Pokémon battle: Difference between revisions

Pokémon battles appear in most forms of Pokémon media, being the central gameplay aspect of the [[core series]] games, as well as being a constant focus of the {{pkmn|anime}}. Originally, a Pokémon battle would be a one-on-one fight between two Pokémon; however, variations on this model have been seen later on in the series, with Pokémon battles featuring multiple Pokémon on each side later being implemented in the games as well.

==In the games==

In the games, the main battle screen will have four options: Fight, Bag, Pokémon, and Run. Depending on which of these is selected, a different menu will appear, or the battle may end. These same four options will appear no matter what kind of battle the player is in, be it with a wild Pokémon, an NPC, or another player via link battle. Battles are conducted in a turn-based manner. The Pokémon to take action first is determined by the [[priority]] of their action, then the {{status|Speed}} of the Pokémon.

===Fight===

Once both sides have selected the moves they will use, the Pokémon currently in battle will make each of their moves in turn, with the Pokémon with the highest {{stat|Speed}} stat going first, and the one with the lowest Speed stat going last, unless {{m|Trick Room}} has been used, in which case the slowest Pokémon will go first. Depending on the moves used, items held by individual Pokémon, and [[status condition]]s, this progression may be altered, with moves like {{m|Quick Attack}} having an increased [[priority]] and items like the [[Iron Ball]] slowing down the Pokémon that holds it.

As each Pokémon makes its move, a Pokémon may [[fainting|faint]] if its {{stat|HP}} reaches 0. If this occurs, another Pokémon must be switched in to replace it in battle for the battle to continue. This switch occurs before the turn ends in Generations {{Gen|I}}, {{Gen|II}}, and {{Gen|III}}, but after the end of the turn in [[Generation IV]], resulting in a slightly different strategy for Double Battles between Generation III and Generation IV.

===Bag===

{{main|Bag}}

If "Bag" is selected, it will bring up the contents of the player's Bag on screen. In Generation I, this command is instead "Item", and in Generation II, it is "Pack". In Generations {{gen|I}}, {{gen|II}}, and {{gen|III}}, the Bag menu that is brought up is the same as that in the overworld, with all of a player's items able to be selected (though many cannot be used). Since [[Generation IV]], the games instead feature a separate menu for in-battle use that categorizes the items that the player has depending on their use. If an item is selected to be used, this will take place before any Pokémon makes its move, and the player's Pokémon will not be able to make a move. The Bag selection is sometimes disabled, most notably in link battles and during [[Battle Frontier]] competitions.

===Pokémon===

{{main|Party}}

===Run===

==In the anime==

In the anime, the progression of battle is slightly different. An expansion on the games' concept, the anime's battles are more free-flowing than those in the games, with opposing Trainers being able to block and evade moves in different and more creative ways than the games allow for, invent their own moves as combinations of other moves, and so on. Several concepts that later became standard in the games were developed in the anime, such as the {{a|Lightning Rod}} Ability and Double Battles.

Battles in the anime often feature a limit to the amount of Pokémon that can be used: Trainers rarely are allowed to use their full party of six, and must instead choose which members they will use. Most Gym Leaders and other elite Trainers will not switch their Pokémon when challenged, as well, but will allow the challenger to do so.

==Battle variants==

[[File:ORAS Prerelease Youngster.png|thumb|250px|Trainer battle]]

There are several variants on a standard Pokémon battle, in which one Pokémon is sent out against an opponent's Pokémon. These differences are mostly in the number of Trainers and Pokémon involved in the battle at one time.

===Double Battle===

{{main|Double Battle}}

A Double Battle is initiated when two Pokémon, rather than one, are sent out per side. Introduced in the games in [[Generation III]], possibly to take advantage of the [[Game Boy Advance]]'s ability to interact with more than one other game via [[Game Link Cable]], Double Battles can alter a player's strategy by a lot, now having to evade twice the moves and make twice the decisions per turn.

Several moves change when used in Double Battles. While most will target one of the two Pokémon, selectable after the move itself is chosen, some target both opponent Pokémon, both opponents and the partner, the user and its partner, or all Pokémon in the battle. Abilities may have an effect in Double Battles that is very nearly useless in Single Battles, such as {{a|Plus}}, which requires another Pokémon in play to activate.

===Triple Battle===

{{main|Triple Battle}}

Triple Battles were introduced as a core series element in {{game|Black and White|s}}. Triple Battles as a mechanic debuted in [[Pokémon Battrio]]. Unlike Double Battles, the positioning of the Pokémon in-battle will be important as the Pokémon on the left will be unable to target the Pokémon on the right and vice-versa, while the Pokémon in the middle is free to attack any other Pokémon in play, making it the prime attacking position. Also, moves like {{m|Hurricane}} and {{m|Acrobatics}} can damage any of the three Pokémon, or all of them.  

The Pokémon on the left and right have the option to 'move'. This option allows the user to switch with the Pokémon currently in the middle. Moving has no priority and none of the effects of switching apply to moving. A Pokémon can move even if it is the last Pokémon on its team. When there are only two Pokémon left on the field and they are non-adjacent to each other, then both Pokémon will automatically be moved to the center of the field.

===Rotation Battle===

{{main|Rotation Battle}}

Rotation Battles were introduced as a core series element in {{game|Black and White|s}}. A Rotation Battle consists of three Pokémon (similar to a Triple Battle); however, only one Pokémon can attack at a time. Rotating Pokémon is a free action, meaning both players may switch and attack in the same turn.  

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 condition]]s like {{status|confusion}} and {{status|bad poison}}, or reset Ability counters like {{a|Slow Start}}. 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 {{a|Flower Gift}} will only activate if the user is active. Also status damage is not received while a Pokémon is inactive.

===Horde Encounter===

===Inverse Battle===

{{main|Inverse Battle}}

{{Battle}}<br>

{{Training}}

[[Category:Terminology]]

[[Category:Game mechanics]]

[[de:Kampf]]

[[ja:バトル]]

[[pl:Bitwa Pokémon]]