basic strategies

First topic message reminder :

this is a simple collection of basics that will help you understand battling terminology, moveset design, and general battle tactics


EV's: these are effort values. each pokemon may have a total 510 of them legally, and are accumulated through either battling specific pokemon to gain those EV's, using vitamins (protien, iron, etc.), or simply typing them into a pokegenerator of your choice. they matter a great deal when deciding your pokemon's best stats to boost.

Example: alakazam is most prominent in sp. atk and speed, so boosting both to max would be beneficial. it would then be considered a special sweeper.

another strategy would be to boost the stats that arent prominent, to leave a more well-rounded pokemon.

Example: blissey has massive sp. def and HP, but terrible def, so putting half in def, and half in HP, it allows blissey to take a few physical hits. this allows it to still remain a wall when facing either special or physical threats.

another strategy would be to spread out the stats, giving total coverage in defenses or both attacks.

Example: infernape may want to be used as a mixed sweeper (using physical and special attacks) so, putting 252 in speed, putting 182 attack and 72 sp. atk allows it to punch hard with either special or physical attacks, while remaining fast.


IV's: "individual values" that are put on each stat. they have a maximum value of 31, and when generating pokemon, the only reason to change the values is to change the power and typing of hidden power, which is usually not a huge issue, but there will be a specific thread with every 70 power hidden power with every typing accounted for


natures: these strongly affect your pokemon's stats, and are a huge issue when deciding your final pokemon. here are a few commonly seen:

adamant: attack+, sp. attack-
modest: sp. attack+, attack-
bold: defense+, attack-
impish: defense+, sp. attack-
calm: sp. defense+, attack-
careful: sp. defense+, sp. attack-


some simple terminology:

sweeper: fast and strong. "sweeps up" teams.

tank: bulky, usually slow, and powerful. lots of HP and attack usually.

wall: something with huge defenses to either sp. def or def. can take a hit almost indefinitely from one or the other.

double wall: something with massive defenses on either end, and can take a hit from generally anything.

support/cleric: something that is used to power up, defend, or heal your team.


here are a few common attack combos that you may see in the field

1. substitute+focus punch: this allows for a 150 powered punch that is guaranteed to land! just watch out for cloyster and cinccino!!! their ability skill link will be explained later!

2. skill link+(any move that strikes up to 5 times): this is the reason cinccino and cloyster are good. this abilitie forces all attacks that can hit 5 times to always hit 5 times. they have base 125 attacks because of this ability. its rediculously strong.

3. trick+holding choice scarf: this ruins teams that rely on setting up. in fact, it generally ruins any of the opponent's pokemon!

4. the ability prankster: this ability is in itself a combo. it allows you to always go first. period. it makes sableye OU. need anything else to know about it? well... it not only allows for instant recovery before they can attack, it also allows for speedy will-o-wisps, leech seeds, cotton guard, nasty plot, calm mind, and many, many more!

5. amnesia/acid armor+baton pass: some teams are completely built around this combo. it allows for great entry defense of anything you want sent in that lacks the defense in the boosted stat. 2 acid armors to blissey will leave it unstoppable.

6. rapid spin after boosting on a lead: this works especially well with hitmontop and claydol. it means, while a foretress uses toxic spikes, stealth rocks, and spikes, you are setting up bulk up or calm mind, then when it is about to use explosion, use rapid spin. all that hard work, just to be taken down, and with huge attacking stats on your side.

7. sturdy+cutsap berry: this allows for cheap boosting when done right. you may have used stealth rock with golem, and you think you might want to ruin their lead. simply let them attack, then use explosion. they go down, and you have rocks up! good show

these are just a few basic strategies that will help you on your way to achieving pokemon mastery!

feel free to post any strategies you might have below

BH why would you ever give conk F sash? Lefties or flame orb that's it.

idk i dnt use him lol

Toxic stall died with Gliscor. These are pretty gimmicky strategies to be honest. Going over the basic playstyles and how they play (stall, semi-stall, balances, and hyper offense), might be more effective.

this isn't for direct-to advanced battling... this is the basics and some ideas for the entry level people kirb.

lets go fking crazy

um... sure?