Pokémon: 10 Of The Most Powerful Moves That Have Additional Effects
Damaging moves are fundamental in a Pokémon battle. They're the fastest way to take down an opponent and are intrinsic to every Pokémon. Some are stronger than others, more effective, or more accurate, but they all get the job done, sooner or later.
Out of all the damaging moves in the game, 169 have additional effects that can cause stat changes or inflict status conditions. A few of these moves can actually do both, making them extra special. Some are signature moves of certain privileged Pokémon and others are widely accessible. In the end, these moves provide an edge in battle and can tip the scales in the user's favor.
10 Hurricane
Hurricane is a Flying-type damaging move introduced in Generation V. It has a 30 percent chance of confusing the target and can hit non-adjacent targets in Tripple Battles. Hurricane is also effective even if the opponent is in the semi-invulnerable turns of Fly, Bounce, or Sky Drop.
It has 110 base Power but is only 75 percent accurate. If used during rain, it bypasses accuracy checks and always hits. If used during Harsh Sunlight, however, its accuracy lowers to 50 percent. 24 Pokémon can learn Hurricane via leveling up, and in Generation VIII, it is TR 89.
9 Volt Tackle
Volt Tackle is the signature move of the Pikachu evolutionary line, introduced in Generation III, and one of anime Pikachu's most recognizable and memorable moves. Starting in Generation IV, Volt Tackle has a 10 percent chance of paralyzing the target.
It is one of the most overpowered non-Legendary Electric-type moves, with a base power of 120 and 100 percent accuracy. It does have a setback, though, since it causes recoil damage equal to 1/2 the damage done to the target.
8 Seed Flare
Shaymin isn't only one of the cutest Grass-type Pokémon but also a worthy opponent, with several high-powered attacks. Its signature move, Seed Flare, has 120 power and is 85 percent accurate. On top of that, it also has a 40 percent chance of lowering the target's Special Defense by a whopping two stages.
As a Mythical Pokémon, Shaymin isn't widely accessible and is usually available only via events. In Sword & Shield, Shaymin was unobtainable, but fans will see it again once the long-awaited Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl premiere at the end of the year.
7 Flare Blitz
Another move introduced in Generation IV is Flare Blitz. It is the Fire equivalent of the Electric-type Volt Tackle, sharing all its attributes and setbacks. Flare Blitz also has 120 power, is 100 percent accurate, and has a 10 pecent chance of burning the target. It, too, causes recoil damage to the user equal to 1/2 of the damage done to the opponent.
Prior to Generation VIII, 30 Pokémon learned Flare Blitz via leveling up, most of them Fire-types. In Sword & Shield, the move became TR55, increasing the number of Pokémon that can learn it by 12.
6 Focus Blast
The third move introduced in Generation IV, Focus Blast, is also one of the most damaging Fighting-type moves. It has 120 power but is only 70 percent accurate. It also has a 10 percent chance of lowering the target's Special Defense by one stage. Focus Blast is the only Special Fighting-type move that isn't 100 percent accurate.
As of Generation VIII, Yveltal is the only Pokémon to learn Focus Blast via leveling up. The move was TM52 in Generations IV, V, VI, and VII, and TR64 in Generation VIII.
5 Blue Flare/Bolt Strike
Bolt Strike and Blue Flare are the signature moves of the Generation V boxart Legendary Pokémon, Zekrom and Reshiram. They both behave in the same manner, having 130 power and being only 85 percent accurate. They also have a 20 percent chance of causing an additional effect, with Bolt Strike paralyzing and Blue Flare burning the target.
Victini is the only Pokémon other than Zekron and Reshiram to be able to know these two moves. However, it's only through an event, as it can't learn them via leveling up.
4 Sky Attack
Sky Attack is one of Generation I's original Flying-type moves. Back then, it was TM43, but that changed in Generation II when it became Moltres' signature move. 20 Pokémon can learn it via leveling up, and 33 others can learn it via Move Tutor.
Sky Attack is a two-turn move similar to Fly or Bounce. It has 140 power and is 90 percent accurate. It has a 30 percent chance of causing the target to flinch and has an increased critical hit ratio. During the Let's Go games, Sky Attacks' power increased from 140 to 200.
3 Ice Burn/Freeze Shock
Ice Burn and Freeze Shock are Kyurem's signature moves during Pokémon Black 2 & White 2's events. Kyurem can fuse with either Zekrom or Reshiram, depending on the game version, creating either Black Kyurem or White Kyurem.
Both Ice Burn and Freeze Shock are two-turn Ice-type moves with 140 power and are 90 percent accurate. Ice Burn has a 30 percent chance of burning the target, while Freeze Shock has the same odds at paralyzing it.
2 Stoked Sparksurfer
Generation VII's gimmick was the introduction of Z-Moves. Stoked Sparksurfer is Alolan Raichu's exclusive Z-Move, and an enhances version of its Thunderbolt attack. It has an impressive 175 power and bypasses accuracy checks to always land. It also has a 100 percent chance of paralyzing the target.
Like other Z-Moves, however, it can only be used once per battle and only works if the Raichu is holding the Aloraichium Z. Stoked Sparksurfer is the only move in all the main series games to have a power of 175.
1 Clangorous Soulblaze
Clangorous Soulblaze is another Z-Move. It is exclusive to Alola's Pseudo-Legendary, Kommo-o, and an upgraded version of its signature move, Clanging Scales. It bypasses accuracy checks to always land and is the strongest Dragon-type move in the game, thanks to its 185 power.
On top of that, Clangorous Soulblaze also increases the user's Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed by one stage each.