What it does
Body Slam is a Normal-type physical move with a chance to inflict Paralysis on the target. Paralysis halves the target's Speed (×0.5) and has a per-turn chance of blocking action entirely.
Normal-type has wide neutral coverage — few types resist it, and only Ghost is immune. For bulky physical attackers that don't have a strong type-specific STAB option, Body Slam works as a no-nonsense damage slot that also occasionally disrupts the opponent's speed order.
In doubles, it's a single-target move. If paralysis lands, that target's role in the following turns gets messier — it moves later, might freeze up entirely, and creates openings for your other Pokémon to operate.
Who runs it
Snorlax splits its move slot between Body Slam and Hammer Arm at 26% each. The choice comes down to what the team needs: Body Slam is safer — no self-debuff, paralysis chance attached. Hammer Arm hits harder but drops your Speed. Without Trick Room support, Body Slam is usually the right call.
Castform runs it at 24% as a reliable physical attack that doesn't depend on weather conditions, even though its typing shifts. The paralysis chance adds value that type-specific moves often can't offer.
Diggersby at 19% turns the low base power into real damage through Huge Power, which doubles its effective Attack stat. Paralysis here is a genuine bonus on top of actual KO pressure.
How to use it
Body Slam is about applying steady pressure, not single-turn burst. Every hit is a roll of the dice on paralysis — if it lands, the speed dynamics shift in your favor for the rest of the game unless the target switches.
In doubles, pair it with your own speed control or Tailwind to make the speed gap after paralysis even wider.
Don't expect paralysis to stack over an existing status condition. A burned or frozen target can't also be paralyzed — only one status condition at a time.
Tips & strategy
The Body Slam vs Hammer Arm choice on Snorlax matters more than it looks. With Trick Room active, Snorlax's low Speed is an advantage — slower it goes, the later it moves, which flips to first under Trick Room. In that case, the Speed drop from Hammer Arm makes Snorlax even slower and even more effective under room conditions. Outside Trick Room, Body Slam stays the simpler, safer option.
Remember Normal-type is fully blocked by Ghost. If the opposing Pokémon is a Ghost-type, don't click Body Slam.