Sucker Punch
ふいうち Surprise Attack
Type  Dark
Category  Physical
PP  5 (max. 8)
Power  70
Accuracy  100%
Priority  +1
Range
Opponent Opponent Opponent
Self Ally Ally
Normal: May affect anyone adjacent to the user
Availability
Introduced  Generation IV
Condition  Clever
Appeal  0  
Jam  0  
Condition  Clever
Appeal  2 ♥♥
Enables the user to perform first in the next turn.
Condition  Clever
Appeal  3 ♥♥♥
Jamming  0  
Excites the audience a lot if used first.

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 was actually executed, such as due to status conditions like sleep or freeze, or Abilities like Truant stopping the execution of a move or Encore making the target use a different move.

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

Pokémon Sword and Shield

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
SV
This move enables the user to attack first. This move fails if the target is not readying an attack.
Champs This move fails unless the target has chosen an attack and has not yet attacked during the turn this move is used.


Learnset

By leveling up

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Level
0019 Rattata Field 19 19 19 25 24 25
0019 Rattata
Rattata
Alolan Form

Field 25 24
0020 Raticate Field 19 19 19 29 34 29
0020 Raticate
Raticate
Alolan Form

Field 29 34
0024 Arbok Field
Dragon
1
0050 Diglett Field 23 23 23 22 25 20 20 20
0050 Diglett
Diglett
Alolan Form

Field 22 25 20 20
0051 Dugtrio Field 23 23 23 22 25 20 20 20
0051 Dugtrio
Dugtrio
Alolan Form

Field 22 25 20 20
0071 Victreebel
Grass 1
0092 Gastly
Amorphous 22 22 22 22 19 32 32 32
0093 Haunter
Amorphous 22 22 22 22 19 36 36 36
0094 Gengar
Amorphous 22 22 22 22 19 36 36 36
0106 Hitmonlee Human-Like 16
0115 Kangaskhan Monster 46 49 49 49 50 28 28
0122 Mr. Mime
Human-Like 40 40
0122 Mr. Mime
Mr. Mime
Galarian Form

Human-Like 40
0146 Moltres
Moltres
Galarian Form

No Eggs Discovered 30 30
0161 Sentret Field 31 31 31 31 31 31
0162 Furret Field 36 36 36 36 36 36
0167 Spinarak
Bug 26 26 26 26 26 26
0168 Ariados
Bug 28 28 28 28 28 28
0185 Sudowoodo Mineral 41 41BW
36B2W2
36 40 28 28 28
0198 Murkrow
Flying 45 55 55 55 55 50
0237 Hitmontop Human-Like 24 24 24
0261 Poochyena Field 49 49 49XY
40ORAS
43 43 40
0262 Mightyena Field 62 62 62XY
48ORAS
52 52 52
0273 Seedot Field
Grass
30 30 30
0274 Nuzleaf
Field
Grass
50 50 50
0275 Shiftry
Field
Grass
1 1 Rem.
0289 Slaking Field 53 1
0303 Mawile
Field
Fairy
46 46 46XY
37ORAS
37 20 20
0327 Spinda Field
Human-Like
32 32 32XY
28ORAS
28 28
0331 Cacnea Grass
Human-Like
37 37 37XY
34ORAS
34 34 34
0332 Cacturne
Grass
Human-Like
41 41 41XY
35ORAS
35 35 35
0352 Kecleon Field 46DP
43PtHGSS
43 43XY
46ORAS
46 46
0353 Shuppet Amorphous 35 38BW
34B2W2
34XY
38ORAS
38 38 38
0354 Banette Amorphous 35 42BW
34B2W2
34XY
40ORAS
40 40 40
0359 Absol Field 44 44BW
52B2W2
50XY
45ORAS
45 40 40
0367 Huntail Water 1 23ORAS 23 23
0413 Wormadam
Wormadam
All forms

Bug 1 1
0430 Honchkrow
Flying 1 1 1 1
0431 Glameow Field 41 41 41 41 41
0432 Purugly Field 1
0434 Stunky
Field 39 30 30 30
0435 Skuntank
Field 39 30 30 30
0438 Bonsly No Eggs Discovered 41 41BW
36B2W2
36 40 28 28 28
0439 Mime Jr.
No Eggs Discovered 40 40
0442 Spiritomb
Amorphous 31 31 31 31 35 35 35
0453 Croagunk
Human-Like 31 31 31 31 24 24 24
0454 Toxicroak
Human-Like 31 31 31 31 24 24 24
0491 Darkrai No Eggs Discovered 29 29
0503 Samurott
Samurott
Hisuian Form

Field 1
0509 Purrloin Field 46 46 46 28
0510 Liepard Field 55 55 55 34
0556 Maractus Grass 42 42 42 16
0595 Joltik
Bug 40 40 40 28 28
0596 Galvantula
Bug 46 46 46 28 28
0618 Stunfisk
Water 1
Amorphous
25
0618 Stunfisk
Stunfisk
Galarian Form

Water 1
Amorphous
25
0676 Furfrou
Furfrou
All forms
Field 42 42
0678 Meowstic
Meowstic
All forms
Field 48 48 24 24
0717 Yveltal
No Eggs Discovered 80 80 20
0722 Rowlet
Flying 32 27 27
0723 Dartrix
Flying 37 35 35
0724 Decidueye
Flying 38 37 37
0724 Decidueye
Decidueye
Hisuian Form

Flying 37
0745 Lycanroc
Lycanroc
Midday Form
Field 1, Evo. Evo.
0745 Lycanroc
Lycanroc
Dusk Form
Field 1 1
0768 Golisopod
Bug
Water 3
31 24
0775 Komala Field 31 31
0802 Marshadow
No Eggs Discovered 56 45
0816 Sobble Water 1
Field
20 20
0817 Drizzile Water 1
Field
24 24
0818 Inteleon Water 1
Field
24 24
0827 Nickit Field 24
0828 Thievul Field 28
0854 Sinistea
Sinistea
All forms
Mineral
Amorphous
24 24
0855 Polteageist
Polteageist
All forms
Mineral
Amorphous
24 24
0859 Impidimp
Fairy
Human-Like
24 24
0860 Morgrem
Fairy
Human-Like
24 24
0861 Grimmsnarl
Fairy
Human-Like
24 24
0866 Mr. Rime
Human-Like 40
0887 Dragapult
Amorphous
Dragon
1
0892 Urshifu
Urshifu
Single Strike Style

No Eggs Discovered 1 1
0919 Nymble Bug 38
0920 Lokix
Bug 40
0938 Tadbulb Water 1 45
0939 Bellibolt Water 1 45
0960 Wiglett Water 3 32
0961 Wugtrio Water 3 42
0986 Brute Bonnet
No Eggs Discovered 56
1002 Chien-Pao
No Eggs Discovered 55
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 Egg Groups Egg Move
0023 Ekans Field
Dragon
0032 Nidoran♂ Monster
Field
0069 Bellsprout
Grass
0170 Chinchou
Water 2
0177 Natu
Flying
0200 Misdreavus Amorphous
0228 Houndour
Field
0261 Poochyena Field
0300 Skitty Field
Fairy
0302 Sableye
Human-Like
0303 Mawile
Field
Fairy
0359 Absol Field
0498 Tepig Field
0570 Zorua Field
0621 Druddigon Dragon
Monster
0624 Pawniard
Human-Like
0631 Heatmor Field
0708 Phantump
Grass
Amorphous
0744 Rockruff Field
0813 Scorbunny Field
Human-Like
0840 Applin
Grass
Dragon
0852 Clobbopus Water 1
Human-Like
0871 Pincurchin Water 1
Amorphous
0885 Dreepy
Amorphous
Dragon
0906 Sprigatito Field
Grass
0917 Tarountula Bug
0962 Bombirdier
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 Move Tutor

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Compatibility
0019 Rattata Field
0020 Raticate Field
0032 Nidoran♂ Monster
Field
0033 Nidorino Monster
Field
0034 Nidoking
Monster
Field
0050 Diglett Field
0051 Dugtrio Field
0069 Bellsprout
Grass
0070 Weepinbell
Grass
0071 Victreebel
Grass
0074 Geodude
Mineral
0075 Graveler
Mineral
0076 Golem
Mineral
0092 Gastly
Amorphous
0093 Haunter
Amorphous
0094 Gengar
Amorphous
0100 Voltorb Mineral
0101 Electrode Mineral
0106 Hitmonlee Human-Like
0115 Kangaskhan Monster
0151 Mew No Eggs Discovered
0161 Sentret Field
0162 Furret Field
0167 Spinarak
Bug
0168 Ariados
Bug
0170 Chinchou
Water 2
0171 Lanturn
Water 2
0177 Natu
Flying
0178 Xatu
Flying
0185 Sudowoodo Mineral
0197 Umbreon Field
0198 Murkrow
Flying
0200 Misdreavus Amorphous
0203 Girafarig
Field
0222 Corsola
Water 1
Water 3
0228 Houndour
Field
0229 Houndoom
Field
0234 Stantler Field
0237 Hitmontop Human-Like
0251 Celebi
No Eggs Discovered
0261 Poochyena Field
0262 Mightyena Field
0275 Shiftry
Field
Grass
0287 Slakoth Field
0288 Vigoroth Field
0289 Slaking Field
0292 Shedinja
Mineral
0300 Skitty Field
Fairy
0301 Delcatty Field
Fairy
0302 Sableye
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
0353 Shuppet Amorphous
0354 Banette Amorphous
0355 Duskull Amorphous
0356 Dusclops Amorphous
0359 Absol Field
0367 Huntail Water 1
0380 Latias
No Eggs Discovered
0413 Wormadam
Wormadam
All forms

Bug
0425 Drifloon
Amorphous
0426 Drifblim
Amorphous
0429 Mismagius Amorphous
0430 Honchkrow
Flying
0431 Glameow Field
0432 Purugly Field
0434 Stunky
Field
0435 Skuntank
Field
0438 Bonsly No Eggs Discovered
0442 Spiritomb
Amorphous
0453 Croagunk
Human-Like
0454 Toxicroak
Human-Like
0477 Dusknoir Amorphous
0478 Froslass
Fairy
Mineral
0479 Rotom
Rotom
All forms

Amorphous
0491 Darkrai 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 Dream World - Dream Park
0302 Sableye
Human-Like Dream World - Spooky Manor
0434 Stunky
Field Dream World - Spooky Manor
0621 Druddigon Dragon
Monster
Dream World - Icy Cave
0624 Pawniard
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.


Generation IX

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Obtained with
0229 Houndoom
Field Wild Tera Pokémon - Alfornada CavernSV
0289 Slaking Field Wild Tera Pokémon - North Province (Area Two)SV
0871 Pincurchin Water 1
Amorphous
Wild Tera Pokémon - Glaseado MountainSV
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 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 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
0745 Lycanroc
Lycanroc
Midnight Form
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

Game Base
Power
Max
Power
Base
PP
Max
PP
Base
Accuracy
Max
Accuracy
Range Target Cuts
corners
MDTDS 15 - 7 - 88% - 2 tiles away Enemy Yes
BSL 15 - 7 - 88% - 2 tiles away Enemy Yes
MDGtI 15 99 13 50 75% 98% 2 tiles away Enemy No
SMD 15 50 13 30 75% 98% 2 tiles away Enemy No
With some exceptions, Pokémon learnsets match those from the core series games:

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 8
Energy boost 7
Turns 2
Eligible Pokémon:
Standard eligibility
DugtrioGengarMoltres (Galarian Form)FurretSpindaCacneaCacturneKecleonMismagiusSpiritombPurrloinJoltikFurfrouMeowsticTrevenantYveltalLycanroc (Midday Form)Lycanroc (Dusk Form)MarshadowNickitThievulSinisteaPolteageistImpidimpMorgremGrimmsnarlUrshifu (Single Strike Style)Lokix
By Elite Fast TM
Gastly
By GO Snapshot
Smeargle
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
Trainer Battles
  • September 3, 2024
    • Power: 5 → 8

Pokémon Rumble Rush

Sucker Punch
★★★★
Attack power 34.54797
Charge time 0.54 seconds
Range type Arc (melee)
Number of hits 1
Number of projectiles 1
Critical hit rate 1.5%
Additional effect None

Pokémon UNITE

Sucker Punch
Pokémon Move Icon Image Level Learned Cooldown Description

Absol
7 5s Has the user look for an opening to attack an opposing Pokémon, decreasing the movement speed of the user and the opposing Pokémon for the duration. After a short time, the user charges to attack the opposing Pokémon. However, if the user receives damage or gets attacked before it charges, it attacks immediately, dealing increased damage and shoving the opposing Pokémon.
Upgraded to Sucker Punch+ when the Pokémon reaches Lv. 13.
Upgrade: Increases basic attack speed for a short time when this move hits.

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 animation

Pokémon animated series


Mightyena

Kecleon

Spiritomb

Floragato
The user launches a surprise attack on the target. This move fails if the target is not readying an attack.
Pokémon Method
User First Used In Notes
Mightyena Mightyena runs around the opponent at high speed before suddenly headbutting them.
Hodge's Mightyena Serving Up the Flute Cup! Debut
Kecleon When the opponent is about to attack Kecleon, it suddenly hits them with its tail.
Gizmo's Kecleon Detective Drizzile! None
Liepard When the opponent's back is turned, Liepard suddenly attacks it.
Lyla's Liepard Narrowing the Chaser Chase! None
Spiritomb When the opponent is about to attack, Spiritomb suddenly extends its gaseous body and slams it into the opponent.
Cynthia's Spiritomb Bewitch, Battle, and Bewilder! None
Morgrem When the opponent's back is turned, Morgrem suddenly spins around and hits them with his hair.
Team Rocket's Morgrem Just a Scone's Throw From Here! None
Floragato When the opponent is about to attack, Floragato launches its vine, startling and distracting them. Then, its foot becomes covered in dark purple energy and it suddenly kicks the opponent. If the opponent is not preparing an attack, the move will fail.
Liko's Floragato Shine on, Terastallization! Liko vs. Roy! None
Bombirdier When the opponent is about to attack, Bombirdier suddenly flies over and strikes the opponent with its wing, releasing a burst of dark purple energy upon contact.
A wild Bombirdier Tinkatink's Hammer Wasn't Made in a Day None
Meowscarada When the opponent is about to attack, Meowscarada throws its green flower.
Liko's Meowscarada The Earthshaking White Zygarde None
Bellibolt When the opponent is about to attack, black and red energy appears in front of Bellibolt's body. Then, it fires the energy as a burst at the opponent.
Iono's Bellibolt HZ128 None

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!

In other generations

Core series games

Side series games

Spin-off series games

Trivia

  • Despite its name, Sucker Punch is not a punching move. It is the only move with this distinction.
    • The term "sucker punch" refers to an unexpected or cheap shot at an opponent, akin to its Japanese name「ふいうち」, 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
Hindi सर्प्राइज़ पंच Surprise Punch
Hungarian Váratlan Csapás
Indonesian Pukulan Mendadak
Italian Sbigoattacco
Korean 기습 Giseup
Polish Mylny Cios*
Ssący Cios*
Portuguese Brazil Soco Enganador
Portugal Ataque Surpresa
Russian Подлый Удар Podlyy Udar *
Запрещенный Приём Zapreshchennyy Priyëm
Spanish Golpe Bajo
Thai โจมตีแบบไม่คาดคิด Chomti Baepmaikhatkhit
Turkish Ani Yumruk*
Şaşırtıcı Darbe
Vietnamese Đánh Úp
Variations of the move Sucker Punch
Sucker Punch
Thunderclap
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.