Shikamaru is a very skilled ninja with an intellect in IQ of over 200. Asuma noted that this is beyond genius and probably the smartest ninja in the Konohagure. It can also be said that Shikamaru is very skillful at dodging attacks, as seen in his unfinished but nevertheless "won" battle against Temari. This is most prominently seen in Part II when he evades all three of Tayuya's Doki Demons and the Akatsuki member Kakuzu. Shikamaru displays his talents only later in the second part of the Chunin exams. His primary supporting move is the Shadow Possession Technique. After the time skip that leads into part 2, Shikamaru also learns the Shadow Sewing Technique and many other shadow related jutsu as well as the ability to simultaneously use them in astonishing coordination, and even learning to use Asuma's Trench Knives and seemingly increases his intellect, now even being able to defeat a member of Akatsuki single handedly.It might be noted that in each of his previous battles, Shikamaru makes use of strategy & planning instead of outright battle.This enables him to defeat many ninja who , according to him, "Cannot use their head."
