Assist (move)

Assist ねこのて Cat's Paw

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 varies depending on its timing.

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

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Cute Appeal  1 ♥ Jamming  0   Effectiveness varies depending on when it is used.

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. Prior to Generation IV, it was the signature move of Skitty.

Effect

	This move effect may be in need of research. Reason: Can it call moves from an ally (and allied inactive Pokémon) in a Multi Battle in Generation III? What are the effects of Choice items on Assist? You can discuss this on the talk page.

The Assist user executes a move that is randomly selected from all the eligible moves known by other Pokémon in the same party. If the same move is known by multiple Pokémon, each of them counts and therefore the move is more likely to be called.

Assist can call a move that currently has no PP or is known by a fainted Pokémon. It is also able to call moves that are currently inaccessible to their original users due to Disable, Heal Block, Taunt, or Torment.

If the other Pokémon in the user's party do not know any eligible moves, Assist fails.

Generation III

If a Pokémon is in battle and its moves have temporarily changed (such as from Transform or Mimic), Assist can only access its original moves.

In Pokémon Colosseum, Assist does not call moves from fainted Pokémon.

Generation IV

Assist cannot call a move from an allied Pokémon belonging to a different Trainer in a Multi Battle.

Generation V

Assist can use moves known by unhatched Eggs in the party. In a wild Double Battle, a wild Pokémon that uses Assist can use a move the other wild Pokémon knows (even if they are fainted).

If a Pokémon is in battle and its moves have temporarily changed, Assist can now only access its current moves.

Generation VI

Assist can no longer use moves known by unhatched Eggs in the party.

Assist can also no longer call any moves that switch the target out or moves with a semi-invulnerable turn.

Generation VII

If powered up by a Normalium Z into Z-Assist, and if the called move is a damaging move, it will turn the called move into its respective Z-Move. If the called move is a status move, Z-Assist will merely execute that move without any additional effects.

Generation VIII onwards

Assist cannot be selected in a battle.

Uncallable moves

	This move effect may be in need of research. Reason: Whether Shadow moves are callable You can discuss this on the talk page.

Assist cannot call itself or any of the following moves marked with a ✓:

Move Type Cat Generations III IV V VI VII Baneful Bunker  Poison  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ Beak Blast  Flying  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ Belch  Poison  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ Bestow  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ Bounce  Flying  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ Celebrate  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ 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}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Dig  Ground  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ Dive  Water  Physical {{{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}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Fly  Flying  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}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Hold Hands  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ King's Shield  Steel  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ Mat Block  Fighting  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}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Nature Power  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ Phantom Force  Ghost  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ Protect  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Rage Powder  Bug  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ Roar  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ Shadow Force  Ghost  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ Shell Trap  Fire  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ Sketch  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Sky Drop  Flying  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✔ ✔ Sleep Talk  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Snatch  Dark  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Spiky Shield  Grass  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ Spotlight  Normal  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}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Whirlwind  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔

Description

Games Description RSEColo.XD Attacks randomly with one of the partner's moves. FRLG The user randomly picks and uses a move of an allied Pokémon. DPPtHGSSPBR BWB2W2 XYORAS The user hurriedly and randomly uses a move among those known by other Pokémon in the party. SMUSUM The user hurriedly and randomly uses a move among those known by ally Pokémon. SwShBDSPLA SV This move can't be used. It's recommended that this move is forgotten. Once forgotten, this move can't be remembered.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
300		Skitty		Field	Fairy	19	18DP 22PtHGSS	22	22XY 31ORAS	31
431		Glameow		Field		Field		29	29	29	29
432		Purugly		Field		Field		29	29	29	29
509		Purrloin		Field		Field			6	6	6
510		Liepard		Field		Field			1, 6	1, 6	1, 6
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.

By breeding

#	Pokémon		Types	Parent Egg Groups		Egg Move
						II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
052		Meowth		Field		Field	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
052		Meowth Alolan Form		Field		Field					✔
096		Drowzee		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
161		Sentret		Field		Field	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
215		Sneasel		Field		Field		✔HGSS	✔	✔	✔
327		Spinda		Field	Human-Like	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
390		Chimchar		Field	Human-Like		✔HGSS	✔	✔	✔
677		Espurr		Field		Field				✔	✔
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.

By event

Generation IV

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
052		Meowth		Field		Field	Pokémon Center Meowth
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.

In other games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

In Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team, Assist is a move with 27PP. The user calls a move known by Pokémon on the floor, including the user (if the move picks Assist, it will fail). Unlike most non-damaging moves, Assist can be boosted by Ginseng; the boost will be applied to whichever move was called.

In Explorers of Time and Darkness, the move cannot be boosted by Ginseng anymore.

In Explorers of Sky, the move is now affected by Taunt.

Description

Games Description MDRB Makes the user randomly use one move out of all the moves of the Pokémon on the floor. MDTDS Causes the user to unleash a random move drawn from all the moves that all Pokémon on the floor know. BSL フロアすべての ポケモンのわざから どれかひとつの わざを くりだす MDGtI It causes you to unleash a random move from all the moves that your teammates on the floor know. SMD It enables you to use one of the moves known by your teammates.* It causes you to unleash a random move from all the moves known by your teammates on the floor.*

In the anime

Skitty	Skitty; using Razor Leaf	Skitty; using Ember	Skitty; using 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
Skitty	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

Pokémon Adventures

	Delcatty; using 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	Delcatty uses a move known by one of its Trainer's other Pokémon or its partner.
Ruby's Kiki	The Beginning of the End with Kyogre & Groudon XI		Debut

In other generations

Core series games

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

Side series games

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

Spin-off series games

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

• In Generation III, the status screen erroneously states that the move has 100% accuracy, even though it targets the user (thus it ignores accuracy and evasion checks). The move called by Assist still has to undergo accuracy and evasion checks as normal, however.
• 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"), which means "I need all the help I can get". This is reflected by the way the move works, and that many feline Pokémon are capable of learning it.
• The restrictions added to Assist in Generation VI are likely due an exploit when used by a Pokémon with the Ability Prankster in Generation V. If the rest of the party only know a specific move and nothing else, Assist can execute that move every turn with increased priority.
  • When calling moves that switch the target out, Assist may keep forcing the opponent to switch out, without ever being able to execute a move. This strategy is often combined with entry hazards to also cause damage each use.
  • When calling moves with a semi-invulnerable turn, Assist may keep a user holding a Lagging Tail or Full Incense in a permanent state of semi-invulnerability.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 借助 Jejoh * 協助 Hipjoh * Mandarin 借助 Jièzhù * 協助 / 协助 Xiézhù * Dutch Bijstand Finnish Avustus French Assistance German Zuschuss Greek Στήριξη Hindi मदद Madad Indonesian Tangan Kucing Italian Assistente Korean 조수 Josu Portuguese Brazil Assistência (TCG, manga) Auxílio Portugal Assistência Serbian Asistencija Spanish Latin America Asistencia Spain Ayuda Vietnamese Tay Mèo

References

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.