Skull Bash (move)

Skull Bash (Japanese: ロケットずつき Rocket Headbutt) is a damage-dealing Normal-type move introduced in Generation I.

Effect

Generation I

Skull Bash does nothing on the turn it is selected, other than say that the user lowered its head. On the following turn, Skull Bash will do damage, PP will be deducted from it, and it will count as the last move used. Once Skull Bash is selected, the user won't be able to switch out until it is disrupted or fully executed.

If Skull Bash is not fully executed, PP will not be deducted from it, and it will not count as the last move used. If the opponent uses Mirror Move during the turn that the user lowers its head, Mirror Move will copy the move that the user executed immediately before using Skull Bash (or fail if it can't).

Sleep, freeze, partial trapping, and flinching will pause but not disrupt the duration of Skull Bash.

In Stadium, Mirror Move will copy Skull Bash on either of the turns it takes to execute.

Generation II and beyond

On the turn it is selected, Skull Bash will raise the user's Defense one level.

In the anime

Blaine's Magmar using Skull Bash

Tracey's Scyther using Skull Bash

Pokémon

Charmander. Charmander runs at the opponent with its head down and strikes it with its head.

• Used by Ash's Charmander from Pokémon Scent-Sation to March of the Exeggutor Squad. Debut.

Squirtle. Squirtle runs and jumps at its opponent with its head down and strikes it with its head.

• Used by Ash's Squirtle from The Kangaskhan Kid to present.
• Used by Pokémon League entrance exam instructor's Squirtle under the control of Nurse Joy in The Ultimate Test.

Magmar. Magmar hurtles itself towards its foe and hits them with its skull.

• Used by Blaine's Magmar in Volcanic Panic.

Scyther. Scyther flies at top speed towards its foe and its body begins to glow before hitting its target.

• Used by Tracey's Scyther from A Way Off Day Off to Present.

Learnset

Generation I

By leveling up

#		Pokémon	Type		Level
007		Squirtle	Water		35
008		Wartortle	Water		39
009		Blastoise	Water		42
Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB from this move.

By TM40

#		Pokémon	Type
004		Charmander	Fire
005		Charmeleon	Fire
006		Charizard	Fire	Flying
007		Squirtle	Water
008		Wartortle	Water
009		Blastoise	Water
015		Beedrill	Bug	Poison
019		Rattata	Normal
020		Raticate	Normal
023		Ekans	Poison
024		Arbok	Poison
025		Pikachu	Electric
026		Raichu	Electric
027		Sandshrew	Ground
028		Sandslash	Ground
029		Nidoran♀	Poison
030		Nidorina	Poison
031		Nidoqueen	Poison	Ground
032		Nidoran♂	Poison
033		Nidorino	Poison
034		Nidoking	Poison	Ground
035		Clefairy	Normal
036		Clefable	Normal
037		Vulpix	Fire
038		Ninetales	Fire
039		Jigglypuff	Normal
040		Wigglytuff	Normal
046		Paras	Bug	Grass
047		Parasect	Bug	Grass
052		Meowth	Normal
053		Persian	Normal
054		Psyduck	Water
055		Golduck	Water
056		Mankey	Fighting
057		Primeape	Fighting
058		Growlithe	Fire
059		Arcanine	Fire
060		Poliwag	Water
061		Poliwhirl	Water
062		Poliwrath	Water	Fighting
063		Abra	Psychic
064		Kadabra	Psychic
065		Alakazam	Psychic
066		Machop	Fighting
067		Machoke	Fighting
068		Machamp	Fighting
072		Tentacool	Water	Poison
073		Tentacruel	Water	Poison
077		Ponyta	Fire
078		Rapidash	Fire
079		Slowpoke	Water	Psychic
080		Slowbro	Water	Psychic
083		Farfetch'd	Normal	Flying
084		Doduo	Normal	Flying
085		Dodrio	Normal	Flying
086		Seel	Water
087		Dewgong	Water	Ice
094		Gengar	Ghost	Poison
095		Onix	Rock	Ground
096		Drowzee	Psychic
097		Hypno	Psychic
104		Cubone	Ground
105		Marowak	Ground
106		Hitmonlee	Fighting
107		Hitmonchan	Fighting
108		Lickitung	Normal
111		Rhyhorn	Ground	Rock
112		Rhydon	Ground	Rock
113		Chansey	Normal
114		Tangela	Grass
115		Kangaskhan	Normal
116		Horsea	Water
117		Seadra	Water
118		Goldeen	Water
119		Seaking	Water
120		Staryu	Water
121		Starmie	Water	Psychic
122		Mr. Mime	Psychic
123		Scyther	Bug	Flying
124		Jynx	Ice	Psychic
125		Electabuzz	Electric
126		Magmar	Fire
128		Tauros	Normal
130		Gyarados	Water	Flying
131		Lapras	Water	Ice
133		Eevee	Normal
134		Vaporeon	Water
135		Jolteon	Electric
136		Flareon	Fire
137		Porygon	Normal
139		Omastar	Rock	Water
140		Kabuto	Rock	Water
141		Kabutops	Rock	Water
143		Snorlax	Normal
147		Dratini	Dragon
148		Dragonair	Dragon
149		Dragonite	Dragon	Flying
150		Mewtwo	Psychic
151		Mew	Psychic
Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB from this move.

Generation II

By leveling up

#		Pokémon	Type		Level
007		Squirtle	Water		40
008		Wartortle	Water		45
009		Blastoise	Water		55
Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB from this move.

By breeding

#		Pokémon	Type		Father
001		Bulbasaur	Grass	Poison	Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise
104		Cubone	Ground		Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise
Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution gets STAB from this move. *Indicates Pokémon that can only learn the move through chain breeding.

Generation III

By leveling up

#		Pokémon	Type		Level
007		Squirtle	Water		40
008		Wartortle	Water		45
009		Blastoise	Water		55
319		Sharpedo	Water	Dark	48
Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB from this move.

By breeding

#		Pokémon	Type		Father
001		Bulbasaur	Grass	Poison	Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise
104		Cubone	Ground		Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise
369		Relicanth	Water	Rock	Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise Sharpedo
Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution gets STAB from this move. *Indicates Pokémon that can only learn the move through chain breeding.

Generation IV

By leveling up

#		Pokémon	Type		Level
007		Squirtle	Water		31
008		Wartortle	Water		36
009		Blastoise	Water		39
319		Sharpedo	Water	Dark	50
Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB from this move.

By breeding

#		Pokémon	Type		Father
001		Bulbasaur	Grass	Poison	Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise
104		Cubone	Ground		Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise
369		Relicanth	Water	Rock	Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise Sharpedo
Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution gets STAB from this move. *Indicates Pokémon that can only learn the move through chain breeding.

Other apperances

• Pikachu uses Skull Bash as its side B attack in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Skull Bash can be charged up to inflict more damage and knockback.
• Pichu uses Skull Bash as its side B attack in Super Smash Bros. Melee. It is similar to Pikachu's, but when Pichu uses it, it damages itself a little.

Trivia

• No Generation IV Pokémon can learn this move in any way, not even by breeding.
• All Pokémon to learn this move by leveling up are of the Water-type.

In other languages

• Spanish: Cabezazo
• French: Coud'krâne
• German: Schädelwumme
• Italian: Capocciata
• Hindi: Sakht Khopri

This move article is part of Project MoveDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each move.