Normal Type
The Normal type (Japanese: ノーマルタイプ Normal Type) is one of the eighteen Pokemon types. Normal-type Pokemon are characterized by their versatility, lack of supernatural or elemental abilities, and representation of common animals and everyday creatures. The type is notable for having no super-effective offensive matchups but also being one of the most diverse and flexible types in battle.
Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|
| Introduced | Generation I |
| Number of Pokemon | 130+ |
| Notable Trainers | Whitney, Norman, Lenora, Ilima |
| Common Habitats | Cities, routes, grasslands, forests |
Type Effectiveness
Offensive
| Effectiveness | Against Types |
|---|
| Super Effective (2x) | — |
| Not Very Effective (0.5x) | Rock, Steel |
| No Effect (0x) | Ghost |
Defensive
| Effectiveness | From Types |
|---|
| Weak To (2x) | Fighting |
| Resistant To (0.5x) | — |
| Immune To (0x) | Ghost |
Key Note: Ghost Immunity
Normal-type Pokemon cannot be hit by Ghost-type moves, and Normal-type moves have no effect on Ghost-type Pokemon. This mutual immunity is one of the defining characteristics of the type matchup system.[1]
Characteristics
Common Traits
| Trait | Description |
|---|
| Appearance | Natural colors, animal-like designs |
| Abilities | Diverse ability pool |
| Habitat | Extremely varied |
| Behavior | Often docile or domestic |
Special Properties
| Property | Effect |
|---|
| Ghost Immunity | Cannot hit or be hit by Ghost |
| Single Weakness | Only Fighting is super effective |
| No Resistances | Takes neutral damage from most types |
| Versatile Movepool | Learns many different move types |
Notable Normal-Type Pokemon
Iconic Normal Types
| Pokemon | Type | Notable For |
|---|
| Eevee | Normal | Evolution possibilities |
| Snorlax | Normal | High HP, blocking paths |
| Ditto | Normal | Transform ability |
| Porygon | Normal | First digital Pokemon |
| Kangaskhan | Normal | Maternal Pokemon |
| Tauros | Normal | Speed and strength |
| Meowth | Normal | Team Rocket mascot |
| Chansey | Normal | Highest HP stat |
Legendary/Mythical
| Pokemon | Type | Generation |
|---|
| Arceus | Normal | IV (can change) |
| Regigigas | Normal | IV |
| Type: Null | Normal | VII |
| Silvally | Normal | VII (can change) |
Competitively Notable
| Pokemon | Notable For |
|---|
| Blissey | Highest HP, special wall |
| Chansey | Eviolite tank |
| Snorlax | Bulky attacker, Curse sets |
| Bouffalant | Sap Sipper, physical attacker |
| Porygon2 | Eviolite bulk, Trace |
| Slaking | Highest base stat total (non-legendary) |
| Ditto | Imposter copying |
| Braviary | Strong physical attacker |
Common Normal-Type Moves
Physical Moves
| Move | Power | Accuracy | Effect |
|---|
| Return | 102 | 100% | Max power with high friendship |
| Facade | 70/140 | 100% | Doubles when burned/paralyzed/poisoned |
| Giga Impact | 150 | 90% | Requires recharge |
| Extreme Speed | 80 | 100% | +2 priority |
| Quick Attack | 40 | 100% | +1 priority |
| Body Slam | 85 | 100% | May paralyze |
| Double-Edge | 120 | 100% | Recoil damage |
| Explosion | 250 | 100% | User faints |
| Self-Destruct | 200 | 100% | User faints |
| Tackle | 40 | 100% | Basic attack |
Special Moves
| Move | Power | Accuracy | Effect |
|---|
| Hyper Voice | 90 | 100% | Hits both foes, Sound-based |
| Boomburst | 140 | 100% | Hits all Pokemon, Sound-based |
| Tri Attack | 80 | 100% | May burn, freeze, or paralyze |
| Swift | 60 | — | Never misses |
| Hyper Beam | 150 | 90% | Requires recharge |
| Techno Blast | 120 | 100% | Type varies with Drive |
| Judgment | 100 | 100% | Type varies with Plate |
Status Moves
| Move | Effect |
|---|
| Swords Dance | +2 Attack |
| Nasty Plot | +2 Sp. Atk |
| Belly Drum | Max Attack, lose 50% HP |
| Recover | Restore 50% HP |
| Soft-Boiled | Restore 50% HP |
| Protect | Block attacks |
| Substitute | Create decoy |
| Sing | Induces sleep |
| Growl | Lowers Attack |
| Tail Whip | Lowers Defense |
| Screech | Sharply lowers Defense |
| Swagger | Confuses, raises Attack |
Normal-Type Specialists
Gym Leaders
| Trainer | Region | Signature Pokemon |
|---|
| Whitney | Johto | Miltank |
| Norman | Hoenn | Slaking |
| Lenora | Unova | Watchog |
| Cheren | Unova | Cinccino |
| Ilima | Alola | Gumshoos/Smeargle |
| Larry | Paldea | Staraptor |
Elite Four/Champions
| Trainer | Region | Notable Pokemon |
|---|
| — | — | No Normal Elite Four member |
Trial Captains
| Trainer | Island | Notable Pokemon |
|---|
| Ilima | Melemele | Gumshoos (day) / Alolan Raticate (night) |
Type Combinations
All Normal-Type Combinations
| Secondary Type | Example Pokemon |
|---|
| Pure Normal | Snorlax, Chansey, Ditto |
| Normal/Flying | Pidgey, Fearow, Staraptor |
| Normal/Water | Bibarel |
| Normal/Psychic | Girafarig, Indeedee |
| Normal/Grass | Sawsbuck, Deerling |
| Normal/Fairy | Jigglypuff, Wigglytuff |
| Normal/Ground | Diggersby |
| Normal/Electric | Helioptile, Heliolisk |
| Normal/Fighting | Meloetta (Pirouette) |
| Normal/Fire | Litleo, Pyroar |
| Normal/Dragon | Drampa |
| Normal/Dark | Alolan Rattata, Alolan Raticate |
Most Common Combination
Normal/Flying is by far the most common dual-type combination in Pokemon, appearing in nearly every regional bird line:
| Pokemon | Generation |
|---|
| Pidgey line | I |
| Spearow line | I |
| Hoothoot line | II |
| Taillow line | III |
| Starly line | IV |
| Pidove line | V |
| Fletchling line | VI |
| Pikipek line | VII |
| Rookidee line | VIII |
Unique Combinations
| Combination | Pokemon | Note |
|---|
| Normal/Dragon | Drampa | Only one |
| Normal/Water | Bibarel | Only one |
| Normal/Ground | Diggersby | Only one |
Abilities
Normal-Type Related Abilities
| Ability | Effect | Pokemon |
|---|
| Normalize | All moves become Normal-type | Skitty, Delcatty |
| Adaptability | STAB becomes 2x instead of 1.5x | Eevee, Porygon-Z |
| Scrappy | Can hit Ghost with Normal/Fighting | Kangaskhan, Miltank |
| Pickup | May find items | Meowth, Zigzagoon |
| Run Away | Ensures escape from wild Pokemon | Rattata, Eevee |
| Simple | Stat changes are doubled | Bidoof, Bibarel |
| Unaware | Ignores opponent stat changes | Bidoof, Bibarel |
| Technician | Boosts moves 60 power or less | Persian, Cinccino |
| Parental Bond | Attack hits twice (Mega Kangaskhan) | Mega Kangaskhan |
| Skill Link | Multi-hit moves always hit max times | Minccino, Cinccino |
Signature Normal Abilities
| Ability | Pokemon | Effect |
|---|
| Truant | Slaking, Durant | Can only move every other turn |
| Slow Start | Regigigas | Half Attack/Speed for 5 turns |
| Imposter | Ditto | Transforms on switch-in |
| Forecast | Castform | Changes type with weather |
| Comatose | Komala | Always asleep, can still act |
Competitive Analysis
Strengths
| Strength | Details |
|---|
| Single Weakness | Only Fighting is super effective |
| Ghost Immunity | Cannot be hit by Ghost moves |
| Versatility | Learns diverse move types for coverage |
| Strong STAB | Powerful neutral coverage moves |
| Stat Distribution | Many have high HP or balanced stats |
| Priority Moves | Extreme Speed, Quick Attack |
Weaknesses
| Weakness | Details |
|---|
| No Super Effective | Cannot hit anything for 2x damage |
| Steel/Rock Resist | Common defensive types resist |
| Ghost Immunity | Cannot hit Ghost-types at all |
| No Resistances | Only resists Ghost (immune) |
| Fighting Weakness | Common offensive type |
Role in Metagame
| Role | Examples |
|---|
| Special Wall | Blissey, Chansey |
| Physical Wall | Snorlax |
| Tank | Porygon2 |
| Revenge Killer | Braviary (with Defiant) |
| Utility | Ditto (Imposter) |
| Pivot | Staraptor (U-turn) |
Special Mechanics
Normal-Type Interactions
Pixilate/Refrigerate/Aerilate/Galvanize: These abilities convert Normal-type moves to Fairy, Ice, Flying, or Electric respectively, while boosting power by 20%. This makes Normal moves extremely valuable for Pokemon with these abilities.[2]
| Ability | Type Conversion | Pokemon |
|---|
| Pixilate | Normal → Fairy | Mega Gardevoir, Sylveon |
| Refrigerate | Normal → Ice | Mega Glalie, Aurorus |
| Aerilate | Normal → Flying | Mega Salamence, Mega Pinsir |
| Galvanize | Normal → Electric | Alolan Golem, Geodude |
Weather Neutrality
Unlike most types, Normal-type moves are not affected by any weather condition. They deal consistent damage in sun, rain, sandstorm, and hail, making them reliable in weather-based metagames.[3]
Sound-Based Moves
Many powerful Normal-type moves are sound-based (Hyper Voice, Boomburst), which means they:
- Hit through Substitute
- Are blocked by Soundproof ability
- Cannot be used during Throat Chop's effect
Z-Moves
Breakneck Blitz is the Normal-type Z-Move, converting any Normal-type attack into a powerful special or physical move depending on the original move's category.
Eevee and the Eeveelutions
Eevee, the Evolution Pokemon, is arguably the most famous Normal-type. While Eevee itself is pure Normal, it can evolve into eight different types (nine including Eevee):
| Evolution | Type | Method |
|---|
| Eevee | Normal | Base form |
| Vaporeon | Water | Water Stone |
| Jolteon | Electric | Thunder Stone |
| Flareon | Fire | Fire Stone |
| Espeon | Psychic | Friendship (day) |
| Umbreon | Dark | Friendship (night) |
| Leafeon | Grass | Leaf Stone / Moss Rock |
| Glaceon | Ice | Ice Stone / Ice Rock |
| Sylveon | Fairy | Friendship + Fairy move |
Eevee's genetic instability makes it one of the most versatile Pokemon in the franchise.[4]
Regional Rodents
Each generation features an early-route Normal-type rodent Pokemon:
| Pokemon | Generation | Type |
|---|
| Rattata | I | Normal |
| Sentret | II | Normal |
| Zigzagoon | III | Normal |
| Bidoof | IV | Normal |
| Patrat | V | Normal |
| Bunnelby | VI | Normal |
| Yungoos | VII | Normal |
| Skwovet | VIII | Normal |
| Lechonk | IX | Normal |
These Pokemon typically have Pickup ability and serve as common encounters for beginning trainers.
Regional Birds
The Normal/Flying dual-type combination is featured in nearly every regional bird line, serving as one of the most reliable early-game Pokemon:
Common Characteristics:
- Available early in the game (Routes 1-3)
- Three-stage evolution lines
- Learns Fly HM/TM
- Access to Brave Bird or similar powerful Flying moves
- Often learns Normal-type moves like Return, Facade
Competitive Viability: Some regional birds have found success in competitive play:
- Staraptor: High Attack, Intimidate/Reckless
- Talonflame: Gale Wings priority (pre-nerf)
- Corviknight: Steel typing breaks the Normal pattern
Arceus and Type Versatility
Arceus, the Alpha Pokemon and creator deity of the Pokemon universe, is naturally Normal-type but can change to any type by holding the corresponding Plate item. This makes Arceus the most versatile Pokemon in existence, capable of assuming any type matchup needed.[5]
Similarly, Silvally (the evolved form of Type: Null) can change types by holding Memory discs, functioning as a man-made counterpart to Arceus's natural type-shifting ability.
Slaking and Regigigas: Power with Limitations
Two Normal-types stand out for having exceptional stats balanced by crippling abilities:
Slaking
- Base Stat Total: 670 (highest for non-legendary)
- Ability: Truant (can only move every other turn)
- Despite limitations, sees niche use with Skill Swap strategies
Regigigas
- Legendary Titan, Normal-type
- Base Stat Total: 670
- Ability: Slow Start (halved Attack/Speed for 5 turns)
- Often called the weakest legendary due to ability handicap
Both demonstrate Game Freak's approach to balancing exceptionally powerful Pokemon through ability restrictions.[6]
The Chansey Family: Ultimate Special Walls
The Chansey evolutionary line represents the pinnacle of special defense in Pokemon:
Chansey
- Highest HP stat in the game (250 base)
- With Eviolite: Becomes bulkier than its evolution
- Learns Soft-Boiled for reliable recovery
Blissey
- Evolution of Chansey
- Slightly lower defense than Eviolite Chansey
- Higher Special Defense and access to Serene Grace
Both are staples in competitive formats requiring special walls, with players debating which is superior depending on the metagame.[7]
Ditto: The Transform Specialist
Ditto is unique among Normal-types for its signature move Transform and Hidden Ability Imposter:
Transform:
- Copies opponent's appearance, stats, stat changes, and moves
- Only knows this one move
Imposter (Hidden Ability):
- Automatically transforms upon entering battle
- Makes Ditto competitively viable as a revenge killer and scout
Ditto's ability to copy any Pokemon makes it invaluable for breeding (inherits egg moves from any species) and competitive play (counters setup sweepers).[8]
See Also