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==Mechanics==
==Mechanics==
Each move has a hidden priority value in the game data, with values ranging from <tt>+5</tt> to <tt>-7</tt>. The great majority of moves have no special priority: their priority value is <tt>0</tt>. A move with a positive priority is a '''priority move''' (Japanese: '''先制攻撃''' ''preemptive attack'')<!--Refer to Quick Guard-->. Moves with a positive priority may also be referred to as having an increased priority<ref>[http://www.pokemon.com/us/strategy/perfecting-your-pokemon-party-in-2016/ Perfecting Your Pokémon Party in 2016! | Pokemon.com]</ref> and moves with a negative priority a decreased priority. In the fandom, moves that have the same priority are said to be in the same priority bracket.
Starting in [[Generation III]], each move has a hidden priority value in the game data, with values ranging from <tt>+5</tt> to <tt>-7</tt>. The vast majority of moves have the standard priority value of <tt>0</tt>. A move with a positive priority is a '''priority move''' (Japanese: '''先制攻撃''' ''preemptive attack'')<!--Refer to Quick Guard-->. Moves with a positive priority may also be referred to as having an increased priority<ref>[http://www.pokemon.com/us/strategy/perfecting-your-pokemon-party-in-2016/ Perfecting Your Pokémon Party in 2016! | Pokemon.com]</ref> and moves with a negative priority a decreased priority. In the fandom, moves that have the same priority are said to be in the same priority bracket.


Pokémon with the Ability {{a|Gale Wings}} or {{a|Prankster}} increase the priority of their {{type|Flying}} moves (only if the user has full HP in [[Generation VII]]) or [[status move]]s by 1 (respectively). Pokémon with {{a|Triage}} increase the priority of most HP-restoring moves by 3.
[[#Abilities that increase priority|Some Abilities]] increase the priority of certain moves. [[#Effects that block priority moves|Some moves and Abilities]] can prevent priority moves from being used; {{type|Dark}} Pokémon are also immune to {{a|Prankster}}-promoted priority moves.


Moves with increased priority can be blocked if a Pokémon is protected by {{m|Quick Guard}}, if it or one of its allies has the Ability {{a|Queenly Majesty}} or {{a|Dazzling}}, or if it is on the ground while {{m|Psychic Terrain}} is in effect. In [[Generation V]], however, Quick Guard does not block moves that gain an increased priority from Prankster. Since Generation VII, {{type|Dark}} Pokémon are also protected from moves from foes if they gained priority from Prankster.
Move priority is not affected by {{m|Trick Room}}, which only reverses the Speed-resolved order of moves within a priority bracket; moves with higher priority are still performed before ones with lower priority. [[#Effects that dictate precedence within a priority bracket|Some held items and Abilities]] also affect a move's resolution within its priority bracket (ignoring Trick Room), but not the priority itself.


Move priority is not affected by the effects of {{m|Trick Room}}, which only reverses the Speed-resolved order of moves within a priority bracket; moves with higher priority are still performed before ones with lower priority. Some [[held item]]s and {{Abilities}} also affect a move's resolution within its priority bracket (ignoring even Trick Room), but not the priority itself. The items [[Full Incense]] and [[Lagging Tail]] and the Ability {{a|Stall}} cause the affected Pokémon to go last in its priority bracket, while the items [[Quick Claw]] and [[Custap Berry]] cause the user to go first in its priority bracket.
===Special priority===
Certain events will always occur before any moves (besides {{m|Pursuit}}) can be performed. The messages for the activation of [[Quick Claw]], [[Custap Berry]], and [[O-Power]]s are always shown before anything else. [[Recall|Switching out]], [[Rotation Battle|rotating]], using [[item]]s, [[Escape|escaping]], and the charging messages for {{m|Focus Punch}}, {{m|Beak Blast}}, and {{m|Shell Trap}} are displayed or performed next. [[Terastal phenomenon|Terastallizing]] happens immediately afterwards. In [[Generation I]] only, NPC Trainers do not have priority when using items or switching, while in battles against other players, switching can be performed even if the other player hasn't made their move yet. In [[Generation II]], a [[wild Pokémon]] fleeing does not have its own priority and will instead use the priority of the move the Pokémon would have used had it chosen not to flee. In Generations II and [[Generation III|III]], players always switch <!---and use items? !---> before NPCs do. In Generation III<!--- and II? !--->, if two players switch in the same turn, then 'player 1' will always switch before 'player 2' does. [[Mega Evolution]] and [[Dynamax]]ing generally occur at the beginning of a turn but after any switching has occurred; however, if a Pokémon is Mega Evolving or rotating in and then using {{m|Pursuit}} on a Pokémon that is switching out, the Mega Evolution or rotation always happens before the Pokémon uses Pursuit (and therefore before the other Pokémon's switch).


Certain actions always occur before any moves can be performed (with the possible exception of Pursuit). The messages for the activation of [[Quick Claw]], [[Custap Berry]], and [[O-Power]]s are always shown before anything else. [[Recall|Switching out]], [[Rotation Battle|rotating]], using [[item]]s, [[Escape|escaping]], and the charging messages of {{m|Focus Punch}}, {{m|Beak Blast}} and {{m|Shell Trap}} are displayed or performed next. In [[Generation I]] only, AI does not have priority when using items or switching, while in online battles, switching can be performed even if the other player hasn't made their move yet. In [[Generation II]], fleeing does not have its own priority and will instead use priority of the move the Pokémon would have used had it chosen not to flee. In [[Generation III]] only, players always switch before NPCs do, with "player 1" always switching before "player 2" does in online battles. [[Mega Evolution]] and [[Dynamax]]ing generally occurs after any switching has occurred. If a Pokémon is Mega Evolving or rotating and using Pursuit on a Pokémon that is switching out, however, the Mega Evolution or rotation always happens before the Pokémon uses Pursuit (and therefore before the other Pokémon's switch).
{{m|Pursuit}} is a special exception to the general rules of priority, due to its effect. [[Recall|Switching]] fundamentally happens before any moves can be performed, but when Pursuit is targeting a Pokémon that switches out, it will hit the Pokémon before it can switch, meaning that it will go before any other move, no matter its priority. If multiple Pursuits are targeting the same Pokémon and the Pokémon switches out, if the Pokémon [[fainting|faints]] before all of the Pursuits have executed, the remaining Pursuits will execute at their normal priority.


{{m|Pursuit}} is a special exception to the general rule of priority, due to its effect. [[Recall|Switching]] fundamentally happens before any moves can be performed, but when Pursuit is targeting a Pokémon that switches out, it will hit the Pokémon before it can switch, meaning that it will go before any other move, no matter its priority. If multiple Pursuits are targeting the same Pokémon and the Pokémon switches out, if the Pokémon [[fainting|faints]] before all of the Pursuits have executed, the remaining Pursuits will execute at their normal priority.
Additionally, [[#Effects that can break priority|a few moves and Abilities]] can cause a Pokémon to act outside of its normal priority.
 
===Abilities that increase priority===
These Abilities increase the priority of certain moves used by a Pokémon that has one of these Abilities.
{| class="sortable roundtable" style="margin: auto; border: 3px solid #ccf; background: #ddf"
! width=110 | Name
! Affected moves
! Increase
! Generation
|-
| {{a|Prankster}}
| [[Status moves]]
| class="c" | +1
| class="c" data-sort-value=5 | V
|-
| {{a|Gale Wings}}
| {{type|Flying}} moves (if HP is full)
| class="c" | +1
| class="c" data-sort-value=6 | VI
|-
| {{a|Triage}}
| Healing moves
| class="c" | +3
| class="c" data-sort-value=7 | VII
|}
 
===Effects that block priority moves===
These effects prevent the use of priority moves.
{| class="sortable roundtable" style="margin: auto; border: 3px solid #ccf; background: #ddf"
! width=110 | Cause
! Notes
! Generation
|-
| {{m|Quick Guard}}
| In [[Generation V]], does not affect moves that become priority moves due to {{a|Prankster}}
| class="c" data-sort-value=5 | V
|-
| {{type|Dark}} Pokémon
| Immune to foes' moves that gain priority due to {{a|Prankster}}
| class="c" data-sort-value=7 | VII
|-
| {{m|Psychic Terrain}}
| Only protects [[grounded]] Pokémon
| class="c" data-sort-value=7 | VII
|-
| {{a|Queenly Majesty}}
| Protects Pokémon and its allies
| class="c" data-sort-value=7 | VII
|-
| {{a|Dazzling}}
| Protects Pokémon and its allies
| class="c" data-sort-value=7 | VII
|-
| {{a|Armor Tail}}
| Protects Pokémon and its allies
| class="c" data-sort-value=9 | IX
|}
 
===Effects that can break priority===
These effects can make a Pokémon act at a different priority than it normally would.
{| class="sortable roundtable" style="margin: auto; border: 3px solid #ccf; background: #ddf"
! width=110 | Name
! Description
! Generation
|-
| {{m|After You}}
| The user helps the target and makes it use its move right after the user.
| class="c" data-sort-value=5 | V
|-
| {{m|Quash}}
| The user suppresses the target and makes its move go last.
| class="c" data-sort-value=5 | V
|-
| {{m|Instruct}}
| The user instructs the target to use the target's last move again.
| class="c" data-sort-value=7 | VII
|-
| {{a|Dancer}}
| Whenever a dance move is used in battle, the Pokémon will copy the user to immediately perform that dance move itself.
| class="c" data-sort-value=7 | VII
|}
 
===Effects that dictate precedence within a priority bracket===
These effects can force a move to go first or last within a priority bracket regardless of its user's Speed (unless multiple Pokémon are forced into the same "spot") or {{m|Trick Room}}.
{| class="sortable roundtable" style="margin: auto; border: 3px solid #ccf; background: #ddf"
! width=110 | Name
! Notes
! Generation
|-
| [[Quick Claw]]
| 20% chance to go first
| class="c" data-sort-value=2 | II
|-
| [[Custap Berry]]
| Moves first (when HP falls below 1/4)
| class="c" data-sort-value=4 | IV
|-
| [[Full Incense]]
| Always last
| class="c" data-sort-value=4 | IV
|-
| [[Lagging Tail]]
| Always last
| class="c" data-sort-value=4 | IV
|-
| {{a|Stall}}
| Always last
| class="c" data-sort-value=4 | IV
|-
| {{a|Quick Draw}}
| 30% chance to go first
| class="c" data-sort-value=8 | VIII
|-
| {{a|Mycelium Might}}
| Always last when using a [[status move]]
| class="c" data-sort-value=9 | IX
|}
 
===Effects that depend on move order===
These are effects that have conditions based on going before or after others.<!--Not "if you're damaged"; not "the last move" or anything-->
{| class="sortable roundtable" style="margin: auto; border: 3px solid #ccf; background: #ddf"
! width=110 | Name
! Notes
! Generation
|-
| {{m|Me First}}
| Fails if the target has already acted
| class="c" data-sort-value=4 | IV
|-
| {{m|Metal Burst}}
| Fails if the user acts first
| class="c" data-sort-value=4 | IV
|-
| {{m|Payback}}
| Attack power doubles if the user acts after the target
| class="c" data-sort-value=4 | IV
|-
| {{m|After You}}
| Fails if the target has already acted
| class="c" data-sort-value=5 | V
|-
| {{a|Analytic}}
| Only activates if it is the last Pokémon to act
| class="c" data-sort-value=5 | V
|-
| {{m|Electrify}}
| Fails if the target has already acted
| class="c" data-sort-value=6 | VI
|-
| {{m|Bolt Beak}}
| Attack power doubles if the user acts before the target
| class="c" data-sort-value=8 | VIII
|-
| {{m|Fishious Rend}}
| Attack power doubles if the user acts before the target
| class="c" data-sort-value=8 | VIII
|-
| {{m|Comeuppance}}
| Fails if the user acts first
| class="c" data-sort-value=9 | IX
|}


==Move priority==
==Move priority==
===Generation IX===
{| class="roundy" style="margin:auto; background:#fff; border:5px solid #339"
! style="background:#339; color:white; {{roundytl|5px}}" | Priority
! style="background:#339; color:white; {{roundytr|5px}}" | Moves
|- style="background:#D8D8F2"
| style="text-align:center" | +5
| {{m|Helping Hand}}
|- style="background:#E5F2D8"
| style="text-align:center" | +4
| {{m|Baneful Bunker}}, {{m|Burning Bulwark}}, {{m|Detect}}, {{m|Endure}}, {{m|King's Shield}}, {{m|Obstruct}}, {{m|Protect}}, {{m|Spiky Shield}}, {{m|Silk Trap}}
|- style="background:#D8D8F2"
| style="text-align:center" | +3
| {{m|Fake Out}}, {{m|Quick Guard}}, {{m|Upper Hand}}, {{m|Wide Guard}}
|- style="background:#E5F2D8"
| style="text-align:center" | +2
| {{m|Ally Switch}}, {{m|Extreme Speed}}, {{m|Feint}}, {{m|First Impression}}, {{m|Follow Me}}, {{m|Rage Powder}}
|- style="background:#D8D8F2"
| style="text-align:center" | +1
| {{m|Accelerock}}, {{m|Aqua Jet}}, {{m|Baby-Doll Eyes}}, {{m|Bullet Punch}}, {{m|Grassy Glide}}*, {{m|Ice Shard}}, {{m|Jet Punch}},<br>{{m|Mach Punch}}, {{m|Quick Attack}}, {{m|Shadow Sneak}}, {{m|Sucker Punch}}, {{m|Thunderclap}}, {{m|Vacuum Wave}}, {{m|Water Shuriken}}
|- style="background:#E5F2D8"
| style="text-align:center" | 0
| All other [[move]]s
|- style="background:#D8D8F2"
| style="text-align:center" | -1
| ''None''
|- style="background:#E5F2D8"
| style="text-align:center" | -2
| ''None''
|- style="background:#D8D8F2"
| style="text-align:center" | -3
| {{m|Beak Blast}}, {{m|Focus Punch}}, {{m|Shell Trap}}
|- style="background:#E5F2D8"
| style="text-align:center" | -4
| {{m|Avalanche}}
|- style="background:#D8D8F2"
| style="text-align:center" | -5
| {{m|Counter}}, {{m|Mirror Coat}}
|- style="background:#E5F2D8"
| style="text-align:center" | -6
| {{m|Circle Throw}}, {{m|Dragon Tail}}, {{m|Roar}}, {{m|Whirlwind}}, {{m|Teleport}}
|- style="background:#D8D8F2"
| style="text-align:center" | -7
| {{m|Trick Room}}
|}
<small>*: {{m|Grassy Glide}} has increased priority only if used in {{m|Grassy Terrain}}.</small>
===Generation VIII===
===Generation VIII===
{| class="roundy" style="margin:auto; background:#fff; border:5px solid #339"
{| class="roundy" style="margin:auto; background:#fff; border:5px solid #339"
Line 25: Line 232:
|- style="background:#E5F2D8"
|- style="background:#E5F2D8"
| style="text-align:center" | +4
| style="text-align:center" | +4
| {{m|Baneful Bunker}}, {{m|Detect}}, {{m|Endure}}, {{m|King's Shield}}, {{m|Magic Coat}},<br>{{m|Max Guard}}, {{m|Obstruct}}, {{m|Protect}}, {{m|Spiky Shield}}
| {{m|Baneful Bunker}}, {{m|Detect}}, {{m|Endure}}, {{m|King's Shield}}, {{m|Magic Coat}}, {{m|Max Guard}}, {{m|Obstruct}}, {{m|Protect}},<br>{{m|Spiky Shield}}
|- style="background:#D8D8F2"
|- style="background:#D8D8F2"
| style="text-align:center" | +3
| style="text-align:center" | +3
| {{m|Crafty Shield}}, {{m|Fake Out}}, {{m|Quick Guard}}, {{m|Wide Guard}}<!--, {{m|Spotlight}}-->
| {{m|Crafty Shield}}, {{m|Fake Out}}, {{m|Quick Guard}}, {{m|Wide Guard}}
|- style="background:#E5F2D8"
|- style="background:#E5F2D8"
| style="text-align:center" | +2
| style="text-align:center" | +2
| {{m|Ally Switch}}, {{m|Extreme Speed}}, {{m|Feint}}, {{m|First Impression}}, {{m|Follow Me}}, {{m|Rage Powder}}<!--, {{m|Zippy Zap}}{{sup/7|PE}}-->
| {{m|Ally Switch}}, {{m|Extreme Speed}}, {{m|Feint}}, {{m|First Impression}}, {{m|Follow Me}}, {{m|Rage Powder}}
|- style="background:#D8D8F2"
|- style="background:#D8D8F2"
| style="text-align:center" | +1
| style="text-align:center" | +1
| {{m|Accelerock}}, {{m|Aqua Jet}}, {{m|Baby-Doll Eyes}}, {{m|Bullet Punch}}, {{m|Ice Shard}}, {{m|Mach Punch}},<br>{{m|Powder}}, {{m|Quick Attack}}, {{m|Shadow Sneak}}, {{m|Sucker Punch}}, {{m|Vacuum Wave}}, {{m|Water Shuriken}}
| {{m|Accelerock}}, {{m|Aqua Jet}}, {{m|Baby-Doll Eyes}}, {{m|Bullet Punch}}, {{m|Grassy Glide}}*, {{m|Ice Shard}}, {{m|Mach Punch}},<br>{{m|Quick Attack}}, {{m|Shadow Sneak}}, {{m|Sucker Punch}}, {{m|Vacuum Wave}}, {{m|Water Shuriken}}
|- style="background:#E5F2D8"
|- style="background:#E5F2D8"
| style="text-align:center" | 0
| style="text-align:center" | 0
Line 60: Line 267:
| {{m|Trick Room}}
| {{m|Trick Room}}
|}
|}
<small>*: {{m|Grassy Glide}} has increased priority only if used in {{m|Grassy Terrain}}.</small>


===Generation VII===
===Generation VII===
====[[Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!|Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!]]====
{| class="roundy" style="margin:auto; background:#fff; border:5px solid #339"
! style="background:#339; color:white; {{roundytl|5px}}" | Priority
! style="background:#339; color:white; {{roundytr|5px}}" | Moves
|- style="background:#D8D8F2"
| style="text-align:center" | +5
| {{m|Helping Hand}}
|- style="background:#E5F2D8"
| style="text-align:center" | +4
| {{m|Protect}}
|- style="background:#D8D8F2"
| style="text-align:center" | +3
| {{m|Fake Out}}
|- style="background:#E5F2D8"
| style="text-align:center" | +2
| {{m|Feint}}, {{m|Zippy Zap}}
|- style="background:#D8D8F2"
| style="text-align:center" | +1
| {{m|Quick Attack}}
|- style="background:#E5F2D8"
| style="text-align:center" | 0
| All other [[move]]s
|- style="background:#D8D8F2"
| style="text-align:center" | -1
| {{m|Dragon Tail}}, {{m|Roar}}, {{m|Teleport}}, {{m|Whirlwind}}
|}
====[[Pokémon Sun and Moon|Sun, Moon,]] [[Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon|Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon]]====
{| class="roundy" style="margin:auto; background:#fff; border:5px solid #339"
{| class="roundy" style="margin:auto; background:#fff; border:5px solid #339"
! style="background:#339; color:white; {{roundytl|5px}}" | Priority
! style="background:#339; color:white; {{roundytl|5px}}" | Priority
Line 76: Line 312:
|- style="background:#E5F2D8"
|- style="background:#E5F2D8"
| style="text-align:center" | +2
| style="text-align:center" | +2
| {{m|Ally Switch}}, {{m|Extreme Speed}}, {{m|Feint}}, {{m|First Impression}}, {{m|Follow Me}}, {{m|Rage Powder}}, {{m|Zippy Zap}}{{sup/7|PE}}
| {{m|Ally Switch}}, {{m|Extreme Speed}}, {{m|Feint}}, {{m|First Impression}}, {{m|Follow Me}}, {{m|Rage Powder}}
|- style="background:#D8D8F2"
|- style="background:#D8D8F2"
| style="text-align:center" | +1
| style="text-align:center" | +1
Line 100: Line 336:
|- style="background:#E5F2D8"
|- style="background:#E5F2D8"
| style="text-align:center" | -6
| style="text-align:center" | -6
| {{m|Circle Throw}}, {{m|Dragon Tail}}, {{m|Roar}}, {{m|Whirlwind}}, {{m|Teleport}} {{sup/7|PE}}
| {{m|Circle Throw}}, {{m|Dragon Tail}}, {{m|Roar}}, {{m|Whirlwind}}
|- style="background:#D8D8F2"
|- style="background:#D8D8F2"
| style="text-align:center" | -7
| style="text-align:center" | -7
Line 217: Line 453:
|- style="background:#E5F2D8"
|- style="background:#E5F2D8"
| style="text-align:center" | 0
| style="text-align:center" | 0
| All other [[move]]s, [[Roaming Pokémon|fleeing]]
| All other [[move]]s
|- style="background:#D8D8F2"
|- style="background:#D8D8F2"
| style="text-align:center" | -1
| style="text-align:center" | -1
Line 238: Line 474:
|- style="background:#D8D8F2"
|- style="background:#D8D8F2"
| style="text-align:center" | -7
| style="text-align:center" | -7
| {{m|Trick Room}}
| {{m|Trick Room}}, [[Roaming Pokémon|fleeing]]
|}
|}


Line 320: Line 556:
In the {{pkmn|anime}}, priority is rarely mentioned though priority moves such as {{m|Quick Attack}} are frequently used.
In the {{pkmn|anime}}, priority is rarely mentioned though priority moves such as {{m|Quick Attack}} are frequently used.


{{an|Brock}} touched on the subject in ''[[DP177|A Grand Fight for Winning!]]'' while watching the [[Contest Battle]] between {{an|Dawn}} and [[Zoey]] in the final round of the [[Sinnoh Grand Festival]], during which [[Zoey's Glameow]] used {{m|Fake Out}} and caused [[Dawn's Piplup]] to {{status|flinch}}, making him unable to use {{m|Hydro Pump}}.
The concept of priority moves was first mentioned out loud in ''[[DP177|A Grand Fight for Winning!]]'', where {{an|Brock}} commented on the subject while watching the [[Contest Battle]] between {{an|Dawn}} and [[Zoey]] in the final round of the [[Sinnoh Grand Festival]], during which [[Zoey's Glameow]] used {{m|Fake Out}} and caused [[Dawn's Piplup]] to [[flinch]], making him unable to use {{m|Hydro Pump}}.
 
In ''[[XY093|All Eyes on the Future!]]'', {{an|Professor Sycamore}} explained how [[Olympia]]'s male {{p|Meowstic}}'s {{a|Prankster}} [[Ability]] allows his support moves like {{m|Light Screen}} to always go first.
 
Priority was demonstrated a couple of times during the [[Masters Eight Tournament]]. In ''[[JN116|Pride of a Champion!]]'', [[Diantha]]'s {{p|Gourgeist}} outsped [[Lance's Gyarados]]'s {{m|Dragon Pulse}} with {{m|Shadow Sneak}}; in ''[[JN118|Battling as Hard as Stone!]]'', [[Ash's Pikachu]]'s Quick Attack went ahead of {{an|Steven Stone|Steven}}'s {{p|Cradily}}'s {{m|Rock Blast}}; and in ''[[JN123|Bewitch, Battle, and Bewilder!]]'', {{an|Cynthia}} used her {{p|Spiritomb}}'s {{m|Sucker Punch}} to land hits on {{cat|Ash's Pokémon}} before they could attack.
{{-}}
{{-}}
==In the manga==
[[File:Chuck Machamp Vital Throw Adventures.png|thumb|150px|Chuck's Machamp using Vital Throw, a decreased priority move]]
===Pokémon Adventures===
===={{MangaArc|Gold, Silver & Crystal}}====
The concept of priority was mentioned in ''[[PS161|Entranced by Entei]]''. After his {{TP|Blue|Rhydon}} had been hit by a {{m|Vital Throw}} from [[Chuck]]'s {{p|Machamp}}, {{adv|Blue}} acknowledged that Vital Throw is a move that lets the opponent attack first in exchange for {{cat|Moves that cannot miss|never missing}}.
{{-}}
==Trivia==
==Trivia==
* Since {{m|Focus Punch}} has a higher priority than {{m|Avalanche}}, {{m|Revenge}}, {{m|Dragon Tail}}, {{m|Circle Throw}}, and {{m|Counter}}, they are unable to break the focus of a Pokémon using Focus Punch. They and Focus Punch are therefore the only six attacks that can strike a Pokémon in the same turn as it successfully uses Focus Punch, without the use of {{m|Quash}} or {{m|After You}}.
* Since {{m|Focus Punch}} has a higher priority than {{m|Avalanche}}, {{m|Revenge}}, {{m|Dragon Tail}}, {{m|Circle Throw}}, and {{m|Counter}}, they are unable to break the focus of a Pokémon using Focus Punch. They and Focus Punch are therefore the only six attacks that can strike a Pokémon in the same turn as it successfully uses Focus Punch, without the use of {{m|Quash}} or {{m|After You}}.
* {{p|Hitmontop}} can learn more moves with non-zero priority than any other Pokémon, with 14 {{cat|increased priority moves}} and 2 decreased priority moves.
* {{p|Hitmontop}} can learn more moves with non-zero priority than any other Pokémon, with 14 {{cat|increased priority moves}} and 2 decreased priority moves.
* Since charging Focus Punch had a higher priority than switching in Generation III, in a [[Double Battle]], if the player selected Focus Punch then cancelled the selection, then switched that Pokémon out, it would still begin charging Focus Punch before switching. Its high priority also gave it the odd effect of occurring before the opponent used their items or Pokémon were switched out.
* Since charging Focus Punch had a higher priority than switching in Generation III, in a [[Double Battle]], if the player selected Focus Punch then cancelled the selection, then switched that Pokémon out, it would still begin charging Focus Punch before switching. Its high priority also gave it the odd effect of occurring before the opponent used their items or Pokémon were switched out.
* All moves that have ever had -7 priority have the word "room" in their names.
* All moves that have ever had -7 priority have the word "Room" in their names.
* No move has ever been assigned -2 priority despite higher priorities having been assigned.
* In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, due to the inability to apply the concept of priority because the Speed stat did not exist prior to Super Mystery Dungeon and does not determine the attacking order, damaging moves with increased priority in the core series games become moves that have a range of 2 tiles.
* In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, due to the inability to apply the concept of priority because the Speed stat did not exist prior to Super Mystery Dungeon and does not determine the attacking order, damaging moves with increased priority in the core series games become moves that have a range of 2 tiles.


Line 332: Line 581:
''Priority move''
''Priority move''
{{langtable|color=ddf|bordercolor=ccf
{{langtable|color=ddf|bordercolor=ccf
|zh_yue=先制招式 ''{{tt|Sīnjai Zhāoshì|Preemptive move}}''
|zh_yue=先制招式 ''{{tt|Sīnjai Jīusīk|Preemptive move}}''
|zh_cmn=先制招式 ''{{tt|Xiānzhì Jīusīk|Preemptive move}}''
|zh_cmn=先制招式 ''{{tt|Xiānzhì Zhāoshì|Preemptive move}}''
|de=Erstschlag-Attacke
|de=Erstschlag-Attacke
|fi=Prioriteettiliike
|fr=Attaque prioritaire
|fr=Attaque prioritaire
|it=Mosse che colpire per primi
|it=Mosse che colpire per primi

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Any messages that have priority over moves - basically, anything that was overlooked; verify Quick Claw's and Custap Berry messages' priority in Generation IV

Priority (Japanese: 先制 preemption) is a characteristic of moves, such that any move with a higher priority than another will always be performed first. When two moves have the same priority, the users' Speed statistics will determine which one is performed first in a battle.

Mechanics

Starting in Generation III, each move has a hidden priority value in the game data, with values ranging from +5 to -7. The vast majority of moves have the standard priority value of 0. A move with a positive priority is a priority move (Japanese: 先制攻撃 preemptive attack). Moves with a positive priority may also be referred to as having an increased priority[1] and moves with a negative priority a decreased priority. In the fandom, moves that have the same priority are said to be in the same priority bracket.

Some Abilities increase the priority of certain moves. Some moves and Abilities can prevent priority moves from being used; Dark-type Pokémon are also immune to Prankster-promoted priority moves.

Move priority is not affected by Trick Room, which only reverses the Speed-resolved order of moves within a priority bracket; moves with higher priority are still performed before ones with lower priority. Some held items and Abilities also affect a move's resolution within its priority bracket (ignoring Trick Room), but not the priority itself.

Special priority

Certain events will always occur before any moves (besides Pursuit) can be performed. The messages for the activation of Quick Claw, Custap Berry, and O-Powers are always shown before anything else. Switching out, rotating, using items, escaping, and the charging messages for Focus Punch, Beak Blast, and Shell Trap are displayed or performed next. Terastallizing happens immediately afterwards. In Generation I only, NPC Trainers do not have priority when using items or switching, while in battles against other players, switching can be performed even if the other player hasn't made their move yet. In Generation II, a wild Pokémon fleeing does not have its own priority and will instead use the priority of the move the Pokémon would have used had it chosen not to flee. In Generations II and III, players always switch before NPCs do. In Generation III, if two players switch in the same turn, then 'player 1' will always switch before 'player 2' does. Mega Evolution and Dynamaxing generally occur at the beginning of a turn but after any switching has occurred; however, if a Pokémon is Mega Evolving or rotating in and then using Pursuit on a Pokémon that is switching out, the Mega Evolution or rotation always happens before the Pokémon uses Pursuit (and therefore before the other Pokémon's switch).

Pursuit is a special exception to the general rules of priority, due to its effect. Switching fundamentally happens before any moves can be performed, but when Pursuit is targeting a Pokémon that switches out, it will hit the Pokémon before it can switch, meaning that it will go before any other move, no matter its priority. If multiple Pursuits are targeting the same Pokémon and the Pokémon switches out, if the Pokémon faints before all of the Pursuits have executed, the remaining Pursuits will execute at their normal priority.

Additionally, a few moves and Abilities can cause a Pokémon to act outside of its normal priority.

Abilities that increase priority

These Abilities increase the priority of certain moves used by a Pokémon that has one of these Abilities.

Name Affected moves Increase Generation
Prankster Status moves +1 V
Gale Wings Flying-type moves (if HP is full) +1 VI
Triage Healing moves +3 VII

Effects that block priority moves

These effects prevent the use of priority moves.

Cause Notes Generation
Quick Guard In Generation V, does not affect moves that become priority moves due to Prankster V
Dark-type Pokémon Immune to foes' moves that gain priority due to Prankster VII
Psychic Terrain Only protects grounded Pokémon VII
Queenly Majesty Protects Pokémon and its allies VII
Dazzling Protects Pokémon and its allies VII
Armor Tail Protects Pokémon and its allies IX

Effects that can break priority

These effects can make a Pokémon act at a different priority than it normally would.

Name Description Generation
After You The user helps the target and makes it use its move right after the user. V
Quash The user suppresses the target and makes its move go last. V
Instruct The user instructs the target to use the target's last move again. VII
Dancer Whenever a dance move is used in battle, the Pokémon will copy the user to immediately perform that dance move itself. VII

Effects that dictate precedence within a priority bracket

These effects can force a move to go first or last within a priority bracket regardless of its user's Speed (unless multiple Pokémon are forced into the same "spot") or Trick Room.

Name Notes Generation
Quick Claw 20% chance to go first II
Custap Berry Moves first (when HP falls below 1/4) IV
Full Incense Always last IV
Lagging Tail Always last IV
Stall Always last IV
Quick Draw 30% chance to go first VIII
Mycelium Might Always last when using a status move IX

Effects that depend on move order

These are effects that have conditions based on going before or after others.

Name Notes Generation
Me First Fails if the target has already acted IV
Metal Burst Fails if the user acts first IV
Payback Attack power doubles if the user acts after the target IV
After You Fails if the target has already acted V
Analytic Only activates if it is the last Pokémon to act V
Electrify Fails if the target has already acted VI
Bolt Beak Attack power doubles if the user acts before the target VIII
Fishious Rend Attack power doubles if the user acts before the target VIII
Comeuppance Fails if the user acts first IX

Move priority

Generation IX

Priority Moves
+5 Helping Hand
+4 Baneful Bunker, Burning Bulwark, Detect, Endure, King's Shield, Obstruct, Protect, Spiky Shield, Silk Trap
+3 Fake Out, Quick Guard, Upper Hand, Wide Guard
+2 Ally Switch, Extreme Speed, Feint, First Impression, Follow Me, Rage Powder
+1 Accelerock, Aqua Jet, Baby-Doll Eyes, Bullet Punch, Grassy Glide*, Ice Shard, Jet Punch,
Mach Punch, Quick Attack, Shadow Sneak, Sucker Punch, Thunderclap, Vacuum Wave, Water Shuriken
0 All other moves
-1 None
-2 None
-3 Beak Blast, Focus Punch, Shell Trap
-4 Avalanche
-5 Counter, Mirror Coat
-6 Circle Throw, Dragon Tail, Roar, Whirlwind, Teleport
-7 Trick Room

*: Grassy Glide has increased priority only if used in Grassy Terrain.

Generation VIII

Priority Moves
+5 Helping Hand
+4 Baneful Bunker, Detect, Endure, King's Shield, Magic Coat, Max Guard, Obstruct, Protect,
Spiky Shield
+3 Crafty Shield, Fake Out, Quick Guard, Wide Guard
+2 Ally Switch, Extreme Speed, Feint, First Impression, Follow Me, Rage Powder
+1 Accelerock, Aqua Jet, Baby-Doll Eyes, Bullet Punch, Grassy Glide*, Ice Shard, Mach Punch,
Quick Attack, Shadow Sneak, Sucker Punch, Vacuum Wave, Water Shuriken
0 All other moves
-1 Vital Throw
-2 None
-3 Focus Punch, Shell Trap
-4 Avalanche, Revenge
-5 Counter, Mirror Coat
-6 Circle Throw, Dragon Tail, Roar, Whirlwind, Teleport
-7 Trick Room

*: Grassy Glide has increased priority only if used in Grassy Terrain.

Generation VII

Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!

Priority Moves
+5 Helping Hand
+4 Protect
+3 Fake Out
+2 Feint, Zippy Zap
+1 Quick Attack
0 All other moves
-1 Dragon Tail, Roar, Teleport, Whirlwind

Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon

Priority Moves
+5 Helping Hand
+4 Baneful Bunker, Detect, Endure, King's Shield, Magic Coat, Protect, Spiky Shield, Snatch
+3 Crafty Shield, Fake Out, Quick Guard, Wide Guard, Spotlight
+2 Ally Switch, Extreme Speed, Feint, First Impression, Follow Me, Rage Powder
+1 Accelerock, Aqua Jet, Baby-Doll Eyes, Bide, Bullet Punch, Ice Shard, Ion Deluge, Mach Punch,
Powder, Quick Attack, Shadow Sneak, Sucker Punch, Vacuum Wave, Water Shuriken
0 All other moves
-1 Vital Throw
-2 None
-3 Beak Blast, Focus Punch, Shell Trap
-4 Avalanche, Revenge
-5 Counter, Mirror Coat
-6 Circle Throw, Dragon Tail, Roar, Whirlwind
-7 Trick Room, fleeing

Generation VI

Priority Moves
+5 Helping Hand
+4 Detect, Endure, King's Shield, Magic Coat, Protect, Spiky Shield, Snatch
+3 Crafty Shield, Fake Out, Quick Guard, Wide Guard
+2 Extreme Speed, Feint, Follow Me, Rage Powder
+1 Ally Switch, Aqua Jet, Baby-Doll Eyes, Bide, Bullet Punch, Ice Shard, Ion Deluge, Mach Punch,
Powder, Quick Attack, Shadow Sneak, Sucker Punch, Vacuum Wave, Water Shuriken
0 All other moves, shifting
-1 Vital Throw
-2 None
-3 Focus Punch
-4 Avalanche, Revenge
-5 Counter, Mirror Coat
-6 Circle Throw, Dragon Tail, Roar, Whirlwind
-7 Trick Room

Generation V

Priority Moves
+5 Helping Hand
+4 Detect, Endure, Magic Coat, Protect, Snatch
+3 Fake Out, Follow Me, Quick Guard, Rage Powder, Wide Guard
+2 ExtremeSpeed, Feint
+1 Ally Switch, Aqua Jet, Bide, Bullet Punch, Ice Shard, Mach Punch,
Quick Attack, Shadow Sneak, Sucker Punch, Vacuum Wave
0 All other moves, shifting
-1 Vital Throw
-2 None
-3 Focus Punch
-4 Avalanche, Revenge
-5 Counter, Mirror Coat
-6 Circle Throw, Dragon Tail, Roar, Whirlwind
-7 Magic Room, Trick Room, Wonder Room, fleeing

Generation IV

Priority Moves
+5 Helping Hand
+4 Magic Coat, Snatch
+3 Detect, Endure, Follow Me, Protect
+2 Feint
+1 Aqua Jet, Bide, Bullet Punch, ExtremeSpeed, Fake Out, Ice Shard, Mach Punch,
Quick Attack, Shadow Sneak, Sucker Punch, Vacuum Wave
0 All other moves
-1 Vital Throw
-2 None
-3 Focus Punch
-4 Avalanche, Revenge
-5 Counter, Mirror Coat
-6 Roar, Whirlwind
-7 Trick Room, fleeing

Generation III

Priority Moves
+5 Helping Hand
+4 Magic Coat, Snatch
+3 Detect, Endure, Follow Me, Protect
+2 None
+1 ExtremeSpeed, Fake Out, Mach Punch, Quick Attack
0 All other moves, fleeing
-1 Vital Throw
-2 None
-3 Focus Punch
-4 Revenge
-5 Counter, Mirror Coat
-6 Roar, Whirlwind

Generation II

Priority Moves
+2 Detect, Endure, Protect
+1 ExtremeSpeed, Mach Punch, Quick Attack
0 All other moves
-1 Counter, Mirror Coat, Roar, Whirlwind, Vital Throw

Generation I

Priority Moves
+1 Quick Attack
0 All other moves
-1 Counter

In the anime

Glameow using Fake Out before Piplup is able to attack

In the anime, priority is rarely mentioned though priority moves such as Quick Attack are frequently used.

The concept of priority moves was first mentioned out loud in A Grand Fight for Winning!, where Brock commented on the subject while watching the Contest Battle between Dawn and Zoey in the final round of the Sinnoh Grand Festival, during which Zoey's Glameow used Fake Out and caused Dawn's Piplup to flinch, making him unable to use Hydro Pump.

In All Eyes on the Future!, Professor Sycamore explained how Olympia's male Meowstic's Prankster Ability allows his support moves like Light Screen to always go first.

Priority was demonstrated a couple of times during the Masters Eight Tournament. In Pride of a Champion!, Diantha's Gourgeist outsped Lance's Gyarados's Dragon Pulse with Shadow Sneak; in Battling as Hard as Stone!, Ash's Pikachu's Quick Attack went ahead of Steven's Cradily's Rock Blast; and in Bewitch, Battle, and Bewilder!, Cynthia used her Spiritomb's Sucker Punch to land hits on Ash's Pokémon before they could attack.

In the manga

Chuck's Machamp using Vital Throw, a decreased priority move

Pokémon Adventures

Gold, Silver & Crystal arc

The concept of priority was mentioned in Entranced by Entei. After his Rhydon had been hit by a Vital Throw from Chuck's Machamp, Blue acknowledged that Vital Throw is a move that lets the opponent attack first in exchange for never missing.

Trivia

  • Since Focus Punch has a higher priority than Avalanche, Revenge, Dragon Tail, Circle Throw, and Counter, they are unable to break the focus of a Pokémon using Focus Punch. They and Focus Punch are therefore the only six attacks that can strike a Pokémon in the same turn as it successfully uses Focus Punch, without the use of Quash or After You.
  • Hitmontop can learn more moves with non-zero priority than any other Pokémon, with 14 increased priority moves and 2 decreased priority moves.
  • Since charging Focus Punch had a higher priority than switching in Generation III, in a Double Battle, if the player selected Focus Punch then cancelled the selection, then switched that Pokémon out, it would still begin charging Focus Punch before switching. Its high priority also gave it the odd effect of occurring before the opponent used their items or Pokémon were switched out.
  • All moves that have ever had -7 priority have the word "Room" in their names.
  • No move has ever been assigned -2 priority despite higher priorities having been assigned.
  • In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, due to the inability to apply the concept of priority because the Speed stat did not exist prior to Super Mystery Dungeon and does not determine the attacking order, damaging moves with increased priority in the core series games become moves that have a range of 2 tiles.

In other languages

Priority move

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 先制招式 Sīnjai Jīusīk
Mandarin 先制招式 Xiānzhì Zhāoshì
Finland Flag.png Finnish Prioriteettiliike
France Flag.png French Attaque prioritaire
Germany Flag.png German Erstschlag-Attacke
Italy Flag.png Italian Mosse che colpire per primi
South Korea Flag.png Korean 선제기술 Seonje Gisul
Spain Flag.png Spanish Movimiento con prioridad

References


Project Games logo.png This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.