A WORD OF WISDOM
Having a good attitude: getting better isn’t just about gathering strong Pokemon. If you keep losing, you might be making some wrong decisions during the battle or in your team-building process. This guide covers very important basics about PvP that will help you improve or simply remind you of a few things. Experiment and keep it up! Individual value (IV) and Effort value (EV) are extremely important. Click here for an in-depth guide on IVs and EVs.
PRIORITY MOVES
A priority move changes the order of the Pokemon that moves first regardless of their speed (unless both use a priority move of the same tier, then the fastest Pokemon moves first).
Here is a list of the moves by tier:
- +7: Pursuit (against a switching Pokemon)
- +6: Switching a Pokemon
- +5: Helping hand
- +4: Detect, Magic Coat, Protect (and similar moves), Snatch
- +3: Endure, Fake Out, Follow Me, Quick Guard, Rage Powder, Wide Guard
- +2: Extreme Speed, Feint
- +1: Aqua Jet, Bullet Punch, Mach Punch, Sucker Punch, Ice Shard, Shadow Sneak, Vacuum Wave, Quick Attack, Bide, Ally Switch
- 0: All the other moves
- -1: Vital Throw
- -2: None
- -3: Focus Punch
- -4: Avalanche, Revenge
- -5: Counter, Mirror Coat
- -6: Circle Throw, Dragon Tail, Roar, Whirlwind (phasing moves)
- -7: Trick Room, Wonder Room, Magic Room
STATUS CONDITION
Status Conditions are elements that affect the battling ability of a Pokemon. There are 5 kinds of Status Conditions that can affect a Pokemon, these can be beneficial or non-beneficial as the case maybe.
Burn
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It halves the Pokemon’s physical attack stat (reduces it by 50%) while doing 1/16 (6.25%) damage at the end of every turn.
- Fire-type Pokemon and Pokemon with the ability “water veil” can not be burnt.
- Pokemon with the ability “Guts” do not get their attack stat halved instead they gain a 50% boost to their attack stat.
Freeze
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It is a Status Condition that completely immobilizes the Pokemon. There is a 1/5 (20%) chance that the Pokemon will thaw out in the next move that it makes.
- Any damaging Fire-type move used on the Pokemon will thaw it out immediately.
- Pokemon can not be frozen during Sunny Weather.
- Pokemon can thaw out using the move Scald or Steam Eruption.
Paralysis
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A status condition that reduces the Pokemon’s speed stat by half (50%) and 1/4 (25%) chance of immobilizing it for the turn.
- Electric-type Pokemon can not be affected by paralysis.
- Pokemon with the ability “Limber” can not be paralyzed.
- Pokemon with the ability “Quick Feet” are not affected by the speed drop instead they gain a 50% boost to their speed stat.
Poison
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There are two types of Poisoning.
Poisoned:- A Pokemon that is affected by the status receives 1/8 (12.5%) damage at the end of each turn.
Badly Poisoned:- A Pokemon affected by this status will receive 1/16th (6.25%) damage at the end of the first turn adding 1/16 (6.25%) damage at the end of every subsequent turn (1/16, 2/16, 3/16, 4/16 and so on..)
- Poison-Type and Steel-Type Pokemon cannot be inflicted with Poison, however pokemon with the ability “Corrosion” can directly inflict Poison and Steel-Type Pokemon with Poison.
Sleep
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This Status Condition prevents the affected Pokemon from making a move for 1-3 turns (1/3 chance of waking up each turn)
- Sleep inflicted by using the move “Rest” always lasts for 2 turns.
- The moves Snore and Sleep Talk can be used only while the Pokemon is asleep.
- Pokemon with the ability “Insomnia” cannot be put to sleep.
The above status conditions are Non-Volatile Status Conditions, One status cannot overwrite another unless
- The pokemon uses rest, in which case any status other than sleep gets overwritten to sleep condition.
However, There are some volatile status conditions that take effect in conjunction with other status effects, 2 of the most common such status are
CONFUSION
This Status causes the Pokemon to not execute its move 1/3 (33%) times while affected and instead damage itself during the turn
- The Damage Received will be calculated on the basis of the Attack (physical) stat of the Pokemon and a neutral 40BP move
- It lasts for 2-4 turns and Sleep, Flinch and Freeze do not reduce the count
- Life Orb recoil is not inflicted and the move hits irrespective of Wonder Guard and Technician
INFATUATION
Infatuation prevents the Pokemon from making a move 1/2 (50%) of the time
- It can be affected only by the opposite gender of Pokemon and the effect lasts only until both the Inflictor and Inflicted Pokemon are active in Battle
- Pokemon with No Gender and the ability ‘Oblivious’ are not affected
- Infatuation does not affect the Move’s PP
Many more Volatile Status conditions exist such as Curse, Perish Song, Nightmare, Encore…. etc
SUPPORT FROM STATUS
WAYS TO PREVENT/REMOVE STATUS CONDITIONS
- Aromatherapy (Move)
- Heal Bell (Move)
- Healer (Ability)
- Lunar Dance (Move)
- Psycho Shift (Move)
- Refresh (Move)
- Rest (Move)
- Safeguard (Move)
- Misty Terrain
- Leaf Guard (Ability)
ENTRY HAZARDS
Entry hazards are moves that affect a Pokemon switching into the side of the field where hazards are applied. Pokemon PvP is very technical and often requires many switches which means hazards can be extremely harmful. They are both useful for offensive teams trying to get an OHKO and more defensive teams aiming to win with residual damage.
Stealth Rock
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The Most commonly used hazards in Competitive Singles, it deals damage to Pokemon switching into the field. The Damage is based off the switching in pokemon’s resistance to Rock type moves.
On switch-in, It deals :
- 1/32 (3.125%) damage to pokemon that take resist rock 4 times.
- 1/16 (6.25%) damage to pokemon that resist rock 2 times.
- 1/8 (12.5%) damage to pokemon neutral to rock type moves.
- 1/4 (25%) damage to pokemon that take 2x super effective damage from rock type moves.
- 1/2 (50%) damage to pokemon that take 4x super effective damage from rock type moves.
Spikes
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Spikes can be stacked up to 3 layers, The damage upon switch in is 1/8 (12.5%) for one layer, 1/6 (16.67%) for 2 layers and 1/4 (25%) for 3 layers.
- The damage will affect only “grounded’ pokemon, i.e, Flying type pokemon and Pokemon with the ability “Levitate” will not be affected by spikes.
Toxic Spikes
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Toxic Spikes can be stacked up to 2 times, Upon switch in Pokemon will be affected with the “Poisoned” status on one layer of Tspikes and “Badly Poisoned” Status on 2 Layers of Toxic spikes.
- Tspikes affect only “grounded” pokemon, i.e, Flying type Pokemon and Pokemon with the abulity “Levitate” will not be affected.
- A Grounded poison type Pokemon will remove all layers of Tspikes on its side of the field upon switch in.
Sticky Webs
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Sticky Webs reduce The Speed stat of the pokemon switching in by one stage (0.67x).
- Sticky Webs affect only “grounded” pokemon, i.e, Flying type Pokemon and Pokemon with the ability “Levitate” will not be affected.
WAYS TO PREVENT/REMOVE HAZARDS
Rapid Spin
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A Normal Type damaging move that removes the hazards on the user’s side of the field.
- Using Rapid spin on a Ghost-Type Pokemon will not remove the hazards.
- If the Pokemon faints while using rapid spin due to recoil damage from Rocky Helmet or the “Iron Barbs”/”Rough Skin” ability the hazards will not be removed.
taunt
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It is a status move that prevents opposing pokemon from using Status moves for 3 turns. Since moves that induce entry hazards are classified into status moves, Taunt prevents the use of Hazards.
- Pokemon with the Ability Oblivious and Pokemon under the effect of Aroma Veil cannot be Taunted
- Pokemon holding a Mental Herb can prevent being taunted once.
Defog
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A flying type Status move that removes hazards on both sides of the field and removes screens on the opposing field.
- It is classified as a status move so it can be prevented via “Taunt”.
- The move also reduces the opposing Pokemon’s Evasion by one stage.
magic bounce
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It is an ability that reflects status moves against the opponent, since moves that induce entry hazards are classified into status moves the hazards will reflect back on the opposing field.
- Pokemon with the “Mold Breaker” ability will bypass Magic Bounce to set up hazards.
magic coat
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Magic coat is a Psychic Type Priority move (+4) that reflects back all status moves at the opponent for the remainder of the turn. Since moves that induce entry hazards are classified into status moves the hazards will reflect back on the opposing field.
SCREENS
Moves that reduce direct damage from the opponent for a set amount of turns {5 to 8 turns} there are 3 types of screens.
reflect
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A psychic type move that reduces physical damage from the opponent by 50% for 5 turns.
Pokemon holding the item light clay can increase reflect upto 8 turns.
light screen
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A psychic type move that reduces special damage from the opponent by 50% for 5 turns.
Pokemon holding the item light clay can increase light screen upto 8 turns.
aurora veil
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An ice type move that reduces both physical and special damage from the opponent by 50% for 5 turns.
Pokemon holding the item light clay can increase aurora veil upto 8 turns.
- Aurora veil can only be activated during a hailstorm.
MOVES THAT REMOVE SCREENS
- Defog
- Brick Break
- Psychic Fangs
Pokemon with the ability “Infiltrator” bypass dual screens to deal damage.
SETUP AND HAZE
Pokemon can boost their Stats using “Setup Moves” to Clean up sweep the opposing team.
Examples of some setup Moves are:
- Swords Dance (Boosts the Attack Stat by 2 stages)
- Nasty Plot (Boosts the Special Attack Stat by 2 Stages)
- Calm Mind (Boosts the Special Attack and Special Defense stage by 1 stage each)
- Bulk Up (Boosts the Attack and Defense Stat by 1 stage each)
- Quiver Dance (Boosts the Special Attack, Special Defense and Speed by 1 stage each)
Hazing is a way to Prevent Setup Sweep from the opposition
- “Haze” is an Ice-Type status move that removes all the stat boosts of the opposing Pokemon.
- “Clear Smog” is a Damaging Poison Type Move that removes all stat boosts of the opposing Pokemon, However it does not affect Pokemon behind a Substitute.
PHASING
Moves that force out the opponent from the field (also removes stat changes). Phasing is an effective tactic to cripple opposing foes with entry hazards as well.
- Dragon Tail (Dragon Type Damaging move)
- Whirlwind
- Roar (Sound Based Move, doesn’t affect Pokemon with “Soundproof” ability)
- Circle Throw (Fighting type Damaging move)
All these moves have a Negative Priority of -6 so they will almost always be moving last
PLAYING AROUND WEATHER
Weather is a very significant element of PvP. It can drastically affect battles with Boosts and Nerfs to Pokemon with Specific Types and Abilities changing the course of the game. There are 4 Kinds of Weather in the Metagame, Let’s take a look at them….
Sun
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The Power of Fire-Type moves is increased by 50% and Water-Type moves are decreased by 50% during harsh sunlight. Sun can be set by a Pokemon with the “Drought” ability or the use of the move “Sunny Day” for 5 turns, It can be extended to 8 turns by holding the “Heat Rock” item.
- Pokemon with the ability “Chlorophyll” double their speed stat
- Pokemon with the ability “Solar Power” get a 50% boost in their moves while receiving 1/8 (12.5%) damage at the end of each turn
- Pokemon with the ability “Dry Skin” lose 1/8 (12.5%) of their health each turn
- Pokemon cannot be frozen during harsh Sunlight
- Thunder and Hurricane have their accuracy reduced to 50%
- SolarBeam and Solar Blade are used Instantly without charging up
- Synthesis/Moonlight/Morning Sun recover 2/3 (66.7%) of health
- Pokemon with the ability Leaf Guard cannot be affected by status
SANd
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Damages Non Steel/Rock/Ground types by 1/16 (6.25%) at the end of each turn. Sand can be set by a Pokemon with the “Sand Stream” ability or the use of the move “Sandstorm” for 5 turns, It can be extended to 8 turns by holding the “Smooth Rock” item.
- The Special Defense Stat of all Rock Type Pokemon is increased by 50%
- Pokemon with the ability “Sand Rush” double their speed stat
- Pokemon with the ability Sand Force gain a 30% boost to Steel/Rock/Ground type moves
- Pokemon with the ability “Sand Veil” get an evasion boost (Opposing moves’ accuracy is decreased by 20%)
- Pokemon with the abilities Sand Rush, Sand Force, Sand Veil, Overcoat and Magic Guard are immune to Sand damage
- Pokemon holding Safety Goggles are immune to Sand damage
- Synthesis/Morning Sun/Moonlight recover only 1/4 (25%) of health
- Shore Up recovers 2/3 (66.7%) of health
- Solar Beam and Solar Blade have their damage reduced by 50%
Rain
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The Power of Water Type moves is increased by 50% and Fire Type moves are decreased by 50% under the rain. Rain can be set by a Pokemon with the “Drizzle” ability or the use of the move “Rain Dance” for 5 turns, It can be extended to 8 turns by holding the “Damp Rock” item.
- Pokemon with the ability “Swift Swim” double their speed stat
- Pokemon with the ability “Dry Skin” and “Rain Dish” recover 1/8 (12.5%) and 1/16 (6.25%) of their health each turn respectively and Pokemon with the ability “Hydration” cure their status condition at the end of the turn.
- SolarBeam and SolarBlade have their damage reduced by 50%
- Synthesis/Morning Sun/ Moonlight recovers only 1/4 (25%) of the Pokemon’s health
- The Moves Hurricane and Thunder do not miss.
HAIL
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Damages all Non Ice type Pokemon by 1/16 (6.25%) of health at the end of each turn. Hail can be set by a Pokemon with the “Snow Warning” ability or the use of the move “Hail” for 5 turns, It can be extended to 8 turns by holding the “Icy Rock” item.
- Pokemon with the ability “Slush Rush” double their speed stat
- Pokemon with the ability “Ice Body” recover 1/16 (6.25%) each turn
- Pokemon with the ability “Snow Cloak” get an evasion boost (Opposing moves’ accuracy is decreased by 20%)
- Solar Beam and Solar Blade have their damage reduced by 50%
- Pokemon with the abilities Slush Rush, Snow Cloak, Overcoat and Magic Guard are immune to Hail damage
- Pokemon holding Safety Goggles are immune to Hail damage
- Synthesis/Morning Sun/Moonlight recover only 1/4 (25%) of health
- Aurora Veil can be used
- Blizzard does not miss
RELEVANT RESOURCES
POKEMON DB
A very detailed pokedex that allows you to look up the attributes of a Pokemon, his abilities, and his potential moves. You can also verify what you need to learn a move (Egg, Tutor, Relearner, TMs).
POKEMON DAMAGE CALCULATOR
It becomes very crucial in the team-building process to understand the outcomes of certain matchups or how much damage X Pokemon would take if it hard switches into Y. It’s also quite useful to prepare your EVs.
SMOGON
A good website to get an idea of what a Pokemon can do. P1 has its meta because of the difference in the availability of both Pokemon and items so do not always copy-paste and try to figure out what your team needs in the current meta.
Rules
PVP Rules: 1. Do not contact your opponent during or after a PvP battle just to taunt them, this is strictly prohibited. Insulting will give you a ban.
2. PvP Rules Intentionally queuing against a user to aid yourself or another user in the form of Rating, Token etc will be considered as Ranked Boosting and will be punished.
3. Alting on the Ladder is prohibited
4. Using false information or offering compensation to incite players to disconnect or draw in a Ranked Battle is prohibited and considered Illegitimate Rank Boosting.
5. Every match should be played out in a timely manner. Time-, PP-, Switch- or any type of stalling beyond reasonable usage is not allowed. Video evidence is required and without it we will not take actions.
• PP-stalling: Using moves to unnecessarily extend a match’s duration with no proper reasoning such as using healing moves instead of attacking • Switch-stalling: Switching your Pokémon around with no proper reasoning instead of attacking. • Time-stalling: Waiting until the last few seconds to make your move on every single turn, prolonging the match more necessary.
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