Trick Room is a Psychic-type move with −7 priority that, when used, reverses the speed order for 5 turns (or 8 with a Room Service item). During Trick Room, the slower Pokémon moves first within each priority bracket.
Why it’s a whole archetype
Most Pokémon are built to be fast. Trick Room teams take the opposite approach — they build around extremely slow, hard-hitting Pokémon that would normally never get to attack first. Pokémon like HattereneHatterenepokemonMagic Bounce setter and Trick Room anchor. Reflects status, sets terrain, and powers slow attackers under reversed Speed.Click to read more →, Reuniclus, TorkoalTorkoalpokemonReg M-A's reliable Drought setter. Sun on switch-in, full-HP Eruption from a 70/140 tank, and a Trick Room option on the same slot.Click to read more →, and Conkeldurr become terrifying under Trick Room because they suddenly outspeed everything.
Setting it up
Because Trick Room has −7 priority, the user always moves last on the turn it’s set. The standard play:
- Lead with a slow Pokémon that has a Focus Sash or just enough bulk to survive one turn.
- Use Trick Room while the partner attacks or supports.
- From turn 2 onwards, your slow attackers go first.
Counterplay
- Use Trick Room yourself to flip it back to normal speed order.
- TauntTauntmovePrevents the target from using status moves for 3 turns — shuts down Trick Room setters, Tailwind users, and redirectors in doubles.Click to read more → prevents the setter from using Trick Room.
- Hit the setter hard before they can use it (they typically have low Speed AND low Defense).