Contact

Contact is a term used to describe the condition when one Pokémon, in a battle physically touches the opponent in order to deal damage. Up until Generation IV, moves that make contact could be either physical moves or special moves; however, ever since the distinction between physical and special were no longer based on types, most moves that make contact are physical.

Effects of contact

• The use of contact-based moves can be affected directly by certain abilities of the foe, such as Cute Charm and Effect Spore, and indirectly by certain attackers abilities, like Guts
• It can be used to spread Pokérus.
• Pre-Gen IV, Damage dealing for moves that make contact depend on the moves type.
• Post-Gen IV, Damage dealing for moves that make contact are always calculated using the attacking Pokémon's Attack and the defending Pokémon's Defense.

Trivia

• In all console games except Pokemon Battle Revolution, the moves making contact's battle animation doesn't show the attacking Pokémon hitting the defending one at all. In the handheld games however, it differs from attack to attack.

See also

• Special moves
• Physical moves
• List of physical moves
• List of special moves

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