Sucker Punch

Type

Dark

Category

physical

Power

70

Accuracy

100

PP

5

Priority

1

Target

adjacent

Contact

Yes

Spread

No

Protect blocks

Yes

Wide Guard blocks

No

Powerful priority that pressures fast frail threats, but is read-dependent.

• Houndoom Mega
• Dragapult
• Emboar Mega
• Gengar Mega
• Kangaskhan Mega
• Hydrapple
• Froslass Mega
• Decidueye Hisui
• Mr Rime
• Gengar Gmax
• Gengar
• Grimmsnarl Gmax
• Absol Mega
• Absol Mega Z
• Lycanroc Dusk
• Victreebel Mega
• Lycanroc Midday
• Banette Mega
• Kangaskhan
• Mawile Mega
• Rotom Mow
• Samurott Hisui
• Grimmsnarl
• Spiritomb
• Bellibolt
• Rotom Fan
• Rotom Frost
• Rotom Wash
• Rotom Heat
• Emboar
• Polteageist
• Stunfisk
• Houndoom
• Meowstic Female
• Decidueye
• Sableye Mega
• Umbreon
• Toxicroak
• Trevenant
• Absol
• Froslass
• Victreebel
• Furfrou
• Meowstic Male
• Liepard
• Stunfisk Galar
• Banette
• Arbok
• Rotom
• Ariados
• Mawile
• Sableye

Sucker Punch is a Dark-type physical attack. It has 70 base power, 100% accuracy, 5 PP and targets a single adjacent target. It has +1 priority, letting it move before most attacks. It makes contact, which matters for abilities and items that trigger on contact. Priority move that fails if the target isn't using an attacking move.

Powerful priority that pressures fast frail threats, but is read-dependent.

Consider Sucker Punch when you need to move before the opponent to secure a knockout, flinch, or utility effect. Priority moves are especially valuable against fast threats and speed-control teams, but they can be blocked by Quick Guard and abilities like Queenly Majesty or Dazzling.

In team building, Sucker Punch 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 with Sucker Punch include: Using it without a clear plan for the turns it creates. Forgetting that Protect and Detect can block it, wasting a key turn. Assuming priority always goes first without accounting for Quick Guard or Psychic Terrain. Spamming it predictably and letting the opponent switch into a resist. Not considering how redirectors like Follow Me and Rage Powder change targeting.

Protect and Detect block this move. Quick Guard and Psychic Terrain can stop priority versions. These interactions are situational, so test them in the team builder and matchup analyzer before committing to the moveslot.

Use the tools below to test Sucker Punch in a full team context and compare it with alternative options.

• Protect / Detect: blocks this move.
• Wide Guard: does not block this move.
• Follow Me / Rage Powder: spread moves are not redirected.
• Quick Guard: blocks this priority move.