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Pokémon Change is Pokémon Trainer's Down Special Move. It is one of only two moves that all three of the Trainer's Pokémon have in common (the other being Triple Finish). It switches between their three Pokémon, Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard. If Squirtle is currently in use, it will switch to Ivysaur. If Ivysaur is in use, it will switch to Charizard. If Charizard is in use, it will switch back to Squirtle. Using this move too little will replenish the Pokémon's Stamina.

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the move can be used both in the air and on the ground, and there is no Stamina gimmick present.

Overview[]

Pokemon change diagram

The three available Pokémon that can be swapped out for one another. Counterclockwise: Squirtle, Ivysaur, Charizard

If one Pokémon is KO'd, Pokémon Trainer will summon the next Pokémon in the rotation to the revival platform. The Pokémon Change cannot be used again until the starting invincibility has worn off. To prevent taking advantage of recovery (like switching to Charizard to avoid being edgehogged with Ivysaur's recovery), Pokémon cannot be changed in midair.

While changing, there is a small amount of time in which they are invincible. This minor invincibility can be utilized to "dodge" various attacks, most notably Final Smashes.

Using Pokémon Change ends nearly all status effects on the Pokémon, both positive and negative. This includes super or mini size, Starman invincibility, metal form, Franklin or Screw Attack badges, etc. The exceptions to this rule are slowed-time, healing in progress, and Smash Ball readiness, which remains through the change. Any held item is immediately dropped.

Like Zelda's Transform, the next Pokémon to appear must be loaded from the disc before the switch can be completed. Pausing can shorten the in-game switch time (since the game loads during the pause), as can lag when online. If the switch time is artificially shortened as such, replays will temporarily freeze at the point the switch is made (since it must take the full-time to load).

Technically, the Pokémon can be hit the moment the white light bursts out of the Pokeball - even if the Pokémon is not yet visible. Smash Attacks can, therefore, be charged and executed to KO a poorly timed Pokémon Change. Note that a Pokémon can come out of the Poke Ball attacking; they will appear to be in mid-attack when their sprite appears. However, a correctly timed move will hit them first, making this unwise as an "ambush" move.

Stamina[]

PokemonFatigue

All three Pokémons' idle animations in prime condition and fatigued condition

Stamina is a measure of how much energy the Pokémon Trainer's Pokémon have.

At the start of a match, each Pokémon has 120 points of stamina. When a Pokémon is in battle, its stamina drops by one point every second, equating to about 2 minutes of stamina. The Pokémon also loses a point of stamina for every attack it attempts. Once a Pokémon's stamina drops to 36 (that is, 30% of its maximum), its standing animation switches (see image) to signal fatigue. When the Pokémon's stamina reaches 0, its attacks drop in damage and knockback. Pokémon regain 2 points of stamina per second when not being used, and all Pokémon are restored to the maximum when any one of them is KO'd.

Gallery[]

Origin[]

Recall

A Magikarp being switched out of battle.

Pokémon Change is not an official attack in the Pokémon games. However, a Trainer can select another Pokémon to swap to in a battle by selecting Pokémon on the battle menu, permitted that they have at least two healthy Pokémon in their team when in a battle. While one can say Pokémon Change when swapping their Pokémon, it is more commonly referred to as 'switching out' or 'recalling'.

Trivia[]

  • With very precise timing, recoil damage to the user (1/3 of the damage dealt to the target). Change could be used to avoid all three of Tabuu's Off-Waves.
  • In Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, the Pokémon Trainer's Poké Balls are in his right bag pocket; however, in Pokémon Change, the Pokémon he's switching to has its Poké Ball come out on the left side - and the one he's calling back goes to the right.
  • If this move is used while the current Pokémon is in the air or before catching Ivysaur in Adventure Mode: The Subspace Emissary, the Pokémon Trainer will just stare down at his Poké Ball.

Pokémon Trainer's Special Moves
Brawl Ultimate
Standard Special (differs between Pokémon)
Side Special (differs between Pokémon)
Up Special (differs between Pokémon)
Down Special Pokémon Change
Final Smash Triple Finish

Squirtle's Special Moves
Brawl Ultimate
Standard Special Water Gun
Side Special Withdraw
Up Special Waterfall
Down Special (Pokémon Change)
Final Smash Hydro Pump (of Triple Finish)

Ivysaur's Special Moves
Brawl Ultimate
Standard Special Bullet Seed
Side Special Razor Leaf
Up Special Vine Whip
Down Special (Pokémon Change)
Final Smash Solar Beam (of Triple Finish)

Charizard's Special Moves
Brawl 3DS/Wii U Ultimate
Standard Special Flamethrower
Side Special Rock Smash Flare Blitz
Up Special Fly
Down Special (Pokémon Change) Rock Smash (Pokémon Change)
Final Smash Fire Blast (of Triple Finish) Mega Evolution Fire Blast (of Triple Finish)
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