This calculator ensures the accuracy of Pokémon type match-ups based on official game mechanics (Generation IX).
Determine the exact damage multiplier when an offensive move hits a target Pokémon. Understanding type effectiveness is the foundation of competitive Pokémon battles.
Pokémon Type Effectiveness Calculator
Detailed Calculation Steps
Select the Attacking Type and the Defender’s Type(s) above, then click ‘Calculate Effectiveness’ to see the steps.
Pokémon Type Effectiveness Logic
Effectiveness = Attacker_vs_DefenderType1 Multiplier * Attacker_vs_DefenderType2 Multiplier
The base damage multiplier is 1.0.
If a move is Super Effective (SE), the multiplier is 2.0x.
If a move is Not Very Effective (NVE), the multiplier is 0.5x.
If a move has No Effect (NE), the multiplier is 0.0x.
Example: Fire (Attacker) vs. Water/Rock (Defender)
vs. Water: 0.5
vs. Rock: 2.0
Final Multiplier: 0.5 * 2.0 = 1.0x
Formula Source: For detailed type chart accuracy, refer to Bulbapedia Type Chart and Serebii Type Overview.
Variables Explained
- Attacking Move Type: The type of the move being used (e.g., Water, Grass, Electric).
- Defending Pokémon Type 1: The primary type of the target Pokémon.
- Defending Pokémon Type 2: The secondary (or optional) type of the target Pokémon. If the Pokémon only has one type, select “None”.
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What is Pokémon Type Effectiveness?
Pokémon Type Effectiveness is the core mechanic that dictates how much damage an attack deals based on the types involved. Every move and every Pokémon type has a relationship with every other type. This relationship results in a damage multiplier applied to the base power of the move. This system adds a layer of strategy, forcing trainers to balance their teams to cover potential weaknesses.
The possible multipliers are 4x (Double Super Effective), 2x (Super Effective), 1x (Neutral), 0.5x (Not Very Effective), 0.25x (Double Not Very Effective), and 0x (No Effect). These multipliers stack multiplicatively. For example, if a Fire-type move hits a Bug/Steel-type Pokémon, the Fire move is 2x effective against Bug and 2x effective against Steel. The combined effectiveness is 2.0 x 2.0 = 4.0x! (Note: This specific example is hypothetical; the actual chart is used for calculation).
Knowing the effectiveness instantly allows a player to determine the best move to use in any given situation, often deciding the outcome of a battle before it even begins.
How to Calculate Type Effectiveness (Example)
Let’s find the effectiveness of a **Ground** type move against a **Poison/Flying** type Pokémon:
- Identify the Attacker and Defender Types: Attacker is Ground. Defender types are Poison (Type 1) and Flying (Type 2).
- Calculate Effectiveness against Type 1 (Poison): Consult the Ground vs. Poison matchup. Ground is **Super Effective** against Poison (2x multiplier).
- Calculate Effectiveness against Type 2 (Flying): Consult the Ground vs. Flying matchup. Ground has **No Effect** against Flying (0x multiplier).
- Combine Multipliers: Multiply the two individual effectiveness results: 2.0 (vs. Poison) x 0.0 (vs. Flying) = **0.0x**.
- Conclusion: A Ground-type move will do no damage to a Poison/Flying Pokémon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is the multiplier 0.25x or 4.0x?
A 0.25x (Double Not Very Effective) or 4.0x (Double Super Effective) multiplier occurs when a dual-type Pokémon is hit by a move that results in the same effect against both of its types. For instance, a Grass/Bug Pokémon hit by a Fire-type move would result in 2x (vs. Grass) * 2x (vs. Bug) = 4.0x.
Does Type 1 or Type 2 matter for the calculation?
No, the order of the defender’s types does not matter. The final effectiveness is calculated by multiplying the result of the attacker’s type against Type 1 and Type 2, and multiplication is commutative.
Are there any conditions that override type effectiveness?
Yes. Abilities (like Levitate, which grants immunity to Ground moves) and held items can alter the final damage, but these are factored *after* the base type effectiveness multiplier calculated here.
Which type has the most resistances?
The Steel type traditionally boasts the highest number of resistances (10 resistances and 1 immunity), making it one of the best defensive types in the game.