Move Category Files

Move Category Files

Move categories map move names to strategic categories that the AI uses for filtering. When you write a move filter like \{ "categories": ["heal"] \} in an action priority, the AI looks up which moves belong to the heal category using these files.

File Location

Move category files are loaded from:

data/<namespace>/move_categories/<category>.json

For example, a custom heal category override would be placed at:

data/mypack/move_categories/heal.json

Categories reload when you run /reload.

JSON Structure

Each move category file has three fields:

{
  "category": "heal",
  "replace": false,
  "moves": ["recover", "roost", "softboiled", "moonlight", "gigadrain"]
}

Field	Type	Description
category	string	One of the built-in category names (see table below), or a custom category name.
replace	bool	false = merge with existing moves for this category. true = replace all existing moves with only the ones listed here.
moves	string[]	Showdown move IDs (lowercase, no spaces). E.g., "swordsdance", "flamethrower".

Showdown Move IDs

Move names use Showdown-format IDs: all lowercase, no spaces, no hyphens. For example:

• Swords Dance = "swordsdance"
• Will-O-Wisp = "willowisp"
• U-turn = "uturn"
• Volt Switch = "voltswitch"

Built-in Categories

Smart Trainers includes 17 built-in move categories out of the box:

Category	Description	Example Moves
damage	Direct damage-dealing moves	(most attacking moves)
status	Status-inflicting (burn, para, sleep, etc.)	thunderwave, willowisp, spore
heal	HP recovery	recover, roost, softboiled, gigadrain
cure	Status curing	aromatherapy, healbell
buff	Self/ally stat boosting	swordsdance, calmmind, dragondance
malus	Opponent stat lowering	growl, charm, screech
hazard	Entry hazards	stealthrock, spikes, toxicspikes
hazard_control	Hazard removal	rapidspin, defog
weather	Weather-setting	raindance, sunnyday, sandstorm
terrain	Terrain-setting	electricterrain, grassyterrain
priority	Increased priority moves	quickattack, extremespeed, machpunch
pivot	Damage + switch	uturn, voltswitch, flipturn
protection	Protect/Detect family	protect, detect, kingsshield
trap	Trapping	meanlook, block, spiritshackle
phaze	Forced switch-out	roar, whirlwind, dragontail
redirection	Move redirection	followme, ragepowder
speed_control	Speed manipulation	tailwind, trickroom, icywind
support	Miscellaneous support	helpinghand, lightscreen, reflect
flinch	Flinch-inducing	fakeout, ironhead, rockslide

Replace vs Merge

The replace field controls how your category file interacts with existing moves in that category:

Merge mode ("replace": false) — Your moves are added to the existing list. This is the default and most common approach. Use this to extend a built-in category with additional moves.

{
  "category": "heal",
  "replace": false,
  "moves": ["strengthsap", "junglehealing", "lifedew"]
}

This adds Strength Sap, Jungle Healing, and Life Dew to the existing heal category without removing Recover, Roost, or any other built-in heal moves.

Replace mode ("replace": true) — All existing moves for this category are removed, and only the moves listed in your file are used. Use this when you want full control over a category’s contents.

{
  "category": "heal",
  "replace": true,
  "moves": ["recover", "roost", "softboiled"]
}

This replaces the entire heal category with only Recover, Roost, and Soft-Boiled. Any other moves that were previously in the category are removed.

Replace Mode Warning

Using "replace": true removes all existing moves from that category, including moves added by other datapacks. Use it only when you need precise control over the category contents.

Creating Custom Categories

You can create your own categories by using a category name that does not match any built-in name. The AI will recognize it in move filters.

For example, to create a “anti_stall” category:

{
  "category": "anti_stall",
  "replace": false,
  "moves": ["taunt", "trick", "encore", "torment", "knockoff"]
}

Then use it in action priorities:

{
  "id": "anti_stall_vs_walls",
  "condition": "q.target.is_support && !q.target.has_status",
  "action_type": "move",
  "move_filter": { "categories": ["anti_stall"] },
  "priority": 75,
  "bias_multiplier": 2.5,
  "score_bonus": 90.0
}

You can also check custom categories in MoLang conditions using q.move.has_category('anti_stall').

Multiple Datapacks

When multiple datapacks define move category files for the same category, the behavior depends on the replace field:

• If all files use "replace": false — all move lists are merged together
• If any file uses "replace": true — that file’s moves replace all previous entries for the category (load order dependent)

Organization Strategy

Keep your custom categories in your own namespace. This avoids conflicts with other datapacks and makes it clear which moves you’ve added. For example, use data/mypack/move_categories/anti_stall.json rather than modifying Smart Trainers’ built-in files.