Grass-type Pokémon sometimes get a bad rap. Tied with Rock for the greatest number of type weaknesses at five, many players see them as flimsy and delicate. What's more, Grass also tied with Bug-type for the greatest number of types that resist their attacks, with seven.
However, despite their disadvantages, there's no reason these Pokémon can't become powerful allies to any Trainer. One of the best ways to make any Pokémon great is to choose the right move set. To help players narrow down the best choices, here's a list of the most powerful Grass-type move from each generation (excluding Z-Moves and Max Moves), ranked from worst to best.
8 Gen VIII: Grav Apple
Flapple's signature move has 100% accuracy and a decent base power, at 80. When the move Gravity is in effect, its power increases to 120. However, since Flapple cannot learn Gravity, this power increase is fairly difficult to purposefully create.
In future games, it may be interesting to see if other Pokémon will be able to learn Grav Apple that can also learn Gravity, and make better use of this unique feature. However, for the time being, its comparatively low base power has a hard time standing up to the other moves on this list.
7 Gen V: Grass Pledge
With 80 base power, Grass Pledge is a decent move in its own right; however, its true power comes in double and triple battles. If an ally Pokémon uses Fire Pledge or Water Pledge, whichever move goes first will, instead of dealing damage, boost their ally's move to 150 power and add an additional affect.
Trainers can use these three moves together to become a master of double and triple battles. However, this is a relatively niche situation, as double and triple battles are an exception to the norm. In usual circumstances, Grass Pledge is a regular damage-dealing move with 80 power—effective, but not devastating.
6 Gen II: Giga Drain
Despite its base power of only 75, Giga Drain ranks here because of its HP-stealing effect. Depleting the target's health while replenishing the attacker's, this move is a favorite of many Grass-type users. At 100% accuracy and 10 PP, it's a great choice for Trainers in a tough spot.
Though 75 base power does respectable damage, it is the weakest out of the moves on this list. Giga Drain doesn't boast the massive power that some of the moves to come do, but it's still worth learning for any Pokémon that can.
5 Gen VI: Petal Blizzard
With 90 base power and 100% accuracy, Petal Blizzard also boasts more uses than most moves listed here, at 15 PP. Like several attacks on this list, it will harm all adjacent Pokémon, including allies, in double and triple battles. In normal circumstances, though, this whirling storm of petals makes a fantastic attack.
Despite being a physical move, most Pokémon who can learn this move have higher Special Attack, making Special moves a potentially better choice. However, Petal Blizzard's high base power still makes it a move worth using, especially for high-Attack Pokémon like Lurantis.
4 Gen IV: Leaf Storm
With 130 base power, Leaf Storm is an undeniably powerful move, especially considering its decent 90% accuracy. It's an ace in the hole for Grass-type Pokémon, as a large number of them can learn this attack by level-up or by TR.
However, Leaf Storm does come with a catch. It lowers the user's Special Attack by two stages, meaning that its power decreases sharply every time it's used in the same battle. Thus, it's best used only once or twice per fight, along with moves or items that boost Special Attack.
3 Gen III: Frenzy Plant
With 150 base damage and 90% accuracy, Frenzy Plant is objectively the most powerful attack in any Grass-type starter's move pool. Not only that, but it boasts the highest damage of any move on this list. However, like many powerhouse moves, it comes with its consequences.
The main drawbacks of this attack are its recharge turn and low number of uses. After executing this move, the user must take a turn to rest and regain its energy. Considering its power, though, Frenzy Plant's downsides are fairly minor, and it's worth using at tough moments during tense battles.
2 Gen I: Solar Beam
Though it requires a turn to charge, Solar Beam is worth the wait. With 120 base damage and 100% accuracy, this blindingly powerful attack is one of the best in any Grass-type arsenal. What's more, its charging turn is skipped in harsh sunlight—and many Pokémon who can learn Solar Beam can also learn Sunny Day.
Like most moves on this list, Solar Beam does harm adjacent allies in double and triple battles. Additionally, its power is halved during rain, hail, fog, or sandstorms. However, players can turn the weather tables in their favor with Sunny Day.
1 Gen VII: Solar Blade
Solar Blade is essentially a version of Solar Beam. It requires a turn to charge (negated in harsh sunlight), and its power is halved in rain, hail, and sandstorms. However, its base damage is slightly higher, at 125.
The main distinction between the two is the stat that governs them: Solar Beam is a Special move, while Solar Blade is Physical. This gives Grass-type Pokémon with a higher Physical Attack stat the opportunity to use such a blindingly powerful move. Though Solar Blade's base damage edges out Solar Beam by a hair, both of them are some of the best Grass-type moves across the entire series.