Water Shuriken

Water

Water Shuriken is a Water-type special attack. It has 15 base power, 100% accuracy, 20 PP and targets a single adjacent target. It has +1 priority, so it acts before most moves.

Technical data

Type
Water
Category
special
Power
15
Accuracy
100
PP
20
Priority
1
Target
adjacent
Contact
No
Spread
No
Protect blocks
Yes
Wide Guard blocks
No

Competitive value

Prized for its priority, letting the user act before faster threats or enabling support in key turns.

How to learn it

Pokémon that can learn or be taught this move, by method.

Level-up5 Pokémon

  • Greninja AshGreninja Ash
  • Greninja MegaGreninja Mega
  • Greninja Battle BondGreninja Battle Bond
  • GreninjaGreninja

Pokémon that use this move

5 Pokémon, sorted by usage

  • Greninja AshGreninja Ash
  • Greninja MegaGreninja Mega
  • Greninja Battle BondGreninja Battle Bond
  • GreninjaGreninja

What this move does

Water Shuriken is a Water-type special attack. It has 15 base power, 100% accuracy, 20 PP and targets a single adjacent target. It has +1 priority, letting it move before most attacks. Water Shuriken is a Water-type special attack. It has 15 base power, 100% accuracy, 20 PP and targets a single adjacent target. It has +1 priority, so it acts before most moves.

Prized for its priority, letting the user act before faster threats or enabling support in key turns.

When to consider it

Consider Water Shuriken 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.

How to evaluate it in team building

In team building, Water Shuriken 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 Water Shuriken 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.

VGC interactions

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.

Related tools and guides

Use the tools below to test Water Shuriken 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: blocks this priority move.

Frequently asked questions

Is Water Shuriken good in ChampionsVGC?

Prized for its priority, letting the user act before faster threats or enabling support in key turns. It is blocked by Protect and Detect, which can waste a key turn if predicted.

Is Water Shuriken blocked by Protect?

Yes, Water Shuriken 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.