Assist (move)

Assist ねこのて Cat's Paw

File:Assist.png

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Battles Type  Normal Category  Status PP  20 (max. 32) Power  — Accuracy  —% Priority  {{{priority}}} Does not make contact Not affected by Protect Not affected by Magic Coat Not affected by Snatch Not affected by Mirror Move Not affected by King's Rock

Target Foe Foe Foe Self Ally Ally Affects the user

Availability Introduced  Generation III Not a TM, TR, HM, or Move Tutor move.

Contests Condition  Cute Appeal  1 ♥ Jam  0   The appeal's quality depends on its timing.

Super Contests Condition  Cute Appeal  2 ♥♥ Makes the order of contestants random in the next turn.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Cute Appeal  0   Jamming  0

On Smogon's Movedex: Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX

Assist (Japanese: ねこのて Cat's Paw) is a non-damaging Normal-type move introduced in Generation III, in which it was Skitty's signature move.

Effect

Generation III

Assist randomly selects one of the moves known by the user's party allies (including fainted Pokémon), and executes the move. A move called up by Assist counts as the last move used. A Pokémon will be able to use a move that is disabled in its own moveset if called via Assist.

Assist will not call itself or any of the following moves in this generation of games:

Move Type Counter  Fighting  {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Covet  Normal  {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Destiny Bond  Ghost  {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Detect  Fighting  {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Endure  Normal  {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Focus Punch  Fighting  {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Follow Me  Normal  {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Helping Hand  Normal  {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Metronome  Normal  {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Mimic  Normal  {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Mirror Coat  Psychic  {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Mirror Move  Flying  {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Protect  Normal  {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Sketch  Normal  {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Sleep Talk  Normal  {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Snatch  Dark  {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Struggle  Normal  {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Thief  Dark  {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Trick  Psychic  {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}}

Generation IV

In a wild Double Battle, a wild Pokémon that uses Assist can use a move the other wild Pokémon knows.

Assist will not call itself or any of the following moves in this generation of games:

Move Type Cat. Chatter  Flying  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Copycat  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Counter  Fighting  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Covet  Normal  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Destiny Bond  Ghost  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Detect  Fighting  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Endure  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Feint  Normal  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Focus Punch  Fighting  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Follow Me  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Helping Hand  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Me First  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Metronome  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Mimic  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Mirror Coat  Psychic  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Mirror Move  Flying  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Protect  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Sketch  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Sleep Talk  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Snatch  Dark  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Struggle  Normal  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Switcheroo  Dark  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Thief  Dark  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Trick  Psychic  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}}

Generation V

Assist can now use moves known by unhatched Eggs in the party.

Assist will not call itself or any of the following moves in this generation of games:

Move Type Cat. Chatter  Flying  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Circle Throw  Fighting  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Copycat  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Counter  Fighting  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Covet  Normal  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Destiny Bond  Ghost  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Detect  Fighting  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Dragon Tail  Dragon  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Endure  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Feint  Normal  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Focus Punch  Fighting  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Follow Me  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Helping Hand  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Nature Power  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Me First  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Metronome  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Mimic  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Mirror Coat  Psychic  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Mirror Move  Flying  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Protect  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Sketch  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Sleep Talk  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Snatch  Dark  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Struggle  Normal  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Switcheroo  Dark  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Thief  Dark  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Transform  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} Trick  Psychic  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}}

Description

Games Description RSE Attacks randomly with one of the partner’s moves. Attacks randomly with one of the partner’s moves. FRLG The user randomly picks and uses a move of an allied Pokémon. The user hurriedly and randomly uses a move among those known by other Pokémon in the party.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Type		Level
					I		II		III		IV		V		VI
300		Skitty	Normal		Normal	19			18		22	22			'
431		Glameow	Normal		Normal				29				29			'
432		Purugly	Normal		Normal				29				29			'
509		Purrloin	Dark		Dark								6			'
510		Liepard	Dark		Dark								6			'
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		Type		Father
					II		III		IV		V		VI
052		Meowth	Normal		Normal
096		Drowzee	Psychic		Psychic
161		Sentret	Normal		Normal
215		Sneasel	Dark	Ice
327		Spinda	Normal		Normal
390		Chimchar	Fire		Fire
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 the anime

Razor Leaf Skitty Ember String Shot
The user hurriedly and randomly uses a move among those known by other Pokémon in the party.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	A white orb appears on Skitty's front paw. Skitty then fires a random move known by the Trainer's team from the orb.
May's Skitty	Game Winning Assist		Debut

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Iron Defense
The user uses a move known by one of its Trainer's other Pokémon or a partner.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Delcatty uses a move known by one of its Trainer's other Pokémon or its partner.
Ruby's Kiki	VS. Kyogre & Groudon XI		Debut

In other generations

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD:Time, Darkness, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Trivia

• The Japanese name for this move, ねこのて Neko no Te (Cat's Paw), is likely a reference to the saying 猫の手も借りたい neko no te mo karitai, which translates to "I would even like to borrow a cat's hands", "I would even like a cat to assist me", or "I need all the help I can get", befitting the way the move works, and the many catlike Pokémon capable of learning it.

In other languages

Language Title Mandarin Chinese 協助 Xiézhù Dutch Bijstand Finnish Avustus French Assistance German Zuschuss Greek Στήριξη Hindi मदद Madad Indonesian Tangan Kucing Italian Assistente Korean 조수 Josu Polish Asysta Portuguese Brazil Auxílio Portugal Assistência Serbian Asistencija Spanish Latin America Asistencia Spain Ayuda

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.