Pursuit (move)

Pursuit おいうち Pursuing Attack

Battles Type  Dark Category  Physical PP  20 (max. 32) Power  40 Accuracy  100% Priority  0 Makes contact Affected by Protect Not affected by Magic Coat Not affected by Snatch Affected by Mirror Move Affected by King's Rock

Range Opponent Opponent Opponent Self Ally Ally Normal: May affect anyone adjacent to the user

Availability Introduced  Generation II Not a TM, TR, HM, or Move Tutor move.

Contests Condition  Smart Appeal  2 ♥♥ Jam  1 ♥ Badly startles all Pokémon that made good appeals.

Super Contests Condition  Smart Appeal  1 ♥ Earn +3 if two Pokémon raise the Voltage in a row.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Clever Appeal  2 ♥♥ Jamming  1 ♥ Badly startles Pokémon that used a move of the same type.

On Smogon's Movedex: Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX

Pursuit (Japanese: おいうち Pursuing Attack) is a damage-dealing Dark-type move introduced in Generation II.

Effect

Generation II

Pursuit inflicts damage with a power of 40. If the target Pokémon is switched out on the turn Pursuit is used, Pursuit's power doubles, and it will immediately be used before it is switched out (including an accuracy check). This does not apply if used on an ally switching out, on a fleeing Pokémon, on a Pokémon using Teleport or Baton Pass, or on a Pokémon being forced to switch out.

Generation III

If the target is switched out, Pursuit will no longer perform an accuracy check (but always hit the target with double power before it is switched out).

Pursuit is no longer affected by King's Rock.

Generation IV

Pursuit will now hit any adjacent opponent that attempts to switch out (but not more than one per turn), regardless of who it originally targeted. This effect bypasses redirection effects such as Follow Me.

If the target is using U-turn, Pursuit's special effect will activate only if the user of Pursuit would usually act later than the target (its power will only be doubled in that case).

In the Japanese version of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, when a Pokémon holding a Choice item uses Pursuit and the opponent Pokémon switches out, the Pokémon holding the item is allowed to change its move on the next turn. This glitch was fixed in localized versions and Platinum.

In Pokémon Platinum, and HeartGold and SoulSilver, this move can trigger the acid rain glitch by knocking out a target that was about to switch while Trick Room, Gravity, Uproar, or any type of weather other than rain is active.

Generation V to VII

If the target is using Volt Switch or Parting Shot, Pursuit's special effect will activate only if the user of Pursuit would usually act later than the target (its power will only be doubled in that case).

Pursuit is now affected by King's Rock.

Generation VIII onwards

Pursuit cannot be selected in a battle.

Description

Games Description Stad2 A Dark-type attack. It inflicts major damage if the target switches out in the same turn. GSC Heavily strikes switching Pokémon. RSE Inflicts bad damage if used on a foe switching out. FRLG An attack move that works especially well on a foe that is switching out. ColoXD Inflicts bad damage if used on a target switching out. DPPtHGSSPBR An attack move that inflicts double damage if used on a foe that is switching out of battle. BWB2W2 XYORAS An attack move that inflicts double damage if used on a target that is switching out of battle. SMUSUMPE The power of this attack move is doubled if it's used on a target that's switching out of battle. SwShBDSPLA SV This move can't be used. It's recommended that this move is forgotten. Once forgotten, this move can't be remembered.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						II	III	IV	V	VI	VII
											SMUSUM
0015		Beedrill		Bug		Bug	30	30	22	22	22	17
0019		Rattata		Field		Field	27	27	13	13	13	13
0019		Rattata Alolan Form		Field		Field						13
0020		Raticate		Field		Field	30	30	13	13	13	13
0020		Raticate Alolan Form		Field		Field						13
0021		Spearow		Flying		Flying	25	19	13	13	13	8
0022		Fearow		Flying		Flying	26	26	13	13	13	1, 8
0056		Mankey		Field		Field	−	−	−	−	−	12
0057		Primeape		Field		Field	−	−	−	−	−	12
0084		Doduo		Flying		Flying	9	9	19	19	19XY 17ORAS	15
0085		Dodrio		Flying		Flying	1, 9	1, 9	19	19	19XY 17ORAS	15
0107		Hitmonchan		Human-Like		Human-Like	13	13	11	11	11	1, 11
0123		Scyther		Bug		Bug	12	11	9	9	9	9
0128		Tauros		Field		Field	26	26RSE 19FRLG	15	15	15	15
0193		Yanma		Bug		Bug	−	−	30	30	30	30
0197		Umbreon		Field		Field	16	16	15	15BW 9B2W2	9	1, Evo.
0198		Murkrow		Flying		Flying	11	14	5	5	5	5
0206		Dunsparce		Field		Field	26	24RSE 31FRLG	25	24BW 10B2W2	10	8
0212		Scizor		Bug		Bug	12	11	9	9	9	9
0237		Hitmontop		Human-Like		Human-Like	13	13	10	10	10	1, 10
0252		Treecko		Monster	Dragon		16	16	16	16XY 17ORAS	17
0253		Grovyle		Monster	Dragon		17	17	17	17XY 18ORAS	18
0254		Sceptile		Monster	Dragon		17	17	17	17XY 18ORAS	18
0278		Wingull		Water 1	Flying		43	34	34BW 30B2W2	30XY 26ORAS	26
0335		Zangoose		Field		Field		25	22	22BW 12B2W2	12	12
0355		Duskull		Amorphous		Amorphous		27	25	25	25XY 22ORAS	22
0356		Dusclops		Amorphous		Amorphous		27	25	25	25XY 22ORAS	22
0359		Absol		Field		Field		−	20	20BW 12B2W2	12XY 10ORAS	10
0375		Metang		Mineral		Mineral		32	28	28BW 23B2W2	23	23
0376		Metagross		Mineral		Mineral		32	28	28BW 23B2W2	23	23
0386		Deoxys Normal Forme		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		20	33	33	33XY 25ORAS	25
0386		Deoxys Attack Forme		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		20	33	33	33XY 25ORAS	25
0386		Deoxys Speed Forme		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		20	33	33	33XY 25ORAS	25
0408		Cranidos		Monster		Monster			10	10	10	10
0409		Rampardos		Monster		Monster			10	10	10	1, 10
0416		Vespiquen		Bug		Bug			15	15BW 9B2W2	9	9
0418		Buizel		Water 1	Field			10	10BW 18B2W2	18	18
0419		Floatzel		Water 1	Field			10	10BW 18B2W2	18	18
0430		Honchkrow		Flying		Flying			1	1	1	1
0442		Spiritomb		Amorphous		Amorphous			1	1	1	1
0451		Skorupi		Bug	Water 3			−	16B2W2	16	16
0452		Drapion		Bug	Water 3			−	16B2W2	16	16
0453		Croagunk		Human-Like		Human-Like			15	15	15	15
0454		Toxicroak		Human-Like		Human-Like			15	15	15	15
0469		Yanmega		Bug		Bug			30	30	30	30
0477		Dusknoir		Amorphous		Amorphous			25	25	25XY 22ORAS	22
0491		Darkrai		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered			29DP	−	−	−
0509		Purrloin		Field		Field				15	15	15
0510		Liepard		Field		Field				15	15	15
0522		Blitzle		Field		Field				22	22	22
0523		Zebstrika		Field		Field				22	22	22
0543		Venipede		Bug		Bug				12	12	12
0544		Whirlipede		Bug		Bug				12	12	12
0545		Scolipede		Bug		Bug				12	12	12
0570		Zorua		Field		Field				5	5	5
0571		Zoroark		Field		Field				1, 5	1, 5	1, 5
0587		Emolga		Field		Field				16	16	16
0626		Bouffalant		Field		Field				1	1	1
0679		Honedge		Mineral		Mineral					13	13
0680		Doublade		Mineral		Mineral					13	13
0681		Aegislash		Mineral		Mineral					1	1
0734		Yungoos		Field		Field						7
0735		Gumshoos		Field		Field						1, 7
0739		Crabrawler		Water 3		Water 3						13
0740		Crabominable		Water 3		Water 3						1, 13
0772		Type: Null		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered						10
0773		Silvally All forms		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered						10
0802		Marshadow		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered						1
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
						II	III	IV	V	VI	VII
											SMUSUM
0016		Pidgey		Flying		Flying	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0023		Ekans		Field	Dragon	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0029		Nidoran♀		Monster	Field	−	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0041		Zubat		Flying		Flying	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0046		Paras		Bug	Grass	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0050		Diglett		Field		Field	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0050		Diglett Alolan Form		Field		Field						✔
0088		Grimer Alolan Form		Amorphous		Amorphous						✔
0111		Rhyhorn		Monster	Field	✔	−	−	−	−	−
0142		Aerodactyl		Flying		Flying	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0143		Snorlax		Monster		Monster	−	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0161		Sentret		Field		Field	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0167		Spinarak		Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0190		Aipom		Field		Field	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0193		Yanma		Bug		Bug	−	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0214		Heracross		Bug		Bug	−	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0215		Sneasel		Field		Field	−	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0227		Skarmory		Flying		Flying	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0228		Houndour		Field		Field	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0236		Tyrogue		Human-Like		Human-Like	−	−	−	✔	✔	✔
0246		Larvitar		Monster		Monster	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0263		Zigzagoon		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0276		Taillow		Flying		Flying		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0287		Slakoth		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0333		Swablu		Flying	Dragon		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0353		Shuppet		Amorphous		Amorphous		-	✔	✔	✔	✔
0396		Starly		Flying		Flying			✔	✔	✔	✔
0434		Stunky		Field		Field			✔	✔	✔	✔
0446		Munchlax		Monster		Monster			✔	✔	✔	✔
0451		Skorupi		Bug	Water 3			✔	✔	✔	✔
0495		Snivy		Field	Grass				✔	✔	✔
0504		Patrat		Field		Field				✔	✔	✔
0506		Lillipup		Field		Field				✔	✔	✔
0551		Sandile		Field		Field				✔	✔	✔
0588		Karrablast		Bug		Bug				✔	✔	✔
0595		Joltik		Bug		Bug				✔	✔	✔
0616		Shelmet		Bug		Bug				✔	✔	✔
0621		Druddigon		Dragon	Monster				✔	✔	✔
0624		Pawniard		Human-Like		Human-Like				✔	✔	✔
0631		Heatmor		Field		Field				✔	✔	✔
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.

Special move

Generation V

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0596		Galvantula		Bug		Bug	Dream World - Spooky Manor
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
0239		Elekid		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	New York 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

In the Rescue Team, Explorers and Adventure Squad series, Pursuit is a non-damaging move which gives the user the Counter status condition. With this status condition, the user will reflect any damage taken from physical moves (including the regular A button attack) back to any adjacent opponents equal to the damage received. Oddly in Explorers of Time and Darkness, though moves are assigned as Physical or Special in game, the Counter status will return damage from damaging moves from types previously assigned as physical prior to the Physical/Special split. The status lasts for 7-12 turns.

From Gates to Infinity onward, Pursuit deals damage, inflicting 50% extra damage when used on a target afflicted with a bad status condition.

Game Base Power Max Power Base PP Max PP Base Accuracy Max Accuracy Range Target Cuts corners MDRB - - 17 - —% - User User Yes MDTDS - - 17 - —% - User User Yes BSL - - 17 - —% - User User Yes MDGtI 5 99 17 99 95% 99% Front Enemy No SMD 5 99 17 99 95% 99% Front Enemy No With some exceptions, Pokémon learnsets match those from the core series games: MD Rescue Team = Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald. MD Time and Darkness = Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. MD Sky = Pokémon Platinum. MD Adventure Squad = ??. MD Gates to Infinity = Pokémon Black 2 and White 2. Super Mystery Dungeon = Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. MD Rescue Team DX = Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.

Pokémon Rumble Rush

Pursuit

★
Attack power	14.17646
Charge time	0.62 seconds
Range type	Arc (melee)
Number of hits	2
Number of projectiles	1
Critical hit rate	1.5%
Additional effect	None

Pokémon UNITE

In Pokémon UNITE, Pursuit is Absol's first move. It is obtained by reaching level 5 and upgrading Feint into it instead of Night Slash. The user ashes in an arc, damaging and slowing the first Pokémon hit. If the user hits, it can be activated again for a brief period of time – allowing the user to dash, dealing damage to all Pokémon hit. At level 11, the move heals the user heals on hit, and if the damage is a critical hit, the heal doubles.

Description

Games Description MDRB The user gains the Counter status. Any damage from Physical Attack moves or a regular attack is partially returned. MDTD Gives the user the Counter status. It returns damage from certain types of moves or a regular attack back to the attacking enemy. MDS Gives the user the Counter status. It returns damage from Physical Attack moves back to the attacking enemy. BSL じぶんを カウンターじょうたいにかえる てきからうけた ぶつりこうげきの わざや こうげきのダメージを あいてにかえす MDGtI It damages an enemy. The damage it causes goes up if the enemy has a bad status condition. SMD It damages an enemy. The damage goes up if the enemy has a bad status condition. MDRTDX It damages an enemy. The damage goes up if the enemy has a bad status.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Murkrow Whirlipede
The user quickly attacks a fleeing opponent.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	When the opponent tries to retreat, Murkrow quickly charges at them with its beak, or Murkrow waves its wing, releasing black waves of energy from it at the opponent.
Silver's Murkrow	Raise the Red Gyarados		Debut
	When the opponent tries to escape, Whirlipede launches itself at the opponent, spinning its body quickly and slamming its body into the opponent horizontally.
Burgh's Whirlipede	The Mystery of the Missing Fossil		None

In other generations

Core series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Side series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Spin-off series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Trivia

• Although Pursuit is the only move that can be performed before switching, its priority is still 0.
• In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red and Blue, Pursuit's effect is similar to Counter.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 追打 Jēuidá Mandarin 追打 Zhuīdǎ French Poursuite German Verfolgung Greek Καταδίωξη Italian Inseguimento Korean 따라가때리기 Ttaragattaerigi Portuguese Perseguição Serbian Gonjenje Spanish Persecución Vietnamese Đuổi Đánh

This article is part of Project Moves and Abilities, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on two related aspects of the Pokémon games.