Surf (move)

Surf inflicts damage and has no secondary effect.

Surf can hit a Pokémon during the semi-invulnerable turn of Dive, and if it does, will deal double the damage.

In a Double Battle, Surf will hit both opposing Pokémon.

Surf can be used as part of a Pokémon Contest combination, with the user gaining extra three appeal points if Dive was used in the prior turn. It can also be used to start a combination, causing Dive to give extra two appeal points if used in the next turn.

Surf will now hit all adjacent Pokémon, including allies.

If Surf hits a Pokémon during the semi-invulnerable turn of Dive, its power will be doubled instead of the damage dealt (resulting in virtually the same effect).

In Triple Battles, Surf will hit all other adjacent Pokémon, including allies.

If Surf hits a Pokémon during the semi-invulnerable turn of Dive, its damage dealt to that Pokémon will be doubled instead of its power (resulting in virtually the same effect).

Surf's power has been reduced from 95 to 90. Surf will also destroy stalagmites found in the background of battles.

If a Cramorant without a catch uses Surf (unless it is Dynamaxed), Gulp Missile activates and it finds a catch.

In all core series games up to Generation VI, Surf is a field move; it can be used outside of battle to travel over bodies of water. When doing so, Pokémon Trainers and wild Pokémon can be encountered. The other field moves Waterfall, Whirlpool, and Dive may only be used outside of battle when the player is surfing. The player is also able to fish for Pokémon while surfing.

Surf is required to complete almost all games where it is usable outside of battle, with the exception of Pokémon Black and White. This move is needed to reach some cities, towns, and ultimately the Pokémon League where the Elite Four reside.

In certain games, Surf requires a specific badge to use outside of battle; the Soul Badge^RBYFRLG, Fog Badge^GSCHGSS, Balance Badge^RSEORAS, Relic Badge^DPBDSP, Fen Badge^Pt, or Rumble Badge^XY.

The speed of Surfing has varied back and forth through games. In Generations I and II, the speed was at the same speed as walking. In Generation III, the speed was increased to running speed. In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, the Surfing speed was reduced to walking speed again. The speed was returned to running speed in Pokémon Platinum.

When Surf is used outside of battle, the surfing Pokémon is controlled by the player. A generic aquatic Pokémon shape is used for most or all Pokémon in a given game. In Generations I and II, the player character is not seen in the surfing sprite; only the Pokémon is seen. Starting in Generation III, the player character is visibly riding the surfing Pokémon as well.

• In Generation I, the surfing sprite used for almost all Pokémon resembles Seel and Dewgong. This is the same generic sprite that represents fifteen Water Pokémon species in the party screen, except the color palette is not the same.
  • In Pokémon Yellow, if Pikachu uses Surf outside of battle, the sprite is a surfing Pikachu.
• In Generation II, the surfing sprite used for almost all Pokémon is a Lapras. This Lapras is red if the player is male, or blue if the player is female. This is the same Lapras sprite used in the party screen.
  • If Pikachu uses Surf outside of battle, the sprite is a surfing Pikachu as well. This Pikachu has a red surfboard if the player is male, or a blue surfboard if the player is female.
• In Generation VI, surfing on Lapras specifically will show the player riding on Lapras instead of the usual generic shape. In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Kyogre, Wailmer, and Sharpedo all have their own surfing models; additionally, Kyogre moves faster and has a larger hitbox, while Sharpedo moves twice as fast as normal but prevents fishing.

Main article: Water tile

In several games, there are water currents where the surfing player is forced to go in a certain direction. They are found in the Seafoam Islands, Hoenn routes 132, 133, and 134, as well as in Unova Route 17.

In several games, there is shallow water and puddles where the player walks instead of surfing. For instance, shallow water is found in the Shoal Cave, and some puddles are found in Hoenn Route 120.

In Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, there are some fast currents at the Sevii Islands where the player is unable to use Surf.

In Generation I, due to a glitch, if the player saves at the Cycling Road and then creates a new game, it will not be possible to use Surf outside of battle (or use the Bicycle) in the new game until the player does any of these things for the first time: blacks out (either in battle or the overworld), uses Dig, Teleport, or Fly outside of battle, uses an Escape Rope, or enters and leaves the Cycling Road.

From Generation VII onwards, Surf is no longer a field move. In Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, its functions are given to the Ride Pokémon Lapras and Sharpedo. In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, the player can use Secret Technique Sea Skim instead. In Pokémon Sword and Shield, the player can travel across water after getting their Rotom Bike upgraded. In Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Surf is usable in the field again, but now it is accessed via the Pokétch rather than a Pokémon.