Copycat (move): Difference between revisions

Copycat (Japanese: まねっこ Imitate) is a non-damaging Normal-type move introduced in Generation IV.

Effect

Generations IV and V

Copycat causes the user to use the last move that was used (even if the last move was by the user). A move called by Copycat in this way counts as the last move used.

Copycat will fail if the target did not make a move selection in the round before the use of Copycat, switches out during the round Copycat is used, or if the opponent's last move used was Copycat or Mirror Move. If either was used successfully, the move copied by that will be the most recent move used, and so that move will be copied by this use of Copycat.

Paralysis, confusion, recharging, and building up for a multi-turn move have no effect to the last move used. If Copycat is used against a target that was fully paralyzed or hurt itself right before its use, Copycat will still use the last move that the target used. If Copycat is used during the first turn of a multi-turn move, Copycat will use the move that the opponent used before that move (or fail if no move was previously made).

A Pokémon will be able to use a move that is Disabled if it is called via Copycat.

If used in a battle after switching out, the move that is copied is the last one used within that battle.

Generation VI

Copycat no longer receives increased priority if a Pokémon with the Ability Prankster uses a move with decreased priority.

Description

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Type		Level
					I		II		III		IV		V		VI
122		Mr. Mime	Psychic	Fairy	4				4			4
173		Cleffa	Fairy		Fairy	13				13			13
174		Igglybuff	Normal	Fairy	17				17			17 11
185		Sudowoodo	Rock		Rock	--				--			--
238		Smoochum	Ice	Psychic	38				41			41
300		Skitty	Normal		Normal	11		18	18			18 19
311		Plusle	Electric		Electric	24				24			24 22
312		Minun	Electric		Electric	24				24			24 22
327		Spinda	Normal		Normal	10				10			10 5
438		Bonsly	Rock		Rock	--				--			--
439		Mime Jr.	Psychic	Fairy	4				4			4
440		Happiny	Normal		Normal	5				5			5
447		Riolu	Fighting		Fighting	29				29	19	19
481		Mesprit	Psychic		Psychic	61				61			--, 61
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.

By breeding

#	Pokémon		Type		Father
					II		III		IV		V		VI
298		Azurill	Normal	Fairy
427		Buneary	Normal		Normal
501		Oshawott	Water		Water
509		Purrloin	Dark		Dark
570		Zorua	Dark		Dark
669		Flabébé	Fairy		Fairy
684		Swirlix	Fairy		Fairy
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 the anime

Riolu; copying Leaf Blade Riolu; copying a Fire-type move Lucario; copying a Steel-type move Riolu; copying Air Cutter
The user copies the opponent's last move and uses it.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	After the opponent has used a move, Riolu becomes surrounded in a waving aura of light. It then recalls how the opponent used the move, one of its eyes twinkles, and it uses the same move as the opponent just used. The color of the aura depends on which type of move Riolu is copying.
Cameron's Riolu	Mission: Defeat Your Rival!		Debut
	When it sees its opponent about to use an attack, Lucario becomes surrounded in a waving aura of light. It then recalls how the opponent is using the move, and it uses the same move as the opponent is using. The color of the aura depends on which type of move Lucario is copying.
Cameron's Lucario	A Unova League Evolution!		None

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Mime Jr.
The user imitates the opponent's attacks.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Mime Jr. copies the move used by the opponent.
Ken's Mime Jr.	All About Arceus IX		Debut

In other generations

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD:Time, Darkness, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

In other languages

Language Title Mandarin Chinese 仿造 Fǎngzào French Photocopie German Imitator Greek Αντιγραφή Antigrafí Italian Copione Korean 흉내쟁이 Hyungnaejaeng'i Polish Imitacja Brazilian Portuguese Copiar Spanish Copión

Variations of the move Mirror Move
Mirror Move • Copycat

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.