Head Charge (move)

	Head Charge; アフロブレイク Afro Break
Type	Normal
Category	Physical
PP	15 (max. 24)
Power	120
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;
	Normal: May affect anyone adjacent to the user
Introduced	Generation V
	Not a TM, TR, HM, or Move Tutor move.;
Condition	Tough
Appeal	0
Jam	0
Condition	Tough
Appeal	0
Condition	Tough
Appeal	6 ♥♥♥♥♥♥
Jamming	0
	A very appealing move, but after using this move, the user is more easily startled.
	On Smogon's Movedex: Generation V; Generation VI; Generation VII; Generation VIII; Generation IX; ;

Head Charge (Japanese: アフロブレイク Afro Break) is a damage-dealing Normal-type move introduced in Generation V. It is the signature move of Bouffalant.

Effect

Head Charge inflicts damage, and the user receives recoil damage equal to ¼ of the damage done to the target.

Generation VIII

Pokémon Sword and Shield

In Versions 1.0 to 1.1.1 of Pokémon Sword and Shield, Head Charge could not be selected in a battle. Starting with Version 1.2.0, it is usable and functions as it did in previous generations.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

Head Charge cannot be selected in a battle.

Generation IX

Head Charge cannot be selected in a battle.

Description

Games	Description
BW B2W2	The user charges its head into its target, using its powerful guard hair. It also damages the user a little.
XY ORAS SM USUM PE SwSh LA	The user charges its head into its target, using its powerful guard hair. This also damages the user a little.
BDSP	This move can't be used. It's recommended that this move is forgotten. Once forgotten, this move can't be remembered.
SV	The user charges its head into the target, using its powerful guard hair. This also damages the user a little.

Learnset

By leveling up

#		Egg Groups	Level
			V	VI	VII	VIII
					SM USUM	SwSh
0626	Bouffalant	Field	Field	31	31	31	40
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

Head Charge inflicts damage and the user receives recoil damage equal to 10% of the user's max HP.

Game	Base Power	Max Power	Base PP	Max PP	Base Accuracy	Max Accuracy	Range	Target	Cuts corners
SMD	37	99	20	40	95%	98%	Front	Enemy	No
With some exceptions, Pokémon learnsets match those from the core series games: Super Mystery Dungeon = Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.

Pokémon Rumble Rush

Head Charge

★★★★★
Attack power	26.07959
Charge time	1.18 seconds
Range type	Dash
Number of hits	4
Number of projectiles	1
Critical hit rate	1.5%
Additional effect	Causes recoil

Pokémon Masters EX

Name	Category	Move gauge cost	MP (uses)	Base power	Max power	Accuracy	Target	Effect tag	Description	Playable sync pair(s)
Head Charge	Physical	3	—	167	200	100%	An opponent	Recoil	The user also takes 25% of the damage it dealt to the target.	Hugh & Bouffalant
Sync move
Name	Category	State		Base power	Max power	Target		Effect tag	Description	Playable sync pair
Trusted Partners Head Charge	Physical	Default 6★ EX		300	360	An opponent All opponents		—	No additional effect.	Hugh & Bouffalant

Description

Games	Description
MDGtI	UNUSED
SMD	It damages an enemy, but it damages you, too.* It damages an enemy, but you'll receive recoil damage, too.*

In animation

Pokémon animated series

Pokémon	Method
Bouffalant
The user charges its head into its target, using its powerful guard hair.
User	First Used In	Notes
	Bouffalant charges at the opponent and the afro on its head glows red. The front of it also glows yellow. It then slams the yellow part of its afro into the opponent.
Alder's Bouffalant	Ash and Trip's Third Battle!	Debut

In the manga

Be the Best! Pokémon B+W

Pokémon	Method
Bouffalant
The user charges its head into its target, using its powerful guard hair.
User	First Chapter Used In	Notes
	Bouffalant charges at the opponent. After slamming head-first, an afro-shaped mark is shown.
Dol's Bouffalant	Challenge the Battle Subway!	Debut

Pokémon Adventures

Pokémon	Method
Bouffalant
The user charges recklessly into the opponent.
User	First Chapter Used In	Notes
	Bouffalant charges at the opponent and slams its head into them with great force.
Alder's Bouffalant	The Lesson Ends Here	Debut

In other generations

Core series games

Generation I	RB Y	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	FRLG E	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	Pt HGSS	HGSS	BW	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SM USUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	SV	Legends: Z-A	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	RB Y	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	FRLG E	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	Pt HGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SM USUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	SV	Legends: Z-A	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

Trivia

Despite its Pokédex entries stating that its fur absorbs damage, Bouffalant still takes recoil damage after using this move.

In other languages


Language		Title
Chinese	Cantonese	爆炸頭突擊 Baaujatàuh Dahtgīk * 爆爆頭突擊 Baaubaautàuh Dahtgīk *
Chinese	Mandarin	爆炸頭突擊 / 爆炸头突击 Bàozhàtóu Tújí * 爆爆頭突擊 Bàobàotóu Tújí *
Dutch		Kopcharge
French		Peignée
German		Steinschädel
Italian		Ricciolata
Korean		아프로브레이크 Apeurobeureikeu
Polish		Szarża
Portuguese	Brazil	Ataque de Cabeça (TCG, manga) Impacto Bruto (animated series)
Portuguese	Portugal	Ataque de Cabeça
Spanish	Latin America	Carga de Cabeza
Spanish	Spain	Ariete
Vietnamese		Cú Giáng Đầu Bò

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.