Imposter (Ability)

Imposter	かわりもの
	Changer
Flavor text Generation V It transforms itself into the Pokémon it is facing. Generation VI The Pokémon transforms itself into the Pokémon it's facing. Generation VII The Pokémon transforms itself into the Pokémon it's facing. Generation VIII The Pokémon transforms itself into the Pokémon it's facing. Generation IX The Pokémon transforms itself into the Pokémon it's facing.

Imposter (Japanese: かわりもの Changer) is an Ability introduced in Generation V. It is the signature Ability of Ditto.

Effect

	This move effect may be in need of research. Reason: If a Pokémon with Imposter is the wild Pokémon of a Raid Battle (e.g. Max Raid Battle), who will Imposter copy? You can discuss this on the talk page.

In battle

Main article: Transform (move)

As soon as the user comes into battle, it transforms into its opponent. Broadly, the target's appearance (including form), types, Ability, stats, and moves are copied; the user retains its HP and level. More precise details are at Transform (move) → Effect.

Imposter will not activate if the opponent is transformed, disguised with Illusion, or behind a substitute. Imposter only activates when the Pokémon with the Ability is sent out; if it fails to transform into an opponent, it will not activate unless the Pokémon with Imposter is withdrawn and sent out again. Imposter will also not activate when obtained during battle.

In Double Battles, Triple Battles, and Battle Royals, Imposter will target the opponent in the position directly opposite it. If there is no opponent directly opposite it, it will not transform. In Horde Encounters, Imposter will copy the opponent in the right-most position.

Role Play fails if the target has the Ability Imposter. Entrainment fails if the user has the Ability Imposter. Imposter cannot be copied by Trace, Power of Alchemy, or Receiver.

Outside of battle

Imposter has no effect outside of battle.

Pokémon with Imposter

#	Pokémon	Types		First Ability	Second Ability	Hidden Ability
	Ditto	Normal		Normal	Limber	None	Imposter
Please note that this is only 100% accurate to Generation IX games. For Generation III games, ignore Abilities introduced in Generation IV or later and Hidden Abilities. For Generation IV games, ignore Hidden Abilities. For Generation V games, ignore Abilities introduced in Generation VI or later. For Generation VI games, ignore Abilities introduced in Generation VII or later. For Generation VII games, ignore Abilities introduced in Generation VIII or later. For Generation VIII games, ignore Abilities introduced in Generation IX or later.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 變身者 Binsānjé Mandarin 變身者 / 变身者 Biànshēnzhě French Imposteur German Doppelgänger Italian Sosia Korean 괴짜 Goejja Spanish Impostor

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.