Does Terastallizing Give More STAB?
The art of battling in the world of Pokémon has become more complex and intriguing with the introduction of Terastallization, a mechanic that allows Pokémon to change their Type during battle. One of the most exciting questions in the minds of many trainers is: "Does Terastallizing give more Same-Type Attack Bonus (STAB)?" In this article, we’ll dive into the world of Terastallization, explore the concept of STAB, and determine whether Terastallizing truly offers more STAB.
Understanding Same-Type Attack Bonus (STAB)
Before we get to the main question, let’s refresh our memory on what STAB is and how it works. STAB is a concept in Pokémon battling where a move gets an added bonus when used by a Pokémon of the same Type as the move’s Type. For example, a Fire-type move used by a Fire-type Pokémon receives an increased damage output.
STAB is calculated as a simple multiplier, where the base damage is multiplied by the STAB value, usually 1.5. For example, a Fire-type move with 60 base damage would deal 90 damage with the STAB bonus (1.5 * 60).
Does Terastallizing Give More STAB?
Now that we understand what STAB is, let’s move on to the main question. Terastallization allows a Pokémon to change its Type to its Tera Type during battle, giving it new abilities, advantages, and, potentially, increased damage output. But does Terastallizing give more STAB?
According to the game mechanics, a Pokémon Terastalizing into a Type that it naturally has receives the Tera-STAB bonus in addition to the normal STAB. In this case, the Tera-STAB bonus is calculated as a simple 4/3 multiplier on top of the normal STAB bonus. Let’s break it down using the example above:
- Normal STAB: 1.5 * 60 = 90 damage
- Tera-STAB (4/3): (1.5 60) 1.333 = 108 damage
As you can see, Terastallizing into a Type a Pokémon naturally has indeed gives it a STAB bonus, but only for that specific Type. However, this bonus is not cumulative; you won’t get an even more inflated STAB bonus by Terastallizing into a Type you’re not naturally.
When Does Tera-STAB Apply?
When a Pokémon Terastalizes, its Tera Type affects certain moves, including Tera Blast, its signature move. Tera Blast is a physical move when the user’s Attack stat is higher than its Special Attack stat and a special move otherwise.
Now, let’s summarize the key points:
| Terastalized Pokémon | Tera Type | STAB Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Naturally-type | STAB + Tera-STAB | 1.5 base damage 1.333 (approximately 2x) |
| Un-naturally-type | STAB (if applicable) | 1.5 * base damage |
Conclusion
Terastallizing does give a more potent STAB bonus when a Pokémon is changing into a Type it naturally has, adding 1.333 to the original 1.5 STAB multiplier, for a total of approximately 2x base damage. However, this bonus applies only to the specific Type Terastallized into and not cumulative across multiple Types.
In the next level of battling, trainers will need to think carefully about when to Terastallize, considering the effects of the Tera-STAB bonus and the potential advantages and disadvantages it brings.