Stat boosts are temporary increases applied by moves like Swords DanceSwords DancemoveA Normal-type move that sharply raises Attack by two stages — doubling it in one turn.Click to read more →, Quiver DanceQuiver DancemoveA Bug-type move that raises Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed all at once by one stage each.Click to read more →, and Dragon DanceDragon DancemoveBoosts the user's Attack and Speed by one stage each. The defining setup move for physical sweepers — fast and strong after one turn.Click to read more →. They follow a fixed multiplier table:
| Stage | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| +1 | 1.5× |
| +2 | 2.0× |
| +3 | 2.5× |
| +6 (max) | 4.0× |
Key rules
- Boosts reset to zero when the Pokémon faints or switches out
- Boosts apply to the base stat — so a Pokémon with higher stats benefits more from the same boost
- Clear Smog and Haze remove all stat changes on the target (or both sides, respectively)
- IntimidateIntimidateabilityWhen this Pokémon enters the battlefield, the opposing Pokémon's Attack stat drops by one stage.Click to read more → applies a −1 Attack drop to opponents — a de-boost equivalent for physical attackers
In doubles
SetupSetupstrategySpending a turn to boost stats before sweeping — trading short-term damage for a snowballing advantage that wins the game.Click to read more → teams spend one or two turns getting a sweeper to +2 or higher, then sweep. The opponent’s only answers are to KO the sweeper before it sets up, remove the boost with Clear Smog, or out-speed it and OHKO. Fake OutFake OutmoveA +3 priority Normal-type move that does small damage and forces the target to flinch — only usable on the user's first turn out.Click to read more → and redirection exist specifically to prevent those answers.