Swords Dance raises the user’s Attack by two stages — which doubles it in a single turn.
At +2 Attack, physical moves hit roughly twice as hard as normal. Combined with a high base Attack stat, one Swords Dance turn often means the opponent can’t survive a single hit from the user for the rest of the game.
Kingambit and Swords Dance
Kingambit is the premier Swords Dance user in Reg M-A. Its Supreme OverlordSupreme OverlordabilityKingambit's ability: Attack increases by 10% for each fainted ally, up to +50% at 5 fainted — it gets stronger as teammates fall.Click to read more → ability already powers it up for every fainted teammate — stack a Swords Dance on top, and it hits at 2× Attack before accounting for Supreme Overlord’s bonus. Kowtow CleaveKowtow CleavemoveKingambit's signature move — a Dark-type physical attack that never misses.Click to read more → bypasses accuracy checks, and Iron Head gets a flinch chance, making it nearly unstoppable when set up.
The setup turn problem
The critical challenge with Swords Dance is surviving the turn you use it. You’re not dealing damage on that turn — which means the opponent has a free shot at your Pokémon. 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 → (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 →, SneaslerSneaslerpokemonThe fastest Fake Out user in the format after Unburden activates. Doubles the lead pressure when stacked with Incineroar.Click to read more →) or redirection (Amoonguss, Indeedee-F) are used specifically to create a safe Swords Dance turn.
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 → is fundamentally harder in doubles than in singles. In singles, your opponent gets one move per turn. In doubles, they get two. That means when you spend a turn using Swords Dance, the opponent can simultaneously attack your setup sweeper and attack your support Pokémon — forcing you to decide which one to save.
Singles players sometimes assume they can just “find a free turn” to set up. In doubles, free turns are manufactured through specific support structures: Fake Out to flinch one target, redirection to absorb attacks aimed at the sweeper, or ProtectProtectmoveA move that makes the user immune to all moves for one turn. Fails if used consecutively.Click to read more → to scout and stall. The entire support half of a doubles team often exists precisely to buy the one or two turns a Swords Dance user needs.