Confusion (move)

This article is about the Pokémon move. For the status condition, see Confusion (status condition).

Confusion
ねんりき Willpower
Confusion IX.png
Confusion IX 2.png
Type  Psychic
Category  Special
PP  25 (max. 40)
Power  50
Accuracy  100%
Priority  {{{priority}}}
  • Does not make contact
  • Affected by Protect
  • Not affected by Magic Coat
  • Not affected by Snatch
  • Affected by Mirror Move
  • Not affected by King's Rock
Target
Foe Foe Foe
Self Ally Ally
May affect anyone adjacent to the user
Availability
Introduced  Generation I
Condition  Smart
Appeal  2 ♥♥
Jam  3 ♥♥♥
Startles the Pokémon that appealed before the user.
Condition  Smart
Appeal  3 ♥♥♥
A basic performance using a move known by the Pokémon.
Condition  Clever
Appeal  4 ♥♥♥♥
Jamming  0  
Quite an appealing move.

Confusion (Japanese: ねんりき Willpower) is a damage-dealing Psychic-type move introduced in Generation I.

Effect

Confusion does damage and has a 10% chance of confusing the target.

Confusion can be used as the first move of a Pokémon Contest combination, causing Future Sight, Kinesis, Psychic, and Teleport to score double the normal appeal if used in the next turn. It can also be used to finish a combination, with the user gaining 2 bonus appeal points if Calm Mind, Kinesis, or Psychic was used in the previous turn.

Generation VIII

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Category  Special
PP  20
Agile Strong
Power  50  40  60
Accuracy  100%  100%  100%
Action speed modifier
Self  0  0  +5
Target  0  +3  0
Additional effect
   ?  ?
   ?  ?
   ?  ?
None

Description

Games Description
StadStad2 A Psychic-type attack. Has a one-in-ten chance of leaving the target confused.
GSC An attack that may cause confusion.
RSEColo.XD A psychic attack that may cause confusion.
FRLG A weak telekinetic attack that may also leave the foe confused.
DPPtHGSSPBR The foe is hit by a weak telekinetic force. It may also leave the foe confused.
BWB2W2 The target is hit by a weak telekinetic force. It may also leave the target confused.
XYORAS
SMUSUMPE
SwShBDSP
The target is hit by a weak telekinetic force. This may also confuse the target.
LA The target is hit with a weak telekinetic force to inflict damage.
SV The target is hit with a weak telekinetic force to inflict damage. This may also confuse the target.


Learnset

By leveling up

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Level
0012    
 
Bug Bug 1, 12RGB
1, 10Y
1, 10 1, 10 1, 10 1, 10 1, 10 1, 11 1 8 8
0048    
 
Bug Bug 19Y 17 17 11 11 11 11 12 11 11
0049    
 
Bug Bug 1Y 17 17 11 11 11 11 1, 12 11 11
0054     Water 1 Field 36 16 16 18 18BW
15B2W2
15XY
11ORAS
10 14 6 6 6 6
0055     Water 1 Field 39 1, 16 16 18 18BW
15B2W2
15XY
11ORAS
10 1, 14 6 6 6 1
0064     Human-Like Human-Like 1, 16RGB
16Y
1, 16 1, 16 1, 16 1, 16 1, 16 1, 16 1 1, Evo. 1, Evo. Evo.
0065     Human-Like Human-Like 1, 16RGB
16Y
1, 16 1, 16 1, 16 1, 16 1, 16 1, 16 1 1 1 6
0077  
Ponyta
Galarian Form
  Field Field 10
0078  
Rapidash
Galarian Form
 
 
Field Field 1
0079    
 
Monster Water 1 1 20 20RSE
17FRLG
15 14 14 14 18 12 12 12
0079  
Slowpoke
Galarian Form
  Monster Water 1 12 12
0080    
 
Monster Water 1 1 20 20RSE
17FRLG
15 14 14 14 18 12 12 12
0080  
Slowbro
Galarian Form
 
 
Monster Water 1 12 12
0096     Human-Like Human-Like 17 18 18RSE
11FRLG
9 9 9 9 9 9 9
0097     Human-Like Human-Like 1, 17 1, 18 1, 18RSE
1, 11FRLG
1, 9 1, 9 1, 9 1, 9 1, 9 1, 9 1
0102    
 
Grass Grass 19 19 27 27 27 27 14 20 20 20
0103    
 
Grass Grass 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0103  
Exeggutor
Alolan Form
 
 
Grass Grass 1 1 1 1
0114     Grass Grass 10
0122    
 
Human-Like Human-Like 1, 15 6 5 1 1 1 1 1 12 12 1
0122  
Mr. Mime
Galarian Form
 
 
Human-Like Human-Like 12
0124    
 
Human-Like Human-Like 12 12 12
0144  
Articuno
Galarian Form
 
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 5 5
0150     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0151     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1
0163    
 
Flying Flying 34 34 21 21 21 10 9 9 9
0164    
 
Flying Flying 41 41 22 22 22 10 9 9 9
0196     Field Field 16 16 15 15BW
9B2W2
9 1, Evo. 1, Evo. 1, Evo. Evo. Evo.
0199    
 
Monster Water 1 20 20RSE
17FRLG
15 14 14 14 12 12 12
0199  
Slowking
Galarian Form
 
 
Monster Water 1 12 12
0200     Amorphous Amorphous 1 6 1
0203    
 
Field Field 1, 7 13 1 1 1 1 5 5
0234     Field Field 5
0238    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 21 21 15 15 15 15 12 12
0251    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0269    
 
Bug Bug 1, 10 1, 10 1, 10 1, 10XY
12ORAS
12 12 Evo.
0280    
 
Human-Like Amorphous 6 6 6 6XY
4ORAS
4 6 6 1 6
0281    
 
Human-Like Amorphous 1, 6 1, 6 1, 6 1, 6XY
1, 4ORAS
1, 4 1 1 1 1
0282    
 
Human-Like Amorphous 1, 6 1, 6 1, 6 1, 6XY
1, 4ORAS
1, 4 1 1 1 1
0307    
 
Human-Like Human-Like 9 8 8 8XY
7ORAS
7 7 1
0308    
 
Human-Like Human-Like 1, 9 1, 8 1, 8 1, 8XY
1, 7ORAS
1, 7 1, 7 1
0325     Field Field 1 7
0326     Field Field 1 1
0337    
 
Mineral Mineral 7 1 1 1 1 1 1
0338    
 
Mineral Mineral 7 1 1 1 1 1 1
0343    
 
Mineral Mineral 1 1 1 1 1 6 6
0344    
 
Mineral Mineral 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0358     Amorphous Amorphous 14 14 14 14XY
1, 10ORAS
1, 10 1, 10 6 1
0368     Water 1 Water 1 8 6 6 6XY
1ORAS
1 1
0375    
 
Mineral Mineral 20 1, 20 1, 20 1, 20 1, Evo. 1, Evo. 1, Evo. Evo.
0376    
 
Mineral Mineral 1, 20 1, 20 1, 20 1, 20 1 1 1 1
0380    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 15 15 15
0381    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 15 15 15
0385    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0413  
Wormadam
All forms
 
 
Bug Bug 23 23 23 23 23 11
0414    
 
Bug Bug 23 23 23 23 23 11
0425    
 
Amorphous Amorphous 1
0426    
 
Amorphous Amorphous 1
0429     Amorphous Amorphous 1 6
0433     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 14 14 14XY
10ORAS
10 10 6 10
0436    
 
Mineral Mineral 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 1
0437    
 
Mineral Mineral 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 1
0439    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1 1 1 1 12 12 1
0475    
 
Human-Like Amorphous 1, 6 1, 6 1, 6XY
1, 4ORAS
1, 4 1 1 1 1
0480     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 21DP
1PtHGSS
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0481     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 21DP
1PtHGSS
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0482     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 21DP
1PtHGSS
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0488     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 1
0489     Water 1 Fairy 6
0490     Water 1 Fairy 6
0493  
Arceus
All forms
  No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 6
0494    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1 1 1 1
0527    
 
Field Flying 1 1 1 5
0528    
 
Field Flying 1 1 1 1
0561    
 
Flying Flying 1
0574     Human-Like Human-Like 3 3 3 1 1
0575     Human-Like Human-Like 1, 3 1, 3 1, 3 1 1
0576     Human-Like Human-Like 1, 3 1, 3 1, 3 1 1
0577     Amorphous Amorphous 1 1
0578     Amorphous Amorphous 1 1
0579     Amorphous Amorphous 1 1
0605     Human-Like Human-Like 1 1 1 1
0606     Human-Like Human-Like 1 1 1 1
0648    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 11 11 1, 11 1
0677     Field Field 9 9 9 9
0678  
Meowstic
All forms
  Field Field 9 1, 9 9 9
0720  
Hoopa
All forms
 
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1 1 1
0765    
 
Field Field 1 1 1
0779    
 
Water 2 Water 2 9 9
0786    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1 1
0792    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1 1 1
0800  
Necrozma
All available forms
  No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1 1 1
0825    
 
Bug Bug 1, Evo.
0826    
 
Bug Bug 1
0856     Fairy Fairy 1 1
0857     Fairy Fairy 1 1
0858    
 
Fairy Fairy 1 1
0866    
 
Human-Like Human-Like 12
0898  
Calyrex
All forms
 
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1 1
0899    
 
Field Field 5
0954    
 
Bug Bug 1
0955     Flying Flying 5
0956     Flying Flying 5
0981    
 
Field Field 5
1015    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1
1023    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.
A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.
An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.


By breeding

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Egg Move
0007     Monster Water 1
0032     Monster Field
0063     Human-Like Human-Like
0114     Grass Grass
0187    
 
Fairy Grass
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.
A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.
An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.


Form change

Generation VII

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Obtained with
0800     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered Having no other movesUSUM
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.
A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.
An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.


Generation VIII onward

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Obtained with
0800     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered Having no other movesSwShSV
0898    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered Having no other movesSwShSV
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.
A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.
An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.


In other games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

Confusion deals damage and may leave the target confused.

Game Base
Power
Max
Power
Base
PP
Max
PP
Base
Accuracy
Max
Accuracy
Range Target Cuts
corners
MDRB 5 - 22 - 100% - Front Enemy No
MDTDS 5 - 22 - 85% - Front Enemy No
BSL 5 - 22 - 85% - Front Enemy No
MDGtI 5 99 18 50 95% 98% Front Enemy No
SMD 5 99 18 40 95% 98% Front Enemy No
With some exceptions, Pokémon learnsets match those from the core series games:

Super Smash Bros. series

Mewtwo uses Confusion as its side special move. The move acts as a grab, ignoring shields while flipping the opponent in midair. Additionally, the move is capable of reflecting projectiles, although they would not damage the initial user of the projectile in Super Smash Bros. Melee. This was fixed in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U.

Pokémon Conquest

 
>
 
Stars: ★★
Power: 29
Accuracy: 100%
Effect: 10% chance to confuse the target
Users:          
Grid assumes the user is in the square marked by > facing to the right.
Orange squares indicate spaces that are hit.
Red squares indicate the knockback on hit Pokémon.
A blue square indicates the user's position after performing the move.

Pokémon GO

  Confusion
Fast Attack
Gyms & Raids
Power 20
Energy boost 15
Duration 1.6 seconds
Damage window 0.6 - 1.6 seconds
 
Trainer Battles
Power 16
Energy boost 12
Turns 4
Eligible Pokémon:
Standard eligibility
                                                                   
By Elite Fast TM
By GO Snapshot
 
As Shadow Pokémon
As Purified Pokémon
Formerly eligible
None

Updates

Gyms & Raids
  • July 30, 2016
    • Power: 12 → 15
    • Energy boost: 7 → 14
  • February 16, 2017
    • Power: 15 → 20
    • Energy boost: 14 → 10
    • Duration: 1.51 → 2.1 seconds
    • Damage window: 1.31 - 1.51 → 0.6 - 1.6 seconds
  • February 21, 2017
    • Energy boost: 10 → 15
    • Duration: 2.1 → 1.6 seconds
Trainer Battles
  • January 31, 2019
    • Power: 12 → 16

Pokémon Rumble Rush

  Confusion
★★
Attack power 47.05378
Charge time 0.9 seconds
Range type Circular (ranged)
Number of hits 1
Number of projectiles 1
Critical hit rate 1.5%
Additional effect May confuse the foe

Pokémon Masters EX

Category Cost in move-gauge slots MP
(uses)
Base Power Max Power Accuracy Target Effect Tag(s) Description Playable sync pair(s)
Special 1 18 21 100% An opponent Has a chance (10%) of leaving the target confused. Liza & Lunatone
Giovanni & Mewtwo (before Mega Evolving only)
Sabrina (New Year's 2022) & Chingling
Sygna Suit Dawn & Cresselia
Lucian & Girafarig
Sygna Suit Hilda & Victini
Bede (Champion) & Galarian Articuno
Elio & Espeon
Scottie/Bettie & Mesprit
Scottie/Bettie & Exeggcute/ExeggutorEgg
Scottie/Bettie & Slowpoke/SlowbroEgg
  • Description prior to Version 2.10.0 (from June 28, 2021): Has a very small chance of leaving the target confused.

Pokémon UNITE

In Pokémon UNITE, Confusion is Mr. Mime's and Gardevoir's first move and Hoopa's second move

Mr. Mime can obtain it by reaching level 4 and upgrading Fake Out into it instead of Psychic. The user fires a wave of psychic energy, damaging and knocking enemies back. Enemies hit into a wall take bonus damage and are stunned for 1.5s. Enemies debuffed by Guard Swap take bonus damage and are stunned, but are not knocked back. At level 11, its damage is increased.

Gardevoir starts with the move as Ralts. The user fires a piercing bolt, damaging enemies. At level 7 at Kirlia stage, the move is replaced by either Psychic or Moonblast.

Hoopa starts with the move. The user unleashes a telekinetic force in the designated direction, dealing damage to the first opposing Pokémon it hits. The telekinetic force clings to that Pokémon and then causes a delayed explosion. The explosion deals damage to opposing Pokémon in the area of effect and decreases their movement speed for a short time. At level 4, this move is replaced by either Hyperspace Hole or Trick.

Description

Games Description
MDRB Inflicts damage on the target. It may also leave the target confused.
MDTDS Inflicts damage on the target. It may also afflict the targeted enemy with a Confused status condition, which makes its movements and attacks go astray.
BSL てきポケモンに ダメージをあたえる しかも いっていのかくりつで こんらんじょうたいにかえる
Conq. The target is hit by a weak telekinetic force. It may also leave the target confused.
MDGtI It damages an enemy. It could also cause the Confused status condition. The Confused status impairs its sense of direction.
SMD It damages an enemy. It could also make the enemy confused.


In the anime

Main series


Pokédex entries

Episode Subject Source Entry
EP182 Confusion Ash's Pokédex Confusion. This powerful Psychic attack confuses an opponent and weakens it as well.

Pokémon Origins


In the manga

Ash & Pikachu


How I Became a Pokémon Card


Pokémon Adventures


  • Blaine's Mewtwo was revealed to know Confusion on the official website, but it was never shown using the move.
  • A wild Dustox was revealed to know Confusion on the official website, but it was never shown using the move.

Pokémon Colosseum Snatcher Leo


Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys


Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All


In other generations

Core series games

Side series games

Spin-off series games

Trivia

  • The English name of this move is semantically dissimilar to its Japanese name, ねんりき Nenriki, which can be translated to mean mindpower. This has been known to cause some confusion when depicted in the English dub of the anime.
  • In the anime, Confusion seems to have exactly the same effect as the move Psychic.
  • A majority of the time when Confusion is featured in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, it causes the Defending Pokémon to be Paralyzed rather than Confused.

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 念力 Nihmlihk *
精神念力 Jīngsàhn Nihmlihk
Mandarin 念力 Niànlì
  Czech Zmatení
  Danish Forvirring
  Dutch Verwarring
  Finnish Sekaannus (Original Series)
Hämmennys (Advanced Generation)
  French Choc Mental
  German Konfusion
  Greek Σύγχυση Sýgchysi
  Hindi चक्रादों Chakraado, Uljhan me daalna
  Italian Confusione
  Korean 염동력 Yeomdongnyeok
  Norwegian Forvirring
  Polish Zamęt
Portuguese   Brazil Confusão
  Portugal Confusão (Pokémon Chronicles)
  Romanian Confuzie
  Serbian Zbunjivanje
  Spanish Confusión
  Swedish Förvirring
  Thai จิตตานุภาพ
  Turkish Karmaşa
  Vietnamese Gây Rối


  This article is part of Project Moves and Abilities, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on two related aspects of the Pokémon games.