This is quite clearly the most important move for any Pokemon Trainer, and how you use it greatly determines your ability and success in battle. Too often, I see PT matches where Pokemon Change is rarely or NEVER used. Some players, in a standard 3 stock match, play as if they had one stock to each Pokemon. Don't do this; it is a gross ignorance of PT's greatest strength: versatility.
I seriously felt that the lack of a thread dedicated to PT's most important move was a
serious detriment to the (still) budding PT metagame. I'm not B.S.ing when I say this is the most crucial move to use correctly for ANY character in Brawl. Aside from the obvious obstacle of maining three characters at once, I think it is the main reason PT is currently in bottom tier and not in middle (or higher but now I'm just being crazy).
First, before I get into the strategy behind the move, we'll cover some basic facts and how to use it in the first place.
So basically, the point of Pokemon Change is to force you to use all three Pokemon. The two main reasons are the fact that you switch after every time a Pokemon is KOed and the issue of stamina and fatigue.
The order of switch is Squirtle to Ivysaur to Charizard and back to Squirtle, and this is set in stone. You cannot, for example, switch directly from Squirtle to Charizard, regardless of how useful this would be! You must switch to Ivysaur, even for a split second. Unfortunately, switching twice will usually leave you incredible vulnerable to attack, so this is usually not a smart thing to do.
They all share the same damage meter and stock/KO count.
You cannot switch in the air, you must be standing on the ground to switch.
You can choose which Pokemon you'd like to start the match with by clicking on that Pokemon in the character select box. It's pretty simple, but smart leads are very important to your success as a Pokemon Trainer.
Stamina is an effect unique to Pokemon Trainer. Basically, each Pokemon has a 2:00 minute stamina counter that starts ticking down when it switches in. Any attack that isn't a jab or throw will decrease this counter by 0:01 seconds. Once this timer reaches 0:00, the Pokemon will start to show signs of fatigue in their default stance. Squirtle will hunch over, Ivy's bulb wilts, and Charizard's wings droop. Once each Pokemon is fatigued, all attacks suffer in both knockback and damage. It's still quite possible to continue battling when fatigued, and is actually desireable in some cases if the Pokemon has a strong natural advantage against the opponent. All fatigue really does is make it harder for that Pokemon to KO, which can be solved by switching to the next Pokemon.
Luuuuckily, Pokemon can recover stamina by waiting in its Pokeball with the Trainer. It takes 1:00 to recover all stamina, regardless of whether the Pokemon was fatigued after 2:00 or 5:00. Also, when a Pokemon is KO'd, its stamina is immediately refreshed.
Stamina affects Squirtle the most due to the nature of its attacks and playstyle, and the fact that it lacks many quality KO moves.
Also, keep in mind that switching nullifies diminishing returns and stale moves.
I'm not completely sure since it's 5 AM and I'm too lazy to fire up the Wii at the moment, but it takes roughly 4 seconds to complete a Pokemon Change, and a split second longer to be able to shield and all that good stuff (particularly shield). So let's say you need 5 seconds of solitude to be able to Pokemon Change without getting KO'd in the process. There are 3 ways to really effectively switch in battle. They are ordered by both how often they are used and how easy it is to use them:
1. Losing a stock.
2. KOing the opponent and switching while they respawn.
3. Knocking the opponent away enough to switch safely.
Those are really the only opportunities you get to switch, but it's not as if they are difficult to pull off, aside from perhaps 3 on smaller stages. For this reason, I think Battlefield could be a counterpick to PT as a whole, although all three Pokemon don't really mind battling there. But if you are quick about it, you shouldn't have many problems, even on BF or Yoshi's Island.
As you can tell, you will have trouble changing Pokemon if both you and the opponent have low damage.
Switching does a few things for you. First, it obviously gives you a completely different character to play with. One Pokemon may be better in a certain situation than another, and this is PT's main strength: versatility. Mastering this is the key to a good PT. Situations include stock tanking with Charizard, camping with Ivysaur, and general match up advantages/disadvantages. Knowing which of your Pokemon perform best against a character is crucial, and you should maximize the best Pokemon's time in battle and minimize the worst's.
The next advantage is improving your KO power (unless its from Charizard to Squirtle!). For one, the switch order naturally increases your power, assuming you start at Squirtle.
In addition, switching cures fatigue/diminished returns for a completely fresh character, complete with fully powered smashes. For this reason, Pokemon Trainer should NOT have any trouble KOing, regardless of situation. All three Pokemon can easily kill at 130% and lower when fresh.
You'll usually want to switch just to avoid fatigue with Squirtle or Ivysaur, unless you really have a dominating match up, where you are still superior even with fatigue accountd for. Fatigue makes it difficult to switch later using methods 2 or 3.
ALWAYS keep in mind what Pokemon is next in line, and whether you want them to come in at 0% should you get KO'd. If that Poke matches up poorly with the opponent, it's likely best to switch it in at high percent so it won't be on the field very long. An exception to this is if you lose your stock while the opponent has a high percent, in which case you can quickly kill and then switch.
Clearly, you are forced to switch if you lose your stock. This is usually the most common way PT switches Pokemon, unless you've mastered 2 & 3 and use them often (highly unlikely). The most important part of this switch is the fact that the next Pokemon comes in at 0%. This is both a positive and negative. Squirtle really likes coming in healthy, it wouldn't last long otherwise. Ivysaur likes it too, because with some characters there's always the threat of an edgehog, even at "decent" percents. Charizard at 0%, however, is juggle and chain grab bait for some characters, like Metaknight and Falco, respectively. At times I actually want Zard to come in at 70-80%+ and just tank as much as it can. This is highly match up dependant, so you must be aware of any possible ways your opponent can trap Charizard at low percents.
Squirtle often comes in through this method, due to the fact that it is likely to die quickly if it comes in at high percents, and Charizard usually doesn't want to switch out until it is KO'd anyway.
Coming in after a kill. Obviously, this is the safest way to switch Pokemon by actually using Pokemon Change, as in a 1v1 battle, there is no threat of attack until the opponent respawns, and by then you should have switched.
At times you can actually switch TWICE, on larger stages like Final Destination or something. Usually it's only possible on star kills, by switching as soon as you hit. I've only done it once in an actual match, and haven't tested the time between hitting the opponent away for a star KO (don't wait for them to become a star) and them getting into position to attack you. Tests here would be helpful!
The best thing about this switch is simply the fact that it's totally safe. The reason to switch here is usually because the next Pokemon will be able to kill better than the current one can, since they already killed once. Usually you'll want to switch out after a KO if you are Squirtle, since fatigue really kills Squirtle's KO power. Same goes to Ivysaur, to a lesser extent. But again, if the current Pokemon dominates the opponent, then fatigue will not affect you as much and staying in is recommended. This is a judgment call that only you can make based on your skill and the opponent's skill, so be wary.
If your stock is near its end, consider which Pokemon you want to start the next stock with and decide whether or not to switch accordingly. If you are Ivysaur, switching is usually a good idea just because Charizard will help survive longer, unless you'd like Charizard to play the whole next stock.
Usually the least used method of switching, and also the most dangerous yet satisfying...
Example: Squirtle is your best match up against the opponent. Nothing like racking up damage and fairing them off-stage with Squirtle, switching to Ivysaur, fsmashing for the kill, and switching to Zard to tank the rest of that stock, only to begin again when Squirtle comes out. I've yet to see anyone play PT like this, but this seems like the most advanced a PT could possibly get...and mastering the art of switching Pokemon without having to kill the opponent or yourself is crucial. First, the best moves each Pokemon has to space for a switch, assume the opponent has a decent amount of damage; naturally you won't be able to knock them away enough at 0%:
Squirtle
Dthrow
Fsmash
Dsmash
Usmash
Water Gun (only useful if the opponent doesn't have any momentum toward you, but incredibly effective otherwise)
Withdraw (laugh as you knock them off FD and Withdraw away to switch)
Ivysaur
Fsmash
Usmash (will probably kill them anyway if you hit haha)
Fair
Uair
Bthrow (opponent needs to have higher than average percent, i think)
Sweetspotted Vine Whip
Charizard
Any smash attack
Any tilt attack (need to be in 120+ range)
Dthrow
Fthrow
Bthrow
Rock Smash (huge boulder)
Fair (the knockback part of it, of course)
SS Bair
Glide attack
Fly (connect with the last hit with knockback)
Naturally this isn't an all inclusive list, just the most effective ones off the top of my head. Any attack with decent knockback can serve this purpose at high enough percent. Most of this is just each Pokemon's best kill moves...and if they don't KO anyway due to fatigue/diminishing, it'll knock them far enough to switch. In addition, doing a bit of edgeguarding, retreating a bit, and switching can also work. Horizontal knockback is more helpful than vertical, as the opponent can just fastfall. Thanks to Adriel for the tip. I'll likely get around to ordering the moves according to horizontal knockback, if any of you are willing, then be my guest!
If you have any suggestions, go ahead and post them.
There's two things you need to pull this off. The first is the opponent at a decent percent, so the knockback will give you space to change, and the second is a strong enough attack.
There are two different situations here, and they involve whether you have a little damage or a lot of damage. But the point either way is to use a certain Pokemon as little as possible.
Using this at the beginning of your stock basically means you want to start the stock with that Pokemon and then quickly switch it out; while the other situation means you want to switch in the Pokemon and then let it end the stock soon after. Both ways are terrific ways of overcoming inherent matchup disadvantages and minimizing that Pokemon's time in battle.
Alright, this is just me going off the diving board, so forgive me if I don't land correctly. But these are some not-obvious (I think) tactics you can use by taking advantage of Pokemon Change.
It's okay Ivysaur, use Fsmash all you want. Squirtle just Hydroplane your heart out. Because you can just switch anyway. If you plan accordingly and switch when needed, you don't have to give a hoot about "(Pokemon) has only a few kill moves" arguments, because you can just switch and Ivysaur/Charizard can land a quick Smash/Tilt, free of fatigue and staleness. Instead, you can focus on just racking up as much damage as possible and switching for the KO once the opponent reaches a certain threshold. Diminishing returns shouldn't give you much trouble getting a switch in. Ivysaur's Fsmash and Hydroplaning (perhaps Hydroplanting) are really the only attacks that benefit from this tactic since they are the most spammable...but just know that instead of saving these attacks to kill later, you have the option of using them frequently and just switching later.
Charizard doesn't really care, he's THAT strong.
The same strategy applies to fatigue. However, chances are that if you are fatigued, you wanted to keep that Pokemon in for a while anyway...if it were at a disadvantage, you'd use a tactic to get it in and out as soon and effectively as possible.
Retro Gaming recently brought to my attention the fact that when a Pokemon is KO'd, its stamina is automatically refreshed, no matter whether a minute has passed or not. Retro said it best as I cannot word it any better no matter how much I try, so here's the quote:
Let your best Pokemon rack up the damage and let your other Pokemon get the KOs so your best match up can come in again at low percents. This way, that Pokemon is playing the majority of each stock and are playing with your best cards.
This is all in contrast to simply playing your best Pokemon throughout a whole stock and KOing as much as possible while it is out.
Naturally this is only most effective against opponents with a clear disadvantage to one of your 3 Pokemon, but when you have a match up like that...smart play like this will definitely increase your chance to win.
In the Pokemon games, the Pokemon in the first slot of your party makes a huge difference, as it does in Brawl. Honestly, the decision should come down to match ups. If you have a certain strategy and always start a match off with a particular Pokemon...DON'T. You are ignoring the opponent's character and may be setting your first stock up for slaughter, potentially leaving you to play a stock behind.
Assuming you have two great/okay Pokemon match ups against the opponent (this is the case against most characters), you should start the match in one of two different ways. Y means good match up, N means bad:
Y-Y-N
Y-N-Y
The first basically means you'll likely play the first and majority of second stock without using Pokemon Change, only switching when Pokemon #1 faints. You should switch near the end of Pokemon #2's stock, so Pokemon #1 starts the third stock.
The second means you will likely switch in your "N" Pokemon when Pokemon #1 KOs the opponent or after Pokemon #1 faints and "N" finishes the opponent's first stock. Either way, "N" then switches out and lets Pokemon 3 and 1 to finish out the second and third stocks.
In both scenarios, Pokemon 1 plays almost two stocks, so you are basically starting out with your best hand. This is the best and simplest way (that I know of) to influence which Pokemon plays the most. These are great general guidelines to follow, but should not be rigid rules due to the fact that it doesn't account for all the switches you may make...it only accounts for switching into our out of your worst Pokemon at the end of your stock (into) or the opponent's stock (out of). It doesn't account for switching simply to kill, switching due to fatigue, or to tank with Charizard regardless of whether he's a good match up or not. But it's still a good guideline, particularly for beginning Trainers.
But a good Trainer can start using one of these strategies and, if needed, adjust on the fly. The one thing to be sure of is that if you are near death, your next Pokemon isn't your weak one. It is quite feasible to switch twice in one stock, and thereby both avoiding your weak Poke and starting the next stock with a strong one.
However, the main thing is, don't start with a Pokemon that has a disadvantage, because it won't be able to safely switch until either you or the opponent are close to losing their first stock.
Bolded and italicized, because this touches on the most important part of Pokemon Change. Don't let your weakest Pokemon come in when both PT and the opponent have taken little to no damage. You will not be able to switch until either you lose your stock or manage to knock the opponent away enough or KO. If it's your weakest Pokemon, chances are that you will lose your stock a while before your opponent does. Unless you are an amazing PT and are better than the opponent with all three than they are with their one.
The Pokemon you start with is immensely important to how you fare in each match.
I believe good PTs can switch regularly yet still be aware enough to avoid this situation.
Alright, I've spent way too much time on this and have lost my track of thought multiple times, so there are things I've likely forgotten. All of this is just stuff I've learned and developed in the past, so this likely isn't perfect. Contribute any strategies you've developed yourself! I'll work on summarizing and adding new things to this post once I'm not so burnt out from it.
I seriously felt that the lack of a thread dedicated to PT's most important move was a
serious detriment to the (still) budding PT metagame. I'm not B.S.ing when I say this is the most crucial move to use correctly for ANY character in Brawl. Aside from the obvious obstacle of maining three characters at once, I think it is the main reason PT is currently in bottom tier and not in middle (or higher but now I'm just being crazy).
First, before I get into the strategy behind the move, we'll cover some basic facts and how to use it in the first place.
The Basics
So basically, the point of Pokemon Change is to force you to use all three Pokemon. The two main reasons are the fact that you switch after every time a Pokemon is KOed and the issue of stamina and fatigue.
The order of switch is Squirtle to Ivysaur to Charizard and back to Squirtle, and this is set in stone. You cannot, for example, switch directly from Squirtle to Charizard, regardless of how useful this would be! You must switch to Ivysaur, even for a split second. Unfortunately, switching twice will usually leave you incredible vulnerable to attack, so this is usually not a smart thing to do.
They all share the same damage meter and stock/KO count.
You cannot switch in the air, you must be standing on the ground to switch.
You can choose which Pokemon you'd like to start the match with by clicking on that Pokemon in the character select box. It's pretty simple, but smart leads are very important to your success as a Pokemon Trainer.
Stamina
Stamina is an effect unique to Pokemon Trainer. Basically, each Pokemon has a 2:00 minute stamina counter that starts ticking down when it switches in. Any attack that isn't a jab or throw will decrease this counter by 0:01 seconds. Once this timer reaches 0:00, the Pokemon will start to show signs of fatigue in their default stance. Squirtle will hunch over, Ivy's bulb wilts, and Charizard's wings droop. Once each Pokemon is fatigued, all attacks suffer in both knockback and damage. It's still quite possible to continue battling when fatigued, and is actually desireable in some cases if the Pokemon has a strong natural advantage against the opponent. All fatigue really does is make it harder for that Pokemon to KO, which can be solved by switching to the next Pokemon.
Luuuuckily, Pokemon can recover stamina by waiting in its Pokeball with the Trainer. It takes 1:00 to recover all stamina, regardless of whether the Pokemon was fatigued after 2:00 or 5:00. Also, when a Pokemon is KO'd, its stamina is immediately refreshed.
Stamina affects Squirtle the most due to the nature of its attacks and playstyle, and the fact that it lacks many quality KO moves.
Also, keep in mind that switching nullifies diminishing returns and stale moves.
Using Pokemon Change Effectively
I'm not completely sure since it's 5 AM and I'm too lazy to fire up the Wii at the moment, but it takes roughly 4 seconds to complete a Pokemon Change, and a split second longer to be able to shield and all that good stuff (particularly shield). So let's say you need 5 seconds of solitude to be able to Pokemon Change without getting KO'd in the process. There are 3 ways to really effectively switch in battle. They are ordered by both how often they are used and how easy it is to use them:
1. Losing a stock.
2. KOing the opponent and switching while they respawn.
3. Knocking the opponent away enough to switch safely.
Those are really the only opportunities you get to switch, but it's not as if they are difficult to pull off, aside from perhaps 3 on smaller stages. For this reason, I think Battlefield could be a counterpick to PT as a whole, although all three Pokemon don't really mind battling there. But if you are quick about it, you shouldn't have many problems, even on BF or Yoshi's Island.
As you can tell, you will have trouble changing Pokemon if both you and the opponent have low damage.
General Advantages to Switching
Switching does a few things for you. First, it obviously gives you a completely different character to play with. One Pokemon may be better in a certain situation than another, and this is PT's main strength: versatility. Mastering this is the key to a good PT. Situations include stock tanking with Charizard, camping with Ivysaur, and general match up advantages/disadvantages. Knowing which of your Pokemon perform best against a character is crucial, and you should maximize the best Pokemon's time in battle and minimize the worst's.
The next advantage is improving your KO power (unless its from Charizard to Squirtle!). For one, the switch order naturally increases your power, assuming you start at Squirtle.
In addition, switching cures fatigue/diminished returns for a completely fresh character, complete with fully powered smashes. For this reason, Pokemon Trainer should NOT have any trouble KOing, regardless of situation. All three Pokemon can easily kill at 130% and lower when fresh.
You'll usually want to switch just to avoid fatigue with Squirtle or Ivysaur, unless you really have a dominating match up, where you are still superior even with fatigue accountd for. Fatigue makes it difficult to switch later using methods 2 or 3.
Advantages of Each Method
Losing a stock
Losing a stock
ALWAYS keep in mind what Pokemon is next in line, and whether you want them to come in at 0% should you get KO'd. If that Poke matches up poorly with the opponent, it's likely best to switch it in at high percent so it won't be on the field very long. An exception to this is if you lose your stock while the opponent has a high percent, in which case you can quickly kill and then switch.
Clearly, you are forced to switch if you lose your stock. This is usually the most common way PT switches Pokemon, unless you've mastered 2 & 3 and use them often (highly unlikely). The most important part of this switch is the fact that the next Pokemon comes in at 0%. This is both a positive and negative. Squirtle really likes coming in healthy, it wouldn't last long otherwise. Ivysaur likes it too, because with some characters there's always the threat of an edgehog, even at "decent" percents. Charizard at 0%, however, is juggle and chain grab bait for some characters, like Metaknight and Falco, respectively. At times I actually want Zard to come in at 70-80%+ and just tank as much as it can. This is highly match up dependant, so you must be aware of any possible ways your opponent can trap Charizard at low percents.
Squirtle often comes in through this method, due to the fact that it is likely to die quickly if it comes in at high percents, and Charizard usually doesn't want to switch out until it is KO'd anyway.
KOing the Opponent
Coming in after a kill. Obviously, this is the safest way to switch Pokemon by actually using Pokemon Change, as in a 1v1 battle, there is no threat of attack until the opponent respawns, and by then you should have switched.
At times you can actually switch TWICE, on larger stages like Final Destination or something. Usually it's only possible on star kills, by switching as soon as you hit. I've only done it once in an actual match, and haven't tested the time between hitting the opponent away for a star KO (don't wait for them to become a star) and them getting into position to attack you. Tests here would be helpful!
The best thing about this switch is simply the fact that it's totally safe. The reason to switch here is usually because the next Pokemon will be able to kill better than the current one can, since they already killed once. Usually you'll want to switch out after a KO if you are Squirtle, since fatigue really kills Squirtle's KO power. Same goes to Ivysaur, to a lesser extent. But again, if the current Pokemon dominates the opponent, then fatigue will not affect you as much and staying in is recommended. This is a judgment call that only you can make based on your skill and the opponent's skill, so be wary.
If your stock is near its end, consider which Pokemon you want to start the next stock with and decide whether or not to switch accordingly. If you are Ivysaur, switching is usually a good idea just because Charizard will help survive longer, unless you'd like Charizard to play the whole next stock.
Knockback Switch
Usually the least used method of switching, and also the most dangerous yet satisfying...
Example: Squirtle is your best match up against the opponent. Nothing like racking up damage and fairing them off-stage with Squirtle, switching to Ivysaur, fsmashing for the kill, and switching to Zard to tank the rest of that stock, only to begin again when Squirtle comes out. I've yet to see anyone play PT like this, but this seems like the most advanced a PT could possibly get...and mastering the art of switching Pokemon without having to kill the opponent or yourself is crucial. First, the best moves each Pokemon has to space for a switch, assume the opponent has a decent amount of damage; naturally you won't be able to knock them away enough at 0%:
Squirtle
Dthrow
Fsmash
Dsmash
Usmash
Water Gun (only useful if the opponent doesn't have any momentum toward you, but incredibly effective otherwise)
Withdraw (laugh as you knock them off FD and Withdraw away to switch)
Ivysaur
Fsmash
Usmash (will probably kill them anyway if you hit haha)
Fair
Uair
Bthrow (opponent needs to have higher than average percent, i think)
Sweetspotted Vine Whip
Charizard
Any smash attack
Any tilt attack (need to be in 120+ range)
Dthrow
Fthrow
Bthrow
Rock Smash (huge boulder)
Fair (the knockback part of it, of course)
SS Bair
Glide attack
Fly (connect with the last hit with knockback)
Naturally this isn't an all inclusive list, just the most effective ones off the top of my head. Any attack with decent knockback can serve this purpose at high enough percent. Most of this is just each Pokemon's best kill moves...and if they don't KO anyway due to fatigue/diminishing, it'll knock them far enough to switch. In addition, doing a bit of edgeguarding, retreating a bit, and switching can also work. Horizontal knockback is more helpful than vertical, as the opponent can just fastfall. Thanks to Adriel for the tip. I'll likely get around to ordering the moves according to horizontal knockback, if any of you are willing, then be my guest!
If you have any suggestions, go ahead and post them.
There's two things you need to pull this off. The first is the opponent at a decent percent, so the knockback will give you space to change, and the second is a strong enough attack.
There are two different situations here, and they involve whether you have a little damage or a lot of damage. But the point either way is to use a certain Pokemon as little as possible.
Using this at the beginning of your stock basically means you want to start the stock with that Pokemon and then quickly switch it out; while the other situation means you want to switch in the Pokemon and then let it end the stock soon after. Both ways are terrific ways of overcoming inherent matchup disadvantages and minimizing that Pokemon's time in battle.
Specific Tactics/More in Depth
Alright, this is just me going off the diving board, so forgive me if I don't land correctly. But these are some not-obvious (I think) tactics you can use by taking advantage of Pokemon Change.
Smash Abuse/Switching to Kill
It's okay Ivysaur, use Fsmash all you want. Squirtle just Hydroplane your heart out. Because you can just switch anyway. If you plan accordingly and switch when needed, you don't have to give a hoot about "(Pokemon) has only a few kill moves" arguments, because you can just switch and Ivysaur/Charizard can land a quick Smash/Tilt, free of fatigue and staleness. Instead, you can focus on just racking up as much damage as possible and switching for the KO once the opponent reaches a certain threshold. Diminishing returns shouldn't give you much trouble getting a switch in. Ivysaur's Fsmash and Hydroplaning (perhaps Hydroplanting) are really the only attacks that benefit from this tactic since they are the most spammable...but just know that instead of saving these attacks to kill later, you have the option of using them frequently and just switching later.
Charizard doesn't really care, he's THAT strong.
The same strategy applies to fatigue. However, chances are that if you are fatigued, you wanted to keep that Pokemon in for a while anyway...if it were at a disadvantage, you'd use a tactic to get it in and out as soon and effectively as possible.
Playing Your Best Matchup Differently
Retro Gaming recently brought to my attention the fact that when a Pokemon is KO'd, its stamina is automatically refreshed, no matter whether a minute has passed or not. Retro said it best as I cannot word it any better no matter how much I try, so here's the quote:
What does this mean? It means you can use all three Pokemon during one stock, easily and efficiently. What you do is start the stock with your best character in that situation and rack up enough damage to clear enough room for a safe switch. In this case it is actually not desirable to KO with that best Pokemon, due to the fact that the opponent will be at 0% and safe switching will be very difficult, unless you are KO'd. And that's counterproductive to keeping that Pokemon on the field, obviously.
Let your best Pokemon rack up the damage and let your other Pokemon get the KOs so your best match up can come in again at low percents. This way, that Pokemon is playing the majority of each stock and are playing with your best cards.
This is all in contrast to simply playing your best Pokemon throughout a whole stock and KOing as much as possible while it is out.
Naturally this is only most effective against opponents with a clear disadvantage to one of your 3 Pokemon, but when you have a match up like that...smart play like this will definitely increase your chance to win.
First Slot in your Party?
In the Pokemon games, the Pokemon in the first slot of your party makes a huge difference, as it does in Brawl. Honestly, the decision should come down to match ups. If you have a certain strategy and always start a match off with a particular Pokemon...DON'T. You are ignoring the opponent's character and may be setting your first stock up for slaughter, potentially leaving you to play a stock behind.
Assuming you have two great/okay Pokemon match ups against the opponent (this is the case against most characters), you should start the match in one of two different ways. Y means good match up, N means bad:
Y-Y-N
Y-N-Y
The first basically means you'll likely play the first and majority of second stock without using Pokemon Change, only switching when Pokemon #1 faints. You should switch near the end of Pokemon #2's stock, so Pokemon #1 starts the third stock.
The second means you will likely switch in your "N" Pokemon when Pokemon #1 KOs the opponent or after Pokemon #1 faints and "N" finishes the opponent's first stock. Either way, "N" then switches out and lets Pokemon 3 and 1 to finish out the second and third stocks.
In both scenarios, Pokemon 1 plays almost two stocks, so you are basically starting out with your best hand. This is the best and simplest way (that I know of) to influence which Pokemon plays the most. These are great general guidelines to follow, but should not be rigid rules due to the fact that it doesn't account for all the switches you may make...it only accounts for switching into our out of your worst Pokemon at the end of your stock (into) or the opponent's stock (out of). It doesn't account for switching simply to kill, switching due to fatigue, or to tank with Charizard regardless of whether he's a good match up or not. But it's still a good guideline, particularly for beginning Trainers.
But a good Trainer can start using one of these strategies and, if needed, adjust on the fly. The one thing to be sure of is that if you are near death, your next Pokemon isn't your weak one. It is quite feasible to switch twice in one stock, and thereby both avoiding your weak Poke and starting the next stock with a strong one.
However, the main thing is, don't start with a Pokemon that has a disadvantage, because it won't be able to safely switch until either you or the opponent are close to losing their first stock.
Bolded and italicized, because this touches on the most important part of Pokemon Change. Don't let your weakest Pokemon come in when both PT and the opponent have taken little to no damage. You will not be able to switch until either you lose your stock or manage to knock the opponent away enough or KO. If it's your weakest Pokemon, chances are that you will lose your stock a while before your opponent does. Unless you are an amazing PT and are better than the opponent with all three than they are with their one.
The Pokemon you start with is immensely important to how you fare in each match.
I believe good PTs can switch regularly yet still be aware enough to avoid this situation.
Alright, I've spent way too much time on this and have lost my track of thought multiple times, so there are things I've likely forgotten. All of this is just stuff I've learned and developed in the past, so this likely isn't perfect. Contribute any strategies you've developed yourself! I'll work on summarizing and adding new things to this post once I'm not so burnt out from it.
