The recently released Pokemon Sword and Shield test the skills of old and new fans alike through their exploration of the European inspired Galar region. The game introduces a wide variety of new creatures for players to capture alongside different gym leaders and challengers to face. The newly created “wild area” provides the Pokemon series first 3D open world, with a maneuverable camera. As players progress through the world of Sword and Shield their Pokemon party will be put to the test as they must overcome a wide variety of challenges and obstacles. So understanding all the mechanics of the Pokemon series is a must.
One of the most essential, but lesser-known, lessons to learn in Pokemon is the more complex nature of stats in the game. Each of the stats a Pokemon possesses affects a particular aspect of that monsters gameplan but how it affects the creature may not be as explicit as it should be. This guide will demonstrate the different gameplay implications each stats has inside of Pokemon Sword and Shield and how to train your Pokemon accordingly.
How the Attack and Special Attack Stat Works in Pokemon Sword and Shield
One of the most important aspects of the Pokemon franchise is the idea of dwindling down an enemy’s health points by attacking them. However, the manner in which a player does dwindle down their enemy’s life is dependent upon a Pokemon’s proficiency in the stats mentioned.
A common misconception about how the attack stat actually works is that the higher it gets raised will affect the damage a Pokemon does. While this is true of some Pokemon it is not true of all of them. The Attack stat will only impact a Pokemon’s “physical” moves. A player may ask themselves so what exactly is a physical move? The best way to explain what physical moves are is by thinking about the attack in question. Is the attack one in which the Pokemon would physically hit the enemy, rather than shoot a projectile or something at it? Then its a physically buff attack. A good example of a physical move is the classic Tackle, the Pokemon performing tackle is shown throwing himself at its enemy. Rather than shooting some sort of energy blast it is actually “physically” touching the enemy it’s facing.
As you level up your attack value this will increase the proficiency of these physical attack moves. The higher the value goes up the more damage a physical move will do and nothing else.
The Special Attack stat boosts the values of attacks that are not done physically, moves in which the Pokemon launches an energy blast, fire blast, water blast, etc. A good example of a move that is buffed by the Special Attack stat is the move flamethrower. The move is performed when a Pokemon shoots a blast of fire at its enemy from its mouth. The attack is not “physically” done by the Pokemon so it is a special attack move.
Think of the Special Attack moves as those that are done through magic or that connected to a Pokemon’s stat. For example, most water type attacks are Special Attacks rather than Physical attacks.
Understanding the difference between the two types of attacks is essential to finding success against the different obstacles a player will face in the Galar region. It can determine a Pokemon’s efficiency and the type of moves it should be taught. If you teach a physically buff Pokemon Special Attack moves than it won’t meet its true potential. Be sure to learn which type of attacks your particular Pokemon excels at.
The Difference Between Defense and Special Defense in Pokemon Sword and Shield
Similar to the different offensive moves, Defense and Special Defense protect from different kinds of attacks. Understanding what each Defense does will ensure that you do not send your Pokemon out to be quickly defeated in battle.
The Defense stat affects a Pokemon’s resistance to physical attacks. So the Defense stat can be described as “physical defense” in its application. A Pokemon with high defense will be strong against moves like tackle but may be prone to moves like flamethrower. These physically solid defensive Pokemon are excellent to use when facing against gym leaders whose Pokemon excel at physical offense.
Special Defense, as the name implies, resists Special Attacks moves. So a Pokemon with high special defense will be resistant to Pokemon with high Special Attack stats. For instance, a Special Defense buff Pokemon will resist flamethrower more effectively than a Pokemon who is Defensively buff. This is due to flame thrower being a Special Attack move.
Understanding the difference between Defense and Special Defense may be the difference between a Pokemon winning a battle or losing. Be sure to know which of your Pokemon excel in each stat.
Understanding STAB in Pokemon Sword and Shield
One of the lesser-known aspects of Pokemon titles, STAB is an essential concept to understand to get the most mileage out of your party.
STAB is an acronym that represents the phrase “same type attack bonus” and as its name implies it is connected to a Pokemon’s type. To understand how STAB affects gameplay lets take an example used earlier. If a fire type Pokemon uses the move flame thrower it will deal an additional amount of damage due to the fact it’s using a move connected to its type. If a normal type Pokemon uses flame thrower it will deal less damage than when a native fire type uses that move.
The STAB bonus is an incredibly important aspect of Pokemon’s gameplay that is rather under-explained. Teaching a Pokemon a move that is connected to its Type will provide stronger results than teaching it a random assortment of moves with varying types. Be sure to teach Pokemon moves that correspond to its type in order to yield optimal damage when battling enemies.
More: Charizard’s Gigantamax Pokémon Design Was Based On Godzilla
Pokemon Sword and Shield are available now on the Nintendo Switch.
