Thunder Wave (move)
Move data
| Type | Electric |
|---|---|
| Category | Status |
| Power | — |
| Accuracy | 90 |
| PP | 20 (max. 32) |
| Introduced | Generation 1 |
Technical/Hidden Machine
| Red/Blue Yellow |
TM45 |
|---|---|
| Diamond/Pearl Platinum HeartGold/SoulSilver |
TM73 |
| Black/White Black 2/White 2 |
TM73 |
| X/Y O.Ruby/A.Sapphire |
TM73 |
| Sun/Moon Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon |
TM73 |
| L.G. Pikachu/L.G. Eevee | TM16 |
| Sword/Shield | TM14 |
Effects
Thunder Wave paralyzes the opponent. Paralyzed Pokémon have a 25% chance of not being able to attack, and their Speed is decreased by 50% (75% in Generations 1-6).
Electric type Pokémon, those with the ability Limber or those behind a Substitute cannot be paralyzed.
Changes
In Generations 1-6, Thunder Wave has 100% accuracy.
Z-Move effects
When a Pokémon is holding Electrium Z and uses its Z-Power, Thunder Wave turns into Z-Thunder Wave and raises Special Defense one stage, in addition to its usual effect as above.
Move target
Targets a single adjacent Pokémon.
Other languages
| English | Thunder Wave |
|---|---|
| Japanese | でんじは (Denjiha) |
| German | Donnerwelle |
| French | Cage-Éclair |
| Italian | Tuononda |
| Spanish | Onda Trueno |
Game descriptions
| Gold/Silver Crystal | A move that may cause paralysis. |
|---|---|
| Ruby/Sapphire Emerald | A weak jolt of electricity that paralyzes the foe. |
| FireRed/LeafGreen | A weak electric shock that is sure to cause paralysis if it hits. |
| Diamond/Pearl Platinum HeartGold/SoulSilver | A weak electric charge is launched at the foe. It causes paralysis if it hits. |
| Black/White Black 2/White 2 | A weak electric charge is launched at the target. It causes paralysis if it hits. |
| X/Y O.Ruby/A.Sapphire | The user launches a weak jolt of electricity that paralyzes the target. |
| Sun/Moon Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon L.G. Pikachu/L.G. Eevee | The user launches a weak jolt of electricity that paralyzes the target. |
| Sword/Shield | The user launches a weak jolt of electricity that paralyzes the target. |
Learnt by level up
These Pokémon learn Thunder Wave at the level specified. The numbers given are for Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon and may vary in other games; check the respective Pokédex pages for details.
#125 / Electric
Level 19
#466 / Electric
Level 19
#596 / Bug · Electric
Level 1
#596 / Bug · Electric
Level 4
#694 / Electric · Normal
Level 31
Learnt by TM
#039 / Normal · Fairy
#040 / Normal · Fairy
#125 / Electric
#200 / Ghost
#466 / Electric
#576 / Psychic
#596 / Bug · Electric
#598 / Grass · Steel
#604 / Electric
#694 / Electric · Normal
#772 / Normal
#777 / Electric · Steel
Learnt in previous generations only
These Pokémon can only learn Thunder Wave in previous games; check the respective Pokédex pages for full details.