Pluck
Pluck is a Flying-type physical attack. It has 60 base power, 100% accuracy, 20 PP and targets a single adjacent target. It makes contact, which matters for contact-triggering abilities and items.
Technical data
- Type
- Flying
- Category
- physical
- Power
- 60
- Accuracy
- 100
- PP
- 20
- Priority
- 0
- Target
- adjacent
- 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-up37 Pokémon
Malamar Mega
Altaria Mega
Decidueye Hisui
Altaria
Malamar
Decidueye
Corviknight Gmax
Toucannon
Espathra
Corviknight
TM / HM68 Pokémon
Pidgeot Mega- Altaria Mega
Empoleon
Pelipper
Staraptor Mega
Skarmory Mega
Pidgeot- Altaria
Staraptor
Skarmory
Egg move (breeding)4 Pokémon
No Pokémon listed in the current dataset.
Pokémon that use this move
97 Pokémon, sorted by usage
- Pidgeot Mega
- Malamar Mega
- Altaria Mega
- Empoleon
- Decidueye Hisui
- Pelipper
- Staraptor Mega
- Skarmory Mega
- Pidgeot
- Altaria
- Malamar
- Decidueye
- Corviknight Gmax
- Toucannon
- Espathra
- Corviknight
- Staraptor
- Skarmory
What this move does
Pluck is a Flying-type physical attack. It has 60 base power, 100% accuracy, 20 PP and targets a single adjacent target. It makes contact, which matters for abilities and items that trigger on contact. Pluck is a Flying-type physical attack. It has 60 base power, 100% accuracy, 20 PP and targets a single adjacent target. 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 Pluck 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, Pluck 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 Pluck 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 Pluck 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 Pluck 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 Pluck blocked by Protect?
Yes, Pluck is blocked by Protect and Detect.