Pokémon STAB: How Same-Type Attack Bonus Works
Pokémon STAB is short for Same-Type Attack Bonus, a damage boost applied when a Pokémon uses a damaging move that matches one of its own types. It is one of the first battle mechanics worth understanding because it changes which moves are efficient even before weaknesses, resistances and stats are considered.
A Fire-type Pokémon using a Fire-type move receives the bonus. A dual Fire and Flying Pokémon can receive the bonus on both Fire and Flying attacks. The move still uses its normal damage category, accuracy and type effectiveness, but the matching type adds another multiplier.
How much damage does Pokémon STAB add?
Pokémon STAB Image The Pokémon Company International.
In the main series, the normal Pokémon STAB multiplier is 1.5 times damage. That means a 100-damage result before STAB would become 150 before later modifiers are considered. The exact damage formula contains several factors, but thinking of STAB as a 50 percent bonus is enough for most team building.
Pokémon GO uses a different battle system and a different same-type bonus. The official Pokémon GO glossary describes the same idea, but Pokémon GO currently uses its own percentage rather than the main-series 1.5 multiplier. Do not copy a GO damage figure directly into Scarlet, Violet, Sword, Shield or another main-series game.
The official Pokémon GO battle glossary also uses the Same-Type Attack Bonus concept. Pokémon GO has its own battle values, so its exact damage maths should not be copied into the main-series games.
Dual-type Pokémon and STAB
A dual-type Pokémon can receive Pokémon STAB from moves matching either of its types. Gyarados, for example, can gain the bonus from Water-type and Flying-type attacks because it is Water and Flying. A move does not need to match both types at once.
This is why coverage moves need to be compared carefully. A super-effective move with no STAB can still be excellent, but a neutral move with STAB may outperform a weaker coverage option. Base power, offensive stats, type effectiveness and STAB all matter together.
Pokémon STAB and the Adaptability Ability
The Ability Adaptability strengthens Pokémon STAB beyond the normal main-series multiplier. On Pokémon with Adaptability, matching attacks receive a 2 times same-type bonus instead of the usual 1.5 times bonus in standard main-series battle mechanics.
That change is substantial enough to shape entire move sets. A seemingly ordinary same-type attack can become more attractive than broader coverage because the extra multiplier is applied every time the move connects.
How Terastallization affects STAB
Terastallization in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet adds special rules to Pokémon STAB. When a Pokémon Terastallizes, it gains STAB for its Tera Type. If the Tera Type matches one of its original types, attacks of that type can receive an even stronger same-type benefit than they had before Terastallizing.
The detailed interaction can depend on the Pokémon’s original typing and Tera Type, so the useful team-building question is whether Terastallizing is meant to strengthen an existing attack or add a new offensive type. Both approaches can work.
STAB does not decide whether a move is physical or special
Pokémon STAB cares about type, not whether the move is physical or special. A Water-type Pokémon can receive STAB on a physical Water move or a special Water move. The damage stat used by the move is a separate system explained in our physical vs special moves guide.
That distinction matters when choosing moves. A high-Attack Pokémon may prefer a physical same-type move even if a special move of the same type has slightly higher listed base power. The attacking stat, opposing defense and STAB multiplier all contribute to the final result.
How to use Pokémon STAB when building a moveset
Start by identifying the Pokémon’s strongest attacking stat and the types it can boost with Pokémon STAB. Give it at least one reliable same-type damaging move unless the build has a specific reason not to. Then use the remaining move slots for coverage, setup, recovery or utility.
A same-type move is not automatically the best move in every situation. Immunities and resistances can make coverage essential, while support Pokémon may barely attack at all. Pokémon STAB is a multiplier, not a rule that every Pokémon must fill all of its move slots with matching attacks.
Why STAB matters so much in type matchups
Players often look only for the super-effective label, but Pokémon STAB can change the comparison between two candidate attacks. A neutral same-type move may be stronger than a low-power super-effective coverage move, while a super-effective same-type move combines both advantages and can be especially dangerous.
Once you are comfortable with STAB, type charts become much easier to use in practice. You stop asking only what is weak to what and start asking which Pokémon can deliver the right attack with the right stat and the right bonus.
