Inverse Battle

An Inverse Battle (Japanese: さかさバトル Reverse Battle) is a Pokémon battle in the Generation VI core series games that were introduced in Pokémon X and Y. During an Inverse Battle, type matchups are reversed and no type is immune to any other type.

Dynamic Punch hitting a Gourgeist in an Inverse Battle

Availability

Inverse Battles are only available in the Generation VI games. They are only available in a very limited number of locations:

Additionally, some Battle Spot events in these games used Inverse Battle rules.

Mechanics

Any type that would be resistant or immune to another type is now weak to that type instead; also, any type that would be weak to another type is now resistant to that type instead. The Ring Target has no effect in this type of battle, as it is applied after type effectiveness is reversed; because there are no immunities due to type in Inverse Battles, it has no effect.

Stealth Rock is also affected, so Pokémon take damage based on their weakness or resistance to Rock under the inverse type chart. Thunder Wave can affect Ground-type Pokémon. Strong winds cause Bug-, Fighting-, Grass-, and Ground-type moves to deal neutral damage to Flying-type Pokémon. Inverse Battles do not affect Abilities that alter type effectiveness; for example, a Pokémon with Lightning Rod will remain immune to Electric-type moves.

Freeze-Dry will always count as a super effective hit against Water-type Pokémon, even if its type is changed. Thousand Arrows hits Flying-type Pokémon super effectively. Flying-type Pokémon are still immune to Spikes, Toxic Spikes, and Sticky Web unless grounded (and dual-type Poison/Flying Pokémon cannot remove Toxic Spikes unless grounded).

Type chart

× Defending type
Normal Fighting Flying Poison Ground Rock Bug Ghost Steel Fire Water Grass Electric Psychic Ice Dragon Dark Fairy
Attacking type
Normal
Fighting ½× ½× ½× ½× ½×
Flying ½× ½× ½×
Poison ½× ½×
Ground ½× ½× ½× ½× ½×
Rock ½× ½× ½× ½×
Bug ½× ½× ½×
Ghost ½× ½×
Steel ½× ½× ½×
Fire ½× ½× ½× ½×
Water ½× ½× ½×
Grass ½× ½× ½×
Electric ½× ½×
Psychic ½× ½×
Ice ½× ½× ½× ½×
Dragon ½×
Dark ½× ½×
Fairy ½× ½× ½×
These matchups are suitable for Generation VI.

Trivia

  • While it has not been featured as a battle variant after the Generation VI games, the Festival Plaza mission in the Alola-based Generation VII core series games, titled "Inverse type matchup tests!", uses Inverse Battle type matchups.

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 反轉對戰 Fáanjyun Deuijin
Mandarin 反轉對戰 / 反转对战 Fǎnzhuǎn Duìzhàn
France Flag.png French Combat Inversé
Germany Flag.png German Umkehrkampf
Italy Flag.png Italian Lotta Inversa
South Korea Flag.png Korean 거꾸로배틀 Geokkuro Battle
Spain Flag.png Spanish Combate Inverso

Related articles

Pokémon battle variations
Double BattleMulti BattleTriple BattleRotation BattleHorde EncounterSOS BattleSupport PlayMax Raid BattleFull Battle
Contest BattleLauncher BattleSky BattleInverse BattleBattle RoyalDynamax AdventureAuto BattleTera Raid BattleScripted battle
Battle modes
Project Games logo.png This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.