Signature move
Asignature move (Japanese:得意技signature move) orsignature attack is generally considered amove that can normally only be learned by a singlePokémon,evolutionary line, orgroup of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon within a givengeneration. However, no consistent definition has been offered by official media.
Starting inPokémon Sword and Shield, because most Pokémon not in the regional Pokédex are unobtainable, some Pokémon apparently gain or lose their signature moves based on availability, even if that move would otherwise be non-exclusive (for example,Accelgor in Pokémon Sword and Shield is the only Pokémon that can learnWater Shuriken sinceGreninja is not present in those games).
Most signature moves are learned byleveling up. Despite being signature moves of a particular species, other Pokémon can still sometimes learn the move through other means. Some signature moves can also be inherited viabreeding or are known by certaingift orevent Pokémon. Additionally,Smeargle can learn most signature moves via its own,Sketch.
Definition and usage
SinceGeneration VI, the term "signature move" is often used onPokémon.com.[1][2][3][4][5] It is also mentioned inPokémon Sword and Shield,[6] the English release ofPokémon GO,[7] and inPokémon Quest.[8]
While there is no consistent official definition, it is often implied that, contrary to general fan usage, signature moves may be moves that, at the time of their introduction, were only usable by a single species or certain related species. For instance,Sacred Fire is still referred to asHo-Oh's signature move even after this move became available forEntei as well.[9][10] Conversely, there is no known official usage of the term to refer to moves that became available to a single species later than the move's introduction (such asUnown'sHidden Power).
Bolt Beak has also been mentioned as the signature move ofDracozolt andArctozolt, andFishious Rend as the signature move ofDracovish andArctovish.[11] These Pokémon are related via theirFossils but not byEvolution. On the other hand, there is no known official usage of "signature move" to refer to moves usable by multiple Pokémon of the same evolutionary line (such asVolt Tackle, usable byPichu,Pikachu, andRaichu) or by Pokémon of the samegroup of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon (such asMystical Power, usable by thelake guardians).
List of Pokémon and their signature moves
Z-Moves
G-Max Moves
Shadow moves
| # | Pokémon | Move | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0144 |  | Articuno | Shadow Chill |
| 0145 |  | Zapdos | Shadow Bolt |
| 0146 |  | Moltres | Shadow Fire |
| 0249 |  | Shadow Lugia | Shadow Blast |
True signature moves
Due to the nature ofSmeargle's signature moveSketch, which allows Smeargle to copy and learn most other moves, only signature moves that cannot be sketched may be considered true signature moves.
This includes:
- All signature moves inGeneration I, as Sketch had not been introduced yet.
- Sketch itself, introduced inGeneration II, since it can only be learned by Smeargle and only other Smeargle can copy it.
- Chatot'sChatter, since its introduction in Generation IV, being the only signature move that could not be sketched untilGeneration IX.
- ThepartnerPikachu andEevee's signature moves inGeneration VII, as Sketch cannot be used inPokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, the only games these moves can be used in.
- Melmetal'sDouble Iron Bash, since Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, as Sketch cannot be used in any of the games that Double Iron Bash can be used in from Generation VII onwards.
- InGeneration VIII, all signature moves introduced inPokémon Sword and Shield andPokémon Legends: Arceus, as Sketch cannot be used in those games, and those moves cannot be used inPokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, where Sketch is usable.
- InGeneration IX,Dark Void,Hyperspace Fury,Tera Starstorm, theStarmobile's signature moves, (Wicked Torque,Blazing Torque,Noxious Torque,Magical Torque, andCombat Torque), as these moves cannot be sketched inPokémon Scarlet and Violet and Sketch cannot be used inPokémon Legends: Z-A, andBonemerang,Techno Blast,Trick-or-Treat,King's Shield,Geomancy,Oblivion Wing,Shadow Bone,Spectral Thief,Plasma Fists,Octolock,Meteor Assault,Zygarde's signature moves (Land's Wrath,Thousand Arrows,Thousand Waves,Core Enforcer, andNihil Light), andLight of Ruin, as these moves are only present in Legends: Z-A.
Similarly, all exclusiveZ-Moves,G-Max Moves, andShadow moves can be considered truly exclusive moves, as Z-Moves and Shadow moves cannot be sketched, and Sketch cannot be used in Pokémon Sword and Shield, the only games where G-Max Moves can be used.
Notably, prior to Generation IX,Darkrai'sDark Void (sinceGeneration VII) andHoopaUnbound'sHyperspace Fury could be copied by Sketch, but could only be performed if used by Darkrai or Hoopa Unbound, or a Pokémon that had transformed into Darkrai or Hoopa Unbound, respectively.
Signature moves once known by other gift or event Pokémon
This is a list of signature moves that at one point, another Pokémon had the ability to acquire when obtained as agift, or throughevent distributions:
- ADratini that knowsExtreme Speed is obtainable inPokémon Crystal,HeartGold, and SoulSilver after correctly answering a quiz in theDragon's Den. Any Dratini received in this way is capable of passing down Extreme Speed since it is also anEgg Move for Dratini since HeartGold and SoulSilver. InGeneration VIII, it became part ofDragonite's level-up learnset.
- An Egg will be given by the Day-Care Man inPokémon Crystal that hatches into a random baby Pokémon that knowsDizzy Punch.
- ASkitty withPay Day can be obtained from a specialEgg after depositing 500 Pokémon inPokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire from a Game Boy Advance game pak.
- AfterLugia fromPokémon XD: Gale of Darkness has been purified, it learnsPsycho Boost.
- InGeneration III,Venusaur,Charizard, andBlastoise are the only Pokémon that can learn the movesFrenzy Plant,Blast Burn, andHydro Cannon viaMove Tutor, respectively. However, aChikorita,Cyndaquil, andTotodile that also know these moves, can be obtained in Pokémon XD by defeating 100 opponents inMt. Battle.
- ADarkrai withRoar of Time andSpacial Rend was available as a special giveaway to commemorate the10th movie.
- AnArceus withRoar of Time,Spacial Rend, andShadow Force was available as a special giveaway to commemorate the12th movie.
- AVictini withFusion Flare andFusion Bolt was available as a special giveaway to commemorate the14th movie.
- A Victini withGlaciate,Bolt Strike, andBlue Flare was available as a special giveaway to celebrate Christmas 2012.
- Prior to Generation VIII, no Pokémon could learnV-create outside of event distributions.Victini was the first to gain access to it and is most often associated with the move. However, later, aRayquaza with V-create was available as the winner of apopularity poll held in Japan in 2011, making it no longer Victini's signature move, until it became part of Victini's level-up learnset inPokémon Sword and Shield: The Crown Tundra.
Similar examples
There are several moves that are uniquely associated with certain Pokémon but are otherwise not considered signature moves.
- Although they are not always signature moves, some Pokémon are capable of learning only one move. These Pokémon areDitto (Transform),Unown (Hidden Power), andSmeargle (Sketch). Transform is almost a signature move, as it is only learned by one other Pokémon,Mew. Some other Pokémon rely on a very limited signature set of moves, though these Pokémon generallycannot use TMs orTRs.
- Ice Punch,Thunder Punch, andFire Punch are a trio of punching moves that could be learned byJynx,Electabuzz, andMagmar respectively inGeneration I. However,Hitmonchan, a Pokémon associated with punching, could learn all three.
- Umbreon'sMoonlight is a counterpart toEspeon'sMorning Sun, though the former was never its signature move.
Some moves are exclusive to groups of Pokémon that are not anevolutionary line orgroup of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon.
- Dracozolt andArctozolt are the only known Pokémon capable of learning the moveBolt Beak, whileDracovish andArctovish are the only known Pokémon capable of learning the moveFishious Rend.
- Delibird and itsParadox relativeIron Bundle are the only Pokémon who learnPresent byleveling up.
- Volcarona and its future Paradox relativeIron Moth are the only Pokémon to learnFiery Dance. Interestingly, Volcarona's ancient Paradox relative,Slither Wing, cannot learn the move.
- Frenzy Plant can only be learnt by fully evolvedGrass-typefirst partner Pokémon.
- Blast Burn can only be learnt by fully evolvedFire-type first partner Pokémon.
- Hydro Cannon can only be learnt by fully evolvedWater-type first partner Pokémon.
- Prior toGeneration VII, only first partner Pokémon and their evolved forms could learnGrass Pledge,Fire Pledge, andWater Pledge.
Venusaur,Charizard, andBlastoise are often associated with the movesSolar Beam,Flamethrower, andHydro Pump, respectively.
- InOne Trick Phony!, Ash's Pokédex saysHydro Pump is Blastoise's special attack.
- InSuper Smash Bros. Brawl,Charizard's trophy saysFlamethrower is its signature move.
- InBulbasaur's Mysterious Garden, Ash's Pokédex saysSolar Beam isBulbasaur's most powerful attack.
There are several moves that appear to be designed with certain Pokémon in mind but were not signature moves in their debut generation.
- Iron Tail is heavily associated withSteelix. Both of them were also introduced inGeneration II.
- Metal Claw could only be learned byScizor beforePokémon Crystal.
- Meteor Mash share its type and theme withMetang andMetagross, but it was never their signature move, as the move is also learned byClefairy in its debut.
- Aura Sphere is associated withRiolu andLucario, both of which can manipulateaura. Additionally, Lucario'scategory name is the Aura Pokémon.
- Razor Shell was never a signature move ofOshawott's evolutionary line, although it uses ascalchop in its animation.
- Leaf Tornado appears to be created forSnivy evolutionary line, just like Razor Shell for Oshawott andHeat Crash forTepig.
- Steamroller appears to be designed for theVenipede line, as they have the same type and the move is almost exclusive to them, but it is also learned byGolem in its debut.
- Heart Stamp appears to be designed for theWoobat line, but it can also be learned by theSmoochum line.
- Drill Run seems to be designed forDrilbur line, howeverRhyhorn's line andFearow also could learn it after its introduction.
- Dual Chop shares its axe theme with theAxew line, but it initially could also be learned byGabite andGarchomp.
- Electroweb appears to be designed for theJoltik line. They share the same type and spider theme, and the move was exclusive to the Joltik family before the release ofPokémon Black 2 and White 2 when it was made available to other species viaMove Tutor.
- Storm Throw seems to have been designed forThroh, but it can also be learned byPinsir from the beginning. Similarly, the moveLow Sweep appears to have been designed for its counterpartSawk, though theMachop line can learn it as well.
- Chespin's evolutionary line is associated with the moveSpiky Shield,Fennekin's with the moveMystical Fire andFroakie's withWater Shuriken.
- High Horsepower has the same type and theme asMudbray andMudsdale, but it was never their signature move, as the move is also learned bySnorlax andGolurk in its debut.
Teachable exclusive moves
The following are moves that can be learned only by a single Pokémon or evolutionary line via level up, but can be also taught to other Pokémon byTMs,HMs,TRs,Move Tutors, or viapicnic.
Inheritable exclusive moves
The following are moves that can be learned only by a single Pokémon or evolutionary line via level up, but can also be inherited by other Pokémon viabreeding. InGeneration IX,Egg Moves are teachable viapicnic, and are included in the above section.
Species-specific moves
The following is a list ofmoves that are specifically programmed for these Pokémon.
Other moves that work specifically for particular species that are not listed here are:
- Moves that are required for a Pokémon toevolve, a mechanic introduced inGeneration IV.
- Evolution moves that a Pokémon will try to learn after evolving into another species, regardless of its level, starting inGeneration VII.
- Moves that are required for a Pokémon to know so they could be upgraded into signatureZ-Moves.
Similarly, MegaGengar (except inGeneration VI),Diglett,Dugtrio,Sandygast, andPalossand cannot be affected by the moveTelekinesis, but a Pokémon that istransformed into one of these Pokémon can be affected.
| # | Pokémon | Move | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0025 |  | Cosplay Pikachu | Thunder Shock | This move replaces Cosplay Pikachu's other form's special move while changing into this form if it had no other moves. |
 | Pikachu Rock Star | Meteor Mash | Cosplay Pikachu will try to learn this move upon changing into Pikachu Rock Star. | |
 | Pikachu Belle | Icicle Crash | Cosplay Pikachu will try to learn this move upon changing into Pikachu Belle. | |
 | Pikachu Pop Star | Draining Kiss | Cosplay Pikachu will try to learn this move upon changing into Pikachu Belle. | |
 | Pikachu, Ph.D | Electric Terrain | Cosplay Pikachu will try to learn this move upon changing into Pikachu, Ph.D. | |
 | Pikachu Libre | Flying Press | Cosplay Pikachu will try to learn this move upon changing into Pikachu Libre. | |
| 0026 |  | MegaRaichu X | Volt Tackle | Mega Raichu X'sAttackstat increases upon using this move. |
| 0128 |  | Tauros | Raging Bull | If the user isPaldeanTauros, the move'stype changes depending on its form. Combat Breed's Raging Bull isFighting-type, Blaze Breed's Raging Bull isFire-type, and Aqua Breed's Raging Bull isWater-type. If used by a Pokémon other than Paldean Tauros, includingKantonian Tauros, who can also learn the move, the move isNormal-type. |
 | Paldean Tauros (Combat Breed) | |||
 | Paldean Tauros (Blaze Breed) | |||
 | Paldean Tauros (Aqua Breed) | |||
| 0172 |  | Pichu | Volt Tackle | A Pichu will hatch from aPokémon Egg knowing this move if its parent was holdingLight Ball in theDay Care or theNursery. |
| 0384 |  | Rayquaza | Dragon Ascent | Rayquaza canMega Evolve into Mega Rayquaza if it knows this move, but only if it is not holding aZ-Crystal. |
| 0479 |  | Rotom | Thunder Shock | This move replacesRotom's other form's special move while changing into this form if it had no other moves. |
 | Heat Rotom | Overheat | Rotom will try to learn this move or replace the special move of its other appliance form upon transforming into Heat Rotom. | |
 | Wash Rotom | Hydro Pump | Rotom will try to learn this move or replace the special move of its other appliance form upon transforming into Wash Rotom. | |
 | Frost Rotom | Blizzard | Rotom will try to learn this move or replace the special move of its other appliance form upon transforming into Frost Rotom. | |
 | Fan Rotom | Air Slash | Rotom will try to learn this move or replace the special move of its other appliance form upon transforming into Fan Rotom. | |
 | Mow Rotom | Leaf Storm | Rotom will try to learn this move or replace the special move of its other appliance form upon transforming into Mow Rotom. | |
| 0491 |  | Darkrai | Dark Void | SinceGeneration VII, this move will fail if it is not used by Darkrai, or any Pokémon transformed into one. |
| 0646 |  | Kyurem | Glaciate | This move replaces Kyurem's Ice Burn or Freeze Shock upon changing into this form. |
| Kyurem | Scary Face | This move replaces Kyurem's Fusion Flare or Fusion Bolt upon changing into this form. | |
 | White Kyurem | Ice Burn | This move replaces Kyurem's Glaciate or Freeze Shock upon changing into White Kyurem. | |
| White Kyurem | Fusion Flare | This move replaces Kyurem's Scary Face or Fusion Bolt upon changing into White Kyurem. | |
 | Black Kyurem | Freeze Shock | This move replaces Kyurem's Ice Burn or Glaciate while changing into Black Kyurem. | |
| Black Kyurem | Fusion Bolt | This move replaces Kyurem's Fusion Flare or Scary Face while changing into Black Kyurem. | |
| 0647 |  | Keldeo | Secret Sword | This move changes Keldeo intoResolute Form. |
| 0648 |  | Meloetta Aria Forme | Relic Song | This move changes Meloetta into its Pirouette Forme. |
 | Meloetta Pirouette Forme | Relic Song | This move changes Meloetta into its Aria Forme. | |
| 0658 |  | Ash-Greninja | Water Shuriken | If this move is used by Ash-Greninja, itspower is increased and it always hits three times. |
 | MegaGreninja | Water Shuriken | If this move is used by Mega Greninja, it stops being amultistrike move in exchange for greater power. | |
| 0681 |  | Aegislash | King's Shield | This move changes Aegislash intoShield Forme until it uses a damage-dealing move. |
| 0718 |  | Zygarde | Core Enforcer | This move turns intoNihil Light when ZygardeMega Evolves into Mega Zygarde. |
| 0720 |  | Hoopa Unbound | Hyperspace Fury | This move will fail if it is used by a Pokémon other than Hoopa Unbound, or any Pokémon transformed into one. |
| 0800 |  | Necrozma | Confusion | This move replaces Necrozma's Sunsteel Strike or Moongeist Beam while changing into this form. |
 | Dusk Mane Necrozma | Sunsteel Strike | Necrozma will try to learn this move upon changing into Dusk Mane Necrozma. | |
 | Dawn Wings Necrozma | Moongeist Beam | Necrozma will try to learn this move along with changing into this Dawn Wings Necrozma. | |
| 0845 |  | Cramorant | Surf Dive | After using Surf or Dive, Cramorant will change intoGulping Form if it has over 50%HP or intoGorging Form if it has less than or equal to 50%HP until it is hit by a damage-dealing move. |
| 0877 |  | Morpeko Full Belly Mode | Aura Wheel | This move isElectric-type in Morpeko's Full Belly Mode and will fail if it is not used by Morpeko, or any Pokémon transformed into one. |
 | Morpeko Hangry Mode | Aura Wheel | This move isDark-type in Morpeko's Hangry Mode and will fail if it is not used by Morpeko, or any Pokémon transformed into one. | |
| 0888 |  | Zacian Hero of Many Battles | Iron Head | Hero of Many Battles Zacian will learn Iron Head if it stops holding theRusted Sword. |
 | Zacian Crowned Sword | Behemoth Blade | Crowned Sword Zacian's Iron Head becomes Behemoth Blade when it holds aRusted Sword. | |
| 0889 |  | Zamazenta Hero of Many Battles | Iron Head | Hero of Many Battles Zamazenta will learn Iron Head if it stops holding theRusted Shield. |
 | Zamazenta Crowned Shield | Behemoth Bash | Crowned Shield Zamazenta's Iron Head becomes Behemoth Bash when it holds aRusted Shield. | |
| 0898 |  | Calyrex | Confusion | This move replaces Calyrex's Glacial Lance or Astral Barrage when it transforms. |
 | Calyrex Ice Rider | Glacial Lance | Calyrex will try to learn this move upon changing into Ice Rider Calyrex. | |
 | Calyrex Shadow Rider | Astral Barrage | Calyrex will try to learn this move upon changing into Shadow Rider Calyrex. | |
| 0977 |  | Dondozo | Order Up | If Dodonzo has aTatsugiri in its mouth via theCommanderAbility, it will gain a stat boost based on Tatsugiri'sform: |
| 1017 |  | Ogerpon | Ivy Cudgel | The move's type changes depending on theformOgerpon takes while holding the following masks:
|
| 1024 |  | Terapagos Stellar Form | Tera Starstorm | When used by Terapagos in its Stellar Form, Tera Starstorm becomesStellar-type and targets both opponents in aDouble Battle. |
In the spin-off games
Pokémon Quest
InPokémon Quest, one of the available tips is labeled "Signature Moves", which reads as follows:"There are apparently some moves that only certain Pokémon can learn".
In animation
Inanimation, it is uncommon for specific moves to be explicitly stated to be exclusive to a certain Pokémon species.
Although some moves were occasionally referred to as a Pokémon's "special attack" during theoriginal series, in most of these cases, the move in question actually wasn't that Pokémon's signature move. A notable exception to this occurred inHoliday Hi-Jynx, whereLovely Kiss was correctly referred as the "special attack" ofJynx, as well asSpore correctly being referred to as the "special attack" ofParasect inThe Problem with Paras.
InGo West Young Meowth,Meowth told the story of his past, where he mentioned that he learned to talk instead of masteringPay Day, which he suggested was permanent. This came back inMeowth Rules!, where people ofGolden Island expected him to create coins for them, which he failed to do. The concept was also mentioned during a quiz challenge inClassroom Training!, whereCandice stated that Pay Day could only be learned byMeowth; inThe Future is Now, Thanks to Strategy!, whereClemont identifiedMeteor Assault as a move onlySirfetch'd can learn; and inPride of a Champion!, whereHop referred toTrick-or-Treat asGourgeist's "unique move".
Pokédex entries
|
In the TCG
- Main category:Attack categories with 1 card
In thePokémon Trading Card Game, there arethousands ofPokémon cards with their own uniqueattacks that are not shared with other cards.
According to the blurb of thePolar FrostTheme Deck,Lightning Strike is the signature attack of theJolteon card fromMajestic Dawn.[12] However, Lightning Strike is actually usable by several other cards, the earliest one beingRaichu fromNeo Revelation.
The term "signature attack" is not known to be officially used anywhere else in the context of the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
Trivia
- Signature moves have been casually mentioned a few times byNPCs in the Pokémon games in various contexts.
- InPokémon Black 2 and White 2, the character who gives theBig Root to the player inDriftveil City claims that this item affects the signature move (Japanese:得意な技signature move) of his Pokémon:"Trainer... If my Pokémon was with me, I would've challenged you for abattle. Instead, please accept this. It is...aBig Root! Have a Pokémon hold this, and it absorbs moreHP from the target! This was a perfect item for my Pokémon'ssignature move..."
- This mention of "signature move" may have simply been in the general sense of "one's strongest move". However, in the usual definition (a move usable by a single species or evolutionary line), the only known signature move affected by Big Root would beHorn Leech, suggesting his Pokémon was aSawsbuck.
- InPokémon X and Y, a maid from theHotel Richissime claims to have a "signature move" (Japanese:得意技signature move) as well:"Oursignature move is double-team cleaning!" (Japanese:私たちの得意技 ツープラトン クリーニング！)
- In the "Straight to the Top, Machop!" event inPokémon GO,Professor Willow mentions a signature move (Japanese:得意specialty):"Its four arms react more quickly than it can think, soMachamp can execute several punches at once! Hoo-hah! That was the movie Machamp'ssignature move."
- This mention of "signature move" was introduced in the localization. The Japanese version of this dialogue does not refer to using a move or signature move.
- InPokémon Black 2 and White 2, the character who gives theBig Root to the player inDriftveil City claims that this item affects the signature move (Japanese:得意な技signature move) of his Pokémon:"Trainer... If my Pokémon was with me, I would've challenged you for abattle. Instead, please accept this. It is...aBig Root! Have a Pokémon hold this, and it absorbs moreHP from the target! This was a perfect item for my Pokémon'ssignature move..."
Related articles
References
- ↑A Look at the 2019 Oceania Pokémon VGC International Championships - Pokémon.com
- ↑Galarian Articuno - Pokémon.com
- ↑Regieleki - Pokémon.com
- ↑Train Legendary Pokémon From the Crown Tundra for Ranked Battles and More - Pokémon.com
- ↑Palkia (Origin Forme) | Pokémon Legends: Arceus Official Website
- ↑"My partner'ssignature move invites you to a subzero world!" (Melony, referring to herGigantamaxLapras'sG-Max Resonance inPokémon Sword and Shield)
- ↑"Great work saving Apex ShadowHo-Oh, <player>! It looks like it knowsSacred Fire, Ho-Oh'ssignature move—yet this one's Sacred Fire is somehow even more powerful!"
- ↑A tip displayed on the loading screen inPokémon Quest labeled "Signature Moves" reads: "There are apparently some moves that only certain Pokémon can learn".
- ↑2016 Pokémon Video Game Championship Series Preview - Pokémon.com
- ↑A Guide to Training Legendary Pokémon inPokémon Sword andPokémon Shield - Pokémon.com
- ↑Battle Tactics: Speed Control in Double Battles inPokémon Sword andPokémon Shield - Pokémon.com
- ↑"Plus, Jolteon charges in with asignature attack that rarely needs to hit twice—Lightning Strike!"
 | This article is part ofProject Moves and Abilities, aBulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on two related aspects of the Pokémon games. |
