Scald

Water

Scald 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

  • SimipourSimipour

TM / HM189 Pokémon

  • Greninja AshGreninja Ash
  • Greninja MegaGreninja Mega
  • Gyarados MegaGyarados Mega
  • Barbaracle MegaBarbaracle Mega
  • Dragalge MegaDragalge Mega
  • Swampert MegaSwampert Mega
  • Slowbro MegaSlowbro Mega
  • DragapultDragapult
  • Goodra HisuiGoodra Hisui
  • Blastoise MegaBlastoise Mega
  • Emboar MegaEmboar Mega
  • Sharpedo MegaSharpedo Mega
  • EmpoleonEmpoleon
  • GoodraGoodra
  • Feraligatr MegaFeraligatr Mega
  • Crabominable MegaCrabominable Mega
  • Blastoise GmaxBlastoise Gmax
  • Starmie MegaStarmie Mega
  • PelipperPelipper
  • SwampertSwampert
  • FeraligatrFeraligatr
  • BlastoiseBlastoise
  • Greninja Battle BondGreninja Battle Bond
  • VaporeonVaporeon
  • GyaradosGyarados
  • ClawitzerClawitzer
  • GreninjaGreninja
  • SimipourSimipour
  • SinistchaSinistcha
  • BarbaracleBarbaracle
  • DragalgeDragalge
  • PolitoedPolitoed
  • PrimarinaPrimarina
  • Samurott HisuiSamurott Hisui
  • Slowking GalarSlowking Galar
  • SamurottSamurott
  • MiloticMilotic
  • EmboarEmboar
  • CrabominableCrabominable
  • StunfiskStunfisk
  • Slowbro GalarSlowbro Galar
  • SlowbroSlowbro
  • SharpedoSharpedo
  • StarmieStarmie
  • SlowkingSlowking
  • ToxapexToxapex
  • Stunfisk GalarStunfisk Galar
  • QwilfishQwilfish
  • AraquanidAraquanid
  • Araquanid TotemAraquanid Totem
  • Qwilfish HisuiQwilfish Hisui
  • AzumarillAzumarill
  • Castform SnowyCastform Snowy
  • Castform RainyCastform Rainy
  • Castform SunnyCastform Sunny
  • CastformCastform

Pokémon that use this move

189 Pokémon, sorted by usage

  • Greninja AshGreninja Ash
  • Greninja MegaGreninja Mega
  • Gyarados MegaGyarados Mega
  • Barbaracle MegaBarbaracle Mega
  • Dragalge MegaDragalge Mega
  • Swampert MegaSwampert Mega
  • Slowbro MegaSlowbro Mega
  • DragapultDragapult
  • Goodra HisuiGoodra Hisui
  • Blastoise MegaBlastoise Mega
  • Emboar MegaEmboar Mega
  • Sharpedo MegaSharpedo Mega
  • EmpoleonEmpoleon
  • GoodraGoodra
  • Feraligatr MegaFeraligatr Mega
  • Crabominable MegaCrabominable Mega
  • Blastoise GmaxBlastoise Gmax
  • Starmie MegaStarmie Mega
  • PelipperPelipper
  • SwampertSwampert
  • FeraligatrFeraligatr
  • BlastoiseBlastoise
  • Greninja Battle BondGreninja Battle Bond
  • VaporeonVaporeon
  • GyaradosGyarados
  • ClawitzerClawitzer
  • GreninjaGreninja
  • SimipourSimipour
  • SinistchaSinistcha
  • BarbaracleBarbaracle
  • DragalgeDragalge
  • PolitoedPolitoed
  • PrimarinaPrimarina
  • Samurott HisuiSamurott Hisui
  • Slowking GalarSlowking Galar
  • SamurottSamurott
  • MiloticMilotic
  • EmboarEmboar
  • CrabominableCrabominable
  • StunfiskStunfisk
  • Slowbro GalarSlowbro Galar
  • SlowbroSlowbro
  • SharpedoSharpedo
  • StarmieStarmie
  • SlowkingSlowking
  • ToxapexToxapex
  • Stunfisk GalarStunfisk Galar
  • QwilfishQwilfish
  • AraquanidAraquanid
  • Araquanid TotemAraquanid Totem
  • Qwilfish HisuiQwilfish Hisui
  • AzumarillAzumarill
  • Castform SnowyCastform Snowy
  • Castform RainyCastform Rainy
  • Castform SunnyCastform Sunny
  • CastformCastform

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.

Last updated: July 2026 · This entry is kept navigable while additional editorial context is being added.
All figures are estimated trends based on available data and do not guarantee competitive results. Matchups are situational. See our methodology for how these figures are calculated.