Signature move
A signature move (Japanese: 得意技 signature move) or signature attack is generally considered a move that can normally only be learned by a single Pokémon, evolutionary family, or group of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon within a given generation. However, no consistent definition has been offered by official media.
Starting in Pokémon Sword and Shield, because most Pokémon not in the regional Pokédex are unobtainable, some Pokémon apparently gain or lose their signature moves based on availability, even if that move would otherwise be non-exclusive (for example, Accelgor in Pokémon Sword and Shield is the only Pokémon that can learn Water Shuriken since Greninja is not present in those games).
Most signature moves are learned by leveling up. Despite being signature moves of a particular species, other Pokémon can still sometimes learn the move through other means. Some signature moves can also be inherited via breeding or are known by certain gift or event Pokémon. Additionally, Smeargle can learn most signature moves via its own signature move, Sketch.
Terminology
- Main article: Terminology of signature moves
From Generation VI onwards, the term "signature move" has been often used on the Pokémon.com website. It is also mentioned in Pokémon Sword, Shield, and GO.
In the fandom, this has sometimes been used referring to moves that are used by a single Pokémon, evolutionary family, or group of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon within a given generation, with several moves gaining or losing the "signature move" status between generations.
While there is no official definition, based on the official uses of "signature move" so far, this term may permanently refer to moves that, at the time of their introduction, were only usable by a single species or certain related species. For instance, Sacred Fire has been still referred as Ho-Oh's signature move even after this move became available for Entei as well. Conversely, moves that became available to a single species later than the move's introduction (such as Unown's Hidden Power) have not been officially referred to as "signature moves".
In particular, Bolt Beak has been mentioned as the signature move of Dracozolt and Arctozolt, and Fishious Rend as the signature move of Dracovish and Arctovish. Those Pokémon are related via their fossils but not by evolution. Conversely, there is no known official usage of "signature move" referring to moves usable by multiple Pokémon of the same evolutionary family (such as Volt Tackle, usable by Pichu, Pikachu, and Raichu) or by Pokémon of the same group of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon (such as Sacred Sword, usable by the Swords of Justice).