How-To.... Make better use of the Type Table!

06 Sep 2013 03:52
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As the last How-To for the basics of Beta 0.0.0, I gladly introduce: How to use the Type Table!

### Type Table

So I'm sure you've all seen a type table before, so there won't be too much to explain here about that. What I DO want to go over is the extra 'analysis' feature I've used to upgrade it from your standard type table. This analysis consist of an extra column and row that sit outside the table and can offer great insight as to which types are better as moves (for attacking) or for pokemon (for defending).

#### Attack Rating

On the left we see an extra column just outside the attacking types, with a rating which can be either positive or negative. These values show how good (or bad) a type is when it comes to attacking, the higher the rating - the better the move. In this case we have Ground being the best attack type since it is super effective against so many attacks and isn't hindered by too many 'not very effective' results.
Now the calculations are very simple, they simply count each time a move of the given type is 'super effective' against another, and then minus any times the move is 'not very effective'/'immune' against another. On top off simply adding it up, you can assign certain 'weights' to these effects in order to better suite your preferences using the below form:

From these default settings, each 'super effective' attack will grant this type a rating of 2, each 'not very effective' or 'immune' attack will get a -1. For an example, lets use the 'Normal' type. In our table, with the default settings, it ranks as '-3'. When we break it down, we can see:

(1)
$$[Super Effective: None] * 2 + [Not Very Effective: Rock, Steel] * -1 + [Immune: Ghost] * -1$$
(2)
$$[0] * 2 + [2] * -1 + [1] * -1$$
(3)
$$-3$$

Of course some people may put more emphasis on Immune attacks being worse, and potentially weight them as -2 or -3 instead of just -1. It's up to you what you prefer and what you like when building a team!

#### Defense Rating

On the top we see an extra row just above the defending types, with a rating which can be either positive or negative. These values show how good (or bad) a type is when it comes to defending, the higher the rating - the better defended the Pokemon is. In this case we have Steel being the best defense type since it can withstand attack from almost any type and is even immune against another!
The calculations are very similar to the attack rating calculations, except that they are reversed: rewarding better ratings when a type is immune to or resistant to an attacking type. Again, these are customizable using another form:

Since we already know how this works, hopefully another example isn't necessary, but just be aware that these are also editable! Make sure to figure out your priorities to get the most accurate ratings for your play style!

#### Beware

Now, these types may be rated, but that doesn't make it final. Why? Because there is more to Pokemon than just simple calculations and statistics: you have to take these with a grain of salt.

A good example is Grass type; According to this table, its a horrible defense and also a horrible attack type, but does that mean it shouldn't be used?

Let's have a look at what it's weak to as a defensive type: Bug, Fire, Flying, Ice, Poison. To me that raises a few concerns: Bug attacks are usually weak and also pretty scarce, not to mention have a tendency to be very early-game types that won't affect late game too much. Poison attacks are also weak and tend to focus on the effects rather than the power. Ice too is pretty scarce, though not as much as an attack. That's 3 out of 5 types that probably won't give you as much trouble as this table would have you believe.

Now as an attack, notice that it's super effective against Ground? And also that Ground (by these weightings at least) is the best attacking type? This means you'll probably see a few STAB attempts being made to make it even more powerful of an attack. But guess what? Your Grass Pokemon with a Grass attack is not only super effective against the Ground Pokemon, but it also has a pretty good defense against it too!

So don't always discount a type just because it rates badly (or rely on it because it rates high!). You can make almost any type work to your advantage, you just have to plan things out well. For now, it may be manually using the tools PokePP gives you, but in the future this could all be automatic!