Competitive Pokémon battling emphasizes strategy over relying on luck or one-hit KO moves. Players manipulate stats like EVs and IVs to strengthen Pokémon for competitive play. The tiers range from Uber for the strongest Pokémon to NU for weaker fully-evolved Pokémon. Competitive battling removes luck-based elements and bans evasion or healing items to focus on skill and team organization.

1. It’s not just your typical NPC battle.

15. Normal Battling Competitive Battling One-hit K.O. moves can be used anytime, provided the player’s Pokémon knows it. One –hit K.O. moves are not allowed, thus removing luck-based fainting. Pokémon can increase their evasion. Pokémon cannot increase their evasion through items or skills, thus removing reliance on increased evasion of the Pokémon switched out. Players can use any Pokémon they want. Players’ Pokémon should vary depending on his/her playing style, strategy, and, if possible, the opponent’s Pokémon The higher the level, the stronger the Pokémon. A Pokémon’s strength comes from its EVs, IVs, nature, and moves which can be manipulated by the player. Hyper Potions and Max Revives (healing items) save you from blacking out. Usable items cannot be used in competitive battles since you cannot use them during player-versus-player battles.