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When is a trainer allowed to switch pokemon?

withheld

Banned
57
Posts
6
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    • Seen Feb 9, 2018
    Is it at any time during a battle? I don't think so, otherwise,
    there is always the chance of an endless loop of switches.
    For instance: If Trainer A sends out a fire pokemon while
    Trainer B has a grass pokemon out, Trainer B immediatelly
    switches with a water pokemon. Trainer A immediatelly
    switches the fire pokemon he just sent out with an
    electric one, Trainer B immediatelly switches with his grass
    pokemon he had out in the first place, Trainer A sends
    out the fire pokemon again etc
     
    1,278
    Posts
    9
    Years
  • Usually, the referee says the rules of switching Pokemon. For example, in almost all Gym Battles, the referee says "only the challenger is allowed to substitute Pokemon" or something like that. However I think this doesn't apply in the Pokemon League battles.
     

    withheld

    Banned
    57
    Posts
    6
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    • Seen Feb 9, 2018
    So, when none of the two trainers is a gym leader, are they allowed
    to switch whenever they feel like it? Is there always a chance that
    they'll get into an endless loop of switches?
     
    549
    Posts
    7
    Years
    • Seen Feb 25, 2018
    It looks like challengers and trainers battling can switch whenever they want. They've shown trainers switching Pokémon during a battle when they were about to be hit with an attack at least a few times.
     

    Twilight-kun

    Pokémon World Champion
    5,456
    Posts
    13
    Years
    • Seen Jul 27, 2023
    During their Sinnoh League battle, Paul and Ash both switched pokémon numerous times in quick succession early on

    Could be whenever there's a lull in the battle, or between "turns"
     
    Last edited:
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