In the complex world of Pokémon battles, move interactions can often be confusing, especially when it comes to unusual attacks like Bide and how they interact with specific types such as Ghost. Bide is a move with a very specific mechanic: the user takes damage for two turns, then unleashes double the total damage received back at the opponent. Because Bide doesn’t follow the traditional typing structure and has unique mechanics, many players wonder whether Bide can actually hit Ghost-type Pokémon. This question is especially important in competitive and strategic battles where every move counts, and understanding these interactions can be the key to victory.
Understanding How Bide Works
Bide’s Unique Mechanic
Bide is a move introduced in Generation I, and it has always worked differently compared to most offensive moves. Instead of dealing damage immediately, Bide causes the user to absorb damage for two turns. During this time, the user cannot perform other actions. After those two turns, Bide unleashes damage equal to double the amount taken back at the opponent who last hit the user. If no damage was received during Bide’s charging turns, the move fails.
Unlike most moves in Pokémon, Bide does not have a conventional type when it comes to applying type effectiveness. While it is classified as a Normal-type move, its damage-dealing mechanics are categorized as typeless. This means the usual resistances and immunities don’t always apply in the traditional way, leading to confusion about interactions with types that are normally immune to Normal-type moves especially Ghost-types.
Does Bide Hit Ghost Types?
Generational Differences and Game Mechanics
The answer to whether Bide can hit Ghost-type Pokémon depends on which generation of Pokémon you’re playing. Bide’s behavior has changed slightly across different generations, particularly when it comes to how the game interprets its typing and interaction with immunities.
- Generations I and II: In these early generations, Bide uses typeless damage, meaning it is not affected by type immunities. Therefore, Bide can hit Ghost-types even though they are normally immune to Normal-type attacks.
- Generations III and onward: In later games, Bide continues to use typeless damage. Despite being listed as a Normal-type move, the actual damage dealt ignores type immunities. So yes, Bide can still hit Ghost-type Pokémon.
This is because Bide does not deal direct damage based on type it simply reflects double the damage it received. The game treats this as a special case that bypasses the usual type chart.
Typeless Damage Explained
Typeless damage in Pokémon refers to moves or effects that do not apply any type-based calculations. This means the target’s resistances, weaknesses, and immunities don’t influence whether the move hits or how much damage it deals. Bide is one of the few moves in the franchise that uses typeless damage, along with other mechanics like confusion damage or certain abilities that return damage, such as Counter or Mirror Coat. However, those are still somewhat different in how they calculate targets and type interactions.
Because Bide’s damage is typeless, it bypasses the Ghost-type immunity to Normal moves entirely. As long as the Ghost-type Pokémon caused damage during Bide’s charging turns, they will take damage from Bide’s retaliation. This is an exception to the standard mechanics and one that is often overlooked by both casual and experienced players alike.
Conditions for Bide to Hit
Requirements for Bide to Succeed
Even though Bide can hit Ghost-types, several conditions must still be met for it to succeed. Understanding these conditions helps players better time the move for maximum effect:
- Damage Must Be Taken: Bide only deals damage if the user takes damage during the two charging turns. Status moves or missed attacks don’t count.
- Retaliation Targets Last Damager: Bide always hits the last Pokémon that dealt damage, even in double battles. If no damage was received, the move fails.
- Retaliation Can Bypass Immunities: The actual strike from Bide is not considered a Normal-type attack and thus hits Ghost-types as long as they were the source of the original damage.
Strategic Usage in Battles
Bide can be a useful move when used strategically against Ghost-types that rely on chip damage or multi-turn attacks. For instance, if a Ghost-type Pokémon uses Shadow Sneak or Hex, and your Pokémon uses Bide, the damage taken can be reflected back regardless of typing.
That said, Bide does come with downsides. It locks your Pokémon into a two-turn vulnerability, which makes them susceptible to status effects, setup moves, or powerful attacks that may knock them out before they can retaliate. For this reason, Bide is more often used in early-game strategies or specific builds rather than competitive play.
Examples of Bide Against Ghost-Types
Battle Scenarios
Consider the following example: Your Pokémon, a Rattata, uses Bide against a Gastly. Gastly uses Night Shade on the first turn and Confuse Ray on the second. On the third turn, Bide releases its damage. Despite Gastly being a Ghost-type and Bide being listed as a Normal move, the retaliation lands successfully and deals damage because Bide’s hit is typeless and Gastly had inflicted damage.
Another scenario could involve a Ghost-type Pokémon using Will-O-Wisp on turn one, followed by Protect on turn two. Since no direct damage was received during Bide’s charge period, the move would fail on turn three. Even though the opponent was not immune to Bide, the lack of received damage means the move doesn’t activate.
Competitive Relevance and Modern Usage
Is Bide Still Viable?
In modern competitive play, Bide is rarely seen due to its predictability and vulnerability. Most high-level strategies prefer immediate-impact moves or those with greater control over damage and timing. However, Bide can still be found in niche builds, especially in challenge runs, specific AI trainers, or gimmick teams.
Against Ghost-types, Bide remains an unusual yet viable method of dealing damage. It’s particularly useful in single-player campaigns where enemy move patterns can be predicted. In PvP, its effectiveness drops due to easy counterplay, but its ability to bypass type immunity can still catch unprepared opponents off guard.
Bide’s Hidden Power Against Ghost-Types
To answer the question directly: yes, Bide can hit Ghost-type Pokémon. Despite being classified as a Normal-type move, its retaliation damage is considered typeless, allowing it to bypass the typical immunity that Ghost-types have against Normal attacks. While not commonly used in competitive environments, Bide’s interaction with Ghost-types is a unique exception that demonstrates the depth and complexity of Pokémon battle mechanics. Knowing how Bide works and when to use it can provide a clever edge in battle, especially in unexpected matchups. So next time you face a Ghost-type, remember Bide might just be the move that turns the tide.