Put simply, a Pokémon's move pool is a reserve.
In battle, how you probe your opponent, how you select moves to counter their lineup, how you cleverly chain techniques together, and how you force the opponent into choosing an unfavorable move—
all of these are disciplines a Trainer must master.
This is where the true mind game of a Pokémon battle lies.
Otherwise, every Pokémon would just open with moves like Substitute, Protect, Endure, Light Screen, and Reflect.
Battles would become drawn-out, repetitive, and painfully boring to watch.
If Peter had to draw a comparison—
It felt a lot like esports in his previous life.
The Trainer was the strategist, the coach laying out formations.
The six Pokémon were the players controlling heroes.
Each player had heroes they excelled at—
just as each Pokémon had moves it was best at using.
The Trainer's purpose was to handle daily training, expand a Pokémon's effective move pool through mastery, and deepen their bond—
so that in battle, the Pokémon could perform at a level that exceeded expectations.
It was the same principle as a coach pushing players to widen their hero pool, build trust, and then execute strategies precisely and efficiently during competition.
After understanding this, Peter rediscovered the thrill he'd always loved in Pokémon games—
the battle of wits.
Predicting an opponent's move choice.
Forcing switches.
Defensive pivots.
Baiting responses.
These weren't flashy tricks—they were the hallmarks of high-level Trainers.
Otherwise, if raw Pokémon strength alone decided everything, wouldn't anyone holding an Elite Four– or Champion-tier Pokémon automatically become an Elite Four member?
That was where Trainer level truly mattered.
In the hands of a great Trainer, any Pokémon would willingly give everything it had.
Because it knew—
This Trainer could lead it to victory.
But under a foolish Trainer?
Even the strongest Pokémon would resist.
With that realization, Peter's thoughts sharpened into pure tactical focus.
He'd already checked both Pokémon's move pools.
They were packed—dozens of moves each.
Dense enough to make his scalp tingle.
(Not listing them all here—otherwise people would say I'm padding the word count.)
Which meant that during battle, he had to choose the right moves—
to respond, to counter, or to suppress.
…
"Then I'll let you move first," Norman said calmly, arms crossed, confidence written all over his face.
Peter fell silent, thinking for a long moment.
Then—
"Miltank," he commanded evenly,
"use Defense Curl."
The Miltank tucked itself inward, curling into a large pink sphere.
A glow flared around its body as its Defense sharply increased.
This move's proficiency was Transcendent.
The buff completed almost instantly.
"So you're going for your strongest combo," Norman said, eyebrow lifting.
"Then—use Encore!"
Encore: The user applauds the opponent, forcing it to repeat its last used move for three turns—a form of soft control.
Norman's plan was simple.
Miltank's signature Defense Curl + Rollout combo was infamous.
If he could disrupt the timing, then press the attack relentlessly, the combo would crumble.
Vigoroth clapped its hands enthusiastically.
Miltank, in response, cheerfully continued using Defense Curl, staying curled up and unmoving.
Norman seized the moment.
"Now—rush in! After Bulk Up, unleash a full-power Focus Punch!"
Bulk Up boosted Attack and Defense through a flexing pose.
Focus Punch was a Fighting-type physical move with terrifying power—
base power 150, requiring charging, followed by a full-force strike using the Pokémon's entire body.
Focus Punch was devastating.
But it had an obvious flaw—
If the user was hit while charging, the move failed.
Norman's strategy was textbook perfection.
Control the opponent with Encore.
Boost stats.
Then charge and unleash a decisive blow.
And against a Normal-type like Miltank—
Fighting-type attacks dealt double damage.
If this hit cleanly, Miltank shouldn't be able to withstand it.
Caroline glanced at Norman reproachfully.
The opponent was just a kid with no real battle experience—wasn't this a bit too serious?
"ROAAAR—!"
Vigoroth charged forward, muscular arms swinging as Bulk Up took effect.
Its body swelled with power, dust exploding beneath its feet, the glow around its clenched fist blindingly bright.
"Miltank," Peter said calmly,
"keep using Defense Curl."
Despite the crushing pressure, Peter remained unnervingly composed.
His eyes never left Miltank.
He muttered calculations under his breath—only he could hear them.
"Miltank's base HP is 95, Defense 105, Speed 100.
Vigoroth's Attack is 80, Speed 90.
Under equal conditions, we're still faster…"
"Three Defense Curls means Defense ×2.5.
Opponent's physical attack is boosted to ×1.5.
Type advantage doubles that—so roughly ×3 damage…"
"…Conclusion—"
Peter's eyes lit up with confidence.
"—Miltank can tank it perfectly!"
His voice rang out across the field.
"Miltank—take the Focus Punch head-on!"
BOOM—!
The charged Focus Punch slammed down with explosive force.
"CRASH!"
Miltank's curled body was launched high into the air, smashing into the wall at the edge of the arena.
Cracks spiderwebbed across the surface before the wall collapsed entirely.
Dust and debris filled the field, completely obscuring Miltank from view.
Vigoroth panted heavily—the move had taken a serious toll.
Then, from within the smoke—
"Use Milk Drink."
Peter's voice cut through the chaos.
Milk Drink: Restores up to half of the user's maximum stamina; in real combat, recovery scales with proficiency.
"What?!" Norman froze.
Did that mean Miltank was still standing?
"Vigoroth, quickly—use Bulk Up again!"
Norman reacted instantly.
If Focus Punch couldn't finish the job, he'd need to stack Attack boosts.
The dust finally cleared.
Miltank stood battered and bruised—but upright.
Exactly as Peter had calculated.
"Great job, Miltank!" Peter praised.
"Maintain Defense Curl—roll in and use Body Press!"
This—
Was Peter's third revealed move.
And the true killing blow.
Body Press: A Fighting-type physical attack with base power 80.
Instead of using Attack, its damage is calculated using the user's Defense stat.
In other words—
The higher the Defense, the stronger the attack.
In Peter's past life, Iron Defense + Body Press was a classic, devastating strategy.
Miltank couldn't learn Iron Defense—
So he substituted Defense Curl.
"Body Press?!" Norman's eyes widened.
He'd assumed Peter would go with Rollout.
But after four Defense boosts, Body Press now carried overwhelming power—far beyond what Vigoroth could comfortably handle.
"Then we'll go all in!" Norman shouted.
"Vigoroth—show your resolve! Use Focus Punch again!"
Blinding light once more gathered around Vigoroth's fist.
Peter watched quietly as Miltank rolled in at high speed.
There was no triumph in his eyes—
Only sharp, calculating intelligence.
"He still has one move left," Peter thought.
"Which one will he use to try and turn this around?"
"MOO!"
Miltank unfurled mid-charge, crashing down like a mountain as it slammed into Vigoroth.
At the same instant, Vigoroth's Focus Punch finished charging.
Hoof met fist.
BOOOOOOM—!!
Both Pokémon were blasted backward, carving deep trenches into the ground before regaining their footing.
And then—
Norman revealed his final fangs.
"Now! Use Counter!"