With over 1000 Pokémon in the Pokédex so far, the power of each Pokémon is uniquely distributed across several different aspects: stats, typing, abilities, and moves. While stats, typing, and abilities have little to no variation within a species, their move pool is usually large (with a few exceptions).
The most strategic part of preparing for a battle is deciding which combination of moves a Pokémon should learn. Some trainers have a more passive approach with moves like Swords Dance to boost their Pokémon's stats, while others rely on pure power. Whatever the approach, there is no shortage of strong moves to choose from when building a Pokémon team.
Updated on April 20th, 2023 by Ajay Aravind: There are currently 1,015 Pokémon in the official Pokédex, allowing players a range of choices while constructing their respective teams. As such, we've revamped this list of the strongest Pokémon moves out there.
20 Psycho Boost
Psychic-type
Psycho Boost is an extremely powerful move on the surface, bearing a whopping 140 power. The drawback is that it also drains the user's Special Attack. This makes it powerful on a mixed-attacker build, but a risky proposition on a dedicated special attacker.
Move Info:
- Category: Special
- Power: 140
- PP: 5
- Accuracy: 90%
Unfortunately, only the Legendary Pokémon Deoxys can normally learn Psycho Boost. There was a brief opportunity to acquire a Lugia with Psycho Boost back in Generation III, but that is a rare exception. It's a unique move, but it's devastating when it comes to bear.
19 Toxic
Poison-type
Though it isn't the flashiest of moves, Toxic is an essential piece of the puzzle for many stall- and tank-based Pokémon builds. Toxic inflicts an upgraded version of the poisoned condition that worsens with each turn, putting a swiftly descending timer on the defending Pokémon.
Move Info:
- Category: Status
- PP: 10
- Power: -
- Accuracy: 90%
Many Pokémon will use Toxic in concert with defensive moves like Protect or restorative moves like Recover in order to outlast their opponent. Toxic gets even better when used by a Poison-type Pokémon, as it jumps to 100% accuracy and can even hit Pokémon in the midst of Fly or Dig.
18 Head Smash
Rock-type
Head Smash was initially the signature move of the prehistoric Pokémon Rampardos, but it has since been expanded to the likes of Sudowoodo, Drednaw, and Scrafty. This powerful move is a useful finisher for any Pokémon that wants to hit hard and not worry about getting hit back.
Move Info:
- Category: Physical
- PP: 5
- Power: 150
- Accuracy: 80%
Head Smash has a power of 150 but comes with the drawback of massive recoil damage. Head Smash is a fairly rare move in the grand scheme of Pokémon, but it saw a renewed usefulness in Pokémon Legends: Arceus where it is one of the most surefire ways to evolve Basculin into Basculegion.
17 Blast Burn, Hydro Cannon, Frenzy Plant, Rock Wrecker, & Roar Of Time
Fire, Water, Grass, Rock, and Dragon-types respectively
These five moves are virtually identical except for their types. The first three are only available to the appropriate starter Pokémon from each generation, Rock Wrecker is only available to Rhyperior and Crustle, and Roar of Time is the signature move of the Legendary Pokémon Dialga.
Move Info:
- Category: Varies
- PP: 5
- Power: 150
- Accuracy: 90%
These moves each hit extremely hard, but they must recharge for a turn after use. The limited number of Pokémon that can learn each respective move is what keeps them from being completely overused, but they are strong options for the few Pokémon that can use them.
16 Snarl
Dark-type
Snarl is one of many Dark-type moves that have relatively low power but carry a powerful secondary effect. Snarl doesn't hit very hard, but it does lower the Special Attack of the target(s) by one stage, guaranteed.
Move Info:
- Category: Special
- PP: 55
- Power: 55 (60 in Legends Arceus)
- Accuracy: 95
To make Snarl even better, it hits multiple targets at once. Physical attackers are easy to weaken with the burn status, but there is no equivalent for special attackers. Given the prevalence of Psychic-type special attackers, Snarl being a Dark-type move is an added bonus.
15 Hyper Beam & Giga Impact
Normal-type
Hyper Beam and Giga Impact are both Normal type moves that can be learned by a wide variety of Pokémon. Each allows the user to hit extremely hard, but requires the user to recharge the turn after use.
Move Info:
- Category: Special (Hyper Beam) and Physical (Giga Impact)
- PP: 5
- Power: 150
- Accuracy: 90%
Hyper Beam has often been depicted as a devastating move that threatens anything in its path in the Pokémon anime. It's a rare move that often signals that a Pokémon is too powerful for even the likes of Ash Ketchum to take on.
14 Mirror Coat
Psychic-type
Mirror Coat allows a user to strike back after being hit by a special move. Mirror Coat almost always goes last, as it has -5 Priority. It deals twice as much damage as the Pokémon just took, assuming that damage came from a special move.
Move Info:
- Category: Special
- PP: 20
- Power: -
- Accuracy: 100%
Only a fairly limited pool of Pokémon can learn Mirror Coat, and it's most iconic to Wobbuffet and Mr. Mime. It requires clever play to use effectively, but is deadly when it works. Interestingly, it is actually better for a Pokémon using Mirror Coat to have low defenses, as that will guarantee it takes even more damage before throwing it back at its opponent.
13 Protect
Normal-type
Pokémon battles are turn-based affairs, so being able to control the tempo of a battle can be an extremely useful tool. While there are several protection moves with added effects like King's Shield and Baleful Bunker, these moves are often fairly limited in terms of which Pokémon can learn them.
Move Info:
- Category: Status
- PP: 10
- Power: -
- Accuracy: -
Far and away the most common version of this effect is the classic Protect, which can be learned by a huge number of Pokémon. This move, which completely protects the user for a turn, can be used to prolong an opponent's ongoing damage, scout the opponent's move set, or completely negate multi-turn moves like Hyper Beam or Dig.
12 Counter
Fighting-type
As made famous in Ash's Alola League Finals match against Gladion, Counter is a move that can make or break a battle. When using Counter, a Pokémon will wait for its opponent to attack and literally counter that attack with something twice as powerful.
Move Info:
- Category: Physical
- PP: 20
- Power: -
- Accuracy: 100%
In Ash's case, his Lycanroc countered his opponent's Counter with another Counter. This is technically illegal and impossible in the video game series, but it wouldn't be the first time Ash cheated in the anime. Counter, like Mirror Coat, requires clever and patient play, but it is great when it pays off.
11 Knock Off
Dark-type
With very few exceptions, every Pokémon holds an item during competitive battling. Items like Berries can heal a Pokémon's HP, while a Life Orb will enhance the power of the Pokémon's attacks. Either way, items come in clutch once they are activated.
Move Info:
- Category: Physical
- PP: 20
- Power: 65
- Accuracy: 100%
Knock Off deprives the target of their item in addition to doing some damage. While Knock Off only has a mediocre base power of 65, it's 50% stronger when the targeted Pokémon is holding an item. Removing an enemy Pokémon's item can completely negate their whole build, making Knock Off a great asset to have on any Pokémon team.
10 Fake Out
Normal-type
Flinching is a powerful effect in Pokémon, as it forces the target to skip their turn if they are flinched prior to moving. Naturally, most moves that can cause the opponent to flinch will have a fairly low chance of doing so. Fake Out is the exception, as it has a 100% chance to make the target flinch.
Move Info:
- Category: Physical
- PP: 10
- Power: 40
- Accuracy: 100%
Fake Out also has a remarkably high priority, ensuring that it will almost always activate first. The major restriction is that it can only be used on a Pokémon's first turn. This can be extremely powerful on a Pokémon that wants to be switched out a lot, such as one with the Intimidate ability.
9 Foul Play
Dark-type
Most attacking moves rely on a Pokémon's own strength. Foul Play is a unique attack that actually takes the opponent's Attack stat into consideration. A Pokémon using Foul Play essentially steals the opponent's strength and uses it against them. This means that the move becomes stronger against stronger opponents.
Move Info:
- Category: Physical
- PP: 15
- Power: 95
- Accuracy: 100%
Foul Play is extremely useful for Pokémon who are not physically strong on their own. In theory, Foul Play makes it possible for a weak Pokémon to take down huge offensive threats and possibly even Legendary Pokémon like Mewtwo.
8 Eruption & Water Spout
Fire and Water-type respectively
In order to maintain balance, many of the strongest moves with high base powers have limitations. Eruption and Water Spout are two powerful moves that have drawbacks, but these limitations do not hurt the user in the long run.
Move Info:
- Category: Special
- PP: 5
- Power: 150*
- Accuracy: 100%
The base power of both Eruption and Water Spout is dependent on the user's current HP percentage. As long as the Pokémon is at full health, both moves will hit at their max base power of 150. The moves only lose their strength and viability if the user loses HP.
7 Destiny Bond
Ghost-type
Destiny Bond is perhaps one of the most ominous moves in the Pokémon games. Rather than outright attacking and engaging in combat, a Pokémon using Destiny Bond will wait for its opponent to make the first move. If the opponent's attack is strong enough to knock out the Destiny Bond user, the opponent will also consequently faint.
Move Info:
- Category: Status
- PP: 5
- Power: -
- Accuracy: -
Aside from sacrificing one Pokémon for another, Destiny Bond can also be strategically used as a fear tactic. If the opposing trainer thinks Destiny Bond might be used against them, they may have their Pokémon stop attacking as aggressively. This leaves them vulnerable, allowing the Destiny Bond user to execute a sneak attack.
6 Boomburst
Normal-type
Boomburst is a hidden gem of a move that often gets overlooked. As it is only accessible by nine different Pokémon lines, it is very specific to a certain niche. Each of the Pokémon that can learn Boomburst is either sound-based like Exploud, winged like Taillow, or a combination of both like Noivern.
Move Info:
- Category: Special
- PP: 10
- Power: 140
- Accuracy: 100%
What makes Boomburst so powerful is the fact that it has no drawbacks despite its 140 base power. It is nearly as strong as Hyper Beam, except Boomburst does not need to waste a turn on recharging. It can also hit multiple Pokémon at the same time, so it is very convenient in double battles as long as allies are protected.
5 Dragon Ascent
Flying-type
The only Pokémon who can learn Dragon Ascent is Rayquaza, but the Sky High Pokémon's incredible battle capabilities make the move worth it. On its own, Dragon Ascent is one of the most powerful Flying-type attacks, though it consequently lowers the user's defense after the damage is done.
Move Info:
- Category: Physical
- PP: 5
- Power: 120
- Accuracy: 100%
When a Rayquaza learned Dragon Ascent back in Generations VI and VII, however, it also unlocked the potential for Mega Evolution. As one of the rare Legendary Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution, Mega Rayquaza was one of the strongest Pokémon available in the Generation VI and VII games. Even now, Dragon Ascent is an exceptionally powerful move for an exceptionally powerful Pokémon.
4 Scald
Water-type
Introduced in Pokémon's fifth generation, Scald forever changed competitive battling. It may not have the highest base power, but its secondary effect gives it an edge over any physical threat.
Move Info:
- Category: Special
- PP: 15
- Power: 80
- Accuracy: 100%
In addition to being one of the most reliable water-type moves, Scald also has a 30% chance of burning its target. This is huge, because a burned Pokémon not only loses HP each turn, but also has its Attack stat cut in half, basically rendering any physical attacker useless. Even if the target doesn't get burned after several Scalds, it's still going to take plenty of damage from the attack itself.
3 Geomancy
Fairy-type
Geomancy, like Dragon Ascent, is exclusive to one special Legendary Pokémon. In this case, it's the Life Pokémon Xerneas. While it is a non-attacking move, Geomancy is scary enough for opposing trainers to try and prevent it from being used at all costs.
Move Info:
- Category: Status
- PP: 10
- Power: -
- Accuracy: -
When activated, Geomancy raises the Xerneas's Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed by two stages at the end of two turns to make it a lethal threat on the battlefield. Because this is normally a two-turn move, most trainers will give their Xerneas a Power Herb, which makes it all happen in a single turn. This way, Xerneas can become powered up more efficiently and make short work of its opponent.
2 Spore
Grass-type
Though it was once exclusive to Paras and Parasect, several other Grass-type Pokémon have since gained access to this powerful move. Sleep is arguably the most debilitating status effect in Pokémon, as it completely prevents the Pokémon in question from acting for several turns.
Move Info:
- Category: Status
- PP: 15
- Power: -
- Accuracy: 100%
While several moves can inflict the sleep status, Spore is unique in that it works immediately and has 100% accuracy. This can instantly shut down the opponent's powerful attacker, giving an allied Pokémon room to breathe and potentially setting up a devastating series of stat-boosting moves.
1 Explosion
Normal-type
When taking only numbers into consideration, Explosion is the strongest move ever with an overwhelming base power of 250, higher than even Z-Moves, Max Moves, and G-Max moves.
Move Info:
- Category: Physical
- PP: 5
- Power: 250
- Accuracy: 100%
The only problem with Explosion is the fact that the user literally explodes itself in order to produce such a massive blow. The user sacrifices itself and faints, but it's sure to take multiple opponents down with it. Some trainers will boost the Explosion even further with a Normal Gem, which will put the move's power level well above 300.