SOS Battle

From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.
Revision as of 05:24, 22 September 2024 by Landfish7 (talk | contribs) (Text replacement - "==Main series==" to "==Pokémon animated series==")
Jump to navigationJump to search
SOS redirects here. For SOS mail, see Wonder Mail.
A Totem Pokémon calling for an ally in an SOS Battle
An ally appearing in an SOS Battle

An SOS Battle (Japanese: 乱入バトル Intruder Battle) is a type of Pokémon battle in the Generation VII games, introduced in Pokémon Sun and Moon. An SOS Battle is a battle in which a wild Pokémon calls for help from allies, turning a normal one-on-one wild battle into a two-on-one battle.

In the Generation VII core series games, once the player clears Ilima's trial at Verdant Cavern, battles with wild Pokémon can turn into SOS Battles. Trial Pokémon (excluding Totem Pokémon and the Pokémon in Lana's Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon trial), Island Scan Pokémon, Legendary Pokémon, and Ultra Beasts do not call for help. Totem Pokémon always call for help, but use different mechanics than other wild Pokémon.

In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Pokémon that can only be found through SOS Battles will have an Adrenaline Orb next to the icons showing where they can be found when looking up their locations on the Rotom Pokédex.

Mechanics

At the end of a turn, a wild Pokémon may attempt to call for help if it does not already have an ally. If its call is successful, that ally will appear in battle.

When an ally appears, it is affected by any entry hazards and any of its Abilities that activate when it enters battle (such as Intimidate) will activate.

If the player's Pokémon currently in battle has the Ability Synchronize when the ally is called, there is a 50% chance that the ally will have the same Nature as that Pokémon (however, due to a bug, if the Pokémon with Synchronize was not originally in the first slot of the party and moved to it during the battle, the called Pokémon will synchronize to the Nature of the Pokémon that was originally in the first slot, instead of the Nature of the Pokémon with Synchronize that replaced it).

Totem Pokémon

In battles with a Totem Pokémon, at the end of the first turn, it will always call for help. A Totem Pokémon's calls are always answered. Totem Pokémon only have a predefined set of allies they can call during battle (usually two); once those allies have fainted, they cannot be called again.

Totem Pokémon with two allies will call a specific ally on its first turn, and call the other ally if its HP is below 2/3 (once the first ally has been defeated). If its HP drops below 2/3 before it has a chance to call an ally, it will call the latter ally first, then call the first ally at the first opportunity after its other ally has fainted. Once one of these allies is defeated, it cannot be called again.

Unlike other Totem Pokémon, Totem Salazzle can call an unlimited number of allies, as can Totem GumshoosUS/RaticateUM during the rematch against it when attempting to return Ilima's Normalium Z.

Brooklet Hill special Pokémon

In Pokémon Sun and Moon, in the leadup to Lana's trial at Brooklet Hill, the player has to battle two Wishiwashi. The second of these Wishiwashi will successfully call for help every turn. This Wishiwashi will even call for help when it has a status condition.

In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, during Lana's trial at Brooklet Hill, the player has to drive Wishiwashi downstream. In the third lake in the area (the second that is part of the trial), both the Wishiwashi and optional Dewpider will successfully call for help every turn as long as it does not already have an ally (even if it has a status condition). They always call allies of the same species. If the original Pokémon is defeated, the Pokémon originally called as an ally will no longer call for help.

Other wild Pokémon

In regular wild Pokémon battles, at the end of a turn, if there is only one wild Pokémon on the field, it may call for an ally. Sometimes, no ally answers this call. In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, a wild Pokémon will only call one ally per battle, unless the player uses an Adrenaline Orb. Wild Pokémon that have a non-volatile status condition or are in the semi-invulnerable turn of a move such as Dig will not attempt to call for allies.

The chance that a given Pokémon will call for help depends on its species, by default being equal to its base call rate (in percent).[1] Species with a call rate of 0% (most Pokémon that exclusively appear as allies in SOS Battles) never call for help. The call rate can be increased by multipliers under certain conditions, with the multipliers stacking multiplicatively if multiple are applicable.

  • The call rate is multiplied by a factor of 3 if the calling Pokémon's remaining HP is between 20% and 50% of its maximum HP (i.e. if its HP bar is yellow).
  • The call rate is multiplied by a factor of 5 if the calling Pokémon's remaining HP is below 20% (i.e. the HP bar is red).
  • The call rate is multiplied by a factor of 2 if an Adrenaline Orb has been used in the battle. The Adrenaline Orb can only be used once per battle and will fail if used repeatedly (wasting a turn without being consumed).

The chance that a call for help is answered by an ally depends on several factors, by default being equal to four times the species' call rate (in percent).[1] The answer rate can be increased by multipliers under certain conditions, with the multipliers being cumulative if more than one is applicable.

  • The answer rate is multiplied by a factor of 1.2 if the player's leading Pokémon has Intimidate, Unnerve or Pressure.
  • The answer rate is multiplied by a factor of 1.5 if the wild Pokémon called for help on the previous turn and is calling again consecutively, regardless of whether the previous call was answered or not.
  • The answer rate is multiplied by a factor of 3 if the Pokémon's most recent call for help was not answered.
  • The answer rate is multiplied by a factor of 2 if the calling Pokémon was hit by, and survived, a super effective move earlier in the same turn that it makes the call. Whether any other Pokémon was hit by a super effective move, and possibly fainted as a result, does not affect eligibility for this factor.

Within an SOS Battle, the chance for the called Pokémon to be Shiny, have perfect IVs, or have its Hidden Ability increases with the number of answered calls.[2] In Pokémon Sun and Moon, after 255 Pokémon have been called into battle, the counter rolls over and these rates go back to their default values but will continue to rise as usual after more Pokémon are called in.[3] In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, this restriction does not exist - the counter will stop counting at 255 and all bonuses will remain in effect. If a Pokémon successfully calls an ally, all EVs earned by defeating a Pokémon are doubled for the rest of the battle (including those from Power items).

Chain length Perfect IVs Hidden Ability chance Shiny Rolls
5 1 0% 1
10 2 5% 1
11 2 5% 5
20 3 10% 5
21 3 10% 9
30 4 15% 9
31 4 15% 13

SOS Battle allies

Most wild Pokémon only call for allies of the same species as themselves. The list below describes all Pokémon that can summon allies that are not of the same species as the original encounter.

Games Pokémon Possible allies Notes
SM USUM 010 Caterpie 010 Caterpie 012 Butterfree Anywhere but Route 1
SM 011 Metapod 010 Caterpie Only on Route 1
SM USUM 011 Metapod 010 Caterpie 012 Butterfree Anywhere but Route 1
USUM 019A Rattata 019A Rattata 020A Raticate Only on Route 8
USUM 041 Zubat 041 Zubat 042 Golbat Only in Diglett's Tunnel and Memorial Hill
SM 042 Golbat 042 Golbat 169 Crobat Only in Resolution Cave
USUM 042 Golbat 042 Golbat 169 Crobat Only in Resolution Cave and Lush Jungle
US 051A Dugtrio 051A Dugtrio 622 Golett Only at Haina Desert
UM 051A Dugtrio 051A Dugtrio 343 Baltoy Only at Haina Desert
USUM 052A Meowth 052A Meowth 053A Persian Only at Malie Garden
USUM 054 Psyduck 054 Psyduck 041 Zubat Only while surfing in Seaward Cave
SM 073 Tentacruel 073 Tentacruel 457 Lumineon Some encounters at Poni Wilds
SM 079 Slowpoke 079 Slowpoke 080 Slowbro Only at Kala'e Bay
USUM 079 Slowpoke 079 Slowpoke 080 Slowbro 199 Slowking Only at Kala'e Bay
SM USUM 093 Haunter 093 Haunter 094 Gengar
SM USUM 104 Cubone 104 Cubone 115 Kangaskhan
USUM 113 Chansey 113 Chansey 242 Blissey
SM USUM 118 Goldeen 118 Goldeen 119 Seaking
SM 120 Staryu 120 Staryu 121 Starmie Only on Route 7
USUM 120 Staryu 120 Staryu 121 Starmie
SM USUM 128 Tauros 128 Tauros 241 Miltank
SM USUM 129 Magikarp 129 Magikarp 130 Gyarados
SM USUM 133 Eevee 133 Eevee 196 Espeon Only during the day
SM USUM 133 Eevee 133 Eevee 197 Umbreon Only during the night
SM USUM 147 Dratini 147 Dratini 148 Dragonair Anywhere but Poni Gauntlet
SM USUM 147 Dratini 147 Dratini 148 Dragonair 149 Dragonite Only at Poni Gauntlet
USUM 163 Hoothoot 163 Hoothoot 164 Noctowl
USUM 170 Chinchou 170 Chinchou 171 Lanturn
SM USUM 172 Pichu 172 Pichu 025 Pikachu 440 Happiny
SM 173 Cleffa 173 Cleffa 035 Clefairy 113 Chansey
USUM 173 Cleffa 173 Cleffa 035 Clefairy 440 Happiny
SM USUM 174 Igglybuff 174 Igglybuff 039 Jigglypuff 440 Happiny
USUM 177 Natu 177 Natu 178 Xatu
USUM 190 Aipom 190 Aipom 424 Ambipom
SM USUM 222 Corsola 222 Corsola 747 Mareanie Mareanie will attack Corsola before targeting the player's Pokémon.
USUM 223 Remoraid 223 Remoraid 224 Octillery
USUM 238 Smoochum 238 Smoochum 124 Jynx 440 Happiny
SM 239 Elekid 239 Elekid 125 Electabuzz 113 Chansey
USUM 239 Elekid 239 Elekid 125 Electabuzz 440 Happiny
SM 240 Magby 240 Magby 126 Magmar
USUM 240 Magby 240 Magby 126 Magmar 440 Happiny
SM USUM 241 Miltank 241 Miltank 128 Tauros
USUM 318 Carvanha 318 Carvanha 319 Sharpedo
SM USUM 320 Wailmer 320 Wailmer 321 Wailord Only while fishing
US 328 Trapinch 328 Trapinch 622 Golett
UM 328 Trapinch 328 Trapinch 343 Baltoy
SM USUM 339 Barboach 339 Barboach 340 Whiscash
USUM 341 Corphish 341 Corphish 342 Crawdaunt
SM 361 Snorunt 361 Snorunt 362 Glalie Only at Mount Lanakila
USUM 366 Clamperl 366 Clamperl 367 Huntail Only during the night
USUM 366 Clamperl 366 Clamperl 368 Gorebyss Only during the day
SM USUM 371 Bagon 371 Bagon 372 Shelgon Only at Kala'e Bay
SM USUM 371 Bagon 371 Bagon 373 Salamence Only on Route 3
USUM 427 Buneary 427 Buneary 428 Lopunny Only in Poni Grove (all encounters during the day, some encounters at night)
SM USUM 438 Bonsly 438 Bonsly 185 Sudowoodo 440 Happiny
USUM 439 Mime Jr. 439 Mime Jr. 122 Mr. Mime 440 Happiny
SM USUM 446 Munchlax 446 Munchlax 143 Snorlax 440 Happiny
SM 447 Riolu 447 Riolu 448 Lucario 113 Chansey
USUM 447 Riolu 447 Riolu 448 Lucario 440 Happiny
USUM 456 Finneon 456 Finneon 457 Lumineon Only in Route 15
USUM 458 Mantyke 458 Mantyke 223 Remoraid
US 552 Krokorok 552 Krokorok 622 Golett
UM 552 Krokorok 552 Krokorok 343 Baltoy
USUM 559 Scraggy 559 Scraggy 022 Fearow Some encounters on Route 17 at night
SM 568 Trubbish 568 Trubbish 569 Garbodor
USUM 621 Druddigon 621 Druddigon 042 Golbat Some encounters at Resolution Cave at night
USUM 625 Bisharp 624 Pawniard
USUM 636 Larvesta 636 Larvesta 637 Volcarona
USUM 661 Fletchling 661 Fletchling 662 Fletchinder
SM USUM 674 Pancham 674 Pancham 675 Pangoro
USUM 702 Dedenne 702 Dedenne 777 Togedemaru
SM USUM 703 Carbink 703 Carbink 302 Sableye Only in caves. Sableye will attack Carbink before targeting the player's Pokémon.
SM 732 Trumbeak 731 Pikipek Only on Route 8
USUM 732 Trumbeak 732 Trumbeak 733 Toucannon Only on Route 11, Poni Grove, and Poni Plains
USUM 734 Yungoos 734 Yungoos 735 Gumshoos Only on Route 8
USUM 737 Charjabug 736 Grubbin 738 Vikavolt Only during the day
USUM 749 Mudbray 749 Mudbray 750 Mudsdale Only on Route 12 and Blush Mountain
USUM 757 Salandit 757 Salandit 758 Salazzle Only in Wela Volcano Park and Lush Jungle
USUM 757 Salandit 757 Salandit 759 Stufful Some encounters on Route 8 at night
S US 766 Passimian 732 Trumbeak
M UM 765 Oranguru 732 Trumbeak
USUM 771 Pyukumuku 771 Pyukumuku 278 Wingull Some encounters on Hano Beach at night
USUM 777 Togedemaru 777 Togedemaru 702 Dedenne
SM USUM 782 Jangmo-o 783 Hakamo-o 784 Kommo-o
Weather-dependent allies

In certain locations, when Pokémon call for allies, a special ally may appear if there is a weather condition in effect in the battle and Cloud Nine or Air Lock is not in effect. This includes weather caused by moves or Abilities during the battle. Castform can appear in any location where weather can affect the allies Pokémon can call, but aside from Castform, each location has a specific Pokémon that can be called in a specific weather (which usually occurs naturally there, though not always persistently).

If special allies can appear, they always have a combined 11% chance of appearing over allies appearing in the usual, species-dependent way. The table below describes the likelihood of special allies to be called depending on the location and weather.[1][4]

Special ally Rain Hail Sandstorm Location
061 Poliwhirl 10% Malie Garden
062 Poliwrath 1%Day Malie Garden
186 Politoed 1%Night Malie Garden
351 Castform 11% 11% Malie Garden
1% 11% 11% Lush Jungle, Route 17, Exeggutor Island
11% 1% 11% Mount LanakilaSM, Mount Lanakila (base)USUM, Tapu Village
11% 11% Mount Lanakila (except base)USUM
11% 11% 1% Haina Desert
444 Gabite 10% Haina Desert
582 Vanillite 10% Tapu Village, Mount Lanakila (base)USUM
583 Vanillish 10% Mount Lanakila (except base and icy cave)
584 Vanilluxe 1% Mount Lanakila (except base and icy cave)USUM
704 Goomy 10% Lush Jungle, Route 17
705 Sliggoo 10% Exeggutor Island

Pokémon that do not call for help

Many Pokémon have a call rate of 0 and will never call for help. Pokémon that can be encountered in the wild that never call for help are Legendary Pokémon, the Ultra Beasts, Pokémon encountered via Island Scan, Pokémon encountered in Ultra Space Wilds, and the Pokémon listed below.

Pokémon
012 Butterfree
062 Poliwrath
094 Gengar
101 Electrode
103A Exeggutor
113 Chansey SM
121 Starmie
122 Mr. Mime
124 Jynx
143 Snorlax
149 Dragonite
169 Crobat
185 Sudowoodo
186 Politoed
196 Espeon
197 Umbreon
199 Slowking
224 Octillery
242 Blissey
302 Sableye
351 Castform
367 Huntail
368 Gorebyss
373 Salamence
424 Ambipom
440 Happiny
444 Gabite
448 Lucario
550B Basculin
Blue-Striped Form
582 Vanillite
583 Vanillish
584 Vanilluxe
624 Pawniard
637 Volcarona
670O Floette
Orange Flower
670B Floette
Blue Flower
670W Floette
White Flower
675 Pangoro
704 Goomy
705 Sliggoo
733 Toucannon
738 Vikavolt
747 Mareanie
767 Wimpod
774 Minior
775 Komala
784 Kommo-o

In animation

An SOS Battle in the anime

Pokémon animated series

Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon

Unlike in the games, Trainers in the anime are allowed to use two Pokémon at once during SOS Battles.

In Big Sky, Small Fry!, an Alomomola appeared to assist Totem Wishiwashi during Lana's Brooklet Hill trial against it.

In Currying Favor and Flavor!, Totem Lurantis called a Castform to help it during Ash's Lush Jungle trial.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon arc

In Flash and Cosmog's Secret, Moon battled a Totem Lurantis for training. During the battle, Lurantis kept calling allies for help, forcing Moon to defeat them before she was able to defeat Lurantis.

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 闖入對戰 Chóngyahp Deuijin
Mandarin 闖入對戰 / 闯入对战 Chuǎngrù Duìzhàn
The Czech Republic Flag.png Czech SOS zápas
The Netherlands Flag.png Dutch SOS-gevechten
France Flag.png French Intrusion
Germany Flag.png German Quereinsteiger-Kampf
Hungary Flag.png Hungarian SOS Harc
Italy Flag.png Italian Lotta con rinforzi
South Korea Flag.png Korean 난입배틀 Nanib Battle
Poland Flag.png Polish Walka SOS
Portugal Flag.png Portuguese Batalha SOS
Russia Flag.png Russian Сражение SOS Srazheniye SOS
Spain Flag.png Spanish Combate con refuerzos

References


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.