Stakeout

Stakeout punishes opponents for making switches by doubling the power of the user's moves against any Pokémon that enters the battlefield on the same turn. This ability creates a powerful deterrent against common competitive tactics like pivoting and bringing in defensive answers, as the incoming Pokémon immediately faces the threat of taking double damage from any attack. The doubling effect applies to the full base power of moves, making even moderately powered attacks potentially devastating against fresh switch-ins.

The ability's wording has been refined across generations for clarity, but its core mechanic remains unchanged since its introduction in Generation 7. Stakeout only activates when a Pokémon switches in during the current turn, meaning it won't trigger against Pokémon already on the field from previous turns or those entering due to fainting teammates. The power boost applies to all damaging moves, regardless of type or category, making it universally threatening.

Competitively, Stakeout finds its home primarily on Dark-type Pokémon like Gumshoos and the Maschiff line, where it synergizes well with strong physical attacks and trapping moves. The ability forces opponents into difficult decisions when facing these Pokémon, as switching becomes a risky proposition while staying in might not be viable either. This psychological pressure alone can create significant advantages in battle flow and prediction games.