Artwork of a Pikachu using a Z-Move

A Z-Move (Japanese: Ｚワザ Z-Move) is a special type of move introduced in Generation VII, in which a Trainer and their Pokémon's wishes combine to unleash an attack comprising the full power of both. Z-Moves require one of several available Z-Crystals and a Z-RingSM or Z-Power RingUSUM to channel Z-Power through.

They are no longer present in the core series from Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! onwards, but they still appear in some spin-off games, such as Pokémon Masters EX.

In the core series games

Z-Moves are very powerful, but they can only be used once per battle, unless Z-Rotom Power is used.

There are three different kinds of Z-Moves: Z-Moves which can be used by any Pokémon, with one Z-Move for each of the 18 types; status moves that have been turned into Z-Moves by one of the 18 type-specific Z-Crystals; and Z-Moves that can only be used by specific Pokémon. The Z-Move that a Pokémon can perform depends on the Z-Crystal it holds. There are 18 different Z-Crystals that correspond to each of the 18 types, and several others that correspond to specific Pokémon. Z-Moves work by powering up one of the Pokémon's normal moves, so the Pokémon must also know an appropriate move. For the type-related Z-Crystals, the Pokémon must know a move of the same type as the Z-Crystal it is holding. For the Pokémon-specific Z-Crystals, the move required differs for each Pokémon.

A Pokémon can only use a Z-Move if its Trainer is wearing a Z-RingSM or Z-Power RingUSUM and has the same Z-Crystal the Pokémon is holding. Mega Evolved and Primal Pokémon cannot use Z-Moves, even when holding an appropriate Z-Crystal (such as after Transform).

History

Main article: Z-Power

The origins of Z-Power, and by extension, Z-Moves, are largely shrouded in mystery. However, information by Professor Kukui and Professor Burnet indicate that Z-Power may be related to the energy produced by Ultra Wormholes.[1] In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the Ultra Recon Squad reveal that the Z-Power that surrounds the user and their Pokémon when using a Z-Move and the aura that surrounds Totem Pokémon are a result of Necrozma's light shining down on Alola long ago.[2]

Alolan legends found in the Malie Library also indicate that SolgaleoSUS/LunalaMUM gifted the Tapunium Z to the guardian deities after fighting against them. The letter Z found at the start of Z-Move, Z-Power, Z-Ring, and Z-Power Ring comes from the word Zenith (Japanese: ゼンリョク/全力, zenryoku[3] "full power/force"), as the action of performing a Z-Move is done through a Trainer and their Pokémon combining their strength and vigor with one another.

Battle mechanics

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Are Z-Moves always obeyed?

When using a Z-Move in the games, a special cutscene plays, first showing the Trainer performing a certain pose, before shifting to the Pokémon surrounding itself with its Z-Power and executing the Z-Move. This cutscene cannot be deactivated, even if battle animations are turned off.

Z-Moves draw upon the PP of the Pokémon's original moves in order to execute, requiring and consuming PP upon use. When the Z-Move option is chosen in battle, a list of Z-Moves overlays the Pokémon's original list of moves, with each compatible move of the Pokémon's original moves overlain by a Z-Move option that draws upon that move.

Damaging Z-Moves derive their category (physical or special) and power from the base move. For example, a Gigavolt Havoc based on Nuzzle (with a power of 20) will have a power of 100 and be a physical move, while one based on Thunderbolt (with a power of 90) will have a power of 175 and be a special move. If the Pokémon knows more than one compatible move, it will be able to choose among different versions of the Z-Move with different stats, with the instance that has the highest power sparkling. Damaging Z-Moves do not inherit any other properties from the base move, so they have neutral priority and do not have the additional effects of the base move.

Exclusive Z-Moves can be used only by specific Pokémon, and require a specific move to be upgraded. They have a fixed category and power. Exclusive Z-Moves can be used by a Pokémon transformed into an appropriate species regardless of its original species, if it holds the corresponding Z-Crystal; however, if the Pokémon who the move is exclusive to is transformed, it cannot use its own species' exclusive Z-Move unless it is transformed into another Pokémon of the same species.

Damaging Z-Moves bypass accuracy checks to always hit, unless the opponent is in the semi-invulnerable turn of a move such as Dig or Fly. Damaging Z-Moves cannot be fully protected against by protection moves (such as Protect and Spiky Shield), instead dealing 25% of the original damage. The types of damaging Z-Moves are unaffected by type-modifying Abilities (although status Z-Moves' types are). However, their types are affected by Ion Deluge (if the Z-Move would be Normal-type) and Electrify. A Z-Move based on Nature Power will become a damaging Z-Move of the corresponding type based on the terrain, rather than a Z-Status Move.

Z-Moves based on status moves are enhanced versions of the original moves, having a Z- prefixed to the start of the status move's name. While they have the effects of the original status move, the user usually also receives a Z-Power effect (Japanese: Ｚパワーこうか Z-Power effect), which is executed before the move itself. For example, Z-Splash also boosts the user's Attack by 3 stages, while Z-Parting Shot also restores the switch-in ally's HP by 100%. These effects are not affected by Contrary, Simple, or Heal Block.

If a status Z-Move misses, fails (including failure caused by heavy rain, extremely harsh sunlight, or strong winds), or is blocked by a protection move, it still applies its Z-Power effect. Status Z-Moves can be used without regard to the effects of Gravity, but Gravity will still cause them to fail after applying their Z-Power effect (e.g. Z-Magnet Rise will raise the user's evasion but then fail).

Additionally, when used as a Z-Move, most moves that call other moves convert the called move into its corresponding Z-Move, although status moves called this way do not get their Z-Power effect. Moves stolen by Z-Snatch, reflected by Z-Magic Coat, or instructed by Z-Instruct are not turned into Z-Moves.

Z-Moves may be used without regard to the effects of Taunt, Torment, Disable, Encore, Imprison, and Heal Block; however, the Pokémon never has an opportunity to select a Z-Move if it is forced to use Struggle (e.g. if it is affected by Taunt and only knows status moves). Even if the target of Z-Heal Pulse or Z-Floral Healing is affected by Heal Block, that Pokémon's HP is restored.

Like any other move, Z-Moves can be redirected by effects such as Follow Me and Storm Drain. Z-Moves are affected normally by Powder and weather. Weather-changing moves turned into Z-Moves will disappear as usual during, but will apply their Z-Power effects regardless.

If a Pokémon uses a damaging Z-Move on a Pokémon with Cursed Body, that damaging Z-Move can be disabled (with no effect on the base move). However, if Cursed Body would disable a status Z-Move (such as Z-Nature Power), the base status move will be disabled.

Power

With the exceptions of Mega Drain (120), Weather Ball (160), Hex (160), V-create (220), Flying Press (170), and Core Enforcer (140), the powers of the type-specific damaging Z-Moves follow the following conversion table for base moves that have fixed powers and are not multi-hit moves. Struggle has a power of 1 as a Z-Move in the game data, which does not follow this table, but it is not possible to turn Struggle into a Z-Move. Using a one-hit knockout move as the base move results in a Z-Move with a base power of 180.

Base move power	Z-Move power
0-55	100
60-65	120
70-75	140
80-85	160
90-95	175
100	180
110	185
120-125	190
130	195
140+	200

List of Z-Moves

For each type

For specific Pokémon

Z-Power effects of status moves

Move Type Z-Power Effect Detail Swords Dance  Normal  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Whirlwind  Normal  Special Defense ↑ Raises Special Defense by 1 stage Sand Attack  Ground  Evasiveness ↑ Raises evasiveness by 1 stage Tail Whip  Normal  Attack ↑ Raises Attack by 1 stage Leer  Normal  Attack ↑ Raises Attack by 1 stage Growl  Normal  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Roar  Normal  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Sing  Normal  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Supersonic  Normal  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Disable  Normal  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Mist  Ice  Restores HP Fully restores user's HP Leech Seed  Grass  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Growth  Normal  Special Attack ↑ Raises Special Attack by 1 stage Poison Powder  Poison  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Stun Spore  Grass  Special Defense ↑ Raises Special Defense by 1 stage Sleep Powder  Grass  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage String Shot  Bug  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Thunder Wave  Electric  Special Defense ↑ Raises Special Defense by 1 stage Toxic  Poison  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Hypnosis  Psychic  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Meditate  Psychic  Attack ↑ Raises Attack by 1 stage Agility  Psychic  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Teleport  Psychic  Restores HP Fully restores user's HP Mimic  Normal  Accuracy ↑ Raises accuracy by 1 stage Screech  Normal  Attack ↑ Raises Attack by 1 stage Double Team  Normal  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Recover  Normal  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Harden  Normal  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Minimize  Normal  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Smokescreen  Normal  Evasiveness ↑ Raises evasiveness by 1 stage Confuse Ray  Ghost  Special Attack ↑ Raises Special Attack by 1 stage Withdraw  Water  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Defense Curl  Normal  Accuracy ↑ Raises accuracy by 1 stage Barrier  Psychic  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Light Screen  Psychic  Special Defense ↑ Raises Special Defense by 1 stage Haze  Ice  Restores HP Fully restores user's HP Reflect  Psychic  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Focus Energy  Normal  Accuracy ↑ Raises accuracy by 1 stage Metronome  Normal  None Calls a Z-move Mirror Move  Flying  Attack ↑↑ Raises Attack by 2 stages, calls a Z-move Amnesia  Psychic  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Kinesis  Psychic  Evasiveness ↑ Raises evasiveness by 1 stage Soft-Boiled  Normal  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Glare  Normal  Special Defense ↑ Raises Special Defense by 1 stage Poison Gas  Poison  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Lovely Kiss  Normal  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Transform  Normal  Restores HP Fully restores user's HP Spore  Grass  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Flash  Normal  Evasiveness ↑ Raises evasiveness by 1 stage Splash  Normal  Attack ↑↑↑ Raises Attack by 3 stages Acid Armor  Poison  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Rest  Psychic  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Sharpen  Normal  Attack ↑ Raises Attack by 1 stage Conversion  Normal  Stats ↑ Raises Attack, Defense, Sp. Atk, Sp. Def, and Speed by 1 stage Substitute  Normal  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Sketch  Normal  Stats ↑ Raises Attack, Defense, Sp. Atk, Sp. Def, and Speed by 1 stage Spider Web  Bug  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Mind Reader  Normal  Special Attack ↑ Raises Special Attack by 1 stage Nightmare  Ghost  Special Attack ↑ Raises Special Attack by 1 stage Curse  Ghost  Changes depending on the type Fully restores user's HP (Ghost-type) Raises Attack by 1 stage (non Ghost-type) Conversion 2  Normal  Restores HP Fully restores user's HP Cotton Spore  Grass  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Spite  Ghost  Restores HP Fully restores user's HP Protect  Normal  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Scary Face  Normal  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Sweet Kiss  Fairy  Special Attack ↑ Raises Special Attack by 1 stage Belly Drum  Normal  Restores HP Fully restores user's HP Spikes  Ground  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Foresight  Normal  Boosts critical-hit ratio Boosts critical-hit ratio by 2 stages Destiny Bond  Ghost  Center of attention User becomes center of attention Perish Song  Normal  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Detect  Fighting  Evasiveness ↑ Raises evasiveness by 1 stage Lock-On  Normal  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Sandstorm  Rock  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Endure  Normal  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Charm  Fairy  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Swagger  Normal  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Milk Drink  Normal  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Mean Look  Normal  Special Defense ↑ Raises Special Defense by 1 stage Attract  Normal  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Sleep Talk  Normal  Boosts critical-hit ratio Boosts critical-hit ratio by 2 stages, calls a Z-move Heal Bell  Normal  Restores HP Fully restores user's HP Safeguard  Normal  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Pain Split  Normal  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Baton Pass  Normal  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Encore  Normal  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Sweet Scent  Normal  Accuracy ↑ Raises accuracy by 1 stage Morning Sun  Normal  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Synthesis  Grass  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Moonlight  Fairy  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Rain Dance  Water  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Sunny Day  Fire  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Psych Up  Normal  Restores HP Fully restores user's HP Stockpile  Normal  Restores HP Fully restores user's HP Swallow  Normal  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Hail  Ice  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Torment  Dark  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Flatter  Dark  Special Defense ↑ Raises Special Defense by 1 stage Will-O-Wisp  Fire  Attack ↑ Raises Attack by 1 stage Memento  Dark  Restores replacement’s HP Fully restores switched-in ally's HP* Follow Me  Normal  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Nature Power  Normal  None Calls a Z-move Charge  Electric  Special Defense ↑ Raises Special Defense by 1 stage Taunt  Dark  Attack ↑ Raises Attack by 1 stage Helping Hand  Normal  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Trick  Psychic  Speed ↑↑ Raises Speed by 2 stages Role Play  Psychic  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Wish  Normal  Special Defense ↑ Raises Special Defense by 1 stage Assist  Normal  None Calls a Z-move Ingrain  Grass  Special Defense ↑ Raises Special Defense by 1 stage Magic Coat  Psychic  Special Defense ↑↑ Raises Special Defense by 2 stages Recycle  Normal  Speed ↑↑ Raises Speed by 2 stages Yawn  Normal  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Skill Swap  Psychic  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Imprison  Psychic  Special Defense ↑↑ Raises Special Defense by 2 stages Refresh  Normal  Restores HP Fully restores user's HP Grudge  Ghost  Center of attention User becomes center of attention Snatch  Dark  Speed ↑↑ Raises Speed by 2 stages Camouflage  Normal  Evasiveness ↑ Raises evasiveness by 1 stage Tail Glow  Bug  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Feather Dance  Flying  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Teeter Dance  Normal  Special Attack ↑ Raises Special Attack by 1 stage Mud Sport  Ground  Special Defense ↑ Raises Special Defense by 1 stage Slack Off  Normal  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Aromatherapy  Grass  Restores HP Fully restores user's HP Fake Tears  Dark  Special Attack ↑ Raises Special Attack by 1 stage Odor Sleuth  Normal  Attack ↑ Raises Attack by 1 stage Metal Sound  Steel  Special Attack ↑ Raises Special Attack by 1 stage Grass Whistle  Grass  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Tickle  Normal  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Cosmic Power  Psychic  Special Defense ↑ Raises Special Defense by 1 stage Iron Defense  Steel  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Block  Normal  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Howl  Normal  Attack ↑ Raises Attack by 1 stage Bulk Up  Fighting  Attack ↑ Raises Attack by 1 stage Water Sport  Water  Special Defense ↑ Raises Special Defense by 1 stage Calm Mind  Psychic  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Dragon Dance  Dragon  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Roost  Flying  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Gravity  Psychic  Special Attack ↑ Raises Special Attack by 1 stage Miracle Eye  Psychic  Special Attack ↑ Raises Special Attack by 1 stage Healing Wish  Psychic  None None Tailwind  Flying  Boosts critical-hit ratio Boosts critical-hit ratio by 2 stages Acupressure  Normal  Boosts critical-hit ratio Boosts critical-hit ratio by 2 stages Embargo  Dark  Special Attack ↑ Raises Special Attack by 1 stage Psycho Shift  Psychic  Special Attack ↑↑ Raises Special Attack by 2 stages Heal Block  Psychic  Special Attack ↑↑ Raises Special Attack by 2 stages Power Trick  Psychic  Attack ↑ Raises Attack by 1 stage Gastro Acid  Poison  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Lucky Chant  Normal  Evasiveness ↑ Raises evasiveness by 1 stage Me First  Normal  Speed ↑↑ Raises Speed by 2 stages, calls a Z-move Copycat  Normal  Accuracy ↑ Raises accuracy by 1 stage, calls a Z-move Power Swap  Psychic  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Guard Swap  Psychic  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Worry Seed  Grass  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Toxic Spikes  Poison  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Heart Swap  Psychic  Boosts critical-hit ratio Boosts critical-hit ratio by 2 stages Aqua Ring  Water  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Magnet Rise  Electric  Evasiveness ↑ Raises evasiveness by 1 stage Rock Polish  Rock  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Switcheroo  Dark  Speed ↑↑ Raises Speed by 2 stages Nasty Plot  Dark  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Defog  Flying  Accuracy ↑ Raises accuracy by 1 stage Trick Room  Psychic  Accuracy ↑ Raises accuracy by 1 stage Captivate  Normal  Special Defense ↑↑ Raises Special Defense by 2 stages Stealth Rock  Rock  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Defend Order  Bug  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Heal Order  Bug  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Lunar Dance  Psychic  None None Dark Void  Dark  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Hone Claws  Dark  Attack ↑ Raises Attack by 1 stage Wide Guard  Rock  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Guard Split  Psychic  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Power Split  Psychic  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Wonder Room  Psychic  Special Defense ↑ Raises Special Defense by 1 stage Autotomize  Steel  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Rage Powder  Bug  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Telekinesis  Psychic  Special Attack ↑ Raises Special Attack by 1 stage Magic Room  Psychic  Special Defense ↑ Raises Special Defense by 1 stage Quiver Dance  Bug  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Soak  Water  Special Attack ↑ Raises Special Attack by 1 stage Coil  Poison  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Simple Beam  Normal  Special Attack ↑ Raises Special Attack by 1 stage Entrainment  Normal  Special Defense ↑ Raises Special Defense by 1 stage After You  Normal  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Quick Guard  Fighting  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Ally Switch  Psychic  Speed ↑↑ Raises Speed by 2 stages Shell Smash  Normal  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Heal Pulse  Psychic  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Shift Gear  Steel  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Quash  Dark  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Reflect Type  Normal  Special Attack ↑ Raises Special Attack by 1 stage Bestow  Normal  Speed ↑↑ Raises Speed by 2 stages Work Up  Normal  Attack ↑ Raises Attack by 1 stage Cotton Guard  Grass  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Mat Block  Fighting  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Rototiller  Ground  Attack ↑ Raises Attack by 1 stage Sticky Web  Bug  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Trick-or-Treat  Ghost  Stats ↑ Raises Attack, Defense, Sp. Atk, Sp. Def, and Speed by 1 stage Noble Roar  Normal  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Ion Deluge  Electric  Special Attack ↑ Raises Special Attack by 1 stage Forest's Curse  Grass  Stats ↑ Raises Attack, Defense, Sp. Atk, Sp. Def, and Speed by 1 stage Parting Shot  Dark  Restores replacement’s HP Fully restores switched-in ally's HP Topsy-Turvy  Dark  Attack ↑ Raises Attack by 1 stage Crafty Shield  Fairy  Special Defense ↑ Raises Special Defense by 1 stage Flower Shield  Fairy  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Grassy Terrain  Grass  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Misty Terrain  Fairy  Special Defense ↑ Raises Special Defense by 1 stage Electrify  Electric  Special Attack ↑ Raises Special Attack by 1 stage Fairy Lock  Fairy  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage King's Shield  Steel  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Play Nice  Normal  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Confide  Normal  Special Defense ↑ Raises Special Defense by 1 stage Spiky Shield  Grass  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Aromatic Mist  Fairy  Special Defense ↑↑ Raises Special Defense by 2 stages Eerie Impulse  Electric  Special Defense ↑ Raises Special Defense by 1 stage Venom Drench  Poison  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Powder  Bug  Special Defense ↑↑ Raises Special Defense by 2 stages Geomancy  Fairy  Stats ↑ Raises Attack, Defense, Sp. Atk, Sp. Def, and Speed by 1 stage Magnetic Flux  Electric  Special Defense ↑ Raises Special Defense by 1 stage Happy Hour  Normal  Stats ↑ Raises Attack, Defense, Sp. Atk, Sp. Def, and Speed by 1 stage Electric Terrain  Electric  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Celebrate  Normal  Stats ↑ Raises Attack, Defense, Sp. Atk, Sp. Def, and Speed by 1 stage Hold Hands  Normal  Stats ↑ Raises Attack, Defense, Sp. Atk, Sp. Def, and Speed by 1 stage Baby-Doll Eyes  Fairy  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Shore Up  Ground  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Baneful Bunker  Poison  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Floral Healing  Fairy  Reset Stats Resets user's lowered stats Strength Sap  Grass  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage Spotlight  Normal  Special Defense ↑ Raises Special Defense by 1 stage Toxic Thread  Poison  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Laser Focus  Normal  Attack ↑ Raises Attack by 1 stage Gear Up  Steel  Special Attack ↑ Raises Special Attack by 1 stage Psychic Terrain  Psychic  Special Attack ↑ Raises Special Attack by 1 stage Speed Swap  Psychic  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Purify  Poison  Stats ↑ Raises Attack, Defense, Sp. Atk, Sp. Def, and Speed by 1 stage Instruct  Psychic  Special Attack ↑ Raises Special Attack by 1 stage Aurora Veil  Ice  Speed ↑ Raises Speed by 1 stage Tearful Look  Normal  Defense ↑ Raises Defense by 1 stage

In the spin-off games

Pokémon Masters EX

World Cap Pikachu using the sync move Best Buds 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt in Pokémon Masters EX

In Pokémon Masters EX, several sync pairs, mainly those featuring Trainers from Alola, perform a sync move based on a Z-Move. The following sync pairs perform Z-Move-based sync moves:

Trainer	Pokémon	Sync move	Base power	Max power	Additional effect
Scottie/Bettie	Solgaleo	Shining Friendship Sunraze Smash	250	300	(6★ EX effect: Sync moves will target all opposing sync pairs.)
Hau	Raichu ♂ Alola Form	Endless Summer Gigavolt Havoc	250	300	(6★ EX effect: Sync moves will target all opposing sync pairs.)
Sygna Suit Hau	Tapu Koko	Thundering Deity Gigavolt Havoc	200	240	This attack's power increases when the field is Electric Terrain. (6★ EX effect: Sync move power will be multiplied by 1.5.) (EX role effect: Sync moves will target all opposing sync pairs.)
Sophocles	Togedemaru ♀	Whiz Kid Gigavolt Havoc	200	240	This attack’s power increases when the target is flinching.
Mina	Granbull ♂	Wandering Artist Twinkle Tackle	200	240	The more the opponent's Attack is lowered, the greater the power of this move. (6★ EX effect: Sync move power will be multiplied by 1.5.)
Sygna Suit Mina	Tapu Fini	Ocean Colors Twinkle Tackle	250	300	(6★ EX effect: The sync buff is doubled the first time a sync move is used.)
Olivia	Lycanroc ♂ Midnight Form	Shining Gem Continental Crush	250	300	(6★ EX effect: Sync moves will target all opposing sync pairs.)
Hapu	Mudsdale ♂	Ultimately Worthy Tectonic Rage	250	300	(6★ EX effect: Sync moves will target all opposing sync pairs.)
Kahili	Toucannon ♂	Supersonic Skystrike Drive	250	300	No additional effect.
Nanu	Persian ♀ Alola Form	Dark Authority Black Hole Eclipse	200	240	This attack's power increases when the target is flinching.
Acerola	Palossand ♀	Never-Ending Royal Nightmare	200	240	The more the user's Defense is raised, the greater the power of this attack. (6★ EX effect: Sync move power will be multiplied by 1.5.)
Sygna Suit Acerola	Tapu Bulu	Gentle Warning Bloom Doom	250	300	(6★ EX effect: The sync buff is doubled the first time a sync move is used.)
Leaf	Eevee ♂	Endless Possibilities Extreme Evoboost	-	-	Charges the user's move gauge by its current move level. Raises the Attack, Defense, Sp. Atk, Sp. Def, Speed, and accuracy of all allied sync pairs by 2 stat ranks. (6★ EX effect: The sync buff is doubled the first time a sync move is used.)
Kukui	Lycanroc ♂ Midday Form	Island Splintered Stormshards	250	300	Removes the Physical and Special Damage Reduction effects from the opponents’ field of play. (6★ EX effect: Sync move power will be multiplied by 1.5.)
Guzma	Ariados ♂	Shake Things Up Savage Spin-Out	250	300	(6★ EX effect: The sync buff is doubled the first time a sync move is used.) (EX role effect: Sync move power will be multiplied by 1.5.)
Plumeria	Salazzle ♀	Wicked Enforcer Acid Downpour	250	300	(6★ EX effect: Sync moves will target all opposing sync pairs.)
Plumeria	Gengar ♂	Ready to Go Acid Downpour	200	240	The more the user's Speed is raised, the greater the power of this attack. (6★ EX effect: The first time the user’s sync move is used each battle, the sync move countdown is reduced by three.) (EX role effect: Sync move power will be multiplied by 1.5.)
Lusamine	Pheromosa	Motherly Love Savage Spin-Out	250	300	(6★ EX effect: Sync moves will target all opposing sync pairs.)
Sygna Suit Lusamine	Necrozma Ultra Necrozma	Loving Light That Burns the Sky	250	300	Become Ultra Necrozma until the end of battle. (6★ EX effect: Sync moves will target all opposing sync pairs.) (EX role effect: The sync buff is doubled the first time a sync move is used.)
Molayne	Dugtrio ♂ Alola Form	Supernova Corkscrew Crash	250	300	No additional effect.
Mallow	Tsareena ♀	Bold-Flavored Bloom Doom	200	240	This attack's power increases when the target is confused. (6★ EX effect: Sync move power will be multiplied by 1.5.)
Mallow	Shiinotic ♀	Strong Kick to It Bloom Doom	250	300	(6★ EX effect: The sync buff is doubled the first time a sync move is used.)
Selene	Umbreon ♀	Floating High Black Hole Eclipse	200	240	The more the target’s Defense is lowered, the greater the power of this attack. (6★ EX effect: Sync move power will be multiplied by 1.5.) (EX role effect: The sync buff is doubled the first time a sync move is used.)
Elio	Primarina ♂	Sunshine Oceanic Operetta	250	300	(6★ EX effect: The sync buff is doubled the first time a sync move is used.)
Elio	Espeon ♂	Shining High Shattered Psyche	200	240	The more the target’s Sp. Def is lowered, the greater the power of this attack. (6★ EX effect: Sync move power will be multiplied by 1.5.) (EX role effect: The sync buff is doubled the first time a sync move is used.)
Lana	Araquanid ♀	Seaside Sister Hydro Vortex	250	300	(6★ EX effect: The sync buff is doubled the first time a sync move is used.)
Sygna Suit Lana	Tapu Lele	Guileless Jest Shattered Psyche	250	300	(6★ EX effect: Sync moves will target all opposing sync pairs.)
Kiawe	Marowak ♂ Alola Form	Fire Dance Inferno Overdrive	250	300	(6★ EX effect: The sync buff is doubled the first time a sync move is used.)
Kiawe	Arcanine ♂	Dance Together Inferno Overdrive	200	240	This attack’s power increases when the target is burned. (6★ EX effect: Sync move power will be multiplied by 1.5.)
The Masked Royal	Incineroar ♂	Heel Turn Malicious Moonsault	200	240	The more the user's Speed has been raised, the greater the power of this attack. (6★ EX effect: Sync move power will be multiplied by 1.5.)
Ash	Pikachu ♂ World Cap*	Best Buds 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt	250	300	Except in certain circumstances, successful hits with this attack become critical hits. (6★ EX effect: Sync moves will target all opposing sync pairs.)

Pokémon Ga-Olé

Pokémon Mezastar

Super Smash Bros. series

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Incineroar's Final Smash uses the Z-Move Malicious Moonsault.

The Mimikyu summon from a Poké Ball will use the Z-Move Let's Snuggle Forever.

In the TCG

In the Pokémon Trading Card Game, a mechanic similar to Z-Moves, introduced in the Sun & Moon expansion, is a type of attack called attacks. They are distinguished from normal attacks by a "GX" suffix following the attack's name, such as in "Pulverizing Pancake". Only Pokémon are printed with attacks. Z-Crystal cards can allow other Pokemon to use a GX attack printed on the Z-Crystal card if the Pokemon has a move of the correct name.

Like Z-Moves, attacks have very powerful effects compared to those of other attacks. However, each player may only use one GX attack per game. markers are used to denote whether a player has used their GX attack yet. If a player uses a GX attack, their marker is flipped over to expose its reverse side. Some effects check if a player has used a GX attack, either on the previous turn or in the game overall.

A rare few effects, such as that of Misty & Lorelei, allow for a player to use a GX attack even though they have already used a GX attack on a prior turn. When GX attacks are used as the effect of other attacks, such as through Nihilego's Nightcap attack, this still counts as using a GX attack and the GX marker must still be flipped. If the permission to use a GX attack has already been spent, the copied attack has no effect. (Many Sun & Moon series cards are designed to avoid this question. For example, Zoroark-GX's Trickster-GX is already a GX attack and therefore never fails to copy a GX attack due to that player having used a GX attack before Trickster-GX. Another example is that Mimikyu's Copycat is unable to copy GX attacks.)

In the anime

Ash performing the pose for Gigavolt Havoc

Similar to the games, Z-Moves are powerful moves that can be executed by a Pokémon that knows an appropriate move that corresponds to the type of Z-Crystal on the Trainer's Z-Ring. Z-Moves were first featured in Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon in episode Alola to New Adventure!, where Kiawe and his Turtonator used Inferno Overdrive, with the help of Kiawe's Z-Ring and Firium Z, to defeat Zipp's Yungoos, Tupp's Salandit, and Rapp's Zubat.

According to Professor Kukui in Alola to New Adventure!, only Trainers who are successful in the island challenge can use Z-Moves. As seen with Ash's Rowlet in Young Kiawe Had a Farm!, Z-Moves drain a lot of the Pokémon's energy, but with adequate training, the Pokémon can reduce the amount of energy necessary to execute a Z-Move. In a similar manner, in Balloons, Brionne, and Belligerence!, Lana's Popplio failed its first attempt at Hydro Vortex since it was not strong enough to execute the move. In Showdown on Poni Island!, Gladion's Lycanroc, having endured Ash's Lycanroc's Splintered Stormshards, was able to take advantage of its opponent's fatigue by finishing it with a Z-Move of its own.

Due to their vast blast radius and power, they can usually be used to wipe out many targets at once, like in a Battle Royal. Typically, bipedal or semi-bipedal Pokémon with arm-like forelimbs tend to mimic the poses of their Trainer during the activation. On the other hand, quadrupeds and the like, whose forelimbs show no manual dexterity, tend to stay still and wait until the activation is completed before acting.

As revealed in A Battle Hand-Off!, a Pokémon using a Z-Move can receive Z-Power from multiple other people and Pokémon provided they do the Z-Move pose as well. In Heart of Fire! Heart of Stone!, Brock helped Olivia and her Lycanroc use a variation of Continental Crush he named Continental Crush on You (Japanese: ワールズエンドフォーリンラブ World's End Fall in Love).

In Filling the Light with Darkness!, an Ultra Wormhole sucked away Ultra Aura from Alola, weakening everyone's Z-Moves to almost unusable levels until Necrozma had left the dimension. In Parallel Friendships!, Dia revealed that the use of Z-Moves had become impossible in the Ultra Ruin after the dimension's Tapu Koko left, indicating that a guardian deity's presence is necessary for the use of Z-Moves. However, this didn't stop Z-Moves from being used outside of Alola in Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon and Pokémon Journeys: The Series. In All Out, All of the Time!, it was emphasized that a Trainer and their Pokémon's hearts must be in perfect sync in order for a Z-Move to properly succeed.

Ash first performed a Z-Move in The Guardian's Challenge!, with his Pikachu using Gigavolt Havoc thanks to the Z-Ring and Electrium Z Ash had received from Tapu Koko. After using the attack, however, the Electrium Z shattered, preventing Ash from using the move again until he obtained a new Electrium Z in Trial and Tribulation!.

In the Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, and Thai versions, when a Z-Move is used, the name of the specific move is shown, like in the games; however, the names are removed in most other dubs.

List of Z-Moves used in the anime

Pokémon		Trainer/ Partner	Z-Move	Pose	Image	Debut
	Turtonator	Kiawe	Inferno Overdrive			Alola to New Adventure!
	Pikachu	Ash	Gigavolt Havoc			The Guardian's Challenge!
	Hariyama	Hala	All-Out Pummeling			Trial and Tribulation!
	Pikachu	Ash	Breakneck Blitz			Trial and Tribulation!
	Rowlet	Ash	Breakneck Blitz			Young Kiawe Had a Farm!
	Rockruff	Ash	Breakneck Blitz			A Guardian Rematch!
	Lycanroc	Gladion	Continental Crush			A Glaring Rivalry!
	Snorlax	Oluolu	Pulverizing Pancake			Pulling Out the Pokémon Base Pepper!
	Marshadow	None	Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike			I Choose You!
	Litten	Ash	Breakneck Blitz			Currying Favor and Flavor!
	Lycanroc	Olivia	Continental Crush			Trials and Determinations!
	Rowlet	Ash	Bloom Doom			Trials and Determinations!
	Lycanroc	Ash	Continental Crush			Mimikyu Unmasked!
	Brionne	Ida	Hydro Vortex			Balloons, Brionne, and Belligerence!
	Popplio	Lana	Hydro Vortex			Balloons, Brionne, and Belligerence!
	Nebby	Ash	Searing Sunraze Smash			Revealing the Stuff of Legend!
	Pikachu (Alola Cap)	Ash	10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt			10,000,000 Reasons to Fight!
	Incineroar	Professor Kukui/ The Masked Royal	Malicious Moonsault			Pushing the Fiery Envelope!
	Eevee	Ilima	Extreme Evoboost			Turning Heads and Training Hard!
	Alolan Marowak	Kiawe	Inferno Overdrive			The Young Flame Strikes Back!
	Mareanie	James	Black Hole Eclipse			Why Not Give Me a Z-Ring Sometime?
	Mimikyu	Jessie	Let's Snuggle Forever			A Battle Hand-Off!
	Alolan Persian	Nanu	Black Hole Eclipse			Guiding an Awakening!
	Lycanroc	Ash	Splintered Stormshards			Twirling with a Bang!
	Silvally	Gladion	Breakneck Blitz			The Prism Between Light and Darkness!
	Lunala	Gladion	Menacing Moonraze Maelstrom			Securing the Future!
	Boss	Pikala	Catastropika			A Plethora of Pikachu!
	Zeraora	Dia	Gigavolt Havoc			Parallel Friendships!
	Lycanroc	Gladion	Devastating Drake			Showdown on Poni Island!
	Primarina	Ida	Oceanic Operetta			Evolving Research!
	Charizard	Kiawe	Supersonic Skystrike			Run, Heroes, Run!
	Mudsdale	Hapu	Tectonic Rage			A Grand Debut!
	Pikachu	Ash	Corkscrew Crash			The Dealer of Destruction!
	Primarina	Lana	Oceanic Operetta			A Fiery Training Camp Trick!
	Vikavolt	Sophocles	Savage Spin-Out			A Fiery Training Camp Trick!
	Torracat	Ash	Inferno Overdrive			A Timeless Encounter!
	Snowy	Lillie	Subzero Slammer			Chasing Memories, Creating Dreams!
	Tsareena	Mallow	Bloom Doom			Battling Besties!
	Decidueye	Hau	Sinister Arrow Raid			Imitation Is the Sincerest Form of Strategy!
	Zoroark	Gladion	Never-Ending Nightmare			Enter the Champion!
	Naganadel	The Masked Royal	Gigavolt Havoc			Z-Move Showdown!
	Incineroar	Professor Kukui	Inferno Overdrive			Fiery Surprises!
	Tapu Koko	Professor Kukui	Guardian of Alola			From Z to Shining Z!
	Charizard	Kiawe	Inferno Overdrive			Dreams of the Sun and Moon!
	Kommo-o	All-Out Brothers	Clangorous Soulblaze			All Out, All of the Time!
	Pikachu (World Cap)	Ash	10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt			Ultra Exciting from the Shocking Start!

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon arc

Z-Moves first appeared in this arc. Olivia had her Lycanroc use Continental Crush while Nanu had his Alolan Persian use Black Hole Eclipse during an exhibition match against each other. Hala stepped in to stop both Pokémon before either could successfully use their moves.

During his battle against Gladion in an Iki Town festival tournament, Sun inadvertently used a Z-Move with his Dollar, allowing it to defeat Gladion's Type: Null with an incomplete version of Inferno Overdrive. Due to not knowing how to use Z-Moves at the time, Sun received Z-Power from a nearby Ultra Wormhole instead of building it up with a pose. Later, he was taught how to properly perform Z-Moves by Kiawe in order to battle Gladion a second time. With his newly obtained Z-Ring, Sun and Dollar successfully used Inferno Overdrive properly.

At Mount Lanakila, Ilima, Lana, Kiawe, Mallow, Sophocles, Molayne, Mina, and Hapu were attacked by a group of Aether Foundation Employees and their Ultra Beasts. With the power of their barrage of Z-Moves, the Ultra Beasts were defeated one by one.

List of Z-Moves used

Movie adaptations

Ash and his Pikachu performed the 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt Z-Move in ICYR1 during a battle against a Totem Kommo-o.

Marshadow and Ken performed the Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike Z-Move in ICYR2 in order to defeat Borosue.

Pokémon Horizon

Pokémon Journeys: The Series

Ash and his Pikachu performed the Z-Move, 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt in Ultra Exciting from the Shocking Start! & Trial on a Golden Scale! (Part 2) during a World Coronation Series battle against Volkner's Electivire.

Gallery

Artwork

Game art

Concept art

Trivia

Early Z-Power design

• Internal data in the games also refer to Z-Move as ZenryokuWaza, which literally means "full-powered move".
• Roster -Behind the Scene- #2 GAME FREAK, a video focusing on the sound and music design of Sun and Moon, show cases an early build from 2015. In this build, another symbol is used rather than the usual Z-Power symbol used in the final version.
• Some animations and effects when using a Z-Move bear similarities to Spectacular Talent animations used in Pokémon Contest Spectaculars from Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.
• No NPC Trainer has a Pokémon holding a Z-Crystal for an exclusive Z-Move.
• No Pokémon with an exclusive Z-Move is capable of Mega Evolution.
• Electric and Ghost have the most Z-Moves out of any type, with both having four.
• Overall, six Z-Moves haven't appeared in the anime: Acid Downpour, Shattered Psyche, Twinkle Tackle, Stoked Sparksurfer, Genesis Supernova, and Light That Burns the Sky.
• Despite Z-Moves being unusable in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Iono briefly mentions 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt, the exclusive move for Pikachu in a cap.[4]
  • In Iono's dialogue, the Z-Move's name is misspelled as 10,000,000-volt Thunderbolt.

In other languages

See also

References

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