Skull Bash
NormalSkull Bash is a Normal-type physical attack. It has 130 base power, 100% accuracy, 10 PP and targets a single adjacent target. It makes contact, which matters for contact-triggering abilities and items.
Technical data
- Type
- Normal
- Category
- physical
- Power
- 130
- Accuracy
- 100
- PP
- 10
- 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-up18 Pokémon
Barbaracle Mega
Blastoise Mega
Sharpedo Mega
Blastoise Gmax
Sandaconda
Blastoise
Avalugg
Avalugg Hisui
Sandaconda Gmax
Barbaracle
Sharpedo
TM / HM165 Pokémon
Gyarados Mega
Slowbro Mega
Dragonite Mega
Blastoise Mega
Charizard Mega Y
Charizard Mega X
Gengar Mega
Kangaskhan Mega
Snorlax
Alakazam Mega
Arcanine
Dragonite
Blastoise Gmax
Charizard Gmax
Starmie Mega
Machamp Gmax
Machamp
Flareon
Gengar Gmax
Blastoise
Gengar
Jolteon
Vaporeon
Charizard
Gyarados
Alakazam
Ninetales
Tauros Paldea Aqua Breed
Raichu Mega Y
Tauros Paldea Blaze Breed
Tauros Paldea Combat Breed
Raichu Mega X
Raichu Alola
Kangaskhan
Clefable Mega
Arcanine Hisui
Snorlax Gmax
Beedrill Mega
Clefable
Slowbro Galar
Slowbro
Tauros
Starmie
Ninetales Alola
Raichu
Arbok
Pikachu Starter
Beedrill
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
Egg move (breeding)13 Pokémon
Torkoal
Pikachu Kalos Cap
Pokémon that use this move
183 Pokémon, sorted by usage
Gyarados Mega
Barbaracle Mega
Slowbro Mega
Dragonite Mega
Blastoise Mega
Charizard Mega Y
Charizard Mega X
Gengar Mega
Kangaskhan Mega
Sharpedo Mega
Snorlax
Alakazam Mega
Arcanine
Dragonite
Blastoise Gmax
Charizard Gmax
Starmie Mega
Machamp Gmax
Sandaconda
Machamp
Flareon
Gengar Gmax
Blastoise
Gengar
Jolteon
Vaporeon
Charizard
Gyarados
Avalugg
Alakazam
Avalugg Hisui
Ninetales
Tauros Paldea Aqua Breed
Raichu Mega Y
Sandaconda Gmax
Tauros Paldea Blaze Breed
Tauros Paldea Combat Breed
Raichu Mega X
Barbaracle
Raichu Alola
Kangaskhan
Clefable Mega
Arcanine Hisui
Snorlax Gmax
Beedrill Mega
Clefable
Slowbro Galar
Torkoal
Slowbro
Sharpedo
Tauros
Starmie
Ninetales Alola
Raichu
Arbok
Pikachu Starter
Beedrill
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
What this move does
Skull Bash is a Normal-type physical attack. It has 130 base power, 100% accuracy, 10 PP and targets a single adjacent target. It makes contact, which matters for abilities and items that trigger on contact. Skull Bash is a Normal-type physical attack. It has 130 base power, 100% accuracy, 10 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 Skull Bash 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, Skull Bash 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 Skull Bash 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 Skull Bash 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 Skull Bash 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 Skull Bash blocked by Protect?
Yes, Skull Bash is blocked by Protect and Detect.