Strength (Japanese: かいりき Super Strength) is a damage-dealing Normal-type move introduced in Generation I. It is HM04 in Generations I through VI, and TM96 in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. In Generation VII, it was the signature move of Machamp.
Effect
In battle
Strength inflicts damage and has no secondary effect.
Outside of battle
Strength can be used outside of battle to move boulders around. In certain games, this requires a specific badge: the Rainbow BadgeRBYFRLG, Plain BadgeGSCHGSS, Heat BadgeRSEORAS, Mine BadgeDPPtBDSP, or Cliff BadgeXY.
Once this move is activated, players can move boulders around the field by walking into their tile, which places the boulder into the next tile (unless that tile is currently blocked by an obstacle, such as a wall or another boulder).
In several games, there are puzzles that require boulders to be moved around in a certain way with Strength. Some boulders may be blocking the player's path through the current area, or at least be preventing the player from obtaining an item. In some cases, a boulder can be placed on a button found on the floor, which causes an obstacle to be removed somewhere. In some places (such as the Seafoam Islands, Ice Path and Blackthorn Gym), a boulder can be pushed onto a hole so it is dropped to the floor below.
If the player leaves the current area, the boulders will resume their original positions and the puzzle will need to be solved again if the player wishes to go back through the area. However, the boulders dropped from holes into the floors below will not return to their previous floors.
If the player moves a boulder the wrong way, their progress can be prevented until the puzzle is reset. For instance, if the player moves the boulder to a corner where it cannot be moved anymore, the player will need to reset the puzzle if they want to try moving the boulder somewhere else.
Strength will be automatically deactivated if the player leaves the current area (such as by going through a door). If the player is in a cave, going through stairs counts as leaving the current area, so the player may be required to use Strength several times in the same cave in order to move boulders in different floors.
If the game is saved and restarted, Strength is deactivated, but any moved boulders will still be where the player left them.
Generation I
Strength can be activated at any time (even if there are no boulders in the current area) from the party screen.
Generations II to III
Strength can now be activated by interacting with a boulder and pressing A.
Generation IV
This move effect may be in need of research.Reason: From Generation IV onwards, Strength remains activated if the player goes to different floors in a cave?
Strength can now only be activated when there is a boulder in the vicinity.
Generations V and VI
Boulders are now significantly bigger in size and are required to be pushed into holes and walked across, as opposed to pushed into corners and walked around. Once pushed into a hole, the boulders typically do not reset upon subsequent visits, and they do not need to be pushed again.
Generation VII
Strength is no longer usable outside of battle. In Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, its functions are given to the Ride Pokémon Machamp. In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, the player can use Secret Technique Strong Push instead.
Generation VIII
In Pokémon Sword and Shield, Strength cannot be used outside of battle. In Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, they return, and the move functions as it did in Generations IV to VI, aside from being accessed through the Pokétch rather than being taught to a Pokémon.
Generation IX onwards
Strength is no longer usable outside of battle.
Description
GamesDescriptionStadStad2A very powerful Normal-type attack. Also used for moving obstacles like boulders.GSCA powerful physical attack.RSEBuilds enormous power, then slams the foe.FRLGThe foe is slugged at maximum power. Can also be used to move boulders.Colo.XDBuilds enormous power, then slams the target.DPPtHGSSThe foe is slugged with a punch thrown at maximum power. It can also be used to move boulders.PBRThe foe is hit with a punch thrown at maximum power.BWB2W2The target is slugged with a punch thrown at maximum power. This move can also be used to move boulders.XYORASThe target is slugged with a punch thrown at maximum power. This can also be used to move heavy boulders.SMUSUMPESwShLAThe target is slugged with a punch thrown at maximum power.BDSPThe target is slugged with a punch thrown at maximum power. It’s also one of the Pokétch’s hidden moves.SVThe target is slugged with a punch thrown at maximum power.
Learnset
In other games
In Red Rescue Team, Blue Rescue Team, Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness and Explorers of Sky, Strength is a non-damaging move with 12PP and 100% accuracy. The user sends the enemy in front flying to another tile in the room. If there's another hostile Pokémon in the range, tha target will bounce off of it before landing, causing both of them take 10 damage. Being a non-damaging move, it is affected by Taunt.