Sky Attack (move)

Sky Attack ゴッドバード God Bird

Battles Type  Flying Category  Physical PP  5 (max. 8) Power  140 Accuracy  90% Priority  0 Does not make 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 but the user (long-range)

Availability Introduced  Generation I TM43 in Generation I Move Tutor in Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness Move Tutor in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Move Tutor in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Move Tutor in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Move Tutor in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

Contests Condition  Cool Appeal  3 ♥♥♥ Jam  0   Affected by how well the appeal in front goes.

Super Contests Condition  Cool Appeal  1 ♥ Earn +3 if no other Pokémon has chosen the same Judge.

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

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

Sky Attack (Japanese: ゴッドバード God Bird) is a damage-dealing Flying-type move introduced in Generation I. It was TM43 in Generation I. In Generation II, it was the signature move of Moltres.

Effect

Generations I and II

Sky Attack does nothing on the turn it is selected, other than say that the user is glowing. On the following turn, Sky Attack will deal damage, PP will be deducted from it, and it will count as the last move used. Once Sky Attack is selected, the user will not be able to switch out until it is disrupted or fully executed.

If Sky Attack is not fully executed, PP will not be deducted from it, and it will not count as the last move used. If the target uses Mirror Move during the turn that the user is glowing, Mirror Move will copy the move that the user executed immediately before using Sky Attack (or fail if it cannot).

Sleep, freeze, partial trapping, and flinching will pause but not disrupt the duration of Sky Attack.

In Stadium, Mirror Move will copy Sky Attack on either of the turns it takes to execute.

Sky Attack has 140 base power.

Generation III

Sky Attack now has a 30% chance of causing the target to flinch. It also now has an increased critical hit ratio.

Generation IV to VI

Sky Attack now displays "<Pokémon> became cloaked in a harsh light!" instead of "<Pokémon> is glowing!" If the user is holding a Power Herb, there will be no charge turn.

Sky Attack can hit non-adjacent opponents in Triple Battles.

Generation VII

In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, Sky Attack's power was increased from 140 to 200.

Generation VIII

Sky Attack's power was changed back to 140.

Description

Games Description Stad The strongest Flying-type attack. Energy is stored in the first turn, then fired the next turn. Stad2 Strongest Flying-type attack. Stores energy in the first turn, then fires in the next. GSC 1st turn: Prepare 2nd turn: Attack RSEColoXD Searches out weak spots, then strikes the next turn. FRLG A 2nd-turn attack move with a high critical-hit ratio. The foe may flinch. DPPtHGSSPBR A second-turn attack move with a high critical-hit ratio. It may also make the target flinch. BWB2W2 A second-turn attack move where critical hits land more easily. It may also make the target flinch. XYORAS SMUSUMPE SwShBDSPLA A second-turn attack move where critical hits land more easily. This may also make the target flinch.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
0018		Pidgeot		Flying		Flying							1PE
0022		Fearow		Flying		Flying							1PE
0083		Farfetch'd		Field	Flying							40PE
0144		Articuno		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered							72PE
0145		Zapdos		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered							72PE
0146		Moltres		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	60	73	85	78	78	1, 78	78SMUSUM 72PE	70
146G		Moltres Galarian Form		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered								70
0164		Noctowl		Flying		Flying				1	1	1	1	1
0249		Lugia		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered				99	99	99	99	90
0250		Ho-Oh		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered				99	99	99	99	90
0334		Altaria		Flying	Dragon			59	70	77BW 64B2W2	1, 64XY 1, 59ORAS	1, 59	56
0468		Togekiss		Flying	Fairy				1	1	1	1	1SwShBDSP
0519		Pidove		Flying		Flying					50	50	50	44
0520		Tranquill		Flying		Flying					59	59	59	56
0521		Unfezant		Flying		Flying					66	66	66	66
0561		Sigilyph		Flying		Flying					51	50	50	55
0628		Braviary		Flying		Flying								1
0630		Mandibuzz		Flying		Flying								1
0701		Hawlucha		Flying	Human-Like						48	48	56
0717		Yveltal		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered						93	93	80
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		Types	Egg Groups		Machine
						I TM43	II --	III --	IV --	V --	VI --	VII --	VIII --	IX --
0016		Pidgey		Flying		Flying	✔
0017		Pidgeotto		Flying		Flying	✔
0018		Pidgeot		Flying		Flying	✔
0021		Spearow		Flying		Flying	✔
0022		Fearow		Flying		Flying	✔
0084		Doduo		Flying		Flying	✔
0085		Dodrio		Flying		Flying	✔
0142		Aerodactyl		Flying		Flying	✔
0144		Articuno		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
0145		Zapdos		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
0146		Moltres		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
0151		Mew		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
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
0021		Spearow		Flying		Flying		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
0083		Farfetch'd		Flying	Field							✔
083G		Farfetch'd Galarian Form		Flying	Field							✔
0163		Hoothoot		Flying		Flying	✔C	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
0198		Murkrow		Flying		Flying	✔C	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
0227		Skarmory		Flying		Flying	✔C	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0276		Taillow		Flying		Flying		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
0821		Rookidee		Flying		Flying							✔
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		Types	Egg Groups		Game
						FRLG	E	XD	DP	Pt	HGSS	BW	B2W2	XY	ORAS	SM	USUM	PE
0016		Pidgey		Flying		Flying	✔			✔	✔
0017		Pidgeotto		Flying		Flying	✔			✔	✔
0018		Pidgeot		Flying		Flying	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0021		Spearow		Flying		Flying	✔		✔	✔	✔
0022		Fearow		Flying		Flying	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0083		Farfetch'd		Flying	Field			✔	✔	✔
0084		Doduo		Flying		Flying	✔
0085		Dodrio		Flying		Flying	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0142		Aerodactyl		Flying		Flying	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0144		Articuno		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0145		Zapdos		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0146		Moltres		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0151		Mew		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0163		Hoothoot		Flying		Flying	✔		✔	✔	✔
0164		Noctowl		Flying		Flying	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0169		Crobat		Flying		Flying		✔	✔	✔	✔
0176		Togetic		Flying	Fairy	✔
0177		Natu		Flying		Flying	✔			✔	✔
0178		Xatu		Flying		Flying	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0198		Murkrow		Flying		Flying	✔		✔	✔	✔
0225		Delibird		Water 1	Field	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0227		Skarmory		Flying		Flying	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0249		Lugia		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
0250		Ho-Oh		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0276		Taillow		Flying		Flying	✔			✔	✔
0277		Swellow		Flying		Flying	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0278		Wingull		Water 1	Flying	✔			✔	✔
0279		Pelipper		Water 1	Flying	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0333		Swablu		Flying	Dragon	✔			✔	✔
0334		Altaria		Flying	Dragon	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0398		Staraptor		Flying		Flying		✔	✔	✔	✔
0430		Honchkrow		Flying		Flying		✔	✔	✔	✔
0441		Chatot		Flying		Flying		✔	✔	✔	✔
0468		Togekiss		Flying	Fairy		✔	✔	✔	✔
0472		Gliscor		Bug		Bug		✔	✔	✔	✔
0519		Pidove		Flying		Flying			✔	✔	✔
0520		Tranquill		Flying		Flying			✔	✔	✔
0521		Unfezant		Flying		Flying			✔	✔	✔
0528		Swoobat		Field	Flying			✔	✔	✔
0561		Sigilyph		Flying		Flying			✔	✔	✔
0567		Archeops		Flying	Water 3			✔	✔	✔
0581		Swanna		Water 1	Flying			✔	✔	✔
0628		Braviary		Flying		Flying			✔	✔	✔
0630		Mandibuzz		Flying		Flying			✔	✔	✔
0701		Hawlucha		Flying	Human-Like				✔	✔
0714		Noibat		Flying	Dragon				✔	✔
0715		Noivern		Flying	Dragon				✔	✔
0717		Yveltal		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered				✔	✔
0722		Rowlet		Flying		Flying					✔
0723		Dartrix		Flying		Flying					✔
0724		Decidueye		Flying		Flying					✔
0731		Pikipek		Flying		Flying					✔
0732		Trumbeak		Flying		Flying					✔
0733		Toucannon		Flying		Flying					✔
0741		Oricorio		Flying		Flying					✔
0785		Tapu Koko		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered					✔
0792		Lunala		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered					✔
0804		Naganadel		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered					✔
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
0277		Swellow		Flying		Flying	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.

By event

Generation V

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0018		Pidgeot		Flying		Flying	Pokémon Game Show Blue's PidgeotBW
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 Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team, Sky Attack is a move with 30 base power, 90% accuracy, and 9 PP. This attack hits enemy in the front, cutting corners, possibly flinching the enemy. This move's damage is doubled at the end of damage calculation. Being a two-turn move, this move cannot be linked.

In Explorers of Time and Darkness and Sky, the move's PP is decreased to 6 and its power increased to 50.

Pokémon GO

In Pokémon GO, Sky Attack is a Charged Attack that has been available since February 16, 2017.

Sky Attack
Charged Attack
Gyms & Raids Power 80 Energy cost 50 Duration 2 seconds Damage window 1.5 - 1.7 seconds
Trainer Battles Power 75 Energy cost 45 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

• March 16, 2018
  • Power: 70 → 80

Trainer Battles

• January 11, 2021
  • Power: 80 → 75

Description

This article has information requiring translation. If you are able to translate Japanese and would like to help, please add the English translation to the section or sections in Japanese.

Games Description MDRB The user gains the Sky Attack status, and it attacks strongly on the next turn. It is not possible to link this move. MDTDS Gives the user a Sky Attack status, which causes the Pokémon to charge power for 1 turn, then try a powerful attack on the next turn. The attack may afflict the targeted enemy with a Cringe status. You can't link this move. BSL ゴッドバードじょうたいとなって ちからをため つぎのこうどうで いりょくのたかい こうげきを くりだす しかも いっていのかくりつで ひるみじょうたいにする このわざは ポケモンタワーでは くりだせない MDGtI UNUSED SMD It damages an enemy on the next turn and could make it flinch. It has a high critical-hit rate.* You'll get the Sky Attack status, which lets you charge power to try a powerful attack on the next turn. It could also make the enemy flinch. It has a high critical-hit rate.*

In the anime

Unfezant Noctowl Tranquill Decidueye
The user becomes cloaked in a harsh light and it flies into the opponent at top speed.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Skarmory's body glows white or orange and it flies into the opponent at top speed.
Attila's Skarmory	The Legend of Thunder!		Debut
A wild Skarmory	All Torkoal, No Play		None
	Altaria's body becomes surrounded in red flames and it flies into the opponent at top speed.
Drake's Altaria	Vanity Affair		None
	Murkrow's body becomes surrounded by a white aura and it flies into the opponent at top speed.
Paul's Murkrow	Top-Down Training!		None
	Honchkrow's body becomes surrounded by a white aura and it flies into the opponent at top speed.
Paul's Honchkrow	Lost Leader Strategy!		None
	Togekiss's body becomes surrounded by a white or light blue aura and it flies into the opponent at top speed. As it flies, a white trail of energy is left behind it.
Dawn's Togekiss	Dawn of a Royal Day!		None
Cynthia's Togekiss	JN125		None
	Noctowl's eyebrow tufts glow white and it flies into the air as it prepares for the attack. Then, its body becomes surrounded by a white aura and it flies into the opponent at top speed.
Ash's Noctowl	Working on a Right Move!		None
	Tranquill flies up into the air, then turns around and flies straight down at the opponent. Its body then becomes surrounded in a clear aura with white energy around it and it flies into the opponent at top speed.
Antonio's Tranquill	Reunion Battles In Nimbasa!		None
	Unfezant's body becomes surrounded in an orange and gold sparkling aura and then it flies into the opponent at top speed.
Alain's Unfezant	Finals Not for the Faint-Hearted!		None
	Decidueye's body becomes surrounded by a gradually intensifying light blue aura. Once the aura flares up, Decidueye flies into the opponent at top speed. The longer Decidueye charges, the more damage it does.
Hau's Decidueye	Battling on the Wing!		None
	Hawlucha's body becomes surrounded by a gradually intensifying light blue aura. Once the aura flares up, Hawlucha flies into the opponent at top speed.
Bea's Hawlucha	Battle Three With Bea!		None
	Mega Altaria's body becomes surrounded by a gradually intensifying light blue aura. Once the aura flares up, Mega Altaria flies into the opponent at top speed.
Drasna's Altaria	Taking Two For The Team!		None

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Unfezant Thu-Fi-Zer Altaria Braviary
The user flies at high speeds and slams into the target with great force.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Thu-Fi-Zer charges at the opponent and its body turns into a powerful tornado that blows the opponent away.
Thu-Fi-Zer	The Winged Legends		Debut
	Altaria flies high into the air, then dives down and slams into the opponent with great force.
Winona's Altaria	I Dare Ya, Altaria... Knock Chic off My Shoulder		None
	Unfezant flies high into the air, then dives down and slams into the opponent with great force.
Cheren's Unfezant	The Tournament Continues		None
	Braviary slams into the opponent with great force.
Black's Brav	True Friends		None

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

Togekiss
The user skydives into the opponent.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Togekiss skydives into the opponent.
A Rich Boy's Togekiss	PMDP58		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

• Sky Attack has the highest base power of all Flying-type moves, excluding Z-Moves, Max Moves, and G-Max Moves.
  • Sky Attack also has the highest base power of all moves capable of causing flinching.
  • A Supersonic Skystrike based on Sky Attack has the highest base power of all Flying-type moves.
• Sky Attack and Brave Bird share similar in-game animations in Generation IV and V; the only major difference is that the former has a blue aura, the latter has a red aura. This was reversed in the anime (Hoenn saga's portrayal of Sky Attack showed a red aura, whereas Sinnoh saga's portrayal switched it to white).
• In Generation I, Sky Attack was the only Flying-type move that could be taught via TM.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 神鳥猛擊 Sàhnníuh Máahnggīk * 高空攻擊 Gōuhung Gūnggīk * Mandarin 神鳥猛擊 / 神鸟猛击 Shénniǎo Měngjí / Shénniǎo Měngjī * 高空攻擊 / 高空攻击 Gāokōng Gōngjí / Gāokōng Gōngjī * Czech Vzdušný útok Danish Himmelangreb Dutch Luchtaanval Finnish Taivashyökkäys French Piqué* Pique* German Himmelsfeger Greek Ουράνια Επίθεση Hindi आसमानी हमला Aasmani Hamla Indonesian Burung Dewa Serangan Udara Italian Aeroattacco Korean 불새 Bulsae Polish Podniebny Atak Portuguese Brazil Ataque do Céu (games, anime, TCG, manga) Ataque no Céu (The Official Pokémon Handbook) Portugal Ataque Aéreo Romanian Atacul Ceresc Serbian Vazdušni Napad Spanish Latin America Ataque de Cielo (TLoT, AG101) Ataque Celestial (DP040-DP131, BW039) Ataque Aéreo (DP171-DP185) Spain Ataque Aéreo Thai ก็อดเบิร์ด Vietnamese Tấn Công Trên Không* Thần Điểu*

Variations of the move Sky Attack
Sky Attack • Freeze Shock Ice Burn

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.