But that depended on being able to land the hit. If an attack could not hit the opposing Pokémon, even the highest damage was meaningless.
Most moves used by Fighting-type Pokémon were close-range attacks. With few ranged options, they were at a serious disadvantage against Pokémon capable of flight.
"Pidgeot, use Air Slash!"
After Pidgeot dodged Hitmonlee's powerful High Jump Kick, Zhang Cheng ordered a counterattack.
"Pidge! Pidge!"
Pidgeot beat its wings, rapidly gathering the surrounding Flying-type energy. Under its control, the dense energy transformed into invisible blades.
These blades were formed from compressed air and possessed tremendous destructive power.
Once the air blades had taken shape, Pidgeot gave its wings a fierce beat, sending a barrage of them shooting toward Hitmonlee.
The air blades flew so fast that Hitmonlee had no time to dodge and took a direct hit. Boosted by the same-type attack bonus, the Flying-type move Air Slash stripped away a third of Hitmonlee's HP.
Hitmonlee had already lost a sixth of its HP when its High Jump Kick missed. Now, after taking another Flying-type move from Pidgeot, it was down to half its HP.
By contrast, Zhang Cheng's Pidgeot had not taken any damage so far. With a half-health Hitmonlee facing a full-health Pidgeot, the outcome of this battle was already predictable.
"Hitmonlee, use Mind Reader!"
Facing Pidgeot's aerial advantage, the examiner had no choice but to have Hitmonlee use Mind Reader, relying on its effect to ensure that Hitmonlee's Fighting-type move would land.
Without Mind Reader's help, Hitmonlee would struggle to hit Pidgeot high in the sky.
Upon receiving the examiner's command, Hitmonlee swiftly gathered the surrounding energy and drew it into its body. Its next attack would have one hundred percent accuracy.
"Pidgeot, use Hurricane!"
Zhang Cheng chose to attack with Pidgeot's powerful Flying-type