View source for Ability change

:''This article is about temporary Ability changes in battles. For the items that switch between a Pokémon's possible Abilities, see [[Ability Capsule]] and [[Ability Patch]].''
'''[[Ability]] change''' is a mechanic available in [[Pokémon battle]]s.

==Effect==
Some moves and Abilities cause a Pokémon's [[Ability]] to be temporarily changed in battle. The original Ability is still displayed in the Pokémon's [[summary]]. All Ability changes are undone when the Pokémon is [[Recall|switched out]], [[Fainting|faints]], or the battle ends.

===Generations III and IV===
{{a|Forecast}} can only be copied by {{a|Trace}} ([[Generation III]] only), {{m|Role Play}}, {{m|Skill Swap}}, and {{m|Transform}}. {{a|Multitype}} can only be copied with Transform.

A Pokémon that transforms into {{p|Castform}} or {{p|Arceus}} can change forms with {{a|Forecast}} or {{a|Multitype}}, respectively.

===Generation V onwards===
{{MoveResearch|
* Check if Doodle can copy: Forecast, Power of Alchemy, Receiver, Wonder Guard, Zero to Hero
* Check if Mummy can replace: Hadron Engine, Orichalcum Pulse, Protosynthesis, Quark Drive
* Check Role Play (for both user and target) for Imposter in Generation V
* Check Entrainment for for Imposter in Generation V
* Check whether a Pokémon with the Ability Wonder Guard can use Role Play in Generation III (requires Mimic)
*Check Receiver for Gulp Missile, Hadron Engine, Hunger Switch, Ice Face, Orichalcum Pulse, Protosynthesis, Quark Drive
*Check Lingering Aroma for Hunger Switch}}

It is possible to copy Abilities from one Pokémon to another by using some moves ({{m|Doodle}}, {{m|Entrainment}}, {{m|Role Play}}, and {{m|Skill Swap}}) and Abilities ({{a|Power of Alchemy}}, {{a|Receiver}}, and {{a|Trace}}). Transforming into another Pokémon (via {{m|Transform}} or {{a|Imposter}}) copies its Ability as well.

Power of Alchemy, Receiver, and Trace cannot be copied by moves and Abilities, except by transforming into a Pokémon with this Ability.

Some Abilities cannot be gained or lost in battle, except by transforming into the correct Pokémon species that can use that Ability: {{a|As One}}, {{a|Battle Bond}}, {{a|Comatose}}, {{a|Commander}}, {{a|Disguise}}, {{a|Gulp Missile}}, {{a|Ice Face}}, {{a|Imposter}}, {{a|Multitype}}, {{a|Power Construct}}, {{a|RKS System}}, {{a|Schooling}}, {{a|Shields Down}}, {{a|Stance Change}}, {{a|Wonder Guard}}, {{a|Zen Mode}}, or {{a|Zero to Hero}}.

A transformed Pokémon is unable to change forms by using Abilities. For instance, a Pokémon that transforms into {{p|Aegislash}} will be unable to change forms with {{a|Stance Change}}.

{{a|Lingering Aroma}} and {{a|Mummy}} spread to other Pokémon, causing them to have the same Ability. They do not spread to Pokémon that already have either of these Abilities. If a Pokémon with {{a|Rock Head}} uses a [[contact]] move on a Pokémon with Lingering Aroma or Mummy, the user will be able to take [[recoil]] damage from this move.

Some Abilities cannot be gained during battle, but can be lost using Mummy: {{a|Hunger Switch}}

==Causes==
===Moves===
:''See also: [[:Category:Ability-changing moves]]''

{| class="roundy" width="100%" style="background: #{{normal color}}; border: 5px solid #{{normal color light}};"
|-
|
{| border=1 width="100%" class="sortable roundy" style="text-align:center; background: #FFFFFF; border:1px solid #{{normal color}}; border-collapse:collapse;"
|- 
! width="10%" | Move
! width="5%" | [[Type]]
! width="10%" | [[Damage category|Category]]
! [[Power]]
! [[Accuracy]]
! [[Generation]]
! width="45%" | Notes
|-
| class="l" | {{m|Doodle}}
{{typetable|Normal}}
{{statustable|Status}}
| —
| 100%
{{Gentable|IX}}
| {{p|Grafaiai}} and its ally have their Abilities replaced by the target's Ability
|-
| class="l" | {{m|Entrainment}}
{{typetable|Normal}}
{{statustable|Status}}
| —
| 100%
{{Gentable|V}}
| The target has its Ability replaced by the user's Ability
|-
| class="l" | {{m|Role Play}}
{{typetable|Psychic}}
{{statustable|Status}}
| —
| —%
{{Gentable|III}}
| The user has its Ability replaced by the target's Ability
|-
| class="l" | {{m|Simple Beam}}
{{typetable|Normal}}
{{statustable|Status}}
| —
| 100%
{{Gentable|V}}
| The target has its Ability replaced by {{a|Simple}}
|-
| class="l" | {{m|Skill Swap}}
{{typetable|Psychic}}
{{statustable|Status}}
| —
| —%
{{Gentable|III}}
| The user and target swap their Abilities with each other
|-
| class="l" | {{m|Transform}}
{{typetable|Normal}}
{{statustable|Status}}
| —
| —%
{{Gentable|I}}
| The user transforms into the target, copying its appearance, types, [[stats]], Ability, and [[move]]s
|-
| class="l" | {{m|Worry Seed}}
{{typetable|Grass}}
{{statustable|Status}}
| —
| 100%
{{Gentable|IV}}
| The target has its Ability replaced by {{a|Insomnia}}
|}
|}

===Abilities===
:''See also: [[:Category:Ability-changing Abilities]]''

{| class="roundy" width="100%" style="background: #{{normal color}}; border: 1px solid #{{normal color}};"
|-
|
{| border=1 width="100%" class="sortable roundy" style="text-align:center; background: #FFFFFF; border:1px solid #{{normal color}}; border-collapse:collapse;"
|- 
! width="10%" | Ability
! [[Generation]]
! Effect
|-
| class="l" | {{a|Imposter}}
{{Gentable|V}}
| A {{p|Ditto}} with Imposter {{m|transform}}s into its opponent, copying its appearance, types, [[stats]], Ability, and [[move]]s
|-
| class="l" | {{a|Lingering Aroma}}
{{Gentable|IX}}
| When a Pokémon with Lingering Aroma is hit by a [[contact]] move, the attacker's Ability is changed to Lingering Aroma
|-
| class="l" | {{a|Mummy}}
{{Gentable|V}}
| When a Pokémon with Mummy is hit by a [[contact]] move, the attacker's Ability is changed to Mummy
|-
| class="l" | {{a|Power of Alchemy}}
{{Gentable|VII}}
| If a Pokémon has Power of Alchemy when an ally [[fainting|faints]] in battle, this Ability is replaced by the ally's Ability
|-
| class="l" | {{a|Receiver}}
{{Gentable|VII}}
| If a Pokémon has Receiver when an ally [[fainting|faints]] in battle, this Ability is replaced by the ally's Ability
|-
| class="l" | {{a|Trace}}
{{Gentable|III}}
| When a Pokémon with Trace enters battle, its Ability is replaced by the Ability of a random adjacent opponent
|-
| class="l" | {{a|Wandering Spirit}}
{{Gentable|VIII}}
| When a Pokémon with Wandering Spirit is hit by a [[contact]] move, the user and target have their Abilities exchanged with each other
|}
|}

===Other===
* [[List of Pokémon by Ability|Evolution]]
* [[List of Pokémon with form differences|Form change]]
** [[Mega Evolution]]
* [[List of modified Ability access|Transfer]]

==In animation==
[[File:Spinel Beheeyem Skill Swap.png|thumb|250px|Beheeyem swapping Abilities with Pikachu in {{aniseries|HZ}}]]
===''Pokémon Horizons: The Series''===
In ''[[HZ086|The Rising Volt Tacklers vs. The Explorers!]]'', [[Spinel]]'s {{p|Beheeyem}} used {{m|Skill Swap}} on [[Captain Pikachu]], swapping its {{a|Telepathy}} Ability for its opponent's [[Hidden Ability]] {{a|Lightning Rod}}. Doing this allowed Beheeyem to protect itself and Spinel's {{p|Umbreon}} from Pikachu's {{t|Electric}} attacks, but Friede was able to turn this strategy against Spinel by having Captain Pikachu purposefully use {{m|Thunder Punch}} to force Beheeyem to take the hit and then have his {{TP|Friede|Charizard}} use a {{type|Dark}} {{m|Tera Blast}} on both of them, with Captain Pikachu escaping unscathed thanks to Telepathy.
{{-}}

==In the manga==
[[File:Yuu Shirogane Bronzong Skill Swap.png|thumb|250px|Bronzong swapping Abilities with Heatran in [[Pocket Monsters Platinum: Aim to Be Battle King!!]]]]
===Pokémon Adventures===
===={{MangaArc|Ruby & Sapphire}}====
In ''[[PS258|Rayquaza Redemption I]]'', [[Norman]] had his {{p|Spinda}} use {{m|Skill Swap}} on his {{TP|Norman|Slaking}}, swapping its {{a|Truant}} for Spinda's {{a|Own Tempo}} and thus allowing Slaking to both attack more actively and avoid being {{status|confused}} by Spinda's {{m|Teeter Dance}}.

===={{MangaArc|FireRed & LeafGreen}}====
In ''[[PS287|Secrets from Sneasel]]'', {{adv|Blue}}'s {{p|Alakazam}} used {{m|Role Play}} to copy the {{a|Static}} Ability of {{adv|Yellow}}'s {{p|Pikachu}}, [[Chuchu]], which it used to {{status|paralyze}} Chuchu.

In ''[[PS301|Storming the Forretress]]'', {{adv|Red}} revealed that {{DL|Deoxys (Adventures)|Organism No. 2}} had used Skill Swap to swap Abilities with his {{p|Poliwrath}}, [[Poli]], and acquire his {{a|Damp}} Ability, which it used to prevent a {{p|Forretress}} from using {{m|Explosion}}.

===={{MangaArc|Platinum}}====
In ''[[PS440|The Final Dimensional Duel X]]'', {{p|Shaymin}} used {{m|Worry Seed}} on all the [[Legendary Pokémon]] put to {{status|sleep}} by {{p|Darkrai}}, turning their Abilities into {{a|Insomnia}} and making them wake up.

===={{MangaArc|Black 2 & White 2}}====
In ''[[PS545|Deduction Time]]'', [[Hugh]]'s {{p|Vibrava}} acquired {{a|Simple}} after a {{tc|Team Plasma Grunt}}'s {{p|Audino}} used {{m|Simple Beam}} on it.

===Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!===
In ''[[DPA16|Team Galactic's Ultimate Warrior]]'', [[Hareta]] used his {{p|Kadabra}}'s Skill Swap to rid his {{TP|Hareta|Regigigas}} of its {{a|Slow Start}} Ability, allowing it to fight at its full power.

In ''[[DPA24|Hareta's Heart's Desire]]'', Hareta's {{p|Misdreavus}} used Skill Swap on [[Flint]]'s {{p|Drifblim}} just before being defeated by it, acquiring Drifblim's {{a|Aftermath}} and using it to take Drifblim down with it.

===Pocket Monsters Platinum: Aim to Be Battle King!!===
In ''[[PBK4|Clash! Yū vs. The Wandering Player]]'', [[Yū Shirogane|Yū]] had his {{p|Bronzong}} use Skill Swap to have it acquire his {{p|Heatran}}'s {{a|Flash Fire}}. He later had Bronzong use Skill Swap again to pass Flash Fire on to his {{p|Scizor}}, rendering it immune to the {{t|Fire}} moves it is usually weak against.

==Related articles==
* [[Type change]]

{{Project Games notice|game mechanic}}

[[Category:Terminology]]
[[Category:Game mechanics]]