What is the most powerful Pokémon attack?
Understanding the Power of a Pokémon Attack
When discussing power in the Pokémon universe, it's essential to distinguish between several concepts. An attack can be considered powerful based on its base damage output, its secondary effects, or its strategic effectiveness. In this article, we focus on the raw power of attacks —the statistic displayed in the game—while analyzing their actual impact in battle.
What is the power of an attack?
Every attack has a stat called power , which determines its potential damage. This value is combined with the Pokémon's stats, type bonuses ( STAB , or Same Type Attack Bonus), the opponent's resistances and weaknesses, and other factors such as abilities or items. A 150 power attack can therefore be less effective than a 90 power attack in certain situations.
The most powerful attacks by type
Here are some examples of attacks with the highest base powers, listed by type:
- Normal Type : Explosion (250), Giga Impact (150)
- Fire Type : Victory Hit (180), Fire Burst (150)
- Water Type : Hydroblast (150), Aqua-Tacle (120)
- Dragon Type : Infinimax Laser (160), Draco Meteor (130)
- Combat Type : Astral Joust (150), Close Combat (120)
- Psychic Type : Psycho Boost (140), Psychic Strike (90)
Note that some of these attacks, like Explosion or Draco Meteor , have counterparts (loss of turn, drop in statistics).
Most powerful overall: Astral Joust
Astral Joust, the signature attack of the legendary Paldea Palartio , reaches a raw power of 150 with no negative effects on the user, making it one of the best in the game in terms of direct impact. Its rarity and exclusivity make it a feared ability in competitive battles.
And in practice: DPS makes the difference
Define DPS
In Pokémon strategy, DPS (Damage Per Second) is often used to assess a Pokémon's true effectiveness in battle. This calculation takes into account power, frequency of use, STAB, and affinities. For example, Mewtwo with Mind Blast and Psychic Strike reaches 20,918 DPS, placing it in the top 3 worldwide.
Top 5 Pokémon with the best DPS
- Deoxys (Attack) : Dark Vibrator – 21,856 DPS
- Mewtwo : Psychic Strike – 20,918 DPS
- Rayquaza : Anger – 18,680 DPS
- Lucario : Aurasphere – 18,621 DPS
- Charkos : Rockslide – 18,413 DPS
Power is not synonymous with efficiency
Having a 150 power attack isn't enough to be formidable. Some attacks, like Blast Force or Last Resort , are rarely used in competition due to their restrictive conditions. Conversely, more modest attacks like Rock Blade or Shadow Ball can wreak havoc thanks to their accessibility and accuracy.
Talents and items that boost stats
Certain talents like Coloforce , Impudence , or Turbo greatly increase the effectiveness of an attack. Similarly, items like Vulnerability Assurance or Lichii Berry can transform a "normal" attack into a real strategic threat. These synergies are key to optimizing combat performance.
A powerful attack, but well used
The most powerful Pokémon attack varies depending on the criteria. In terms of raw base attacks, Blast or Astral Joust dominate. But in strategy, DPS, STAB, synergies, and accuracy are far more important. Knowing the best attacks is an advantage, but knowing how to place them at the right time is what separates a beginner from an expert trainer.
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