List of Competitive Battle Terms and Explanation

Competitive Pokemon can be complicated to understand at times. Read on to learn all about Competitive Battling Terms in Gen 9 such as Pivot or Revenge Killer, and their explanations for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (SV)!

List of Terms

Pokemon Roles

Abuser	Attacker	Back
Cleric	Defense	Lead
Offense	Pivot	Revenge Killer
Sweeper	Stall	Support
Tank	Utility	Wallbreaker

Abuser

Abusers are Pokemon who can take advantage of effects on the battlefield such as Weather, Terrain or Trick Room. Examples of Abusers are Golduck with Swift Swim in Rain, Houndstone with Sand Rush, and Hariyama with its low Speed stat in Trick Room.

Golduck Swift Swim

Houndstone Sand Rush

Hariyama Guts

Attacker

Attackers are Pokemon whose primary role is to deal offense to the opponents by way of using Moves. Attackers can either be Physical Attackers or Special Attackers. Examples of Attackers are Gyarados (Physical Attacker), Garchomp (Physical Attacker), and Hydreigon (Special Attacker).

Gyarados Intimidate

Garchomp Rough Skin

Hydreigon Levitate

Back

These are Pokemon who are chosen for battle, but are not chosen to be Leads.

Cleric

Clerics are Pokemon who can heal status conditions from itself and its team. Examples of Clerics are Blissey who can use Healing Wish to heal a teammates, and Vaporeon who has access to Wish.

Blissey Natural Cure

Vaporeon Water Absorb

Defense

Defense refers to the act of taking and mitigating damage. Defense is also being reactive and adjusting to the offense's pressure.

Lead

Leads are Pokemon who are chosen to be on the battlefield first. For Single Battles, one Pokemon is chosen as a Lead, while for Double Battles, two Pokemon are chosen as Leads.

Offense

Offense refers to the action of Attacking. The objective of Offense is to be proactive and pressure the Defense by putting them into disadvantageous situations.

Pivot

Pivots are Pokemon who are used for repositioning during a game. They are durable or fast because they want to immediately pressure and are commonly a way to save one of your Pokemon in a pinch.

An example of a Pivot is Arcanine, who can debuff opponents with Intimidate, threaten with Will-O-Wisp burns on physical attackers and threaten with damage with a powerful STAB move. Scizor, who has an excellent defensive typing with a lone weakness to Fire can come in and set up a Swords Dance.

Arcanine Intimidate

Scizor Technician

Revenge Killer

Revenge Killers are Pokemon who want to safely switch in after a teammate has been knocked out and threaten with knock outs of its own. An example of a revenge killer is Noivern, who can come in after a teammate has fainted and immediately pressure with a powerful Draco Meteor. Another example is Gardevoir, who despite its middling Speed stat, can threaten huge damage or blazing speed if equipped with Choice Specs or Choice Scarf.

Noivern Frisk

Gardevoir Trace

Sweeper

Sweepers are Pokemon who specialize in offense. They usually have access to moves that can boost their offense.

Sweepers are Pokémon with strong offensive potential, being able to defeat most (or all) the remaining Pokémon after boosting its stats, thus being set-up sweepers, like Xerneas after using Geomancy, or once the game approaches the end (lategame scenario).

Stall

Stall is a strategy that depends on outlasting opponents with incremental damage. Pokemon that excel at Stall are Pokemon with great defenses and survivability, as well as access to recovery moves and items.

Chansey Natural Cure

Umbreon Synchronize

Support

Support's main objective is to help the team win a match in ways that are not direct damage. This may refer to Support Pokemon who may come with a toolbox of useful moves, or Support Moves which can assist the team.

For Single Battles, Hippowdon is a great Support Pokemon who can set up Entry Hazards with Stealth Rock, put opponents to sleep with Yawn, and force switches with Whirlwind. Sableye is a great support Pokemon for Double Battles with its Prankster Ability letting use its Support Moves like Quash, Will-O-Wisp as well as access to Fake Out.

Hippowdon Sand Stream

Sableye Prankster

Tank

Tank refers to Pokemon whose purpose are to take attacks but are not expected to deal consistent damage during a match like a dedicated Attacker. Examples of Tanks are Tyranitar, who is a Special Tank thanks to its Sand Stream Ability and Bronzong who has few weaknesses and an immunity to one of them (Levitate allows Bronzong to be unaffected by Ground-type attacks).

Tyranitar Sand Stream

Bronzong Levitate

Utility

Utility Pokemon are Pokemon who can perform a number of different tasks that benefit the team. This can sometimes come in the form of setting up or removing Entry Hazards or neutralizing specific threats.

Torkoal can set up Stealth Rock and remove hazards with Rapid Spin. Gengar can block Rapid Spin and be disruptive with Taunt and Will-O-Wisp.

Torkoal Drought

Weavile Pressure

Wallbreaker

Wallbreakers are offensive Pokemon who are meant to break their opponents' defenses rather than being Sweepers themselves. These Pokemon usually have especially powerful offensive stats.

Azumarill's Huge Power makes it very difficult to wall effectively, while Tyranitar can be an unpredictable Mixed Attacker with its usual slew of Physical moves and a surprise addition of Fire Blast to use on Steel-types.

Damage boosting items such as Choice Band, Choice Specs and Life Orb make these Pokemon difficult to defend against.

Azumarill Huge Power

Tyranitar Sand Stream

Battle Terms

Balance	Boltbeam	Buff
Chestorest	Core	Check
Counter	Dual Screens	Entry Hazards
EV / IV	Fast Mode / Slow Mode	Flinching
Glass Cannon	Goodstuff	Hax
KO	Match Up	Movepool
Nature	Nerf	Outspeed
Paraflinch	Parafusion	Pinch Berry
Priority	Residual Damage	RNG
Roll	Spamming	Speed Creep
Speed Control	Speed Tie	Slot
STAB	Target	Tempo
Terrain	Weather	Wincon

Balance

Balance is a concept in games where one strategy is offset by proportional drawbacks to prevent overcentralization.

In the context of Pokemon Battles, Balance is a type of team that does not rely on any singular archetype, but has Pokemon that fulfill different roles.

Boltbeam

Refers to Ice/Electric coverage. Boltbeam is an amalgamation of Thunderbolt and Ice Beam.

Buff

Buffs refer to readjusting an existing game mechanic making it more powerful or more viable with game balance in mind.

In the context of Pokemon Battles, a buff usually refers an increase to a stat, like Dragon Dance buffs its user's Attack and Speed by 1 stage. Inversely, debuffs occur when a stat is reduced. An instance of a debuff is the debuff that Intimidate does to an opponent's Attack stat.

Chestorest

Refers to Chesto Berry and Rest. This combination allows a user to use its Chesto Berry to wake up from its Sleep condition, which is an effect of Rest.

Core

Core refers to a group of Pokemon that naturally have synergy together, where each Pokemon is covered by its teammates offensively and defensively.

An example of an effective Core is Venusaur, Groudon and Charizard in Pokemon Sword and Shield VGC.

Another example is for Battle Spot Singles, where Dragapult, Excadrill and Togekiss form a Dragon-Steel-Fairy Core.

These Pokemon have natural synergy with each other, covering each other's weaknesses and amplifying each other's strengths.

Check

A Check is a Pokemon that can enter the field after a teammate has been knocked out or if an opponent used a non-attacking move, and force an opposing Pokemon to either switch out or get knocked out.

Counter

A Counter is a Pokemon that can safely enter the field at any time and cause an opponent to either switch out or get knocked out.

The difference between a Check and a Counter is that a Counter can enter the battlefield and immediately pressure opposing Pokemon, while a Check needs to first safely enter the field.

Dual Screens

Dual Screens refers to the combination of Reflect and Light Screen taking up slots in a Pokemon's moveset. Grimmsnarl for instance, is known for its Dual Screens.

Entry Hazards

Entry Hazards are moves that are able to deal damage to Pokemon that switch in. These moves include Stealth Rock, Spikes, Toxic Spikes, and Sticky Web.

EV / IV

EVs, or Effort Values, are hidden values which add points to each of a Pokemon's six main stats (HP, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed). Pokemon acquire EVs naturally by battling other Pokemon throughout the game.

IV is an abbreviation for Individual Value, a hidden value which is combined with a Pokemon's Base Stats and EVs to calculate the Stats which are visible to players and used in battle.

Unlike EVs, IVs are determined randomly for each Pokemon, and are generally uncontrollable by the player. IVs are valued at 0 to 31 for each stat, where 0 is the worst number and 31 is the best number. Pokemon with high IVs in a stat will have a higher than normal value in that stat.

Pokemon's IVs are invisible by default, but in recent games, you can check your Pokemon's IVs by unlocking the Judge Function.

Fast Mode / Slow Mode

Teams may have fast and slow Pokemon together on the same team, allowing them to interchangeably adjust between Fast and Slow for better positioning in a match.

An example of a Core with Fast and Slow Modes is the Core of Venusaur, Torkoal, and Porygon-2. Venusaur accounts for the Core's Fast Mode thanks to its Chlorophyll Ability and Torkoal's Drought. The Core's Slow Mode consists of Torkoal and Porygon-2's Trick Room.

Flinching

Flinching is the effect of certain moves that render the defending Pokemon unable to move for a turn. Moves that cause flinching are Fake Out, Rock Slide and Air Slash.

Glass Cannon

Glass Cannon refers to a Pokemon which can contribute to a team offensively but not defensively. These are Pokemon that boast high Offensive Stats and Speed but have poor to mediocre Defenses.

Examples of Glass Cannons are Accelgor, Gengar and Regieleki.

Goodstuff

Goodstuff is a term used to describe Pokemon in a team that are powerful by themselves and can function effectively and independently regardless of their team.

Hax

Hax is when an event with a low probability of happening happens, crucially affecting the outcome of a turn. It is a term used for when something luck-based influences the outcome of a turn or match.

Examples of this are when a Pokemon hurts itself in confusion, flinches from Rock Slide or full paralysis.

KO

KO or Knock Out refers to a Pokemon fainting when its HP reaches 0. OHKO or One-Hit KO refers to when a Pokemon faints from damage from a single move. Similarly, 2HKO stands for 2-Hit KO, where a Pokemon gets knocked out from two hits.

Match Up

The pairing of two opposite sides in a contest against each other. In the context of Pokemon, Magnezone is a good matchup against Vanilluxe because Vanilluxe lacks meaningful ways to damage it, while Magnezone can threaten it with a powerful Flash Cannon. Similarly, Vanilluxe has a bad matchup against Magnezone for the same reasons.

Movepool

Movepool refers to all the moves that a Pokemon can learn through level up, breeding, tutors or other means.

Nature

Natures are a mechanic that affects a Pokemon's growth, particularly two of its stats (Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense). Nature will increase the growth of one of the stats by 10%, while decreasing the growth of another by 10%

Nerf

Nerfs refer to readjusting an existing game mechanic making it less powerful.

Since the 7th Generation of games (Sun and Moon), paralysis reduced speed by 50% instead of 75% from previous games. This is an example of a nerf.

Outspeed

Outspeeding refers to when a Pokemon has a higher Speed Stat than another, allowing it to move first.

Paraflinch

Refers to paralysis and flinch. Paraflinch, an amalgamation of those two words may refer to continually flinching a paralyzed Pokemon, preventing it from using a move.

Parafusion

Refers to paralysis and confusion. Parafusion, an amalgamation of those two words may refer to a lock caused by two status conditions, preventing an opponent from using a move.

Pinch Berry

Pinch Berries are HP recovering or Stat-boosting Berries that activate when the holder's HP goes down to 25% or below. Examples of Pinch Berries are Figy Berry, Mago Berry and Salac Berry.

Priority

Priority is a property of moves that allow its user to use a move first. Moves have positive priority (like Quick Attack and Aqua Jet), and negative priority (like Circle Throw and Avalanche) which determine when the move comes out, regardless of speed.

Residual Damage

Residual Damage refers to the incremental damage that a Pokemon takes that is not caused by damage from an attack. Examples of Residual Damage include recoil damage, Status Conditions like poison or burn, or Entry Hazards.

RNG

RNG or Random Number Generator refers to a number chosen at random to fill a certain value. Numerous factors in Pokemon games are subject to RNG, such as Damage Rolls, full paralysis, hitting oneself in confusion. Even outside of Pokemon Battles, RNG is used to account for randomness or luck. An example of this are the IVs and Natures on a wild Pokemon.

Roll

Roll or Damage Roll refers to the number randomly chosen (through RNG) from a set range that determines how much damage a move will deal.

Spamming

Spam or Spamming refers to repeatedly using a move. A Garchomp player may spam Rock Slide because doing this has little or few drawbacks.

Speed Creep

Speed Creep is when a trainer adds more Speed EVs to outspeed specific Pokemon. An example would be if a player wants their Snorlax to outspeed other Snorlax. The trainer would take out some EVs from other stats and put it into Speed in order to achieve this. This is Speed Creeping.

Speed Control

Speed Control refers to Pokemon or moves that let a player control the Speeds of Pokemon on the field in ways that benefit the player. Examples of Moves that offer Speed Control are Electroweb, Icy Wind, Thunder Wave, Icy Wind, Scary Face and Trick Room.

Speed Tie

When two Pokemon have the same Speed Stat, this consitutes a Speed Tie.

In the occurence of a Speed Tie, the Pokemon who will get to attack first is determined randomly between the Speed Tied Pokemon.

Slot

Slot refers to either a Move Slot or a Pokemon Slot.

Teams are comprised of 6 Pokemon where each Pokemon accounts for 1 slot. A Pokemon has four slots for moves.

STAB

STAB is an abbreviation that stands for Same-Type Attack Bonus. When a Pokemon uses a move with a type that matches its own, it will deal 1.5x the normal amount of damage with that move.

Target

The Pokemon intended to receive an attack. Single Target moves only target one Pokemon, while Spread Moves hit both moves and occasionally a teammate.

Tempo

Tempo refers to how quickly a player can arrive at their wincon. Interrupting or slowing down an opponent's tempo can help one achieve victory.

To further explain tempo, landing a OHKO on an opposing Pokemon before they can attack is a tempo play because it swings the match greatly in your favor, and greatly reduces your opponent's chances at winning.

Terrain

Terrain is a set of mechanics that change the environment, affect stats, activate Abilities, and modifies Moves. The four main types of terrain are Grassy Terrain, Electric Terrain, Psychic Terrain and Misty Terrain.

Terrain lasts for 5 turns by default, if not altered by held items that prolong their effect.

Weather

Weather is a set of mechanics that change the environment, affect stats, activate Abilities, modifies Moves and even damage certain Pokemon. The four main types of weather are Sun, Rain, Sandstorm and Snow.

Weather lasts for 5 turns by default, if not altered by held items that prolong their effect.

Wincon

Wincon or Win Condition refers to a situation that a player needs in order to ensure victory.

Game Rules

Format	Metagame
Singles or Doubles	VGC

Format

Pokemon Battles are played in different ways and governed by rules and regulations applied to all players participating. These rules and regulations include legal Pokemon, legal movesets, time limits and the like. Single Battles have a different set of rules to Double Battles and so-on.

VGC formats are sometimes referred to as 'VGC xxxx', where xxxx is the year. (VGC 2020, VGC 2021, VGC 2022 and so-on.)

Some communities have set formats which have their own community-governed rules and regulations.

Metagame

A Metagame refers to the most commonly seen Pokemon in a format, oftentimes defining it. An example would be VGC 2020, Pokemon Sword and Shield's early metagame consisted of Excadrill, Tyranitar, Dragapult, Togekiss, Grimmsnarl and Duraludon.

Singles or Doubles

The two most common ways to play competitive Pokemon.

Single Battles will have a player send out a Pokemon to battle against another player's Pokemon in a 1-on-1 contest with teammates in the back. Double Battles would have players send out two Pokemon at a time. The player who has Pokemon remaining at the end of a contest is declared winner.

VGC

VGC, which stands for Video Game Championships is the official format for Pokemon Events. VGC battles are often played in Double Battles.

Related Guides

Learn Competitive Battling

Team Building Guides
Competitive Team Building for Singles Ranked Battle	Competitive Team Building for Doubles Ranked Battle
How to Build a Trick Room Team	How to Build a Weather Team
How to Build a Hyper Offense Team	Paradox Pokemon Builds for Competitive Battles and Tera Raids
Treasures of Ruin Builds for Competitive Battles and Tera Raids	HOME Transfer Pokemon Builds for Ranked Battle and Raids
Competitive Strategy Guides
Best Abilities for Competitive Battle	Best Held Items for Competitive Battle
When to Switch Pokemon	Team Preview: Which Pokemon to Choose?
How to Use Substitute in Competitive Battle	List of Competitive Terms
Battle Timer: Who Wins When Time Runs Out?	New DLC Competitive Cores and Matchups
VGC Tournament Results
VGC Tournament Results: 2023 Oceania International Championships	VGC Tournament Results: 2023 European International Championships
VGC Tournament Results: 2023 Portland Regional Championships	VGC Tournament Results: 2023 Hartford Regional Championships
VGC Tournament Results: 2023 Milwaukee Regional Championships	VGC Tournament Results: 2023 Fresno Regional Championships
VGC Tournament Results: 2023 Japan National Championships	Pokemon World Championships 2023