Ability
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An Ability (Japanese: 特性 Ability) is a game mechanic introduced in Generation III that provides a passive effect in battle or in the overworld. Individual Pokémon may have only one Ability at a time. Prior to Generation VI, an Ability could not be changed after a Pokémon was obtained except by evolution—where the new Ability is determined by the former Ability—and form change. Not every Ability is entirely beneficial; some of them are hindering.
A Pokémon's Ability was often originally referred to as a "special ability"[1], "special Ability"[2], or "Sp. Ability"[3] in Generation III, or sometimes simply "ability" until Generation V,[4] after which it is consistently capitalized as "Ability".
Abilities are functionally absent in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! and Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
Mechanics
Some species of Pokémon have multiple possible Abilities. The most Abilities any species or form has is three: two normal Abilities and one Hidden Ability. In most wild Pokémon encounters, the Pokémon's Ability will be one of its non-Hidden Abilities (each having an even chance of appearing if the species has two). Hidden Abilities were introduced in Generation V; they are relatively rare and usually require some type of special encounter.
In technical terms, a species' Abilities may be thought of as having separate slots, with an individual Pokémon's non-Hidden slot determined by its personality value. For example, an Eevee — with two non-Hidden Abilities — has Run Away for its first non-Hidden slot, Adaptability for its second, and Anticipation for its Hidden Ability slot. Vaporeon — with only one non-Hidden Ability — can be considered to have Water Absorb for both non-Hidden slots. When a Pokémon evolves, its Ability slot remains the same. This means that a Poochyena with Run Away will evolve into a Mightyena with Intimidate, while a Poochyena with Quick Feet will evolve into a Mightyena with Quick Feet.
Aside from Evolution, there are four ways for Pokémon to change Abilities in a permanent manner. First, if the Pokémon has different forms with different Abilities. Second, transferring a Pokémon from one generation of games to a later one in which the Ability in a given slot is different. Third, using the Ability Capsule, introduced in Generation VI, will change a Pokémon's non-Hidden Ability slot, but it will not work if the Pokémon's species has only one non-Hidden Ability. Fourth, using the Ability Patch, introduced in Generation VIII, will change a Pokémon's Ability slot from its non-Hidden Ability to its Hidden Ability if it has one, or starting in Generation IX, from its Hidden Ability slot to its first non-Hidden Ability slot. Aside from these methods, during battle, Pokémon may also change their Ability through Mega Evolution or Primal Reversion, and certain moves and Abilities can also change a Pokémon's Ability.
When Abilities were introduced in Generation III, some Pokémon only had one possible Ability. A number of these species were given a second Ability in a later generation. If a Pokémon whose species gained an Ability after Generation III is transferred to Generations IV or V, it will initially retain its original Ability; upon evolving, however, its Ability slot will be recalculated and its Ability may change. When a Pokémon is transferred to Generation VI or Generation VII, however, it will be locked into the appropriate slot for its current Ability.
Aside from in-battle effects, some Abilities also have effects outside of battle.
Hidden Abilities
- Main article: Hidden Ability
A Hidden Ability is essentially a rare Ability that Pokémon normally do not have access to, introduced in Generation V. Most Pokémon encountered in the games will not have a Hidden Ability; but usually, there are special encounter methods where Pokémon can have a Hidden Ability. Certain event Pokémon and special in-game Pokémon may also have their Hidden Ability.
The Hidden Ability is implemented as a third slot, and a Pokémon with its Hidden Ability will retain its Hidden Ability slot upon evolution in the same way that its normal Abilities may change. For example, a Caterpie with its Hidden Ability of Run Away will have Shed Skin upon evolving once and Tinted Lens upon evolving into Butterfree. Prior to Generation VIII, it was not possible to change a Pokémon's Ability slot from a normal Ability to a Hidden Ability. Generation VIII introduced the consumable Ability Patch, which allows switching between a Pokémon's normal and Hidden Abilities.
When breeding with a Pokémon that has its Hidden Ability, its offspring have a chance of having their Hidden Ability as well.
Inheriting Abilities
- Main article: Pokémon breeding → Inheriting Abilities
In Generations III and IV, Abilities could not be inherited by breeding. An Egg would simply randomly be born with one of its possible Abilities.
Since Generation V, it has been possible for female Pokémon to pass down their Ability. In Pokémon Black and White, if a female Pokémon has its Hidden Ability and is bred with a male Pokémon, it has a 60% chance of passing it down. In Black 2 and White 2, a female Pokémon bred with a male Pokémon has an 80% chance of passing down its Ability slot (regardless of whether it is a Hidden Ability or not). From Generation VI onward, a female Pokémon has an 80% (60% for Hidden Ability) chance to pass down its Ability slot, regardless of whether it is bred with a male Pokémon or Ditto.
Since Generation VI, it is possible for male and gender-unknown Pokémon (such as Magnemite) to pass down their Ability if bred with a Ditto, in which case it has a 60% chance to pass down its Hidden Ability. They cannot pass down a Hidden Ability when bred with any Pokémon other than Ditto. Ditto's Ability is always irrelevant to inheritance.
If an Egg does not inherit its Ability from a parent, it can only be born with one of its non-Hidden Abilities.
Various items, moves, and Abilities can affect a Pokémon's Ability, usually in battle.
Permanent changes
Name | Category | Effect | Gen. | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ability Capsule | Item | Permanently changes a Pokémon's Ability slot | VI | |
Ability Patch | Item | Permanently changes a Pokémon's non-Hidden Ability to its Hidden Ability | VIII |
Protecting Abilities in battle
These items protect the holder's Ability from some effects in battle.
Name | Category | Effect | Gen. | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ability Shield | Item | Protects the holder's Ability from being changed and from effects that bypass it | IX |
Changing Abilities in battle
The following moves and Abilities can change a Pokémon's Ability in battle, giving it a different Ability. If a Pokémon's Ability is changed, its original Ability is restored when it switches out; if the original Ability has an effect triggered by switching, like Natural Cure, it will function properly.
Name | Category | Effect | Gen. | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Transform | Normal | Status | Copies the target Pokémon, including its Ability | I |
Role Play | Psychic | Status | Replaces the user's Ability with the target's Ability | III |
Skill Swap | Psychic | Status | Exchanges the Abilities of the user and the target | III |
Trace | Ability | Copies an opposing Pokémon's Ability upon entering battle | III | |
Worry Seed | Grass | Status | Changes the target's Ability to Insomnia | IV |
Entrainment | Normal | Status | Changes the target's Ability to match the user's | V |
Mummy | Ability | Contact with the Pokémon changes the attacker's Ability to Mummy | V | |
Simple Beam | Normal | Status | Changes the target's Ability to Simple | V |
Power of Alchemy | Ability | Copies the Ability of a defeated ally | VII | |
Receiver | Ability | Copies the Ability of a defeated ally | VII | |
Wandering Spirit | Ability | Contact with the Pokémon exchanges the Abilities of both Pokémon | VIII | |
Doodle | Normal | Status | Changes the Ability of the user and its ally to match the target's | IX |
Lingering Aroma | Ability | Contact with the Pokémon changes the attacker's Ability to Lingering Aroma | IX |
Suppressing Abilities
These moves and Abilities can suppress the effects of an Ability or Abilities. This effect wears off when it leaves battle.
Name | Category | Effect | Gen. | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gastro Acid | Poison | Status | Suppresses the target's Ability | IV |
Core Enforcer | Dragon | Special | Does damage and suppresses the target's Ability if it has already had its turn | VII |
Neutralizing Gas | Ability | Suppresses the effects of all Pokémon's Abilities | VIII |
Countering other Abilities
Hindering Abilities
These moves and Abilities have an effect that ignores most Abilities that hamper the success, damage, or effects of moves.
Name | Category | Effect | Gen. | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mold Breaker | Ability | Moves ignore most Abilities | IV | |
Teravolt | Ability | Moves ignore most Abilities | V | |
Turboblaze | Ability | Moves ignore most Abilities | V | |
Light That Burns the Sky | Psychic | Special | Does damage and ignores most Abilities | VII |
Menacing Moonraze Maelstrom | Ghost | Special | Does damage and ignores most Abilities | VII |
Moongeist Beam | Ghost | Special | Does damage and ignores most Abilities | VII |
Photon Geyser | Psychic | Special | Does damage and ignores most Abilities | VII |
Searing Sunraze Smash | Steel | Physical | Does damage and ignores most Abilities | VII |
Sunsteel Strike | Steel | Physical | Does damage and ignores most Abilities | VII |
G-Max Drum Solo | Grass | Varies | Does damage and ignores most Abilities | VIII |
G-Max Fireball | Fire | Varies | Does damage and ignores most Abilities | VIII |
G-Max Hydrosnipe | Water | Varies | Does damage and ignores most Abilities | VIII |
Other
Name | Category | Effect | Gen. | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aura Break | Ability | The effects of "Aura" Abilities are reversed to lower the power of affected moves. | VI |
Synergistic Abilities
The Abilities below interact beneficially with each other.
Name | Category | Effect | Gen. | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Minus/Plus | Ability | Boosts the Sp. Atk stat of the Pokémon if an ally also has one of these Abilities | III |
Countering other Ability and move effects
These Abilities counter effects of other Abilities and moves.
Name | Category | Effect | Gen. | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Clear Body | Ability | Prevents other Pokémon's moves or Abilities from lowering the Pokémon's stats | III | |
White Smoke | Ability | The Pokémon is protected by its white smoke, which prevents other Pokémon from lowering its stats. | III | |
Full Metal Body | Ability | Prevents other Pokémon's moves or Abilities from lowering the Pokémon's stats | VII | |
Propeller Tail | Ability | Ignores the effects of opposing Pokémon's Abilities and moves that draw in moves | VIII | |
Stalwart | Ability | Ignores the effects of opposing Pokémon's Abilities and moves that draw in moves | VIII |
List of Abilities
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Alternatives
Generation II
Prior to Abilities' introduction, Generation II games already featured a mechanic similar to Pickup and Honey Gather uniquely available to a single Pokémon species: after each battle, a Berry held by a Shuckle can automatically transform into Berry Juice. No other Pokémon has this trait, and it hasn't been translated into an actual Ability in subsequent games.
Generation VIII
While Abilities are officially absent in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the effects of Flower Gift and Slow Start are nonetheless applied to Cherrim and Regigigas respectively. Plates are also available as Key Items to replicate Arceus's Multitype.
In other games
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series
- Main article: Mystery Dungeon game mechanics → Abilities
Abilities available in the core series games are also available in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series. Some Abilities differ from their counterparts in the core series (e.g. Intimidate reduces the opposing Pokémon's Attack by 20%). Prior to Gates to Infinity, Pokémon with two Abilities would have both rather than just one. There are no Hidden Abilities in Mystery Dungeon games.
Pokémon Conquest
- Main article: List of Abilities in Pokémon Conquest
While most Pokémon species in Pokémon Conquest have access to three Abilities (similar to the main series, Hidden Abilities included), many of these Abilities are different from the main series due to differences in the battle system. For example, Abilities like Cute Charm and Rivalry do not exist in Pokémon Conquest (due to the game's lack of a gender mechanic), while other Abilities utilize mechanics unique to Pokémon Conquest battles (like "Sprint", which increases the user's movement Range).
Like the main series, an individual Pokémon's Ability is dictated by its current species (i.e. evolutionary form) and may change during evolution.
Pokémon UNITE
In Pokémon UNITE, Abilities appear in a similar way to the main series. Every Pokémon with a Unite License uses one of their Abilities from the core series games as their Ability. A Pokémon's Ability can change when it evolves, such as Tyranitar having Guts as a Larvitar and Shed Skin as a Pupitar before gaining Sand Stream as a Tyranitar.
Abilities usually have effects that activate passively, be that when a certain condition is true, when the Pokémon performs a certain action, or when an action is done to that Pokémon. The effects of Abilties usually correlate to their main series counterparts, such as how Garchomp's Rough Skin deals damage to opponents who hit it with physical melee attacks. However, this is not always the case, as Mewtwo's Pressure only serves to enable its Mega Evolution instead of having an effect that lines up with its main series effect of reducing PP. Even if two Pokémon have the same Ability, the effects of the Ability differ between each Pokémon. For example, both Gardevoir and Mew have Synchronize, but Gardevoir's version inflicts any movement speed decreases and damage-over-time status conditions back on the attacker while Mew's version increases the movement speed of itself and its allies when Mew uses a move. Even so, often Abilities with the same name have similar effects since they are all adapted from the same Ability from the core series. Charizard, Cinderace, and Delphox all have Blaze for instance, and it always serves to increase their power when their health is low. However, each Pokémon's Blaze does so in a different way.
Abilities often have multiple effects aside from adapting the main series Abilities. These effects can fill gauges or give the Pokémon resources that contribute to the effectiveness of its other attacks and moves. Many Abilities that trigger as a result of something happening, such as Pikachu's Static activating when it takes damage, cannot trigger again until a cooldown period has passed.
In some cases,like with Zoroark's Illusion and Hoopa's Magician, an Ability's icon is visible along with the Pokémon's moves and is manually activated with a button press. These Abilities temporarily enter a cooldown state after being used, and cannot be used again until that cooldown concludes.
In animation
Pokémon the Series
Abilities have been shown in Pokémon the Series, but are usually only used in battles; however, sometimes they have an effect on the plot, such as Infernape's Blaze. Abilities sometimes work differently in the animated series than they would in the games, such as Mold Breaker, which cancels out more Abilities in the animated series than it would in the games.
Pokémon the Series: Gold and Silver
The only Ability that was seen in the original series was Color Change, being used by Madison and Alexa's Kecleon in The Kecleon Caper. It was later used by Harrison's Kecleon in Playing With Fire!.
Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire
The first Ability to be seen other than Color Change was Rough Skin, first seen in Sharpedo Attack!. It was used by a wild Sharpedo.
In Now That's Flower Power! a Kecleon used Color Change.
In A Poké-BLOCK Party!, Alanna's Whismur used its Soundproof Ability to stay awake and listen to Jigglypuff's song.
Colonel Hansen's Shedinja used Wonder Guard to protect itself against Spike Cannon by Misty's Corsola in The Princess and the Togepi.
Two Abilities were seen in Balance of Power, being used by Ash's Pikachu and Grovyle, using Static and Overgrow respectively.
Bart's Castform used Forecast in Unfair Weather Friends, turning into its Sunny and Rainy Form.
In The Garden of Eatin', Marcel's Vigoroth possessed Vital Spirit, which prevented it from falling asleep while fighting a Snorlax that kept using Yawn.
Both Drizzle and Drought were seen in Gaining Groudon and The Scuffle of Legends respectively by Kyogre and Groudon.
In It's Still Rocket Roll to Me!, Liza's Lunatone used Levitate.
In Eight Ain't Enough, Juan's Luvdisc used Swift Swim to increase its speed.
In Showdown At Linoone, Kimmy's Linoone, Tokin, used Pickup to steal and take items to its private stash, including May's Poké Balls.
In At the End of the Fray, Tyson's Hariyama used Thick Fat to halve the damage it took from Ash's Torkoal's Flamethrower.
In Rough, Tough Jigglypuff, Lisa Mitchum's Jigglypuff used Cute Charm whilst her father's Loudred used Soundproof to stop Jigglypuff's Sing from working.
Angela's Kecleon used Color Change in From Cradle to Save, while Brock's Bonsly used Rock Head.
In Pinch Healing!, a wild Wooper used Water Absorb.
In Once More With Reeling!, May's Blaziken used its Blaze Ability while Ash's Sceptile used Overgrow during their Contest Battle in the Terracotta Contest.
Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl
Abilities proved important in the battles Paul and Ash had with Roark. During Paul's battle in Shapes of Things to Come!, his Elekid uses Static to paralyze Roark's Onix and Cranidos although the latter shakes it off with Mold Breaker. Paul also deliberately allows his Chimchar to take extra damage so that it can activate Blaze. After Ash's first match with Roark ends in defeat, Brock briefly lends him Sudowoodo in Wild in the Streets! because its Ability Rock Head makes it similar to Roark's Pokémon Onix, who also had the Ability. During Ash's rematch in O'er the Rampardos We Watched!, Pikachu also activates Static against Roark's newly evolved Rampardos and it is similarly ineffective.
In A Secret Sphere of Influence!, Officer Jenny's Stunky used Stench against Team Rocket.
Gardenia's Cherubi caught Ash by surprise during their first battle in The Grass Menagerie! when it was able to move very quickly with Chlorophyll.
In Tag! We're It...!, Ash and Paul found themselves at a disadvantage during their first Tag Battle in the Hearthome City Tag Battle Competition because the Rhydon used by one of their opponents possessed Lightning Rod, rendering Pikachu's Electric-type attacks useless.
In Glory Blaze! Ash, Dawn, and Brock found Paul and his other Pokémon evidently abusing his Chimchar, repeatedly attacking it until it eventually collapsed from exhaustion. When confronted, Paul explained that Chimchar actually wanted the brutal training regimen; when they first met, Chimchar was being attacked by wild Zangoose and when pushed to the limit it activated Blaze and defeated all of the Zangoose with Flame Wheel. This incredible power was what drove Paul to capture Chimchar in the first place and the two have been trying to replicate the experience ever since with no success.
Swift Swim was an important part of Ash's Buizel going toe to toe with Maylene's Lucario in A Triple Fighting Chance!
Blaze returned in Chim - Charred! when Ash's Chimchar became enraged during a battle with Paul's Ursaring. It took considerable effort for Ash to return Chimchar to normal after it defeated Ursaring, causing Paul to leave the battle a draw. Paul told Ash that they would only battle again when and if Ash and Chimchar learned to control Blaze.
In Battling the Generation Gap!, Lila's Delcatty activated his Cute Charm Ability while battling Dawn's Ambipom in the final round of the Celestic Contest.
Brock's Croagunk first used his Anticipation Ability in Losing Its Lustrous!. He often used it to find Team Rocket and chase them off on his own.
Two Darkrai have used Bad Dreams. One used it in The Rise of Darkrai and another in Sleepless in Pre-Battle!.
In A Shield with a Twist!, Fantina's Gengar possessed Levitate.
In Dealing with Defensive Types!, Byron's Bronzor used its Heatproof Ability to minimize damage from Ash's Chimchar's Flamethrower.
In Another One Gabites the Dust!, Jessie's Yanmega activated her Speed Boost Ability while performing in the Chocovine Contest.
In Pursuing a Lofty Goal!, Paul's Honchkrow used its Ability Super Luck.
In Sliding Into Seventh!, Jeremiah's Skuntank was known to have Stench as it Ability, but the Ability was activated off-screen.
In Evolving Strategies!, Paul's Magmortar used its Flame Body Ability to burn Ash's Pikachu. Paul's Ursaring also used its Guts Ability when Ash's Pikachu's Static activated.
An Arceus used Multitype in Arceus and the Jewel of Life.
In Challenging a Towering Figure!, Palmer's Rhyperior used Solid Rock to lessen the damage from Ash's Grotle's Energy Ball.
A wild Trapinch used its Arena Trap Ability in A Rivalry to Gible On!.
A wild Heatran used Flash Fire in Pokémon Ranger: Heatran Rescue!.
Volkner's Electivire used its Motor Drive Ability in The Eighth Wonder of the Sinnoh World! against Ash in their Gym battle. The same Ability was later used by Paul's Electivire in Battling a Thaw in Relations!.
In Casting a Paul on Barry!, Barry's Empoleon activated its Torrent Ability while battling Paul's Electivire in the third round of the Lily of the Valley Conference.
Paul's Aggron used its Rock Head Ability in Familiarity Breeds Strategy! to avoid damage from its Double-Edge attack. In the next episode, Paul's Froslass and Ninjask used Snow Cloak and Speed Boost, respectively.
Illusion was seen twice in Zoroark: Master of Illusions, being used by a Zoroark and Zorua.
Pokémon the Series: Black & White
A Hidden Ability was first seen in Saving Darmanitan From the Bell! by a Darmanitan using Zen Mode.
In A Rival Battle for Club Champ!, Trip's Tranquill activated Super Luck to easily defeat Ash's Oshawott and Tepig. Trip's Frillish later used Cursed Body.
In Here Comes the Trubbish Squad!, a wild Trubbish used its Ability Stench.
In A Night in the Nacrene City Museum!, Lenora's Watchog used its Illuminate Ability to reveal an invisible Yamask.
Ash's Sewaddle was revealed to have Swarm in A Connoisseur's Revenge! but he wasn't shown activating it. Cilan's Dwebble was shown using its Sturdy Ability in the same episode.
A wild Venipede used its Poison Point Ability to poison Ash in A Venipede Stampede!.
In Gotta Catch A Roggenrola!, Iris pointed out that Roggenrola had the Ability Sturdy, implying that Roggenrola would receive less damage than a Pokémon normally would.
Luke's Zorua often used Illusion to help Luke in making his movies. It was first seen in Movie Time! Zorua in "The Legend of the Pokémon Knight"!.
In The Club Battle Hearts of Fury: Emolga Versus Sawk!, Iris's Emolga used Static to help her win a battle against Stephan's Sawk.
In Enter Elesa, Electrifying Gym Leader!, Bianca's father's "Red Flash Darmanitan" used Zen Mode.
Three Darmanitan used Zen Mode in A Maractus Musical!.
In Scraggy and the Demanding Gothita!, a wild Garbodor used Stench.
In A Call for Brotherly Love!, Chili's Pansear used its Gluttony Ability.
In Battling the King of the Mines!, Ash's Boldore used its Sturdy Ability to stop a Horn Drill from working.
In The Clubsplosion Begins!, Edmund's Seismitoad used Swift Swim against Stephan's Sawk, but ended up losing.
In Goodbye, Junior Cup - Hello Adventure!, Alder's Bouffalant used Sap Sipper to negate Trip's Serperior's Solar Beam.
In The Road to Humilau!, Marlon's Jellicent used Cursed Body.
Ash's Leavanny first activated Swarm in Strong Strategy Steals the Show! during a battle against Stephan's Sawk.
In The Island of Illusions!, a Zoroark used Illusion.
In The Journalist from Another Region!, a Trainer's Slaking was shown to have Truant as its Ability.
In Survival of the Striaton Gym!, Morana's Abomasnow used its Snow Warning Ability. Cilan's Pansage was confirmed to have Gluttony as his Ability in the same episode.
Pokémon the Series: XY
Clemont's Chespin used its Ability Overgrow in An Appetite for Battle! battling against a Delphox.
In Mega Evolution Special I, Siebold's Blastoise was shown to have Mega Launcher when Mega Evolved.
Both Dark Aura from Yveltal and Fairy Aura from Xerneas were seen in Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction.
Ramos's Jumpluff and Weepinbell were both shown to have Chlorophyll as their Ability in The Green, Green Grass Types of Home!.
Ash's Goodra used its Ability Hydration in Ash's Gym battle against Clemont in The Moment of Lumiose Truth!.
Ash's Fletchinder used its Flame Body Ability in A Not-So-Flying Start! to help hatch an Egg that his Hawlucha found.
Both of Olympia's Meowstic were seen using their respective Abilities in All Eyes on the Future!, with the male Meowstic having his Hidden Ability Prankster and the female one having Keen Eye.
Two Abilities were seen in Mega Evolution Special IV, both in a battle against Alain's Charizard. A Mega Venusaur used Thick Fat to halve the damage it took from a Flamethrower. Malva's Houndoom later used Flash Fire to absorb another Flamethrower.
In Dream a Little Dream from Me!, a Darkrai activated its Ability Bad Dreams.
Sawyer's Clawitzer was shown to have Mega Launcher as its Ability during its battle against Ash in A Full-Strength Battle Surprise!.
Wulfric's Abomasnow was shown to have Snow Warning as its Ability during its Gym battle against Ash in All Hail the Ice Battlefield!. His Avalugg was later shown to have Ice Body in the same episode.
In the Lumiose Conference, many Pokémon were seen activating their Abilities during battles. In A League of His Own!, Trevor's Mega Charizard Y was shown to have Drought as its Ability. In the following episode, the effects of three different Abilities were shown during the battle between Tierno and Sawyer; Tierno's Ludicolo was shown activating Swift Swim while Sawyer's Mega Sceptile and Aegislash were revealed to have Lightning Rod and Stance Change as their Abilities, respectively. In Analysis Versus Passion!, Sawyer's Slaking was shown to have Truant as its Ability. In Finals Not for the Faint-Hearted!, Alain's Tyranitar was shown activating Sand Stream.
Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon
Sophocles's Togedemaru used her Ability Lightning Rod in The Guardian's Challenge!, absorbing Ash's Pikachu's Thunderbolt to increase the power of her Zing Zap.
Jessie's Mimikyu has used Disguise frequently during battles in the series to absorb damage from the first blow taken, first seen in Loading the Dex!.
A wild Palossand activated its Ability Water Compaction in A Shivering Shovel Search! when it was hit by Lana's Popplio's Bubble Beam, allowing it to repair the damage done to its body by the attack.
DJ Leo's Alolan Dugtrio used its Ability Tangling Hair in Getting the Band Back Together! where it was able to grab and bind Jessie's Mimikyu and James's Mareanie.
An Ally Castform activated its Forecast Ability during its battle with Ash in the Lush Jungle in Currying Favor and Flavor!, changing into its Sunny Form.
Gladion's Silvally activated RKS System in Mission: Total Recall!, changing into a Dark type with the Dark Memory. It has since then activated the Ability on multiple other occasions.
Lusamine's Clefable activated Magic Guard in 10,000,000 Reasons to Fight! to cross a field of poison without taking damage.
Nanu's Krookodile activated Intimidate in both of its battles against Lycanroc in Tough Guy Trials! and Guiding an Awakening!.
Hapu's Mudsdale activated Stamina in its battle against Tupp, Rapp, and Zipp in That's Some Spicy Island Research! It was reactivated in A Grand Debut!.
Guzma's Golisopod activated Emergency Exit in its battle against Ash's Pikachu in The Dealer of Destruction!. It was later activated again in Getting Down to The Ire!.
Mohn's Zoroark activated Illusion in Chasing Memories, Creating Dreams! as it followed Gladion around.
Ilima's Mega Kangaskhan activated her Parental Bond Ability in her fight against Guzma's Scizor in Battling Besties!.
Acerola's Gengar, the Greedy Rapooh, activated its Cursed Body Ability in its fight against Kiawe's Marowak in The Battlefield of Truth and Love!. In the same episode, Snowy activated its Snow Cloak Ability in its fight against Gladion's Umbreon.
Pokémon Journeys: The Series
Six Darmanitan used their Hidden Ability, Zen Mode, in Raid Battle in The Ruins!. One of them was caught by Goh.
In Destination: Coronation!, Visquez's Electrode activated its Hidden Ability Aftermath after being knocked out by Ash's Pikachu.
In Sobbing Sobble!, a Morpeko that James would later catch activated its Hunger Switch Ability against Team Rocket.
In Secrets of the Jungle, a wild Cramorant used its Gulp Missile Ability when Ash's Pikachu shocked it while stuck in its mouth.
In Searching for Chivalry!, Wikstrom's Aegislash activated its Stance Change during a battle against Ash and Goh.
In A Rollicking Roll…, multiple Gulpin belonging to Team Rocket activated their Sticky Hold Ability.
In Beyond Chivalry… Aiming to be a Leek Master!, Rinto's Gallade activated his Hidden Ability Justified after being struck by Ash's Sirfetch'd's Night Slash.
In Nightfall? Nightmares!, a Darkrai activated its Ability Bad Dreams.
In Detective Drizzile!, Gizmo's Kecleon activated her Ability Color Change.
In The Arceus Chronicles (Part 2), Saturn's Heatran activated its Ability Flash Fire.
In Battling as Hard as Stone!, Ash's Dracovish was revealed to possess the Ability Strong Jaw, which boosts the power of its Fishious Rend and Ice Fang.
In Bewitch, Battle, and Bewilder!, Cynthia's Togekiss activated its Ability Serene Grace to increase its chances to make Ash's Pikachu flinch with Air Slash. In the same episode, Cynthia's Roserade was burned by Ash's Gengar's Will-O-Wisp. In the next episode, Roserade was revealed to have used its Natural Cure Ability to heal itself upon being switched out.
In Valor: A Strategic Part of Battling!, Ash's Lucario was revealed to possess the Ability Inner Focus, which protected it from flinching against Cynthia's Togekiss.
In Just a Scone's Throw From Here!, a Cramorant from the Rocket Prize Master used Gulp Missile with Team Rocket's Arrokuda to attack Goh's Pokémon.
In A Flood of Torrential Gains!, Leon's Cinderace activated its Hidden Ability Libero to change its type to match the move it used. During the same episode, Ash's Gengar activated Cursed Body against Leon's Mr. Rime.
Ash's Talonflame constantly used its Flame Body Ability in Bearing Down Easy! to keep everyone warm from Beartic's attacks.
Pokémon Horizons: The Series
Like in Pokémon the Series, Abilities are usually only used in battles, but can be relevant in other ways to the plot or used outside of battle for various purposes. Abilities can also still work differently than they would in the games, or have extra effects that are not observed in the games.
In The Future I Choose, Lucius's giant Arboliva activated its Seed Sower Ability to help a mass of planted Berries grow into new trees.
In Kabu's Battle Training!, Kabu's Centiskorch used its Flash Fire Ability to negate Roy's Fuecoco's Ember.
In Charge! Galar Mine!, Amethio's Ceruledge used its Hidden Ability Weak Armor to lower its Defense and increase its Speed during its battle against Friede's Charizard.
In Roar of the Black Rayquaza, Terapagos activated Tera Shift for the first time to protect Liko from the Black Rayquaza.
In Transform! Hero of the Seas, Palafin, a wild Palafin activated its Zero to Hero Ability to transform into its Hero Form and help out people in need. As thanks for protecting it from a group of photographers wanting to take a photo its transformation sequence, Palafin allowed Liko to witness said transformation.
In A Challenge from the Explorers, Liko's Sprigatito activated her Overgrow Ability during her battle against Sidian's Garganacl.
In HZ050, Iono's Bellibolt activated its Electromorphosis Ability while battling against Dot's Quaxly.
In HZ055, Hassel's Baxcalibur activated its Thermal Exchange Ability while battling against Roy and Brassius.
In HZ056, Katy's Lokix activated its Swarm Ability after being poisoned by a Poison Jab from Rika's Clodsire.
In HZ057, Raifort's Zoroark activated Illusion several times.
In HZ061, Ryme's Toxtricity activated its Punk Rock Ability while battle against Roy's Fuecoco.
In HZ067, Liko's Hattrem activated Healer to cure Floragato of her paralysis.
In the manga
Be the Best! Pokémon B+W
Monta's Roggenrola activated Sturdy in The Key to Triple Battles.
A Pokémon Ranger's Zebstrika and Monta's Excadrill activated Lightningrod and Sand Force in The Battle for More Friends!.
Dol's Bouffalant activated Sap Sipper in Challenge the Battle Subway!.
Monta's Watchog activated Illuminate in Let's Master Pokémon Capturing!.
Monta's Victini was unable to activate Victory Star in The Birth of the Best Pokémon Trainer! since the Serperior Cheren borrowed used Gastro Acid.
Movie adaptations
Darkrai activated Bad Dreams in The Rise of Darkrai.
Xerneas activated Fairy Aura in Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction.
Pokémon Adventures
Ruby & Sapphire arc
Parallel to their introduction in Generation III of the video games, Abilities were first introduced in the Ruby & Sapphire arc of Pokémon Adventures.
Wally's Kecleon activated its Color Change Ability in Tongue-Tied Kecleon.
Matt's Sharpedo and Amber's Carvanha both activated Rough Skin in Mowing Down Ludicolo. Ruby's Castform, Fofo, first activated Forecast in the same chapter.
During Sapphire's battle with Roxanne in Blowing Past Nosepass I, Roxanne's Nosepass proved superior to Rono. Worried that Rono would be defeated, Sapphire attempted to switch Rono out for Chic but was unable to. Roxanne explained that because her Nosepass has Magnet Pull, Steel-type Pokémon cannot switch out.
Ruby's first encounter with Abilities arrived in Stick This in Your Craw, Crawdaunt! II when he and Mr. Briney were attacked by a wild Crawdaunt. Peeko tried to defeat him with Quick Attack, but the Crawdaunt's Shell Armor prevented her from doing much damage at all. After Mr. Briney fell unconscious, Ruby had Kiki use Double-Edge and infatuate Crawdaunt with her Ability, Cute Charm.
Sapphire later struggled against a potent counter Ability when she faced Brawly in Mashing Makuhita. After Rono was quickly defeated by Brawly's Makuhita, Chic used Flamethrower against Makuhita, but it had little effect due to his Thick Fat Ability.
While on their way to Slateport City, Ruby and Sapphire were attacked by Courtney and Tabitha at the Abandoned Ship during Adding It Up with Plusle & Minun II. They escaped with the help of a wild Plusle and Minun after Ruby realized that their complimentary Abilities, Plus and Minus, greatly amplified their power when they fought together.
After Wattson is captured by the New Mauville generator, Sapphire devised a Double Battle strategy using his Electrike in Plugging Past Electrike II. While Electrike did not have the moves to stop the generator itself, and the wild Donphan that Wattson and the Trick Master had originally intended to capture would be quickly eradicated by its powerful attacks, Electrike's Ability, Lightning Rod, would allow him to redirect the bolt away from Donphan, buying Donphan enough time to destroy the generator with Rollout.
Archie's Walrein activated Thick Fat during battle with Maxie's Camerupt in Walrein and Camerupt. Maxie's Camerupt activated Magma Armor during the same battle.
Groudon and Kyogre activated Drought and Drizzle, respectively, in The Beginning of the End with Kyogre & Groudon III.
Amber's Ninjask activated Speed Boost in Can I Ninjask You a Question?.
Brawly's Machoke activated Guts in The Beginning of the End with Kyogre & Groudon IX.
Sapphire's Lairon, Rono, and her Donphan, Phado, both activated Sturdy to survive against a Sheer Cold attack from Archie's Walrein in The Beginning of the End with Kyogre & Groudon X.
Norman's Spinda was revealed to have Own Tempo as his Ability in Rayquaza Redemption I, but Skill Swapped it with his Slaking's Truant Ability.
FireRed & LeafGreen arc
Ultima's Meganium and Typhlosion activated Overgrow and Blaze respectively in Old Ultima Puts Them to the Test.
Red's Gyarados, Gyara, activated Intimidate at the start of Red and Blue's battle in Red and Blue Make Purple Opponents.
Red's Aerodactyl, Aero, activated Rock Head while using Take Down in Double Dealing with Deoxys. In the same chapter, Blue's Rhydon activated Lightning Rod.
Red's Poliwrath, Poli, activated Damp in Put Your Beast Foot Forward. It was Skill Swapped by Organism No. 2 in Storming the Forretress for its Pressure ability.
Organism No. 2 activated Pressure in Don't Doubt Deoxys.
Blue's Alakazam copied Chuchu's Static Ability with Role Play in Secrets from Sneasel.
Emerald arc
Lucy's Seviper activated Shed Skin in Swanky Showdown with Swalot.
The Battle Factory's Golem used Rock Head, and the Battle Factory's Pinsir, Mawile, and Linoone were revealed to have Hyper Cutter, Intimidate, and Pickup respectively by Emerald's Pokédex in Pinsir Me, I Must Be Dreaming.
In Gotcha Where I Wantcha, Glalie, the rental Glalie that Noland used during his Battle Factory match against Emerald was revealed to have Inner Focus as its Ability by Emerald's Pokédex.
In Moving Past Milotic, Crystal's Starmie was revealed to have Natural Cure as its Ability.
In Just My Luck...Shuckle, Lucy's Shuckle and Milotic were revealed to have Sturdy and Marvel Scale respectively as their Abilitys by Emerald's Pokédex. Crystal's Rapidash was also revealed to have Run Away as his Ability by Emerald's Pokédex. Crystal's Blissey used Natural Cure in the same chapter.
Emerald's borrowed Phanpy had Pickup in A Dust-Up With Dusclops.
In Sneaky Like Shedinja, Greta's Shedinja was mentioned to have Wonder Guard as its Ability.
Ruby's Rara used Synchronize in Cunning Kirlia.
Ruby's Feefee used its ability Marvel Scale in Susceptible to Sceptile.
Diamond & Pearl arc
Diamond's Munchlax, Lax, activated Pickup in Stagestruck Starly.
Roark's Onix used Rock Head in A Conk on Cranidos's Cranium.
A wild Stunky activated Stench in A Big Stink Over Stunky.
Saturn's Croagunk activated Anticipation in Crowded by Croagunk & Advanced on by Abra I.
A wild Hippowdon activated Sand Stream in Bombastic Bibarel & Heroic Hippopotas.
Cyrus's Magnezone activated Magnet Pull in Problematic Probopass and Mad Magnezone II.
Sird's Darkrai first used Bad Dreams in Startling Staraptor.
Diamond's Lickilicky, Kit, was revealed to have Own Tempo as his Ability in Well Met, Weepinbell but couldn't activate it since Sebastian's Weepinbell cancelled it out with Gastro Acid.
Cynthia's Spiritomb and Cyrus's Weavile both activated Pressure in Shunning Spiritomb.
Platinum arc
Platinum's Lopunny activated her Cute Charm Ability in Getting the Drop on Gallade II to help her defeat Darach's Gallade.
The Battle Factory's Loudred was revealed to have Soundproof in Uprooting Seedot.
A Tyranitar belonging to the Battle Factory activated Sand Stream in Outlasting Ledian. A Qwilfish belonging to the Battle Factory also activated Poison Point in the same chapter.
Diamond's Rotom was confirmed to have Levitate in Unplugging Rotom (Heat, Wash, Mow, Fan, Frost).
Platinum's Cherrim activated Flower Gift in The Final Dimensional Duel X. In the same chapter, Diamond's Reg, the Lake guardians, Palkia, Dialga, Palmer's Cresselia, and Charon's Heatran all used Insomnia via Marley's Shaymin's Worry Seed.
HeartGold & SoulSilver arc
In All About Arceus IV, Arceus activated Multitype.
Black & White arc
N's Zorua first used Illusion in Lost in the Big City.
Burgh's Whirlipede activated Poison Point in Big City Battles.
Several wild Darmanitan used their Hidden Ability Zen Mode in To Make a Musical.
Elesa's Zebstrika used Motor Drive in Battle on a Roller Coaster.
Brycen's Vanillish had Ice Body in The Cold Hard Truth.
Brycen's Beartic activated Snow Cloak in A Cold Reception. Drayden's Druddigon was also mentioned to have Sheer Force as its Ability.
N's Darmanitan activated its Hidden Ability Zen Mode in The Lesson Ends Here.
Marlon's Jellicent used Cursed Body in The Tournament Continues.
Black's Carracosta, Costa, activated Solid Rock in One Way or Another, but Iris's Haxorus negated it with Mold Breaker.
Black 2 & White 2 arc
In Deduction Time, Hugh's Vibrava obtained Simple via a Team Plasma Grunt's Audino's Simple Beam.
X & Y arc
Celosia's Aegislash activated Stance Change in Lucky Lucario Was Here.
X's Kangaskhan, Kanga and Li'l Kanga, activated Parental Bond as a Mega Kangaskhan in Charging After Electrike.
In Connecting with Gardevoir, Diantha mentioned that her Gardevoir has Trace as its Ability. In the same chapter, Gardevoir used Pixilate as a Mega Gardevoir.
X's Gengar, Garma, activated his Shadow Tag Ability as a Mega Gengar in Changing Gengar.
In Pyroar Breathes, X's Manectric, Élec, used his Lightning Rod Ability to drain Lysandre's machine's energy.
X's Mega Pinsir, Rute, used Aerilate in Zygarde Appears.
Xerosic's Malamar used Contrary in Chesnaught Protects.
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire arc
In Salamence Evolves, Zinnia's Salamence was mentioned to have Intimidate as its Ability. In the same chapter, Salamence used Aerilate as a Mega Salamence.
Groudon and Kyogre activated Desolate Land and Primordial Sea as Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre respectively in Groudon Returns.
Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon arc
Professor Kukui's Munchlax activated Thick Fat in The Announcement and the Prize.
Sun's Wishiwashi, Quarter, activated his Schooling Ability in Defeat and the Commander of the School of Fish.
Sun's Mimikyu, Penny, activated his Disguise Ability in A Photoshoot and the Abandoned Thrifty Megamart.
Gladion's Silvally activated its RKS System Ability in Destroy!! Results of the Training!.
Sword & Shield arc
In Zap!! A Rising Beam of Light, Casey's Scorbunny burned a Team Yell Grunt's Galarian Linoone. However, this ended up activating Linoone's Hidden Ability, Quick Feet. In the same chapter, a Team Yell Grunt's Thievul burned a Dynamaxed Gurdurr, activating his Ability, Guts. He was soon defeated and caught by Henry Sword.
In Gulp Gulp!! Pokémon, Casey's Kilo was mentioned to have his Hidden Ability, Propeller Tail. In the same chapter, Hop's Cramorant used its Ability, Gulp Missile.
In Chomp!! It's Dracovish, Marnie's Morpeko was shown to have the Ability Hunger Switch.
In Cracking!! Brilliant Tap-Dancing, Casey's Eiscue, Peta, activated his Ability Ice Face.
Scarlet & Violet arc
In PASV09, Scarlet's Tarountula was unaffected by Brassius's Petilil's Sleep Powder due to its Ability, Insomnia. In the same chapter, Brassius's Sudowoodo was able to survive a Lava Plume from Scarlet's Armarouge thanks to its Sturdy Ability, but it still fainted regardless due to receiving a burn from the attack.
In PASV12, Iono mentioned her Mismagius had the Ability Levitate.
Pokémon Battle Frontier
Enta's Vulpix activated Flash Fire in Enta Arrives at the Battle Frontier!.
Enta's Feebas activated Swift Swim in Introducing the Frontier Brains!.
When Enta battled Lucy's Seviper with Zangoose in The Predestined Battle!, Zangoose activated Immunity to prevent itself from being poisoned.
Pocket Monsters BW: The Heroes of Fire and Thunder
Togari's Watchog activated Keen Eye in Justice Trainer Shin Appears!.
Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl
Electivire was shown to activate Motor Drive in Ash's imagination in PDP07 if Pikachu used Volt Tackle on it.
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!
Saturn's Rhyperior activated Lightningrod to redirect Hareta's Luxio Electric-type moves to it.
Hareta's Riolu has Steadfast which activated after flinching from B-2's Drapion.
Hareta's Piplup has Torrent, which powered up its Water-type moves.
Hareta's Luxio activated Intimidate in A Novel Test!! on Candice's Regirock and Regice but Regirock's Clear Body prevented Intimidate from working. Regice and Registeel were revealed to have Clear Body in the same chapter but weren't shown activating it.
Hareta's Regigigas has Slow Start, which proved to be a disadvantage for Hareta.
Koya's Absol's Super Luck nearly defeated Hareta's Empoleon but a comeback with Empoleon's Surf would have given Hareta the win but the battle was interrupted by Mitsumi's Glaceon's Ice Beam.
Koya's Mamoswine activated Snow Cloak during a hailstorm.
Pocket Monsters Platinum: Aim to Be Battle King!!
In PBK1, Shin's Bronzong had Heatproof to minimize the damage taken from Yū Shirogane's Infernape's Fire-type moves but Infernape's Blaze powered them back up.
Yū's Scizor received Heatran's Flash Fire Ability after Bronzong Skill Swapped them in PBK4. Yū's Bronzong had Levitate in that same chapter.
Yū's Regigigas had Slow Start in PBK7.
Pokémon Pocket Monsters
Norman's Slakoth activated Truant in I Won't Let You Lead.
Zorua and Zoroark activated Illusion in PMHGSS20.
Pocket Monsters XY: The Legend of the Pokémon Dragon King
In the TCG
- Main article: Ability (TCG)
Abilities under the name of Abilities did not appear in the Trading Card Game until the Black & White expansion kicking off Generation V. However, this was merely a renaming of the longstanding Pokémon Powers. Pokémon Powers were very similar to Abilities, but were introduced much earlier, appearing in the very first Base Set during Generation I. In fact, some Abilities from the games originally appeared as Pokémon Powers.
With the introduction of the Expedition Base Set, Pokémon Powers were split into two groups: Poké-Powers and Poké-Bodies. Poké-Powers are special effects that the player must trigger or announce using. A Poké-Body's effect is a passive Ability that is always in effect. When Pokémon Powers were renamed to Abilities in Black and White, these distinctions were done away with.
Trivia
- Zygarde is the only Pokémon that has two standard Abilities but does not have a Hidden Ability.
- The unused Ability Cacophony was included in the coding for third-generation games as Ability #076 (Air Lock was #077). From the fourth generation, Cacophony was removed and Air Lock was renumbered as #076, with the new Abilities positioned from #077 onward.
- Generation III introduced the most Abilities, with a total of 76. Generation VI introduced the fewest, with a total of 27.
- In Generation III, there is an unused Ability placeholder labeled as "-------" with the description "No special ability".
- Every Ability introduced in Generation VIII is a signature Ability.
- Out of them, Stalwart is the only one to have been given to a Pokémon that debuted after the Ability itself, being Archaludon's Hidden Ability.
In other languages
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References
- ↑ In the descriptions of Role Play, Skill Swap, and Trace, placeholder text for a Pokémon with no Ability, and NPC dialogue.
- ↑ In the manual of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire.
- ↑ In the easy chat system.
- ↑ On the summary screen, in the description of TM48 (Skill Swap) and when Skill Swap is used in battle, in FireRed and LeafGreen and Generation IV in the descriptions of Role Play, Skill Swap, Trace, and Worry Seed, and in NPC dialogue in Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum.
- ↑ pokemon.com/dk
Related articles
- Ability variations
- List of Pokémon by Ability
- List of Abilities in other languages
- Signature Ability
- Moves that affect Abilities
- Moves that ignore Abilities
- Ability-changing Abilities
- Abilities that ignore other Abilities
Pokémon individuality | ||
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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. |