Pokemon: The 10 Strongest Type-Specific Z-Moves, Ranked (2024)

The Pokemon series has continued to add new mechanics to every new generation of the franchise. Generation 7 — that would be Sun & Moon, for the record — added powerful attacks called Z-Moves. There's a Z-Crystal just waiting to be discovered in Alola for each of Pokemon's 18 types, meaning there's plenty of diversity across the board.

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This list will showcase the 10 strongest Z-Moves that trainers in the Alola region can use with their Pokemon per typing. Of all the Z-Moves and all their precious Ccystals, these are the cream of the crop.

Updated February 9th, 2022 by Quinton O'Connor: Z-Moves remain a strictly Alolan affair, so you won't be seeing them out in Galar where Sword & Shield's competitive battling scene still reigns supreme. But with the launch of Pokemon Legends: Arceus, some lapsed fans may complete that game and then look back at entries they may have missed in the past. Sun & Moon, and especially their special editions, are well worth giving a shot in 2022 — and Z-Moves are a big reason why.

10 All-Out Pummeling

Given the sheer physical power of many Fighting-type Pokemon, it's safe to say an All-Out Pummeling delivered by a fully-trained Focus Punch user is going to hit like a Mew-hiding truck. And Focus Punch is truly the move to replace with a Z-Move because you'll never need to worry about your punchy pal "losing their focus" if the opponent moves first.

9 Tectonic Rage

Ground-type Pokemon can control the earth beneath them and this Z-Move will leave every Pokemon save for Flying-types with nowhere to run. Just look at that Pikachu's face up there. It knows.

Tectonic Rage is considered one of the most powerful Z-moves in Sun & Moon, and it's easy to see why, with its high damage and strong typing. If your opponent is about to execute Tectonic Rage and you've got a Fire-type on the field, the odds are officially stacked against you.

8 Subzero Slammer

See Also

Z-Moves: Do's and Don'ts - Smogon University

Let's start by pointing out that the two moves with the highest damage potential, Freeze Shock and Ice Burn, are the signature attacks of Black Kyurem and White Kyurem, respectively. You won't exactly see that legendary fellow often in competitive play, but there are plenty of 180-power moves to go around. Best of all, this Ice-type Z-Move freezes the Pokemon it strikes.

7 Never-Ending Nightmare

This Ghost-type Z-move has a name that would scare away any puny Pokemon. Never-Ending Nightmare is a spiritual force to be reckoned with. Only the best of the best ghost-type Pokemon can use this move, and they must have a strong bond with their trainer.

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Ghost-type moves are usually scary and this Z-move definitely doesn't break the trend. Hopefully, fans will see more powerful ghost-type moves in the future but they'll probably never compare to Never-Ending Nightmare because of its status as a Z-move.

6 Hydro Vortex

Hydro Vortex is the Water-type Z-move in Alola. Its appearance resembles a whirlpool of water rising up to attack the enemy. It's like a Hydro Cannon without the recharge or a Water Spout without the ridiculously low number of candidates. It's good stuff.

Water-type Pokémon have always been powerful because of their ability to manipulate the sea, however, this move takes things to a whole new level. Every Water-type should aim to be able to use this move and create a powerful vortex of water that can put any fire-type in its place!

5 Twinkle Tackle

Fairy-type Pokémon aren't usually the strongest of the bunch, but this Z-Move changes that completely because of its powerful damage and quick speed. Fairy-types will want to make sure to practice using Twinkle Tackle if they hope to take down other more powerful types of Pokemon.

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Twinkle Tackle also has one of the best animations out of all the Z-Moves, which is just another reason why it deserves its spot on this list. Fairy-type trainers should make sure that their Pokemon hold the Fairium-Z when playing the Alolan games. They're really missing out, otherwise.

Interesting aside: technically, the most powerful move to tap into for Twinkle Tackle is Light of Ruin. But Light of Ruin belongs to Eternal Flower Floette alone, and this Pokemon isn't catchable.

4 Acid Downpour

Toxicity is the key word used when describing Poison-type Pokemon. Acid Downpour helps create an even more powerful move for Poison-types that are ready to take their toxicity to the next level. This Z-Move dunks the enemy with a downpour of acid and soaks them thoroughly, dealing a truly terrible amount of damage to the unfortunate victim.

3 Gigavolt Havoc

This one's for you, Pikachu. Gigavolt Havoc is a powerful Electric-type Z-Move. This attack generates powerful waves of electricity and shocks the user's foe into submission.

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The mascot of the Pokemon franchise, Pikachu, is an Electric-type - so the designer of this particular attack knew that they had to create something extremely powerful for the iconic furry mascot and its friends. Most other Z-Moves just can't compete with this one, which is why it deserves a high spot on this list.

2 Continental Crush

Continental Crush is a move that smacks the enemy Pokemon with a giant boulder. Calling down the power of stone on an enemy has never been so satisfying, and the amount of damage it inflicts dwarfs any ordinary Rock-type move. What's more, the number of Pokemon who can learn Head Smash and Rock Wrecker effectively guarantees a 200-power assault.

Pokemon that are extra susceptible to Rock-types are in for a powerful wake-up call when they get hit by this monster of an attack. If you've ever gone from smug to startled when a powerful foe tells their Golem to use Earthquake, imagine that cranked to 11.

1 Devastating Drake

It would have been more than a bit silly if the Dragon-type Z-Move was among the weaker ones. For as long as they've been around — and they've been around since the beginning of the Pokemon franchise — Dragon-types have been associated with catastrophic power. From Dragonite to Salamence, Garchomp to Black & White's box legendaries and beyond, they're the definition of the word "threat."

Devastating Drake follows suit. While it's true that only Dialga can use Roar of Time, there are plenty of Dragon-type moves that can transform this Z-Move into at least a 190 base. Toss in Same-Type Attack Bonus, or "STAB" as it tends to be called, and even the friendliest Dragon will deliver the damage.

NEXT: The 10 Strongest Ground-Type Pokemon, Ranked