Weather in Pokemon
Weather changes the battlefield and can boost or weaken moves, types, abilities, and recovery effects. Sun, Rain, Sandstorm, and Snow are the main battle weather states.
How weather is started
Weather is started by a move or an ability. In modern games, weather lasts five turns, or eight turns with the matching weather rock. Heat Rock, Damp Rock, Smooth Rock, and Icy Rock are the matching items for sun, rain, sandstorm, and snow. Sunny Day, Rain Dance, Sandstorm, and Snowscape are the main move starters, while Drought, Drizzle, Sand Stream, and Snow Warning are the main ability starters.
Weather pages
Sun boosts Fire-type damage and weakens Water-type damage.
Rain boosts Water-type damage and weakens Fire-type damage.
Sandstorm chips most Pokemon each turn and boosts Rock-type Special Defense.
Snow boosts Ice-type Defense and supports Aurora Veil.
Main weather states
Sun boosts Fire-type damage and weakens Water-type damage. Rain does the opposite. Sandstorm chips Pokemon that are not Rock, Ground, or Steel type, and it also raises Rock-type Special Defense. In modern games, Snow replaces Hail and raises Ice-type Defense instead of dealing chip damage.
What weather changes
Weather also changes move behavior. Sun makes Solar Beam and Solar Blade skip their charge turn, rain makes Thunder and Hurricane 100% accurate, sandstorm activates Sand Rush, Sand Force, and Sand Veil, snow activates Slush Rush and Ice Body, and Aurora Veil requires hail or snow. Weather can also change healing moves such as Morning Sun, Synthesis, and Moonlight.
Common weather interactions
Weather often combines with moves like Sunny Day, Rain Dance, Sandstorm, and Snowscape, plus abilities like Drought, Drizzle, Sand Stream, Snow Warning, Chlorophyll, Swift Swim, Sand Rush, and Slush Rush. It also plugs directly into the damage formula.
FAQ
Does weather always change damage?
Not always. Some weather effects influence damage directly, while others matter more for accuracy, recovery, or ability triggers.
Is weather the same in every generation?
No. Weather rules have changed over time, especially for Hail and Snow, so exact effects can depend on the game generation.
Can abilities ignore weather?
Yes. Air Lock and Cloud Nine suppress weather effects while the Pokemon is active, so the field state can still exist without applying its normal effects.
Why should I care about weather?
Weather changes damage, accuracy, healing, and ability triggers.