The unpopularity of non-Singles competitive battles

[Cuddlebuns]

One of my favorite aspects of competitive battling is trying to come up with teams and movesets that work well in the current metagame, and I imagine that most other competitive battlers love it for the same reason. That makes me wonder: why is competitive battling largely limited to Singles? The different battle types allow for completely different strategies and have the potential to be just as dynamic, if not more so than the Singles environment. It's even possible to have completely different tiers for other battle types since they change the play style so dramatically, Pokemon that dominate in Singles OU can be completely outclassed in other battle types. Yet for some reason they are largely unexplored and ignored by the community, and I honestly have no idea why that is. I can understand why Singles is popular, since it was the original battling style, but I don't get why the other battle types are almost never played competitively. There might be a really simple answer that I've been overlooking, or there might be many reasons that no one has really considered before. So I was hoping you all could help me figure it out by having a discussion as to why Doubles, Triples, and Rotational battles are so unpopular in the competitive battling community.

[jesusfreak94]

There are actually some pretty good competitive metagames for Doubles and Triples, although I am unsure about Rotation. I think the main reason that so many people pick up on Singles is that its just easier. Doubles and Triples are also much more fast-paced than Singles, so it takes a different style and preparation to succeed in those metagames.

[Mutsumi]

Also, the Smogon tiers are based around singles, and so any bans and such are inapplicable to doubles/triples, as even the dreaded Wobbuffet can simply be wiped out by multiple attacks in a single round before it can retaliate, or simply ignored.

[Porgon-XYZ]

Rotations are like singles so I wouldn't include them but in douples/triples, a lot of pokemon are either less useful or more useful than in singles.

[hallstromjr]

I think the above point that was made was really good. Singles is a million times wasier then jumping into Doubles and Triples and even Rotation. Doubles, Triples, and Rotation involve much more stradegy and combination than Singles, making it less popular because people wouldnt like to think it out because it takes ALOT more time.

[Cuddlebuns]

I think the above point that was made was really good. Singles is a million times wasier then jumping into Doubles and Triples and even Rotation. Doubles, Triples, and Rotation involve much more stradegy and combination than Singles, making it less popular because people wouldnt like to think it out because it takes ALOT more time.

Singles involves a lot of strategy and thinking as well. It's not like any old random Joe who knows nothing about the competitive metagame can jump in and do well. All these tiers and standard rules didn't pop up overnight, they were created after a ton of research by dedicated battlers. I just don't understand why no one has even attempted to put the same effort into creating tiers and standard rules for Doubles and Triples as well.

Also, the Smogon tiers are based around singles, and so any bans and such are inapplicable to doubles/triples, as even the dreaded Wobbuffet can simply be wiped out by multiple attacks in a single round before it can retaliate, or simply ignored.

Which demonstrates my point about tiers for Doubles and Triples being way different than the Singles tiers, allowing for a more diverse playing environment that requires different thought processes and play styles. I would like to think that most people would enjoy testing their skills in different environments, yet no one has made any real attempt at researching and developing them as far as I know.

There are actually some pretty good competitive metagames for Doubles and Triples, although I am unsure about Rotation. I think the main reason that so many people pick up on Singles is that its just easier. Doubles and Triples are also much more fast-paced than Singles, so it takes a different style and preparation to succeed in those metagames.

I never hear about them here, on PO, or in the Youtube battling community, so I don't know anything about them. I can never find anyone playing Doubles on PO, so I have no way of knowing what's viable or testing strategies I come up with.

[Mutsumi]

Which demonstrates my point about tiers for Doubles and Triples being way different than the Singles tiers, allowing for a more diverse playing environment that requires different thought processes and play styles. I would like to think that most people would enjoy testing their skills in different environments, yet no one has made any real attempt at researching and developing them as far as I know.

The only things that instantly come to mind would be banning the moves 'Dark Void' and 'Beat Up'. I imagine Drizzle/SwiftSwim would be a consideration too, but there may be more good counters for it than I've look at yet.

[Bestgamepearl]

I actually love doing triple and rotation battles, not so much doubles. I don't take all night to develop a strategy though, i just use my singles team. I really only play them for fun, cuz they are actually kinda fun unlike what i thought when they were first announced.

[Mr G W]

I remember when double battles were a new thing back in gen II. When i saw triple battles i was like O_O.

I really like rotation battles though. Its like a single battle, but adds a new twist to the game. Its almost like you could switch in without using up ur turn.

[NeohopeSTF]

Rotation are really fun more fun than Singles really fun and Rotation you need more Thought than singles.

[Mr G W]

I think my team does better in rotations as each one can compensate each weakness. With strategy and prediction, you can do really good in those battles.

I also find that people do not like to rotate, so i use that to my advantage.

[MasterShaper]

Oh, I love triples Doubles works for me, but I honestly like triples for the fast-paced battles.

Don't forget one particular strategy that can be really nasty at doubles/triples - Trick Room. It makes Trick Room much easier to run, since you can actually have your sweepers out right off the bat, and get the Room open.

If handled competently, it's pretty much a rape-fest.

Other possible candidates for nastiness in doubles/triples would probably be Tailwind, Perish Song/U-Turn/Shadow Tag combinations, and even simple ol' Rock Slide/Blizzard/Surf/Eruption (can seriously HURT the opposition in a multiple-pokemon battle).

[legendarypokemonmaster]

I have never understood this, double battles are probably my favorite style of battling. The Rotation and Triple Battles discussions are kind of sad too.

[Psycho Cut]

I love the other styles of battles, in particular rotation battles. They're good in the sense that it opens a whole new way of thinking, and a whole ne set of strategies.

Maybe singles is most popular because it's the original battling style that's most often used in-game etc, but certainly not because they are the best for coming up with strategies, or anything like that.

[Mevejuma]

I think perhaps Singles is more popular because each member of your team can stand alone, whereas in say a Doubles battle, if one of your Pokemon faints, you have to switch another in to battle with the one that is currently out, so each of your Pokemon needs to have a certain chemistry and be able to battle with each other member of your team successfully.

[hallstromjr]

What I'm saying is Doubles and Triples and Rotations involve alot more stradegy than Singles in my opinion. They can have a lot more combinations to run. Sometimes, in singles, you could just run a team of sweepers and win. There is alot more fast paced action in the other styles of battle.

[Cuddlebuns]

I think perhaps Singles is more popular because each member of your team can stand alone, whereas in say a Doubles battle, if one of your Pokemon faints, you have to switch another in to battle with the one that is currently out, so each of your Pokemon needs to have a certain chemistry and be able to battle with each other member of your team successfully.

The same is true in Singles matches. If you have a Singles team where all of your team members are weak to ground-type moves, you'll get wrecked by the first Pokemon you encounter with Earthquake. Team synergy is important no matter the battle style, so that's not really a reason to play one style over another.

What I'm saying is Doubles and Triples and Rotations involve alot more stradegy than Singles in my opinion. They can have a lot more combinations to run. Sometimes, in singles, you could just run a team of sweepers and win. There is alot more fast paced action in the other styles of battle.

The same is true in Doubles (from my experience), just toss out two sweepers at the same time instead of one. Singles matches can have a lot more strategy than using a bunch of sweepers as well. Stall wars aren't uncommon in Singles play, and that hasn't reduced its popularity at all.

Maybe singles is most popular because it's the original battling style that's most often used in-game etc, but certainly not because they are the best for coming up with strategies, or anything like that.

I understand why it's the most popular, I just don't understand why the other battle types are virtually non-existent. Whenever any competitive battling discussion comes up, it's always assumed that everyone is talking about the Singles environment. I still don't understand why other battle types are just completely ignored.

[kaiser soze]

rotation battles are almost psychological battles rather than normal pokemon strategy. also not everyones abilities activate when sent out

double and triple battles can be tricky. most of my doubles experience comes from the battle factory, where I had a bad habit of losing my 2 leads quickly, thus ending my streak. call me crazy but I think I like triples better. also on random matchups you actually use your whole 6-poke team

[3.14kachu]

The simple truth is that there is no recognized system for competitive Double/Triple Battles because the leaders in competitive battle are all in Single Battle. POTW, Smogon articles, and so much more is focused on Single Battle, so anything that deals exclusively with Double/Triple Battles seems legitimate in comparison.

If anyone's willing to start some kind of Doubles/Triples group or thread to discuss possible strategies, tier changes, and whatnot, I'd love to join, though.

[legendarypokemonmaster]

If anyone's willing to start some kind of Doubles/Triples group or thread to discuss possible strategies, tier changes, and whatnot, I'd love to join, though.

Triple Battles and Rotation Battles threads in my signature!
We could make a double battles thread. I think that there used to be one, but it just got ignored for a long time.