Triple Battle

(Redirected from Triple battle)

A Triple Battle (Japanese: トリプルバトル Triple Battle) is a type of Pokémon battle featuring up to six Pokémon, with three 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 was predominantly showcased in White.

A Triple Battle

As the name suggests, Triple Battles are a type of battle where each Trainer sends out three Pokémon at once. Due to this, they can be considered the successor to Double Battles, with the only difference seemingly being the number of Pokémon. However, there are some additional strategic factors that differentiate the Triple Battle from its predecessor other than the amount of Pokémon, such as the importance of placement.

In the core series games

When a Triple Battle begins, Pokémon will be sent out in order. The first Pokémon able to battle in the party becomes the leftmost Pokémon on the field, the second becomes the center Pokémon, and the third becomes the Pokémon on the far right.

In Generation V, on the player's side, the HP bar and the numerical amount of HP are not displayed at the same time; which of the two is displayed can be toggled by pressing the Start button. In Generation VI, the element showing the Pokémon's status is shown side to side, and is shown normally with both the numeric HP and bar.

Placement

The placement of the Pokémon is a major attribute of Triple Battles, as a Pokémon's positioning affects how certain moves and Abilities work. Generally, Pokémon on the left side of the field cannot target any Pokémon on the right side (including allies), and vice versa. This also means a Pokémon in the center is free to hit any Pokémon on the field, but at the cost of being vulnerable to every other Pokémon.

There are some moves, however, that allow non-adjacent Pokémon to attack each other.

Shifting

Shift redirects here. For bringing Pokémon back into their Poké Ball to send out another Pokémon, see Recall.

The Pokémon on the left and right have the option to "shift". This option allows the user to switch with the Pokémon currently in the middle. Unlike switching, shifting has no priority, and none of the effects of switching (such as eliminating stat modifiers, volatile status conditions, and volatile battle statuses, triggering Abilities that activate upon exiting battle or triggering entry hazards) apply to shifting. Like switching, however, shifting consumes no PP or items. A Pokémon can move even if it is the last Pokémon on its team, as long as it is not in the center.

If a Pokémon is readying to use a move on a certain target, but is then shifted before using its move, its attack will fail if the target is then outside of its range. If a Pokémon targeted an ally with a move, but as a result of shifting, the Pokémon is now targeting itself when it would execute the move, the move will fail (even if the move is Acupressure).

If there are only two Pokémon left on the field and they are non-adjacent to each other, both Pokémon will automatically be shifted to the center of the field at the end of the turn.

Effect on moves

Most moves have the same effect in Triple Battles as with single and Double Battles, except that they can only affect adjacent Pokémon. Moves that hit both opponents or all Pokémon in Double Battles only affect adjacent Pokémon in Triple Battles. Moves that hit multiple Pokémon will have their damage reduced by 25%, unless there is only one target at the time the move is executed.

All single-target damage-dealing Flying-type moves, Flying Press, and all single-target aura and pulse moves can hit any Pokémon on the battlefield regardless of adjacency. This property is based on the original type of the move. As a consequence, moves being changed to the Flying type cannot target non-adjacent Pokémon, including Hidden Power. Similarly, a move that is originally Flying-type can target a non-adjacent Pokémon even if its type is changed by an effect.

The moves After You, Quash, Helping Hand, Ally Switch, Follow Me, Rage Powder, Aromatic Mist, and Hold Hands have no effect in Single Battles, but do in Triple Battles.

The moves Bide, Counter, Mirror Coat, Metal Burst, Destiny Bond, and Grudge all can be activated by, and attack, a non-adjacent opponent.

The move Flame Burst takes away 1/16 of the maximum HP of all adjacent allies of the target Pokémon. This damage is not treated as an attack.

The move Acupressure, while in a Triple Battle, can target an adjacent ally instead of the user.

The following moves act differently when used in a Triple Battle, as opposed to a Single or Double Battle.

Move targets
     
     

Any adjacent foe

     
     

All adjacent foes

     
     

All foes

     
     

Any other Pokémon

     
     

All adjacent Pokémon

     
     

All Pokémon

     
     

Self

     
     

Self or adjacent ally

     
     

Adjacent ally

     
     

Whole team

Me First Acid Spikes Acrobatics Boomburst Electric Terrain Ally Switch Acupressure Aromatic Mist Aromatherapy
Outrage Air Cutter Stealth Rock Aerial Ace Bulldoze Fairy Lock Follow Me Helping Hand Crafty Shield
Petal Dance Blizzard Sticky Web Aeroblast Discharge Flower Shield Rage Powder Hold Hands Happy Hour
Struggle Bubble Toxic Spikes Air Slash Earthquake Grassy Terrain Heal Bell
Thrash Captivate Aura Sphere Explosion Gravity Light Screen
Uproar Cotton Spore * Bounce Lava Plume Hail Lucky Chant
Dark Void Brave Bird Magnitude Haze Magnetic Flux
Dazzling Gleam Chatter Parabolic Charge Ion Deluge Mat Block
Disarming Voice Dark Pulse Petal Blizzard Magic Room Mist
Electroweb Dragon Ascent Searing Shot Misty Terrain Quick Guard
Eruption Dragon Pulse Self-Destruct Mud Sport Reflect
Glaciate Drill Peck Sludge Wave Perish Song Safeguard
Growl Fly Surf Rain Dance Tailwind
Heal Block Flying Press Synchronoise Rototiller Wide Guard
Heat Wave Gust Teeter Dance Sandstorm
Hyper Voice Heal Pulse Sunny Day
Icy Wind Hurricane Trick Room
Incinerate Oblivion Wing Water Sport
Land's Wrath Peck Wonder Room
Leer Pluck
Muddy Water Sky Attack
Origin Pulse Sky Drop
Poison Gas Water Pulse
Powder Snow Wing Attack
Precipice Blades
Razor Leaf
Razor Wind
Relic Song
Rock Slide
Snarl
String Shot
Struggle Bug
Sweet Scent
Swift
Tail Whip
Twister
Water Spout
Aside from moves which only affect the user, all other attacks only target one adjacent Pokémon.

Effect on Abilities

Most Abilities' effect remain the same and are not affected by the Pokémon's placement. For example, a Mold Breaker Pokémon on the left side of the field which used Water Pulse can still damage a Pokémon with Wonder Guard on the right side of the field. A Magic Bounce Pokémon can still reflect entry hazards even if the user of the entry hazard and itself are at opposite corners of the field, because entry hazards affect the entire team.

However, some Abilities are affected by a Pokémon's placement; for example, Intimidate will only lower the Attack of opposing, adjacent Pokémon on the field.

Locations

 
A Triple Battle in Generation V

Pokémon Black

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


Pokémon White



Trainer Pokémon
Route 7
 
Ace Trainer Elmer
ユウイチ Yūichi
Reward: $1920
This is a Rotation Battle in Black.
  Liepard Lv.32
No item
  Watchog Lv.32
No item
  Swoobat Lv.32
No item
Opelucid City
 
Ace Trainer Lou
エツヤ Etsuya
Reward: $2340
Triple Battle
  Simisage Lv.39
No item
  Simipour Lv.39
No item
  Simisear Lv.39
No item
 
Ace Trainer Eileen
エリナ Erina
Reward: $2340
Triple Battle
  Pawniard Lv.39
No item
  Elgyem Lv.39
No item
  Mienfoo Lv.39
No item
White Forest
 
School Kid Shayne
シンジ Shinji
Reward: $1300
Triple Battle
  Scrafty Lv.65
No item
  Cofagrigus Lv.65
No item
  Reuniclus Lv.65
No item
 
Nursery Aide Briana
ユカリ Yukari
Reward: $2600
Triple Battle
  Chandelure Lv.65
No item
  Cinccino Lv.65
No item
  Vanilluxe Lv.65
No item


Pokémon Black 2 and White 2





Trainer Pokémon
Chargestone Cave 1F
 
Ace Trainer Corky
ナオト Naoto
Reward: $1980
Triple Battle
  Klink Lv.33
No item
  Unfezant
Male
Lv.33
No item
  Sandslash Lv.33
No item
Route 7
 
Lass Flo
ミサト Misato
Reward: $528
Triple Battle
  Ducklett Lv.33
No item
  Unfezant
Male
Lv.33
No item
  Ducklett Lv.33
No item
Reversal Mountain
 
Battle Girl Chan
チャン Chan
Reward: $1184
Triple Battle
  Riolu Lv.37
No item
  Gurdurr Lv.37
No item
  Riolu Lv.37
No item
Route 14
 
Ace Trainer Junko
ショウコ Shōko
Reward: $2340
Triple Battle
  Gligar Lv.39
No item
  Lilligant Lv.39
No item
  Basculin
Red-Striped Form
Lv.39
No item
Route 13
 
Pokémon Ranger Dianne
ダイアナ Diana
Reward: $2340
Triple Battle
  Vibrava Lv.39
No item
  Larvesta Lv.39
No item
  Flareon Lv.39
No item
Village Bridge
 
Hoopster Nicolas
ビフ Biff
Reward: $4200
Triple Battle
  Magby Lv.42
No item
  Magmar Lv.42
No item
  Magby Lv.42
No item
 
Hoopster Derrick
マック Mac
Reward: $4200
Triple Battle
  Elekid Lv.42
No item
  Electabuzz Lv.42
No item
  Elekid Lv.42
No item
Opelucid Gym
 
Veteran Ron
ロン Long
Reward: $3520
  Fraxure Lv.44
No item
  Druddigon Lv.44
No item
  Axew Lv.44
No item
Twist Mountain outside
 
Veteran Carter
ヨシオ Yoshio
Reward: $5120
Triple Battle
  Tauros Lv.64
No item
  Crobat Lv.64
No item
  Carracosta Lv.64
No item
Route 8
 
Parasol Lady Tyra
ルイ Rui
Reward: $1920
Triple Battle
  Ludicolo Lv.60
No item
  Jolteon Lv.60
No item
  Castform Lv.60
No item
Route 3
 
School Kid Edgar
シュウヘイ Shūhei
Reward: $1220
Triple Battle
  Natu Lv.61
No item
  Xatu Lv.61
No item
  Fearow Lv.61
No item
Route 18
 
Veteran Gina
ミズホ Mizuho
Reward: $5440
Triple Battle
  Kingdra Lv.68
No item
  Skarmory Lv.68
No item
  Donphan 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: $1,984
  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: $1,984
  Shuckle Lv.31
No item
  Pidgeot Lv.31
No item
  Dugtrio Lv.31
No item
 
Owner Yannick
ヤニック Yannick
Reward: $4,960
  Zangoose Lv.31
No item
  Zangoose Lv.31
No item
  Zangoose Lv.31
No item
 
Chef Albern
アルベール Albert
Reward: $1,984
  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: $4,032
  Shieldon Lv.63
No item
  Wobbuffet Lv.63
No item
  Milotic Lv.63
No item
 
Garçon Morris
モリス Morris
Reward: $4,032
  Togekiss Lv.63
No item
  Floatzel Lv.63
No item
  Lucario Lv.63
No item
 
Waitress Paula
ポリーヌ Pauline
Reward: $4,032
  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: $4,680
  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: $4,680
  Scizor Lv.65
No item
  Hippowdon Lv.65
No item
  Gliscor Lv.65
No item
 
Furisode Girl Thalassa
サビー Savvy
Reward: $4,680
  Ludicolo Lv.65
No item
  Politoed Lv.65
No item
  Beartic Lv.65
No item
 
Furisode Girl Nerissa
ネータ Neta
Reward: $4,680
  Froslass Lv.65
No item
  Abomasnow Lv.65
No item
  Mamoswine Lv.65
No item
 
Owner Kazu
アガリ Agari
Reward: $10,400
  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 Food Court
 
Street Thug Alfredo
ゴモクロウ Gomokurō
Reward: $2,080
  Lickilicky Lv.65
  Wide Lens
  Lilligant Lv.65
  Choice Scarf
  Lickilicky Lv.65
  Wide Lens
 
Street Thug Barley
ツケロウ Tsukerō
Reward: $2,080
  Swoobat Lv.65
  Bright Powder
  Swoobat Lv.65
  Bright Powder
  Swoobat Lv.65
  Bright Powder
 
Street Thug Wellington
ソウジロウ Sōjirō
Reward: $2,080
  Krookodile Lv.65
  Sitrus Berry
  Arcanine Lv.65
  Sitrus Berry
  Scrafty Lv.65
  Sitrus Berry
 
Street Thug Bass
パコヒコ Pakohiko
Reward: $2,080
  Clefable Lv.65
  Metronome
  Clefable Lv.65
  Metronome
  Clefable Lv.65
  Metronome
 
Street Thug Soyer
ミソキチ Misokichi
Reward: $2,080
  Altaria Lv.65
  Salac Berry
  Tropius Lv.65
  Salac Berry
  Aerodactyl Lv.65
  Salac Berry
 
Street Thug Pitaha
ワンタン Wonton
Reward: $2,080
  Whimsicott Lv.65
  Wide Lens
  Whimsicott Lv.65
  Wide Lens
  Whimsicott Lv.65
  Wide Lens
 
Street Thug Rice
キシノシン Kishinoshin
Reward: $2,080
  Ditto Lv.65
  Iron Ball
  Ditto Lv.65
  Iron Ball
  Ditto Lv.65
  Iron Ball
 
Fare Prince Trencherman
ストマック Stomach
Reward: $6,000
  Lucario Lv.75
  King's Rock
  Togekiss Lv.75
  King's Rock
  Lucario Lv.75
  King's Rock
 
Black Belt Banting
パンクレアス Pancreas
Reward: $2,080
  Nidoking Lv.65
  Life Orb
  Aggron Lv.65
  Life Orb
  Rampardos Lv.65
  Life Orb
Battle Maison


In spin-off games

Pokémon Battrio

Triple Battling as a mechanic was introduced in Pokémon Battrio, an arcade game using three Pokémon pucks on each side.

In the anime

 
Ash and Dawn's Triple Battle
 
A Triple Battle in the anime

In Chim - Charred!, Ash and Dawn were seen battling with three Pokémon on each side during a training session, although this wasn't an official Triple Battle. The battle took place so Ash could practice with his Pokémon for their upcoming Gym battle at the Pastoria Gym, and Ash was shown using his Pikachu, Turtwig, and Buizel while Dawn used Ash's Staravia and Chimchar and her own Piplup. Both Trainers were able to command the three Pokémon at once with relative ease.

The first official Triple Battle was seen in A Maractus Musical!, where Ash battled Toby's three Maractus with his Pikachu, Tepig, and Snivy. Ash said it was his first time taking part in a Triple Battle.

In Got Meltan?, Ash and Kiawe had a Triple Battle while training at the Pokémon School, with Ash using Pikachu, Torracat, and Lycanroc, and Kiawe using Turtonator, Marowak, and Charizard.

In the manga

 
A Triple Battle in Pokémon Adventures

Be the Best! Pokémon B+W

In The Key to Triple Battles, Monta was shown in a Triple Battle with Cheren, using Snivy, Panpour, and Roggenrola against Cheren's Basculin, Tepig, and Pansage.

Pokémon Adventures

Black & White arc

In Black's First Trainer Battle, Black participated in a Triple Battle with a Hiker named Andy, using Brav, Musha, and Tep against Andy's Cottonee, Roggenrola, and Blitzle.

Trivia

In other languages

Language Title
  Danish Tripelkamp
  Finnish Kolmoisottelu
  French Combat Trio
  German Dreierkampf
  Italian Lotta in Triplo
  Korean 트리플배틀 Triple Battle
  Polish Potrójna Bitwa
  Portuguese Batalha Tripla
  Russian Битва три на три Bitva tri na tri
  Spanish Combate Triple
  Swedish Trippelstrid
  Thai ทริปเปิลแบทเทิล Triple Battle
  Vietnamese Trận đấu ba


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.