Weather
- Clear redirects here. For the location in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky demo, see Mt. Clear.
The weather (Japanese: 天気 weather) is a set of mechanics in the Pokémon games.
In the core series games
In the core series, the weather changes 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. Only one type of weather may be present at a time; an effect that creates weather will remove the previous weather.
In Generation II, the only way to cause weather was by a Pokémon using a move in-battle. Generation III introduced weather-related Abilities as well as overworld weather; starting a battle in an overworld location with weather would cause that weather to be automatically present from the beginning of the battle. Generation IV introduced four held items (Heat, Damp, Smooth, and Icy Rocks) that increase the duration of weather caused by weather-changing moves or Abilities. Generation V introduced seasons, which may affect the weather in certain locations, and Generation VI introduced a new evolution method affected by the weather. Generation VIII introduced overworld effects that resemble weather but do not directly correspond with an in-battle weather.
Pokémon battles
List of weather
The following lists all the weather conditions in battles. Note that in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, weather conditions do not behave the same way they do in the other games.
| Weather | Image | In-game description | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harsh sunlight | 
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The harsh sunlight weather condition. It boosts the power of Fire-type moves and lowers the power of Water-type moves. | Harsh sunlight strengthens the power of Fire-type moves by 50% and weakens the power of Water-type moves by 50%. During harsh sunlight, no Pokémon can be frozen. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, it instead increases the Speed of Grass-type Pokémon and activates Cherrim's Sunshine Form. |
| Rain | 
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The rain weather condition. It boosts the power of Water-type moves and lowers the power of Fire-type moves. |
Rain strengthens Water-type moves by 50% while weakening Fire-type moves by 50%. |
| Sandstorm | 
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The sandstorm weather condition. At the end of each turn, it damages all Pokémon that are not Rock, Ground, or Steel types. It boosts the Sp. Def of Rock-type Pokémon. | Any Pokémon that is not Rock-, Ground-, or Steel-type will be damaged for 1/16 of its maximum HP at the end of each turn. Certain Abilities prevent damage from weather effects, though, and a Pokémon holding Safety Goggles is also immune to damage from weather effects. Since Generation IV, in a sandstorm, the Special Defense of Rock-type Pokémon is increased by 50%. |
| Hail | 
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The hail weather condition. At the end of each turn, it damages all Pokémon that are not Ice types. | Any Pokémon that is not Ice-type will be damaged for 1/16 of its maximum HP at the end of each turn. Certain Abilities prevent damage from weather effects, though, and a Pokémon holding Safety Goggles is also immune to damage from weather effects. This weather was replaced by Snow in Generation IX. |
| Snow | 
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The snow weather condition. It makes Blizzard more likely to hit and boosts the Defense of Ice-type Pokémon. |
Snow increases the Defense of Ice-type Pokémon by 50%. This weather condition replaces Hail in Generation IX. |
| Fog | 
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N/A | This weather condition only exists in Sinnoh and Hisui. A thick fog clouds the overworld and battlefield, reducing the accuracy of all moves. |
| Extremely harsh sunlight | 
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The extremely harsh sunlight weather condition. It boosts the power of Fire-type moves and protects Pokémon from Water-type moves. | 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. |
| Heavy rain | 
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The heavy rain weather condition. It boosts the power of Water-type moves and protects Pokémon from Fire-type moves. | Rain falls more chaotically around the battlefield. |
| Strong winds | 
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The strong winds weather condition. The power of moves that are super effective against Flying-type Pokémon is decreased. | Strong winds causes Electric-, Ice-, and Rock-type moves to deal neutral damage to Flying-type Pokémon. |
| Shadowy aura | 
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N/A | Any Pokémon that is not a Shadow Pokémon will be damaged for 1/16 of its maximum HP. This weather condition is only present in Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness and has no overworld manifestation anywhere. |
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
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This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Images |
| Weather | In-game description | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Strong sunlight | The Speed of Grass-type Pokémon is boosted. | Increases the Speed of Grass-type Pokémon. Activates Cherrim's Sunshine Form. |
| Rain | Damage dealt by Fire-type moves is reduced. | Damage dealt by Fire-type moves is reduced. |
| Snow | Pokémon are more likely to get frostbite, and drowsy Pokémon are more likely to fail to act. The Speed of Ice-type Pokémon is also boosted. | Pokémon are twice as likely to get frostbite, and drowsy Pokémon are twice as likely to fail to act. The Speed of Ice-type Pokémon is also boosted by 33%. |
| Fog | All moves are less accurate, apart from moves that are always sure to hit. | A thick fog clouds the overworld and battlefield, reducing the accuracy of all moves. |
Moves affected by weather
Certain specific moves are also affected in special ways by the weather.
- The recovery moves Synthesis, Morning Sun, and Moonlight restore more HP than usual in harsh sunlight, and less than usual in most other weather.
- In Generation II, during no weather they normally restore ¼ total HP, during harsh sunlight they normally restore ½ total HP, and during other weather they normally restore ⅛ total HP. Except in link battles, the amount of HP restored is doubled if it is the move's preferred time of day (morning for Morning Sun, day for Synthesis, night for Moonlight).
- From Generation III onward, during no weather or strong winds they restore ½ total HP, during harsh sunlight they restore ⅔ total HP, and during other weather they restore ¼ total HP.
- 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.
- The accuracy of Thunder, Hurricane, Blizzard, Bleakwind Storm, Wildbolt Storm, and Sandsear Storm are affected by the weather.
- From Generation IV onward, during hail Blizzard ignores accuracy and evasion checks.
- During rain, Thunder and Hurricane ignore accuracy and evasion checks; during harsh sunlight, Thunder and Hurricane only have 50% accuracy.
- In Generation IX, during rain, Bleakwind Storm, Wildbolt Storm, and Sandsear Storm ignore accuracy and evasion checks.
- In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl only, Blizzard and Thunder also have a 30% chance to hit through Protect or Detect when used in hail or rain, respectively.
- Solar Beam and Solar Blade become one-turn moves in harsh sunlight, skipping their charge turn; in rain, sandstorm, hail, and fog, the moves' powers are halved.
- From Generation V onward, during harsh sunlight Growth increases the user's Attack and Special Attack by two stages each instead of one.
- In Generations IV and V, and Pokémon X and Y, when used as a field move Sweet Scent fails if there is a non-aesthetic weather effect in the area.
- The move Aurora Veil can only be used successfully during hail or snow; otherwise it fails.
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 strong winds |
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 typeless |
During fog/strong winds 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.
Causing weather
Most of the types of weather have a move or Ability that will cause that weather.
Air Lock and Cloud Nine also suspend the effects of weather while they are active.
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. As of Generation IX, moves and Abilities that change the weather will fail if a weather condition is occurring in the overworld.
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/Snow |
|---|---|---|---|
 Heat Rock |
 Damp Rock |
 Smooth Rock |
 Icy Rock |
Visual indicators
Generation V
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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Generation VI
In Generation VI onwards, the background of the bottom screen shows an animation of the current weather.
Generation VII
In Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, the 3DS's bottom screen displays an icon and background animation of the current weather.
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This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Generation VI screenshots |
| Weather | SM | USUM |
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| Harsh sunlight | 
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| Extremely harsh sunlight | 
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| Rain | 
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| Heavy Rain | 
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| Sandstorm | 
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| Hail | 
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| Strong winds | 
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Generation VIII
Sword and Shield
In Pokémon Sword and Shield, weather conditions can be seen in-battle by pressing Y for Info.
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| The "Info" view in Pokémon Sword and Shield |
Legends: Arceus
In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, weather conditions can be seen in-battle by pressing + to open the "Status Info" view, noted at the bottom of the view.
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| The "Status Info" view in Pokémon Legends: Arceus |
Generation IX
In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, weather conditions can be seen in-battle by pressing Y for Check Status, listed under "Active Battle States and Effects". Weather conditions caused by the overworld will not display a duration, and they may appear or disappear without notice as the overworld weather changes.
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| The "Check Status" view in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet |
Overworld
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This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. |
Overworld weather varies between games. There are a larger variety of overworld weather conditions compared to a battle, however some conditions do not affect battles. If a weather condition is present in a Route, sector of the Wild Area or location within Pokémon Legends: Arceus or Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the weather will appear in every battle and last until it is replaced by another weather, and returns to the original weather in the overworld. In addition, Defog may clear fog from an overworld area (in Sinnoh only).
Diamond Dust is a special, purely aesthetic version of light snow, and replaces hail where applicable, allowing the player to battle without the effects of hail, without changing the weather manually. It first appeared as an Easter egg in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, and has appeared in several core series games since.
Weather-dependent evolution
Starting at level 50, Sliggoo (as well as its Hisuian form) will evolve into Goodra if it is leveled up during rain or fog in the overworld.
| First evolution | Second evolution | |
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 → Level 50 while raining or foggy |
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| Sliggoo Dragon |
Goodra Dragon |
| First evolution | Second evolution | |
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→ Level 50 while raining or foggy |
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| Sliggoo Hisuian Form Steel Dragon |
Goodra Hisuian Form Steel Dragon |
Johto
- In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Route 33 is always rainy.
- The Lake of Rage is also rainy on most days of the week, but is clear on Wednesdays.
- The snow on the summit areas of Mt. Silver Cave will activate Hail in battles.
Hoenn
In Hoenn, several areas have weather conditions that occur naturally:
- Fog is present at the summit of Mt. Pyre, but it has no effect in battles.
- There is always a sandstorm on Route 111
- It frequently rains on Route 119, with clear skies only on one in four days.
- It always rains on a section of Route 120 between the two log bridges corresponding roughly where the Ancient Tomb is located.
- It rains on one in four days in Route 123 - at the same time, the rain on Route 119 will be thundery.
Several weather conditions are also triggered by in-game events:
- When Kyogre is awakened, a rain/heavy rain is present. In contrast to natural rain, rain summoned by Kyogre includes thunderstorms as well as more rain.
- When Groudon is awakened, harsh sunlight/extremely harsh sunlight is present.
- Pokémon Emerald involves both Groudon and Kyogre being awakened in that order. Groudon is awakened first but does not immediately change the weather; once Kyogre is awakened, the weather will alternate between rain and harsh sunlight.
The requisite visit to Seafloor Cavern to defeat MaxieROR/ArchieSEAS will subsequently awaken Groudon/Kyogre and cause the respective weather condition to affect four cities: Lilycove City, Mossdeep City, Sootopolis City and Ever Grande City, as well as their connecting routes east of Lilycove. In Pokémon Emerald, after reaching the Sky Pillar during the crisis, its unique weather distortion will spread to the routes east of but not including Pacifidlog Town as well. While the weather condition is present, a different background music plays, overriding the usual city and route themes as well as the surfing and cycling themes.
Sinnoh
- A sandstorm is present on Route 228 at all times.
- Fog obscures the player's overworld vision on the northern section of Route 210, the basement floor of Mount Coronet, the upper floors of the Lost Tower, the postgame section of Sinnoh's Victory Road, and Turnback Cave. It can be removed using Defog.
- In Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, fog activates Misty Terrain in battles.
Unova
In Unova, seasons play a significant role in what weather conditions can form in the overworld.
In Generation V, it is possible to temporarily remove overworld weather by saving the game, setting the DS's clock to one month later (to change the season), loading the save file, and catching a Pokémon without leaving the area. This works even if the area always has the same weather regardless of the season.
Kalos
Alola
- A Sandstorm will be present in Haina Desert between 5:00 PM and 9:59 AM. Otherwise, the weather will be Harsh Sunlight.
Rain will occur in several locations, and depends on certain conditions:
- In Pokémon Sun and Moon Brooklet Hill will rain during Lana's trial, after catching or defeating the first Wishiwashi, and before completing the trial.
- In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, it will instead rain between catching/defeating the second Wishiwashi and before completing the trial.
- Lush Jungle, Brooklet Hill, Malie City, Malie Garden, Routes 10, 11, 12, 13, Blush Mountain, and Secluded Shore will rain between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM.
- Tapu Village and Route 14 will rain on some days.
- Exeggutor Island will rain at certain times with two different intensities, light rain will occur between 10 AM - 3:59 PM, and strong rain will occur between 6 PM - 11:59 PM.
- Route 17 will always rain.
Galar
In Pokémon Sword and Shield, overworld weather effects mostly occur in the Wild Area, Isle of Armor, and Crown Tundra, including those that do not directly correspond to the in-battle weather mechanic.
| Icon | Weather | Pokémon | Effect in battle |
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Clear (はれ) | Normal, Grass, Flying | — |
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Cloudy (くもり) | Fighting, Poison, Dark | — |
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Rain (あめ) | Water, Bug | Rain |
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Thunderstorm (豪雨) | Water, Electric, Dragon | Rain, Electric Terrain |
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Snow (ゆき) | Ice | Hail |
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Blizzard (吹雪) | Ice, Steel | Hail |
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Harsh sunlight (ひでり) | Fire, Ground | Harsh sunlight |
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Sandstorm (砂嵐) | Ground, Rock | Sandstorm |
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Fog (霧) | Psychic, Ghost, Fairy | Misty Terrain |
Hisui
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This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: How much is accuracy reduced in Fog? 33% like with the Obscured status? |
In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, weather is a mechanic that is completely controlled by the environment, and it is reset each day. Weather plays a role in the spawn distributions of wild Pokémon and also has certain in-battle effects. There are no moves that can affect the weather.
| Icon | Weather | Effect in battle |
|---|---|---|
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Sunny | The Speed of Grass-type Pokémon is boosted by 33%. Cherrim's Sunshine Form will be active. |
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Harsh sunlight | The Speed of Grass-type Pokémon is boosted by 33%. Cherrim's Sunshine Form will be active. Space-time distortions will not appear. |
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Cloudy | |
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Rain | Damage dealt by Fire-type moves is reduced by 25%. |
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Thunderstorm | Damage dealt by Fire-type moves is reduced by 25%. Space-time distortions will not appear. |
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Snow | Pokémon are twice as likely to get frostbite, and drowsy Pokémon are twice as likely to fail to act. The Speed of Ice-type Pokémon is also boosted by 33%. |
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Blizzard | Pokémon are twice as likely to get frostbite, and drowsy Pokémon are twice as likely to fail to act. The Speed of Ice-type Pokémon is also boosted by 33%. Space-time distortions will not appear. |
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Fog | All moves are less accurate, apart from moves that are always sure to hit. |
Paldea, Kitakami, and Blueberry Academy
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This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Missing detailed tables for weather, sub-weather, locations, etc. See this thread |
In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the player can check the current weather from their map. Overworld weather changes much more frequently in this game.
| Icon | Weather | Effect in battle | Locations |
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Clear | Everywhere | |
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Cloudy | Everywhere | |
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Rain | Rain | |
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Thunderstorm | Rain | |
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Snow | ||
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Blizzard | Snow | |
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Diamond Dust | Glaseado Mountain | |
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Sandstorm | Sandstorm | Asado Desert |
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Fog | Kitakami | |
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Harsh sunlight | Harsh sunlight |
In the spin-off games
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series
- Main article: Weather (Mystery Dungeon)
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 and Rescue Team DX, 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.
Pokémon GO
- Main article: Weather (GO)
Various weather effects appear in Pokémon GO, intended to reflect the actual weather. Weather in each local area is updated every hour, on the hour, via Accuweather. Each weather offers various weather boosts to Pokémon belonging to specific types.
Pokémon Masters EX
- Main article: Weather (Masters)
Weather functions similarly in Pokémon Masters EX as it does in the main series games, though some of the effects are slightly tweaked.
- Sunny: Boosts Fire-type attacks by 50%. Additionally, Pokémon cannot be frozen, and previous Pokémon that were frozen prior to the weather condition being implemented will not be frozen anymore after the weather takes effect.
- Rain: Boosts Water-type attacks by 50%.
- Hail: Damages Pokémon after every action.
- Sandstorm: Damages Pokémon after every action.
Trivia
- There is 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, unless the Pokémon is immune to both Hail and Sandstorm, like Swinub, or if its Ability is Magic Guard.
- 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.
- The Generation III core games internal data contains an unused overworld effect of four falling snowflakes.
- Defog is the only move that affects weather in the overworld.
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. |
