How to Build a Trick Room Team

This page explains everything you need to know about Trick Room teams in Pokemon Sword & Shield. Read on to learn what a Trick Room team is, what strategies to use with one, and what countermeasures to use against one.

What is a Trick Room Team?

Reversing the Move Order

First introduced in Generation IV, Trick Room reverses the move order in the battlefield. Under this effect, slower Pokemon move before normally faster Pokemon.

Although this move is considered a form of speed control, dedicated teams made up of slower Pokemon can take advantage of this unique battle effect to establish an offensive presence while also hindering the opposing team.

Trick Room Mechanics

Effect Duration

Trick Room lasts for 5 turns, but using the move counts as the first turn. In practice, Trick Room only lasts for 4 turns. Once the effect ends, the move order is restored and faster Pokemon will move before slower Pokemon.

Using the move when Trick Room is already set up instantly ends the effect, so it's important to take note how many turns of Trick Room your team has left.

Priority Bypasses Move Order

Moves that have increased priority will bypass the reversed move order in Trick Room. This includes increased priority moves such as Quick Attack and Extreme Speed, as well as Prankster-boosted status moves.

Trick Room Team Building

Trick Room Setters

Trick Room teams require at least two Pokemon that can set up the effect, with one filling the role of a lead and the other serving as backup.

Common trick room setters include:

Trick Room Leads

Pokemon	Description
Orbeetle	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Excellent mixed defenses and access to Recover make it a reliable Trick Room setter ・Can boost team defenses with Reflect and Light Screen
Reuniclus	Ranking: ★★★★☆ ・Calm Mind and access to Recover allow it to function as a late-game cleaner ・Can also function as a Physical Wall
Mimikyu	Ranking: ★★★☆☆ ・Can safely set up Trick Room thanks to its ability Disguise ・Higher than average base speed means it can be outsped by slower Pokemon once Trick Room is set up

Backup Setters

Pokemon	Description
Dusclops	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Boasts massive mixed defenses further boosted by Eviolite ・Has a wide support movepool that includes Will-o-Wisp, Haze, and Pain Split
Gothitelle	Ranking: ★★★★☆ ・Can trap opposing Pokemon with Shadow Tag ・Has a wide support movepool that includes Trick, Reflect, and Light Screen
Bronzong	Ranking: ★★★☆☆ ・Boasts excellent mixed defenses and a great dual typing ・Lack of reliable recovery means it can be taken down with repeated hits

Trick Room Sweepers

Fill your team with slower Pokemon that can take advantage of Trick Room's effects.

Common trick room sweepers include:

Physical Sweepers

Pokemon	Description
Copperajah	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Boasts a massive attack stat and excellent physical coverage moves, such as Heavy Slam, Heat Crash, and Earthquake ・Can Gigantamax and use G-Max Steelsurge to support the team
Scizor	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・An excellent user of Choice Band as well as serve as a set up sweeper with Swords Dance ・Technician boosts the power of moves such as Bug Bite, Bullet Punch, and Dual Wingbeat
Escavalier	Ranking: ★★★☆☆ ・A massive attack stat and excellent mixed defenses make it a great bulky sweeper under Trick Room ・Overcoat gives it immunity to residual Hail damage as well as powder moves, such as Spore and Rage Powder

Special Sweepers

Pokemon	Description
Hatterene	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・High special attack and excellent mixed defenses make it a great bulky sweeper under Trick Room ・Magic Bounce ability gives it immunity to many status moves and instead reflects it back ・Can Gigantamax and use G-Max Smite to support its team
Chandelure	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・A powerful wallbreaker under Trick Room thanks to its wide special movepool and massive Sp.Atk stat ・It's offensive presence forces switches, allowing it to fill a secondary role as a safe Trick Room setter
Galarian Slowbro	Ranking: ★★★★☆ ・Boasts a wide special movepool that includes moves such as Psychic, Sludge Bomb, Flamethrower, and Ice Beam ・Can also fill the role of a mixed attacker thanks to its great mixed attacking stats

How to Win with a Trick Room Team

Set Up Trick Room Early

Like other forms of speed control, Trick Room is most effective when it's set up at the very start of the battle so that you establish immediate offensive momentum for your team.

Using Trick Room early also hampers opposing teams, especially Hyper Offense teams that rely on fast sweepers.

Take Note of Turns

Since Trick Room only lasts for an effective 4 turns, it's important to take note of each turn so that you know when to use the move again.

How to Counter a Trick Room Team

Take Out the Trick Room Setter

The most effective way to counter Trick Room teams is to take out the lead setter as soon as possible. Focus your attacks on the opposing team's leads and setters once you identify them.

You can also Taunt the Trick Room setter, preventing them from using the move.

Stall Its Effects

Since Trick Room's duration is relatively short, you can also stall the effects with Protect or through a Dynamax Pokemon using Max Guard.

Related Links

All Competitive Battling Guides
Battle Formats
Basics of Competitive Singles Team Building	Basics of Competitive Doubles Team Building
Types of Teams
Offensive Teams	Defensive Teams
Weather Teams	Trick Room Teams
Monotype Teams	Doubles Teams