Close Combat
FightingStrong Fighting attack that lowers the user's Defense and Special Defense.
Technical data
- Type
- Fighting
- Category
- physical
- Power
- 120
- Accuracy
- 100
- PP
- 5
- Priority
- 0
- Target
- adjacent
- Contact
- Yes
- Spread
- No
- Protect blocks
- Yes
- Wide Guard blocks
- No
Competitive value
High-damage STAB for physical breakers, at a defensive cost.
How to learn it
Pokémon that can learn or be taught this move, by method.
Level-up81 Pokémon
Blaziken Mega
Heracross Mega
Gallade Mega
Scizor Mega
Falinks Mega
Kommo O Totem
Kommo O
Lucario Mega Z
Lucario Mega
Crabominable Mega
Infernape
Lopunny Mega
Quaquaval
Machamp Gmax
Machamp
Staraptor Mega
Blaziken
Tauros Paldea Aqua Breed
Heracross
Tauros Paldea Blaze Breed
Tauros Paldea Combat Breed
Scizor
Passimian
Falinks
Crabominable
Gallade
Sneasler
Lucario
Annihilape
Toxicroak
Kleavor
Lopunny
Staraptor
TM / HM174 Pokémon
Incineroar
Blaziken Mega
Hawlucha Mega
Heracross Mega
Chesnaught Mega
Gallade Mega
Scizor Mega
Falinks Mega
Eelektross Mega
Pinsir Mega
Emboar Mega
Kommo O
Sharpedo Mega
Lucario Mega Z
Lucario Mega
Scrafty Mega
Palafin Hero
Crabominable Mega
Infernape
Lopunny Mega
Golurk Mega
Arcanine
Quaquaval
Decidueye Hisui
Machamp Gmax
Machamp
Staraptor Mega
Aegislash Blade
Ceruledge
Blaziken
Absol Mega
Tauros Paldea Aqua Breed
Beartic
Absol Mega Z
Heracross
Lycanroc Dusk
Tauros Paldea Blaze Breed
Lycanroc Midnight
Tauros Paldea Combat Breed
Lycanroc Midday
Scizor
Passimian
Conkeldurr
Arcanine Hisui
Chesnaught
Eelektross
Krookodile
Emboar
Falinks
Crabominable
Scrafty
Aegislash Shield
Decidueye
Gallade
Sneasler
Lucario
Pinsir
Sharpedo
Tauros
Toxicroak
Hawlucha
Tyrantrum
Medicham Mega
Mudsdale
Kleavor
Absol
Lopunny
Pangoro
Palafin Zero
Staraptor
Golurk
Medicham
Egg move (breeding)9 Pokémon
Pinsir Mega
Pinsir
Pokémon that use this move
177 Pokémon, sorted by usage
Incineroar
Blaziken Mega
Hawlucha Mega
Heracross Mega
Chesnaught Mega
Gallade Mega
Scizor Mega
Falinks Mega
Kommo O Totem
Eelektross Mega
Pinsir Mega
Emboar Mega
Kommo O
Sharpedo Mega
Lucario Mega Z
Lucario Mega
Scrafty Mega
Palafin Hero
Crabominable Mega
Infernape
Lopunny Mega
Golurk Mega
Arcanine
Quaquaval
Decidueye Hisui
Machamp Gmax
Machamp
Staraptor Mega
Aegislash Blade
Ceruledge
Blaziken
Absol Mega
Tauros Paldea Aqua Breed
Beartic
Absol Mega Z
Heracross
Lycanroc Dusk
Tauros Paldea Blaze Breed
Lycanroc Midnight
Tauros Paldea Combat Breed
Lycanroc Midday
Scizor
Passimian
Conkeldurr
Arcanine Hisui
Chesnaught
Eelektross
Krookodile
Emboar
Falinks
Crabominable
Scrafty
Aegislash Shield
Decidueye
Gallade
Sneasler
Lucario
Annihilape
Pinsir
Sharpedo
Tauros
Toxicroak
Hawlucha
Tyrantrum
Medicham Mega
Mudsdale
Kleavor
Absol
Lopunny
Pangoro
Palafin Zero
Staraptor
Golurk
Medicham
What this move does
Close Combat is a Fighting-type physical attack. It has 120 base power, 100% accuracy, 5 PP and targets a single adjacent target. It makes contact, which matters for abilities and items that trigger on contact. Strong Fighting attack that lowers the user's Defense and Special Defense.
High-damage STAB for physical breakers, at a defensive cost.
When to consider it
Consider Close Combat when its type and power cover targets your team otherwise struggles with. Single-target attacks are reliable and do not risk your own partner, but they can be redirected by Follow Me or Rage Powder. Evaluate the move alongside your team's speed tiers and overall coverage.
How to evaluate it in team building
In team building, Close Combat is usually a coverage or primary STAB option. It shines when your team already has speed control or when it patches a matchup hole. Compare it with alternative moves of the same type and category to decide whether the extra power, accuracy or side effect justifies the slot over a more defensive option.
Common mistakes
Common mistakes with Close Combat include: Using it without a clear plan for the turns it creates. Forgetting that Protect and Detect can block it, wasting a key turn. Spamming it predictably and letting the opponent switch into a resist. Not considering how redirectors like Follow Me and Rage Powder change targeting.
VGC interactions
Protect and Detect block this move. These interactions are situational, so test them in the team builder and matchup analyzer before committing to the moveslot.
Related tools and guides
Use the tools below to test Close Combat in a full team context and compare it with alternative options.
VGC interactions
- Protect / Detect: blocks this move.
- Wide Guard: does not block this move.
- Follow Me / Rage Powder: spread moves are not redirected.
- Quick Guard: no effect (non-priority).
Frequently asked questions
+Is Close Combat good in VGC?
High-damage STAB for physical breakers, at a defensive cost.
+Is Close Combat affected by Protect?
Yes, Close Combat is blocked by Protect and Detect.