Baton Pass
This thread is dedicated to explaining what Baton Pass is, how it's used, what you can do to counter it, and what you can do to use it more effectively. Baton Pass a type of FOCUSED teams that focus on using the move to set up their other Pokemon. The move itself transfers over the stat changes of the Pokemon, as well as Substitutes and others modifiers:
- Increases in Accuracy, Attack, Critical Hit %, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed.
- Swords Dance
- Shell Smash
- Rock Polish
- Speed Boost Ability
- Bulk-Up
- Iron Defense
- Quiver Dance
- Focus Energy
- Etc
- Decreases in Accuracy, Attack, Critical Hit %, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed.
- Tail Whip (lol)
- Sand Attack
- Screech
- Confide
- Mudslap
- Flash
- Etc
- Non-stat modifiers:
- Substitute (with current Sub HP)
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Safeguard
- Magic Coat
- Mean Look
- Etc
- Healing Moves.
- Aqua Ring
- Ingrain
- Status Conditions:
- Confusion
- Curse from Ghost Type
So as you can see there are quite a lot of stats, conditions, and benefits that can be transferred with the Baton Pass move to another Pokemon on your team. The basic strategy involves something like this:
Scolipede uses Swords Dance
Scolipede +1 Spe from Speed Boost Ability
NEXT TURN
Scolipede uses Protect
Scolipede +1 Spe from Speed Boost Ability
NEXT TURN
Scolipede uses Baton Pass
USER selects Dragonite
Dragonite has x2 Att and x2 Spe
And that's what makes Baton Pass a strong supporting move for many teams. There are other strategies involved in using a Baton Pass team but the basic idea is you take the benefits from Pokemon A and give them to Pokemon B.
COUNTER
What can you do to counter a Baton Pass team? There are several things but the primary things you can do is Taunt, Whirlwind, and Roar. As these moves have the most direct effect and force the boosted Pokemon to switch out or otherwise not use non-damaging moves (Taunt). Most teams can squeeze in a counter move or two and some teams Taunt to start the battle off in order to prevent an early set up. Roar is a sound based move and works with Substitute in place. HOWEVER!!!! Both Whirlwind and Roar can be bounced back by an opponent who has the Magic Bounce ability or uses the move Magic Coat. One final note is the if your opponent is using the move Ingrain they can't be forced out through either of these moves but Taunt keeps them from using that move in the first place.
