Pokémon Move Categories: Physical, Special, and Status Explained

📜 Move category basics

Every move in Pokémon belongs to one of three Move Categories which are: Physical, Special, or Status. This determines how damage is calculated or whether the move affects stats, conditions, or the battlefield instead.

• Physical: Damage is based on the user’s Attack and the target’s Defense.
• Special: Damage is based on the user’s Special Attack and the target’s Special Defense.
• Status: No direct damage; instead alters stats, inflicts status, or changes battle conditions.

️ Physical moves

Physical moves involve direct contact or force.

• The damage of these moves is calculated based on the attacking Pokémon's Attack stat and the defender's Defense stat.
• Examples: Earthquake, Close Combat, Play Rough.
• Boosted by abilities like Huge Power or Guts.

Special moves

Special moves rely on energy, elements, or ranged attacks.

• The damage of these moves is calculated based on the attacking Pokémon's Special Attack stat and the defender's Special Defense stat.
• Examples: Flamethrower, Thunderbolt, Ice Beam.
• Boosted by abilities like Mega Launcher or Solar Power.

Status Moves

Status moves are non-damaging techniques that influence the battle in indirect but often decisive ways. Instead of reducing the opponent’s HP directly, they alter stats, apply status conditions, or manipulate the battlefield to create advantages.

• Examples: Swords Dance (boosts Attack), Toxic (inflicts badly poisoned status), Stealth Rock (sets entry hazards).
• Can inflict major status ailments such as paralysis, poison, burn, sleep, or freeze.
• May boost or lower stats like Attack, Defense, Speed, or Special Attack — affecting damage output and turn order.
• Can control the field with hazards (e.g., Spikes, Sticky Web) or weather effects (e.g., Rain Dance, Sunny Day).
• Often used to set up sweeps, stall opponents, or force strategic switches.

📌 Strategy tips

• Match move categories to your Pokémon’s strongest offensive stat.
• Mix categories to handle a variety of opponents and defenses.
• Use Status moves to support sweepers or stall strategies.
• Be aware of abilities and items that boost or hinder certain categories.

🕰️ The history of move categories

How move categories and related stats evolved across Pokémon generations.

Generation I

• Single Special stat: Special Attack and Special Defense were combined into one stat, affecting both the power of special moves and resistance to them.

Generations II

• Special stat split into Special Attack and Special Defense, allowing more nuanced strengths and weaknesses.
• Move category still tied to type. Moves typed Fire, Grass, Water, Electric, Ice, Psychic, Dragon, Dark were Special the rest Physical.

Generation IV

• Physical/Special split — each move assigned its own category, allowing more flexibility and diverse movepools.

Generation V onward

• Expanded move variety; many types gained both Physical and Special options.
• Status moves diversified with new effects and field control mechanics.