What Is STAB in Pokemon?
So, what exactly is STAB in Pokemon? STAB stands for Same Type Attack Bonus. It means that if a Pokemon uses a move that matches one of its own types, that move gets a power boost.
For example, say you have a Fire-type Charmander. If it uses Ember, a Fire-type move, Ember gets an extra 50% power boost because it matches Charmander’s Fire type. So Ember would do 50 power * 1.5 = 75 power when used by Charmander.
On the other hand, if Charmander used Scratch, a Normal-type move, it would only have its base power of 40. No STAB bonus applies since Normal does not match Charmander’s Fire type.
STAB applies to any Pokemon and any move type match. A Grass/Poison Oddish using Acid, a Poison move, gets STAB. A Water-type Squirtle using Water Gun gets STAB. You get the idea.
To maximize your Pokemon’s power, you generally want to give it moves that match at least one of its types so it can benefit from the STAB bonus. Some Pokemon gain additional types as they evolve, so you need to adjust their movesets to capitalize on their new STAB options.
STAB is a key concept to understand to build the strongest, most hard-hitting team. Choose Pokemon with a clear type identity and match their moves to their types for that sweet, sweet STAB power boost. Your opponents won’t know what hit them!
How STAB Affects Damage in Battle
In Pokemon battles, STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) is a damage multiplier that gives your attacks a boost when you use a move that matches your Pokemon’s type.
For example, if your Pikachu uses Thunderbolt (an Electric type move), it will get the STAB bonus because Pikachu is also an Electric type. This means Thunderbolt will deal 1.5x its normal damage. Pretty sweet, right?
On the other hand, if Pikachu uses Grass Knot (a Grass type move), it won’t get any STAB bonus since Grass Knot doesn’t match Pikachu’s Electric type. The move will deal its normal damage amount.
To maximize your Pokemon’s potential in battle, you’ll want to focus on teaching it moves that match its typing. Some Pokemon even have two types, like Water and Ground, so you have more opportunities for STAB. Moves that match either of a Pokemon’s types will get the 1.5x damage bonus.
Using STAB to your advantage is one of the key strategies to winning battles in the Pokemon games. When you’re deciding which moves to teach your Pokemon, always keep STAB in mind. The bonus damage can make a huge difference, especially against opponents that share a weakness with your Pokemon’s typing.
Master the STAB mechanics and your Pokemon will be dealing knockout blows in no time! Now get out there and catch ’em all!
Which Pokemon Benefit Most From STAB?
Pokemon With Same Type Attacks
Pokemon that share a type with their moves will benefit the most from STAB. Think Fire-types with Fire moves, Water-types with Water moves, etc. Some examples:
- Charizard will get a STAB bonus when using Fire moves like Flamethrower or Fire Blast.
- Blastoise benefits from STAB for Water moves such as Hydro Pump and Surf.
- Venusaur gains STAB for Grass moves like Vine Whip, Razor Leaf and Solarbeam.
Having STAB on high-damage moves, especially on Pokemon with a high Attack or Special Attack stat, can make them extremely powerful.
Pokemon With Dual Types
Pokemon with two types have more opportunities for STAB. For instance:
- Gyarados is Water/Flying, so it gets STAB for Water moves like Hydro Pump as well as Flying moves such as Hurricane.
- Gengar is Poison/Ghost, so it benefits from STAB when using Poison moves like Sludge Bomb or Ghost moves such as Shadow Ball.
- Charizard can be Fire/Flying, gaining STAB on Fire and Flying moves.
Dual-type Pokemon have a wider range of moves that get the STAB bonus, making them very versatile and dangerous opponents.
Overall, STAB provides a significant boost in power for Pokemon when using moves that match one or both of their types. Paying attention to a Pokemon’s typing and moveset is key to maximizing the benefits of STAB and gaining an advantage in battle. While STAB is not the only factor in a Pokemon’s strength, it can make a big difference when used strategically.
