Encore forces the target to use whatever move they just used for the next 3 turns. The target can’t switch moves until Encore ends or they switch out.
In singles, Encore is useful. In doubles, it’s often completely crippling.
Why Encore is so strong in doubles
In singles, getting Encored into a bad move is annoying, but you can usually switch out to reset. In doubles, the Pokémon next to your Encored target is still threatening — switching out means your partner is in a 2-vs-1 for a turn. The cost of “just switch” is much higher.
The truly devastating scenario: Encore a ProtectProtectmoveA move that makes the user immune to all moves for one turn. Fails if used consecutively.Click to read more →. The opponent used Protect to stall, dodge, or scout — perfectly reasonable. Encore locks them into Protect for 3 turns. But Protect fails on consecutive uses. So they waste the next 3 turns either taking damage or watching their Protect fail, while your other Pokémon freely attacks.
Similarly, Encore on a Trick RoomTrick RoomstrategyFor 5 turns, slower Pokémon move first. Reverses the entire speed game — a strategy that builds teams around very slow attackers.Click to read more → setter that just used Trick Room locks them into repeating Trick Room — which would actually cancel Trick Room, flipping the field effect back to normal. This is specifically why WhimsicottWhimsicottpokemonPrankster utility lead. Priority Tailwind, Encore, and Sunny Day let it dictate tempo against teams that thought they had it.Click to read more → so commonly carries Encore: it can undo a Trick Room setup by forcing the setter to use the move again.
Common targets
- Protect — wastes 3 turns
- Trick Room — forces them to un-set it
- TailwindTailwindmoveDoubles the Speed of every Pokémon on your side for 4 turns. Often paired with Prankster for instant priority setup.Click to read more → — wastes turns (Tailwind can’t stack)
- Status moves — any harmless move that does nothing offensively
In Regulation M-A
Whimsicott is the primary Encore user. It’s extremely fast, has PranksterPranksterabilityAn ability that gives all Status moves +1 priority — they go before almost everything, even if the Pokémon is slow.Click to read more → (which gives status moves +1 priority), and runs Encore specifically to punish Trick Room setters and Protect stalling. Many Trick Room teams account for Whimsicott specifically in how they choose leads.