Mimic (move)

Mimic
ものまね Mimic
Mimic IX.png
Mimic IX 2.png
Type  Normal
Category  Status
PP  10 (max. 16)
Power  —
Accuracy  %
Priority  {{{priority}}}
  • Does not make contact
  • 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
May affect anyone adjacent to the user
Availability
Introduced  Generation I
Condition  Cute
Appeal  1
Jam  0  
Makes the appeal as good as the one before it.
Condition  Cute
Appeal  0  
Steals the Voltage of the Pokémon that just went.
Condition  Cute
Appeal  1
Jamming  0  
Shows off the Pokémon's appeal about as well as the move used just before it.

Mimic (Japanese: ものまね Mimic) is a non-damaging Normal-type move introduced in Generation I. It is TM31 in Generation I.

In Generation II, it was the signature move of Sudowoodo, but other Pokémon could still inherit it via breeding.

Effect

  This move effect may be in need of research.
Reason: Can Mimic copy Transform in Generation III? What moves that call other moves can mimic copy?
You can discuss this on the talk page.

Mimic copies a move from the target. The user will retain the copied move in Mimic's place, until the user faints or is switched out, or the battle ends.

The user's summary remains unaffected by this, still displaying original moves.

Generation I

In battles against a non-player character or wild Pokémon, Mimic allows the user to see the target's moveset and select one of its moves to copy. However, in link battles as well as the Japanese and English Pokémon Stadium games, Mimic does not display the target's moveset; it copies one of the target's moves at random.

Unlike in later generations, Mimic can copy all selectable moves, including the opponent's Mimic, Transform, and Metronome, as well as any move that the user already knows. However, Mimic can't copy Struggle because it is not a normally selectable move.

 
Horn Drill copied by Mimic with current PP higher than maximum PP
(9/5 PP)

In this generation only, the copied move will use Mimic's PP (therefore, Mimic itself loses PP whenever a move copied by Mimic is used). If a Pokémon uses Mimic as a result of Mirror Move or Metronome, then the copied move will use the PP of the move that called it. If the player uses any PP-healing items, they will heal up to Mimic's (or Mirror Move's, or Metronome's) maximum PP.

Due to an oversight in this generation only, moves copied by Mimic display an incorrect maximum PP value. The maximum PP displayed is taken from the copied move, instead of displaying Mimic's maximum PP.

If a Pokémon uses Mimic which was acquired from Transform (or if a Pokémon uses Mimic as a result of Mirror Move or Metronome acquired from Transform), then the 5 PP that is given by Transform will be used for the copied move as well, instead of using the Pokémon's own PP.

Due to an oversight in this generation only, if a Pokémon that used Mimic levels up in battle and learns a new move, Mimic's effect is reverted. The move copied by Mimic is lost, and Mimic will be usable again.

If Mimic copies a binding move, and if the target switches out when its PP is 0 and before its duration is over, the current PP of the move will roll over to 63 and full PP Ups will be applied to it. This increased PP value can be used normally (and, as usual, other moves copied by Mimic will also use this PP value), and the user will retain the full PP Ups indefinitely. However, if the move's PP is healed (for instance, by using a PP-healing item or a Pokémon Center), then it will return to its legitimate maximum value (with full PP Ups).

Mimic has an accuracy of 100.

Generation II

Mimic now copies the target's last used move. Using a move copied by Mimic does not deduct any PP from Mimic itself anymore.

A move copied by Mimic will have 5 PP, even if a PP Up or PP Max is used on Mimic to increase its PP.

It now fails to copy the moves Sketch, Transform, Struggle, Metronome, or any move the user already knows.

Generations III and IV

Mimic now bypasses accuracy checks to always hit, unless the opponent is in the semi-invulnerable turn of a move such as Dig or Fly. It copies Me First, not the move called by Me First. It fails to copy Shadow moves and Chatter.

Mimic can be used to copy Transform in Generation IV, which could cause a glitch in early copies of the Japanese Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. To trigger the glitch, a Pokémon must use Mimic to copy and use Transform, then faint. If the Mimic-using Pokémon's owner wins the battle, all moves gained from the use of Transform are retained after the battle.

Generation V onwards

The mimicked move now has the max PP as opposed to 5. Mimic is no longer able to copy Transform. A Rayquaza that mimics Dragon Ascent will not trigger the requirement for Mega Evolution.

Mimic will fail to copy Z-Moves and Max Moves.

If powered up by a Normalium Z into Z-Mimic, the user's accuracy is raised by one stage.

Generation VIII

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Category  Status
PP  10
Agile Strong
Power  —  —  —
Accuracy  —%  —%  —%
Action speed modifier
Self  0  0  0
Target  0  0  0
Additional effect
   ?  ?
   ?  ?
   ?  ?
None

Mimic cannot be mastered.

Other effects

Two Pokémon can evolve when they know Mimic: Bonsly into Sudowoodo and Mime Jr. into Mr. Mime.

Description

Games Description
StadStad2 A move for learning one of the opponent's moves, for use during that battle only.
GSC Copies a move used by the foe.
RSE Copies a move used by the foe during one battle.
FRLG The user copies the move last used by the foe for the rest of the battle.
Colo.XD Copies a move used by the target during one battle.
DPPtHGSSPBR The user copies the move last used by the foe. The move can be used for the rest of the battle.
BWB2W2
XYORAS
SMUSUMPE
SwShBDSPLA
The user copies the target's last move. The move can be used during battle until the Pokémon is switched out.
SV The user copies the move last used by the target. The copied move can be used until the user of Mimic leaves the battle.


Learnset

By leveling up

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Level
0039    
 
Fairy Fairy 39 41 45 45XY
37ORAS
38 24 28 28 28
0040    
 
Fairy Fairy 1 1 1
0122    
 
Human-Like Human-Like 18 18BW
15B2W2
15 15 16 32 32 25
0122  
Mr. Mime
Galarian Form
 
 
Human-Like Human-Like 1
0133     Field Field 25
0134     Field Field 25
0135     Field Field 25
0136     Field Field 25
0151     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1
0185     Mineral Mineral 1 1 17 17BW
15B2W2
15 15 16 16 29 16
0196     Field Field 25
0197     Field Field 25
0438     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 17 17BW
33B2W2
15 15 16 16 29 16
0439    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 18 18BW
15B2W2
15 15 32 32 25
0441    
 
Flying Flying 29 33 33 33 33 30
0470     Field Field 25
0471     Field Field 25
0700     Field Field 25
0778    
 
Amorphous Amorphous 19 24 24
0866    
 
Human-Like Human-Like 1
0931  
Squawkabilly
All forms
 
 
Flying Flying 1
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.
A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.
An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.


By breeding

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Egg Move
0122    
 
Human-Like Human-Like
0173     Fairy Fairy
0209     Field Fairy
0439    
 
Human-Like Human-Like
0676  
Furfrou
All forms
  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.
A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.
An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.


By TM/Move Tutor

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Compatibility
All Pokémon can learn this move via TM or by Move Tutor
except the ones listed below only if marked with ✘.
0010     Bug Bug
0011     Bug Bug
0013    
 
Bug Bug
0014    
 
Bug Bug
0129     Water 2 Dragon
0132     Ditto Ditto
0201     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0202     Amorphous Amorphous
0235     Field Field
0265     Bug Bug
0266     Bug Bug
0268     Bug Bug
0360     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0374    
 
Mineral Mineral
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.
A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.
An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.


By event

Generation II

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Obtained with
0174    
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered New York City Pokémon Center
0190     Field Field New York City Pokémon Center
0202     Amorphous Amorphous New York City Pokémon Center
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.
A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.
An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.


In other games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

Mimic targets the enemy in front, copying the last move they used. Prior to Super Mystery Dungeon, Mimic will immediately use the enemy's last used move against the enemy. From Super Mystery Dungeon onwards, Mimic instead copies the enemy's last used move for the duration of the dungeon floor. The copied move can then be used from the next turn.

Not all moves can be copied. In the Rescue Team series, Mimic cannot copy itself, Encore, Sketch or a move that calls other moves (except Sleep Talk and Snatch). In the Explorers series, the move can now copy Nature Power and Metronome, as well as Me First.

Game Base
Power
Max
Power
Base
PP
Max
PP
Base
Accuracy
Max
Accuracy
Range Target Cuts
corners
MDRB - - 17 - 100% - Front Enemy -
MDTDS - - 17 - 100% - Front Enemy -
BSL - - 17 - 100% - Front Enemy -
SMD - - 20 40 —% - Front All Yes
With some exceptions, Pokémon learnsets match those from the core series games:

Description

Games Description
MDRB Makes the user deploy the same move as the one last used by the foe facing it. Some moves cannot be mimicked.
MDTDS Causes the user to unleash the same move as the one last used by the enemy it is facing. Some moves can't be mimicked.
BSL しょうめんの てきポケモンが さいごに くりだしたわざと おなじ わざをくりだす いくつか ものまねできないわざも ある
MDGtI  UNUSED
SMD It mimics an enemy's last move.*
You counter the enemy by mimicking the enemy's last move.*


In the anime

 
Sudowoodo;
using Flamethrower
 
Walrein
 
Mime Jr.;
using Pin Missile
 
Bonsly
The user copies the foe's latest move used.
Pokémon Method
User First Used In Notes
  Sudowoodo instantly copies the last move used by the opponent. Sometimes, the branches on its head will glow gold.
A wild Sudowoodo Type Casting Debut
Brock's Sudowoodo Leave It to Brocko! None
  Walrein flashes purple and it copies and learns the last move used by the opponent until the end of the battle.
Katie's Walrein A Judgment Brawl None
  Mime Jr. instantly copies the last move used by the opponent. Sometimes the ball on its head glows white.
James's Mime Jr. Spontaneous Combusken! None
  The three green orbs on Bonsly's head glow gold and it copies the last move used by the opponent.
Brock's Bonsly A Staravia is Born! None


In the manga

The Electric Tale of Pikachu


Phantom Thief Pokémon 7


Pokémon Adventures


In other generations

Core series games

Side series games

Spin-off series games

Trivia

  • In Generation III, the status screen erroneously states that the move has 100% accuracy, even though it ignores accuracy and evasion checks.

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 模仿 Mòuhfóng
Mandarin 模仿 Mófǎng
  Czech Nápodoba
  Dutch Immitatie
  Finnish Matkinta
  French Copie
  German Mimikry
  Greek Μίμιση Mímisi
  Hebrew חיקוי Khikuy
  Indonesian Meniru
  Italian Mimica
  Korean 흉내내기 Hyungnaenaegi
  Polish Naśladowanie
  Portuguese Mímica
  Romanian Mimic
  Serbian Imitiranje
Spanish   Latin America Mímica
Simulador (AG129)
  Spain Mimético
  Swedish Härma
  Vietnamese Bắt Chước


Generation I TMs
01020304050607080910111213141516171819202122232425
26272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950
Generation I HMs
0102030405


  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.