Flinching can be one of the more infuriating battle effects while playing Pokemon. Nobody enjoys having their opportunities to act taken away from them. This is what the 'flinch' condition does, as your Pokemon is forced to remain unable to attack.
Numerous attacks introduced across the Pokemon franchise can cause flinch with varying levels of power and likeliness. Some Pokemon, such as Togekiss and Jirachi, possess abilities that heighten that flinch chance even further. Though bearing that in mind, the question remains for some, which of these attacks is the best to use in battle?
10 Needle Arm: Hitting Them With The Point
Introduced during the third generation of the Pokemon franchise, Needle Arm is a respectable attack learned by a small amount of Pokemon. With a base power of 60 and accuracy of 100, anybody commanding their Pokemon to use this attack stands a good chance of landing a flinch on their desired target.
Despite processing a relatively high flinch chance of 30 percent, the fact that this attack has the grass typing somewhat diminishes its effectiveness due to many types of Pokemon resisting attacks with that element, such as Fire and Steel types.
9 Sky Attack: Striking From Above
A favorite attack among Flying-types before fourth generation's Brave Bird, Sky Attack is an exceedingly powerful attack introduced in Pokemon Red and Blue. Requiring the user to take a turn to charge up, the attack somewhat makes up for this weakness by striking with an astonishing 140 base power.
While only gaining the ability to flinch from third generation onward, Sky Attack's 30 percent chance ensures that any Pokemon that do survive the hit will be forced to remain unable to act.
8 Fake Out: Striking First
One of the few attacks with a 100 percent of causing a flinch, Fake Out is a Normal-type attack first displayed in Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire. Utilized by an abundance of Pokemon, Fake Out boasts the helpful perk of processing priority over other moves. This allows for its use immediately to guarantee a flinch on the first turn of any fight.
Fake Out, however, is only usable the first time the Pokemon is active in battle. Combined with its low 40 base power makes Fake Out a move with a valuable role.
7 Rock Slide: Look Out Below
A reliable Rock-type move for taking down Fire and Flying-types, Rock Slide is a 75 base power attack that has been a part of this series since the beginning. An alternative to the more powerful Stone Edge, Rock Slide's reliable accuracy and 30 percent chance to flinch has turned it into a favorite among some competitive trainers.
These factors are further heightened by its Rock-typing being a consistently good offensive type. Lacking common types that would resist it, Rock Slide is sure to continue as a popular choice for any attacker.
6 Dragon Rush: Rushing Ahead
The staple Dragon-type move of Cynthia's Garchomp, Dragon Rush is one of the most mighty Dragon-type moves introduced into the Pokemon series. With an astounding 100 base power and a 20 percent chance to flinch, this move is set to decimate any opponent unlucky enough to be on the receiving end of this strike.
All these perks are offset, however, by their poor accuracy. Dragon rush only has a hit rate of 75 and, hence, will miss the target a quarter of the time, leaving you vulnerable.
5 Air Slash: Blow Away the Competition
An iconic move among Togekiss with the Serene Grace ability, Air Slash is a Flying-type special attack first introduced in the fourth generation. Among actions that can cause the flinch status, Air Slash is one of the few that is a special attack, allowing it to bypass physical tank Pokemon such as the Ultra Beast Buzzwole.
The Flying-typing is a fine offensive typing, and with its 75 base power, Air Slash is likely to remain a promising move in the repertoire of the Pokemon that can use it.
4 Icicle Crash: Keeping Things Cool
Icicle Crash is one of the more effective physical Ice-type attacks. Possessing a base power of 85, this move hits relatively hard and has a reliable flinch chance of 30 percent. With an accuracy of only 85, its attacking element is helpful.
As Dragon-types are some of the strongest Pokemon throughout the history of this franchise, an Ice-type move that is not only super-effective against these threats but also has a respectable chance to flinch is a force to be reckoned with.
3 Iron Head: Pays To Be Hard-Headed
A Steel-type move introduced during the fourth generation Iron Head is a reliable physical attack in contrast to the less accurate but more powerful Iron Tail. Sporting a flinch chance of 30 percent
and base power of 80, this powerful offensive option is bound to take down any Fairy-type Pokemon that stand in your way.
Given that Iron Head has an accuracy of 100, it can always be counted on to hit its target. In any scenario, Iron Head is a suitable option for your various Steel-type Pokemon.
2 Triple Arrows: A Triple Threat
The signature move of Hisuian Decidueye, Triple Arrows is a formidable move. Not only does this technique have a 30 percent chance to inflict a flinch onto the target, but it also has a 50 percent chance to lower their defense stat.
Combined with its 90 base power and high critical hit chance, this makes for one of the Pokemon franchise's most devastating attacks. Triple Arrows' only weakness is that Ghost-types are immune to it due to its Fighting-type attribute.
1 Double Iron Bash: Double The Trouble
An exclusive attack belonging to the Mythical Pokemon, Melmetal. Double Iron Bash is one of the few attacks that have the multi-hit property. This means that a Melmetal is nearly guaranteed to land Double Iron Bash twice, granting it a base power of 120 and even a flinch rate of 60 percent, as each hit has its chance to stun the opponent.
With this move, Melmetal and their trainers will often be flinch-locking their opponents out of a match as they bash their way to victory.