Shadow Punch (move)

Shadow Punch シャドーパンチ Shadow Punch

Battles Type  Ghost Category  Physical PP  20 (max. 32) Power  60 Accuracy  —% 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 III Not a TM, TR, HM, or Move Tutor move.

Contests Condition  Smart Appeal  2 ♥♥ Jam  0   The appeal works great if performed first.

Super Contests Condition  Smart Appeal  2 ♥♥ Earn +2 if the Pokémon performs first in the turn.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Clever Appeal  2 ♥♥ Jamming  0   Works great if the user goes first this turn.

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

Shadow Punch (Japanese: シャドーパンチ Shadow Punch) is a damage-dealing Ghost-type move introduced in Generation III.

Effect

Shadow Punch inflicts damage and bypasses accuracy checks to always hit, unless the target is in the semi-invulnerable turn of a move such as Dig or Fly.

Description

Games Description RSEColoXD An unavoidable punch that is thrown from shadows. FRLG The user throws a punch from the shadows. It cannot be evaded. DPPtHGSSPBR The user throws a punch at the foe from the shadows. The punch lands without fail. BWB2W2 The user throws a punch from the shadows. The punch lands without fail. XYORAS SMUSUMPE SwShBDSPLA SV The user throws a punch from the shadows. This attack never misses.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII		IX
										SMUSUM	SwSh	BDSP	SV
0093		Haunter		Amorphous		Amorphous	25	25	25	25	1, Evo.	1, Evo.	1, Evo.	Evo.
0094		Gengar		Amorphous		Amorphous	25	25	25	25	1, Evo.	1	1	1
0356		Dusclops		Amorphous		Amorphous	37	37	37	37	1, Evo.	1, Evo.	1, Evo.	Evo.
0477		Dusknoir		Amorphous		Amorphous		37	37	37	1	1	1	1
0622		Golett		Mineral		Mineral			13	13	13	12		12
0623		Golurk		Mineral		Mineral			13	13	13	12		12
0802		Marshadow		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered					26	18
0979		Annihilape		Field		Field								Evo.
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
						III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
										SMUSUM	BDSP	SV
0088		Grimer		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
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 III

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0088		Grimer		Amorphous		Amorphous	Purified Shadow PokémonXD
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

Game Base Power Max Power Base PP Max PP Base Accuracy Max Accuracy Range Target Cuts corners MDRB 6 - 8 - —% - Front Enemy No MDTDS 6 - 8 - —% - Front Enemy No BSL 6 - 8 - —% - Front Enemy No MDGtI 7 99 17 50 —% - Front Enemy No SMD 7 99 13 30 —% - 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 GO

In Pokémon GO, Shadow Punch has been an available move since the release of the game on July 6, 2016, but it hadn't been assigned to any Pokémon until February 16, 2017, when it was assigned to Haunter.

Shadow Punch
Charged Attack
Gyms & Raids Power 40 Energy cost 33 Duration 1.7 seconds Damage window 1.3 - 1.5 seconds
Trainer Battles Power 55 Energy cost 35 Secondary effect ? Effect chance ?%
Eligible Pokémon:
Standard eligibility By Elite Charged TM By GO Snapshot As Shadow Pokémon As Purified Pokémon Formerly eligible None

Updates

Gyms & Raids

• July 30, 2016
  • Power: 20 → 25
• February 16, 2017
  • Power: 25 → 40
  • Energy cost: 25 → 33
  • Duration: 2.1 → 1.7 seconds
  • Damage window: 1.4 - 1.7 → 1.3 - 1.5 seconds

Trainer Battles

• September 3, 2024
  • Power: 40 → 55

Pokémon Rumble Rush

Shadow Punch

★★★
Attack power	30.59765
Charge time	0.5 seconds
Range type	Arc (melee)
Number of hits	1
Number of projectiles	1
Critical hit rate	1.5%
Additional effect	None

Pokémon Masters EX

Name	Category	Move gauge cost	MP (uses)	Base power	Max power	Accuracy	Target	Effect tag	Description	Playable sync pair(s)
Shadow Punch	Physical	2	—	45	54	—%	An opponent	Sure Hit	Never misses.	Phoebe & Dusclops/Dusknoir Sygna Suit Korrina & Marshadow
Sync move
Name	Category	State		Base power	Max power	Target		Effect tag	Description	Playable sync pair
Lonely Flower Shadow Punch	Physical	Default 6★ EX		250	300	An opponent		—	No additional effect. The sync buff is doubled the first time a sync move is used.	Phoebe & Dusknoir

Description

Games Description MDRB MDTDS Inflicts damage on the target. It never misses. BSL てきポケモンに ダメージをあたえる かならず めいちゅうする MDGtI SMD MDRTDX It damages an enemy. It never misses.

In animation

Pokémon animated series

Dusclops Golett Gengar Dusknoir
The user throws a punch from the shadows. This attack never misses.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Dusclops's hands become outlined in a gray aura, then it punches the air and a black shadowy fist comes out of its hand, outlined in a gray aura, and hits the opponent. It can fire many at once as well.
Timmy Grimm's Dusclops	Disaster of Disguise		Debut
Brandon's Dusclops	Gathering the Gang of Four!		None
	Gengar raises one of its arms and purple sparks travel up its arm and appear around its fist. It then punches the air and sends a black fist with purple static electricity around it at the opponent; or, one of Gengar's fists becomes surrounded in a light and dark purple misty energy and punches through the ground. The fist then comes back up through the ground and punches the opponent.
Fantina's Gengar	Shield with a Twist!		None
Acerola's Greedy Rapooh	The Battlefield of Truth and Love!		None
	Dusknoir's hands become surrounded in a shadowy aura, and it reaches its arms out. Two fists in the shape of Dusknoir's fire out of Dusknoir's fists and slam into the opponent. While flying toward the opponent, the fists have a gray trail that connects to Dusknoir's fists, and when the attack hits, the fists merge back with Dusknoir's fists; or, Dusknoir's fist becomes surrounded by a shadowy aura, and it punches the opponent with it.
Conway's Dusknoir	Working on a Right Move!		None
Hamber's Dusknoir	Respective Departures		Enhanceable by Terastallization
	Golett pulls back one of its arms and purple and black energy appears around it and forms into its arm, causing it to turn black and become outlined in purple. Golett then brings its fist forward and releases a black fist in the shape of Golett's fist with a purple outline. The fist then hits the opponent.
Luke's Golett	Cilan Versus Trip, Ash Versus Georgia!		None

Pokémon Origins

Haunter
The user's fist becomes engulfed in shadowy energy and it punches the opponent with it. This attack never misses.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Haunter's hand become outlined in a black and purple aura. It then punches the opponent.
Red's Haunter	File 3: Giovanni		Debut Shadow Punch did not exist in Generation I

Biri-Biri

Gengar
The user's fist becomes engulfed in shadowy energy and it punches the opponent with it. This attack never misses.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	One of Gengar's fists becomes surrounded in a bright purple aura. It then punches the opponent.
Anna's Gengar	Biri-Biri		Debut

In the manga

Ash & Pikachu

Dusclops
The user launches a barrage of punches from the shadows.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Dusclops fires both of its hands at the opponent, repeatedly striking them.
Timmy's Dusclops	A Mysterious Masked Man Appears!		Debut

Phantom Thief Pokémon 7

Dusknoir
The user throws a punch from the shadows.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Dusknoir throws a powerful punch at the opponent.
Lily's Dusknoir	Stolen Memories		Debut

Pokémon Adventures

Mega Gengar Phoebe's Dusclops Emerald's Dusclops Gengar
The user punches the target from the shadows.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Dusclops fires one or both of its hands at the opponent. The hands can either punch or repeatedly slap the opponent.
Phoebe's Dusclops	The Beginning of the End with Kyogre & Groudon XIV		Debut
Emerald's Dusclops	The Final Battle VII		None
	Gengar punches the opponent multiple times with its fists.
X's Garma	Changing Gengar		None
	Mega Gengar punches the opponent multiple times with its fists.
X's Garma	Changing Gengar		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

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

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 暗影拳 Amyíng Kyùhn * 影子拳 Yíngjí Kyùhn * Mandarin 暗影拳 Ànyǐng Quán * 影子拳 Yǐngzi Quán * Czech Stínová rána Dutch Schaduwslag Finnish Varjonyrkki French Poing Ombre German Finsterfaust Greek Γροθιά Σκιάς Hindi छाया का मुक्का Chhaya ka mukka Indonesian Pukulan Bayangan Pukulan Gelap Italian Pugnodombra Korean 섀도펀치 Syaedopeonchi Polish Cios Cienia Portuguese Brazil Soco Sombrio (games, AG061, AG062, SM131–present, TCG) Soco das Sombras (AG189–BW040) Portugal Soco Sombra Romanian Lovitura Umbrei Serbian Senka-Pesnica Spanish Latin America Puño Sombra (GO, HZ034) Puño Sombrío (SM131, HZ034*) Puño de Sombra (DP186, BW040) Golpe de Sombra (AG189–DP102) Golpes de Sombra (AG062) Golpe Sombra (AG061) Spain Puño Sombra Thai ชาโดว์พันช์ Vietnamese Cú Đấm Bóng Tối

Variations of the move Swift
Feint Attack • Shadow Punch • Aerial Ace • Magnet Bomb Swift • Magical Leaf • Shock Wave

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.