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Damage categories are the classification of moves in the Pokémon series. There are 3 main types targeting different stats with exceptions. Moves also have some subcategories that affect certain things. Prior to the fourth generation, damage categories were locked to Pokémon types rather than an independent classification

Categories[]

Description
PhysicalPhysical Physical Physical moves rely on the user's Attack stat against the opponent's Defense stat.
SpecialSpecial Special Special moves rely on the user's Special Attack stat against the opponent's Special Defense stat.
StatusStatus Status Status moves affect the stats, status condition and everything else. Damage inflicted through these is completely unaffected by either Pokémon stats aside from the target's HP.

Contact move[]

Contact moves are moves that make physical contact with the opponent. These are mostly physical moves.

Sound move[]

Sound moves are a group of moves that are ignored by Soundproof and improved by Punk Rock. They also have the property of ignoring Substitute. All these moves are Special moves or Status moves. The move Throat Chop prevents the opponent from using them.

Punch move[]

Punch moves are moves that are powered up by Iron Fist. They are all physical moves and most have the word punch in them

Physical/Special split[]

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