Moves API

The DexMoves API provides access to comprehensive move data including base power, accuracy, type, effects, and battle mechanics. Access it through Dex.moves.

Getting Move Data

import { Dex } from './sim/dex';

// Get a move by name
const thunderbolt = Dex.moves.get('Thunderbolt');
console.log(thunderbolt.basePower); // 90
console.log(thunderbolt.accuracy); // 100
console.log(thunderbolt.type); // 'Electric'

// Get all moves
const allMoves = Dex.moves.all();
console.log(allMoves.length); // 919 (in Gen 9)

Methods

get()

Dex.moves.get(name?: string | Move): Move

Retrieves move data by name or returns the move if already a Move object.

name

string | Move

Move name (case-insensitive, spaces optional) or an existing Move object.

return

Move

A readonly Move object with all move properties. Returns an empty move with exists: false if not found.

Example:

const move = Dex.moves.get('Dragon Dance');
console.log(move.id); // 'dragondance'
console.log(move.name); // 'Dragon Dance'
console.log(move.exists); // true

const invalid = Dex.moves.get('Not A Move');
console.log(invalid.exists); // false

getByID()

Dex.moves.getByID(id: ID): Move

Retrieves move data by ID (lowercase, no spaces).

Move ID in lowercase alphanumeric format.

return

Move

A readonly Move object.

Example:

const move = Dex.moves.getByID('thunderbolt' as ID);
console.log(move.basePower); // 90

all()

Dex.moves.all(): readonly Move[]

Returns an array of all moves in the current generation/mod.

return

readonly Move[]

Array of all Move objects, including nonstandard moves.

Example:

const allMoves = Dex.moves.all();
const damaging = allMoves.filter(m => m.category !== 'Status' && m.basePower > 0);
console.log(`${damaging.length} damaging moves`);

Move Properties

Basic Properties

Unique identifier (lowercase, no spaces).

name

string

Display name of the move.

num

number

Move index number (used for Metronome rolls).

type

string

Move type (e.g., ‘Fire’, ‘Water’, ‘Normal’).

basePower

number

Base power of the move. 0 for status moves.

accuracy

true | number

Accuracy percentage (1-100), or true for moves that always hit.

number

Base PP (Power Points) of the move.

Move Effects

secondary

SecondaryEffect | null

Primary secondary effect of the move (e.g., burn chance, stat drops).

secondaries

SecondaryEffect[] | null

Array of all secondary effects (includes secondary if present).

flags

MoveFlags

Object containing boolean flags for move properties (contact, protect, etc.).

Example:

const thunderbolt = Dex.moves.get('Thunderbolt');
console.log(thunderbolt.secondary?.chance); // 10
console.log(thunderbolt.secondary?.status); // 'par' (paralysis)

const fireFang = Dex.moves.get('Fire Fang');
console.log(fireFang.secondaries?.length); // 2 (burn + flinch)

Move Flags

The flags object contains properties indicating special move behaviors:

interface MoveFlags {
  contact?: 1;          // Makes contact
  protect?: 1;          // Blocked by Protect
  mirror?: 1;           // Copied by Mirror Move
  sound?: 1;            // Sound-based move
  punch?: 1;            // Boosted by Iron Fist
  bite?: 1;             // Boosted by Strong Jaw
  bullet?: 1;           // Blocked by Bulletproof
  pulse?: 1;            // Boosted by Mega Launcher
  powder?: 1;           // Powder move (fails vs Grass)
  defrost?: 1;          // Thaws user
  distance?: 1;         // Can hit distant targets in Triples
  heal?: 1;             // Blocked by Heal Block
  recharge?: 1;         // User must recharge next turn
  charge?: 1;           // Two-turn move
  bypasssub?: 1;        // Bypasses Substitute
  // ... and many more
}

Example:

const thunderPunch = Dex.moves.get('Thunder Punch');
console.log(thunderPunch.flags.contact); // 1
console.log(thunderPunch.flags.punch); // 1
console.log(thunderPunch.flags.protect); // 1

const boomburst = Dex.moves.get('Boomburst');
console.log(boomburst.flags.sound); // 1
console.log(boomburst.flags.bypasssub); // 1

Critical Hits & Accuracy

critRatio

number

Critical hit ratio multiplier. Default is 1. Higher values increase crit chance.

willCrit

boolean

If true, the move will always crit.

ignoreAccuracy

boolean

If true, ignores accuracy checks.

ignoreEvasion

boolean

If true, ignores target’s evasion boosts.

Example:

const stoneEdge = Dex.moves.get('Stone Edge');
console.log(stoneEdge.critRatio); // 2 (high crit ratio)

const frostBreath = Dex.moves.get('Frost Breath');
console.log(frostBreath.willCrit); // true (always crits)

Multi-Hit Moves

multihit

number | number[]

Number of hits. Can be a single number or an array representing a range (e.g., [2, 5] for 2-5 hits).

Example:

const doubleKick = Dex.moves.get('Double Kick');
console.log(doubleKick.multihit); // 2

const bulletSeed = Dex.moves.get('Bullet Seed');
console.log(bulletSeed.multihit); // [2, 5]

const tripleAxel = Dex.moves.get('Triple Axel');
console.log(tripleAxel.multihit); // 3

Recoil & Drain

recoil

[number, number]

Recoil damage as a fraction [numerator, denominator]. Example: [1, 2] = 50% recoil.

drain

[number, number]

HP drain as a fraction. Example: [1, 2] = restores 50% of damage dealt.

struggleRecoil

boolean

True for Struggle’s recoil mechanics.

Example:

const bravebird = Dex.moves.get('Brave Bird');
console.log(bravebird.recoil); // [33, 100] (33% recoil)

const gigaDrain = Dex.moves.get('Giga Drain');
console.log(gigaDrain.drain); // [1, 2] (50% drain)

Self-Switching

selfSwitch

'copyvolatile' | 'shedtail' | boolean

Indicates if the user switches out after using the move. Special values for U-turn mechanics.

Example:

const uTurn = Dex.moves.get('U-turn');
console.log(uTurn.selfSwitch); // true

const voltSwitch = Dex.moves.get('Volt Switch');
console.log(voltSwitch.selfSwitch); // true

const shedTail = Dex.moves.get('Shed Tail');
console.log(shedTail.selfSwitch); // 'shedtail'

Z-Moves

isZ

boolean | string

True if this is a Z-Move, or the Z-Crystal ID that calls it.

zMove

object

Z-Move data including base power and stat boosts.

Example:

const thunderbolt = Dex.moves.get('Thunderbolt');
console.log(thunderbolt.zMove?.basePower); // 175

const swordsDance = Dex.moves.get('Swords Dance');
console.log(swordsDance.zMove?.boost); // { atk: 1 }

Max Moves

isMax

boolean | string

True if this is a Max Move. If it’s a G-Max move, contains the Gigantamax species name.

maxMove

object

Dynamax move data including base power.

Example:

const flamethrower = Dex.moves.get('Flamethrower');
console.log(flamethrower.maxMove?.basePower); // 130

Move Targets

The target property specifies which Pokemon a move can target:

'normal'          // One adjacent Pokemon
'adjacentFoe'     // One adjacent foe
'adjacentAlly'    // One adjacent ally
'adjacentAllyOrSelf' // User or adjacent ally
'any'             // Any Pokemon on the field
'randomNormal'    // Random adjacent foe

Example:

const earthquake = Dex.moves.get('Earthquake');
console.log(earthquake.target); // 'allAdjacent'

const reflect = Dex.moves.get('Reflect');
console.log(reflect.target); // 'allySide'

const healPulse = Dex.moves.get('Heal Pulse');
console.log(healPulse.target); // 'any'

Secondary Effects

Secondary effects include stat changes, status conditions, and other effects:

interface SecondaryEffect {
  chance?: number;              // Chance to occur (percentage)
  status?: string;              // Status to inflict
  volatileStatus?: string;      // Volatile status to inflict
  boosts?: SparseBoostsTable;  // Stat changes
  self?: HitEffect;            // Effect on user
  // ... field/side conditions
}

Example:

// Move with burn chance
const flamethrower = Dex.moves.get('Flamethrower');
console.log(flamethrower.secondary?.chance); // 10
console.log(flamethrower.secondary?.status); // 'brn'

// Move with stat drops
const iceBeam = Dex.moves.get('Ice Beam');
console.log(iceBeam.secondary?.chance); // 10
console.log(iceBeam.secondary?.status); // 'frz'

// Move with self-boost
const powerUpPunch = Dex.moves.get('Power-Up Punch');
console.log(powerUpPunch.secondary?.chance); // 100
console.log(powerUpPunch.secondary?.self?.boosts); // { atk: 1 }

Filtering Moves

// Get all Physical Fire-type moves
const physicalFire = Dex.moves.all().filter(move => 
  move.type === 'Fire' && 
  move.category === 'Physical' &&
  move.basePower > 0
);

// Get all priority moves
const priorityMoves = Dex.moves.all().filter(move => 
  move.priority > 0
);

// Get all sound-based moves
const soundMoves = Dex.moves.all().filter(move => 
  move.flags.sound
);

// Get all moves that make contact
const contactMoves = Dex.moves.all().filter(move => 
  move.flags.contact
);

Generation Differences

// Gen 1 Tackle had 35 base power
const gen1Tackle = Dex.mod('gen1').moves.get('Tackle');
console.log(gen1Tackle.basePower); // 35

// Current gen Tackle has 40 base power
const tackle = Dex.moves.get('Tackle');
console.log(tackle.basePower); // 40

// Pursuit was removed in Gen 8
const gen7Pursuit = Dex.mod('gen7').moves.get('Pursuit');
console.log(gen7Pursuit.exists); // true

const gen8Pursuit = Dex.mod('gen8').moves.get('Pursuit');
console.log(gen8Pursuit.isNonstandard); // 'Past'

Advanced Properties

Stat Override

overrideOffensiveStat

'atk' | 'def' | 'spa' | 'spd' | 'spe'

Uses a different stat for damage calculation (e.g., Psyshock uses Def instead of SpD).

overrideDefensiveStat

'atk' | 'def' | 'spa' | 'spd' | 'spe'

Target uses a different stat for defense.

Example:

const psyshock = Dex.moves.get('Psyshock');
console.log(psyshock.category); // 'Special'
console.log(psyshock.overrideDefensiveStat); // 'def' (uses Defense, not Sp. Def)

const bodyPress = Dex.moves.get('Body Press');
console.log(bodyPress.category); // 'Physical'
console.log(bodyPress.overrideOffensiveStat); // 'def' (uses Defense for attack)

Ignore Boosts

ignoreOffensive

boolean

Ignores the user’s offensive stat boosts.

ignoreDefensive

boolean

Ignores the target’s defensive stat boosts.

ignoreNegativeOffensive

boolean

Ignores negative offensive stat boosts (Chip Away, Sacred Sword).

ignorePositiveDefensive

boolean

Ignores positive defensive stat boosts.

Example:

const sacredSword = Dex.moves.get('Sacred Sword');
console.log(sacredSword.ignoreDefensive); // true

const chipAway = Dex.moves.get('Chip Away');
console.log(chipAway.ignorePositiveDefensive); // true

Complete Example

import { Dex } from './sim/dex';

// Analyze a move's properties
function analyzeMovepower(moveName: string) {
  const move = Dex.moves.get(moveName);
  
  if (!move.exists) {
    console.log(`Move "${moveName}" not found`);
    return;
  }
  
  console.log(`=== ${move.name} ===`);
  console.log(`Type: ${move.type}`);
  console.log(`Category: ${move.category}`);
  console.log(`Base Power: ${move.basePower}`);
  console.log(`Accuracy: ${move.accuracy === true ? 'Never misses' : move.accuracy}`);
  console.log(`PP: ${move.pp}`);
  console.log(`Priority: ${move.priority}`);
  console.log(`Target: ${move.target}`);
  
  if (move.flags.contact) console.log('- Makes contact');
  if (move.flags.protect) console.log('- Blocked by Protect');
  if (move.flags.sound) console.log('- Sound-based');
  
  if (move.secondary) {
    console.log(`Secondary (${move.secondary.chance}% chance):`);
    if (move.secondary.status) console.log(`  - Inflicts ${move.secondary.status}`);
    if (move.secondary.boosts) console.log(`  - Boosts:`, move.secondary.boosts);
  }
  
  if (move.multihit) {
    const hits = Array.isArray(move.multihit) 
      ? `${move.multihit[0]}-${move.multihit[1]}` 
      : move.multihit;
    console.log(`Hits: ${hits} times`);
  }
}

analyzeMovepower('Thunderbolt');
analyzeMovepower('Dragon Dance');
analyzeMovepower('Bullet Seed');

Type Definitions

interface Move {
  readonly id: ID;
  readonly name: string;
  readonly num: number;
  readonly type: string;
  readonly basePower: number;
  readonly accuracy: true | number;
  readonly pp: number;
  readonly category: 'Physical' | 'Special' | 'Status';
  readonly priority: number;
  readonly target: MoveTarget;
  readonly flags: MoveFlags;
  readonly secondary: SecondaryEffect | null;
  readonly secondaries: SecondaryEffect[] | null;
  readonly exists: boolean;
  readonly isNonstandard: string | null;
  readonly gen: number;
  // ... many more properties
}

interface ActiveMove extends Move {
  hit: number;
  // ... additional mutable properties for battle state
}

Dex API

Main Dex interface and utility methods

Species API

Pokemon species and learnset data

Abilities API

Ability effects and interactions

Items API

Item data and held item effects

Battle API

Dex API

Teams API

Protocol Reference

Command-Line Tools

Moves API

Moves API

Getting Move Data

Methods

get()

getByID()

all()

Move Properties

Basic Properties

Move Effects

Move Flags

Critical Hits & Accuracy

Multi-Hit Moves

Recoil & Drain

Self-Switching

Z-Moves

Max Moves

Move Targets

Secondary Effects

Filtering Moves

Generation Differences

Advanced Properties

Stat Override

Ignore Boosts

Complete Example

Type Definitions

Dex API

Species API

Abilities API

Items API

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Battle API

Dex API

Teams API

Protocol Reference

Command-Line Tools

​Moves API

​Getting Move Data

​Methods

​get()

​getByID()

​all()

​Move Properties

​Basic Properties

​Move Effects

​Move Flags

​Critical Hits & Accuracy

​Multi-Hit Moves

​Recoil & Drain

​Self-Switching

​Z-Moves

​Max Moves

​Move Targets

​Secondary Effects

​Filtering Moves

​Generation Differences

​Advanced Properties

​Stat Override

​Ignore Boosts

​Complete Example

​Type Definitions

​Related APIs

Dex API

Species API

Abilities API

Items API

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Moves API

Getting Move Data

Methods

get()

getByID()

all()

Move Properties

Basic Properties

Move Effects

Move Flags

Critical Hits & Accuracy

Multi-Hit Moves

Recoil & Drain

Self-Switching

Z-Moves

Max Moves

Move Targets

Secondary Effects

Filtering Moves

Generation Differences

Advanced Properties

Stat Override

Ignore Boosts

Complete Example

Type Definitions

Related APIs