Skull Bash (move)

Move data

Type Normal
Category Physical  Physical
Power 130
Accuracy 100
PP 10  (max. 16)
Makes contact? Yes
Introduced Generation 1

Machine/Record

Red​/​Blue
Yellow
TM40

Effects

The user of Skull Bash will tuck in its head on the first turn and raise its Defense by one stage. On the second turn, Skull Bash deals damage.

If the user is holding a Power Herb, Skull Bash executes in one turn.

Changes

  • In Generations 1-5, Skull Bash has 100 base power.
  • In Generations 1-5, Skull Bash has 15 PP.
  • In Generation 1, Skull Bash does not raise the user's Defense.

Z-Move effects

When a Pokémon is holding Normalium Z and uses its Z-Power, Skull Bash turns into Breakneck Blitz and has base power 195.

Move target

Foe
Foe
Foe
User
Ally
Ally

Targets a single adjacent Pokémon.

Other languages

English Skull Bash
Japanese ロケットずつき (Rocket Zutsuki)
German Schädelwumme
French Coud'Krâne
Italian Capocciata
Spanish Cabezazo
Korean 로켓박치기
Chinese (Simplified) 火箭头锤
Chinese (Traditional) 火箭頭錘

Game descriptions

Gold​/​Silver
Crystal
1st turn: Prepare 2nd turn: Attack
Ruby​/​Sapphire
Emerald
Tucks in the head, then attacks on the next turn.
FireRed​/​LeafGreen The user raises its DEFENSE in the 1st turn, then attacks in the 2nd turn.
Diamond​/​Pearl
Platinum
HeartGold​/​SoulSilver
The user tucks in its head to raise its Defense in the first turn, then rams the foe on the next turn.
Black​/​White
Black 2​/​White 2
The user tucks in its head to raise its Defense in the first turn, then rams the target on the next turn.
X​/​Y
O.Ruby​/​A.Sapphire
The user tucks in its head to raise its Defense in the first turn, then rams the target on the next turn.
Sun​/​Moon
Ultra Sun​/​Ultra Moon
L.G. Pikachu​/​L.G. Eevee
The user tucks in its head to raise its Defense stat on the first turn, then rams the target on the next turn.
Sword​/​Shield
B.Diamond​/​S.Pearl
The user tucks in its head to raise its Defense stat on the first turn, then rams the target on the next turn.
Scarlet​/​Violet This move can’t be used. It’s recommended that this move is forgotten. Once forgotten, this move can’t be remembered.

Learnt by level up

These Pokémon learn Skull Bash at the level specified. The numbers given are for Pokémon Sword & Shield and may vary in other games; check the respective Pokédex pages for details.

Squirtle Squirtle
#0007 / Water
Level 36
Wartortle Wartortle
#0008 / Water
Level 50
Blastoise Blastoise
#0009 / Water
Level 56
Barbaracle Barbaracle
#0689 / Rock · Water
Level 1
Avalugg Avalugg
#0713 / Ice
Level 51
Tapu Bulu Tapu Bulu
#0787 / Grass · Fairy
Level 70
Celesteela Celesteela
#0797 / Steel · Flying
Level 70
Sandaconda Sandaconda
#0844 / Ground
Level 1

Learnt by breeding

These Pokémon can learn Skull Bash as an egg move. Their breeding groups are also shown for reference.

Alolan Marowak Marowak
Alolan Marowak
#0105 / Fire · Ghost
Monster
Torkoal Torkoal
#0324 / Fire
Field