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Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (BDSP)

Double Battles Guide: Best Moves and Tips

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Pokemon BDSP Double Battles Guide

Use moves that attack both opponents in one turn during double battles in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (BDSP) for the Nintendo Switch. Read on to learn about the best moves for double battles and tips on how to earn more EXP.

List of Contents

Best Moves for Double Battles

Attack Both Opponents

It's best to use moves that attack both opponents in one turn. These moves are also good counters to redirection moves since it hits both Pokemon which mitigates its effect. Below are the opital moves that hit both opponents during Double Battles:

Move Type Power Strengths & Weaknesses
Blizzard Pokemon Ice Type Icon 120 ・May freeze the oppontents
・Base PP of 5
・75% accuracy
Earthquake Pokemon Ground Type Icon 100 ・Strong attack with good PP
・Deals damage to partner Pokemon that is touching the ground
Heat Wave Pokemon Fire Type Icon 100 ・May also burn the opponent
Muddy Water Pokemon Water Type Icon 95 ・May also lower opponent's accuracy
・85% accuracy
Hyper Voice Pokemon Normal Type Icon 90 ・No extra effect
Rock Slide Pokemon Rock Type Icon 75 ・May also cause opponent to flinch
Swift Pokemon Normal Type Icon 60 ・Never misses
Icy Wind Pokemon Ice Type Icon 55 ・Also lowers opponents' Speed stats
Air Cutter Pokemon Flying Type Icon 55 ・High critical-hit ratio
Razor Leaf Pokemon Grass Type Icon 55 ・High critical-hit ratio
・Commonly learned, Grass-type move
Twister Pokemon Dragon Type Icon 40 ・May also cause opponent to flinch

Non-Damaging Moves

There are moves that don't deal direct damage but are still viable and heavily effective for Double Battles. Below is the list of the best non-damaging moves to use:

Move Type Strengths & Weaknesses
Tailwind Pokemon Flying Type Icon ・Doubles the speed of your side's Pokemon for 3 turns.
Follow Me Pokemon Normal Type Icon ・All opponents aim only at the user of this move
・Can be used to distract opponents from weak Pokemon
Stealth Rock Pokemon Rock Type Icon ・Damage opponents that switch into battle
・Damage dealt is affected by type match-up against the Rock-type
Toxic Spikes Pokemon Poison Type Icon ・Poison opponents that switch into battle
・Doesn't affect Flying, Steel, or Poison-types
Spikes Pokemon Ground Type Icon ・Damage opponents that switch into battle
・Doesn't affect Flying-type Pokemon or Pokemon with Levitate ability

Double Battle Tips

Focus on 1 Opponent First

If you're playing at a type disadvantage, you should focus on getting rid of 1 opponent first. Having 2 Pokemon deal damage to 1 opposing Pokemon in 1 round is sure to beat it and remove it from play. It's best to dispatch the Pokemon that outmaches you.

More EXP From Double Wild Encounters

Pokemon BDSP Double Battle Partner

When you partner up with an NPC in areas with wild Pokemon, you will battle 2 Pokemon during the wild Pokemon encounters. It's faster to farm EXP during this time, since you'll be battling and earning EXP from 2 Pokemon per wild encounter.

Additionally, your partner will restore your Pokemon's HP and PP after every wild Pokemon encounter, so there's no need to break from EXP farming to visit a Pokemon Center.

NPC Partner Heals and Fights Alongside You

Pokemon BDSP Double Battle

During the main storyline, you'll encounter double battles where you'll be partnered up with an NPC (such as your rival, the Professor's assistant, etc.). When this happens, you'll only be able to control 1 Pokemon on your side, even when your partner's Pokemon faints.

If you Double Battle with an NPC partner, you'll have your party of up to 6 Pokemon + their Pokemon (usually 1, except in the case of your rival, who has a full party as well).

It's acceptable to let NPC Pokemon faint

It's generally okay to let your NPC partner faint, as their Pokemon is fully restored for the next battle and its moveset isn't extremely helpful anyway.

Such as in the case of Riley, most of the Pokemon in Iron Island are weak to the Ground attack Earthquake, which damages all players on the field. It would be acceptable to let Riley's Lucario (who is also weak to Earthquake) faint in order to swiftly end the battle.

Double Battle Partners

Partner Location Pokemon Pokemon's Moves
Cheryl Eterna Forest Pokemon BDSP ChanseyChansey
(Lv. 15)		 ・Sweet Kiss
・Disarming Voice
・Tail Whip
・Life Dew
Mira Wayward Cave Pokemon BDSP KadabraKadabra
(Lv. 18)		 ・Kinesis
・Psybeam
・Reflect
・Ally Switch
Riley Iron Island Pokemon BDSP LucarioLucario
(Lv. 34)		 ・Screech
・Force Palm
・Metal Claw
・Laser Focus
Post-Game Only
Marley Victory Road Pokemon BDSP ArcanineArcanine
(Lv. 57)		 ・Burn Up
・Helping Hand
・Leer
・Howl
Buck Stark Mountain Pokemon BDSP ClaydolClaydol
(Lv. 58)		 ・Ancient Power
・Cosmic Power
・Extrasensory
・Earth Power

Pokemon BDSP Related Guides

Beginner Partial

Beginner's Tips and Tricks

Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Tips and Tricks

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Post Game Content and 100 Percent Guide How to Use the Poke Radar
How to Unlock the National Dex Ramanas Park Guide
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How to Get Mysterious Shards Ribbon Syndicate Guide
How to Get Trainer Card Stars When Do Legendaries Respawn?
How to Complete the National Dex -
Beginner's Guides
Best Team Best Starter Pokemon
How to Trade Locally and Online Pokemon by Route: Best Pokemon to Catch
How to Have Pokemon Follow You and Walk With Pokemon How to Get Money Fast
Groups Guide: How to Join and Create Character Creation and Customization
Pokemon Allowed in Amity Square Guide and Map Daily and Weekly Events Guide
How to Battle Online How to Evolve Pokemon
Type Chart Language Settings
How to Add Friends How to Catch Pokemon: Best Pokemon for Catching
List of Settings and Best Settings What Happens When You Lose?
Should You Use TMs? -
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Move Reminder: How to Relearn Moves All Poketch App Locations
Move Tutor Locations and Move List All Honey Tree Locations and Pokemon
List of Clothes and Styles Missables and One-Time Events
All HM Locations (Hidden Moves) Pokemon Nursery Location
How to Change Clothes and Metronome Shop Location List of Ribbons
Useful Characters and Their Locations Poketch Clowns Locations
Move Deleter Location List of Stickers
All In-Game Trades Pokemon News Press Guide and All Poke Ball Rewards
Poke Mart Items List and Unlock Conditions -
Game Mechanics
Poffin Guide: How to Cook the Best Poffins Super Contest Show Guide
How to Use Stickers (Pokeball Seals) Fishing and How to Get Each Rod
How to Make Traded Pokemon Obey You How to Grow Berries
How to Use Ball Capsules How to Use Vs. Seeker
How to Use Itemfinder and Find Hidden Items Nature Chart and How to Check Natures
How to Change the Date and Time How to Change Nicknames
Jubilife TV Lottery Prizes and How to Win Massage Girl: How to Get Massages
How to Delete Save Data How to Get More PC Boxes
How to Access Pokemon Boxes on the Road How to Transfer Save Data
How to Use the PC and Boxes Can You Nickname Traded Pokemon?
How to Stop Evolution Characteristics Guide and Meaning
How to Save Your Game How to Release Pokemon
Is Fashion Case in the Game? How to Adjust Screen Size
How to Hide the Poketch Are There Accessories?
How to Farm Held Items Town Map
Advanced Tips and Tricks
How to Get All Starter Pokemon How to Do a Nuzlocke Challenge
How to Tell if a Pokemon is Shiny -
Pokemon Battles
How to Use STAB Effectively Double Battles Guide
All Status Conditions How to Escape and Run Away From Battle
How to Avoid Random Battles -

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