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Pokémon Sword and Shield are here at last! The latest Pokémon adventure has arrived for Nintendo Switch, and along with a bunch of new Pokémon (some of which are version exclusives or require new methods to evolve) and new Abilities, the games have added 35 new moves/attacks to the series. In addition to those 35 are 18 “Max Moves” — moves only usable while a Pokémon is in Dynamax form — and 26 “G-Max Moves” — moves only usable while a Pokémon is Gigantamaxed.

Check out all the new regular moves/attacks, “Max Moves,” and “G-Max Moves” below!

 

New moves/attacks

 

Pokémon Sword and Shield adds 35 new regular moves/attacks to the series. Check them out!

 

Move NameTypeCategoryBase PowerAccuracyPPDescription
Dynamax CannonDragonSpecial1001005The user unleashes a strong beam from its core. This move deals twice the damage if the target is Dynamaxed.
Snipe ShotWaterSpecial8010015The user ignores the effects of opposing Pokémon's moves and Abilities that draw in moves, allowing this move to hit the chosen target.
Jaw LockDarkPhysical8010010This move prevents the user and the target from switching out until either of them faints. The effect goes away if either of the Pokémon leaves the field.
Stuff CheeksNormalOther--10110The user eats its held Berry, then sharply raises its Defense stat.
No RetreatFightingOther--1015This move raises all the user's stats but prevents the user from switching out or fleeing.
Tar ShotRockOther--10015The user pours sticky tar over the target, lowering the target's Speed stat. The target becomes weaker to Fire-type moves.
Magic PowderPsychicOther--10020The user scatters a cloud of magic powder that changes the target to Psychic type.
Dragon DartsDragonPhysical5010010The user attacks twice using Dreepy. If there are two targets, this move hits each target once.
TeatimeNormalOther--10110The user has teatime with all the Pokémon in the battle. Each Pokémon eats its held Berry.
OctolockFightingOther--10015The user locks the target in and prevents it from fleeing. This move also lowers the target's Defense and Sp. Def every turn.
Bolt BeakElectricPhysical8510010The user stabs the target with its electrified beak. If the user attacks before the target, the power of this move is doubled.
Fishious RendWaterPhysical8510010The user rends the target with its hard gills. If the user attacks before the target, the power of this move is doubled.
Court ChangeNormalOther--10010With its mysterious power, the user swaps the effects on either side of the field.
Clangorous SoulDragonOther--1005The user raises all its stats by using some of its HP.
Body PressFightingPhysical8010010The user attacks by slamming its body into the target. The higher the user's Defense, the more damage it can inflict on the target.
DecorateFairyOther--10115The user sharply raises the target's Attack and Sp. Atk stats by decorating the target.
Drum BeatingGrassPhysical8010010The user plays its drum, controlling the drum's roots to attack the target. This also lowers the target's Speed stat.
Snap TrapGrassFighting3510015The user snares the target in a snap trap for four to five turns.
Pyro BallFirePhysical120905The user attacks by igniting a small stone and launching it as a fiery ball at the target. This may also leave the target with a burn.
Behemoth BladeSteelPhysical1001005The user becomes a gigantic sword and cuts the target. This move deals twice the damage if the target is Dynamaxed.
Behemoth BashSteelPhysical1001005The user becomes a gigantic shield and slams into the target. This move deals twice the damage if the target is Dynamaxed.
Aura WheelElectricPhysical11010010Morpeko attacks and raises its Speed with the energy stored in its cheeks. This move's type changes depending on the user's form.
Breaking SwipeDragonPhysical6010015The user swings its tough tail wildly and attacks opposing Pokémon. This also lowers their Attack stats.
Branch PokeGrassPhysical4010040The user attacks the target by poking it with a sharply pointed branch.
OverdriveElectricSpecial8010010The user attacks opposing Pokémon by twanging a guitar or bass guitar, causing a huge echo and strong vibration.
Apple AcidGrassSpecial8010010The user attacks the target with an acidic liquid created from tart apples. This also lowers the target's Sp. Def stat.
Grav AppleGrassPhysical8010010The user inflicts damage by dropping an apple from high above. This also lowers the target's Defense stat.
Spirit BreakFairyPhysical7510015The user attacks the target with so much force that it could break the target's spirit. This also lowers the target's Sp. Atk stat.
Strange SteamFairySpecial909510The user attacks the target by emitting steam. This may also confuse the target.
Life DewWaterOther--10110The user scatters mysterious water around and restores the HP of itself and its ally Pokémon in the battle.
ObstructDarkOther--10010This move enables the user to protect itself from all attacks. Its chance of failing rises if it is used in succession. Direct contact harshly lowers the attacker's Defense stat.
False SurrenderDarkPhysical8010110The user pretends to bow its head, but then it stabs the target with its disheveled hair. This attack never misses.
Meteor AssaultFightingPhysical1501005The user attacks wildly with its thick leek. The user can't move on the next turn, because the force of this move makes it stagger.
EternabeamDragonSpecial160905This is Eternatus's most powerful attack in its original form. The user can't move on the next turn.
Steel BeamSteelSpecial140955The user fires a beam of steel that it collected from its entire body. This also damages the user.

 

Max Moves

 

While Dynamaxed, Pokémon will receive “Max Moves” based on the regular moves in its move set. For example, the Fire-Type move Flamethrower would become Max Flare, while the Electric-Type move Thunderbolt would become Max Lightning. Like Z-Moves in past Pokémon games, the damage of Max Moves varies depending on the base damage of the move it’s based on.

 

Move NameTypeCategoryBase PowerAccuracyPPDescription
Max FlareFirePhysical--10110This is a Fire-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. The user intensifies the sun for five turns.
Max FlutterbyBugPhysical--10110This is a Bug-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. This lowers the target's Sp. Atk stat.
Max LightningElectricPhysical--10110This is an Electric-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. The user turns the ground into Electric Terrain for five turns.
Max StrikeNormalPhysical--10110This is a Normal-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. This lowers the target's Speed stat.
Max KnuckleFightingPhysical--10110This is a Fighting-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. This raises ally Pokémon's Attack stats.
Max PhantasmGhostPhysical--10110This is a Ghost-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. This lowers the target's Defense stat.
Max HailstormIcePhysical--10110This is an Ice-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. The user summons a hailstorm lasting five turns.
Max OozePoisonPhysical--10110This is a Poison-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. This raises ally Pokémon's Sp. Atk stats.
Max GeyserWaterPhysical--10110This is a Water-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. The user summons a heavy rain that falls for five turns.
Max AirstreamFlyingPhysical--10110This is a Flying-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. This raises ally Pokémon's Speed stats.
Max StarfallFairyPhysical--10110This is a Fairy-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. The user turns the ground into Misty Terrain for five turns.
Max WyrmwindDragonPhysical--10110This is a Dragon-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. This lowers the target's Attack stat.
Max MindstormPsychicPhysical--10110This is a Psychic-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. The user turns the ground into Psychic Terrain for five turns.
Max RockfallRockPhysical--10110This is a Rock-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. The user summons a sandstorm lasting five turns.
Max QuakeGroundPhysical--10110This is a Ground-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. This raises ally Pokémon's Sp. Def stats.
Max DarknessDarkPhysical--10110This is a Dark-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. This lowers the target's Sp. Def stat.
Max OvergrowthGrassPhysical--10110This is a Grass-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. The user turns the ground into Grassy Terrain for five turns.
Max SteelspikeSteelPhysical--10110This is a Steel-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. This raises ally Pokémon's Defense stats.

 

G-Max Moves

 

“G-Max Moves” can only be used by Gigantamaxed Pokémon, with a unique move for each type of Pokémon that can Gigantamax. Learn which Pokémon can use which G-Max Move by checking the “Description” column.

 

Move NameTypeCategoryBase PowerAccuracyPPDescription
G-Max Wildfire--10110A Fire-type attack that Gigantamax Charizard use. This move continues to deal damage to opponents for four turns.
G-Max Befuddle--10110A Bug-type attack that Gigantamax Butterfree use. This move inflicts the poisoned, paralyzed, or asleep status condition on opponents.
G-Max Volt Crash--10110An Electric-type attack that Gigantamax Pikachu use. This move paralyzes opponents.
G-Max Gold Rush--10110A Normal-type attack that Gigantamax Meowth use. This move confuses opponents and also earns extra money.
G-Max Chi Strike--10110A Fighting-type attack that Gigantamax Machamp use. This move raises the chance of critical hits.
G-Max Terror--10110A Ghost-type attack that Gigantamax Gengar use. This Pokémon steps on the opposing Pokémon's shadow to prevent them from escaping.
G-Max Resonance--10110An Ice-type attack that Gigantamax Lapras use. This move reduces the damage received for five turns.
G-Max Cuddle--10110A Normal-type attack that Gigantamax Eevee use. This move infatuates opponents.
G-Max Replenish--10110A Normal-type attack that Gigantamax Snorlax use. This move restores Berries that have been eaten.
G-Max Malodor--10110A Poison-type attack that Gigantamax Garbodor use. This move poisons opponents.
G-Max Stonesurge--10110A Water-type attack that Gigantamax Drednaw use. This move scatters sharp rocks around the field.
G-Max Wind Rage--10110A Flying-type attack that Gigantamax Corviknight use. This move removes the effects of moves like Reflect and Light Screen.
G-Max Stun Shock--10110An Electric-type attack that Gigantamax Toxtricity use. This move poisons or paralyzes opponents.
G-Max Finale--10110A Fairy-type attack that Gigantamax Alcremie use. This move heals the HP of allies.
G-Max Depletion--10110A Dragon-type attack that Gigantamax Duraludon use. Reduces the PP of the last move used.
G-Max Gravitas--10110A Psychic-type attack that Gigantamax Orbeetle use. This move changes gravity for five turns.
G-Max Volcalith--10110A Rock-type attack that Gigantamax Coalossal use. This move continues to deal damage to opponents for four turns.
G-Max Sandblast--10110A Ground-type attack that Gigantamax Sandaconda use. Opponents are trapped in a raging sandstorm for four to five turns.
G-Max Snooze--10110A Dark-type attack that Gigantamax Grimmsnarl use. The user lets loose a huge yawn that lulls the targets into falling asleep on the next turn.
G-Max Tartness--10110A Grass-type attack that Gigantamax Flapple use. This move reduces the opponents' evasiveness.
G-Max Sweetness--10110A Grass-type attack that Gigantamax Appletun use. This move heals the status conditions of allies.
G-Max Smite--10110A Fairy-type attack that Gigantamax Hatterene use. This move confuses opponents.
G-Max Steelsurge--10110A Steel-type attack that Gigantamax Copperajah use. This move scatters sharp spikes around the field.
G-Max Meltdown--10110A Steel-type attack that Gigantamax Melmetal use. This move makes opponents incapable of using the same move twice in a row.
G-Max Foam Burst--10110A Water-type attack that Gigantamax Kingler use. This move harshly lowers the Speed of opponents.
G-Max Centiferno--10110A Fire-type attack that Gigantamax Centiskorch use. This move traps opponents in flames for four to five turns.

 


 

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Written by Daniel Dell-Cornejo

Daniel is an editor at Nintendo Wire. Always with his head in the clouds, he is never apart from his creative thoughts – a blessing for an aspiring fiction writer. As a journalist and lifelong gamer, he aims to provide readers with the very best in Nintendo coverage.