Competitive triggers whenever the Pokémon has any stat lowered by an opponent: its Special Attack rises by 2 stages (+2) automatically. The stat drop still applies, but the Special Attack explosion compensates massively.
Like DefiantDefiantabilityRaises Attack by 2 stages whenever any of the Pokémon's stats are lowered — including by Intimidate.Click to read more →, its most common trigger is IntimidateIntimidateabilityWhen this Pokémon enters the battlefield, the opposing Pokémon's Attack stat drops by one stage.Click to read more →. The net result after an Intimidate is +2 Special Attack and −1 physical Attack — and since Competitive users are typically special attackers, the physical Attack drop barely matters while the Special Attack surge is devastating.
The Intimidate punish
IncineroarIncineroarpokemonThe most-used Pokémon in Reg M-A. Defines doubles tempo with Fake Out, Intimidate on every switch, and Parting Shot pivots.Click to read more → is the most common Pokémon in Reg M-A. It switches in constantly to reapply Intimidate. Against a Competitive Pokémon, every single Incineroar switch-in gives the opponent a free +2 to their Special Attack.
This creates a real decision point: Intimidate players have to weigh whether the Attack drop on the rest of the opposing team is worth empowering the Competitive user. Against teams without Competitive, Intimidate is always correct. Against teams with it, timing matters.
Common Competitive users
- Milotic — Water-type, bulky special attacker with Competitive
- Gothitelle — Psychic, trapping + Competitive
- Froslass (non-Mega forms) — Ice/Ghost
- Flutter Mane — Fairy/Ghost Paradox Pokémon, extremely fast and powerful; Competitive makes it terrifying if stat-dropped
In doubles
Competitive is more impactful in doubles than singles because Intimidate hits both opposing Pokémon on entry — meaning in doubles, Incineroar potentially activates Competitive twice in the same turn (one for each opposing Pokémon if both happen to have Competitive, or activating a single Competitive user anyway). The doubled Intimidate pressure of a well-timed switch is often the trigger Competitive teams are waiting for.