The recent *Pokemon GO* Sparring Partners event has unveiled an exciting new Charged Attack called Upper Hand, specifically designed for Fighting-type Pokémon. While the event’s announcement highlighted the introduction of this move for Scraggy, which appears in one-star raids, it omitted details regarding its evolution, Scrafty.
The Sparring Partners event is scheduled to run from 2 PM to 5 PM local time on April 13, 2025. During this window, players will have the chance to teach Upper Hand to all Scrafty. This article provides an in-depth look at how to acquire Scrafty with Upper Hand and the implications of this new addition.
Ways to Obtain Upper Hand Scrafty in Pokemon GO
There are two primary methods for obtaining a Scrafty that knows Upper Hand:
- Evolve a Scraggy that has learned Upper Hand during the Sparring Partners event.
- Utilize a regular Charged TM on Scrafty to teach the move.
Steps to Evolve Scraggy into Scrafty
To evolve Scraggy into Scrafty in *Pokemon GO*, simply provide it with 50 Candy. If this evolution occurs during the Sparring Partners event, the new Scrafty will automatically learn Upper Hand. However, after the event concludes, the move will be rerolled, and the evolved Pokémon may potentially learn a different move.
If you happen to miss out on a Scrafty with Upper Hand through evolution, fret not! You can still teach this move by using a Charged TM. Be aware that Scrafty comes with various Charged Move options, such as Thunder Punch, Foul Play, Power-Up Punch, and Acid Spray, so it may take a few attempts to obtain Upper Hand.
Evaluating Upper Hand Scrafty’s Effectiveness
Upper Hand boasts a damage output of 70 (or 84 with STAB) and only requires 40 energy to use. This positions it as a formidable offensive move for Scrafty, particularly compared to its previous best STAB option, Foul Play, which delivers 72 damage for the same energy cost.
While Upper Hand enhances Scrafty’s damage potential, it does present challenges. Notably, the loss of Thunder Punch may hinder Scrafty’s ability to counter Fairy types, which are among its greatest adversaries. Additionally, opting out of Foul Play can leave Scrafty exposed to Ghost-type Pokémon.
Simulation analysis indicates that Upper Hand performs notably better only in a 0-0 shield scenario. Given this limitation and the coverage issues it introduces, it may be more strategic to stick with the existing top moveset for Scrafty, which includes Counter, Foul Play, and Thunder Punch.
In other updates, the details for the upcoming *Pokemon GO Fest 2025* have been released, indicating exciting developments on the horizon for players.