Getting started with Doubles

How a battle works

In Doubles, each player has two Pokémon on the field at the same time. You bring a team of 6 and, after seeing your opponent's team, pick 4 for that battle.

Moves that hit both opponents (like Rock Slide or Heat Wave) deal less damage to each target than they would to a single one: about 75%.

Protect

Protect blocks almost every attack for one turn. Use it to buy time, see what your opponent does, or wait for your partner to deal with a threat. Using it two turns in a row rarely works. Most Doubles sets run Protect.

Fake Out

It only works on the first turn the Pokémon is on the field. It moves before almost everything and makes the target flinch, so that opponent doesn't act that turn. It is the simplest way to stop a threat for a turn.

Speed control

Whoever moves first usually wins the exchange. There are three common ways to change the order:

• Tailwind doubles your team's Speed for 4 turns, counting the turn it is used.
• Trick Room reverses the order for 5 turns: slower Pokémon move first.
• Icy Wind and Electroweb hit both opponents and lower their Speed.

Redirection and Intimidate

Follow Me and Rage Powder draw single-target attacks to the user, protecting the partner while it sets up or attacks. Intimidate lowers both opponents' Attack when the Pokémon comes in.

Weather and terrain

Rain, sun, sand and snow, as well as terrains (Electric, Grassy, Psychic and Misty), change damage and activate abilities like Swift Swim or Sand Rush. A weather team needs a setter and Pokémon that use it; with only one of the two, the plan falls apart.

How ChampForge helps

• In the builder, the team analysis shows the game plans you have (weather, Trick Room, Tailwind) and warns when you are missing Protect, speed control or an answer to a type.
• Speed tiers show who is faster in the current regulation.
• The damage calculator tells you how many hits you need to take down each threat.