Weather
- Clear redirects here. For the location in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky demo, see Mt. Clear.
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This article is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Generation VI and VII details; Gates to Infinity descriptions |
The weather (Japanese: 天気 weather) is a set of mechanics in the Pokémon games that change the battle environment, activating Abilities, modifying certain moves, and potentially damaging the Pokémon in battle or affecting their stats. They have been included in every core series game since Generation II. In battle, weather is either determined by the location of a battle, due to overworld weather, or by a Pokémon creating a new type of weather with a move or Ability. Only one type of weather may be present at a time, and only the most recent type of weather will take effect.
In Generation II, only moves that cause weather were introduced and weather was only present in battles, not in the overworld. Generation III introduced overworld weather and weather-related Abilities, as well as a new weather-causing move. The biggest modification to weather in Generation IV was the introduction of four held items (Heat, Damp, Smooth, and Icy Rocks) that increase the duration of weather caused by weather-changing moves or Abilities with effects on weather conditions. Generation V mostly introduced greater overworld weather variability, especially in seasons affecting the weather in certain locations.
Types of weather and effects
Overview
- Clear skies: Actually the absence of weather. This is the weather found in most locations.
- Harsh sunlight: Strong sunlight shines on the battlefield. It is one of the rarest conditions to be seen in the overworld.
- Extremely harsh sunlight: Sunlight shines more heavily on the battlefield. This has only occurred in the overworld in the Hoenn region, in Pokémon Omega Ruby, due to Groudon's emergence.
- Rain: Rain falls on the battlefield. Different variations of this weather may appear on the overworld. This is the most common weather pattern that may be found on routes and occasionally in cities.
- Heavy rain: Rain falls more chaotically around the battlefield. This has only occurred in the overworld in the Hoenn region, in Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, due to Kyogre's emergence.
- Sandstorm: Stinging sand whips across the battlefield. In Generations III through V, every new region had a specific area where a sandstorm was always occurring.
- Hail: Pelting hail falls on the battlefield. Different variations of this weather may appear on the overworld, and there may even be benign falling snow that does not cause hail in a battle.
- Diamond dust: A special, purely aesthetic version of snow. It was an easter egg first revealed in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, and is known to appear in every core game since.
- Shadowy aura: Bursts of light rain down from a shadowy aura in the sky. This type of weather is only present in Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness and has no overworld manifestation anywhere.
- Fog: A thick fog clouds the battlefield. This only had an in-battle effect during Generation IV, but it has been present in the overworld in other Generations in a purely aesthetic form.
- Mysterious air current: A strong air current blows across the battlefield. This weather can only be present in battle, as a result of Mega Rayquaza's Ability.
There is also a glitch that occurs in Pokémon Platinum, HeartGold and SoulSilver, called acid rain, that results in the simultaneous occurrence of all then-existing weather conditions at once, damaging all Pokémon on the field.
In Generation V, the weather was given an icon which appeared on the DS or 3DS's bottom screen in a battle whenever weather was occurring. Since fog and shadowy aura do not appear in-battle in Generation V, they have no icons. When there is no weather, no icon is shown.
| Game | Harsh sunlight | Rain | Sandstorm | Hail |
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| BW | 
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| B2W2 | 
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In Generation VI onwards, the background of the bottom screen shows an animation of the current weather.
In Generation VII, the 3DS's bottom screen displays an icon and background animation of the current weather.
| Game | Harsh sunlight | Rain | Sandstorm | Hail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SM | 
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Causing weather
Most of the types of weather have a move or Ability that will cause that weather.
| Clear skies | Harsh sunlight | Extremely harsh sunlight | Rain | Heavy rain | Sandstorm | Hail | Shadowy aura | Fog | Mysterious air current | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Move | Defog* | Sunny Day | — | Rain Dance | — | Sandstorm | Hail | Shadow Sky | — | — |
| Ability | — | Drought | Desolate Land | Drizzle | Primordial Sea | Sand Stream | Snow Warning | — | — | Delta Stream |
Air Lock and Cloud Nine also suspend the effects of weather while they are active.
In addition, Defog may clear fog from an overworld area (in Generation IV only). It is the only move that has any effect on weather in the overworld.
Weather normally lasts for 5 turns when it is called by a move. Prior to Generation VI, weather created by an Ability would continue until the battle ended or another type of weather took its place; since Generation VI, weather created by Abilities also lasts for only 5 turns, with the exception of weather created by Desolate Land, Primordial Sea, and Delta Stream.
If multiple Pokémon with Abilities that change the weather are sent in simultaneously, the Abilities activate in order from fastest Pokémon to slowest Pokémon (or the reverse during Trick Room); this means that the slowest Pokémon's Ability will override the other Abilities.
If a Pokémon holding one of four held items creates weather that would otherwise last 5 turns, it instead lasts 8 turns. The rock that affects each type of weather is shown below.
| Harsh sunlight | Rain | Sandstorm | Hail |
|---|---|---|---|
 Heat Rock |
 Damp Rock |
 Smooth Rock |
 Icy Rock |
Effects
Three of the types of weather can do damage to Pokémon in battle at the end of a turn. In a sandstorm, hail, or shadowy aura, any Pokémon that is not Rock-, Ground-, or Steel-type; Ice-type; or a Shadow Pokémon (respectively) will be damaged for 1/16 of its maximum HP. Certain Abilities prevent damage from weather effects, though, and a Pokémon holding Safety Goggles is also immune to damage from weather effects.
Sandstorm and fog both affect the stats of Pokémon on the battlefield. Since Generation IV, in a sandstorm, the Special Defense of Rock-type Pokémon is increased by 50%. In fog, the accuracy of all Pokémon in battle is decreased.
During harsh sunlight, all Pokémon are immune to freezing.
Harsh sunlight and rain both affect the power of certain types of moves. Harsh sunlight strengthens the power of Fire-type moves by 50% and weakens the power of Water-type moves by 50%, while rain does the opposite, strengthening Water-type moves by 50% while weakening Fire-type moves by 50%.
Certain specific moves are also affected in special ways by the weather.
- The recovery moves Synthesis, Morning Sun, and Moonlight will recover different amounts* of HP depending on the weather: in clear skies, they recover half of the user's maximum HP; in harsh sunlight, they recover ⅔ HP; and in other types of weather, they recover ¼ HP.
- The accuracy of Thunder, Hurricane, and Blizzard is affected by the weather.
- In hail, Blizzard ignores accuracy and evasion checks*, while Thunder and Hurricane do the same in rain. During harsh sunlight, however, Thunder and Hurricane only have 50% accuracy.
- In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Blizzard and Thunder also had a 30% chance to hit through Protect or Detect when used in their favored weather.
- Solar Beam and Solar Blade become a 1-turn move in harsh sunlight, skipping its charge turn, but in rain, sandstorm, or hail, the move's power is halved.
- From Generation V onwards, Growth's stat increases double in harsh sunlight.
- When used as a field move in Generations IV-VI, Sweet Scent will fail to work if there is a type of weather in effect in the area.
- The move Shore Up restores ⅔ of the user's total HP during a sandstorm; outside of a sandstorm, it only restores ½ total HP.
Activated Abilities
The following Abilities are activated when a type of weather comes into effect. Most of these Abilities have no effect if no weather is active.
In addition to the above Abilities, Harvest is guaranteed to restore a Berry whenever it triggers in harsh sunlight, and the Abilities Overcoat and Magic Guard will prevent weather-related damage.
Castform and Weather Ball
- Main article: Castform (Pokémon)
- Main article: Weather Ball (move)
Castform is a Pokémon uniquely designed to take advantage of the weather. Its Ability, Forecast, causes it to change form when a type of weather is present. Forecast does not cause a unique change for every possible type of weather, though.
Normal Normal During clear skies, fog, sandstorm, shadowy aura, and a mysterious air current |
Sunny Form Fire During harsh sunlight and extremely harsh sunlight |
Rainy Form Water During rain and heavy rain |
Snowy Form Ice During hail |
Weather Ball is a move that uniquely takes advantage of the weather. In Generation III, it was introduced along with Castform and was Castform's signature move.
Whenever there is a type of weather present, Weather Ball's base power will double to 100. Weather Ball's type also changes during most types of weather.
| During clear skies* Normal |
During harsh sunlight/extremely harsh sunlight Fire |
During rain/heavy rain Water |
During sandstorm Rock |
During hail Ice |
During shadowy aura ??? |
During fog/mysterious air current Normal |
Because of its Ability, Castform has a unique synergy with Weather Ball that no other Pokémon that can learn Weather Ball has. In harsh sunlight, rain, or hail, Castform will always get STAB thanks to its Ability.
Weather-dependent evolution
Starting at level 50, Sliggoo will evolve into Goodra if it is leveled up while it is raining in the overworld.
| First evolution | Second evolution | |
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 → Level up while raining or foggy |
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| Sliggoo Dragon |
Goodra Dragon |
In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series
Various weather effects appear in certain dungeons in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series. Weather effects can change from floor to floor, and can also be altered through the use of Wonder Orbs. In Gates to Infinity, Pokémon will regenerate HP only if the weather is Clear, or if it is holding a Weather Band. In Super Mystery Dungeon, Pokémon can regenerate HP in any weather as long as they do not take damage from the weather condition, or if it is holding a Weather Looplet.
- Clear: NoneRBTDS, Pokémon will resore health as turns go byGtISMD
- Sunny: Fire-type moves increase power by 50%, while the power of Water-type moves is cut in half.
- Fog: The power of Electric-type moves is cut in half. Also turns Castform into a Water type. This weather is not present in Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon.
- Snow: Ice-type Pokémon have an increased movement speed. Also turns Castform into an Ice type. This weather is not present in Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon.
- Rain: Water-type moves increase power by 50%, while the power of Fire-type moves is cut in half. Also prevents explosions from traps and moves like Selfdestruct.
- Hail: Deals 5RB/3TDS/1GtISMD points of damage to non-Ice types every 10 turns.
- Sandstorm: Deals 5RB/3TDS/1GtISMD points of damage to non-Rock, Ground, and Steel types every 10 turns.
- Cloudy: Reduces the damage of all non-Normal-type moves by 25%. This weather is not present in Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon.
- Harsh sunlight: Fire-type moves increase power by 50%, while Water-type moves are nullified.
- Heavy Rain: Water-type moves increase power by 50%, while Fire-type moves are nullified.
- Strong Winds: Moves that would be super effective against pure Flying-type Pokémon will only be normally effective.
Description
Gates to Infinity
| Clear | Sunny | Rain | Hail | Sandstorm |
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The weather is clear and pleasant. In this weather, you can restore your HP naturally just by walking. |
The sun blazes. In this weather, you can't restore your HP naturally. It boosts the power of Fire-type moves and weakens Water-type moves. |
It's rainy and humid. In this weather, you can't restore your HP naturally. It boosts the power of Water-type moves and weakens the power of Fire-type moves. |
It's cold and hailing. In this weather, you can't restore your HP naturally. Also, all Pokémon, except Ice types, keep taking damage! The status returns to normal when you go to the next floor. |
A sandstorm rages. In this weather, you can't restore your HP naturally. Also, all Pokémon, except Ground, Rock, and Steel types, keep taking damage. Sp. Def of Rock types goes up. |
Super Mystery Dungeon
| Clear | Sunny | Rain | Hail | Sandstorm | Harsh Sunlight | Heavy Rain | Strong Winds |
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The weather is clear and pleasant. In this weather, you can restore your HP naturally just by walking. |
The sun blazes. If you don't do well with this weather, you can't restore your HP naturally and will keep taking damage. It boosts the power of Fire-type moves and weakens Water-type moves. During this weather, Pokémon won't get frozen. |
It's rainy and humid. This weather boosts the power of Water-type moves and weakens the power of Fire-type moves. The floor will be defused. |
It's cold and hailing. You can't restore your HP naturally and will keep taking damage unless you are Ice type. |
Sand blows really hard. You can't restore your HP naturally, and you'll keep taking damage unless you are a Ground, Rock, or Steel type. It boosts the Sp. Def of Rock-type Pokémon. |
The sunlight is extremely harsh. If you don't do well with this weather, you can't restore your HP naturally and will keep taking damage. It boosts Fire-type moves and nullifies the effects of Water-type moves. During this weather, Pokémon won't get frozen. |
Torrential rain falls and soaks you to the bone. It boosts Water-type moves and nullifies the effects of Fire-type moves. The floor will also be defused. |
Very strong winds are blowing. Flying-type Pokémon won't have weaknesses. |
Appearance
Sunny
Fog
Snow
Rain
Hail
Sandstorm
Cloudy
Trivia
- The Weather Institute in Hoenn is dedicated to the study of weather. It is said to have created Castform, a Pokémon that changes with the weather.
- All weather-creating Abilities (Drought, Drizzle, Sand Stream, and Snow Warning) debuted the generation after their respective moves/weather (Sunny Day, Rain Dance, Sandstorm, and Hail).
- The Generation III core games internal data contains an unused overworld weather effect of four falling snowflakes.
In other languages
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| Weather conditions | |
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| Harsh sunlight • Rain • Sandstorm • Hail • Snow • Shadowy aura • Fog Extremely harsh sunlight • Heavy rain • Strong winds |
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This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games. |
