History Main / SwitchOutMove

** In ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosMelee'', [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime Zelda and Sheik]] are two fighters who have their own unique playstyles, but they share a down special that allows them to transform into each other. This also applies in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl'', with Zelda's design based on ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'' and Sheik's based on concept art from the same game. Starting from ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosForNintendo3DSAndWiiU'', they're now separate characters, with different down specials to match. However, while ''3DS/Wii U'' keeps the ''Twilight Princess'' designs, ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate'' further differentiates the two by basing their designs on different games; Sheik's design combines her ''Twilight Princess'' design with the Stealth Set from ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'', while Zelda's is based on ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast'' and ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkBetweenWorlds''.

** In ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosMelee Melee]]'', [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime Zelda and Sheik]] are two fighters who have their own unique playstyles, but they share a down special that allows them to transform into each other. This also applies in ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl Brawl]]'', with Zelda's design based on ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'' and Sheik's based on concept art from the same game. However, this is averted in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosForNintendo3DSAndWiiU'' (again, using the ''Twilight Princess'' designs) and ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate'' (Zelda based on ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkBetweenWorlds'' and ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast'' and Sheik on ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild''), where they are instead separate characters.
** ''Brawl'' introduces the [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Pokémon Trainer]]. While they don't directly fight, they send out three Pokémon in a vein to their origin series. These Pokémon are Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard, who play differently from each other, but the Trainer can switch them out using their Down Special, again like in their franchise. All three Pokémon have different weight classes, allowing players to make good use of combo moves utilizing their switch mechanic. Inverted in ''Smash 4'', where only Charizard is playable, but the other two alongside the Trainer made their return in ''Ultimate''. While ''Brawl'' has a stamina mechanic that forces players to switch Pokémon, ''Ultimate'' removes the mechanic, meaning there is no penalty for choosing a main. Another part of their origin also implemented in ''Smash'' is that when the current Pokémon gets defeated, the Trainer will send out the next one.
** Also in ''Brawl'', veteran fighter [[Franchise/{{Metroid}} Samus Aran]] gains an alternate form: her [[VideoGame/MetroidZeroMission Zero Suit self]]. While the armored version is slower and projectile-heavy, the Zero Suit version is faster and more melee-oriented. Samus can switch between armored and Zero Suit forms via Final Smash (although, while it's hard, armored Samus can also rapidly taunt to shed her armor). However, starting with ''Smash 4'', both armored and Zero Suit forms are separate, with the Zero Suit's Final Smash modified to accommodate this.
** ''Ultimate'' introduces [[VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2 Pyra and Mythra]]. Unlike other duos, they mostly play identically, but Pyra is stronger but slower while Mythra is faster but weaker, and they have different special moves and properties among their normal attacks. They can switch between each other with their Down Special.

** ''VideoGame/TatsunokoVsCapcom'' lets you switch characters during an aerial juggle, known as a "Variable Aerial Rave." [[note]]"Aerial Rave" is the terminology earlier games in the ''Vs.'' series, such as ''[=XvSF=]'', used to refer to air combos started by a LauncherMove. The Japanese version of ''[=MvC2=]'' was the last game prior to ''[=TvC=]'' to officially use the terminology ([[https://tcrf.net/Marvel_vs._Capcom_2:_New_Age_of_Heroes_(Arcade)#Regional_Differences as indicated by sound files]]) and it was phased out from ''[=MvC3=]'' onward, though many members of the [[UsefulNotes/FightingGameCommunity FGC]], particularly those who got their foothold in the genre through the ''Vs.'' series, still refer to this type of air combos as aerial raves.[[/note]] It requires a bar of super meter to perform.

[[quoteright:640: [[TabletopGame/{{Pokemon}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/bench.png]]]]

When used on your own character, this can allow you to cycle out a vulnerable unit behind a more study one. This can naturally be combined with HitAndRunTactics to abuse the strategy. Games with these moves will also often have some units with [[DynamicEntry entry attacks]] which are designed reap advantages for being switched into.

A possible use for SwapTeleportation.

* The first Franchise/MarvelUniverse ComicBook/{{Captain Marvel|MarvelComics}} had this ability due to having SwapTeleportation. His partner, Rick Jones, could send himself to the Negative Zone (and release Captain Marvel to take his place) by striking the Nega Bands on his wrists together over his head. It was a homage to the [[ComicBook/{{Shazam}} better-known DC character]] of the same name (who [[IAmNotShazam is not Shazam]], [[ComicBook/New52 except when he is]].)

* Some items and events in the ''VideoGame/MarioParty'' games allow you to switch spaces with other players. Some do so with one specific character (such as the Warp Pipe), while others will shuffle everybody around (such as a number of Bowser events).
* ''VideoGame/MarioKartDoubleDash'': The game's main mechanic involves two characters in one Kart. The two characters can be swapped mid-race between the driver and the character in the back that uses items. This is very useful when you want to hold on to an item you want to use later.

* ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}}'':

* In the ''Manga/OnePiece'' fighting game ''Burning Blood'', Bartholomew Kuma is able to do this to a fighter by using the powers of his Paw-Paw Fruit to warp them away temporarily, switching them out and preventing them from being used for a time. However, it differs from most moves of this nature in that the character in question is considered to be ''knocked out'' while they're unavailable, meaning that disabling all of a team's fighters will result in a win for you regardless of how much health they have remaining.

* ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries'': During Ash's battle with Leon, Leon's Dragapult uses Dragon Tail to damage and switch out Ash's Pokémon, which is also the first time Dragon Tail has this effect as all of its other appearances simply have it doing damage without switching in a Trainer Battle. Despite this, the Dragon/Ghost-type is only able to use this to beat Mega Lucario.

** Chilly Reception, a move exclusive Slowking where the user tells a chillingly bad joke, [[WeatherManipulation causing the weather to change to Snow]] and switching the user out.