Counter
FightingCounter is a Fighting-type physical attack. It has — base power, 100% accuracy, 20 PP and targets the user. It has negative priority (-5), so it usually moves last. It makes contact, which matters for contact-triggering abilities and items.
Technical data
- Type
- Fighting
- Category
- physical
- Power
- —
- Accuracy
- 100
- PP
- 20
- Priority
- -5
- Target
- self
- Contact
- Yes
- Spread
- No
- Protect blocks
- Yes
- Wide Guard blocks
- No
Competitive value
A coverage or STAB option worth comparing with alternatives of the same type in the team builder.
How to learn it
Pokémon that can learn or be taught this move, by method.
Level-up71 Pokémon
Heracross Mega
Falinks Mega
Charizard Mega Y
Charizard Mega X
Lucario Mega Z
Lucario Mega
Charizard Gmax
Machamp Gmax
Machamp
Charizard
Heracross
Lycanroc Dusk
Lycanroc Midnight
Falinks
Lucario
Annihilape
Medicham Mega
Mudsdale
Medicham
TM / HM67 Pokémon
Slowbro Mega
Blastoise Mega
Charizard Mega Y
Charizard Mega X
Gengar Mega
Kangaskhan Mega
Snorlax
Alakazam Mega
Blastoise Gmax
Charizard Gmax
Machamp Gmax
Machamp
Gengar Gmax
Blastoise
Gengar
Charizard
Alakazam
Kangaskhan
Clefable Mega
Snorlax Gmax
Clefable
Slowbro Galar
Slowbro
Move Tutor220 Pokémon
Tyranitar Mega
Blaziken Mega
Houndoom Mega
Ampharos Mega
Heracross Mega
Scizor Mega
Sceptile Mega
Swampert Mega
Slowbro Mega
Blastoise Mega
Charizard Mega Y
Charizard Mega X
Gengar Mega
Kangaskhan Mega
Snorlax
Alakazam Mega
Feraligatr Mega
Meganium Mega
Blastoise Gmax
Charizard Gmax
Aggron Mega
Swampert
Machamp Gmax
Machamp
Feraligatr
Gengar Gmax
Blastoise
Gengar
Tyranitar
Skarmory Mega
Typhlosion
Charizard
Blaziken
Alakazam
Absol Mega
Raichu Mega Y
Aggron
Absol Mega Z
Heracross
Raichu Mega X
Raichu Alola
Sceptile
Scizor
Kangaskhan
Mawile Mega
Clefable Mega
Meganium
Politoed
Slowking Galar
Ampharos
Typhlosion Hisui
Snorlax Gmax
Clefable
Slowbro Galar
Houndoom
Sableye Mega
Slowbro
Medicham Mega
Raichu
Absol
Slowking
Forretress
Skarmory
Pikachu Starter
Medicham
Mawile
Pikachu
Pikachu Alola Cap
Pikachu Belle
Pikachu Cosplay
Pikachu Gmax
Pikachu Hoenn Cap
Pikachu Kalos Cap
Pikachu Libre
Pikachu Original Cap
Pikachu Partner Cap
Pikachu Phd
Pikachu Pop Star
Pikachu Rock Star
Pikachu Sinnoh Cap
Pikachu Unova Cap
Pikachu World Cap
Sableye
Egg move (breeding)119 Pokémon
Blaziken Mega
Greninja Ash
Greninja Mega
Swampert Mega
Charizard Mega Y
Kommo O
Charizard Mega X
Kangaskhan Mega
Snorlax
Scrafty Mega
Feraligatr Mega
Infernape
Meganium Mega
Charizard Gmax
Rhyperior
Quaquaval
Swampert
Feraligatr
Greninja Battle Bond
Charizard
Blaziken
Greninja
Kangaskhan
Meganium
Passimian
Conkeldurr
Bastiodon
Snorlax Gmax
Scrafty
Gliscor
Stunfisk Galar
Pikachu Kalos Cap
Pikachu Sinnoh Cap
Pokémon that use this move
317 Pokémon, sorted by usage
Tyranitar Mega
Blaziken Mega
Greninja Ash
Greninja Mega
Houndoom Mega
Ampharos Mega
Heracross Mega
Scizor Mega
Falinks Mega
Sceptile Mega
Swampert Mega
Slowbro Mega
Blastoise Mega
Charizard Mega Y
Kommo O
Charizard Mega X
Gengar Mega
Kangaskhan Mega
Snorlax
Lucario Mega Z
Lucario Mega
Alakazam Mega
Scrafty Mega
Feraligatr Mega
Infernape
Meganium Mega
Blastoise Gmax
Charizard Gmax
Rhyperior
Quaquaval
Aggron Mega
Swampert
Machamp Gmax
Machamp
Feraligatr
Gengar Gmax
Blastoise
Gengar
Tyranitar
Greninja Battle Bond
Skarmory Mega
Typhlosion
Charizard
Blaziken
Alakazam
Greninja
Absol Mega
Raichu Mega Y
Aggron
Absol Mega Z
Heracross
Lycanroc Dusk
Lycanroc Midnight
Raichu Mega X
Raichu Alola
Sceptile
Scizor
Kangaskhan
Mawile Mega
Clefable Mega
Meganium
Politoed
Slowking Galar
Passimian
Conkeldurr
Ampharos
Bastiodon
Typhlosion Hisui
Snorlax Gmax
Clefable
Falinks
Scrafty
Slowbro Galar
Houndoom
Lucario
Sableye Mega
Slowbro
Annihilape
Medicham Mega
Mudsdale
Gliscor
Raichu
Absol
Slowking
Forretress
Skarmory
Stunfisk Galar
Pikachu Starter
Medicham
Mawile
Pikachu
Pikachu Alola Cap
Pikachu Belle
Pikachu Cosplay
Pikachu Gmax
Pikachu Hoenn Cap
Pikachu Kalos Cap
Pikachu Libre
Pikachu Original Cap
Pikachu Partner Cap
Pikachu Phd
Pikachu Pop Star
Pikachu Rock Star
Pikachu Sinnoh Cap
Pikachu Unova Cap
Pikachu World Cap
Sableye
What this move does
Counter is a Fighting-type physical attack. It has — base power, 100% accuracy, 20 PP and targets the user. It has negative priority (-5), so it usually moves last. It makes contact, which matters for abilities and items that trigger on contact. Counter is a Fighting-type physical attack. It has — base power, 100% accuracy, 20 PP and targets the user. It has negative priority (-5), so it usually moves last. It makes contact, which matters for contact-triggering abilities and items.
A coverage or STAB option worth comparing with alternatives of the same type in the team builder.
When to consider it
Consider Counter 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, Counter 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 Counter 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 Counter 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 Counter good in ChampionsVGC?
A coverage or STAB option worth comparing with alternatives of the same type in the team builder. It is blocked by Protect and Detect, which can waste a key turn if predicted.
+Is Counter blocked by Protect?
Yes, Counter is blocked by Protect and Detect.