Hidden Power Calculator Gen 2
Calculate Hidden Power (Gen 2)
Enter your Pokémon’s DVs (0-15) from Gold, Silver, or Crystal to determine its Hidden Power type and base power. Results update automatically.
Hidden Power Type & Power
Intermediate Values
15
15
15
Formula: Power = floor( (5 * (Power Bits) + (Special DV % 4)) / 2 ) + 31
Pokémon’s DVs Compared to Maximum (15)
| Value | Type | Value | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Fighting | 8 | Fire |
| 1 | Flying | 9 | Water |
| 2 | Poison | 10 | Grass |
| 3 | Ground | 11 | Electric |
| 4 | Rock | 12 | Psychic |
| 5 | Bug | 13 | Ice |
| 6 | Ghost | 14 | Dragon |
| 7 | Steel | 15 | Dark |
This table shows the resulting Hidden Power type for each calculated Type Value.
What is the Hidden Power Calculator Gen 2?
The Hidden Power Calculator Gen 2 is a specialized tool for players of Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal. It determines the two secret attributes of the move “Hidden Power”: its elemental type and its base damage. In the second generation of Pokémon games, these attributes are not fixed; instead, they are calculated based on a Pokémon’s individual genetic markers, known as “Deter Values” or “DVs”. Since the game itself does not display this information, a Hidden Power Calculator Gen 2 is essential for competitive players who want to optimize their Pokémon’s moveset for specific coverage. For instance, giving a Fire-type Pokémon a Grass-type Hidden Power can be a game-changing surprise against Water-type opponents.
This calculator should be used by any serious Pokémon trainer playing the Generation 2 games. Casual players might not worry about min-maxing DVs, but anyone involved in battling, whether against friends or in online simulators, will find this tool indispensable. A common misconception is that Hidden Power is always a weak or random move. In reality, with the right DVs, it can be a consistently powerful attack of a specific, desired type, making the Hidden Power Calculator Gen 2 a key strategic asset.
Hidden Power Formula and Mathematical Explanation
The mechanics behind Hidden Power in Generation 2 are derived from four of the Pokémon’s five DVs: Attack, Defense, Speed, and Special. The HP DV is determined by the other four and is only used indirectly. The calculations are split into two distinct formulas: one for Type and one for Power.
Type Calculation
The type is determined by the last two bits of the Attack and Defense DVs. The formula is: Type Value = (Attack DV % 4) * 4 + (Defense DV % 4). This produces a number between 0 and 15, which corresponds to a specific type, as shown in the table above. For example, a value of 10 always results in a Grass type. This is why a Hidden Power Calculator Gen 2 is so useful—it deciphers this cryptic value instantly.
Power Calculation
The power ranges from 31 to 70 and is calculated with a more complex formula: Power = floor( (5 * (Power Bits) + (Special DV % 4)) / 2 ) + 31. The “Power Bits” variable is a sum determined by the most significant bit of each of the four DVs. A DV of 8 or higher contributes to this sum. The precise contributions are: Special DV (8), Speed DV (4), Defense DV (2), and Attack DV (1). A perfect set of DVs (all 8 or higher) results in a Power Bits sum of 15, which is required for maximum power.
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attack DV | The Pokémon’s Attack Deter Value. | Integer | 0 – 15 |
| Defense DV | The Pokémon’s Defense Deter Value. | Integer | 0 – 15 |
| Speed DV | The Pokémon’s Speed Deter Value. | Integer | 0 – 15 |
| Special DV | The Pokémon’s Special Attack & Special Defense Deter Value. | Integer | 0 – 15 |
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Example 1: Achieving Max Power Hidden Power Ice
A trainer wants their Zapdos to have a powerful Ice-type move to counter Dragon-type Pokémon like Dragonite. To get Hidden Power Ice, the Type Value must be 13. To get maximum power (70), all DVs must be 8 or greater. Using the Hidden Power Calculator Gen 2, they can find the right combination.
- Goal: Hidden Power Ice, Power 70.
- Required Type Value: 13.
- Inputs:
- Attack DV: 15 (Must be odd. 14 or 15 works for max power.)
- Defense DV: 13 (
(15%4)*4 + (13%4) = 3*4 + 1 = 13) - Speed DV: 15
- Special DV: 15
- Calculator Output: The calculator confirms Type: Ice, Power: 70. The trainer now knows the exact DVs to aim for when catching or breeding.
Example 2: A Suicune with Hidden Power Electric
A trainer is building a defensive Suicune and wants a surprise move for opposing Water-types like Vaporeon or Starmie. Hidden Power Electric is the perfect choice. The Type Value for Electric is 11. The trainer uses the Hidden Power Calculator Gen 2 to see what DVs are needed.
- Goal: Hidden Power Electric.
- Required Type Value: 11.
- Inputs:
- Attack DV: 14
- Defense DV: 15 (
(14%4)*4 + (15%4) = 2*4 + 3 = 11) - Speed DV: 15
- Special DV: 15
- Calculator Output: This combination yields Type: Electric, Power: 70. The Suicune will now have a powerful, unexpected tool in its arsenal.
How to Use This Hidden Power Calculator Gen 2
Using this Hidden Power Calculator Gen 2 is straightforward and provides immediate insight into your Pokémon’s potential.
- Enter DVs: Input the Attack, Defense, Speed, and Special DVs for your Pokémon into the corresponding fields. These values must be between 0 and 15.
- Read Real-Time Results: The calculator automatically updates. The primary result box will show you the exact Hidden Power Type and Base Power.
- Analyze Intermediate Values: Check the “Type Value” to see the number your type is derived from. The “Power Bits” shows the sum used in the power calculation, giving you an idea of how close you are to maximum power. The calculated HP DV is also shown for reference.
- Consult the Chart and Table: Use the DV chart to visualize your Pokémon’s stats, and the Type Table to see all possible outcomes. This helps in planning for different Hidden Power types.
- Make Decisions: Based on the results, you can decide whether to keep training a Pokémon, or if you need to catch or breed another one with more optimal DVs for the specific Hidden Power you need. A precise Hidden Power Calculator Gen 2 is the best way to avoid wasting time on a Pokémon with a suboptimal moveset.
Key Factors That Affect Hidden Power Results
The output of any Hidden Power Calculator Gen 2 is entirely dependent on four key stats. Understanding their individual impact is crucial for strategic breeding and selection.
- Attack DV: This DV is critical for both Type and Power. Its value modulo 4 is a primary component of the type calculation. For power, it contributes 1 to the “Power Bits” sum if it’s 8 or greater. A high Attack DV is often needed for desirable types and high power.
- Defense DV: Like the Attack DV, the Defense DV is the other half of the type calculation. Its value modulo 4 completes the formula. It also contributes 2 to the Power Bits sum if 8 or greater, making it slightly more impactful for power than the Attack DV.
- Speed DV: This DV has no effect on the Hidden Power type. Its sole purpose is in the power calculation, where it contributes 4 to the Power Bits sum if 8 or greater. This makes it a major factor in achieving high damage.
- Special DV: This is the most important DV for power. It contributes 8 (the largest amount) to the Power Bits sum if it’s 8 or greater. Furthermore, its value modulo 4 is used as a final modifier in the power formula, meaning it can fine-tune the power by 0, 1, or 2 points. It has no impact on type.
- DV Parity (Odd/Even): The parity of DVs is what determines the HP DV. An odd Attack DV gives +8, odd Defense +4, odd Speed +2, and odd Special +1 to a hidden HP DV counter. This doesn’t directly affect Hidden Power but is a cornerstone of Gen 2 mechanics.
- The “All 8+” Rule: To achieve maximum power (70), all four DVs (Attack, Defense, Speed, Special) must be 8 or higher. The Hidden Power Calculator Gen 2 makes it easy to see when you’ve met this threshold by checking if the “Power Bits” value is 15.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The maximum base power is 70. This requires the DVs for Attack, Defense, Speed, and Special to all be 8 or greater, and for the Special DV to be 15, 14, 11, 10, 7, 6, 3, or 2.
In Generation 2, a Pokémon’s HP DV is not an independent value. It’s calculated based on the odd/even status of the other four DVs. The Hidden Power formulas for both type and power only use the Attack, Defense, Speed, and Special DVs. Our Hidden Power Calculator Gen 2 shows the resulting HP DV for your convenience.
No. In Generation 2, Hidden Power cannot be Normal-type. The Fairy and ??? types did not exist, so they are also not possible outcomes.
There is no in-game feature to see exact DVs. The most common method is to use an online stat calculator. You input your Pokémon’s species, level, and stats, and the calculator provides a range of possible DVs. The higher the Pokémon’s level, the more accurate the DV calculation will be.
Yes. For example, if a Jolteon (an Electric-type) has Hidden Power Electric, the move’s power will be boosted by 50% due to STAB.
The formulas rely on remainders (modulo operator) and bitwise logic. For example, for the type calculation, an Attack DV of 1, 5, 9, or 13 will all yield the same result because they all have a remainder of 1 when divided by 4. The Hidden Power Calculator Gen 2 handles these complexities automatically.
Rarely. In almost all competitive scenarios, maximizing power is the goal. The only exception might be in very niche strategies involving the move Endeavor or specific HP-based tactics, but for general use, higher power is always better.
No. From Generation 3 onwards, the formula for calculating Hidden Power’s type and power changed completely, and Individual Values (IVs) replaced DVs. This Hidden Power Calculator Gen 2 is exclusively for Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal.