Air Cutter (move)

Air Cutter エアカッター Air Cutter

Battles Type  Flying Category  Special PP  25 (max. 40) Power  60 Accuracy  95% Priority  0 Does not make 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 Many Others: Affects all adjacent opponents, but not allies

Availability Introduced  Generation III Move Tutor in Pokémon Platinum Move Tutor in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver TM040 in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Contests Condition  Cool Appeal  2 ♥♥ Jam  1 ♥ Startles Pokémon that made a same-type appeal.

Super Contests Condition  Cool Appeal  3 ♥♥♥ A basic performance using a move known by the Pokémon.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Cool Appeal  4 ♥♥♥♥ Jamming  0   Quite an appealing move.

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

Air Cutter (Japanese: エアカッター Air Cutter) is a damage-dealing Flying-type move introduced in Generation III. It is TM040 in Generation IX.

Effect

Generations III-V

Air Cutter deals damage and has an increased critical hit ratio. It hits both opponents in a Double Battle and all opposing adjacent Pokémon in Triple Battles. Air Cutter's odds of landing critical hits is calculated for each hit opponent individually.

Generation VI onwards

Air Cutter's power changed from 55 to 60. In Horde Encounters, it will target all opponents. Air Cutter will also knock down Berries growing on Berry trees found in the background of battles. If used by a Pokémon with Sharpness, its power is increased by 50%.

Generation VIII

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Air Cutter's PP has been reduced to 15, and like all other moves in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, it can only hit one target.

Description

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
0041		Zubat		Flying		Flying	31	25	25BW 26B2W2	26XY 19ORAS	19SMUSUM	25SwShBDSP 18LA
0042		Golbat		Flying		Flying	35	27	27BW 28B2W2	28XY 19ORAS	19SMUSUM	27SwShBDSP 18LA
0083		Farfetch'd		Flying	Field		21	21	21	21SMUSUM	25
0169		Crobat		Flying		Flying	35	27	27BW 28B2W2	28XY 19ORAS	19	27SwShBDSP 18LA
0176		Togetic		Flying	Fairy						Evo.LA
0198		Murkrow		Flying		Flying						35BDSP
0227		Skarmory		Flying		Flying	29	24DP 23PtHGSS	23	23XY 12ORAS	12
0274		Nuzleaf		Field	Grass						1
0275		Shiftry		Field	Grass						1
0267		Beautifly		Bug		Bug				20ORAS	20	20BDSP Evo.LA
0278		Wingull		Water 1	Flying			33B2W2	33XY 22ORAS	22
0284		Masquerain		Water 1	Bug				22ORAS	22	22BDSP	22
0430		Honchkrow		Flying		Flying						1BDSP
0441		Chatot		Flying		Flying						11LA
0468		Togekiss		Flying	Fairy						11LA
0519		Pidove		Flying		Flying			15	15	15	16
0520		Tranquill		Flying		Flying			15	15	15	16
0521		Unfezant		Flying		Flying			15	15	15	16
0527		Woobat		Field	Flying			21	21	21	15
0528		Swoobat		Field	Flying			21	21	21	15
0561		Sigilyph		Flying		Flying			21	21	21	15
0641		Tornadus		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered			25	25	19	20SwSh 14LA	20
0714		Noibat		Flying	Dragon				23	23	24	24
0715		Noivern		Flying	Dragon				23	23	24	24
0741		Oricorio		Flying		Flying					13		13
0798		Kartana		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered					1	20
0804		Naganadel		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered					1, Evo.USUM	1, Evo.
0993		Iron Jugulis		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered							1
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
0004		Charmander		Monster	Dragon				✔	✔	✔BDSP
0016		Pidgey		Flying		Flying	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
0227		Skarmory		Flying		Flying						✔
0278		Wingull		Water 1	Flying						✔	✔
0441		Chatot		Flying		Flying			✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
0580		Ducklett		Water 1	Flying			✔	✔	✔
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 TM

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Machine
						I --	II --	III --	IV --	V --	VI --	VII --	VIII --	IX TM040
0006		Charizard		Monster	Dragon							✔
0049		Venomoth		Bug		Bug							✔
0123		Scyther		Bug		Bug							✔
0144		Articuno		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered							✔
144G		Articuno Galarian Form		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered							✔
0145		Zapdos		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered							✔
0146		Moltres		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered							✔
0149		Dragonite		Water 1	Dragon							✔
0151		Mew		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered							✔
0198		Murkrow		Flying		Flying							✔
0212		Scizor		Bug		Bug							✔
0225		Delibird		Water 1	Field							✔
0278		Wingull		Water 1	Flying							✔
0279		Pelipper		Water 1	Flying							✔
0284		Masquerain		Water 1	Bug							✔
0357		Tropius		Monster	Grass							✔
0396		Starly		Flying		Flying							✔
0397		Staravia		Flying		Flying							✔
0398		Staraptor		Flying		Flying							✔
0425		Drifloon		Amorphous		Amorphous							✔
0426		Drifblim		Amorphous		Amorphous							✔
0430		Honchkrow		Flying		Flying							✔
0457		Lumineon		Water 2		Water 2							✔
0627		Rufflet		Flying		Flying							✔
0628		Braviary		Flying		Flying							✔
628H		Braviary Hisuian Form		Flying		Flying							✔
0637		Volcarona		Bug		Bug							✔
0641		Tornadus		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered							✔
0661		Fletchling		Flying		Flying							✔
0662		Fletchinder		Flying		Flying							✔
0663		Talonflame		Flying		Flying							✔
0666		Vivillon		Bug		Bug							✔
0714		Noibat		Flying	Dragon							✔
0715		Noivern		Flying	Dragon							✔
0722		Rowlet		Flying		Flying							✔
0723		Dartrix		Flying		Flying							✔
0724		Decidueye		Flying		Flying							✔
724H		Decidueye Hisuian Form		Flying		Flying							✔
0741		Oricorio		Flying		Flying							✔
0818		Inteleon		Water 1	Field							✔
0821		Rookidee		Flying		Flying							✔
0822		Corvisquire		Flying		Flying							✔
0823		Corviknight		Flying		Flying							✔
0900		Kleavor		Bug		Bug							✔
0912		Quaxly		Flying	Water 1							✔
0913		Quaxwell		Flying	Water 1							✔
0914		Quaquaval		Flying	Water 1							✔
0931		Squawkabilly		Flying		Flying							✔
0940		Wattrel		Water 1	Flying							✔
0941		Kilowattrel		Water 1	Flying							✔
0962		Bombirdier		Flying		Flying							✔
0973		Flamigo		Flying		Flying							✔
0991		Iron Bundle		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered							✔
0993		Iron Jugulis		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.

By Move Tutor

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Game
						DP	Pt	HGSS
0006		Charizard		Monster	Dragon	✔	✔
0012		Butterfree		Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0015		Beedrill		Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0016		Pidgey		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0017		Pidgeotto		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0018		Pidgeot		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0021		Spearow		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0022		Fearow		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0041		Zubat		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0042		Golbat		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0049		Venomoth		Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0083		Farfetch'd		Flying	Field	✔	✔
0084		Doduo		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0085		Dodrio		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0142		Aerodactyl		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0144		Articuno		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0145		Zapdos		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0146		Moltres		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0149		Dragonite		Water 1	Dragon	✔	✔
0151		Mew		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0163		Hoothoot		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0164		Noctowl		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0165		Ledyba		Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0166		Ledian		Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0169		Crobat		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0176		Togetic		Flying	Fairy	✔	✔
0177		Natu		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0178		Xatu		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0193		Yanma		Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0198		Murkrow		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0226		Mantine		Water 1		Water 1	✔	✔
0227		Skarmory		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0249		Lugia		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0250		Ho-Oh		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0267		Beautifly		Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0269		Dustox		Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0275		Shiftry		Field	Grass	✔	✔
0276		Taillow		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0277		Swellow		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0278		Wingull		Water 1	Flying	✔	✔
0279		Pelipper		Water 1	Flying	✔	✔
0284		Masquerain		Water 1	Bug	✔	✔
0291		Ninjask		Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0313		Volbeat		Bug	Human-Like	✔	✔
0314		Illumise		Bug	Human-Like	✔	✔
0329		Vibrava		Bug	Dragon	✔	✔
0330		Flygon		Bug	Dragon	✔	✔
0333		Swablu		Flying	Dragon	✔	✔
0334		Altaria		Flying	Dragon	✔	✔
0357		Tropius		Monster	Grass	✔	✔
0373		Salamence		Dragon		Dragon	✔	✔
0396		Starly		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0397		Staravia		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0398		Staraptor		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0414		Mothim		Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0415		Combee		Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0416		Vespiquen		Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0425		Drifloon		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0426		Drifblim		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0430		Honchkrow		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0441		Chatot		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0456		Finneon		Water 2		Water 2	✔	✔
0457		Lumineon		Water 2		Water 2	✔	✔
0458		Mantyke		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0468		Togekiss		Flying	Fairy	✔	✔
0469		Yanmega		Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0487		Giratina Altered Forme		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
487O		Giratina Origin Forme		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
492S		Shaymin Sky Forme		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
0012		Butterfree		Bug		Bug	Dream World - Windswept Sky
0015		Beedrill		Bug		Bug	Dream World - Dream Park
0226		Mantine		Water 1		Water 1	Dream World - Sparkling Sea
0415		Combee		Bug		Bug	Dream World - Dream Park
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 Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team, and Explorers of Time, Darkness and Sky, Air Cutter is a move with base power of 2, 17PP and 90% accuracy. It damages an enemy in the front, while cutting corners, and has an increased critical hit ratio.

Pokémon GO

Air Cutter
Charged Attack
Gyms & Raids Power 60 Energy cost 50 Duration 2.7 seconds Damage window 1.8 - 2.5 seconds
Trainer Battles Power 60 Energy cost 55 Secondary effect ? Effect chance ?%
Eligible Pokémon:
Standard eligibility By Elite Charged TM By GO Snapshot As Shadow Pokémon As Purified Pokémon Formerly eligible None

Updates

Gyms & Raids

• July 30, 2016
  • Power: 25 → 30
• February 16, 2017
  • Power: 30 → 60
  • Energy cost: 25 → 50
  • Duration: 3.3 → 2.7 seconds
  • Damage window: 2.2 - 3.1 → 1.8 - 2.5 seconds

Pokémon Rumble Rush

Air Cutter

★★★
Attack power	47.82716
Charge time	0.82 seconds
Range type	Shoot
Number of hits	1
Number of projectiles	1
Critical hit rate	3%
Additional effect	None

Pokémon Masters EX

Note:

• Flyaway Air Cutter—Description prior to Version 2.20.0*: This move's power increases when the target is flinching.

Description

In the anime

Unfezant Golbat Swoobat Crobat and Skarmory
The user launches multiple energy blades to slash at the opponent.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Golbat flaps its wings and a strong gust with light blue 'S'-shaped energy blades in it flies and slashes at the opponent; or, Golbat waves one of its wings and a white cresent-shaped energy flies out and hits the opponent; or, Golbat releases light blue 'S'-shaped energy disks from its mouth at the opponent.
Tabitha's Golbat	Fight for the Meteorite		Debut
A Team Magma Grunt's Golbat	Fight for the Meteorite		Debut
Agatha's Golbat	The Scheme Team		None
J's henchmen's Golbat	Ill-Will Hunting!		None
Team Galactic Grunts' multiple Golbat	Enter Galactic!		None
	Skarmory opens its mouth and releases a strong gust with light blue 'S' shaped energy blades in it at the opponent; or, Skarmory's wings glow white and it flaps them, releasing light blue 'S' shaped energy disks at the opponent; or, Skarmory flaps its wings, releasing multiple light blue blades of energy from them at the opponent.
Green Army's Skarmory	Lucario and the Mystery of Mew		None
Taylor's Skarmory	Pursuing a Lofty Goal!		None
Team Rocket's Skarmory	Dreams Are Made of These!		None
	Pidove waves its wings in an 'X' like motion and a light blue 'X' shaped energy is released from the tip of its wings at the opponent, or Pidove crosses its wings in front of its body and opens them up quickly, releasing multiple light blue 'X' shaped energy from its wings at the opponent.
Multiple wild Pidove	Enter Iris and Axew!		None
Ash's Pidove	Enter Iris and Axew!		None
	Tranquill waves its wings in an 'X' like motion and a light blue 'X' shaped energy is released from the tips of its wings at the opponent or Tranquill's wings glow light blue and it fire many light blue blades from them at the opponent, or Tranquill glows white and releases light blue crescent shaped blades from its wings at the opponent.
Trip's Tranquill	A Venipede Stampede!		None
Ash's Tranquill	Cottonee in Love!		None
	Swoobat flaps its wings and light blue crescent shaped blades or a stream of light blue 'X' shaped blades are released from the tips of its wings at the opponent.
Skyla's Swoobat	Cilan Takes Flight!		None
Unfezant	Unfezant flaps its wings and releases a stream of light blue 'X' shaped blades from the tips of its wings at the opponent.
Ash's Unfezant	An Amazing Aerial Battle!		None
	Riolu swings its arms inwards and releases a stream of light blue 'X' shaped blades from its hands at the opponent.
Cameron's Riolu	Cameron's Secret Weapon!		Used via Copycat
	Crobat flaps its wings, releasing multiple light blue blades of energy from them at the opponent.
Team Rocket's Crobat	Dreams Are Made of These!		None
A wild Crobat	Night and Day, You are the Ones!		None

• In The Shape of Love to Come!, Rapp commanded her Zubat to use Air Cutter, but it was defeated by Mina's Ribombee before it could use the move.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Swoobat Skarmory Golbat Crobat
The user launches razor-like wind to slash the opposing team.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Skarmory waves one of its wings and fires a crescent-shaped blade at the opponent.
Winona's Skarmory	Bravo, Vibrava		Debut
	Crobat waves one of its wings and releases a blade of air at the opponent.
Spenser's Crobat	Skirting Around Surskit I		None
	Golbat waves one of its wings and releases a crescent-shaped blade of air at the opponent.
Petrel's Golbat	Fortunately for Feraligatr		None
	Swoobat releases several tiny blades of air from its wing at the opponent.
Skyla's Swoobat	Up in the Air		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, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

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, andSky	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, andSky	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, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Trivia

• Air Cutter is the only damage-dealing Flying-type move that cannot hit non-adjacent foes in Triple Battles.
• Air Cutter is one of three moves that can be used to collect Berries from the Berry trees appearing behind foes in wild battles, the others being Twister and Blizzard.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 空氣利刃 Hūnghei Leihyahn * 破空斬 Pohūng Jáam * Mandarin 空氣利刃 / 空气利刃 Kōngqì Lìrèn * 破空斬 / 破空斩 Pòkōng Zhǎn * Danish Luftskærer Dutch Luchtsnijder Finnish Ilmasirppi (AG054) Ilmaleikkuri (AG132) French Tranch'Air German Windschnitt Greek Αεροκόπτης Indonesian Pisau Udara Italian Aerasoio Korean 에어커터 E-eokeo-teoIX+ 에어컷터 E-eokeos-teoIII–VIII Polish Powietrzny Nóż Portuguese Brazil Cortador de Ar (games, BW107-present, TCG, manga) Ar Cortante (early anime) Portugal Cortador de Ar (Advanced Challenge) Corte Aéreo (Advanced Battle) Ar Cortante (DP Battle Dimension) Corta o Ar (DP Galactic Battles) Golpe de Ar (Best Wishes series) Romanian Tăietorul de Aer Serbian Razorni vetar Spanish Latin America Aire Cortante (AG054, BW002) Cortador de Aire (AG132-DP045) Aire Afilado (DP118) Spain Aire Afilado Thai แอร์คัตเตอร์ Vietnamese Phi Đao Không Khí* Máy Cắt Không Khí

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.