17

From a mechanics standpoint, how does the confusion status work? Specifically: How often does it trigger, what damage type does it deal, how is damage calculated, etc.

Improve this question
0

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
23

Per Bulbapedia:

The confused condition causes a Pokémon to sometimes hurt itself in its confusion instead of executing a selected move. From Generation I to VI, the chance to hurt itself is 50%; in Generation VII, it is 33%. The damage is done as if the Pokémon attacked itself with a 40-power typeless physical attack (without the possibility of a critical hit).

Confusion wears off after 1-4 attacking turns. This means that turns recharging, such as after using Hyper Beam, and turns unable to attack, such as from paralysis, will not lower the remaining number of turns of confusion. However, a sleeping Pokémon may hurt itself in confusion if using a move such as Snore or Sleep Talk. Multi-turn attacks such as Fly and Dive require confusion to be checked both turns, further reducing the chance of a successful attack.

Basics: A Pokemon has a 50% chance (33% chance from Sun and Moon onwards) to attack itself with a 40 power untyped physical move, so damage will be increased by attack ups, but not special attack ups. (Hence why swagger is such a good move)

Improve this answer
4
  • 3
    Since it's a base power 40 move, would the damage be increased by the Technician ability?
    – Yuuki
    Commented Sep 1, 2015 at 19:28
  • 1
    @Yuuki from bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Technician_(Ability): The effect does not apply to confusion damage, which remains at a power of 40.
    – Nzall
    Commented Sep 1, 2015 at 21:41
  • What is the chance that it fades away before 4 attack turns are done? is the chance per turn increasing? constant? or is it adding up to ensure the 100%? Like first 25% chance 2nd 50 3rd 75 and 4th 100?
    – Zaibis
    Commented Sep 2, 2015 at 9:18
  • +1 for mentioning that attack stages will increase the damage; Bulbapedia doesn't explicitly state this (at least at the time of this writing).
    – ZeroKnight
    Commented Nov 23, 2018 at 8:48
1

As of Generation VII, Confusion now only has a 33% chance to cause you to hit yourself. All other effects of Confusion remain the same.

Improve this answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.