Researching this effect
I've did some experimentation with this ability and can confirm the following points:
- Using status moves (e.g. Double Team) also triggers the ability.
- If you use Hidden Power, the user's type changes to the actual type of the move - not Normal (and in the case of my specific Greninja, Flying). So Hidden Power gets STAB too.
- A dual-typed Pokemon (e.g. Greninja) becomes single-typed after the ability activates; neither original type is retained. (Proven: Found a wild Liepard and used Double Team to become Normal. Liepard's Assurance was subsequently not resisted, as would be expected if Greninja retained the Dark typing.)
- Negating the ability does not reset the user's type; the new type remains in effect until changed or swapped out. (Proven: Attempted Shadow Sneak on an Audino and subsequently became Ghost. Audino responded with Entrainment, but was still unable to damage my Pokemon with any Normal-type moves.)
The article was mistaken on points 2 and 3; I've fixed that. --Stratelier 19:28, 22 November 2013 (UTC)
Disregard what I said before. CDB-Man (talk) 18:08, 8 December 2013 (UTC)
I know this is kind of an obvious observation, but...
What if Protean activated after the move selected was used? Wouldn't that mean that they wouldn't receive STAB for that move unless they used it a second time?--IM-T-MAN2 (talk) 08:06, 29 November 2013 (UTC)
Unsuccessful moves
The article does not clearly explain whether the types changes, if the moves is not successful, has no effect or can't even be used. Different examples would be
- moves deals no damage due to type immunity
- moves like Protect, Mat Block or Fake Out fail
- Pokémon can't move due to status ailment like confusion, freeze attract...
The article says "Immediately before using any move". But that would mean that Protean with Mat Block (not used in first round) has to work, but it doesn't. Are there only a few exceptions that have yet to be mentioned here or is the current explanation incomplete? --- Pokémon Questions? -- 09:48, 29 January 2014 (UTC)
- I know Smokescreen still changes the type to Normal, even if used again a Pokémon with Keen Eye.
- What I would like to know if Camouflage (normal type move) takes effect and changes the Pokémon into a normal type, then Camouflage's effect changes its type to fit its environment. Or, would Protean negate Camouflage's effect and it just be a waste of PP making it a Normal type, or does it become a normal type and then whatever Camouflage would make it. Yamitora1 (talk) 16:22, 23 February 2014 (UTC)