Approved by Aragorn the King
Thread format mostly from the ORAS OU Teambuilding Project
Would be awesome if we could have a banner
A paragraph or so for the explanation is fine, but please follow the format above and be thorough with your descriptions or else I won't add it into the OP.
General Rules on Reservations and Writing
I can't possibly track every single reservation made and edit in the OP after every single one. So, here are the the general guidelines:
Term: Check
Explanation: Pokémon A checks Pokémon B if, when Pokémon A is given a free switch into Pokémon B, Pokémon A can win every time, even under the worst case scenario, without factoring in hax. In some scenarios if a Pokemon can switch into the opposing Pokemon's move and proceed to OHKO it then it is also a check.
Example: An example of a check would be Mega Charizard X and Choice Scarf Garchomp. If Garchomp is given a free switch in, it can OHKO Mega Charizard X even at +1. It can manually switch into Flare Blitz/Earthquake/Dragon Dance but isn't a counter since Dragon Claw OHKOs.
Reference: MattL, on the Smogon Webzine.
Term: Counter
Explanation: Pokémon A counters Pokémon B if Pokémon A can manually switch into Pokémon B and still win every time, even under the worst case scenario, without factoring in hax.
Example: An example of a counter is Mega Venusaur and Mega Altaria. Mega Venusaur takes little damage from all of Altaria's attacks, can heal off with Synthesis, can cripple with Leech Seed and hit it with a super-effective Sludge Bomb. Therefore, the conclusion is that Venusaur wins in every scenario (except for sky attack altaria), so it is a counter.
Reference: MattL, on the Smogon Webzine.
Term: Cleric
Explanation: A cleric uses Heal Bell or Aromatherapy to cure itself and it's team of status.
Example: An example of a cleric is Sylveon, as it can utilize Heal Bell to clear its team of status.
Reference: Sylveon Analysis, personal experience.
Explanation: Short for Ferrothorn
Example: I used a balanced team with a Ferro
Reference: Personal experience
Term: Lop
Explanation: Short for (Mega) Lopunny
Example: I lead the game off with my Lopunny
Reference: Personal experience
Term: BST
Explanation: Refers to the total number of a Pokemon's base stats.
Example: 600
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Kyube
Explanation: Short for Kyurem-Black
Example: My opponent's team is really weak to Kyube
Reference: Personal experience
Term: Landog/Landoge/Lando-T
Explanation: Short for Landorus-Therian
Example: I need to keep Scarf Landog to beat my opponent's Manectric
Reference: Personal experience
Term: MegaMan
Explanation: Short for Mega Manectric
Example: I'll need to keep MegaMan to revenge kill my opponent's Thundurus
Reference: Personal experience
Term: Garde
Explanation: Short for (Mega) Gardevoir
Example: My opponent's team stall team has to keep Bronzong to have a chance at getting past my Garde
Reference: Personal experience
Term: SR
Explanation: Stealth Rock
Example: Landorus-I is a great offensive user of SR.
Reference: forums, WIP analyses, PS!
Term: "Get up Rocks"
Explanation: The act of using the move Stealth Rock.
Example: It's a good idea to get up your Rocks early to prevent your opponent from switching often.
Reference: YouTube
Term: PS!, PS, Shoddy
Explanation: Pokemon Showdown!
Example: PS is Smogon's official battle simulator.
Reference: forums
Term: MixMence
Explanation: Either of two mixed Salamence movesets with Life Orb. Classic MixMence is Rash with Draco Meteor, Fire Blast, Hydro Pump, and Roost and New MixMence is Naive with Draco Meteor, Earthquake, Flamethrower, and Outrage.
Example: Salamence
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: DragMagFairy
Explanation: Teams that usually consist of things that typically are checked by specific steel types such as Skarmory (usually Fairies and Dragons), and have Magnezone to remove them.
Example: The Italian Bunny Offense ladder team back in late XY.
Reference: People spamming it on the ladder :I
Term: Drizzletoed
Explanation: Politoed with the ability Drizzle.
Example: That person is going to set up rain with his Drizzletoed.
Reference: Personal experience, PS chat.
Term: Celetran
Explanation: A very famous core consisting of Celebi and Heatran. Type-wise, Celebi is resistant to everything Heatran is weak to including Fighting-, Water- and Ground-, whilst Heatran in turn resists/is immune to nearly everything Celebi is weak to such as Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying and Bug. Only three types hit this core for neutral damage and that is Dark-, Ghost- and Rock- types.
Example: Physically Defensive Celebi and Specially Defensive Heatran.
Reference: Forums, experience, RMTs.
Term: Crit
Explanation: Abbreviation for Critical Hit
Example: I need a crit to win this battle
Reference: Personal Experience / Other players
Term: Drop a Draco
Explanation: Use the move Draco Meteor
Example: [sends in Latios] I'll just drop a Draco on this Keldeo
Reference: YouTube (pokeaim in particular)
Term: GG - "Good Game"
Explanation 1: A customary way to thank your opponent for the battle.
Explanation 2: A way to signal that the outcome of the battle is practically determined, even though it technically isn't over. Usually used by the winning side.
Example 1: "What a jerk. He was screaming about hax the entire battle, and when I won he didn't even say GG".
Example 2: "His Gliscor allowed me to set up Gyarados to +6/+6, and it was all GG from there on"
Reference: Common usage on the forums and Pokémon Showdown.
Term: 6-0'd
Explanation: A battle ends with all 6 Pokémon on one side fainted, but 0 Pokémon on the other side.
Example: "A battle against a Jirachi can easily end up with you 6-0'd without a chance to retaliate because of paraflinch"
Reference: Common usage on the forums.
Term: Scarf
Explanation: Choice Scarf. Not to be confused with Silk Scarf (occasionally used by Arceus) or the Pokémon Contest scarves.
Example: ScarfChomp, ScarfTar, Scarfed Pokémon.
Reference: Common usage on the forums.
Term: Dry Pass
Explanation: The use of the move Baton Pass without using boosting moves for the purpose of gaining momentum
Example: Celebi, Sylveon
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Innovation
Explanation: Introducing and using non-standard sets and/ or Pokemon and making them more standard
Example: (Basedlord) CTC, SD Gliscor, Stall Mega Charizard X
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Outclassed
Explanation: Something that is worse at doing its job than something else making it unviable in OU.
Example: Darmantian, Florges, Donphan, Jolteon
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Auto-Weather
Explanation: A Pokemon whose ability creates a weather effect, such as sand, rain, hail, or sun, when they are brought into play.
Example: Charizard Mega Y, Hippowdon, Politoed, Abomasnow
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Centralizing
Explanation: A Pokemon that centers the tier around it, forcing the use of normally bad Pokemon or movesets to check or counter it.
Example: Mega Salamence
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Anti-meta
Explanation: A Pokemon that does well against prominent threats in the metagame, even if it is not a prominent threat itself.
Example: Weavile, Mega Houndoom
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Coverage Move
Explanation: A move that a pokemon runs which does not get a STAB multiplier in order to hit certain pokemon harder than a STAB move would.
Example: Mega Altaria runs Fire Blast as a coverage move to KO Ferrothorn and other steel types that resist its STAB Hyper Voice.
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Aegi meta
Explanation: When Aegislash was OU legal, the meta looked very different. Some threats were more effective in an Aegi-controlled meta and a large amount were made less viable due to Aegi's superior typing and bulk.
Example: Mega Heracross and Mega Gardevoir were worse during the Aegi meta, Thundurus was arguably better in the Aegi meta.
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Niche
Explanation: A Pokemon that is used in OU because it can perform a very specific role when it would be otherwise outclassed.
Example: Magneton, Blissey
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Stacking
Explanation: The pairing of several threats who share similar checks and counters in order to eventually wear down the checks and counters for one of the threats to sweep.
Example: Birdspam* (Talonflame, Staraptor, Mega Pinsir), Dragonspam
Reference: Personal Experience
*Term: Birdspam
Explanation: Birdspam is an offensive playstyle that is centered around using a core of Talonflame + Mega Pinsir (or Staraptor) to defeat an opponent's team. Talonflame, Pinsir, and Staraptor wear down each other's counters and checks until one of them can break through and sweep. In this setup, Pinsir/Staraptor acts as the wallbreaker, and Talonflame cleans up against weakened opponents. The name "Birdspam" came from the fact that in the early XY meta, users of a Talonflame/Mega Pinsir core or Talonflame/Staraptor core, won easily by abusing Brave Bird and Aerilate Return.
Example: If a team has both Talonflame and Mega Pinsir/Staraptor then it is usually labeled as a birdspam team. When someone says, "My team is birdspam weak", they're basically saying that they have a team that struggles against the aforementioned cores.
Reference: Personal Reference.
Term: Weavile Syndrome
Explanation: A Pokemon that is crippled by having to rely on low Base Power moves to deal damage.
Example: Mega Beedrill, Mega Aerodactyl
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Electivire Syndrome
Explanation: A Pokemon that has access to good coverage moves but no way to reliably boost its attacking stats.
Example: Mega Metagross, Mega Medicham
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Pinch Berry
Explanation: A stat-boosting Berry that activates when the holder falls below a certain amount of health. Often used in conjunction with Substitute, as Substituting two / three times activates the Berry if you have an odd HP stat.
Example: Belly Drum + Sitrus Berry Azumarill, Belly Drum + Substitute + Salac Berry Chesnaught
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Residual Damage
Explanation: Damage taken by a Pokemon without having been attacked, whether by recoil (Life Orb or otherwise), weather (hail or sandstorm), status effects (poison or burn), and/or entry hazards.
Example: Life Orb Bisharp, Flame Orb Guts Conkeldurr
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Cancer/AIDS
Explanation: A practice or phenomenon perceived to be evil or stupid; can often be found on the lower end of the OU ladder
Example: Soak Lanturn, Life Orb Charizard
Reference: Another battler
Term: DragMagFairy
Explanation: Teams that usually consist of things that typically are checked by specific steel types such as Skarmory (usually Fairies and Dragons), and have Magnezone to remove them.
Example: The Italian Bunny Offense ladder team back in late XY.
Reference: People spamming it on the ladder :I
Term: Gimmick
Explanation: An unreliable set that functions on very certain circumstances and is usually more cost than reward
Example: Fire Blast Gyarados; may seem good to KO Ferrothorn and Skarmory but ends up costing a moveslot and is still very weak
Reference: Literally every thread on this forum people use this as an excuse to everything
Term: Momentum
Explanation: The advantage held by a player that's generated over the course of multiple turns by forcing the opponent's mons into unfavorable 1v1 match-ups, thus forcing them to frequently switch and give up free turns.
Example 1: An offensive team has momentum when it has forced the opponent to make frequent defensive switches due to offensive pressure, resulting in mons taking damage from switching into attacks without dealing out damage in return.
Example 2: A stall team has momentum when it forces the opponent to make frequent switches into mons that have a chance of breaking a defensive mon, resulting in mons taking damage from racking up Hazard damage and/or damage from small attacks without dealing out damage in return
Reference: Myself + http://www.thefreedictionary.com/momentum
Term: Pseudo Legendary
Explanation: A pokemon with the total base stat of 600 or more, without being an event pokemon or legendary.
Example: Pseudos usually represent generation. Having at least one every generation, with the exception of generation 3 with Metagross and Salamence? It's usually used to described Pokemon who are often viewed as controversial, as most of them have been victim to a suspect test.
Reference: Personally I have no clue where I heard this the first time. It was sort of passed by in coversation.
Term: Hax
Explanation: Hax basically stands from gamechanging luck, for example Thunderbolt paralyzing the opposing setup sweeper.
Example: That Ice Beam freeze hax on my Charizard really sucked. Without it I would have won that game.
Reference: personal experience.
Term: Cripple
Explanation: When a Pokemon statuses or weakens another Pokemon so that it cannot function effectively throughout the rest of the match.
Example:
1.) Keldeo is such a good Pokemon because it can get past it's usual checks and counters such as Latios and Azumarill by crippling them with Scald.
2.) Skarmory can cripple Mega Metagross enough with Counter that another Pokemon can come and finish it off easily.
Reference: Personal experience, Forums
Term: Viability
Explanation: Refers to the effectiveness and how a Pokemon fares in the metagame right now.
Example: Tornadus-Therian's viability is rising due to it's excellent base speed tier, access to Regenerator and a wide array of utility moves such as Knock Off and U-turn, letting it check many prominent threats such as Keldeo and Gengar.
Reference: Personal experience, Viability Rankings.
Term: PP Stall
Explanation: Spamming moves like Recover until your opponent runs out of Power Points for a certain move.
Example: I kept using Slack Off with my Hippowdon until my opponent's Terrakion ran out of PP for the move Close Combat.
Reference: Personal Experience, the guy cursed me out and left
Term: Death Fodder
Explanation: A pokemon that is either not useful in the current match up or is weakened, so it is saved as a sacrifice to allow a free switch-in at the opportune moment.
Example: My Hippowdon was greatly weakened, but I decided to save it as death fodder for later to get up my sand and a free switch into my Excadrill.
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Setup Fodder
Explanation: A pokemon that is completely harmless to another pokemon and can be set up on easily.
Example: Defogger Mew is setup fodder for SD Talonflame because it can't use Will-O-Wisp on it and Knock Off does very little damage.
Example: Sub Calm Mind Keldeo uses passive mons with weak attacks that rely on status moves as setup fodder thanks to Substitute.
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Stale
Explanation: A term describing a meta where creativity is impossible either due to certain meta game trends or extreme team-building restrictions. The most often cause is an overcentralizing Pokemon, though other causes are possible.
Example: The OU Mega-Salamence meta was a stale meta where most teams were Mega Salamence + Mega Salamence checks + Checks to Mega Salamence checks
Refernce: Personal Experience, A post by AM that summed it up nicely
Term: Double switch
Explanation: Switching twice in a row, generally to create a favorable matchup. Usually the first switch is to scare something out and then the second is to get the favorable matchup with a proper prediction.
Example: I switched my Charizard Y into my opponent's Mega Scizor and then double switched into my Tyranitar predicting him to switch into Latios.
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Overpredict
Explanation: Predicting your opponent to make a play when they just go for a simpler move. This can occur when failing to recognize your opponent's best possible play.
Example: In the same scenario as above, my opponent weighed his options and realized it was not worth switching out his Mega Scizor. He went for U-turn, accepting the KO from Charizard if I went for Flamethrower and ultimately ended up punishing my overprediction and KOing my Tyranitar.
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: +6/+6
Explanation: A Pokémon which has boosted two of its stats to the maximum level, typically Attack and Speed or Sp.Atk and Sp.Def.
Example: Repeated usage of Dragon Dance or Calm Mind
Reference: Common usage on the forums.
Term: Outspeed/Outspeeding
Explanation: To have a higher effective Speed stat than the opponent, meaning that the Pokémon will get to move first in battle.
Example: Even with a neutral nature and no EV investment, Deoxys-S will outspeed most of the metagame.
Reference: Common usage on forums and analyses on Smogon.
Term: Recovery
Explanation: The act of restoring HP.
Example: Using moves such as Recover or Rest.
Reference: Common usage on forums and analyses on Smogon.
Term: Set up/Setting up - AKA "Boosting"
Explanation: Using stat-raising moves such as Swords Dance or Calm Mind to raise a Pokémon's stats before attacking. Sometimes also used
Example: "Passho Berry allows Volcarona to survive a strong Water-type move once, which allows Volcarona to set up on some common Water-types."
Reference: Common usage on the forums and analyses on Smogon. Quote lifted from Volcarona's analysis.
Term: Forcing out
Explanation: Creating a situation where the opponent is "forced" to switch out his Pokémon, either because you crippled* his Pokémon, or because none of his moves can do reliable damage to your Pokémon. Not to be confused with phasing*, wherein moves such as Roar or Whirlwind are used to forcefully switch out an opponent.
Example: "Fire-types such as Victini, Darmanitan and Mega Houndoom can force out a large portion of Grass-types."
Reference: Common usage on the forums and analyses on Smogon. Quote paraphrased from Gastrodon's analysis.
Term: Speed Tier
Explanation: Used to describe the effective Speed stat of the Pokémon in battle in relation to (groups of) other Pokémon. Two Pokémon with different Speed stats can end up in the same speed tier under certain conditions, such as if one of them is holding a Choice Scarf or has used a boosting move.
Example: "Running a Speed-increasing nature allows Tyrantrum to compete in the same speed tier as neutral Kingdra"
Reference: Common usage on the forums.
Term: Choice-lock, Choice-locked
Explanation: When a Pokémon is forced to keep using the same move because it is holding one of the Choice items.
Example: "Gyarados can come in on a Choice-locked Earthquake to get a free turn to set up"
Reference: Common usage on the forums.
Term: Reliable recovery
Explanation: A move that instantly recovers (a lot of) HP without drawbacks or situational disadvantages.
Example: Two of the reliable recovery moves are Roost and Recover. Un-reliable recovery is moves such as Rest (puts you to sleep), Leftovers (recovers very little HP at a time) or Morning Sun (recovers very little HP in Rain).
Reference: Common usage on the forums.
Thread format mostly from the ORAS OU Teambuilding Project
Would be awesome if we could have a banner
Welcome to OU's Competitive Terminology Database! The main idea of this thread is to provide some definitions of commonly used terminology relating to battling and teambuilding, to help newer players have a better understanding of the competitive aspect of Pokemon. If you want to find something that isn't here, or if you want to write about something but don't know what, check out the Pokemon Dictionary. I know it's Gen 4 but it's still reliable. Here is the format that I am expecting you to use when you post your submissions:Term:
Explanation: A brief definition of what the term means
Example: What Pokemon does this apply to? When is this term used?
Reference: Mention where you got this definition from. (Because plagiarism sucks) E.g. personal experience, another battler, whatever.
Explanation: A brief definition of what the term means
Example: What Pokemon does this apply to? When is this term used?
Reference: Mention where you got this definition from. (Because plagiarism sucks) E.g. personal experience, another battler, whatever.
A paragraph or so for the explanation is fine, but please follow the format above and be thorough with your descriptions or else I won't add it into the OP.
General Rules on Reservations and Writing
I can't possibly track every single reservation made and edit in the OP after every single one. So, here are the the general guidelines:
- Always double-check the lists in the OP and some of the more recent posts to make sure a term hasn't been reserved or already written about
- If you reserve a term, try and have the write-up done within a couple days. This isn't a strict time limit, but if you take too long I may give your reservation to someone else.
- If you reserve a term and something comes up preventing you from finishing within the rough time limit, please post so everyone knows that it is no longer reserved or post what you have if you're almost done so we know that the write-up is at least mostly done.
- You can reserve up to three terms at a time.
- Make sure that you have experience with this term and have not just copy/pasted it off Smogon or Marriland or whatever. Replays are welcome but not compulsory.
Term: Check
Explanation: Pokémon A checks Pokémon B if, when Pokémon A is given a free switch into Pokémon B, Pokémon A can win every time, even under the worst case scenario, without factoring in hax. In some scenarios if a Pokemon can switch into the opposing Pokemon's move and proceed to OHKO it then it is also a check.
Example: An example of a check would be Mega Charizard X and Choice Scarf Garchomp. If Garchomp is given a free switch in, it can OHKO Mega Charizard X even at +1. It can manually switch into Flare Blitz/Earthquake/Dragon Dance but isn't a counter since Dragon Claw OHKOs.
Reference: MattL, on the Smogon Webzine.
Term: Counter
Explanation: Pokémon A counters Pokémon B if Pokémon A can manually switch into Pokémon B and still win every time, even under the worst case scenario, without factoring in hax.
Example: An example of a counter is Mega Venusaur and Mega Altaria. Mega Venusaur takes little damage from all of Altaria's attacks, can heal off with Synthesis, can cripple with Leech Seed and hit it with a super-effective Sludge Bomb. Therefore, the conclusion is that Venusaur wins in every scenario (except for sky attack altaria), so it is a counter.
Reference: MattL, on the Smogon Webzine.
Term: Cleric
Explanation: A cleric uses Heal Bell or Aromatherapy to cure itself and it's team of status.
Example: An example of a cleric is Sylveon, as it can utilize Heal Bell to clear its team of status.
Reference: Sylveon Analysis, personal experience.
Term: Cleaner
Explanation: A Pokemon that has good speed and decent attacking stats that can defeat the opponents team after it has been weakened slightly
Example: Mega Pidgeot has solid Special Attack, a great speed tier and can easily finish off teams after they have been weakened.
Reference: Personal experience.
Term: Check
Explanation: Pokémon A checks Pokémon B if, when Pokémon A is given a free switch into Pokémon B, Pokémon A can win every time, even under the worst case scenario, without factoring in hax. In some scenarios if a Pokemon can switch into the opposing Pokemon's move and proceed to OHKO it then it is also a check.
Example: An example of a check would be Mega Charizard X and Choice Scarf Garchomp. If Garchomp is given a free switch in, it can OHKO Mega Charizard X even at +1. It can manually switch into Flare Blitz/Earthquake/Dragon Dance but isn't a counter since Dragon Claw OHKOs.
Reference: MattL, on the Smogon Webzine.
Term: Counter
Explanation: Pokémon A counters Pokémon B if Pokémon A can manually switch into Pokémon B and still win every time, even under the worst case scenario, without factoring in hax.
Example: An example of a counter is Mega Venusaur and Mega Altaria. Mega Venusaur takes little damage from all of Altaria's attacks, can heal off with Synthesis, can cripple with Leech Seed and hit it with a super-effective Sludge Bomb. Therefore, the conclusion is that Venusaur wins in every scenario (except for sky attack altaria), so it is a counter.
Reference: MattL, on the Smogon Webzine.
Term: Cleric
Explanation: A cleric uses Heal Bell or Aromatherapy to cure itself and it's team of status.
Example: An example of a cleric is Sylveon, as it can utilize Heal Bell to clear it's team of status.
Reference: Sylveon Analysis, personal experience.
Term: Stallbreaker
Explanation: A pokemon that wears down another Pokemon by Status and moves like Taunt while being able to heal off damage. Pokemon that are can break down defensive cores of stall teams also classify as stallbreakers. Examples are SD Gliscor since it is immune to status with Poison Heal, can use Sableye, Alomomola, Chansey etc. as set up fodder, can cripple with Knock Off.
Example: Mew was a very good Stallbreaker in the XY meta as it could Taunt weaker Pokemon such as Chansey and wear it down by Knock Off and Will-O-Wisp chip damage, while healing off Seismic Toss damage
Reference: Personal Experience, I guess
Term: Tank
Explanation: A Pokemon that can both take relatively low damage from hits and deal relatively high damage at the same time. A tank can be physical, special, or some combination of both. Some, but not all, tanks have reliable recovery.
Example: Mega Venusaur is a tank that can take physical and special hits alike with its typing, defenses and Thick Fat, while being able to restore its HP with Synthesis and/or Giga Drain, as well as dish out some good damage with its 122 base Special Attack stat. Rhyperior is also a tank on the physical side, with great HP, Attack, and Defense stats, but has mediocre special bulk and no recovery outside of Leftovers.
Reference: Personal experience, as well as the on-site Pokemon Dictionary (written during BW, but many of its points are still valid).
Term: Wallbreaker
Explanation: A pokemon that is capable of breaking stall teams to a certain extent using brute force, whether it be through boosting an offensive stat to high levels and breaking through from there, using an attack-boosting choice item or spamming a nuke, or using excellent mixed offensive stats and great super-effective coverage. Most that fit in this category can also break Balance teams given the right situation.
Example: Mega Gallade, Mega Heracross, Diggersby, Crawdaunt, and Bisharp are all wallbreakers that do loads of damage to bulkier teams through boosting their already good attack stats to high levels and then bashing the opposing team. Hydreigon, Mega Garchomp, and Kyurem-B have good mixed offensive stats that let them hit from both sides of the spectrum, making them harder to switch into. Victini, Keldeo, Azumarill, Terrakion, and Staraptor are all wallbreakers that use items like Choice Band. Some of these and Mega Charizard Y carry a strong nuke (Victini's V-Create for example).
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Glass Cannon
Explanation: A Pokemon who has high offensive power but is very defensively frail.
Example: Mega Absol hits extremely hard, but is quite frail.
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Phazer
Explanation: A Pokemon who uses moves that may force the opponent to switch, such as Roar, Whirlwind, Perish Song, and Yawn.
Example: Skarmory can phaze out set up sweepers with Whirlwind.
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Spinner
Explanation: A Pokemon who uses Rapid Spin to remove entry hazards.
Example: Starmie and Excadrill.
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Revenge Killer
Explanation: A Pokemon intended to switch in after another Pokemon has fainted and either defeat or threaten the opponent out to regain momentum with decent offensive presence, high speed, and/or priority
Example: Choice Band Talonflame's powerful Priority Brave Bird and high natural speed lets it revenge kill opponents when a teammate faints.
Reference: Experience and Inference
Term: Win Condition
Explanation: A Pokemon built to secure favorable conditions or victory for the team. Often the primary focus of what the team is attempting to support.
Example: Mega Charizard-X can serve as a team's win condition. By building the team to remove or cripple his checks and counters, such as Heatran, Physically Defensive Hippowdon, Scarf Garchomp, etc. Mega Charizard X can sweep the rest of the opposing team and win the game once these threats are mitigated.
Reference: An old Smogon Analysis thread http://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/knowing-how-to-find-your-win-condition.3474271/
Term: Trapper (Ability)
Explanation: These pokemon can prevent pokemon from switching out because of their ability. Shadow Tag traps all pokemon bar ghost types, Arena Trap traps all grounded pokemon (pokemon without an immunity to ground) and Magnet Pull traps all steel types. The pokemon with one of these abilities can still switch out, the opponent can't if they are not ghost type, have a shed shell, are not steel type (magnet pull) or are not grounded (arena trap)
Example: Gothitelle, Dugtrio, Magnezone
Reference: Personal Experience, Analysis
Term: (Partially) Trapper (Move)
Explanation: A partially trap works the same as traps with an ability. The pokemon is unable to switch out if they are not a ghost type or do not hold a shed shell. A pokemon gets trapped if they are hit by a move that can partially trap (Whirlpool, Infestation, Magma Storm) and it will last 4-5 turns or until the user of the move switches out. There are also moves that trap the opponent until the user of the move switches out, such as Block and Spider Web
Example: Klefki (Fairy Lock) Shuckle (Infestation) Heatran (Magma Storm)
Reference: Personal Experience, Analysis
Term: Pursuit Trapper
Explanation: A pursuit trapper traps the opponent with the move Pursuit. The move pursuit changes from 40 BP to 80 BP and will move before the opponent switches out. If the opponent does not switch out, Pursuit will only have 40 BP. This moves works because pokemon like Latios can't switch out for free, because Pursuit will hit them supereffectively before they switch out
Example: Bisharp, Tyranitar, Scizor
Reference: Personal Experience, Analysis
Term: Anti-Lead
Definition: An anti-lead can defeat common leads like Landorus-Therian because of a certain move, ability or good speedtier. This include moves like Fake Out, which breaks focus sash and sturdy and Spore, which puts the hazards leads to sleep but also abilities like Magic Bounce who bounces back hazards.
Example: Lopunny (Fake Out) Mega Sableye (Magic Bounce) Breloom (Spore / Bullet Seed)
Reference: Personal Experience, Analysis
Term: Suicide Lead
Explanation: A Pokemon almost always used in the lead position to put up hazard(s) and potentially prevent other leads from doing the same.
Example: Azelf, Mamoswine, Garchomp
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Weather Sweeper
Explanation: A sweeper that abuses weather to take an advantage, for example Excadrill has its speed doubled in sandstorm with Sand Rush, while Mega Swampert has Swift Swim in the rain and its Water-type moves are also powered up.
Example: Mega Swampert, Excadrill, Kingdra, Kabutops
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Status Absorber
Explanation: A pokemon that is a dedicated switch-in to status inducing moves.
Example A: Gliscor is a good status absorber, because once its Toxic Orb has activated it cannot be inflicted with another status ailment.
Example B: Clefable's ability Magic Guard makes it immune to passive damage from Toxic and Will-O-Wisp, making it a good status absorber.
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Defogger
Explanation: A Pokemon that utilizes the move Defog to remove hazards such as Stealth Rock, Spikes, and other effects such as Light Screen and Reflect in order to support the team.
Example: Latios, Latias, Mandibuzz, Scizor
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Lure
Explanation: A set that utilizes uncommon moves and/or items in order to lure in and take out the normal checks and counters of the Pokemon using the lure.
Example: Natural Gift Talonflame, Earthquake Latios
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Wish Passer
Explanation: A Pokemon that is used in order to heal teammates with the use of the move Wish.
Example: Jirachi, Chansey
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Mono-Attacker
Explanation: A Pokemon utilizing a moveset that only has 1 attacking moves, with the other 3 moves generally being boosting moves and recovery moves.
Example: Suicune, Mega Altaria
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Wall
Explanation:
(Noun) A Pokemon that is able to take attacks from an opposing Pokemon and beat it through defensive means, rather than offensive ones.
(Verb) A Pokemon which prevents another Pokemon from dealing significant damage.
Example:
(Noun) Hippowdon is a physical wall, able to take hits from the likes of Garchomp, Landorus-T, and other physical attackers. It uses it's ability to take hits in order to protect Pokemon on it's team, set up Stealth Rock, and chip away at it's opponent's with Earthquake.
(Verb) Despite it's poor bulk, Toxicroak walls Keldeo thanks to it's typing and ability.
Reference: Common use
Term: Dual Screens
Explanation: Refers to the use of Light Screen and Reflect together.
Example: Azelf commonly runs a suicide lead with dual screens
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Set-up Sweeper (offensive)
Explanation: A pokemon that uses moves to raise it's attacking, speed, or both stats to sweep opponents.
Example 1: Volcarona uses Quiver Dance to raise it's special attack, special defense, and speed to sweep opponents.
Example 2: Scizor uses swords dance to boost it's attack and uses bullet punch to make up for it's low speed to try and sweep teams. Also uses it's bulk to set-up with more ease.
Term: Set-up Sweeper (defensive)
Explanation: Not as common as offensive set-up sweepers, but pokemon that use moves to raise there defensive stats (and possibly offensive) to stall out opponents.
Example 1: Mega Sableye with Calm mind
Term: Pivot (Defensive / Offensive)
Explanation: A pivot is a Pokemon that is generally only used for switching. Due to good defensive stats and a solid defensive typing, they can usually take little damage as they switch in, and the opposing switch they force allows the player to switch again safely to another Pokemon. An offensive pivot will force a switch by threatening KO on the opponent, thus obtaining momentum, whereas a defensive pivot will be difficult to break past, and thus will slow the opponent's momentum.
Example: Mega Ampharos (Defensive), Scarf Landorus-T (Offensive)
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Supporter
Explanation: A Pokemon who uses non-offensive moves which benefit the team.
Example: Ferrothorn, Heatran
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Sponge
Explanation: A Pokemon that can repeatedly take many strong but unboosted hits from the opposing team.
Example: Chansey, Hippowdon, Alomomola
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Nuke
Explanation: A Pokemon that can hit extremely hard right off the bat to soften up the opposing team.
Example: Staraptor, Victini, Mega Gardevoir
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Emergency Stop
Explanation: A Pokemon that can effectively stop sweepers through tactics such as priority
Example: Thundurus, Klefki, Quagsire
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Shitmon
Definition: Pokemon that are just bad and have no nich/horribly outclassed in its niche are referred to as shitmons due to the fact that many wouldn't touch them with a 10 foot pole due to their ineffectiveness.(depends on the tier, unless its mudkip who's no good in any tier :[ )
Example: Pachirisu in OU [OU not VGC :)]
Reference: Context Clues (and I asked the chat on ps)
Term: FEAR
Explanation: A level-1 pokemon with a Focus Sash. The pokemon will survive with the Sash and then use the move "Endeavor" to knock the opponent down to 1 HP. Then the FEAR pokemon will use Quick Attack to OHKO the opponent's pokemon.
Example: Level-1 Ratattata with Focus Sash, Endeavor, and Quick Attack
Reference: Bulbapedia
Term: Dual Screener
Explanation: A Pokemon that sets up both Light Screen and Reflect while holding a Light Clay
Example: Klefki
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Spinblocker
Explanation: A Ghost-type Pokemon who is used to stop the opponent from using Rapid Spin successfully.
Example: Mega Sableye
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Explanation: A Pokemon that has good speed and decent attacking stats that can defeat the opponents team after it has been weakened slightly
Example: Mega Pidgeot has solid Special Attack, a great speed tier and can easily finish off teams after they have been weakened.
Reference: Personal experience.
Term: Check
Explanation: Pokémon A checks Pokémon B if, when Pokémon A is given a free switch into Pokémon B, Pokémon A can win every time, even under the worst case scenario, without factoring in hax. In some scenarios if a Pokemon can switch into the opposing Pokemon's move and proceed to OHKO it then it is also a check.
Example: An example of a check would be Mega Charizard X and Choice Scarf Garchomp. If Garchomp is given a free switch in, it can OHKO Mega Charizard X even at +1. It can manually switch into Flare Blitz/Earthquake/Dragon Dance but isn't a counter since Dragon Claw OHKOs.
Reference: MattL, on the Smogon Webzine.
Term: Counter
Explanation: Pokémon A counters Pokémon B if Pokémon A can manually switch into Pokémon B and still win every time, even under the worst case scenario, without factoring in hax.
Example: An example of a counter is Mega Venusaur and Mega Altaria. Mega Venusaur takes little damage from all of Altaria's attacks, can heal off with Synthesis, can cripple with Leech Seed and hit it with a super-effective Sludge Bomb. Therefore, the conclusion is that Venusaur wins in every scenario (except for sky attack altaria), so it is a counter.
Reference: MattL, on the Smogon Webzine.
Term: Cleric
Explanation: A cleric uses Heal Bell or Aromatherapy to cure itself and it's team of status.
Example: An example of a cleric is Sylveon, as it can utilize Heal Bell to clear it's team of status.
Reference: Sylveon Analysis, personal experience.
Term: Stallbreaker
Explanation: A pokemon that wears down another Pokemon by Status and moves like Taunt while being able to heal off damage. Pokemon that are can break down defensive cores of stall teams also classify as stallbreakers. Examples are SD Gliscor since it is immune to status with Poison Heal, can use Sableye, Alomomola, Chansey etc. as set up fodder, can cripple with Knock Off.
Example: Mew was a very good Stallbreaker in the XY meta as it could Taunt weaker Pokemon such as Chansey and wear it down by Knock Off and Will-O-Wisp chip damage, while healing off Seismic Toss damage
Reference: Personal Experience, I guess
Term: Tank
Explanation: A Pokemon that can both take relatively low damage from hits and deal relatively high damage at the same time. A tank can be physical, special, or some combination of both. Some, but not all, tanks have reliable recovery.
Example: Mega Venusaur is a tank that can take physical and special hits alike with its typing, defenses and Thick Fat, while being able to restore its HP with Synthesis and/or Giga Drain, as well as dish out some good damage with its 122 base Special Attack stat. Rhyperior is also a tank on the physical side, with great HP, Attack, and Defense stats, but has mediocre special bulk and no recovery outside of Leftovers.
Reference: Personal experience, as well as the on-site Pokemon Dictionary (written during BW, but many of its points are still valid).
Term: Wallbreaker
Explanation: A pokemon that is capable of breaking stall teams to a certain extent using brute force, whether it be through boosting an offensive stat to high levels and breaking through from there, using an attack-boosting choice item or spamming a nuke, or using excellent mixed offensive stats and great super-effective coverage. Most that fit in this category can also break Balance teams given the right situation.
Example: Mega Gallade, Mega Heracross, Diggersby, Crawdaunt, and Bisharp are all wallbreakers that do loads of damage to bulkier teams through boosting their already good attack stats to high levels and then bashing the opposing team. Hydreigon, Mega Garchomp, and Kyurem-B have good mixed offensive stats that let them hit from both sides of the spectrum, making them harder to switch into. Victini, Keldeo, Azumarill, Terrakion, and Staraptor are all wallbreakers that use items like Choice Band. Some of these and Mega Charizard Y carry a strong nuke (Victini's V-Create for example).
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Glass Cannon
Explanation: A Pokemon who has high offensive power but is very defensively frail.
Example: Mega Absol hits extremely hard, but is quite frail.
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Phazer
Explanation: A Pokemon who uses moves that may force the opponent to switch, such as Roar, Whirlwind, Perish Song, and Yawn.
Example: Skarmory can phaze out set up sweepers with Whirlwind.
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Spinner
Explanation: A Pokemon who uses Rapid Spin to remove entry hazards.
Example: Starmie and Excadrill.
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Revenge Killer
Explanation: A Pokemon intended to switch in after another Pokemon has fainted and either defeat or threaten the opponent out to regain momentum with decent offensive presence, high speed, and/or priority
Example: Choice Band Talonflame's powerful Priority Brave Bird and high natural speed lets it revenge kill opponents when a teammate faints.
Reference: Experience and Inference
Term: Win Condition
Explanation: A Pokemon built to secure favorable conditions or victory for the team. Often the primary focus of what the team is attempting to support.
Example: Mega Charizard-X can serve as a team's win condition. By building the team to remove or cripple his checks and counters, such as Heatran, Physically Defensive Hippowdon, Scarf Garchomp, etc. Mega Charizard X can sweep the rest of the opposing team and win the game once these threats are mitigated.
Reference: An old Smogon Analysis thread http://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/knowing-how-to-find-your-win-condition.3474271/
Term: Trapper (Ability)
Explanation: These pokemon can prevent pokemon from switching out because of their ability. Shadow Tag traps all pokemon bar ghost types, Arena Trap traps all grounded pokemon (pokemon without an immunity to ground) and Magnet Pull traps all steel types. The pokemon with one of these abilities can still switch out, the opponent can't if they are not ghost type, have a shed shell, are not steel type (magnet pull) or are not grounded (arena trap)
Example: Gothitelle, Dugtrio, Magnezone
Reference: Personal Experience, Analysis
Term: (Partially) Trapper (Move)
Explanation: A partially trap works the same as traps with an ability. The pokemon is unable to switch out if they are not a ghost type or do not hold a shed shell. A pokemon gets trapped if they are hit by a move that can partially trap (Whirlpool, Infestation, Magma Storm) and it will last 4-5 turns or until the user of the move switches out. There are also moves that trap the opponent until the user of the move switches out, such as Block and Spider Web
Example: Klefki (Fairy Lock) Shuckle (Infestation) Heatran (Magma Storm)
Reference: Personal Experience, Analysis
Term: Pursuit Trapper
Explanation: A pursuit trapper traps the opponent with the move Pursuit. The move pursuit changes from 40 BP to 80 BP and will move before the opponent switches out. If the opponent does not switch out, Pursuit will only have 40 BP. This moves works because pokemon like Latios can't switch out for free, because Pursuit will hit them supereffectively before they switch out
Example: Bisharp, Tyranitar, Scizor
Reference: Personal Experience, Analysis
Term: Anti-Lead
Definition: An anti-lead can defeat common leads like Landorus-Therian because of a certain move, ability or good speedtier. This include moves like Fake Out, which breaks focus sash and sturdy and Spore, which puts the hazards leads to sleep but also abilities like Magic Bounce who bounces back hazards.
Example: Lopunny (Fake Out) Mega Sableye (Magic Bounce) Breloom (Spore / Bullet Seed)
Reference: Personal Experience, Analysis
Term: Suicide Lead
Explanation: A Pokemon almost always used in the lead position to put up hazard(s) and potentially prevent other leads from doing the same.
Example: Azelf, Mamoswine, Garchomp
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Weather Sweeper
Explanation: A sweeper that abuses weather to take an advantage, for example Excadrill has its speed doubled in sandstorm with Sand Rush, while Mega Swampert has Swift Swim in the rain and its Water-type moves are also powered up.
Example: Mega Swampert, Excadrill, Kingdra, Kabutops
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Status Absorber
Explanation: A pokemon that is a dedicated switch-in to status inducing moves.
Example A: Gliscor is a good status absorber, because once its Toxic Orb has activated it cannot be inflicted with another status ailment.
Example B: Clefable's ability Magic Guard makes it immune to passive damage from Toxic and Will-O-Wisp, making it a good status absorber.
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Defogger
Explanation: A Pokemon that utilizes the move Defog to remove hazards such as Stealth Rock, Spikes, and other effects such as Light Screen and Reflect in order to support the team.
Example: Latios, Latias, Mandibuzz, Scizor
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Lure
Explanation: A set that utilizes uncommon moves and/or items in order to lure in and take out the normal checks and counters of the Pokemon using the lure.
Example: Natural Gift Talonflame, Earthquake Latios
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Wish Passer
Explanation: A Pokemon that is used in order to heal teammates with the use of the move Wish.
Example: Jirachi, Chansey
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Mono-Attacker
Explanation: A Pokemon utilizing a moveset that only has 1 attacking moves, with the other 3 moves generally being boosting moves and recovery moves.
Example: Suicune, Mega Altaria
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Wall
Explanation:
(Noun) A Pokemon that is able to take attacks from an opposing Pokemon and beat it through defensive means, rather than offensive ones.
(Verb) A Pokemon which prevents another Pokemon from dealing significant damage.
Example:
(Noun) Hippowdon is a physical wall, able to take hits from the likes of Garchomp, Landorus-T, and other physical attackers. It uses it's ability to take hits in order to protect Pokemon on it's team, set up Stealth Rock, and chip away at it's opponent's with Earthquake.
(Verb) Despite it's poor bulk, Toxicroak walls Keldeo thanks to it's typing and ability.
Reference: Common use
Term: Dual Screens
Explanation: Refers to the use of Light Screen and Reflect together.
Example: Azelf commonly runs a suicide lead with dual screens
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Set-up Sweeper (offensive)
Explanation: A pokemon that uses moves to raise it's attacking, speed, or both stats to sweep opponents.
Example 1: Volcarona uses Quiver Dance to raise it's special attack, special defense, and speed to sweep opponents.
Example 2: Scizor uses swords dance to boost it's attack and uses bullet punch to make up for it's low speed to try and sweep teams. Also uses it's bulk to set-up with more ease.
Term: Set-up Sweeper (defensive)
Explanation: Not as common as offensive set-up sweepers, but pokemon that use moves to raise there defensive stats (and possibly offensive) to stall out opponents.
Example 1: Mega Sableye with Calm mind
Term: Pivot (Defensive / Offensive)
Explanation: A pivot is a Pokemon that is generally only used for switching. Due to good defensive stats and a solid defensive typing, they can usually take little damage as they switch in, and the opposing switch they force allows the player to switch again safely to another Pokemon. An offensive pivot will force a switch by threatening KO on the opponent, thus obtaining momentum, whereas a defensive pivot will be difficult to break past, and thus will slow the opponent's momentum.
Example: Mega Ampharos (Defensive), Scarf Landorus-T (Offensive)
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Supporter
Explanation: A Pokemon who uses non-offensive moves which benefit the team.
Example: Ferrothorn, Heatran
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Sponge
Explanation: A Pokemon that can repeatedly take many strong but unboosted hits from the opposing team.
Example: Chansey, Hippowdon, Alomomola
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Nuke
Explanation: A Pokemon that can hit extremely hard right off the bat to soften up the opposing team.
Example: Staraptor, Victini, Mega Gardevoir
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Emergency Stop
Explanation: A Pokemon that can effectively stop sweepers through tactics such as priority
Example: Thundurus, Klefki, Quagsire
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Shitmon
Definition: Pokemon that are just bad and have no nich/horribly outclassed in its niche are referred to as shitmons due to the fact that many wouldn't touch them with a 10 foot pole due to their ineffectiveness.(depends on the tier, unless its mudkip who's no good in any tier :[ )
Example: Pachirisu in OU [OU not VGC :)]
Reference: Context Clues (and I asked the chat on ps)
Term: FEAR
Explanation: A level-1 pokemon with a Focus Sash. The pokemon will survive with the Sash and then use the move "Endeavor" to knock the opponent down to 1 HP. Then the FEAR pokemon will use Quick Attack to OHKO the opponent's pokemon.
Example: Level-1 Ratattata with Focus Sash, Endeavor, and Quick Attack
Reference: Bulbapedia
Term: Dual Screener
Explanation: A Pokemon that sets up both Light Screen and Reflect while holding a Light Clay
Example: Klefki
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Spinblocker
Explanation: A Ghost-type Pokemon who is used to stop the opponent from using Rapid Spin successfully.
Example: Mega Sableye
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Cro(Cune/Bro)
Definition: A pokemon that uses the moves Rest, Sleep Talk and Calm Mind to slowly set up and stay healthy with Rest. Named after the inventor of the set.
Example: Suicune, Mega Slowbro
Reference: Analysis
Term: BoltBeam
Explanation: Thunderbolt and Ice Beam. Any meshing of Electric- and Ice-type coverage is generally referred to as pseudo-BoltBeam coverage.
Example: Porygon2
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: EdgeQuake
Explanation: Stone Edge and Earthquake. Any meshing of Rock- and Ground-type coverage is generally referred to as pseudo-EdgeQuake coverage.
Example: Landorus-T
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Nasty Pass
Explanation: The combination of Nasty Plot and Baton Pass to a special sweeper giving them +2 in Special Attack.
Example: Celebi, Togekiss
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Double Dance
Explanation: The use of two boosting moves, generally one boosting speed and another boosting offensive stats, in order to deal with both stall and offensive teams.
Example: Landorus-T, Mega Charizard X
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: VoltTurn
Explanation: The use of the moves Volt Switch and/or U-turn to gain momentum against the opposing team.
Example: Mega Manectric, Scizor, Raikou
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: STAB
Explanation: Same Type Attack Bonus, which increases the power of a direct attack by 50% if the one of the user's types is the same as the attack's type.
Example: Tackle from Bidoof
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: SmashPass
Explanation: The use of Shell Smash and Baton Pass together.
Example: Smeargle
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: HP
Explanation: Short for Hidden Power. Do not confuse it with the Health Points.
Example: HP Fire, HP Ice
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Paraflinch
Explanation: Using a combination of Thunder Wave / Body Slam and Iron Head / Air Slash to Paralyse and or Flinch the living hell out of a Pokemon, mainly used by Pokemon with Serene Grace
Example: Jirachi and Togekiss
Reference: Pain and Suffering on the ladder
Term: ScarfTar/Scarftar
Explanation: A 4 Attacks Tyranitar set holding a Choice Scarf. Almost always runs Pursuit to trap Gengar and Lati@s for teammates.
Example: ScarfTar is a great partner for Keldeo and/or Landorus-I since it can consistently Pursuit trap Lati@s, which otherwise give them trouble.
Reference: Forums, personal experience
Term: SubCM
Explanation: Substitute and Calm Mind
Example: Keldeo
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: ChestoRest
Explanation: The use of a Chesto Berry and Rest, allowing for instant recovery
Example: Rotom-W
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Auto-Weather
Explanation: A Pokemon whose ability creates a weather effect, such as sand, rain, hail, or sun, when they are brought into play.
Example: Charizard Mega Y, Hippowdon, Politoed, Abomasnow
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Wish+Tect
Explanation: Using the combination of Wish and Protect to provide recovery to a Pokemon.
Example: Unaware Clefable can use WishTect for recovery.
Reference: Personal experience, Forums
Term: BellyJet
Explanation: Belly Drum + Aqua Jet
Example: Azumarill
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: BP
Explanation: Base Power of a move (Also for Bullet Punch and Baton Pass)
Example: Close Combat's BP is 120
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: OHKO
Explanation: Short for one hit KO or one hit knock out
Example: Primal-Kyogre's Origin Pulse OHKOed Numel
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: OTR
Explanation: Offensive Trick Room, which commonly refers to a Pokemon that can set not only set up Trick Room, but also use it to sweep itself, instead of switching out to a teammate to sweep.
Example: Victini
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: DD
Explanation: Dragon Dance
Example: DD Dragonite, DD Mega Altaria, DD Gyarados
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: CB
Explanation: Choice Band
Example: CB Dragonite, CB Talonflame, CB Azumarill
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Espeed
Explanation: Extreme Speed
Example: espeed Entei, espeed Lucario, espeed Dragonite
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: HJK
Explanation: High Jump Kick
Example: HJK Mienfoo, HJK Mega Medicham
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Lati@s
Explanation: Latios or Latias
Example: Life Orb Lati@s
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: FEAR
Explanation: A level-1 pokemon with a Focus Sash. The pokemon will survive with the Sash and then use the move "Endeavor" to knock the opponent down to 1 HP. Then the FEAR pokemon will use Quick Attack to OHKO the opponent's pokemon.
Example: Level-1 Ratattata with Focus Sash, Endeavor, and Quick Attack
Reference: Bulbapedia
Term: Ttar
Explanation: Short for Tyranitar
Example: CB ttar
Reference: Another battler
Term: 4MSS
Explanation: In which a Pokémon has five or more moves it needs to be used successfully, but due to only having four moveslots cannot do this.
Example: Lucario's goal as a late-game cleaner means it needs Swords Dance to boost, Extremespeed for priority, Close Combat and/or Iron Tail for STAB and Ice Punch and Crunch for coverage. However, it may only choose four of these six moves and hence suffers from 4MSS.
Reference: Personal experience both on showdown and on the forums.
Term: Azu
Explanation: Short for Azumarill
Example: BellyJet Azu
Reference: Another battler
Term: SD
Explanation: Short for Swords Dance
Example: SD Mega Gallade, SD Bisharp
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: FWG
Explanation: an abbreviation used when you refer to a core made by a fire, a water and a grass pokemon. It is common to see a defensive core formed by these three types because they cover each other weaknesses pretty well.
Example: Heatran-mega venusaur-quagsire
Reference: personal experience
Term: FDS
Explanation: an abbreviation used when you refer to a core made by a fairy, a dragon and a steel pokemon. It is common to see a defensive core formed by these three types because they cover each other weaknesses pretty well.
Example: mega charizard x-ferrothorn-clefable
Reference: personal experience
Term: Sub
Explanation: Short for Substitute
Example: SubCM Keldeo, SubToxic Gliscor
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: WoW
Explanation: Short for will-o-wisp
Example: Wow Mega Gardevoir, Wow Heatran
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Volc
Explanation: Short for Volcorona
Example: I used a team with an offensive Volc
Reference: Personal experience
Term: RestTalk
Explanation: The use of Rest and Sleep Talk in order to fully heal and then still have a 2/3 chance of using a move in the next turns.
Example: Suicune
Reference: Personal experience
Term: FerroDefinition: A pokemon that uses the moves Rest, Sleep Talk and Calm Mind to slowly set up and stay healthy with Rest. Named after the inventor of the set.
Example: Suicune, Mega Slowbro
Reference: Analysis
Term: BoltBeam
Explanation: Thunderbolt and Ice Beam. Any meshing of Electric- and Ice-type coverage is generally referred to as pseudo-BoltBeam coverage.
Example: Porygon2
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: EdgeQuake
Explanation: Stone Edge and Earthquake. Any meshing of Rock- and Ground-type coverage is generally referred to as pseudo-EdgeQuake coverage.
Example: Landorus-T
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Nasty Pass
Explanation: The combination of Nasty Plot and Baton Pass to a special sweeper giving them +2 in Special Attack.
Example: Celebi, Togekiss
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Double Dance
Explanation: The use of two boosting moves, generally one boosting speed and another boosting offensive stats, in order to deal with both stall and offensive teams.
Example: Landorus-T, Mega Charizard X
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: VoltTurn
Explanation: The use of the moves Volt Switch and/or U-turn to gain momentum against the opposing team.
Example: Mega Manectric, Scizor, Raikou
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: STAB
Explanation: Same Type Attack Bonus, which increases the power of a direct attack by 50% if the one of the user's types is the same as the attack's type.
Example: Tackle from Bidoof
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: SmashPass
Explanation: The use of Shell Smash and Baton Pass together.
Example: Smeargle
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: HP
Explanation: Short for Hidden Power. Do not confuse it with the Health Points.
Example: HP Fire, HP Ice
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Paraflinch
Explanation: Using a combination of Thunder Wave / Body Slam and Iron Head / Air Slash to Paralyse and or Flinch the living hell out of a Pokemon, mainly used by Pokemon with Serene Grace
Example: Jirachi and Togekiss
Reference: Pain and Suffering on the ladder
Term: ScarfTar/Scarftar
Explanation: A 4 Attacks Tyranitar set holding a Choice Scarf. Almost always runs Pursuit to trap Gengar and Lati@s for teammates.
Example: ScarfTar is a great partner for Keldeo and/or Landorus-I since it can consistently Pursuit trap Lati@s, which otherwise give them trouble.
Reference: Forums, personal experience
Term: SubCM
Explanation: Substitute and Calm Mind
Example: Keldeo
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: ChestoRest
Explanation: The use of a Chesto Berry and Rest, allowing for instant recovery
Example: Rotom-W
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Auto-Weather
Explanation: A Pokemon whose ability creates a weather effect, such as sand, rain, hail, or sun, when they are brought into play.
Example: Charizard Mega Y, Hippowdon, Politoed, Abomasnow
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Wish+Tect
Explanation: Using the combination of Wish and Protect to provide recovery to a Pokemon.
Example: Unaware Clefable can use WishTect for recovery.
Reference: Personal experience, Forums
Term: BellyJet
Explanation: Belly Drum + Aqua Jet
Example: Azumarill
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: BP
Explanation: Base Power of a move (Also for Bullet Punch and Baton Pass)
Example: Close Combat's BP is 120
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: OHKO
Explanation: Short for one hit KO or one hit knock out
Example: Primal-Kyogre's Origin Pulse OHKOed Numel
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: OTR
Explanation: Offensive Trick Room, which commonly refers to a Pokemon that can set not only set up Trick Room, but also use it to sweep itself, instead of switching out to a teammate to sweep.
Example: Victini
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: DD
Explanation: Dragon Dance
Example: DD Dragonite, DD Mega Altaria, DD Gyarados
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: CB
Explanation: Choice Band
Example: CB Dragonite, CB Talonflame, CB Azumarill
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Espeed
Explanation: Extreme Speed
Example: espeed Entei, espeed Lucario, espeed Dragonite
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: HJK
Explanation: High Jump Kick
Example: HJK Mienfoo, HJK Mega Medicham
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Lati@s
Explanation: Latios or Latias
Example: Life Orb Lati@s
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: FEAR
Explanation: A level-1 pokemon with a Focus Sash. The pokemon will survive with the Sash and then use the move "Endeavor" to knock the opponent down to 1 HP. Then the FEAR pokemon will use Quick Attack to OHKO the opponent's pokemon.
Example: Level-1 Ratattata with Focus Sash, Endeavor, and Quick Attack
Reference: Bulbapedia
Term: Ttar
Explanation: Short for Tyranitar
Example: CB ttar
Reference: Another battler
Term: 4MSS
Explanation: In which a Pokémon has five or more moves it needs to be used successfully, but due to only having four moveslots cannot do this.
Example: Lucario's goal as a late-game cleaner means it needs Swords Dance to boost, Extremespeed for priority, Close Combat and/or Iron Tail for STAB and Ice Punch and Crunch for coverage. However, it may only choose four of these six moves and hence suffers from 4MSS.
Reference: Personal experience both on showdown and on the forums.
Term: Azu
Explanation: Short for Azumarill
Example: BellyJet Azu
Reference: Another battler
Term: SD
Explanation: Short for Swords Dance
Example: SD Mega Gallade, SD Bisharp
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: FWG
Explanation: an abbreviation used when you refer to a core made by a fire, a water and a grass pokemon. It is common to see a defensive core formed by these three types because they cover each other weaknesses pretty well.
Example: Heatran-mega venusaur-quagsire
Reference: personal experience
Term: FDS
Explanation: an abbreviation used when you refer to a core made by a fairy, a dragon and a steel pokemon. It is common to see a defensive core formed by these three types because they cover each other weaknesses pretty well.
Example: mega charizard x-ferrothorn-clefable
Reference: personal experience
Term: Sub
Explanation: Short for Substitute
Example: SubCM Keldeo, SubToxic Gliscor
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: WoW
Explanation: Short for will-o-wisp
Example: Wow Mega Gardevoir, Wow Heatran
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Volc
Explanation: Short for Volcorona
Example: I used a team with an offensive Volc
Reference: Personal experience
Term: RestTalk
Explanation: The use of Rest and Sleep Talk in order to fully heal and then still have a 2/3 chance of using a move in the next turns.
Example: Suicune
Reference: Personal experience
Explanation: Short for Ferrothorn
Example: I used a balanced team with a Ferro
Reference: Personal experience
Term: Lop
Explanation: Short for (Mega) Lopunny
Example: I lead the game off with my Lopunny
Reference: Personal experience
Term: BST
Explanation: Refers to the total number of a Pokemon's base stats.
Example: 600
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Kyube
Explanation: Short for Kyurem-Black
Example: My opponent's team is really weak to Kyube
Reference: Personal experience
Term: Landog/Landoge/Lando-T
Explanation: Short for Landorus-Therian
Example: I need to keep Scarf Landog to beat my opponent's Manectric
Reference: Personal experience
Term: MegaMan
Explanation: Short for Mega Manectric
Example: I'll need to keep MegaMan to revenge kill my opponent's Thundurus
Reference: Personal experience
Term: Garde
Explanation: Short for (Mega) Gardevoir
Example: My opponent's team stall team has to keep Bronzong to have a chance at getting past my Garde
Reference: Personal experience
Term: SR
Explanation: Stealth Rock
Example: Landorus-I is a great offensive user of SR.
Reference: forums, WIP analyses, PS!
Term: "Get up Rocks"
Explanation: The act of using the move Stealth Rock.
Example: It's a good idea to get up your Rocks early to prevent your opponent from switching often.
Reference: YouTube
Term: PS!, PS, Shoddy
Explanation: Pokemon Showdown!
Example: PS is Smogon's official battle simulator.
Reference: forums
Term: MixMence
Explanation: Either of two mixed Salamence movesets with Life Orb. Classic MixMence is Rash with Draco Meteor, Fire Blast, Hydro Pump, and Roost and New MixMence is Naive with Draco Meteor, Earthquake, Flamethrower, and Outrage.
Example: Salamence
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: DragMagFairy
Explanation: Teams that usually consist of things that typically are checked by specific steel types such as Skarmory (usually Fairies and Dragons), and have Magnezone to remove them.
Example: The Italian Bunny Offense ladder team back in late XY.
Reference: People spamming it on the ladder :I
Term: Drizzletoed
Explanation: Politoed with the ability Drizzle.
Example: That person is going to set up rain with his Drizzletoed.
Reference: Personal experience, PS chat.
Term: Celetran
Explanation: A very famous core consisting of Celebi and Heatran. Type-wise, Celebi is resistant to everything Heatran is weak to including Fighting-, Water- and Ground-, whilst Heatran in turn resists/is immune to nearly everything Celebi is weak to such as Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying and Bug. Only three types hit this core for neutral damage and that is Dark-, Ghost- and Rock- types.
Example: Physically Defensive Celebi and Specially Defensive Heatran.
Reference: Forums, experience, RMTs.
Term: Crit
Explanation: Abbreviation for Critical Hit
Example: I need a crit to win this battle
Reference: Personal Experience / Other players
Term: Drop a Draco
Explanation: Use the move Draco Meteor
Example: [sends in Latios] I'll just drop a Draco on this Keldeo
Reference: YouTube (pokeaim in particular)
Term: GG - "Good Game"
Explanation 1: A customary way to thank your opponent for the battle.
Explanation 2: A way to signal that the outcome of the battle is practically determined, even though it technically isn't over. Usually used by the winning side.
Example 1: "What a jerk. He was screaming about hax the entire battle, and when I won he didn't even say GG".
Example 2: "His Gliscor allowed me to set up Gyarados to +6/+6, and it was all GG from there on"
Reference: Common usage on the forums and Pokémon Showdown.
Term: 6-0'd
Explanation: A battle ends with all 6 Pokémon on one side fainted, but 0 Pokémon on the other side.
Example: "A battle against a Jirachi can easily end up with you 6-0'd without a chance to retaliate because of paraflinch"
Reference: Common usage on the forums.
Term: Scarf
Explanation: Choice Scarf. Not to be confused with Silk Scarf (occasionally used by Arceus) or the Pokémon Contest scarves.
Example: ScarfChomp, ScarfTar, Scarfed Pokémon.
Reference: Common usage on the forums.
Term: Offense
Explanation: Offensive teams rely on outspeeding and outdamaging the opponent directly. Players using this style of play will often utilize hard-hitting Pokemon and use resistances and immunities to switch into attacks as opposed to defined walls to take hits. Tactics include: lures to eliminate counters, using stat boosters, and utilizing a quick Stealth Rock in order to facilitate kills. The suicide lead is an expansion of the quick Stealth Rock concept and is often used by offensive teams. A suicide lead is essentially a Pokemon in the lead position whose role is to stop the opponent from setting up Stealth Rock and at the same time set up its own Stealth Rock, such as Aerodactyl and Azelf.
Example: Sand Offense teams
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Balance
Explanation: This type of team does not rely on any single type of Pokemon. Generally speaking, balanced teams have a couple of sweepers, backed up by a number of walls and/or tanks. Most teams of this type will utilize a form or two of entry hazards. The most successful balanced teams often revolve around a certain threat, while the other teammates seek to help guarantee a sweep by the said threat.
Example: CB Tyranitar supports RP Landorus-I to sweep a team, with Ferrothorn setting up hazards and Unaware Clefable as a Cleric
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Stall
Explanation: Stall teams are based off of residual damage. This damage can come in many forms, including: sandstorm, hail, Toxic Spikes, Spikes, and Stealth Rock. The majority of Pokemon on a team like this will have good defenses and contribute to the overall goal of indirectly fainting the opponent's team. Tactics include using Ghosts to block Rapid Spin (a move which can eliminate entry hazards), setting up entry hazards as fast as possible, and using Pseudo-Hazing (Phazing) moves, such as Perish Song, Whirlwind, and Roar.
Example: Standard Stall team: Mega Sableye, Jirachi, Tentacruel, Hippowdon, Chesnaught, Heatran
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Sash Offense
Explanation: A team utilizing many threats holding a Focus Sash along with a Defog user to remove hazards that would otherwise render the Sashes ineffective.
Example: Bloo's Dance Like You Want to Win team
Reference: Personal Experience
Explanation: Offensive teams rely on outspeeding and outdamaging the opponent directly. Players using this style of play will often utilize hard-hitting Pokemon and use resistances and immunities to switch into attacks as opposed to defined walls to take hits. Tactics include: lures to eliminate counters, using stat boosters, and utilizing a quick Stealth Rock in order to facilitate kills. The suicide lead is an expansion of the quick Stealth Rock concept and is often used by offensive teams. A suicide lead is essentially a Pokemon in the lead position whose role is to stop the opponent from setting up Stealth Rock and at the same time set up its own Stealth Rock, such as Aerodactyl and Azelf.
Example: Sand Offense teams
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Balance
Explanation: This type of team does not rely on any single type of Pokemon. Generally speaking, balanced teams have a couple of sweepers, backed up by a number of walls and/or tanks. Most teams of this type will utilize a form or two of entry hazards. The most successful balanced teams often revolve around a certain threat, while the other teammates seek to help guarantee a sweep by the said threat.
Example: CB Tyranitar supports RP Landorus-I to sweep a team, with Ferrothorn setting up hazards and Unaware Clefable as a Cleric
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Stall
Explanation: Stall teams are based off of residual damage. This damage can come in many forms, including: sandstorm, hail, Toxic Spikes, Spikes, and Stealth Rock. The majority of Pokemon on a team like this will have good defenses and contribute to the overall goal of indirectly fainting the opponent's team. Tactics include using Ghosts to block Rapid Spin (a move which can eliminate entry hazards), setting up entry hazards as fast as possible, and using Pseudo-Hazing (Phazing) moves, such as Perish Song, Whirlwind, and Roar.
Example: Standard Stall team: Mega Sableye, Jirachi, Tentacruel, Hippowdon, Chesnaught, Heatran
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Sash Offense
Explanation: A team utilizing many threats holding a Focus Sash along with a Defog user to remove hazards that would otherwise render the Sashes ineffective.
Example: Bloo's Dance Like You Want to Win team
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Dry Pass
Explanation: The use of the move Baton Pass without using boosting moves for the purpose of gaining momentum
Example: Celebi, Sylveon
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Innovation
Explanation: Introducing and using non-standard sets and/ or Pokemon and making them more standard
Example: (Basedlord) CTC, SD Gliscor, Stall Mega Charizard X
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Outclassed
Explanation: Something that is worse at doing its job than something else making it unviable in OU.
Example: Darmantian, Florges, Donphan, Jolteon
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Auto-Weather
Explanation: A Pokemon whose ability creates a weather effect, such as sand, rain, hail, or sun, when they are brought into play.
Example: Charizard Mega Y, Hippowdon, Politoed, Abomasnow
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Centralizing
Explanation: A Pokemon that centers the tier around it, forcing the use of normally bad Pokemon or movesets to check or counter it.
Example: Mega Salamence
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Anti-meta
Explanation: A Pokemon that does well against prominent threats in the metagame, even if it is not a prominent threat itself.
Example: Weavile, Mega Houndoom
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Coverage Move
Explanation: A move that a pokemon runs which does not get a STAB multiplier in order to hit certain pokemon harder than a STAB move would.
Example: Mega Altaria runs Fire Blast as a coverage move to KO Ferrothorn and other steel types that resist its STAB Hyper Voice.
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Aegi meta
Explanation: When Aegislash was OU legal, the meta looked very different. Some threats were more effective in an Aegi-controlled meta and a large amount were made less viable due to Aegi's superior typing and bulk.
Example: Mega Heracross and Mega Gardevoir were worse during the Aegi meta, Thundurus was arguably better in the Aegi meta.
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Niche
Explanation: A Pokemon that is used in OU because it can perform a very specific role when it would be otherwise outclassed.
Example: Magneton, Blissey
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Stacking
Explanation: The pairing of several threats who share similar checks and counters in order to eventually wear down the checks and counters for one of the threats to sweep.
Example: Birdspam* (Talonflame, Staraptor, Mega Pinsir), Dragonspam
Reference: Personal Experience
*Term: Birdspam
Explanation: Birdspam is an offensive playstyle that is centered around using a core of Talonflame + Mega Pinsir (or Staraptor) to defeat an opponent's team. Talonflame, Pinsir, and Staraptor wear down each other's counters and checks until one of them can break through and sweep. In this setup, Pinsir/Staraptor acts as the wallbreaker, and Talonflame cleans up against weakened opponents. The name "Birdspam" came from the fact that in the early XY meta, users of a Talonflame/Mega Pinsir core or Talonflame/Staraptor core, won easily by abusing Brave Bird and Aerilate Return.
Example: If a team has both Talonflame and Mega Pinsir/Staraptor then it is usually labeled as a birdspam team. When someone says, "My team is birdspam weak", they're basically saying that they have a team that struggles against the aforementioned cores.
Reference: Personal Reference.
Term: Weavile Syndrome
Explanation: A Pokemon that is crippled by having to rely on low Base Power moves to deal damage.
Example: Mega Beedrill, Mega Aerodactyl
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Electivire Syndrome
Explanation: A Pokemon that has access to good coverage moves but no way to reliably boost its attacking stats.
Example: Mega Metagross, Mega Medicham
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Pinch Berry
Explanation: A stat-boosting Berry that activates when the holder falls below a certain amount of health. Often used in conjunction with Substitute, as Substituting two / three times activates the Berry if you have an odd HP stat.
Example: Belly Drum + Sitrus Berry Azumarill, Belly Drum + Substitute + Salac Berry Chesnaught
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Residual Damage
Explanation: Damage taken by a Pokemon without having been attacked, whether by recoil (Life Orb or otherwise), weather (hail or sandstorm), status effects (poison or burn), and/or entry hazards.
Example: Life Orb Bisharp, Flame Orb Guts Conkeldurr
Reference: The Pokemon Dictionary
Term: Cancer/AIDS
Explanation: A practice or phenomenon perceived to be evil or stupid; can often be found on the lower end of the OU ladder
Example: Soak Lanturn, Life Orb Charizard
Reference: Another battler
Term: DragMagFairy
Explanation: Teams that usually consist of things that typically are checked by specific steel types such as Skarmory (usually Fairies and Dragons), and have Magnezone to remove them.
Example: The Italian Bunny Offense ladder team back in late XY.
Reference: People spamming it on the ladder :I
Term: Gimmick
Explanation: An unreliable set that functions on very certain circumstances and is usually more cost than reward
Example: Fire Blast Gyarados; may seem good to KO Ferrothorn and Skarmory but ends up costing a moveslot and is still very weak
Reference: Literally every thread on this forum people use this as an excuse to everything
Term: Momentum
Explanation: The advantage held by a player that's generated over the course of multiple turns by forcing the opponent's mons into unfavorable 1v1 match-ups, thus forcing them to frequently switch and give up free turns.
Example 1: An offensive team has momentum when it has forced the opponent to make frequent defensive switches due to offensive pressure, resulting in mons taking damage from switching into attacks without dealing out damage in return.
Example 2: A stall team has momentum when it forces the opponent to make frequent switches into mons that have a chance of breaking a defensive mon, resulting in mons taking damage from racking up Hazard damage and/or damage from small attacks without dealing out damage in return
Reference: Myself + http://www.thefreedictionary.com/momentum
Term: Pseudo Legendary
Explanation: A pokemon with the total base stat of 600 or more, without being an event pokemon or legendary.
Example: Pseudos usually represent generation. Having at least one every generation, with the exception of generation 3 with Metagross and Salamence? It's usually used to described Pokemon who are often viewed as controversial, as most of them have been victim to a suspect test.
Reference: Personally I have no clue where I heard this the first time. It was sort of passed by in coversation.
Term: Hax
Explanation: Hax basically stands from gamechanging luck, for example Thunderbolt paralyzing the opposing setup sweeper.
Example: That Ice Beam freeze hax on my Charizard really sucked. Without it I would have won that game.
Reference: personal experience.
Term: Cripple
Explanation: When a Pokemon statuses or weakens another Pokemon so that it cannot function effectively throughout the rest of the match.
Example:
1.) Keldeo is such a good Pokemon because it can get past it's usual checks and counters such as Latios and Azumarill by crippling them with Scald.
2.) Skarmory can cripple Mega Metagross enough with Counter that another Pokemon can come and finish it off easily.
Reference: Personal experience, Forums
Term: Viability
Explanation: Refers to the effectiveness and how a Pokemon fares in the metagame right now.
Example: Tornadus-Therian's viability is rising due to it's excellent base speed tier, access to Regenerator and a wide array of utility moves such as Knock Off and U-turn, letting it check many prominent threats such as Keldeo and Gengar.
Reference: Personal experience, Viability Rankings.
Explanation: Spamming moves like Recover until your opponent runs out of Power Points for a certain move.
Example: I kept using Slack Off with my Hippowdon until my opponent's Terrakion ran out of PP for the move Close Combat.
Reference: Personal Experience, the guy cursed me out and left
Term: Death Fodder
Explanation: A pokemon that is either not useful in the current match up or is weakened, so it is saved as a sacrifice to allow a free switch-in at the opportune moment.
Example: My Hippowdon was greatly weakened, but I decided to save it as death fodder for later to get up my sand and a free switch into my Excadrill.
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Setup Fodder
Explanation: A pokemon that is completely harmless to another pokemon and can be set up on easily.
Example: Defogger Mew is setup fodder for SD Talonflame because it can't use Will-O-Wisp on it and Knock Off does very little damage.
Example: Sub Calm Mind Keldeo uses passive mons with weak attacks that rely on status moves as setup fodder thanks to Substitute.
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Stale
Explanation: A term describing a meta where creativity is impossible either due to certain meta game trends or extreme team-building restrictions. The most often cause is an overcentralizing Pokemon, though other causes are possible.
Example: The OU Mega-Salamence meta was a stale meta where most teams were Mega Salamence + Mega Salamence checks + Checks to Mega Salamence checks
Refernce: Personal Experience, A post by AM that summed it up nicely
Term: Double switch
Explanation: Switching twice in a row, generally to create a favorable matchup. Usually the first switch is to scare something out and then the second is to get the favorable matchup with a proper prediction.
Example: I switched my Charizard Y into my opponent's Mega Scizor and then double switched into my Tyranitar predicting him to switch into Latios.
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: Overpredict
Explanation: Predicting your opponent to make a play when they just go for a simpler move. This can occur when failing to recognize your opponent's best possible play.
Example: In the same scenario as above, my opponent weighed his options and realized it was not worth switching out his Mega Scizor. He went for U-turn, accepting the KO from Charizard if I went for Flamethrower and ultimately ended up punishing my overprediction and KOing my Tyranitar.
Reference: Personal Experience
Term: +6/+6
Explanation: A Pokémon which has boosted two of its stats to the maximum level, typically Attack and Speed or Sp.Atk and Sp.Def.
Example: Repeated usage of Dragon Dance or Calm Mind
Reference: Common usage on the forums.
Term: Outspeed/Outspeeding
Explanation: To have a higher effective Speed stat than the opponent, meaning that the Pokémon will get to move first in battle.
Example: Even with a neutral nature and no EV investment, Deoxys-S will outspeed most of the metagame.
Reference: Common usage on forums and analyses on Smogon.
Term: Recovery
Explanation: The act of restoring HP.
Example: Using moves such as Recover or Rest.
Reference: Common usage on forums and analyses on Smogon.
Term: Set up/Setting up - AKA "Boosting"
Explanation: Using stat-raising moves such as Swords Dance or Calm Mind to raise a Pokémon's stats before attacking. Sometimes also used
Example: "Passho Berry allows Volcarona to survive a strong Water-type move once, which allows Volcarona to set up on some common Water-types."
Reference: Common usage on the forums and analyses on Smogon. Quote lifted from Volcarona's analysis.
Term: Forcing out
Explanation: Creating a situation where the opponent is "forced" to switch out his Pokémon, either because you crippled* his Pokémon, or because none of his moves can do reliable damage to your Pokémon. Not to be confused with phasing*, wherein moves such as Roar or Whirlwind are used to forcefully switch out an opponent.
Example: "Fire-types such as Victini, Darmanitan and Mega Houndoom can force out a large portion of Grass-types."
Reference: Common usage on the forums and analyses on Smogon. Quote paraphrased from Gastrodon's analysis.
Term: Speed Tier
Explanation: Used to describe the effective Speed stat of the Pokémon in battle in relation to (groups of) other Pokémon. Two Pokémon with different Speed stats can end up in the same speed tier under certain conditions, such as if one of them is holding a Choice Scarf or has used a boosting move.
Example: "Running a Speed-increasing nature allows Tyrantrum to compete in the same speed tier as neutral Kingdra"
Reference: Common usage on the forums.
Term: Choice-lock, Choice-locked
Explanation: When a Pokémon is forced to keep using the same move because it is holding one of the Choice items.
Example: "Gyarados can come in on a Choice-locked Earthquake to get a free turn to set up"
Reference: Common usage on the forums.
Term: Reliable recovery
Explanation: A move that instantly recovers (a lot of) HP without drawbacks or situational disadvantages.
Example: Two of the reliable recovery moves are Roost and Recover. Un-reliable recovery is moves such as Rest (puts you to sleep), Leftovers (recovers very little HP at a time) or Morning Sun (recovers very little HP in Rain).
Reference: Common usage on the forums.
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