Ability Detail

Stakeout is a Pokémon ability that enhances the power of the user's moves against any opponent that has just switched in. Specifically, when a Pokémon with Stakeout targets a foe that has entered the battlefield on that turn, the damage dealt by the user's move is doubled. This means any move executed by a Pokémon with Stakeout will hit twice as hard if the opposing Pokémon switched in during that turn.

Here are some key points and interesting facts about Stakeout:

Mechanics and Multiplication: The doubling effect of Stakeout is applied after all other modifiers, meaning it's calculated on the final damage output, including type effectiveness, STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), and other boosts or reductions.
Strategic Implications: Stakeout can force opponents to reconsider frequently switching Pokémon to optimize matchups, a common strategy in competitive play. This makes the ability useful for disrupting the opponent’s plans and punishing defensive switches.
Pokémon with Stakeout

Flavor Texts

sun-moon: Doubles the damage dealt to the target’s replacement if the target switches out.

ultra-sun-ultra-moon: Doubles the damage dealt to the target’s replacement if the target switches out.

lets-go-pikachu-lets-go-eevee: Doubles the damage dealt to the target’s replacement if the target switches out.

sword-shield: Doubles the damage dealt to the target’s replacement if the target switches out.

scarlet-violet: Doubles the damage dealt to a target that has just switched into battle.

Pokémon with the Stakeout ability