Scratch (move)

Scratch ひっかく Scratch

Battles Type  Normal Category  Physical PP  35 (max. 56) Power  40 Accuracy  100% Priority  0 Makes contact Affected by Protect Not affected by Magic Coat Not affected by Snatch Affected by Mirror Move Affected by King's Rock

Range Opponent Opponent Opponent Self Ally Ally Normal: May affect anyone adjacent to the user

Availability Introduced  Generation I Not a TM, TR, HM, or Move Tutor move.

Contests Condition  Tough Appeal  4 ♥♥♥♥ Jam  0   A highly appealing move.

Super Contests Condition  Tough Appeal  3 ♥♥♥ A basic performance using a move known by the Pokémon.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Tough Appeal  4 ♥♥♥♥ Jamming  0   Quite an appealing move.

On Smogon's Movedex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX

Scratch (Japanese: ひっかく Scratch) is a damage-dealing Normal-type move introduced in Generation I.

Effect

Scratch inflicts damage and has no secondary effect.

Scratch can also be used as part of a Pokémon Contest combination, with the user gaining extra four appeal points if Leer was used in the prior turn. It can also be used to start a combination, causing Fury Swipes and Slash to have their base appeal points doubled.

Description

Games Description StadStad2 A Normal-type attack. Sharp claws are used to inflict damage on the target. GSC Scratches with sharp claws. RSE Scratches the foe with sharp claws. FRLG Hard, pointed, and sharp claws rake the foe. ColoXD Scratches the target with sharp claws. DPPtHGSSPBR Hard, pointed, and sharp claws rake the foe to inflict damage. BWB2W2 Hard, pointed, and sharp claws rake the target to inflict damage. XYORAS SMUSUMPE SwSh Hard, pointed, sharp claws rake the target to inflict damage.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
0004		Charmander		Monster	Dragon	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
0005		Charmeleon		Monster	Dragon	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
0006		Charizard		Monster	Dragon	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
0027		Sandshrew		Field		Field	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
027A		Sandshrew Alolan Form		Field		Field							1	1
0028		Sandslash		Field		Field	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
028A		Sandslash Alolan Form		Field	Field							1PE	1
0029		Nidoran♀		Monster	Field	8	8	1	1	1	1	1
0030		Nidorina		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered	1, 8	8	1	1	1	1	1
0031		Nidoqueen		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered	1, 8	1	1	1	1	1	1
0046		Paras		Bug	Grass	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
0047		Parasect		Bug	Grass	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
0050		Diglett		Field		Field	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
050A		Diglett Alolan Form		Field		Field							1PE
0051		Dugtrio		Field		Field	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
051A		Dugtrio Alolan Form		Field		Field							1PE
0052		Meowth		Field		Field	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	8
052A		Meowth Alolan Form		Field		Field							1	8
052G		Meowth Galarian Form		Field		Field								8
0053		Persian		Field		Field	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
053A		Persian Alolan Form		Field		Field							1	1
0054		Psyduck		Water 1	Field	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
0055		Golduck		Water 1	Field	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
0056		Mankey		Field		Field	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
0057		Primeape		Field		Field	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
0140		Kabuto		Water 1	Water 3	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
0141		Kabutops		Water 1	Water 3	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
0158		Totodile		Monster	Water 1		1	1	1	1	1	1
0159		Croconaw		Monster	Water 1		1	1	1	1	1	1
0160		Feraligatr		Monster	Water 1		1	1	1	1	1	1
0161		Sentret		Field		Field			1	1	1	1	1
0162		Furret		Field		Field		1	1	1	1	1	1
0190		Aipom		Field		Field		1	1	1	1	1	1
0215		Sneasel		Field		Field		1	1	1	1	1	1	1
0216		Teddiursa		Field		Field		1	1	1	1	1	1
0217		Ursaring		Field		Field		1	1	1	1	1	1
0255		Torchic		Field		Field			1	1	1	1	1
0256		Combusken		Field		Field			1	1	1	1	1
0257		Blaziken		Field		Field			1	1	1	1	1
0287		Slakoth		Field		Field			1	1	1	1	1
0288		Vigoroth		Field		Field			1	1	1	1	1
0289		Slaking		Field		Field			1	1	1	1	1
0290		Nincada		Bug		Bug			1	1	1	1	1	1
0291		Ninjask		Bug		Bug			1	1	1	1	1	1
0292		Shedinja		Mineral		Mineral			1	1	1	1	1	1
0302		Sableye		Human-Like		Human-Like			1	1	1	1	1	1
0335		Zangoose		Field		Field			1	1	1	1	1
0347		Anorith		Water 3		Water 3			1	1	1	1	1
0348		Armaldo		Water 3		Water 3			1	1	1	1	1
0352		Kecleon		Field		Field			1	1	1	1	1
0359		Absol		Field		Field			1	1	1	1	1
0390		Chimchar		Field	Human-Like				1	1	1	1
0391		Monferno		Field	Human-Like				1	1	1	1
0392		Infernape		Field	Human-Like				1	1	1	1
0424		Ambipom		Field		Field				1	1	1	1
0431		Glameow		Field		Field				5	5	5	5
0432		Purugly		Field		Field				1, 5	1, 5	1, 5	1, 5
0434		Stunky		Field		Field				1	1	1	1	1
0435		Skuntank		Field		Field				1	1	1	1	1
0461		Weavile		Field		Field				1	1	1	1	1
0509		Purrloin		Field		Field					1	1	1	1
0510		Liepard		Field		Field					1	1	1	1
0511		Pansage		Field		Field					1	1	1
0513		Pansear		Field		Field					1	1	1
0515		Panpour		Field		Field					1	1	1
0529		Drilbur		Field		Field					1	1	1	4
0530		Excadrill		Field		Field					1	1	1	1
0570		Zorua		Field		Field					1	1	1	1
0571		Zoroark		Field		Field					1	1	1	1
0610		Axew		Monster	Dragon					1	1	1	1
0611		Fraxure		Monster	Dragon					1	1	1	1
0612		Haxorus		Monster	Dragon					1	1	1	1
0621		Druddigon		Dragon	Monster					1	1	1	1
0624		Pawniard		Human-Like		Human-Like					1	1	1	1
0625		Bisharp		Human-Like		Human-Like					1	1	1	1
0653		Fennekin		Field		Field						1	1
0654		Braixen		Field		Field						1	1
0655		Delphox		Field		Field						1	1
0677		Espurr		Field		Field						1	1	1
0678		Meowstic Male		Field		Field						1	1	1
678F		Meowstic Female		Field		Field						1	1	1
0688		Binacle		Water 3		Water 3						1	1	1
0689		Barbaracle		Water 3		Water 3						1	1	1
0725		Litten		Field		Field							1	1
0726		Torracat		Field		Field							1	1
0727		Incineroar		Field		Field							1	1
0757		Salandit		Monster	Dragon							1	1
0758		Salazzle		Monster	Dragon								1
0778		Mimikyu		Amorphous		Amorphous							1	1
0807		Zeraora		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered							1USUM	1
0810		Grookey		Field	Grass								1
0811		Thwackey		Field	Grass								1
0812		Rillaboom		Field	Grass								1
0863		Perrserker		Field		Field								1
0893		Zarude		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered								1
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 GO

Scratch
Fast Attack
Gyms & Raids Power 6 Energy boost 4 Duration 0.5 seconds Damage window 0.3 - 0.5 seconds
Trainer Battles Power 4 Energy boost 2 Turns 1
Eligible Pokémon:
Standard eligibility By Elite Fast TM By GO Snapshot As Shadow Pokémon As Purified Pokémon Formerly eligible None

Updates

Gyms & Raids

• July 30, 2016
  • Power: 10 → 6
• February 16, 2017
  • Power: 6 → 12
  • Duration: 0.5 → 1 seconds
• February 21, 2017
  • Power: 12 → 6
  • Energy boost: 7 → 4
  • Duration: 1 → 0.5 seconds

Description

Games Description MDRB MDTDS Inflicts damage on the target. BSL てきポケモンに ダメージをあたえる MDGtI SMD It damages an enemy.

In the anime

In the main series

Primeape Chimchar Panpour Salandit
The foe is hit by the user's sharp claws
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Meowth scratches the opponent with its claws. Sometimes when it uses this move, its claws glow white and leave behind white trails of energy.
Meowth of Team Rocket	Challenge of the Samurai		Debut
	Primeape puts its hand in a fist and repeatedly scratches the opponent with its fist.
Ash's Primeape	The Punchy Pokémon		None
	Psyduck charges at the opponent with its claws extended and scratches them.
Misty's Psyduck	The Ninja Poké-Showdown		None
	Nidoran♀ repeatedly scratches the opponent with her claws.
Emily's Maria	Wherefore Art Thou, Pokémon		None
	Sandslash repeatedly slashes the opponent with its claws.
Koji's Sandslash	Good Quil Hunting		None
	Totodile scratches the opponent repeatedly with its claws.
Ash's Totodile	The Totodile Duel		None
	Vigoroth hits the opponent with its whole hand.
Norman's Vigoroth	There's no Place like Hoenn		None
Marcel's Vigoroth	The Garden of Eatin'		None
	Sableye scratches the opponent with its nails.
Cassidy's Sableye	Oaknapped!		None
	Torchic jumps up and scratches the opponent repeatedly with its two feet.
Nurse Joy's Torchic	Having a Wailord of a Time		None
	Slakoth scratches the opponent with its claws.
Marcel's Slakoth	The Garden of Eatin'		None
A Coordinator's Slakoth	Playing the Performance Encore!		None
	Aipom scratches the opponent with its hands.
Multiple wild Aipom	Slaking Kong!		None
Ash's Aipom	Slaking Kong!		None
	Weavile scratches the opponent with its claws.
A wild Weavile	Duels of the Jungle!		None
	Chimchar scratches the opponent with its fingers, leaving behind white trails of energy.
Ash's Chimchar	When Pokémon Worlds Collide!		None
	The end of one of Zorua's paws glows light blue and it swings the paw at the opponent, releasing a crescent blade of energy.
Zorua (M13)	Zoroark: Master of Illusions		None
	The tips of one or both of Panpour's hands glow white and it scratches the opponent one or more times, leaving behind a white trail of energy.
Cress's Panpour	Triple Leaders, Team Threats!		None
	Axew raises its claws in the air and one of them flashes white. It then scratches the opponent one or more times with both claws, leaving behind a white trail of energy.
Iris's Axew	The Bloom Is on Axew!		None
	Zangoose's claws glow white and it slashes the opponent with them.
Weiss's Zangoose	Saving Braviary!		None
	Meowstic extends the claws on one of its paws, or the claws on one of Meowstic's hands glow white. It then scratches the opponent.
Astrid's Meowstic	Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction		None
Heath's Meowstic	Splitting Heirs!		None
Blake's Meowstic	Splitting Heirs!		None
	Fennekin scratches the opponent with one of its front paws, leaving a white trail of energy. Sometimes, it extends the claws.
Mirror Serena's Fennekin	The Cave of Mirrors!		None
Serena's Fennekin	Forging Forest Friendships!		None
	Sneasel raises its claws in the air and one of them flashes white. It then scratches the opponent one or more times with both claws, leaving behind a white trail of energy.
A Performer's Sneasel	Performing with Fiery Charm!		None
	Braixen scratches the opponent with one of its front paws, leaving a white trail of energy.
Serena's Braixen	Over the Mountain of Snow!		None
	One of the claws on one of Manectric's front paws glows white and it then charges towards the opponent to scratch the opponent with the same set of claws
Celosia's Manectric	Meeting at Terminus Cave!		Japanese version only Manectric cannot legally learn Scratch.
	Litten scratches the opponent once or multiple times with one of its front paws, leaving a white trail of energy.
Ash's Litten	Alolan Open House!		None
Professor Kukui's Litten	A Timeless Encounter!		None
	Alolan Meowth scratches the opponent with one of its claws.
Matori's Meowth	Acting True to Form!		None
Nanu's Meowth	Tough Guy Trials!		None
	The claws on one of Torracat's paws extend and turn white, before it scratches the opponent with them.
Ash's Torracat	Love at First Twirl!		None
	Salandit's claws glow white and it scratches the opponent with them.
Tupp's Salandit	Real Life...Inquire Within!		None

• In Classroom Training!, Jeremiah told his Skuntank to use Scratch, but due to it being incapacitated by James's Carnivine's Vine Whip, it was unable to execute the move.

In Pokémon Origins

Charmander Charmeleon
The foe is hit by the user's sharp claws.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Charmander scratches the opponent with its claws.
Red's Charmander	File 1: Red		Debut
	Charmeleon scratches the opponent with its claws, leaving behind a white trail of energy.
Red's Charmeleon	File 2: Cubone		None

In the manga

In the Aim to Be a Card Master!! manga

Charmander
The user scratches the opponent.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Charmander scratches the opponent.
Kenta's Charmander	District Convention "Kenta, to the Open Sea"		Debut

In the How I Became a Pokémon Card manga

Persian Nidoran♀
The user scratches the opponent.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Persian scratches the opponent.
Giovanni's Persian	PW17		Debut
	Nidoran♀ scratches the opponent.
Unknown Trainer's Nidoran♀	PW34		None

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Nidoqueen Aipom Totodile Meowth
The user scratches the opponent with its claws.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Nidoqueen scratches the opponent with one of her claws.
Giovanni's Nidoqueen	The Beedrill All and End All		Debut
	Aipom scratches the opponent repeatedly with its two hands.
Gold's Aibo	Murkrow Row		None
	Totodile scratches the opponent with one of its claws.
Silver's Totodile	Totodile Rock		None
	Meowth sticks out both of its paws and it scratches the opponent with both of them.
Sham's Meowth	The Escape		None
	Purrloin scratches the opponent repeatedly with its two claws.
Hugh's sister's Purrloin	Unforgettable Memories		None

• In the Sword & Shield arc, Sōdo Tsurugi mentioned that his Grookey, Sutikkun, knows Scratch. However, it has never been seen using the move.

In the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure! manga

Purugly
The user scratches the opponent.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Purugly raises its paw and scratches the foe with it.
Mars's Purugly	The Mystery Boy, Jun!!		Debut

In the Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure manga

Totodile
The user scratches the foe with its claws.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Totodile scratches the foe leaving behind a trail of light.
Jō's Totodile	Aim to be the Strongest! The Hot-Blooded Brotherly Combination!!		Debut

In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blazing Exploration Team manga

Chimchar
The user scratches the foe.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Chimchar scratches the foe with its hands.
Honō	BET1		Debut

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

Feraligatr Charizard Totodile
The user slams the foe with its claws.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Charizard slams the foe with its claws.
Green's Charizard	The Pokémon Banana League (Part 2)		Debut
	Totodile scratches the foe leaving behind a trail of light.
Silver's Totodile	Clefairy, the Battle Instructor		None
	Feraligatr scratches the opponent.
The Underground store owners's Feraligatr	Don't Accuse Me!!		None

In other generations

Core series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Side series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Spin-off series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

PMD: Rescue Team DX

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 抓 Jáau * 利爪 Leihjáau * 抓癢 Jáauyéuhng * 挍痕 Ngāauhàhn * 搔 Sōu * 搶攻 Chéunggūng * Mandarin 抓 Zhuā * 利爪 Lìzhuǎ * 搔癢 Sāoyǎng * 爪子攻擊 Zhuǎzi Gōngjí * 搔 Sāo * Czech Škrábavý útok Danish Kradse Dutch Krab Finnish Raapaisu Raapiminen (AG series) French Griffe German Kratzer Greek Γρατσουνιά Gratsouniá Hindi पंजा मारो Panja Maaro खरोच मारो Kharoch Maaro खुजली का हमला Khujli ka hamla Indonesian Cakar Italian Graffio Korean 할퀴기 Halkwigi Polish Rysa* Drapanie* Atak Pazurami* Drapiący Atak* Ściskający Atak* Portuguese Brazil Arranhão (games, anime, TCG, The Official Pokémon Handbook) Arranhar (The Official Pokémon Handbook) Portugal Arranhadela Romanian Zgârietura Russian Царапина Tsarapina Serbian Grebanje Spanish Latin America Rasguño (EP029-DP) Arañazo (BW005-present) Spain Arañazo Swedish Klösattack* Rivattack* Thai ข่วน Scratch Turkish Tırmalama Vietnamese Cào

Variations of the move Pound
Pound • Scratch • Tackle • Leafage • Branch Poke Gust • Fairy Wind

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.