Contact

Contact (Japanese: 接触 contact) or direct attack (Japanese: 直接攻撃 direct attack) is a property of moves in the Pokémon games that was introduced in Generation III. Making contact occurs when a Pokémon physically touches the target when using a move in battle. Moves that make contact are affected by and can trigger various items and Abilities, such as Tough Claws and the Sticky Barb.

Whether a move makes contact is independent of its damage category. Most physical moves do make contact and make up the majority of contact moves. Most special moves do not make contact (with only seven moves that do), and no status moves make contact. Prior to Generation VII, all moves that make contact only target a single Pokémon.

Hitting a substitute does not make contact with the Pokémon behind it. While confusion damage is physical, it does not make contact. If a Pokémon is immune to a move, the move will not make contact with the Pokémon.

Contact does not factor into anything in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! and Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

Moves that make contact

In Generation III only, AncientPower and Overheat make contact, while Covet, Faint Attack, and Fake Out do not.

The move Shell Side Arm changes between being a physical move that makes contact and a special move that does not make contact, based on which it predicts to inflict more damage.

Move Type Category
Pound  Normal  Physical
Karate Chop  Fighting  Physical
Double Slap  Normal  Physical
Comet Punch  Normal  Physical
Mega Punch  Normal  Physical
Fire Punch  Fire  Physical
Ice Punch  Ice  Physical
Thunder Punch  Electric  Physical
Scratch  Normal  Physical
Vise Grip  Normal  Physical
Guillotine  Normal  Physical
Cut  Normal  Physical
Wing Attack  Flying  Physical
Fly  Flying  Physical
Bind  Normal  Physical
Slam  Normal  Physical
Vine Whip  Grass  Physical
Stomp  Normal  Physical
Double Kick  Fighting  Physical
Mega Kick  Normal  Physical
Jump Kick  Fighting  Physical
Rolling Kick  Fighting  Physical
Headbutt  Normal  Physical
Horn Attack  Normal  Physical
Fury Attack  Normal  Physical
Horn Drill  Normal  Physical
Tackle  Normal  Physical
Body Slam  Normal  Physical
Wrap  Normal  Physical
Take Down  Normal  Physical
Thrash  Normal  Physical
Double-Edge  Normal  Physical
Bite  Dark  Physical
Peck  Flying  Physical
Drill Peck  Flying  Physical
Submission  Fighting  Physical
Low Kick  Fighting  Physical
Counter  Fighting  Physical
Seismic Toss  Fighting  Physical
Strength  Normal  Physical
Petal Dance  Grass  Special
Dig  Ground  Physical
Quick Attack  Normal  Physical
Rage  Normal  Physical
Bide  Normal  Physical
Lick  Ghost  Physical
Waterfall  Water  Physical
Clamp  Water  Physical
Skull Bash  Normal  Physical
Constrict  Normal  Physical
High Jump Kick  Fighting  Physical
Leech Life  Bug  Physical
Dizzy Punch  Normal  Physical
Crabhammer  Water  Physical
Fury Swipes  Normal  Physical
Hyper Fang  Normal  Physical
Super Fang  Normal  Physical
Slash  Normal  Physical
Struggle  Normal  Physical
Triple Kick  Fighting  Physical
Thief  Dark  Physical
Flame Wheel  Fire  Physical
Flail  Normal  Physical
Reversal  Fighting  Physical
Mach Punch  Fighting  Physical
Feint Attack  Dark  Physical
Outrage  Dragon  Physical
Rollout  Rock  Physical
False Swipe  Normal  Physical
Spark  Electric  Physical
Fury Cutter  Bug  Physical
Steel Wing  Steel  Physical
Return  Normal  Physical
Frustration  Normal  Physical
Dynamic Punch  Fighting  Physical
Megahorn  Bug  Physical
Pursuit  Dark  Physical
Rapid Spin  Normal  Physical
Iron Tail  Steel  Physical
Metal Claw  Steel  Physical
Vital Throw  Fighting  Physical
Cross Chop  Fighting  Physical
Crunch  Dark  Physical
Extreme Speed  Normal  Physical
Rock Smash  Fighting  Physical
Fake Out  Normal  Physical
Facade  Normal  Physical
Focus Punch  Fighting  Physical
Smelling Salts  Normal  Physical
Superpower  Fighting  Physical
Revenge  Fighting  Physical
Brick Break  Fighting  Physical
Knock Off  Dark  Physical
Endeavor  Normal  Physical
Dive  Water  Physical
Arm Thrust  Fighting  Physical
Blaze Kick  Fire  Physical
Ice Ball  Ice  Physical
Needle Arm  Grass  Physical
Poison Fang  Poison  Physical
Crush Claw  Normal  Physical
Meteor Mash  Steel  Physical
Astonish  Ghost  Physical
Shadow Punch  Ghost  Physical
Sky Uppercut  Fighting  Physical
Aerial Ace  Flying  Physical
Dragon Claw  Dragon  Physical
Bounce  Flying  Physical
Poison Tail  Poison  Physical
Covet  Normal  Physical
Volt Tackle  Electric  Physical
Leaf Blade  Grass  Physical
Wake-Up Slap  Fighting  Physical
Hammer Arm  Fighting  Physical
Gyro Ball  Steel  Physical
Pluck  Flying  Physical
U-turn  Bug  Physical
Close Combat  Fighting  Physical
Payback  Dark  Physical
Assurance  Dark  Physical
Trump Card  Normal  Special
Wring Out  Normal  Special
Punishment  Dark  Physical
Last Resort  Normal  Physical
Sucker Punch  Dark  Physical
Flare Blitz  Fire  Physical
Force Palm  Fighting  Physical
Poison Jab  Poison  Physical
Night Slash  Dark  Physical
Aqua Tail  Water  Physical
X-Scissor  Bug  Physical
Dragon Rush  Dragon  Physical
Drain Punch  Fighting  Physical
Brave Bird  Flying  Physical
Giga Impact  Normal  Physical
Bullet Punch  Steel  Physical
Avalanche  Ice  Physical
Shadow Claw  Ghost  Physical
Thunder Fang  Electric  Physical
Ice Fang  Ice  Physical
Fire Fang  Fire  Physical
Shadow Sneak  Ghost  Physical
Zen Headbutt  Psychic  Physical
Rock Climb  Normal  Physical
Power Whip  Grass  Physical
Cross Poison  Poison  Physical
Iron Head  Steel  Physical
Grass Knot  Grass  Special
Bug Bite  Bug  Physical
Wood Hammer  Grass  Physical
Aqua Jet  Water  Physical
Head Smash  Rock  Physical
Double Hit  Normal  Physical
Crush Grip  Normal  Physical
Shadow Force  Ghost  Physical
Storm Throw  Fighting  Physical
Heavy Slam  Steel  Physical
Flame Charge  Fire  Physical
Low Sweep  Fighting  Physical
Foul Play  Dark  Physical
Chip Away  Normal  Physical
Sky Drop  Flying  Physical
Circle Throw  Fighting  Physical
Acrobatics  Flying  Physical
Retaliate  Normal  Physical
Dragon Tail  Dragon  Physical
Wild Charge  Electric  Physical
Drill Run  Ground  Physical
Dual Chop  Dragon  Physical
Heart Stamp  Psychic  Physical
Horn Leech  Grass  Physical
Sacred Sword  Fighting  Physical
Razor Shell  Water  Physical
Heat Crash  Fire  Physical
Steamroller  Bug  Physical
Tail Slap  Normal  Physical
Head Charge  Normal  Physical
Gear Grind  Steel  Physical
Bolt Strike  Electric  Physical
V-create  Fire  Physical
Flying Press  Fighting  Physical
Fell Stinger  Bug  Physical
Phantom Force  Ghost  Physical
Draining Kiss  Fairy  Special
Play Rough  Fairy  Physical
Nuzzle  Electric  Physical
Hold Back  Normal  Physical
Infestation  Bug  Special
Power-Up Punch  Fighting  Physical
Dragon Ascent  Flying  Physical
Catastropika  Electric  Physical
First Impression  Bug  Physical
Darkest Lariat  Dark  Physical
Ice Hammer  Ice  Physical
High Horsepower  Ground  Physical
Solar Blade  Grass  Physical
Throat Chop  Dark  Physical
Anchor Shot  Steel  Physical
Lunge  Bug  Physical
Fire Lash  Fire  Physical
Power Trip  Dark  Physical
Smart Strike  Steel  Physical
Trop Kick  Grass  Physical
Dragon Hammer  Dragon  Physical
Brutal Swing  Dark  Physical
Malicious Moonsault  Dark  Physical
Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike  Ghost  Physical
Pulverizing Pancake  Normal  Physical
Psychic Fangs  Psychic  Physical
Stomping Tantrum  Ground  Physical
Accelerock  Rock  Physical
Liquidation  Water  Physical
Spectral Thief  Ghost  Physical
Sunsteel Strike  Steel  Physical
Zing Zap  Electric  Physical
Multi-Attack  Normal  Physical
Plasma Fists  Electric  Physical
Searing Sunraze Smash  Steel  Physical
Let's Snuggle Forever  Fairy  Physical
Zippy Zap  Electric  Physical
Floaty Fall  Flying  Physical
Sizzly Slide  Fire  Physical
Veevee Volley  Normal  Physical
Double Iron Bash  Steel  Physical
Jaw Lock  Dark  Physical
Bolt Beak  Electric  Physical
Fishious Rend  Water  Physical
Body Press  Fighting  Physical
Snap Trap  Grass  Physical
Behemoth Blade  Steel  Physical
Behemoth Bash  Steel  Physical
Breaking Swipe  Dragon  Physical
Branch Poke  Grass  Physical
Spirit Break  Fairy  Physical
False Surrender  Dark  Physical
Steel Roller  Steel  Physical
Grassy Glide  Grass  Physical
Skitter Smack  Bug  Physical
Lash Out  Dark  Physical
Flip Turn  Water  Physical
Triple Axel  Ice  Physical
Dual Wingbeat  Flying  Physical
Wicked Blow  Dark  Physical
Surging Strikes  Water  Physical
Thunderous Kick  Fighting  Physical
Dire Claw  Poison  Physical
Psyshield Bash  Psychic  Physical
Stone Axe  Rock  Physical
Wave Crash  Water  Physical
Headlong Rush  Ground  Physical
Ceaseless Edge  Dark  Physical
Axe Kick  Fighting  Physical
Jet Punch  Water  Physical
Spin Out  Steel  Physical
Population Bomb  Normal  Physical
Ice Spinner  Ice  Physical
Glaive Rush  Dragon  Physical
Triple Dive  Water  Physical
Mortal Spin  Poison  Physical
Kowtow Cleave  Dark  Physical
Aqua Step  Water  Physical
Raging Bull  Normal  Physical
Psyblade  Psychic  Physical
Collision Course  Fighting  Physical
Electro Drift  Electric  Special
Pounce  Bug  Physical
Trailblaze  Grass  Physical
Hyper Drill  Normal  Physical
Rage Fist  Ghost  Physical
Bitter Blade  Fire  Physical
Double Shock  Electric  Physical
Comeuppance  Dark  Physical
Mighty Cleave  Rock  Physical
Hard Press  Steel  Physical
Temper Flare  Fire  Physical
Supercell Slam  Electric  Physical
Upper Hand  Fighting  Physical

Shadow moves

These Shadow moves also make contact.

Move Type Category
Shadow Blitz  Shadow  Physical
Shadow Break  Shadow  Physical
Shadow End  Shadow  Physical
Shadow Rush  Shadow  Physical

Effects involving contact

Moves

Name Effect
Baneful Bunker Poisons an attacker if it attempts a contact move on the user.
Beak Blast Burns an attacker if it uses a contact move on the user before executing the move.
Burning Bulwark Burns an attacker if it attempts a contact move on the user.
King's Shield Decreases an attacker's Attack one stage if it attempts a contact move on the user.
Obstruct Decreases an attacker's Defense two stages if it attempts a contact move on the user.
Silk Trap Decreases an attacker's Speed one stage if it attempts a contact move on the user.
Spiky Shield Damages an attacker for 1/8 of its max HP if it attempts a contact move on the user.

Abilities

Name Effect
Aftermath An attacker that knocks out this Pokémon with a contact move takes damage equal to 1/4 of its own max HP.
Cute Charm Has a 30% chance of infatuating an attacker on contact.
Effect Spore Has a 30% chance of afflicting an attacker with poison, paralysis, or sleep on contact.
Flame Body Has a 30% chance of burning an attacker on contact.
Fluffy Halves damage taken from contact moves, but doubles damage taken from Fire-type moves.
Gooey Decreases an attacker's Speed by one stage on contact.
Iron Barbs Damages an attacker for 1/8 of its max HP on contact.
Long Reach Contact moves from the user will not trigger effects caused by contact.
Mummy Replaces an attacker's Ability with Mummy on contact.
Unseen Fist If the Pokémon uses moves that make direct contact, it can attack the target even if the target protects itself.
Perish Body Sets the perish count to 3 for both the attacking and defending Pokémon, until they switch out.
Pickpocket Steals an attacker's held item on contact if the defending Pokémon has none.
Poison Point Has a 30% chance of poisoning an attacker on contact.
Poison Touch Has a 30% chance of poisoning a target on contact.
Rough Skin Damages an attacker for 1/8 of its max HP on contact.
Static Has a 30% chance of paralyzing an attacker on contact.
Tangling Hair Decreases an attacker's Speed by one stage on contact.
Tough Claws Boosts the power of contact moves used by this Pokémon by 30%.
Wandering Spirit Exchanges Abilities with an attacker that makes direct contact.

Items

Name Effect
Rocky Helmet Damages an attacker for 1/6 of its max HP on contact.
Sticky Barb Damages the holder each turn for 1/8 of their max HP. Transfers to an attacker on contact.
Protective Pads Protects the holder from effects caused by using moves that make contact with the target.

Physical moves that do not make contact

Most moves that make contact are physical, although there are physical moves that do not make contact.

Water Shuriken, which was a physical move in Generation VI, also does not make contact in any generation.

Move Type Category
Aqua Cutter  Water  Physical
Attack Order  Bug  Physical
Aura Wheel  Electric  Physical
Barrage  Normal  Physical
Beak Blast  Flying  Physical
Beat Up  Dark  Physical
Blazing Torque  Fire  Physical
Bone Club  Ground  Physical
Bone Rush  Ground  Physical
Bonemerang  Ground  Physical
Bulldoze  Ground  Physical
Bullet Seed  Grass  Physical
Combat Torque  Fighting  Physical
Diamond Storm  Rock  Physical
Dragon Darts  Dragon  Physical
Drum Beating  Grass  Physical
Earthquake  Ground  Physical
Egg Bomb  Normal  Physical
Explosion  Normal  Physical
Feint  Normal  Physical
Fissure  Ground  Physical
Fling  Dark  Physical
Flower Trick  Grass  Physical
Freeze Shock  Ice  Physical
Fusion Bolt  Electric  Physical
Gigaton Hammer  Steel  Physical
Grav Apple  Grass  Physical
Gunk Shot  Poison  Physical
Ice Shard  Ice  Physical
Icicle Crash  Ice  Physical
Icicle Spear  Ice  Physical
Ivy Cudgel  Grass  Physical
Land's Wrath  Ground  Physical
Last Respects  Ghost  Physical
Leafage  Grass  Physical
Magical Torque  Fairy  Physical
Magnet Bomb  Steel  Physical
Magnitude  Ground  Physical
Metal Burst  Steel  Physical
Meteor Assault  Fighting  Physical
Natural Gift  Normal  Physical
Noxious Torque  Poison  Physical
Order Up  Dragon  Physical
Pay Day  Normal  Physical
Petal Blizzard  Grass  Physical
Pin Missile  Bug  Physical
Poison Sting  Poison  Physical
Poltergeist  Ghost  Physical
Precipice Blades  Ground  Physical
Present  Normal  Physical
Psycho Cut  Psychic  Physical
Pyro Ball  Fire  Physical
Razor Leaf  Grass  Physical
Rock Blast  Rock  Physical
Rock Slide  Rock  Physical
Rock Throw  Rock  Physical
Rock Tomb  Rock  Physical
Rock Wrecker  Rock  Physical
Sacred Fire  Fire  Physical
Salt Cure  Rock  Physical
Sand Tomb  Ground  Physical
Scale Shot  Dragon  Physical
Secret Power  Normal  Physical
Seed Bomb  Grass  Physical
Self-Destruct  Normal  Physical
Shadow Bone  Ghost  Physical
Sky Attack  Flying  Physical
Smack Down  Rock  Physical
Sinister Arrow Raid  Ghost  Physical
Spike Cannon  Normal  Physical
Spirit Shackle  Ghost  Physical
Splintered Stormshards  Rock  Physical
Stone Edge  Rock  Physical
Thousand Arrows  Ground  Physical
Thousand Waves  Ground  Physical
Triple Arrows  Fighting  Physical
Twineedle  Bug  Physical
Wicked Torque  Dark  Physical

Trivia

  • In Pokémon Colosseum and XD: Gale of Darkness, battle animations for contact moves do not show the attacking Pokémon hitting the defending one at all. As in the Stadium series, physical blows usually utilize quick camera cuts between the attacking and defending Pokémon to imply direct contact.

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 接觸 Jipjūk
Mandarin 接觸 / 接触 Jiēchù
Czech Kontakt
French Contact
German Berührung
Hungarian Érintkezés
Italian Contatto
Korean 접촉 Contact
Portuguese Brazil Contato
Portugal Contacto
Spanish Contacto
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