Contact

From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.
Jump to navigationJump to search

Contact (Japanese:接触contact) ordirect attack (Japanese:直接攻撃direct attack) is a property ofmoves in thePokémon games that was introduced inGeneration III. Making contact occurs when a Pokémon physically touches the target when using a move inbattle. Moves that make contact are affected by and can trigger variousitems andAbilities, such asTough Claws and theSticky Barb.

Whether a move makes contact is independent of itsdamage category. Mostphysical moves do make contact and make up the majority of contact moves. Mostspecial moves do not make contact (with only seven moves that do), and nostatus moves make contact. Prior toGeneration VII, all moves that make contact only target a single Pokémon.

Hitting asubstitute does not make contact with the Pokémon behind it. Whileconfusion damage is physical, it does not make contact. If a Pokémon is immune to a move, the move will not make contact with the Pokémon.

Contact does not factor into anything inPokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! andPokémon Legends: Arceus.

Moves that make contact

InGeneration III only,AncientPower andOverheat make contact, whileCovet,Faint Attack, andFake Out do not.

The moveShell Side Arm changes between being a physical move that makes contact and a special move that does not make contact, based on which it predicts to inflict more damage.

MoveTypeCategory
Pound Normal Physical
Karate Chop Fighting Physical
Double Slap Normal Physical
Comet Punch Normal Physical
Mega Punch Normal Physical
Fire Punch Fire Physical
Ice Punch Ice Physical
Thunder Punch Electric Physical
Scratch Normal Physical
Vise Grip Normal Physical
Guillotine Normal Physical
Cut Normal Physical
Wing Attack Flying Physical
Fly Flying Physical
Bind Normal Physical
Slam Normal Physical
Vine Whip Grass Physical
Stomp Normal Physical
Double Kick Fighting Physical
Mega Kick Normal Physical
Jump Kick Fighting Physical
Rolling Kick Fighting Physical
Headbutt Normal Physical
Horn Attack Normal Physical
Fury Attack Normal Physical
Horn Drill Normal Physical
Tackle Normal Physical
Body Slam Normal Physical
Wrap Normal Physical
Take Down Normal Physical
Thrash Normal Physical
Double-Edge Normal Physical
Bite Dark Physical
Peck Flying Physical
Drill Peck Flying Physical
Submission Fighting Physical
Low Kick Fighting Physical
Counter Fighting Physical
Seismic Toss Fighting Physical
Strength Normal Physical
Petal Dance Grass Special
Dig Ground Physical
Quick Attack Normal Physical
Rage Normal Physical
Bide Normal Physical
Lick Ghost Physical
Waterfall Water Physical
Clamp Water Physical
Skull Bash Normal Physical
Constrict Normal Physical
High Jump Kick Fighting Physical
Leech Life Bug Physical
Dizzy Punch Normal Physical
Crabhammer Water Physical
Fury Swipes Normal Physical
Hyper Fang Normal Physical
Super Fang Normal Physical
Slash Normal Physical
Struggle Normal Physical
Triple Kick Fighting Physical
Thief Dark Physical
Flame Wheel Fire Physical
Flail Normal Physical
Reversal Fighting Physical
Mach Punch Fighting Physical
Feint Attack Dark Physical
Outrage Dragon Physical
Rollout Rock Physical
False Swipe Normal Physical
Spark Electric Physical
Fury Cutter Bug Physical
Steel Wing Steel Physical
Return Normal Physical
Frustration Normal Physical
Dynamic Punch Fighting Physical
Megahorn Bug Physical
Pursuit Dark Physical
Rapid Spin Normal Physical
Iron Tail Steel Physical
Metal Claw Steel Physical
Vital Throw Fighting Physical
Cross Chop Fighting Physical
Crunch Dark Physical
Extreme Speed Normal Physical
Rock Smash Fighting Physical
Fake Out Normal Physical
Facade Normal Physical
Focus Punch Fighting Physical
Smelling Salts Normal Physical
Superpower Fighting Physical
Revenge Fighting Physical
Brick Break Fighting Physical
Knock Off Dark Physical
Endeavor Normal Physical
Dive Water Physical
Arm Thrust Fighting Physical
Blaze Kick Fire Physical
Ice Ball Ice Physical
Needle Arm Grass Physical
Poison Fang Poison Physical
Crush Claw Normal Physical
Meteor Mash Steel Physical
Astonish Ghost Physical
Shadow Punch Ghost Physical
Sky Uppercut Fighting Physical
Aerial Ace Flying Physical
Dragon Claw Dragon Physical
Bounce Flying Physical
Poison Tail Poison Physical
Covet Normal Physical
Volt Tackle Electric Physical
Leaf Blade Grass Physical
Wake-Up Slap Fighting Physical
Hammer Arm Fighting Physical
Gyro Ball Steel Physical
Pluck Flying Physical
U-turn Bug Physical
Close Combat Fighting Physical
Payback Dark Physical
Assurance Dark Physical
Trump Card Normal Special
Wring Out Normal Special
Punishment Dark Physical
Last Resort Normal Physical
Sucker Punch Dark Physical
Flare Blitz Fire Physical
Force Palm Fighting Physical
Poison Jab Poison Physical
Night Slash Dark Physical
Aqua Tail Water Physical
X-Scissor Bug Physical
Dragon Rush Dragon Physical
Drain Punch Fighting Physical
Brave Bird Flying Physical
Giga Impact Normal Physical
Bullet Punch Steel Physical
Avalanche Ice Physical
Shadow Claw Ghost Physical
Thunder Fang Electric Physical
Ice Fang Ice Physical
Fire Fang Fire Physical
Shadow Sneak Ghost Physical
Zen Headbutt Psychic Physical
Rock Climb Normal Physical
Power Whip Grass Physical
Cross Poison Poison Physical
Iron Head Steel Physical
Grass Knot Grass Special
Bug Bite Bug Physical
Wood Hammer Grass Physical
Aqua Jet Water Physical
Head Smash Rock Physical
Double Hit Normal Physical
Crush Grip Normal Physical
Shadow Force Ghost Physical
Storm Throw Fighting Physical
Heavy Slam Steel Physical
Flame Charge Fire Physical
Low Sweep Fighting Physical
Foul Play Dark Physical
Chip Away Normal Physical
Sky Drop Flying Physical
Circle Throw Fighting Physical
Acrobatics Flying Physical
Retaliate Normal Physical
Dragon Tail Dragon Physical
Wild Charge Electric Physical
Drill Run Ground Physical
Dual Chop Dragon Physical
Heart Stamp Psychic Physical
Horn Leech Grass Physical
Sacred Sword Fighting Physical
Razor Shell Water Physical
Heat Crash Fire Physical
Steamroller Bug Physical
Tail Slap Normal Physical
Head Charge Normal Physical
Gear Grind Steel Physical
Bolt Strike Electric Physical
V-create Fire Physical
Flying Press Fighting Physical
Fell Stinger Bug Physical
Phantom Force Ghost Physical
Draining Kiss Fairy Special
Play Rough Fairy Physical
Nuzzle Electric Physical
Hold Back Normal Physical
Infestation Bug Special
Power-Up Punch Fighting Physical
Dragon Ascent Flying Physical
Catastropika Electric Physical
First Impression Bug Physical
Darkest Lariat Dark Physical
Ice Hammer Ice Physical
High Horsepower Ground Physical
Solar Blade Grass Physical
Throat Chop Dark Physical
Anchor Shot Steel Physical
Lunge Bug Physical
Fire Lash Fire Physical
Power Trip Dark Physical
Smart Strike Steel Physical
Trop Kick Grass Physical
Dragon Hammer Dragon Physical
Brutal Swing Dark Physical
Malicious Moonsault Dark Physical
Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike Ghost Physical
Pulverizing Pancake Normal Physical
Psychic Fangs Psychic Physical
Stomping Tantrum Ground Physical
Accelerock Rock Physical
Liquidation Water Physical
Spectral Thief Ghost Physical
Sunsteel Strike Steel Physical
Zing Zap Electric Physical
Multi-Attack Normal Physical
Plasma Fists Electric Physical
Searing Sunraze Smash Steel Physical
Let's Snuggle Forever Fairy Physical
Zippy Zap Electric Physical
Floaty Fall Flying Physical
Sizzly Slide Fire Physical
Veevee Volley Normal Physical
Double Iron Bash Steel Physical
Jaw Lock Dark Physical
Bolt Beak Electric Physical
Fishious Rend Water Physical
Body Press Fighting Physical
Snap Trap Grass Physical
Behemoth Blade Steel Physical
Behemoth Bash Steel Physical
Breaking Swipe Dragon Physical
Branch Poke Grass Physical
Spirit Break Fairy Physical
False Surrender Dark Physical
Steel Roller Steel Physical
Grassy Glide Grass Physical
Skitter Smack Bug Physical
Lash Out Dark Physical
Flip Turn Water Physical
Triple Axel Ice Physical
Dual Wingbeat Flying Physical
Wicked Blow Dark Physical
Surging Strikes Water Physical
Thunderous Kick Fighting Physical
Dire Claw Poison Physical
Psyshield Bash Psychic Physical
Stone Axe Rock Physical
Wave Crash Water Physical
Headlong Rush Ground Physical
Ceaseless Edge Dark Physical
Axe Kick Fighting Physical
Jet Punch Water Physical
Spin Out Steel Physical
Population Bomb Normal Physical
Ice Spinner Ice Physical
Glaive Rush Dragon Physical
Triple Dive Water Physical
Mortal Spin Poison Physical
Kowtow Cleave Dark Physical
Aqua Step Water Physical
Raging Bull Normal Physical
Psyblade Psychic Physical
Collision Course Fighting Physical
Electro Drift Electric Special
Pounce Bug Physical
Trailblaze Grass Physical
Hyper Drill Normal Physical
Rage Fist Ghost Physical
Bitter Blade Fire Physical
Double Shock Electric Physical
Comeuppance Dark Physical
Mighty Cleave Rock Physical
Hard Press Steel Physical
Temper Flare Fire Physical
Supercell Slam Electric Physical
Upper Hand Fighting Physical

Shadow moves

These Shadow moves also make contact.

MoveTypeCategory
Shadow Blitz Shadow Physical
Shadow Break Shadow Physical
Shadow End Shadow Physical
Shadow Rush Shadow Physical

Effects involving contact

Moves

NameEffect
Baneful BunkerPoisons an attacker if it attempts a contact move on the user.
Beak BlastBurns an attacker if it uses a contact move on the user before executing the move.
Burning BulwarkBurns an attacker if it attempts a contact move on the user.
King's ShieldDecreases an attacker'sAttackone stage if it attempts a contact move on the user.
ObstructDecreases an attacker'sDefense two stages if it attempts a contact move on the user.
Silk TrapDecreases an attacker'sSpeed one stage if it attempts a contact move on the user.
Spiky ShieldDamages an attacker for 1/8 of its max HP if it attempts a contact move on the user.

Abilities

NameEffect
AftermathAn attacker that knocks out this Pokémon with a contact move takes damage equal to 1/4 of its own max HP.
Cute CharmHas a 30% chance ofinfatuating an attacker on contact.
Effect SporeHas a 30% chance of afflicting an attacker withpoison,paralysis, orsleep on contact.
Flame BodyHas a 30% chance ofburning an attacker on contact.
FluffyHalves damage taken from contact moves, but doubles damage taken fromFire-typemoves.
GooeyDecreases an attacker'sSpeed by one stage on contact.
Iron BarbsDamages an attacker for 1/8 of its max HP on contact.
Long ReachContact moves from the user will not trigger effects caused by contact.
MummyReplaces an attacker's Ability with Mummy on contact.
Unseen FistIf the Pokémon uses moves that make direct contact, it can attack the target even if the target protects itself.
Perish BodySets the perish count to 3 for both the attacking and defending Pokémon, until they switch out.
PickpocketSteals an attacker's held item on contact if the defending Pokémon has none.
Poison PointHas a 30% chance ofpoisoning an attacker on contact.
Poison TouchHas a30% chance ofpoisoning a target on contact.
Rough SkinDamages an attacker for1/8 of its max HP on contact.
StaticHas a 30% chance ofparalyzing an attacker on contact.
Tangling HairDecreases an attacker'sSpeed by one stage on contact.
Tough ClawsBoosts the power of contact moves used by this Pokémon by 30%.
Wandering SpiritExchanges Abilities with an attacker that makes direct contact.

Items

NameEffect
Rocky HelmetDamages an attacker for 1/6 of its max HP on contact.
Sticky BarbDamages the holder each turn for 1/8 of their max HP. Transfers to an attacker on contact.
Protective PadsProtects the holder from effects caused by using moves that make contact with the target.

Physical moves that do not make contact

Most moves that make contact arephysical, although there are physical moves that do not make contact.

Water Shuriken, which was a physical move inGeneration VI, also does not make contact in any generation.

MoveTypeCategory
Aqua Cutter Water Physical
Attack Order Bug Physical
Aura Wheel Electric Physical
Barb Barrage Poison Physical
Barrage Normal Physical
Beak Blast Flying Physical
Beat Up Dark Physical
Blazing Torque Fire Physical
Bone Club Ground Physical
Bone Rush Ground Physical
Bonemerang Ground Physical
Bulldoze Ground Physical
Bullet Seed Grass Physical
Combat Torque Fighting Physical
Diamond Storm Rock Physical
Dragon Darts Dragon Physical
Drum Beating Grass Physical
Earthquake Ground Physical
Egg Bomb Normal Physical
Explosion Normal Physical
Feint Normal Physical
Fissure Ground Physical
Fling Dark Physical
Flower Trick Grass Physical
Freeze Shock Ice Physical
Fusion Bolt Electric Physical
Gigaton Hammer Steel Physical
Glacial Lance Ice Physical
Grav Apple Grass Physical
Gunk Shot Poison Physical
Hyperspace Fury Dark Physical
Ice Shard Ice Physical
Icicle Crash Ice Physical
Icicle Spear Ice Physical
Ivy Cudgel Grass Physical
Land's Wrath Ground Physical
Last Respects Ghost Physical
Leafage Grass Physical
Magical Torque Fairy Physical
Magnet Bomb Steel Physical
Magnitude Ground Physical
Metal Burst Steel Physical
Meteor Assault Fighting Physical
Mountain Gale Ice Physical
Natural Gift Normal Physical
Noxious Torque Poison Physical
Order Up Dragon Physical
Pay Day Normal Physical
Petal Blizzard Grass Physical
Pin Missile Bug Physical
Poison Sting Poison Physical
Poltergeist Ghost Physical
Precipice Blades Ground Physical
Present Normal Physical
Psycho Cut Psychic Physical
Pyro Ball Fire Physical
Raging Fury Fire Physical
Razor Leaf Grass Physical
Rock Blast Rock Physical
Rock Slide Rock Physical
Rock Throw Rock Physical
Rock Tomb Rock Physical
Rock Wrecker Rock Physical
Sacred Fire Fire Physical
Salt Cure Rock Physical
Sand Tomb Ground Physical
Scale Shot Dragon Physical
Secret Power Normal Physical
Seed Bomb Grass Physical
Self-Destruct Normal Physical
Shadow Bone Ghost Physical
Sky Attack Flying Physical
Smack Down Rock Physical
Sinister Arrow Raid Ghost Physical
Spike Cannon Normal Physical
Spirit Shackle Ghost Physical
Splintered Stormshards Rock Physical
Stone Edge Rock Physical
Thousand Arrows Ground Physical
Thousand Waves Ground Physical
Triple Arrows Fighting Physical
Twineedle Bug Physical
Wicked Torque Dark Physical

Trivia

  • InPokémon Colosseum andXD: Gale of Darkness, battle animations for contact moves do not show the attacking Pokémon hitting the defending one at all. As in theStadium series, physical blows usually utilize quick camera cuts between the attacking and defending Pokémon to imply direct contact.

In other languages

LanguageTitle
ChineseCantonese接觸Jipjūk
Mandarin接觸 / 接触Jiēchù
CzechKontakt
FrenchContact
GermanBerührung
HungarianÉrintkezés
ItalianContatto
Korean접촉Contact
PortugueseBrazilContato
PortugalContacto
SpanishContacto
This game mechanic article is part ofProject Games, aBulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on thePokémon games.