Building a Moveset — Choosing the Right 4 Moves
How to pick 4 moves out of a full learnset: STAB priority, coverage for your weaknesses, and when to run status moves instead. (updated: 2026-07-24)
Four slots is a scarce resource
A Pokémon can only carry 4 of everything it's capable of learning. Once you've checked the full learnset, the first question is: what job is each of those 4 slots actually doing?
STAB comes first
A move that shares its user's type (STAB, same-type attack bonus) deals ×1.5 damage, so at least one of your four slots should be a strong same-type attack. Physical attackers want a move backed by high Attack, special attackers a move backed by high Sp. Atk — check the numbers on the damage calculator.
Coverage for your own weaknesses
STAB moves alone will never handle everything. Reserve one or two slots for a "coverage move" — something super effective against the types most likely to threaten you defensively — to shrink the gaps in your type matchups.
Status and support moves are a real option
Not every slot has to be an attack. A status-inflicting move, a stat-boosting move, or a utility move like Protect can outperform a fourth attack in the right set. Bulky walls in particular should prioritize recovery or status moves over a redundant attack.
Make the last slot your own
Once STAB, coverage, and a support move fill three slots, use the last one to reflect your team's actual needs — a priority move, extra recovery, or a pointed answer to one specific threat you're worried about. Pair it with priority moves and switching strategy to round out a set that's truly yours.