Damage category: Difference between revisions

'''Damage categories''' are categories introduced in [[Generation IV]] that categorize [[move]]s based on the kind of damage they deal. In previous generations, a move would base its power on the user's {{Stat|Attack}} and the target's {{Stat|Defense}} or the user's {{Stat|Special Attack}} and the target's {{Stat|Special Defense}} depending on its [[type]]. For example, all {{type2|Fighting}} moves were the former, while all {{type2|Fire}} moves were the latter. However, in Generation IV, a move like {{m|Focus Blast}} is both Fighting-type and bases its damage on the Special Attack and Special Defense of the user and target, respectively.  

The addition of this feature to the games has altered the playing field somewhat, as now Pokémon are allowed a much greater degree of freedom with the types of move that can be used. For example, under the former system, {{p|Sneasel}}, which has a much greater Attack than Special Attack, would often be forced to ignore all moves that would give it [[Same-type attack bonus|STAB]], due to {{type2|Ice}} and {{type2|Dark}} moves both being calculated from its Special Attack, the base of which is a low 35, compared to its Attack [[base stats|base stat]], 95.

While the moves remain, for the most part, in the same category that they were in before, the majority of moves of a formerly "Special" type that were given status as Physical, as well as moves of a formerly "Physical" type that were given status as Special, are obvious changes, as is the case with {{m|Fire Punch}}, {{m|Ice Punch}}, and {{m|ThunderPunch}}. Several new moves, as well, were introduced to give more balance to formerly all-Special and all-Physical types, such as the {{type2|Psychic}}, which got {{m|Zen Headbutt}} and {{m|Psycho Cut}}, and the Fighting-type, which got Focus Blast, {{m|Vacuum Wave}}, and {{m|Aura Sphere}}.