Battle gimmicks are one of the critical ways the gameplay of Pokémon has evolved over the series, but some have had greater impacts through nine generations. Gimmicks have evolved dramatically throughout the course of the series and often become the main force of power in each generation. However, while the early series gimmicks have stuck around, newer generations have seen their gimmicks be used, then subsequently abandoned for the next.
Battle gimmicks started as pieces of modern-day Pokémon battle staples, such as held items and double battles. Recent generations have been more focused on temporary power spikes that strategically turn the tide of battles. However, their short life spans have left their potential behind, and it can feel like Pokémon's gimmicks are hurting the series by only temporarily overhauling combat. This short life span does have a bright side of changing the competitive meta, but at a cost for those who want to play with what gimmicks they like best.
#8: Pokémon Sun And Moon's Z Moves
Z-Moves are a once-per-battle power-up that amplify the moves a Pokémon knows. To use a Z-Move, a Pokémon needs to have a Z-Crystal as a held item, making the choice of who got it an important one. A damaging move becomes a guaranteed hit and usually has its power doubled, while status moves gain a bonus effect before their normal effect. Some Pokémon also had exclusive Z-Moves that were slightly stronger than base moves. Overall, Z-Moves are an exciting gimmick for the franchise, but its competition easily overshadowed it.
#7: Pokémon Scarlet And Violet's Terastal Phenomenon
The latest gimmick, Terastallization, allows Pokémon to change their typing to their Tera type. The main benefit of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's Tera forms is the 2x STAB bonus received if a Pokémon remained one of its original types, albeit the use of STAB on other moves helps just as much. Initially, Terastallization was seen as a good counterplay measure but has become more of a focus on the 2x STAB bonus. Since only one Pokémon can Terastallize per battle, this will continue the trend of having to choose the right Pokémon while still offering the flexibility Gen 8's Dynamax brought.
#6: Pokémon Sword And Shield's Gigantamax & Dynamax
Dynamaxing grants a Pokémon a bigger form, more health, and changes its moves based on its typing. Gigantamaxing is a special version for Pokémon with the Gigantamax feature, the only differences from Pokémon Sword and Shield's Dynamax being a unique form and one special G-Max Move.
These effects last three turns, have a limit of one use per battle, and can be canceled early if the Pokémon is switched out. Dynamax became a massive part of Gen 8's competitive scene, and just like earlier gimmicks, when to use it and on who was an important decision.
#5: Pokémon Black And White's Triple & Rotation Battles
Generation 5 added two gimmicks for players to try out, expanding the scale of Pokémon battles. Triple battles are essentially enhanced double battles that have some stricter rules when it came to placement. Pokémon on the left or right cannot hit their diagonal opponent, while Pokémon in the middle can attack and be attacked by any.
Rotation battles, also introduced in the hated at-first release Pokémon Black and White, are similar to triple battles but only allow one Pokémon to attack at a time. The tradeoff for this is that switching Pokémon is a free action, making counterplay easier to achieve but also to foil. This differs from normal Pokémon battles in that rotation does not reset stat or ability changes. This makes moves that did such much more viable as their effects cannot be ignored as easily as before.
#4: Pokémon Diamond And Pearl's Online Play
Though Generation 4's gimmick does not impact how battles play, it considerably opened up the possibility for battles. Online play lets players connect with their friends wirelessly and eventually evolved into the multiplayer system seen in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. At the time, this was a meaningful change, and it brought more thought into Pokémon battles, replacing predictable AI with actual people who adapt to situations. This is arguably the best gimmick from a technological standpoint, as it paved the way for the franchise's online features.
#3: Pokémon X And Y's Mega Evolutions
Mega Evolutions are arguably the most impactful gimmick to the franchise. This gimmick allows already exciting Pokémon to evolve into another form, gaining bonus stats and occasional changes to their types. This process also has the advantage over its following gimmicks in that it has no time limit. Mega Evolution stays up until a Pokémon faints, and while what Pokémon to Mega Evolve does matter - and the stone itself took up an item slot - it is still one of the most powerful battle gimmicks to be introduced.
#2: Pokémon Gold And Silver's Held Items
Held items were the first gimmick introduced and continue to have a massive impact on the franchise. The hundreds of held items currently in the franchise have changed how battles, training, and raising Pokémon occur. Every generation has continued to add new held items that have made the series a more leisurely experience for fans.
Competitive is also exceptionally affected by held items, as some Pokémon and team compositions are only viable with certain held items. Still, the large variety of Pokémon's held items can be advantageous in competitive, as while there is a meta, many combinations of Pokémon with items can work. This flexibility has helped shape competitive Pokémon into the enjoyable experience it is today, as the likelihood of repetitive teams is lowered.
#1: Pokémon Ruby And Sapphire's Double Battles
Double battles have had the most universally positive impact on the Pokémon franchise, both in regular play and competitive. The inclusion of double battles adds a new layer of strategy to the game, replacing the single battle method of switching out constantly. Synergy plays a huge part in these battles as combo moves, protection, and set up Pokémon become much more viable. In regular play, double battles have been used for story battles and regular battles, providing a fun and often entertaining break from the usual one-on-one players are accustomed to.
It is challenging to rank each of these gimmicks, as they all did add something unique to the series, but based on what it did for the series as a whole, double battles clearly come out on top. Double battles forever changed how Pokémon combat works, the synergy between participants, and the impact it has on the competitive scene. Held items and Mega Evolution come in at a close second and third, but the impact double battles brought to Pokémon has not been reached by anything else and earns it this top rank.
