A lead is the Pokémon sent out at the beginning of a battle. A good lead may set hazards, establish weather or screens, apply immediate pressure, scout the opponent, prevent their setup, or create a safe switch for a teammate. The best lead depends on the format and opponent; there is no universally correct choice. A lead should have a plan even against unfavorable matchups, such as using a pivot move, Taunt-like disruption, or a strong attack. Do not assume the first Pokémon must stay in for many turns. Sometimes switching early is the correct way to preserve it for later.
