Battling Pokemon is the dream of many Trainers. Who wouldn’t want to control a team of elemental beasts that clash against other creatures of colossal power?
The objective of all Pokemon Battles is to knock out the Pokemon on the other team. To do this, you must reduce the HP of the Pokemon to 0 by using attacks from your Pokemon. Each trainer can carry up to six Pokemon on their team. These Pokemon can be switched at any time during battle, but doing so will count as a turn.
The battle system is turn-based, meaning Pokemon Trainers get one turn each to use an attack, use an item, or switch Pokemon. Each Pokemon can learn a max of four attacks, and each attack has an elemental-type attached to it–as do the Pokemon.
If you lose a Pokemon Battle, you will be sent to the last Pokemon Center your team rested in. Your Pokemon will keep any increases in levels or new moves they may have learned during the previous battle, but if a Pokemon was about to evolve, they’ll have to wait until they reach the next level to evolve.
Attacks
To reduce a Pokemon’s HP, you must use certain attacks on a Pokemon. The battling system is based on the old school JRPG turn-based system. Both sides choose an attack and the Pokemon with the higher speed stat–or faster move–hits first. Each and every Pokemon can learn up to four moves at any given time. As a Pokemon levels up, they can learn new moves and replace one of the older four in their set.
Attacks are categorized as either physical, special, or status moves. Physical attacks use the attack stat and hit the defense stat. Special attacks use the special attack stat and his the special defense stat. Status moves change the status and stats of a Pokemon. More on that in the stats section.
Each Pokemon attack has PP, which is short for Power Points. PP is the amount of times a Pokemon can perform an attack. Each time they use an attack, they will lose one PP for that particular attack.
Some moves have a lot of PP, like Tackle’s 35 PP, but other moves may only have a total of 5 PP. If all four moves run out of Power Points during a Pokemon Battle, the Pokemon will use a special move called “Struggle.” Struggle is a type-less physical attack that damages the user a small amount each time they injure the opponent.
Items
In addition to attacks, Trainers can use items on Pokemon to help them out during battle. Not all items can be used in battle, but the ones that can might make or break a match. Items can be used to heal a Pokemon’s HP, restore a Pokemon’s status, or boost a Pokemon’s stats. Head to a Poke Mart to buy these items or find them while exploring Kanto.
Battle Variations
Most of the battles in Pokemon are direct one on one battles. However, from time to time you will fight two on two instead. In battles with four Pokemon, some attacks can be done to a Pokemon’s ally or to the opponent Pokemon. Obviously, you don’t want to perform any harmful attacks to your allies, but there are some moves that will affect all the Pokemon on the field. Think before you act!
Double Battles are straight up two vs two matches. These battles are pretty much like single battles, but with two Pokemon on the field.
Multi-Battles are similar to Double Battles, but two trainers will be on at least one side with their own Pokemon. If you defeat all the Pokemon of one trainer, only one Pokemon will be released as an opponent instead of two.
Example: Trainer A will use Pokemon A alongside Trainer B and Pokemon B. Trainer C will use Pokemon C alongside Trainer D and Pokemon D. The battle will be Pokemon A and B vs Pokemon C and D. Each trainer can have one to three Pokemon in their party. Alternatively, there might not be a trainer D to help your team, allowing you to carry six and the other two to carry three each.