Sketch (move)
Sketch スケッチ Sketch | ||||||||||||
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Sketch (Japanese: スケッチ Sketch) is a non-damaging Normal-type move introduced in Generation II. It is the signature move of Smeargle.
Effect
This move effect may be in need of research. Reason: Does the sketched move start with full PP in all generations? You can discuss this on the talk page. |
Sketch allows the user to learn the target's last move permanently, replacing Sketch in the process.
It bypasses accuracy checks to always hit, unless the target is in the semi-invulnerable turn of a move such as Dig or Fly. Sketch is not affected by Protect, Detect, or Spiky Shield. Sketch will fail if used against a target protected by Crafty Shield.
Although they can be sketched, Aura Wheel, Hyperspace Fury, and Dark Void (starting in Generation VII) are unable to be used in battle. These moves can only be used by Morpeko, Hoopa Unbound, or Darkrai respectively, or by a Pokémon that has transformed into them.
These moves cannot be sketched: Chatter, Mirror Move, Sleep Talk, Struggle, Sketch itself, Shadow moves, Z-Moves, and others depending on the generation.
Generation II
Sketch cannot be used to copy Transform, Metronome, or Mimic. Because moves that target the opposing Pokémon fail if there is no target on the field, Selfdestruct and Explosion also cannot be sketched.
Sketch will fail if:
- The move tries to copy a move the user already knows.
- The battle does not allow experience points to be earned (such as link battles or battle facility battles).
- The target is transformed.
If used by a transformed Pokémon, Sketch will allow the Pokémon to permanently learn the sketched move; this is known as the Sketch glitch.
Generation III
Sketch can now copy Selfdestruct and Explosion if a Pokémon with the Damp Ability is on the field.
In Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire only, Sketch can copy a move a Pokémon attempted to use, but failed to due to sleep. This allows the moves Metronome, Mimic, and Transform to be copied (which otherwise cannot be)—this means that in the Generation III games, these moves can only be copied by Sketch in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire.
If the battle does not allow experience points to be earned (such as link battles or Battle Tower battles), any moveset changes caused by Sketch will be reverted at the end of the battle.
Sketch will fail if:
- Used by a transformed Pokémon.
- A Pokémon somehow uses it without having Sketch in its current moveset.
Generation IV to VII
Sketch can now be used to copy Metronome, Mimic, and Transform like any other move (without the need for the move to fail due to sleep).
If powered up by a Normalium Z into Z-Sketch, the user's Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed are raised by one stage each.
Generation VIII
Pokémon Sword and Shield
Sketch cannot be selected in a battle.
Generation IX
In Versions 1.0 to 2.0.2 of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Sketch could not be selected in a battle.
Starting with Version 3.0.0, Sketch is once again usable. Sketch can no longer copy Dark Void or Hyperspace Fury, nor can it copy the newly introduced moves Revival Blessing, Tera Starstorm, or the Starmobiles' signature moves. Despite being both inaccessible and unusable, Breakneck Blitz is also specified as a move that cannot be copied by Sketch.
Description
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Learnset
By leveling up
# | Pokémon | Types | Egg Groups | Level | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
0235 | Field | 1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81, 91 | 1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81, 91 | 1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81, 91 | 1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81, 91 | 1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81, 91 | 1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81, 91 | 1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81, 91 | 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. |
In other games
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series
Sketch targets the Pokémon in front and will copy their last used move, replacing Sketch with it. Sketch does not copy the Ginseng boost.
Sketch will fail if the target's last move had since been forgotten, or if it is Sketch or Struggle. In the Rescue Team series, Sketch cannot copy moves that call other moves (except Sleep Talk, Snatch, and Mirror Move); although Sketch can technically copy itself if bounced back by Mirror Move. From Explorers of Time, Darkness and Sky, the move can now sketch moves that call other moves.
Sketch cannot be used in a Pokémon Tower in the Adventure Squad series. In Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon, Sketch will always fail when used against Gigantic Pokémon, since they use completely different versions of the same move.
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Pokémon Rumble Rush
In Pokémon Rumble Rush, all status moves including Sketch could only be used by opposing Pokémon and could not be obtained on any caught Pokémon. Sketch could be seen as a move used by opposing Smeargle.
Description
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In animation
Pokémon animated series
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This move enables the user to permanently learn the move last used by the target. | |||
Pokémon | Method | ||
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User | First Used In | Notes | |
Smeargle grabs its tail and waves it around, causing the image of a pencil to circle around the opponent while leaving behind a trail of pink sparkles. Smeargle then learns the last move used by the opponent. | |||
Ilima's Smeargle | Smashing with Sketch! | Debut |
In the manga
Pokémon Adventures
The user watches the opponent use an attack. The user then copies how the opponent did the attack and instantly learns it. | |||
Pokémon | Method | ||
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User | First Chapter Used In | Notes | |
Smeargle watches the opponent use an attack while pointing the tip of its tail at it. It then instantly learns how to use the attack. | |||
Whitney's Smea-Smea | The Last Battle XII | Debut | |
Noland's three Smeargle | A Cheeky Charizard Change-Up II | None |
In other generations
Core series games
Side series games
Spin-off series games
Trivia
- Sketch is the first Generation II move in index number order.
- Sketch holds the record for being learned the most times via leveling up by a single Pokémon, being learned ten times by Smeargle. It is also the only move that can be learned more than four times via leveling up.
- Sketch is one of two moves (excluding Struggle), whose base PP is not a multiple of 5, the other being Revival Blessing.
In other languages
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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. |