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Zekrom and Reshiram using Bolt Strike and Blue Flare, their signature moves

A signature move (Japanese: 専用技 exclusive move) is a move that can normally only be learned by a single Pokémon, evolutionary family, or Legendary group.

Most signature moves are learned by leveling up. Despite being signature moves of a particular species, other Pokémon can still sometimes learn the move through other means. Some signature moves can also be inherited via breeding or are known by certain gift or event Pokémon. Additionally, Smeargle can learn most signature moves via its own signature move, Sketch.

List of Pokémon and their signature moves

Z-Moves

G-Max Moves

Shadow moves

Similar examples

Teachable signature moves

The following are moves that can be learned only by a single Pokémon or evolutionary line via level up, but can be also taught to other Pokémon by TMs, HMs or Move Tutors.

Species-specific moves

These moves are specifically programmed for these Pokémon. Since Generation IV, some moves are necessary for a Pokémon to evolve. Generation VII introduced Evolution moves that a Pokémon tries to learn after evolving into another species.

Similarly, Mega Gengar, Diglett, Dugtrio, Sandygast, and Palossand cannot be affected by the move Telekinesis, but a Pokémon that is transformed into one of these Pokémon can be affected.

One-off signature moves

Victini using Fusion Flare, Fusion Bolt, and V-create

This is a list of signature moves that at only one point, another Pokémon had the ability to acquire:

In the anime

In the anime, it is uncommon for specific moves to be explicitly stated to be exclusive to a certain Pokémon species.

Although some moves were occasionally referred to as a Pokémon's "special attack" during the original series, in most of these cases, the move in question actually wasn't that Pokémon's signature move.

In Go West Young Meowth, Meowth told the story of his past, where he mentioned that he learned to talk instead of master Pay Day, which he suggested was permanent. This came back in Meowth Rules!, where people of the island expected him to create coins for them what he failed to do. The concept was also mentioned during a quiz challenge in Classroom Training!, where Candice stated that Pay Day could only be learned by Meowth.

Trivia

See also



