémon XD, and the first time Michael is seen is in a Sim Battle, where Michael is using a Salamence, while the opposing Sim Trainer is using a Metagross.

Sim Trainers are only found in Battle Sims.

Pokémon HQ Lab Battle Sims

Salamence Vs. Metagross

Battle Sim 00
Salamence Vs. Metagross
Learn the basics of battling using
powerful Pokémon.
Single battle: Difficulty:
Unlimited turns
Location:
Pokémon HQ Lab
Vs. Supertrainer Losten
Player's Pokémon
 
Types:
Dragon Flying
Ability:
Intimidate
Held item:
None
Salamence Lv.50
Earthquake
Ground
Dragon Dance
Dragon
Brick Break
Fighting
Dragon Claw
Dragon
Losten's Pokémon
 
Types:
Steel Psychic
Ability:
Clear Body
Held item:
None
Metagross Lv.50
Shadow Ball
Ghost
Aerial Ace
Flying
Metal Claw
Steel
Sludge Bomb
Poison

Healing Status Problems

Battle Sim 01
Healing Status Problems
Learn how a Pokémon can be healed
from a status problem using an item.
Single battle: Difficulty:
Unlimited turns
Location:
Pokémon HQ Lab
Vs. Supertrainer Jodlet
Player's Pokémon
 
Type:
Water Unknown
Ability:
Swift Swim
Held item:
None
Magikarp Lv.10
Splash
Normal
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   
Jodlet's Pokémon
 
Types:
Bug Grass
Ability:
Effect Spore
Held item:
None
Paras Lv.25
Stun Spore
Grass
PoisonPowder
Poison
Sleep Powder
Grass
  --  
   
If a Pokémon gets a burn, it steadily loses HP during the battle. It's best to heal it as soon as possible.

The player starts with 5 Burn Heals, 5 Parlyz Heals, 5 Antidotes, and 5 Awakenings. Both the player's Magikarp and the opponent's Paras start off battle with a burn.

Pokémon Types and Move Types

Battle Sim 02
Pokémon Types and Move Types
If a Pokémon's type and its attack move's
type are the same, the move will inflict
greater damage.
Single battle: Difficulty:
Unlimited turns
Location:
Pokémon HQ Lab
Vs. Supertrainer Jodlet
Player's Pokémon
 
Type:
Normal Unknown
Ability:
Run Away
Held item:
None
Rattata Lv.10
Quick Attack
Normal
Thunderbolt
Electric
  --  
   
  --  
   
Jodlet's Pokémon
 
Type:
Fighting Unknown
Ability:
Thick Fat
Held item:
None
Makuhita Lv.8
Brick Break
Fighting
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   
If an attack move isn't the same type as the Pokémon using it, you may be dismayed by how little damage it causes. Learn to choose moves for your Pokémon after you confirm the Pokémon and the move's types.

Pokémon Type Matchups

Battle Sim 03
Pokémon Type Matchups
Every type of Pokémon has strengths and
weaknesses to other types.
Learn how Pokémon types match up.
Single battle: Difficulty:
Unlimited turns
Location:
Pokémon HQ Lab
Vs. Supertrainer Jodlet
Player's Pokémon
 
Types:
Electric Steel
Ability:
Magnet Pull
Held item:
None
Magnemite Lv.10
ThunderShock
Electric
Tackle
Normal
  --  
   
  --  
   
 
Type:
Grass Unknown
Ability:
Chlorophyll
Held item:
None
Tangela Lv.10
Vine Whip
Grass
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   
Jodlet's Pokémon
 
Type:
Water Unknown
Ability:
Water Veil
Held item:
None
Goldeen Lv.10
Water Sport
Water
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   
 
Type:
Ground Unknown
Ability:
Sand Veil
Held item:
None
Sandshrew Lv.10
Earthquake
Ground
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   
Electric-type Pokémon are strong against Water-type Pokémon, but are weak against Ground-type Pokémon. Think about what a Ground-type Pokémon would be weak against.

Moves That Hit Multiple Pokémon

Battle Sim 04
Moves That Hit Multiple Pokémon
Learn about the pros and cons of attack
moves that hit more than one Pokémon.
Double battle: Difficulty:
Unlimited turns
Location:
Pokémon HQ Lab
Vs. Supertrainer Jodlet
Player's Pokémon
 
Type:
Water Unknown
Ability:
Huge Power
Held item:
None
Marill Lv.8
Surf
Water
Tail Whip
Normal
  --  
   
  --  
   
 
Types:
Rock Ground
Ability:
Sturdy
Held item:
None
Geodude Lv.8
Earthquake
Ground
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   
Jodlet's Pokémon
 
Type:
Fire Unknown
Ability:
Magma Armor
Held item:
None
Slugma Lv.8
Ember
Fire
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   
 
Type:
Electric Unknown
Ability:
Static
Held item:
None
Electrike Lv.8
Tackle
Normal
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   
In a Double Battle, a move that hits both of your opponent's Pokémon is very useful. But, be careful. There are some moves that also hit the Pokémon in your party, too.

Pokémon with Two Types

Battle Sim 05
Pokémon with Two Types
A Pokémon that is of two types is a little
complicated for matching move types.
Let's learn how this works.
Single battle: Difficulty:
Unlimited turns
Location:
Pokémon HQ Lab
Vs. Supertrainer Jodlet
Player's Pokémon
 
Type:
Electric Unknown
Ability:
Static
Held item:
None
Pikachu Lv.8
ThunderShock
Electric
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   
 
Type:
Grass Unknown
Ability:
Overgrow
Held item:
None
Treecko Lv.8
Absorb
Grass
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   
Jodlet's Pokémon
 
Types:
Water Ground
Ability:
Damp
Held item:
None
Wooper Lv.10
Water Gun
Water
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   
A Pokémon of a single type may have a type weakness, but a dual-type Pokémon may not have that same type weakness. On the other hand, a dual-type Pokémon may have even more type disadvantages than a single-type Pokémon. Knowing the difference is the key to victory.

Switching Pokémon In/Out of Battle

Battle Sim 06
Switching Pokémon In/Out of Battle
Learn how Pokémon should be switched
out of battle and replaced with a reserve
when at a clear disadvantage.
Single battle: Difficulty:
Unlimited turns
Location:
Pokémon HQ Lab
Vs. Supertrainer Jodlet
Player's Pokémon
 
Types:
Normal Flying
Ability:
Keen Eye
Held item:
None
Pidgey Lv.5
Gust
Flying
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   
 
Types:
Rock Ground
Ability:
Rock Head
Held item:
None
Geodude Lv.5
Earthquake
Ground
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   
Jodlet's Pokémon
 
Type:
Electric Unknown
Ability:
Static
Held item:
None
Pikachu Lv.7
ThunderShock
Electric
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   
 
Types:
Bug Grass
Ability:
Effect Spore
Held item:
None
Paras Lv.7
Giga Drain
Grass
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   
If the opposing Pokémon has a type advantage over yours, one tactic is to switch it out of the battle and switch in a Pokémon held in reserve. You should have Pokémon of different types so that you can flexibly respond to whatever type of Pokémon the opponent deploys.

Tactics That Rely on Abilities

Battle Sim 07
Tactics That Rely on Abilities
Every Pokémon has a single ability.
Using Levitate as an example,
learn how this ability can affect battles.
Single battle: Difficulty:
Unlimited turns
Location:
Pokémon HQ Lab
Vs. Supertrainer Jodlet
Player's Pokémon
 
Type:
Poison Unknown
Ability:
Sticky Hold
Held item:
None
Grimer Lv.20
Sludge
Poison
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   
 
Type:
Poison Unknown
Ability:
Levitate
Held item:
None
Koffing Lv.21
Sludge
Poison
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   
Jodlet's Pokémon
 
Type:
Ground Unknown
Ability:
Sand Veil
Held item:
None
Diglett Lv.22
Magnitude
Ground
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   
Many kinds of abilities provide an edge in battle. That's why you absolutely have to confirm what abilities your Pokémon have.

Tactics Involving Item Use

Battle Sim 08
Tactics Involving Item Use
Learn about items that Pokémon can hold
for use during a battle.
Single battle: Difficulty:
Unlimited turns
Location:
Pokémon HQ Lab
Vs. Supertrainer Jodlet
Player's Pokémon
 
Types:
Normal Flying
Ability:
Guts
Held item:
  Sitrus Berry
Taillow Lv.10
Peck
Flying
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   
Jodlet's Pokémon
 
Types:
Water Flying
Ability:
Keen Eye
Held item:
None
Wingull Lv.10
Water Gun
Water
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   
A Pokémon can hold one item and use it during a battle to restore HP, raise stats, and so on. The holding Pokémon will use the item automatically when needed, so it is very convenient. Not all items can be used by Pokémon, however.

Tactics Involving Status Problems

Battle Sim 09
Tactics Involving Status Problems
Learn how to battle advantageously by
causing status problems in the opposing
Pokémon.
Single battle: Difficulty:
Unlimited turns
Location:
Pokémon HQ Lab
Vs. Supertrainer Jodlet
Player's Pokémon
 
Type:
Ghost Unknown
Ability:
Levitate
Held item:
None
Duskull Lv.15
Confuse Ray
Ghost
Pursuit
Dark
Will-O-Wisp
Fire
Attract
Normal
Jodlet's Pokémon
 
Type:
Ghost Unknown
Ability:
Insomnia
Held item:
None
Shuppet Lv.15
Astonish
Ghost
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   
Certain moves cause status problems, such as confusion or a burn, in targets. If you're facing a tough Pokémon that's hard to knock out, try using a move that enfeebles it with a status problem.

Tactics Involving Stat-Changing Moves

Battle Sim 10
Tactics Involving Stat-Changing Moves
Learn how moves that can boost or lower
stats can help you win battles easily.
Single battle: Difficulty:
Unlimited turns
Location:
Pokémon HQ Lab
Vs. Supertrainer Jodlet
Player's Pokémon
 
Type:
Ground Unknown
Ability:
Lightningrod
Held item:
None
Cubone Lv.13
Headbutt
Normal
Tail Whip
Normal
Swords Dance
Normal
  --  
   
Jodlet's Pokémon
 
Type:
Normal Unknown
Ability:
Natural Cure
Held item:
None
Chansey Lv.13
Softboiled
Normal
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   
There are moves that can boost the states of your Pokémon. There are also moves that lower the stats of the opposing Pokémon. Try using moves that affect Pokémon stats on a tough opponent. You may get an easy victory out of it!

Single Battle Combos

Battle Sim 11
Single Battle Combos
Let's learn about a Single Battle
combo using a basic weather combo.
Single battle: Difficulty:
Unlimited turns
Location:
Pokémon HQ Lab
Vs. Supertrainer Jodlet
Player's Pokémon
 
Types:
Grass Flying
Ability:
Chlorophyll
Held item:
None
Tropius Lv.20
Sunny Day
Fire
Rain Dance
Water
SolarBeam
Grass
  --  
   
Jodlet's Pokémon
 
Type:
Normal Unknown
Ability:
Natural Cure
Held item:
None
Chansey Lv.20
Shock Wave
Electric
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   
The weather can affect the power and/or the behavior of certain moves. A move that is somewhat tricky to use can become extremely powerful if the weather condition is changed in its favor.

Double Battle Combos

Battle Sim 12
Double Battle Combos
Using combos can bring victory even
when facing tough opponents.
Learn how Double Battle combos work.
Double battle: Difficulty:
Unlimited turns
Location:
Pokémon HQ Lab
Vs. Supertrainer Jodlet
Player's Pokémon
 
Type:
Normal Unknown
Ability:
Run Away
Held item:
None
Eevee Lv.5
Tackle
Normal
Helping Hand
Normal
  --  
   
  --  
   
 
Type:
Water Unknown
Ability:
Water Absorb
Held item:
None
Vaporeon Lv.5
Surf
Water
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   
Jodlet's Pokémon
 
Type:
Electric Unknown
Ability:
Static
Held item:
  Light Ball
Pikachu Lv.5
Shock Wave
Electric
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   
 
Type:
Normal Unknown
Ability:
Soundproof
Held item:
  Choice Band
Whismur Lv.5
Hyper Voice
Normal
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   
A Double Battle combo is one that involves both the Pokémon in battle, obviously. By having two Pokémon work as a duo, even tough opponents can be defeated.

Battle CD Battle Sims

Main article: Battle CD

Trivia

In other languages

Language Title
  French Holocombat
  German Kampfsim
  Italian Lotta Virtuale
  Spanish Combate Virtual