Power Swap
PsychicPower Swap is a Psychic-type status move. It targets a single adjacent target and has 10 PP.
Technical data
- Type
- Psychic
- Category
- status
- Power
- —
- Accuracy
- —
- PP
- 10
- Priority
- 0
- Target
- adjacent
- Contact
- No
- Spread
- No
- Protect blocks
- Yes
- Wide Guard blocks
- No
Competitive value
A utility move whose value depends on the team's gameplan and the tempo it creates.
How to learn it
Pokémon that can learn or be taught this move, by method.
Level-up12 Pokémon
Farigiraf
Espeon
TM / HM79 Pokémon
Gardevoir Mega
Altaria Mega
Alakazam Mega
Mr Rime
Grimmsnarl Gmax
Hatterene Gmax
Alakazam
Ninetales
Gardevoir
Musharna
Grimmsnarl
Runerigus
Hatterene
Cofagrigus
Altaria
Espeon
Reuniclus
Ninetales Alola
Egg move (breeding)9 Pokémon
No Pokémon listed in the current dataset.
Pokémon that use this move
83 Pokémon, sorted by usage
Gardevoir Mega
Altaria Mega
Alakazam Mega
Mr Rime
Grimmsnarl Gmax
Hatterene Gmax
Alakazam
Ninetales
Farigiraf
Gardevoir
Musharna
Grimmsnarl
Runerigus
Hatterene
Cofagrigus
Altaria
Espeon
Reuniclus
Ninetales Alola
What this move does
Power Swap is a Psychic-type status move. It targets a single adjacent target and has 10 PP. Power Swap is a Psychic-type status move. It targets a single adjacent target and has 10 PP.
A utility move whose value depends on the team's gameplan and the tempo it creates.
When to consider it
Consider Power Swap 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, Power Swap 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 Power Swap 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 Power Swap 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 Power Swap good in ChampionsVGC?
A utility move whose value depends on the team's gameplan and the tempo it creates. It is blocked by Protect and Detect, which can waste a key turn if predicted.
+Is Power Swap blocked by Protect?
Yes, Power Swap is blocked by Protect and Detect.