Follow Me is a Normal-type status move with +2 priority that redirects every single-target opposing attack to the user for the turn. Its sister move Rage Powder does the same thing but only redirects from non-Grass types (and is blocked by Safety Goggles).
Why it’s foundational in doubles
Doubles is full of setup moves: 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 →, TailwindTailwindmoveDoubles the Speed of every Pokémon on your side for 4 turns. Often paired with Prankster for instant priority setup.Click to read more →, 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 →, 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 →. The setup turn is the most fragile — one focused attack can KO the setter. Follow Me solves that by guaranteeing the redirector eats the hit instead.
The redirector also blocks moves that target a single opponent for status — Will-O-WispWill-O-WispmoveBurns the target — halving their physical Attack and dealing 1/16 max HP chip damage every turn.Click to read more →, Thunder WaveThunder WavemoveParalyzes the target — halving their Speed and giving a 25% chance each turn to be unable to move.Click to read more →, Toxic — letting the partner stay healthy.
Common Follow Me users in Reg M-A
- Clefable — pivots between Follow Me, Helping HandHelping HandmoveA +5 priority move that boosts the partner's next move by 1.5× — doubles-only support that amplifies damage without attacking.Click to read more →, and Moonblast pressure. Magic Guard makes it immune to passive chip (sand, burn) so it absorbs the redirected hits cleanly.
Sinistcha covers the same redirection role with Rage Powder (the Grass-locked sister move) — both ship as standard support pieces on Reg M-A teams.
What it doesn’t redirect
- Spread moves like Earthquake, Rock SlideRock SlidemoveA Rock-type spread move with 75 base power and a 30% flinch chance on each target it hits.Click to read more →, Heat Wave — these still hit both opponents.
- Self-targeting moves (Substitute, setup boosts).
- Moves that bypass redirection — Sky Drop and a few niche options.
- Snipe Shot (Inteleon’s signature) and Stalwart ability moves bypass redirection entirely.
Counterplay
- Spread damage ignores Follow Me — Heat Wave, Earthquake, or Surf hit through it.
- Wide Guard blocks spread moves but doesn’t help against Follow Me users.
- Knocking out the redirector first — KO the Follow Me user with priority or focus fire on its turn before redirection resolves… but Follow Me’s +2 priority means it goes before almost everything.