Move/Other Games/Pokémon GO

In Pokémon GO, moves are divided into two types: Fast Attacks (Japanese: ノーマルアタック normal attack) and Special Attacks (Japanese: スペシャルアタック special attack). Each individual Pokémon has one of each kind of move, randomly chosen from the moves their species can know. When a Pokémon evolves, its moves are also randomly reselected.

In a battle at a, the player can command a Fast Attack at any time by simply tapping their Pokémon on the screen. Special Attacks, however, can only be used when the Special Attack meter's energy has been sufficiently filled. The Special Attack meter can be seen next to the move's name on the Pokémon's summary screen or below the Pokémon's HP bar during a battle; it is a gauge divided evenly into one to five bars (depending on the move). Using a Pokémon's Special Attack requires consuming one of these bars. The meter is charged by attacking with Fast Attacks or taking damage. When a Pokémon is ready, the player can command it to use its Special Attack by holding a long-press on their Pokémon.

Despite being called Special Attacks, these moves do not do special damage; the physical/special distinction from the core games does not exist in Pokémon GO. Both Fast Attacks and Special Attacks use the attacking Pokémon's Attack and the defending Pokémon's Defense, and there is no Special Attack or Special Defense.