Appendix:Metagame terminology: Difference between revisions

It refers to the rules used in [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection|Wi-Fi]] battles by most competitive battlers. The rules include: No {{DL|Tier|Ubers}}, no [[cheating|hacks]], no [[One-hit knockout moves|OHKO moves]], [[#Sleep Clause|Sleep Clause]], [[#Evasion Clause|Evasion Clause]] and [[#Species Clause|Species Clause]].

Type coverage refers to combinations of attacks that are unresisted. Common combinations for coverage are "[[#BoltBeam|BoltBeam]]" (only resisted by a few Pokémon) which is {{m|Thunderbolt}} and {{m|Ice Beam}}, or any combination of {{type|Electric}} and {{type|Ice}} attacks. {{type|Ghost}}, {{type|Dark}}, {{type|Dragon}} and {{type|Fighting}} attacks have perfect coverage, due to the fact that Ghost- and Dragon-type moves together are all resisted by only Dark- and Steel-types (Dark-types resisting Ghost and Steel-types resisting both). Both of these types are defensively weak to Fighting-type moves, meaning at best, a dual-typed Steel or Dark Pokémon will be neutral to Fighting (at worst, 4× weak). Thus, all currently known Pokémon are at least neutral to these combinations.

Within competitive battling there are a number of categories that are used to describe a Pokémon's role within a team or battle:

A Pokémon used with the sole purpose of annoying the opponent and making it difficult for them to use their preferred strategy, the aim of which is to force an error. Another term used to describe a similar technique is a [[#Paraflincher|Paraflincher]]. Such Pokémon commonly have high Speed stats and/or high defensive stats, but low Attack stats: it is not uncommon for Annoyers to have no direct attack moves at all in their movesets.

Popular movesets for Annoyers include {{m|Confuse Ray}}, {{m|Glare}} and {{m|Hypnosis}}, and a common item to use is King's Rock, which increases the probability that an attack will cause the opponent to flinch. Popular choices of Annoyers are {{p|Dunsparce}}, {{p|Jirachi}} (with {{a|Serene Grace}}, {{m|Iron Head}}, {{m|Zen Headbutt}} and {{m|Thunder Wave}}), {{p|Togekiss}} (with {{a|Serene Grace}}, {{m|Air Slash}} and {{m|Thunder Wave}}) and {{p|Whimsicott}} (with {{a|Prankster}}, {{m|Leech Seed}}, {{m|Taunt}}, {{m|Toxic}} and {{m|Substitute}}).

It should be noted that since Generation {{Gen|III}}, the popularity of Annoyers has declined, because of the heavy reliance on chance ([[#Hax|Hax]]).

====Anti-Lead====

A Pokémon specially chosen to counter common [[#Leads|Leads]], an ''Anti-Lead'' may be carrying a [[Choice Scarf]] to outspeed the expected lead and then use a super-effective attack. An example of a common Anti-Lead is {{p|Weavile}}: it has a naturally high base Speed stat of 125, it can use {{m|Taunt}} to prevent entry hazards and it can also use a combination of {{DL|In-battle effect item|Focus Sash}} and {{m|Counter}} to KO opposing leads. {{p|Gengar}} is another common example, holding a Focus Sash with {{m|Counter}}, {{m|Destiny Bond}}, and {{m|Hypnosis}}. {{p|Forretress}} can also be considered an Anti-Lead, as it commonly carries {{m|Gyro Ball}} which is super-effective on popular leads such as Weavile and {{p|Aerodactyl}}. It can also deal with hazards set up by {{p|Aerodactyl}} with {{m|Rapid Spin}}, making it an effective [[#Spinner|Spinner]].

 

 

A Pokémon in the primary position in the team, an ''Attack Lead'' will commonly have high attacking and/or Speed stats. The aim is to inflict maximum damage on the enemy team before it can set up with stat boosts, weather effects and [[#Entry Hazards|entry hazards]].

A Pokémon with {{m|Baton Pass}} and at least one stat-boosting move such as {{m|Swords Dance}} or {{m|Agility}}. The ''Baton Passer'' raises one or more of its stats, then uses Baton Pass to hand the effects to another Pokémon in the party. A good example of a Baton Passer is {{p|Ninjask}}, whose Ability {{a|Speed Boost}} constantly increases its Speed stat. A Baton Passer often abuses the move {{m|Protect}} and may use Swords Dance and/or Substitute as well. Ninjask commonly carries Substitute and a [[Liechi Berry]] so that it can Baton Pass four Speed Boosts, a Leichi boost, and possibly a few Swords Dance boosts or a Substitute. The common counter to a Baton Passer is a [[#Hazer|Hazer]] or [[#Phazer|Phazer]], which eliminate stat boosts, thereby rendering the tactic useless. A Baton Passer could potentially counter Phazers by using {{m|Ingrain}}; however, only {{p|Smeargle}} can learn both of these moves through {{m|Sketch}}. Phazers that utilize {{m|Roar}} or {{m|Whirlwind}} can be evaded by Baton Passing to a Pokémon with {{a|Soundproof}}; however, they are also oblivious to the effects of moves such as {{m|Heal Bell}} and {{m|Perish Song}}. Multiple Baton Passers in one team can be used to create a [[#Baton Pass Chain|Baton Pass Chain]].

A combination of {{m|Thunderbolt}} and {{m|Ice Beam}} on the same set that is resisted only by {{p|Magnezone}}, {{a|Volt Absorb}} {{p|Lanturn}}, {{p|Shedinja}}, [[Form differences#Rotom|Frost and Heat]] {{p|Rotom}}, {{p|Seaking}} with {{a|Lightningrod}} and {{p|Mamoswine}} with {{a|Thick Fat}}. May also be used for any combination of {{t|Electric}}- and {{type|Ice}} moves, such as {{m|Thunderbolt}} and HP Ice.

 

[[Misty]] has a {{p|Starmie}} which knows Thunderbolt and Ice Beam in her {{2v2|HeartGold|SoulSilver}} [[rematch]] team, and in her [[Pokémon World Tournament]] [[Kanto Leaders Tournament]], [[Type Expert Tournament]], [[World Leaders Tournament]], and [[Gathered! Gym Leader! Tournament]] teams as her lead Pokémon. Also in her Kanto Leaders Tournament team, her {{p|Lapras}} knows both Thunderbolt and Ice Beam.

A Pokémon that has high {{stat|HP}}, {{stat|Defense}}, or {{stat|Special Defense}} [[stat]]s. {{type|Water}} Pokémon are known for often being Bulky, such as {{p|Vaporeon}}, {{p|Swampert}}, and {{p|Jellicent}}.

====Choice User====

This subsection refers to Pokémon that have a choice item—a group of hold items that affect in-battle move power or speed with the cost of being able to only use one move until removed from the field.

A Pokémon with a moveset that usually contains four powerful physical moves and wears the hold item {{DL|In-battle effect item|Choice Band}}. A Choice Bander usually serves either as a lead or a finisher, due to the sheer power it can dish out. Popular Choice Banders include {{p|Heracross}} and {{p|Terrakion}}.

=====Scarf Wearer=====

A Pokémon with a moveset that usually contains four powerful moves and wears the hold item [[Choice Scarf]]. A Scarf Wearer is usually a very powerful Pokémon with subpar speed compared to faster counter Pokémon that might outfight it, or is used on [[#Revenge Killer|Revenge Killers]]. Popular Scarf Wearers include {{p|Heracross}} and {{p|Keldeo}}.

=====Specs Wearer=====

A Pokémon with a moveset that usually contains four powerful special moves and wears the hold item {{DL|In-battle effect item|Choice Specs}}. Like a Choice Bander, a Specs Wearer will often lead off with powerful attacks or act as a finisher. Popular Specs Wearers include {{p|Hydreigon}} and {{p|Chandelure}}.

As the name suggests, a ''cleric'' is a Pokémon that utilizes {{m|Aromatherapy}} or {{m|Heal Bell}} to cure itself and its team members. Clerics are often partnered with {{m|Rest}} users, and are also an effective way to support an exclusively offensive Pokémon with little or no defensive capabilites. Since Aromatherapy only appears in the movesets of a number of {{type|Grass}} Pokémon and the {{p|Blissey}} and {{p|Clefable}} families, these three Pokémon are the most common clerics. Heal Bell, meanwhile, does not affect Pokémon with the Ability {{a|Soundproof}}.

A Pokémon that is able to successfully switch into an opposing Pokémon (and is subsequently able to defeat it) is commonly known as that Pokémon's counter.  For example, {{p|Gliscor}} is a counter to {{p|Heracross}}, since it resists Heracross's strongest attacks ({{m|Megahorn}} and {{m|Close Combat}}) and can defeat it easily with a {{type|Flying}} attack, such as {{m|Aerial Ace}}. Counters are one of the most important mechanics to consider when team-building, since the inclusion of a Pokémon-specific counter can severely affect that Pokémon's effectiveness.

Any Pokémon that makes use of {{m|Dragon Dance}}. Usually, a DDer is a fast physical [[#Sweeper|Sweeper]] such as {{p|Gyarados}}, {{p|Kingdra}}, {{p|Salamence}}. Other DDers tend to have a high {{stat|Attack}} stat and are [[#Bulky|bulky]] enough to take one or two hits, such as {{p|Dragonite}} and {{p|Haxorus}}.

A Decoy or Death Fodder is any Pokémon that is 'sacrificed' against a strong opponent. The aim is to weaken the opponent's Pokémon before the sacrificial Pokémon is knocked out, then switch to a stronger Pokémon, preferably one whose moveset has an advantage over the opponent (see [[#Revenge Killer|Revenge Killer]]). A Decoy is often used as a means of switching to a more suitable Pokémon without damaging it (see also: [[#Pivot|Pivot]]). A decoy can also be used to take the effect of abilities that lower stats, such as {{a|Intimidate}}.

A Pokémon with the combination of {{m|Light Screen}} and {{m|Reflect}} in its moveset, a ''Dual Screener'' is used primarily to improve the team's defenses. An effective counter to this method is to use the move {{m|Brick Break}}.  

A moveset designed to {{m|Endure}} down to one HP, then {{m|Reversal}} or {{m|Flail}} for massive damage, since Reversal and Flail have 200 base power at 1%-4% HP. The item held is often a [[Salac Berry]] or a [[Liechi Berry]], tying in with the previous strategy. Popular Endureversal include {{p|Feraligatr}}, {{p|Heracross}} and {{p|Dugtrio}}. This strategy is similar to the [[F.E.A.R]] strategy.

 

{{tc|Linebacker}} Bob found in the [[Big Stadium and Small Court|Big Stadium]] in {{2v2|Black|White}} has a {{p|Throh}} and a {{p|Hariyama}} which know Endure and Reversal.

A strategy involving a low-level Pokémon (such as {{p|Rattata}}) holding a {{DL|In-battle effect item|Focus Sash}} with the moves {{m|Endeavor}} and a damaging move with a priority greater than 0. It aims to catch the opponent off-guard when he or she sees the low-level Pokémon and attacks. The Focus Sash will activate, and the F.E.A.R. Pokémon, which will have 1 HP, will use Endeavor to attack, lowering the opponent's HP to 1. Then the F.E.A.R. Pokémon will use a priority move to finish off the opponent. Variations include using {{a|Sturdy}}{{tt|*|Generation V only}} instead of a Focus Sash.

====Glass Cannon====

A Pokémon that has extremely high offensive stats, which are contrasted with its poor defensive stats and often insufficient Speed (such as {{p|Sharpedo}} and {{p|Rampardos}}). A {{DL|In-battle effect item|Choice Scarf}} is often employed on such Pokémon to make up for their lack of sufficient Speed, but other {{DL|In-battle effect item|Choice items}} may also be used.

A Pokémon that has a moveset with {{m|Haze}} in it, a ''hazer'' is used to eliminate any stat boosts that the opponent has used. Much like a [[#Spiker|Spiker]], it can have any combination of moves; the only defining point is that it have the move Haze. Fast Pokémon and those with high defenses, such as {{p|Altaria}} and {{p|Articuno}}, make good Hazers.

The starting Pokémon of a team. In general, these Pokémon do at least one of two things: set up hazards or prevent the opponent from setting up hazards. Examples of Pokémon that do both are {{p|Aerodactyl}} (with {{m|Taunt}} and {{m|Stealth Rock}}), {{p|Forretress}} (with {{m|Rapid Spin}}, {{m|Spikes}}, {{m|Stealth Rock}} and {{m|Toxic Spikes}}) and {{p|Tentacruel}} (with {{m|Rapid Spin}} and {{m|Toxic Spikes}}). An example of Pokémon that only set up hazards is {{p|Heatran}} (with {{m|Stealth Rock}}). An example of a lead that only prevents hazards is {{p|Weavile}} (with {{m|Taunt}}).

A paraflincher is Pokémon with a moveset with a paralysis-inducing move to negate Speed, and a [[List of moves that cause flinching|flinch move]] such as  {{m|Bite}}, {{m|Headbutt}}, {{m|Rock Slide}}, or {{m|Extrasensory}}, or a Pokémon holding a [[King's Rock]]. It relies on chance to repeatedly flinch the foe until it faints. As an added bonus, the paralysis will kick in 25% of the time, giving the foe only a 52.5% chance to use their attack in the event a 30% flinch-chance attack is used. {{p|Dunsparce}} was the most feared flinchaxor in [[Generation III]], because its {{a|Serene Grace}} increases the flinch chance to 60% until the appearance of {{p|Togekiss}} in [[Generation IV]]. {{p|Jirachi}} can also do this with {{m|Zen Headbutt}} or {{m|Iron Head}}, Iron Head only available through a [[move tutor]].