Ruling Changing Active Pokemon

[cappuccino]

If this has been asked before, I apologize.

Is the process of switching the active pokemon an immediate effect after the pokemon has been KO'ed? This question applies in

1. Lucario uses Aura Shere and knocks out 2 gengars, one at the bench and another as an active. So I flip for fainting spell. Head for the first gengar. Lucario dies. Flip for the second. Heads. Does the new active pokemon that replaces the old one get knocked out?

2. Dusknoir lv.x has to be active to use ectoplasm. So again, Lucario uses aura sphere. Active dies and dusknoir lv.x who is suppose to replace the dead active pokemon comes out. Will he get the effect of the extra 20 damage from aura sphere and die as an active, or die as a benched pokemon, or it won't get any damge since aura sphere's 20 damage hits the bench only and now dusknoir is active therefore not getting any damage.

This confuses you. I know.

 

[Chairman Kaga]

Is the process of switching the active pokemon an immediate effect after the pokemon has been KO'ed?

In an attack, no. You do not resolve the KO and replace the Active Pokemon until the entire attack is resolved.

1. Lucario uses Aura Shere and knocks out 2 gengars, one at the bench and another as an active. So I flip for fainting spell. Head for the first gengar. Lucario dies. Flip for the second. Heads. Does the new active pokemon that replaces the old one get knocked out?

No. Gengar's Power specifically references "Attacking Pokemon", which is the Pokemon that attacked to trigger the Power. Both Powers target Lucario. If the first one is heads, the second one does nothing.

2. Dusknoir lv.x has to be active to use ectoplasm. So again, Lucario uses aura sphere. Active dies and dusknoir lv.x who is suppose to replace the dead active pokemon comes out. Will he get the effect of the extra 20 damage from aura sphere and die as an active, or die as a benched pokemon, or it won't get any damge since aura sphere's 20 damage hits the bench only and now dusknoir is active therefore not getting any damage.

You place all damage and resolve the entire attack before removing any Pokemon. In this case, the Active Pokemon takes 40 damage, Dusknoir takes 20 damage, and both Pokemon are Knocked Out and removed simultaneously.

 

[DeepBlue Squirtle]

You place all damage and resolve the entire attack before removing any Pokemon. In this case, the Active Pokemon takes 40 damage, Dusknoir takes 20 damage, and both Pokemon are Knocked Out and removed simultaneously.

Meaning Dusknoir is Knocked out on the bench, thus not triggering Ectoplasm.

 

[Chairman Kaga]

Meaning Dusknoir is Knocked out on the bench, thus not triggering Ectoplasm.

Yes, thank you for clarifying that. You do not promote a Pokemon to the Active position until all Knock Outs are resolved. Dusknoir does not get promoted and then Knocked Out -- it is Knocked Out on the Bench, and thus does not get to use Ectoplasm.

 

[cappuccino]

Thanks. Should have knew the gengar one earlier. 'Defending pokemon' has been erreta'd to 'Attacking pokemon' otherwise I could knocked out the current defending and the new one if my opponent knocks out 2 of my gengar simultaneously. Thanks anyways.