Paralysis (status condition)

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Reason: Gen IV and V effect, Non-game info

The paralysis condition (PAR) (Japanese: まひ Paralysis) causes a Pokémon to be unable to attack ("fully paralyzed") a quarter of the time. Additionally, its Speed is reduced to 25% of its previous value (except for Pokémon with the Quick Feet Ability, where this condition raises the Speed by 50%). Many moves that cause paralysis are Electric-type. Ground-type Pokémon can be paralyzed, but not by Electric-type moves or by the Battle Arcade. In Generation V, Pokémon glow yellow when afflicted with paralysis.

Pikachu paralyzing Ursaring

Effect

In general, a paralyzed Pokémon runs a 25% risk of losing their turn due to full paralysis. In addition, the afflicted Pokémon's Speed decreases to 25%. The specifics work differently between generations.

Generation I

Changing the Speed modifier of a paralyzed Pokémon would reset the Speed to act as if the Pokémon were not paralyzed, effectively nullifying the cut stat. Rest, Full Heal, and Parlyz Heal cure the affliction, but do not fix the Speed reduction caused by it. In Pokémon Stadium, both of those errors were fixed. Additionally, the move Haze would cure the user's Speed drop if it was paralyzed until it was next switched in.

Generation II

If a paralyzed Pokémon Baton Passed to another paralyzed Pokémon, the second one would not have its Speed reduced until a move which affected the Speed stat modifier, recalculating its Speed, was used. In Pokémon Stadium 2, however, the new Pokémon's Speed is reduced if the last Speed-modifying attack used was one that raised Speed. It will not be reduced if the new Pokémon uses a Speed-modifying attack.

Generation III and IV

Animation shows up now also when Pokémon is fully paralyzed (in contrast to previous generations, where animation showed up only when paralysis was inflicted).

Generation V

Pokémon now glow yellow and their animation slows down when inflicted with paralysis.

Appearance

Causes

Moves

For a status ailment, Paralysis is rather common. There are a variety of attacks that can cause this condition,

Move Type Category Probability Power Accuracy Notes
Body Slam Normal Physical 30% 85 100%
Bolt Strike Electric Physical 20% 130 85%
Bounce Flying Physical 30% 85 85%
Discharge Electric Special 30% 80 100%
DragonBreath Dragon Special 30% 60 100%
Fling Dark Physical 100% 30 100% If Light Ball is held by user.
Force Palm Fighting Physical 30% 60 100%
Freeze Shock Ice Special 30% 140 90%
Glare Normal Status 100% 75%
Lick Ghost Physical 30% 20 100%
Secret Power Normal Physical 30% 70 100% Causes Paralyisis when used on plain terrain or building floors
Spark Electric Physical 30% 65 100%
Stun Spore Grass Status 100% 75%
Thunder Electric Special 30% 120 70%
Thunderbolt Electric Special 10% 95 100%
Thunder Fang Electric Physical 10% 65 95% May also cause flinching (10% chance)
ThunderPunch Electric Physical 10% 75 100%
ThunderShock Electric Special 10% 40 100%
Thunder Wave Electric Status 100% 100%
Tri Attack Normal Special 6.67% 80 100% May also burn or freeze (6.67% chance of each)
Volt Tackle Electric Physical 10% 120 100% User receives ⅓ of damage dealt as recoil damage
Zap Cannon Electric Special 100% 120 50%


Other causes

A Pokémon has a 30% chance of being paralyzed after making contact with one with the Static Ability. In addition, Effect Spore has a 30% of causing either Paralysis, Sleep, or Poison. It can also be paralyzed if it directly paralyzed a Pokémon with Synchronize.

Prevention and curing

Items

Paralysis can be cured with the use of a Parlyz Heal or a Cheri Berry (PRZCureBerry in Generation II). In addition, like all other major status ailments, it can be cured by the items Full Heal, Lava Cookie, Casteliacone, Full Restore, Old Gateau, Heal Powder, Lum Berry and Sacred Ash.

Moves and Abilities

Refresh and Rest can remove the paralysis status ailment from the user, while Heal Bell and Aromatherapy removes it from all Pokémon in the party. A Pokémon with Natural Cure will be cured upon switching out, one with the Hydration Ability will be cured whilst it is raining, and one with Shed Skin has a ⅓ chance of being cured every turn. In Generation IV, Pokémon with Magic Guard are immune to full paralysis. A Pokémon with Limber is fully immune to paralysis. SmellingSalt will deal double damage if the target is paralyzed, but will cure the paralysis.

Advantages

While paralysis, like all major status ailments, has primarily negative effects, it can be advantageous to have it in certain conditions. Pokémon with Guts, Marvel Scale, and Quick Feet will have their Attack, Defense, and Speed increased, respectively, when paralyzed, poisoned, or burned. In addition, the base power of Facade is doubled (from 70 to 140) when inflicted with any of these three status ailments.

In the spin-off games

Pokémon Conquest

As in the main series, paralysis lowers the Pokémon's Speed, and there is a chance at the start of each turn for the Pokémon to be fully paralyzed and unable to act, though their Warrior may still use items and abilities. Because Pokémon Conquest uses Speed to determine the accuracy of attacks, Pokémon inflicted with paralysis also suffer a heavy penalty to their accuracy and evasion. Paralysis can be inflicted by abilities, attacks, and Electro Nodes in Dragnor. It can be used with Warrior Skills, items, or ending the Pokémon's turn in a hot spring, water bucket, or next to one of Dragnor's Revival Nodes.

In the anime

 
Sawk is paralyzed

Trivia

  • Paralysis can be inflicted by moves of 9 different types, more than any other status ailment.


Status conditions
BURNED FROZEN PARALYSIS POISONED
ASLEEP CONFUSION FLINCHING FAINTED


  This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.