Pay Day (move)

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Pay Day ネコにこばん Coin for a Cat

Battles Type  Normal Category  Physical PP  20 (max. 32) Power  40 Accuracy  100% Priority  0 Does not make contact Affected by Protect Not affected by Magic Coat Not affected by Snatch Affected by Mirror Move Affected by King's Rock

Range Opponent Opponent Opponent Self Ally Ally Normal: May affect anyone adjacent to the user

Availability Introduced  Generation I TM16 in Generation I

Contests Condition  Smart Appeal  1 ♥ Jam  0   The appeal works best the more the crowd is excited.

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

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Clever Appeal  2 ♥♥ Jamming  0   Excites the audience in any kind of contest.

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

Pay Day (Japanese: ネコにこばん Coin for a Cat) is a damage-dealing Normal-type move introduced in Generation I. It was TM16 in Generation I. It is the signature move of Meowth; prior to Generation IV, it was also the signature move of Persian.

Effect

Generation I

Pay Day does damage and scatters coins on the ground with a value equal to twice the user's level for each time it is used. These coins are picked up afterwards if the player wins the battle.

Generation II

The Amulet Coin doubles the number of coins picked up when held by a Pokémon in battle.

Generation III

Pay Day now scatters coins equal to five times the user's level each time.

Due to a minor glitch in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, the wrong amount of money will be displayed if the Amulet Coin is held, leaving the impression that it does not affect Pay Day. Yet, upon checking the Trainer Card, the player will discover that the money earned from Pay Day has been doubled and added to their total savings. This error was fixed in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen and all subsequent games.

Generations IV and V

Luck Incense doubles the amount of money picked up (but does not stack with the Amulet Coin).

Generation VI

If the user levels up as a result of the battle, the amount of money is now calculated based on the new level, not the level at which the move was used.

Prize Money Power and Happy Hour increase the amount of money picked up, and can both be stacked with each other and either the Amulet Coin or Luck Incense.

Description

Games Description Stad A move that also nets money at the end of battle. How much depends on the attack frequency and level. Stad2 A move that nets money at the end of battle. How much depends on the attack frequency and level. GSC Throws coins. Gets them back later. RSE Throws coins at the foe. Money is recovered after. ColoXD Throws coins at target. Money is recovered after. FRLG Numerous coins are hurled at the foe. Money is earned after battle. DPPtHGSS Numerous coins are hurled at the foe to inflict damage. Money is earned after battle. BWB2W2 XYORAS Numerous coins are hurled at the target to inflict damage. Money is earned after the battle.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Type		Level
					I		II		III		IV		V		VI
052		Meowth	Normal		Normal	17			20			20	18	30				30			30
053		Persian	Normal		Normal	17			20			20	18
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		Type		Father
					II		III		IV		V		VI
187		Hoppip*	Grass	Flying
509		Purrloin	Dark		Dark
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

#	Pokémon		Type		Machine
					I TM16		II --		III --		IV --		V --		VI --
025		Pikachu	Electric		Electric	✔															✔
026		Raichu	Electric		Electric	✔															✔
031		Nidoqueen	Poison	Ground	✔															✔
034		Nidoking	Poison	Ground	✔															✔
052		Meowth	Normal		Normal	✔															✔
053		Persian	Normal		Normal	✔															✔
054		Psyduck	Water		Water	✔															✔
055		Golduck	Water		Water	✔															✔
056		Mankey	Fighting		Fighting	✔															✔
057		Primeape	Fighting		Fighting	✔															✔
079		Slowpoke	Water	Psychic	✔															✔
080		Slowbro	Water	Psychic	✔															✔
086		Seel	Water		Water	✔															✔
087		Dewgong	Water	Ice	✔															✔
112		Rhydon	Ground	Rock	✔															✔
143		Snorlax	Normal		Normal	✔															✔
150		Mewtwo	Psychic		Psychic	✔														✔
151		Mew	Psychic		Psychic	✔															✔
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.

Special move

Generation III

#   Pokémon Type Obtained with 0300 Skitty Normal Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB from this move.

By event

Generation I

#   Pokémon Type Obtained with 0022 Fearow Normal Flying Pokémon Stamp 0078 Rapidash Fire Pokémon Stamp Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB from this move.

Generation II

#   Pokémon Type Obtained with 0225 Delibird Ice Flying New York City Pokémon Center Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB from this move.

In other games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team, the move inflicts damage and forces the target to drop Poké.

Super Smash Bros. series

When a Meowth appears from a Poké Ball in Super Smash Bros., Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U, it uses Pay Day to hurl coins at opponents.

Description

Games Description MDRB Inflicts damage on the target. If the foe faints, it will drop money.

In the anime

Meowth
Numerous coins are hurled at the foe to inflict damage.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Meowth crosses its arms, then opens them quickly and multiple glowing white balls come out of the charm on its head.
The Black Arachnid's Meowth	Spinarak Attack		Debut

In the anime, Team Rocket's Meowth has stated he is unable to learn Pay Day. He is quoted as claiming it is because learning how to walk and talk like a human used up all his move slots.

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Fearow and Rapidash Meowth
Numerous coins are hurled at the foe to inflict damage.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Fearow flaps its wings and multiple gold coins that look like a Meowth's charm comes out of them and fly at the opponent.
Pokémon Fan Club Chairman's Fearow	The Coming of Slowpoke (Eventually)		Debut Japanese event-exclusive move
	Rapidash points its head towards the opponent and multiple gold coins that look like a Meowth's charm appear and hit the opponent.
Pokémon Fan Club Chairman's Rapidash	The Coming of Slowpoke (Eventually)		Debut Japanese event-exclusive move
	Meowth points one of its paws at the opponent and multiple gold coins that look like its charm appear and shoot at the opponent.
Unknown Trainer's Meowth	The Coming of Slowpoke (Eventually)		None

In the Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All manga

Meowth
Numerous coins fall out if the foe is hit.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Meowth smacks the opponent and forces coins to fall out.
Masatoshi's Meowth	Gag Battles		Debut

In other generations

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

Trivia

• In Generation I, Pay Day was one of only three methods (discounting glitches) to earn money once all Trainers were defeated, the other two being selling items (obtaining them with Coins after all other items are sold) and battling the Elite Four and Champion.
• The Japanese name of the move is an idiom equivalent to "to cast pearls before swine." The coins depicted in the move's animation are koban, gold coins used in the Edo period of feudal Japan, the same type of coin as the one on Meowth's head.

In other languages

Language Title Mandarin Chinese 聚寶功 Jùbǎo-gōng Danish Kasse I Dutch Afrekening Finnish Tilinteko French Jackpot German Zahltag Greek Φιλαργυρία Italian Giornopaga Korean 고양이돈받기 Goyang'i Donbatgi Polish Dzień Zapłaty Brazilian Portuguese Dia do Pagamento Russian Джекпот Serbian Isplata Spanish Día de Pago Turkish Ödeme Günü

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.