Sucker Punch (move)

Sucker Punch ふいうち Surprise Attack

Battles Type  Dark Category  Physical PP  5 (max. 8) Power  70 Accuracy  100% Priority  +1 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 IV Move Tutor in Pokémon Platinum Move Tutor in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

Contests Condition  Smart Appeal  0   Jam  0

Super Contests Condition  Smart Appeal  2 ♥♥ Enables the user to perform first in the next turn.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Clever Appeal  3 ♥♥♥ Jamming  0   Excites the audience a lot if used first.

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

Sucker Punch (Japanese: ふいうち Surprise Attack) is a damage-dealing Dark-type move introduced in Generation IV.

Effect

Generation IV

Sucker Punch has a power of 80. It has a priority of +1, so it is used before all moves that do not have increased priority. If Sucker Punch's target has selected a physical or special attack and has not yet had a chance to execute its move, Sucker Punch will damage the target; otherwise, Sucker Punch will fail. Sucker Punch only depends on the move the target has selected, and is not affected by any consideration of whether the attack can actually be executed, such as status conditions like sleep or freeze or Abilities like Truant.

Generation V

Sucker Punch will now succeed if the opponent is using Me First (despite the fact that Me First is a status move).

Generation VII

Sucker Punch's base power is reduced to 70.

Generation VIII

Due to a glitch, in a Double Battle where the player who didn't initiate the challenge is down to their final Pokémon, that Pokémon's Sucker Punch originally failed when used against the opponent on their right, regardless of what move that Pokémon selected for the turn. With the release of the version 1.1 update to Sword and Shield, this glitch was fixed and Sucker Punch can now correctly hit Pokémon in that position.

Description

Games Description DPPtHGSSPBR This move enables the user to attack first. It fails if the foe is not readying an attack, however. BWB2W2 This move enables the user to attack first. It fails if the target is not readying an attack, however. XYORAS SMUSUMPE SwShBDSPLA This move enables the user to attack first. This move fails if the target is not readying an attack.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
0019		Rattata		Field		Field	19	19	19	25SMUSUM 24PE	25BDSP
019A		Rattata Alolan Form		Field		Field				25SMUSUM 24PE
0020		Raticate		Field		Field	19	19	19	29SMUSUM 34PE	29BDSP
020A		Raticate Alolan Form		Field		Field				29SMUSUM 34PE
0024		Arbok		Field	Dragon				1PE
0050		Diglett		Field		Field	23	23	23	22SMUSUM 25PE	20
050A		Diglett Alolan Form		Field		Field				22SMUSUM 25PE	20SwSh
0051		Dugtrio		Field		Field	23	23	23	22SMUSUM 25PE	20
051A		Dugtrio Alolan Form		Field		Field				22SMUSUM 25PE	20SwSh
0071		Victreebel		Grass		Grass				1PE
0092		Gastly		Amorphous		Amorphous	22	22	22	22SMUSUM 19PE	32
0093		Haunter		Amorphous		Amorphous	22	22	22	22SMUSUM 19PE	36
0094		Gengar		Amorphous		Amorphous	22	22	22	22SMUSUM 19PE	36
0115		Kangaskhan		Monster		Monster	46	49	49	49SMUSUM 50PE	28
0122		Mr. Mime		Human-Like		Human-Like					40
122G		Mr. Mime Galarian Form		Human-Like		Human-Like					40
146G		Moltres Galarian Form		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered					30
0161		Sentret		Field		Field	31	31	31	31	31BDSP
0162		Furret		Field		Field	36	36	36	36	36BDSP
0167		Spinarak		Bug		Bug	26	26	26	26	26BDSP
0168		Ariados		Bug		Bug	28	28	28	28	28BDSP
0185		Sudowoodo		Mineral		Mineral	41	41BW 36B2W2	36	40	28
0198		Murkrow		Flying		Flying	45	55	55	55	55BDSP
0237		Hitmontop		Human-Like		Human-Like					24
0261		Poochyena		Field		Field	49	49	49XY 40ORAS	43	43BDSP
0262		Mightyena		Field		Field	62	62	62XY 48ORAS	52	52BDSP
0273		Seedot		Field	Grass					30
0274		Nuzleaf		Field	Grass					50
0275		Shiftry		Field	Grass					1
0289		Slaking		Field		Field					53BDSP
0303		Mawile		Field	Fairy	46	46	46XY 37ORAS	37	20
0327		Spinda		Field	Human-Like	32	32	32XY 28ORAS	28	28BDSP
0331		Cacnea		Grass	Human-Like	37	37	37XY 34ORAS	34	34BDSP
0332		Cacturne		Grass	Human-Like	41	41	41XY 35ORAS	35	35BDSP
0352		Kecleon		Field		Field	46DP 43PtHGSS	43	43XY 46ORAS	46	46BDSP
0353		Shuppet		Amorphous		Amorphous	35	38BW 34B2W2	34XY 38ORAS	38	38BDSP
0354		Banette		Amorphous		Amorphous	35	42BW 34B2W2	34XY 40ORAS	40	40BDSP
0359		Absol		Field		Field	44	44BW 52B2W2	50XY 45ORAS	45	40
0367		Huntail		Water 1		Water 1			23ORAS	23	23BDSP
0413		Wormadam Plant Cloak		Bug		Bug				1	1BDSP
413G		Wormadam Sandy Cloak		Bug		Bug				1	1BDSP
413S		Wormadam Trash Cloak		Bug		Bug				1	1BDSP
0430		Honchkrow		Flying		Flying			1	1	1BDSP
0431		Glameow		Field		Field	41	41	41	41	41BDSP
0432		Purugly		Field		Field					1BDSP
0434		Stunky		Field		Field				39	30
0435		Skuntank		Field		Field				39	30
0438		Bonsly		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	41	41BW 36B2W2	36	40	28
0439		Mime Jr.		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered					40
0442		Spiritomb		Amorphous		Amorphous	31	31	31	31	35
0453		Croagunk		Human-Like		Human-Like	31	31	31	31	24
0454		Toxicroak		Human-Like		Human-Like	31	31	31	31	24
0491		Darkrai		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered					29BDSP
0509		Purrloin		Field		Field		46	46	46	28SwSh
0510		Liepard		Field		Field		55	55	55	34SwSh
0556		Maractus		Grass		Grass		42	42	42	16SwSh
0595		Joltik		Bug		Bug		40	40	40	28SwSh
0596		Galvantula		Bug		Bug		46	46	46	28SwSh
0618		Stunfisk		Water 1	Amorphous					25SwSh
618G		Stunfisk Galarian Form		Water 1	Amorphous					25SwSh
0676		Furfrou		Field		Field			42	42
0678		Meowstic Male		Field		Field			48	48	24SwSh
678F		Meowstic Female		Field		Field			48	48	24SwSh
0717		Yveltal		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered			80	80	20SwSh
0722		Rowlet		Flying		Flying				32	27SwSh
0723		Dartrix		Flying		Flying				37	35SwSh
0724		Decidueye		Flying		Flying				38	37SwSh
0745		Lycanroc Midday Form		Field		Field					1, Evo.SwSh
745D		Lycanroc Dusk Form		Field		Field					1SwSh
0768		Golisopod		Bug	Water 3				31	24SwSh
0775		Komala		Field		Field				31
0802		Marshadow		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered				56	45SwSh
0816		Sobble		Water 1	Field					20SwSh
0817		Drizzile		Water 1	Field					24SwSh
0818		Inteleon		Water 1	Field					24SwSh
0827		Nickit		Field		Field					24SwSh
0828		Thievul		Field		Field					28SwSh
0854		Sinistea		Mineral	Amorphous					24SwSh
0855		Polteageist		Mineral	Amorphous					24SwSh
0859		Impidimp		Fairy	Human-Like					24SwSh
0860		Morgrem		Fairy	Human-Like					24SwSh
0861		Grimmsnarl		Fairy	Human-Like					24SwSh
0866		Mr. Rime		Human-Like		Human-Like					40SwSh
0887		Dragapult		Amorphous	Dragon					1SwSh
0892		Urshifu Single Strike Style		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered					1SwSh
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.

By breeding

#	Pokémon		Types	Parent Egg Groups		Egg Move
						II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
0023		Ekans		Field	Dragon		✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
0032		Nidoran♂		Monster	Field	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0177		Natu		Flying		Flying	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0200		Misdreavus		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
0228		Houndour		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
0261		Poochyena		Field		Field	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
0300		Skitty		Field	Fairy	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
0302		Sableye		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
0303		Mawile		Field	Fairy	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
0359		Absol		Field		Field	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
0498		Tepig		Field		Field			✔	✔
0570		Zorua		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔SwSh
0621		Druddigon		Dragon	Monster		✔	✔	✔	✔SwSh
0624		Pawniard		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔SwSh
0631		Heatmor		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔SwSh
0708		Phantump		Grass	Amorphous					✔SwSh
0744		Rockruff		Field		Field				✔
0813		Scorbunny		Field	Human-Like					✔SwSh
0840		Applin		Grass	Dragon					✔SwSh
0852		Clobbopus		Water 1	Human-Like					✔SwSh
0871		Pincurchin		Water 1	Amorphous					✔SwSh
0885		Dreepy		Amorphous	Dragon					✔SwSh
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.

By Move Tutor

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Game
						DP	Pt	HGSS
0019		Rattata		Field		Field	✔	✔
0020		Raticate		Field		Field	✔	✔
0032		Nidoran♂		Monster	Field	✔	✔
0033		Nidorino		Monster	Field	✔	✔
0034		Nidoking		Monster	Field	✔	✔
0050		Diglett		Field		Field	✔	✔
0051		Dugtrio		Field		Field	✔	✔
0069		Bellsprout		Grass		Grass	✔	✔
0070		Weepinbell		Grass		Grass	✔	✔
0071		Victreebel		Grass		Grass	✔	✔
0074		Geodude		Mineral		Mineral	✔	✔
0075		Graveler		Mineral		Mineral	✔	✔
0076		Golem		Mineral		Mineral	✔	✔
0092		Gastly		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0093		Haunter		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0094		Gengar		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0100		Voltorb		Mineral		Mineral	✔	✔
0101		Electrode		Mineral		Mineral	✔	✔
0106		Hitmonlee		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔	✔
0115		Kangaskhan		Monster		Monster	✔	✔
0151		Mew		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0161		Sentret		Field		Field	✔	✔
0162		Furret		Field		Field	✔	✔
0167		Spinarak		Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0168		Ariados		Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0170		Chinchou		Water 2		Water 2	✔	✔
0171		Lanturn		Water 2		Water 2	✔	✔
0177		Natu		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0178		Xatu		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0185		Sudowoodo		Mineral		Mineral	✔	✔
0197		Umbreon		Field		Field	✔	✔
0198		Murkrow		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0200		Misdreavus		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0203		Girafarig		Field		Field	✔	✔
0222		Corsola		Water 1	Water 3	✔	✔
0228		Houndour		Field		Field	✔	✔
0229		Houndoom		Field		Field	✔	✔
0234		Stantler		Field		Field	✔	✔
0237		Hitmontop		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔	✔
0251		Celebi		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0261		Poochyena		Field		Field	✔	✔
0262		Mightyena		Field		Field	✔	✔
0275		Shiftry		Field	Grass	✔	✔
0287		Slakoth		Field		Field	✔	✔
0288		Vigoroth		Field		Field	✔	✔
0289		Slaking		Field		Field	✔	✔
0292		Shedinja		Mineral		Mineral	✔	✔
0300		Skitty		Field	Fairy	✔	✔
0301		Delcatty		Field	Fairy	✔	✔
0302		Sableye		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔	✔
0303		Mawile		Field	Fairy	✔	✔
0327		Spinda		Field	Human-Like	✔	✔
0331		Cacnea		Grass	Human-Like	✔	✔
0332		Cacturne		Grass	Human-Like	✔	✔
0336		Seviper		Field	Dragon	✔	✔
0352		Kecleon		Field		Field	✔	✔
0353		Shuppet		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0354		Banette		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0355		Duskull		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0356		Dusclops		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0359		Absol		Field		Field	✔	✔
0367		Huntail		Water 1		Water 1	✔	✔
0380		Latias		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0413		Wormadam Plant Cloak		Bug		Bug	✔	✔
413G		Wormadam Sandy Cloak		Bug		Bug	✔	✔
413S		Wormadam Trash Cloak		Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0425		Drifloon		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0426		Drifblim		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0429		Mismagius		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0430		Honchkrow		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0431		Glameow		Field		Field	✔	✔
0432		Purugly		Field		Field	✔	✔
0434		Stunky		Field		Field	✔	✔
0435		Skuntank		Field		Field	✔	✔
0438		Bonsly		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0442		Spiritomb		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0453		Croagunk		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔	✔
0454		Toxicroak		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔	✔
0477		Dusknoir		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0478		Froslass		Fairy	Mineral	✔	✔
0479		Rotom		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0491		Darkrai		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
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.

Special move

Generation V

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0029		Nidoran♀		Monster	Field	Dream World - Pleasant Forest
0287		Slakoth		Field		Field	Dream World - Dream Park
0302		Sableye		Human-Like		Human-Like	Dream World - Spooky Manor
0434		Stunky		Field		Field	Dream World - Spooky Manor
0621		Druddigon		Dragon	Monster	Dream World - Icy Cave
0624		Pawniard		Human-Like		Human-Like	Dream World - Spooky Manor
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.

By event

Generation V

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0237		Hitmontop		Human-Like		Human-Like	Do Heun's Hitmontop
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.

Generation VI

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0571		Zoroark		Field		Field	Sly Zoroark
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.

Generation VII

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
745Mn		Lycanroc Midnight Form		Field		Field	Rocky Lycanroc
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

In Explorers of Time, Darkness and Sky, Sucker Punch is a move with 15 base power, 88% accuracy, and 7 PP. The user attacks enemy in the front, from up to 2 tiles away, even if there's an ally inbetween.

Pokémon GO

Sucker Punch
Fast Attack
Gyms & Raids Power 7 Energy boost 8 Duration 0.7 seconds Damage window 0.3 - 0.7 seconds
Trainer Battles Power 5 Energy boost 7 Turns 2
Eligible Pokémon:
Standard eligibility By Elite Fast TM By GO Snapshot As Shadow Pokémon As Purified Pokémon Formerly eligible None

Updates

Gyms & Raids

• July 30, 2016
  • Energy boost: 4 → 9
• February 16, 2017
  • Power: 7 → 8
  • Duration: 0.7 → 1.2 seconds
• February 21, 2017
  • Power: 8 → 7
  • Energy boost: 9 → 8
  • Duration: 1.2 → 0.7 seconds

Description

Games Description MDTDS Inflicts damage on a target up to 2 tiles away. BSL てきポケモンに ダメージをあたえる ２マスまで とどく MDGtI SMD MDRTDX It damages an enemy. It reaches up to 2 tiles away.

In the anime

Mightyena Kecleon
The user strikes the opponent unexpectedly.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Mightyena runs around the opponent at a high speed, before suddenly headbutting them.
Hodge's Mightyena	Serving Up the Flute Cup!		Debut
	When the opponent is about to attack Kecleon, it suddenly hits them with its tail.
Gizmo's Kecleon	Detective Drizzile!		None

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Galarian Linoone Croagunk Purrloin
This move enables the user to attack first.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Croagunk punches the opponent with a powerful blow to the stomach when it is about to use an attack.
Saturn's Croagunk	Crowded by Croagunk & Advanced on by Abra II		Debut
	Purrloin jumps high into the air and delivers a powerful kick to the opponent with one of its legs.
N's Purrloin	Letting Go		None
	Galarian Linoone jumps high in the air and headbutts the opponent with its head.
A Team Yell Grunt's Linoone	Zap!! A Rising Beam of Light		Galarian Linoone cannot legally learn Sucker Punch

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!

Absol
The user strikes before the opponent can attack.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Absol slams the opponent before it can use a move.
Koya's Absol	Clash! Hareta vs. Koya		None

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	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

Side 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

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 name, Sucker Punch is not a punching move. The term "sucker punch" refers to an unexpected or cheap shot at an opponent, akin to its Japanese name, which translates to surprise attack. Thus, many Pokémon that do not possess arms can learn this move, and its base power is not increased by Iron Fist.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 突襲 Dahtjaahp Mandarin 突襲 / 突袭 Tūxí French Coup Bas German Tiefschlag Greek Χτύπημα Εξαπάτησης Chtýpima Exapátisis Hungarian Váratlan Csapás Italian Sbigoattacco Korean 기습 Giseup Polish Ssący Cios Brazilian Portuguese Soco Enganador Russian Запрещенный приём Zapreshchennyy priyom Spanish Golpe Bajo Thai โจมตีแบบไม่คาดคิด Turkish Şaşırtıcı Darbe Vietnamese Đánh Úp

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.