AmongPokemon’svast repertoire of attacks are distinct moves that naturally cluster together into smaller groups. One such group, typically associated with Fighting-type Pokemon, is the subcategory of punching moves.
First introduced to the series in generation three, punching moves are known to be entirely physical type attacks. The moves themselves span different types, while also introducing a variety of secondary effects – some of which are particularly beneficial in competitive play acrossPokemon’sdifferent games.
To date, players have seen the game developers introduce over 20 different punching moves, as well as abilities andheld items that make these moves an even greater threat. Naturally, this makes the best punching Pokemon moves an area of useful exploration.
A Sinister Signature Move
Wicked Blow is a signature attack belonging to Urshifu – the legendaryFighting-typePokemon that was first introduced in thePokemon Sword and Pokemon ShieldDLC, The Isle of Armor. Compared to the signature moves of other legendary Pokemon, this Dark-type attack can at first appear slightly underwhelming, dealing middle-of-the-road 75 base damage.
However, it is Wicked Blow’s secondary effect, coupled with the sensei-like ability Urshifu possesses, that makes it truly useful. Wicked Blow is guaranteed to land as a critical hit, and Urshifu’s ability Unseen Fist allows it to deal damage with attacks that make direct contact, even if the target defends itself by using moves such as Protect. This is what makes it so masterful.
A Strike Towards The Sky
This attack sends a fist flying towards the sky, doing a respectable 85 damage. In addition, Sky Uppercut can hit opposition Pokemon even during the semi-invulnerable turns of Fly, Bounce, and Sky Drop. While moves that make Pokemon semi-invulnerable don’t see huge amounts of use in competitive play, they tend to feature during thePokemonmainstream game storylines, giving Sky Uppercut a time and place to be used.
This means that the likes of Blaziken, Lucario, and Hitmonchan, for example, can all make adept use of Sky Uppercut to help slightly negate the threat of Flying-type Pokemon, while also gaining that additional Fighting-type STAB damage to offer a potent punching threat.
8Rage Fist
A Reactionary Move For Primeape and Annihilape
Rage Fist, the signature attack ofthe Annihilape evolutionary line, is etched into the very method that allows the player’s Primeape to take its next form, given players must use the move 20 times before gaining the opportunity.
In battle, Rage Fist does a base 50 damage, however it has huge potential beyond this. Every time Primeape or Annihilape gets hit by an attack from the opponent – or an ally Pokemon – Rage Fist gains an extra 50 base damage. What makes this move even more dangerous is that any boosts gained during the battle remain after Primeape and Annihilape switch out, or even faint and revive. This is a nice nod to the everlasting rage of this Pokemon line.
7Shadow Punch
Never Miss With This Spooky Strike
The 101% accuracy may look like a mistake, but this in fact means that Shadow Punch is an attack that cannot miss.Lowering accuracy or increasing evasivenessis futile as Shadow Punch is guaranteed to hit unless the Pokemon protects itself.
This makes this Ghost-type move extremely useful for physical attackers, such as Annihilape and Golurk, who can add Shadow Punch to their movesets to offset the threat of stat setups by the opponent Pokemon. An unmissable 60-base power attack is a neat option to have in the arsenal.
6Surging Strikes
A Flowing Attack That Hits Three Times
Urshifu, the rapid strike Pokemon, has several signature moves, and Surging Strikes is a key one of these. This physical attack is Water-type, leaning into the user’s dual Water-Fighting type status.
It is such a usable move, in part because of this STAB bonus, but also because of its effects. The move strikes three times, doing 25 damage on each occasion in a single turn. Each of these strikes lands as a critical hit with unerring accuracy. This is made further impressive when combined with Urshifu’s ability, which allows the Pokemon to bypass blocks such as Protect.
5Focus Punch
Calm The Mind Before Unleashing Fury
Focus Punch is the strongest punching moveto have been released to date, and is an attack that can do devastating damage, provided players surround the user with the opportune conditions.
This is because the user needs to focus their mind for one turn before launching the attack. If the user is hit during the turn when it is channeling energy, the attack fails, and the user flinches. The reward, if players get it right, is an attack that does an incredible 150 damage. Ways to navigate this include using a Substitute setup, predicting a switch, or the use of a status move.
A Good Chance To Show Some Mettle
Meteor Mash is a solid Steel-type attack. By punching the opponent’s Pokemon with the power of a meteor, this move does a hefty 90 base damage, without any detrimental self-impact. In fact, there’s a 20% chance that Meteor Mash has the added effect of boosting the user’s attack stat by one stage.
The Pokemon that can learn this move is ultimately a select group that includes the Mythical Pokemon Jirachi, the pseudo-legendary Metagross,the poster Pokemon Lucario, as well as the line that is synonymous with a full moon, Clefable. This means that almost all of them will receive that added STAB damage.
3Hammer Arm
A Slam Before Losing Speed
This brutal bash with a fist is a solid move in thePokemongames. It allows the user to deal out a hefty 100 damage while maintaining pretty impressive accuracy. Of course, the downside is that it lowers the user’s speed stat by one stage. However, some users can tolerate this secondary effect because of their substantial bulk, or their already-low base speed stat.
To this effect, there is a long list of Pokemon that can learn this Hammer Arm by leveling up. This includes traditional Fighting-types such as Conkeldurr, as well as Pokemon that players would perhaps associate less with a swinging punch, such as Sudowoodo.
2Power-up Punch
Low Base Power, High Future Potential
Power-up Punch is a punching move that on the surface deals a low level of damage; compared to other heavy hitters, 40 isn’t much to take off the opponent’s HP. However, this move comes into its own because of its secondary effect, which says that upon hitting the target, the user’s attack stat will raise one stage. This occurs indefinitely upon use until the user maxes out.
Users of Power-up Punch, such as Lucario, already have impressive attack stats. So, if players can find a way to land a few punches in a row, toughing up their Pokemon’s knuckles, then the sweep may be on in battle.
1Drain Punch
Hit And Heal At The Same Time
Launching a punch in battle may often seem like an all-out attack, but Drain Punch flies in the face of this theory. While doing a respectable 75 damage, it also allows the user to heal its HP by half the damage it deals.
For bulky Pokemon such as Blissey, Seismitoad, and even defense-form Deoxys, this is auseful way to lean into a stall strategy, claiming back crucial HP while chipping away at the opposition. Of course, if players land Drain Punch as a super effective hit, there’s a good chance of claiming substantial HP back.
