In the Pokémon fandom, the term signature move is often used to refer to a move that can only be learned by a single Pokémon or its evolutionary relatives usually in the same evolutionary line. Most are learned by leveling up but some can be learned through other means when no Pokémon can learn the move by leveling up. Note that any of the moves included in this classification (except for Chatter) can be learned by Smeargle by use of Sketch, making Sketch and Chatter the only moves that are truly exclusive to one Pokémon legitimately. Also, some of these moves can be passed down via breeding to other Pokémon or are known by certain event Pokémon.

Zekrom and Reshiram using Bolt Strike and Blue Flare, their signature moves

List of Pokémon and their signature moves

# Pokémon Generation
I II III IV V VI
003   Venusaur
Frenzy Plant
 
 
 
006   Charizard
Blast Burn
 
 
 
007   Squirtle
Skull Bash
 
 
 
008   Wartortle
Skull Bash
 
 
 
009   Blastoise
Skull Bash Hydro Cannon
 
 
 
015   Beedrill
Twineedle Twineedle Twineedle Twineedle
 
 
 
016   Pidgey
Gust FeatherDance
 
 
 
017   Pidgeotto
Gust FeatherDance
 
 
 
018   Pidgeot
Gust FeatherDance
 
 
 
019   Rattata
Hyper Fang
Super Fang
Hyper Fang
Super Fang
Hyper Fang
Super Fang
 
 
 
020   Raticate
Hyper Fang
Super Fang
Hyper Fang
Super Fang
Hyper Fang
Super Fang
 
 
 
023   Ekans
Glare
 
 
 
024   Arbok
Glare
 
 
 
025   Pikachu
Volt Tackle Volt Tackle Volt Tackle Volt Tackle
 
 
 
026   Raichu
Volt Tackle Volt Tackle Volt Tackle Volt Tackle
 
 
 
043   Oddish
Petal Dance
 
 
 
044   Gloom
Petal Dance
 
 
 
046   Paras
Spore Spore
 
 
 
047   Parasect
Spore Spore
 
 
 
050   Diglett
Fissure
 
 
 
051   Dugtrio
Fissure
 
 
 
052   Meowth
Pay Day Pay Day Pay Day Pay Day Pay Day
 
 
 
053   Persian
Pay Day Pay Day
 
 
 
059   Arcanine
ExtremeSpeed
 
 
 
064   Kadabra
Kinesis* Kinesis Kinesis Kinesis Kinesis Kinesis
Ally Switch
 
 
 
065   Alakazam
Kinesis* Kinesis Kinesis Kinesis Kinesis Kinesis
Ally Switch
 
 
 
066   Machop
Low Kick Vital Throw
 
 
 
067   Machoke
Low Kick Vital Throw
 
 
 
068   Machamp
Low Kick Vital Throw
 
 
 
090   Shellder
Clamp Clamp Icicle Spear Icicle Spear
 
 
 
091   Cloyster
Clamp
 
 
 
092   Gastly
Night Shade
 
 
 
093   Haunter
Night Shade
 
 
 
094   Gengar
Night Shade
 
 
 
098   Krabby
Crabhammer Crabhammer
 
 
 
099   Kingler
Crabhammer Crabhammer
 
 
 
102   Exeggcute
Barrage Barrage Barrage Barrage Barrage Barrage
 
 
 
103   Exeggutor
Barrage Barrage Barrage Barrage Barrage Barrage
 
 
 
104   Cubone
Bone Club
Bonemerang
Bone Club
Bonemerang
Bone Rush
Bone Club
Bonemerang
Bone Rush
Bone Club
Bonemerang
Bone Club
Bonemerang
Bone Club
Bonemerang
 
 
 
105   Marowak
Bone Club
Bonemerang
Bone Club
Bonemerang
Bone Rush
Bone Club
Bonemerang
Bone Rush
Bone Club
Bonemerang
Bone Club
Bonemerang
Bone Club
Bonemerang
 
 
 
106   Hitmonlee
Jump Kick
Hi Jump Kick
Rolling Kick
Mega Kick
Jump Kick
Hi Jump Kick
Rolling Kick
Mega Kick*
Jump Kick
Rolling Kick
Mega Kick
Rolling Kick
Mega Kick
Rolling Kick
Mega Kick
Rolling Kick
 
 
 
107   Hitmonchan
Mach Punch Vacuum Wave
 
 
 
113   Chansey
Softboiled Softboiled* Softboiled Softboiled Soft-Boiled
 
 
 
115   Kangaskhan
Dizzy Punch Dizzy Punch
 
 
 
118   Goldeen
Waterfall
 
 
 
119   Seaking
Waterfall
 
 
 
120   Staryu
Camouflage
 
 
 
124   Jynx
Lovely Kiss Lovely Kiss Lovely Kiss Lovely Kiss Lovely Kiss Lovely Kiss
 
 
 
129   Magikarp
Splash
 
 
 
137   Porygon
Conversion
Sharpen
Conversion
Conversion2
Sharpen
Conversion
Conversion 2
Sharpen
Conversion
Conversion 2
Sharpen
Conversion
Conversion 2
Conversion
Conversion 2
 
 
 
146   Moltres
Sky Attack
 
 
 
147   Dratini
Outrage
 
 
 
148   Dragonair
Outrage
 
 
 
149   Dragonite
Outrage
 
 
 
150   Mewtwo
Psystrike Psystrike
 
 
 
167   Spinarak
Spider Web Spider Web Spider Web
 
 
 
168   Ariados
Spider Web Spider Web Spider Web
 
 
 
172   Pichu
Volt Tackle Volt Tackle Volt Tackle Volt Tackle
 
 
 
196   Espeon
Morning Sun
 
 
 
200   Misdreavus
Pain Split Pain Split Pain Split
 
 
 
204   Pineco
Spikes
 
 
 
205   Forretress
Spikes
 
 
 
212   Scizor
Metal Claw
 
 
 
214   Heracross
Megahorn
 
 
 
215   Sneasel
Beat Up Beat Up
 
 
 
224   Octillery
Octazooka Octazooka Octazooka Octazooka Octazooka
 
 
 
225   Delibird
Present Present Present Present Present
 
 
 
227   Skarmory
Steel Wing
 
 
 
233   Porygon2
Conversion
Conversion2
Conversion
Conversion 2
Conversion
Conversion 2
Conversion
Conversion 2
Conversion
Conversion 2
 
 
 
235   Smeargle
Sketch Sketch Sketch Sketch Sketch
 
 
 
237   Hitmontop
Triple Kick
Rolling Kick
Triple Kick
Rolling Kick
Triple Kick
Rolling Kick
Triple Kick
Rolling Kick
Triple Kick
Rolling Kick
 
 
 
241   Miltank
Milk Drink Milk Drink Milk Drink Milk Drink
 
 
 
242   Blissey
Softboiled Softboiled* Softboiled Softboiled Soft-Boiled
 
 
 
249   Lugia
Aeroblast Aeroblast Aeroblast Aeroblast Aeroblast
 
 
 
250   Ho-Oh
Sacred Fire Sacred Fire Sacred Fire Sacred Fire
 
 
 
251   Celebi
Hold Back
 
 
 
253   Grovyle
Leaf Blade
 
 
 
254   Sceptile
Leaf Blade
 
 
 
257   Blaziken
Blaze Kick
 
 
 
259   Marshtomp
Muddy Water
 
 
 
260   Swampert
Muddy Water
 
 
 
274   Nuzleaf
Extrasensory
 
 
 
287   Slakoth
Slack Off
 
 
 
289   Slaking
Slack Off
 
 
 
296   Makuhita
SmellingSalt
Arm Thrust
SmellingSalt
Arm Thrust
SmellingSalt Smelling Salts
 
 
 
297   Hariyama
SmellingSalt
Arm Thrust
SmellingSalt
Arm Thrust
SmellingSalt Smelling Salts
 
 
 
300   Skitty
Assist
 
 
 
313   Volbeat
Signal Beam
Tail Glow
 
 
 
315   Roselia
GrassWhistle
 
 
 
327   Spinda
Teeter Dance Teeter Dance
 
 
 
331   Cacnea
Needle Arm Needle Arm
 
 
 
332   Cacturne
Needle Arm Needle Arm
 
 
 
335   Zangoose
Crush Claw
 
 
 
336   Seviper
Poison Tail Poison Tail
 
 
 
351   Castform
Weather Ball
 
 
 
363   Spheal
Ice Ball Ice Ball Ice Ball
 
 
 
364   Sealeo
Ice Ball Ice Ball Ice Ball
 
 
 
365   Walrein
Ice Ball Ice Ball Ice Ball
 
 
 
380   Latias
Mist Ball Mist Ball Mist Ball Mist Ball
 
 
 
381   Latios
Luster Purge Luster Purge Luster Purge Luster Purge
 
 
 
385   Jirachi
Doom Desire Doom Desire Doom Desire Doom Desire
 
 
 
386   Deoxys
Psycho Boost Psycho Boost Psycho Boost Psycho Boost
Deoxys
Deoxys
Deoxys
416   Vespiquen
Defend Order
Heal Order
Attack Order
Defend Order
Heal Order
Attack Order
Defend Order
Heal Order
Attack Order
 
 
 
441   Chatot
Chatter Chatter Chatter
 
 
 
464   Rhyperior
Rock Wrecker
 
 
 
474   Porygon-Z
Conversion
Conversion 2
Conversion
Conversion 2
Conversion
Conversion 2
 
 
 
483   Dialga
Roar of Time Roar of Time Roar of Time
 
 
 
484   Palkia
Spacial Rend Spacial Rend Spacial Rend
 
 
 
485   Heatran
Magma Storm Magma Storm Magma Storm
 
 
 
486   Regigigas
Crush Grip Crush Grip Crush Grip
 
 
 
487   Giratina
Shadow Force Shadow Force Shadow Force
Giratina
 
 
488   Cresselia
Lunar Dance Lunar Dance Lunar Dance
 
 
 
490   Manaphy
Heart Swap Heart Swap Heart Swap
 
 
 
491   Darkrai
Dark Void Dark Void Dark Void
 
 
 
492   Shaymin
Seed Flare Seed Flare Seed Flare
Shaymin
 
 
493   Arceus
Judgment Judgment Judgment
 
 
 
494   Victini
Searing Shot Searing Shot
 
 
 
498   Tepig
Heat Crash Heat Crash
 
 
 
499   Pignite
Heat Crash Heat Crash
 
 
 
500   Emboar
Heat Crash Heat Crash
 
 
 
531   Audino
Secret Power Secret Power
 
 
 
538   Throh
Storm Throw
 
 
 
570   Zorua
Night Daze Night Daze
 
 
 
571   Zoroark
Night Daze Night Daze
 
 
 
572   Minccino
Tail Slap Tail Slap
 
 
 
573   Cinccino
Tail Slap Tail Slap
 
 
 
577   Solosis
Skill Swap
 
 
 
578   Duosion
Skill Swap
 
 
 
579   Reuniclus
Skill Swap
 
 
 
586   Sawsbuck
Horn Leech
Sawsbuck
Sawsbuck
Sawsbuck
595   Joltik
Electroweb Electroweb
 
 
 
596   Galvantula
Electroweb Electroweb
 
 
 
599   Klink
Gear Grind
Shift Gear
Gear Grind
Shift Gear
 
 
 
600   Klang
Gear Grind
Shift Gear
Gear Grind
Shift Gear
 
 
 
601   Klinklang
Gear Grind
Shift Gear
Gear Grind
Shift Gear
 
 
 
626   Bouffalant
Head Charge Head Charge
 
 
 
637   Volcarona
Fiery Dance Fiery Dance
 
 
 
638   Cobalion
Sacred Sword
 
 
 
639   Terrakion
Sacred Sword
 
 
 
640   Virizion
Sacred Sword
 
 
 
643   Reshiram
Fusion Flare
Blue Flare
Fusion Flare
Blue Flare
 
 
 
644   Zekrom
Fusion Bolt
Bolt Strike
Fusion Bolt
Bolt Strike
 
 
 
646   Kyurem
Glaciate Glaciate
 
 
 
646 Kyurem Kyurem
Fusion Flare
Ice Burn
Fusion Flare
Ice Burn
 
 
 
646 Kyurem Kyurem
Fusion Bolt
Freeze Shock
Fusion Bolt
Freeze Shock
 
 
 
647   Keldeo
Secret Sword
Sacred Sword
Secret Sword
Keldeo
 
 
648   Meloetta
Relic Song Relic Song
Meloetta
 
 
649   Genesect
Techno Blast Techno Blast
 
 
 
652   Chesnaught
Spiky Shield
 
 
 
655   Delphox
Mystical Fire
 
 
 
658   Greninja
Water Shuriken
Mat Block
 
 
 
666   Vivillon
Powder
 
 
 
667   Litleo
Noble Roar
 
 
 
668   Pyroar
Noble Roar
 
 
 
674   Pancham
Parting Shot
 
 
 
675   Pangoro
Parting Shot
 
 
 
681   Aegislash
King's Shield
 
 
 
683   Aromatisse
Aromatic Mist
 
 
 
686   Inkay
Topsy-Turvy
Happy Hour
 
 
 
687   Malamar
Topsy-Turvy
 
 
 
694   Helioptile
Electrify
 
 
 
695   Heliolisk
Electrify
 
 
 
701   Hawlucha
Flying Press
 
 
 
707   Klefki
Fairy Lock
Crafty Shield
 
 
 
708   Phantump
Forest's Curse
 
 
 
709   Trevenant
Forest's Curse
 
 
 
710   Pumpkaboo
Trick-or-Treat
 
 
 
711   Gourgeist
Trick-or-Treat
 
 
 
716   Xerneas
Geomancy
 
 
 
717   Yveltal
Oblivion Wing
 
 
 
718   Zygarde
Land's Wrath
 
 
 
719   Diancie
Diamond Storm
 
 
 

Shadow moves

# Pokémon Move
144   Articuno Shadow Chill
145   Zapdos Shadow Bolt
146   Moltres Shadow Fire
249   Shadow Lugia Shadow Blast

One-off signature moves

 
Victini using Fusion Flare, Fusion Bolt, and V-create

This is a list of signature moves that at only one point, another Pokémon had the ability to acquire:


Other signature move examples

 
Dialga using its signature move, Roar of Time, in The Rise of Darkrai

TM/HM or Move Tutor that are exclusive by level-up

Moves commonly associated with certain Pokémon

  • Although Megahorn was no longer Heracross's signature move starting in Generation III, it was still the only Bug-type Pokémon that could learn the move prior to Generation V, where Megahorn is now learnable by Scolipede, Karrablast and Escavalier.
  • Lucario is usually associated with Aura Sphere and Force Palm, but ten Pokémon (including Lucario) can learn Aura Sphere in total plus two with Riolu from Almia and Raikou from Event, in addition to the Squirtle family through breeding. 10 Pokémon (including Lucario) can learn Force Palm. In Generation V and VI, Lucario and the Mienshao family are the only Fighting-type Pokémon to learn Aura Sphere by leveling up.
    • Lucario no longer learns Force Palm in Generation VI (although Riolu can still learn it).
  • Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise are often associated with Solar Beam, Flamethrower, and Hydro Pump, respectively, due to them frequently being depicted using those moves in various Pokémon media (such as the anime).
  • Electrode are most commonly seen using Explosion, with it being shown to use it most in the anime.
  • Jolteon and Vaporeon's signature moves are said to be Pin Missile and Acid Armor, respectively. Both abilities are alluded to in both Pokémon's various Pokédex entries. However, many Pokémon learn both moves by leveling up, and some through breeding. Likewise, Umbreon's Moonlight matches Espeon's Morning Sun, though others can learn it even in its introductory generation.
  • Suicune, being known as the Aurora Pokémon, is associated with the move Aurora Beam.
  • Although Clefairy can learn Meteor Mash by leveling up in any Generation III game, the only Pokémon that could have it legitimately before release of FireRed and LeafGreen were Metang and its evolved form, Metagross.
  • Ditto has Transform as its only move and is most associated with it; however, Mew is also able to learn it.
  • Until Generation III, Koffing and Weezing were the only Poison-type Pokémon capable of learning Smog. As of Generation V, they are still the only Poison types to learn the move naturally, and all other Poison types must be bred the move to have it.
  • The move Razor Shell is tied to Oshawott's evolutionary line, although it can also be learned by Shellder.
  • Although Blaze Kick was no longer Blaziken's signature move from Generation III, it remains the only Fire-type Pokémon to learn it by level up.
  • The Venipede family are the only Pokémon besides Golem which can learn Steamroller. They are also the only Bug-type Pokémon to learn it.
  • Castform was the only Pokémon capable of learning Weather Ball prior to Generation IV. However, due to Shadow moves only being present in Generation III, it remains the only Pokémon capable of taking advantage of Weather Ball's ???-type effect during Shadow Sky.
  • Each of Rotom's forms has its own signature move that cannot be carried over to any of its other forms. However, none of these five moves are exclusive to it.
  • Sacred Sword is not technically considered a signature move in the traditional sense because it is not involved in a sole evolutionary line, but it is uniquely learned by the Swords of Justice.
  • No Pokémon can learn V-create outside of event distributions. Victini was the first to gain access to it and is often associated with the move. However, later, a Rayquaza with V-create was available as the winner of a popularity poll held in Japan in 2011, making it no longer Victini's signature move.

Trivia

  • So far, Hitmonlee has had the most signature moves, with four, albeit not at the same time. However, three of them were only temporarily Hitmonlee's signature moves, and now can be learned by other Pokémon. The other was also previously available to other Pokémon through TMs and Move Tutors.
  • All Hoenn starter Pokémon could learn a signature move after evolution, although these moves can (from Generation IV onwards) be learned by other evolutionary families as well.
  • Due to Smeargle's Sketch being able to copy signature moves, the only pure signature moves are Sketch itself and Chatter, which can only be learned by Chatot.

See also

External links


  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.