Does Priority Still Work in Trick Room? A Comprehensive Guide
The short and direct answer is: Yes, priority moves still work in Trick Room, and they function exactly as they normally do, but with a twist. Trick Room does not negate priority; instead, it reverses the order of actions within each priority bracket. This crucial distinction is often misunderstood, leading to suboptimal strategies in battle. This article will delve into how Trick Room interacts with move priority, clearing up confusion and providing a robust understanding.
Understanding Priority and Trick Room
Move Priority Basics
In the Pokémon battle system, priority is a system that determines the order in which Pokémon act during a turn. Moves are categorized into different priority brackets, ranging from -7 to +5. A higher priority move will always execute before a lower priority move, regardless of the Pokémon’s Speed stat. For example, moves like Quick Attack have a +1 priority, meaning they always go before regular moves with zero priority. Meanwhile, moves like Trick Room itself have a negative priority, ensuring they go last in almost all cases.
How Trick Room Functions
Trick Room is a move that, for five turns, reverses the order of actions based on Speed stats, but only within each priority bracket. The Pokémon with the lowest Speed stat will go first and the Pokémon with the highest Speed stat will go last within that same priority bracket. This means a Pokémon with a low Speed stat will get to attack before a higher speed stat Pokemon using a regular (0 priority) move under Trick Room.
Trick Room’s Interaction with Priority
The key point to understand is that Trick Room only modifies move order within the same priority bracket. It does not override or change the inherent priority of moves.
- Positive Priority Moves: Moves like Fake Out (+3), Shadow Sneak (+1), and Bullet Punch (+1) will still go before normal priority moves even under Trick Room. Within the +1 priority bracket, Trick Room’s effect is in play: the slower Pokemon will move before the faster pokemon when using these +1 priority moves.
- Normal Priority Moves: Most attacking moves fall into this 0 priority bracket. Under Trick Room, the Pokémon with the lowest Speed stat will attack first, and the highest speed stat pokemon will attack last.
- Negative Priority Moves: Moves like Whirlwind (-4) or Trick Room itself (-7) are almost always the last to move, regardless of Trick Room’s effect, as they will always execute after zero-priority moves and positive priority moves. The speed stat order inside the negative bracket still applies though.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Priority in Trick Room
Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions designed to deepen your understanding of how priority works in Trick Room.
1. Does Trick Room reverse all priority moves?
No, Trick Room does not reverse priority outright. It only reverses the order of moves within each priority bracket. The overall priority order still applies. Higher priority moves always go before lower priority ones.
2. Does Protect work under Trick Room?
Yes, Protect works normally in Trick Room. As a +4 priority move, it will always go before normal priority attacks, no matter the Speed of the Pokémon involved. Trick Room’s effect will not make your pokemon that has used protect go after the pokemon with 0 priority, it will still go first, it is just within the +4 bracket, the slowest Pokemon will go first.
3. Does Prankster give Trick Room priority?
No, Prankster only adds +1 to the move’s existing priority. Trick Room has a natural priority of -7. Prankster will increase it to -6, but it will still be the last to move after regular or positive priority moves. Prankster does not make Trick Room go before other zero-priority moves, even if the user has a low speed stat.
4. Does the item Room Service affect move priority?
No, the item Room Service only lowers the holder’s Speed stat. It doesn’t affect the priority of any move. The lowered Speed is factored in for move order within the priority brackets.
5. Does Bullet Punch become negative priority in Trick Room?
No, Bullet Punch remains at a +1 priority in Trick Room. Trick Room does not change the inherent priority of moves; rather it reverses the speed-based move order within a priority bracket. This means that the slowest pokemon using Bullet Punch in that +1 bracket goes first.
6. Does Gyro Ball’s damage change under Trick Room?
No, Gyro Ball’s damage is based solely on the Speed of the user versus the target. While Trick Room affects move order, it does not affect the calculation of Gyro Ball’s damage, the calculation of its power doesn’t factor in Trick Room.
7. Does Haze negate Trick Room?
No, Haze does not negate Trick Room. It only resets stat changes. The only way to remove Trick Room early is to use Trick Room again, or for the timer to run out.
8. Does paralysis affect a Pokémon’s speed in Trick Room?
Yes, speed drops from Paralysis are taken into account under Trick Room. This means a paralyzed Pokémon will move even earlier within its priority bracket under Trick Room if it has a naturally low speed stat.
9. Can I use Fake Out to stop Trick Room?
Yes, using Fake Out to prevent the setup of Trick Room is a common strategy. Fake Out is a +3 priority move that will almost always go before a Trick Room user. By pairing it with a move like Taunt, you can often prevent a Trick Room setup altogether.
10. Is Light Clay good for Trick Room?
No, Light Clay does not affect Trick Room’s duration. It only extends the duration of moves like Reflect and Light Screen. There is currently no item that increases the duration of Trick Room.
11. What is the slowest Pokémon for Trick Room teams?
Some of the slowest Pokémon include Shuckle, Munchlax, Pyukumuku, and Trapinch. These Pokémon are useful on Trick Room teams due to their ability to often attack first within a priority bracket thanks to their low speed stats under Trick Room.
12. Is Iron Ball useful for Trick Room?
Yes, the Iron Ball is very helpful for Trick Room teams. When a Pokémon is holding it, the Pokemon’s Speed stat is halved. The halved speed stat is factored into the Trick Room turn order calculation. The pokemon will move even earlier in that priority bracket, which can help slow Trick Room attackers move first.
13. How do you counter a Trick Room team?
One good method to counter a Trick Room team is by stalling the Trick Room itself by using Protect and similar moves that burn the Trick Room timer. Another method is to use Imprison with Trick Room. If you use imprison first, you deny the other player setting up Trick Room.
14. Does psychic terrain prevent Spore under Trick Room?
Yes, Psychic Terrain prevents grounded Pokémon from being affected by status-inducing moves, such as Spore, regardless of Trick Room. It doesn’t affect Taunt or Encore.
15. How many Trick Room setters should a Trick Room team have?
A typical Trick Room team includes two Pokémon that can set up Trick Room. It’s also important to have Pokémon that can either help set up Trick Room (like with Fake Out or Follow Me) or can sweep effectively with high attack or special attack stats under the Trick Room conditions.
Conclusion
Understanding the nuances of how priority interacts with Trick Room is crucial for effective team building and strategic play in Pokémon battles. While Trick Room reverses the order of actions based on Speed stats, it does so only within each priority bracket. Knowing this distinction allows players to make informed decisions, use their moves efficiently, and effectively counter opposing Trick Room teams. By carefully considering these mechanics, you’ll be able to master the art of battling under Trick Room conditions.