Pokemon abilities and moves are a major part of any battle, and in Pokemon Sword & Shield there are a range of new abilities and new moves you'll find attached to certain newcomers and returning creatures alike.
New Abilities for Pokemon Sword & Shield
Adding new abilities is a tradition with each new generation of Pokemon games, and Sword & Shield is no different in this regard. While existing skills that fans will be familiar with from throughout the rest of the Pokemon series will also be present in Sword & Shield, probably what's most interesting of all are the new abilities that come attached to some of the new Pokemon in the game. A few old Pokemon also get new abilities in this game, too - Mr. Mime, Koffing and Weezing all sport new abilities, while the Galarian form of Ponyta and Rapidash likewise level up with a new ability.
These abilities range greatly, and some of them - such as Libero, which resembles a previous ability, are likely to become competitive-worthy skills. Others, like Hunger Switch or Ice Face, are key to the way an entire Pokemon plays, giving that Pokemon a very unique battle mechanic. Here's the full list of new Pokemon Sword & Shield Abilities:
AbilityPokemonDescriptionLiberoScorbunny & evolutionsChanges the Pokemon's type to the type of the move it’s about to use.Ball FetchYamperIf the Pokemon is not holding an item, it will fetch the Poke Ball from the first failed throw of the battle.Cotton DownGossifleur & EldegossWhen the Pokemon is hit by an attack, it scatters cotton fluff around and lowers the Speed stat of all Pokemon except itself.Propeller TailArrokuda & BarraskewdaIgnores the effects of opposing Pokemon’s Abilities and moves that draw in moves.Mirror ArmorCorviknightBounces back only the stat-lowering effects that the Pokemon receives.Hunger SwitchMorpekoThe Pokemon changes its form, alternating between its Full Belly Mode and Hangry Mode after the end of each turn. Gulp MissileCramorantWhen the Pokemon uses Surf or Dive, it will come back with prey. When it takes damage, it will spit out the prey to attack.StalwartDuraludonIgnores the effects of opposing Pokemon’s Abilities and moves that draw in moves.Steam EngineRolycoly & evolutionsBoosts the Pokemon's Speed stat drastically if hit by a Fire- or Water-type move.Punk RockToxtricityBoosts the power of sound-based moves. The Pokemon also takes half the damage from these kinds of moves.Sand SpitSilicobra & SandacondaThe Pokemon creates a sandstorm when it’s hit by an attack.Ice ScalesSnom & FrosmothThe Pokemon is protected by ice scales, which halve the damage taken from special moves.RipenApplin & evolutionsRipens Berries and doubles their effect.Ice FaceEiscueThe Pokemon’s ice head can take a physical attack as a substitute, but the attack also changes the Pokemon’s appearance. The ice will be restored when it hails.Power SpotStonjournerJust being next to the Pokemon powers up moves.MimicryStunfiskChanges the Pokemon’s type depending on the terrain. Screen CleanerMr. Mime & Mr. RimeWhen the Pokemon enters a battle, the effects of Light Screen, Reflect, and Aurora Veil are nullified for both opposing and ally Pokemon.Steely SpiritPerrserkerPowers up ally Pokemon’s Steel-type moves.Perish BodyCursolaWhen hit by a move that makes direct contact, the Pokemon and the attacker will faint after three turns unless they switch out of battle.Wandering SpiritYamask & RunerigusThe Pokemon exchanges Abilities with a Pokemon that hits it with a move that makes direct contact.Gorilla TacticsDarmanitanBoosts the Pokemon’s Attack stat but only allows the use of the first selected move.Neutralizing GasKoffing, Weezing & Galarian WeezingIf the Pokemon with Neutralizing Gas is in the battle, the effects of all Pokemon’s Abilities will be nullified or will not be triggered.Pastel VeilGalarian Ponyta & RapidashProtects the Pokemon and its ally Pokémon from being poisoned.Intrepid SwordZacianBoosts the Pokemon’s Attack stat when the Pokemon enters a battle.Dauntless ShieldZamazentaBoosts the Pokemon’s Defense stat when the Pokemon enters a battle.
New Moves for Pokemon Sword & Shield
As well as all-new abilities, Pokemon Sword & Shield of course introduce a handful of all-new attacks and moves that Pokemon can learn. Here's a list of the new moves, plus the Pokemon that can learn them naturally. In many cases, additional Pokemon can learn these new moves via TMs or TRs, if you can lay your hands on them.
MoveTypePower & AccuracyDescriptionPokemonApple AcidGrass80 Power 100 AccuracyThe user attacks the target with an acidic liquid created from tart apples. This also lowers the target's Sp. Def stat.AppletunAura WheelElectric110 Power 100 AccuracyMorpeko attacks and raises its Speed with the energy stored in its cheeks. This move's type changes depending on the user's form.MorpekoBehemoth BladeSteel100 Power 100 AccuracyThe user becomes a gigantic sword and cuts the target. This move deals twice the damage if the target is Dynamaxed.ZacianBehemoth BashSteel5 Power 100 AccuracyThe user becomes a gigantic shield and slams into the target. This move deals twice the damage if the target is Dynamaxed.ZamazentaBody PressFighting80 Power 100 AccuracyThe user attacks by slamming its body into the target. The higher the user's Defense, the more damage it can inflict on the target.Many, via TR99Bolt Beak Electric85 Power 100 AccuracyThe user stabs the target with its electrified beak. If the user attacks before the target, the power of this move is doubled.Dracozolt ArctozoltBranch PokeGrass40 Power 100 AccuracyThe user attacks the target by poking it with a sharply pointed branch.Grookey Thwackey Rillaboom Phantump TrevenantBreaking SwipeDragon60 Power 100 AccuracyThe user swings its tough tail wildly and attacks opposing Pokémon. This also lowers their Attack stats.Duraludon Others via TMClangorous SoulDragon100 AccuracyThe user raises all its stats by using some of its HP.Kommo-oCourt ChangeNormal 100 AccuracyWith its mysterious power, the user swaps the effects on either side of the field.CinderaceDragon DartsDragon50 Power 100 AccuracyThe user attacks twice using Dreepy. If there are two targets, this move hits each target once.DragapultDecorateFairy100 AccuracyThe user sharply raises the target's Attack and Sp. Atk stats by decorating the target.AlcremieDrum BeatingGrass80 Power 100 AccuracyThe user plays its drum, controlling the drum's roots to attack the target. This also lowers the target's Speed stat.RillaboomDynamax CannonDragon100 Power 100 AccuracyThe user unleashes a strong beam from its core. This move deals twice the damage if the target is Dynamaxed.EternatusEternabeamDragon160 Power 90 AccuracyThis is Eternatus's most powerful attack in its original form. The user can't move on the next turn.EternatusFalse Surrender Dark80 Power 101 AccuracyThe user pretends to bow its head, but then it stabs the target with its disheveled hair. This attack never misses.Morgrem GrimmsnarlFishious RendWater85 Power 100 AccuracyThe user rends the target with its hard gills. If the user attacks before the target, the power of this move is doubled.Dracovish ArctovishGrav Apple Grass80 Power 100 AccuracyThe user inflicts damage by dropping an apple from high above. This also lowers the target's Defense stat.FlappleJaw LockDark80 Power 100 AccuracyThis move prevents the user and the target from switching out until either of them faints. The effect goes away if either of the Pokémon leaves the field.Chewtle DreadnawLife DewWater100 AccuracyThe user scatters mysterious water around and restores the HP of itself and its ally Pokémon in the battle.Clefairy Clefable Lapras Mewtwo Mew Togepi Togetic Corsola Celebi Ralts Kirlia Gardevoir Milotic Jirachi Lucario Togekiss Gallade Hatenna Hattrem HattereneMagic Powder Psychic100 AccuracyThe user scatters a cloud of magic powder that changes the target to Psychic type.HattereneMeteor AssaultFighting150 Power 100 AccuracyThe user attacks wildly with its thick leek. The user can't move on the next turn, because the force of this move makes it stagger.Sirfetch'dNo RetreatFighting101 AccuracyThis move raises all the user's stats but prevents the user from switching out or fleeing.FalinksObstructDark100 AccuracyThis move enables the user to protect itself from all attacks. Its chance of failing rises if it is used in succession. Direct contact harshly lowers the attacker's Defense stat.ObstagoonOctolockFighting100 AccuracyThe user locks the target in and prevents it from fleeing. This move also lowers the target's Defense and Sp. Def every turn.GrapploctOverdriveElectric80 Power 100 AccuracyThe user attacks opposing Pokémon by twanging a guitar or bass guitar, causing a huge echo and strong vibration.Toxtricity Pyro BallFire120 Power 90 AccuracyThe user attacks by igniting a small stone and launching it as a fiery ball at the target. This may also leave the target with a burn.CinderaceSnap TrapGrass35 Power 100 AccuracyThe user snares the target in a snap trap for four to five turns.StunfiskSnipe ShotWater80 Power 100 AccuracyThe user ignores the effects of opposing Pokémon's moves and Abilities that draw in moves, allowing this move to hit the chosen target.InteleonSpirit BreakFairy75 Power 100 AccuracyThe user attacks the target with so much force that it could break the target's spirit. This also lowers the target's Sp. Atk stat.GrimmsnarlStrange SteamFairy90 Power 95 AccuracyThe user attacks the target by emitting steam. This may also confuse the target.Galarian WeezingStuff CheeksNormal101 AccuracyThe user eats its held Berry, then sharply raises its Defense stat.Skwovet GreedentTar ShotRock100 AccuracyThe user pours sticky tar over the target, lowering the target's Speed stat. The target becomes weaker to Fire-type moves.CoalossalTeatimeNormal101 AccuracyThe user has teatime with all the Pokémon in the battle. Each Pokémon eats its held Berry.Polteageist
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