Spikes (move)

Spikes
まきびし Caltrop
Spikes IX.png
Spikes IX 2.png
Type  Ground
Category  Status
PP  20 (max. 32)
Power  —
Accuracy  —%
Priority  {{{priority}}}
  • Does not make contact
  • Not affected by Protect
  • Affected by Magic Coat and Magic Bounce
  • Not affected by Snatch
  • Not affected by Mirror Move
  • Not affected by King's Rock
Target
Foe Foe Foe
Self Ally Ally
Affects all foes
Availability
Introduced  Generation II
Condition  Smart
Appeal  2 ♥♥
Jam  0  
Makes all Pokémon after the user nervous.
Condition  Smart
Appeal  2 ♥♥
Prevents the Voltage from going up in the same turn.
Condition  Clever
Appeal  2 ♥♥
Jamming  0  
Makes the remaining Pokémon nervous.

Spikes (Japanese: まきびし Caltrop) is a non-damaging Ground-type move introduced in Generation II. It was TR23 in Generation VIII, and is TM090 in Generation IX.

Effect

Generation II

Spikes sets an entry hazard around the enemy team's field. Pokémon who switch into the spike-ridden field take 12.5% of their maximum HP in damage. Flying-type Pokémon are immune to this damage. The move Rapid Spin removes Spikes around the user.

Spikes glitch

In this generation only, Pokémon fainting from Spikes will not run the regular faint checks until later, meaning that player can potentially end up with a Pokémon with 0HP on the field which hasn't fainted if the game loop doesn't do any further unrelated faint checks later. The easiest way to reproduce this is to have a Pokémon faint to Perish Song, then switch into a Pokémon who immediately faints from Spikes.

Generations III and IV

Spikes can now be set up to three times, each increasing the damage done to the opponent upon switching in. One layer of Spikes will damage the opponent Pokémon by 1/8 (12.5%) of its maximum HP, two layers will deal 1/6 (16.67%), and three layers will deal 1/4 (25%). Any Pokémon with Levitate will also be immune to the damage.

The move Defog will remove Spikes around its target. Any Pokémon under the effect of the Magnet Rise or Magic Guard Ability are unaffected by the damage. However, Flying and Levitating Pokémon are affected under Gravity, while holding Iron Ball, or if Baton Passed an Ingrain.

Generation V

Spikes can now be reflected with Magic Coat and the Ability Magic Bounce. Any Pokémon holding an Air Balloon will be immune to the damage.

Generation VI onwards

Defog now removes all Spikes from play regardless of which side of the field they were placed on.

Spikes can be used as part of a Contest Spectacular combination, causing Circle Throw, Dragon Tail, Roar, and Whirlwind to give an extra three appeal points if used in the next turn.

If powered up by a Groundium Z into Z-Spikes, the user's Defense stat rises by one stage.

Generation VIII

Pokemon Sword and Shield

If a Pokémon is holding Heavy-Duty Boots, they are immune to Spikes when entering battle.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Spikes is a physical move that deals direct damage with a base power of 40. It also leaves the target with splinters for 4 turns (Strong Style), 2 turns (Agile Style), or 3 turns (otherwise).

Category  Physical
PP  20
Agile Strong
Power  40  30  50
Accuracy  100%  100%  100%
Action speed modifier
Self  0  0  +5
Target  0  +3  0
Additional effect
Turns  3  2  4
   ?  ?
   ?  ?
Leaves the target with splinters

Generation IX

Using Ceaseless Edge will set up one layer of spikes on the target's side of the field.

Description

Games Description
Stad2 An attack that scatters Spikes and injures opponent Pokémon when they switch.
GSC Hurts foes when they switch out.
RSColo.XD Sets spikes that hurt a foe switching out.
E Sets spikes that hurt a foe switching in.
FRLG A trap of spikes is laid around the foe's party to hurt foes switching in.
DPPtHGSSPBR The user lays a trap of spikes at the foe's feet. The trap hurts foes that switch into battle.
BWB2W2
XYORAS
SMUSUM
SwSh
The user lays a trap of spikes at the opposing team's feet. The trap hurts Pokémon that switch into battle.
LA The user lays a trap of spikes at the target's feet. The spikes left behind by this attack continue to damage the target for several turns.
SV The user lays a trap of spikes at the feet of the opposing team. The spikes will damage opposing Pokémon that switch into battle.


Learnset

By leveling up

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Level
0091    
 
Water 3 Water 3 33C 33RSE
36FRLG
28 28 28 28 1 1 1
0204     Bug Bug 43 43 23DP
28PtHGSS
28 28 28 28 28
0205    
 
Bug Bug 49 49 23DP
28PtHGSS
28 28 28 28 28
0211    
 
Water 2 Water 2 1C 1 1 1 1 1 20 20 20
0211  
Qwilfish
Hisuian Form
 
 
Water 2 Water 2 5 20
0227    
 
Flying Flying 42 27DP
28PtHGSS
28 28 28 44 44 44
0331     Grass Human-Like 33 33 33 33XY
30ORAS
30 30 30
0332    
 
Grass Human-Like 35 35 35 35XY
30ORAS
30 30 30
0386  
Deoxys
Defense Forme
  No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 20 33 33 33XY
25ORAS
25 25 25
0658  
Greninja
All available forms
 
 
Water 1 Water 1 28 28 28
0707    
 
Mineral Mineral 15 15
0904    
 
Water 2 Water 2 5 20
1003    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 5
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/TR/Move Tutor

In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Spikes is a damage-dealing move, so Gliscor receives STAB when using it.

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Compatibility
0027     Field Field
0028     Field Field
0028  
Sandslash
Alolan Form
 
 
Field Field
0090     Water 3 Water 3
0091    
 
Water 3 Water 3
0138    
 
Water 1 Water 3
0139    
 
Water 1 Water 3
0151     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0185     Mineral Mineral
0194    
 
Water 1 Field
0194  
Wooper
Paldean Form
 
 
Water 1 Field
0195    
 
Water 1 Field
0204     Bug Bug
0205    
 
Bug Bug
0207    
 
Bug Bug
0211    
 
Water 2 Water 2
0211  
Qwilfish
Hisuian Form
 
 
Water 2 Water 2
0214    
 
Bug Bug
0225    
 
Water 1 Field
0227    
 
Flying Flying
0315    
 
Fairy Grass
0331     Grass Human-Like
0332    
 
Grass Human-Like
0340    
 
Water 2 Water 2
0361     Fairy Mineral
0362     Fairy Mineral
0383     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0386  
Deoxys
Defense Forme
  No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0406    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0407    
 
Fairy Grass
0416    
 
Bug Bug
0423  
Gastrodon
All forms
 
 
Water 1 Amorphous
0438     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0445    
 
Monster Dragon
0472    
 
Bug Bug
0478    
 
Fairy Mineral
0543    
 
Bug Bug
0544    
 
Bug Bug
0545    
 
Bug Bug
0556     Grass Grass
0557    
 
Bug Mineral
0558    
 
Bug Mineral
0568     Mineral Mineral
0569     Mineral Mineral
0597    
 
Grass Mineral
0598    
 
Grass Mineral
0616     Bug Bug
0617     Bug Bug
0650     Field Field
0651     Field Field
0652    
 
Field Field
0656     Water 1 Water 1
0657     Water 1 Water 1
0658  
Greninja
All available forms
 
 
Water 1 Water 1
0659     Field Field
0660    
 
Field Field
0703    
 
Fairy Mineral
0707    
 
Mineral Mineral
0719    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0724  
Decidueye
Hisuian Form
 
 
Flying Flying
0767    
 
Bug Water 3
0768    
 
Bug Water 3
0801  
Magearna
All forms
 
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0804    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0837     Mineral Mineral
0838    
 
Mineral Mineral
0839    
 
Mineral Mineral
0871     Water 1 Amorphous
0904    
 
Water 2 Water 2
0908    
 
Field Grass
0917     Bug Bug
0918     Bug Bug
0946    
 
Grass Grass
0947    
 
Grass Grass
0948    
 
Grass Grass
0949    
 
Grass Grass
0968     Field Field
0969    
 
Mineral Mineral
0970    
 
Mineral Mineral
0980    
 
Water 1 Field
0989    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0995    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
1003    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
1017  
Ogerpon
All forms
  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.
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 Types Egg Groups Egg Move
0138    
 
Water 1 Water 3
0225    
 
Water 1 Field
0315    
 
Fairy Grass
0361     Fairy Mineral
0406    
 
Fairy Grass
0543    
 
Bug Bug
0556     Grass Grass
0557    
 
Bug Mineral
0568     Mineral Mineral
0597    
 
Grass Mineral
0616     Bug Bug
0650     Field Field
0656     Water 1 Water 1
0659     Field Field
0767    
 
Bug Water 3
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.


Special move

Generation V

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Obtained with
0556     Grass Grass Dream World - Rugged Mountain
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.


Generation VII

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Obtained with
0652    
 
Field Field Island Scan - Exeggutor IslandUSUM
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 event

Generation II

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Obtained with
0225    
 
Water 1 Field New York City Pokémon Center
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

Spikes causes the user to create a Spikes trap (Spiked Tile prior to Super Mystery Dungeon) underneath them, as long as it is a land tile that is neither stairs nor Kecleon Shop carpet. The trap also cannot be laid in hallways and the entrance of a room. Any Pokémon that triggers a Spikes trap will lose 15RB / 20TDS / 30SMD HP.

Game Base
Power
Max
Power
Base
PP
Max
PP
Base
Accuracy
Max
Accuracy
Range Target Cuts
corners
MDRB - - 22 - —% - Tile below user Floor -
MDTDS - - 22 - —% - Tile below user Floor -
BSL - - 22 - —% - Tile below user Floor -
SMD - - 17 40 —% - Tile below user Floor -
With some exceptions, Pokémon learnsets match those from the core series games:

Pokémon Rumble Rush

  Spikes
★★★
Attack power 47.82716
Charge time 0.82 seconds
Range type Circular (ranged)
Number of hits 1
Number of projectiles 1
Critical hit rate 1.5%
Additional effect None

Description

Games Description
MDRB The user places spikes underfoot. The Spiked Tile inflicts damage on foes that step on it.
MDTDS Turns the user's tile into a Spiked Tile trap. A Spiked Tile trap inflicts damage on enemies that step on it.
BSL あしもとに わな『まきびし』を つくる わな『まきびし』を ふんだ てきポケモンは ダメージをうける
MDGtI  UNUSED
SMD It turns your tile into a Spikes trap. A Spikes trap damages Pokémon that step on it.


In the anime

 
Skarmory
 
Pineco
 
Effect
 
Forretress
The user lays a trap of spikes at the opposing team's feet. The trap hurts Pokémon that switch into battle.
Pokémon Method
User First Used In Notes
  Pineco spins around and purple spikes come out of its body and hit the opponent.
Brock's Pineco Ariados, Amigos Debut
  Forretress spins around and glowing white spikes comes out of its body and hit the opponent; or, Forretress fires black spikes at the opponent that surround it. When the opponent gets pricked by them, it hurts them.
Brock's Forretress A Tail with a Twist None
  Skarmory spins its body rapidly and multiple glowing, metallic red spikes come out of its body and fall onto the battlefield. The spikes sink into the ground when they land. When the opponent switches to another Pokémon, small explosions go off under their feet, hurting them.
Barry's Skarmory Casting a Paul on Barry! None


In the manga

Pokémon Adventures


Pokémon Try Adventure


In other generations

Core series games

Side series games

Spin-off series games

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 撒菱 Saatlìhng *
Mandarin 撒菱 Sālíng *
滿地星 Mǎndìxīng *
捲捲菱 Juǎnjuǎnlíng *
  Czech Ostny
  Dutch Spikes
  Finnish Naulaisku (OS)
Piikki-isku (AG)
  French Picots
  German Stachler
  Greek Καρφιά
  Indonesian Duri
Spike
  Italian Punte
  Korean 압정뿌리기 Apjeong Ppurigi
  Polish Kolce
Portuguese   Brazil Tachinhas (PS136-present)
Espinhos (early anime, PS115)
  Portugal Farpas
  Serbian Šiljci
Spanish   Latin America Púas (DP184-present)
Picos (EP176)
Espinas (AG008)
Agujas (AG156)
  Spain Púas
  Vietnamese Rải Đinh



Variations of the move Spikes
  SpikesStealth RockToxic SpikesSticky Web


Generation VIII TMs
SwSh
0001020304050607080910111213141516171819
2021222324252627282930313233343536373839
4041424344454647484950515253545556575859
6061626364656667686970717273747576777879
8081828384858687888990919293949596979899
BDSP
0102030405060708091011121314151617181920
2122232425262728293031323334353637383940
4142434445464748495051525354555657585960
6162636465666768697071727374757677787980
81828384858687888990919293949596979899100
Generation VIII TRs (SwSh)
0001020304050607080910111213141516171819
2021222324252627282930313233343536373839
4041424344454647484950515253545556575859
6061626364656667686970717273747576777879
8081828384858687888990919293949596979899
Generation IX TMs
SV
001002003004005006007008009010011012013014015016017018019
020021022023024025026027028029030031032033034035036037038
039040041042043044045046047048049050051052053054055056057
058059060061062063064065066067068069070071072073074075076
077078079080081082083084085086087088089090091092093094095
096097098099100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114
115116117118119120121122123124125126127128129130131132133
134135136137138139140141142143144145146147148149150151152
153154155156157158159160161162163164165166167168169170171
Added in SV 2.0.1
172173174175176177178179180181182183184185186
187188189190191192193194195196197198199200201
Added in SV 3.0.0
202203204205206207208209210211212213214215216
217218219220221222223224225226227228229


  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.