In Pokémon Shuffle, every Pokémon has a skill that can trigger during battles: boosting damage, delaying the opponent’s Disruptions, clearing blocks, filling a Mega Gauge… Choosing the right skills for your team is the key to the hard stages. This page explains how they work, how to upgrade them, and lists all 153 skills in the game.
How a skill triggers
- On the first link of the turn only: later links in a combo do not trigger skills.
- Depending on link size: each skill has an activation chance for a link of three, four or five Pokémon. Power of 4 always triggers on a link of exactly four Pokémon, whereas Critical Hit stays rare.
- Depending on conditions: some skills depend on the board, such as those that require blocks to be present.
When a single move creates two links, the first one resolved is the one with the Pokémon you moved; failing that, the longest, then the horizontal one. That is the link that can trigger the skill. See Mechanics and Damage.
Upgrading a skill
Since update 1.3.10 in May 2016 (1.6.4 on mobile), each skill has a gauge and can go up to level 5. A higher-level skill triggers more often or deals more damage, depending on the skill. The gauge is filled with items:
| Item | Skill points |
|---|---|
| Skill Booster (specific) | 1, for the encountered species only |
| Skill Booster | 3 |
| Super Skill Booster | 10 |
| Hyper Skill Booster | 30 |
The total number of points needed to reach level 5 depends on the skill: from 50 for the simplest ones to 200 for the most powerful. Specific Skill Boosters drop in certain Special Stages and, since the Blau Salon, in many regular stages.
Changing skills
Since update 1.3.14 in June 2016, the Skill Swapper item lets certain Pokémon get a second skill, often a more useful one, called a hidden skill. Once unlocked, you can choose which one to use. It is earned through Trainer levels and Card Missions, among other things.
The 153 skills
For each skill: its effect, its activation chance at level 1 for a link of three, four and five Pokémon, and a few Pokémon that have it.
| Skill | Effect | Activation (link 3 / 4 / 5) | Example Pokémon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support | Increases the chance of triggering the skill of the Pokémon matched in the next link. | 60% / 100% / 100% | Slurpuff, Pachirisu, Celebi, Shiny Magikarp |
| Super Support | Guarantees the skill of the Pokémon matched in the next link will trigger. | 10% / 40% / 70% | Chansey, Vulpix, Zorua, Misdreavus |
| Mega Boost | Fills the Mega Gauge of Pokémon of the same type. | 50% / 100% / 100% | Male Meowstic, Female Meowstic, Eevee, Vaporeon |
| Mega Boost+ | Fills the Mega Gauge of Pokémon of the same type even more. | 50% / 100% / 100% | Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Pikachu (Party) |
| Mega Boost X | Fills the Mega Gauge of Pokémon of the same type a lot. | 10% / 20% / 30% | Nidoran♀, Nidoran♂, Cinccino, Tropius |
| Critical Hit | Rarely increases damage. | 5% / 10% / 10% | Pidgey, Espurr, Pichu, Togepi |
| Pummel | Sometimes increases damage. | 20% / 50% / 80% | Riolu, Granbull, Pignite, Boldore |
| Hyper Punch | Sometimes greatly increases damage. | 10% / 50% / 50% | Regigigas, Scraggy, Rhyperior, Hitmonchan |
| Dragon Talon | Sometimes increases damage. | 40% / 70% / 100% | Pikachu Costume (Rayquaza), Pikachu Costume (Shiny Rayquaza), Axew, Fraxure |
| Mind Zap | Sometimes greatly increases damage. | 50% / 50% / 50% | Mewtwo |
| Sky Blast | Sometimes greatly increases damage. | 15% / 40% / 70% | Shiny Charizard, Altaria, Masquerain, Skarmory |
| Overcharge | Rarely increases damage enormously. | 10% / 20% / 50% | Pikachu (Irritated) |
| Synergy Force | Sometimes greatly increases damage. | 25% / 40% / 80% | Charizard, Pikachu, Greninja (Ash), Goodra |
| Chimera Force | Sometimes greatly increases damage. | 17% / 53% / 73% | Nihilego, Buzzwole, Pheromosa, Xurkitree |
| Watch Out | Rarely increases damage enormously. | 10% / 20% / 50% | Snorlax |
| Power of 3 | Matching 3 Pokémon increases damage. | 100% / 0% / 0% | Pikachu Event (Beach Stroll), Cherrim (Wink), Deoxys (Speed Forme), Turtwig (Wink) |
| Power of 4 | Matching 4 Pokémon increases damage. | 0% / 100% / 0% | Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Nidoqueen |
| Power of 4+ | Matching 4 Pokémon greatly increases damage. | 0% / 80% / 0% | Pikachu (Pleased), Togekiss (Wink), Phanpy, Chandelure |
| Link 4 ↑ | Matching 4 Pokémon increases damage. This skill levels up quickly! | 0% / 100% / 0% | Genesect, Mudsdale |
| Super Arrow | Matching 4 Pokémon rarely increases damage enormously. | 0% / 30% / 0% | Decidueye |
| Super Body Slam | Matching 4 Pokémon rarely increases damage enormously. | 0% / 30% / 0% | Incineroar |
| Super Song | Matching 4 Pokémon rarely increases damage enormously. | 0% / 30% / 0% | Primarina |
| Slash | Matching 5 Pokémon rarely increases damage enormously. | 0% / 0% / 35% | Kartana |
| Full Power | Matching 4 Pokémon rarely increases damage enormously. | 0% / 10% / 0% | Azumarill (Wink), Alolan Exeggutor, Whiscash |
| Pulverize | Matching 4 Pokémon sometimes increases damage enormously. | 0% / 80% / 0% | Buzzwole |
| Power of 5 | Matching 5 Pokémon increases damage. | 0% / 0% / 100% | Blissey, Nidoking, Slowking, Gengar |
| Power of 5+ | Matching 5 Pokémon greatly increases damage. | 0% / 0% / 80% | Pikachu Costume (Gyarados), Pikachu Costume (Ho-Oh), Onix, Ho-Oh |
| Cross Power | Increases the damage of +-shaped links. | 100% / 100% / 100% | Slurpuff (Wink), Glalie (Wink), Excadrill, Deerling (Summer Form) |
| L Power | Increases the damage of L-shaped links. | 100% / 100% / 100% | Pikachu Costume (Shiny Gyarados), Scyther, Shiny Gyarados, Quilava |
| T Power | Increases the damage of T-shaped links. | 100% / 100% / 100% | Pikachu Event (Summer Festival), Female Hippopotas, Electivire, Bayleef |
| Cross Power+ | Greatly increases the damage of +-shaped links. | 80% / 90% / 100% | Pikachu (Determined), Keldeo (Resolute Form), Giratina (Origin Forme), Lugia |
| Opportunist | Randomly increases damage. | 50% / 70% / 100% | Alolan Raichu, Azumarill, Sableye, Mawile |
| Burn | Burns the opponent. | 5% / 55% / 80% | Charmeleon, Charizard, Pikachu Costume (Charizard), Moltres |
| Burn+ | Rarely burns the opponent for a very long time. | 5% / 25% / 50% | Ninetales, Castform (Sunny Form) |
| Terror | Frightens the opponent. | 5% / 45% / 80% | Gastly, Gengar, Spiritomb, Gourgeist (Costumed) |
| Terror+ | Matching 4 or more Pokémon sometimes frightens the opponent for a very long time. | 0% / 45% / 80% | Snubbull (Wink), Darkrai, Floette (Wink), Mimikyu |
| Freeze | Freezes the opponent. | 5% / 35% / 70% | Vanilluxe, Snorunt, Articuno, Bergmite |
| Freeze+ | Matching 4 or more Pokémon rarely freezes the opponent for a long time. | 0% / 35% / 70% | Alolan Ninetales, Suicune |
| Sandman | Puts the opponent to sleep. | 30% / 60% / 90% | Pikachu Event (Kotatsu), Smeargle, Sawsbuck (Autumn Form), Komala |
| Sleep | Puts the opponent to sleep. | 5% / 30% / 80% | Espurr, Pikachu (Drowsy), Treecko, Grovyle |
| Paralyze | Paralyzes the opponent. | 10% / 30% / 80% | Pikachu, Raichu, Rotom, Zapdos |
| Shock Attack | Paralyzes the opponent for a long time. | 20% / 30% / 80% | Pidgey, Togetic, Lapras, Dedenne |
| Paralyze+ | Rarely paralyzes the opponent for a very long time. | 1% / 15% / 65% | Flaaffy, Paras, Bellossom, Skiploom (Wink) |
| Electro-Surf | Paralyzes the opponent for a short moment. | 40% / 70% / 90% | Raichu, Deoxys (Speed Forme) |
| Dragon Cheer | Paralyzes the opponent for a long time. | 20% / 40% / 80% | Shiny Magikarp |
| Poison | Poisons the opponent. | 10% / 40% / 70% | Gengar (Costumed), Arbok, Salazzle |
| Astonish | Delays the opponent’s attacks. | 20% / 30% / 100% | Litwick, Misdreavus, Mismagius, Raikou |
| Compression | Delays the opponent’s Disruptions even more. | 20% / 50% / 90% | Tangela, Sunflora, Bellsprout, Swoobat |
| Chill | Delays the opponent’s attacks. | 20% / 30% / 100% | Glalie, Delibird, Suicune, Castform (Snowy Form) |
| Wing Pull | Delays the opponent’s Disruptions. | 20% / 30% / 100% | Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Chatot, Rufflet |
| Whirlwind | Delays the opponent’s Disruptions. | 30% / 60% / 90% | Palkia, Oshawott, Kingdra, Wailmer |
| Charm | Delays the opponent’s Disruptions. | 30% / 30% / 30% | Pheromosa |
| Sand Launcher | Delays the opponent’s Disruptions even more. | 20% / 40% / 80% | Sandslash, Sandygast |
| Rascal | Sometimes changes the timing of the opponent’s Disruptions. | 20% / 40% / 100% | Pikachu Event (Children’s Day), Sableye (Costumed), Croagunk, Toxicroak |
| Forget | Delays the opponent’s attacks. | 10% / 40% / 100% | Pikachu (In Love), Audino (Wink), Absol, Entei |
| Possession | Delays the opponent’s Disruptions. | 40% / 40% / 40% | Nihilego |
| Soothe | Delays the opponent’s Disruptions. | 20% / 40% / 70% | Pikachu Event (Year-End), Deerling (Winter Form), Unown (N Form), Magearna |
| Tremor | Sometimes increases damage and temporarily paralyzes the opponent. | 20% / 35% / 60% | Donphan, Groudon, Male Hippopotas, Samurott |
| Crushing Step | Delays the opponent’s Disruptions and increases damage. | 30% / 40% / 50% | Tyranitar, Dialga, Aggron, Mudsdale |
| Shadow Shock | Delays the opponent’s Disruptions and greatly increases damage. | 15% / 50% / 100% | Hoopa (Confined), Dhelmise |
| Fear | Delays the opponent’s Disruptions and increases damage. | 70% / 70% / 70% | Pichu, Tepig, Remoraid, Kricketot |
| Big Hug | Delays the opponent’s Disruptions and greatly increases damage. | 30% / 50% / 80% | Bewear |
| Last-Ditch Effort | Increases damage when in danger. | 50% / 100% / 100% | Pikachu (Surprised), Heatran, Male Hippowdon, Lickitung |
| Swarm | Increases damage when in danger. | 60% / 80% / 100% | Scyther, Scizor, Cascoon |
| Steely Resolve | Increases damage when in danger. | 60% / 80% / 100% | Mawile, Skarmory, Honedge |
| Final Blow | Enormously increases the damage of the last remaining move. | 70% / 80% / 100% | Pikachu Event (Graduate), Litwick, Female Hippowdon, Rufflet |
| Megavolt | Greatly increases damage when in danger. | 70% / 70% / 70% | Pikachu (Original Cap), Pikachu (Hoenn Cap), Pikachu (Sinnoh Cap), Pikachu (Unova Cap) |
| Pyre | Increases the damage of Fire-type combos. | 50% / 100% / 100% | Pikachu Costume (Ho-Oh), Torchic, Combusken, Fennekin (Wink) |
| Fighting Combo | Increases the damage of Fighting-type combos. | 15% / 50% / 100% | Lucario, Pangoro, Machop |
| Dragon Combo | Increases the damage of Dragon-type combos. | 60% / 100% / 100% | Ampharos, Dragonair, Dragonite, Seadra |
| Fairy Force | Increases the damage of Fairy-type combos. | 15% / 40% / 80% | Togetic, Togekiss |
| Sinister Power | Increases the damage of Dark-type combos. | 15% / 40% / 80% | Zorua, Zoroark, Mightyena, Giratina (Origin Forme) |
| Ice Combo | Increases the damage of Ice-type combos. | 30% / 50% / 70% | Vanillish, Beartic, Alolan Sandslash |
| Ground Combo | Increases the damage of Ground-type combos. | 20% / 60% / 80% | Donphan, Landorus (Incarnate Forme), Quagsire |
| Tsunami | Increases the damage of Water-type combos. | 50% / 100% / 100% | Mudkip, Froakie (Wink), Poliwrath, Octillery |
| Induction | Increases the damage of Electric-type combos. | 20% / 60% / 90% | Xurkitree |
| Steel Combo | Increases the damage of Steel-type combos. | 5% / 100% / 100% | Solgaleo |
| Ghost Combo | Increases the damage of Ghost-type combos. | 5% / 100% / 100% | Lunala |
| Grass Combo | Increases the damage of Grass-type combos. | 30% / 60% / 90% | Chespin (Wink), Turtwig, Lurantis |
| Rock Combo | Increases the damage of Rock-type combos. | 30% / 60% / 90% | Carbink, Lycanroc |
| Bug Combo | Increases the damage of Bug-type combos. | 30% / 60% / 90% | Pinsir, Wurmple, Charjabug |
| Flying Combo | Increases the damage of Flying-type combos. | 10% / 60% / 90% | Pidgeotto, Braviary |
| Ghost Dance | Matching five Pokémon greatly increases the damage of Ghost-type combos. | 0% / 0% / 70% | Alolan Marowak |
| Psychic Combo | Increases the damage of Psychic-type combos. | 10% / 60% / 90% | Duosion, Deoxys (Attack Forme) |
| Any-Type Combo | Increases the damage of combos of any type. | 40% / 40% / 40% | Deoxys (Attack Forme), Zygarde (50% Forme), Hoopa (Unbound), Tapu Koko |
| Normal Combo | Enormously increases the damage of Normal-type combos. | 20% / 60% / 80% | Smeargle, Arceus |
| Poison Combo | Increases the damage of Poison-type combos. | 40% / 60% / 80% | Croagunk, Tentacruel |
| Paralyze Combo | Increases the damage dealt by combos if the opponent is paralyzed. | 40% / 60% / 100% | Pikachu (Kimono), Ampharos, Tornadus (Incarnate Forme), Elgyem |
| Sleep Combo | Increases the damage dealt by combos if the opponent is asleep. | 40% / 60% / 100% | Pikachu (Imperial), Stunfisk, Tangrowth, Weavile |
| Relentlessness | Increases the damage dealt by combos if the opponent has a status condition. | 70% / 80% / 100% | Swalot, Serperior, Thundurus (Incarnate Forme), Unown (C Form) |
| Horde | The more there are, the more damage is dealt. | 20% / 60% / 80% | Heracross, Volbeat, Vanillite (Party), Cottonee (Wink) |
| Horde+ | Greatly increases damage depending on the number. | 15% / 40% / 80% | Cherubi (Wink), Sawsbuck (Winter Form), Female Unfezant, Wishiwashi |
| Counter | The more Disruptions there are, the more damage is dealt. | 25% / 75% / 100% | Liepard, Poochyena, Aegislash, Spinda |
| Counter+ | Greatly increases damage depending on the number of Disruptions. | 25% / 50% / 100% | Pikachu Event (Mushroom Picking), Servine, Alolan Muk, Deoxys (Defense Forme) |
| Synergy | The more there are, the more damage is dealt. | 25% / 70% / 90% | Porygon2 |
| Rally | The more Pokémon of the same type there are on the board, the more damage is dealt. | 5% / 40% / 60% | Pikachu (Happy), Sudowoodo, Purrloin, Alolan Vulpix |
| Fighting Spirit | Damage is proportional to the opponent’s HP. | 15% / 30% / 60% | Ivysaur, Venusaur, Pikachu Event (Uniform), Sceptile |
| Toxic Fog | Damage is proportional to the opponent’s HP. | 25% / 45% / 30% | Crobat |
| Downpour | Damage is proportional to the opponent’s HP. | 25% / 45% / 30% | Pikachu Event (Rainy Season), Psyduck, Castform (Rainy Form) |
| Life Drain | Damage is proportional to the opponent’s HP. | 60% / 70% / 100% | Snivy |
| Hyper Leech | Damage is proportional to the opponent’s HP. | 0% / 60% / 100% | Shiny Xerneas, Shiny Yveltal |
| Ingestion | Damage is proportional to the remaining HP. | 40% / 70% / 90% | Guzzlord |
| Hitting Streak | Increases damage if used several times in a row. | 60% / 100% / 100% | Male Meowstic, Female Meowstic, Zoroark, Blaziken |
| Hitting Streak+ | Greatly increases damage if used several times in a row. | 60% / 60% / 60% | Latias, Latios, Porygon-Z, Ferrothorn |
| Stubbornness | Increases damage if used several times in a row. | 60% / 100% / 100% | Pikachu Event (Artist), Marowak, Aurorus, Carbink |
| Stubbornness+ | Greatly increases damage if used several times in a row. | 30% / 80% / 100% | Corsola, Male Hippowdon, Granbull, Golem |
| Expansion | Greatly increases damage if used several times in a row. | 20% / 50% / 100% | Chansey (Wink), Granbull (Wink), Empoleon |
| Serial Assault | The more this skill is used, the more damage it deals. | 100% / 100% / 100% | Eevee, Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon |
| Venom | Increases damage if used several times in a row. | 50% / 100% / 100% | Seviper, Tentacool |
| Grounding | Increases damage against Flying, Bug and Fairy types. | 20% / 40% / 100% | Reuniclus, Girafarig |
| Assault | Increases damage if the attack is not very effective. | 50% / 100% / 100% | Persian, Snorlax, Rhyhorn |
| Rock Break | Always removes one breakable Rock. | 100% / 100% / 100% | Taillow, Hawlucha, Cubone, Kyogre |
| Rock Break+ | Sometimes removes three breakable Rocks. | 50% / 100% / 100% | Squirtle (Wink), Raichu (Wink), Sawk, Entei |
| Rock Break++ | Sometimes removes five breakable Rocks. | 40% / 100% / 100% | Kangaskhan, Munchlax, Shelgon, Manaphy (Wink) |
| Rock Return | Removes two breakable Rocks and increases damage. | 60% / 100% / 100% | Pikachu (Hoenn Cap), Taillow, Snorunt, Mismagius |
| Rock Return α | Removes seven breakable Rocks and increases damage. | 50% / 100% / 100% | Primal Kyogre |
| Cloud Clear | Always removes one dark cloud. | 100% / 100% / 100% | Swellow, Aerodactyl, Larvesta, Gurdurr |
| Cloud Clear+ | Sometimes removes three dark clouds. | 50% / 100% / 100% | Hawlucha, Luxray, Lanturn, Exeggutor |
| Cloud Clear++ | Sometimes removes five dark clouds. | 40% / 100% / 100% | Noivern, Zigzagoon |
| Cloud Return | Removes two dark clouds and increases damage. | 60% / 100% / 100% | Pikachu (Kalos Cap) |
| Block Smash | Always removes one unbreakable block. | 100% / 100% / 100% | Klefki, Ninetales, Bronzor, Bronzong |
| Block Smash+ | Sometimes removes three unbreakable blocks. | 50% / 100% / 100% | Bulbasaur (Wink), Pikachu (Costumed), Swirlix (Wink), Snorunt (Wink) |
| Block Smash X | Sometimes removes five unbreakable blocks. | 40% / 100% / 100% | Togepi, Blissey, Registeel, Zekrom |
| Block Pulverizer | Rarely removes ten unbreakable blocks. | 20% / 30% / 60% | Type: Null |
| Block Return | Removes two unbreakable blocks and increases damage. | 60% / 100% / 100% | Pikachu (Sinnoh Cap), Bronzong, Shaymin (Sky Forme), Gothita |
| Demolition | Removes one unbreakable block and enormously increases damage. | 80% / 90% / 100% | Necrozma |
| Eject | Always removes one opposing Pokémon. | 100% / 100% / 100% | Altaria, Corsola, Marshtomp, Tropius |
| Eject+ | Sometimes removes three opposing Pokémon. | 50% / 100% / 100% | Pikachu Costume (Lugia), Eevee, Vaporeon, Jolteon |
| Eject++ | Sometimes removes five opposing Pokémon. | 40% / 100% / 100% | Manaphy, Cresselia, White Kyurem, Murkrow |
| Elimination | Rarely removes all opposing Pokémon. | 35% / 45% / 65% | Celesteela |
| Send Back | Removes two opposing Pokémon and increases damage. | 60% / 100% / 100% | Pikachu (Alola Cap), Alolan Meowth, Vanilluxe, Rayquaza |
| Dragon Lash | Can remove two opposing Pokémon. | 60% / 80% / 100% | — |
| Barrier Bash | Always removes one barrier. | 100% / 100% / 100% | Chimecho, Slowbro, Buizel, Sigilyph |
| Barrier Bash+ | Sometimes removes three barriers. | 50% / 100% / 100% | Charmander (Wink), Throh, Raikou, Mew |
| Barrier Bash++ | Sometimes removes five barriers. | 40% / 100% / 100% | Pikachu (Confused), Vanillite, Feebas, Reshiram |
| Barrier Return | Removes two barriers and increases damage. | 60% / 100% / 100% | Pikachu (Unova Cap), Swellow, Groudon, Volcarona |
| Barrier Return Ω | Removes seven barriers and increases damage. | 50% / 100% / 100% | Primal Groudon |
| Barrier Annihilator | Rarely removes all barriers. | 20% / 40% / 70% | Yungoos |
| Volatile | Sometimes removes one Pokémon of this species. | 30% / 50% / 100% | Haunter, Farfetch’d, Yamask, Cherubi |
| Volatile+ | Sometimes removes two Pokémon of this species. | 25% / 35% / 100% | Pikachu Event (Pastry Chef), Xerneas, Furfrou, Gothitelle |
| Volatile++ | Rarely removes five Pokémon of this species. | 10% / 25% / 100% | Grovyle, Combusken, Marshtomp, Drilbur |
| Night Strike | Sometimes removes two Pokémon of this species. | 60% / 100% / 100% | Alolan Persian, Shiny Gengar, Aegislash, Giratina (Altered Forme) |
| Hide-and-Seek | Sometimes removes seven Pokémon of this species. | 40% / 50% / 60% | Marshadow |
| Anti-Disruption | Sometimes removes one random Disruption. | 30% / 50% / 100% | Wartortle, Slowpoke, Mudkip, Floatzel |
| Anti-Disruption+ | Sometimes removes two random Disruptions. | 20% / 50% / 80% | Blastoise, Pikachu (Original Cap), Braixen, Milotic |
| Anti-Disruption++ | Sometimes removes five random Disruptions. | 25% / 50% / 100% | Delibird (Party), Snorlax, Shiny Gardevoir, Shedinja |
| Swap | Sometimes replaces one Disruption with this Pokémon. | 30% / 50% / 100% | Illumise, Cottonee, Whimsicott, Petilil |
| Swap+ | Sometimes replaces three Disruptions with this Pokémon. | 25% / 50% / 100% | Sableye, Manaphy, Female Wobbuffet, Pumpkaboo (Costumed) |
| Swap++ | Sometimes replaces five Disruptions with this Pokémon. | 20% / 50% / 100% | Pikachu (Wink), Pikachu Costume (Magikarp), Liepard, Lopunny |
| Transform | Transforms up to three into another Pokémon on the team. | 50% / 100% / 100% | Smeargle, Ditto |
| Rock Maker | Sometimes turns 2 opposing Pokémon on the board into rocks. | 60% / 80% / 100% | Alolan Geodude, Graveler, Rockruff |
| Rock Maker+ | Sometimes turns up to ten opposing Pokémon on the board into rocks. | 25% / 40% / 70% | Onix, Burmy (Sandy Cloak) |
| Block Maker | Sometimes turns 2 opposing Pokémon on the board into blocks. | 60% / 80% / 100% | Alolan Graveler, Beldum |
Our original article Skills and Effects details the skills from the early days of the game.
