Energy / Wash Energy / Effects

[BigBoySuperman3]

I am wondering if there is a specific rule which dictates what an “effect” is? I’ve always been told it’s the wording below an attack but after some research, I am confused.

Example: wash energy
Card states: “as long as this card is attached to a pokemon, it provides (water) energy.
Prevent all effects of attacks from your opponents Pokemon done to the (water) pokemon this card is attached to. (Existing effects are not removed. Damage is not an effect.)”

Pokémon: Galarian Moltres (SWSH284)
Attack: Fiery Wrath 20+
Effect?: “This attack does 50 more damage for each prize card your opponent has taken.”

 

[bulbasnore]

Effects of attacks are the actions specified in the attack that aren't attack damage or attack costs.

In the case of Wash Energy vs Galarian Moltres' Fiery Wrath:
- "20+" is clearly part of the attack damage and not an effect.
- "50 more..." is an attack damage calculation, and thus not an effect of the attack.

So, to answer the example, Wash Energy does not prevent the extra damage, because it results from calculating the attack damage.

Common effects of attacks include:
- Placing status conditions
- Moving the Pokemon (to the bench, to the hand, to the Lost Zone)
- Discarding energy from the defending Pokemon
- Placing damage counters*

* For the difference between attack damage and placing damage counters see:
https://compendium.pokegym.net/ruling/320/