What is the Speed?
The Speed stat determines how quickly a Pokémon can act in battle. Pokémon with higher Speed will make a move before ones with lower Speed under normal conditions; in the case that two Pokémon have the same Speed, one of them will randomly go first.
How to increase Speed in battle?
There are some ways to increase your own pokemon Speed during a battle:
Moves: Agility ( +2 ), Dragon Dance ( +1 ), Silver Wind/Ancient Power ( +1 at Random )
Abilities: Speed Boost ( +1 every turn ), Swift Swimm ( +2 only with Rain ), Clorophyll ( +2 only with Sun )
Items: Salac Berry ( +1 after activation ), Starf Berry ( +2 at Random ), Swift Choice Band ( aka Choice Scarf, gives +1 Speed and locks the pokemon holding it into the first move it uses )
Note that the Speed can be lowered as well, be it your own pokemon Speed or your opponent:
Moves: Curse ( -1 User ), Icy Wind ( -1 Opponent ), Rock Tomb ( -1 Opponent ), Scary Face ( -2 Opponent ) ( there are other moves but with little competitive usage... )
Items: Mach Brace ( -2 to Holder )
Status: Paralisys will reduce the Speed to 25% of its original value
Priority
Every action that takes place in battle has a value called Priority. This values dictactes what action is going to be performed first. Higher Priority Actions will always take place before lower Priority ones. In case 2 action of the same Priority are used on the same turn the order will be decided by the Higher Speed Stat of the Pokemon
Pokemmo Priority List ( from officila Changelog 19/08/2014):
+7. Pursuit (If target opponent switches, otherwise priority is 0)
+6. Switching out, using items, escaping, charging of Focus Punch
+5. Helping Hand
+4. Detect, Magic Coat, Protect, Snatch
+3. Endure, Fake Out, Follow Me
+2. ExtremeSpeed,
+1. Bide, Mach Punch, Quick Attack
0. All other moves
-1. Vital Throw
-2. None
-3. Focus Punch
-4. Revenge
-5. Counter, Mirror Coat
-6. Roar, Whirlwind
-7. Fleeing
Notable stuff:
This list was made keeping in mind a Level 50 Metagame, and, while most Speed hierarchies are still valid at level 100, some aren't. For example +252 Magneton at +1 will reach 201 Speed at level 50 outspeeding the 200 Speed Stat Tier, but, at level 100 this isn't true. So if you use this guide for Showdown or level 100 battle be carefull
Remeber to consider the IVs and Hidden Power Types. Some Hidden Power ( Fighting/Fire for example ) require an even Speed IV, meaning that said pokemon won't be able to reach its Maximum potential speed. Keep this in mind when you battle, if your opponent has an Hidden Power Fire Alakazam and you have a Full Speed Dugtrio you won't risk a Speed Tie cause Alakazam will be slower.
