Physical, Not-Contact, Special?

[IronDino]

Hello, I've been playing Sapphire for quite the new system is really confusing me. I know what they are but what affects what? Does the Attack stat influence Physical moves regardless if is contacts or not?

For example Vine Whip is a Grass type move but makes contact. If I wanted to power it up would I have to raise the Attack stat or Special Attack?

 

[Gravy]

No, you wouldn't. A grass type attack is always classed a special attack. Just because the move actually makes physical contact with the opponent, doesn't mean it's to be considered a part of the attack stat.
It's the same with moves like Spark or Volt Tackle. They've both Electric attacks that make physical contact, yet each technique's power is based on the pokémon's Special Attack stat.

 

[SHIFTER01]

Hello, I've been playing Sapphire for quite the new system is really confusing me. I know what they are but what affects what? Does the Attack stat influence Physical moves regardless if is contact or not?

For example Vine Whip is a Grass type move but makes contact. If I wanted to power it up would I have to raise the Attack stat or Special Attack?

Physical: Normal, Fighting, Bug, Rock, Ground, Flying, Steel, Poison, Ghost
Special: Psychic, Fire, Electric, Water, Ice, Dark, Dragon, Grass
Physical moves rely on the Attack stat, Special moves use the Sp.Atk stat.

;136; Dude

 

[Geodude]

The only time the issue of whether or not an attack makes physical contact matters is whether or not it triggers certain abilities, like Static. So for example if your Machop is battling a Pikachu, do you want to use the same-type physical contact move Karate Chop and risk getting paralyzed from Static, but get STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus); or do you want to use the non-physical-contact move Rock Slide and avoid that risk?

 

[IronDino]

Thank you. I was worried that I was training my Pokemon incorrectly. Thank you very much.