Kowtow Cleave Added to Pokémon GO: Kingambit Stats and Meta Analysis

The arrival of the Paldea region's most anticipated evolutionary lines continues with formal moveset configurations hitting the live code. Ahead of the scheduled Pawniard Community Day, Niantic pushed the complete combat values for Kowtow Cleave, the signature Dark-type attack of Kingambit.

Following defensive considerations covered in our Sableye weakness and raid counter guide, understanding energy pacing and damage brackets dictates whether a debuting signature move can transform its user into an immediate meta pillar.

Below is the technical evaluation of Kowtow Cleave's datamined metrics across Trainer Battles and Raid encounters.

Datamined Stats: Kowtow Cleave in Pokémon GO

The newly pushed backend values place Kowtow Cleave in an elite performance bracket for charged utility:

Trainer Battles (PvP)

• Attack Type: Dark

• Base Power: 75.0

• Energy Cost: -40 Energy

• Damage Per Energy (DPE): 1.875

Gyms & Raids (PvE)

• Attack Type: Dark

• Base Power: 85.0

• Energy Cost: -50 (Two-bar Charged Move)

• Move Duration: 2000 ms (2.00 seconds)

• Damage Window Start: 1300 ms (1.30 seconds)

• Damage Window End: 1900 ms (1.90 seconds)

PvP Impact: Why Kowtow Cleave Is Elite

In Trainer Battles, moves that break past 1.80 DPE at or below 40 energy are exceptionally rare. At 75 damage for just 40 energy, Kowtow Cleave immediately draws direct comparisons to premier meta-defining attacks:

• Pacing Comparison: Kowtow Cleave effectively clones the profile of top-tier moves like Foul Play and Fly, but with boosted base power, surpassing standard 70-damage benchmarks.

• Master League Profile: Kingambit's dual Dark and Steel typing gives it extensive defensive resistances, particularly against ubiquitous Dragon, Ghost, Psychic, and Steel types.

• Shield Pressure: Pairing low energy costs with Fast Moves like Snarl or Metal Claw means Kingambit can reach Kowtow Cleave in mere seconds, forcing shields early or dealing lethal neutral damage to core staples like Mewtwo, Giratina (Origin), and Dawn Wings Necrozma.

PvE Performance: A Reliable Raid Asset

In Gym and Raid battles, a 2.0-second cooldown paired with a two-bar 50-energy split ensures minimal animation lock.

While Kingambit may not surpass top-tier shadows or Mega Tyranitar in pure DPS calculations, its Steel sub-typing grants it vast survivability against common raid boss charge moves. The fast 1.30-second damage activation allows players to dodge incoming boss attacks smoothly without getting stuck mid-animation, positioning Kingambit as an anchor in long raid runs.

Evolution Requirements and Community Day Timing

To secure Kowtow Cleave on your Kingambit:

1. Evolution Path: Evolve Pawniard into Bisharp, then complete the battle-task requirement to trigger the final evolution into Kingambit during the official Community Day event window.

2. Move Window: Evolutions completed within the scheduled event hours (and during the standard post-event grace period) learn Kowtow Cleave automatically without requiring an Elite Charged TM.

3. Preserve High-IV Candidates: Because Kingambit's maximum CP exceeds 4,000 at Level 50, prioritize evolving Pawniards with 15 Attack spreads for Master League and high-tier PvE rosters.