Skull Bash (move)

Skull Bash ロケットずつき Rocket Headbutt

Battles Type  Normal Category  Physical PP  10 (max. 16) Power  130 Accuracy  100% Priority  {{{priority}}} Makes contact Affected by Protect Not affected by Magic Coat Not affected by Snatch Affected by Mirror Move Affected by King's Rock

Target Foe Foe Foe Self Ally Ally May affect anyone adjacent to the user

Availability Introduced  Generation I TM40 in Generation I

Contests Condition  Tough Appeal  1 ♥ Jam  4 ♥♥♥♥ Badly startles the Pokémon in front.

Super Contests Condition  Tough Appeal  1 ♥ Earn +3 if no other Pokémon has chosen the same Judge.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Tough Appeal  3 ♥♥♥ Jamming  0   Affected by how well the previous Pokémon's move went.

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

Skull Bash (Japanese: ロケットずつき Rocket Headbutt) is a damage-dealing Normal-type move introduced in Generation I. It was TM40 in Generation I. In Generation II, it was the signature move of Squirtle's evolutionary line.

Effect

Generation I

Skull Bash does nothing on the turn it is selected, other than say that the user lowered its head. On the following turn, Skull Bash will do damage, PP will be deducted from it, and it will count as the last move used. Once Skull Bash is selected, the user won't be able to switch out until it is disrupted or fully executed.

If Skull Bash is not fully executed, PP will not be deducted from it, and it will not count as the last move used. If the opponent uses Mirror Move during the turn that the user lowers its head, Mirror Move will copy the move that the user executed immediately before using Skull Bash (or fail if it can't).

Sleep, freeze, partial trapping, and flinching will pause but not disrupt the duration of Skull Bash.

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

Generation II to V

On the turn it is selected, Skull Bash will raise the user's Defense by one level.

If a Power Herb is held by the user, Skull Bash can be executed in one turn.

Generation VI

Skull Bash's power is changed from 100 to 130 and its PP changed from 15 to 10.

Generation IX

Skull Bash cannot be selected in a battle.

Description

Games Description Stad In the first turn, the attacker tucks in its head. The next turn, it head-butts at full steam. Stad2 In the first turn, the attacker tucks its head. The next turn, it head-butts at full steam. GSC 1st turn: Prepare 2nd turn: Attack RSE Tucks in the head, then attacks on the next turn. FRLG The user raises its Defense in the 1st turn, then attacks in the 2nd turn. Colo.XD Raises defense, then attacks on the next turn. DPPtHGSSPBR The user tucks in its head to raise its Defense in the first turn, then rams the foe on the next turn. BWB2W2 XYORAS The user tucks in its head to raise its Defense in the first turn, then rams the target on the next turn. SMUSUMPE SwShBDSPLA The user tucks in its head to raise its Defense stat on the first turn, then rams the target on the next turn. SV This move can't be used. It's recommended that this move is forgotten. Once forgotten, this move can't be remembered.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
007		Squirtle		Monster	Water 1	35	40	40	31	31	31	31SMUSUM 45PE	36
008		Wartortle		Monster	Water 1	39	45	45	36	36	36	37SMUSUM 59PE	50
009		Blastoise		Monster	Water 1	42	55	55	39	39	39	40SMUSUM 75PE	56
056		Mankey		Field		Field								29BDSP
057		Primeape		Field		Field								30BDSP
119		Seaking		Water 2		Water 2							1PE
319		Sharpedo		Water 2		Water 2			48	50	50	50XY 51ORAS	51
689		Barbaracle		Water 3		Water 3						1, 65	1, 65	1
713		Avalugg		Monster	Mineral						1, 60	1, 60	51
787		Tapu Bulu		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered							58	70
797		Celesteela		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered							53	70
844		Sandaconda		Field	Dragon								1
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.

By TM

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Machine
						I TM40	II --	III --	IV --	V --	VI --	VII --	VIII --	IX --
004		Charmander		Monster	Dragon	✔
005		Charmeleon		Monster	Dragon	✔
006		Charizard		Monster	Dragon	✔
007		Squirtle		Monster	Water 1	✔
008		Wartortle		Monster	Water 1	✔
009		Blastoise		Monster	Water 1	✔
015		Beedrill		Bug		Bug	✔
019		Rattata		Field		Field	✔
020		Raticate		Field		Field	✔
023		Ekans		Field	Dragon	✔
024		Arbok		Field	Dragon	✔
025		Pikachu		Field	Fairy	✔
026		Raichu		Field	Fairy	✔
027		Sandshrew		Field		Field	✔
028		Sandslash		Field		Field	✔
029		Nidoran♀		Monster	Field	✔
030		Nidorina		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
031		Nidoqueen		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
032		Nidoran♂		Monster	Field	✔
033		Nidorino		Monster	Field	✔
034		Nidoking		Monster	Field	✔
035		Clefairy		Fairy		Fairy	✔
036		Clefable		Fairy		Fairy	✔
037		Vulpix		Field		Field	✔
038		Ninetales		Field		Field	✔
039		Jigglypuff		Fairy		Fairy	✔
040		Wigglytuff		Fairy		Fairy	✔
046		Paras		Bug	Grass	✔
047		Parasect		Bug	Grass	✔
052		Meowth		Field		Field	✔
053		Persian		Field		Field	✔
054		Psyduck		Water 1	Field	✔
055		Golduck		Water 1	Field	✔
056		Mankey		Field		Field	✔
057		Primeape		Field		Field	✔
058		Growlithe		Field		Field	✔
059		Arcanine		Field		Field	✔
060		Poliwag		Water 1		Water 1	✔
061		Poliwhirl		Water 1		Water 1	✔
062		Poliwrath		Water 1		Water 1	✔
063		Abra		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
064		Kadabra		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
065		Alakazam		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
066		Machop		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
067		Machoke		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
068		Machamp		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
072		Tentacool		Water 3		Water 3	✔
073		Tentacruel		Water 3		Water 3	✔
077		Ponyta		Field		Field	✔
078		Rapidash		Field		Field	✔
079		Slowpoke		Monster	Water 1	✔
080		Slowbro		Monster	Water 1	✔
083		Farfetch'd		Flying	Field	✔
084		Doduo		Flying		Flying	✔
085		Dodrio		Flying		Flying	✔
086		Seel		Water 1	Field	✔
087		Dewgong		Water 1	Field	✔
094		Gengar		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔
095		Onix		Mineral		Mineral	✔
096		Drowzee		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
097		Hypno		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
101		Electrode		Mineral		Mineral	✔
104		Cubone		Monster		Monster	✔
105		Marowak		Monster		Monster	✔
106		Hitmonlee		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
107		Hitmonchan		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
108		Lickitung		Monster		Monster	✔
111		Rhyhorn		Monster	Field	✔
112		Rhydon		Monster	Field	✔
113		Chansey		Fairy		Fairy	✔
114		Tangela		Grass		Grass	✔
115		Kangaskhan		Monster		Monster	✔
116		Horsea		Water 1	Dragon	✔
117		Seadra		Water 1	Dragon	✔
118		Goldeen		Water 2		Water 2	✔
119		Seaking		Water 2		Water 2	✔
120		Staryu		Water 3		Water 3	✔
121		Starmie		Water 3		Water 3	✔
122		Mr. Mime		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
123		Scyther		Bug		Bug	✔
124		Jynx		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
125		Electabuzz		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
126		Magmar		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
128		Tauros		Field		Field	✔
130		Gyarados		Water 2	Dragon	✔
131		Lapras		Monster	Water 1	✔
133		Eevee		Field		Field	✔
134		Vaporeon		Field		Field	✔
135		Jolteon		Field		Field	✔
136		Flareon		Field		Field	✔
137		Porygon		Mineral		Mineral	✔
139		Omastar		Water 1	Water 3	✔
141		Kabutops		Water 1	Water 3	✔
143		Snorlax		Monster		Monster	✔
147		Dratini		Water 1	Dragon	✔
148		Dragonair		Water 1	Dragon	✔
149		Dragonite		Water 1	Dragon	✔
150		Mewtwo		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
151		Mew		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.

By breeding

#	Pokémon		Types	Parent Egg Groups		Egg Move
						II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
001		Bulbasaur		Monster	Grass	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
029		Nidoran♀		Monster	Field			✔HGSS	✔	✔	✔	✔
104		Cubone		Monster		Monster	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
111		Rhyhorn		Monster	Field			✔HGSS	✔	✔	✔	✔
118		Goldeen		Water 2		Water 2				✔	✔	✔	✔
324		Torkoal		Field		Field			✔HGSS	✔	✔	✔	✔
369		Relicanth		Water 1	Water 2		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
399		Bidoof		Water 1	Field				✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
459		Snover		Monster	Grass			✔HGSS	✔	✔	✔	✔
529		Drilbur		Field		Field				✔	✔	✔
626		Bouffalant		Field		Field				✔	✔	✔	✔
833		Chewtle		Monster	Water 1							✔
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.

Special move

Generation VII

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
111		Rhyhorn		Monster	Field	Island Scan - Blush MountainSM
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.

In other games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

In Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team and Explorers of Time and Darkness and Sky, Skull Bash is a move with 10 base power, 100% accuracy, and 15 PP. This attack hits enemy in the front; this move's damage is doubled at the end of damage calculation. Unlike in main series, the Defense boost exists only in the charging phase. Being a two-turn move, this move cannot be linked.

Pokémon GO

Skull Bash is a Charged Attack in Pokémon GO that has been available since July 9, 2019.

Skull Bash
Charged Attack
Gyms & Raids Power 130 Energy cost 100 Duration 3.1 seconds Damage window 1.8 - 2.3 seconds
Trainer Battles Power 130 Energy cost 75 Secondary effect 1 Defense Effect chance 100%
Eligible Pokémon:
Standard eligibility By Elite Charged TM By GO Snapshot As Shadow Pokémon As Purified Pokémon Formerly eligible None

Super Smash Bros. series

Pikachu uses Skull Bash as its side special from Super Smash Bros. Melee onwards. Skull Bash can be charged up to inflict more damage and knockback, as well as launching Pikachu further sideways, making it usable for recovering.

Pichu uses Skull Bash as its side special. It is similar to Pikachu's, but can be charged longer and can deal even more damage and knockback, though hurts Pichu a little upon release. Pichu cannot legitimately learn Skull Bash in the main games, however.

• 

  Pikachu using Skull Bash in Super Smash Bros. Melee.

• 

  Pichu using Skull Bash in Super Smash Bros. Melee.

• 

  Pikachu using Skull Bash in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Pokémon Rumble Rush

Skull Bash

★★★★★
Attack power	31.90544
Charge time	1.44 seconds
Range type	Dash
Number of hits	4
Number of projectiles	1
Critical hit rate	1.5%
Additional effect	Raises the user's Defense

Pokémon UNITE

In Pokémon UNITE, Skull Bash is Blastoise's second move as Squirtle. The user dashes forward damaging and stunning all enemies hit for .5s. After reaching level 7 as Wartortle, it is replaced by either Surf or Rapid Spin.

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 Skull Bash status, causing it to attack strongly on the next turn. It is not possible to link this move. MDTDS Gives the user a Skull Bash status, which causes the Pokémon to charge power for 1 turn, then try a powerful attack on the next turn. It also boosts the Pokémon's Defense while charging. You can't link this move. BSL ロケットずつきじょうたいになり 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 ちからをためたターンは ぼうぎょがあがるぞ このわざは ポケモンタワーでは くりだせない MDGtI UNUSED Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U Charge it to increase the power and distance.* SMD You tuck your head to boost your Defense and then damage an enemy on the next turn.* You'll get the Skull Bash status condition, which lets you charge power to try a powerful attack on the next turn. It also boosts your Defense. The stat returns to normal when you go to the next floor or step on a Wonder Tile.*

In the anime

Main series

Scyther	Squirtle	Magmar	Blastoise
The user tucks in its head and rams the foe with it.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
Charmander	Charmander runs at the opponent with its head down and strikes it with its head.
Ash's Charmander	Pokémon Scent-sation		Debut
Squirtle	Squirtle runs and jumps at the opponent with its head down and strikes it with its head, or Squirtle jumps into the air, becomes surrounded by a silver aura, and slams its head into the opponent.
Ash's Squirtle	The Kangaskhan Kid		None
Tierno's Squirtle	Summer of Discovery!		None
Magmar	Magmar hurtles itself at the opponent and hits it with its head.
Blaine's Magmar	Volcanic Panic		None
Scyther	Scyther flies at the opponent and its body becomes surrounded by a golden orb with golden streaks around it. It then slams its head into the opponent.
Tracey's Scyther	A Way Off Day Off		None
Dragonite	Dragonite flies up and strikes the opponent with its head at high speed.
Drake's Dragonite	Enter the Dragonite		Japanese version only
Eevee	Eevee runs at the opponent and its body becomes surrounded by a white aura. It then strikes the opponent with its head.
Gary's Eevee	The Rivalry Revival		None
Raticate	Raticate charges at the opponent and its body becomes surrounded by golden streaks. It then slams its head into the opponent.
Cassidy's Raticate	The Fortune Hunters		None
Blastoise	Blastoise slams its head into the opponent. Sometimes, its body becomes surrounded by a silver aura when using the attack or a white aura briefly flashes from Blastoise's body and then it charges towards its opponent and slams its head into the opponent.
A Blastoise Jessie borrowed from the Battle Park	One Trick Phony!		None
Gary's Blastoise	Can't Beat the Heat!		None
Sid's Blastoise	Destiny Deoxys		None
Siebold's Blastoise	Mega Evolution Special I		None
Tierno's Blastoise	Valuable Experience for All!		None
A Sailor's Blastoise	A Glaring Rivalry!		None
Neesha's Blastoise	I Choose You!		None
Sharpedo	Sharpedo swims at the opponent and its body becomes surrounded by a bright white aura. It then slams its body into the opponent.
Multiple wild Sharpedo	Sharpedo Attack!		None
Wartortle	Wartortle jumps at the opponent with its head down and strikes it with its head.
Tierno's Wartortle	Good Friends, Great Training!		None

• In The Ultimate Test, Nurse Joy commanded the Squirtle she had rented from the Pokémon League Admissions Exam instructor to use Skull Bash, but the move was used off-screen.
• In the English dub of Dueling Heroes, Ash commanded his Totodile to use Skull Bash, which it cannot legally learn. In the original Japanese version, Ash instead commanded Totodile to use Headbutt.

Pokémon Origins

	Blastoise
The user tucks in its head and rams the foe with it.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
Blastoise	Blastoise slams its head into the opponent.
Blue's Blastoise	File 4: Charizard		Debut

Pokémon Generations

	Dragonite	Blastoise
The user tucks in its head and rams the foe with it.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
Blastoise	Blastoise slams its head into the opponent.
Blue's Blastoise	The Challenger		Debut
Dragonite	Dragonite slams its head into the opponent.
Lance's Dragonite	The Challenger		None

In the manga

Ash & Pikachu

	Blastoise
The user slams its head into the opponent.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
Blastoise	Blastoise slams its head into the opponent.
Gary's Blastoise	One Half Of A Poké Ball		Debut

The Electric Tale of Pikachu

	Squirtle
The user tucks its head in, then rams the target with it.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
Squirtle	Squirtle slams headfirst into the opponent with great force.
Ash's Squirtle	The Indigo Finals		Debut

Pokémon Adventures

	Onix	Sandaconda
The user tucks in its head to raise its Defense in the first turn, then rams the foe on the next turn.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
Onix	Onix floats into the air and curls its body around. It then fires itself at the opponent with huge speed and power.
Brock's Onix	Onix Is On!		Debut
Sandaconda	Sandaconda rams the opponent with its head.
Raihan's Sandaconda	Thump!! The Gazing Sage		None

• Green's Blastoise, Blasty, was revealed to know Skull Bash on the official website, but he has never been shown using the move.

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

	Blastoise
The user slams their head at the opponent.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
Blastoise	Blastoise tucks its head, then quickly pokes it out of the body.
Blue's Blastoise	The Pokémon Banana League (Part 1)		Debut
Squirtle	Squirtle flies in the air and slams its head at the foe.
A wild Squirtle	Take Me to the Dragon Palace!		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, andSky	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, andSky	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, andSky	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, andSky	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, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 火箭頭錘 Fójin Tàuhchèuih * 火箭頭鎚 Fójin Tàuhchèuih * 火箭頭擊 Fójin Tàuhgīk * Mandarin 火箭頭錘 / 火箭头锤 Huǒjiàn Tóuchuí * 火箭頭槌 Huǒjiàn Tóuchuí * Czech Hlavový náraz Danish Skalle* Dutch Schedelbeuk Finnish Kallolytty (S01) Pääpusku (Johto series) French Canada Coud'Krâne* Europe Coud'krâne German Schädelwumme Greek Κρανιοκόπημα Kraniokópima Hindi सख्त खोपरी Sakht Khopri Indonesian Sundulan Roket Italian Capocciata Korean 로켓박치기 RokesbakchigiIX+ 로케트박치기 RoketeubakchigiII, IV–VIII Polish Cios Głową Portuguese Brazil Quebra-crânio (games, anime, TCG) Quebracrânio (manga) Golpe de Cabeça (The Official Pokémon Handbook) Portugal Esmaga Crânios Russian Удар черепом Udar cherepom Serbian Udar Lobanjom Spanish Latin America Embestida Final (EP026) Mega tope (EP034) Embestida* (EP056) Golpe de Cabeza* (EP059) Cabezazo (EP098-present) Spain Cabezazo Swedish Danskskalle* Nickstöt* Huvudattack* Thai พุ่งหัวจรวด Vietnamese Tên Lửa Húc Đầu

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.