Multi Battle

Fighting two Team Yell Grunts in a Multi Battle in Pokémon Sword and Shield

A Multi Battle (Japanese: マルチバトル Multi Battle), referred to as a Tag Battle (Japanese: タッグバトル Tag Battle) in the anime, is a type of Double Battle in which each of the four Pokémon is controlled by a separate Pokémon Trainer.

Starting with Generation III, Multi Battles occur when the player has teamed up with another Trainer. If the player has teamed up with another Trainer as part of the storyline, their Pokémon total as well as that of their opponents may exceed the limit of six Pokémon per team imposed by party restrictions for other types of Pokémon battle.

In Generations VI and VII, Multi Battles allow a player to Mega Evolve a Pokémon even if their partner has already done so during the same battle.

In Generation VII, like with Mega Evolution, a player may use a Z-Move even if their teammate has already done so during the same battle.

In Generation VIII, each team may only Dynamax or Gigantamax once per battle. Each turn, only one specific player from each team is given the opportunity to Dynamax a Pokémon; if a player skips their opportunity to use Dynamax, then their teammate will get the opportunity to on the next turn.

In the games

Multi Battle mode

A Multi Battle in Generation IV

In Generation III, up to four players can battle with each other in a Multi Battle via Game Link Cable by choosing the "Multi Battle" mode in the Pokémon Cable Club Colosseum. Players decide which side to battle. This is the only way to have a Multi Battle in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire and Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

In Generation IV, the Pokémon Cable Club Colosseum was renamed to the Pokémon Communication Club Colosseum, but Multi Battles can still be conducted by selecting "Multi Battle".

In Generation V, Multi Battles can be conducted through the IR section of the C-Gear, and you can select an opponent and pair with somebody through the IR function.

In Generation VI, the player accesses Multi Battles with the Player Search System's Battle option. After selecting a connection type, the player must then change the number of players to four, and select three other players on the touch screen.

Quotes

Pokémon Center Receptionist

"Multi Battle is for four Trainers with one or more Pokémon each."

"Each Trainer can have one Pokémon in battle at a time."

In-game events

Since Pokémon Emerald, Multi Battles have been possible at various points throughout the games.

• In Pokémon Emerald, at the Mossdeep Space Center the player battles Maxie and Tabitha of Team Magma alongside Steven.
  • This is the only battle when a partner Trainer receives experience points from defeating a Pokémon. It is also the only Multi Battle in which the player can use items on the partner Trainer's Pokémon or knock out the partner Trainer's Pokémon to get experience points.

• In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, the player teams up with:
  • Cheryl while traversing Eterna Forest for the first time, until they reach the Eterna City exit.
  • Riley while traversing Iron Island for the first time, until they reach the back of the island.
  • Buck while traversing Stark Mountain for the first time, until they reach the back of the cave.
  • Mira while traversing Wayward Cave for the first time, until they reach the cave entrance.
  • Marley while traversing the additional area of Victory Road for the first time, until they reach the Route 224 exit.
  • Lucas/Dawn against two male Galactic Grunts in Jubilife City.
  • Lucas/Dawn against two male Galactic Grunts in Veilstone City.
  • Barry against Mars and Jupiter at Spear Pillar.
  • in Pokémon Platinum only, Barry against Flint and Volkner in the Fight Area, upon entering the Battle Zone for the first time.

• In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, the player teams up with:
  • Lance against Ariana and a Team Rocket Grunt in the Team Rocket HQ.
  • Silver against Clair and Lance in the Dragon's Den.

A Multi Battle in Generation V

• In Pokémon Black and White, the player teams up with:
  • Cheren against two Team Plasma Grunts in Wellspring Cave.
  • Cheren against two Preschoolers on Route 5 at Alder's request.

• In Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, the player teams up with:
  • Hugh while traversing Castelia Sewers for the first time, until they reach the Relic Passage exit.
  • Cheren against two Team Plasma Grunts on the Plasma Frigate when it is docked at the Pokémon World Tournament.
  • Hugh against two Team Plasma Grunts on the Plasma Frigate when it is docked at the Pokémon World Tournament.
  • Hugh against two Team Plasma Grunts on the Plasma Frigate when it is docked at the Seaside Cave.
  • Hugh against Zinzolin and a Team Plasma Grunt in Lacunosa Town.
  • Nate/Rosa against Subway Bosses Ingo and Emmet outside Gear Station in Nimbasa City.
  • Bianca while traversing Reversal Mountain for the first time, until they reach the Undella Town exit.
  • Cheren while traversing Pinwheel Forest for the first time.
  • one of Cilan, Chili, and Cress against the other two in Striaton City.

A Multi Battle in Generation VI

• In Pokémon X and Y, the player teams up with:
  • Calem/Serena against Tierno and Trevor on Route 7.
  • Calem/Serena against two Team Flare Grunts in the Glittering Cave.
  • Calem/Serena against Bryony and Celosia in the Poké Ball Factory.
  • Calem/Serena while traversing Team Flare Secret HQ, until they reach Xerneas^X/Yveltal^Y's chamber.

• In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Special Demo Version, the player teams up with:
  • Steven against Tabitha and Matt in a Mirage Cave.
  • May against Tabitha and a Team Magma Grunt in a Mirage Cave.
  • May against Matt and a Team Aqua Grunt in a Mirage Cave.

• In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the player teams up with:
  • Brendan/May against Tabitha and a Team Magma Grunt^OR/Shelly and a Team Aqua Grunt^AS in Meteor Falls.
  • Steven against Courtney and a Team Magma Grunt^OR/Matt and a Team Aqua Grunt^AS on Southern Island.
  • Steven against Courtney and a Team Magma Grunt^OR/Matt and a Team Aqua Grunt^AS at the Mossdeep Space Center during the Delta Episode.

A Multi Battle in Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon

• In Pokémon Sun and Moon, the player teams up with:
  • Hau against two Team Skull Grunts in Diglett's Tunnel.
  • Hau and Gladion while traversing Aether Paradise, until they reach the exterior area.

• In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the player teams up with:
  • Hau against two Team Skull Grunts in Diglett's Tunnel.
  • Hau and Gladion while traversing Aether Paradise, until they reach the exterior area.
  • Lillie against Faba and an Aether Foundation Employee in front of Team Rocket's Castle.
  • Guzma against two Team Rainbow Rocket Grunts in Team Rocket's Castle during Episode RR.

• In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, the player teams up with:
  • Trace against Archer and a Team Rocket Grunt during Team Rocket's takeover of Silph Co.

• In Pokémon Sword and Shield, the player teams up with:
  • Hop against two Team Yell Grunts in Motostoke, and later, Galar Mine No. 2.
  • Hop against several members of Macro Cosmos while going up Rose Tower.
  • Hop against Sordward and Shielbert in Wedgehurst.
  • A variety of Gym Leaders and other special Trainers in the Galarian Star Tournament.

• In Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, the player teams up with:
  • Cheryl while traversing Eterna Forest for the first time, until they reach the Eterna City exit.
  • Riley while traversing Iron Island for the first time, until they reach the back of the island.
  • Buck while traversing Stark Mountain for the first time, until they reach the back of the cave.
  • Mira while traversing Wayward Cave for the first time, until they reach the cave entrance.
  • Marley while traversing the additional area of Victory Road for the first time, until they reach the Route 224 exit.
  • Lucas/Dawn against two male Galactic Grunts in Jubilife City.
  • Lucas/Dawn against two male Galactic Grunts in Veilstone City.
  • Barry against Mars and Jupiter at Spear Pillar.

Battle facilities

Since Pokémon Emerald, Multi Battles have been possible in battle facilities.

• In Emerald, in the Battle Tower during the Multi Battle mode the player can team up with either an NPC (including the apprentice) or a friend via Game Link Cable or Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter
• In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver, in the Battle Tower during the Multi Battle mode the player can team up with either another player via DS Wireless Communication or with one of the stat Trainers (Cheryl, Mira, Riley, Marley, and Buck). In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, these partner Trainers will only appear after the player finishes exploring with them in their areas.
• In Pokémon Black and White, in the Battle Subway on the Multi Train the player can team up with either another player via DS Wireless Communication or with Hilbert/Hilda.
• In Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, in the Battle Subway on the Multi Train the player can team up with either another player via DS Wireless Communication or with Nate/Rosa.
• In Pokémon X and Y, in the Battle Maison during the Multi Battle mode the player can team up with either another player via 3DS Wireless Communication, an NPC avatar of another player on the player's Friend List, or with Tierno, Trevor, or Shauna.
• In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, in the Battle Maison during the Multi Battle mode the player can team up with either another player via 3DS Wireless Communication, Brendan/May, Wally, Steven, or Maxie^OR/Archie^AS.
• In Pokémon Sun and Moon, Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, in the Battle Tree during the Multi Battle mode the player can team up with either another player via 3DS Wireless Communication or a special Trainer previously encountered and defeated at the facility. Additionally, in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, they can also pair with Lillie after completing Episode RR.

In the anime

Ash and Dawn ready for a Tag Battle

While Ash has been involved in many "illegal" Tag Battles conducted by Team Rocket long before the concept was introduced to the games, his first official Tag Battle was in The Bicker the Better, when he teamed up with May to battle against Oscar and Andi. At first, Ash had gotten into an argument with May but ended up making up with her and becoming in sync with her during battle.

Hearthome City has its own special tournament known as the Hearthome City Tag Battle Competition, which took place from Tag! We're It...! to Smells Like Team Spirit!. Tag teams are chosen randomly, with each Trainer receiving a card with a number on it and partnering with the Trainer whose number is paired with their number. The tournament was entered by Ash, Dawn, and Brock, who were respectively paired with Paul, Conway, and Holly. Ash and Paul managed to win the tournament despite working very poorly together.

Ash and Dawn have teamed up on numerous occasions over the course of Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl. Their first Tag Battle together took place in The Champ Twins! when they faced off against Ryan and Bryan. They initially had trouble working in sync, but after both of them acknowledged their flaws, their teamwork improved and they managed to defeat the twin brothers in a rematch.

In Bagged Then Tagged!, Ash and Dawn had a Tag Battle against Lyra and Khoury inside the Lilypad Colosseum. They managed to defeat the Johto Trainers despite the unexpected Evolution of Khoury's Totodile. While visiting Emeragrove Town in Once There Were Greenfields, Ash and Dawn paired up to battle James and Gardenia. Using their Aipom and Pachirisu against James's Cacnea and Gardenia's Turtwig, they won the match.

Ash and Brock have also been shown to work well together as a team. In A Full Course Tag Battle!, the two went up against the owners of the Seven Stars Restaurant, Roman and Kylie. Their cooperation proved successful and they managed to win the battle. In the same episode, May and Dawn teamed up and were also victorious in their Tag Battle. In Hot Springing a Leak!, Dawn and her childhood friend Leona went up against Ash and Brock. Their battle ended in a draw.

In Lost at the Stamp Rally!, Ash and Cilan fought in a Tag Battle against Ingo and Emmet, which Ash and Cilan lost despite fighting excellently. In Evolution Exchange Excitement!, Ash and Cilan battled and won against Bianca and Professor Juniper. Ash and Cilan also fought together in a Tag Battle against two brothers named Soren and Rocko in A Surface to Air Tag Battle Team! and managed to win here as well. In New Places... Familiar Faces!, Ash and Nanette battled against Iris and Cilan, though the battle was interrupted by Team Rocket in their attempt to capture Pikachu.

In Tag Team Battle Inspiration!, Ash and Tierno partnered up against Serena and Shauna, but the battle was called off.

In Party Dancecapades!, Monsieur Pierre prepared a surprise Tag Battle for the Performers attending his dance party. Entrants were given a card upon registration, and four of these cards had a special mark so the people who received them would take part in a Tag Battle. The special cards ended up with Ash, Serena, Miette, and James and they faced off near the end of the party, with the team of Ash and Serena emerging victorious.

In When Regions Collide!, Lana and Mallow had a Multi Battle against Misty, while Sophocles and Lillie had a Multi Battle against Brock. However, both of these battles were called off.

In The Young Flame Strikes Back!, Kiawe had a Multi Battle against Viren and his henchmen, but he ended up losing the battle.

Tag Battles have been featured in a few Pokémon movies as well. In Destiny Deoxys, Ash visited the LaRousse City Battle Tower where he battled alongside Tory against Sid and Rafe. Due to Tory's fear of Pokémon and lack of battling experience, he and Ash ended up losing the match. In Arceus and the Jewel of Life, Ash and Dawn defeated Kiko and Kato using their Pikachu and Piplup against a Beautifly and Heracross.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

A Multi Battle in Pokémon Adventures

Ruby & Sapphire arc

The first official Multi Battle was featured in The Beginning of the End with Kyogre & Groudon X, where Ruby and Sapphire took on Archie and Maxie in Seafloor Cavern. Although they were able to defeat the villainous team leaders, they were unable to retrieve the Red and Blue Orbs from them before they could merge with their holders.

FireRed & LeafGreen arc

In Surprised by Sneasel and A Well-Journeyed Jumpluff, Silver and Yellow faced Sird and Orm of Team Rocket in a Multi Battle in Viridian City. Orm's Jumpluff surrounded the two Pokédex holders with a cloud of spores that could cause any kind of status condition, making it impossible for them to send out a Pokémon without it getting a status condition the instant it came out. Yellow, however, used her ability to control the Poké Ball at the end of her fishing line to move Omny outside of the spore cloud and then unleash it to use Blizzard, instantly freezing both Jumpluff and the spores. As the two Team Rocket members then kidnapped Silver and escaped with him, the battle was left unresolved.

Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire arc

In Omega Alpha Adventure 11, Red and Green teamed up in a Multi Battle against Archie and Maxie, with all four Trainers utilizing Mega Evolution. Although Red and Green eventually won the battle, Archie and Maxie still succeeded in making Kyogre and Groudon undergo Primal Reversion in the meantime.

In the aforementioned round, Ruby and Emerald also briefly engaged Blaise and Amber in a Multi Battle, but they were soon caught in Blaise's Slugma's illusions, allowing the villains slip away.

Trivia

• When battling alongside Steven in Emerald, his Pokémon are shown to gain experience after the defeat of an opponent Pokémon. This does not happen to a partner's Pokémon in the Multi Battles of Generation IV.
  • Having the player's party be defeated in the Multi Battle with Steven will cause the player to white out. This was also changed in Generation IV, where a white out will not occur until both the player's and the partner's Pokémon are all knocked out.
• The Multi Battle against Mars and Jupiter in Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum as well as the battle against Flint and Volkner in Pokémon Platinum have the potential to be twelve-on-six fights, due to Barry's full party.

In other languages

Multi Battle Language Title Chinese Cantonese 多人對戰 Dōyàhn Deuijin Mandarin 多人對戰 / 多人对战 Duōrén Duìzhàn French Canada Combat multi* Europe Combat Multi German Multikampf Italian Lotta Multipla Korean 멀티배틀 Multi Battle Portuguese Brazil Batalha Múltipla Portugal Combate Múltiplo Multibatalhas* Spanish Combate Múltiple

Tag Battle Language Title Chinese Cantonese 聯手對戰 Lyùhnsáu Deuijin * 雙打對戰 Sēungdá Deuijin * Mandarin 聯手對戰 / 联手对战 Liánshǒu Duìzhàn * 雙打對戰 / 双打对战 Shuāngdǎ Duìzhàn * 雙人合作賽 / 双人合作赛 Shuāngrén Hézuò Sài * 接棒決戰 / 接棒决战 Jiēbàng Juézhàn * 兩人戰鬥 / 两人战斗 Liǎngrén Zhàndòu * 二對二的決鬥 / 二对二的决斗 Èr-duì-Èr-de Juédòu * Danish Dobbeltkamp* Tag-kamp* Finnish Pariottelu (Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire) Tag-ottelu (Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl-present) Korean 태그배틀 Tag Battle * 태그시합 Tag Sihab * 복식 배틀 Boksik Battle * Norwegian Tag-kamp Polish Dwuwalka Dwubitwa* Brazilian Portuguese Batalha em Dupla Batalha de Duplas (XY090) Batalha de Dupla (BW099) Russian Двойная битва Dvoynaya bitva* Битва два на два Bitva dva na dva* Spanish Combate Mixto Combate de Dobles* Swedish Tag-strid* Tafattstrid*

Battle Modes at Pokémon Communication Club Colosseum Battles for Two Single Battle • Double Battle • Mix Battle • Flat Battle Battles for Four Multi Battle Specific Rule sets Standard Cup • Double Cup Fancy Cup • GS Cup • Light Cup • Little Cup

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