Air Cutter in Pokémon: A Comprehensive Guide

air cutter move
air cutter move

Air Cutter is a powerful and versatile move in the Pokémon universe, known for its special properties and tactical uses in battle. Whether you’re new to the series or a seasoned player, understanding how this move works and how to best utilize it can give you a competitive edge.in this guide, we will break down everything you need to know about Air Cutter—from its mechanics and strengths to the Pokémon that can learn it and how to strategically use it in battle.

before diving into this guide, you can check out our other guides like Neuroforce, Ominous Wind, Toxapex Moveset, and Ice Stone, and if you want to generate pokemons with this move, then you can checkout out our random pokemon picker tool.

What is an air cutter?

Air Cutter is a special-type move introduced in Generation III. It belongs to the flying-type category and deals damage to opponents. The move is particularly useful because it comes with some unique advantages that set it apart from other flying-type moves.

Here are the key details about this move:

  • Type: Flying
  • Category: Special
  • Power: 60
  • Accuracy: 95%
  • PP: 25 (maximum 40)
  • Effect: The move deals damage to the target and has a 20% chance to cause a critical hit. Additionally, it is a spread move, meaning it hits all opposing Pokémon in Double or Multi Battles.

The Mechanics of Air Cutter

Air Cutter is known for a few key features that make it a reliable move in certain battle situations:

  • Special Attack: Since it is a special move, it relies on the special attack stat of the user rather than its attack stat. This means that Pokémon with higher Special Attack will benefit the most from this move.
  • Critical Hit Rate: One of the main benefits of Air Cutter is its increased critical hit chance. With a 20% chance to land a critical hit, this move can deal more damage than expected, especially when combined with abilities or items that boost critical hit rates.
  • Double Battle Utility: this move hits all opponents in Double or Multi Battles, making it particularly useful when facing multiple Pokémon at once. It allows players to target two enemies simultaneously, saving time and maximizing damage output.
  • Accuracy: With an accuracy of 95%, Air Cutter is generally reliable but can occasionally miss. While this is a slight drawback, the move’s critical hit potential and spread effect often make it a worthwhile choice.

How Does Air Cutter Compare to Other Flying-Type Moves?

In comparison to other flying-type moves, Air Cutter stands out for a few reasons:

  • Power: Air Cutter has a power of 60, which is relatively modest compared to other flying-type moves like Aerial Ace (power of 60 but with 100% accuracy) and Hurricane (power of 110 but lower accuracy). While Air Cutter may not be the strongest flying-type move, it has its own advantages, especially with its higher chance for critical hits and utility in multi-Pokémon battles.
  • Use in Competitive Play: In competitive play, Air Cutter can be a useful move on Pokémon that have a strong Special Attack stat, especially when they also have the ability to take advantage of its critical hit potential. It can also be a reliable spread move in double battles when you need to hit both opposing Pokémon.

Pokémon That Can Learn Air Cutter

Several Flying-type and other Pokémon have access to Air Cutter, making it a versatile move that can be utilized across different teams and strategies. Some notable Pokémon that can learn Air Cutter include:

  • Pidgeot: As a powerful Flying-type Pokémon, Pidgeot can take full advantage of Air Cutter, dealing solid damage with its decent Special Attack.
  • Crobat: Known for its speed, Crobat can use Air Cutter to hit hard and quickly, especially in double battles where it can target multiple opponents at once.
  • Tropius: With both flying and grass typing, Tropius can utilize Air Cutter to take on opponents that are weak to flying-type moves.
  • Shiny Noibat/Noivern: As a Flying and Dragon-type Pokémon, both Noibat and Noivern can benefit from the move’s critical hit potential, especially in the early stages of the game or competitive battles.

Some Pokémon can learn Air Cutter through leveling up, while others can learn it via TM (technical machine) or Move Tutors. It’s also a great move for Pokémon who might not typically have access to strong flying-type attacks, giving them a solid offensive option.

When Should You Use Air Cutter?

Air Cutter is most effective when you want to strike quickly and reliably, especially in situations where you’re facing multiple opponents. Here are a few scenarios where Air Cutter might be the best choice:

  1. Multi-Battles (Double or Multi Battles): The spread effect of Air Cutter makes it an excellent move in multi-battles. Since it hits both of your opponent’s Pokémon, it helps you deal damage more efficiently in these situations.
  2. Critical Hit Chances: If you’re looking to increase your chances of landing a critical hit, Air Cutter can be a great option. With a 20% chance to land a critical hit, it’s a solid choice when you want to maximize damage without relying solely on high-powered attacks.
  3. Special Attack-Focused Pokémon: Pokémon with high Special Attack, like Pidgeot or Noivern, can make the most of Air Cutter due to its Special category. In these cases, Air Cutter offers a balanced approach for consistent damage.
  4. Early-Game and Budget Moves: If you’re playing through the main story and need a reliable flying-type move, Air Cutter can be a great early-game option. It’s easy to access and provides decent damage without the drawbacks of some more powerful moves, like Hurricane.

Conclusion

Air Cutter is a solid flying-type move with unique advantages, including its increased critical hit rate and usefulness in double battles. While it may not pack the same raw power as other flying-type moves, it can be a great option for Pokémon that benefit from high special attacks and critical hits. Additionally, its ability to hit both opposing Pokémon in multi-battles makes it a strategic choice for certain situations. Whether you’re aiming for more critical hits or simply need a reliable spread move, Air Cutter can be a valuable part of your Pokémon team.