physical or special attacks

[KorpiklaaniVodka]

read the title lol

personally I prefer physical attacks especially since 6th gen nerfed a lot special attacks (though imo physical attacks were better even before then) due to their higher BP and the fact that the physical attackers are better equipped. basically, in my book H2H > ranged attacks

and you?

 

[ProfChaos]

physical

*Sword Dance*

 

[KorpiklaaniVodka]

physical

*Sword Dance*

Haha, forgot about SD. It helps that this move is a TM, unlike Nasty Plot. Don't forget that those who abuse the best setup move in the game, Shell Smash, are usually physical attackers.

 

[Brendino]

Since this seems to be more focused on how the attacks are represented in the games, I'm going to move this over to Pokemon Gaming Central for you.

And as far as the topic is concerned, I've always preferred special attacks to physical ones. In fact, most of my favorite moves (Ice Beam/Flamethrower/Thunderbolt trio, Psychic, Surf, etc.) are all of the special variety.

MOVED.

 

[Hikamaru]

I always liked special attacks for the same reasons as Brendan, likely because most of my fave types focus more on the special stats plus most special attacks are way more beautiful to look at.

 

[Hiatus]

They both have their advantages and disadvantages, but personally, I wind up relying more on physical every now and again, as there are many special-walls out there (Chansey, Blissey) which physical-attackers would easily be able to take down.

 

[Sopheria]

It depends on the situation. It's never a good idea to rely on just one or the other. But I do have a bit of a bias towards Special attacks, primarily due to the prominence of "contact hazards" (e.g. Rocky Helmet, Poison Point, Static, Flame Body, Gooey, etc). In many cases, special moves are the safer option due to such hazards.

 

[Nah]

Scald says hi Amour

I don't really have a preference for one or the other really. You kinda need both, anyway.

 

[Sun]

How about Status moves? I like Status moves actually, like Recover, Sleep Powder, Calm Mind, Dragon Dance, etc..

 

[Alfieri]

I adore physical attacks. High risk, high reward at it's finest. Special attacks are mostly incredibly safe. You have draining moves, strong 90 base power with 10% chance of status and no drawbacks, moves with 130 base power and only 90 accuracy at the cost of stat drop.

Meanwhile physical attacks have so much more power but you get a bunch of recoil damage, burn status to worry about, defense and speed drops, ability changes, etc. However that's what makes it all the more rewarding when you safely KO an opponent. Flare Blitz, Wood Hammer, Close Combat, Wild Charge, Head Smash, Earthquake. So many amazing attacks. I love Thunderbolt and Fire Blast as much as the next guy but physical attacks look so much more raw.

 

[Somewhere_]

I like Special attacks because they are more interesting. Otherwise, I do not believe they have any distinct advantage over physical attacks other than not being affected by Intimidate.

 

[myystogan]

I like both, though I like more special attack animations than physical attack animations, so I voted for special in the poll :-]

Also, one advantage special attackers have is that they don't get hindered by Intimidate (among other things), so I like to use more special attackers than physical attackers. The metagame is still pretty physical attack-orientated, so I say it's good to be balanced with the two categories, at the very least.

 

[KorpiklaaniVodka]

For all of you who picked special attacks because of Intimidate, remember Assault Vest exists.

 

[Mawa]

I prefer Physical. My favorite type is Ground, love Steel too and bug.

I have to force myself to like some special pokemon, because me teams were way too physical.

 

[Thunderflare]

I try to go for a balance, but I prefer special attackers.