Ability Detail

Defiant is an ability in the Pokémon series that has significant implications for competitive battling. This ability triggers whenever one of the Pokémon's stats is lowered by an opponent. When this happens, Defiant boosts the Pokémon's Attack stat by two stages.

The ability is particularly useful for counteracting common strategies that involve lowering an opponent's stats to gain an advantage. For example, moves like Intimidate, which typically lower the opposing Pokémon's Attack by one stage upon entering battle, will instead result in a +1 net gain in Attack for a Pokémon with Defiant (+2 Attack from Defiant minus the -1 Attack from Intimidate).

Here are some additional key points and interesting facts about Defiant:

Strategic Advantages: Defiant is particularly effective on physical attackers. When used strategically, it can turn the tables against opponents who rely on stat-lowering moves or abilities, making it a deterrent against such tactics.
Intimidate Counter:

Flavor Texts

black-white: When its stats are lowered its Attack increases.

black-2-white-2: When its stats are lowered its Attack increases.

x-y: Boosts the Pokémon’s Attack stat when its stats are lowered.

omega-ruby-alpha-sapphire: Boosts the Pokémon’s Attack stat when its stats are lowered.

sun-moon: Boosts the Pokémon’s Attack stat sharply when its stats are lowered.

ultra-sun-ultra-moon: Boosts the Pokémon’s Attack stat sharply when its stats are lowered.

lets-go-pikachu-lets-go-eevee: Boosts the Pokémon’s Attack stat sharply when its stats are lowered.

sword-shield: Boosts the Pokémon’s Attack stat sharply when its stats are lowered.

scarlet-violet: If the Pokémon has any stat lowered by an opposing Pokémon, its Attack stat will be boosted sharply.

Pokémon with the Defiant ability