A Triple Battle (Japanese: トリプルバトル Triple Battle) is a type of Pokémon battle featuring up to six Pokémon, with three Pokémon from each side battling at a time. It appears in the Generation V and VI games. It was introduced in Pokémon Black and White and was predominantly showcased in White.
As the name suggests, Triple Battles are a type of battle where each Trainer sends out three Pokémon at once. Due to this, they can be considered the successor to Double Battles, with the only difference seemingly being the number of Pokémon. However, there are some additional strategic factors that differentiate the Triple Battle from its predecessor other than the amount of Pokémon, such as the importance of placement.
In the core series games
When a Triple Battle begins, Pokémon will be sent out in order. The first Pokémon able to battle in the party becomes the leftmost Pokémon on the field, the second becomes the center Pokémon, and the third becomes the Pokémon on the far right.
In Generation V, on the player's side, the HP bar and the numerical amount of HP are not displayed at the same time; which of the two is displayed can be toggled by pressing the Start button. In Generation VI, the element showing the Pokémon's status is shown side to side, and is shown normally with both the numeric HP and bar.
Placement
The placement of the Pokémon is a major attribute of Triple Battles, as a Pokémon's positioning affects how certain moves and Abilities work. Generally, Pokémon on the left side of the field cannot target any Pokémon on the right side (including allies), and vice versa. This also means a Pokémon in the center is free to hit any Pokémon on the field, but at the cost of being vulnerable to every other Pokémon.
There are some moves, however, that allow non-adjacent Pokémon to attack each other.
Shifting
- Shift redirects here. For bringing Pokémon back into their Poké Ball to send out another Pokémon, see Recall.
The Pokémon on the left and right have the option to "shift". This option allows the user to switch with the Pokémon currently in the middle. Unlike switching, shifting has no priority, and none of the effects of switching (such as eliminating stat modifiers, volatile status conditions, and volatile battle statuses, triggering Abilities that activate upon exiting battle or triggering entry hazards) apply to shifting. Like switching, however, shifting consumes no PP or items. A Pokémon can move even if it is the last Pokémon on its team, as long as it is not in the center.
If a Pokémon is readying to use a move on a certain target, but is then shifted before using its move, its attack will fail if the target is then outside of its range. If a Pokémon targeted an ally with a move, but as a result of shifting, the Pokémon is now targeting itself when it would execute the move, the move will fail (even if the move is Acupressure).
If there are only two Pokémon left on the field and they are non-adjacent to each other, both Pokémon will automatically be shifted to the center of the field at the end of the turn.
Effect on moves
Most moves have the same effect in Triple Battles as with single and Double Battles, except that they can only affect adjacent Pokémon. Moves that hit both opponents or all Pokémon in Double Battles only affect adjacent Pokémon in Triple Battles. Moves that hit multiple Pokémon will have their damage reduced by 25%, unless there is only one target at the time the move is executed.
All single-target damage-dealing Flying-type moves, Flying Press, and all single-target aura and pulse moves can hit any Pokémon on the battlefield regardless of adjacency. This property is based on the original type of the move. As a consequence, moves being changed to the Flying type cannot target non-adjacent Pokémon, including Hidden Power. Similarly, a move that is originally Flying-type can target a non-adjacent Pokémon even if its type is changed by an effect.
The moves After You, Quash, Helping Hand, Ally Switch, Follow Me, Rage Powder, Aromatic Mist, and Hold Hands have no effect in Single Battles, but do in Triple Battles.
The moves Bide, Counter, Mirror Coat, Metal Burst, Destiny Bond, and Grudge all can be activated by, and attack, a non-adjacent opponent.
The move Flame Burst takes away 1/16 of the maximum HP of all adjacent allies of the target Pokémon. This damage is not treated as an attack.
The move Acupressure, while in a Triple Battle, can target an adjacent ally instead of the user.
The following moves act differently when used in a Triple Battle, as opposed to a Single or Double Battle.
Effect on Abilities
Most Abilities' effect remain the same and are not affected by the Pokémon's placement. For example, a Mold Breaker Pokémon on the left side of the field which used Water Pulse can still damage a Pokémon with Wonder Guard on the right side of the field. A Magic Bounce Pokémon can still reflect entry hazards even if the user of the entry hazard and itself are at opposite corners of the field, because entry hazards affect the entire team.
However, some Abilities are affected by a Pokémon's placement; for example, Intimidate will only lower the Attack of opposing, adjacent Pokémon on the field.
Locations
Pokémon Black
Pokémon White
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Pokémon Black 2 and White 2
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Pokémon X and Y
Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
In spin-off games
Pokémon Battrio
Triple Battling as a mechanic was introduced in Pokémon Battrio, an arcade game using three Pokémon pucks on each side.
In animation
Pokémon the Series
In The Battle Of The Badge, Jessie and James sent out three Pokémon at once to battle Ash at the Viridian Gym, making this the first unofficial Triple Battle in the animated series.
In Chim - Charred!, Ash and Dawn were seen battling with three Pokémon on each side during a training session, although this wasn't an official Triple Battle. The battle took place so Ash could practice with his Pokémon for their upcoming Gym battle at the Pastoria Gym, and Ash was shown using his Pikachu, Turtwig, and Buizel while Dawn used Ash's Staravia and Chimchar and her own Piplup. Both Trainers were able to command the three Pokémon at once with relative ease.
In A Maractus Musical!, the first official Triple Battle was seen, where Ash battled Toby's three Maractus with his Pikachu, Tepig, and Snivy. Ash said it was his first time taking part in a Triple Battle.
In Got Meltan?, Ash and Kiawe had a Triple Battle while training at the Pokémon School, with Ash using Pikachu, Torracat, and Lycanroc, and Kiawe using Turtonator, Marowak, and Charizard.
In the manga
Pokémon Adventures
In Black's First Trainer Battle, Black participated in a Triple Battle with a Hiker named Andy, using Brav, Musha, and Tep against Andy's Cottonee, Roggenrola, and Blitzle.
Be the Best! Pokémon B+W
In The Key to Triple Battles, Monta was shown in a Triple Battle with Cheren, using Snivy, Panpour, and Roggenrola against Cheren's Basculin, Tepig, and Pansage.
Trivia
In other languages
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