Signature move

File:Reshiram Zekrom Blue Flare Bolt Strike artwork.png
A **signature move** (Japanese: **専用技** *exclusive move*) is a move that can only be learned by a single Pokémon, or its evolutionary relatives usually in the same evolutionary line, as well as usually by Smeargle using Sketch. Most signature moves are learned by leveling up, but some can be learned through other means when no Pokémon can learn the move through the aforementioned process. Additionally, some of these signature moves can be passed down via breeding to other Pokémon or are known by certain event Pokémon.

## One-off signature moves

 File:Victini event moves.png
This is a list of signature moves that at only one point, another Pokémon had the ability to acquire:

* A Dratini that knows **Extreme Speed** is obtainable in Pokémon Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver after correctly answering a quiz in the Dragon's Den. Any Dratini received in this way is capable of passing down Extreme Speed since it is also an egg move for Dratini.
* An Egg will be given by the Day-Care Man in Pokémon Crystal that hatches into a random baby Pokémon that knows **Dizzy Punch**.
* A Skitty with **Pay Day** can be obtained from a special Egg after depositing 500 Pokémon in Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire from a Game Boy Advance game pak.
* After Lugia from Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness has been purified, it learns **Psycho Boost** and **Feather Dance**.
* After Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres from Pokémon XD have been purified, they all learn **Extrasensory**.
* A Darkrai with **Roar of Time** and **Spacial Rend** was available as a special giveaway to commemorate the 10th movie.
* An Arceus with **Roar of Time**, **Spacial Rend**, and **Shadow Force** was available as a special giveaway to commemorate the 12th movie.
* A Victini with **Fusion Flare** and **Fusion Bolt** was available as a special giveaway to commemorate the 14th movie.
* A Victini with **Glaciate**, **Bolt Strike**, and **Blue Flare** was available as a special giveaway to celebrate Christmas 2012.

## Other signature move examples

### TM/HM or Move Tutor that are exclusive by level-up

* In Generation I, Squirtle and its evolutionary relatives are the only Pokémon to learn **Skull Bash** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM40.
* In Generation I, Abra and its evolutionary relatives are the only Pokémon to learn **Teleport** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM30.
* In Generation I, Machop and its evolutionary relatives are the only Pokémon to learn **Submission** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM17.
* In Generation I, Gastly and its evolutionary relatives are the only Pokémon to learn **Dream Eater** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM42.
* In Generation I, Hitmonchan is the only Pokémon to learn **Counter** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM18.
* In Generation I, Mr. Mime is the only Pokémon to learn **Substitute** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM50.
* In Generation I, Moltres is the only Pokémon to learn **Sky Attack** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM43.
* Goldeen and Seaking are the only Pokémon to learn **Waterfall** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through HM from Generation II onward.
* Prior to Pokémon Yellow, Scyther is the only Pokémon to learn **Double Team** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM32.
* In Pokémon Yellow, Pikachu is the only Pokémon to learn **Thunderbolt** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn in through TM24.
* In Generation II, Grimer and Muk are the only Pokémon to learn **Sludge Bomb** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM36.
* In Generation II, Unown is the only Pokémon to learn **Hidden Power** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM10. Hidden Power is also the only move Unown can learn.
* Prior to Generation III, Diglett and Dugtrio are the only Pokémon to learn **Dig** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM28.
* In Generation III, Sunflora is the only Pokémon to learn **Bullet Seed** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM09.
* In Generation III, Nuzleaf is the only Pokémon to learn **Torment** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM41.
* In Generation IV, Jynx and Smoochum are the only Pokémon to learn **Avalanche** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM72.
* Buneary is the only Pokémon to learn **Frustration** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM21.
* Lopunny is the only Pokémon to learn **Return** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM27.
* In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Misdreavus is the only Pokémon to learn **Pain Split** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through Move Tutor.
* Prior to Generation V, Vigoroth is the only Pokémon to learn **Focus Punch** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM01.
* Prior to Generation V, Chimchar is the only Pokémon to learn **Facade** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM42.
* In Generation V, Panpour and Simipour are the only Pokémon to learn **Scald** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM55.
* In Generation V, Pansage is the only Pokémon to learn **Grass Knot** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM86.
* In Generation V, Kadabra and Alakazam are the only Pokémon to learn **Ally Switch** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM51.
* In Generation V, Emolga is the only Pokémon to learn **Volt Switch** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM72.
* Joltik and Galvantula are the only Pokémon to learn **Electroweb** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through Move Tutor in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, and Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
* Prior to Generation VI, Skarmory was the only Pokémon to learn **Steel Wing** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM47 (Except in Generation V).
* Prior to Generation VI, Porygon-Z is the only Pokémon to learn **Trick Room** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM92.
* Yveltal is the only Pokémon to learn **Focus Blast** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM52.
* Chatot is the only Pokémon to learn **Confide** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM100.
* Prior to Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Murkrow and Honchkrow are the only Pokémon to learn **Quash** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM60.
* Prior to Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Yveltal is the only Pokémon to learn **Snarl** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM95.
* In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Audino is the only Pokémon to learn **Secret Power** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM94.
* Since Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Snorunt and Glalie are the only Pokémon to learn **Frost Breath** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM79.
* Prior to Generation VII, Hitmonlee is the only Pokémon to learn **Mega Kick** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM05 and Move Tutor in Generation I and Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, respectively.
* Prior to Generation VII, Volbeat is the only Pokémon to learn **Flash** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through HM05/TM70.
* Prior to Generation VII, Sawk is the only Pokémon to learn **Rock Smash** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM94/HM06 in Generation V and VI.
* Prior to Generation VII, Lucario is the only Pokémon to learn **Power-Up Punch** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through TM98.
* In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Incineroar is the only Pokémon to learn **Throat Chop** by leveling up, but other Pokémon can learn it through Move Tutor.

### Moves commonly associated with certain Pokémon

* Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise are often associated with **Solar Beam**, **Flamethrower**, and **Hydro Pump**, respectively, due to them frequently being depicted using those moves in various Pokémon media (such as the anime).
	+ In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Charizard's trophy states that **Flamethrower** is its signature move.
* Although several Pokémon have been able to learn Sing since its introduction, the move is heavily associated with Jigglypuff due to the Template:An in the anime.
* Electrode are most commonly seen using Explosion, with it being shown to use it most in the anime.
* Until Generation III, Koffing and Weezing were the only Poison-type Pokémon capable of learning **Smog**, and prior to Generation VII were the only Poison-type Pokémon to learn the move by level-up.
* Jolteon and Vaporeon's signature moves are said to be **Pin Missile** and **Acid Armor**, respectively. Both abilities are alluded to in both Pokémon's various Pokédex entries. However, many Pokémon learn both moves by leveling up, and some through breeding.
	+ Likewise, Umbreon's **Moonlight** matches Espeon's **Morning Sun**, though others can learn it even in its introductory generation.
* Ditto has **Transform** as its only move and is most associated with it; however, Mew is also able to learn it.
* In the anime, Steelix have been commonly seen to be using the move **Iron Tail**.
* Although **Megahorn** was no longer Heracross's signature move starting in Generation III, it was still the only Bug Pokémon that could learn the move prior to Generation V.
* Suicune, being known as the Aurora Pokémon, is associated with the move **Aurora Beam**.
* Although **Blaze Kick** was no longer Blaziken's signature move from Generation III, it remains the only Fire-type Pokémon to learn it by level up.
* Castform was the only Pokémon capable of learning **Weather Ball** prior to Generation IV. However, due to Shadow moves only being present in Generation III, it remains the only Pokémon capable of taking advantage of Weather Ball's ??? effect during Shadow Sky.
* Although Clefairy can learn **Meteor Mash** by leveling up in any Generation III game, the only Pokémon that could have it legitimately before release of FireRed and LeafGreen were Metang and its evolved form, Metagross.
* Lucario is usually associated with **Aura Sphere** and **Force Palm**, but eleven Pokémon (including Lucario) can learn Aura Sphere in total plus two with Riolu from Almia and Raikou from an event, in addition to the Squirtle family through breeding. Twelve Pokémon (including Lucario) can learn Force Palm. In Generations V, VI, and VII, Lucario and the Mienshao family are the only Fighting-type Pokémon to learn Aura Sphere by leveling up.
	+ Lucario no longer learns Force Palm in Generation VI (although Riolu can still learn it).
* Each of Rotom's forms has its own signature move that cannot be carried over to any of its other forms. However, none of these five moves are exclusive to it.
* No Pokémon can learn **V-create** outside of event distributions. Victini was the first to gain access to it and is often associated with the move. However, later, a Rayquaza with V-create was available as the winner of a popularity poll held in Japan in 2011, making it no longer Victini's signature move.
* The move **Razor Shell** is tied to Oshawott's evolutionary line, although it can also be learned by Shellder, Binacle, Barbaracle, Corphish, Crawdaunt, and Golisopod.
* The Venipede family are the only Pokémon besides Golem and Guzzlord which can learn **Steamroller**.
* In Generation V, **Sacred Sword** was exclusively learned by the Swords of Justice, being a signature move of a Legendary group rather than an evolutionary family.
	+ Similarly, **Fusion Flare** and **Fusion Bolt** are exclusively learned by Reshiram and White Kyurem, and Zekrom and Black Kyurem, respectively. Kyurem's forms are the result of absorbing Reshiram or Zekrom, and thus gain some of their traits and powers.

## In the anime

 File:Black Arachnid Meowth Pay Day.png
In the anime, it is uncommon for specific moves to be explicitly stated to be exclusive to a certain Pokémon species.

Although some moves were occasionally referred to as a Pokémon's "special attack" during the original series, in most of these cases, the move in question actually wasn't that Pokémon's signature move. A notable exception to this was in *Holiday Hi-Jynx*, where Template:Ash's Pokédex correctly referred to Lovely Kiss as the "special attack" of Jynx.

The concept was also mentioned during a quiz challenge in *Classroom Training!*, where Candice stated that Pay Day could only be learned by Meowth.

## See also

* Game-exclusive moves
* Signature Ability

Template:Project Moves and Abilities notice

de:Spezialattacke
es:Movimiento característico
fr:Capacité signature
it:Mossa esclusiva
ja:専用技
zh:专用招式