Pokémon Move Attributes: How They Influence Battles

Move attributes overview

Move attributes are special tags applied to certain Pokémon moves that determine how they interact with abilities, items, and battle mechanics. These attributes are separate from type and category, and they define behaviors such as blocking, boosting, or bypassing effects.

One special case is contact, which isn’t usually grouped with other attributes but works in a similar way and can trigger effects like Rough Skin, Iron Barbs, Static, or Rocky Helmet, etc. Understanding attributes helps predict outcomes and gain the upper hand in battles.

🍃 Powder moves (Gen VI): Examples include Sleep Powder, Stun Spore, Poison Powder, Spore, Rage Powder. Powder moves fail against Grass-types, Pokémon with Overcoat Ability, or those holding Safety Goggles.
🔊 Sound-based moves (Gen III): Examples include Hyper Voice, Boomburst, Perish Song, Snarl. These moves bypass Substitute starting from Gen VI; blocked by Soundproof Ability. Throat Spray triggers on use.
👊 Punching moves (Gen IV): Examples include Fire Punch, Ice Punch, Thunder Punch, Drain Punch, Shadow Punch. Boosted by Pokémon with Iron Fist Ability; Punching Glove item boosts power 10% and prevents contact.
🦷 Biting moves (Gen VI): Examples include Crunch, Ice Fang, Fire Fang, Psychic Fangs, Jaw Lock. Boosted by Pokémon with Strong Jaw Ability.
💥 Ballistic moves (Gen VI): Examples include Aura Sphere, Shadow Ball, Seed Bomb, Energy Ball, Bullet Seed. Blocked by Pokémon with Bulletproof Ability.
🌪️ Wind moves (Gen IX): Examples include Hurricane, Bleakwind Storm, Tailwind, Heat Wave, Gust. Interact with Wind Rider and Wind Power Abilities.
🪓 Slicing moves (Gen IX): Examples include Leaf Blade, Night Slash, Psycho Cut, Ceaseless Edge, Sacred Sword. Boosted by Sharpness Ability.
💃 Dance moves (Gen VII): Examples include Quiver Dance, Dragon Dance, Swords Dance, Fiery Dance, Revelation Dance. Copied by Dancer; can enable chaining of boosts or effects in double battles.
🌊 Pulse moves (Gen VI): Examples include Aura Sphere, Dark Pulse, Dragon Pulse, Water Pulse. Boosted by Mega Launcher ability.
✨ Magic Bounce interactions (Gen V): Examples include status moves like Stealth Rock, Spikes, Toxic, Thunder Wave, Taunt, Encore, Leech Seed, which are reflected by Magic Bounce (and Magic Coat). Reflection occurs on target; only status moves are reflected.

Move attribute strategy

Move attributes determine whether a move succeeds, fails, or gains additional effects. Teams built with an awareness of attribute-based boosts and immunities can avoid wasted turns, maintain momentum, and create consistent paths to victory.

⬆️ Offensive synergy: Iron Fist (punching), Strong Jaw (biting), Sharpness (slicing), Mega Launcher (pulse) provide reliable damage multipliers without item slots.
🛡️ Defensive counterplay: Soundproof (sound), Bulletproof (ballistic), Overcoat/Safety Goggles (powder) and Magic Bounce (status reflection) can catch an opponent off guard.
💎 Item and ability triggers: Throat Spray (sound-based), Wind Rider (wind), Dancer (dance), Mega Launcher (pulse), Sharpness (slicing) can define archetypes around specific move attributes.
⚔️ Attribute awareness: Avoid using powder moves versus Grass/Overcoat/Safety Goggles; consider Magic Bounce when choosing status moves; plan potential coverage around Bulletproof and Soundproof.

Example:
A Toxapex tries Toxic on an Espeon with Magic Bounce — Toxic is reflected back onto Toxapex.
A Breloom’s Spore fails versus a Incineroar holding Safety Goggles.