Is Double Team Banned? Clearing Up the Confusion Around this Evasive Move

No, Double Team is not banned in any official Pokémon competitive formats. While it’s true that its effectiveness has been debated and its usage is relatively uncommon in high-level play, Double Team remains a legal move in the Pokémon video game series, as well as in the Trading Card Game (TCG). The real question isn’t about legality, but rather about its strategic viability in a metagame constantly evolving with powerful offensive threats and reliable status moves.

Understanding Double Team: More Than Just Dodging

Double Team, a Normal-type move, increases the user’s evasion stat by one stage. Successive uses can boost this evasion stat up to a maximum of six stages. While it might sound appealing to make your Pokémon nearly untouchable, the reality is much more nuanced. In competitive Pokémon, evasion strategies are often viewed with skepticism and are generally considered unreliable due to factors like critical hits, moves that bypass accuracy checks, and the prevalence of status conditions.

Why the Controversy? The Evasion Clause Debate

The perception of Double Team as “unfair” stems from the broader discussion surrounding evasion boosting moves. Many players find that relying heavily on evasion is a volatile strategy, where success is more dependent on luck than strategic skill. This has led to informal agreements within some online communities to ban or limit the use of evasion strategies. However, these are community-driven rulesets, not official regulations sanctioned by The Pokémon Company International (TPCI).

These rulesets, sometimes called “Evasion Clauses,” aim to make battles more predictable and skill-based, minimizing the impact of random chance. But even with these clauses in effect within some communities, Double Team itself remains a legal move within the core game mechanics.

Double Team in Different Formats

Video Game Championships (VGC)

In the official Video Game Championships (VGC) format, Double Team is legal. However, its usage is extremely rare. The fast-paced, double-battle environment of VGC favors powerful offensive strategies and team support over drawn-out evasion tactics. Pokémon that spend turns boosting evasion are often vulnerable to being targeted and eliminated quickly.

Smogon University

Smogon University, a prominent community for competitive Pokémon analysis and strategy, also allows Double Team in their official tiers. However, like in VGC, its usage is uncommon due to the reasons stated above. Smogon’s battle simulator, Pokémon Showdown, reflects this, allowing players to use Double Team freely.

Trading Card Game (TCG)

In the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), Double Team exists as a card effect. However, it functions differently. A card might prevent all damage done to the user by attacks from the opponent’s Pokémon, and this effect may be referred to as a “Double Team.” The TCG metagame is driven by deck construction, card advantage, and strategic timing, but the impact of single evasive attacks remains lower than in the video games.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Double Team

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the status and viability of Double Team:

1. Is Double Team officially banned by Nintendo or TPCI in competitive play? No, Double Team is not officially banned by Nintendo or The Pokémon Company International (TPCI) in any official competitive format.

2. Why do some players think Double Team is “cheap”? Because its reliance on luck (evasion) can be frustrating for opponents, especially when coupled with other disruptive strategies.

3. Are there any moves that ignore evasion boosts? Yes, moves like Swift, Aerial Ace, and Aura Sphere always hit, regardless of the target’s evasion stat. Certain abilities, like No Guard, also guarantee that all moves hit.

4. What is the difference between accuracy and evasion? Accuracy determines the likelihood of a move hitting, while evasion reduces the likelihood of being hit.

5. Does Double Team stack with other evasion-boosting moves? Yes, Double Team stacks, allowing the user to increase their evasion stat by up to six stages.

6. What are the downsides of using Double Team in competitive battles? It takes up valuable move slots and requires multiple turns to become effective, leaving the Pokémon vulnerable. Furthermore, it can be nullified by a critical hit.

7. How effective is Double Team against strong offensive teams? Generally ineffective. Strong offensive teams can quickly overwhelm a Pokémon relying on Double Team.

8. What is the Evasion Clause? An informal rule in some online communities that limits or bans the use of evasion-boosting moves.

9. Does Smogon allow Double Team? Yes, Smogon allows Double Team in its tiers, although its usage is not common.

10. Are there any abilities that counter Double Team effectively? Yes, abilities like No Guard guarantee that all moves hit, negating evasion boosts. Moves with inherent accuracy bonuses, such as Swift, are good counters.

11. How does the item Bright Powder affect Double Team? Bright Powder increases the holder’s evasion by 10%, providing a small boost to evasion in addition to moves like Double Team.

12. Is there a specific Pokémon known for using Double Team competitively? While no Pokémon is uniquely defined by Double Team, some Pokémon with high Speed might attempt to use it to stall for time, however it is not a reliable strategy.

13. Does status conditions like paralysis affect Double Team? Paralysis reduces the user’s Speed, making it harder to repeatedly use Double Team.

14. Can a Pokémon use Double Team multiple times in a single turn? No. In the main series games, a Pokémon can only use one move per turn, unless otherwise stated in the specific card.

15. Where can I find more information on competitive Pokémon strategies? You can explore resources like Games Learning Society for academic perspectives on gaming, or visit community forums like Smogon University.

The Verdict: Use with Caution

While Double Team isn’t banned, its viability in competitive Pokémon is questionable at best. It’s a high-risk, low-reward strategy that relies heavily on luck. Players seeking consistent success are better off focusing on more reliable tactics, such as offensive pressure, strategic switching, and team synergy. Understanding the nuances of Double Team and other evasion-boosting moves is crucial for any aspiring competitive Pokémon player. Remember to always evaluate the risks and rewards before incorporating such strategies into your team. For a more profound understanding of game mechanics and the competitive ecosystem, explore the resources available at GamesLearningSociety.org.