Substitute (move): Difference between revisions

While behind a substitute, its opponent's moves cannot lower its [[stat stages]], {{status|poison}} it, {{status|freeze}} it, {{status|burn}} it, or cause it to {{status|flinch}}. A Pokémon behind a substitute can be inflicted with {{status|paralysis}} or {{status|sleep}} by [[status move]]s (such as {{m|Thunder Wave}} and {{m|Hypnosis}}), but not by damaging moves (such as {{m|Thunderbolt}}). Conversely, a Pokémon behind a substitute cannot be {{status|confusion|confused}} by status moves (such as {{m|Confuse Ray}}), but can be confused by damaging moves (such as {{m|Confusion}}) as long as they do not break the substitute. Even if a move breaks a substitute, it cannot inflict any effects it would not be able to inflict to a Pokémon behind a substitute.

In the Japanese games, {{cat|HP-draining moves|draining moves}} always miss if the target is behind a substitute. In the Western games, they can hit and drain HP, but will not drain any HP if they break the substitute.