Fighting-type moves are the cornerstone of competitive Pokemon play, offering crucial coverage against Steel, Rock, Dark, and Normal types. Among the various physical options, Low Kick stands out as a unique, weight-dependent tool. Unlike standard moves with fixed base power, Low Kick rewards players for predicting their opponent's bulk, specifically their physical mass. This mechanic makes it a high-skill, high-reward choice in the current Gen 9 metagame and beyond.

The Fundamental Mechanics of Low Kick

Low Kick is a physical Fighting-type move with a base accuracy of 100%. Its defining characteristic is that its Base Power (BP) is not static; it scales based on the target's weight. Introduced in Generation 1, the move has undergone several mechanical shifts, most notably moving from a flinch-inducing move with 50 BP to the variable power system we use today.

In modern battles, Low Kick calculates damage using six distinct weight tiers. Understanding these tiers is essential for any trainer looking to optimize their move slots. The tiers are as follows:

  • 20 Base Power: Targets weighing up to 9.9 kg (21.8 lbs).
  • 40 Base Power: Targets weighing between 10.0 kg and 24.9 kg (22.0 – 54.9 lbs).
  • 60 Base Power: Targets weighing between 25.0 kg and 49.9 kg (55.1 – 110.0 lbs).
  • 80 Base Power: Targets weighing between 50.0 kg and 99.9 kg (110.2 – 220.3 lbs).
  • 100 Base Power: Targets weighing between 100.0 kg and 199.9 kg (220.5 – 440.7 lbs).
  • 120 Base Power: Targets weighing 200.0 kg (440.9 lbs) or more.

Because many of the most dangerous threats in the competitive circuit—such as Paradox Pokemon, Legendaries, and heavy Steel types—fall into the higher weight brackets, Low Kick often functions as a 100 or 120 BP move with no negative side effects, making it a safer alternative to Close Combat in specific scenarios.

Identifying 120 BP Targets in the Current Meta

To use Low Kick effectively, you must know which Pokemon trigger its maximum damage output. In the current landscape, many top-tier threats are surprisingly heavy. Here is a breakdown of common targets that take 120 BP damage from a well-timed Low Kick:

The Heavyweight Defenders

Steel and Rock types are often the heaviest Pokemon. Tyranitar, weighing in at 202.0 kg, is a classic 120 BP target. Despite its massive Special Defense in Sandstorm, a physical Low Kick from a faster attacker like Meowscarada or Weavile can deal devastating 4x super-effective damage. Similarly, Aggron, Stakataka, and Gigalith all trigger the maximum power threshold.

Paradox and Legendary Threats

Many Paradox Pokemon from the Paldea region carry significant weight. Iron Hands, a dominant force in VGC, weighs 380.0 kg, making it a prime target for Low Kick. Legendary titans like Groudon (950.0 kg) and Kyogre (352.0 kg) are also max-power targets. Even newer additions like Terapagos in its Stellar Form or the massive Archaludon (60.0 kg - wait, Archaludon is actually lighter than it looks, but still hits high brackets) require careful calculation. Actually, Archaludon weighs 60 kg, which only triggers 80 BP, illustrating why knowing weights is vital.

The Super-Heavyweights

Pokemon like Wailord, Mudsdale, and Heatran are consistently at the top of the weight charts. Mudsdale’s Stamina ability makes it hard to take down with repeated physical hits, but a 120 BP Low Kick on the switch can bypass the need for a protracted battle.

Technical Machine 012 and Learnsets in Scarlet and Violet

In the latest Paldean adventures, Low Kick is categorized as TM 012. It is relatively easy to craft once the recipe is unlocked. Trainers need materials from Mankey and Pawniard, both of which are common in the early to mid-game areas.

Natural Learners

Several Pokemon learn Low Kick naturally through leveling up, which is highly beneficial for Nuzlocke runs or early-game progression. Mankey and its evolution line (Primeape and Annihilape) learn it at Level 8. Other notable natural learners include:

  • Hitmonlee: A classic Fighting type that utilizes its long limbs for precision kicks.
  • Conkeldurr: Gains access early, providing a massive power boost to its already high Attack stat.
  • Lokix: The Bug/Dark type uses Low Kick to deal with Steel-type switch-ins that would otherwise wall its STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) moves.
  • Okidogi: One of the Loyal Three, it utilizes Low Kick to complement its Poison/Fighting typing.

TM Compatibility

TM 012 has wide compatibility, extending far beyond Fighting types. Ground types like Sandslash and Quagsire, and even Psychic types like Mewtwo and Mew, can learn Low Kick to catch opponents off guard. This versatility allows for unexpected coverage on teams that lack a dedicated Fighting-type attacker.

Competitive Strategy: Low Kick vs. Close Combat vs. Drain Punch

When building a competitive team, the choice of Fighting-type coverage is often the most debated topic. Low Kick competes directly with Close Combat and Drain Punch.

The Consistency of Close Combat

Close Combat offers a guaranteed 120 BP regardless of the target's weight. However, it comes with the steep cost of lowering the user's Defense and Special Defense. For "glass cannon" attackers like Zamazenta-Hero or Iron Valiant, this is acceptable. But for bulkier attackers who want to stay on the field, the defense drop is a liability.

The Utility of Low Kick

Low Kick provides 100 or 120 BP against the targets you actually need Fighting moves for (heavy Steel, Rock, and Ice types) without the defense drops. It is particularly effective against Kingambit (120.0 kg, 100 BP), Iron Hands (120 BP), and Ting-Lu (120 BP). The downside is its inconsistency against light threats. For example, using Low Kick against a Flutter Mane (0.7 kg) results in a pathetic 20 BP hit, which could cost you the match.

The Sustain of Drain Punch

Drain Punch offers lower power (75 BP) but provides recovery. In a meta where Terastallization can change a target's type mid-turn, the safety of Drain Punch is often preferred. However, Low Kick remains the superior choice for securing KOs on heavy-duty walls that Drain Punch cannot break through.

Advanced Interactions and Weight Manipulation

One of the most complex aspects of using Low Kick involves abilities and items that alter weight. A savvy opponent can neutralize your Low Kick strategy if you aren't prepared.

Abilities

  • Light Metal: This ability halves the user's weight. A Pokemon like Metagross, which normally takes 100 BP from Low Kick, would only take 80 BP if it has Light Metal. Similarly, Archaludon with Light Metal becomes much more resilient to weight-based attacks.
  • Heavy Metal: This doubles the weight. While rarely used defensively, it can inadvertently make a Pokemon more vulnerable to Low Kick.

Held Items

  • Float Stone: This item halves the holder's weight. It is a niche tech choice in Best-of-One ladder matches to weaken Low Kick or Grass Knot damage.
  • Iron Ball: This item doubles the holder's weight. While usually used to reduce Speed for Trick Room or to make Flying types vulnerable to Ground moves, it has the side effect of maxing out Low Kick's power against the holder.

Move Interactions

Low Kick has a unique interaction with the move Dive. If a target is underwater during the semi-invulnerable turn of Dive, Low Kick can still hit them and will deal double damage. While Dive is rare in high-level competitive play, this niche interaction can be a game-changer in specific restricted formats or casual battles.

Best Low Kick Users in the 2026 Circuit

As we look at the current state of battles, certain Pokemon utilize Low Kick better than others due to their speed or ability to force heavy switch-ins.

  1. Annihilape: With its Ghost/Fighting typing, Annihilape is a nightmare to switch into. While Rage Fist is its signature, Low Kick provides immediate high-power pressure against heavy Normal types like Ursaluna-Bloodmoon without sacrificing its bulk.
  2. Meowscarada: As a fast, frail attacker, Meowscarada often runs Low Kick to hit Kingambit or Tyranitar. Since it relies on Protean or Overgrow, it needs the coverage to bypass Steel types that resist its Grass/Dark STABs.
  3. Iron Hands: While it often runs Drain Punch for longevity, offensive Iron Hands variants use Low Kick to win the "mirror match" against other heavy Paradox Pokemon or to OHKO bulky Kingambit variants without the risk of a Sucker Punch trade.
  4. Sneasler: With its incredible Speed, Sneasler can use Low Kick to clean up weakened teams. It particularly appreciates the move’s ability to hit 120 BP against most of its primary checks in the heavy Steel-type category.

Evaluating the Weight-Class Risks

Before locking Low Kick into your moveset, you must evaluate your team's common matchups. If your team struggles with "Lightweight" threats like Mimikyu, Chien-Pao (only 15.2 kg, 40 BP), or Whimsicott, Low Kick will be a dead slot in those games.

However, if your team is constantly walled by the likes of Dondozo (220.0 kg, 120 BP) or Ting-Lu, Low Kick is arguably the most efficient move in the game. It allows you to maintain your defensive integrity while outputting Legendary-tier damage.

In conclusion, Pokemon Low Kick is a thinking player's move. It rewards those who study the Pokedex, understand the physical dimensions of their enemies, and can predict the flow of a match. As the roster of Pokemon continues to expand in 2026, the relevance of weight-based scaling only grows, making Low Kick a perennial contender for the best Fighting-type coverage in the game.