Pokémon types

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Contents 1 Physical and Special Attack 1.1 List of Physical and Special Move Types 2 Pokémon types and damage multipliers 3 Type balance throughout gameplay 4 Differences between the games and anime 5 Table of Pokémon types 6 List of Pokémon types 6.1 Bug-type 6.2 Dark-type 6.3 Dragon-type 6.4 Electric-type 6.5 Fighting-type 6.6 Fire-type 6.7 Flying-type 6.8 Ghost-type 6.9 Grass-type 6.10 Ground-type 6.11 Ice-type 6.12 Normal-type 6.13 Poison-type 6.14 Psychic-type 6.15 Rock-type 6.16 Steel-type 6.17 Water-type 6.18 Other types 6.18.1 Bird-type 6.18.2 ???-type 7 References 7.1 Footnotes 8 See also

Pokémon types are special attributes which determine the strengths and weaknesses of different Pokémon species. They lay the foundation of a complex yet mostly logical rock, paper, scissors-system that applies to every Pokémon and their respective moves. Some advantages and disadvantages are based on common sense (e.g. Fire-type Pokémon being weak to Water-type attacks), while others are not as obvious (e.g. Bug-type attacks being strong against Psychic-type Pokémon). The mechanics of this system underwent an overhaul after the first release of games. Consequently, some points of discussion are only true for Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, and Stadium.^[1] while others are only true for all later generations.^[2] These points are annotated as such.

[edit] Physical and Special Attack

Each of a Pokémon's moves can either be described as a Physical or Special Attack. When attacking an opponent with a Physical Attack, the attacker's Attack stat pushes the direct damage higher, while the target's Defense stat drives the damage lower. When attacking an opponent with a Special Attack, the attacker's Sp. Attack stat and the target's Sp. Defense stat influence the direct-damage amount.

The move's type determines whether the move is classified as a Physical Attack or a Special Attack in the first three generations of games.^[3] However, in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl each move is individually classified as Physical, Special, or Other (for moves that cause no damage).^[4] It is not currently clear whether this new system will be the sole means of determining whether an attack is Physical or Special, or if it will work in conjunction with the move's type's Physical/Special status as well.

[edit] List of Physical and Special Move Types

Physical Attacks

• Bug
• Fighting
• Flying
• Ghost^[2]
• Ground
• Normal
• Poison
• Rock
• Steel

Special Attack

• Dark
• Dragon
• Electric
• Fire
• Ghost^[1]
• Grass
• Ice
• Water
• Psychic

[edit] Pokémon types and damage multipliers

Most Pokémon learn moves of the specific type(s) they have traits of, as well as basic physical attacks. For example, the Electric-type Pikachu can learn basic Normal-type moves such as Growl and Quick Attack, but also Electric-type moves like Thundershock and Thunder Wave. When a Pokémon uses a damaging move whose type matches one of its own types, the move does 1.5 x damage. This is known as STAB, which is short for Same Type Attack Bonus.^[5] For instance, a Pikachu (an Electric-type Pokémon) will do more damage with Thunderbolt (an Electric-type move) than a Raticate (a Normal-type Pokémon) with the same stats will.

Also taken into consideration is the target Pokémon's type or types. Within the game, a move may be declared "Super effective," "Not very effective," and "No effect." "Super effective" moves will do twice the normal amount of damage to their target while "Not very effective" moves will only do half. Some Pokémon are two types, and damage results are affected by each; as a result, "Super effective" and "Not very effective" can refer to a move doing quadruple or one quarter of the normal amount. For example, Electric-type attacks will do quadruple damage to Gyarados because they do "super effective" damage against both of its types, Water and Flying. For the opposite reason, Beedrill, a Bug/Poison type, only takes one quarter damage from Fighting-type attacks. Moves that have "No effect" are of a type that the target Pokémon is immune to. These type effects are cumulative with other effects, like STAB, allowing moves to become much stronger or weaker than they normally would. ^[6] A Pokémon or Pokémon type is often said to have "weakness" against types whose attacks do "super effective" damage, and "resistance" against those types which do "not very effective" damage. These terms were popularized by the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

[edit] Type balance throughout gameplay

The original type match-ups in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow created an unstoppable force with the Psychic type.^[7] Ghost-type and Bug-type Pokémon were effective against Psychic-type Pokémon, but in theory only. In practice, the only Ghost-type attacks that caused damage were the low powered Lick move, which in actuality had no effect on Psychic-types, and Night Shade, which causes damage equivalent to the user's level, regardless of the defending Pokémon's type. In addition, Psychic-type attacks were super-effective against the three Ghost-type Pokémon (Gastly, Haunter and Gengar) that existed at the time since these Ghost-types have a secondary Poison-type. (The anime also had the error, with the three Ghost-type Pokémon being resistant to Psychic-type attacks.) In addition, during this period there were very few, much less significantly damaging, Bug-type attacks.

In Pokémon Gold and Silver, the situation was fixed with the creation of stronger Ghost-type attacks (such as Shadow Ball) and the pure Ghost-type Pokémon Misdreavus, as well as stronger Bug-type attacks (such as Megahorn with 120 power) and Pokémon (such as Heracross). Two new types were also added: the Dark type, which is super-effective against Psychic-types and immune to Psychic-type attacks; and the Steel type, which is resistant to Psychic-type attacks. These changes led to a more balanced game.^[7]

[edit] Differences between the games and anime

The above information for Pokémon types comes from the video games. There are some differences between how the Pokémon types work within the Pokémon anime. Some of these differences in the anime are believed to be genuine mistakes.

Electricity vs. Grass

In some episodes, such as when Ash's Pikachu battles a Bellsprout and when Ash catches his Treecko, it is said that when a Grass-type is connected to the ground, it cannot be harmed by Electric-type attacks. In the games, Grass-types merely have resistance to Electric-type attacks, reducing damage by half.

Electricity vs. Ground

Ground-type Pokémon are completely immune to Electric-type attacks in the Pokémon games; however, in early episodes of the anime, it is possible for Ground-type Pokémon to take damage from Electric-type attacks. There are several instances in the anime where Ash's Pikachu has succeeded in attacking, damaging, and/or KOing Ground-type Pokémon using Electric-type attacks. This is often performed by Ash, or another protagonist, taking advantage of "an exception to the rule." For instance in the fifth episode, "Showdown in Pewter City," Pikachu KOs the Rock- and Ground-type Onix because the Pewter Gym's fire sprinklers accidentally go off, getting Onix wet. In another episode, Pikachu is able to injure a Rhydon (again, a Ground/Rock-type) by aiming a Thunderbolt directly at its horn. Numerous other examples involve Pikachu merely being able to win using Electric-type attacks by sheer power, the owners of the Ground-type Pokémon expressing shock.

Electricity vs. Rock

Episodes of the anime made the error that Rock-types were immune to Electric-type attacks.^{[citation needed]} This is due to the fact that in the first generation games, almost all Rock-types were Rock/Ground dual-type. These Pokémon were therefore immune to Electric-type attacks, courtesy of them being Ground types. Before Gold and Silver, the only Rock-types vulnerable to Electric-type attacks were the fossil Pokémon Omanyte/Omastar, Kabuto/Kabutops and Aerodactyl. These Pokémon were not very commonly used among Pokémon players, and had Water or Flying (weak against Electric-type attacks) as a secondary type, so they would be expected to lose against electricity despite Rock being their primary type. These factors therefore added to the common misconception that Rock-types are immune to Electric-type attacks.

Ghost vs. Normal, Normal vs. Ghost

In the Pokémon games, Ghost-type moves usually have no effect on Normal-type Pokémon and vice versa. However, in one episode of the anime, during the Pokémon Advanced Generation season, the Ghost-type Shadow Ball attack is able to damage Meowth, a Normal-type Pokémon. Additionally, in several episodes featuring Pokémon contests, May's Skitty is hit by a Shadow Ball attack numerous times.

In Pokémon Chronicles, Misty's Corsola successfully uses a Spike Cannon, a Normal-type attack, on the Dark- and Ghost-type Sableye.

Ground vs. Flying

Flying-type Pokémon are immune to Ground-type attacks in the games, but not in the anime. This is demonstrated in the episode titled "Playing with Fire," in which a trainer's Steelix is able to use a Dig attack on Ash's Noctowl, and again during the Advanced Generation episode "From Brags to Riches" in which a Marowak is able to use Bone Club on a Gligar. In the Pokémon Chronicles episode "A Family That Battles Together Stays Together," Brock's Onix is able to hit Lola's Mantine with a Dig attack.

Psychic vs. Dark

In one episode of Pokémon Chronicles, Misty's Psyduck used the Psychic-type attack Confusion on the Dark-type Poochyena, which should have been immune to it.

[edit] Table of Pokémon types

Normal damage	"Super effective"	"Not very effective"	"No effect"

Defending Pokémon type[8]
Attack type
	Types Normal Fire Water Grass Electric Ice Fighting Poison Ground Flying Psychic Bug Rock Ghost Dragon Dark Steel Normal Fire Water Grass Electric Ice [2] Fighting Poison [1] Ground Flying Psychic Bug [2][1] Rock Ghost [2] Dragon Dark Steel

[edit] List of Pokémon types

[edit] Bug-type

See also: Category:Bug Pokémon

Bug-type (むしタイプ, Mushi-taipu^?) Pokémon are generally arthropod-like Pokémon, mostly insectoid and a few arachnids. These Pokémon commonly evolve at low levels. Some examples of Bug-types include Beedrill, Heracross, Dustox, and Beequeen.

• Weaknesses: Fire, Flying, Poison,^[1] Rock
• Resistances: Fighting, Grass, Ground
• Super effective: Dark, Grass, Poison,^[1] Psychic
• Not very effective: Fighting, Fire, Flying, Ghost, Poison,^[2] Steel

Go to table

[edit] Dark-type

See also: Category:Dark Pokémon

Dark-type (あくタイプ, Aku-taipu^?, lit. "evil-type") Pokémon are often associated with darkness and night. Moves of this type tend to be sinister in nature, such as biting, stealing, and taunting. Examples of Dark-type Pokémon include Umbreon, Cacturne, and Weavile.

• Weaknesses: Bug, Fighting
• Resistances: Dark, Ghost
• Immunity: Psychic
• Super effective: Ghost, Psychic
• Not very effective: Dark, Fighting, Steel

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[edit] Dragon-type

See also: Category:Dragon Pokémon

Dragon-type (ドラゴンタイプ, Doragon-taipu^?) Pokémon are, unsurprisingly, dragon-like in appearance. However, not all dragon-like Pokémon are Dragon-type Pokémon; for example, Aerodactyl is a Rock/Flying-type, Charizard is a Fire/Flying-type, Gyarados is a Water/Flying-type, Milotic is a pure Water-type and Tyranitar is a Rock/Dark-type. However, a few of these Pokémon are in the Dragon egg group (e.g. Charizard, Gyarados, Milotic). Dragon-types have few weaknesses, and their above-average stats allow them to easily overpower most other Pokémon. Their moves involve the use of claws and breath. Examples of Dragon-type Pokémon include Dratini, Kingdra, Latias, and Giratina.

• Weaknesses: Dragon, Ice
• Resistances: Electric, Fire, Grass, Water
• Super effective: Dragon
• Not very effective: Steel

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[edit] Electric-type

See also: Category:Electric Pokémon

Electric-type (でんきタイプ, Denki-taipu^?) Pokémon have electricity-oriented powers. Electric-types often have a high Speed stat, a respectable Special Attack, and a decent Special Defense. Electric-types are also noted for having very few weaknesses, though the one weakness they have (Ground) is possibly the second most common Pokémon move type, and their usually low Defense makes this weakness deadly. Some examples include Pikachu, Chinchou, Manectric, and Magnezone.

• Weakness: Ground
• Resistances: Electric, Flying, Steel
• Super effective: Water, Flying
• Not very effective: Electric, Grass, Dragon
• No effect: Ground

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[edit] Fighting-type

See also: Category:Fighting Pokémon

Fighting-type (かくとうタイプ, Kakutō-taipu^?) Pokémon learn specifically labeled fighting melee attacks, such as punches, throws, submissions, and kicks. Examples of Fighting-type Pokémon include Machop, Tyrogue, Blaziken, and Lucario.

• Weaknesses: Flying, Psychic
• Resistances: Bug, Dark, Rock
• Super effective: Dark, Ice, Normal, Rock, Steel
• Not very effective: Bug, Flying, Poison, Psychic
• No effect: Ghost^[9]

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[edit] Fire-type

See also: Category:Fire Pokémon

Fire-type (ほのおタイプ, Honō-taipu^?) Pokémon are aligned with heat, often in the form of flames or lava. Fire-type Pokémon are immune to the Burn status effect (unless caused by Tri Attack). Examples include Charizard, Entei, Torchic, and Booburn.

• Weaknesses: Ground, Water, Rock
• Resistances: Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel
• Super effective: Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel
• Not very effective: Fire, Water, Rock, Dragon

Go to table

[edit] Flying-type

See also: Category:Flying Pokémon

Flying-type (ひこうタイプ, Hikō-taipu^?) Pokémon are Pokémon that fly or resemble birds. They are normally bird-like, bug-like, or dragon-like Pokémon, but there are exceptions, such as the sea serpent-like Water-and-Flying-type Gyarados. The Flying-type has never been any species' sole type; a partial exception to this is the fourth generation Pokémon Arseus. Arseus has the ability to become any type by holding a special item, and so can potentially become a pure Flying-type Pokémon. In addition, some moves and abilities exist which can temporarily cause a Pokémon to be considered a Flying-type while in battle. Flying-type has been combined with every other type except Fighting-type at least once. The most common combination is the Normal/Flying dual-type. Flying-type Pokémon should not be confused with the glitch related Bird-type Pokémon, Missingno and ’M. Examples include Pidgeot, Lugia, Beautifly, and Mantyke.

• Weaknesses: Electric, Ice, Rock
• Resistances: Bug, Fighting, Grass
• Immunity: Ground
• Super effective: Bug, Fighting, Grass
• Not very effective: Electric, Rock, Steel

Go to table

[edit] Ghost-type

See also: Category:Ghost Pokémon

Ghost-type (ゴーストタイプ, Gōsuto-taipu^?) Pokémon relate to the supernatural, specifically the realm of the dead. Their paranormal powers often cause status effects to cripple their foes. In the Red, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, and LeafGreen games, all wild Ghost-type Pokémon require a special item to see them clearly in order to battle or capture them. In the first generation, Ghost-types were in theory effective against Psychic-types, but they could not effectively damage them. (See Type balance throughout gameplay.) This problem was fixed in later generations, with more variation in Ghost-types and Ghost-type moves. The move Curse works differently for Ghost-types than for other types. Examples of the Ghost-type include Haunter, Misdreavus, Shedinja, and Mikaruge.

• Weaknesses: Dark, Ghost
• Resistances: Bug, Poison
• Immunities: Normal, Fighting^[9]
• Super effective: Ghost, Psychic
• Not very effective: Dark, Steel
• No effect: Normal

The two exceptions to Normal-type Pokémon's immunity to Ghost-type attacks are the moves Confuse Ray and Nightmare.

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[edit] Grass-type

See also: Category:Grass Pokémon

Grass-type (くさタイプ, Kusa-taipu^?, sometimes さいタイプ Sai-taipu in spoken dialogue) Pokémon have abilities and appearances associated with plant life and nature. They use many HP-recovery techniques and moves which cause various status effects to their advantage. Until the Gold and Silver versions, over half of the Grass-type Pokémon were Grass/Poison dual-types, negating the Grass-type's resistance to Ground-type attacks. In fact, in the first generation of Pokémon, just one Pokémon was purely Grass-type - Tangela. Even in later games, many Grass-type Pokémon have a second type. Examples of Grass-types include Bulbasaur, Celebi, Ludicolo, and Cherrim.

• Weaknesses: Bug, Fire, Flying, Ice, Poison
• Resistances: Electric, Grass, Ground, Water
• Super effective: Ground, Rock, Water
• Not very effective: Bug, Dragon, Fire, Flying, Grass, Poison, Steel

Go to table

[edit] Ground-type

See also: Category:Ground Pokémon

Ground-type (じめんタイプ, Jimen-taipu^?) Pokémon are affiliated with the soil, and with rare exceptions, sacrifice Special Attack and Special Defense for higher Physical Attack and Defense. Examples include Diglett, Phanpy, Groudon, and Torterra.

• Weaknesses: Grass, Ice, Water
• Resistances: Poison, Rock
• Immunity: Electric
• Super effective: Electric, Fire, Poison, Rock, Steel
• Not very effective: Bug, Grass
• No effect: Flying

Go to table

[edit] Ice-type

See also: Category:Ice Pokémon

Ice-type (こおりタイプ, Kōri-taipu^?) Pokémon are affiliated with cold things and areas. Ice-type Pokémon usually have a high Special Defense statistic and a low Defense statistic. Ice is an uncommon type, and rarely seen in single-type Pokémon. Ice was an efficient type in Red and Blue, being almost unstoppable until the Steel-type and more Fighting-type and Fire-type Pokémon were introduced in Gold and Silver. Examples of Ice-type Pokémon include Jynx, Delibird, Snorunt, and Glacia.

• Weaknesses: Fighting, Fire, Rock, Steel
• Resistances: Ice
• Super effective: Dragon, Flying, Grass, Ground
• Not very effective: Fire,^[2] Ice, Steel, Water

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[edit] Normal-type

See also: Category:Normal Pokémon

Normal-type (ノーマルタイプ, Nōmaru-taipu^?) Pokémon have moves based on standard attacks, such as tackles and scratches, and do not generally have any of the characteristics assigned to the other types, except in the case of dual-typed Normal-type Pokémon. As such, Normal could be considered the "default" type, encompassing the Pokémon which do not fit into the other types. Normal types are also usually mammals or fairy-like creatures. Especially unusual Pokémon, such as Porygon, also are usually Normal-type. Normal-type attacks are not particularly effective against any type, but as a counter, only a few types have resistance to Normal-type attack. Examples include Chansey, Noctowl, Skitty, and Munchlax.

• Weakness: Fighting
• Immunity: Ghost
• Not very effective: Rock, Steel
• No effect: Ghost^[9]

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[edit] Poison-type

See also: Category:Poison Pokémon

Poison-type (どくタイプ, Doku-taipu^?) Pokémon have some toxic quality about them. Some take after reptiles or insects that produce venom, others are poisonous plants, and some are composed of or emit toxic chemicals. In the first generation, there were nearly twice the amount of Poison-types than the amount of all Poison-type Pokémon in the other generations put together. Examples include Weezing, Ariados, Seviper, and Drapion.

• Weaknesses: Bug,^[1] Ground, Psychic
• Resistances: Bug,^[2] Fighting, Grass, Poison
• Super effective: Bug,^[1] Grass
• Not very effective: Ground, Poison, Rock, Ghost
• No effect: Steel

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[edit] Psychic-type

See also: Category:Psychic Pokémon

Psychic-type (エスパータイプ, Esupā-taipu^?, lit. "Esper-type" in original Japanese language versions) Pokémon generally have mental abilities associated with psychics, such as psychokinesis, telepathy, and prescience. Psychic Pokémon generally have high Special (Red, Blue, and Yellow) or Special Attack (Gold, Silver, and after) statistics. Psychic types are also among the smartest Pokémon, often capable of speaking in human languages either directly or through telepathy. They are favored by the fandom as Psychic types generally can learn an incredibly wide variety of moves. In the original Red and Blue games, Psychic-types were considered to be unfairly powerful (see type balance throughout gameplay). Some examples include Mewtwo, Unown, Wynaut, and Dōtakun. It is also noteworthy that the most difficult to acquire of the legendary Pokémon from the first three generations - Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, and Deoxys - are all Psychic or partially Psychic-types.

• Weaknesses: Bug, Dark, Ghost^[2]
• Resistances: Fighting, Psychic
• Super effective: Fighting, Poison
• Not very effective: Psychic, Steel
• No effect: Dark

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[edit] Rock-type

See also: Category:Rock Pokémon

Rock-type (いわタイプ, Iwa-taipu^?) Pokémon are affiliated with rocks and mountains. They should not be confused with Ground-type Pokémon. Rock-types attack by throwing or breaking rocks, while Ground-type attacks deal specifically with the ground itself, particularly soil. However, many Rock-type Pokémon are dual Rock- and Ground-types, giving some the false impression that Rock-types are effective against Electric-types. Examples include Onix, Tyranitar, Nosepass, and Bonsly.

• Weaknesses: Fighting, Grass, Ground, Steel, Water
• Resistances: Fire, Flying, Normal, Poison
• Super effective: Bug, Fire, Flying, Ice
• Not very effective: Fighting, Ground, Steel

Go to table

[edit] Steel-type

See also: Category:Steel Pokémon

Steel-type (はがねタイプ, Hagane-taipu^?) Pokémon are made of, or coated with, a type of metal like steel or iron. They usually possess high defense stats and sport a very large amount of resistances. They were one of the two new types introduced in Pokémon Gold and Silver. Examples of Steel-type Pokémon include Magneton, Skarmory, Registeel, and Dialga.

• Weaknesses: Fighting, Fire, Ground
• Resistances: Bug, Dark, Dragon, Flying, Ghost, Grass, Ice, Normal, Psychic, Rock, Steel
• Immunity: Poison
• Super effective: Ice, Rock
• Not very effective: Fire, Electric, Steel, Water

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[edit] Water-type

See also: Category:Water Pokémon

Water-type (みずタイプ, Mizu-taipu^?) Pokémon are based on aquatic creatures, and their powers are directly related to water. Of all the types, this one has the most species attributed to it. Examples are Squirtle, Corsola, Milotic, and Empoleon.

• Weaknesses: Electric, Grass
• Resistances: Fire, Water, Ice, Steel
• Super effective: Fire, Ground, Rock
• Not very effective: Water, Grass, Dragon

Go to table

[edit] Other types

The types below are unofficial types for Pokémon. Some are glitches, others have Pokémon moves of their type but no Pokémon.

[edit] Bird-type

The Bird-type was the original name for Flying-type Pokémon. Early screenshots of Pokémon Red and Blue show various Flying-type Pokémon listed as Bird-type. Bird-type remained in the games as a result of the ’M, Missingno and 3trainerpoké Pokémon glitches. They are the only Pokémon who are of the Bird-type.

[edit] ???-type

The ???-type (or Unknown-type) is the type of the move Curse (a Normal-type move in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon), whose effect depends on the type of the Pokémon using it: usually the move raises Attack and Defense while lowering Speed, but if a Ghost-type Pokémon uses it, it haunts the opponent instead.

???-type is also the type given for Shadow Attacks, used by Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness until they are fully purified.

Due to the move Struggle's lack of a type, many people categorize it as a ???-type move though this is unofficial (Struggle is listed in the Official Nintendo Power Players' Guides as a Normal-type move). A Pokémon immune to Normal-type attacks is still damaged by Struggle. If Struggle is sketched by a Smeargle or learned as a regular move by a cheating device such as Action Replay, it says that Struggle is of the Normal type.

The move Hidden Power is typically considered to be of the Normal-type, and is unusual in that when used it may actually damage the opponent as if it were of any type, depending on the Pokémon using the move. However in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon it has no type, much like the moves Wide Slash, Vacuum-Cut, Spin Slash, and Excavate.

Pokémon eggs are listed as ???-type, until they hatch and are given the type of the Pokémon born.

[edit] References

[edit] See also

• Pokémon
• List of Pokémon
• Pokémon game mechanics