From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.
Perish Song (Japanese: ほろびのうた Perish Song) is a non-damaging Normal-type move introduced in Generation II.
Effect
All Pokémon on the field when Perish Song is used gain a perish count, except Pokémon with the Ability Soundproof and Pokémon that already have a perish count. Starting at 4 on the turn Perish Song is used, the perish count decreases by 1 at the end of each turn (including the turn Perish Song was used). When a Pokémon's perish count reaches 0, it faints.
Perish Song is a sound-based move.
Perish Song bypasses accuracy checks to always hit. Perish Song affects Pokémon even if they are behind a substitute or protected (even if protected by Crafty Shield). Since Perish Song causes a Pokémon to faint without inflicting damage, it is unaffected by effects such as Focus Sash, Magic Guard, and Sturdy.
If a Pokémon is switched out, its perish count is removed. However, if a Pokémon switches out with Baton Pass, its perish count is transferred to the Pokémon switched in (even if it has the Ability Soundproof). In Rotation Battles, if the Pokémon is rotated out, the perish count remains but does not decrease until that Pokémon is rotated back in.
If Perish Song becomes an Electric-type move (i.e. due to Ion Deluge, Plasma Fists, or Galvanize), Pokémon with Volt Absorb, Lightning Rod, or Motor Drive are immune to it, and Perish Song causes the Abilities to activate accordingly. If Perish Song becomes a Water-type move (i.e. due to Liquid Voice), Pokémon with Water Absorb, Storm Drain, or Dry Skin are immune to it, and the Abilities will activate accordingly.
Perish Song can be used as the second move of a Pokémon Contest combination, with the user gaining 2 bonus appeal points if Mean Look or Sing was used in the previous turn. It is also part of a Contest Spectacular combination, with the user gaining an extra three appeal points if any of the moves Block, Mean Look, or Spider Web were used in the prior turn.
If powered up with a Normalium Z into Z-Perish Song, all of the user's lowered stats are reset. Throat Chop cannot prevent a Pokémon from using Z-Perish Song.
Perish Song does not affect Dynamax Pokémon in Max Raid Battles, but does in other battles. Perish Song fails if used in a Tera Raid Battle.
Generation II
If the perish count of multiple Pokémon on the field reaches 0 at the end of a turn, they will faint simultaneously (but messages and animations show up one after another).
Generation III to VII
If the perish count of multiple Pokémon on the field reaches 0 at the end of a turn, they will now faint in the same order they would move in.
Pokémon with Soundproof are immune to Perish Song, including the user.
Generation VIII onwards
Pokémon with Soundproof are no longer immune to their own moves, so if a Pokémon uses Perish Song, it will now gain a perish count even if it has Soundproof. However, other Pokémon with Soundproof are still immune to Perish Song.
Description
|
Learnset
By leveling up
By breeding
Special move
Generation V
| # | Pokémon | Types | Egg Groups | Obtained with | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0104 |  |  | Monster | Dream World - Icy Cave | ||
| Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation. | ||||||
Generation VII
| # | Pokémon | Types | Egg Groups | Obtained with | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0730 |  |   | Water 1 | Field | Hidden Ability Pokémon Bank Primarina | |
| Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation. | ||||||
In other games
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series
Perish Song targets all enemies on the floor, inflicting Perish Song status condition, causing them to faint 3 turns later (unless the status is cured). This move is affected by Muzzled status condition. Being a sound-based move, it is blocked by Soundproof. The move can be reflected by Magic Coat in the Explorers series.
Description
|
In the anime
In the manga
Pokémon Adventures
 Politoed | |||
| The user quietly sings a malevolent melody. After a while, the user and the target both faint. | |||
| Pokémon | Method | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| User | First Used In | Notes | |
 | Politoed quietly sings a song into its opponent's ear. After a while, both the opponent and Politoed faint. | ||
| Gold's Polibo | The Last Battle VI | Debut | |
In other generations
Core series games
Side series games
Spin-off series games
Trivia
- The move could be a reference to the tritone, a musical interval also known as Diabolus in musica (Devil in music), since it was believed that when it was used, the devil got into the notes; this explains why the move has the effect of making everyone faint after three turns, its name, and the fact its animations feature musical notes changing their color to black.
- Perish Song displays animation when displaying the counter, as well as when it drops to zero, in Pokémon Battle Revolution.
Perish Song animation when displaying the counter in Battle Revolution
Perish Song dropping to zero in Battle Revolution
In other languages
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