Pokemon Sword and Shield - Type Matchup Chart and Guide

Chart For Type Matchup in Pokemon Sword and Shield

Type Matchup

Type Matchup shows the interaction between Pokemon types. It involves the relation of one type to another and calculates the total damage output. It is akin to a game of rock, paper, scissors where one type is effective against certain others. The trick is to get accustomed to the 18 different types and remember how one type affects another. Some Pokemon can have two types which means the effects of certain move types will vary. Moreover, others have special moves or abilities that make them immune to a type that they are normally weak against.

Determining the damage

The overall damage done by a Pokemon relies on the type matchup. Type matchup consists of the attacking Pokemon’s type, the move’s type used, and the type of its foe.

Damage calculation

Dual type effect

Some Pokemon can have two types rather than one. When a Pokemon with two types is hit with a move that both its types are weak against, the move deals four times the amount of damage. For example, a fire and flying type Pokemon that is struck by a rock-type move suffers four times the damage. Other Pokemon can have two types which are exact opposites of one another. When this happens, one type tries to cover the weakness of the other resulting in the Pokemon taking neutral damage from the supposedly super-effective attack. For example, a Pokemon that is part water and part grass receives neutral damage from a fire-type move.

Same Type Attack Bonus

When a Pokemon shares its type with the move it uses, the attack gains a bonus effect known as Same Type Attack Bonus or STAB for short. STAB grants a Pokemon a 50% increase in damage. A move that gains this effect is more powerful compared to another Pokemon using the same move but of a different type. For example, Pikachu, an electric type can deal massive damage using a thunderbolt, an electric type attack against Pidgeot, a flying type. Meanwhile, Tyranitar, a rock, and dark type Pokemon deal super effective with Pidgeot using the same move. However, Tyranitar deals less damage to Pidgeot using thunderbolt since it’s not an electric-type Pokemon.

Pokemon Sword and Shield Recommended Article List