Greninja, the iconic Water/Dark-type Pokémon, is known for its speed and versatility in battle. Trainers often wonder about the extent of its movepool and if it can learn certain moves. A common question that arises is: Is Cut a Water-type move that Greninja can learn?
To address this directly, Cut is not a Water-type move, and Greninja cannot learn it. Cut is a Normal-type move, typically associated with Pokémon that have sharp claws or blades, which doesn’t align with Greninja’s ninja-frog design or Water/Dark typing.
However, while Greninja can’t learn Cut, it boasts a fantastic array of Water-type moves and other powerful attacks that make it a formidable Pokémon. Let’s delve into the Water-type moves Greninja can learn and explore its overall movepool in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the games referenced in the original data.
Greninja’s Water-Type Arsenal
Greninja has access to several strong Water-type moves, befitting its Water typing. These moves are crucial for its offensive strategy and take advantage of type matchups in battles. Here are the primary Water-type moves Greninja can learn:
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Bubble: This is one of the first moves a Greninja (or its pre-evolutions) will learn. Bubble is aSpecialWater-type move with a base power of 40 and a 100% accuracy. While not the strongest, it’s a reliable move at early levels.
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Water Shuriken: This is Greninja’s signature move and a key part of its identity. Water Shuriken is aSpecialWater-type move that hits two to five times, with each hit having a base power of 15. This move becomes significantly stronger with Greninja’s ability Torrent, and even more so with Battle Bond, turning it into Ash-Greninja’s devastating Water Shuriken. Greninja learns Water Shuriken upon evolution from Frogadier.
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Water Pulse: A strongerSpecialWater-type move that Greninja learns by leveling up. Water Pulse has a base power of 60 and a 100% accuracy. It also has a 20% chance to confuse the target, adding a bit of utility to its damage. Greninja learns this move at level 14.
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Scald: This is a powerfulSpecialWater-type move that Greninja can learn via TM55. Scald boasts a base power of 80 and a 100% accuracy. Its secondary effect is particularly valuable: it has a 30% chance to burn the target. A burn not only deals damage over time but also halves the opponent’s Physical attack stat, making Scald both offensively and defensively useful.
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Surf: A classic and reliableSpecialWater-type move, Surf is learned via TM94. With a base power of 90 and 100% accuracy, Surf is a consistent and powerful option for Greninja. It’s a great choice for both in-game battles and competitive play.
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Waterfall: For trainers seeking aPhysicalWater-type move, Waterfall is available via TM98. It has a base power of 80 and 100% accuracy and also has a 20% chance to make the target flinch. Waterfall provides Greninja with a strong physical Water-type attack option.
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Hydro Pump: The most powerfulSpecialWater-type move Greninja can learn naturally, Hydro Pump is learned at level 68. It has a massive base power of 110, but its accuracy is lower at 80%. Hydro Pump is a high-risk, high-reward move for delivering significant damage.
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Hydro Cannon: For ultimate Water-type power, Greninja can learn Hydro Cannon from a move tutor. Hydro Cannon is aSpecialWater-type move with an incredible base power of 150, but it has only 90% accuracy and requires the user to recharge on the next turn after use. It’s a move tutor move, adding to its exclusivity and power.
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Water Pledge: AnotherSpecialWater-type move available via move tutor, Water Pledge has a base power of 80 and 100% accuracy. In Double Battles, if used in combination with a Fire Pledge or Grass Pledge, it can create powerful combination effects.
Beyond Water: Greninja’s Diverse Movepool
While Greninja excels with Water-type moves, its movepool extends far beyond just Water attacks, making it highly adaptable. It learns a variety of moves from other types through level-up, TMs, move tutors, and breeding. Some notable categories include:
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Dark-type Moves: As a Water/Dark-type, Greninja benefits from Dark-type moves like Night Slash (level-up/evolution), Feint Attack (level-up), Thief (TM), Brutal Swing (TM), and Dark Pulse (TM), allowing it to effectively utilize its dual typing.
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Ice-type Moves: Greninja can learn Ice Beam and Blizzard via TM, and Icy Wind and Ice Punch from move tutors. These Ice-type moves provide excellent coverage against Grass, Flying, Dragon, and other types, expanding its offensive capabilities.
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Psychic-type Moves: Extrasensory (level-up) and Role Play (level-up/move tutor) give Greninja some Psychic-type utility, although these are less common choices compared to its Water, Dark, and Ice options.
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Normal-type and Status Moves: Greninja learns a variety of Normal-type and status moves like Quick Attack, Double Team, Substitute, Smokescreen, Toxic, and more, which can be used for utility, evasion, or setting up strategies in battle.
Conclusion
While the idea of Greninja learning Cut as a Water-type move is a misconception, Greninja is certainly not lacking in powerful and diverse moves, especially Water-type attacks. Its access to Water Shuriken, Scald, Surf, Hydro Pump, and Hydro Cannon, among others, makes it a formidable Water-type attacker. Combined with its Dark, Ice, and other coverage moves, Greninja stands out as a versatile and strong Pokémon capable of adapting to various battle situations. Trainers looking to utilize Greninja’s full potential should focus on these learnable moves to build a truly effective moveset.
