Encore

Normal

Forces the target to repeat its last move for three turns.

Technical data

Type
Normal
Category
status
Power
Accuracy
100
PP
5
Priority
0
Target
adjacent
Contact
No
Spread
No
Protect blocks
Yes
Wide Guard blocks
No

Competitive value

Locks foes into setup or Protect, creating free turns for the user's team.

How to learn it

Pokémon that can learn or be taught this move, by method.

Level-up60 Pokémon

  • Hawlucha MegaHawlucha Mega
  • Alakazam MegaAlakazam Mega
  • Palafin HeroPalafin Hero
  • Mr RimeMr Rime
  • Machamp GmaxMachamp Gmax
  • MachampMachamp
  • AlakazamAlakazam
  • Raichu Mega YRaichu Mega Y
  • Raichu Mega XRaichu Mega X
  • Raichu AlolaRaichu Alola
  • Clefable MegaClefable Mega
  • PrimarinaPrimarina
  • Samurott HisuiSamurott Hisui
  • SamurottSamurott
  • ClefableClefable
  • AurorusAurorus
  • SalazzleSalazzle
  • HawluchaHawlucha
  • RaichuRaichu
  • Palafin ZeroPalafin Zero
  • Maushold Family Of ThreeMaushold Family Of Three
  • Salazzle TotemSalazzle Totem
  • Maushold Family Of FourMaushold Family Of Four
  • EmolgaEmolga

TM / HM250 Pokémon

  • Gardevoir MegaGardevoir Mega
  • Hawlucha MegaHawlucha Mega
  • Delphox MegaDelphox Mega
  • Gallade MegaGallade Mega
  • Dragonite MegaDragonite Mega
  • Gengar MegaGengar Mega
  • SnorlaxSnorlax
  • Alakazam MegaAlakazam Mega
  • Scrafty MegaScrafty Mega
  • Palafin HeroPalafin Hero
  • InfernapeInfernape
  • WhimsicottWhimsicott
  • Lopunny MegaLopunny Mega
  • Audino MegaAudino Mega
  • Meganium MegaMeganium Mega
  • DragoniteDragonite
  • ZoroarkZoroark
  • QuaquavalQuaquaval
  • Mr RimeMr Rime
  • Machamp GmaxMachamp Gmax
  • MachampMachamp
  • Gengar GmaxGengar Gmax
  • GengarGengar
  • SkeledirgeSkeledirge
  • AlakazamAlakazam
  • NinetalesNinetales
  • AlcremieAlcremie
  • Raichu Mega YRaichu Mega Y
  • BearticBeartic
  • Victreebel MegaVictreebel Mega
  • Alcremie GmaxAlcremie Gmax
  • Raichu Mega XRaichu Mega X
  • DelphoxDelphox
  • GardevoirGardevoir
  • Raichu AlolaRaichu Alola
  • Banette MegaBanette Mega
  • Clefable MegaClefable Mega
  • MeganiumMeganium
  • PolitoedPolitoed
  • PrimarinaPrimarina
  • Samurott HisuiSamurott Hisui
  • Chimecho MegaChimecho Mega
  • OranguruOranguru
  • Zoroark HisuiZoroark Hisui
  • SamurottSamurott
  • TinkatonTinkaton
  • Snorlax GmaxSnorlax Gmax
  • ClefableClefable
  • ScraftyScrafty
  • GalladeGallade
  • Sableye MegaSableye Mega
  • AnnihilapeAnnihilape
  • AurorusAurorus
  • ToucannonToucannon
  • ToxicroakToxicroak
  • ReuniclusReuniclus
  • SalazzleSalazzle
  • HawluchaHawlucha
  • Ninetales AlolaNinetales Alola
  • RaichuRaichu
  • LopunnyLopunny
  • Palafin ZeroPalafin Zero
  • AromatisseAromatisse
  • VictreebelVictreebel
  • ChimechoChimecho
  • Maushold Family Of ThreeMaushold Family Of Three
  • Salazzle TotemSalazzle Totem
  • LiepardLiepard
  • BanetteBanette
  • Maushold Family Of FourMaushold Family Of Four
  • AudinoAudino
  • EmolgaEmolga
  • Pikachu StarterPikachu Starter
  • AzumarillAzumarill
  • PikachuPikachu
  • Pikachu Alola CapPikachu Alola Cap
  • Pikachu BellePikachu Belle
  • Pikachu CosplayPikachu Cosplay
  • Pikachu GmaxPikachu Gmax
  • Pikachu Hoenn CapPikachu Hoenn Cap
  • Pikachu Kalos CapPikachu Kalos Cap
  • Pikachu LibrePikachu Libre
  • Pikachu Original CapPikachu Original Cap
  • Pikachu Partner CapPikachu Partner Cap
  • Pikachu PhdPikachu Phd
  • Pikachu Pop StarPikachu Pop Star
  • Pikachu Rock StarPikachu Rock Star
  • Pikachu Sinnoh CapPikachu Sinnoh Cap
  • Pikachu Unova CapPikachu Unova Cap
  • Pikachu World CapPikachu World Cap
  • SableyeSableye

Egg move (breeding)39 Pokémon

  • InfernapeInfernape
  • Audino MegaAudino Mega
  • Clefable MegaClefable Mega
  • ClefableClefable
  • AudinoAudino

Pokémon that use this move

253 Pokémon, sorted by usage

  • Gardevoir MegaGardevoir Mega
  • Hawlucha MegaHawlucha Mega
  • Delphox MegaDelphox Mega
  • Gallade MegaGallade Mega
  • Dragonite MegaDragonite Mega
  • Gengar MegaGengar Mega
  • SnorlaxSnorlax
  • Alakazam MegaAlakazam Mega
  • Scrafty MegaScrafty Mega
  • Palafin HeroPalafin Hero
  • InfernapeInfernape
  • WhimsicottWhimsicott
  • Lopunny MegaLopunny Mega
  • Audino MegaAudino Mega
  • Meganium MegaMeganium Mega
  • DragoniteDragonite
  • ZoroarkZoroark
  • QuaquavalQuaquaval
  • Mr RimeMr Rime
  • Machamp GmaxMachamp Gmax
  • MachampMachamp
  • Gengar GmaxGengar Gmax
  • GengarGengar
  • SkeledirgeSkeledirge
  • AlakazamAlakazam
  • NinetalesNinetales
  • AlcremieAlcremie
  • Raichu Mega YRaichu Mega Y
  • BearticBeartic
  • Victreebel MegaVictreebel Mega
  • Alcremie GmaxAlcremie Gmax
  • Raichu Mega XRaichu Mega X
  • DelphoxDelphox
  • GardevoirGardevoir
  • Raichu AlolaRaichu Alola
  • Banette MegaBanette Mega
  • Clefable MegaClefable Mega
  • MeganiumMeganium
  • PolitoedPolitoed
  • PrimarinaPrimarina
  • Samurott HisuiSamurott Hisui
  • Chimecho MegaChimecho Mega
  • OranguruOranguru
  • Zoroark HisuiZoroark Hisui
  • SamurottSamurott
  • TinkatonTinkaton
  • Snorlax GmaxSnorlax Gmax
  • ClefableClefable
  • ScraftyScrafty
  • GalladeGallade
  • Sableye MegaSableye Mega
  • AnnihilapeAnnihilape
  • AurorusAurorus
  • ToucannonToucannon
  • ToxicroakToxicroak
  • ReuniclusReuniclus
  • SalazzleSalazzle
  • HawluchaHawlucha
  • Ninetales AlolaNinetales Alola
  • RaichuRaichu
  • LopunnyLopunny
  • Palafin ZeroPalafin Zero
  • AromatisseAromatisse
  • VictreebelVictreebel
  • ChimechoChimecho
  • Maushold Family Of ThreeMaushold Family Of Three
  • Salazzle TotemSalazzle Totem
  • LiepardLiepard
  • BanetteBanette
  • Maushold Family Of FourMaushold Family Of Four
  • AudinoAudino
  • EmolgaEmolga
  • Pikachu StarterPikachu Starter
  • AzumarillAzumarill
  • PikachuPikachu
  • Pikachu Alola CapPikachu Alola Cap
  • Pikachu BellePikachu Belle
  • Pikachu CosplayPikachu Cosplay
  • Pikachu GmaxPikachu Gmax
  • Pikachu Hoenn CapPikachu Hoenn Cap
  • Pikachu Kalos CapPikachu Kalos Cap
  • Pikachu LibrePikachu Libre
  • Pikachu Original CapPikachu Original Cap
  • Pikachu Partner CapPikachu Partner Cap
  • Pikachu PhdPikachu Phd
  • Pikachu Pop StarPikachu Pop Star
  • Pikachu Rock StarPikachu Rock Star
  • Pikachu Sinnoh CapPikachu Sinnoh Cap
  • Pikachu Unova CapPikachu Unova Cap
  • Pikachu World CapPikachu World Cap
  • SableyeSableye

What this move does

Encore is a Normal-type status move. It targets a single adjacent target and has 5 PP. Forces the target to repeat its last move for three turns.

Locks foes into setup or Protect, creating free turns for the user's team.

When to consider it

Consider Encore when your team needs the utility it provides rather than direct damage. Status moves define speed control, redirection, protection and disruption in VGC. Its value depends on whether your team can exploit the turns it creates. Check your team composition for Pokémon that benefit from the positioning or tempo it generates.

How to evaluate it in team building

In team building, Encore competes with other support and disruption options for a limited number of moveslots. Ask whether your team has enough offense to justify a utility move, and whether you have the speed or bulk to use it safely. Many successful teams run one or two status moves that enable the rest of the roster, so treat it as part of your overall gameplan rather than an afterthought.

Common mistakes

Common mistakes with Encore include: Using it without a clear plan for the turns it creates. Forgetting that Protect and Detect can block it, wasting a key turn. Not considering how redirectors like Follow Me and Rage Powder change targeting.

VGC interactions

Protect and Detect block this move. These interactions are situational, so test them in the team builder and matchup analyzer before committing to the moveslot.

Related tools and guides

Use the tools below to test Encore in a full team context and compare it with alternative options.

VGC interactions

  • Protect / Detect: blocks this move.
  • Wide Guard: does not block this move.
  • Follow Me / Rage Powder: spread moves are not redirected.
  • Quick Guard: no effect (non-priority).

Frequently asked questions

Is Encore good in VGC?

Locks foes into setup or Protect, creating free turns for the user's team.

Is Encore affected by Protect?

Yes, Encore is blocked by Protect and Detect.

Last updated: July 2026
All figures are estimated trends based on available data and do not guarantee competitive results. Matchups are situational. See our methodology for how these figures are calculated.