Sky Attack (move) - Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia

Sky Attack (Japanese: ゴッドバード God Bird) is a damage-dealing Flying-type move introduced in Generation I. It is TM43 in Generation I. In Generation II, it was the signature move of Moltres, but other Pokémon could still inherit it via breeding.

Effect

Generations I and II

Sky Attack does nothing on the turn it is selected, other than say that the user is glowing. On the following turn, Sky Attack will deal damage, PP will be deducted from it, and it will count as the last move used. Once Sky Attack is selected, the user will not be able to switch out until it is disrupted or fully executed.

If Sky Attack is not fully executed, PP will not be deducted from it, and it will not count as the last move used. If the target uses Mirror Move during the turn that the user is glowing, Mirror Move will copy the move that the user executed immediately before using Sky Attack (or fail if it cannot).

👉 For more insights, check out this resource.

Sleep, freeze, binding, and flinching will pause but not disrupt the duration of Sky Attack.

In Stadium, Mirror Move will copy Sky Attack on either of the turns it takes to execute.

👉 Discover more in this in-depth guide.

Sky Attack has 140 base power.

Generation III

Sky Attack now has a 30% chance of causing the target to flinch. It also now has an increased critical hit ratio.

Generation IV

Sky Attack now displays "<Pokémon> became cloaked in a harsh light!" instead of "<Pokémon> is glowing!" If the user is holding a Power Herb, there will be no charge turn.

Generations V and VI

Sky Attack can hit non-adjacent opponents in Triple Battles.

Sky Attack is no longer affected by King's Rock.

Generation VII

In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, Sky Attack's power was increased from 140 to 200.

Generation VIII onwards

Sky Attack's power was changed back to 140.

Description

Games Description Stad The strongest Flying-type attack. Energy is stored in the first turn, then fired the next turn. Stad2 Strongest Flying-type attack. Stores energy in the first turn, then fires in the next. GSC 1st turn: Prepare2nd turn: Attack RSEColoXD Searches out weak spots, then strikes the next turn. FRLG A 2nd-turn attack move with a high critical-hit ratio. The foe may flinch. DPPtHGSSPBR A second-turn attack move with a high critical-hit ratio. It may also make the target flinch. BWB2W2 A second-turn attack move where critical hits land more easily. It may also make the target flinch. XYORASSMUSUMPESwShBDSPLA A second-turn attack move where critical hits land more easily. This may also make the target flinch. SV The user attacks the turn after using this move. This move has a heightened chance of landing a critical hit and may also make the target flinch.

Learnset

By leveling up

By breeding

By TM/Move Tutor

Special move

Generation III

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0277				Flying		Purified Shadow PokémonXD
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

By event

Generation V

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0018				Flying		Pokémon Game Show Blue's PidgeotBW
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

In other games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

The user gains the Sky Attack status condition on the first turn, and unleashes the move on the next turn. In the Rescue Team and Explorers series, the move's damage is doubled at the end of damage calculation.

Being a two-turn move, this move cannot be linked. Sky Attack cannot be used in a Pokémon Tower in the Adventure Squad series.

Sky Attack has an increased critical hit ratio only since Super Mystery Dungeon.

Pokémon GO

In Pokémon GO, Sky Attack is a Charged Attack that has been available since February 16, 2017.

Updates

Gyms & Raids

• March 16, 2018
  • Power: 70 → 80

Trainer Battles

• January 11, 2021
  • Power: 80 → 75
• September 1, 2023
  • Energy cost: 45 → 50

Pokémon Rumble Rush

Pokémon Masters EX

Name	Category	State	Base power	Max power	Target	Effect tag	Description	Playable sync pair
Sync move
High-Flying Sky Attack	Physical	Default 6★ EX	200	240	An opponent	—	The more the user's Speed is raised, the greater the power of this attack. The sync buff is doubled the first time a sync move is used.	Skyla & Swanna

Description

This article has information requiring translation. If you are able to translate Japanese and would like to help, please add the English translation to the section or sections in Japanese.

Games Description MDRB The user gains the Sky Attack status, and it attacks strongly on the next turn. It is not possible to link this move. MDTDS Gives the user a Sky Attack status, which causes the Pokémon to charge power for 1 turn, then try a powerful attack on the next turn. The attack may afflict the targeted enemy with a Cringe status. You can't link this move. BSL ゴッドバードじょうたいとなって ちからをため つぎのこうどうで いりょくのたかい こうげきを くりだす しかも いっていのかくりつで ひるみじょうたいにする このわざは ポケモンタワーでは くりだせない MDGtI UNUSED SMD It damages an enemy on the next turn and could make it flinch. It has a high critical-hit rate.*You'll get the Sky Attack status, which lets you charge power to try a powerful attack on the next turn. It could also make the enemy flinch. It has a high critical-hit rate.*

In the anime

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

In other generations

Core series games

Side series games

Spin-off series games

Trivia

In other languages