In wild battles this move will cause the pokemon that it is used upon to run away, ending the battle. In trainer and link battles, this move will cause the opposing pokemon to be switched for one of the other non-fainted pokemon on the opponent’s team. Which pokemon is brought in is randomly determined by the computer among the available choices on the team.
As an added bonus over its near-duplicate move, Roar, Whirlwind can affect a pokemon in the middle of using Fly, without using another move.
This is an “Attack last” move. On the turn that it is used, if the opposing pokemon uses any move other than another “Attack last” move, the pokemon using this move will go last. If both pokemon use an “Attack last” move the order of battle will be determined by Speed as normal.
Aside from failure due to Evade/Accuracy problems, there are two additional ways that this move can be made to fail.
1. If the opponent only has one pokemon remaining on their team.
2. If the move used by the opponent is also an “Attack last” move and the opposing pokemon is slower, therefore causing the other pokemon to go last, Whirlwind will automatically fail. Whirlwind must go last in order to work.
Whirlwind is affected by Brightpowder when the opposing pokémon is equipped with it.
“Attack last” moves include: Counter, Mirror Coat, Roar, Vital Throw, and Whirlwind.
