Head Charge (move)

Head Charge アフロブレイク Afro Break

Battles Type  Normal Category  Physical PP  15 (max. 24) Power  120 Accuracy  100% Priority  0 Makes contact Affected by Protect Not affected by Magic Coat Not affected by Snatch Affected by Mirror Move Affected by King's Rock

Range Opponent Opponent Opponent Self Ally Ally Normal: May affect anyone adjacent to the user

Availability Introduced  Generation V Not a TM, TR, HM, or Move Tutor move.

Contests Condition  Tough Appeal  0   Jam  0

Super Contests Condition  Tough Appeal  0

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Tough Appeal  6 ♥♥♥♥♥♥ Jamming  0   A very appealing move, but after using this move, the user is more easily startled.

On Smogon's Movedex: Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX

Head Charge (Japanese: アフロブレイク Afro Break) is a damage-dealing Normal-type move introduced in Generation V. It is the signature move of Bouffalant.

Effect

Head Charge inflicts damage, and the user receives recoil damage equal to ¼ of the damage done to the target.

Generation VIII

Pokémon Sword and Shield

In Versions 1.0 to 1.1.1 of Pokémon Sword and Shield, Head Charge could not be selected in a battle. Starting with Version 1.2.0, it is usable and functions as it did in previous generations.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

Head Charge cannot be selected in a battle.

Generation IX

Head Charge cannot be selected in a battle.

Description

Games Description BWB2W2 The user charges its head into its target, using its powerful guard hair. It also damages the user a little. XYORAS SMUSUMPE SwShLA The user charges its head into its target, using its powerful guard hair. This also damages the user a little. BDSP This move can't be used. It's recommended that this move is forgotten. Once forgotten, this move can't be remembered. SV The user charges its head into the target, using its powerful guard hair. This also damages the user a little.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						V	VI	VII	VIII
								SMUSUM	SwSh
0626		Bouffalant		Field		Field	31	31	31	40
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

In other games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

Head Charge inflicts damage and the user receives recoil damage equal to 10% of the user's max HP.

Game Base Power Max Power Base PP Max PP Base Accuracy Max Accuracy Range Target Cuts corners SMD 37 99 20 40 95% 98% Front Enemy No With some exceptions, Pokémon learnsets match those from the core series games: Super Mystery Dungeon = Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.

Pokémon Rumble Rush

Head Charge

★★★★★
Attack power	26.07959
Charge time	1.18 seconds
Range type	Dash
Number of hits	4
Number of projectiles	1
Critical hit rate	1.5%
Additional effect	Causes recoil

Pokémon Masters EX

Name	Category	Move gauge cost	MP (uses)	Base power	Max power	Accuracy	Target	Effect tag	Description	Playable sync pair(s)
Head Charge	Physical	3	—	167	200	100%	An opponent	Recoil	The user also takes 25% of the damage it dealt to the target.	Hugh & Bouffalant
Sync move
Name	Category	State		Base power	Max power	Target		Effect tag	Description	Playable sync pair
Trusted Partners Head Charge	Physical	Default 6★ EX		300	360	An opponent All opponents		—	No additional effect.	Hugh & Bouffalant

Description

Games Description MDGtI UNUSED SMD It damages an enemy, but it damages you, too.* It damages an enemy, but you'll receive recoil damage, too.*

In animation

Bouffalant
The user charges its head into its target, using its powerful guard hair.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Bouffalant charges at the opponent and the afro on its head glows red. The front of it also glows yellow. It then slams the yellow part of its afro into the opponent.
Alder's Bouffalant	Ash and Trip's Third Battle!		Debut

In the manga

Be the Best! Pokémon B+W

Bouffalant
The user charges its head into its target, using its powerful guard hair.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Bouffalant charges at the opponent. After slamming head-first, an afro-shaped mark is shown.
Dol's Bouffalant	Challenge the Battle Subway!		Debut

Pokémon Adventures

Bouffalant
The user charges recklessly into the opponent.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Bouffalant charges at the opponent and slams its head into them with great force.
Alder's Bouffalant	The Lesson Ends Here		Debut

In other generations

Core series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	BW	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Spin-off series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Trivia

• Despite its Pokédex entries stating that its fur absorbs damage, Bouffalant still takes recoil damage after using this move.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 爆炸頭突擊 Baaujatàuh Dahtgīk * 爆爆頭突擊 Baaubaautàuh Dahtgīk * Mandarin 爆炸頭突擊 / 爆炸头突击 Bàozhàtóu Tújí * 爆爆頭突擊 Bàobàotóu Tújí * Dutch Kopcharge French Peignée German Steinschädel Italian Ricciolata Korean 아프로브레이크 Apeurobeureikeu Polish Szarża Portuguese Brazil Ataque de Cabeça (TCG, manga) Impacto Bruto (anime) Portugal Ataque de Cabeça Spanish Latin America Carga de Cabeza Spain Ariete Vietnamese Cú Giáng Đầu Bò

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.