What does it mean for a Pokemon to "flinch"?

Question

Take, for example, Steadfast's page. It says it raises the speed Stat of the Pokemon each time it "flinches", and I want to know what that means, because I'm a noob

Comments

Not a full answer, but https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Flinch

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Adding this because it may make more sense as to what the flinch status means/originates from, just in case anyone reading doesn’t know what it means to flinch (I.e, non-native eng speakers): “make a quick, nervous movement as an instinctive reaction to fear, pain, or surprise.”

In other words, adding it to Pokémon logic, the Pokémon gets too frightened to move, basically.

Answer 1

The flinch status is a one-turn status that prevents a Pokémon from attacking. A Pokémon can only flinch if it is hit by another Pokémon's move before using its move.
Pokémon with Inner Focus cannot flinch. Pokémon with Steadfast gain Speed each time they flinch.

source and list of moves that can cause flinching
Flinching can also be caused by a king's rock, razor fang, or stench.

Comments

Thx, sumwun.I really appreciate your help. At least now i know what flinching means :)

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All I did was copy stuff from Bulbapedia. Why did I get so many up-votes?

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Cuz we are too lazy to go to bulbapedia lol

Answer 2

If a Pokémon flinches it's unable to move for one turn. So if your Pokémon attacks second it won't attack if it flinches cause of the first attackers move.

Answer 3

Usually, the cause for flinching is due to a move that has a chance to flinch your Pokemon like Headbutt, this isn't the only reason, some items can cause flinching such as Kings rock, some abilities can too like stench. Flinches can only occur if the Pokemon has not yet moved.

What flinching does is that you cannot move that turn.

Comments

Why did you post this answer when the other answers were already there?