Curse (move)

Curse
のろい Curse/Slow
Curse IX ghost.png
Curse IX other.png
Type  Ghost
Category  Status
PP  10 (max. 16)
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 II
Condition  Tough
Appeal  3 ♥♥♥
Jam  0  
The next appeal can be made later next turn.
Condition  Tough
Appeal  0  
Earn a higher score the later the Pokémon performs.
Condition  Tough
Appeal  3 ♥♥♥
Jamming  0  
Causes the user to move later on the next turn.

Curse (Japanese: のろい Curse/Slow) is a non-damaging Ghost-type move introduced in Generation II. Prior to Generation V, it was a ???-type move, and the only move of that type.

It is TM03 in Generation II.

Effect

In all generations, Curse acts differently depending on whether the user has the Ghost type or not.

Ghost-type Pokémon

The user will lose half of its maximum HP (rounded down) and put a curse on the target. If this causes the user's HP to drop to 0, the move will execute fully but cause the user to faint. A cursed Pokémon will lose ¼ of its maximum HP at the end of each turn. The curse will remain until the Pokémon switches out or the battle ends. This move is not blocked by Protect, Detect, or Spiky Shield, but is blocked by Crafty Shield.

The user does not lose HP if Curse misses (due to a move with a semi-invulnerable turn), fails (due to the target already being affected by Curse), or is blocked by Crafty Shield.

If powered up by a Ghostium Z into Z-Curse, the user restores all of its HP.

Non-Ghost-type Pokémon

The user's Speed stat will drop by one stage and its Attack stat and Defense stat will rise by one stage each. Despite being an effect acting on the user, this move will fail if there are no opponents on the field.

If powered up by a Ghostium Z into Z-Curse, the user's Attack stat raises another stage.

In different generations

Generation II

Curse is a ???-type move.

If used by a non-Ghost-type Pokémon, Curse will fail if the user's Attack and Defense stats both are at +6 stages, even if its Speed stat is not at -6 stages.

If a cursed Pokémon defeats its opponent, it will not take curse damage on that turn.

Curse cannot hit through a substitute.

Generations III and IV

If used by a non-Ghost-type Pokémon, Curse can now reduce the user's Speed stat even if its Attack and Defense stats both are at +6 stages. (However, Curse will still fail if the user's Attack and Defense stats both are at +6 stages, and its Speed stat is at -6 stages.)

If a cursed Pokémon defeats its opponent, it now takes curse damage on that turn.

If the user changes type before using Curse, Curse will obey the user's type at the time of the move's execution. In a Double Battle, if the user gains the Ghost type before Curse executes, Curse will prioritize the opponent directly opposite the user as its target.

Curse can be used as the first move of a Pokémon Contest combination, causing Destiny Bond, Grudge, Mean Look, and Spite to score double the normal appeal if used in the next turn.

Generation V

Curse is now a Ghost-type move.

Curse can now hit through a substitute.

In a Triple Battle, if the user gains the Ghost type before Curse executes, Curse will prioritize the opponent directly opposite the user as its target.

Generation VI

In a Single Battle, if the user is not already Ghost-type and becomes Ghost-type before executing Curse (due to Mega Evolution, Color Change, or Trick-or-Treat), Curse will execute as it does for all Ghost types, hurting the user and inflicting the curse.

In a Triple Battle or Horde Encounter, if the user is not already Ghost-type and becomes Ghost-type before executing Curse (due to Mega Evolution, Color Change, or Trick-or-Treat), Curse will now target a random adjacent opponent.

Due to a glitch, Curse can have an unusual behavior in some situations when the user has its type changed right before using the move.

In a Double Battle, if the user is not already Ghost-type and becomes Ghost-type before executing Curse (due to Mega Evolution, Color Change, or Trick-or-Treat), Curse may target a different Pokémon depending on the user's position. If the user is on the right side (from its Trainer's perspective), Curse will target the user's ally (or fail if there is none). If the user is on the left side (from its Trainer's perspective) Curse will target a random opponent. Follow Me and Rage Powder will still redirect Curse as normal.

If the user is not already Ghost-type and becomes Ghost-type due to Protean upon executing Curse, the user will use the Ghost-type Curse on itself (regardless of Follow Me or Rage Powder). This cannot be blocked by Crafty Shield.

Generation VII

In a Double Battle, if the user is not already Ghost-type and becomes Ghost-type before executing Curse (due to Mega Evolution, Color Change, or Trick-or-Treat), Curse will now target a random opponent.

Generation VIII

A Dynamax Pokémon can be cursed, however it only takes damage equal to 1/4 of its pre-Dynamax maximum HP, which will be between 1/6 and 1/8 of its Dynamax HP, or as little as 1/12 for the boss in a Max Raid Battle.

Ghost-type Pokémon are no longer able to choose targets for Curse in a Double Battle, and will always attempt to inflict the curse on a random opponent.

Description

Games Description
Stad2 Raises Attack and Defense at the expense of Speed. It works differently for the Ghost type.
GSC Works differently for ghost-types.
RSEColo.XD A move that functions differently for Ghosts.
FRLG A move that works differently for the Ghost-type and all the other types.
DPPtHGSSPBR A move that works differently for the Ghost type than for all the other types.
BWB2W2
XYORAS
SMUSUM
SwShBDSPLA
A move that works differently for the Ghost type than for all other types.
SV A move that has different effects depending on whether the user is a Ghost type or not.


Learnset

By leveling up

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Level
I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX
079   Slowpoke
 
 
Monster Water 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
079   Slowpoke
Galarian Form
  Monster Water 1 1 1
080   Slowbro
 
 
Monster Water 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
080   Slowbro
Galarian Form
 
 
Monster Water 1 1 1
092   Gastly
 
 
Amorphous Amorphous 16 16RSE
13FRLG
12 12 12 12 20SwShBDSP 20
093   Haunter
 
 
Amorphous Amorphous 16 16RSE
13FRLG
12 12 12 12 20SwShBDSP 20
094   Gengar
 
 
Amorphous Amorphous 16 16RSE
13FRLG
12 12 12 12 20SwShBDSP 20
095   Onix
 
 
Mineral Mineral 38PtHGSS 46BW
4B2W2
4 4 16SwShBDSP
199   Slowking
 
 
Monster Water 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
199   Slowking
Galarian Form
 
 
Monster Water 1 1 1
204   Pineco
  Bug Bug 23
205   Forretress
 
 
Bug Bug 23
208   Steelix
 
 
Mineral Mineral 38PtHGSS 46BW
4B2W2
4 4 16SwShBDSP
222   Corsola
Galarian Form
  Water 1 Water 3 30
322   Numel
 
 
Field Field 29B2W2 29 29 29BDSP 29
323   Camerupt
 
 
Field Field 29B2W2 29 29 29BDSP 29
324   Torkoal
  Field Field 7 12 12 12XY
22ORAS
22 44 44
335   Zangoose
  Field Field Rem.
353   Shuppet
  Amorphous Amorphous 20 13 13BW
19B2W2
19XY
26ORAS
26 26BDSP 26
354   Banette
  Amorphous Amorphous 1, 20 1, 13 1, 13BW
1, 19B2W2
1, 19XY
26ORAS
26 26BDSP 26
355   Duskull
  Amorphous Amorphous 34 30 30 30XY
33ORAS
33 36SwShBDSP
356   Dusclops
  Amorphous Amorphous 34 30 30 30XY
33ORAS
33 36SwShBDSP
377   Regirock
  No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 17 17 17 17XY
25ORAS
25 30
378   Regice
  No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 17 17 17 17XY
25ORAS
25 30
379   Registeel
  No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 17 17 17 17XY
25ORAS
25 30
387   Turtwig
  Monster Grass 17 17 17 17 17BDSP
388   Grotle
  Monster Grass 17 17 17 17 17BDSP
389   Torterra
 
 
Monster Grass 17 17 17 17 17BDSP
399   Bidoof
  Water 1 Field 45PtHGSS 45 45 49 49BDSP
400   Bibarel
 
 
Water 1 Field 53PtHGSS 53 53 58 58BDSP
442   Spiritomb
 
 
Amorphous Amorphous 1 1 1 1 40SwShBDSP 40
477   Dusknoir
  Amorphous Amorphous 30 30 30XY
33ORAS
33 36SwShBDSP
562   Yamask
  Mineral Amorphous 29 29 29 36
562   Yamask
Galarian Form
 
 
Mineral Amorphous 36
563   Cofagrigus
  Mineral Amorphous 29 29 29 38
564   Tirtouga
 
 
Water 1 Water 3 35 35 35 30
565   Carracosta
 
 
Water 1 Water 3 35 35 35 30
570   Zorua
Hisuian Form
 
 
Field Field 16
571   Zoroark
Hisuian Form
 
 
Field Field 16
597   Ferroseed
 
 
Grass Mineral 9 9 9 41
598   Ferrothorn
 
 
Grass Mineral 1, 9 1, 9 1, 9 43
607   Litwick
 
 
Amorphous Amorphous 43 43 43 32
608   Lampent
 
 
Amorphous Amorphous 45 45 45 32
609   Chandelure
 
 
Amorphous Amorphous 1
616   Shelmet
  Bug Bug 13 13 13 8
617   Accelgor
  Bug Bug 1
622   Golett
 
 
Mineral Mineral 40 40 45 16
623   Golurk
 
 
Mineral Mineral 40 40 47 16
704   Goomy
  Dragon Dragon 41SwSh 41
705   Sliggoo
  Dragon Dragon 43 43
705   Sliggoo
Hisuian Form
 
 
Dragon Dragon 43
706   Goodra
  Dragon Dragon 43 43
706   Goodra
Hisuian Form
 
 
Dragon Dragon 43
708   Phantump
 
 
Grass Amorphous 28 28 32
709   Trevenant
 
 
Grass Amorphous 28 28 32
712   Bergmite
  Monster Mineral 22 22 9SwSh 9
713   Avalugg
  Monster Mineral 22 22 9 9
713   Avalugg
Hisuian Form
 
 
Monster Mineral 9
771   Pyukumuku
  Water 1 Water 1 25 30
842   Appletun
 
 
Grass Dragon 4 4
855   Polteageist
  Mineral Amorphous 66 66
864   Cursola
  Water 1 Water 3 30
867   Runerigus
 
 
Mineral Amorphous 38
871   Pincurchin
  Water 1 Amorphous 35 35
946   Bramblin
 
 
Grass Grass 45
947   Brambleghast
 
 
Grass Grass 45
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
001   Bulbasaur
 
 
Monster Grass
027   Sandshrew
Alolan Form
 
 
Field Field
041   Zubat
 
 
Flying Flying
052   Meowth
Galarian Form
  Field Field
056   Mankey
  Field Field
074   Geodude
 
 
Mineral Mineral HGSS BDSP
074   Geodude
Alolan Form
 
 
Mineral Mineral
083   Farfetch'd
 
 
Flying Field
083   Farfetch'd
Galarian Form
  Flying Field
088   Grimer
  Amorphous Amorphous BDSP
088   Grimer
Alolan Form
 
 
Amorphous Amorphous
102   Exeggcute
 
 
Grass Grass
104   Cubone
  Monster Monster USUM
108   Lickitung
  Monster Monster
109   Koffing
  Amorphous Amorphous
111   Rhyhorn
 
 
Monster Field
128   Tauros
  Field Field
128   Tauros
Paldean Form
(Combat Breed)
  Field Field
128   Tauros
Paldean Form
(Blaze Breed)
 
 
Field Field
128   Tauros
Paldean Form
(Aqua Breed)
 
 
Field Field
131   Lapras
 
 
Monster Water 1
133   Eevee
  Field Field
142   Aerodactyl
 
 
Flying Flying
143   Snorlax
  Monster Monster
155   Cyndaquil
  Field Field
191   Sunkern
  Grass Grass BDSP
194   Wooper
 
 
Water 1 Field
194   Wooper
Paldean Form
 
 
Water 1 Field
200   Misdreavus
  Amorphous Amorphous BDSP
206   Dunsparce
  Field Field
218   Slugma
  Amorphous Amorphous BDSP
220   Swinub
 
 
Field Field
222   Corsola
 
 
Water 1 Water 3 HGSS
227   Skarmory
 
 
Flying Flying
241   Miltank
  Field Field
246   Larvitar
 
 
Monster Monster
255   Torchic
  Field Field
258   Mudkip
  Monster Water 1
287   Slakoth
  Field Field BDSP
304   Aron
 
 
Monster Monster
309   Electrike
  Field Field
316   Gulpin
  Amorphous Amorphous BDSP
320   Wailmer
  Field Water 2
335   Zangoose
  Field Field BDSP
345   Lileep
 
 
Water 3 Water 3 HGSS
347   Anorith
 
 
Water 3 Water 3 HGSS
357   Tropius
 
 
Monster Grass BDSP
358   Chimecho
  Amorphous Amorphous BDSP
359   Absol
  Field Field
363   Spheal
 
 
Water 1 Field
408   Cranidos
  Monster Monster HGSS BDSP
410   Shieldon
 
 
Monster Monster BDSP
422   Shellos
  Water 1 Amorphous
433   Chingling
  No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered BDSP
438   Bonsly
  No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
446   Munchlax
  No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
449   Hippopotas
  Field Field
498   Tepig
  Field Field
517   Munna
  Field Field
524   Roggenrola
  Mineral Mineral
557   Dwebble
 
 
Bug Mineral
568   Trubbish
  Mineral Mineral
618   Stunfisk
 
 
Water 1 Amorphous
618   Stunfisk
Galarian Form
 
 
Water 1 Amorphous
631   Heatmor
  Field Field
650   Chespin
  Field Field
696   Tyrunt
 
 
Monster Dragon
704   Goomy
  Dragon Dragon
710   Pumpkaboo
 
 
Amorphous Amorphous USUM
722   Rowlet
 
 
Flying Flying
769   Sandygast
 
 
Amorphous Amorphous USUM
776   Turtonator
 
 
Monster Dragon
778   Mimikyu
 
 
Amorphous Amorphous
874   Stonjourner
  Mineral Mineral
878   Cufant
  Field Mineral
885   Dreepy
 
 
Amorphous Dragon
909   Fuecoco
  Field Field
932   Nacli
  Mineral Mineral
968   Orthworm
  Field Field
977   Dondozo
  Water 2 Water 2
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.


By TM

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Machine
I
--
II
TM03
III
--
IV
--
V
--
VI
--
VII
--
VIII
--
IX
--
Every Pokémon can learn this move by TM except the ones listed below and only if marked with ✘.
010   Caterpie
  Bug Bug
011   Metapod
  Bug Bug
013   Weedle
 
 
Bug Bug
014   Kakuna
 
 
Bug Bug
129   Magikarp
  Water 2 Dragon
132   Ditto
  Ditto Ditto
201   Unown
  No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
202   Wobbuffet
  Amorphous Amorphous
235   Smeargle
  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.


Special move

Generation III

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Obtained with
143   Snorlax
  Monster Monster Purified Shadow PokémonXD
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.


Generation V

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Obtained with
241   Miltank
  Field Field Dream World - Pleasant Forest
525   Boldore
  Mineral Mineral Dream World - Icy Cave
618   Stunfisk
 
 
Water 1 Amorphous Dream World - Sparkling Sea
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.


Generation VIII

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Obtained with
105   Marowak
Alolan Form
 
 
Monster Monster Regina's Marowak (The Isle of Armor)
879   Copperajah
  Field Mineral ★Sgr6879 Gigantamax Copperajah
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
446   Munchlax
  No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered Shinsegae Munchlax
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, Explorers of Time, Darkness and Sky, Curse is a Normal-type move with 17PP. If the user is a Ghost-type, the move has 100% accuracy and it will target enemy in the front and inflict Curse status condition for 4-5 turns on the target, with the user losing 50% of their HP on usage. If the user is not a Ghost-type, their Attack and Defense is raised by one stage, and their Movement Speed is lowered by one stage. This move is affected by Taunt.

Pokémon Rumble Blast

When used by a non-Ghost-type Pokémon, Curse is the same as in Generation V. When used by a Ghost-type Pokémon, Curse deals damage and then drains the opponent's health over time.

Pokémon Rumble Rush

In Pokémon Rumble Rush, all status moves including Curse could only be used by opposing Pokémon and could not be obtained on any caught Pokémon. Curse could be seen as a move used by Boss Haunter.

  Curse
Charge time 1.1 seconds
Range type Circular (ranged)
Target Enemy
Additional effect Puts a curse on the foe

Pokémon UNITE

In Pokémon UNITE, Curse is Trevenant's first move. It is obtained by evolving at level 5 and upgrading Will-O-Wisp into it instead of Wood Hammer. The user creates a cursed zone in exchange for 4% max HP per second for 6 seconds, dealing damage over time to enemies in the area of effect every .5s for 6s and decreasing their movement speed. The lower the user's HP is, the greater the decrease in movement speed. While using this move, the user builds up curse power every time it deals or receives damage. Releasing this built-up power will deal additional damage to enemies in the area of effect. If the curse power is at maximum when it's released, the cooldowns of Branch Poke, Horn Leech, and Pain Split are reset. At level 11, the move's radius increases.

Description

Games Description
MDRB Boosts the user's Attack and Defense by one level, but also lowers Movement Speed by one level. If used by a Ghost type, the target is cursed, and the user's HP halved.
MDTDS Boosts the user's Attack and Defense by 1 level but also reduces Movement Speed by 1 level. If this move is used by a Ghost-type Pokémon, it afflicts the target with a Cursed status condition but halves the user's HP.
BSL じぶんの こうげき ぼうぎょを 1だんかいあげるが いどうそくどが 1だんかいさがる ゴーストタイプが つかったときは てきポケモンを のろいじょうたいに するが じぶんの HPは はんぶんになる
MDGtI It boosts your Attack and Defense, but it lowers your Travel Speed. If this is used by a Ghost-type Pokémon, it causes the Cursed status condition to the enemy. But it halves your HP.
SMD It boosts your Attack and Defense, but it lowers your Travel Speed. If this is used by a Ghost-type Pokémon, it makes the enemy cursed but halves your HP.


In the manga

Pokémon Adventures


In other generations

Core series games

Ghost-type Pokémon

Non-Ghost-type Pokémon

Side series games

Ghost-type Pokémon

Non-Ghost-type Pokémon

Spin-off series games

Ghost-type Pokémon

Non-Ghost-type Pokémon

Trivia

  • Curse and Z-Curse are the only moves with effects that vary depending on the type of the user.
    • Curse's differing effects are a play on its Japanese name, のろい Noroi, which can mean either "curse" (呪い) or "dull/slow" (鈍い), depending on the kanji used. This is why it bestows an actual curse when used by Ghost-type Pokémon but lowers Speed when used by non-Ghost-type Pokémon.
  • In Generation II, three Pokémon could legitimately use both effects of the move by using Conversion or Conversion 2 to alter its own type to and from the Ghost type: Porygon, Porygon2, and Smeargle. Technically speaking, any Pokémon that can change its type in battle (e.g. via Color Change, Reflect Type or Trick-or-Treat) can use of both of Curse's effects. Similarly, if a Ghost-type Pokémon uses Curse while under the effect of Soak or Magic Powder, the non-Ghost version will be used.
  • Curse is one of the four moves from Generation II to have its type changed in a later generation, the others being Charm, Moonlight, and Sweet Kiss. Of these four, it is the only one to not change in Generation VI and the only one to not change into a Fairy type move.
  • In Generation II, TM03, which contains Curse, is given away only at night by a man telling the following story:
"Let me recount a terrifying tale... Once upon a time, there was a little boy who was given a new Bicycle... He wanted to try it right away... He was having so much fun that he didn't notice the sun had set... While riding home in the pitch-black night, the bike suddenly slowed! The pedals became heavy! When he stopped pedaling, the bike began slipping backwards! It was as if the bike were cursed and trying to drag him into oblivion! ... ... Shrieeeek! The boy had been riding uphill on Cycling Road! ... Ba-dum ba-dum! For listening so patiently, you may take this—TM03! TM03 is Curse. It's a terrifying move that slowly whittles down the victim's HP."

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 詛咒 Jojau *
咒語 Jauyúh *
Mandarin 詛咒 / 诅咒 Zǔzhòu *
咒术 Zhòushù *
咒語 / 咒语 Zhòuyǔ *
  Dutch Vloek
  French Malédiction
  German Fluch
  Greek Κατάρα Katára
  Italian Maledizione
  Korean 저주 Jeoju
  Brazilian Portuguese Maldição
  Serbian Kletva
  Spanish Maldición
  Vietnamese Nguyền Rủa



Generation II TMs
01020304050607080910111213141516171819202122232425
26272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950
Generation II HMs
01020304050607


  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.