Struggle Bug (move)

	Struggle Bug; むしのていこう Insect Opposition
Type	Bug
Category	Special
PP	20 (max. 32)
Power	50
Accuracy	100%
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;
	Many Others: Affects all adjacent opponents, but not allies
Introduced	Generation V
	TM76 in Generation V; TM76 in Generation VI; TM015 in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet;
Condition	Cute
Appeal	0
Jam	0
Condition	Cute
Appeal	0
Condition	Cute
Appeal	2 ♥♥
Jamming	0
	Works great if the user goes last this turn.
	On Smogon's Movedex: Generation V; Generation VI; Generation VII; Generation VIII; Generation IX; ;

Struggle Bug (Japanese: むしのていこう Insect Opposition) is a damage-dealing Bug-type move introduced in Generation V. It was TM76 in Generations V and VI and is TM015 in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

Effect

Generation V

Struggle Bug inflicts damage to all adjacent opponents and lowers the targets' Special Attack by one stage.

Generation VI onwards

Struggle Bug's power changed from 30 to 50.

Generation VIII

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Struggle Bug's power has been changed to 40. It also lowers the target's offensive stats for three turns.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

		Agile	Strong
Category	Special
PP	20

Power	40	30	50
Accuracy	100%	100%	100%
Action speed modifier
Self	0	0	+5
Target	0	+3	0
Additional effect
Turns	3	2	4
		?	?
		?	?
Lowers the target's offensive stats

Description

Games	Description
BW	While resisting, the user attacks the opposing Pokémon. The targets' Sp. Atk stat is reduced.
B2W2	Resisting, the user attacks the opposing Pokémon. The targets' Sp. Atk stat is reduced.
XY ORAS SM USUM PE	While resisting, the user attacks the opposing Pokémon. This lowers the Sp. Atk stat of those hit.
SwSh BDSP	While resisting, the user attacks opposing Pokémon. This lowers the Sp. Atk stats of those hit.
LA	The user struggles against the target, dealing damage. This also lowers the target's offensive stats.
SV	The user attacks by struggling against opposing Pokémon. This also lowers their Sp. Atk stats.

Learnset

By leveling up

#		Egg Groups		Level
				V	VI	VII	VIII			IX
						SM USUM	SwSh	BDSP	LA	SV
0048	Venonat	Bug		Bug	−	−	−	−	1		−
0049	Venomoth	Bug		Bug	−	−	−	−	1		−
0165	Ledyba	Bug		Bug	−	−	−		22
0166	Ledian	Bug		Bug	−	−	−		24
0213	Shuckle	Bug		Bug	1^BW 12^B2W2	12	12	10	10
0313	Volbeat	Bug	Human-Like	−	15^ORAS	15		15		15
0314	Illumise	Bug	Human-Like	−	15^ORAS	15		15		15
0401	Kricketot	Bug		Bug	6	6	6		6	−	6
0402	Kricketune	Bug		Bug	−	−	−		1	−	−
0412	Burmy All forms	Bug		Bug	−	−	−		−	1
0413	Wormadam All forms	Bug		Bug	−	−	−		−	1
0414	Mothim	Bug		Bug	−	−	−		38	1
0415	Combee	Bug		Bug	−	−	−	1	1	6	1
0416	Vespiquen	Bug		Bug	−	−	−	1	1	6	1
0540	Sewaddle	Bug		Bug	22	22	22				22
0541	Swadloon	Bug		Bug	−	−	−				22
0542	Leavanny	Bug		Bug	22	22	22				22
0616	Shelmet	Bug		Bug	16	16	16	16
0617	Accelgor	Bug		Bug	16	16	16	16
0636	Larvesta	Bug		Bug	−	−	−	12			12
0637	Volcarona	Bug		Bug	−	−	−	1			1
0666	Vivillon All forms	Bug		Bug		12	1				1
0742	Cutiefly	Bug	Fairy			10	24			24
0743	Ribombee	Bug	Fairy			1, 10	24			24
0767	Wimpod	Bug	Water 3			1	1
0768	Golisopod	Bug	Water 3			1	1
0824	Blipbug	Bug		Bug				1
0825	Dottler	Bug		Bug				1
0826	Orbeetle	Bug		Bug				1
0872	Snom	Bug		Bug				1			1
0873	Frosmoth	Bug		Bug				1			1
0917	Tarountula	Bug		Bug							5
0918	Spidops	Bug		Bug							5
0919	Nymble	Bug		Bug							4
0920	Lokix	Bug		Bug							4
0953	Rellor	Bug		Bug							7
0954	Rabsca	Bug		Bug							7
0994	Iron Moth	No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered							7
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

#		Egg Groups		Compatibility
				V	VI	IX
				TM76	TM76	SV TM015
0012	Butterfree	Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0015	Beedrill	Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0046	Paras	Bug	Grass	✔	✔
0047	Parasect	Bug	Grass	✔	✔
0048	Venonat	Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔
0049	Venomoth	Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔
0123	Scyther	Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔
0127	Pinsir	Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0151	Mew	No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔	✔
0165	Ledyba	Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0166	Ledian	Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0167	Spinarak	Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔
0168	Ariados	Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔
0193	Yanma	Bug		Bug	−	−	✔
0204	Pineco	Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔
0205	Forretress	Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔
0207	Gligar	Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔
0212	Scizor	Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔
0213	Shuckle	Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0214	Heracross	Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔
0267	Beautifly	Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0269	Dustox	Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0283	Surskit	Water 1	Bug	✔	✔	✔
0284	Masquerain	Water 1	Bug	✔	✔	✔
0290	Nincada	Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0291	Ninjask	Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0292	Shedinja	Mineral		Mineral	✔	✔
0313	Volbeat	Bug	Human-Like	✔	✔	✔
0314	Illumise	Bug	Human-Like	✔	✔	✔
0328	Trapinch	Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔
0329	Vibrava	Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔
0330	Flygon	Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔
0347	Anorith	Water 3		Water 3	✔	✔
0348	Armaldo	Water 3		Water 3	✔	✔
0398	Staraptor	Flying		Flying	−	−	✔
0401	Kricketot	Bug		Bug	−	✔	✔
0402	Kricketune	Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔
0413	Wormadam All forms	Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0414	Mothim	Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0415	Combee	Bug		Bug	−	−	✔
0416	Vespiquen	Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔
0451	Skorupi	Bug	Water 3	✔	✔
0452	Drapion	Bug	Water 3	✔	✔
0469	Yanmega	Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔
0472	Gliscor	Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔
0540	Sewaddle	Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔
0541	Swadloon	Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔
0542	Leavanny	Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔
0543	Venipede	Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0544	Whirlipede	Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0545	Scolipede	Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0557	Dwebble	Bug	Mineral	✔	✔
0558	Crustle	Bug	Mineral	✔	✔
0588	Karrablast	Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0589	Escavalier	Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0595	Joltik	Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔
0596	Galvantula	Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔
0616	Shelmet	Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0617	Accelgor	Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0632	Durant	Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0636	Larvesta	Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔
0637	Volcarona	Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔
0649	Genesect All forms	No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0664	Scatterbug	Bug		Bug		−	✔
0665	Spewpa	Bug		Bug		−	✔
0666	Vivillon All forms	Bug		Bug		✔	✔
0736	Grubbin	Bug		Bug			✔
0737	Charjabug	Bug		Bug			✔
0738	Vikavolt	Bug		Bug			✔
0742	Cutiefly	Bug	Fairy			✔
0743	Ribombee	Bug	Fairy			✔
0872	Snom	Bug		Bug			✔
0873	Frosmoth	Bug		Bug			✔
0900	Kleavor	Bug		Bug			✔
0917	Tarountula	Bug		Bug			✔
0918	Spidops	Bug		Bug			✔
0919	Nymble	Bug		Bug			✔
0920	Lokix	Bug		Bug			✔
0953	Rellor	Bug		Bug			✔
0954	Rabsca	Bug		Bug			✔
0994	Iron Moth	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 breeding

#		Egg Groups	Egg Move
			VIII	IX
			SwSh	SV
0595	Joltik	Bug	Bug	✔	✔
0632	Durant	Bug	Bug	✔
0850	Sizzlipede	Bug	Bug	✔
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

Struggle Bug deals damage to nearby enemies and lowers their Sp. Atk by one stage.

Game	Base Power	Max Power	Base PP	Max PP	Base Accuracy	Max Accuracy	Range	Target	Cuts corners
MDGtI	3	99	17	50	75%	98%	1 tile around user	Enemy	Yes
SMD	3	50	17	40	75%	98%	1 tile around user	Enemy	Yes
With some exceptions, Pokémon learnsets match those from the core series games: MD Gates to Infinity = Pokémon Black 2 and White 2. Super Mystery Dungeon = Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. MD Rescue Team DX = Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.

Pokémon GO

In Pokémon GO, Struggle Bug is a Fast Attack that has been available since February 16, 2017.

Struggle Bug

Fast Attack

Gyms & Raids
Power	15
Energy boost	15
Duration	1.5 seconds
Damage window	1.2 - 1.5 seconds

Trainer Battles
Power	9
Energy boost	8
Turns	3

Eligible Pokémon:

Standard eligibility

By Elite Fast TM

By GO Snapshot

Updates

Gyms & Raids

February 21, 2017
- Power: 6 → 15
- Energy boost: 12 → 15

Pokémon Masters EX

Name	Category	Move gauge cost	MP (uses)	Base power	Max power	Accuracy	Target	Effect tag	Description	Playable sync pair(s)
Struggle Bug	Special	2	—	30	36	100%	All opponents	—	Lowers the target's Sp. Atk by one stat rank.	Viola & Surskit/Masquerain Alder & Volcarona Dawn & Wormadam Noland & Ninjask Viola (Holiday 2023) & Vivillon Guzma & Ariados Bugsy (Holiday 2024) & Kricketune Benga & Volcarona Carmine & Swadloon Scottie/Bettie & Butterfree^Egg (Support role only) Scottie/Bettie & Scyther^Egg (Tech role only)
Sync move
Name	Category	State		Base power	Max power	Target		Effect tag	Description	Playable sync pair
Insectible Struggle Bug	Special	Default 6★ EX		250	300	An opponent All opponents		—	No additional effect.	Burgh & Leavanny

Notes:

Struggle Bug:
- Stat decreases caused by this move apply to each target hit.
- Description prior to Version 2.10.0 (from June 28, 2021): Lowers the target's Sp. Atk.

Pokémon Rumble Rush

Struggle Bug

★★★
Attack power	45.49413
Charge time	0.78 seconds
Range type	Circular (self)
Number of hits	1
Number of projectiles	1
Critical hit rate	1.5%
Additional effect	May lower the foe's Attack

Description

Games	Description
MDGtI	It damages nearby enemies. It also lowers their Special Attack.
SMD MDRTDX	It damages nearby enemies. It also lowers their Sp. Atk.

In animation

Pokémon animated series

Pokémon	Method
Accelgor Lokix
The user attacks by struggling against opposing Pokémon. This also lowers the power of their attacks.
User	First Used In	Notes
	Accelgor's body briefly becomes surrounded in a red aura. The aura then fades away until the opponent's attack comes towards it. Accelgor then crouches its body together and a brighter red aura appears around it. Accelgor then opens its arms and a huge dome of red energy bursts out of its body, blocking the opponent's attack.
Charles's Accelgor	The Mighty Accelguard to the Rescue!	Debut
	Lokix releases multiple streaks of light green energy from its body at the opponent. When the streaks of energy hit the opponent, they glow blue, lowering the power of the opponent's attacks.
Katy's Lokix	Liko vs. Rika! Towards the Battle's End	None

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Pokémon	Method
Nymble
The user attacks by struggling against opposing Pokémon.
User	First Chapter Used In	Notes
	Nymble tackles the opponent; or, Nymble releases a shockwave of energy from its body at the opponent.
Violet's Nymble	Battle! Team Star, the Delinquents!!	Debut

In Homecoming, Burgh's Leavanny was revealed to know Struggle Bug, but the move was used off-panel.

In other generations

Core series games

Generation I	RB Y	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	FRLG E	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	Pt HGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SM USUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	SV	Legends: Z-A	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	RB Y	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	FRLG E	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	Pt HGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SM USUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	SV	Legends: Z-A	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 not being based on an arthropod, Staraptor (and Mew, who can learn all TM moves) can learn this move.
This move's English name may be a pun on the expression "struggle bus", which is slang for a difficult or frustrating situation.

In other languages


Language		Title
Chinese	Cantonese	蟲之抵抗 Chùhng jī Dáikong *
Chinese	Mandarin	蟲之抵抗 / 虫之抵抗 Chóng zhī Dǐkàng * 蟲的抵抗 Chóng de Dǐkàng *
Dutch		Strijdinsect
French		Survinsecte
German		Käfertrutz
Hindi		स्ट्रगल बग Struggle Bug
Indonesian		Perlawanan Serangga
Italian		Entomoblocco
Korean		벌레의저항 Beolle-uijeohang
Polish		Waleczny Insekt
Portuguese	Brazil	Ira de Inseto (Pokémon Horizons: The Series–present, GO, TCG) Ira Insecta (Pokémon the Series: Black & White, manga)
Portuguese	Portugal	Alma Inseto
Russian		Стойкость Насекомого Stoykost' Nasekomogo
Spanish	Latin America	Lucha Insecto
Spanish	Spain	Estoicismo
Thai		การต่อต้านของแมลง Kantotan Khong Malaeng
Turkish		Mücadele Böceği
Vietnamese		Côn Trùng Phản Kháng

Variations of the move Flame Charge

	Flame Charge • Pounce • Trailblaze
	Struggle Bug • Chilling Water

Generation V TMs
01 • 02 • 03 • 04 • 05 • 06 • 07 • 08 • 09 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25 • 26 • 27 • 28 • 29 • 30 • 31 • 32 • 33 • 34 • 35 • 36 • 37 • 38 39 • 40 • 41 • 42 • 43 • 44 • 45 • 46 • 47 • 48 • 49 • 50 • 51 • 52 • 53 • 54 • 55 • 56 • 57 58 • 59 • 60 • 61 • 62 • 63 • 64 • 65 • 66 • 67 • 68 • 69 • 70 • 71 • 72 • 73 • 74 • 75 • 76 77 • 78 • 79 • 80 • 81 • 82 • 83 • 84 • 85 • 86 • 87 • 88 • 89 • 90 • 91 • 92 • 93 • 94 • 95
Generation V HMs
01 • 02 • 03 • 04 • 05 • 06

Generation VI TMs
01 • 02 • 03 • 04 • 05 • 06 • 07 • 08 • 09 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25 • 26 27 • 28 • 29 • 30 • 31 • 32 • 33 • 34 • 35 • 36 • 37 • 38 • 39 • 40 • 41 • 42 • 43 • 44 • 45 • 46 • 47 • 48 • 49 • 50 • 51 • 52 53 • 54 • 55 • 56 • 57 • 58 • 59 • 60 • 61 • 62 • 63 • 64 • 65 • 66 • 67 • 68 • 69 • 70 • 71 • 72 • 73 • 74 • 75 • 76 • 77 • 78 79 • 80 • 81 • 82 • 83 • 84 • 85 • 86 • 87 • 88 • 89 • 90 • 91 • 92 • 93 • 94 (XY • ORAS) • 95 • 96 • 97 • 98 • 99 • 100
Generation VI HMs
01 • 02 • 03 • 04 • 05 • 06^ORAS • 07^ORAS

Generation IX TMs
SV
001 • 002 • 003 • 004 • 005 • 006 • 007 • 008 • 009 • 010 • 011 • 012 • 013 • 014 • 015 • 016 • 017 • 018 • 019 020 • 021 • 022 • 023 • 024 • 025 • 026 • 027 • 028 • 029 • 030 • 031 • 032 • 033 • 034 • 035 • 036 • 037 • 038 039 • 040 • 041 • 042 • 043 • 044 • 045 • 046 • 047 • 048 • 049 • 050 • 051 • 052 • 053 • 054 • 055 • 056 • 057 058 • 059 • 060 • 061 • 062 • 063 • 064 • 065 • 066 • 067 • 068 • 069 • 070 • 071 • 072 • 073 • 074 • 075 • 076 077 • 078 • 079 • 080 • 081 • 082 • 083 • 084 • 085 • 086 • 087 • 088 • 089 • 090 • 091 • 092 • 093 • 094 • 095 096 • 097 • 098 • 099 • 100 • 101 • 102 • 103 • 104 • 105 • 106 • 107 • 108 • 109 • 110 • 111 • 112 • 113 • 114 115 • 116 • 117 • 118 • 119 • 120 • 121 • 122 • 123 • 124 • 125 • 126 • 127 • 128 • 129 • 130 • 131 • 132 • 133 134 • 135 • 136 • 137 • 138 • 139 • 140 • 141 • 142 • 143 • 144 • 145 • 146 • 147 • 148 • 149 • 150 • 151 • 152 153 • 154 • 155 • 156 • 157 • 158 • 159 • 160 • 161 • 162 • 163 • 164 • 165 • 166 • 167 • 168 • 169 • 170 • 171
Added in SV 2.0.1
172 • 173 • 174 • 175 • 176 • 177 • 178 • 179 • 180 • 181 • 182 • 183 • 184 • 185 • 186 187 • 188 • 189 • 190 • 191 • 192 • 193 • 194 • 195 • 196 • 197 • 198 • 199 • 200 • 201
Added in SV 3.0.0
202 • 203 • 204 • 205 • 206 • 207 • 208 • 209 • 210 • 211 • 212 • 213 • 214 • 215 216 • 217 • 218 • 219 • 220 • 221 • 222 • 223 • 224 • 225 • 226 • 227 • 228 • 229
ZA
001 • 002 • 003 • 004 • 005 • 006 • 007 • 008 • 009 • 010 • 011 • 012 • 013 • 014 • 015 • 016 • 017 • 018 • 019 020 • 021 • 022 • 023 • 024 • 025 • 026 • 027 • 028 • 029 • 030 • 031 • 032 • 033 • 034 • 035 • 036 • 037 • 038 039 • 040 • 041 • 042 • 043 • 044 • 045 • 046 • 047 • 048 • 049 • 050 • 051 • 052 • 053 • 054 • 055 • 056 • 057 058 • 059 • 060 • 061 • 062 • 063 • 064 • 065 • 066 • 067 • 068 • 069 • 070 • 071 • 072 • 073 • 074 • 075 • 076 077 • 078 • 079 • 080 • 081 • 082 • 083 • 084 • 085 • 086 • 087 • 088 • 089 • 090 • 091 • 092 • 093 • 094 • 095 096 • 097 • 098 • 099 • 100 • 101 • 102 • 103 • 104 • 105 • 106 • 107
Added in ZA 2.0.0
108 • 109 • 110 • 111 • 112 • 113 • 114 • 115 • 116 • 117 • 118 • 119 • 120 • 121 • 122 • 123 • 124 • 125 • 126 127 • 128 • 129 • 130 • 131 • 132 • 133 • 134 • 135 • 136 • 137 • 138 • 139 • 140 • 141 • 142 • 143 • 144 • 145 146 • 147 • 148 • 149 • 150 • 151 • 152 • 153 • 154 • 155 • 156 • 157 • 158 • 159 • 160

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.

Struggle Bug (move)

Contents

Effect

Generation V

Generation VI onwards

Generation VIII

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Description

Learnset

By leveling up

By TM

By breeding

In other games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

Pokémon GO

Updates

Pokémon Masters EX

Pokémon Rumble Rush

Description

In animation

Pokémon animated series

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

In other generations

Core series games

Spin-off series games

Trivia

In other languages

Navigation menu

Page actions

Page actions

Personal tools

Navigation

Search

Bulbagarden

Social media

Tools

In other languages