Pokmon Types

Pokmon types represent the strengths and weaknesses of different Pokmon. They lay the foundation of a complex yet mostly logical rock, paper, scissors-system that applies to every Pokmon and their respective moves. Some type advantages and disadvantages make obvious sense; others can seem more obscure. =Terminology=
  • When an attack has a type advantage over the Pokmon being attacked, it is said to be super-effective, and does double the normal damage. A Pokmon being attacked with a super-effective move is said to be weak to that type.
  • When an attack has a type disadvantage against the Pokmon being attacked, it is said to be not very effective or weak against that type, and causes half the normal damage. A Pokmon being attacked with a not very effective move is said to be resistant to that type.
  • Some types are completely immune to others – when an attack that a Pokmon's type is immune to is used on it, the attack is said to have no effect and causes zero damage. A Pokmon being attacked with a non-effective move is said to be immune to that type.
  • Some Pokmon have two types, and both are taken into consideration when determining whether an attack is super-effective, not very effective, or not effective at all. These Pokmon are said to be dual-typed Pokmon, or simply dual-types.
    • Both of a Pokmon's types may be weak to an attack – in this case, the attack will cause quadruple the normal damage.
    • Both of a Pokmon's types may be resistant to an attack – in this case, the attack will cause one quarter of the normal damage.
    • One of a Pokmon's types may be weak to an attack while the other is resistant to it – in this case, the weakness and resistance cancel each other out, and the attack causes normal damage.
    • If one of a Pokmon's types is immune to an attack's type, the attack will never cause damage, regardless of the Pokmon's other type.
=History of the Pokmon types= Originally, there were 15 Pokmon types:
  • Bug
  • Dragon
  • Electric
  • Fighting
  • Fire
  • >
    • Flying
    • Grass
    • Ghost
    • Ground
    • Ice
    ||
    • Normal
    • Poison
    • Psychic
    • Rock
    • Water
    With Pokmon Gold and Silver, two new types were added:
  • Dark
  • >
    • Steel
    There are also 2 types that only have one or two Pokmon or attacks in them.
  • Bird
  • >
    • ???
    Bird is 'M and Missingno.'s type and is likely the result of a programming oversight. ??? is a type is that is only found in one attack in the Pokmon Gold and Silver games – Curse. Curse's effect depends on the type of the Pokmon using it (namely, whether it is a Ghost-type or not). Additionally, ??? is the type given for moves that Shadow Pokmon in Pokmon Colosseum cannot use until the doors to their hearts have started to open. Shadow Rush, a move only found in Pokmon Colosseum on Shadow Pokmon, has no type. In all, there are 18 Pokmon types and 1 unique attack type. =Element-specific attacks= Most, if not all, Pokmon learn attacks specific to their element as well as basic physical attacks. For example, the Electric-type Pikachu could know basic Normal-type attacks such as Growl and Quick Attack, but also Electric attacks like Thundershock and Thunder Wave. Pokmon receive a bonus to the power of moves of their own type, as compared with equivalent Pokmon of other types learning the same move. This is known as same type attack bonus, or STAB. For instance, a Pikachu (an Electric-type Pokmon) will do more damage with Thunderbolt (an Electric-type move) than would a Raticate (a Normal-type Pokmon) with the same stats. To elaborate, the boost given by STAB is 1.5. =Information about specific Pokmon types=

    Bird-type Pokmon

    The Bird type was the original name for the Flying type. In early screenshots of the English version of Pokmon, various Flying-type Pokmon were listed as Bird-type. The only Bird-type Pokmon in the final game are Missingno. and 'M. They and the Bird type itself are almost certainly the result of a computer glitch. The Bird type is not an official Pokmon type.

    Bug-type Pokmon

    Bug-type Pokmon are generally arthropod-like Pokmon. Bug-type moves use the Attack stat and involve use of the body parts of the bugs. Some examples are Caterpie, Ledyba, and Wurmple.

    Advantages and Disadvantages

    Bug-type Pokmon are resistant to Fighting-, Grass-, and Ground-type attacks, and are vulnerable to Fire-, Flying-, and Rock-type attacks (in Red, Blue and Yellow, also Poison- type). Bug-type attacks are super-effective against Dark-, Grass-, and Psychic-type Pokmon, (in Red, Blue and Yellow, also Poison- type), and are not very effective against Fighting-, Fire-, Flying-, Ghost-, Poison- (not in Red, Blue or Yellow), and Steel-type Pokmon.

    Dark-type Pokmon

    Dark-type Pokmon represent evil and crime, and Dark types are known for using sinister moves such as biting and stealing.

    Advantages and Disadvantages

    Dark-type Pokmon are resistant to Dark- and Ghost-type attacks, are immune to Psychic-type attacks, and are vulnerable to Bug- and Fighting-type attacks. Dark-type attacks are super-effective against Ghost- and Psychic-type Pokmon, and are not very effective against Dark-, Fighting-, and Steel-type Pokmon.

    Dragon-type Pokmon

    Dragon-type Pokmon are, quite simply, dragons. Their moves use the Special Attack stat and involve the use of claws and breathing. Not all dragon-like Pokmon are Dragon-type Pokmon; Charizard, for example, is a dual Fire-and-Flying-type.

    Advantages and Disadvantages

    Dragon-type Pokmon are resistant to Water-, Fire-, Grass-, and Electric-type attacks, and are vulnerable to Dragon- and Ice-type attacks. Dragon-type attacks are super-effective against other Dragon-type Pokmon, and are not very effective against Steel-type Pokmon.

    Electric-type Pokmon

    Electric-type Pokmon have electricity-oriented powers. This category is usually represented by Pikachu's symbol, as Pikachu is likely the most famous Pokmon of this type, indeed probably the most famous out of all Pokmon. Electric-type attacks often have a chance of causing the Paralyze status effect, which gives the affected Pokmon a severe Speed statistic reduction along with a 25% chance of being unable to move for a turn.

    Advantages and Disadvantages

    Electric-type Pokmon are resistant to Electric-, Flying-, and Steel-type attacks, and are vulnerable to Ground-type attacks. Electric-type attacks are super-effective against Flying- and Water-type Pokmon, are not very effective against Electric-, Grass-, or Dragon-type Pokmon, and have no effect on Ground-type Pokmon.

    Fighting-type Pokmon

    Fighting-type Pokmon learn specifically labeled fighting melee attacks, such as punches and kicks.

    Advantages and Disadvantages

    Fighting-type Pokmon are resistant to Bug-, Dark-, and Rock-type attacks, and are vulnerable to Flying- and Psychic-type attacks. Fighting- attacks are super-effective against Dark-, Ice-, Normal-, Rock-, and Steel-type Pokmon, are not very effective against Bug-, Flying-, Poison-, or Psychic-type Pokmon, and have no effect against Ghost-type Pokmon. The move Foresight negates Ghost-type immunity to Fighting- and Normal-type attacks.

    Fire-type Pokmon

    Fire-type Pokmon are aligned with heat, often in the form of flames or lava. Fire-type attacks often have a chance of causing the Burn status effect, which causes a reduction in the Attack statistic as well as taking away hit points each turn it is in effect. Fire-type Pokmon are immune to the Burn status effect.

    Advantages and Disadvantages

    Fire-type Pokmon are resistant to Bug-, Fire-, Grass-, Ice- (not in Red, Blue or Yellow), and Steel-type, and are vulnerable to Ground-, Rock-, and Water-type attacks. Fire-type attacks are super-effective against Bug-, Ice-, Grass-, and Steel-type Pokmon, and are not very effective against Dragon-, Fire-, Rock-, or Water-type Pokmon.

    Flying-type Pokmon

    Flying Pokmon are Pokmon who can fly. They are normally birds or dragon-like (if not always Dragon-type) Pokmon, but there are exceptions, such as the sea serpent-like Water-and-Flying-type Gyarados. The Flying-type has never appeared on any Pokmon as its only type – all Flying-type Pokmon are dual-types. Flying-type Pokmon should not be confused with the glitchy Bird-type Pokmon, Missingno and 'M.

    Advantages and Disadvantages

    Flying-type Pokmon are resistant to Bug-, Fighting-, and Grass-type attacks, are immune to Ground-type attacks, and are vulnerable to Electric-, Ice-, and Rock-type attacks. Flying-type attacks are super-effective against Bug-, Fighting-, and Grass-type Pokmon, and are not very effective against Electric-, Rock-type, or Steel-type Pokmon.

    Ghost-type Pokmon

    Ghost Pokmon deal with the supernatural, specifically the realm of the dead. In the Red, Blue, and Yellow versions of Pokmon, all wild Ghost Pokmon required a special item to see them clearly.

    Advantages and Disadvantages

    Ghost-type Pokmon are resistant to Bug- and Poison-type attacks, are immune to Fighting- and Normal-type attacks (except when the move Foresight is used), and are vulnerable to Dark- and Ghost-type attacks. Ghost-type attacks are super-effective against Ghost- and Psychic-type Pokmon, are not very effective against Dark- or Steel-type Pokmon, and are not effective against Normal-type Pokmon. The two exceptions to Normal-type Pokmons' immunity to Ghost-type attacks are the moves Confuse Ray and Nightmare.

    The Ghost-type vs. the Psychic-type

    In the first three Pokmon games, versions Red, Blue, and Yellow, Psychic-type Pokmon were immune to Ghost-type attacks, and Psychic-type attacks were super-effective against the only three Ghost-type Pokmon in the game at the time (the Gastly evolution chain) because of their dual Ghost-and-Poison-types. The anime television series had the roles of the Ghost- and Psychic Pokmon reversed, and a trainer in the Psychic-type Gym in Red and Blue said that Psychics only feared ghosts and bugs; this was changed in the Yellow version. When the Gold and Silver versions were released, the type advantages and disadvantages were changed to make Ghost-types strong against Psychic-types.

    Grass-type Pokmon

    Grass-type Pokmon have abilities associated with plant life and nature. They are also immune to the move Leech Seed.

    Advantages and Disadvantages

    Grass-type Pokmon are resistant to Electric-, Grass-, Ground-, and Water-type attacks, and are vulnerable to Bug-, Fire-, Flying-, and Poison-type attacks. Grass-type attacks are super-effective against Ground-, Rock-, and Water-type Pokmon, and are not very effective against Bug-, Fire-, Flying-, Dragon-, Grass-, Poison-, or Steel-type Pokmon.

    Ground-type Pokmon

    Ground-type Pokmon are affiliated with the ground and earth.

    Advantages and Disadvantages

    Ground-type Pokmon are resistant to Poison- and Rock-type attacks, are immune to Electric-type attacks, and are vulnerable to Ice-, Grass-, and Water-type attacks. Ground-type attacks are super-effective against Electric-, Fire-, Poison-, Rock-, and Steel-type Pokmon, are not very effective against Grass- or Bug-type Pokmon, and have no effect against Flying-type Pokmon.

    Ice-type Pokmon

    Ice-type Pokmon are affiliated with cold things and areas. Many Ice-Type attacks have a chance of causing the Freeze status effect, which prevents the frozen Pokmon from attacking until it is thawed. Ice-type Pokmon are immune to the Freeze status.

    Advantages and Disadvantages

    Ice-type Pokmon are resistant to Ice-type attacks, and are vulnerable to Fire-, Fighting-, Rock-, and Steel-type attacks. Ice-type attacks are super-effective against Grass-, Ground-, Flying-, and Dragon-type Pokmon, and are not very effective against Water-, Fire- (not in Red, Blue or Yellow), Ice- or Steel-type Pokmon.

    Normal-type Pokmon

    Normal-type Pokmon have moves based on standard attacks, such as tackles and scratches.

    Advantages and Disadvantages

    Normal-type Pokmon are immune to Ghost-type attacks (besides Confuse Ray and Nightmare) and are vulnerable to Fighting-type attacks. Normal-type attacks are not very effective against Rock- or Steel-type Pokmon, and have no effect against Ghost-type Pokmon. The move Foresight negates Ghost-type immunity to Fighting- and Normal-type attacks.

    Poison-type Pokmon

    Poison-type Pokmon have some toxic quality about them, be it because they produce venom (Ekans and Arbok for example), are poisonous plants (Bulbasaur and Oddish – these are dual Grass-and-Poison types) or have some sort of general toxicity about them (such as Koffing or Grimer). Many Poison-type moves can cause the Poison status effect, which causes the attacked Pokmon to lose hit points each turn. The Toxic or 'badly poisoned' status effect causes the amount of damage done by the poison to double each turn. Poison types are also immune to the Poison status effect themselves.

    Advantages and Disadvantages

    Poison-type Pokmon are resistant to Bug- (not in Red, Blue or Yellow), Fighting-, Grass-, and Poison-type attacks, and are vulnerable to Ground- and Psychic-type attacks (In Red, Blue and Yellow, also Bug-type). Poison-type attacks are super-effective against Grass-type Pokmon (in Red, Blue and Yellow, also Bug-type), are not very effective against Poison- or Ground-type Pokmon, and have no effect against Steel-type Pokmon.

    Psychic-type Pokmon

    Psychic-type Pokmon generally have mental abilities associated with psychics in the real world, such as telekinesis, telepathy, and teleportation. Psychic Pokmon are generally very powerful when using attacks that use the Special (Red, Blue, and Yellow) or Special Attack (Gold, Silver, and after) stats.

    Advantages and Disadvantages

    Psychic-type Pokmon are resistant to Fighting- and Psychic-type attacks, and are vulnerable to Bug-, Dark-, and Ghost-type attacks. Psychic-type attacks are super-effective against Fighting- and Poison-type Pokmon, are not very effective against Psychic- or Steel-type Pokmon, and have no effect against Dark-type Pokmon.

    The Psychic-type vs. the Ghost-type

    In the first three Pokmon games, versions Red, Blue, and Yellow, Psychic-type Pokmon were immune to Ghost-type attacks, and Psychic-type attacks were super-effective against the only three Ghost-type Pokmon in the game at the time (the Gastly evolution chain) because of their dual Ghost-and-Poison-types. The anime television series had the roles of the Ghost and Psychic Pokmon reversed, and a trainer in the Psychic-type Gym in Red and Blue said that Psychics only feared ghosts and bugs; this was changed in the Yellow version. When the Gold and Silver versions were released, the type advantages and disadvantages were changed to make Ghost-types strong against Psychic-types.

    Rock-type Pokmon

    Rock-type Pokmon are affiliated with rocks and mountains.

    Advantages and Disadvantages

    Rock-type Pokmon are resistant to Fire-, Flying-, Normal-, and Poison-type attacks, and are vulnerable to Fighting-, Grass-, Ground-, Steel-, and Water-type attacks. Rock-type attacks are super-effective against Bug-type, Fire-, Flying-, and Ice-type Pokmon, and are not very effective against Flying-, Ground-, and Steel-type Pokmon.

    Steel-type Pokmon

    Steel-type Pokmon are made of steel.

    Advantages and Disadvantages

    Steel-type Pokmon are resistant to Bug-type, Dark-, Dragon-, Flying-, Ghost-, Grass-, Ice-, Normal-, Psychic-, Rock-, and Steel-type attacks, are immune to Poison-type attacks, and are vulnerable to Fighting-, Fire-, and Ground-type attacks. Steel-type attacks are super-effective against Ice- and Rock-type Pokmon, and are not very effective against Electric-, Fire-, Steel-, or Water-type Pokmon.

    Water-type Pokmon

    Water-type Pokmon live in and around water, and their powers are directly related to this habitat system.

    Advantages and Disadvantages

    Water-type Pokmon are resistant to Fire-, Ice-, Steel-type, and Water-type attacks, and are vulnerable to Electric- and Grass-type attacks. Water-type attacks are super-effective against Fire-, Ground-, and Rock-type Pokmon, and are not very effective against Dragon-, Grass-, or Water-type Pokmon. =See Also=

     

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