Protean (Ability)

Protean redirects here. For the item, see Protein.
Protean へんげんじざい
Protean
Flavor text
Generation VI
Changes the Pokémon's type to the type of the move it's using.
Generation VII
Changes the Pokémon's type to the type of the move it's about to use.
Generation VIII
Changes the Pokémon's type to the type of the move it's about to use.
Generation IX
Changes the Pokémon's type to the type of the move it's about to use. This works only once each time the Pokémon enters battle.

Protean (Japanese: へんげんじざい Protean) is an Ability introduced in Generation VI. In Generation VIII, it was the signature Ability of Kecleon.

Effect

In battle

Generation VI to VIII

Immediately before using any move (except Struggle), a Pokémon with Protean as its Ability will change its type to be the same type as the move it is using. Protean always causes the user to become a single-type Pokémon.

Because Protean activates prior to executing a move, the user will receive same-type attack bonus on every move it uses (except Struggle and typeless Revelation Dance) regardless of the move's type, and will always hit with the move Toxic.

When using a move that calls another move (such as Nature Power), the type of the called move will be considered. When using a move that can change type or if the move has been affected by Electrify or Ion Deluge, the type it changes to will be considered. When using a move that changes the user's type, such as Camouflage, first Protean changes the user's type to the type of the move, then the move will either fail or change the user's type again. When using Curse (unless its type is changed by Electrify), if the user is not already Ghost-type prior to the activation of Protean, Protean will change the user to Ghost-type, then the user will use the Ghost-type effect of Curse on itself (regardless of Crafty Shield and Follow Me or Rage Powder).

Protean will not activate if the move fails (unless it fails due to the activation of Protean), if the execution is interrupted entirely (such as by the effect of infatuation or confusion), if the move is prevented by heavy rain or extremely harsh sunlight, if the user is already the same single type as the move being used, or if the move is prevented by Powder. Protean will activate even if the move misses, is blocked by a protection move, or fails to affect the opponent. Protean will still change the user's type when using Roar, Whirlwind, Trick-or-Treat, and Forest's Curse, regardless of whether the move successfully executes or not.

The user's new type remains in effect until changed again or until the user is switched out; negating or replacing the Ability does not change the user back to their original type.

Generation IX

Protean only activates once per switch in. If the user Terastallizes, the effects of Protean will be nullified.

Outside of battle

Protean has no effect outside of battle.

Pokémon with Protean

# Pokémon Types First Ability Second Ability Hidden Ability
0352   Kecleon
Normal Normal Color Change None ProteanGen VI+
0656   Froakie
Water Water Torrent None Protean
0657   Frogadier
Water Water Torrent None Protean
0658   Greninja
Water Dark Torrent None Protean
0906   Sprigatito
Grass Grass Overgrow None Protean
0907   Floragato
Grass Grass Overgrow None Protean
0908   Meowscarada
Grass Dark Overgrow None Protean
Please note that abilities marked with a superscript are only available in the stated generation or later.
  • For Generation III and IV games, ignore Hidden Abilities.

Trivia

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 變幻自如 Binwaahn Jihyùh *
變化萬千 Binfa Maahnchīn *
變幻莫測 Binwaahn Mohkchāk *
Mandarin 變幻自如 / 变幻自如 Biànhuàn Zìrú *
千變萬化 Qiānbiàn Wànhuà *
  French Protéen
  German Wandlungskunst
  Italian Mutatipo
  Korean 변환자재 Byeonhwan Jajae
  Spanish Mutatipo


Variations of the Ability Protean
ProteanLibero


  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.