Whirlwind (move)

Whirlwind redirects here. For the TFG starter set, see Whirlwind (TFG).
Whirlwind
ふきとばし Blow Away
Whirlwind IX.png
Type  Normal
Category  Status
PP  20 (max. 32)
Power  —
Accuracy  %
Priority  -6
Range
Opponent Opponent Opponent
Self Ally Ally
Normal: May affect anyone adjacent to the user
Availability
Introduced  Generation I
Condition  Smart
Appeal  3 ♥♥♥
Jam  0  
Scrambles the order of appeals on the next turn.
Condition  Smart
Appeal  0  
Earn +15 if all the Pokémon choose the same Judge.
Condition  Clever
Appeal  3 ♥♥♥
Jamming  0  
Causes the user to move later on the next turn.

Whirlwind (Japanese: ふきとばし Blow Away) is a non-damaging Normal-type move introduced in Generation I. It was TM04 in Generation I.

Effect

Generation I

If Whirlwind is successfully used in a wild Pokémon battle by either Pokémon, the battle will automatically end. In a Trainer battle, Whirlwind has no effect. Whirlwind has 85% accuracy and normal priority.

If the user's level is less than the target's level, there is a chance that Whirlwind will fail, between approximately 10% and 25%, depending on the levels of the two Pokémon. The chance of failure typically increases the higher the target's level is than the user's. Specifically, the chance of failure is the following.

Generation II

When in a Trainer battle, Whirlwind will now force the target to switch with a randomly chosen Pokémon from its Trainer's party. If there is no Pokémon for the target to switch with, Whirlwind will fail. Whirlwind's accuracy is increased to 100% and its priority is decreased to -1. If Whirlwind is used before the opponent can make its move, Whirlwind will fail. Whirlwind can now hit Pokémon during the semi-invulnerable turn of Fly.

Whirlwind's chance to fail does not apply to Trainer battles. However, in Trainer battles, Whirlwind will always fail if used before the opponent has made its move. If the player uses Whirlwind against the Red Gyarados or to try escaping from the forced wild Pokémon encounters at Team Rocket HQ, the move will always fail.

Generations III and IV

Whirlwind now has a priority of -6.

Whirlwind will fail when used against Pokémon with the Ability Suction Cups or rooted by Ingrain. It no longer fails if it is not used last. It can no longer hit Pokémon during the semi-invulnerable turn of Fly.

The chance of failure if the user's level is less than the target's is now calculated slightly differently. Specifically, for a random integer X between 0 and 255, Whirlwind fails if the following relation is true:

The chance of failure can be approximated by the following formula. However, this approximation may diverge moderately from the true probability for low user and target levels.

Generation V

In wild Pokémon battles, Whirlwind will now always fail if the user's level is less than the target's. In Trainer battles, Whirlwind will now succeed if it hits, regardless of either Pokémon's level.

Whirlwind is now reflected by Magic Coat and Magic Bounce.

If a battle with wild Pokémon ever involves more than one Pokémon on each side of the battle, Whirlwind will fail if used by the player's Pokémon against a wild Pokémon, but if a wild Pokémon uses it against the player, it will force the target to switch with another Pokémon in the Trainer's party, regardless of the target's level.

Generation VI onwards

Whirlwind now bypasses accuracy checks to always hit, unless the target is in the semi-invulnerable turn of a move such as Dig or Fly. Whirlwind can now hit a target even if it has used Protect, Detect, or Spiky Shield, but will fail if the target is protected by Crafty Shield.

Whirlwind can be used as part of a Contest Spectacular combination, with the user gaining an extra three appeal points if any of the moves Spikes, Stealth Rock or Toxic Spikes was used in the prior turn.

If powered up by a Normalium Z into Z-Whirlwind, the user's Special Defense stat rises by one stage.

Whirlwind fails when used on a Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon.

Description

Games Description
Stad Generates a powerful wind that blows away wild Pokémon. Useful in the wild only.
Stad2 A powerful wind that blows the target away. The opposing trainer must use a new Pokémon.
GSC Blows away the foe & ends battle.
RSE Blows away the foe with wind and ends the battle.
FRLG The foe is made to switch out with an ally. In the wild, the battle ends.
ColoXD Blows away the target, switching it out of battle.
DPPtHGSS The foe is blown away, to be replaced by another Pokémon in its party. In the wild, the battle ends.
PBR The foe is blown away and replaced by another Pokémon in its party.
BW The target is blown away, to be replaced by another Pokémon in its party. In the wild, the battle ends.
B2W2 The target is blown away and switched. In the wild, a battle against a single Pokémon ends.
XYORAS
SMUSUM
SwShBDSPLA
SV
The target is blown away, and a different Pokémon is dragged out. In the wild, this ends a battle against a single Pokémon.
PE The target is blown away, and a different Pokémon is dragged out.


Learnset

By leveling up

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Level
0012 Butterfree BugIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Bug Bug 26RGB
23Y
23 23 22 22 22 29 25 20 20
0016 Pidgey NormalIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying 19 21 19 17 17 17 17 21 17
0017 Pidgeotto NormalIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying 21 23 20 17 17 17 17 25 17
0018 Pidgeot NormalIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying 21 23 20 17 17 17 17 25 17
0042 Golbat PoisonIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying 1
0049 Venomoth BugIC Big.png
PoisonIC Big.png
Bug Bug 1
0249 Lugia PsychicIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 77 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0250 Ho-Oh FireIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 77 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0267 Beautifly BugIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Bug Bug 27 27 27 27XY
30ORAS
30 30
0269 Dustox BugIC Big.png
PoisonIC Big.png
Bug Bug 27 27 27 27XY
30ORAS
30 30
0275 Shiftry GrassIC Big.png
DarkIC Big.png
Field Grass 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rem.
0284 Masquerain BugIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Water 1 Bug 53 54 54 1, 54XY
1, 48ORAS
1, 48 1, 48 1
0296 Makuhita FightingIC Big.png Human-Like Human-Like 22 16 16 16 16 16 16
0297 Hariyama FightingIC Big.png Human-Like Human-Like 22 16 16 16 16 16 16
0357 Tropius GrassIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Monster Grass 27 27 27 27XY
21ORAS
21 21 21
0396 Starly NormalIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying 21 21 21 21 21 21
0397 Staravia NormalIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying 23 23 23 23 23 23
0398 Staraptor NormalIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying 23 23 23 23 23 23
0561 Sigilyph PsychicIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying 14 14 14 25
0627 Rufflet NormalIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying 55 55 55 42 42
0628 Braviary NormalIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying 57 1, 57 1, 57 42 42
0628 Braviary
Braviary
Hisuian Form
PsychicIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying 42
0629 Vullaby DarkIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying 55 55 55 36 36
0630 Mandibuzz DarkIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying 57 1, 57 1, 57 36 36
0637 Volcarona BugIC Big.png
FireIC Big.png
Bug Bug 40 40 40 1 1
0714 Noibat FlyingIC Big.png
DragonIC Big.png
Flying Dragon 40 40 28 28
0715 Noivern FlyingIC Big.png
DragonIC Big.png
Flying Dragon 40 40 28 28
0787 Tapu Bulu GrassIC Big.png
FairyIC Big.png
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1 25
0962 Bombirdier FlyingIC Big.png
DarkIC Big.png
Flying Flying 16
0988 Slither Wing BugIC Big.png
FightingIC Big.png
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 77
0992 Iron Hands FightingIC Big.png
ElectricIC Big.png
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 14
0994 Iron Moth FireIC Big.png
PoisonIC Big.png
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1
1003 Ting-Lu DarkIC Big.png
GroundIC Big.png
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 25
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

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Compatibility
0012 Butterfree BugIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Bug Bug
0016 Pidgey NormalIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying
0017 Pidgeotto NormalIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying
0018 Pidgeot NormalIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying
0021 Spearow NormalIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying
0022 Fearow NormalIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying
0041 Zubat PoisonIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying
0042 Golbat PoisonIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying
0049 Venomoth BugIC Big.png
PoisonIC Big.png
Bug Bug
0083 Farfetch'd NormalIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Field
0084 Doduo NormalIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying
0085 Dodrio NormalIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying
0142 Aerodactyl RockIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying
0144 Articuno IceIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0145 Zapdos ElectricIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0146 Moltres FireIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0151 Mew PsychicIC Big.png 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
0021 Spearow NormalIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying
0041 Zubat PoisonIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying
0084 Doduo NormalIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying
0142 Aerodactyl RockIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying
0143 Snorlax NormalIC Big.png Monster Monster
0163 Hoothoot NormalIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying
0193 Yanma BugIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Bug Bug
0198 Murkrow DarkIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying
0227 Skarmory SteelIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying
0276 Taillow NormalIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Flying Flying
0293 Whismur NormalIC Big.png Monster Field
0325 Spoink PsychicIC Big.png Field Field
0408 Cranidos RockIC Big.png Monster Monster
0446 Munchlax NormalIC Big.png Monster Monster
0449 Hippopotas GroundIC Big.png Field Field
0451 Skorupi PoisonIC Big.png
BugIC Big.png
Bug Water 3
0878 Cufant SteelIC Big.png Field Mineral
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
0220 Swinub IceIC Big.png
GroundIC Big.png
Field 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

Whirlwind targets the enemy in the front and blows them away by 10 tiles. If the enemy hits a wall, they will take 5 HP of damage; if they hit another Pokémon, they will both take 5 HP damage. A Pokémon that enters a tile they cannot walk on will be warped away.

Game Base
Power
Max
Power
Base
PP
Max
PP
Base
Accuracy
Max
Accuracy
Range Target Cuts
corners
MDRB - - 27 - 100% - Front Enemy No
MDTDS - - 27 - 100% - Front Enemy No
BSL - - 27 - 100% - Front Enemy No
MDGtI - - 17 50 95% 98% Front Enemy No
SMD - - 17 40 95% 98% Front Enemy No
With some exceptions, Pokémon learnsets match those from the core series games:

Pokémon Rumble Rush

In Pokémon Rumble Rush, all status moves including Whirlwind could only be used by opposing Pokémon and could not be obtained on any caught Pokémon. Whirlwind could be seen as a move used by Boss Pidgeotto and Pidgeot.

NormalIC RR.png Whirlwind
Charge time 0.78 seconds
Range type Arc (wide)
Target Enemy
Additional effect None
Whirlwind Rumble Rush.png

Pokémon Masters EX

Name Category Move gauge cost MP
(uses)
Base power Max power Accuracy Target Effect tag Description Playable sync pair(s)
Whirlwind Status 3 —% An opponent Forces the target to switch out. None
  • Description prior to Version 2.10.0 (from June 28, 2021): Forces the opponent's sync pair to switch out.

Description

Games Description
MDRB Knocks the target flying. If the target hits a wall or another Pokémon, it sustains damage.
MDTDS Sends the target flying. If the target hits a wall or another Pokémon, it sustains damage.
BSL てきポケモンを とおくに ふきとばす ふきとんださきで かべや ポケモンに あたると ダメージをうける
MDGtI It blows away an enemy straight back. The enemy takes damage if it crashes into a wall or a Pokémon.
SMD
MDRTDX
It blows an enemy away in a straight line. If the enemy crashes into a Pokémon or a wall, the enemy takes damage.


In animation

Pokémon animated series

Falkner Pidgeot Whirlwind.png
Pidgeot
Jessie Dustox Whirlwind.png
Dustox
Aaron Beautifly Whirlwind.png
Beautifly
Shiftry Whirlwind.png
Shiftry
The user blows a large gust of wind at the opponent or an attack.
Pokémon Method
User First Used In Notes
Butterfree Butterfree flaps its wings, creating a strong gust of wind.
Ash's Butterfree Clefairy and the Moon Stone Debut
Ritchie's Happy A Friend in Deed None
Lisa's Butterfree Spell of the Unown: Entei None
Zander's Butterfree Caterpie's Big Dilemma None
Zubat Zubat flaps its wings at a high speed, creating a gust of strong wind.
Brock's Zubat Clefairy and the Moon Stone Japanese version only
Pidgeotto Pidgeotto flaps its wings and a strong gust of wind is created from them.
Ash's Pidgeotto Clefairy and the Moon Stone None
Venomoth Venomoth flaps its wings, creating a strong gust of wind.
Assunta's Venomoth Friends to the End None
Pidgeot Pidgeot flaps its wings, creating a strong gust of wind.
Falkner's Pidgeot Fighting Flyer with Fire None
Noctowl Noctowl flaps its wings, creating a strong gust of wind.
Ash's Noctowl Carrying On! None
Pidgey Pidgey flaps its wings, creating a strong gust of wind.
Malachi's Ken Carrying On! None
Skarmory Skarmory flaps its wings, creating a strong gust of wind that blows the opponent away.
A wild Skarmory Delibird's Dilemma None
A wild Skarmory Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Team Go-Getters Out of the Gate Skarmory cannot legally know Whirlwind in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team
Zirc's Skarmory The Ancient Poké Ball None
Onia's Skarmory The Ancient Poké Ball None
Dragonite Dragonite flaps its wings, creating a strong gust of wind.
Lance's Dragonite Talkin' 'Bout an Evolution Dragonite cannot legally learn Whirlwind
Clair's Dragonite Great Bowls of Fire! Dragonite cannot legally learn Whirlwind
Shiftry Shiftry waves one or both of its hands, creating a strong gust of wind.
A wild Shiftry Jump for Joy! Shiftry could not legally learn Whirlwind at the time
A wild Shiftry HZ072 None
Dustox Dustox flaps its wings, creating a strong gust of wind.
Jessie's Dustox Watt's with Wattson? None
Aerodactyl Aerodactyl flaps its wings, creating a strong gust of wind that blows the opponent away.
A wild Aerodactyl Putting the Air Back in Aerodactyl! None
Hariyama Hariyama waves one or both of its hands, creating a strong gust of wind that blows the opponent away.
A wild Hariyama Pikachu's Island Adventure None
Staraptor Staraptor flaps its wings, creating a gust of strong wind.
Professor Rowan's Staraptor Following a Maiden's Voyage! None
Beautifly Beautifly flaps its wings at a high speed, creating a strong gust of wind.
Aaron's Beautifly A Trainer and Child Reunion! None
Snorlax Snorlax takes a deep breath and blows out a strong gust of wind from its mouth.
A Trainer's Snorlax Four Roads Diverged in a Pokémon Port! None


In the manga

How I Became a Pokémon Card


Pokémon Adventures


Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!


In other generations

Core series games

Side series games

Spin-off series games

Trivia

  • In the Japanese versions of Pokémon Red, Green, and Pokémon Blue, if the player's Pokémon uses Whirlwind on a wild Pokémon with 5 characters in its name, the exclamation mark will overwrite part of the text box. This was fixed in Yellow by adding a line break.

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 吹飛 Chēuifēi *
旋風 Syùhnfūng *
Mandarin 吹飛 / 吹飞 Chuīfēi *
旋風 Xuànfēng *
The Czech Republic Flag.png Czech Vzdušný vír (EP007, EP015, EP032-present, manga)
Vzdušný vítr (EP006, EP009)
Větrný útok (EP021)
Tornádo (The Official Pokémon Handbook)
Denmark Flag.png Danish Hvirvelvind
The Netherlands Flag.png Dutch Wervelwind
Finland Flag.png Finnish Tuulenpyörre
France Flag.png French Cyclone
Germany Flag.png German Wirbelwind
Greece Flag.png Greek Στρόβιλος Stróbilos
India Flag.png Hindi अंधी तूफ़ान Andhi Toofan
Italy Flag.png Italian Turbine
South Korea Flag.png Korean 날려버리기 Nallyeobeorigi
Norway Flag.png Norwegian Virvelvind
Poland Flag.png Polish Cyklon*
Wichura*
Portuguese Brazil Flag.png Brazil Ataque de Vento (TCG, manga)
Rajada de Vento (anime)
Furacão (The Official Pokémon Handbook)
Portugal Flag.png Portugal Remoinho
Romania Flag.png Romanian Vârtejul
Serbia Flag.png Serbian Vihor
Spanish CELAC Flag.png Latin America Torbellino (AG013AG062, HZ006–present)
Remolino* (EP006EP130, AG072DP099)
Ráfaga* (EP032)
Spain Flag.png Spain Remolino
Sweden Flag.png Swedish Virvelvind
Turkey Flag.png Turkish Hortum
Vietnam Flag.png Vietnamese Thổi Bay


Variations of the move Roar
StatusIC HOME.png RoarWhirlwind



Generation I TMs
01020304050607080910111213141516171819202122232425
26272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950
Generation I HMs
0102030405


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