Guides & Strategy

Competitive Pokémon Damage Calculation Guide: How Damage, Weather, and STAB are Calculated

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In competitive Pokémon (VGC and Smogon singles), damage calculation determines whether an attack secures a crucial One-Hit Knockout (OHKO) or Two-Hit Knockout (2HKO).

The Official Damage Formula

Damage is computed using the standard core series formula:
Damage = ((((2 * Level / 5 + 2) * Power * Attack / Defense) / 50) + 2) * Targets * Weather * Critical * Random * STAB * Type

Key Multipliers

Same Type Attack Bonus (STAB) increases power by 1.5x (or 2.0x with Adaptability or matching Terastallization). Weather effects like Sun and Rain boost matching elemental moves by 1.5x while reducing opposing types by 0.5x.

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