This article was updated by Andrea Trama on April 1, 2026 to include community findings highlighting another change to the attack's effectiveness. First published March 31.
Pokémon Champions uses the term “highly effective” to describe attacks that hit a Pokémon's 4x weakness to a specific type. This term change is pokemon champion This was done to make certain moves stand out over just “highly effective” hits. pokemon The series has been around since the first generation.
in other words, pokemon champion is a modernized Pokémon battle simulator scheduled to release globally on the Nintendo Switch console on Wednesday, April 8. pokemon champion It is scheduled to be released on iOS and Android devices in late 2026. Like its predecessor, which includes: pokemon stadium and Pokemon Battle Revolution, pokemon champions focuses on multiplayer gameplay. but, pokemon champion All combat gimmicks such as Mega Evolution and Terastallization can be utilized by trainers as appropriate. Despite being a spin-off title pokemon champion Once the game is released, it will be the exclusive home of the Pokémon Video Game Championship (VGC) competitive format.
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New Type Effect Terminology Added to Pokémon Champions
Although the console was released on April 8th. pokemon champion Not far away, some fans have already noticed a small but notable change. pokemon series. to pokemon subreddit, pokemon A fan named Benhurso shared an image of Heracross taking damage from Pidgeot. The term “very effective” is used to indicate that an attack exposed a Pokemon's weakness, while the term “very effective” is used in an attack. pokemon champion It indicates when two weak points are hit. Heracross, a bug-fighting dual-type Pokémon, has a 4x weakness to flying-type moves. Therefore, Flying-type attacks from Pokemon like Pidgeot can inflict very effective damage against Single-Horned Pokemon. at pokemon In the series, attack calculations are multiplied for weaknesses and resistances. Given that a highly effective move deals double damage, a highly effective move deals 4x damage, which almost guarantees a knockout against most Pokémon, including Heracross.
Pokemon Champions fans on Twitter/X have reported another less noticeable change in how effective attacks are. Depending on the strength of the attack, which is determined by the attacker's stats, the defender's stats, and the skill's base power, an animation plays that pushes the defender further and further, depending on how high or low the total damage is.
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updated terminology pokemon champion This also applies to Pokémon type resistances. Type resistance along with weakness is pokemon A stable series since the first generation. The term “not very effective” has long been used to describe attacks that only do half damage to the target, such as when a Rock-type Pokémon is hit by a Normal-type or Fire-type attack. However, some users said this based on the actual preview: pokemon championThe term “mostly ineffective” is used to describe attacks that deal only a quarter of standard damage. For example, if a Rock and Steel dual-type Pokémon like Agron is hit by a Normal-type move, the attack will be mostly ineffective and do very little damage to Aggron. Considering that the terms “not very effective” and “very effective” have been used for a long time to describe attacks that deal low or high damage respectively, the addition of “mostly ineffective” and “very effective” is a first. pokemon franchise.
Pokemon Champions will shake up the competitive scene
but, pokemon champion It will bring more than just new terminology to the competitive format. pokemon champion Power Point (PP) costs for most moves are adjusted, typically up to 20PP for more attacks and moves than in mainline Pokémon games. However, some key Pokemon moves, such as Protect, have been nerfed due to the PP changes. Although Protect usually has at least 10PP in mainline Pokemon titles such as Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, pokemon champion Reduced Protect usage to 8PP.
These changes may require a period of adjustment, but pokemon Trainers looking for more strategic combat should not feel lacking in combat. pokemon champion. Given that pokemon champion It will be an official game in VGC format in the future, and it remains to be seen which competitive Pokémon teams will dominate the metagame once the spin-off title is released.
