Battle Pointers

Learn about STAB, critical hits, priority moves, and party composition in pokemon lets go pikachu and lets go eevee. Increase your damage and win more battles.

Same Type Attack Bonus (STAB)

STAB is an abbreviation for Same Type Attack Bonus. When a Pokémon uses a move that matches one of its own Types, that move deals 50% more damage. This mechanic rewards trainers for using moves that align with their Pokémon's Types. For dual-Type Pokémon, they will gain STAB from moves of both of their Types. It is generally recommended to have your Pokémon know at least one STAB move for each of its Types to maximize effectiveness.

Variety is the Spice of Life

It is good practice to diversify your Pokémon party. Having a full team of the same Type, like all Grass-types, will leave you massively disadvantaged against opponents with Fire, Flying, Bug, and Ice-types. With 6 Pokémon in a party and some Pokémon having two Types, you can represent up to 12 of the 18 Types. You can cover (press the cover button to crouch behind walls or objects) remaining Types by teaching Pokémon moves via TMs or other means. Your Partner Pokémon, especially Eevee, has a lot of move choice. While Pokémon won’t gain STAB from using moves that aren’t their Type(s), using a super-effective move (double or quadruple damage) against a Pokémon weak to it can be better than neutral damage with STAB.

Know Your Priorities

In most cases, Speed determines which Pokémon attacks first. However, some moves, like Quick Attack or Pikachu's Zippy Zap, are “priority moves” and always go first. These moves have increased priority in battle. While priority moves may fall off in raw damage as Pokémon get stronger (except for Zippy Zap, which is considered overpowered), they can be very useful. Be wary if your opponent has access to priority moves. If both Pokémon use a priority move, Speed is compared again, but some moves have higher priority than others. Zippy Zap has a priority of +2, while Quick Attack has +1, meaning a Pikachu using Zippy Zap will always go first, even against a faster opponent using Quick Attack.

A Critical Opportunity

Critical hits occur when an attack deals 50% more damage than usual. By default, there is a 1 in 24 chance of inflicting a critical hit. Some attacks, like Slash, have an increased chance (1 in 8). Using Dire Hit (purchased from Poké Marts) or the status move Focus Energy increases the chance of a critical hit from 1 in 24 to 50%. For moves like Slash, these items can cause a guaranteed critical hit. Critical hits ignore defensive stat boosts on an opponent and lowered attack stats on the attacker. Pokémon with very high Happiness also have an increased chance of triggering critical hits.

Sacrifice for the Future…

If your Pokémon is close to fainting, calmly analyze the situation. If you can still win or safely heal, do so. However, if your Pokémon cannot do much damage or is outsped by the opponent, it might be better to let it faint, assuming you have other Pokémon ready. Instead of wasting a turn dealing little damage, you could heal or revive another Pokémon with a better matchup, inflict a status condition with a faster Pokémon, or use moves like Self-Destruct or Explosion to sacrifice your Pokémon.