Triple Battle

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A Triple Battle

A Triple Battle (Japanese: トリプルバトル Triple Battle) is a type of Pokémon battle featuring up to six Pokémon, with three Pokémon from each side battling at a time. It appears in the Generation V and VI games. It was introduced in Pokémon Black and White and was predominantly showcased in White.

As the name suggests, Triple Battles are a type of battle where each Trainer sends out three Pokémon at once. Due to this, they can be considered the successor to Double Battles, with the only difference seemingly being the number of Pokémon. However, there are some restrictions that differentiate the Triple Battle from its predecessor other than the amount of Pokémon, such as placement.

In the core series games

When a Triple Battle begins, Pokémon will be sent out in order. The first Pokémon able to battle in the party becomes the leftmost Pokémon on the field, the second becomes the center Pokémon, and the third becomes the Pokémon on the far right.

In Generation V, on the player's side the HP bar and the numerical amount of HP are not displayed at the same time; which of the two is displayed can be toggled by pressing the Start button. In Generation VI, the element showing the Pokémon's status is shown side to side, and is shown normally with both the numeric HP and bar.

Placement

The placement of the Pokémon is a major attribute of Triple Battles, as a Pokémon's positioning affects how certain moves and Abilities work. Generally, Pokémon on the left-side of the field cannot attack any one on the right-side (including allies), and vice versa. This also means a Pokémon in the center is free to hit any Pokémon on the field, but at a cost of being vulnerable to every other Pokémon.

There are some moves, however, that allow non-adjacent Pokémon to attack each other.

Shifting

Shift redirects here. For bringing Pokémon back into their Poké Ball to send out another Pokémon, see Recall.

The Pokémon on the left and right have the option to 'shift'. This option allows the user to switch with the Pokémon currently in the middle. Shifting has no priority and none of the effects of switching apply to shifting. A Pokémon can move even if it is the last Pokémon on its team, as long as it is not in the center.

If a Pokémon is readying to use a move on a certain target, but is then shifted before using its move, its attack will fail if the target is then outside of its range. If a Pokémon targeted an ally with a move, but as a result of shifting the Pokémon is now targeting itself when it would execute the move, the move will fail (even if the move is Acupressure).

If there are only two Pokémon left on the field and they are non-adjacent to each other, both Pokémon will automatically be shifted to the center of the field at the end of the turn.

Effect on moves

Most moves have the same effect in Triple Battles as with single and Double Battles, except that they can only affect adjacent Pokémon. Moves that hit both opponents or all Pokémon in Double Battles only affect adjacent Pokémon in Triple Battles. All single-target damage-dealing Flying-type moves, Flying Press, and all single-target aura and pulse moves can hit any Pokémon on the battlefield; this targeting is based on the original type of the move, so moves being changed to or from Flying-type (including moves that change their own type like Hidden Power) does not affect targeting. Moves that hit multiple Pokémon will have their damage reduced by 25%, unless there is only one target at the time the move is executed.

The moves After You, Quash, Helping Hand, Ally Switch, Follow Me, Rage Powder, Aromatic Mist, and Hold Hands have no effect in Single Battles, but do in Triple Battles.

The moves Bide, Counter, Mirror Coat, Metal Burst, Destiny Bond, and Grudge all can be activated by, and attack, a non-adjacent opponent.

The move Flame Burst takes away 1/16 of the maximum HP of all adjacent allies of the target Pokémon. This damage is not treated as an attack.

The move Acupressure, while in a Triple Battle, can target an adjacent ally instead of the user.

The following moves act differently when used in a Triple Battle, as opposed to a Single or Double Battle.

Move targets
     
     

Any adjacent foe

     
     

All adjacent foes

     
     

All foes

     
     

Any other Pokémon

     
     

All adjacent Pokémon

     
     

All Pokémon

     
     

Self

     
     

Self or adjacent ally

     
     

Adjacent ally

     
     

Whole team

Me First Acid Spikes Acrobatics Boomburst Electric Terrain Ally Switch Acupressure Aromatic Mist Aromatherapy
Outrage Air Cutter Stealth Rock Aerial Ace Bulldoze Fairy Lock Follow Me Helping Hand Crafty Shield
Petal Dance Blizzard Sticky Web Aeroblast Discharge Flower Shield Rage Powder Hold Hands Happy Hour
Struggle Bubble Toxic Spikes Air Slash Earthquake Grassy Terrain Heal Bell
Thrash Captivate Aura Sphere Explosion Gravity Light Screen
Uproar Cotton Spore * Bounce Lava Plume Hail Lucky Chant
Dark Void Brave Bird Magnitude Haze Magnetic Flux
Dazzling Gleam Chatter Parabolic Charge Ion Deluge Mat Block
Disarming Voice Dark Pulse Petal Blizzard Magic Room Mist
Electroweb Dragon Ascent Searing Shot Misty Terrain Quick Guard
Eruption Dragon Pulse Self-Destruct Mud Sport Reflect
Glaciate Drill Peck Sludge Wave Perish Song Safeguard
Growl Fly Surf Rain Dance Tailwind
Heal Block Flying Press Synchronoise Rototiller Wide Guard
Heat Wave Gust Teeter Dance Sandstorm
Hyper Voice Heal Pulse Sunny Day
Icy Wind Hurricane Trick Room
Incinerate Oblivion Wing Water Sport
Land's Wrath Peck Wonder Room
Leer Pluck
Muddy Water Sky Attack
Origin Pulse Sky Drop
Poison Gas Water Pulse
Powder Snow Wing Attack
Precipice Blades
Razor Leaf
Razor Wind
Relic Song
Rock Slide
Snarl
String Shot
Struggle Bug
Sweet Scent
Swift
Tail Whip
Twister
Water Spout
Aside from moves which only affect the user, all other attacks only target one adjacent Pokémon.

Effect on Abilities

Most Abilities' effect remain the same and are not affected by the Pokémon's placement. For example, a Mold Breaker Pokémon on the left side of the field which used Water Pulse can still damage a Pokémon with Wonder Guard on the right side of the field. A Magic Bounce Pokémon can still reflect entry hazards even if the user of the entry hazard and itself are at opposite corners of the field because entry hazards affect the entire team.

However, some Abilities are affected by a Pokémon's placement; for example, Intimidate will only lower the Attack of opposing, adjacent Pokémon on the field.

Locations

A Triple Battle in Generation V

Pokémon Black

Trainer Pokémon
Marvelous Bridge
Ace Trainer Glinda
Ace Trainer Glinda
ナオ Nao
Reward: $3900
This is a Rotation Battle in White.
Alomomola Alomomola Lv.65
No item
Klinklang Klinklang Lv.65
No item
Beheeyem Beheeyem Lv.65
No item


Pokémon White



Trainer Pokémon
Route 7
Ace Trainer Elmer
Ace Trainer Elmer
ユウイチ Yūichi
Reward: $1920
This is a Rotation Battle in Black
Liepard Liepard Lv.32
No item
Watchog Watchog Lv.32
No item
Swoobat Swoobat Lv.32
No item
Opelucid City
Ace Trainer Lou
Ace Trainer Lou
エツヤ Etsuya
Reward: $2340
Triple Battle
Simisage Simisage Lv.39
No item
Simipour Simipour Lv.39
No item
Simisear Simisear Lv.39
No item
Ace Trainer Eileen
Ace Trainer Eileen
エリナ Erina
Reward: $2340
Triple Battle
Pawniard Pawniard Lv.39
No item
Elgyem Elgyem Lv.39
No item
Mienfoo Mienfoo Lv.39
No item
White Forest
School Kid Shayne
School Kid Shayne
シンジ Shinji
Reward: $1300
Scrafty Scrafty Lv.65
No item
Cofagrigus Cofagrigus Lv.65
No item
Reuniclus Reuniclus Lv.65
No item
Nursery Aide Briana
Nursery Aide Briana
ユカリ Yukari
Reward: $2600
Chandelure Chandelure Lv.65
No item
Cinccino Cinccino Lv.65
No item
Vanilluxe Vanilluxe Lv.65
No item


Pokémon Black 2 and White 2





Trainer Pokémon
Chargestone Cave 1F
Ace Trainer Corky
Ace Trainer Corky
ナオト Naoto
Reward: $1980
Triple Battle
Klink Klink Lv.33
No item
Unfezant Unfezant
Male
Lv.33
No item
Sandslash Sandslash Lv.33
No item
Route 7
Lass Flo
Lass Flo
ミサト Misato
Reward: $528
Triple Battle
Ducklett Ducklett Lv.33
No item
Unfezant Unfezant
Male
Lv.33
No item
Ducklett Ducklett Lv.33
No item
Reversal Mountain
Battle Girl Chan
Battle Girl Chan
チャン Chan
Reward: $1184
Triple Battle
Riolu Riolu Lv.37
No item
Gurdurr Gurdurr Lv.37
No item
Riolu Riolu Lv.37
No item
Route 14
Ace Trainer Junko
Ace Trainer Junko
ショウコ Shōko
Reward: $2340
Triple Battle
Gligar Gligar Lv.39
No item
Lilligant Lilligant Lv.39
No item
Basculin Basculin
Red-Striped Form
Lv.39
No item
Route 13
Pokémon Ranger Dianne
Pokémon Ranger Dianne
ダイアナ Diana
Reward: $2340
Triple Battle
Vibrava Vibrava Lv.39
No item
Larvesta Larvesta Lv.39
No item
Flareon Flareon Lv.39
No item
Village Bridge
Hoopster Nicolas
Hoopster Nicolas
ビフ Biff
Reward: $4200
Triple Battle
Magby Magby Lv.42
No item
Magmar Magmar Lv.42
No item
Magby Magby Lv.42
No item
Hoopster Derrick
Hoopster Derrick
マック Mac
Reward: $4200
Triple Battle
Elekid Elekid Lv.42
No item
Electabuzz Electabuzz Lv.42
No item
Elekid Elekid Lv.42
No item
Opelucid Gym
Veteran Ron
Veteran Ron
ロン Long
Reward: $3520
Fraxure Fraxure Lv.44
No item
Druddigon Druddigon Lv.44
No item
Axew Axew Lv.44
No item
Twist Mountain outside
Veteran Carter
Veteran Carter
ヨシオ Yoshio
Reward: $5120
Triple Battle
Tauros Tauros Lv.64
No item
Crobat Crobat Lv.64
No item
Carracosta Carracosta Lv.64
No item
Route 8
Parasol Lady Tyra
Parasol Lady Tyra
ルイ Rui
Reward: $1920
Triple Battle
Ludicolo Ludicolo Lv.60
No item
Jolteon Jolteon Lv.60
No item
Castform Castform Lv.60
No item
Route 3
School Kid Edgar
School Kid Edgar
シュウヘイ Shūhei
Reward: $1220
Triple Battle
Natu Natu Lv.61
No item
Xatu Xatu Lv.61
No item
Fearow Fearow Lv.61
No item
Route 18
Veteran Gina
Veteran Gina
ミズホ Mizuho
Reward: $5440
Triple Battle
Kingdra Kingdra Lv.68
No item
Skarmory Skarmory Lv.68
No item
Donphan Donphan Lv.68
No item
Pokémon World Tournament
See Pokémon World Tournament


Pokémon X and Y

Trainer Pokémon
Restaurant Le Yeah
Waitress Talia
Waitress Talia
ナタリー Natalie
Reward: $1984
Mantine Mantine Lv.31
Bag King's Rock Sprite.png King's Rock
Emolga Emolga Lv.31
Bag King's Rock Sprite.png King's Rock
Sigilyph Sigilyph Lv.31
Bag King's Rock Sprite.png King's Rock
Garçon Georges
Garçon Georges
トウマ Tōma
Reward: $1984
Shuckle Shuckle Lv.31
No item
Pidgeot Pidgeot Lv.31
No item
Dugtrio Dugtrio Lv.31
No item
Owner Yannick
Owner Yannick
ヤニック Yannick
Reward: $4960
Zangoose Zangoose Lv.31
No item
Zangoose Zangoose Lv.31
No item
Zangoose Zangoose Lv.31
No item
Chef Albern
Chef Albern
アルベール Albert
Reward: $1984
Simisage Simisage Lv.31
Bag Liechi Berry Sprite.png Liechi Berry
Simisear Simisear Lv.31
Bag Petaya Berry Sprite.png Petaya Berry
Simipour Simipour Lv.31
Bag Salac Berry Sprite.png Salac Berry
Restaurant Le Wow
Owner Christophe
Owner Christophe
クリストフ Christophe
Reward: $10,080
Qwilfish Qwilfish Lv.63
No item
Druddigon Druddigon Lv.63
No item
Ferrothorn Ferrothorn Lv.63
No item
Owner Christophe
Owner Christophe
クリストフ Christophe
Reward: $10,080
Audino Audino Lv.63
No item
Alomomola Alomomola Lv.63
No item
Amoonguss Amoonguss Lv.63
No item
Garçon Morris
Garçon Morris
モリス Morris
Reward: $4032
Shieldon Shieldon Lv.63
No item
Wobbuffet Wobbuffet Lv.63
No item
Milotic Milotic Lv.63
No item
Garçon Morris
Garçon Morris
モリス Morris
Reward: $4032
Togekiss Togekiss Lv.63
No item
Floatzel Floatzel Lv.63
No item
Lucario Lucario Lv.63
No item
Waitress Paula
Waitress Paula
ポリーヌ Pauline
Reward: $4032
Chatot Chatot Lv.63
No item
Exploud Exploud Lv.63
No item
Aurorus Aurorus Lv.63
No item
Sushi High Roller
Furisode Girl Gwyneth
Furisode Girl Gwyneth
ガーリー Gurley
Reward: $4680
Cherrim Cherrim Lv.65
No item
Ninetales Ninetales Lv.65
No item
Tropius Tropius Lv.65
No item
Furisode Girl Cliantha
Furisode Girl Cliantha
シャーリー Shirley
Reward: $4680
Scizor Scizor Lv.65
No item
Hippowdon Hippowdon Lv.65
No item
Gliscor Gliscor Lv.65
No item
Furisode Girl Thalassa
Furisode Girl Thalassa
サビー Savvy
Reward: $4680
Ludicolo Ludicolo Lv.65
No item
Politoed Politoed Lv.65
No item
Beartic Beartic Lv.65
No item
Furisode Girl Nerissa
Furisode Girl Nerissa
ネータ Neta
Reward: $4680
Froslass Froslass Lv.65
No item
Abomasnow Abomasnow Lv.65
No item
Mamoswine Mamoswine Lv.65
No item
Owner Kazu
Owner Kazu
アガリ Agari
Reward: $10400
Slowking Slowking Lv.65
No item
Bronzong Bronzong Lv.65
No item
Cofagrigus Cofagrigus Lv.65
No item
Battle Maison
See Battle Maison


Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

Trainer Pokémon
Mauville Food Court
Street Thug Alfredo
Street Thug Alfredo
ゴモクロウ Gomokurō
Reward: $2,080
Lickilicky Lickilicky Lv.65
Bag Wide Lens Sprite.png Wide Lens
Lilligant Lilligant Lv.65
Bag Choice Scarf Sprite.png Choice Scarf
Lickilicky Lickilicky Lv.65
Bag Wide Lens Sprite.png Wide Lens
Street Thug Barley
Street Thug Barley
ツケロウ Tsukerō
Reward: $2,080
Swoobat Swoobat Lv.65
Bag Bright Powder Sprite.png Bright Powder
Swoobat Swoobat Lv.65
Bag Bright Powder Sprite.png Bright Powder
Swoobat Swoobat Lv.65
Bag Bright Powder Sprite.png Bright Powder
Street Thug Wellington
Street Thug Wellington
ソウジロウ Sōjirō
Reward: $2,080
Krookodile Krookodile Lv.65
Bag Sitrus Berry Sprite.png Sitrus Berry
Arcanine Arcanine Lv.65
Bag Sitrus Berry Sprite.png Sitrus Berry
Scrafty Scrafty Lv.65
Bag Sitrus Berry Sprite.png Sitrus Berry
Street Thug Bass
Street Thug Bass
パコヒコ Pakohiko
Reward: $2,080
Clefable Clefable Lv.65
Bag Metronome Sprite.png Metronome
Clefable Clefable Lv.65
Bag Metronome Sprite.png Metronome
Clefable Clefable Lv.65
Bag Metronome Sprite.png Metronome
Street Thug Soyer
Street Thug Soyer
ミソキチ Misokichi
Reward: $2,080
Altaria Altaria Lv.65
Bag Salac Berry Sprite.png Salac Berry
Tropius Tropius Lv.65
Bag Salac Berry Sprite.png Salac Berry
Aerodactyl Aerodactyl Lv.65
Bag Salac Berry Sprite.png Salac Berry
Street Thug Pitaha
Street Thug Pitaha
ワンタン Wonton
Reward: $2,080
Whimsicott Whimsicott Lv.65
Bag Wide Lens Sprite.png Wide Lens
Whimsicott Whimsicott Lv.65
Bag Wide Lens Sprite.png Wide Lens
Whimsicott Whimsicott Lv.65
Bag Wide Lens Sprite.png Wide Lens
Street Thug Rice
Street Thug Rice
キシノシン Kishinoshin
Reward: $2,080
Ditto Ditto Lv.65
Bag Iron Ball Sprite.png Iron Ball
Ditto Ditto Lv.65
Bag Iron Ball Sprite.png Iron Ball
Ditto Ditto Lv.65
Bag Iron Ball Sprite.png Iron Ball
Fare Prince Trencherman
Fare Prince Trencherman
ストマック Stomach
Reward: $6,000
Lucario Lucario Lv.75
Bag King's Rock Sprite.png King's Rock
Togekiss Togekiss Lv.75
Bag King's Rock Sprite.png King's Rock
Lucario Lucario Lv.75
Bag King's Rock Sprite.png King's Rock
Black Belt Banting
Black Belt Banting
パンクレアス Pancreas
Reward: $2,080
Nidoking Nidoking Lv.65
Bag Life Orb Sprite.png Life Orb
Aggron Aggron Lv.65
Bag Life Orb Sprite.png Life Orb
Rampardos Rampardos Lv.65
Bag Life Orb Sprite.png Life Orb
Battle Maison


In spin-off games

Pokémon Battrio

Triple Battling as a mechanic was introduced in Pokémon Battrio, an arcade game using three Pokémon pucks on each side.

In the anime

Ash and Dawn's Triple Battle
A Triple Battle in the anime

In Chim - Charred!, Ash and Dawn were seen battling with three Pokémon on each side during a training session, although this wasn't an official Triple Battle. The battle took place so Ash could practice with his Pokémon for their upcoming Gym battle at the Pastoria Gym, and Ash was shown using his Pikachu, Turtwig, and Buizel while Dawn used Ash's Staravia and Chimchar and her own Piplup. Both Trainers were able to command the three Pokémon at once with relative ease.

The first official Triple Battle was seen in A Maractus Musical!, where Ash battled Toby's three Maractus with his Pikachu, Tepig, and Snivy. Ash said it was his first time taking part in a Triple Battle.

In Got Meltan?, Ash and Kiawe had a Triple Battle while training at the Pokémon School, with Ash using Pikachu, Torracat, and Lycanroc, and Kiawe using Turtonator, Marowak, and Charizard.

In the manga

A Triple Battle in Pokémon Adventures

Be the Best! Pokémon B+W

In The Key to Triple Battles, Monta was shown in a Triple Battle with Cheren, using Snivy, Panpour, and Roggenrola against Cheren's Basculin, Tepig, and Pansage.

Pokémon Adventures

Black & White arc

In Black's First Trainer Battle, Black participates in a Triple Battle with a Hiker named Andy, using his Brav, Musha, and Tep against Andy's Cottonee, Roggenrola, and Blitzle.

Trivia

In other languages

Language Title
Denmark Flag.png Danish Tripelkamp
Finland Flag.png Finnish Kolmoisottelu
France Flag.png French Combat Trio
Germany Flag.png German Dreierkampf
Italy Flag.png Italian Lotta in Triplo
South Korea Flag.png Korean 트리플배틀 Triple Battle
Poland Flag.png Polish Potrójna Bitwa
Portugal Flag.png Portuguese Batalha Tripla
Russia Flag.png Russian Битва три на три Bitva tri na tri
Spain Flag.png Spanish Combate Triple
Sweden Flag.png Swedish Trippelstrid
Thailand Flag.png Thai ทริปเปิลแบทเทิล Triple Battle
Vietnam Flag.png Vietnamese Trận đấu ba


Pokémon battle variations
Double BattleMulti BattleTriple BattleRotation BattleHorde EncounterSOS BattleSupport PlayMax Raid BattleFull Battle
Contest BattleLauncher BattleSky BattleInverse BattleBattle RoyalDynamax AdventureAuto BattleTera Raid BattleScripted battle
Battle modes


Project Games logo.png This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.