Pokémon Ruby Version, Sapphire Version, and Emerald Version - Targeting
The game now finds the attack’s target. This depends on the attack’s range.
The word "target" in the move list refers to a single target of the attack. If a Pokémon "uses a move with no particular target", or if the range is "no particular target" it means that no target is predefined for the move. If an attack has more than one target in its range, the effect is applied to each target separately, in the order of the player Trainer’s left, opposing Trainer’s left, player Trainer’s right, opposing Trainer’s right.
If an effect causes a Pokémon to use a move "with no particular target", or no target was selected for the move, and the move has a range of "single Pokémon except user", "no particular target", or "opposing Pokémon selected at random", the target is chosen randomly among the opposing Pokémon. For all other target types, the move targets all Pokémon that fit the targeting criteria.
If there is no Pokémon at a potential target’s position and the move has a single target, the move targets the opposing Pokémon closest to the (Trainer’s) left. If there is still no target, the attack does nothing.
These effects can change the target of moves and are applied in this order.
- Follow Me takes effect. If the attack is redirected to another target, the remaining effects below are ignored. (See attack description for Follow Me for details.)
- If a Pokémon other than the target has Lightningrod, and the attack’s type is Electric, the attack is redirected to that target. (See that ability’s descriptions for details.)
- If Magic Coat is in effect for the target when certain moves are used, that target uses that attack instead. (See attack description for Magic Coat for details. If this effect happens, effects that trigger whenever that target is targeted by an attack don’t happen.)
The Pressure, Volt Absorb, Water Absorb, and Flash Fire take into account the target determined after Follow Me, Lightningrod, and Magic Coat are applied.