Catching the right Pokémon, training it, and evolving it is only half the battle in Pokémon GO. Arguably, the most important aspect of a Pokémon is its moves, as you can bring down a much more powerful Pokémon if yours has the better moveset.
It gets a little bit more complicated when you realise that there are two different types of moves: fast moves and charge moves. The names are pretty self-explanatory.
In this guide, we’re going to list every single move in Pokémon GO in order of the damage they inflict, and explain how it all works from getting TMs to using a charge move.
How do fast moves and charge moves work in Pokémon GO?
Basically, you use fast moves to build up energy and then use that energy to unleash a charge move when you’ve built up a sufficient number.
Each fast and charge move has a different energy gain or cost associated with it, and finding the balance that’s right for you is key.
Efficiency is the most important aspect, though. You want to deal solid damage with your fast attacks, while also building up a steady stream of energy. Then, you want to spend that energy wisely with a charge attack that deals sufficient damage.
It’s not all about how much base damage each move inflicts, either. Arguably, the most important thing to note is how much damage per second (DPS) you can inflict with each move.
Seeing as not every Pokémon can use every move, you need to pick that particular Pokémon’s best fast and charge moves.
Wait a minute – moves are distributed randomly, aren’t they? Well, yes, but you can mitigate that somewhat with the use of TMs. Let’s take a look at those.
What are fast and charge TMs and how do I get them?
Put simply, TMs (Technical Machines) are items in Pokémon GO that let you reroll a single fast or charge move. There’s a TM for each of the different types of moves, and when you use one, you’ll get a new fast or charge move at random, depending on the TM used.
A Pokémon can’t just learn any move though – the moves rolled at random will only ever be a move that the particular Pokémon you’re rolling for can use. It’s important to bear that in mind so you don’t waste TMs.
So how do you get TMs? Well, at the moment the only way you can get TMs is by raiding. Each time you complete a raid, you’ll have a chance to earn some fast or charge TMs. The number is very small though, and smaller still is your chance of getting them.
Don’t use them willy-nilly, then. TMs should only ever be used on your most powerful Pokémon that you absolutely plan to use over a prolonged period of time. You should do some research into the best Pokémon and then check the IVs (individual values) of any Pokémon you own that are considered best. Really, you should only use TMs on the best Pokémon that has perfect (or close enough to perfect to satisfy you) IVs.
As for the moves themselves, we’ve included a list of every single one of them in the game below so you can choose the best. Remember what we mentioned before, and aim for those that have the highest DPS.
All Fast Moves in Pokémon GO
| Move | Type | Base Damage | DPS | Energy Gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Struggle | Normal | 35 | 13 | 0 |
| Confusion | Psychic | 20 | 12.5 | 15 |
| Volt Switch | Electric | 20 | 8.7 | 25 |
| Waterfall | Water | 16 | 13.3 | 8 |
| Dragon Tail | Dragon | 15 | 13.6 | 9 |
| Iron Tail | Steel | 15 | 13.6 | 7 |
| Rock Smash | Fighting | 15 | 11.5 | 10 |
| Mud-Slap | Ground | 15 | 10.7 | 12 |
| Struggle Bug | Bug | 15 | 10 | 15 |
| Hidden Power | Normal | 15 | 10 | 15 |
| Fire Spin | Fire | 14 | 12.7 | 10 |
| Air Slash | Flying | 14 | 11.7 | 10 |
| Razor Leaf | Grass | 13 | 13 | 7 |
| Rock Throw | Rock | 12 | 13.3 | 7 |
| Counter | Fighting | 12 | 13.3 | 8 |
| Zen Headbutt | Psychic | 12 | 10.9 | 10 |
| Extrasensory | Psychic | 12 | 10.9 | 12 |
| Snarl | Dark | 12 | 10.9 | 12 |
| Ice Shard | Ice | 12 | 10 | 12 |
| Bubble | Water | 12 | 10 | 14 |
| Steel Wing | Steel | 11 | 13.8 | 6 |
| Fire Fang | Fire | 11 | 12.2 | 8 |
| Poison Jab | Poison | 10 | 12.5 | 7 |
| Frost Breath | Ice | 10 | 11.1 | 8 |
| Feint Attack | Dark | 10 | 11.1 | 9 |
| Ember | Fire | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Peck | Flying | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Infestation | Bug | 10 | 9.1 | 14 |
| Hex | Ghost | 10 | 8.3 | 15 |
| Shadow Claw | Ghost | 9 | 12.9 | 6 |
| Acid | Poison | 9 | 11.3 | 8 |
| Bullet Punch | Steel | 9 | 10 | 10 |
| Metal Claw | Steel | 8 | 11.4 | 7 |
| Karate Chop | Fighting | 8 | 10 | 10 |
| Wing Attack | Flying | 8 | 10 | 9 |
| Quick Attack | Normal | 8 | 10 | 10 |
| Charge Beam | Electric | 8 | 7.3 | 15 |
| Astonish | Ghost | 8 | 7.3 | 14 |
| Bullet Seed | Grass | 8 | 7.3 | 14 |
| Take Down | Normal | 8 | 6.7 | 10 |
| Vine Whip | Grass | 7 | 11.7 | 6 |
| Pound | Normal | 7 | 11.7 | 6 |
| Sucker Punch | Dark | 7 | 10 | 8 |
| Bite | Dark | 6 | 12 | 4 |
| Dragon Breath | Dragon | 6 | 12 | 4 |
| Scratch | Normal | 6 | 12 | 4 |
| Low Kick | Fighting | 6 | 10 | 6 |
| Spark | Electric | 6 | 8.6 | 9 |
| Powder Snow | Ice | 6 | 6 | 15 |
| Bug Bite | Bug | 5 | 10 | 6 |
| Lick | Ghost | 5 | 10 | 6 |
| Tackle | Normal | 5 | 10 | 5 |
| Cut | Normal | 5 | 10 | 5 |
| Water Gun | Water | 5 | 10 | 5 |
| Thunder Shock | Electric | 5 | 8.3 | 8 |
| Mud Shot | Ground | 5 | 8.3 | 7 |
| Psycho Cut | Psychic | 5 | 8.3 | 8 |
| Poison Sting | Poison | 5 | 8.3 | 7 |
| Present | Normal | 5 | 3.8 | 20 |
| Fury Cutter | Bug | 3 | 7.5 | 6 |
| Splash | Water | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Transform | Normal | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yawn | Normal | 0 | 0 | 15 |
All Charge Moves in Pokémon GO
| Move | Type | Base Damage | DPS | Energy Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar Beam | Grass | 180 | 33.3 | -100 |
| Overheat | Fire | 160 | 35.6 | -100 |
| Draco Meteor | Dragon | 150 | 36.6 | -100 |
| Hyper Beam | Normal | 150 | 34.9 | -100 |
| Focus Blast | Fighting | 140 | 35 | -100 |
| Zap Cannon | Electric | 140 | 33.3 | -100 |
| Fire Blast | Fire | 140 | 29.8 | -100 |
| Origin Pulse | Water | 130 | 59.1 | -100 |
| Precipice Blades | Ground | 130 | 59.1 | -100 |
| Blizzard | Ice | 130 | 36.1 | -100 |
| Gunk Shot | Poison | 130 | 36.1 | -100 |
| Hydro Pump | Water | 130 | 34.2 | -100 |
| Moonblast | Fairy | 130 | 29.5 | -100 |
| Future Sight | Psychic | 120 | 37.5 | -100 |
| Earthquake | Ground | 120 | 29.3 | -100 |
| Petal Blizzard | Grass | 110 | 35.5 | -100 |
| Hurricane | Flying | 110 | 34.4 | -100 |
| Sludge Wave | Poison | 110 | 29.7 | -100 |
| Outrage | Dragon | 110 | 25 | -50 |
| Stone Edge | Rock | 100 | 35.7 | -100 |
| Close Combat | Fighting | 100 | 35.7 | -100 |
| Thunder | Electric | 100 | 34.5 | -100 |
| Frenzy Plant | Grass | 100 | 32.3 | -50 |
| Flash Cannon | Steel | 100 | 31.3 | -100 |
| Psychic | Psychic | 100 | 30.3 | -100 |
| Shadow Ball | Ghost | 100 | 28.6 | -50 |
| Dazzling Gleam | Fairy | 100 | 25 | -50 |
| Dig | Ground | 100 | 19.2 | -50 |
| Heart Wave | Fire | 95 | 27.1 | -100 |
| Brave Bird | Flying | 90 | 36 | -100 |
| Megahorn | Bug | 90 | 33.3 | -100 |
| Power Whip | Grass | 90 | 29 | -50 |
| Wild Charge | Electric | 90 | 29 | -50 |
| Grass Knot | Grass | 90 | 29 | -50 |
| Dynamic Punch | Fighting | 90 | 28.1 | -50 |
| Avalanche | Ice | 90 | 28.1 | -50 |
| Play Rough | Fairy | 90 | 26.5 | -50 |
| Ice Beam | Ice | 90 | 23.7 | -50 |
| Dragon Pulse | Dragon | 90 | 22 | -50 |
| Bug Buzz | Bug | 90 | 21.4 | -50 |
| Energy Ball | Grass | 90 | 20.5 | -50 |
| Doom Desire | Steel | 80 | 36.4 | -50 |
| Sky Attack | Flying | 80 | 32 | -50 |
| Sludge Bomb | Poison | 80 | 28.6 | -50 |
| Thunderbolt | Electric | 80 | 26.7 | -50 |
| Hyper Fang | Normal | 80 | 26.7 | -50 |
| Rock Slide | Rock | 80 | 25 | -50 |
| Drill Run | Ground | 80 | 24.2 | -50 |
| Power Gem | Rock | 80 | 23.5 | -50 |
| Dark Pulse | Dark | 80 | 22.9 | -50 |
| Gyro Ball | Steel | 80 | 21.1 | -50 |
| Bulldoze | Ground | 80 | 20 | -50 |
| Aurora Beam | Ice | 80 | 19.8 | -50 |
| Scald | Water | 80 | 19 | -50 |
| Sand Tomb | Ground | 80 | 17.8 | -50 |
| Signal Beam | Bug | 75 | 22.1 | -50 |
| Foul Play | Dark | 70 | 28 | -50 |
| Heavy Slam | Steel | 70 | 26.9 | -50 |
| Flamethrower | Fire | 70 | 25.9 | -50 |
| Leaf Blade | Bug | 70 | 24.1 | -33 |
| Flame Burst | Fire | 70 | 22.6 | -50 |
| Magnet Bomb | Steel | 70 | 21.2 | -33 |
| Psybeam | Psychic | 70 | 18.9 | -50 |
| Rock Tomb | Rock | 70 | 18.9 | -50 |
| Water Pulse | Water | 70 | 18.9 | -50 |
| Crunch | Dark | 70 | 18.9 | -33 |
| Ancient Power | Rock | 70 | 17.5 | -33 |
| Silver Wind | Bug | 70 | 16.7 | -33 |
| Flame Charge | Fire | 70 | 16.3 | -33 |
| Disarming Voice | Fairy | 70 | 15.9 | -33 |
| Psycho Boost | Psychic | 70 | 15.6 | -50 |
| Surf | Water | 65 | 29.5 | -50 |
| Discharge | Electric | 65 | 21.7 | -33 |
| Psyshock | Psychic | 65 | 20.3 | -33 |
| Weather Ball Fire | Fire | 60 | 28.6 | -33 |
| Weather Ball Ice | Ice | 60 | 28.6 | -33 |
| Weather Ball Rock | Rock | 60 | 28.6 | -33 |
| Weather Ball Water | Water | 60 | 28.6 | -33 |
| Iron Head | Steel | 60 | 25 | -50 |
| Submission | Fighting | 60 | 22.2 | -50 |
| Drill Peck | Flying | 60 | 21.4 | -33 |
| Brine | Water | 60 | 21.4 | -50 |
| Draining Kiss | Fairy | 60 | 19.4 | -50 |
| Night Shade | Ghost | 60 | 19.4 | -50 |
| Mirror Coat | Psychic | 60 | 19.4 | -50 |
| Flame Wheel | Fire | 60 | 18.8 | -50 |
| Air Cutter | Flying | 60 | 18.8 | -50 |
| Swift | Normal | 60 | 18.2 | -50 |
| Wrap | Normal | 60 | 17.6 | -33 |
| Icy Wind | Ice | 60 | 15.8 | -33 |
| Stomp | Normal | 55 | 25 | -50 |
| Seed Bomb | Grass | 55 | 21.2 | -33 |
| Fire Punch | Fire | 55 | 20.4 | -33 |
| Mud Bomb | Ground | 55 | 19.6 | -33 |
| Aerial Ace | Flying | 55 | 19 | -33 |
| Cross Chop | Fighting | 50 | 25 | -50 |
| Dragon Claw | Dragon | 50 | 22.7 | -33 |
| Ice Punch | Ice | 50 | 20.8 | -33 |
| Aqua Tail | Water | 50 | 20.8 | -33 |
| Body Slam | Normal | 50 | 20.8 | -33 |
| Sludge | Poison | 50 | 19.2 | -33 |
| Rock Blast | Rock | 50 | 19.2 | -33 |
| Night Slash | Blind | 50 | 18.5 | -33 |
| Ominous Wind | Ghost | 50 | 17.9 | -33 |
| Shadow Sneak | Ghost | 50 | 14.7 | -33 |
| X-Scissor | Bug | 45 | 21.4 | -33 |
| Thunder Punch | Electric | 45 | 19.6 | -33 |
| Bubble Beam | Water | 45 | 18.8 | -33 |
| Aqua Jet | Water | 45 | 14.5 | -33 |
| Twister | Dragon | 45 | 13.6 | -33 |
| Cross Poison | Poison | 40 | 20 | -33 |
| Bone Club | Ground | 40 | 19 | -33 |
| Brick Break | Fighting | 40 | 19 | -33 |
| Shadow Punch | Ghost | 40 | 18.2 | -33 |
| Horn Attack | Normal | 40 | 17 | -33 |
| Low Sweep | Fighting | 40 | 16.7 | -33 |
| Poison Fang | Poison | 35 | 15.9 | -33 |
| Vice Grip | Normal | 35 | 14.6 | -33 |
| Struggle | Normal | 35 | 13 | 0 |
| Transform | Normal | 0 | 0 | 0 |