In Pokémon FireRed, a damaging move’s type determines whether it is physical or special. Check the move’s type, then match it to the list below: FireRed uses Generation III’s type-based rule, not the move-by-move categories used in newer games.
Physical and special types in FireRed
Physical moves use the user’s Attack against the target’s Defense. Special moves use the user’s Special Attack against the target’s Special Defense.
| Category | Move types | Stat matchup |
|---|---|---|
| Physical | Normal, Fighting, Bug, Ground, Rock, Steel, Flying, Poison, Ghost | Attack versus Defense |
| Special | Fire, Grass, Water, Ice, Electric, Psychic, Dark, Dragon | Special Attack versus Special Defense |
This classification is about damage calculation, not whether a move looks like a close-range strike or makes contact. Use the move’s type as your guide.
Examples that can be surprising
- Shadow Ball is Ghost-type, so it is physical in FireRed.
- Bite is Dark-type, so it is special in FireRed.
- Flamethrower is Fire-type, so it is special in FireRed.
These examples may seem counterintuitive if you know newer Pokémon games, where each move has its own physical or special category. FireRed predates that move-by-move system.
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How to use the rule when choosing a move
For a physical move, consider the Pokémon’s Attack and the opponent’s Defense. For a special move, compare Special Attack with Special Defense. Also account for the move’s power, type effectiveness, level, and other battle conditions: category alone does not determine how much damage an attack will deal.
Do not assume that a modern category icon or move classification applies to FireRed. The determining rule here is the move’s type.
Quick Recap
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