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Grab

A grab attack or grab is a move that bypasses counter attacks and blocks. By default, it is performed by simultaneously pressing the Y and B buttons on most controllers or the A and B buttons on the Wii Remote with the Nunchuk. Grabs are indicated by a green glow around the user.

When a grab hits, a short cinematic attack animation plays before a Phase Shift. Despite what some attack animations may suggest, multiple hits that succeed the initial grab animation is still counted as a single attack.

All Pokémon are capable of performing a short-ranged standard grab attack, providing a way to hit opponents who are blocking.

Properties[]

Grabs have generally fast startup, hitting the opponent within a few number of frames. Attempting to block a grab results to the defender being hit anyway as grabs are unblockable. If the grab misses its target, the user suffers a considerable amount of end lag. Additionally, it also does increased damage to an opponent performing a counter attack. Successfully grabbing an opponent at any time during the counter attack process will score a critical hit and increase the user's Synergy Gauge by a small amount.

On the other hand, grabbing an opponent performing a normal attack will make the grab fail and net the opponent a critical hit. The outcome however is dependent on the timing of the grab - if it hits early during a normal attack's startup frames, both players will be staggered. An exception to this are grab crushes, moves that will always beat a grab attack.

A standard grab attack can only be done while on the ground and on grounded opponents. A knocked down Pokémon cannot be grabbed until its invincibility frames wear off. As such, a common strategy involves grabbing the opponent just before they wake up. However, more experienced players may be aware of this and use a normal attack instead.

List of Grabs[]

Pokémon Phase Description Preview
Darkrai
Field Phase
File:Darkrai - Grab Attack (Field Phase).gif
Duel Phase
File:Darkrai - Grab Attack (Duel Phase).gif
Blaziken
Field Phase
Delivers two slashes and two kicks in quick succession. File:Blaziken - Grab Attack (Field Phase).gif
Duel Phase
Uppercuts the enemy, and Blaze Kicks them as they come back down. File:Blaziken - Grab Attack (Duel Phase).gif
Pikachu
Field Phase
File:Pikachu - Grab Attack (Field Phase).gif
Duel Phase
File:Pikachu - Grab Attack (Duel Phase).gif
Lucario
Field Phase
Hits the target with one paw, turns, and hits with the other. Lucario - Grab Attack (Field Phase)Mega Lucario - Grab Attack (Field Phase)
Duel Phase
Scissor-kicks the opponent into the air, and hits them with an open-hand strike once they come back down. Lucario - Grab Attack (Duel Phase)
Duel Phase
(Mega Lucario)
Knees the opponent, stomps on the ground to release a column of aura, and then finally launches an Aura Sphere to the opponent. Mega Lucario - Grab Attack (Duel Phase)
Gardevoir
Field Phase
File:Gardevoir - Grab Attack (Field Phase).gif
Duel Phase
File:Gardevoir - Grab Attack (Duel Phase).gif
Pikachu Libre
Field Phase
Kicks the enemy, poses to the crowd that increases her attack, and slams the opponent with her tail. File:Pikachu Libre - Grab Attack (Field Phase).gif
Duel Phase
Stuns the opponent with electricity, then throws them backwards. File:Pikachu Libre - Grab Attack (Duel Phase).gif
Scizor
Field Phase
Hits the enemy into the air, wraps them in silk, pulls them back, and then hits them with its claw. File:Scizor - Grab Attack (Field Phase).gif
Duel Phase
Wraps the enemy in silk and charges at them. File:Scizor - Grab Attack (Duel Phase).gif
Aegislash
Field Phase
File:Aegislash - Grab Attack (Field Phase).gif
Duel Phase
File:Aegislash - Grab Attack (Duel Phase).gif
Croagunk
Field Phase
File:Croagunk - Grab Attack (Field Phase).gif
Duel Phase
File:Croagunk - Grab Attack (Duel Phase).gif
Sceptile
Field Phase
File:Sceptile - Grab Attack (Field Phase).gif
Field Phase
(Mega Sceptile)
File:Sceptile - Grab Attack (Field Phase, Mega Sceptile).gif
Duel Phase
File:Sceptile - Grab Attack (Duel Phase).gif
Duel Phase
(Mega Sceptile)
File:Sceptile - Grab Attack (Duel Phase, Mega Sceptile).gif
Gengar
Field Phase
File:Gengar - Grab Attack (Field Phase).gif
Duel Phase
File:Gengar - Grab Attack (Duel Phase).gif
Duel Phase
(Mega Gengar)
File:Gengar - Grab Attack (Duel Phase, Mega Gengar).gif
Decidueye
Field Phase
File:Decidueye - Grab Attack (Field Phase).gif
Duel Phase
File:Decidueye - Grab Attack (Duel Phase).gif
Machamp
Field Phase
File:Machamp - Grab Attack (Field Phase).gif
Duel Phase
File:Machamp - Grab Attack (Duel Phase).gif
Midair Grab
(Either Phase)
While suspended in the air, Machamp spins around and then hurls the opponent diagonally into the ground. File:Machamp - Grab Attack (Midair).gif
Braixen
Field Phase
Knees the opponent and then dropkicks them. File:Braixen - Grab Attack (Field Phase).gif
Duel Phase
Throws the target up into the air and throws dozens of rapid punches at them. File:Braixen - Grab Attack (Duel Phase).gif
Empoleon
Field Phase
Shoots an Ice Beam forward, and slides through the opponent while they're stunned. File:Empoleon - Grab Attack (Field Phase).gif
Duel Phase
Throws the opponent above him, and creates a construct made of water above his head, shaped like its crown. Then, he launches a jet of water upwards. File:Empoleon - Grab Attack (Duel Phase).gif
Blastoise
Field Phase
File:Blastoise - Grab Attack (Field Phase).gif
Duel Phase
File:Blastoise - Grab Attack (Duel Phase).gif
Mewtwo
Field Phase
Psychokinetically grabs the opponent, then releases psychic ripples before attacking with psychic energy. File:Mewtwo - Grab Attack (Field Phase).gif
Field Phase
Mega Mewtwo X
File:Mewtwo - Grab Attack (Field Phase, Mega Mewtwo X).gif
Duel Phase
Psychokinetically grabs the opponent, before sending the target airborne and ending the attack with an energy-infused shove. File:Mewtwo - Grab Attack (Duel Phase).gif
Duel Phase
Mega Mewtwo X
File:Mewtwo - Grab Attack (Duel Phase, Mega Mewtwo X).gif
Chandelure
Field Phase
File:Chandelure - Grab Attack (Field Phase).gif
Duel Phase
File:Chandelure - Grab Attack (Duel Phase).gif
Suicune
Field Phase
File:Suicune - Grab Attack (Field Phase).gif
Duel Phase
File:Suicune - Grab Attack (Duel Phase).gif
Weavile
Field Phase
File:Weavile - Grab Attack (Field Phase).gif
Duel Phase
File:Weavile - Grab Attack (Duel Phase).gif
Charizard
Field Phase
File:Charizard - Grab Attack (Field Phase).gif
Duel Phase
File:Charizard - Grab Attack (Duel Phase).gif
Garchomp
Field Phase
File:Garchomp - Grab Attack (Field Phase).gif
Duel Phase
File:Garchomp - Grab Attack (Duel Phase).gif
Shadow Mewtwo
Field Phase
Psychokinetically grabs the opponent, then releases psychic ripples before attacking with psychic energy. File:Shadow Mewtwo - Grab Attack (Field Phase).gif
Field Phase
Mega Shadow Mewtwo X
File:Shadow Mewtwo - Grab Attack (Field Phase, Mega Shadow Mewtwo X).gif
Duel Phase
Psychokinetically grabs the opponent, before sending the target airborne and ending the attack with an energy-infused shove. File:Shadow Mewtwo - Grab Attack (Duel Phase).gif
Duel Phase
Mega Shadow Mewtwo X
File:Shadow Mewtwo - Grab Attack (Duel Phase, Mega Shadow Mewtwo X).gif

Command Grabs []

Command grabs are Pokémon moves that have grab-like properties. These moves have added effects and exclusive to a certain Pokémon. Burst attacks that are classified as grabs behave slightly differently as they can only be dodged with proper spacing or being airborne.

Pokémon Move Input Name Additional Effect
Chandelure
2A Hex A disjointed grab that deals more damage if the target has more debuffs.
Charizard
8A Seismic Toss Can hit grounded or airborne opponents.
Darkrai
2A Dream Eater Absorbs some of the opponent's HP and increases Synergy Gauge.
Decidueye
midair R ~ A Acrobatics Powers up if Synergy Gauge isn't full. Causes a Synergy Burst Enhanced status on self. Can grab airborne opponents.
midair R ~ hold A Acrobatics: Forward Throw Can grab airborne opponents. Throws the opponent forward.
Garchomp
2A Sand Tomb Plays an extra cutscene if it causes a Critical Hit. The charged version can grab airborne opponents.
Gengar
f.A or 6A Hypnosis Leaves the opponent stunned for a short time.
Machamp
f.A or 6A Submission Homes to the opponent. Gains counter properties when enhanced.
Mewtwo / Shadow Mewtwo
b.4A ~ Y Telekinesis Tosses the opponent in the air, allowing combos to be performed.
Pikachu
f.A or 6A Nuzzle Has slightly longer range. Evades low-positioned attacks.
Pikachu Libre
b.4A Electroweb Can catch grounded and aerial opponents. Inflicts a speed debuff on them as well.
Sceptile
8A Giga Drain Disjointed grab that absorbs some of the foe's HP and Synergy Gauge.
2A Leaf Storm Catches airborne opponents then slows down the user.
Scizor
2A ~ Y + B Bug Bite Absorbs the opponent's HP and increases Synergy Gauge. Steals status effects from opponent. It can also grab airborne opponents.

Trivia[]

  • Most grabs come out on the 11th frame while others are slightly slower, coming out on the 15th frame.
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