In many Pokémon games, the move Substitute involves a Pokémon sidestepping/hopping offscreen before substitute doll takes its place. That may be a lazy artistic representation, but that’s what it is.

While SOS hunting Dewpider in Moon Version recently, I didn’t pay attention at the start and used False Swipe before Substitute, allowing Dewpider to use Infestation. Despite being trapped, I was able to Substitute - and the passive damage stopped, too.

My question is: would making trapping moves prevent the creation of substitutes shake up the metagame in an interesting way? Would it matter at all? This can also be a battle mechanics thread.

“Pic unrelated”