Struggle (move)

Struggle わるあがき Vain Struggle

Battles Type  Normal Category  Physical PP  1 (max. 1) Power  50 Accuracy  —% Priority  0 Makes contact Affected by Protect Not affected by Magic Coat Not affected by Snatch Not affected by Mirror Move Affected by King's Rock

Range Opponent Opponent Opponent Self Ally Ally Self: Affects the user

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

Contests Condition  Cool Appeal  4 ♥♥♥♥ Jam  0   A highly appealing move.

Super Contests Condition  Cool Appeal  3 ♥♥♥ A basic performance using a move known by the Pokémon.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Tough Appeal  4 ♥♥♥♥ Jamming  0   Quite an appealing move.

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

Struggle (Japanese: わるあがき Vain Struggle) is a damage-dealing move introduced in Generation I.

It is a move that every Pokémon can use when none of its moves are usable, although no Pokémon can naturally learn it.

Effect

This move effect may be in need of research. Reason: Is the target a randomly selected opponent in all kinds of battles? (Triple Battles, Rotation Battles, Horde Encounters, etc.) Can Struggle be called by Copycat? Self-inflicted recoil damage from Struggle from the previous turn can be countered only in Generation I or also in later generations? If Instruct is used when the target's most recent move has no PP, will Instruct fail or will the target use Struggle? You can discuss this on the talk page.

Struggle inflicts damage, and the user takes recoil damage. Struggle is capable of striking a critical hit. In Double Battles, its target is a randomly selected opponent.

Struggle does not spend any PP. This move has a maximum PP value stored in the game data, but this is not displayed to the player.

	Gen I	Gen II–III	Gen IV–IX
Accuracy	100%		—%
Recoil	½ of damage dealt	¼ of damage dealt	¼ of user's maximum HP
PP	10	1

Struggle cannot be learned like other moves, but it will be automatically used by any Pokémon that is ordered to attack when it has no usable moves.

A move may not be currently usable because:

• It ran out of PP.
• It is blocked by the moves Disable, Gravity, Heal Block, Imprison, Taunt, Throat Chop, or Torment, by the Ability Cursed Body, or by the user's held Assault Vest.
• It may not be selectable because its conditions have not been met (such as in the case of Belch).
• It is unavailable in the current game.

If a Pokémon is forced to use a single move by a held choice item, but that move is unavailable for the reasons above, it will use Struggle.

If a Pokémon is forced to use a single move by Encore, but that move runs out of PP, then Encore's effect ends; otherwise, if that move affected by Encore is unavailable for other reasons, it will use Struggle.

If a Pokémon is affected by Torment but it has a single available move (or is forced to use a single move by Encore or a held choice item), it will use Struggle every two turns.

Struggle can hit through Wonder Guard. Struggle does not gain a boost by Reckless even though the user takes recoil. The user still takes recoil damage even if its Ability is Magic Guard or Rock Head.

Since this move is not available in any Pokémon's moveset, Struggle cannot be called by Assist, Me First, Metronome, or Sleep Talk, copied by Mimic, Sketch, Transform, or Imposter, and it cannot be blocked by means such as Disable, Imprison, or Cursed Body.

Torment is unable to prevent Struggle from being used multiple times in a row. Encore or a held choice item are unable to force a Pokémon to repeat Struggle as a result of having used this move before. Instruct fails if the target's most recent move was Struggle.

If a Pokémon is forced to use Struggle, it will not be able to Mega Evolve, Ultra Burst, power up a move into a Z-Move, Dynamax, or Terastallize on the same turn, as the menu from which this option would be selected never appears. If a Dynamax Pokémon is forced to use Struggle, it will not turn into a Max Move.

Generation I

	This move effect may be in need of research. Reason: In Japanese Pokémon Stadium, does Struggle work like the later Pokémon Stadium? (Does it hit ghosts, and takes no recoil when knocking out an opponent?) You can discuss this on the talk page.

If the user of Struggle attacks first and knocks itself out due to recoil damage, the opponent will not attack or be subjected to recurrent damage during that round. If Struggle breaks a substitute, the user will take no recoil damage.

Self-inflicted recoil damage from Struggle from the previous turn can be countered if the opponent did not make a move on the following turn.

Struggle deals Normal-type damage in this Generation, meaning it is not very effective against Rock-type Pokémon and ineffective against Ghost-type Pokémon.

Struggle can be copied by Mirror Move.

In Stadium, Struggle can hit Ghost Pokémon, and no recoil damage is taken if Struggle knocks out an opponent.

Generations II and III

Although still classified as a Normal-type move, Struggle is now unaffected by types, inflicting neutral damage to Steel-, Rock-, and Ghost-type Pokémon and being unaffected by STAB.

The user will take recoil damage even if Struggle breaks a substitute.

The user will still take recoil damage if it has Rock Head

Generation IV

	This move effect may be in need of research. Reason: In this generation, is Shedinja the only exception? Or any Struggle user with 1 HP will knock itself out with recoil? You can discuss this on the talk page.

The recoil damage is rounded down except in the case of Shedinja, who will knock itself out with recoil damage.

Struggle now bypasses accuracy checks to always hit, unless the target is in the semi-invulnerable turn of a move such as Dig or Fly.

Struggle will activate a target's held Chilan Berry.

Struggle can no longer be copied by Mirror Move.

Despite having a base power of 60 or less, Struggle's power is not boosted by Technician in Generation IV.

Generation V onwards

Struggle's recoil calculation is now subject to standard rounding; for example, a Pokémon with 201 maximum HP using Struggle will have its recoil round down to 50, but 202 or 203 HP will round up to 51 recoil damage.

Struggle is unaffected by a held Normal Gem (and will not consume it). Even if the user is affected by Electrify, Struggle is still considered typeless. Struggle no longer activates the Chilan Berry.

Struggle's power is now boosted by Technician.

Generation VIII

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Pokémon Legends: Arceus Category  Physical PP  1 Agile Strong Power  50  —  — Accuracy  —%  —%  —% Action speed modifier Self  0  —  — Target  0  —  — Additional effect Recoil  25%  —  —    ?  ?    ?  ? Never misses Damages the user by a percentage of its total HP

Struggle cannot be mastered.

Description

Games Description Stad Used only if the user runs totally out of PP. The user is hit with 1/4 of the damage it inflicts. Stad2 Used only if the user is totally out of PP. The user is hit with 1/4 the damage it inflicts. GSC Used only if all PP are exhausted. RSE Used only if all PP are gone. Also hurts the user a little. FRLG An attack that is used only if there is no PP. It also hurts the user. ColoXD Used when all PP are gone. Also hurts the user a bit. DPPtHGSSPBR BWB2W2 An attack that is used in desperation only if the user has no PP. It also hurts the user slightly. XYORAS An attack that is used in desperation only if the user has no PP. This also damages the user a little. SMUSUMPE SwShBDSPLA This attack is used in desperation only if the user has no PP. It also damages the user a little. SV This attack is used in desperation only if the user has no remaining PP. It also damages the user a little.

Learnset

Struggle cannot be learned like other moves, but it will be automatically used by any Pokémon that is ordered to attack when it has no usable moves.

In other games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

In Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team and Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky, Struggle has 30 base power, and 100% accuracy. The attack can be used when the Pokémon runs out of PP for its moves and the Pokémon attempts to use one of its moves. The user attacks enemy in front and receives recoil damage equal to ¼ of their maximum HP. It deals Normal-type damage, much like in Generation I core series games.

In Gates to Infinity recoil damage is 20% of max HP instead. When used by a Gigantic Pokémon, the move can damage nearby enemies in a 1 tile range around the user if used by a mobile Gigantic Pokémon, or enemies in the same room if used by stationary Gigantic Pokémon (such as Lugia and Ho-Oh).

Pokémon GO

Struggle
Charged Attack
Gyms & Raids Power 35 Energy cost 0 Duration 2.2 seconds Damage window 1.2 - 2 seconds
Trainer Battles Power 35 Energy cost 100 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
  • Energy cost: 20 → 0
• February 16, 2017
  • Power: 15 → 35
  • Energy cost: 0 → 33
  • Duration: 1.695 → 2.2 seconds
  • Damage window: 0.8 - 1.5 → 1.2 - 2 seconds
• February 21, 2017
  • Energy cost: 33 → 0

Pokémon Rumble Rush

Struggle

★★
Attack power	34.5061
Charge time	0.66 seconds
Range type	Circular (self)
Number of hits	1
Number of projectiles	1
Critical hit rate	1.5%
Additional effect	Causes recoil

Description

Games Description MDRB Inflicts damage on the target. However, the user also takes damage one quarter of its maximum HP. MDTDS Inflicts damage on the target. But it also inflicts damage on the user in the amount of 1/4 of its maximum HP. BSL てきポケモンに ダメージをあたえる しかし じぶんも さいだいＨＰの １/４の ダメージをうける MDGtI It damages an enemy, but it also damages you. (If there's no move available, your move will be Struggle.) It damages nearby Pokémon. The user also takes damage. (If the Pokémon tries to use a move when it has no move available, the move will be Struggle.)* It damages even faraway Pokémon. The user also takes damage. (If the Pokémon tries to use a move when it has no move available, the move will be Struggle.)* SMD It damages an enemy, but it also damages you. If you have no moves available, your move will be Struggle. MDRTDX When you have no PP left, this move comes out instead. It damages an enemy, but it also damages you.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Graveler, Omanyte, and Caterpie Recoil
The user tackles the opponent.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Graveler tackles the opponent. After the attack, it takes recoil damage.
Yellow's Gravvy	Eradicate Raticate!		Debut
	Omanyte tackles the opponent. After the attack, it takes recoil damage.
Yellow's Omny	Eradicate Raticate!		Debut
	Caterpie tackles the opponent. After the attack, it takes recoil damage.
Yellow's Kitty	Eradicate Raticate!		Debut

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, 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

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, 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

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

Trivia

• Struggle is the last Generation I move in index number order.
• Even though Struggle can only be accessed by the loss of all PP, it was given Contest, Super Contest, and Contest Spectacular stats.
• Struggle is one of two non-Shadow moves that cannot be copied by Sketch in any generation, the other being Sketch itself.
• In Generation I, Struggle was the only move that could not be called via Metronome, besides Metronome itself.
• Struggle has the lowest base power of all recoil-causing moves.
• Because it deals typeless damage, Struggle is the only damaging Normal-type move which can hit a Ghost-type opponent without the aid of Odor Sleuth, Foresight, a Ring Target, or Scrappy.
• Along with Barrage and Kinesis, Struggle is one of three moves introduced in Generation I that have not been featured in the main series anime.
  • Of these moves, it was the only one to exist in Pokémon Sword and Shield prior to v1.2.0.
• Certain glitch Pokémon, including Generation IV hybrids, 'Ng'Mp, 'ゥ., and 4, ゥァ (DD), can learn Struggle by level up.
• Should a player hack Struggle onto a Pokémon, it will not be displayed correctly in Pokémon Stadium 2's lab (not the case for the previous game) and will be highlighted, as if it was a Generation II move. This does not happen when selecting a team for battle.
• In Pokémon Stadium, the move description erroneously states that Struggle inflicts recoil to the user equal to ¼ of the damage inflicted; the correct number in Generation I is ½.
• In Generation I, a glitch can occur making it impossible for a Pokémon to use Struggle if it has previously used Transform followed by either Metronome or Mirror Move. This renders the Pokémon completely unable to battle until its PP is restored.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 掙扎 Jāngjaat Mandarin 掙扎 / 挣扎 Zhēngzhá Dutch Spartel European French Lutte German Verzweifler Greek Αγώνας Agúnas Italian Scontro Korean 발버둥 Balbeodung Brazilian Portuguese Insistência Serbian Opstanak European Spanish Forcejeo* Combate* Thai ดิ้นรน

References

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.