Copycat (move)

Copycat まねっこ Imitate

Battles Type  Normal Category  Status PP  20 (max. 32) Power  — Accuracy  —% Priority  0 Does not make contact Not affected by Protect Not affected by Magic Coat Not 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 IV Not a TM, TR, HM, or Move Tutor move.

Contests Condition  Cool Appeal  0   Jam  0   Receives voltage points if previous Pokémon reaches maximum voltage

Super Contests Condition  Cool Appeal  0   Steals the Voltage of the Pokémon that just went.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Cute Appeal  1 ♥ Jamming  0   Shows off the Pokémon's appeal about as well as the move used just before it.

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

Copycat (Japanese: まねっこ Imitate) is a non-damaging Normal-type move introduced in Generation IV.

Effect

	This move effect may be in need of research. Reason: What effects do the Choice items have from Generation V on? You can discuss this on the talk page.

Generation IV

Copycat causes the user to use the last move that was used in the battle (even if the last move was by the user). If no move has been made, Copycat fails. If the copied move's target is not the user, an appropriate target is randomly chosen.

The last-used move is updated whenever any Pokémon attempts to use a move.

• If a move successfully executes (generally, if the text "<Pokémon> used <move>!" is shown), that move becomes the last-used move. This is regardless of the move's result — whether it hit or missed or its effect was successful or failed (such as a Light Screen that fails because the previous Light Screen has not expired).
  • Some moves that require multiple turns to execute do not count as valid moves in all of their turns. If Copycat executes after a turn when a move was not considered valid, Copycat will fail.
    • Charging moves: the initial turn does not count as a valid move.
    • Recharging moves: the recharge turn does not count as a valid move.
    • Bide: the final turn does not count as a valid move.
  • If any move calls another, the calling move is counted as the last move used instead of the called move.
    • However, this only applies to the turn when the calling move was selected to be used. If a called move requires multiple turns to execute in full (such as Bide, Dig, or Thrash), it may validly become the last-used move in subsequent turns.
• If a Pokémon tries to use a move but is prevented by a status condition or effect (such as sleep, paralysis, or flinching), the last-used move becomes invalid and Copycat will fail if it executes next.

Generations V and VI

If any move successfully calls another, the called move now counts as the last move used instead of the calling move.

The last move used is now unaffected if a Pokémon tries to use a move but is prevented by a status condition or effect. In other words, the last-used move remains what it was before the Pokémon's turn.

Charging moves, recharging moves, and Bide no longer have invalid turns that will cause Copycat to fail. Instead, charging moves and Bide can be copied on any turn, while recharging moves are ignored on their recharge turn (the last move used remains whatever it was before the recharge message appeared).

Generation VII onward

If powered up by a Normalium Z into Z-Copycat, the user's accuracy rises one stage. Additionally, if the move to be copied isn't a status move, then it will become its corresponding Z-Move.

Copycat fails if the most recently used move is a Z-Move, regardless of whether Copycat was powered up into Z-Copycat or not.

If the most recently used move is a Max Move, the user will copy the base move that was powered up. For example, if a Dynamax Pokémon used Max Guard by selecting a move slot that originally contained Trick Room, and the next Pokémon to move used Copycat, it would copy Trick Room, rather than copying Max Guard or failing entirely.

Uncallable moves

	This move effect may be in need of research. Reason: Uncallable moves in Generation VIII You can discuss this on the talk page.

Copycat will fail if any of the following moves is the last move used:

Move Type Cat Generations IV V VI VII VIII Assist  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Baneful Bunker  Poison  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ Beak Blast  Flying  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ Behemoth Bash  Steel  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ Behemoth Blade  Steel  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ Bestow  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Celebrate  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ Chatter  Flying  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Circle Throw  Fighting  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Copycat  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Counter  Fighting  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Covet  Normal  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Destiny Bond  Ghost  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Detect  Fighting  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Dragon Tail  Dragon  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Dynamax Cannon  Dragon  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ Endure  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Feint  Normal  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Focus Punch  Fighting  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Follow Me  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Helping Hand  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Hold Hands  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ King's Shield  Steel  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ Mat Block  Fighting  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ Me First  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Metronome  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Mimic  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Mirror Coat  Psychic  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Mirror Move  Flying  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Protect  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Rage Powder  Bug  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Roar  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Shell Trap  Fire  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ Sketch  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Sleep Talk  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Snatch  Dark  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Struggle  Normal  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Spiky Shield  Grass  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ Spotlight  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ Switcheroo  Dark  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Thief  Dark  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Transform  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Trick  Psychic  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Whirlwind  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Additionally, Copycat fails if the last move used was a Z-Move.

Description

Games Description DPPtHGSSPBR BWB2W2 XYORAS SMUSUM SwShBDSPLA The user mimics the move used immediately before it. The move fails if no other move has been used yet.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
0035		Clefairy		Fairy		Fairy					1
0036		Clefable		Fairy		Fairy					1
0039		Jigglypuff		Fairy		Fairy					1
0040		Wigglytuff		Fairy		Fairy					1
0113		Chansey		Fairy		Fairy					1
0122		Mr. Mime		Human-Like		Human-Like	4	4	4	4SMUSUM	1
122G		Mr. Mime Galarian Form		Human-Like		Human-Like					1SwSh
0124		Jynx		Human-Like		Human-Like					1
0133		Eevee		Field		Field					30
0134		Vaporeon		Field		Field					1
0135		Jolteon		Field		Field					1
0136		Flareon		Field		Field					1
0173		Cleffa		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	13	13	13	13	1
0174		Igglybuff		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	17	17	17XY 11ORAS	11	1
0185		Sudowoodo		Mineral		Mineral	1	1	1	1	1
0196		Espeon		Field		Field					1
0197		Umbreon		Field		Field					1
0238		Smoochum		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	38	41	41	41	8
0242		Blissey		Fairy		Fairy					1
0300		Skitty		Field	Fairy	11DP 18PtHGSS	18	18XY 19ORAS	19	19BDSP
0301		Delcatty		Field	Fairy					1BDSP
0311		Plusle		Fairy		Fairy	24	24	24XY 22ORAS	22	22BDSP
0312		Minun		Fairy		Fairy	24	24	24XY 22ORAS	22	22BDSP
0327		Spinda		Field	Human-Like	10	10	10XY 5ORAS	5	5BDSP
0438		Bonsly		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	1	1	1	1	1
0439		Mime Jr.		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	4	4	4	4	1
0440		Happiny		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	5	5	5	5	1
0447		Riolu		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	29	29BW 19B2W2	19	19	48
0448		Lucario		Field	Human-Like					1
0470		Leafeon		Field		Field					1
0471		Glaceon		Field		Field					1
0481		Mesprit		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	61	61	1, 61	1, 61	70
0700		Sylveon		Field		Field					1SwSh
0778		Mimikyu		Amorphous		Amorphous				1	1SwSh
0802		Marshadow		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered				20	1SwSh
0831		Wooloo		Field		Field					8SwSh
0832		Dubwool		Field		Field					1SwSh
0866		Mr. Rime		Human-Like		Human-Like					1SwSh
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
0183		Marill		Water 1	Fairy					✔
0298		Azurill		Water 1	Fairy			✔	✔	✔
0427		Buneary		Field	Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
0501		Oshawott		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔
0509		Purrloin		Field		Field			✔	✔	✔SwSh
0570		Zorua		Field		Field			✔	✔	✔SwSh
0669		Flabébé		Fairy		Fairy			✔	✔
0684		Swirlix		Fairy		Fairy			✔	✔	✔SwSh
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

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

In Explorers of Time, Darkness and Sky, Copycat is a move with 19PP that ignores accuracy and evasion checks. The user targets enemy in front of it, copying the last move they used. Copycat cannot copy itself, Encore, Sketch, Assist, Metronome, Mirror Move or Mimic. This move is affected by Taunt.

Description

Games Description MDTDS Causes the user to unleash the same move as the last one used by the facing enemy. Some moves can't be copied. BSL しょうめんの てきポケモンが さいごに くりだしたわざと おなじ わざをくりだす いくつか まねっこできないわざも ある MDGtI UNUSED SMD You counter the enemy by mimicking the enemy's last move. MDRTDX You counter the enemy by mimicking the enemy's last move. There are some moves that can't be used in this way.

In the anime

Riolu; copying Leaf Blade Eevee; copying a Water-type move Lucario; copying a Steel-type move Eevee; copying Heal Pulse
The user copies the opponent's last move and uses it.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	After the opponent has used a move, Riolu becomes surrounded in a waving aura of light. It then recalls how the opponent used the move, one of its eyes twinkles, and it uses the same move the opponent just used. The color of the aura depends on which type of move Riolu is copying.
Cameron's Riolu	Mission: Defeat Your Rival!		Debut
	When it sees its opponent about to use a move, Lucario becomes surrounded in a waving aura of light. It then recalls how the opponent is using the move, and it uses the same move the opponent is using. The color of the aura depends on which type of move Lucario is copying.
Cameron's Lucario	A Unova League Evolution!		None
	When Sudowoodo sees a Pokémon about to use a move, it uses the same move the Pokémon is using.
Callahan's Sudowoodo	The Power of Us		Incorrectly referred to as Mimic in the English dub
	When Eevee sees a Pokémon about to use a move, its body becomes surrounded by an aura and it uses the same move the Pokémon is using. The color of the aura depends on which type of move Eevee is copying.
Chloe's Eevee	To Train, or Not to Train!		None
Alternate World Chloe's Eevee	Showdown at the Gates of Warp!		None

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Mime Jr.; using Fury Swipes
The user imitates the opponent's attacks.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Mime Jr. copies the move used by the opponent.
Ken's Mime Jr.	All About Arceus IX		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, andSky	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, andSky	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, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 仿效 Fónghaauh * 仿造 Fóngjouh * Mandarin 仿效 Fǎngxiào * 仿造 Fǎngzào * French Photocopie German Imitator Greek Αντιγραφή Antigrafí Italian Copione Korean 흉내쟁이 Hyungnaejaeng'i Polish Imitacja Portuguese Brazil Imitador Portugal Copiar-Colar Spanish Copión Vietnamese Sao Chép

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.