Encore
NormalForces 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 Mega
Alakazam Mega
Palafin Hero
Mr Rime
Machamp Gmax
Machamp
Alakazam
Raichu Mega Y
Raichu Mega X
Raichu Alola
Clefable Mega
Primarina
Samurott Hisui
Samurott
Clefable
Aurorus
Salazzle
Hawlucha
Raichu
Palafin Zero
Maushold Family Of Three
Salazzle Totem
Maushold Family Of Four
Emolga
TM / HM250 Pokémon
Gardevoir Mega
Hawlucha Mega
Delphox Mega
Gallade Mega
Dragonite Mega
Gengar Mega
Snorlax
Alakazam Mega
Scrafty Mega
Palafin Hero
Infernape
Whimsicott
Lopunny Mega
Audino Mega
Meganium Mega
Dragonite
Zoroark
Quaquaval
Mr Rime
Machamp Gmax
Machamp
Gengar Gmax
Gengar
Skeledirge
Alakazam
Ninetales
Alcremie
Raichu Mega Y
Beartic
Victreebel Mega
Alcremie Gmax
Raichu Mega X
Delphox
Gardevoir
Raichu Alola
Banette Mega
Clefable Mega
Meganium
Politoed
Primarina
Samurott Hisui
Chimecho Mega
Oranguru
Zoroark Hisui
Samurott
Tinkaton
Snorlax Gmax
Clefable
Scrafty
Gallade
Sableye Mega
Annihilape
Aurorus
Toucannon
Toxicroak
Reuniclus
Salazzle
Hawlucha
Ninetales Alola
Raichu
Lopunny
Palafin Zero
Aromatisse
Victreebel
Chimecho
Maushold Family Of Three
Salazzle Totem
Liepard
Banette
Maushold Family Of Four
Audino
Emolga
Pikachu Starter
Azumarill
Pikachu
Pikachu Alola Cap
Pikachu Belle
Pikachu Cosplay
Pikachu Gmax
Pikachu Hoenn Cap
Pikachu Kalos Cap
Pikachu Libre
Pikachu Original Cap
Pikachu Partner Cap
Pikachu Phd
Pikachu Pop Star
Pikachu Rock Star
Pikachu Sinnoh Cap
Pikachu Unova Cap
Pikachu World Cap
Sableye
Egg move (breeding)39 Pokémon
Infernape
Audino Mega
Clefable Mega
Clefable
Audino
Pokémon that use this move
253 Pokémon, sorted by usage
Gardevoir Mega
Hawlucha Mega
Delphox Mega
Gallade Mega
Dragonite Mega
Gengar Mega
Snorlax
Alakazam Mega
Scrafty Mega
Palafin Hero
Infernape
Whimsicott
Lopunny Mega
Audino Mega
Meganium Mega
Dragonite
Zoroark
Quaquaval
Mr Rime
Machamp Gmax
Machamp
Gengar Gmax
Gengar
Skeledirge
Alakazam
Ninetales
Alcremie
Raichu Mega Y
Beartic
Victreebel Mega
Alcremie Gmax
Raichu Mega X
Delphox
Gardevoir
Raichu Alola
Banette Mega
Clefable Mega
Meganium
Politoed
Primarina
Samurott Hisui
Chimecho Mega
Oranguru
Zoroark Hisui
Samurott
Tinkaton
Snorlax Gmax
Clefable
Scrafty
Gallade
Sableye Mega
Annihilape
Aurorus
Toucannon
Toxicroak
Reuniclus
Salazzle
Hawlucha
Ninetales Alola
Raichu
Lopunny
Palafin Zero
Aromatisse
Victreebel
Chimecho
Maushold Family Of Three
Salazzle Totem
Liepard
Banette
Maushold Family Of Four
Audino
Emolga
Pikachu Starter
Azumarill
Pikachu
Pikachu Alola Cap
Pikachu Belle
Pikachu Cosplay
Pikachu Gmax
Pikachu Hoenn Cap
Pikachu Kalos Cap
Pikachu Libre
Pikachu Original Cap
Pikachu Partner Cap
Pikachu Phd
Pikachu Pop Star
Pikachu Rock Star
Pikachu Sinnoh Cap
Pikachu Unova Cap
Pikachu World Cap
Sableye
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.