Charge (move)

If you were looking for the move called Charge in Japanese, see Take Down.

Charge じゅうでん Charge

Battles Type  Electric Category  Status PP  20 (max. 32) Power  — Accuracy  —% Priority  0 Does not make contact Not affected by Protect Not affected by Magic Coat Affected by Snatch Not affected by Mirror Move Not affected by King's Rock

Range Opponent Opponent Opponent Self Ally Ally Self: Affects the user

Availability Introduced  Generation III TM173 in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Contests Condition  Smart Appeal  2 ♥♥ Jam  0   Works well if it's the same type as the one before.

Super Contests Condition  Smart Appeal  0   Earn double the score in the next turn.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Clever Appeal  1 ♥ Jamming  0   Gets the Pokémon pumped up. Helps prevent nervousness, too.

On Smogon's Movedex: Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX

Charge (Japanese: じゅうでん Charge) is a non-damaging Electric-type move introduced in Generation III. It is TM173 in Generation IX.

Effect

Generation III

If the user's next move is Electric-type, it will deal twice the usual amount of damage. If its next move is not Electric-type or is a non-damaging move, the effect of Charge wears off without being used.

Charge can be used as the first move of a Pokémon Contest combination, causing Shock Wave, Spark, Thunder, Thunder Wave, ThunderPunch, ThunderShock, Thunderbolt, and Volt Tackle to score double the normal appeal if used in the next turn.

Generation IV-VIII

If the user's next move is Electric-type, its power will be doubled instead of the damage dealt (resulting in virtually the same effect).

Charge now also raises the user's Special Defense stat by one stage.

Charge can also be used as part of a Super Contest combination, with Thunder Fang having more appeal points if used in the next turn. It is also part of a Contest Spectacular combination, causing a damaging Electric-type move (except Electroweb, Wild Charge and Zap Cannon) to give an extra three appeal points if used in the next turn.

If powered up by an Electrium Z into Z-Charge, the user's Special Defense is raised by another stage.

Generation IX

If the user's next move is not Electric-type, Charge no longer wears off, and instead remains active for the next move that is. However, if the user attempted to use an Electric-type move, Charge will still wear off even if a condition prevented the move from being used, such as being asleep or flinching.

Multiple instances of the Charge effect (using Charge multiple times while the user's Ability is Normalize, or using Charge followed by an activation of Electromorphosis or Wind Power) are not cumulative; the next Electric-type move will still only deal twice as much damage, and no instances of the effect will linger to be used on subsequent moves.

Description

Games Description RSEColoXD Charges power to boost the electric move used next. FRLG The user charges power to boost the Electric move it uses next. DPPtHGSSPBR The user boosts the power of the Electric move it uses next. It also raises the user's Sp. Def stat. BWB2W2 The user boosts the power of the Electric move it uses on the next turn. It also raises the user's Sp. Def stat. XYORAS SMUSUMPE SwShBDSPLA The user boosts the power of the Electric move it uses on the next turn. This also raises the user's Sp. Def stat. SV The user becomes charged, boosting the power of the next Electric-type move it uses. This also boosts the user's Sp. Def stat.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII		IX
										SMUSUM	SwSh	BDSP	SV
0074		Geodude Alolan Form		Mineral		Mineral					4			4
0075		Graveler Alolan Form		Mineral		Mineral					1, 4			1
0076		Golem Alolan Form		Mineral		Mineral					1, 4			1
0100		Voltorb		Mineral		Mineral	1	1	1	1	1		1	1
0100		Voltorb Hisuian Form		Mineral		Mineral								1
0101		Electrode		Mineral		Mineral	1	1	1	1	1		1	1
0101		Electrode Hisuian Form		Mineral		Mineral								1
0125		Electabuzz		Human-Like		Human-Like	−	−	−	−	−	1	1	1
0145		Zapdos		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	61	36	36	36	36	30	30	30
0170		Chinchou		Water 2		Water 2	49	45	50	50	50	24	24	24
0171		Lanturn		Water 2		Water 2	61	57	64	64XY 58ORAS	58	24	24	24
0179		Mareep		Monster	Field	−	23	23BW 15B2W2	15	15		15	15
0180		Flaaffy		Monster	Field	−	25	25BW 16B2W2	16	16		16	16
0181		Ampharos		Monster	Field	−	25	25BW 16B2W2	16	16		16	16
0239		Elekid		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	−	−	−	−	−	8	8	8
0243		Raikou		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	−	−	−	−	−	1	1	1
0309		Electrike		Field		Field	41	44	44	44	44	36	36
0310		Manectric		Field		Field	53	54	54	54XY 48ORAS	48	42	42
0311		Plusle		Fairy		Fairy	31	35	38	38XY 28ORAS	28		28	26
0312		Minun		Fairy		Fairy	31	35	38	38XY 28ORAS	28		28	26
0403		Shinx		Field		Field		9	9	9	9	8	8	8
0404		Luxio		Field		Field		9	9	9	9	1	1	1
0405		Luxray		Field		Field		1, 9	1, 9	1, 9	1, 9	1	1	1
0466		Electivire		Human-Like		Human-Like		−	−	−	−	1	1	1
0479		Rotom All available forms		Amorphous		Amorphous		43	57	1, 57	1, 57	15	15	15
0522		Blitzle		Field		Field			8	8	8			8
0523		Zebstrika		Field		Field			1, 8	1, 8	1, 8			1
0587		Emolga		Field		Field			10	10	10	20
0599		Klink		Mineral		Mineral			6	6	6	8
0600		Klang		Mineral		Mineral			1, 6	1, 6	1, 6	1
0601		Klinklang		Mineral		Mineral			1, 6	1, 6	1, 6	1
0618		Stunfisk		Water 1	Amorphous			−	−	−	20
0642		Thundurus All available forms		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered			55	1, 55	49	30		30
0694		Helioptile		Monster	Dragon				11	11	16
0695		Heliolisk		Monster	Dragon				1	1	1
0702		Dedenne		Field	Fairy				11	11	10		10
0737		Charjabug		Bug		Bug					1, Evo.	1, Evo.		Evo.
0738		Vikavolt		Bug		Bug					1	1		1
0777		Togedemaru		Field	Fairy					13	10
0785		Tapu Koko		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered					26	30
0796		Xurkitree		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered					1	5
0807		Zeraora		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered					26USUM	40
0835		Yamper		Field		Field						35
0836		Boltund		Field		Field						41
0849		Toxtricity All forms		Human-Like		Human-Like						4		4
0871		Pincurchin		Water 1	Amorphous						10		10
0880		Dracozolt		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered						7
0881		Arctozolt		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered						7
0921		Pawmi		Field		Field								8
0922		Pawmo		Field		Field								8
0923		Pawmot		Field		Field								8
0938		Tadbulb		Water 1		Water 1								17
0939		Bellibolt		Water 1		Water 1								17
0992		Iron Hands		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered								49
0995		Iron Thorns		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered								35
1008		Miraidon		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered								14
1021		Raging Bolt		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered								7
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

By TM

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Compatibility
						IX
						SV TM173
0025		Pikachu		Field	Fairy	✔
0026		Raichu		Field	Fairy	✔
0026		Raichu Alolan Form		Field	Fairy	✔
0074		Geodude Alolan Form		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0075		Graveler Alolan Form		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0076		Golem Alolan Form		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0081		Magnemite		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0082		Magneton		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0100		Voltorb		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0100		Voltorb Hisuian Form		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0101		Electrode		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0101		Electrode Hisuian Form		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0125		Electabuzz		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
0135		Jolteon		Field		Field	✔
0137		Porygon		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0145		Zapdos		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
0151		Mew		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
0170		Chinchou		Water 2		Water 2	✔
0171		Lanturn		Water 2		Water 2	✔
0172		Pichu		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
0179		Mareep		Monster	Field	✔
0180		Flaaffy		Monster	Field	✔
0181		Ampharos		Monster	Field	✔
0233		Porygon2		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0239		Elekid		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
0243		Raikou		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
0311		Plusle		Fairy		Fairy	✔
0312		Minun		Fairy		Fairy	✔
0403		Shinx		Field		Field	✔
0404		Luxio		Field		Field	✔
0405		Luxray		Field		Field	✔
0417		Pachirisu		Field	Fairy	✔
0462		Magnezone		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0466		Electivire		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
0474		Porygon-Z		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0479		Rotom All forms		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔
0522		Blitzle		Field		Field	✔
0523		Zebstrika		Field		Field	✔
0596		Galvantula		Bug		Bug	✔
0602		Tynamo		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔
0603		Eelektrik		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔
0604		Eelektross		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔
0642		Thundurus All forms		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
0644		Zekrom		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
0702		Dedenne		Field	Fairy	✔
0736		Grubbin		Bug		Bug	✔
0737		Charjabug		Bug		Bug	✔
0738		Vikavolt		Bug		Bug	✔
0849		Toxtricity All forms		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
0871		Pincurchin		Water 1	Amorphous	✔
0877		Morpeko		Field	Fairy	✔
0894		Regieleki		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
0921		Pawmi		Field		Field	✔
0922		Pawmo		Field		Field	✔
0923		Pawmot		Field		Field	✔
0938		Tadbulb		Water 1		Water 1	✔
0939		Bellibolt		Water 1		Water 1	✔
0940		Wattrel		Water 1	Flying	✔
0941		Kilowattrel		Water 1	Flying	✔
0989		Sandy Shocks		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
0992		Iron Hands		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
0995		Iron Thorns		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
1008		Miraidon		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
1021		Raging Bolt		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

By breeding

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Egg Move
						III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII		IX
										SMUSUM	SwSh	BDSP	SV
0172		Pichu		Field	Fairy	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0179		Mareep		Monster	Field	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔		✔	−
0417		Pachirisu		Field	Fairy		−	✔	✔	✔		✔	✔
0877		Morpeko		Field	Fairy						✔		✔
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

By event

Generation IV

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0172		Pichu		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	Shokotan Pikachu-colored Pichu Mikena Pichu GameStop Pichu Spring 2010 Pichu
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

In other games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

The user gains the Charging status condition until the end of next turn, causing the user's next Electric-type move to have its damage doubled. The status will wear off instantly after using a move, regardless of its type. From Explorers of Time and Darkness, Charge also raises the user's Sp. Defense by one stage.

Game Base Power Max Power Base PP Max PP Base Accuracy Max Accuracy Range Target Cuts corners MDRB - - 25 - —% - User User - MDTDS - - 20 - —% - User User - BSL - - 20 - —% - User User - MDGtI - - 15 50 —% - User User - SMD - - 15 30 —% - User User - With some exceptions, Pokémon learnsets match those from the core series games: MD Rescue Team = Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald. MD Time and Darkness = Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. MD Sky = Pokémon Platinum. MD Adventure Squad = ??. MD Gates to Infinity = Pokémon Black 2 and White 2. Super Mystery Dungeon = Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. MD Rescue Team DX = Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.

Pokémon Rumble Rush

In Pokémon Rumble Rush, all status moves including Charge could only be used by opposing Pokémon and could not be obtained on any caught Pokémon. Charge could be seen as a move used by Boss Blitzle.

Charge

Charge time	1.54 seconds
Range type	Circular (self)
Target	Self
Additional effect	Raises the user's Attack

Description

Games Description MDRB The user gains the Charging status. It boosts the power of the Electric-type move to be used next. MDTDS Gives the user a Charging status, which boosts the power of any Electric-type move used on the next turn. It also boosts the user's Special Defense by 1 level. BSL じぶんを じゅうでんじょうたいにして つぎにつかった でんきタイプの わざの いりょくを たかめる しかも じぶんの とくぼうを １だんかいあげる MDGtI You'll get the Charging status, which boosts the power of Electric-type moves used on the next turn. It also boosts your Special Defense. (The stat change returns to normal when you go to the next floor or step on a Wonder Tile.) SMD You'll get the Charging status, which boosts the power of Electric-type moves used on the next turn. It also boosts your Sp. Def. The stats return to normal when you go to the next floor or step on a Wonder Tile.

In animation

Pokémon animated series

Manectric Lanturn Plusle and Minun Arctozolt
The user charges electricity to boost the power of the next Electric-type move it uses.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Sparks of yellow electricity surround Manectric's body as it charges electricity. After it's done, its Electric-type attacks become much more powerful.
Wattson's Manectric	Manectric Charge		Debut
Jaco's Manectric	The Electrike Company!		None
	Electrike's body becomes surrounded by yellow sparks as it gathers electricity in its body.
Cal's Electrike	The Electrike Company!		None
Jaco's Electrike	The Electrike Company!		None
	The orbs on Lanturn's antennae glow yellow. Its whole body then becomes surrounded by yellow sparks, causing its Electric-type attacks to become much more powerful.
Kyle's Lanturn	Pruning a Passel of Pals!		None
	Plusle's body becomes surrounded by yellow sparks.
Dawn's Kindergarten teacher's Plusle	Yes in Dee Dee, It's Dawn!		None
	Minun's body becomes surrounded by light blue sparks.
Dawn's Kindergarten teacher's Minun	Yes in Dee Dee, It's Dawn!		None
	Arctozolt's body becomes surrounded by yellow sparks as it gathers electricity in its body.
Goh's Arctozolt	A Pinch of This, a Pinch of That!		None

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Manectric
The user becomes charged, boosting the power of the next Electric-type move it uses.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Manectric's body becomes surrounded by sparks of electricity, causing its Electric-type attacks to become much more powerful.
Wattson's Manectric	The Beginning of the End with Kyogre & Groudon V		Debut

• A wild Shinx was revealed to know Charge on the official website, but it was never shown using the move.

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!

Luxio
The user absorbs in electricity.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Luxio absorbs electricity from the air.
Hareta's Luxio	Hareta's Heart's Desire		Debut

In other generations

Core series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Side series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Spin-off series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Trivia

• This move originated as TCG attack.
• In Generation III, the status screen erroneously states that the move has 100% accuracy, even though it targets the user (thus it ignores accuracy and evasion checks).

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 充電 Chūngdihn Mandarin 充電 / 充电 Chōngdiàn Dutch Oplading Finnish Lataus* French Chargeur German Ladevorgang Greek Φόρτιση Italian Sottocarica Korean 충전 Chungjeon Polish Ładowanie Portuguese Brazil Carga (JN050-present, Primal Clash-present, manga) Ataque (Emerging Powers-Legendary Treasures) Carregar Portugal Carregar Carga Serbian Punjenje Spanish Carga Vietnamese Nạp Điện

This article is part of Project Moves and Abilities, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on two related aspects of the Pokémon games.