Substitute (move)

If you were looking for the the doll produced by the move Substitute, see Substitute (doll).

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Substitute みがわり Substitute

Battles Type  Normal Category  Status PP  10 (max. 16) Power  — Accuracy  —% Priority  0 Does not make contact Not affected by Protect Not affected by Magic Coat Affected by Snatch Not affected by Mirror Move Not affected by King's Rock

Range Opponent Opponent Opponent Self Ally Ally Self: Affects the user

Availability Introduced  Generation I TM50 in Generation I Move Tutor in Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness Move Tutor in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Move Tutor in Pokémon Emerald TM90 in Generation IV TM90 in Generation V TM90 in Generation VI TM90 in Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon TM08 in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! TR20 in Pokémon Sword and Shield TM90 in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl TM103 in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Contests Condition  Smart Appeal  2 ♥♥ Jam  0   Can avoid being startled by others once.

Super Contests Condition  Smart Appeal  1 ♥ Earn +3 if the Pokémon gets the lowest score.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Cute Appeal  2 ♥♥ Jamming  0   Prevents the user from being startled one time this turn.

On Smogon's Movedex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX

Substitute (Japanese: みがわり Substitute) is a non-damaging Normal-type move introduced in Generation I.

It is:

• TM50 in Generation I.
• TM90 from Generation IV to Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon and in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
• TM08 in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.
• TR20 in Pokémon Sword and Shield.
• TM103 in Generation IX.

It was Mr. Mime's signature move in Generation II.

Effect

Main article: Substitute doll → Effect

By giving up 25% of its maximum HP (rounded down), the user creates a substitute. The substitute's HP is equal to the amount lost to create it (except in Generation I, where it is 1 HP higher). The move fails if the user already has a substitute.

A substitute doll takes any damage the user would take instead, until it breaks. While a Pokémon has a substitute, it is not affected by many status moves used by other Pokémon, and the additional effects of other Pokémon's damaging moves often fail to affect it.

Snatch will steal the effect of Substitute when it is used.

Generation I

The created substitute's HP is 1 greater than the amount of HP lost by the user.

In the handheld Generation I games, if the user has exactly 25% of its maximum HP, it will create a substitute and immediately faint. In Pokémon Stadium, Substitute fails if the user has exactly 25% of its maximum HP.

Generation II onward

The created substitute's HP is equal to the HP lost when using Substitute.

Substitute fails if the user does not have more than 25% of its maximum HP left (i.e. making a substitute would otherwise cause it to faint). Consequently, Substitute will always fail if used by Shedinja (who only has 1 HP).

If powered up by a Normalium Z into Z-Substitute, all of the user's lowered stats are reset.

Description

Games Description StadStad2 Uses 1/4 of the user's maximum HP to create a substitute that takes the opponent's attacks. GSC Makes a decoy with 1/4 user's max HP. RSEColoXD Creates a decoy using 1/4 of the user's maximum HP. FRLG The user creates a decoy using one-quarter of its full HP. DPPtHGSSPBR BWB2W2 XYORAS SMUSUMPE The user makes a copy of itself using some of its HP. The copy serves as the user's decoy. SwShBDSPLA The user creates a substitute for itself using some of its HP. The substitute serves as the user's decoy. SV The user creates a substitute for itself using some of its own HP. The substitute serves as the user's decoy.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII		VIII		IX
												SMUSUM	PE	SwSh	BDSP	SV
0064		Kadabra		Human-Like		Human-Like	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	26	−	−
0065		Alakazam		Human-Like		Human-Like	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	26	−	−
0122		Mr. Mime		Human-Like		Human-Like	47	11	9RSE 8FRLG	29	29	29	29	40	−	−
0352		Kecleon		Field		Field			40	39DP 37PtHGSS	37	37XY 42ORAS	42			42
0439		Mime Jr.		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered				29	29	29	29		−	−
0479		Rotom All available forms		Amorphous		Amorphous				36	36	36	36		40	40	40
0656		Froakie		Water 1		Water 1						35	35				35
0657		Frogadier		Water 1		Water 1						38	40				40
0658		Greninja All available forms		Water 1		Water 1						43	42				42
0944		Shroodle		Field		Field											36
0945		Grafaiai		Field		Field											40
1000		Gholdengo		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered											21
1011		Dipplin		Grass	Dragon											44
1019		Hydrapple		Grass	Dragon											44
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 TM/TR/Move Tutor

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Compatibility
						I	III	IV	V	VI	VII		VIII		IX
						TM50	FRLGEXD Tutor	TM90	TM90	TM90	SMUSUM TM90	PE TM08	SwSh TR20	BDSP TM90	SV TM103
All Pokémon can learn this move by TM/TR or by Move Tutor except the ones listed below only if marked with ✘.
0010		Caterpie		Bug		Bug	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘
0011		Metapod		Bug		Bug	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘
0013		Weedle		Bug		Bug	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘		✘
0014		Kakuna		Bug		Bug	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘		✘
0129		Magikarp		Water 2	Dragon	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘
0132		Ditto		Ditto		Ditto	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘
0201		Unown All forms		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✘	✘	✘	✘	✘			✘
0202		Wobbuffet		Amorphous		Amorphous		✘	✘	✘	✘	✘		✘	✘
0235		Smeargle		Field		Field		✘	✘	✘	✘	✘		✘	✘	✘
0265		Wurmple		Bug		Bug		✘	✘	✘	✘	✘			✘
0266		Silcoon		Bug		Bug		✘	✘	✘	✘	✘			✘
0268		Cascoon		Bug		Bug		✘	✘	✘	✘	✘			✘
0360		Wynaut		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✘	✘	✘	✘	✘		✘	✘
0374		Beldum		Mineral		Mineral		✘	✘	✘	✘	✘		✘	✘	✘
0401		Kricketot		Bug		Bug			✘	✘	✘	✘			✘	✘
0412		Burmy All forms		Bug		Bug			✘	✘	✘	✘			✘
0415		Combee		Bug		Bug			✘	✘	✘	✘		✘	✘	✘
0602		Tynamo		Amorphous		Amorphous				✘	✘	✘				✘
0664		Scatterbug		Bug		Bug					✘	✘				✘
0665		Spewpa		Bug		Bug					✘	✘				✘
0789		Cosmog		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered						✘		✘		✘
0790		Cosmoem		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered						✘		✘		✘
0824		Blipbug		Bug		Bug								✘
0840		Applin		Grass	Dragon								✘		✘
0912		Quaxly		Flying	Water 1										✘*
0913		Quaxwell		Flying	Water 1										✘*
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		Types	Egg Groups		Egg Move
						III	IV
0108		Lickitung		Monster		Monster	✔	✔
0113		Chansey		Fairy		Fairy	✔	✔
0115		Kangaskhan		Monster		Monster	✔	✔
0131		Lapras		Monster	Water 1	✔	✔
0143		Snorlax		Monster		Monster	✔	✔
0161		Sentret		Field		Field	✔	✔
0173		Cleffa		Fairy		Fairy	✔	✔
0175		Togepi		Flying	Fairy	✔	✔
0183		Marill		Water 1	Fairy	✔	✔
0263		Zigzagoon		Field		Field	✔	✔
0300		Skitty		Field	Fairy	✔	✔
0311		Plusle		Fairy		Fairy	✔	✔
0312		Minun		Fairy		Fairy	✔	✔
0325		Spoink		Field		Field	✔	✔
0359		Absol		Field		Field	✔	✔
0440		Happiny		Fairy		Fairy		✔
0446		Munchlax		Monster		Monster		✔
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 event

Generation II

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0185		Sudowoodo		Mineral		Mineral	New York City Pokémon Center
0204		Pineco		Bug		Bug	New York City Pokémon Center
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 other games

Greninja using Substitute

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

In the Rescue Team, Explorers and Adventure Squad series, Substitute targets the Pokémon in front of them, ally or enemy, and inflicts the Decoy status condition on them. The Pokémon with this status will be preferentially attacked by allies and enemies. The status lasts for 21-50 turns. This move is affected by Snatch.

From Gates to Infinity, Substitute instead causes the Substitute status by cutting the user's HP in half. The user will not be targeted by enemies, but the user cannot use moves or items, and cannot restore its HP naturally. If the user is attacked by a move (such as Earthquake which affects the whole room), Substitute will not protect the user from damage. The status lasts 11 turns.

Game Base Power Max Power Base PP Max PP Base Accuracy Max Accuracy Range Target Cuts corners MDRB - - 7 - 100% - Front All No MDTDS - - 7 - 100% - Front All No BSL - - 7 - 100% - Front All No MDGtI - - 10 50 —% - User User - SMD - - 10 30 —% - User User - With some exceptions, Pokémon learnsets match those from the core series games: MD Rescue Team = Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald. MD Time and Darkness = Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. MD Sky = Pokémon Platinum. MD Adventure Squad = ??. MD Gates to Infinity = Pokémon Black 2 and White 2. Super Mystery Dungeon = Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. MD Rescue Team DX = Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.

Super Smash Bros. series

Substitute is Greninja's down special. The substitute doll it summons resembles those from the core series games, though it can also summon a log. The move functions as a counter, attacking opponents who hit Greninja while it is posing.

There is a trophy of the substitute doll in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

Trophy information

If it looks like a Pokémon and it gets attacked like a Pokémon, it's probably a- Oh, no, it could also be a Substitute Doll. This cute plush figure appears out of nowhere when a Pokémon uses the move Substitute. Is that a smile on its face or a grimace of determination? Only the doll knows, and it's not telling.

Pokkén Tournament

Substitute is the move used by Whimsicott when called as a Support Pokémon. It conjures up a set of three substitute dolls that rotate around the Battle Pokémon, blocking incoming projectile attacks. It also restores a little of the Battle Pokémon's HP.

Pokémon UNITE

In Pokémon UNITE, Substitute is Greninja's second move as Froakie. The user dashes while leaving behind a targetable decoy. The user is unstoppable while dashing. After evolving into Frogadier at level 5, this move is replaced by either Double Team or Smokescreen.

Substitute Dolls appear on their own as part of the Practice Area mode.

Description

Games Description MDRB The target gains the Decoy status, making it the target of its fellow Pokémon. MDTD* Afflicts the targeted enemy with a Decoy status condition. A Pokémon with the Decoy status becomes a decoy that is seen as an enemy by its allies and can draw their attacks. MDTD* MDS Afflicts the targeted Pokémon with a Decoy status condition. A Pokémon with the Decoy status is viewed as a foe by its allies. It also becomes likely to draw the attention of foes. BSL ポケモンを みがわりじょうたいにかえる みがわりじょうたいになると ねらわれやすくなったり なかまから こうげきされたりする MDGtI You will get the Substitute status, but every time you use this move, your HP decreases. With the Substitute status, you won't be targeted by enemies, but you can't use moves or items, nor restore your HP naturally. SMD You create a decoy using your HP. You won't be targeted, but you can't use moves or items.* You'll create a substitute, but every time you use this move, your HP decreases. When you create a substitute, you won't be targeted by enemies, but you can't use moves or items, nor can you restore your HP naturally.* Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U Deceive with a substitute, and then counter an attack.* Pokkén Tournament Temporarily protects against some long-range attacks. Also recovers a small amount of HP.

In animation

Shaymin Togepi Accelgor Sudowoodo
The user creates a substitute for itself using some of its stamina. The substitute serves as the user's decoy.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Shaymin creates a copy that looks exactly like itself. It then fades soon after.
Shaymin (M11)	Giratina and the Sky Warrior		Debut
	Delcatty creates an exact copy of itself. When it gets hit, it disappears in a puff of smoke.
Lila's Delcatty	Battling the Generation Gap!		None
	Togepi moves quickly when the opponent is about to attack and creates an afterimage of itself. When the afterimage gets hit, it disappears.
A wild Togepi	Where No Togepi Has Gone Before!		None
	Accelgor's body flashes white, and a double that looks exactly like Accelgor dashes out of its body and at the opponent. When the copy is hit by an attack, it disappears in a puff of smoke. This also causes Accelgor to lose stamina upon using the move.
Professor Juniper's Accelgor	Evolution Exchange Excitement!		None
	Sudowoodo's body glow light green. The glow then moves outward and forms into a copy that looks exactly like Sudowoodo. When the copy is hit by an attack, it turns into a rock.
Brassius's Sudowoodo	Nemona and Brassius and…		None

In the manga

Phantom Thief Pokémon 7

Leafeon
The user creates a copy of itself.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Leafeon creates a copy of itself that disappears after taking a certain amount of damage.
Lily's Leafeon	Into The Hands Of Evil?!		Debut

Pokémon Adventures

Pikachu Armarouge
The user creates a substitute that resembles it. The substitute fades away soon after.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Pikachu creates a see-through after image of itself by cutting a quarter of its health. Pikachu can form the substitute to any form it wants. Once the after image gets hit, however, it disappears.
Red's Pika	Meanwhile... Vileplume!		Debut
	Armarouge creates a substitute doll that takes the attack aimed at it.
Scarlet's Armarouge	Scarlet & Violet arc		None

Pokémon Battle Frontier

Ninetales
The user transforms into a doll, similar to the one in the games.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Ninetales transforms into a doll which prevents itself from being hurt from attacks until the doll fades away.
Enta's Ninetales	Final Battle: Versus The Salon Maiden		Debut

In other generations

Core series games

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, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

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, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

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, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Side series games

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, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

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, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Spin-off series games

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, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Trivia

• Shedinja can learn Substitute despite being incapable of using it, as its HP is too low to create a substitute.
  • However, in the Mystery Dungeon series, it is able to use the move, due to being able to possess more than 1 HP.
• This move plays its animation even if the battle animations are turned off.
• In Generation I games, if the player used Substitute, then looked at the stats of a Pokémon in their party and then exited the menu, the opponent's Pokémon sprite would change to a glitchy version of the Pokémon that was just viewed.
• In Generation VII, Substitute is the only TM that can be learned by all Pokémon that can learn TMs, except Pokémon that can only learn moves via TM that they can also learn by other means.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 替身 Taisān Mandarin 替身 Tìshēn Czech Vějička (manga) Náhrada (DP142, BW063) Dvojnický útok (DP095) Náhražka (M11) Nahrazení (The Official Pokémon Handbook) Danish Reserve Dutch Kloon French Clonage German Delegator Greek Υποκατάσταση Indonesian Menyamar Perasuk Italian Sostituto Korean 대타출동 Daetachuldong Polish Zastępca Brazilian Portuguese Substituição (games, anime, manga) Clonagem (The Official Pokémon Handbook) Romanian Substituirea Serbian Izmena Spanish Latin America Sustitución (DP095) Sustituto (M11, BW063) Señuelo* (DP142) Spain Sustituto Vietnamese Hoán Đổi

External links

• [1]

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.