Transform (move): Difference between revisions

Transform (Japanese: へんしん Transformation) is a non-damaging Template:Type2 move introduced in Generation I.

Effect

Generation I

Transform changes the user's current type(s), current stats, current stat levels, current move(s), current species, current cry, and current catch rate to the opponent's current type(s), current stats, current stat levels, current move(s), current species, current cry, and current catch rate. Each move copied by Transform will have 5 PP.

Transform does not copy the opponent's status ailments, level, current or maximum HP, base experience, palette colors, or the generic minimize image. The current stat changes due to Transform will be ignored by critical hits, since critical hits use a Pokémon's original stats. Transform affects the user, not the opponent, so it is not affected by accuracy and evasion modifiers.

In-game, if a wild Pokémon uses Transform and is subsequently caught, it will become a Ditto, regardless of what species it originally was. It will then have all the stats and moves of a Ditto, except for its current HP, which will remain unaltered by this change.

In Stadium, Transform will not work if the opponent's current species is Ditto.

Generation II-III

Transform, if used by a Template:Shiny2 Pokémon, will cause the Pokémon species transformed into to appear shiny. Likewise, a normal Pokémon transforming into a shiny opponent's species will appear as a normal version.

Generation IV

The user of the move also copies the target's alternate coloration. Therefore, if the target is shiny, then the user's transformed state will also be shiny.

In the anime

The Pokémon briefly glows and then takes on the appearance of the other Pokémon.

Pokémon

Ditto

• Duplica owns two Ditto and likes to 'transform' with them. Her second, Mini-Dit, has the unusual problem of not being able to change its size in transformation. Duplica's first Ditto also displayed the ability to transform into inanimate objects, such as a book and a cannon.
• Ash's Orange League battle with Drake began with Pikachu having to face a copy of itself thanks to Ditto's transformation. Many trainers cannot compete with this, though Ash succeeded.

Latias

• In Pokémon Heroes, Latias is able to Transform into people, however, it's suggested it's merely an illusion of light reflection, as Latias' body shape appears the same when looked through heat vision goggles.

Mew

• The Mew in Lucario and the Mystery of Mew can Transform into any Pokémon, even if that Pokémon species is not with Mew.

Learnset

Generation I

By leveling up

#   Pokémon Type Level 0132 Ditto Normal -- 0151 Mew Psychic 10 Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB from this move.

Generation II

By leveling up

#   Pokémon Type Level 0132 Ditto Normal -- 0151 Mew Psychic 10 Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB from this move.

Generation III

By leveling up

#   Pokémon Type Level 0132 Ditto Normal -- 0151 Mew Psychic 10 Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB from this move.

Generation IV

By leveling up

#   Pokémon Type Level 0132 Ditto Normal -- 0151 Mew Psychic -- Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB from this move.

The Transform paradox

If Ditto (or another Pokémon with only Transform) faces another Pokémon with Transform in a Trainer battle where neither Trainer has any items and no Pokémon besides the Pokémon with Transform, the battle will never end. This is because when Transform is used, the Pokémon will turn into its opponent, resulting in a Transform moveset of, again, only Transform. Since every time Transform is used, it gives the Pokémon using it the target's moveset with 5 PP each, Transform will continue to Transform into itself, restoring the PP every time it is used. Due to this, the Pokémon will never reach a point where it can only use Struggle, unlike what is the case with Wynaut and Wobbuffet. This is likely why no Trainers have Ditto in the Generation IV games, except in the Battle Tower, where one can always retire.

In other languages

• French: Morphing
• German: Wandler
• Italian: Trasformazione
• Spanish: Transform

Template:Project MoveDex notice