The contents of this article have been suggested to be split into Move and Basic attack. Please discuss it onthe talk page for this article.

Amove^[a] (Japanese:わざmove), also known as anattack (Japanese:こうげきわざattack technique) ortechnique (Japanese:とくしゅわざspecial technique), is the skillPokémon primarily use inbattle.

In the core series games

In thecore series games, currently, there are934 different moves that Pokémon can use. In battle, a Pokémon uses one move each turn. Prior toGeneration VII and inBrilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, some moves (including those learned byHM) can be usedoutside of battle as well, usually to remove obstacles or explore new areas.

Characteristics of moves

A Pokémon can only know between one and four moves at a time. No single Pokémon can learn every move; each and every Pokémon has a predetermined set of moves (known as a movelist, movepool, or learnset) that they can learn that relates to the type and concept of the species. Movelist sizes vary greatly among different Pokémon; some Pokémon, such asDitto andUnown, can only learn one move, whileMew can learn 250 moves inGeneration VII, andSmeargle can possess almost any move due toSketch.Evolved Pokémon generally have larger movelists than their pre-evolved forms but learn moves naturally at a slower rate or even stop learning moves via level-up entirely. This may provide incentive to delay a Pokémon's Evolution. Many Legendary and Mythical Pokémon have similar movesets to other Pokémon that are part of the samegroup (i.e. that are part of the same Legendary duo, trio, etc.).

Moves that do not directly inflict damage are known asstatus moves. Thedamaging moves are divided intophysical andspecial moves depending on the individual move's characteristics; the category of the move determines whether the move's damage depends on the user'sAttack orSpecial Attack stat and the target'sDefense orSpecial Defense. Each move has atype that determines how effective it is against various types of targets and whether it receivessame-type attack bonus. It is important to note that prior toGeneration IV, the move's category was dependent on the move's type, rather than a distinct variable.

When multiple Pokémon attempt to use a move in the same turn,priority andSpeed determine the order in which the moves are used.Accuracy affects whether the move misses. The damage dealt by a damaging move is determined by itspower, as well as many other variables. Some damaging moves haveadditional effects. The number of times they can use each move is restricted by the move'sPP. The only move that is not affected by Power Points isStruggle. Most movescan target only one adjacent Pokémon, but some moves instead can target the user, more than one Pokémon, or non-adjacent Pokémon.

Learning and unlearning

SincePokémon Red and Green, there have been three main methods of acquiring moves on a Pokémon: byleveling up, by use ofTechnical Machines and by use of Hidden Machines.Generation II added two further methods:Egg Moves learned throughbreeding, and moves taught by aMove Tutor. Starting inGeneration VII, some Pokémon learnnew moves when they evolve regardless of their level. InPokémon Sword and Shield,TRs provide a single use alternative to infinite use TMs.

Pokémon obtained via specific methods, such asevents orpurification, may know "special moves" that they otherwise could not learn.

A Pokémon can only know four moves at a time. In order to learn new moves once four have been learned, it must forget one old move for every new move. Some moves cannot be forgotten naturally, such as moves learned by HM. To remove these, a Trainer must incorporate the help of aMove Deleter. Moves that the Pokémon does not currently know and was able to learn at an earlier level (GenerationsII-VI) or at any level (Generation VII onwards) can be learned with the help of aMove Reminder.

InPokémon Legends: Arceus the first time a Pokémon learns a move, regardless of how the move was learned, the Pokémon has access to that move forever and can re-learn it if forgotten without needing to access a Move Reminder.

InPokémon Scarlet and Violet if a Pokémon learns a move by leveling up or TM, it has access to that move forever and can relearn it if forgotten without needing to access a Move Reminder. Moves learned as Egg Moves cannot be re-learned unless it was caught knowing the move, or learned it at a Picnic. If a Pokémon is caught knowing a move normally learnable via TM and forgets it, it won't be able to easily remember it, but if is taught the move via TM, it will be able to easily remember it. Moves only learnable by a previousEvolution can never be relearned if forgotten.

InGeneration I only, moves learned via level-up won't be learned if a Pokémon gains enough EXP Points to "skip" the level on which they are learned, while inGeneration II they were learned after leveling up. SinceGeneration III, where the level up procedure was changed to show the Pokémon going through the intermediate levels, moves are learned while the Pokémon levels up.

Changing move order

The move order can be changed in all generations.

InGenerations I toIII, to change move order, the player must press SELECT when viewing the Pokémon's moves inbattle. The player then chooses the move to swap it with by using the D-pad, and then presses SELECT to commit the change. The move order cannot be changed during a link battle. Starting in Generation IV, the move order cannot be changed in any battle at all.

In Generation I only, the player can change the order of moves of atransformed Pokémon, which can potentially cause the Pokémon to know-- after the battle due toa glitch. In Generations II and III, the player cannot change the move order of a transformed Pokémon, and inPokémon Colosseum andPokémon XD, of aShadow Pokémon as well.

InGeneration II, the player can also change the move order on the "Move" screen accessed from theparty screen. Starting in Generation III, the player can do so on thesummary screen, due to the summary screen and move screen being merged into a single feature.

Unique moves

Some Pokémon have moves specific to themselves or their evolutionary line. These unique moves are known assignature moves. Some of these moves are powerful moves that only certainLegendary andMythical Pokémon can learn, such asDialga'sRoar of Time orVolcanion'sSteam Eruption. Other moves serve to highlight game mechanics or create unusual effects. One example isSmeargle'sSketch, which allows it to possess almost every conceivable move.

Evolutions

Main article:Move-based Evolution

SeveralPokémonevolve while knowing a certain move.

Unusable moves

Main article:List of moves by availability in Generation VII

Main article:List of moves by availability in Generation VIII

Main article:List of moves by availability in Generation IX

Starting withPokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, each game removes moves that aren't intended for any Pokémon to learn within the game, making them unusable. Only inPokémon Sword and Shield can Pokémon legitimately know unusable moves, asPokémon HOME does not reset the moves of Pokémon transferred to those games from previous generations. If a Pokémon knows an unusable move, it will not be able to use it. If the Pokémon's only moves are unusable, it will instead useStruggle. If the move is forgotten, aMove Reminder will not be able to teach it again, even if it is a special move that the Pokémon normally would be able to relearn.

In the spin-off games

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Appropriate details for other games (Rumble games, Trozei games, Battrio/Tretta games?)

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

Main article:Pokémon battle (Mystery Dungeon) → Moves

In thePokémon Mystery Dungeon series, Pokémon can learn and use up to four moves much like in the core series games. When Pokémon level up, they learn the same moves as they would in a contemporaneous core series game. However, all Pokémon also have a basic attack (called a regular attack) that they can use that does not requirePP. The regular attack can be used any time, but the player can only use one of their character's learned moves at a time, depending on which move they've "set". Other Pokémon in the player's party will use their learned moves at their own discretion, but the player is able to set or unset any number of their moves to partially control what they do as well.

Two to four moves can also belinked so that they can be executed all at once, in a single turn. Defeating an enemy with a linked move will boost the resultingexperience by 50%.

While moves have PP like in the core games, the default amount of PP for a move may be different than in the core games. Pokémon can also relearn moves at different places in the games much like theMove Reminder in the core games:

• MDRB:Gulpin Link Shop
• MDTDS:Electivire Link Shop
• BSL: Slaking Move Relearner
• MDGtI:Scraggy's Savvy Moves
• SMD:Hawlucha's Slam School

Unlike the Move Reminder, however, these facilities remember if a Pokémon has learned (or tried to) a level-up move it can no longer learn after evolving.

Pokémon Ranger series

Main article:Field Move (Ranger)

Main article:Poké Assist

In thePokémon Ranger games,Field Moves andPoké Assists may be considered analogues to moves. Field Moves are used against environmental obstacles in the world, while Poké Assists are used to helpRangers capture Pokémon with theCapture Styler.

Pokémon Shuffle

InPokémon Shuffle, Pokémon do not have moves, but they stillattack and damage each other so that the player can capture wild Pokémon. Effectively, every Pokémon's attack has the same basic strength.

Pokémon Conquest

InPokémon Conquest, a Pokémon only has one move. As a Pokémon'slink with itsWarrior increases, so does itsmove rank. If a Pokémon is able to achieve a Perfect Link with its Warrior and maximize its move rank, some moves will gain new effects, such asLeaf Storm andOutrage.

In contrast to the core series, the Speedstat does not affect when a Pokémon goes, but instead affects the accuracy of attacks, with faster Pokémon being harder to hit and better able to land attacks than slower Pokémon. Moves are also not split into physical and special categories; all moves use the attacking Pokémon's Attack and the defending Pokémon's Defense stats, and there is no Special Attack or Special Defense.

Pokémon GO

Main article:Move (GO)

InPokémon GO, moves are divided into two kinds:Fast Attacks (Japanese:ノーマルアタックNormal Attack) andCharged Attacks (Japanese:スペシャルアタックSpecial Attack). At the start, every Pokémon knows one of each kind of move, randomly chosen from their species' possible move pool. A Pokémon's Fast Attack or Charged Attack can be reselected using aTM. When a Pokémon evolves, its moves are randomly reselected. The player can also spendStardust andCandy to teach a Pokémon a second Charged Attack.

For a full list of moves in Pokémon GO, seeList of moves in Pokémon GO

Pokémon Masters EX

See also:List of moves in Pokémon Masters EX

Pokémon UNITE

Main article:Move (UNITE)

InPokémon UNITE, moves are skills that Pokémon use in battle. Moves can have many effects, ranging from directly attacking opponents, healing allies, quickly moving around, to improving one's own stats. Many moves can inflictstatus conditions on opponents. After a move is used, it goes through a cooldown period where it cannot be used.

Notably, moves are not the only form of attack. Each Pokémon has abasic attack separate from its moves that they can use to damage opponents. Basic attacks can be used freely and do not have cooldowns, but are not as strong as moves. Generally, every third basic attack a Pokémon performs instead becomes a boosted attack, which is stronger and can have move-like additional effects.

Unite Moves are powerful moves unique to Pokémon UNITE. Unite Moves can only be learned and used in Unite Battles. Generally, each Pokémon only has one Unite Move. Instead of having a cooldown, using these moves requires having a full Unite Move gauge, and doing so empties the gauge. The Unite Move gauge refills over time.

Wild Pokémon are able to use moves and basic attacks in ways similar to player-controlled Pokémon.

Pokémon Zany Cards

InPokémon Zany Cards, some moves are mentioned in the card games:Pikachu'sThunderbolt,Ditto'sTransform, andGengar'sDream Eater.

In animation

Pokémon the Series

Moves inPokémon the Series often appear different to how they are depicted in thegames.Ash's Pikachu often usedAgility as a physical attacking move, rather than a move that merely raisesSpeed. The almost limitless nature of the show lends itself to many moredifferences between the Pokémon games and animated series in relation to Pokémon's moves. Pokémon are able to use many more movesoutside of battle, such asBulbasaur'sVine Whip.

InPokémon battles, moves may be used in unorthodox manners, especially to overcome type disadvantages. Invented,animated series-exclusive moves have existed since thethird episode, and custom-made moves, such as theCounter Shield have been prevalent inPokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl. Additionally, duringContest Battles, moves are oftenfused together to create brand-new attacks.

The process in which moves are learned is also markedly different. Even though it is mentioned inThe School of Hard Knocks andWill the Real Oak Please Stand Up? that moves can be learned at certain levels, Pokémon seem to learn them more at random, including moves that are not learned by leveling up in the games (such as Pikachu'sVolt Tackle).

Similar to Move Tutors in the game, Pokémon can also learn moves by special training from certain people. For instance,Chaz helped Ash's Pikachu learnIron Tail, andClayton helpedBuizel learnIce Punch. During these and other similar instances, it is seen that Pokémon are capable of learning moves through observation and repetition, showing that each move has a certain procedure to unlock.May's Skitty was capable of learningBlizzard after observingDr. Abby'sDelcatty, Johnny, doing so inDelcatty Got Your Tongue.

To a similar extent, some moves seem to share similar traits and a move might be learned unintentionally when practicing another, asAsh's Greninja (aFroakie at the time) learnedDouble Team when training to learnQuick Attack.Ash's Gengar learned to useWill-O-Wisp after practicing with Ash's manyFire-type Pokémon.

Secrets of the Jungle

InSecrets of the Jungle,Koko is seen usingJungle Healing, the only known time ahuman has used a Pokémon move.

Pokémon Horizons: The Series

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: role in Horizons; any similarities/differences to PtS

In the manga

Moves have been used in nearly everyPokémon manga.

Pokémon Adventures

Water Gun was the first move used inPokémon Adventures . Since then, most moves introduced in the core series games have been used in the manga, with every move introduced in the first fourgenerations having been used at least once.

The move-teaching methods in Pokémon Adventures are similar to games, withlevels,TMs, andMove Tutors all being present.

In the TCG

Main article:Attack (TCG)

In thePokémon Trading Card Game,Pokémon cards haveattacks, which are similar to moves. A card generally has only one or two attacks, but different cards of the samespecies may have different attacks. The TCG also often introduces attacks with names that do not have equivalent moves in the core series, and itdoes not limit the attacks a Pokémon can have to the moves it can learn in the core series games.

Only a player'sActive Pokémon can use an attack. Pokémon use attacks that create a wide variety of effects, but the main reason to attack is to inflict damage on the opponent's Pokémon. Most attacks deal damage to the opponent's Active Pokémon (theDefending Pokémon) and the base damage of an attack is written to the right of the attack name as a large black or white number. Many effects can increase or decrease the damage an attack deals compared to that base damage. If a Pokémon uses an attack that deals damage, put a damage counter on any Pokémon that took damage for every 10 damage the attack deals. (Attacks only deal damage in multiples of 10, with only a few older cards attempting to compute a number which is not a multiple of 10. And all such cards round their result to a multiple of 10.)

Most attacks have an attack cost, which is printed asEnergy symbols of one or moreEnergy types to the left of the attack name. A Pokémon card can only use an attack if it hasEnergy attached to it that matches the attack's cost. This is often colloquially referred to as "paying the cost", though Energy only needs to be attached to the Pokémon; unless explicitly stated otherwise, all Energy cards remain attached to a Pokémon after it attacks.

Using an attack ends the player's turn, giving their opponent the chance to fight back.

In the TFG

In thePokémon Trading Figure Game, Pokémon figures have a ring around their base which is divided into colored sections, some of which are moves. Depending on the figure, Pokémon may have as few as one or as many as four moves.Battles are fought by spinning the Pokémon and its ring inside the base, and the section that stops under an arrow on the base determines its action in the battle (which may also be affected by the outcome of the opposing Pokémon's spin).

Trivia

• In the olderPokémon Mystery Dungeon series games, if a Pokémon learns multiple moves at the same level, it will only be given the opportunity to learn one of them. The other moves it could have learned must be taught from the Link Shop.
• After a move is issued, if that Pokémon levels up before its in-battle turn and replaces the move currently awaiting execution with a new move, the new move will be used instead of the old one, except for inGeneration VI, where the old move can still be used.
  • Multiple turn moves such asPetal Dance will causemore complex behavior.
• In some instances in the animated series, certain Pokémon have been shown to know more than just four moves at the same time, with as many as 10 being used byone Pokémon in a single battle. The closest the series has got to acknowledging the existence of move slots is the fact that theMeowth ofTeam Rocket can't learnPay Day because of the effort exerted in learning to speak human language.
• Generation I introduced 165 moves;Generation II introduced 86 moves;Generation III introduced 103 moves;Generation IV introduced 113 moves;Generation V introduced 92 moves;Generation VI introduced 62 moves;Generation VII introduced 107 moves, including 35Z-Moves;Generation VIII introduced 80 moves, including 18Max Moves and 26G-Max Moves; andGeneration IX introduced 69 moves.
• When a move is forgotten, the text fromGeneration I toIV is "1... 2... and poof!" FromGeneration V onwards, it was changed to "1... 2... and ta-da!"

In other languages

Notes

Related articles

• List of moves
• List of modified moves
• List of moves in Pokémon GO
• List of moves in other languages
• List of moves by animated series debut

Move properties

This article is part ofProject Moves and Abilities, aBulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on two related aspects of the Pokémon games.

• Candidates for splitting
• Articles needing more information
• Game mechanics
• Terminology
• Moves