POKEMON TYPES

In total, there are 17 elemental types in Pokemon. Each has its own set of effectiveness which is used in the damage formula to calculate damage. Pokemon can be single typed or dual typed, while attacks are always single typed. In Generations I through to III, each type was classified as Special or Physical. These two classifications were used in deciding which stat would be used for damage calculation. However in Generation IV, this is no longer the case.

Physical Types: In Generations I to III, when damage is being calculated for a move with a physical type, the Pokemon's Attack and Defense stats are used. The following types are physical:

• Bug
• Fighting
• Flying
• Ghost
• Ground
• Normal
• Poison
• Rock
• Steel

Special Types: In Generations I to III, when damage is being calculated for a move with a special type, the Pokemon's Special Attack and Special Defense stats are used. The following types are special:

• Dark
• Dragon
• Electric
• Fire
• Grass
• Ice
• Psychic
• Water

POKEMON BATTLE CHART

		Defending Type
			2			.5	.5	.5	.5	2				.5	2		.5
			.5			.5			2						2		.5
				2													.5
				.5	.5			2		.5	0							2
		.5	2					.5	0			2	2	.5	.5	2	2
		2		.5			.5			2		2				.5	2	.5
		2			.5	2				2						.5	.5
			.5						2				0		2		.5
		.5		.5			.5	.5		.5	2			.5		2	.5	2
		.5			2		2	0		.5				2		2	2
				2			.5	2		2	2	.5					.5	.5
									0							.5	.5
									.5	2	.5			.5		.5	0
			0			2								2	.5		.5
		2				.5	2	2			.5	2					.5
					.5		.5					2				2	.5	.5
				.5			2			.5	2					2		.5

Instructions

1. Plot your attack type against opponent's Type 1 and record the value.
2. Plot your attack type against opponent's Type 2 and record the value.
3. Multiply these numbers together to determine the multiplier.

Example:

Surf () against Garchomp ( )
against = .5
against = 2
The end damage ratio = .5 x 2 = 1

attacks will inflict normal damage on Garchomp.

SAME TYPE ATTACK BONUS

Commonly abbreviated to STAB, this term is used to describe the 50% damage bonus obtained when a Pokemon uses a move of its own type. For example, a Starmie using Surf would get a 50% damage bonus since Starmie is part Water, and Surf is a Water attack.

Use this to your advantage when creating teams. It is usually a good idea to give your Pokemon STAB moves. Combine this with abilities like Blaze and Torrent, as well as Sunny Day and Rain Dance, and a single move has the potential to cause a lot of damage.