Substitute (move)

Substitute みがわり Scapegoat

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 Scapegoat) 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

By decreasing its HP by 25% (rounded down) of its maximum HP, the user creates a substitute with the same amount of HP as it lost. This move fails if the user already has a substitute or if losing the required HP would cause the user to faint. Substitute will fail if used by Shedinja (who only has 1 HP).

If a Pokémon has a substitute and is attacked by another Pokémon, the substitute takes any damage instead. (This includes the damaging turns of Future Sight and Doom Desire.) All damage factors use the owner's current stats (including maximum HP) and other traits. Any damage not directly from another Pokémon's attack (such as recoil damage or ongoing status conditions) will ignore the substitute.

The substitute will break when it loses all of its HP. It will also disappear if its owner leaves the field. A substitute can be passed by Baton Pass with the HP it has remaining.

Tidy Up will remove all substitutes from both sides of the field. Snatch will steal the effect of Substitute when it is used.

Interactions

A substitute also protects its owner from certain effects caused by other Pokémon. (Most effects are not affected by their user's substitute.) A substitute protects from:

• any stat stages being lowered;
• all status conditions (poison, burn, paralysis, freeze, and sleep) and confusion (with some exceptions in Generation I: see below);
• flinching;
• trapping effects;
• and effects involving the owner's held item.

This protection covers moves as well as some Abilities like Intimidate and Poison Touch and items like King's Rock and Sticky Barb; but not Synchronize, Pickpocket, or the Wonder Launcher's Item Drop. Certain moves ignore substitutes; most notably, this includes all sound-based moves (such as Growl). A Pokémon with Infiltrator can also successfully use any move except Transform or Sky Drop on a Pokémon behind a substitute (since Generation VI).

These status moves will also fail if the target has a substitute:

• Copycat, Gastro Acid, Heal Block, Lock-On, Mind Reader, Nightmare, Pain Split, Worry Seed
  • (Because they have a protected effect: Bestow, Embargo, Flatter, Psycho Shift, Switcheroo, Trick, Yawn, trapping moves)

Sky Drop will also fail if the target has a substitute. These damaging moves will not have any effect besides damage if the target has a substitute:

• Circle Throw, Dragon Tail, Fling, Smack Down
  • (Because they have a protected effect: Bug Bite, Clear Smog, Covet, Incinerate, Knock Off (damage can still double), Pluck, Smelling Salts, Thief, Wake-Up Slap, trapping moves)

(Some moves have changed regarding whether they fail or bypass a substitute; for those moves, refer to the list of unaffected moves below.)

Creating a substitute will free its owner from all effects of binding moves, but it does not change any other conditions, so a Pokémon that was drowsy can still fall asleep behind a substitute.

A substitute does not protect the owner from effects originating from itself. Berserk Gene and confusion-inducing Berries (such as Figy Berry) will confuse the owner of a substitute (except in Generation IV), and Effect Spore and other status condition-inducing Abilities will function normally.

Rage, Bide, Counter, Metal Burst, and Mirror Coat will not count damage done to a substitute (except in Generations I and II, see below). Enigma Berry and damage-reducing Berries (such as Occa Berry) will not trigger if a move hits a substitute.

HP-draining moves have had a complicated evolution across the generations:

		Gen I	Gen II	Gen III	Gen IV	Gen V+
HP-draining moves	Can affect a substitute (all but Dream Eater)	✔*	✘	✔	✔	✔
	Can affect a substitute (Dream Eater)	✔*	✘	✘	✘	✔
	Miss if target has a substitute	✘	✔	✘	✘	✘

*: These cannot hit a substitute in Pokémon Stadium

If a substitute breaks in the middle of a multi-strike move, the move will continue hitting the Pokémon that was behind the substitute. If a substitute is broken by U-turn (or any damaging move that switches the user) and the attacker is replaced by a Pokémon with Intimidate, the substitute will block Intimidate's effect before disappearing. If a Pokémon with a substitute switches out while targeted with Pursuit, the substitute will take the damage before it disappears. If a Pokémon with a substitute uses Baton Pass while surrounded by Toxic Spikes, the Pokémon switched in will not be poisoned, but if it is a grounded Poison-type Pokémon, the Toxic Spikes will be removed.

Generation I

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Check behavior in the Japanese Pokémon Stadium

In Generations I and II, the substitute retains its user's color palette. (For instance, a blue Pokémon would create a blue substitute.)

Also in Generations I and II, Rage counts damage to a substitute toward its effect.

All effects below apply only to this generation.

The substitute's HP is 1 greater than the amount of HP lost by the user. If the user has exactly 25% of its maximum HP, it will create a substitute and immediately faint; this was fixed in Pokémon Stadium so that the user cannot create a substitute. If the substitute takes 255 damage, it will disappear.

A substitute does not protect against any sleep effect; against direct paralysis effects (Stun Spore, Thunder Wave, and Glare); or against indirect confusion effects (Psybeam and Confusion). It fully protects against poison, burn, and freeze (as well as indirect paralysis and direct confusion).

Bide and Counter count damage to a substitute toward their effect. HP-draining moves and binding moves can hit a Pokémon's substitute and fully execute.

If a Pokémon breaks a substitute with any of the following moves, their additional effects will be skipped for that turn:

• Hyper Beam: no recharge required
• Selfdestruct or Explosion: user's sprite will disappear but it will not lose HP or faint
• Recoil moves: no recoil damage will be taken
• Pay Day: no money will be scattered
• HP-draining moves: will not restore HP
• Confusion and Psybeam: cannot confuse target
• Multi-strike moves: ends immediately after the substitute breaks

Due to a glitch, if a Pokémon behind a substitute takes self-inflicted confusion damage, the damage is applied to the opponent's substitute instead. (If the opponent does not have a substitute, no Pokémon or substitute takes damage.)

Some mechanics above are different in Pokémon Stadium:

• A substitute protects from any paralysis, sleep, or confusion effect (direct or indirect).
• HP-draining moves always miss if used on a Pokémon behind a substitute.
• If a Pokémon breaks a substitute with Explosion or Selfdestruct, it will faint as usual.

Generation II

In Generations I and II, the substitute retains its user's color palette. (For instance, a blue Pokémon would create a blue substitute.)

Also in Generations I and II, Rage counts damage to a substitute toward its effect.

All effects below apply only to this generation.

Protect, Detect, and Endure will fail if used by a Pokémon with a substitute.

The trapping moves Mean Look and Spider Web can affect a Pokémon with a substitute. The flinch effect of King's Rock can activate if an attack breaks a substitute (it will be blocked otherwise).

If a recoil move hits a substitute, the recoil damage will only be 1 HP. This is because the recoil damage is calculated from the damage the target took (not its substitute).

Generation IV

In this generation only, Shell Bell does not restore HP when a move hits a substitute, and confusion-inducing Berries (such as Figy Berry) will not confuse their holder if it has a substitute when triggered.

Generation V

In this generation only, Infiltrator cannot bypass a target's substitute.

In Black 2 and White 2 only, due to a glitch, if a Pokémon behind a substitute faints due to Rough Skin or a held Rocky Helmet, the sprite of the Pokémon that was attacked will be replaced by a substitute.

Generation VI onwards

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

Dynamax Pokémon cannot have a substitute. If a Pokémon Dynamaxes while it has a substitute, the substitute will disappear.

Unaffected moves

	This move effect may be in need of research. Reason: Confirm Supersonic in Gen V Confirm if Mimic is blocked from Gen III onwards Which moves are unaffected in Generation VIII and IX? You can discuss this on the talk page.

Since Generation VI, a Pokémon with Infiltrator can ignore a substitute with any move except Transform or Sky Drop.

Different moves are able to ignore Substitute in each generation. Moves marked with a ✓ in the following table can affect a Pokémon regardless of its substitute. (This applies to moves used by one Pokémon against another with a substitute; if a Pokémon with a substitute uses a move that affects itself, it receives the move's effect normally.)

Move Type Cat Generations I II III IV V VI VII Acupressure  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘* ✘ ✘ ✘ After You  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ Aromatherapy  Grass  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✘ ✘ Aromatic Mist  Fairy  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ Attract  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Bestow  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✔ ✔ Boomburst  Normal  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ Bug Buzz  Bug  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ Chatter  Flying  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ Clanging Scales  Dragon  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ Clangorous Soulblaze  Dragon  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ Confide  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ Conversion 2  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ ✔ Curse  Ghost  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ ✔ Defog  Flying  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✘ ✘ ✘ Disable  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Disarming Voice  Fairy  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ Echoed Voice  Normal  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✔ ✔ Eerie Spell  Psychic  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ Encore  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Fairy Lock  Fairy  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ Foresight  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Gear Up  Steel  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ Grass Whistle  Grass  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ Growl  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ Guard Swap  Psychic  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Haze  Ice  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Heal Bell  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Heart Swap  Psychic  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Helping Hand  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Hold Hands  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ Hyperspace Fury  Dark  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ Hyperspace Hole  Psychic  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ Hyper Voice  Normal  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ Imprison  Psychic  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Instruct  Psychic  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ Leech Seed  Grass  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘ Magnetic Flux  Electric  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ Mean Look  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘ Me First  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Metal Sound  Steel  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ Mimic  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ ✔ Miracle Eye  Psychic  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Noble Roar  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ Odor Sleuth  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Overdrive  Electric  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ Pay Day  Normal  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘ Parting Shot  Dark  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ Perish Song  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Play Nice  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ Powder  Bug  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ Power Swap  Psychic  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Psych Up  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Reflect Type  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ Relic Song  Normal  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✔ ✔ Roar  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Role Play  Psychic  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Round  Normal  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✔ ✔ Screech  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ Sing  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ Sketch  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ ✔ Skill Swap  Psychic  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Snarl  Dark  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✔ ✔ Snore  Normal  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ Sparkling Aria  Water  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ Spectral Thief  Ghost  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ Speed Swap  Psychic  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ Spider Web  Bug  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘ Spite  Ghost  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Supersonic  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ Swagger  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔** ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘ Taunt  Dark  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Tickle  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘ Torment  Dark  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Transform  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✘ ✘ ✘ Uproar  Normal  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ Whirlwind  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

*:Acupressure will fail even if used by the user.
**: Swagger only raises the target's Attack; they are not confused.

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
0064		Kadabra		Human-Like		Human-Like							26PE
0065		Alakazam		Human-Like		Human-Like							26PE
0122		Mr. Mime		Human-Like		Human-Like	47	11	9RSE 8FRLG	29	29	29	29SMUSUM 40PE
0352		Kecleon		Field		Field			40	39DP 37PtHGSS	37	37XY 42ORAS	42	42BDSP
0439		Mime Jr.		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered				29	29	29	29
0479		Rotom		Amorphous		Amorphous				36	36	36	36	40	40
0656		Froakie		Water 1		Water 1						35	35		35
0657		Frogadier		Water 1		Water 1						38	40		40
0658		Greninja		Water 1		Water 1						43	42		42
0000	Shroodle	Shroodle		Field		Field									36
0000	Grafaiai	Grafaiai		Field		Field									40
0000	Gholdengo	Gholdengo		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered									21
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

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Machine
						I TM50	II --	III --	IV TM90	V TM90	VI TM90	VII TM90 TM08	VIII TR20	IX TM103
All Pokémon can learn this move by TM or TR 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		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		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								✘	✘
0000	Quaxly	Quaxly		Flying	Water 1									✘
0000	Quaxwell	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	Parent Egg Groups		Egg Move
						II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
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 Move Tutor

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Game
						FRLG	E	XD
All Pokémon can learn this move 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		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	✘	✘	✘
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 Red Rescue Team, Blue Rescue Team, Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness and Explorers of Sky, Substitute is a move with 7PP. The user targets Pokémon in front of them, ally or enemy, and inflicts Decoy status condition on them for 21-50 turns, making them more likely to be targeted by the AI. This move is affected by Snatch and Taunt.

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.

Super Smash Bros. Series

Substitute is Greninja's down special. The substitute doll it summons resembles those from the main 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

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: More thorough description of what sort of attacks are or are not blocked by Substitute.

Substitute is the move used by Whimsicott when called as a Support Pokémon. It conjures up a set of three dolls that rotate around the Battle Pokémon, blocking incoming ranged 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.

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.

Sprites

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Missing the substitute images from Generations VI, VII and VIII

A substitute from Generations I and II	A substitute from Generation III	A substitute from Generation IV	A substitute from Generation V	A substitute from Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
Artwork from Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon	A substitute from Stadium and Stadium 2	A substitute from Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team	A substitute from Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Darkness and Sky	A substitute from GO

In the anime

Shaymin Substitute fades away Togepi Accelgor
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 clone 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

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
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

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

A substitute "levitating"

A substitute in place of Masahiro Sakurai

A Substitute doll in the anime

• In most games, the decoy and the Pokémon will switch places when the Pokémon executes a move. The only exception is in Pokémon Battle Revolution, where the battle animations play out as if the substitute was the one performing the move. It generally remains stationary, except when using moves like Fly or Bounce.
• In the Generation I and II games, the substitute resembles Rhydon.
• 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.
• Substitutes are interpreted differently throughout all forms of Pokémon canon. In the games, a substitute is seen as an inanimate decoy which simply stands in for the Pokémon. In the anime, substitutes are seen to be clones of the user. In the Pokémon Adventures manga, substitutes are like the anime representation, but more spectral and transparent, as shown by Red's Pikachu in Peace of Mime.
  • Although they have never been shown in any depiction of the move so far, Substitute dolls have nonetheless been featured in several episodes of the anime:
    • In the Pokémon Origins episode File 4: Charizard, a Growlithe can be seen playing with a Substitute plushie in Mr. Fuji's Pokémon House.
    • In Under the Pledging Tree!, a Substitute doll was one of the items offered to Ash by a market vendor in Coumarine City.
    • A Substitute doll owned by Professor Kukui appeared in Rocking Clawmark Hill!. It reappeared in No Stone Unturned!.
    • A Substitute doll appeared in Ash's room in I Choose You!. It reappeared in Legend? Go! Friends? Go!, when Pikachu was shown sleeping with it.
  • A Substitute doll has also appeared in Omega Alpha Adventure 21 as one the many items that Hoopa pulled out of its ring while searching for a Diancite for Ruby.
• In the Mystery Dungeon series, if the player eats an Allure Seed or X-Eye Seed, all other Pokémon appear as substitutes.
• The Plush Toy enemy in the Mystery Doors of the Magical Land Series in Pokéstar Studios in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 is similar to a substitute.
• In Pokémon Stadium, glitch Pokémon will appear as the substitutes. The color will vary, however, due to the player's ID and the glitch Pokémon's name. This is because the game treats the glitch Pokémon's name as a nickname, which cause Pokémon to change colors in the Stadium series.
• In Generation VI, the size of the substitute depends on the size of the Pokémon using it. For example, a substitute made by a Kyurem will be bigger than that of a Flabébé.
• During Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. Direct on April 8, 2014, a substitute plushie is seen in place of Masahiro Sakurai as he goes to showcase some of the Pokémon available from the Poké Ball and Master Ball items.
• 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.
• The substitute doll appears in the Japanese merchandise line, the FuniFuni Mascot Collection Part 2 (a gacha set). Because it is a secret rare, it is labelled as "???" in promotional material.
• 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

References

• [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.