Counter (move)

Counter カウンター Counter

Battles Type  Fighting Category  Physical PP  20 (max. 32) Power  — Accuracy  100% Priority  -5 Makes contact 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 Self: Affects the user

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

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 Fighting-type move introduced in Generation I. It was TM18 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 Normal-type or Fighting-type 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. Counter works against Ghost types, although they 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 or battle 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

Counter counters all physical moves for twice the damage done to the user. Counter no longer counters a move that hits a substitute. Furthermore, Ghost-type Pokémon are now immune to Counter.

Generation III-IV

In Double Battles, Counter will hit the last opponent that dealt physical damage to the attacker. Counter cannot affect allied Pokémon.

Generation V

In Triple Battles, Counter can hit non-adjacent opponents provided a non-adjacent opponent was the last Pokémon to attack the user.

If the Pokémon using Counter is hit by a Physical attack that deals 0 damage, Counter becomes a Physical move with 1 Base Power.

Description

Games Description A retaliation move that back double the damage of a physical attack. Highly accurate. A retaliation move that back double the damage of a physical attack. Very accurate. Returns a physical blow double. RSE Retaliates any physical hit with double the power. FRLG A retaliation move that counters any physical hit with double the damage. A retaliation move that counters any physical attack, inflicting double the damage taken.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Type		Level
					I		II		III		IV		V		VI
107		Hitmonchan	Fighting		Fighting	53			50			50			51				61			'
185		Sudowoodo	Rock		Rock															33	'
202		Wobbuffet	Psychic		Psychic				--			--			--				--			'
214		Heracross	Bug	Fighting				27			30			25				25	19	'
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 Defense Forme	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 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 TM

#	Pokémon		Type		Machine
					I TM18		II --		III --		IV --		V --		VI --
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 Move Tutor

#	Pokémon		Type		Game
					FRLG	E	XD
004		Charmander	Fire		Fire				✔	✔
005		Charmeleon	Fire		Fire				✔	✔
006		Charizard	Fire	Flying				✔	✔
007		Squirtle	Water		Water				✔	✔
008		Wartortle	Water		Water				✔	✔
009		Blastoise	Water		Water				✔	✔
019		Rattata	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
020		Raticate	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
025		Pikachu	Electric		Electric				✔	✔
026		Raichu	Electric		Electric				✔	✔
027		Sandshrew	Ground		Ground				✔	✔
028		Sandslash	Ground		Ground				✔	✔
029		Nidoran♀	Poison		Poison				✔	✔
030		Nidorina	Poison		Poison				✔	✔
031		Nidoqueen	Poison	Ground				✔	✔
032		Nidoran♂	Poison		Poison				✔	✔
033		Nidorino	Poison		Poison				✔	✔
034		Nidoking	Poison	Ground				✔	✔
035		Clefairy	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
036		Clefable	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
039		Jigglypuff	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
040		Wigglytuff	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
046		Paras	Bug	Grass				✔	✔
047		Parasect	Bug	Grass				✔	✔
054		Psyduck	Water		Water				✔	✔
055		Golduck	Water		Water				✔	✔
056		Mankey	Fighting		Fighting				✔	✔
057		Primeape	Fighting		Fighting				✔	✔
060		Poliwag	Water		Water				✔	✔
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				✔	✔
111		Rhyhorn	Ground	Rock				✔	✔
112		Rhydon	Ground	Rock				✔	✔
113		Chansey	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
115		Kangaskhan	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
122		Mr. Mime	Psychic		Psychic				✔	✔
123		Scyther	Bug	Flying				✔	✔
124		Jynx	Ice	Psychic				✔	✔
125		Electabuzz	Electric		Electric				✔	✔
126		Magmar	Fire		Fire				✔	✔
143		Snorlax	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
150		Mewtwo	Psychic		Psychic				✔	✔
151		Mew	Psychic		Psychic				✔	✔
152		Chikorita	Grass		Grass				✔	✔
153		Bayleef	Grass		Grass				✔	✔
154		Meganium	Grass		Grass				✔	✔
157		Typhlosion	Fire		Fire				✔	✔
158		Totodile	Water		Water				✔	✔
159		Croconaw	Water		Water				✔	✔
160		Feraligatr	Water		Water				✔	✔
172		Pichu	Electric		Electric				✔	✔
173		Cleffa	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
174		Igglybuff	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
175		Togepi	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
176		Togetic	Normal	Flying				✔	✔
180		Flaaffy	Electric		Electric				✔	✔
181		Ampharos	Electric		Electric				✔	✔
185		Sudowoodo	Rock		Rock				✔	✔
186		Politoed	Water		Water				✔	✔
190		Aipom	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
195		Quagsire	Water	Ground				✔	✔
199		Slowking	Water	Psychic				✔	✔
204		Pineco	Bug		Bug				✔	✔
205		Forretress	Bug	Steel				✔	✔
206		Dunsparce	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
207		Gligar	Ground	Flying				✔	✔
209		Snubbull	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
210		Granbull	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
212		Scizor	Bug	Steel				✔	✔
214		Heracross	Bug	Fighting				✔	✔
215		Sneasel	Dark	Ice				✔	✔
216		Teddiursa	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
217		Ursaring	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
225		Delibird	Ice	Flying				✔	✔
227		Skarmory	Steel	Flying				✔	✔
228		Houndour	Dark	Fire				✔	✔
229		Houndoom	Dark	Fire				✔	✔
231		Phanpy	Ground		Ground				✔	✔
232		Donphan	Ground		Ground				✔	✔
236		Tyrogue	Fighting		Fighting				✔	✔
237		Hitmontop	Fighting		Fighting				✔	✔
238		Smoochum	Ice	Psychic				✔	✔
239		Elekid	Electric		Electric				✔	✔
240		Magby	Fire		Fire				✔	✔
241		Miltank	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
242		Blissey	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
248		Tyranitar	Rock	Dark				✔	✔
252		Treecko	Grass		Grass				✔	✔
253		Grovyle	Grass		Grass				✔	✔
254		Sceptile	Grass		Grass				✔	✔
255		Torchic	Fire		Fire				✔	✔
256		Combusken	Fire	Fighting				✔	✔
257		Blaziken	Fire	Fighting				✔	✔
259		Marshtomp	Water	Ground				✔	✔
260		Swampert	Water	Ground				✔	✔
261		Poochyena	Dark		Dark				✔	✔
262		Mightyena	Dark		Dark				✔	✔
272		Ludicolo	Water	Grass				✔	✔
277		Swellow	Normal	Flying				✔	✔
286		Breloom	Grass	Fighting				✔	✔
287		Slakoth	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
288		Vigoroth	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
289		Slaking	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
293		Whismur	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
294		Loudred	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
295		Exploud	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
296		Makuhita	Fighting		Fighting				✔	✔
297		Hariyama	Fighting		Fighting				✔	✔
302		Sableye	Dark	Ghost				✔	✔
303		Mawile	Steel		Steel				✔	✔
306		Aggron	Steel	Rock				✔	✔
307		Meditite	Fighting	Psychic				✔	✔
308		Medicham	Fighting	Psychic				✔	✔
311		Plusle	Electric		Electric				✔	✔
312		Minun	Electric		Electric				✔	✔
313		Volbeat	Bug		Bug				✔	✔
314		Illumise	Bug		Bug				✔	✔
316		Gulpin	Poison		Poison				✔	✔
317		Swalot	Poison		Poison				✔	✔
326		Grumpig	Psychic		Psychic				✔	✔
327		Spinda	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
331		Cacnea	Grass		Grass				✔	✔
332		Cacturne	Grass	Dark				✔	✔
335		Zangoose	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
341		Corphish	Water		Water				✔	✔
342		Crawdaunt	Water	Dark				✔	✔
352		Kecleon	Normal		Normal				✔	✔
356		Dusclops	Ghost		Ghost				✔	✔
359		Absol	Dark		Dark				✔	✔
377		Regirock	Rock		Rock				✔	✔
378		Regice	Ice		Ice				✔	✔
379		Registeel	Steel		Steel				✔	✔
383		Groudon	Ground		Ground				✔	✔
386		Deoxys	Psychic		Psychic				✔
386		Deoxys	Psychic		Psychic				✔
386		Deoxys	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.

Special moves

Generation II

#   Pokémon Type Obtained with 0207 Gligar Ground Flying Pokémon Stadium 2 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 0027 Sandshrew Ground Dream World - Icy Cave 0032 Nidoran♂ Poison Dream World - Pleasant Forest 0111 Rhyhorn Ground Rock Dream World - Rugged Mountain 0113 Chansey Normal Dream World - Dream Park 0115 Kangaskhan Normal Dream World - Pleasant Forest 0410 Shieldon Rock Steel Dream World - Icy Cave 0553 Krookodile Ground Dark Dream World - Rugged Mountain 0558 Crustle Bug Rock Dream World - Rugged Mountain 0610 Axew Dragon Dream World - Icy Cave 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 Wobbuffet Houndoom Slakoth
A retaliation move that counters any physical attack, inflicting double the damage taken.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	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		Debut
	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

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Makuhita Gengar Hariyama
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

In the Pokémon Battle Frontier manga

Zangoose
The user deflects an attack back to the opponent who used it.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Zangoose strikes the opponent if it was attacked.
Enta's Zangoose	The Predestined Battle!		Debut

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, andSky	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, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Trivia

• In the Spanish versions of the games, the move is called Contador (someone or something that counts - a counter). However, in the anime dub, the move is properly translated as Contraataque (counterattack).
  • The Polish dub of the anime committed the same error.
• In Generations II and III, this move can reflect Hidden Power, regardless of its type, due to always counting it as a Normal-type move.

In other languages

Language Title Mandarin Chinese 返拳 Fǎnquán Danish Parade Dutch Tegenaanval Finnish Vastaisku French Riposte German Konter Greek Αντίκρουση Indonesian Serangan Balasan Italian Contatore Korean 카운터 Counter Polish Liczydło Brazilian Portuguese Contra Ataque Serbian Protiv-Napad Spanish Latin America Contraataque Spain Contraataque (Gen. VI/Anime) Contador (Prior to Gen. VI)

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.