Understanding Type Effectiveness
Master the rock-paper-scissors of Pokémon battles
The Foundation of Battle Strategy
Type effectiveness is the most important concept in Pokémon battles. Understanding which types are strong or weak against others will dramatically improve your battle performance and help you make strategic decisions.
Think of it like an advanced rock-paper-scissors game with 18 different options instead of 3. Each type has specific advantages and disadvantages against other types.
How Type Effectiveness Works
Super Effective (2x Damage)
When a move is "super effective," it deals double damage. This is your best-case scenario for offense and what you want to avoid on defense.
Not Very Effective (0.5x Damage)
When a move is "not very effective," it deals half damage. You want to avoid using these matchups offensively, but they're great for defensive switching.
No Effect (0x Damage)
Some type combinations completely negate damage. For example, Ground-type moves have no effect on Flying-type Pokémon, and Ghost-type moves don't affect Normal-type Pokémon.
Key Type Relationships to Remember
🔥 Fire Type
Strong Against:
- • Grass (burns easily)
- • Bug (insects vulnerable to fire)
- • Ice (melts ice)
- • Steel (melts metal)
Weak Against:
- • Water (extinguishes fire)
- • Ground (smothers fire)
- • Rock (rock doesn't burn)
💧 Water Type
Strong Against:
- • Fire (extinguishes flames)
- • Ground (erodes earth)
- • Rock (water erosion)
Weak Against:
- • Electric (conducts electricity)
- • Grass (plants absorb water)
🌿 Grass Type
Strong Against:
- • Water (absorbs water)
- • Ground (roots break earth)
- • Rock (plants grow through cracks)
Weak Against:
- • Fire (burns plants)
- • Ice (freezes plants)
- • Poison (toxic to plants)
- • Flying (birds eat plants)
- • Bug (insects eat plants)
Practical Battle Tips
🎯 Offensive Strategy
- • Always aim for super effective moves when possible
- • Switch to a Pokémon with type advantage before attacking
- • Consider the opponent's types before choosing your move
- • Don't just use your strongest move - use the most effective one
🛡️ Defensive Strategy
- • Switch to Pokémon that resist incoming attacks
- • Use dual-types strategically (they can resist more types)
- • Predict opponent moves based on type advantages
- • Don't stay in bad matchups - switching is often the right choice
⚡ Advanced Tips
- • Dual-type Pokémon can have complex effectiveness (multiply the modifiers)
- • Some abilities can change type effectiveness
- • STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) gives 1.5x damage for matching types
- • Critical hits ignore defensive stat changes
Practice Makes Perfect
Don't worry about memorizing every type interaction immediately. Start with the basics and gradually learn more complex matchups through practice. The most important thing is to start thinking strategically about type advantages in every battle.
🧠 Memory Tips
- • Many type interactions are logical (fire burns grass, water beats fire)
- • Focus on learning one type thoroughly at a time
- • Practice with your favorite Pokémon's types first
- • Use our type chart tools to quickly check interactions