Counter (move)

Counter カウンター Counter

Battles Type  Fighting Category  Physical PP  20 (max. 32) Power  Varies Accuracy  100% Priority  -5 Makes contact Not affected by Protect Not affected by Magic Coat Not affected by Snatch Not affected by King's Rock

Range Opponent Opponent Opponent Self Ally Ally Normal: May affect anyone but the user (long-range)

Availability Introduced  Generation I TM18 in Generation I Move Tutor in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

Contests Condition  Tough Appeal  2 ♥♥ Jam  0   Can avoid being startled by others once.

Super Contests Condition  Tough Appeal  2 ♥♥ Earns double the score on the final performance.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Tough Appeal  0   Jamming  0

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

Counter (Japanese: カウンター Counter) is a damage-dealing Template:Type2 move introduced in Generation I.

Effect

Generation I

If the last amount of damage done before the use of Counter is greater than 0 and was dealt by a Template:Type2 or Template:Type2 attack, Counter will do twice as much damage to the opponent. Although Counter deals Fighting-type damage, its type does not alter the amount of damage it inflicts; however, it does not work against Template:Type2s which are immune to Fighting-type attacks.

Counter is a decreased priority move. If the opponent does not use a decreased priority move during the round that it is used, Counter will go last regardless of the user's or opponent's speed. If the opponent also uses a decreased priority move during the same round, the attack order of the users will be determined normally. If the user is put to sleep or is frozen during the round that Counter is (or attempts to be) used, Counter's decreased speed priority will not be reset. Subsequently, it will only be reset on the turn after the user wakes up or is defrosted, or if the user switches out.

Counter can cause a critical hit, but the actual amount of damage dealt by it will not be altered by a critical hit. Counter will only counter the last hit of a multi-hit move and the last attack of a partial trapping move. Counter will always miss if called by Metronome.

Switching, full paralysis, and using a multi-turn move will not reset the last amount of damage done, allowing Counter to counter itself as well as self-inflicted recoil damage. However, if both active Pokémon use Counter during the same round, both attacks will fail. An attack absorbed by a Substitute can be countered for the amount of damage it would have done to the user had the user not had a substitute.

If an HP-restoring item is used on the opponent during the same round that Counter is used, Counter will counter the item.

In Stadium, switching, full paralysis, and using a multi-turn move reset the last amount of damage done, so Counter can't counter itself or self-inflicted recoil damage if the opponent does not make a move on its following turn.

Generation II and on

Counter counters all physical moves for twice the damage done to the user. Counter no longer counters a move that hits a substitute.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Type		Level
					I		II		III		IV		V		VI
107		Hitmonchan	Fighting		Fighting	53			50			50			51				61			'
202		Wobbuffet	Psychic		Psychic				--			--			--				--			'
214		Heracross	Bug	Fighting				27			30			25				25			'
237		Hitmontop	Fighting		Fighting				31			31			28				28			'
286		Breloom	Grass	Fighting							28			25				25			'
287		Slakoth	Normal		Normal							37			37				43			'
288		Vigoroth	Normal		Normal							37			37				37			'
289		Slaking	Normal		Normal							37			37				43			'
360		Wynaut	Psychic		Psychic							15			15				15			'
386		Deoxys	Psychic		Psychic							50			97				97			'
447		Riolu	Fighting		Fighting										6				6			'
448		Lucario	Fighting	Steel										6				6			'
539		Sawk	Fighting		Fighting														21			'
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 TM18

#	Pokémon		Type		Machine
					I TM18		II --		III --		IV --		V --		VI TM08
004		Charmander	Fire		Fire	✔															✔
005		Charmeleon	Fire		Fire	✔															✔
006		Charizard	Fire	Flying	✔															✔
007		Squirtle	Water		Water	✔															✔
008		Wartortle	Water		Water	✔															✔
009		Blastoise	Water		Water	✔															✔
031		Nidoqueen	Poison	Ground	✔															✔
034		Nidoking	Poison	Ground	✔															✔
035		Clefairy	Normal		Normal	✔															✔
036		Clefable	Normal		Normal	✔															✔
039		Jigglypuff	Normal		Normal	✔															✔
040		Wigglytuff	Normal		Normal	✔															✔
054		Psyduck	Water		Water	✔															✔
055		Golduck	Water		Water	✔															✔
056		Mankey	Fighting		Fighting	✔															✔
057		Primeape	Fighting		Fighting	✔															✔
061		Poliwhirl	Water		Water	✔															✔
062		Poliwrath	Water	Fighting	✔															✔
063		Abra	Psychic		Psychic	✔															✔
064		Kadabra	Psychic		Psychic	✔															✔
065		Alakazam	Psychic		Psychic	✔															✔
066		Machop	Fighting		Fighting	✔															✔
067		Machoke	Fighting		Fighting	✔															✔
068		Machamp	Fighting		Fighting	✔															✔
074		Geodude	Rock	Ground	✔															✔
075		Graveler	Rock	Ground	✔															✔
076		Golem	Rock	Ground	✔															✔
080		Slowbro	Water	Psychic	✔															✔
094		Gengar	Ghost	Poison	✔															✔
096		Drowzee	Psychic		Psychic	✔															✔
097		Hypno	Psychic		Psychic	✔															✔
104		Cubone	Ground		Ground	✔															✔
105		Marowak	Ground		Ground	✔															✔
106		Hitmonlee	Fighting		Fighting	✔															✔
107		Hitmonchan	Fighting		Fighting	✔															✔
108		Lickitung	Normal		Normal	✔															✔
112		Rhydon	Rock	Ground	✔															✔
113		Chansey	Normal		Normal	✔															✔
115		Kangaskhan	Normal		Normal	✔															✔
122		Mr. Mime	Psychic		Psychic	✔															✔
124		Jynx	Ice	Psychic	✔															✔
125		Electabuzz	Electric		Electric	✔															✔
126		Magmar	Fire		Fire	✔															✔
143		Snorlax	Normal		Normal	✔															✔
150		Mewtwo	Psychic		Psychic	✔															✔
151		Mew	Psychic		Psychic	✔															✔
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		Type		Father
					II		III		IV		V		VI
004		Charmander	Fire		Fire
019		Rattata	Normal		Normal
027		Sandshrew	Ground		Ground
029		Nidoran♀	Poison		Poison
032		Nidoran♂	Poison		Poison
046		Paras	Bug	Grass
056		Mankey	Fighting		Fighting
066		Machop	Fighting		Fighting
111		Rhyhorn	Ground	Rock
113		Chansey	Normal		Normal
115		Kangaskhan	Normal		Normal
123		Scyther	Bug	Flying
143		Snorlax	Normal		Normal
152		Chikorita	Grass		Grass
190		Aipom	Normal		Normal
194		Wooper	Water	Ground
204		Pineco	Bug		Bug
207		Gligar	Ground	Flying
215		Sneasel	Dark	Ice
216		Teddiursa	Normal		Normal
228		Houndour	Dark	Fire
231		Phanpy	Ground		Ground
236		Tyrogue	Fighting		Fighting
255		Torchic	Fire		Fire
258		Mudkip	Water		Water
296		Makuhita	Fighting		Fighting
331		Cacnea	Grass		Grass
335		Zangoose	Normal		Normal
390		Chimchar	Fire		Fire
410		Shieldon	Rock	Steel
422		Shellos	Water		Water
440		Happiny	Normal		Normal
446		Munchlax	Normal		Normal
453		Croagunk	Poison	Fighting
532		Timburr	Fighting		Fighting
551		Sandile	Ground	Dark
557		Dwebble	Bug	Rock
570		Zorua	Dark		Dark
588		Karrablast	Bug		Bug
610		Axew	Dragon		Dragon
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 move tutor

In Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen, and Emerald

#   Pokémon Type 0004 Charmander Fire 0005 Charmeleon Fire 0006 Charizard Fire Flying 0007 Squirtle Water 0008 Wartortle Water 0009 Blastoise Water 0019 Rattata Normal 0020 Raticate Normal 0025 Pikachu Electric 0026 Raichu Electric 0027 Sandshrew Ground 0028 Sandslash Ground 0029 Nidoran♀ Poison 0030 Nidorina Poison 0031 Nidoqueen Poison Ground 0032 Nidoran♂ Poison 0033 Nidorino Poison 0034 Nidoking Poison Ground 0035 Clefairy Normal 0036 Clefable Normal 0039 Jigglypuff Normal 0040 Wigglytuff Normal 0046 Paras Bug Grass 0047 Parasect Bug Grass 0054 Psyduck Water 0055 Golduck Water 0056 Mankey Fighting 0057 Primeape Fighting 0060 Poliwag Water 0061 Poliwhirl Water 0062 Poliwrath Water Fighting 0063 Abra Psychic 0064 Kadabra Psychic 0065 Alakazam Psychic 0066 Machop Fighting 0067 Machoke Fighting 0068 Machamp Fighting 0074 Geodude Rock Ground 0075 Graveler Rock Ground 0076 Golem Rock Ground 0080 Slowbro Water Psychic 0094 Gengar Ghost Poison 0096 Drowzee Psychic 0097 Hypno Psychic 0104 Cubone Ground 0105 Marowak Ground 0106 Hitmonlee Fighting 0107 Hitmonchan Fighting 0108 Lickitung Normal 0111 Rhyhorn Ground Rock 0112 Rhydon Ground Rock 0113 Chansey Normal 0115 Kangaskhan Normal 0122 Mr. Mime Psychic 0123 Scyther Bug Flying 0124 Jynx Ice Psychic 0125 Electabuzz Electric 0126 Magmar Fire 0143 Snorlax Normal 0150 Mewtwo Psychic 0151 Mew Psychic 0152 Chikorita Grass 0153 Bayleef Grass 0154 Meganium Grass 0157 Typhlosion Fire 0158 Totodile Water 0159 Croconaw Water 0160 Feraligatr Water 0172 Pichu Electric 0173 Cleffa Normal 0174 Igglybuff Normal 0175 Togepi Normal 0176 Togetic Normal Flying 0180 Flaaffy Electric 0181 Ampharos Electric 0185 Sudowoodo Rock 0186 Politoed Water 0190 Aipom Normal 0195 Quagsire Water Ground 0199 Slowking Water Psychic 0204 Pineco Bug 0205 Forretress Bug Steel 0206 Dunsparce Normal 0207 Gligar Ground Flying 0209 Snubbull Normal 0210 Granbull Normal 0212 Scizor Bug Steel 0214 Heracross Bug Fighting 0215 Sneasel Dark Ice 0216 Teddiursa Normal 0217 Ursaring Normal 0225 Delibird Ice Flying 0227 Skarmory Steel Flying 0228 Houndour Dark Fire 0229 Houndoom Dark Fire 0231 Phanpy Ground 0232 Donphan Ground 0236 Tyrogue Fighting 0237 Hitmontop Fighting 0238 Smoochum Ice Psychic 0239 Elekid Electric 0240 Magby Fire 0241 Miltank Normal 0242 Blissey Normal 0248 Tyranitar Rock Dark 0252 Treecko Grass 0253 Grovyle Grass 0254 Sceptile Grass 0255 Torchic Fire 0256 Combusken Fire Fighting 0257 Blaziken Fire Fighting 0259 Marshtomp Water Ground 0260 Swampert Water Ground 0261 Poochyena Dark 0262 Mightyena Dark 0272 Ludicolo Water Grass 0277 Swellow Normal Flying 0286 Breloom Grass Fighting 0287 Slakoth Normal 0288 Vigoroth Normal 0289 Slaking Normal 0293 Whismur Normal 0294 Loudred Normal 0295 Exploud Normal 0296 Makuhita Fighting 0297 Hariyama Fighting 0302 Sableye Dark Ghost 0303 Mawile Steel 0306 Aggron Steel Rock 0307 Meditite Fighting Psychic 0308 Medicham Fighting Psychic 0311 Plusle Electric 0312 Minun Electric 0313 Volbeat Bug 0314 Illumise Bug 0316 Gulpin Poison 0317 Swalot Poison 0326 Grumpig Psychic 0327 Spinda Normal 0331 Cacnea Grass 0332 Cacturne Grass Dark 0335 Zangoose Normal 0341 Corphish Water 0342 Crawdaunt Water Dark 0352 Kecleon Normal 0356 Dusclops Ghost 0359 Absol Dark 0377 Regirock Rock 0378 Regice Ice 0379 Registeel Steel 0383 Groudon Ground 0386 Deoxys Psychic 0386 Deoxys Psychic 0386 Deoxys Psychic Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB from this move.

By event

Generation V

#   Pokémon Type Obtained with 0032 Nidoran♂ Poison Dream World - Pleasant Forest 0115 Kangaskhan Normal Dream World - Pleasant Forest Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB from this move.

In the anime

Wynaut File:Wobbuffet Counter.png Wobbuffet Houndoom File:Slakoth Counter.png Slakoth
A retaliation move that counters any physical attack, inflicting double the damage taken.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Koffing charges at the opponent when the opponent uses an attack and collides with it.
James's Koffing	Clefairy and the Moon Stone		Debut Dub only Koffing cannot legally learn Counter
	Staryu charges at the opponent, spinning around.
Misty's Staryu	The Water Flowers of Cerulean City		Japanese debut Staryu cannot legally learn Counter
	Mewtwo sticks out its hand when an attack comes near it. The attack bounces off and is sent back to the opponent.
Mewtwo (anime)	Mewtwo Strikes Back		None
	Wobbuffet raises its tail and becomes outlined in pink or orange. Any attack that hits it is sent flying back to the opponent.
Jessie's Wobbuffet	The Tricks of the Trade		None
Lulu's Wobbuffet	Wobbu-Palooza!		None
Duplica's Mini-Dit in the form of Wobbuffet	Imitation Confrontation		Used via Transform
	Wynaut's body becomes outlined in orange. Any attack that hits it is sent flying back to the opponent.
A wild Wynaut	Why? Why Not!		None
A wild Wynaut	Who, What, When, Where, Wynaut?		None
Multiple wild Wynaut	Pikachu's Island Adventure		None
	Houndoom's body becomes outlined in orange. Any attack that hits it is sent flying back to the opponent.
Harrison's Houndoom	Playing with Fire!		None
	Slakoth's body becomes outlined in orange. Any attacks that hits it is sent flying back to the opponent.
Marcel's Slakoth	The Garden of Eatin'		None

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

File:Gengar Counter Adventures.png Gengar
The user strikes the opponent when the opponent tries to attack it.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	When the opponent is about to attack it, Gengar uppercuts the opponent with one of its fists.
Agatha's Gengar	Striking Golduck		Debut
	When the opponent is about to attack it, Makuhita steps to the side and pushes the opponent away.
Brawly's Makuhita	VS. Makuhita		None
	When Hariyama is hit by the opponent's attack, Hariyama punches the opponent, dealing double the damage from the last attack.
Brawly's Hariyama	VS. Hariyama		None
	When Sudowoodo is hit by the opponent's attack, it strikes the opponent back with one of its hands.
Emerald's Sudowoodo	VS. Vileplume II		None

Trivia

• In the Spanish version of the games, this move was translated as Contador (meaning accountant, or someone or something that counts - a "counter"). However, in the anime dub, this move was properly translated as Contraataque (counter-attack).
  • In addition, the Polish dub of the anime committed the same error.
• In the anime, Ash's Caterpie attempted to use Counter, but it is impossible for it to learn it in the games (however, it failed to work). This also applies to Misty's Staryu, who used Counter in her battle with Ash, and to James's Koffing. However, these may just mean a basic counter-attack, rather than the move itself.

In other generations

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 Mandarin Chinese 返拳 Fǎnquán Finnish Vastaisku French Riposte German Konter Greek Αντίκρουση Indonesian Serangan Balasan Italian Contatore Korean 카운터 Counter Polish Liczydło Brazilian Portuguese Contra Ataque (Contra-Dano/Contra-Ataque) Serbian Protiv-Napad Spanish Contador (games) Contraataque

Variations of the move Counter
Counter Mirror Coat

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.