What it does
Discharge is an Electric-type special move and a spread move in doubles — it hits both opposing Pokémon and also your partner, all at 0.75× damage. Each target gets a separate roll for Paralysis.
The critical mechanic: Electric moves do zero damage to Ground-type Pokémon. If your partner is Ground-typed, Discharge skips them entirely and only damages the two opposing Pokémon. This is the backbone of the Electric/Ground pairing in doubles — one Pokémon fires spread Electric damage, the Ground-type partner stands unaffected, and the opposing side eats both hits.
Who runs it
Bellibolt at 16% makes it a core special spread option. Its abilities Electromorphosis or Volt Absorb interact well with the paralysis chance, adding secondary pressure.
Manectric at 7% (Mega form especially) has the Special Attack to make spread damage meaningful. Speed 105 means it typically fires Discharge before most opponents can react.
Dedenne at 7% has the option of Discharge as a higher-power spread alternative to Nuzzle when multitarget coverage matters more than single-target paralysis.
How to use it
The textbook pairing is any Ground-type partner — Garchomp, Rhyperior, or any Dragon/Ground Pokémon sits safely next to the Discharge user. Both opposing Pokémon take the 0.75× Electric hit. The Ground-type partner is completely untouched and can use its own moves freely.
If your partner isn't Ground-typed, Discharge damages them too. Either confirm they can take the chip damage, have them use Protect, or switch to a single-target Electric move like Thunderbolt instead.
The paralysis proc is valuable but not the plan. The plan is hitting both opposing Pokémon in one action.
Tips & strategy
The most common mistake: clicking Discharge and forgetting your partner isn't Ground-typed. That chip damage adds up fast, especially against a partner that's already taken some hits.
Thunderbolt deals more damage to a single target (no spread penalty), so it's the better call when you need to focus one Pokémon down. Discharge wins when both opposing slots are live threats worth hitting simultaneously.