Simple (Ability)

Simple (Japanese: たんじゅん Simple) is an ability introduced in Generation IV. Five Pokémon have this Ability, all of them in the Ground egg group.

Effect

Generation IV

Simple doubles the effectiveness of stat modifiers. For example, if Defense Curl is used, the user's Defense stat will increase by one stage, but the effect of that stage is equal to the change of two stages. Similarly, if Tail Whip is used against this Pokémon, its Defense stat will fall one stage, but be treated as two.

However, stat modifiers are still effectively capped at six stages; a Simple Pokémon with +3 or -3 in a stat can still increase or decrease the stage of that stat, but those changes will have no effect on the actual stats of the Pokemon.

A Pokémon that uses Psych Up on a target with Simple only copies the actual (not effective) stage changes.

Generation V

Simple now doubles the changes in stage, rather than doubling their effectiveness. Therefore, moves like Defense Curl can only be used three times before failing (unlike Generation IV, where it could be used six times, but only have effect up to the third). Psych Up works as normal.

Using Baton Pass with a Simple Pokémon as the recipient will double the stage changes that are transferred (up to a maximum of +6 or -6).

The move Simple Beam can change the target Pokémon's Ability to Simple.

Outside of battle

Simple has no effect outside of battle.

Pokémon with Simple

#	Pokémon		Types		First Ability	Second Ability	Hidden Ability
0322		Numel	Fire	Ground	Oblivious	Simple	Own Tempo
0399		Bidoof	Normal		Normal	Simple	Unaware	Moody
0400		Bibarel	Normal	Water	Simple	Unaware	Moody
0527		Woobat	Psychic	Flying	Unaware	Klutz	Simple
0528		Swoobat	Psychic	Flying	Unaware	Klutz	Simple
Please note that abilities marked with a superscript are only available in the stated generation or later. For Generation III and IV games, ignore Hidden Abilities.

In other languages

Language Title French Simple German Wankelmut Greek Απλότητα Italian Disinvoltura Korean 단순 Dansun Portuguese Simplificar Spanish Simple

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.