Counter (move)

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Counter
カウンター Counter
Counter V.png
[[File:|center]]
Type  Fighting
Category  Physical
PP  20 (max. 32)
Power  —
Accuracy  100%
Priority  -5
  • Makes contact
  • Affected by Protect
  • Not affected by Magic Coat
  • Not affected by Snatch
  • Not affected by King's Rock
Target
Foe Foe Foe
Self Ally Ally
Affects the user
Availability
Introduced  Generation I
Condition  Tough
Appeal  2 ♥♥
Jam  0  
Can avoid being startled by others once.
Condition  Tough
Appeal  2 ♥♥
Earns double the score on the final performance.
Condition  Tough
Appeal  2 ♥♥
Jamming  0  
Works great if the user goes last this turn.

Counter (Japanese: カウンター Counter) is a damage-dealing Fighting-type move introduced in Generation I. It was TM18 in Generation I. It can be seen as the physical counterpart to Mirror Coat.

Effect

Generation I

If the last amount of damage done before the use of Counter is greater than 0 and was dealt by a Normal-type or Fighting-type attack (except Counter), Counter will do twice as much damage to the opponent. Otherwise, Counter misses.

Although Counter deals Fighting-type damage, it is not affected by type effectiveness (so can affect Ghost-type Pokémon).

Counter is a decreased priority move. If the opponent does not use a decreased priority move during the round that it is used, Counter will go last regardless of the user's or opponent's speed. If the opponent also uses a decreased priority move during the same round, the attack order of the users will be determined normally. If the user is put to sleep or is frozen during the round that Counter is (or attempts to be) used, Counter's decreased speed priority will not be reset. Subsequently, it will only be reset on the turn after the user wakes up or is defrosted, or if the user switches out.

Counter can cause a critical hit, but the actual amount of damage dealt by it will not be altered by a critical hit. Counter will only counter the last hit of a multi-hit move and the last attack of a partial trapping move. Counter will always miss if called by Metronome.

If both active Pokémon use Counter during the same round, both attacks will fail. An attack absorbed by a substitute can be countered for the amount of damage it would have done to the user had the user not had a substitute.

Handheld games

Switching, full paralysis, and using a multi-turn move will not reset the last amount of damage done, allowing Counter to counter itself as well as self-inflicted recoil damage. If an HP-restoring or battle item is used on the opponent during the same round that Counter is used, Counter will counter the item.

Specifically, Counter will fail in the following circumstances (displayed as a miss):

Stadium

In Stadium, switching, full paralysis, and using a multi-turn move reset the last amount of damage done, so Counter can't counter itself or self-inflicted recoil damage if the opponent does not make a move on its following turn.

Generation II

Counter counters all physical moves for twice the damage done to the user. Counter no longer counters a move that hits a substitute. Furthermore, Ghost-type Pokémon are now immune to Counter.

Generations III and IV

In Double Battles, Counter will hit the last opponent that dealt physical damage to the attacker. Counter cannot affect allied Pokémon.

Generation V

In Triple Battles, Counter can hit non-adjacent opponents provided a non-adjacent opponent was the last Pokémon to attack the user.

If the Pokémon using Counter is hit by a physical attack that deals 0 damage, Counter becomes a physical move with 1 base power.

Description

Games Description
Stad A retaliation move that back double the damage of a physical attack. Highly accurate.
Stad2 A retaliation move that back double the damage of a physical attack. Very accurate.
GSC Returns a physical blow double.
RSEColoXD Retaliates any physical hit with double the power.
FRLG A retaliation move that counters any physical hit with double the damage.
DPPtHGSS
BWB2W2
XYORAS
A retaliation move that counters any physical attack, inflicting double the damage taken.


Learnset

By leveling up

# Pokémon Type Level
I II III IV V VI
107   Hitmonchan Fighting Fighting 53 50 50 51 61 1, 61
185   Sudowoodo Rock Rock           33 33
202   Wobbuffet Psychic Psychic   1 1 1 1 1
214   Heracross Bug Fighting   27 30 25 25 19 19
237   Hitmontop Fighting Fighting   31 31 28 28 28
286   Breloom Grass Fighting     28 25 25 25
22
287   Slakoth Normal Normal     37 37 43 43
30
288   Vigoroth Normal Normal     37 37 37 37
33
289   Slaking Normal Normal     37 37 43 43
33
307   Meditite Fighting Psychic           44
308   Medicham Fighting Psychic           53
360   Wynaut Psychic Psychic     15 15 15 15
386   Deoxys
Defense Forme
Psychic Psychic     50 97 97 97
73
438   Bonsly Rock Rock           33
447   Riolu Fighting Fighting       6 6 6
448   Lucario Fighting Steel       6 6 6
539   Sawk Fighting Fighting         21 21
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 breeding

# Pokémon Type Father
II III IV V VI
004   Charmander* Fire Fire                     
019   Rattata* Normal Normal                          
027   Sandshrew* Ground Ground                          
029   Nidoran♀* Poison Poison                                     
032   Nidoran♂* Poison Poison                                     
046   Paras Bug Grass              
056   Mankey* Fighting Fighting                          
066   Machop Fighting Fighting                   
111   Rhyhorn* Ground Rock                                     
113   Chansey Normal Normal            
115   Kangaskhan* Normal Normal                   
123   Scyther Bug Flying          
143   Snorlax* Normal Normal                   
152   Chikorita* Grass Grass                      
190   Aipom* Normal Normal                          
194   Wooper Water Ground                   
204   Pineco Bug Bug          
207   Gligar Ground Flying          
215   Sneasel* Dark Ice                          
216   Teddiursa* Normal Normal                          
228   Houndour* Dark Fire                          
231   Phanpy Ground Ground                     
236   Tyrogue Fighting Fighting             
255   Torchic Fire Fire                     
258   Mudkip* Water Water                    
270   Lotad Water Grass            
296   Makuhita Fighting Fighting                   
331   Cacnea Grass Grass                    
335   Zangoose Normal Normal                     
390   Chimchar Fire Fire                           
410   Shieldon* Rock Steel                   
422   Shellos Water Water          
440   Happiny Normal Normal          
446   Munchlax* Normal Normal                   
453   Croagunk Poison Fighting                    
532   Timburr Fighting Fighting                
551   Sandile Ground Dark                
557   Dwebble Bug Rock              
559   Scraggy Dark Fighting                
570   Zorua Dark Dark                
588   Karrablast Bug Bug          
610   Axew* Dragon Dragon                 
704   Goomy* Dragon Dragon          
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 TM

# Pokémon Type Machine
I
TM18
II
--
III
--
IV
--
V
--
VI
--
004   Charmander Fire Fire
005   Charmeleon Fire Fire
006   Charizard Fire Flying
007   Squirtle Water Water
008   Wartortle Water Water
009   Blastoise Water Water
031   Nidoqueen Poison Ground
034   Nidoking Poison Ground
035   Clefairy Normal Normal
036   Clefable Normal Normal
039   Jigglypuff Normal Normal
040   Wigglytuff Normal Normal
054   Psyduck Water Water
055   Golduck Water Water
056   Mankey Fighting Fighting
057   Primeape Fighting Fighting
061   Poliwhirl Water Water
062   Poliwrath Water Fighting
063   Abra Psychic Psychic
064   Kadabra Psychic Psychic
065   Alakazam Psychic Psychic
066   Machop Fighting Fighting
067   Machoke Fighting Fighting
068   Machamp Fighting Fighting
074   Geodude Rock Ground
075   Graveler Rock Ground
076   Golem Rock Ground
080   Slowbro Water Psychic
094   Gengar Ghost Poison
096   Drowzee Psychic Psychic
097   Hypno Psychic Psychic
104   Cubone Ground Ground
105   Marowak Ground Ground
106   Hitmonlee Fighting Fighting
107   Hitmonchan Fighting Fighting
108   Lickitung Normal Normal
112   Rhydon Rock Ground
113   Chansey Normal Normal
115   Kangaskhan Normal Normal
122   Mr. Mime Psychic Psychic
124   Jynx Ice Psychic
125   Electabuzz Electric Electric
126   Magmar Fire Fire
143   Snorlax Normal Normal
150   Mewtwo Psychic Psychic
151   Mew Psychic Psychic
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 Move Tutor

# Pokémon Type Game
FRLG E XD
004   Charmander Fire Fire
005   Charmeleon Fire Fire
006   Charizard Fire Flying
007   Squirtle Water Water
008   Wartortle Water Water
009   Blastoise Water Water
019   Rattata Normal Normal
020   Raticate Normal Normal
025   Pikachu Electric Electric
026   Raichu Electric Electric
027   Sandshrew Ground Ground
028   Sandslash Ground Ground
029   Nidoran♀ Poison Poison
030   Nidorina Poison Poison
031   Nidoqueen Poison Ground
032   Nidoran♂ Poison Poison
033   Nidorino Poison Poison
034   Nidoking Poison Ground
035   Clefairy Normal Normal
036   Clefable Normal Normal
039   Jigglypuff Normal Normal
040   Wigglytuff Normal Normal
046   Paras Bug Grass
047   Parasect Bug Grass
054   Psyduck Water Water
055   Golduck Water Water
056   Mankey Fighting Fighting
057   Primeape Fighting Fighting
060   Poliwag Water Water
061   Poliwhirl Water Water
062   Poliwrath Water Fighting
063   Abra Psychic Psychic
064   Kadabra Psychic Psychic
065   Alakazam Psychic Psychic
066   Machop Fighting Fighting
067   Machoke Fighting Fighting
068   Machamp Fighting Fighting
074   Geodude Rock Ground
075   Graveler Rock Ground
076   Golem Rock Ground
080   Slowbro Water Psychic
094   Gengar Ghost Poison
096   Drowzee Psychic Psychic
097   Hypno Psychic Psychic
104   Cubone Ground Ground
105   Marowak Ground Ground
106   Hitmonlee Fighting Fighting
107   Hitmonchan Fighting Fighting
108   Lickitung Normal Normal
111   Rhyhorn Ground Rock
112   Rhydon Ground Rock
113   Chansey Normal Normal
115   Kangaskhan Normal Normal
122   Mr. Mime Psychic Psychic
123   Scyther Bug Flying
124   Jynx Ice Psychic
125   Electabuzz Electric Electric
126   Magmar Fire Fire
143   Snorlax Normal Normal
150   Mewtwo Psychic Psychic
151   Mew Psychic Psychic
152   Chikorita Grass Grass
153   Bayleef Grass Grass
154   Meganium Grass Grass
157   Typhlosion Fire Fire
158   Totodile Water Water
159   Croconaw Water Water
160   Feraligatr Water Water
172   Pichu Electric Electric
173   Cleffa Normal Normal
174   Igglybuff Normal Normal
175   Togepi Normal Normal
176   Togetic Normal Flying
180   Flaaffy Electric Electric
181   Ampharos Electric Electric
185   Sudowoodo Rock Rock
186   Politoed Water Water
190   Aipom Normal Normal
195   Quagsire Water Ground
199   Slowking Water Psychic
204   Pineco Bug Bug
205   Forretress Bug Steel
206   Dunsparce Normal Normal
207   Gligar Ground Flying
209   Snubbull Normal Normal
210   Granbull Normal Normal
212   Scizor Bug Steel
214   Heracross Bug Fighting
215   Sneasel Dark Ice
216   Teddiursa Normal Normal
217   Ursaring Normal Normal
225   Delibird Ice Flying
227   Skarmory Steel Flying
228   Houndour Dark Fire
229   Houndoom Dark Fire
231   Phanpy Ground Ground
232   Donphan Ground Ground
236   Tyrogue Fighting Fighting
237   Hitmontop Fighting Fighting
238   Smoochum Ice Psychic
239   Elekid Electric Electric
240   Magby Fire Fire
241   Miltank Normal Normal
242   Blissey Normal Normal
248   Tyranitar Rock Dark
252   Treecko Grass Grass
253   Grovyle Grass Grass
254   Sceptile Grass Grass
255   Torchic Fire Fire
256   Combusken Fire Fighting
257   Blaziken Fire Fighting
259   Marshtomp Water Ground
260   Swampert Water Ground
261   Poochyena Dark Dark
262   Mightyena Dark Dark
272   Ludicolo Water Grass
277   Swellow Normal Flying
286   Breloom Grass Fighting
287   Slakoth Normal Normal
288   Vigoroth Normal Normal
289   Slaking Normal Normal
293   Whismur Normal Normal
294   Loudred Normal Normal
295   Exploud Normal Normal
296   Makuhita Fighting Fighting
297   Hariyama Fighting Fighting
302   Sableye Dark Ghost
303   Mawile Steel Steel
306   Aggron Steel Rock
307   Meditite Fighting Psychic
308   Medicham Fighting Psychic
311   Plusle Electric Electric
312   Minun Electric Electric
313   Volbeat Bug Bug
314   Illumise Bug Bug
316   Gulpin Poison Poison
317   Swalot Poison Poison
326   Grumpig Psychic Psychic
327   Spinda Normal Normal
331   Cacnea Grass Grass
332   Cacturne Grass Dark
335   Zangoose Normal Normal
341   Corphish Water Water
342   Crawdaunt Water Dark
352   Kecleon Normal Normal
356   Dusclops Ghost Ghost
359   Absol Dark Dark
377   Regirock Rock Rock
378   Regice Ice Ice
379   Registeel Steel Steel
383   Groudon Ground Ground
386   Deoxys
Attack Forme
Psychic Psychic
386   Deoxys
Defense Forme
Psychic Psychic
386   Deoxys
Speed Forme
Psychic Psychic
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.

Special moves

Generation II

#   Pokémon Type Obtained with
0207   Gligar Ground Flying Pokémon Stadium 2
Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move.
Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB
from this move.


Generation IV

#   Pokémon Type Obtained with
0386   DeoxysLv.50 Psychic Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs - Deoxys and the Odd Temple
Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move.
Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB
from this move.


Generation V

#   Pokémon Type Obtained with
0027   Sandshrew Ground Dream World - Icy Cave
0032   Nidoran♂ Poison Dream World - Pleasant Forest
0111   Rhyhorn Ground Rock Dream World - Rugged Mountain
0113   Chansey Normal Dream World - Dream Park
0115   Kangaskhan Normal Dream World - Pleasant Forest
0410   Shieldon Rock Steel Dream World - Icy Cave
0553   Krookodile Ground Dark Dream World - Rugged Mountain
0558   Crustle Bug Rock Dream World - Rugged Mountain
0610   Axew Dragon Dream World - Icy Cave
Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move.
Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB
from this move.


In other games

Description

Games Description
MDRB The user gains the Counter status. Any damage from Physical Attack moves or a regular attack is partially returned.


In the anime

 
Mewtwo
 
Wobbuffet
 
Slaking
 
Slakoth
A retaliation move that counters any physical attack, inflicting double the damage taken.
Pokémon Method
User First Used In Notes
  Mewtwo sticks out its hand when an attack comes near it. The attack bounces off and is sent back to the opponent.
Mewtwo (original series) Mewtwo Strikes Back Debut
  Wobbuffet raises its tail and becomes outlined in pink or orange. Any attack that hits it is sent flying back to the opponent.
Jessie's Wobbuffet The Tricks of the Trade None
Lulu's Wobbuffet Wobbu-Palooza! None
Duplica's Mini-Dit in the form of Wobbuffet Imitation Confrontation Used via Transform
  Wynaut's body becomes outlined in orange. Any attack that hits it is sent flying back to the opponent.
A wild Wynaut Why? Why Not! None
A wild Wynaut Who, What, When, Where, Wynaut? None
Multiple wild Wynaut Pikachu's Island Adventure None
  Houndoom's body becomes outlined in orange. Any attack that hits it is sent flying back to the opponent.
Harrison's Houndoom Playing with Fire! None
  Slakoth's body becomes outlined in orange. Any attacks that hits it is sent flying back to the opponent.
Marcel's Slakoth The Garden of Eatin' None
  When Slaking is about to be hit by an attack, it becomes covered in a multicolored aura and punches the opponent.
Sawyer's Slaking XY127 None


In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga


In the Pokémon Battle Frontier manga


In other generations

Trivia

  • In the Spanish and Italian versions of the games, the move was incorrectly translated to Contador and Contatore respectively (meaning someone or something that counts). This translation was corrected to Contraataque and Contrattacco (meaning "counterattack") in the anime dub (only for the Spanish one) and in the sixth generation games.
    • The Polish dub of the anime committed the same error.
  • In Generations II and III, this move can reflect Hidden Power, regardless of its type, due to always counting it as a Normal-type move.
  • Counter is the only decreased priority move introduced in Generation I.

In other languages

Language Title
Mandarin Chinese 返拳 Fǎnquán
  Czech Protiútok
  Danish Parade
  Dutch Tegenaanval
  Finnish Vastaisku
  French Riposte
  German Konter
  Greek Αντίκρουση Antíkroysi
  Indonesian Serangan Balasan
  Italian Contrattacco*
Contatore*
  Korean 카운터 Counter
  Polish Liczydło
Kontra
  Brazilian Portuguese Contra Ataque
  Serbian Protiv-Napad
Spanish   Latin America Contraataque
Rebote (AG144)
  Spain Contraataque*
Contador*
  Swedish Kontra-atttack
Motattack*
  Turkish Karşı Saldırı


Variations of the move Counter
  Counter
  Mirror Coat


Generation I TMs
01020304050607080910111213141516171819202122232425
26272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950
Generation I HMs
0102030405


  This article is part of Project Moves and Abilities, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on two related aspects of the Pokémon games.