Terminology of signature moves

The terminology of signature moves explains how the terms "signature move" (Japanese: 得意技(とくいわざ) signature move) or signature attack have been used in Pokémon media.

Overview

From Generation VI onwards, the term "signature move" has been often used on the Pokémon.com website. It is also mentioned in Pokémon Sword, Shield, GO, and Pokémon Quest

In the fandom, this has sometimes been used referring to moves that are used by a single Pokémon, evolutionary family, or group of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon within a given generation, with several moves gaining or losing the "signature move" status between generations.

While there is no official definition, based on the official uses of "signature move" so far, this term may permanently refer to moves that, at the time of their introduction, were only usable by a single species or certain related species. For instance, Sacred Fire has been still referred as Ho-Oh's signature move even after this move became available for Entei as well. Conversely, moves that became available to a single species later than the move's introduction (such as Unown's Hidden Power) have not been officially referred to as "signature moves".

In particular, Bolt Beak has been mentioned as the signature move of Dracozolt and Arctozolt, and Fishious Rend as the signature move of Dracovish and Arctovish. Those Pokémon are related via their fossils but not by evolution. Conversely, there is no known official usage of "signature move" referring to moves usable by multiple Pokémon of the same evolutionary family (such as Volt Tackle, usable by Pichu, Pikachu, and Pikachu) or by Pokémon of the same group of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon (such as Sacred Sword, usable by the Swords of Justice).

Signature move usable by a single species

Pokémon Sword and Shield

In the core series games, the term "signature move" (Japanese: 得意技(とくいわざ) signature move), in the sense of a move usable by a single Pokémon species, has been only used once:

• "My partner's signature move invites you to a subzero world!" (Melony, referring to her Gigantamax Lapras's G-Max Resonance in Pokémon Sword and Shield)

Pokémon GO

In the "Masterwork Research: Apex" event, Professor Willow mentions that Sacred Fire is Ho-Oh's signature move in the English version, but this is not mentioned in the Japanese version. However, since this event was released in released in December 18, 2021, not only Ho-Oh but Entei would be able to learn this move as well.

English version:

• English version: "Great work saving Apex Shadow Ho-Oh, <player>! It looks like it knows Sacred Fire, Ho-Oh's signature move—yet this one's Sacred Fire is somehow even more powerful!"

Japanese version:

• シャドウホウオウ・APEXを救ってくれて、ありがとう、<player>！どうやらこのホウオウは、せいなるほのおを使える。しかも通常よりも、さらに強力なせいなるほのおであるようだ。

  (Great work saving Apex Shadow Ho-Oh, <player>! It looks like this Ho-Oh knows Sacred Fire. Furthermore, this one's Sacred Fire is somehow even more powerful than that of ordinary Ho-Oh!)

Pokémon.com

On the Pokémon.com website, the terms "signature move" or "signature attack" have been officially used. For instance:

• "Kyurem's trademark moves, Freeze Shock and Ice Burn [...] aren't worth using in competitive battles unless Kyurem holds a Power Herb. Spending an item slot on a move that can only be used once is tough to justify, so most Trainers forego using Kyurem's signature moves and accelerate its offense with Choice Scarf, Choice Specs, or Life Orb instead."
• "Xerneas first rose to popularity due to its signature move Geomancy, which boosts its Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed by two stages."
• "Galarian Articuno's signature move: Freezing Glare!"
• "Regieleki's signature move: Thunder Cage!"
• "Regieleki's signature Thunder Cage attack can also be useful for preventing opposing Pokémon from switching out, and the move also deals residual damage at the end of each turn for four to five turns. [...] Galarian Moltres's signature attack is Fiery Wrath, a Dark-type move that hits multiple targets and may cause them to flinch."
• "Palkia's signature move is called called^[sic] Spacial Rend, which tears not only the target but the very space around them asunder."

In the examples below, Sacred Fire is said to be Ho-Oh's signature move, but in fact not only Ho-Oh but Entei would be able to learn this move as well when those articles were published:

• "Ho-Oh's signature Sacred Fire attack is the core of most of its strategies—it’s a powerful and accurate Fire-type move that plays off its gigantic Attack stat."
• "If you'd rather use a Ho-Oh that's a little less self-destructive, give it a Sitrus Berry and teach it its signature move, Sacred Fire, as well as Recover."

Signature move usable by multiple species

Pokémon.com

In the example below, certain Pokémon (related via their fossils but not by evolution) are said to share the same signature moves:

• "Two great examples hailing from Galar are Dracovish and Dracozolt, whose respective signature moves Fishious Rend and Bolt Beak double in power when they move before the opponent."

Indeterminate

Pokémon Quest

A tip displayed on the loading screen in Pokémon Quest labeled Signature Moves reads as follows:

• "There are apparently some moves that only certain Pokémon can learn"

Other uses

There are some instances of "signature move" being officially used with different meanings. Some of them were used in earlier games, before the sense of a species-exclusive move was introduced in Generation VII.

Pokémon Black 2 and White 2

In Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, the term "signature move" (Japanese: 得意(とくい)な 技(わざ) signature move) is mentioned by the character who gives the Big Root to the player in Driftveil City:

• "Trainer... If my Pokémon was with me, I would've challenged you for a battle. Instead, please accept this. It is...a Big Root! Have a Pokémon hold this, and it absorbs more HP from the target! This was a perfect item for my Pokémon's signature move..."

It is unclear what is his Pokémon based on the information given. As of Generation V, no signature moves were affected by Big Root, even though this character claims that the Big Root has an effect on the signature move of his Pokémon. However, in later generations, Big Root affects some signature moves: Yveltal's Oblivion Wing, Pop Star Pikachu's Draining Kiss, and Ceruledge's Bitter Blade.

Pokémon X and Y

In Pokémon X and Y, a maid from the Hotel Richissime claims to have a signature move (Japanese: 得意技(とくいわざ) signature move) as well:

• "Our signature move is double-team cleaning!" (Japanese: 私(わたし)たちの 得意技(とくいわざ) ツープラトン クリーニング！)

Pokémon GO

In the "Straight to the Top, Machop!" event (released in January 16, 2021), Professor Willow mentions a signature move (Japanese: 得意(とくい) specialty). The Japanese version of this dialogue does not refer to a specific move and lacks the kanji 「技(わざ)」 (move).

• "Its four arms react more quickly than it can think, so Machamp can execute several punches at once! Hoo-hah! That was the movie Machamp's signature move."

Pokémon Trading Card Game

In the Pokémon Trading Card Game, several Pokémon cards have their own unique attacks that are not shared with other cards. The term "signature attack" is usually not used officially in the Trading Card Game, with one known exception:

According to the blurb of the Polar Frost Theme Deck, Lightning Strike is the signature attack of the Jolteon card from Majestic Dawn: "Plus, Jolteon charges in with a signature attack that rarely needs to hit twice—Lightning Strike!"

However, rather than Lightning Strike (Japanese: らいげき Lightning Strike) being exclusive to this Jolteon card, this attack was already previously usable by other cards, such as Jolteon from EX Sandstorm, Ampharos from Expedition Base Set, Lanturn from EX Hidden Legends, and Raichu from Neo Revelation.