Priority Clash: What Happens When Pokémon Both Use Priority Moves?

In the thrilling world of Pokémon battles, timing is everything. Understanding move priority is crucial for mastering competitive play. So, what happens when two Pokémon simultaneously unleash priority moves? The answer is a combination of priority tiers and the classic Speed stat. If both moves are the same priority level, then the Pokémon with the higher Speed stat will go first. If one move has a higher priority than the other, the move with the higher priority will always go first, regardless of Speed.

Diving Deeper into Priority

Priority moves are attacks that override the standard turn order, allowing a Pokémon to strike before others, regardless of their Speed. Standard moves have a priority of 0. Priority moves have a priority level ranging from -7 to +5. Moves with higher priority execute before moves with lower priority.

The Speed Factor

When two moves share the same priority, the Speed stat becomes the deciding factor. The Pokémon with the higher Speed will launch its attack first. This adds another layer of complexity to battles, as trainers must consider both priority and Speed when constructing their teams and strategies. The only exception to this rule is a Speed Tie, where both Pokemon have similar speed values.

FAQs: Mastering Priority in Pokémon Battles

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further illuminate the intricacies of priority in Pokémon battles:

1. What exactly is move priority in Pokémon?

Move priority is a characteristic of moves that dictates when they will be performed in a turn. Moves with higher priority always go before moves with lower priority, regardless of the Pokémon’s Speed stat. Think of it as a queue jumper in the battle.

2. How many priority tiers are there?

Move priority ranges from -7 to +5. Moves like Trick Room have a very low priority (-7), ensuring they are almost always executed last. Moves like Quick Attack (+1) and Extreme Speed (+2) have higher priorities.

3. Which Pokémon have access to multiple priority moves?

Several Pokémon boast diverse arsenals of priority moves. Examples include:

• Lucario: Bullet Punch, Extreme Speed, Quick Attack, Vacuum Wave
• Scizor: Bullet Punch, Quick Attack
• Weavile: Ice Shard, Quick Attack
• Gallade: Shadow Sneak, Vacuum Wave
• Raticate: Sucker Punch, Quick Attack

4. What is the strongest priority move in the game?

Extreme Speed is generally considered the strongest priority move due to its high base power (80) and lack of drawbacks. Sucker Punch also boasts high power, but it only works if the target is using a damaging move.

5. What is Quick Guard, and how does it work against priority moves?

Quick Guard is a move that protects the user’s side of the field from most priority moves for a single turn. It effectively blocks incoming priority attacks like Aqua Jet or Extreme Speed, acting as a defensive countermeasure.

6. Does Trick Room affect move priority?

No, Trick Room does not affect move priority. It reverses the turn order based on Speed, but it doesn’t change the inherent priority of moves. Trick Room itself has a very low priority (-7).

7. How does the ability Prankster interact with priority?

The Prankster ability increases the priority of status moves by +1. This can be a game-changer, allowing Pokémon to inflict status conditions like paralysis or sleep before the opponent can react.

8. Is Quick Attack worth keeping on a Pokémon?

Quick Attack can be valuable, especially in situations where you need to secure a KO on a low-HP opponent before they can act. Its priority (+1) allows you to strike first.

9. Does the move Follow Me work on Ghost-type Pokémon?

Follow Me redirects single-target moves to the user. While Ghost-types are immune to Normal-type moves, Follow Me isn’t an attack itself. It changes the target of another move, which is not blocked by the Ghost typing.

10. How does Protect work against priority moves?

Protect shields the user from most attacks for a turn. It can be used to stall out turns or to avoid damage from powerful priority moves, provided the opponent is locked into using them.

11. If two Pokémon use Quick Attack, who goes first?

When two Pokémon use Quick Attack, the Pokémon with the higher Speed stat will attack first. Quick Attack is +1 priority, so in this case the Speed will break the tie.

12. What are some strategies for dealing with priority move spam?

Dealing with teams reliant on priority moves requires careful planning.

• Quick Guard: Protects your team from priority attacks for a turn.
• Taunt: Prevents the use of non-damaging moves, disrupting strategies that rely on setup or status effects.
• Faster Pokémon: Outspeeding your opponent can negate the advantage of slower priority moves.
• Bulky Pokémon: Pokémon with high HP and defensive stats can withstand priority attacks, giving you time to respond.

13. What’s the deal with Fake Out and its priority?

Fake Out has a priority of +3 and always goes first on the first turn a Pokemon is in battle. However, it only works on the first turn the user is on the field, and it flinches the opponent, preventing them from acting that turn. If both Pokemon use Fake Out, the faster Pokemon goes first.

14. Are there any moves that counter priority moves other than Quick Guard?

Besides Quick Guard, abilities like Dazzling, Queenly Majesty and Armor Tail prevent opponents from using priority moves. Moves like Imprison also prevent the opponent from using the same move as the user, which can shut down repetitive priority attacks if you predict it.

15. How does priority interact with abilities that change move type?

Abilities like Protean and Libero change the user’s type to match the move they are using. This change happens before the move is executed. If this ability is used with a priority move, the typing will change before the priority calculation, affecting type matchups but not the move’s inherent priority.

The Strategic Depth of Priority

Understanding priority is essential for competitive Pokémon battles. It’s a multi-layered system where move selection, Speed, and strategic planning all intersect. By mastering these concepts, you can elevate your game and outmaneuver your opponents. For more insights into the world of gaming and learning, be sure to visit Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org.

Concluding Thoughts

Priority adds a huge strategic layer to battles, and requires deep knowledge of the Pokemon battling system. By understanding these mechanics, any trainer can drastically improve at Pokemon battles!