Hardware FixRecommendedDevice not working? Your driver may be the problemCheck updates for common hardware issues.Fix DriversOctober DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsPC HealthRecommendedCrashes, freezes, slowdowns? Check your PC nowSpot repairable issues before they interrupt work.Check PC×
Skip to content
VGSources
Blog

How Much Does Intimidate Reduce Attack in Pokémon?

Intimidate drops opposing Attack by one stage when its user enters battle—about one-third in Generation III and later, though final move damage can vary.
WorldPokémon? Length1 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Intimidate lowers affected opponents’ Attack by one stage when its user enters battle. In Generation III and later, that stage makes Attack two-thirds of its unmodified value—about a 33.3% reduction to the stat, not necessarily to a move’s final damage.

What does one Attack stage mean?

Intimidate applies a stage change, not a fixed subtraction of Attack points. For example, if a Pokémon’s relevant Attack value is 90 before stat stages, a one-stage drop makes the value used in battle calculations 60 in Generation III and later.

This is a temporary battle modifier; it does not permanently change the Pokémon’s underlying Attack stat. The game’s displayed stat may not show the battle-stage change as a new permanent value.

How does the multiplier vary by generation?

Games Attack at −1 stage Approximate reduction
Generations I and II 66/100 of the unmodified stat About 34%
Generation III onward 2/3 of the unmodified stat About 33.3%

The fractions differ slightly between these eras. The stage multipliers are listed in Bulbapedia’s stat modifier reference.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Does every physical move deal one-third less damage?

No. The roughly one-third figure describes the Attack stat after the stage modifier, not a guaranteed reduction of the same size in every hit’s final damage. Damage also depends on other battle mechanics, so the reliable summary is that Intimidate lowers Attack by one stage.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

When does Intimidate affect opponents?

Intimidate activates when its user enters battle. In double battles, it affects adjacent opposing Pokémon. Its effect is not guaranteed in every situation: abilities and other version-specific interactions can prevent or alter a stat drop. Bulbapedia’s Intimidate ability reference describes the activation and notes interactions; check the specific game’s mechanics when an edge case matters.

Rank #2
Pokémon TCG: Pokémon Day 2026 Collection
  • The Pokémon TCG: Pokémon Day 2026 Collection includes 1 foil promo card featuring Pikachu with a Pokémon Day stamp.
  • This also comes with 1 Pokémon coin.
  • You will also receive 3 Pokémon TCG booster packs.
  • Booster Packs May Vary from those pictured.

The same reference reproduces the Scarlet and Violet ability description: “When the Pokémon enters a battle, it intimidates opposing Pokémon and makes them cower, lowering their Attack stats.” It also notes that Intimidate appears to have no effect outside battle from Generation VIII onward, so older overworld encounter effects should not be assumed to apply in current-generation games.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 2
Pokémon TCG: Pokémon Day 2026 Collection
Pokémon TCG: Pokémon Day 2026 Collection
This also comes with 1 Pokémon coin.; You will also receive 3 Pokémon TCG booster packs.
$55.50

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More quests from Patch Notes

  1. How To Create Custom Stickers & Shoutouts In Monster Hunter WildsMonster Hunter WildsBlog20min
  2. How to Get XL Gogoat in Pokemon Legends Z-A (An Extra-Large Gogoat)Pokemon Legends Z-ABlog20min
  3. How to Get Rotting Lightbringer in Diablo 4Diablo 4Blog17min
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.