Players, Returning
Before using an old team guide, identify which rules changed
Three separate layers can make old battle advice misleading: the type chart, the Special-stat model and how each move is classified. Start with the game, not a modern species table.
This table tracks broad historical rule changes, not every title's full battle system. Use the remake's own rules, not the generation of its original release. Legends titles and other special systems need title-specific checks; the linked type tool is ordinary-chart arithmetic only.
Check the chart before doing arithmetic
Generation I has fifteen ordinary types. Generation II adds Dark and Steel and changes several matchups; Generation VI adds Fairy and removes Steel's resistance to Ghost and Dark. Choose the chart for the actual game before multiplying defensive interactions. Move-specific exceptions and title-specific battle systems still need separate rules. A species' own typing can also change between generations.
The Special-stat split is a different change
The original generation has one Special stat where later games distinguish Special Attack and Special Defense. Gold/Silver introduced that separation. It is possible to remember that change correctly and still use the wrong move classification, because the stat split and the per-move category split happened at different points. Treat them as two questions when reading an old moveset.
A worked check: ThunderPunch
In the ordinary Gen I to III rules, ThunderPunch's Electric type places it on the special side. In Diamond and Pearl, it is individually classified as physical. Contact and physical/special category are separate properties. This example concerns move classification, not learnset availability or predicted HP damage.
Finish the version check before choosing a team
Write down the actual game and the relevant form or transformed state. Then check the historical chart, the stat model, the move’s category and game-specific exceptions. Stellar Terastallization in Scarlet/Violet retains original defensive types; treating it as an ordinary replacement defensive chart type would answer the wrong question. Nothing here certifies an unreleased game’s rules or substitutes for a dated competitive format.
| Era | Ordinary type-chart scope | Special stats | Damaging move category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation I | 15 types; historical interactions | One Special stat | Generally type-based; individual exceptions need rules |
| Generations II to III | 17 types | Separate Special Attack/Defense | Type-based |
| Generations IV to V | 17 types | Separate Special Attack/Defense | Per-move classification |
| Generations VI to IX | 18 types; Steel changes from Gen VI | Separate Special Attack/Defense | Per-move classification; special mechanics separate |
3 checks before you act
- Name the actual game, not just the original generation of its region or species.
- Check that game's type chart, Special-stat model and damaging-move categories separately.
- Check the selected move, form and battle state before applying a modern team recommendation.
Read next
Sources read for this page
- ReadHistorical type chartsread 7 Nov 2026
- ReadCurrent ordinary type-chart referenceread 7 Nov 2026
- ReadFan wiki: Gold/Silver gameplay changesread 7 Nov 2026
- ReadFan reference: Diamond/Pearl category changesread 7 Nov 2026
- ReadOfficial Stellar Tera Type explanationread 7 Nov 2026