Overview
Pokken gameplay takes place in 2 phases: Field Phase and Duel Phase. In Field Phase, characters can move in any direction, and there is a focus on ranged combat and gathering Synergy. On the other hand, Duel Phase is more akin to a traditional fighter, and this is where the bulk of your damage will be dealt. Upon landing certain attacks, the phase will change from Field Phase to Duel Phase. This is what’s known as a phase shift, and it happens very often, making for dynamic battles.
Field Phase
Every round of Pokken starts in Field Phase. In this phase, players can walk or dash freely in every direction, as well as jump. All characters retain access to their Counter Attack and grab, as well as their neutral, forward, and back Pokemon Moves. In addition, each character has a wealth of ranged attacks and a Homing Attack, placing a focus on mid to long ranged combat.
| Phase Shift: Field to Duel |
• Grants 40CC of Synergy. • Restores 50% recoverable HP. |
Ranged Attacks
Each character has 4 ranged attacks - 1 for each direction, including no direction - as well as a jumping ranged attack, performed by pressing Y. Not all ranged attacks are projectiles; some of them simply cover a lot of space. Ranged attacks all have greatly varied frame data, as well as special properties. For example, ranged attacks with the “Link Up” property can be chained into other specific ranged attacks.
Homing Attack
The aforementioned Homing Attack is a core mechanic of Field Phase. By pressing X, the character will run towards the opponent. This run can be initially steered, but beyond that, neither the direction nor the speed of the run can be changed at any point. The run can be canceled by jumping or blocking. Upon reaching the opponent, the run transitions into an attack. Depending on the character, this attack either has 1 or 2 followups. The last hit of every Homing Attack can be charged to increase damage, pierce armor, and cause a guard break. Each character’s Homing Attack has a set run speed and attack priority. A list of all Homing Attack properties can be found [here].
Duel Phase
In Duel Phase, ranged attacks and Homing Attack are traded for a more traditional toolkit. Here, characters are restricted to a 2D plane, with dashing and jumping retained. In most cases, matches will shift to close quarters here. Instead of ranged attacks and Homing Attack, Y and X are mapped to Weak Attack and Strong Attack. If you input a certain move multiple times, like each character’s Weak Attack, your character will perform a combo ending in a Pokemon Move.
| Phase Shift: Duel to Field |
• Grants 20CC of Synergy. |
Stances
Something interesting to note is that by pressing up on the D-Pad, your character will not jump. Instead, holding up or down on the D-Pad, you can enter High Stance or Low Stance respectively. Each character’s High and Low Stances have different properties. Both Weak and Strong Attacks can be performed from stances as well. As a general rule: - High Stance Weak Attack: high attack that is invulnerable to other high attacks; often used for anti airs - High Stance Strong Attack: character goes airborne, becoming invulnerable to lows and grabs - Low Stance Weak Attack: quick low attack - Low Stance Strong Attack: low attack that is invulnerable to highs; always causes a knockdown Also, in Duel Phase, many characters get new Pokemon Moves by holding up or down and pressing A.
Shifting the Phase
There are many different ways to change between phases. As a general rule, in Field Phase, all forward ranged attacks and Homing Attacks will cause a phase shift upon connecting with their last hit. Beyond that, many characters’ Pokemon Moves will immediately phase shift in Field Phase as well. Shifting from Duel Phase to Field Phase is drastically different. Each move in Duel Phase has a fixed amount of Phase Shift points, shortened to PSP. On hit, each move’s PSP amount will be added to an unseen counter. When the counter reaches 12 PSP, the phase will shift. Additionally, any combo will cause a phase shift on the 21st hit regardless of PSP.*
- Note: Some grabs count as 1 hit, regardless of what the hit counter displays.
Phase Shift Points
| General Moves | |
|---|---|
Y+B Grab |
12 |
X+A / [X+A] Counter Attack |
3 |
L+R Burst Declare Wave |
-12 * |
L+R Burst Attack |
12 |
* PSP is reset for both players. |
| Darkrai | |
|---|---|
4YYY / 4YY:Y |
3 |
5YY |
3 |
6Y / 6:Y |
3 |
8Y |
3 |
j.Y |
3 |
2X |
3 |
4X |
3 |
4[X] |
4 |
5X |
4 |
6X |
4 |
8X |
4 |
j.X |
3 |
2A Dream Eater |
12 |
4A Nasty Plot |
1 per hit |
5A Dark Pulse |
3 |
Bad Dreams Rising 5A Dark Pulse |
1 per hit |
5[A] Dark Pulse: Charge |
3 |
6A / 6[A] Dark Void |
-12 |
8A Nightmare |
3 |
j.AY/X Shadow Claw: Slice Followup |
4 |
j.A[Y/X] Shadow Claw: Slice Followup Charge |
6 |
j.AA Shadow Claw: Kick Followup |
3 |
| Blaziken | |
|---|---|
5YYY |
4 |
6YY |
4 |
6YX |
4 |
8Y |
2 |
Release X (First hit) |
8 |
Release X (Second hit) |
2 |
2XX |
4 |
5X |
4 |
6X |
2 |
6XXX |
2 |
8X |
4 |
4A Brave Bird |
4 |
4[A] Brave Bird |
4 |
5A Heat Wave |
4 |
5[A] Heat Wave |
4 |
6A Blaze Kick |
3 |
6[A] Blaze Kick |
3 |
6AX Flare Blitz |
3 |
6A[X] Flare Blitz |
3 |
8A Sky Uppercut |
3 |
8[A] Sky Uppercut |
3 |
j.A High Jump Kick |
5 |
j.[A] High Jump Kick |
5 |
| Pikachu | |
|---|---|
]Y[ Release Y Level One |
5 |
]Y[ Release Y Level Two |
8 |
5YYY |
4 |
5YX |
3 |
5Y:X |
3 |
6Y |
4 |
6:Y |
3 |
8Y |
3 |
2X |
3 |
5X |
4 |
8X |
3 |
2A Iron Tail |
5 |
4A Electro Ball |
1 per hit |
5A Thunderbolt |
3 |
5[A] Thunderbolt: Charge |
2, 2 |
6A Nuzzle |
3 |
8A Volt Tackle |
5 |
Burst 8AA Volt Tackle: Followup |
12 |
j.A Thunder (Initial hit) |
1 |
j.A Thunder |
5 |
| Lucario | |
|---|---|
5YYY |
4 |
6Y / 6:Y |
5 |
8Y |
3 |
2X |
3 |
5X |
2 per hit |
Burst 5X |
1 per hit |
Burst 5XX |
2 |
6X / 6[X] |
3 |
Burst 6X / 6[X] |
3 |
8X |
4 |
4A Force Palm |
5 |
4[A] Force Palm |
12 |
Burst 4AA Force Palm: Followup |
12 |
5A Aura Sphere (Level One) |
3 |
5A Aura Sphere (Level Two) |
1 per hit |
5A Aura Sphere (Level Three) |
1 per hit |
Burst 5A Aura Sphere (Level One) |
2 per hit |
Burst 5A Aura Sphere (Level Two) |
1 per hit |
Burst 5A Aura Sphere (Level Three) |
2 per hit |
6A Bone Rush |
3 |
6AY/X Bone Rush: Downward Swing |
4 |
6AA Bone Rush: Upward Swing |
5 |
8A Extreme Speed |
2, 3 |
Burst 8AA Extreme Speed: Followup |
12 |
j.A Aura Sphere: Midair |
3 |
j.[A] Aura Sphere: Midair Charge |
1 per hit |
| Gardevoir | |
|---|---|
j.X+A Midair Counter Attack |
3 |
2Y |
3 |
5YYY |
4 |
6Y |
4 |
8Y / 8[Y] |
1 per hit |
2X |
3 |
4X |
4 |
6X |
4 |
]A[ Moonblast |
8 |
4AY Energy Ball |
3 |
4AY Energy Ball: Disperse |
9 |
4AA Dazzling Gleam |
8 |
5A Psyshock |
5 |
6A Stored Power |
5 |
j.A Magical Leaf |
5 |
| Pikachu Libre | |
|---|---|
5YYY |
3 |
5YY:Y |
3 |
6Y |
3 |
8Y |
4 |
2XX |
3 |
5X |
4 |
6XX |
4 |
8XX |
3 |
2A Wild Charge |
12 |
2A Wild Charge (Enhanced) |
12 |
4A Electroweb |
3 |
4A Elctroweb (Enhanced) |
12 |
5AA Quick Attack |
3 |
5AA Quick Attack (Enhanced) |
3 |
6A Discharge |
3 |
6[A] Discharge |
2 |
6A Discharge (Enhanced) |
6 |
6[A] Discharge (Enhanced) |
6 |
8A Flying Press |
3 |
8A Flying Press (Enhanced) |
5 |
j.A Spark |
3 |
j.A Spark (Enhanced) |
3 |
| Scizor | |
|---|---|
Hover Dash Y |
2 |
5YY |
3 |
6YY |
4 |
6YX |
4 |
8Y |
3 |
j.YY |
2 |
2X |
3 |
4X |
3 |
4[X] |
3 |
5X |
4 |
6XX |
4 |
8X |
3 |
j.X |
3 |
2AA Bullet Punch: Followup |
3 |
2AX / 2A:X X-Scissor |
4 |
2AY+B Bug Bite |
12 |
4A U-Turn |
3 |
4AA U-Turn: Followup |
6 |
5AA Swords Dance: Followup |
3 |
6A Metal Claw |
3 |
6AA Metal Claw: Followup |
4 |
j.A Aerial Ace |
3 |
j.A Aerial Ace: Followup |
6 |
| Aegislash | |
|---|---|
2YX |
4 |
4Y |
3 |
5YY |
2 |
5YYY |
4 |
6YY |
4 |
6Y:Y |
3 |
8Y |
3 |
j.Y |
2 |
j.YY |
2 |
j.YX |
4 |
Shield Forme 4Y |
3 |
Shield Forme 5Y |
3 |
Shield Forme 6Y |
1 per hit |
2X |
4 |
4X |
4 |
4X (Enhanced) |
0, 4 |
5X |
2, 2 |
5X (Enhanced) |
0, 2, 0, 0, 2 |
6XX / 6X:X |
4 |
8X |
4 |
Shield Forme 5X |
4 |
Shield Forme 6X |
4 |
4A King's Shield |
3 |
5A Fury Cutter (Un-Enhanced) |
4 |
5AAA Fury Cutter |
12 |
5AX Fury Cutter |
4 |
6A / 6[A] Iron Head |
3 |
j.A Gyro Ball |
3 |
Shield Forme 4A Sacred Sword |
3 |
Shield Forme 5A / 5[A] Shadow Sneak |
3 |
Shield Forme 6A Flash Cannon |
5 |
| Croagunk | |
|---|---|
]X[ Release X |
4 |
4YY |
4 |
4YX |
6 |
5YY |
2 |
5YYY |
3 |
6Y: Rock |
2 |
6Y: Bomb |
2 |
8Y |
3 |
j.#Y |
1 |
2X |
3 |
4X |
12 |
5X |
4 |
6X |
3 |
8X |
3 |
j.X |
1 |
j.8X |
2 |
2A Venoshock (No Debuffs) |
3 |
2A Venoshock (One Debuff) |
6 |
2A Venoshock (Two Debuffs) |
12 |
4A Thief |
3 |
6A Poison Jab |
3 |
j.A Gunk Shot: Rock |
2 |
j.A Gunk Shot: Bomb |
2 |
j.A Gunk Shot: Tornado |
1 per hit |
| Sceptile | |
|---|---|
5YY / 5Y[Y] |
3 |
6Y |
2 |
6YY / 6Y:Y |
3 |
8Y |
3 |
2X |
3 |
4X |
2 |
5X / 5[X] |
4 |
8X |
4 |
5AA Bullet Seed |
3 |
6A Leaf Blade |
3 |
Burst 6AA Leaf Blade ~ Dragon Breath Followup |
12 |
8A Leaf Storm |
12 |
| Gengar | |
|---|---|
Burst X+A / [X+A] Counter Attack |
4 |
| ]X[ Release X | 0, 0, 0, 3 |
5YY |
4 |
Burst 5YY |
2 |
6YX |
4 |
8Y |
3 |
| Burst 8Y / 8[Y] | 4 |
2XX |
4 |
Burst 2X |
2 |
5X / 5[X] |
3 |
Burst 5X / 5[X] |
4 |
Burst 8X |
4 |
4A / 4[A] Shadow Punch |
0, 2 |
5A Shadow Ball |
3 |
6A Hypnosis |
3 |
j.A Astonish |
1 per hit |
| Decidueye | |
|---|---|
]Y[ Release Y |
3 |
2YY |
2 |
4Y |
2 |
5YY |
2 |
5YYY |
3 |
8Y |
3 |
j.Y |
0, 1 |
Soaring Stance Y |
1 |
Soaring Stance YY |
3 |
]X[ Release X |
-6 |
2X |
1 |
2XX |
2 |
4X / 4[X] |
4 |
5XX |
4 |
6XXX |
4 |
8X |
3 |
Soaring Stance X |
0, 5 |
4A Frenzy Plant |
4 |
4A Frenzy Plant (Back hit) |
12 |
5A / 5[A] Spirit Shackle |
3 |
6A Fury Attack |
4 |
6AY/X Leaf Blade |
4 |
Burst 6AY/X Leaf Blade: Followup |
12 |
6AA Razor Leaf |
2 |
8A Smack Down (Arrow) |
4 |
8A Smack Down (Magnemite / Camera) |
1 |
j.A Sucker Punch: Critical Hit |
12 |
Soaring Stance A Acrobatics |
3 |
| Machamp | |
|---|---|
5YY |
4 |
6YY |
3 |
6YYY |
4 |
6YYX / 6YYYX |
4 |
8Y |
3 |
j.Y |
1 per hit |
2X |
3 |
2XX |
1 |
2X ~ RX |
4 |
4XY |
3 |
4XX |
3 |
5XX |
5 |
5X[X] |
12 |
6X |
3 |
6[X] |
4 |
8X |
12 |
j.X |
3 |
2A Close Combat |
12 |
4A Karate Chop |
5 |
5A Cross Chop |
5 |
8A Heavy Slam |
0, 2, 1 |
j.A Wake-Up Slap |
-3 |
j.A Wake-Up Slap (Enhanced) |
-6 |
| Braixen | |
|---|---|
4Y |
3, 1 |
4[Y] |
4, 0 |
5YYY |
3 |
6Y |
3 |
j.Y |
1 per hit |
2X |
3 |
4X |
4 |
5XX |
4 |
8X |
3 |
j.X / j.[X] |
3 |
2A Light Screen |
2 |
4A Fire Blast: Fireball |
2 per hit |
4A Fire Blast: Blast |
1 per hit |
5A Psybeam |
3 |
5A Psybeam (Enhanced) |
0, 3 |
6A Fire Spin |
1 per hit |
6[A] Fire Spin |
0.5 per hit |
8A Flamethrower |
4 |
j.A Flame Charge |
3 |
| Empoleon | |
|---|---|
5YY |
3 |
6YY |
3 |
8Y |
2 |
2X |
3 |
4X |
4 |
5X |
4 |
8X |
3 |
j.X / j.[X] |
3 |
4A Defog |
3 |
5A Aqua Jet |
3 |
6A Ice Beam |
4 |
6[A] Ice Beam |
3 |
8A Drill Peck |
3 |
j.A Steel Wing |
2 |
Followup B Surf |
4 |
Followup Y Cut |
3 |
Followup X Waterfall |
4 |
Followup A Rock Smash |
4 |
| Blastoise | |
|---|---|
4Y |
3 |
5YY |
3 |
6Y |
3 |
8Y |
3 |
j.Y |
1, 1 |
Shell Fortress Stance Y |
2 |
2X |
3 |
5X |
4 |
6X |
4 |
8XX |
4 |
Shell Fortress Stance X |
4 |
2A Water Pulse |
3 |
4A Water Spout |
5 |
5A Water Gun |
2 |
5AY Dark Pulse |
3 |
5AA Aura Sphere |
2 |
Burst 5AAA Water Gun: Followup |
12 |
6A Rapid Spin |
3 |
8A / 8[A] Hydro Pump |
4 |
| Mewtwo | |
|---|---|
5YY |
4 |
6YY |
3 |
6YX |
4 |
8Y |
2 |
Non-Burst j.Y |
1 per hit |
Burst j.Y |
3 |
2XX |
3 |
2X:X |
2 |
5X |
4 |
6X |
4 |
8X |
4 |
2A Fire Punch |
2 |
2AAA Thunder Punch |
3 |
4AX Drain Punch |
4 |
4AA Confusion |
2 |
5A Psycho Cut |
1 per hit |
5AA Psycho Cut: Followup |
2 |
6A Hyper Beam |
12 |
8A Psystrike |
4 |
8AAA Psystrike |
12 |
j.A / j.[A] Focus Blast |
1, 1, 1 |
| Chandelure | |
|---|---|
2Y (Max range) |
3 |
5YY |
4 |
6Y |
3 |
6[Y] |
12 |
8Y |
2 per hit |
j.8Y |
3 |
j.8[Y] |
12 |
2X |
3 |
4X / 4[X] |
4 |
5X / 5[X] |
1 per hit |
6X |
2 |
6XX / 6X:X |
3 |
8X |
4 |
j.8X / j.8[X] |
4 |
2A Hex (Two Debuffs) |
12 |
4A / 4[A] Flame Burst |
3, 1 per hit |
Non-Burst 5A Will-O-Wisp |
3 |
Burst 5A Will-O-Wisp |
6 |
6A Smog |
3 |
8A Overheat |
12 |
j.A Incinerate |
1 per hit |
| Suicune | |
|---|---|
X+A > Y Counter Attack: Followup |
3 |
4Y |
3 |
5YYY |
2, 2 |
6YY |
4 |
8Y |
3 |
2X |
3 |
5X / 6X |
4 |
8X |
1 per hit |
4A Mirror Coat |
5 |
5A Aurora Beam |
5 |
6A Hydro Pump |
5 |
8A Aurora Beam: Upwards |
5 |
j.A Blizzard |
5 |
| Weavile | |
|---|---|
4YYYY / 5YYYY |
3 |
8Y |
3 |
2X |
3 |
5X / 5[X] |
4 |
6X / 6[X] |
3 |
8X |
3 |
4A Night Slash |
3 |
5AAAA Fury Swipes |
5 |
6A Knock Off |
3 |
8A Ice Punch |
3 |
8AA Ice Punch: Followup |
2 |
8A[A] Ice Punch: Followup |
12 |
j.AB Icicle Crash: Jump |
1 per hit |
j.AR Icicle Crash: Nosedive |
3 |
| Charizard | |
|---|---|
5YY |
4 |
6Y |
3 |
8Y |
2 |
j.6YY |
4 |
2X |
4 |
5X |
1, 3 |
5[X] |
1 per hit |
6X |
3 |
6XX |
4 |
8X |
5 |
4A Inferno |
4 |
5A Flamethrower |
3 |
6A Fire Punch |
3 |
j.A Flare Blitz: Fall |
5 |
j.8A Flare Blitz: Direct |
5 |
Flying Stance Y Air Slash |
1 per hit |
Flying Stance X Dragon Claw |
3 |
Flying Stance A Flare Blitz: Direct |
1 per hit |
Flying Stance 8A Flare Blitz: Boost |
1 per hit |
| Garchomp | |
|---|---|
4Y |
4 |
5YYY |
3 |
6YY |
3 |
8Y |
3 |
2X |
3 |
4X |
3 |
5X |
4 |
8X |
4 |
j.X |
3 |
Critical Hit 4A / 4[A] Stone Edge |
3 |
5A Dragon Claw |
3 |
6A Dig |
4 |
8A Dragon Rush |
3 |
Critical Hit 8A Dragon Rush |
12 |
j.A Earthquake |
4 |
| Shadow Mewtwo | |
|---|---|
2YY |
2 |
5YY |
4 |
6Y |
4 |
8YY |
4 |
8Y[Y] |
12 |
Non-Burst j.Y |
0, 1, 1 |
Burst j.Y |
3 |
2X |
3 |
4X |
4 |
5XX |
4 |
6X |
2 |
8X |
4 |
Burst j.X / j.[X] |
3 |
5AA Psywave: Blast (Level One) |
2 |
5AA Psywave: Blast (Level Two) |
3 |
5AA Psywave: Blast (Level Three) |
4 |
5AYYY Psywave: Slash |
4 |
5AX Psywave: Vortex |
5 |
6A Zen Headbutt |
4 |
8AAA Psystrike |
12 |
j.AY Thunder |
4 |
j.AX Earthquake |
4 |
j.AA Flamethrower |
4 |