Z-Move: Difference between revisions

Artwork for Z-Moves

A Z-Move (Japanese: Ｚワザ Z-Move) is a special type of move introduced in Generation VII in which a Trainer and their Pokémon's wishes combine to unleash an attack comprising the full power of both. These moves are very powerful, but they can only be used once per battle.

There are two different kinds of Z-Moves: Z-Moves which can be used by any Pokémon, with one Z-Move for each of the 18 types; and Z-Moves that can only be used by specific Pokémon. The Z-Move that a Pokémon can perform depends on the Z-Crystal it holds. There are 18 different Z-Crystals that correspond to each of the 18 types, and several others that correspond to specific Pokémon. Z-Moves work by powering up one of the Pokémon's normal moves, so the Pokémon must also know an appropriate move. For the type-related Z-Crystals, the Pokémon must know a move of the same type as the Z-Crystal it is holding. For the Pokémon-specific Z-Crystals, the move required differs for each Pokémon.

A Z-Ring is also required in order to perform Z-Moves. A Pokémon can only use a Z-Move if its Trainer is wearing a Z-Ring and has the same Z-Crystal the Pokémon is holding.

Z-Moves draw upon the PP of the Pokémon's original moves in order to execute. When the Z-Move option is chosen in battle, a list of Z-Moves overlays the Pokémon's original list of moves, with each compatible move in the Pokémon's original moves overlain by a Z-Move option that draws upon that move.

Z-Moves based on attack moves have no numerical accuracy and derive their category (physical or special) and power from the original move. For example, a Gigavolt Havoc based on Nuzzle (with a power of 20) will have a power of 100 and be a physical move, while one based on Thunderbolt (with a power of 90) will have a power of 175 and be a special move. If the Pokémon knows more than one compatible move, it will be able to choose among different versions of the Z-Move with different stats. Z-Moves based on attack moves cannot be fully protected against by Protect and Detect.

Z-Moves based on status moves are enhanced versions of the original moves, having a Z- prefixed to the start of the status move's name. They have the effects of the original status move, as well as a Z-Power effect. For example, Z-Thunder Wave also boosts the user's Special Defense, while Z-Memento also restores the replacement's HP.

Despite only being able to be used once per battle, they can be disabled by Cursed Body; if this occurs, the move that was upgraded into a Z-Move is unaffected.

List of Z-Moves

For each type

Name Type Image Z-Crystal Breakneck Blitz Normal Normalium Z All-Out Pummeling Fighting Fightinium Z Supersonic Skystrike Flying Flyinium Z Acid Downpour Poison Poisonium Z Tectonic Rage Ground Groundium Z Continental Crush Rock Rockium Z Savage Spin-Out Bug Buginium Z Never-Ending Nightmare Ghost Ghostium Z Corkscrew Crash Steel Steelium Z Inferno Overdrive Fire Firium Z Hydro Vortex Water Waterium Z Bloom Doom Grass Grassium Z Gigavolt Havoc Electric Electrium Z Shattered Psyche Psychic Psychium Z Subzero Slammer Ice Icium Z Devastating Drake Dragon Dragonium Z Black Hole Eclipse Dark Darkinium Z Twinkle Tackle Fairy Fairium Z

For specific Pokémon

Name Pokémon Required move Type Image Z-Crystal Catastropika Pikachu Volt Tackle Electric Pikanium Z 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt Pikachu in a cap Thunderbolt Electric Pikashunium Z Stoked Sparksurfer Alolan Raichu Thunderbolt Electric Aloraichium Z Extreme Evoboost Eevee Last Resort Normal Eevium Z Pulverizing Pancake Snorlax Giga Impact Normal Snorlium Z Genesis Supernova Mew Psychic Psychic Mewnium Z Sinister Arrow Raid Decidueye Spirit Shackle Ghost Decidium Z Malicious Moonsault Incineroar Darkest Lariat Dark Incinium Z Oceanic Operetta Primarina Sparkling Aria Water Primarium Z Guardian of Alola Guardian deities Nature's Madness Fairy Tapunium Z Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike Marshadow Spectral Thief Ghost Marshadium Z

In the anime

Z-Moves are set to appear in Sun & Moon series, with Kiawe and his Turtonator able to use Inferno Overdrive with the help of Kiawe's Z-Ring and Firium Z.

Ash and his Pikachu will also gain the ability to use Z-Moves early into the series.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese Ｚ招式 Z-Jīusīk Mandarin Ｚ招式 Z-Zhāoshì Czech Z-útok Dutch Z-aanvalle Finnish Z-liike French Capacité Z German Z-Attacke Hungarian Z-Mozdulat Italian Mossa Z Korean Z기술 Z-Gisul Polish Ruch-Z Russian Атака-Z Ataka-Z Spanish Movimiento Z Swedish Z-attack

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