Common rules of battling

[randomspot555]

Thanks for the sticky!

I thought I'd kick off the Wi-Fi Battling and Trading section with some of the more common rules found in people who battle via Wi-Fi.

Generally, in almost any Pokemon community where people battle, a standard battle follows these rules:

Overused: This means any Pokemon in the Overused tier or anything below it can be used. Most communities tend to conform to Smogon's tier list because the battling community on most sites is relatively small. PP is currently using Smogon's tier list and rules, and we're running battles on Shoddy. We will be modifying tiers and/or rules as PP sees fit, if necessary.

You can see a complete list of Smogon's tiers and where a Pokemon lies here.

A very BRIEF explanation clarifying what each tier is:

• Uber: These are deemed the centralizing Pokemon in the game. It's a "ban" list for everything else, and the tier is basically unstable. The only requirement to be "Uber" isn't based on pwoer, but based on overcentralizing the competitive game.
  
• Overused: The most used Pokemon and often the most powerful. They're usually able to run diverse sets that fill several roles. Some Pokemon might fluctuate in and out of this tier, but there's a way to prevent an OU Pokemon to fall too low just because of low usage.
  
• BL: I don't know exactly what "BL" stands for, but it's essentially a "ban list" for the lower tiers. No matter HOW low usage of certain OU Pokemon go, this tier kind of assures that they won't fall to Underused and destroy it. It's not really a tier because you can't have a "BL" match. They compete in the OU environment, but usually aren't as reliable.
  
• Underused: The least used Pokemon. These Pokemon tend to have lower stats and limited use outside of their tier. They can run more diverse sets inside their tiers because they don't have to worry about centralizing threats like Heatran and Scizor.
  
• Neverused: Pokemon that fall below UU. Yep, there are Pokemon that can't even be viable in UU.
  
• There is also NFE or Not Fully Evolved. Many NFE Pokes are basically weaker versions of their final evolutions (Kadabra, Haunter). Many have slight stat differences that will let them serve different roles as their evolved counterparts (Electabuzz, Magmar). A select few (Scyther, Pikachu, Porygon-2) serve unique roles that make them basically entirely different Pokemon. This isn't REALLY a tier because NFE can go anywhere.
  

If you are basing your battle off of some other tier list, please specify and make sure it's publicly viewable.

If someone wants to play an Underused battle (UU), or Never used battle (NU), then any Pokemon in the higher tiers are banned. But those should be specified.

The clauses or rules that are generally enforced in a standard battle are:

1. Species: No two of the same Pokemon on one team. That means you can't have two Porygon-Z. But you can have a Porygon2 AND a Porygon-Z.
   
2. Sleep: The opponent can only put one Pokemon to sleep at a time, and can only put another to sleep upon the original one waking up or being KOed. The opponent is allowed to put a second Pokemon to sleep if it happens incidentally (Effect Spore) or if a move like Rest is used.
   
3. OHKO: One hit knock out moves are banned.
   
4. Evasion: Moves that increase evasion are banned (Double Team, Minimize). Accupressure is still allowed.
   
5. Team consists of 6 Pokemon.
   
6. Freeze: No more than 2 Pokemon can be frozen at any one time. This cannot be enforced in the Wi-Fi environment. However, it is enforced on battle simulators such as Shoddy Battle and is an optional rule on Pokemon Battle Revolution.
   
7. This is usually implied, but nothing illegal. That means anything that can't happen within the confines of the game. Certain egg moves can't be combined with other egg moves, or an egg move can't be present with an event move, and so on. If you're using Pokesav to make a team, it's best to check with an online Pokedex (or this thread) to see if your team's moves and abilities are legal.
   

While the following rules are not considered standard, they may be utilized in certain communities or at an individual battler's request. While it's impossible to list ANY rule someone might come up with, I'll be glad to write down the more common ones (and any others you all bring up):

• Item Clause: Every item attached to a Pokemon must be different. This is enforced in official Nintendo tournaments, the Battle Tower, and among some battling communities.
  
• Hax Items: Hax Items are items that are based on luck. Quick Claw, Focus Band, etc... They only have a chance of working. They usually aren't widely used because 90% of the time, it's like holding nothing at all. But I know this is a standard rule over on the Serebii forums, so might as well post it.
  
• No Legends: Banning of all legendary Pokemon. Self explanatory. Usually utilized by newcomers to the world of battle. But all legendary Pokemon aren't created equal, and more than a few are actually quite weak.
  
• No hacks: Some people care about the origins of Pokemon they use or face in a battle, some don't.
  
• No new forms: Thanks to SCV, we all have a code so we can use alternate forms on Wi-Fi. But for those who don't use a flashcart or Action Replay, or are against hacking, they may be against it. Hence this rule.
  

I know my non-standard list isn't complete, so let me know if there's something you'd like added, and I probably will edit it into the post.

Part 2: How to ask for a battle.

"I want a standard battle": Correct way of asking for a standard rules battle.

"I want a standard battle with [insert alternate clause(s) here]": Correct way of asking for a standard battle with additional clauses.

NOW if you want to do a non-standard battle, as in you DON'T FOLLOW STANDARD RULES TO A T, then you need to list every single clause you are playing by.

For example, this is incorrect:

"Standard battle with Garchomp allowed": Garchomp is uber and breaks standard rules. It also basically tells your opponent what Pokemon you'll be using. The proper way to ask for a battle that allows Garchomp is this (ideally, you should just do an Uber battle, but):

"Battle with evasion/OHKO/sleep/species clause, one uber allowed.".

and a final example:

Bad: Standard battle no legends

Good: No evasion/OHKO/legends/whatever.

In other words, don't use the words "standard battle" unless you're actually following a standard battle.

Edited April 29, 2009 by randomspot555

[Gengar]

Nice guide you got there, this should help people understand the normal rules of Wi-Fi battling a lot more. Great Job.

[ZMaster]

Wow, and here I thought you just duke it out with Pokemon

Nice guide Btw.

[randomspot555]

Wow, and here I thought you just duke it out with Pokemon

Nice guide Btw.

And hey, if you post and say "I want a no rules battle", cool. But anyone who wants to use one/two/all/a few clauses, this way they don't have to deal with people going "omgzers wut iz slep clauze??"

[Seig91]

And hey, if you post and say "I want a no rules battle", cool. But anyone who wants to use one/two/all/a few clauses, this way they don't have to deal with people going "omgzers wut iz slep clauze??"

Haha! Sounds great. I hated it when I used to battle and people would ask that about one of the "clauzes." This should help people know the rules and hopefully it will eliminate the people who ask those questions.

But you know, there will always be that one special people, who just wants to stand out in the crowd and say "omgzers wut iz slep clauze??" Or post a topic saying "omgzers wut iz da rulz 2 battlin'?"

just saying. Hahha

~Seig91

[randomspot555]

Haha! Sounds great. I hated it when I used to battle and people would ask that about one of the "clauzes." This should help people know the rules and hopefully it will eliminate the people who ask those questions.

But you know, there will always be that one special people, who just wants to stand out in the crowd and say "omgzers wut iz slep clauze??" Or post a topic saying "omgzers wut iz da rulz 2 battlin'?"

just saying. Hahha

~Seig91

Feel free to link them to this thread then. They're using the Internet, so it's a good assumption that they can read.

And to all, feel free to contribute to the thread. Or to any newcomers, ask questions if any rules/clauses/tiers confuse you.

[LORD NIGHTMARE]

whats the point of creating your own fan based metagame, there where so many out there in 2007 and in the end only smogon's was left since it was the same as the one used by shoddy battle. without the support of shoddy battle whats the point of making your own metagame up?

[randomspot555]

whats the point of creating your own fan based metagame, there where so many out there in 2007 and in the end only smogon's was left since it was the same as the one used by shoddy battle. without the support of shoddy battle whats the point of making your own metagame up?

Standard rules are standard anywhere. Evasion/OHKO/Species/Sleep. I added a couple more, but they are more clarifications than actual rules.

[Neo]

Yeah its so much better when you follow rules and not be battling with Ubers

Nice guide by the way

[Ninja_Soldier_Raiden]

you should list the Banned pokemmon like garchomp? uberish and other

[randomspot555]

you should list the Banned pokemmon like garchomp? uberish and other

See the link in the OP.

[LORD NIGHTMARE]

its a real shame pokemon (nintendo dont have anything to do with this) never supported singles. pokemon only support 4v4 Lv 50 cap doubles. probobly the best way to play doubles but its not singles and battle tower sucks. who wants to play in a metagame where cresselia and metagross are on almost every team. hurray for double team-toxic stall wars.

[randomspot555]

its a real shame pokemon (nintendo dont have anything to do with this) never supported singles. pokemon only support 4v4 Lv 50 cap doubles. probobly the best way to play doubles but its not singles and battle tower sucks. who wants to play in a metagame where cresselia and metagross are on almost every team. hurray for double team-toxic stall wars.

Actually, the level 50 cap eliminates the use of many legendary Pokemon since EVs can't really be applied to them. Any legend found at level 50 or above isn't all that useful.

[Varna]

Actually, the level 50 cap eliminates the use of many legendary Pokemon since EVs can't really be applied to them. Any legend found at level 50 or above isn't all that useful.

You can EV train level 50 Pokémon by simply placing them in the box. Their stats are recalculated then.

[randomspot555]

You can EV train level 50 Pokémon by simply placing them in the box. Their stats are recalculated then.

True, but if I remember correctly, official tournament rules state that a Pokemon has to be exactly level 50 with no more experience. That limits you to doing EVs via the potions, which has a limit and is somewhat restrictive on EV spreads.

I'll have to PM a judge from last year's tournament and ask him to clarify.

Speaking of which, coming soon, official tournament stuff (rules followed, advice, etc...)

[Varna]

True, but if I remember correctly, official tournament rules state that a Pokemon has to be exactly level 50 with no more experience. That limits you to doing EVs via the potions, which has a limit and is somewhat restrictive on EV spreads.

I'll have to PM a judge from last year's tournament and ask him to clarify.

Speaking of which, coming soon, official tournament stuff (rules followed, advice, etc...)

I highly doubt that's the case. It's next to impossible to level up to level 50 ON THE DOT, sans rare candy spam straight from 1.

[randomspot555]

I highly doubt that's the case. It's next to impossible to level up to level 50 ON THE DOT, sans rare candy spam straight from 1.

Or you level up to 49, THEN use one rare candy.

Again, I'll be checking with a judge from last year's tournament, who has shared a wealth of knowledge about the experience. The rules are pretty restrictive (including restrictions on nicknames, such as no nicknaming it another pokemon or nicknaming it after a glitch), so something like EXACTLY LEVEL 50 OR ELSE wouldn't surprise me at all.

For any interested, last year's tournament rules are here. Expect this year's to be much of the same with some minor modifications.

[LORD NIGHTMARE]

True, but if I remember correctly, official tournament rules state that a Pokemon has to be exactly level 50 with no more experience. That limits you to doing EVs via the potions, which has a limit and is somewhat restrictive on EV spreads.

I'll have to PM a judge from last year's tournament and ask him to clarify.

Speaking of which, coming soon, official tournament stuff (rules followed, advice, etc...)

they may have experience, they just may not be over level 50 allowing you to use the box trick, although only zapdos and cresselia would be the only pokemon that would use this (heatran isn't really the best showdown pokemon).

[Belum]

Legendary Pokemon above 50 can be ev'd because the slate is wiped clean in the PC.

Edited April 15, 2009 by Poryhack
deleted off-topic request

[Greencat]

Moving to the section, "Competitive Battling".

BTW, I plan to add some Mark-Up to this.

[randomspot555]

Moving to the section, "Competitive Battling".

BTW, I plan to add some Mark-Up to this.

Feel free to add on to the OP, though I'd appreciate it if you added a part indicating what you wrote to differentiate from what I wrote.

What do you mean by "Mark-Up"?

[Greencat]

Mark-Up, as in, adding Color, Size, Italics, Bold, Underline, etc. You could call it "BBCode It" too. =/

[randomspot555]

Mark-Up, as in, adding Color, Size, Italics, Bold, Underline, etc. You could call it "BBCode It" too. =/

Oh yeah. Please feel free to make it more aesthetically pleasing.

[Zengetsu]

when you mean no legends do you just mean no ubers??

[Silent Storm]

No legendaries = No legendary Pokemon that are caught in game if you know what i mean.

Ubers - Pokemon too powerful for OU play, some of them are Pokemon that are not legendary (Wobbafett) while some Legendaries (like Jirachi, Celebi) are not Ubers and are thus allowed in standard play.

^ Normally no Ubers is a common rule used in the competitive evironment, no Legends are used mostly by people:

- Think the games should rsemble the anime. =/

- Think that all Legendaries are cheap/legendaries = Ubers. =/