Pokemon scarlet and violet are the second open world games in the Pokemon series, but the basic premise remains the same: raise terrifying creatures and unleash them on both the enemy AI and your online friends. While getting my ass kicked by wild Pokemon that are twenty levels above me, I’ve noticed that they’re using a lot of new moves. Most of them are slightly buffed versions of older attacks or have different element typings.
I excluded five attacks from the list because they are “torque” attacks, which are special moves that can only be used by special bosses. The rest of the new moves can be learned from Pokemon you get in-game. Most of them are the signature moves of Paldea-exclusive Pokemon, but not all (thanks, Serebii!).
Tera Blast — A basic attack for Terastalized Pokémon that uses its Tera type. Also uses the Attack or Special Attack depending on higher stat.
silk trap — A bug version of Protect that also lowers the speed on contact. (Spidops)
ax thrust — A weaker high jump kick that can confuse the opponent. (Medicham, Lilligant, Lokix)
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Final respects — A Ghost-type attack that does more damage when more Pokémon in your party have passed out. (houndstone)
Lumina crash — A weaker psychic, but lowers the opponent’s Special Defense by two full levels. Dreadful. (Espathra)
order on — A Dragon-type move that also increases the user’s stats depending on what type of Tatsugiri is also on the field. (Dondozo)
jet punch — It’s a more powerful Aqua Jet. (palefin)
Spicy Extract — Grass-type screech, but with the disadvantage of greatly increasing the opponent’s attack value. Honestly, just use a Pokemon with Screech. (Scovillain)
spinning out — A powerful Steel-type attack that deals damage and also slows down your Pokémon’s speed. But hey, steel guys wouldn’t win marathons anyway. (Varoom, Revavroom)
population bomb — Rage Attack, except that the Pokémon can hit from 1 to 10 times. So this attack is either really overwhelming or frighteningly powerful. (Tandemeus, Maushold)
ice spinner — This Ice-type attack deals a lot of damage and removes terrain such as Grassy Terrain. Kind. (cetoddle, cetitan)
Glaive Rush — A devastating Dragon move that also causes your opponent’s next move to auto-hit and deal double damage. This means attacks from any Pokémon, and not just your last victim. So expect a lot of retaliatory damage if you spam this. (Baxcalibur)
blessing of revival — Revives and heals a fainted Pokémon for half its health. It is a single free Revive item as it comes with exactly one power point. (Rabsca, Pawmot)
salt cure — A Ground-type attack that deals bonus damage each turn, in addition to some modest base damage. Water and Steel types take more damage, which is bullshit because you know that move was specifically for Lechonk. (Nackstack, Garganacl)
Triple dive — Fixed damage and hits three times in a row. A solid Water-type attack to break substitutes. Too bad it’s the signature move of the weirdest Pokemon of the entire generation. (Wug trio)
Mortal Spin — For years, players have been plagued by the horrifying combination of wrap, leech seed, and bind. Mortal Spin removes all of these and poisons the opponent. (Mica)
doodle — Changes both the user’s ability and the ally’s ability to that of their opponent. (Grafalai)
fillet away — A Normal-type Quiver Dance that increases both attack stats and speed, except the user sacrifices HP for gains. (Velusa)
Kowtow split — Man, just call it Dogeza since it’s the signature move of a samurai Pokemon. This poorly localized attack is slightly more powerful than False Surrender, but it’s pretty much the same – Dark-type and dealing decent damage. (King Ambit)
flower trick – Assuming you can land critical hits (that aren’t blocked by Lucky Chant), this grass-type move deals a ton of damage. Maybe I should have chosen the grass cat! (Meowscara)
torch song — It doesn’t matter, I’m satisfied with my choice of appetizer. This Fire-type attack increases Special Attack stat with each hit. (Skeledirge)
Aqua Step — A water-type move that also increases speed. (quaquaval)
wild bull — Broken bricks for Tauros. The base type is Normal, but it can also be Fighting, Fire, or Water if you have one of those fancy races that are only available in the version. (Bull)
let it Rain — The crazy guys at Game Freak went there and wondered, “What if Paytag was Steel-type and did 120 base damage?” Make It Rain is the result. Use responsibly. (gholdengo)
destruction — A Dark-type move that halves HP, like Super Fang. (Ting Lu, Chien Pao, Wo Chien, Chi Yu)
collision course — This Fighting-type attack deals additional damage if it’s a super effective hit. (Coraidon)
electric drift — As above, but electrically. (Miraidon)
shed tail — Craft a replacement before swapping out. (Orthworm, Cyclizar)
Chilled reception — Tells such a bad joke that a snowstorm starts and the user is forced to switch with another party member. Basically, imagine what is happening anytime Ari Notis would tell a joke in which my city Slack channel. (slow)
Clean up — Removes entry hazards like Toxic Spikes and Stealth Rock. It also increases attack and speed. (mouse hold)
snow landscape — Blizzard is a new weather effect that increases Ice-type defense for five turns without the pesky chip damage. (Snorunt, Glaceon, Froslass, Cubchoo, Frosmoth, etc.)
strike — A bug-type move that also reduces speed. (Venonat, Pineco, etc.)
groundbreaking — A grass-type attack that also increases speed. Think Flame Charge but with Grass Same-Type Attack Bonus (STAB). (Toedscool, Smoliv, Bramblin)
cooling water — Deals some water damage and lowers Attack. (Jugglypuff, Vezula, Wiglett)
Hyperdrill — A Normal-type attack that penetrates Marks and Spot. (Dunsparce, Dudunsparce)
twin ray — A Psycho-type attack that hits twice in a row. Great for breaking spares. (Girafarig, Farigiraf)
anger fist — Increases attack power with the number of times the user has been hit. ghost guy. (Primeape)
tank gun — A powerful Fire-type attack that lowers both defenses. It’s melee. (armarog)
bitter blade — A Fire-type attack that heals half of the damage dealt. However, look at the flavor text: “The user focuses their bitter feelings on the world of the living.” That’s so cool, who cares. (Cerulege)
double shock — A powerful Electro-type attack that also subsequently deprives the user of Electro-tapping. Note that this does not turn a Pokemon into the Normal type. When used by a pure electrotype (via copycat or some other method) it is typeless thereafter. (Pawmot)
gigaton hammer — An immensely powerful Steel-type move that cannot be used in a row (Tinkaton)
Comeuppance — Doubles the damage dealt in the same turn. This is just a counter, but of Dark type. This attack was likely created so players could actually use its effect against Ghost-type Pokémon that are immune to counterattacks. (Hundour, Honchkrow, Mabosstiff)
Aqua cutter — A Water-type attack that can critically hit more easily. Similar to Psycho Cut and Leaf Blade. (Gallade, Quaxly, Veluza)
I’m actually pretty pissed that most of these moves are exclusive to a Pokemon or evolution line! To be fair, it’s been nine whole generations, the series doesn’t need as much balancing as it used to. Most of these new moves offer new counters to the existing meta, making it competitive Pokemon feels fresh.
