Transform (move): Difference between revisions

Transform bypasses {{stat|accuracy}} checks to always hit, unless the target is in the [[semi-invulnerable turn]] of a move such as {{m|Dig}} or {{m|Fly}}. It is not affected by [[type]] immunity. Transform fails if used on a Pokémon that is protected by {{m|Crafty Shield}}, but works on a target [[protection|protected]] by other moves such as {{m|Protect}} or {{m|Detect}}. It also fails against [[Shadow Pokémon]], if the user or the target are transformed or disguised by an {{a|Illusion}} or if the target is behind a {{m|substitute}}. Some of these conditions were different in older generations; see the table below for details on when conditions would not prevent Transform from executing.

| Target is behind a {{m|substitute}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}

The user's level has no effect, except in Generations {{gen|I}}-{{gen|III}} if the Pokémon levels up and its stats are recalculated. Appearance refers to the sprite or model of the Pokémon shown on the field and covers the Pokémon's species, [[List of Pokémon with gender differences|gender]], [[List of Pokémon with form differences|form]], and whether it is {{Shiny}}. (Prior to [[Generation IV]], there was some complicated [[#Appearance nuances|nuance]] regarding the transformation's coloration.) The copied stats (Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, Speed) include the final values (as seen on the [[summary]] screen) as well as the target's [[base stats]], [[individual values]], and [[effort values]]. Outside of the transformation's appearance, gender (for the purpose of battle mechanics as well as the gender symbol after the name) was only copied starting in [[Generation V]], with [[#Generation II|a small exception]] in [[Generation II]].

In [[Pokémon Stadium 2]] and Generation III games (including [[Pokémon Colosseum]] and [[Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness|XD]]), whether a transformed Pokémon appears Shiny depends on whether the user was originally Shiny; since Generation IV, it depends on whether the target was Shiny.

In [[Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!]], if the {{ga|Partner Pokémon|Partner}} {{p|Pikachu}}{{sup/7|P}}/{{p|Eevee}}{{sup/7|E}} is the target of Transform, Transform will copy any [[clothing|clothes]] they are wearing.

In {{eng|Pokémon Stadium}} only, Transform fails if the target's current species is {{p|Ditto}}. Transforms works normally against Ditto in the earlier Japan-only game {{jap|Pokémon Stadium}}.

{{main|Transform glitches}}

Generation I has several glitches relating to Transform. Any transformed wild Pokémon will become Ditto if it is caught, due to the {{DL|Transform glitches|Transform assumption glitch}}. If a transformed Pokémon uses Transform again, its previous stats (stored as a backup) are overwritten by its current stats (as they are backed up so that Transform can change the working stats); this is the {{DL|Transform glitches|Transform DV manipulation glitch}}. If a Pokémon that is not {{p|Ditto}} uses Transform, the {{DL|Transform glitches|color loss glitch}} will cause it to change to Ditto's palette. The {{DL|Transform glitches|level up moveset glitch}} causes a transformed Pokémon to regain its original moveset if it levels up and learns a new move.

{{main|Transform glitches}}

Generation II has several glitches relating to Transform. The {{DL|Transform glitches|Transform assumption glitch}} and {{DL|Transform glitches|Transform DV manipulation glitch}} from Generation I still exist. The latter now has an additional effect, the {{DL|Transform glitches|Roar/Whirlwind shared DV glitch}}: in a battle with an NPC, if the NPC's Pokémon has used Transform twice and is forced to switch out, the next Pokémon will have its predecessor's DVs. If a transformed Pokémon is caught, it will have 10/10 PP for Transform despite having used the move.

In a Pokémon Contest Spectacular, when Transform is used, a {{m|Substitute}} doll is thrown on the stage and the user transforms into the doll. The effect of Transform will last for the round it is used in.

Transform does not copy Tera Types, meaning that a transformed Pokémon that [[Terastal phenomenon|Terastallizes]] will use its own Tera Type. If a Pokémon Terastallizes before using Transform, Transform will not change its type.

{{Movehead/Level|Normal|1}}

{{Moveentry/9|0132|Ditto|type=Normal|1|Ditto|Ditto|1|1|1|1|1|1|1|1|1}}

{{Moveentry/9|0151|Mew|type=Psychic|1|No Eggs Discovered|No Eggs Discovered|10|10|10|1|1|1|1{{sup/7|SMUSUM}}<br>99{{sup/7|PE}}|80|80}}

{{Movefoot|Normal|9}}

===[[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series]]===

In the [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team|Rescue Team]], [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness|Explorers]], and [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon (WiiWare)|Adventure Squad]] series, Transform causes the user to take the form of a random hostile Pokémon on the dungeon's floor. It does not copy anything else; if the Pokémon had nothing but Transform, they are left only with the regular attack and {{m|Struggle}}.

From [[Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon]] onward, Transform copies the appearance, type, Ability, moves, and stat modifications of the target for the current floor, but the transforming Pokémon retains its stats. Moves learned through {{m|Sketch}} while transformed will be forgotten after moving to the next floor. If used by an enemy to transform into the leader, the leader's teammates become confused.

===[[Pokémon GO]]===

In a {{OBP|Gym|GO}} or {{OBP|Raid Battle|GO}}, Transform is automatically cast at the beginning of the battle. It turns the user into a copy of the opponent and copies the opponent's [[move]]s, species, base Attack, and base Defense; HP, {{IV}}s, and [[Power Up]] level are not copied. Unlike other attacks, Transform does not require the user to wait out the duration before casting an attack or dodging, and its animation is purely visual. However, it may cause lag for the rest of the battle if the player attempts to attack during the animation. The effects of Transform expire at the end of the battle.

If Ditto is used against a [[Team GO Rocket Grunt (Trainer class)|Team GO Rocket Grunt]] or another player, Transform will do behave like regular attacks and not transform Ditto into opposing Pokémon.  

{{moveanime|type=normal|exp=yes|gen=The user transforms into a copy of the foe right down to having the same move set.|image3=Kublock Ditto Transform.png|image3p=Ditto|image1=Drake Ditto Transform.png|image1p=Drake's Ditto|image2=Mew Transform.png|image2p=Mew|image4=Narissa Ditto Transform.png|image4p=Ditto 1 and 2}}

{{movemanga|type=normal|exp=yes|gen=The user morphs its body to look like the target.|image1=Duplica Ditto Transform Machoke EToP.png|image1p=Ditto; copying {{color2|{{normal color dark}}|Machoke (Pokémon)|Machoke}}|image2=Duplica Ditto Transform Ash EToP.png|image2p=Ditto; copying {{color2|{{normal color dark}}|Ash Ketchum (EToP)|Ash}}|image3=Drake Ditto Transform EToP.png|image3p=Ditto; copying {{color2|{{normal color dark}}|Ash's Pikachu (EToP)|Pikachu}}}}

{{movemid|type=normal|user=Red's Clefairy|startcode=PM003|startname=Bring Down the Powerful Opponent Onix!!|notes=Debut<br>Clefairy {{color2|{{normal color dark}}|Manga move errors|cannot legally learn}} Transform}}

* In Generation I core series games and {{jap|Pokémon Stadium|Japanese Pokémon Stadium}}, if two Pokémon battle using only Transform (such as a battle between two {{p|Ditto}} or two {{p|Mew}} with Transform), both Pokémon are able to continually Transform into each other, replenishing the 5 PP constantly and so that the battle never has to end.

* Transform is the only way to see the battle animation of {{p|Cherrim}}'s [[List of Pokémon with form differences|Sunshine Form]] in [[Generation IV]], as Cherrim sent from a Poké Ball will always be sent out in Overcast Form, and Cherrim is not available in the wild in Generation IV. A Ditto that transforms into Cherrim, however, will play the animation of the alternate form if it escapes from a thrown Poké Ball.

* In some Pokémon media, Ditto is known to transform into humans. This happened in [[Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon]], as well as in the [[Electric Tale of Pikachu volume 2|volume 2]] of [[The Electric Tale of Pikachu]], in the [[Pokémon Newspaper Strip]], and in the {{OBP|Detective Pikachu|movie}} movie.

|it=Trasformazione^{{gen|VI}}+<br>Trasformaz.^{{{gen|I}}–{{gen|V}}}