Pokémon competitive play

Before Generation IV, the damage category of a move (physical attack or special attack) was determined by the type of the move itself (for example, all Rock-type moves were physical, and all Dragon-type moves were special). The physical/special split in Generation IV changed moves to be physical or special determined on how the move attacks instead of the move's type. This was a huge change to competitive battling, with Pokémon such as Gengar[9] or Gyarados[9] benefiting, and Alakazam suffering.[10] As competitive battling features human players, the style of battling is much different,[11] with players choosing their set of four moves and one item based not only on the Pokémon's stats, but based on sets other players might run in order to counter them.

Every Pokémon has a Nature which has the potential to increase one stat by 10% and decrease another stat by 10% above a base amount. In addition, hidden attributes called EVs and IVs are used to alter stats in competitive Pokémon, usually maximizing them. EVs are earned by battling and defeating other Pokémon (with each Pokémon having a specific set of EVs they give), and IVs are assigned by the game when you obtain a Pokémon (the higher the number, the better the stats become above a set minimum amount).

Moves that have high base power but huge drawbacks, such as Giga Impact's recharge turn and Thunder's risky accuracy, are not always viable in competitive play. Instead, moves that have reliable accuracy, minimal downsides, and have decent base power, such as Body Slam and Thunderbolt, respectively, are used instead. The introduction of Mega Evolution gave previously non-viable or less viable Pokémon a purpose in the upper-tier metagame, such as Charizard and Mawile, although this mechanic (which was introduced in Generation VI), along with Z-moves (ultra-powerful moves of a particular type which could be performed by any Pokémon when holding a specific item and was introduced in Generation VII) were removed in Generation VIII. Dynamaxing was a new mechanic introduced in Generation VIII; once per battle, each player could increase one Pokémon's HP (by up to 100%) and upgrade its moves to Max Moves (powerful moves with extra effects based on the move's type). Some players, especially followers of Smogon University, criticised this mechanic and prohibit the use of it in certain formats. Certain types in early editions of the games (Generation I), such as Psychic and Dragon, were exceptionally powerful and a clear cut above the rest due to a lack of weaknesses; the various types are more balanced in present metagames, although certain types are better in certain circumstances (such as Ice for offense and Steel for defense). In addition, because the now-split Special Attack and Special Defense stats were combined into one Special stat in Generation I, Pokémon with a high Special stat could both deal and resist Special damage extremely well (or if low, be extremely weak in both Special offense and defense).

• Smogon University