Scald
WaterScald is a Water-type special attack. It has 80 base power, 100% accuracy, 15 PP and targets a single adjacent target.
Technical data
- Type
- Water
- Category
- special
- Power
- 80
- Accuracy
- 100
- PP
- 15
- Priority
- 0
- Target
- adjacent
- Contact
- No
- 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-up3 Pokémon
Simipour
TM / HM189 Pokémon
Greninja Ash
Greninja Mega
Gyarados Mega
Barbaracle Mega
Dragalge Mega
Swampert Mega
Slowbro Mega
Dragapult
Goodra Hisui
Blastoise Mega
Emboar Mega
Sharpedo Mega
Empoleon
Goodra
Feraligatr Mega
Crabominable Mega
Blastoise Gmax
Starmie Mega
Pelipper
Swampert
Feraligatr
Blastoise
Greninja Battle Bond
Vaporeon
Gyarados
Clawitzer
Greninja
Simipour
Sinistcha
Barbaracle
Dragalge
Politoed
Primarina
Samurott Hisui
Slowking Galar
Samurott
Milotic
Emboar
Crabominable
Stunfisk
Slowbro Galar
Slowbro
Sharpedo
Starmie
Slowking
Toxapex
Stunfisk Galar
Qwilfish
Araquanid
Araquanid Totem
Qwilfish Hisui
Azumarill
Castform Snowy
Castform Rainy
Castform Sunny
Castform
Pokémon that use this move
189 Pokémon, sorted by usage
Greninja Ash
Greninja Mega
Gyarados Mega
Barbaracle Mega
Dragalge Mega
Swampert Mega
Slowbro Mega
Dragapult
Goodra Hisui
Blastoise Mega
Emboar Mega
Sharpedo Mega
Empoleon
Goodra
Feraligatr Mega
Crabominable Mega
Blastoise Gmax
Starmie Mega
Pelipper
Swampert
Feraligatr
Blastoise
Greninja Battle Bond
Vaporeon
Gyarados
Clawitzer
Greninja
Simipour
Sinistcha
Barbaracle
Dragalge
Politoed
Primarina
Samurott Hisui
Slowking Galar
Samurott
Milotic
Emboar
Crabominable
Stunfisk
Slowbro Galar
Slowbro
Sharpedo
Starmie
Slowking
Toxapex
Stunfisk Galar
Qwilfish
Araquanid
Araquanid Totem
Qwilfish Hisui
Azumarill
Castform Snowy
Castform Rainy
Castform Sunny
Castform
What this move does
Scald is a Water-type special attack. It has 80 base power, 100% accuracy, 15 PP and targets a single adjacent target. Scald is a Water-type special attack. It has 80 base power, 100% accuracy, 15 PP and targets a single adjacent target.
A coverage or STAB option worth comparing with alternatives of the same type in the team builder.
When to consider it
Consider Scald 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, Scald 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 Scald 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 Scald 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 Scald 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 Scald blocked by Protect?
Yes, Scald is blocked by Protect and Detect.