Skull Bash (move)

Skull Bash ロケットずつき Rocket Headbutt

File:Skull Bash 2.png

File:Skull Bash 3.png

Battles Type  Normal Category  Physical PP  10 (max. 16) Power  130 Accuracy  100% Priority  0 Makes contact Affected by Protect Not affected by Magic Coat Not affected by Snatch Affected by King's Rock

Range Opponent Opponent Opponent Self Ally Ally Normal: May affect anyone adjacent to the user

Availability Introduced  Generation I TM40 in Generation I

Contests Condition  Tough Appeal  1 ♥ Jam  4 ♥♥♥♥ Badly startles the Pokémon in front.

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

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

Skull Bash (Japanese: ロケットずつき Rocket Headbutt) is a damage-dealing Normal-type move introduced in Generation I. It was the signature move of the Squirtle evolutionary line in Generation II. It was TM40 in Generation I.

Effect

Generation I

Skull Bash does nothing on the turn it is selected, other than say that the user lowered its head. On the following turn, Skull Bash will do damage, PP will be deducted from it, and it will count as the last move used. Once Skull Bash is selected, the user won't be able to switch out until it is disrupted or fully executed.

If Skull Bash is not fully executed, PP will not be deducted from it, and it will not count as the last move used. If the opponent uses Mirror Move during the turn that the user lowers its head, Mirror Move will copy the move that the user executed immediately before using Skull Bash (or fail if it can't).

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

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

Generation II-III

On the turn it is selected, Skull Bash will raise the user's Defense by one level.

Generation IV-V

If a Power Herb is held by the user, Skull Bash can be executed in one turn.

Generation VI

Skull Bash's power changed from 100 to 130 and its PP changed from 15 to 10.

Description

Games Description In the first turn, the attacker tucks in its head. The next turn, it head-butts at full steam. In the first turn, the attacker tucks its head. The next turn, it head-butts at full steam. 1st turn: Prepare 2nd turn: Attack RSE Tucks in the head, then attacks on the next turn. FRLG The user raises its Defense in the 1st turn, then attacks in the 2nd turn. Raises defense, then attacks on the next turn. PMDRB The user gains the Skull Bash status, causing it to attack strongly on the next turn. It is not possible to link this move. The user tucks in its head to raise its Defense in the first turn, then rams the foe on the next turn. The user tucks in its head to raise its Defense in the first turn, then rams the target on the next turn.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Type		Level
					I		II		III		IV		V		VI
007		Squirtle	Water		Water	35			40			40			31				31			31
008		Wartortle	Water		Water	39			45			45			36				36			36
009		Blastoise	Water		Water	42			55			55			39				39			39
319		Sharpedo	Water	Dark							48			50				50			50
689		Barbaracle	Rock	Water																	--, 65
713		Avalugg	Ice		Ice																	--, 60
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
001		Bulbasaur	Grass	Poison
029		Nidoran♀	Poison		Poison
104		Cubone	Ground		Ground
111		Rhyhorn	Ground	Rock
118		Goldeen	Water		Water
324		Torkoal*	Fire		Fire
369		Relicanth	Water	Rock
399		Bidoof	Normal		Normal
459		Snover	Grass	Ice
529		Drilbur*	Ground		Ground
626		Bouffalant*	Normal		Normal
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 TM40		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	✔															✔
015		Beedrill	Bug	Poison	✔															✔
019		Rattata	Normal		Normal	✔															✔
020		Raticate	Normal		Normal	✔															✔
023		Ekans	Poison		Poison	✔															✔
024		Arbok	Poison		Poison	✔															✔
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	✔															✔
037		Vulpix	Fire		Fire	✔															✔
038		Ninetales	Fire		Fire	✔															✔
039		Jigglypuff	Normal		Normal	✔															✔
040		Wigglytuff	Normal		Normal	✔															✔
046		Paras	Bug	Grass	✔															✔
047		Parasect	Bug	Grass	✔															✔
052		Meowth	Normal		Normal	✔															✔
053		Persian	Normal		Normal	✔															✔
054		Psyduck	Water		Water	✔															✔
055		Golduck	Water		Water	✔															✔
056		Mankey	Fighting		Fighting	✔															✔
057		Primeape	Fighting		Fighting	✔															✔
058		Growlithe	Fire		Fire	✔															✔
059		Arcanine	Fire		Fire	✔															✔
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	✔															✔
072		Tentacool	Water	Poison	✔															✔
073		Tentacruel	Water	Poison	✔															✔
077		Ponyta	Fire		Fire	✔															✔
078		Rapidash	Fire		Fire	✔															✔
079		Slowpoke	Water	Psychic	✔															✔
080		Slowbro	Water	Psychic	✔															✔
083		Farfetch'd	Normal	Flying	✔															✔
084		Doduo	Normal	Flying	✔															✔
085		Dodrio	Normal	Flying	✔															✔
086		Seel	Water		Water	✔															✔
087		Dewgong	Water	Ice	✔															✔
094		Gengar	Ghost	Poison	✔															✔
095		Onix	Rock	Ground	✔															✔
096		Drowzee	Psychic		Psychic	✔															✔
097		Hypno	Psychic		Psychic	✔															✔
101		Electrode	Electric		Electric	✔															✔
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	✔															✔
114		Tangela	Grass		Grass	✔															✔
115		Kangaskhan	Normal		Normal	✔															✔
116		Horsea	Water		Water	✔															✔
117		Seadra	Water		Water	✔															✔
118		Goldeen	Water		Water	✔															✔
119		Seaking	Water		Water	✔															✔
120		Staryu	Water		Water	✔															✔
121		Starmie	Water	Psychic	✔															✔
122		Mr. Mime	Psychic		Psychic	✔															✔
123		Scyther	Bug	Flying	✔															✔
124		Jynx	Ice	Psychic	✔															✔
125		Electabuzz	Electric		Electric	✔															✔
126		Magmar	Fire		Fire	✔															✔
128		Tauros	Normal		Normal	✔															✔
130		Gyarados	Water	Flying	✔															✔
131		Lapras	Water	Ice	✔															✔
133		Eevee	Normal		Normal	✔															✔
134		Vaporeon	Water		Water	✔															✔
135		Jolteon	Electric		Electric	✔															✔
136		Flareon	Fire		Fire	✔															✔
137		Porygon	Normal		Normal	✔															✔
139		Omastar	Rock	Water	✔															✔
141		Kabutops	Rock	Water	✔															✔
143		Snorlax	Normal		Normal	✔															✔
147		Dratini	Dragon		Dragon	✔															✔
148		Dragonair	Dragon		Dragon	✔															✔
149		Dragonite	Dragon	Flying	✔															✔
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.

In other games

Super Smash Bros. series

• Pikachu uses Skull Bash as its side Special attack in Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U. Skull Bash can be charged up to inflict more damage and knockback.
• Pichu uses Skull Bash as its side Special attack in Super Smash Bros. Melee. It is similar to Pikachu's, but when Pichu uses it, it damages itself a little. Pichu cannot legitimately learn Skull Bash in the main games, however.

• 

  Pikachu using Skull Bash in Super Smash Bros. Melee.

• 

  Pichu using Skull Bash in Super Smash Bros. Melee.

• Pikachu Skull Bash Brawl.png

  Pikachu using Skull Bash in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

In the anime

In the main series

Scyther Squirtle Magmar Blastoise
The user tucks in its head and rams the foe with it.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Charmander runs at the opponent with its head down and strikes it with its head.
Ash's Charmander	Pokémon Scent-sation		Debut
	Squirtle runs and jumps at the opponent with its head down and strikes it with its head, or Squirtle jumps into the air, becomes surrounded by a silver aura, and slams its head into the opponent.
Ash's Squirtle	The Kangaskhan Kid		None
Pokémon League entrance exam instructor's Squirtle	The Ultimate Test		None
Tierno's Squirtle	XY039		None
	Magmar hurtles itself at the opponent and hits it with its head.
Blaine's Magmar	Volcanic Panic		None
	Scyther flies at the opponent and its body becomes surrounded by a golden orb with golden streaks around it. It then slams its head into the opponent.
Tracey's Scyther	A Way Off Day Off		None
	Dragonite flies up and strikes the opponent with its head at high speed.
Drake's Dragonite	Enter the Dragonite		Japanese version only
	Eevee runs at the opponent and its body becomes surrounded by a white aura. It then strikes the opponent with its head.
Gary's Eevee	The Rivalry Revival		None
	Raticate charges at the opponent and its body becomes surrounded by golden streaks. It then slams its head into the opponent.
Cassidy's Raticate	The Fortune Hunters		None
	Blastoise slams its head into the opponent. Sometimes, its body becomes surrounded by a silver aura when using the attack.
A Blastoise Jessie borrowed from the Battle Park	One Trick Phony!		None
Gary's Blastoise	Can't Beat the Heat!		None
Sid's Blastoise	Destiny Deoxys		None
Siebold's Blastoise	Mega Evolution Special I		None
	Sharpedo swims at the opponent and its body becomes surrounded by a bright white aura. It then slams its body into the opponent.
Multiple wild Sharpedo	Sharpedo Attack!		None

In Pokémon Origins

Blastoise
The user tucks in its head and rams the foe with it.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Blastoise slams its head into the opponent.
Blue's Blastoise	File 4 - Charizard		Debut

In the manga

In the Ash and Pikachu manga

Blastoise
The user slams its head into the opponent.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Blastoise slams its head into the opponent.
Gary's Blastoise	One Half Of A Poké Ball		Debut

In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga

Squirtle
The user rams head-first the foe.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Squirtle slams head-first into the opponent with great force.
Ash's Squirtle	The Indigo Finals		Debut

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Onix
The user tucks in its head to raise its Defense in the first turn, then rams the foe on the next turn.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Onix floats into the air and curls its body around. It then fires itself at the opponent with huge speed and power.
Brock's Onix	Onix is On!		Debut

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

Blastoise
The user slams their head at the opponent.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Blastoise tucks its head, then quickly pokes it out of the body.
Blue's Blastoise	The Pokémon Banana League (Part 1)		Debut
	Squirtle flies in the air and slams its head at the foe.
A wild Squirtle	Take Me to the Dragon Palace!		None

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 anime, Tracey's Scyther's Skull Bash greatly resembles Giga Impact, a move introduced three generations later.

In other languages

Language Title Mandarin Chinese 火箭頭槌 Huǒjiàn Tóuchuí Danish Skalle Dutch Kopstoot (EP026) Schedelbeuk (EP034-present) Finnish Kallolytty (season 1) Pääpusku (Johto series) French Coud'krâne German Schädelwumme Greek Κρανιοκόπημα Hindi सख्त खोपरी Sakht Khopri Indonesian Sundulan Roket Italian Capocciata Korean 로케트박치기 Rocket Bakchigi Polish Cios czaszką Portuguese Brazil Quebra Crânio Portugal Parte Ossos Serbian Udar Lobanjom Spanish Latin America Golpe de Cabeza (anime) Spain Cabezazo

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.