POKEMON TYPES

In total, there are 17 Pokemon types. These can be classified into two groups, Physical and Special.. Previously, these two classifications were used in deciding which stat would be used for damage calculation. Now in Pearl and Diamond, a separate factor is used.

Physical Types: 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: 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

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.