Statistics

Statistics, or Stats, are values that apply to a Pokémon's abilities in battle. These values determine such factors as, damage given, damage received, which Pokémon acts first, etc..

Special Attack
Special attack relates to attacks that are not physical. In the early versions of Pokemon (Red, Green in Japan, Blue, and Yellow), the title for this stat was simply named "special." There were types that signified if the attack was physical or special (for example, in the old system, Fire attacks would always be special attacks). Not only did this stat represent special attack, it also represented special defense. In Gold, Silver, and Crystal, the "special" separated and created a more accurate special attack and special defense stats. Also, two new types (dark and steel) were added. However, another change appeared for special attack when Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. The system now refers attacks that are special to involve some kind of energy/attack that allows the Pokemon to hit the opponent's Pokemon without the Pokemon using "brute force." Some attacks changed from physical to special and vise versa.

Special Defense
Special defense is the resistance to special attacks. In the early versions, (Pokemon Red, Blue, Green for Japan) the stat for special defense was entitled "special." This was the stat for not only special defense, but for special attack as well. In Pokemon Silver, Gold, and Crystal, the "special" stat split into special attack and special defense.