A Charged Attack is one of the two main attacks your Pokémon can use in Pokémon GO. Unlike a Fast Attack, a Charged Attack needs energy before it can be activated. These moves usually deal more damage and can help finish an opponent or force a Protect Shield.
Fast Attacks generate energy that can be used for Charged Attacks. The amount of energy generated depends on the Fast Attack, while each Charged Attack has its own energy requirement. Some Pokémon therefore reach their Charged Attacks faster than others.
How To Use A Charged Attack
Using a Charged Attack is simple once you know what to look for. Follow these steps:
- Enter a Gym Battle, Raid Battle, or Trainer Battle with a Pokémon that knows a Charged Attack.
- Use Fast Attacks by tapping the battle screen.
- Watch the Charged Attack button near the bottom of the screen as it fills.
- Keep attacking until the required energy has been collected.
- When the Charged Attack button becomes available, tap it to activate the move.
- In Trainer Battles, complete the on-screen attack sequence by tapping and dragging through the matching type symbols.
In Trainer Battles, completing the attack sequence accurately makes the move stronger. The interface can change with updates, but the process remains the same: generate energy, activate the move, and complete its sequence.
How To Charge Your Attack Faster
Fast Attacks are the key to using Charged Attacks quickly. Every Fast Attack generates a certain amount of energy, so the move your Pokémon knows can make a major difference. A Fast Attack that produces more energy may allow you to use a Charged Attack sooner, even if it does slightly less damage.
You can check your Pokémon’s moves before battling. Charged Attacks show their energy requirements through bars, while Fast Attacks differ in damage and energy generation.
A Pokémon with a fast energy-generating move may reach a low-cost Charged Attack quickly, letting you pressure an opponent repeatedly instead of waiting for one expensive attack.
When Should You Use A Charged Attack?
The best time depends on the battle. In a Raid or Gym Battle, using a Charged Attack when it is ready can help you deal damage efficiently. Trainer Battles require more planning.
You do not always need to fire the move immediately. Sometimes, saving energy is smarter. You can continue using Fast Attacks after a Charged Attack becomes available and build additional energy for later. This strategy is often called energy farming.
Saving energy can give you several advantages:
- Prepare another Charged Attack for the next opponent.
- Apply pressure when your opponent has fewer Protect Shields.
- Keep a powerful move ready after switching Pokémon.
- Choose between different Charged Attacks when your Pokémon knows two.
There is a limit to how much energy a Pokémon can store, so continuing to attack forever is not useful. You also risk losing the Pokémon before spending the energy you built.
Using Charged Attacks In Trainer Battles
Trainer Battles make Charged Attacks especially important. Your opponent can use Protect Shields to block them, so timing matters. A cheaper Charged Attack can sometimes be useful for encouraging an opponent to spend a shield. A stronger move can then become more threatening later.
If your Pokémon knows two Charged Attacks, both use the same stored energy pool. A second Charged Attack costs Stardust and Candy but gives you more options.
Remember that Charged Attack energy requirements can differ between Trainer Battles and Gym or Raid Battles. Always check the move information for the battle type you are preparing for.
