---
title: "Z-Moves: Pokémon Mechanics Explained | pokee.si"
url: "https://pokee.si/guide/mechanics/z-moves"
description: "The once-per-battle super attacks from Generation VII: Z-Crystals, the power table and the special rules. Guide on pokee.si."
last_updated: "2026-10-19"
publisher: "pokee.si: a Pokédex for families (unofficial fan site)"
---

# Z-Moves

The once-per-battle super attacks from Generation VII: Z-Crystals, the power table and the special rules.

A Z-Move is a super-powered attack from Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. The Trainer and the Pokémon combine their power, and the Trainer strikes a pose before the attack. Z-Moves have only been in those four games in the main series.

## What you need

The Trainer wears a Z-Ring (called a Z-Power Ring in the later games), and the Pokémon holds a Z-Crystal. There are 35 Z-Crystals:

- 18 type crystals, one for every type (such as Firium Z or Waterium Z). A Pokémon holding one can upgrade any move of that type. - 17 exclusive crystals for particular Pokémon, such as Pikanium Z (Pikachu), Eevium Z (Eevee), Snorlium Z, Mewnium Z and Ultranecrozium Z.

A Z-Move can be used only once per battle, and a Pokémon that is Mega Evolved cannot use one. In the story, Z-Crystals are earned in the island challenge, from the trials and the grand trials.

## How a damaging Z-Move works

A Z-Move upgrades a regular move the Pokémon knows. The Z-Move's power depends on the original move's power:

- 0 to 55: 100 - 60 to 65: 120 - 70 to 75: 140 - 80 to 85: 160 - 90 to 95: 175 - 100: 180 - 110: 185 - 120 to 125: 190 - 130: 195 - 140 and over: 200

A one-hit knockout move turns into a Z-Move with power 180. The Z-Move keeps the original move's category (physical or special) but none of its extra effects. It also uses up PP from the original move.

## Special rules

Damaging Z-Moves skip the accuracy check, so they always hit unless the target is in the air or underground. They cannot be completely blocked by Protect: they still deal a quarter of the damage. Exclusive Z-Moves, such as Catastropika or Light That Burns the Sky, have a fixed power and category and need a specific original move (Catastropika needs Volt Tackle, used by Pikachu).

## Status Z-Moves

If the original move is a status move, the Z-Move version has the same effect, plus a bonus "Z-Power" effect that usually helps the user. Z-Splash, for example, also raises the user's Attack by three stages, and Z-Parting Shot also restores the replacement Pokémon's HP. The bonus works even if the move itself misses or fails.

## The name and the lore

Books in the Malie Library, in the game, say the Z comes from "zenith", the highest point (the Japanese word is zenryoku, "full power"). The poses may be inspired by Hawaiian hula or Polynesian haka, but that is a fan reading, not an official statement. In the story, Professor Kukui guesses that Z-Crystals formed from pieces of Necrozma's body that broke off long ago.

## Related

- [Mega Evolution](https://pokee.si/guide/mechanics/mega-evolution)
- [Dynamax and Gigantamax](https://pokee.si/guide/mechanics/dynamax-gigantamax)
- [Items (Z-Crystals)](https://pokee.si/guide/items)

---

Source: https://pokee.si/guide/mechanics/z-moves (HTML page). pokee.si is an unofficial fan site and is not affiliated with Nintendo, Creatures, GAME FREAK or The Pokémon Company. Pokémon and all related names and images are © their respective owners.