Appendix:Metagame terminology: Difference between revisions

The '''Pokémon metagame''' has a wide range of '''fanmade terminology''' for various aspects of the games. These are colloquial terms originating from unofficial sources, and are not found within the games themselves.  

When properties of a Pokémon's stats, [[move]]pool, or [[Ability]] are changed between games to become more viable. For instance, in Generation VII, {{p|Pelipper}} and {{p|Torkoal}} has the access of Ability {{a|Drizzle}} and {{a|Drought}}, respectively.

A team-building and battling strategy intended to overwhelm the opponent by forcing switches and occasionally getting a strong hit. Such teams usually make use of [[#Volt-Turn|Volt-Turn]] cores and [[#Pivot|Pivots]].

Refers to measures taken to limiting {{m|Baton Pass}}. This potentially includes limiting a team to only one Pokémon with the move, preventing boosts in {{stat|Speed}} from being passed alongside boosts in other stats, or banning the move altogether.

Refers to a ban on moves that raise {{stat|evasion}} (such as {{m|Double Team}}). Does not necessarily put a ban on moves that reduce {{stat|accuracy}} (such as {{m|Sand Attack}}) or moves/Abilities that merely have a possibility of raising evasion (such as {{m|Acupressure}}/{{a|Moody}}).

Entry hazard is any battlefield effect that affects the opposing Pokémon as they are sent in the battle.

A trait a Pokémon possesses if it has more than four equally or similarly viable unique options outside of {{STAB}} attacks. Also referred to as "4MSS".

An abbreviation for [[Ability#Hidden Abilities|Hidden Ability]], which is initially referred by fandom as "[[Pokémon Dream World|Dream World]] (DW) Ability".

Refers to the Pokémon {{p|Dragonite}}, {{p|Tyranitar}}, {{p|Salamence}}, {{p|Metagross}}, {{p|Garchomp}}, {{p|Hydreigon}}, {{p|Goodra}} and {{p|Kommo-o}}.

Refers to battling strategy involves the field effects that affect specific Pokémon in the battle, such as [[weather]], [[terrain]], {{m|Trick Room}}, or {{m|Gravity}}. "Auto Setter" refers to a Pokémon with the Ability that changes the [[weather]] or [[terrain]], as soon as a Pokémon with the said Ability enters the battle, without wasting a turn.

Refers to the [[Legendary Pokémon]] that generally permitted in the official competitive play. These Pokémon include {{p|Articuno}}, {{p|Zapdos}}, {{p|Moltres}}, {{p|Raikou}}, {{p|Entei}}, {{p|Suicune}}, {{p|Regirock}}, {{p|Regice}}, {{p|Registeel}}, {{p|Latias}}, {{p|Latios}}, {{p|Uxie}}, {{p|Mesprit}}, {{p|Azelf}}, {{p|Heatran}}, {{p|Regigigas}}, {{p|Cresselia}}, {{p|Cobalion}}, {{p|Terrakion}}, {{p|Virizion}}, {{p|Tornadus}}, {{p|Thundurus}}, {{p|Landorus}}, {{p|Tapu Koko}}, {{p|Tapu Lele}}, {{p|Tapu Bulu}}, and {{p|Tapu Fini}}<!--{{p|Type: Null}}, {{p|Silvally}}, {{p|Nihilego}}, {{p|Buzzwole}}, {{p|Pheromosa}}, {{p|Xurkitree}}, {{p|Celesteela}}, {{p|Kartana}}, and {{p|Guzzlord}}-->.

Refers to a Pokémon whose [[Ability]] is either {{a|Hyper Cutter}}, {{a|Clear Body}}, {{a|Defiant}}, or {{a|Competitive}} with the intended effect of preventing or exploiting the {{stat|Attack}} drop from a Pokémon with {{a|Intimidate}} Ability. Pokémon with Defiant Ability raises Attack to +1 and Pokémon with Competitive Ability raises Sp. Atk to +2 when Intimidate is affecting those Pokémon. [[Adrenaline Orb]] is sometimes used on the Pokémon with the aforementioned Ability to further raise its {{stat|Speed}} by 1 stage.

Refers to a Pokémon set that, due to its combination of {{stat|HP}} and {{stat|Defense}} and/or {{stat|Special Defense}}, takes a comparatively low percentage of damage from [[physical move]]s, [[special move]]s or both.

Refers to a Pokémon set that has an advantage over another Pokémon set such that it can easily defeat that other Pokémon or force it to [[recall|switch out]]. A check differs from a [[#Counter|counter]] in that a check cannot switch in then threaten the Pokémon.

Refers to a Pokémon set [[held item|holding]] the item [[Choice Band]], [[Choice Scarf]], or [[Choice Specs]]. Branched into numerous terms such as "Choiced", "Banded" "Scarfed", "Specced", "Choice", "Band", "Scarf", "Specs", "CB" <Pokémon>.

Refers to a Pokémon set that has an advantage over another Pokémon set such that it can [[recall|switch]] into an attack from that other Pokémon and easily defeat it or force it to switch out. A counter differs from a [[#Check|check]] in that a counter can switch into an attack and still threaten the Pokémon.

Refers to a Pokémon that is knocked out as part of the course of action chosen by its Trainer in the given battle situation. Also referred to as "Death Fodder".

Refers to the [[Double Battle]] combination of one or more ({{t|Flying}}/{{a|Levitate|Levitating}} {{type|Electric}}) Pokémon sets that include {{m|Discharge}} with one or more ({{type|Ground}}) Pokémon sets that include {{m|Earthquake}}, and the resulting defensive and offensive type synergy.

Refers to a Pokémon set that includes the moves {{m|Light Screen}} and {{m|Reflect}}.

Refers to a Pokémon set with high {{stat|Attack}} and/or {{stat|Special Attack}} but low stats in {{stat|HP}} and {{stat|Defense}}/{{stat|Special Defense}}.

Refers to a Pokémon set that specifically used to remove [[#Entry hazard|entry hazard]]s on the user's battlefield, usually by using {{m|Rapid Spin}} (often referred to as a "Spinner") or {{m|Defog}} (often referred to as a "Defogger"). Defog's ability to remove entry hazards from the user's side was introduced in [[Generation VI]].

Refers to a Pokémon species that due to its [[statistic|stats]], [[type]](s), [[Ability]], and [[move]]pool, merits usage without much regard to the team it is put on, being capable of doing good on most teams as a stand-alone Pokémon.

Refers to a Pokémon that is switched in to be knocked out for the benefit of the party. Can be used in a wide range of applications, which include from using a disadvantaged Pokémon to indirectly damage an opponent through [[recoil]] or [[Life Orb]] damage (which will be higher if the Pokemon sacrificed has more HP than the main attacker), stall for a turn against a badly {{status|poison}}ed opponent, switch into battle to allow a [[#Choice user|Choiced]] ally to switch moves, or use their [[Ability]] such as {{a|Intimidate}} to lower the opponent's Attack which would otherwise sweep the party.

A Pokémon that immediately threatens [[#Staller|stall]] not for breaking down walls, rather for preventing the Pokémon found on those teams from executing their standard strategies, thus hindering or entirely shutting down the defensive team. Typically includes the move {{m|Taunt}} and a type combination that results in one or more immunities to the status conditions frequently employed by stall teams.

In Generation VII, the chance for a {{status|confusion|confused}} Pokémon to hit itself was reduced from 50% to 33%. Players speculate that this was changed to make this strategy less unfair.

Refers to a Pokémon set that, due to its combination of {{stat|HP}} and {{stat|Defense}} and/or {{stat|Special Defense}}, takes a comparatively low percentage of damage from [[physical move]]s or [[special move]]s or both, while at the same time posing a threat in the form of damage-dealing moves backed by a comparatively high {{stat|Attack}} or {{stat|Special Attack}} stat. Is similar to a [[#Wall|wall]].

Refers to a Pokémon set that, due to its combination of {{stat|HP}} and {{stat|Defense}} and/or {{stat|Special Defense}}, takes a comparatively low percentage of damage from [[physical move]]s or [[special move]]s or both. Commonly branched into the categories physical wall, special wall, and mixed wall, depending on its stats. Is similar to a [[#Tank|tank]] and a [[#Staller|staller]].

Refers to a Pokémon set that includes the move {{m|Fly}}/{{m|Bounce}} and held item {{DL|Z-Crystal|Flyinium Z}}, allowing to perform [[Z-Move]] {{m|Supersonic Skystrike}} in a turn. This set is typically used by offensive {{type|Flying}} Pokémon that lack reliable and powerful Flying-type attacks.

Refers to a Pokémon set that includes the move {{m|Solar Beam}} and held item {{DL|Z-Crystal|Grassium Z}}, allowing to perform [[Z-Move]] {{m|Bloom Doom}} in a turn. This set is typically used by offensive {{type|Fire}} Pokémon to knock out the opposing {{type|Water}} Pokémon, and countering {{t|Ground}} and {{type|Rock}} Pokémon.

Refers to a defensive {{p|Talonflame}} set that includes the move {{m|Brave Bird}}, {{m|Roost}}, {{m|Tailwind}}, and the Ability {{a|Gale Wings}}, intended for use in [[Generation VI]] as sweeper or supporter. This set allows Talonflame to move first due to its [[priority]] {{type|Flying}} moves backed by its naturally high Speed, which caused the downfall of many Pokémon that weak to {{t|Fire}}/{{type|Flying}} coverage. It has fallen out of favor since Generation VII, as Gale Wings Ability can be only activated when the user's HP is full.

Refers to a bulky {{p|Garchomp}} set that includes the [[#Hax|hax]] item {{DL|In-battle effect item|Bright Powder}} and the Ability {{a|Sand Veil}}, which further raises its {{stat|evasion}} in the {{weather|sandstorm}}.

This setup requires Riolu to use the move Copycat with +1 [[priority]] after using Roar in the previous turn, which calls a move Roar that force the opponent's Pokémon to be sent back. Repeating this process, it wear down the opposing team due to the entry hazards.

Refers to a {{p|Kingdra}} set that includes the Ability {{a|Sniper}}, the move {{m|Focus Energy}}, and the held item [[Scope Lens]]. Due to the change of increased [[critical hit]] rate in Generation VI, the combination of Scope Lens and Focus Energy results a guaranteed critical hit, which also further boost the power due to the Ability Sniper.

They were prohibited in VGC since Generation VI due to the lack of [[origin marking]]. Shiny Suicune with Sheer Cold was the most popular one and quite used in the online tournaments. However, Suicune can learn Sheer Cold by leveling up starting in Generation VII.

Refers to a {{p|Snorlax}} set that includes the moves {{m|Curse}} and {{m|Rest}}, which was commonly used in Generation II metagame and {{cat|Generation I Pokémon|Kanto Classic}} [[Pokémon Global Link|online competition]].

Refers to a {{p|Snorlax}} set that includes the [[Ability]] {{a|Gluttony}}, the move {{m|Belly Drum}} and holding a pinch berry such as the [[Aguav Berry]]. Intended to use Belly Drum to max out its attack stat, followed by using a combination of the pinch berry and Gluttony so it uses the berry earlier at 50% HP instead of 25% to restore back its previously lost HP.

Refers to a {{p|Heatran}} set that includes the special [[move]] {{m|Eruption}}. This Heatran always has a Quiet [[nature]] (+Sp. Atk/-Speed) and can be only obtained by transferring special Heatran from [[Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs]]. Commonly paired with {{m|Trick Room}} {{p|Cresselia}} in Generation IV and V VGC, but was prohibited in VGC since Generation VI due to the lack of [[origin marking]].

Refers to a {{p|Ninjask}} that has been [[cheating|hacked]] to have the Ability {{a|No Guard}} and the move {{m|Sheer Cold}}, intended to be used in the {{cat|battle areas|battle facilities}} due to being the fastest non-[[Mythical Pokémon]] in the game.

Refers to a {{p|Walrein}} appearing in numerous {{cat|battle areas|battle facilities}} that includes [[one-hit knockout move]]s {{m|Sheer Cold}} and {{m|Fissure}}. In the [[Battle Frontier (Generation III)|Battle Frontier]] of {{game|Emerald}}, it is also holding a [[Quick Claw]].

Refers to a {{p|Garchomp}} set that includes the [[held item]] [[Choice Scarf]]. It is featured in several {{cat|battle areas|battle facilities}} found in the games.

Refers to a {{p|Breloom}} set that includes the [[held item]] [[Choice Scarf]]/[[Focus Sash]] and the [[move]]s {{m|Spore}} and three other attacking moves such as {{m|Bullet Seed}}, {{m|Mach Punch}}, and {{m|Rock Tomb}}.

Refers to {{p|Magnezone}} or {{p|Magneton}} with the Ability {{a|Magnet Pull}}, which is used to [[#Trapper|trap]] the opposing {{type|Steel}} Pokémon.

Refers to {{p|Durant}} set includes the Ability {{a|Truant}} and the move {{m|Entrainment}}. As the opponent in several {{cat|battle areas|battle facilities}} switches only under very specific circumstances, this strategy allows the player to switch another Pokémon, use {{m|Protect}} when being attacked, and attack/set up when the opponent's Pokémon is loafing due to the Ability Truant transferred via Entrainment.

Refers to a Suicune with {{m|Scald}}, {{m|Calm Mind}}, {{m|Substitute}}, and {{m|Protect}}, intended for PP stalling opposing Pokémon.

Refers to the leading Pokémon set that knows {{m|Sticky Web}}, an [[#Entry hazard|entry hazard]] move that intended to slow down the opponent's team. Examples include {{a|Sturdy}} {{p|Shuckle}} with [[Mental Herb]] and [[Focus Sash]] {{p|Smeargle}}.

Refers to a {{p|Deoxys}} Defense Forme with {{m|Spikes}}/{{m|Stealth Rock}} holding a [[Red Card]] and a {{a|Defiant}} {{p|Bisharp}} being present in a team in a Single Battle. This team is used to punish the opposing [[#Hazard remover|hazard remover]], especially a {{m|Defog}}ger, by using the opponent's Defog on Bisharp, which activates Bisharp's Defiant Ability and raises its Attack by 2 stages.  

Refers to the core of {{type|Dragon}} sweeper (such as {{p|Latios}}, {{p|Garchomp}}, {{p|Hydreigon}}, and {{p|Salamence}}) and {{a|Magnet Pull}} {{p|Magnezone}} with {{type|Fire}} {{m|Hidden Power}} being used together as an offensive core in a Single Battle, which allows a Dragon-type Pokémon to spam the powerful Dragon-type attacks such as {{m|Outrage}} and {{m|Draco Meteor}} without being countered by {{type|Steel}} Pokémon. Has fallen out of favor in Generation VII due to the introduction of the {{t|Fairy}} type.

Refers to a team with a {{p|Tapu Koko}} and a {{a|Unburden}} {{p|Hawlucha}} holding an [[Electric Seed]]. This allows Tapu Koko to wallbreak while Hawlucha cleans late-game. Frequently found on rain teams.