Multitype (Ability)

Multitype	マルチタイプ
	Multitype
Flavor text Generation III Currently unknown Generation IV Changes type to match the held Plate. Generation V Changes type to match the held Plate. Generation VI Changes the Pokémon's type to match the Plate it holds. Generation VII Changes the Pokémon's type to match the Plate or Z-Crystal it holds. Generation VIII Currently unknown Generation IX Currently unknown

Multitype (Japanese: マルチタイプ Multitype) is an Ability introduced in Generation IV. It is the signature Ability of Arceus.

Effect

In battle

Generation IV

Multitype changes the type of the Pokémon with this Ability depending on the Plate attached. The item-removing effects of Thief, Covet, Trick, Switcheroo, and Knock Off will not work on a Pokémon with Multitype, regardless of what item it is holding.

This Ability cannot be transferred with Skill Swap or copied with Trace or Role Play. If any Pokémon other than Arceus has this Ability, it does not work. Multitype cannot be suppressed by Gastro Acid or changed by Worry Seed.

When a Pokémon Transforms into Arceus, it becomes Arceus's Normal form. If it is holding a Plate, it will Transform first into Arceus's current form and will then change type and appearance to the type corresponding to that Plate.

Generation V-VI

A Pokémon with Multitype cannot be affected by type changing moves, such as Soak. A Pokémon with Multitype is unaffected by Entrainment and Simple Beam. Multitype cannot turn into Mummy.

Multitype will now only prevent the effects of Knock Off, Trick, Switcheroo, Thief or Covet if the target is specifically holding a Plate.

Generation VII

Multitype will also change the Pokémon's type if it holds a type-specific Z-Crystal.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

In Super Mystery Dungeon, a Pokémon with Multitype and all of its teammates' moves deal additional damage as if they had the same-type attack bonus. Type-effectiveness for the moves still apply normally.

Outside of battle

Multitype has no effect outside of battle.

Pokémon with Multitype

#	Pokémon		Types		First Ability	Second Ability	Hidden Ability
0493		Arceus	Normal		Normal	Multitype	None	None
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.

In the anime

Arceus (Spooky Plate) Arceus (Flame Plate)
The Pokémon changes its type depending on what Plate it held.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	The non-white parts of Arceus's body glow white. It then changes its color freely to match the type of the type it is forming into. A yellow ripple then forms throughout its body when it wants to change back to normal and its body goes back to its original colors.
Arceus (M12)	Arceus and the Jewel of Life		Debut

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Arceus
The Pokémon changes its type depending on what Plate is used on it.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Arceus's body changes color depending on the Plate used on it. Upon doing so, its type changes and gives Arceus control over the type that the Plate represents.
Arceus (Adventures)	All About Arceus IV		Debut

Trivia

• In the games, Arceus must be holding a Plate in order to make use of Multitype. However, in the anime and Pokémon Adventures, it has its own unique set of Plates which allow it to activate its Ability at will.

In other languages

Language Title Mandarin Chinese 多元系 Duōyuán-xì French Multitype German Variabilität Italian Multitipo Korean 멀티타입 Multi-Type Portuguese Multitipo Spanish Multitipo Turkish Çok Türlü

Variations of the Ability Multitype
Multitype • RKS System

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.