I have a doubt about moves that cause "flinch"

[Gaea]

Does It only works if my pokemon use it first?
I mean for example if my pokemon is slower than my adversary using (headbutt or any other), will not work? Do I need to attack first for activing the effect?

 

Thanks

[notmudkip0]

You have to hit first for flinching to be possible.

[RyukoNotsunaga]

Moves that can cause flinching need to occur before the opposing Pokémon attacks. If a flinching move occurs after the opposing Pokémon attacks, then it'll act as any other move, with no added effect. The move Fake Out will always hit first, however. So if you wish for a move to cause your opponent to flinch just about every time, with the exception of Pokémon with the ability Inner Focus, I'd suggest learning Fake Out. (It only works on the first turn a Pokémon is on the battlefield, however. So once you use it, that's it until you switch out and back in a Pokémon with Fake Out.) As an alternative, you could give a Pokémon a King's Rock and have it use a priority move like Quick Attack, which will also give you a chance of making your opponent flinch with any damaging move. I hope this helps. :3.

Edited March 12, 2017 by RyukoNotsunaga

[OrangeManiac]

Flinch affects only to the current turn. To be precise you do not need to be the first to attack to be able to flinch and I use double battles as an example.

 

Opposing Pokemon 1 does a move

Your Pokemon 1 does a move

Your Tyranitar uses Rock Slide

Opposing Snorlax can get flinched if you get lucky

 

I used this example to demonstrate you technically don't need to hit first but the fact flinch only occurs in the turn the move was done means that if you hit last then even if you would "flinch" it doesn't really matter in practice because it only works in current turn.

[MrAesir]

You need to be faster than ur target to make him flinch, with the exception of "Fake out" which is a priority move.

[Zehkar]

As the above users have stated, to flinch a pokemon you must attack first.