Substitute (doll)

Artwork of a substitute from Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

The substitute doll (Japanese: みがわり人形(にんぎょう) Scapegoat Doll) is a decoy created by a Pokémon from some of its own HP by using the move Substitute or Shed Tail. The substitute takes a certain amount of damage in place of the user before breaking. Substitute dolls have also made appearances in various media outside of the use of a move. In some media, instead of appearing as a doll, the decoy may take the form of the Pokémon who used the move or some other object.

In the core series games

Substitute in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

The substitute doll first appeared in the Generation I games, where it appears as an indicator that the user is being protected by the move Substitute. Starting with Generation IX, a substitute can also be produced by the move Shed Tail.

In Generations I and II, its appearance is identical to the menu sprite used for Rhydon. After these sprites were updated in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire to reflect the Pokémon's actual appearance, the substitute doll retained the same design.

In Generation V, a Substitute Doll was obtainable in the Plain Catalogue of the Pokémon Dream World in exchange for 200 Sitrus Berries. 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 doll. A Substitute Cushion also appears as an obtainable Décor item in Generation VI's Pokémon-Amie screen on the PSS.

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. Substitute or Shed Tail fails if the user already has a substitute or if losing the required HP would cause the user to faint. Substitute or Shed Tail 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 binding, but it does not change any other conditions (e.g. 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.

In Generations I and II (except the localized Generation I handheld games), HP-draining moves always fail if the target is behind a substitute. Due to an oversight, in the localized Generation I handheld games only, HP-draining moves can hit a Pokémon's substitute, but do not drain any HP if they break the substitute. From Generation III onward, HP-draining moves except Dream Eater can successfully hit substitutes and drain HP from them; Dream Eater fails if the target has a substitute. Starting in Generation V, Dream Eater can also successfully hit a substitute.

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).

If the substitute is hit by a binding move (e.g. Bind), the Pokémon behind the substitute still becomes bound. In the Western versions, HP-draining moves can drain HP from a substitute.

Bide and Counter count damage to a substitute toward their effect.

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).

From Generation II onwards, multi-strike moves may now continue even after breaking a 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

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 if Roar/Whirlwind are blocked in Gen I 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 and Shed Tail 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}}}		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔

In the side series games

The substitute doll appears in the Pokémon Stadium series, Colosseum, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, and Battle Revolution in the same capacity it does in the core series. In the Stadium series, it more closely resembles a Rhydon.

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 the spin-off games

Greninja using Substitute in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

The substitute doll is associated with the Decoy, Cross-Eyed, and Substitute status conditions.

Pokkén Tournament

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 projectile attacks. It also restores a little of the Battle Pokémon's HP.

Pokémon GO

A Substitute Doll can be found in the internal data of Pokémon GO; however, its use is unknown, as Substitute is not a move available in the game.

Pokémon: Magikarp Jump

A Substitute Doll appears as a decoration in Pokémon: Magikarp Jump. While active, the player gains a +2 bonus to their max food number.

Pokémon UNITE

In Pokémon UNITE, Substitute is Greninja's second move as Froakie. The user dashes while leaving behind a targetable decoy.

Substitute Dolls appear on their own as part of the Practice Area mode. Three Substitute Dolls are located throughout the stage. One is located in front of each team's base, and the last is on the far side of the middle of the top path. They can be attacked and shoved as though they are Pokémon. They are treated as being members of the opposing team, even though they are not displayed as such in splash and results screens. This means that moves that require targets that are opposing team members can be used on Substitute Dolls. The Dolls report the damage they have taken overall, the damage they have taken from basic attacks, the damage that they have taken from moves, the damage they are receiving per second, and the amount of time they spend under the effects of a hindrance. Substitutes have a large pool of HP, which can reset to full at certain points. The Substitute Dolls can be toggled on or off via the Practice Options menu, and disappear if they are set to off.

Pokémon Café ReMix

Whimsicott has a substitute doll outfit named "Whimsicott's Substitute" in Pokémon Café ReMix.

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.

In animation

A substitute doll in Pokémon the Series

Pokémon the Series

A substitute doll turning into a Banette

The move Substitute creates a copy of the user instead of the typical substitute doll seen in the games.

Although they have never been shown in any depiction of the move so far, substitute dolls have nonetheless been featured in several episodes of Pokémon the Series.

• 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! and reappeared in No Stone Unturned!.
• A substitute doll appeared in Ash's room in the movie I Choose You! and reappeared in the episode Legend? Go! Friends? Go!, when Pikachu was shown sleeping with it.
• A substitute doll appeared in a flashback in Getting to the Heart of it All!. Being owned by a girl who'd one day grow up to be Nurse Joy, it was accidentally left behind when her family moved and was eventually reborn as a Banette.

Pokémon Origins

In the episode File 4: Charizard, a Growlithe can be seen playing with a substitute plushie in Mr. Fuji's Pokémon House.

In the manga

A substitute doll in Pokémon Battle Frontier

Phantom Thief Pokémon 7

In Into The Hands Of Evil?!, Lily's Leafeon used Substitute to create a copy of itself.

Pokémon Adventures

Unlike the games, substitutes are depicted as clones of the user, but more spectral and transparent, as shown by Red's Pikachu in Peace of Mime.

A substitute doll appeared in the Pokémon Adventures manga in Omega Alpha Adventure 21 as one the many items that Hoopa pulled out of its ring while searching for a Diancite for Ruby.

Pokémon Battle Frontier

In Pokémon Battle Frontier, the move Substitute causes the user to transform into a doll, similar to the one in the games.

In the TCG

Team Flare made a robotic version of the Subsitute Doll, depicted on the card Robo Substitute.

The Robo Substitute is a Team Flare branded version of the Subsitute doll. Its card was included in the Phantom Forces expansion. The team's symbol is printed on the Subsitute's body. Aside from being done in a blue and black color scheme, it also has a visor over its eyes based on Lysandre's visor. The Robo Substitute is presumably also robotic in nature, judging from the name.

After being played, Robo Stubsitute is put onto the Bench as a Basic Pokémon. It only has 30 HP, does not have any attacks printed on it, lacks the ability to retreat. However, knocking it out does not grant the opponent any prize cards, and Robo Subsitute can be freely discarded from play. The last property can be used in lieu of retreating by discarding the card while it is the Active Pokémon.

Merchandise

The substitute doll has been featured on card sleeves for the TCG.

Product image:

Substitute Sleeves	The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins
The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins
The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins
The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins
The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins

Gallery

Game assets

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, VIII, IX

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!
A Substitute Doll from Dream World	A Plush Toy from Black 2 and White 2	A Substitute Cushion from Generation VI	A Substitute Doll from Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
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-game appearances

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

• Gigantamax Garbodor's design contains a substitute doll, amongst several other objects.
• 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.
• 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 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.
• 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 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

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.