What is the Signature Move of Dark Urshifu?
The signature move of Dark Urshifu is Surging Strikes. This powerful Dark-type physical attack hits three times in a row, each strike ignoring the target’s stat boosts from moves like Defense Curl or Iron Defense. This makes it a particularly effective move against Pokémon that rely on boosting their defenses.
Understanding Surging Strikes
Surging Strikes isn’t just a hard-hitting move; it’s designed to break through defensive strategies. Unlike many multi-strike moves, each hit of Surging Strikes bypasses abilities and moves that could otherwise reduce or negate the damage. This makes it a reliable source of damage output, even against bulky opponents.
Move Mechanics and Power
Each hit of Surging Strikes has a base power of 25, resulting in a total potential damage output of 75 if all three strikes connect. While this might seem lower compared to other high-powered moves, the move’s ability to ignore stat changes gives it a significant advantage. Its critical hit ratio is also higher, further boosting its potential to deal considerable damage.
Why Surging Strikes is Unique
Several features distinguish Surging Strikes from other multi-strike moves in the Pokémon world:
- Ignores Defense Boosts: As mentioned, this is the core function. Moves like Iron Defense, Cotton Guard, and even the simple raising of Defense stats via moves or abilities are irrelevant against Surging Strikes.
- Guaranteed Hits: Unless the target uses Protect, Detect, or a similar move that guarantees invulnerability for a turn, all three strikes are guaranteed to hit.
- High Critical Hit Ratio: The elevated chance to land critical hits significantly increases the damage output, making Surging Strikes even more formidable.
Strategic Advantages in Battle
Surging Strikes offers several strategic advantages in competitive battles:
- Breaking Through Walls: Its ability to ignore defense boosts allows it to bypass common “wall” strategies.
- Dealing Consistent Damage: Even if the opponent attempts to increase their defensive stats, Surging Strikes remains a reliable source of damage.
- Exploiting Type Matchups: Combined with Dark Urshifu’s other moves, Surging Strikes can exploit various type matchups to great effect.
- Dealing Significant Damage: If all the three hits are critical, the damage will add up very fast making Dark Urshifu a major threat in battle.
Dark Urshifu: The Pokémon Behind the Move
To fully appreciate Surging Strikes, it’s important to understand Dark Urshifu, the Pokémon that wields it.
Origins and Evolution
Dark Urshifu evolves from Kubfu, a Fighting-type Pokémon, after training at the Tower of Darkness in the Isle of Armor expansion of Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. This path imbues Kubfu with the Dark type, transforming it into the formidable Dark Urshifu.
Characteristics and Strengths
Dark Urshifu is a powerful Fighting/Dark-type Pokémon known for its high Attack and Speed stats. This makes it a dangerous offensive threat capable of quickly dealing significant damage. Its dual typing gives it both advantages and weaknesses in battle, allowing for strategic type coverage with its moveset.
Using Dark Urshifu Effectively
To maximize Dark Urshifu’s potential, consider the following:
- Nature and IVs: Adamant or Jolly natures are typically preferred to maximize Attack and Speed, respectively. Proper IV training is also crucial.
- Held Item: Items like Choice Band or Life Orb can further enhance Dark Urshifu’s offensive capabilities.
- Teammates: Pairing Dark Urshifu with Pokémon that can cover its weaknesses and provide support can significantly increase its effectiveness in battle.
- Move Selection: In addition to Surging Strikes, consider moves like Close Combat, Sucker Punch, and Stone Edge to provide comprehensive type coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the base power of each strike in Surging Strikes?
Each strike in Surging Strikes has a base power of 25. Since it hits three times, the total potential base power is 75.
2. Does Surging Strikes always hit three times?
Yes, Surging Strikes always hits three times, unless the target uses Protect, Detect, or a similar move that guarantees invulnerability for a turn.
3. Does Surging Strikes ignore abilities like Shell Armor?
No, Surging Strikes specifically bypasses stat boosts and moves that raise defense, but it does not ignore abilities that negate critical hits, such as Shell Armor or Battle Armor.
4. Is Surging Strikes a contact move?
Yes, Surging Strikes is a contact move, which means it can trigger abilities like Static or Rough Skin.
5. Can Surging Strikes be used to break Substitutes?
Yes, the first hit of Surging Strikes will break a Substitute. The remaining two hits will then target the Pokémon directly.
6. Is Surging Strikes affected by King’s Rock?
Yes, each hit of Surging Strikes has a chance to trigger the King’s Rock effect, potentially causing the target to flinch.
7. How does Surging Strikes interact with Focus Sash or Sturdy?
If Dark Urshifu uses Surging Strikes on a Pokémon holding a Focus Sash or with the Sturdy ability, the first hit will bring the Pokémon to 1 HP, and the remaining two hits will still connect unless the user has an ability that negates multi-hit moves, or is protected by a move like Protect.
8. What are Dark Urshifu’s weaknesses?
Dark Urshifu, being a Fighting/Dark-type, is weak to Fairy, Fighting, and Flying-type moves.
9. What are Dark Urshifu’s resistances?
Dark Urshifu resists Rock and Ghost-type moves, and is immune to Psychic-type moves.
10. Is there a Z-Move equivalent of Surging Strikes?
No, there is no specific Z-Move equivalent of Surging Strikes. Z-Moves were removed from the game as of the latest generations of Pokémon.
11. Can Surging Strikes be copied by Mimic or Sketch?
No, Surging Strikes is a signature move and cannot be copied by Mimic or Sketch.
12. Does Surging Strikes benefit from Technician ability?
No, the Technician ability boosts the power of moves with a base power of 60 or less. Since each strike of Surging Strikes has a base power of 25, but the total base power of the whole move is higher than 60, it does not benefit from Technician.
13. How does Surging Strikes compare to Rapid Strike Urshifu’s signature move, Surging Strikes?
The only difference between Surging Strikes and Rapid Strike Urshifu’s signature move, Rapid Flow, is the type and the Pokémon who can perform the moves. Surging Strikes is a Dark-type move used by Dark Urshifu, while Rapid Flow is a Water-type move used by Rapid Strike Urshifu. The properties of the moves are exactly the same.
14. What is the best way to counter Surging Strikes?
Using Pokémon with high HP and defensive stats, combined with moves that can cripple Dark Urshifu (such as burns or paralysis), can be effective. Prioritizing type matchups against Dark Urshifu’s weaknesses (Fairy, Fighting, Flying) is also essential.
15. What are some good team compositions that include Dark Urshifu?
Dark Urshifu works well in offensive teams that can apply pressure early in the game. Teammates that can handle its weaknesses, such as Pokémon that resist Fairy, Fighting, and Flying-type moves, are essential. Good examples include Pokémon like Toxapex, Tapu Koko, and bulky Ground-types. Additionally, Pokémon that can provide speed control or status conditions can further support Dark Urshifu’s offensive capabilities.