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Arguably the most situationally useful of the status conditions that can be found inPokemon Sword & Shield, Flinching prevents an afflicted pokemon from making a move for 1 turn with no after-effects. It can only be applied to a pokemon that has not moved yet in a turn, meaning that only the fastest pocket monsters can usually make use of this status condition against foes. However, there are Priority Moves that apply the Flinching status condition that slower pokemon can make use of for the same advantage.
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Flinching cannot often be relied upon to defeat enemies by itself in aPokemonbattle, though, it can be a great tool to enhance other tactics or to hinder the foe at frequent intervals. Its usage and mechanics have changed a bit over the years until the release ofPokemon Sword & Shield, so trainers should be sure to brush up on the modern data pertaining to Flinching before putting together any builds featuring it heavily.
Flinching Throughout The Generations Of Main Series Pokemon Games
Flinching In Generation 1 Pokemon Games
In this early generation, there were only 3 moves that could cause Flinching: Bite, Stomp, and Bone Club. How things worked is that if a pokemon using one of these moves acts first in a turn, if their attack hits, there will be a set percentage chance (see table below for exact figures) that Flinching will occur and will leave the opponent unable to act on their turn.
Flinching In Generation 2 Pokemon Games
When items were introduced in Generation 2, things got more interesting for Flinching mechanics. Holding the item King’s Rock grants its holder a 12% chance to cause Flinching with almost any attacking move (as long as the attacker moves first, of course).
In an oversight, pokemon that are asleep or frozen cannot be affected by Flinching, though this is only in Generation 2 games. This means that it is impossible to interrupt a sleeping pokemon before it can use Sleep Talk or Snore.
Flinching In Generation 3 Pokemon Games
Pokemon holding King’s Rock now only have a 10% chance to cause Flinching with moves affected by this item.
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Flinching In Generation 4 Pokemon Games
The item Razor Fang was added to the game, though, its effect is identical to King’s Rock. Both of these held items possess a 10% chance to cause Flinching, as in the Generation 3 games, and will for all future generations mentioned.
Flinching In Generation 5 Pokemon Games
The list of moves that get affected by King’s Rock’s and Razor Fang’s effects has been changed. It now encompasses every damage-dealing move that does not already have a chance to cause Flinching.
Flinching In Generation 6, Generation 7, & Generation 8 Pokemon Games
After Generation 5, there were no more changes made to the Flinching status condition.
Fake Out
100%
Has +3 Priority and only works on the user’s 1st turn in battle
Fling
Only causes Flinching if the user is holding either King’s Rock or Razor Fang
30%
A damage-dealing special move
A damage-dealing physical move
Double Iron Bash
Unlike every other multi-hit move, both hits of this one have separate chances of causing Flinching
Low Kick
Only can cause Flinching in Generation 1 and Generation 2 games
Was not able to cause Flinching in Generation 1 games
Secret Power
Can only cause flinching when in or on the following locations:
Sky Attack
Was not able to cause Flinching in Generation 1 and Generation 2 games
Only works if the user is asleep
20%
Twister
Can hit targets during the semi-invulnerable phases of the moves Fly, Bounce, and Sky Drop
Waterfall
Was not able to cause Flinching in Generation 1, Generation 2, and Generation 3 games
10%
