What it does
Self-Destruct deals Normal-type physical damage, then the user faints — no exceptions. Even if the move misses or hits a Ghost-type immune target, the user still faints. Against Ghost-types specifically, you take the faint with zero damage output.
The damage isn't boosted by anything special — it's regular Normal-type physical damage multiplied by the user's Attack. In doubles, it hits all adjacent Pokémon — both opponents and your partner.
Compared to Explosion, Self-Destruct has lower base power. Both mechanics are the same: you faint, they take damage.
Who runs it
Snorlax runs it on about 21% of its Champions sets. 110 base Attack means the hit is real — and Snorlax's whole role is to be a durable, hard-to-remove anchor. When that anchor is finally going down, Self-Destruct turns its death into at least one forced response from the opponent.
It's not the main plan. It's the exit clause: if you're getting knocked out no matter what, make sure you trade.
How to use it
The right time to use Self-Destruct is when you know this Pokémon isn't coming back — burned down by status, about to get one-shot, or just no longer able to do its job because the opponent has set up. At that point, one big Normal-type hit is worth more than dying passively to an opponent's attack.
Under Trick Room, Snorlax's base Speed of 30 means it acts first in slow-field conditions. If your team runs Trick Room, Self-Destruct gets priority treatment — you land the hit before the opponent can switch out the target.
Do not use Self-Destruct when the game is still open. Spending a slot for a hit that doesn't clinch the game is just down one Pokémon for no progress.
Tips & strategy
Ghost-types are immune. Check the opponent's roster before committing to Self-Destruct. A Ghost-type switch-in absorbs the whole thing and you lose Snorlax for free.
For held items, Sitrus Berry is common — it extends Snorlax's active time so it can do its main job before exploding. Self-Destruct is the last move on Snorlax's list for a reason: it completes every other role first, then goes out with a bang.