Power

If you were looking for the performance stat, see Performance → Power.

Power (Japanese: 威力 power) is a property of moves that helps determine how much damage they deal. It is seen primarily in the games, but it is touched upon in the Pokémon anime.

Overview

Moves with more power inflict more damage, provided all other circumstances are equal. Many variables besides power can influence the damage a move deals, however.

Statistically speaking, stronger moves often have certain limitations over weaker moves, such as low accuracy, low PP, or a negative effect like recoil damage.

Since Generation II, the power of a move is always displayed in the move section of a Pokémon's summary screen. All status moves in the games display a power of "—"; they do no damage. Most physical and special moves display a numeric value for their power (typically in some multiple of 5), but there are a number of exceptions: Moves that deal direct damage do not rely on the attacker and defender's stats for their damage and display a power of "—", including set-damage moves and one-hit knockout moves (which always do enough damage to make a Pokémon faint if they hit); moves that have variable power also usually display a power of "—".

Power is not shown in-game in the Mystery Dungeon series prior to Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky. In that game, as well as Pokémon Mystery Dungeon (WiiWare), moves are assigned a number of stars to indicate their power, and more stars indicates more power for that particular move. For example, Scratch has a rating of ★★★★. There exists an actual numerical value for power, however, and it is added to the Pokémon's relevant Attack stat to determine damage dealt. The power of moves in Mystery Dungeon is valued on a smaller scale, that does not necessarily correlate with the power of the move in main series games.

Stars	Power
3	4 or lower
4	5-9
5	10-13
6	14-17
7	18-22
8	23 or higher

Additionally, certain moves double their damage at the end of calculation; these are always rated as 8 star power-wise, regardless of how much their base power actually is.

Power modification

From Generation III onward, a number of factors can specifically affect a move's power in the games' damage calculation. From Generation V onward, if multiple apply, they are chained together in the order specified below, then applied to the base power. Chaining is done by starting at 4096, multiplying it by each applicable modifier, in succession, rounding with rounding up at 0.5 if necessary after each step, then taking the final value, multiplying it by the move's base power, and rounding with rounding down at 0.5. If multiple move, Ability, or item modifiers take effect, they are chained together in the other of each Pokémon's out-of-battle Speed stat.

Generation III

• 0.5x if Mud Sport or Water Sport is in effect and the used move is Electric or Fire-type, respectively.
• 1.5x if the attacker's Ability is Overgrow, Blaze, Torrent, or Swarm, its current HP is 1/3 or less of its max HP (rounded down), and the used move is Grass, Fire, Water, or Bug-type, respectively.

Generation IV

• 1.5x if the attacker's ally has used Helping Hand.
• 1.1x if the used move is physical and the attacker is holding a Muscle Band, or special and the attacker is holding Wise Glasses.
• 1.2x if the attacker is holding the type-enhancing item, Incense, or Plate corresponding to a certain type and the used move is of that type.
• 1.2x if the attacker is Dialga, Palkia, or Giratina holding an Adamant Orb, Lustrous Orb, or Griseous Orb, respectively, and the used move is either Dragon-type or Water, Steel, or Ghost-type, respectively.
• 2x if the attacker used Charge last turn and the used move is Electric-type.
• 0.5x if Mud Sport or Water Sport is in effect and the used move is Electric or Fire-type, respectively.
• 1.25x if the attacker's Ability is Rivalry and the target is of the same gender, or 0.75x if its Ability is Rivalry and the attacker and target are of opposite genders. No effect if either is genderless.
• 1.2x if the used move deals recoil damage (including Jump Kick and High Jump Kick, but not Struggle) and the attacker's Ability is Reckless.
• 1.2x if the used move is a punching move and the attacker's Ability is Iron Fist.
• 1.5x if the attacker's Ability is Overgrow, Blaze, Torrent, or Swarm, its current HP is 1/3 or less of its max HP (rounded down), and the used move is Grass, Fire, Water, or Bug-type, respectively.
• 1.5x if the used move is of 60 or less base power (for moves with variable base power, the calculated base power must be 60 or less) and the attacker's Ability is Technician.
• 0.5x if the used move is Fire or Ice-type, the target's Ability is Thick Fat, and the attacker's Ability is not Mold Breaker.
• 0.5x if the used move is Fire-type, the target's Ability is Heatproof, and the attacker's Ability is not Mold Breaker.
• 1.25x if the used move is Fire-type, the target's Ability is Dry Skin, and the attacker's Ability is not Mold Breaker.

Generation V

• 1.25x if the attacker's Ability is Rivalry and the target is of the same gender, or 0.75x if its Ability is Rivalry and the attacker and target are of opposite genders. No effect if either is genderless.
• 4915/4096 (~1.2x) if the used move deals recoil damage (including Jump Kick and High Jump Kick, but not Struggle) and the attacker's Ability is Reckless.
• 4915/4096 (~1.2x) if the used move is a punching move and the attacker's Ability is Iron Fist.
• 5235/4096 (~1.3x) if the target has already moved this turn and the attacker's Ability is Analytic
• 5235/4096 (~1.3x) if the weather is sandstorm, the used move is Ground, Rock, or Steel-type, the attacker's Ability is Sand Force, and no Pokémon on the field have the Ability Cloud Nine or Air Lock.
• 5235/4096 (~1.3x) if the used move has an additional effect and the attacker's Ability is Sheer Force.
• 1.5x if the used move is of 60 or less base power (for moves with variable base power, the calculated base power must be 60 or less) and the attacker's Ability is Technician.
• 1.5x if the used move is physical, the attacker's Ability is Toxic Boost, and it is poisoned.
• 1.5x if the used move is special, the attacker's Ability is Flare Boost, and it is burned.
• 0.5x if the used move is Fire-type, the target's Ability is Heatproof, and the attacker's Ability is not Mold Breaker, Turboblaze, or Teravolt.
• 1.25x if the used move is Fire-type, the target's Ability is Dry Skin, and the attacker's Ability is not Mold Breaker, Turboblaze, or Teravolt.
• 4505/4096 (~1.1x) if the used move is physical and the attacker is holding a Muscle Band, or special and the attacker is holding Wise Glasses.
• 4915/4096 (~1.2x) if the attacker is holding the type-enhancing item, Incense, or Plate corresponding to a certain type and the used move is of that type.
• 4915/4096 (~1.2x) if the attacker is Dialga, Palkia, or Giratina holding an Adamant Orb, Lustrous Orb, or Griseous Orb, respectively, and the used move is either Dragon-type or Water, Steel, or Ghost-type, respectively.
• 1.5x if the attacker is holding a Gem corresponding to a certain type and the used move is of that type.
• 2x if the used move is Facade and the user is burned, paralyzed, or poisoned, Brine and the target's current HP is 1/2 or less of its max HP (rounded down), Venoshock and the target is poisoned, Retaliate and a Pokémon in the user's party fainted last turn, or Fusion Flare or Fusion Bolt and the most-recently used move in the turn was the opposite Fusion move.
• 1.5x if the used move was stolen via Me First.
• 0.5x if the used move is SolarBeam, the weather is rain, sandstorm, or hail, and no Pokémon on the field have the Ability Cloud Nine or Air Lock.
• 2x if the attacker used Charge last turn and the used move is Electric-type.
• 1.5x if the attacker's ally has used Helping Hand. If multiple have been used via a Triple Battle, the multiplier applies for each.
• 1352/4096 (~0.33x) if Mud Sport or Water Sport is in effect and the used move is Electric or Fire-type, respectively.

Generation VI

• 1.25x if the attacker's Ability is Rivalry and the target is of the same gender, or 0.75x if its Ability is Rivalry and the attacker and target are of opposite genders. No effect if either is genderless.
• 4915/4096 (~1.2x) if the used move deals recoil damage (including Jump Kick and High Jump Kick, but not Struggle) and the attacker's Ability is Reckless.
• 4915/4096 (~1.2x) if the used move is a punching move and the attacker's Ability is Iron Fist.
• 4915/4096 (~1.2x) if the attacker's Ability is Normalize.
• 5235/4096 (~1.3x) if the target has already moved this turn and the attacker's Ability is Analytic
• 5235/4096 (~1.3x) if the weather is sandstorm, the used move is Ground, Rock, or Steel-type, the attacker's Ability is Sand Force, and no Pokémon on the field have the Ability Cloud Nine or Air Lock.
• 5235/4096 (~1.3x) if the used move has an additional effect and the attacker's Ability is Sheer Force.
• 5235/4096 (~1.3x) if the used move makes contact and the attacker's Ability is Tough Claws.
• 5325/4096 (~1.3x) if the used move is Normal-type and the attacker's Ability is Aerilate, Pixilate, or Refrigerate.
• 5448/4096 (~1.33x) if Fairy Aura is in effect and the used move is Fairy-type or Dark Aura is in effect and the used move is Dark-type, and the attacker's Ability is not Mold Breaker, Turboblaze, or Teravolt.
  • If both an Aura Ability and Aura Break are in effect, the multiplier is instead 0.75x.
• 1.5x if the used move is of 60 or less base power (for moves with variable base power, the calculated base power must be 60 or less) and the attacker's Ability is Technician.
• 1.5x if the used move is physical, the attacker's Ability is Toxic Boost, and it is poisoned.
• 1.5x if the used move is special, the attacker's Ability is Flare Boost, and it is burned.
• 1.5x if the used move is a biting move and the attacker's Ability is Strong Jaw.
• 1.5x if the used move is an aura or pulse move and the attacker's Ability is Mega Launcher.
• 0.5x if the used move is Fire-type, the target's Ability is Heatproof, and the attacker's Ability is not Mold Breaker, Turboblaze, or Teravolt.
• 1.25x if the used move is Fire-type, the target's Ability is Dry Skin, and the attacker's Ability is not Mold Breaker, Turboblaze, or Teravolt.
• 4505/4096 (~1.1x) if the used move is physical and the attacker is holding a Muscle Band, or special and the attacker is holding Wise Glasses.
• 4915/4096 (~1.2x) if the attacker is holding the type-enhancing item, Incense, or Plate corresponding to a certain type and the used move is of that type.
• 4915/4096 (~1.2x) if the attacker is Dialga, Palkia, or Giratina holding an Adamant Orb, Lustrous Orb, or Griseous Orb, respectively, and the used move is either Dragon-type or Water, Steel, or Ghost-type, respectively.
• 5325/4096 (~1.3x) if the attacker is holding a Gem corresponding to a certain type and the used move is of that type.
• 0.5x if the used move is Solar Beam, the weather is rain, sandstorm, or hail, and no Pokémon on the field have the Ability Cloud Nine or Air Lock.
• 1.5x if the used move was stolen via Me First.
• 1.5x if the used move is Knock Off and the target is holding an item that can be removed with the move.
• 1.5x if the attacker's ally has used Helping Hand. If multiple have been used via a Triple Battle, the multiplier applies for each.
• 2x if the attacker used Charge last turn and the used move is Electric-type.
• 2x if the used move is Facade and the user is burned, paralyzed, or poisoned, Brine and the target's current HP is 1/2 or less of its max HP (rounded down), Venoshock and the target is poisoned, Retaliate and a Pokémon in the user's party fainted last turn, or Fusion Flare or Fusion Bolt and the most-recently used move in the turn was the opposite Fusion move.
• 0.5x if Grassy Terrain or Misty Terrain is in effect, the target is grounded and the used move is Earthquake, Magnitude, or Bulldoze or Dragon-type, respectively.
• 1.5x if Electric Terrain or Grassy Terrain is in effect, the attacker is grounded, and the used move is Electric or Grass-type, respectively.
• 1352/4096 (~0.33x) if Mud Sport or Water Sport is in effect and the used move is Electric or Fire-type, respectively.

Generation VII

• 1.25x if the attacker's Ability is Rivalry and the target is of the same gender, or 0.75x if its Ability is Rivalry and the attacker and target are of opposite genders. No effect if either is genderless.
• 4915/4096 (~1.2x) if the used move deals recoil damage (including Jump Kick and High Jump Kick, but not Struggle) and the attacker's Ability is Reckless.
• 4915/4096 (~1.2x) if the used move is a punching move and the attacker's Ability is Iron Fist.
• 4915/4096 (~1.2x) if the attacker's Ability is Normalize.
• 4915/4096 (~1.2x) if the used move is Normal-type and the attacker's Ability is Aerilate, Pixilate, Refrigerate, or Galvanize.
• 5235/4096 (~1.3x) if the attacker's ally's Ability is Battery and the used move is special.
• 5235/4096 (~1.3x) if the target has already moved this turn and the attacker's Ability is Analytic.
• 5235/4096 (~1.3x) if the weather is sandstorm, the used move is Ground, Rock, or Steel-type, the attacker's Ability is Sand Force, and no Pokémon on the field have the Ability Cloud Nine or Air Lock.
• 5235/4096 (~1.3x) if the used move has an additional effect and the attacker's Ability is Sheer Force.
• 5235/4096 (~1.3x) if the used move makes contact and the attacker's Ability is Tough Claws.
• 5448/4096 (~1.33x) if Fairy Aura is in effect and the used move is Fairy-type or Dark Aura is in effect and the used move is Dark-type, and the attacker's Ability is not Mold Breaker, Turboblaze, or Teravolt.
  • If both an Aura Ability and Aura Break are in effect, the multiplier is instead 0.75x.
• 1.5x if the used move is of 60 or less base power (for moves with variable base power, the calculated base power must be 60 or less) and the attacker's Ability is Technician.
• 1.5x if the used move is physical, the attacker's Ability is Toxic Boost, and it is poisoned.
• 1.5x if the used move is special, the attacker's Ability is Flare Boost, and it is burned.
• 1.5x if the used move is a biting move and the attacker's Ability is Strong Jaw.
• 1.5x if the used move is an aura or pulse move and the attacker's Ability is Mega Launcher.
• 0.5x if the used move is Fire-type, the target's Ability is Heatproof, and the attacker's Ability is not Mold Breaker, Turboblaze, or Teravolt.
• 1.25x if the used move is Fire-type, the target's Ability is Dry Skin, and the attacker's Ability is not Mold Breaker, Turboblaze, or Teravolt.
• 4505/4096 (~1.1x) if the used move is physical and the attacker is holding a Muscle Band, or special and the attacker is holding Wise Glasses.
• 4915/4096 (~1.2x) if the attacker is holding the type-enhancing item, Incense, or Plate corresponding to a certain type and the used move is of that type.
• 4915/4096 (~1.2x) if the attacker is Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, or Latias or Latios holding an Adamant Orb, Lustrous Orb, Griseous Orb, or Soul Dew, respectively, and the used move is either Dragon-type or Water, Steel, Ghost, or Psychic-type, respectively.
• 5325/4096 (~1.3x) if the attacker is holding a Gem corresponding to a certain type and the used move is of that type.
• 0.5x if the used move is Solar Beam or Solar Blade, the weather is rain, sandstorm, or hail, and no Pokémon on the field have the Ability Cloud Nine or Air Lock.
• 1.5x if the used move was stolen via Me First.
• 1.5x if the used move is Knock Off and the target is holding an item that can be removed with the move.
• 1.5x if the attacker's ally has used Helping Hand. If multiple have been used via Instruct, the multiplier applies for each.
• 2x if the attacker used Charge last turn and the used move is Electric-type.
• 2x if the used move is Facade and the user is burned, paralyzed, or poisoned, Brine and the target's current HP is 1/2 or less of its max HP (rounded down), Venoshock and the target is poisoned, Retaliate and a Pokémon in the user's party fainted last turn, or Fusion Flare or Fusion Bolt and the most-recently used move in the turn was the opposite Fusion move.
• 0.5x if Grassy Terrain or Misty Terrain is in effect, the target is grounded and the used move is Earthquake, Magnitude, or Bulldoze or Dragon-type, respectively.
• 1.5x if Electric Terrain, Grassy Terrain, or Psychic Terrain is in effect, the attacker is grounded, and the used move is Electric or Grass-type, respectively.
• 1352/4096 (~0.33x) if Mud Sport or Water Sport is in effect and the used move is Electric or Fire-type, respectively.

Generation VIII

• 1.25x if the attacker's Ability is Rivalry and the target is of the same gender, or 0.75x if its Ability is Rivalry and the attacker and target are of opposite genders. No effect if either is genderless.
• 4915/4096 (~1.2x) if the used move deals recoil damage (including Jump Kick and High Jump Kick, but not Struggle) and the attacker's Ability is Reckless.
• 4915/4096 (~1.2x) if the used move is a punching move and the attacker's Ability is Iron Fist.
• 4915/4096 (~1.2x) if the used move is Normal-type and the attacker's Ability is Aerilate, Pixilate, Refrigerate, or Galvanize.
• 4915/4096 (~1.2x) if the attacker's Ability is Normalize.
• 5235/4096 (~1.3x) if the attacker's ally's Ability is Battery and the used move is special.
• 5235/4096 (~1.3x) if the attacker's ally's Ability is Power Spot.
• 5235/4096 (~1.3x) if the target has already moved this turn and the attacker's Ability is Analytic.
• 5235/4096 (~1.3x) if the weather is sandstorm, the used move is Ground, Rock, or Steel-type, the attacker's Ability is Sand Force, and no Pokémon on the field have the Ability Cloud Nine or Air Lock.
• 5235/4096 (~1.3x) if the used move has an additional effect and the attacker's Ability is Sheer Force.
• 5235/4096 (~1.3x) if the used move makes contact and the attacker's Ability is Tough Claws.
• 5235/4096 (~1.3x) if the used move is a sound-based move and the attacker's Ability is Punk Rock.
• 5448/4096 (~1.33x) if Fairy Aura is in effect and the used move is Fairy-type or Dark Aura is in effect and the used move is Dark-type, and the attacker's Ability is not Mold Breaker, Turboblaze, or Teravolt.
  • If both an Aura Ability and Aura Break are in effect, the multiplier is instead 0.75x.
• 1.5x if the used move is of 60 or less base power (for moves with variable base power, the calculated base power must be 60 or less) and the attacker's Ability is Technician.
• 1.5x if the used move is physical, the attacker's Ability is Toxic Boost, and it is poisoned.
• 1.5x if the used move is special, the attacker's Ability is Flare Boost, and it is burned.
• 1.5x if the used move is a biting move and the attacker's Ability is Strong Jaw.
• 1.5x if the used move is an aura or pulse move and the attacker's Ability is Mega Launcher.
• 1.5x if the used move is Steel-type and the attacker or its ally's Ability is Steely Spirit. If both of their Abilities are Steely Spirit, the multiplier is applied twice.
• 0.5x if the used move is Fire-type, the target's Ability is Heatproof, and the attacker's Ability is not Mold Breaker, Turboblaze, or Teravolt.
• 1.25x if the used move is Fire-type, the target's Ability is Dry Skin, and the attacker's Ability is not Mold Breaker, Turboblaze, or Teravolt.
• 4505/4096 (~1.1x) if the used move is physical and the attacker is holding a Muscle Band, or special and the attacker is holding Wise Glasses.
• 4915/4096 (~1.2x) if the attacker is holding the type-enhancing item, Incense, or Plate corresponding to a certain type and the used move is of that type.
• 4915/4096 (~1.2x) if the attacker is Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, or Latias or Latios holding an Adamant Orb, Lustrous Orb, Griseous Orb, or Soul Dew, respectively, and the used move is either Dragon-type or Water, Steel, Ghost, or Psychic-type, respectively.
• 5325/4096 (~1.3x) if the attacker is holding a Normal Gem and the used move is Normal-type.
• 0.5x if the used move is Solar Beam or Solar Blade, the weather is rain, sandstorm, or hail, and no Pokémon on the field have the Ability Cloud Nine or Air Lock.
• 1.5x if the used move is Knock Off and the target is holding an item that can be removed with the move, Grav Apple and Gravity is in effect, Misty Explosion, Misty Terrain is in effect, and the attacker is grounded, or Expanding Force, Psychic Terrain is in effect, and the attacker is grounded.
• 1.5x if the attacker's ally has used Helping Hand. If multiple have been used via Instruct, the multiplier applies for each.
• 2x if the attacker used Charge last turn and the used move is Electric-type.
• 2x if the used move is Facade and the user is burned, paralyzed, or poisoned, Brine and the target's current HP is 1/2 or less of its max HP (rounded down), Venoshock and the target is poisoned, Retaliate and a Pokémon in the user's party fainted last turn, Fusion Flare or Fusion Bolt and the most-recently used move in the turn was the opposite Fusion move, or Lash Out and any of the attacker's stats were lowered this turn.
• 0.5x if Grassy Terrain or Misty Terrain is in effect, the target is grounded, and the used move is Earthquake, Magnitude, or Bulldoze or Dragon-type, respectively.
• 5325/4096 (~1.3x) if Electric Terrain, Grassy Terrain, or Psychic Terrain is in effect, the attacker is grounded, and the used move is Electric or Grass-type, respectively.

In the anime

In the anime, moves don't seem to have a set power, and can be affected through various factors, such as the Pokémon having received a power boost of some sort, or even through conscious choice. Examples of the former can be seen in White—Victini and Zekrom and Black—Victini and Reshiram, where Ash's Tepig and Scraggy were able to defeat fully evolved opponents with moves that had previously done almost no damage to them after receiving a power boost from Victini, while examples of the latter can be seen in The Problem with Paras and Hocus Pokémon, where Ash's Pikachu purposefully weakened the power of his own Electric moves against opponents that Ash wanted to avoid hurting too much.

In addition, some moves have been shown to have much higher power in the anime than in the games, such as in Choose It or Lose It!, where Ash's Corphish's Bubble Beam was able to match Morrison's Swampert's Hydro Pump in power. There are also examples of status moves being capable of having the equivalent of a base power in the anime, like how Brandon's Dusclops's Will-O-Wisp was shown to be equal in power compared to Ash's Charizard's Flamethrower in Gathering the Gang of Four!.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

FireRed & LeafGreen arc

In Don't Doubt Deoxys, Carr mentioned that Psycho Boost has a power of 140.

Trivia

• Explosion is the strongest move in the series among those with a set power (250). It has been the sole holder of that title since its inception, even when including Z-Moves.
  • When counting moves that power up and those with variable power, the strongest moves can become Rollout and Ice Ball, both reaching 960 power on their fifth hit if the user has previously used Defense Curl.
• In Generation I only, there is no way to see a move's power on-screen.
• In both Generations I and II, there is no way to see a move's power while in battle through the battle summary.
• As of Generation VII, the average move power of all moves with a set power (for example, excluding Magnitude) is 79.09; excluding Z-Moves gives an average of 76.52. The most frequent move power is 80.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 威力 Wāilihk Mandarin 威力 Wēilì French Puissance German Stärke Italian Potenza Korean 위력 Wiryeok Brazilian Portuguese Potência (PS240-present) Força (PS107-PS193) Spanish Potencia

See also

• Accuracy
• Move
• List of moves

This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.