Pokemon GOchanged a lot of the core game mechanics from the main series; most notably the flow of battle. Player vs. Player (PvP) battles still work (somewhat) similarly to those in the main series - with an energy system added. During PvE (Player vs. Environment) battles, the game works on a system of cooldown times, energy farming via the use of fast attacks, and spending energy to power charge moves.
In both PvP and PvE battles the key to victory is often selecting the right moves for a Pokemon; specifically, charge moves with a good balance of damage output vs. energy spent ratio. Choosing the best fast (or quick) move is important as well. In fact, the wrong fast move can drastically lower the efficiency of a powerful charge move.
Updated August 12, 2025 by Stephen LaGioia:One of the many great aspects of the ever-fun AR romp Pokemon GO, which gets people up and moving, is a consistent stream of new content, updates, and events. New Pokemon continue to be introduced to the game’s Pokedex (with the game now catching up to the ninth generation). With this comes new fast and potent charge moves that often accompany these additions. Thanks to thephenomenon in gaming known as power creep, these newly introduced charge moves are better than most of the previously available moves. This list has been updated to include four more of the best charge moves in Pokemon GO, as well as one charge move that will hopefully be unlocked very soon.
24Blast Burn
34.29 DPS
This is an incredible Fire-type charge move. Blast Burn boasts ahigh power ratingof 120, and one of the best damage-per-energy ratings inPokemon GOat 2.20. This charge move has two bars, making it a little more flexible in battle. The one drawback of Blast Burn is its longer-than-average cooldown time.
The absolute best Pokemon that uses Blast Burn is Mega Blaziken, which is closely followed by Mega Charizard Y. Other notable Pokemon that can use this move are Typhlosion and Emboar though neither is quite as effective as the aforementioned ‘mons.
23Leaf Blade
28 DPS
Leaf Blade is a Grass-type move, and part of the move-sets of some of the best-performing Pokemon in the Ultra League. Though Frenzy Plant is a better all-around move, it’s also a legacy move for only a handful of Pokemon, whereas Leaf Blade is more easily available.
Leaf Blade has a power rating of 70 in both PvP and PvE; however, in PvP, its energy cost rises from 33 to 35. Itscooldown time is 2.5 seconds,which is fairly fast considering its power and energy cost.Virizion is the best Pokemon that can learn Leaf Blade, but Sceptile and Leafeon can also put it to efficient use.
22Outrage
27.5 DPS
Outrage is a Dragon-type move that can be taught to a long list of Pokemon, most of which are very powerful. It is not always a particular Pokemon’s best charge move due to the available fast moves, but it’s almostalways at least the second best.
Outrage has an incredible power rating of 110, and in PvE costs 50 energy (60 for PvP). Itscooldown time is 3.9 seconds– which is not bad considering how few moves have higher power. Dragonite, Rayquaza, Kyurem (Black Form), Salamence, Garchomp, and Snorlax can all learn Outrage.
21Magnet Bomb
Magnet Bomb is apotent Steel-typemove that is only known to a few Pokemon, and it is thebest charge move for all of them. It has a power of 75 in PvE and 70 in PvP; its energy cost in PvE is 33 and 45 in PvP. This makes Magnet Bomb slightly less efficient in PvP battles.
Itscooldown time is 3 seconds,which is fast for a move with a power that approaches triple digits. Genesect is the best Pokemon that can learn Magnet Bomb, and it is Genesect’s best charge move. Magneton and Probopass also learn this attack.
20Shadow Ball
33.33 DPS
Shadow Ball is a Ghost-type move that is thebest charge move for many of top-tier Pokemon, and it’s refreshingly not a legacy move for many of them. It has a power rating of 100 in both PvP and PvE battles, and its energy cost rises from 50 to 55 for PvP battles. Shadow Ball’scooldown time is three seconds– which is about average.
Giratina (Origin Form) is deadly when using Shadow Ball; as are Gengar, Chanderlure, and Darkrai. It is a legacy move for Mewtwo but is also its second-best charge move after Psystrike.
19Rock Wrecker
31.43 DPS
Rock Wrecker is such a powerful move that only one Pokemon can learn it (Rhyperior), and it is a legacy move for that Pokemon. As the name suggests, Rock Wrecker is a Rock-type move withsome of the best all-around stats in the game.
This attack has a power rating of 110, and an energy cost of 50 in both PvP and PvE battles. Itscooldown time is 3.5 seconds. Rock Wrecker is worth having members of the Rhyperior’s evolutionary line in storage, just in case this move is offered during an event.
18Wild Charge
36 DPS
There are two basic types of charge moves inPokemon GO: those that charge quickly and do less damage, and those that take longer to charge but deliver a more powerful blow. Wild Charge is one of the rare third type of charge move, as it sits somewhere between the other two types.
This attack does more damage than the faster charge moves, butit doesn’t have as long of a cooldown timeas the more powerful moves. It has a2.5-second cooldown timeand a respectable DPS. Wild Charge is one of the most damage-per-energy efficient charge moves in Pokemon GO. The best Pokemon that can learn Wild Charge include Electivire, Magnezone, Raikou, and Zekrom.
17Stone Edge
42 DPS
Stone Edge is adevastatingly powerful Rock-type charge movethat can be learned by a large selection ofalluring, powerful Pokemon. Everything about this move is favorable. It has a great DPS of 42 and acooldown time of 2.5 seconds.It also has above-average efficiency in terms of damage-per-energy spent.
Stone Edge is like Gunk Shot in that it can surprise opponents. As stated, there are numerous Pokemon that can learn Stone Edge. Among the best of these are Regigigas, Heatran, Tyranitar, and Mew.
16Meteor Mash
40 DPS
Meteor Mash is a Steel-type move that isone of the most damaging in the game, yet has a fairly fast cooldown time of 2.5 seconds. Its power rating is 100, and each of its two bars takes 50 energy to fill. This gives Meteor Mash a 2-to-1 damage per energy ratio. Any move with a 2-to-1 damage/energy ratio is worth having a Pokemon learn.
Only two Pokemon can learn Meteor Mash: Pikachu and Clefable. It is much better when used by Metagross due to the additional STAB damage, but it’s also a legacy move for Metagross – unlike Clefable.
15Doom Desire
43.33 DPS
Doom Desire is a powerful (some would say overpowered) Steel-type move. It can only be taught to one Pokemon,Jirachi, and it’s surprisingly not a legacy move. Doom Desire is Jirachi’sbest charge move regardless of which fast move it is paired with.
It has a power rating of 65 in PvE and a power rating of 75 in PvP. Its energy cost is 33 in PvE and 400 in PvP. Doom Desire’scooldown time is 1.5 seconds.This move has a fairly strong DPS ratio inPokemon GOfor an older move, and is almost single-handedly the reason Jirachi is ranked well in the Ultra League.
