Night Slash (move)

Night Slash つじぎり Crossroad Killing

Battles Type  Dark Category  Physical PP  15 (max. 24) Power  70 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 IV Not a TM, TR, HM, or Move Tutor move.

Contests Condition  Beauty Appeal  0   Jam  0

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

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Cool Appeal  3 ♥♥♥ Jamming  0   Affected by how well the previous Pokémon's move went.

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

Night Slash (Japanese: つじぎり Crossroad Killing) is a damage-dealing Dark-type move introduced in Generation IV.

Effect

Night Slash deals damage and has an increased critical hit ratio.

Night Slash can also be used as part of a Contest Spectacular combination, with the user gaining extra three appeal points if the move Focus Energy was used in the prior turn.

Description

Games Description DPPtHGSSPBR The user slashes the foe the instant an opportunity arises. It has a high critical-hit ratio. BWB2W2 XYORAS SMUSUM SwSh The user slashes the target the instant an opportunity arises. Critical hits land more easily.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
0051		Dugtrio		Field		Field	1	1	1	1	1
051A		Dugtrio Alolan Form		Field		Field				1	1
0052		Meowth		Field		Field	49	49	49	49
052A		Meowth Alolan Form		Field		Field				49	36
0053		Persian		Field		Field	61	61	61	61
053A		Persian Alolan Form		Field		Field				61	42
0083		Farfetch'd		Flying	Field	33	33	33	33
0123		Scyther		Bug		Bug	45	45	45	45
0141		Kabutops		Water 1	Water 3	72	72	1, 72	1, 72	1
0212		Scizor		Bug		Bug	45	45	45	45
0214		Heracross		Bug		Bug	1	1	1	1
0227		Skarmory		Flying		Flying	50DP 45PtHGSS	50	50XY 53ORAS	53
0254		Sceptile		Monster	Dragon	1	1	1	1
264G		Linoone Galarian Form		Field		Field					1, Evo.
0319		Sharpedo		Water 2		Water 2	56	56	1, 56XY 1, 62ORAS	1, 62	1
0336		Seviper		Field	Dragon	46	46BW 31B2W2	31XY 28ORAS	26
0341		Corphish		Water 1	Water 3	35	35	35XY 26ORAS	26	28
0342		Crawdaunt		Water 1	Water 3	39	39	39XY 26ORAS	26	28
0359		Absol		Field		Field	52	52BW 41B2W2	41XY 29ORAS	29	30
0402		Kricketune		Bug		Bug	42PtHGSS	42	42	42
0430		Honchkrow		Flying		Flying	45	55	1, 55	1, 55
0434		Stunky		Field		Field	31DP 32PtHGSS	37	37	31	36
0435		Skuntank		Field		Field	31DP 32PtHGSS	41	41	31	38
0451		Skorupi		Bug	Water 3		38B2W2	38	38	36
0452		Drapion		Bug	Water 3		38B2W2	38	38	36
0461		Weavile		Field		Field	35	38BW 35B2W2	35	35	60
0469		Yanmega		Bug		Bug	1	1	1	1
0472		Gliscor		Bug		Bug	31	34BW 27B2W2	27	27
0475		Gallade		Human-Like	Amorphous	1	1	1	1	1
0509		Purrloin		Field		Field		37	37	37	36
0510		Liepard		Field		Field		43	43	43	46
0571		Zoroark		Field		Field		30	30	1, Evo.	1, Evo.
0615		Cryogonal		Mineral		Mineral		57	1, 57	1, 53	32
0621		Druddigon		Dragon	Monster		40	40	40
0624		Pawniard		Human-Like		Human-Like		49	49	49	40
0625		Bisharp		Human-Like		Human-Like		49	49	49	40
0658		Greninja		Water 1		Water 1			1, 70	1, 77
0675		Pangoro		Field	Human-Like					1, Evo.
0679		Honedge		Mineral		Mineral			35	35	24
0680		Doublade		Mineral		Mineral			36	36	24
0681		Aegislash		Mineral		Mineral			1	1	1
0686		Inkay		Water 1	Water 2			46	46	24
0687		Malamar		Water 1	Water 2			46	46	24
0688		Binacle		Water 3		Water 3			41	41
0689		Barbaracle		Water 3		Water 3			44	44
0716		Xerneas		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered			51	51	20
0754		Lurantis		Grass		Grass				1USUM	1
0798		Kartana		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered				31	35
0800		Necrozma		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered				23	24
0827		Nickit		Field		Field					28
0828		Thievul		Field		Field					34
0862		Obstagoon		Field		Field					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	Parent Egg Groups		Egg Move
						II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
0027		Sandshrew		Field		Field	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
027A		Sandshrew Alolan Form		Field		Field				✔	✔
052G		Meowth Galarian Form		Field		Field					✔
0056		Mankey		Field		Field			✔	✔
0083		Farfetch'd		Flying	Field	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
083G		Farfetch'd Galarian Form		Flying	Field					✔
0098		Krabby		Water 3		Water 3					✔
0123		Scyther		Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0167		Spinarak		Bug		Bug		✔	✔	✔
0207		Gligar		Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔	✔
0214		Heracross		Bug		Bug					✔
0216		Teddiursa		Field		Field	✔	✔	✔	✔
0227		Skarmory		Flying		Flying					✔
0252		Treecko		Monster	Dragon					✔
0255		Torchic		Field		Field	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0273		Seedot		Field	Grass					✔
0287		Slakoth		Field		Field	✔	✔	✔	✔
0290		Nincada		Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0335		Zangoose		Field		Field	✔	✔	✔	✔
0336		Seviper		Field	Dragon	✔	✔	✔	✔
0403		Shinx		Field		Field	✔HGSS	✔	✔	✔	✔
0451		Skorupi		Bug	Water 3	✔	✔	✔	✔
0501		Oshawott		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔
0519		Pidove		Flying		Flying			✔	✔	✔
0557		Dwebble		Bug	Mineral		✔	✔	✔	✔
0588		Karrablast		Bug		Bug					✔
0610		Axew		Monster	Dragon		✔	✔	✔	✔
0613		Cubchoo		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
0621		Druddigon		Dragon	Monster					✔
0631		Heatmor		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
0688		Binacle		Water 3		Water 3					✔
0846		Arrokuda		Water 2		Water 2					✔
0884		Duraludon		Mineral	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.

Special move

Generation V

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0287		Slakoth		Field		Field	Dream World - Dream Park
0290		Nincada		Bug		Bug	Dream World - Dream Park
0403		Shinx		Field		Field	Dream World - Pleasant Forest
0558		Crustle		Bug	Mineral	Dream World - Rugged Mountain
0610		Axew		Monster	Dragon	Dream World - Icy Cave
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 IV

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0461		WeavileLv. 30		Field		Field	2009 World Championships Weavile
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 Explorers of Time, Darkness and Sky, Night Slash is a move with 13 base power, 12PP and 88% accuracy. The user attacks enemy in front. The move has an increased critical hit ratio.

Pokémon Conquest

	>

Stars: ★★★ Power: 38 Accuracy: 100%

Effect: Has an increased critical hit ratio.

Users:

Grid assumes the user is in the square marked by > facing to the right.
Orange squares indicate spaces that are hit.
Red squares indicate the knockback on hit Pokémon.
A blue square indicates the user's position after performing the move.

Pokémon GO

Night Slash
Charged Attack
Gyms & Raids Power 50 Energy cost 33 Duration 2.2 seconds Damage window 1.3 - 2 seconds
Trainer Battles Power 50 Energy cost 35 Secondary effect 2 Attack Effect chance 12.5%
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: 25 → 30
• February 16, 2017
  • Power: 30 → 50
  • Energy cost: 25 → 33
  • Duration: 2.7 → 2.2 seconds
  • Damage window: 2.4 - 2.6 → 1.3 - 2 seconds

Trainer Battles

• December 11, 2019
  • Energy cost: 40 → 35
  • Secondary effect added

Description

Games Description MDTDS Inflicts damage on the target. It has a high critical-hit rate. BSL てきポケモンに ダメージをあたえる きゅうしょに あたりやすい Conq. Slash the target while its attention is diverted. It has a high critical-hit ratio. MDGtI SMD MDRTDX It damages an enemy. It has a high critical-hit rate.

In the anime

Purrloin Honchkrow Kantonian and Galarian Farfetch'd Weavile
The user's hands/claws/wings glow. The user then attacks its opponent.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	One or both of Honchkrow's wings glow light-blue, purple or white. It then flies down and hits the opponent with its wings.
Paul's Honchkrow	Aiding the Enemy!		Debut
	Both of Zoroark's claws glow crimson and it slashes the opponent with one of them.
Zoroark (M13)	Zoroark: Master of Illusions		None
	Purrloin's claws turn a whitish-purple, and it slashes the opponent with them.
Ricard Nouveau's Purrloin	Clash of the Connoisseurs!		None
	Liepard slashes the opponent with its claws.
Misaki's Liepard	Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice		None
	Greninja creates a purple energy sword in the palm of one of its hands and then grabs it with the other hand. It then slashes the opponent with it.
Sanpei's Greninja	The Legend of the Ninja Hero!		None
Ippei's Greninja	The Festival of Decisions!		None
	Doublade's two swords glow light-purple. It then charges at the opponent, striking it with its swords.
Sawyer's Doublade	A Full-Strength Battle Surprise!		None
	Weavile creates a purple energy sword in the palm of one of its hands and then grabs it with the other hand. It then slashes the opponent with it.
Alain's Weavile	Finals Not for the Faint-Hearted!		None
	Alolan Persien claws glow light purple and then strikes its opponents with them.
Nanu's Persian	Guiding an Awakening!		None
	Bisharp's arm glows white. It then strikes the opponent with its arm blade.
A Trainer's Bisharp	Legend? Go! Friends? Go!		None
	Farfetch'd strikes the opponent with a sideways swipe of its leek.
Goh's Farfetch'd	Toughing It Out!		None
	Galarian Farfetch'd strikes the opponent with a downwards or sideways swipe of its leek. Sometimes, the leek becomes surrounded in light blue streaks of energy while the move is used; or, Galarian Farfetch'd swings its leek, sending multiple light blue blades of energy at the opponent.
Ash's Farfetch'd	Toughing It Out!		None
	Gallade swings both of his arms, sending multiple light blue blades of energy at the opponent.
Rinto's Gallade	JN60		None

• In Jumping Rocket Ship!, Meowth claimed to have learned Night Slash, but he has never been seen using the move, claiming that it's too scary to be used by him.
• In Classroom Training!, Jeremiah told his Skuntank to use Night Slash, but due to it being incapacitated by James's Carnivine's Vine Whip, it was unable to execute the move.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Alolan Meowth Gallade Purrloin Mega Absol
The user strikes the opponent with powerful sharp appendages.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Gallade extends both of the arm blades on his arms to large sizes and spins, slashing the opponent with one of them.
Darach's Gallade	Getting the Drop on Gallade II		Debut
	Honchkrow strikes the foe repeatedly with one of its wings.
Cyrus's Honchkrow	The Final Dimensional Duel VIII		None
	Lickilicky whips the opponent with its tongue repeatedly.
Diamond's Kit	The Final Dimensional Duel VIII		Used via Me First
	Purrloin dashes around the opponent at a top speed and moves so fast that it disappears. Purrloin then repeatedly slashes the opponent with its claws, or Purrloin jumps at the opponent and slashes it with one of its claws.
N's Purrloin	Letting Go		None
	Mega Absol slashes the opponent with its claws.
Y's Solsol	Zygarde Appears		None
	Malamar slashes the opponent with one of its tentacles.
Xerosic's Malamar	Chesnaught Protects		None
	Alolan Meowth slashes the opponent with its claws.
Sun's Cent	The Party Crasher and Guzma the Destroyer		None
	Thievul slashes the opponent with its claws.
A Team Yell Grunt's Thievul	PASS04		None

• In Stunning Staravia & Stinky Skuntank II, a Skuntank belonging to a Team Galactic Grunt was about to use Night Slash on Paka's Burmy, but thanks to Pearl's warning, Burmy was able to stop and counter the attack before it could be executed.

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!

Weavile
The user strikes the opponent with its appendages.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Weavile spreads out both arms, leaving behind a dark trail of light targeted at the opponent.
Cyrus's Weavile	Team Galactic's Conspiracy, Revealed!!		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

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

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

• The Japanese name つじぎり (Crossroad Killing) refers to the way in which some samurai would test new swords in feudal Japan, known as Tsujigiri. This was by hiding in wait by a road (typically a crossroads, thus its literal translation) and waiting for an unsuspecting commoner (i.e. lower class, and so with far fewer rights than the samurai class) to pass by. He would then strike to kill, and in this way learn how well his new sword could cut.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 暗襲要害 Amjaahp Yiuhoih * 街頭試刀 Gāaitàuh Sidōu * Mandarin 暗襲要害 / 暗袭要害 Ànxí Yàohài * 街頭試刀 Jiētóu Shìdāo * Dutch Nachthak French Tranche-Nuit German Nachthieb Greek Νυκτερινός Τεμαχισμός Nykterinós Temachismós Italian Nottesferza Korean 깜짝베기 Kkamjjakbegi Polish Nocne Cięcie Portuguese Brazil Talho Noturno (games, Pokémon the Series: XY-present, TCG, manga) Corte Noturno (early anime) Portugal Golpe Noturno Romanian Tăietura de Noapte Russian Ночной Удар Nochnoy Udar Spanish Latin America Rasguño Nocturno (DP100-DP131) Cuchillada Nocturna (BW080-present) Spain Tajo Umbrío Thai ไนท์สแลช Vietnamese Nhát Chém Trong Đêm

Variations of the move Slash
Slash • Night Slash • Shadow Claw • Psycho Cut • Cross Poison • Aqua Cutter Formerly a variation Leaf Blade

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.