Substitute (move)

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292Shedinja.png The contents of this article have been suggested to be split into Substitute (doll).
Please discuss it on the talk page for this article.
Substitute
みがわり Scapegoat
Substitute IX.png
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
Condition  Smart
Appeal  2 ♥♥
Jam  0  
Can avoid being startled by others once.
Condition  Smart
Appeal  1
Earn +3 if the Pokémon gets the lowest score.
Condition  Cute
Appeal  2 ♥♥
Jamming  0  
Prevents the user from being startled one time this turn.

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

It is:

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:

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:

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:

(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.

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

050Diglett.png 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:

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

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

151Mew.png 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 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 PsychicIC Big.png Human-Like Human-Like 26PE
0065 Alakazam PsychicIC Big.png Human-Like Human-Like 26PE
0122 Mr. Mime PsychicIC Big.png
FairyIC Big.png
Human-Like Human-Like 47 11 9RSE
8FRLG
29 29 29 29SMUSUM
40PE
0352 Kecleon NormalIC Big.png Field Field 40 39DP
37PtHGSS
37 37XY
42ORAS
42 42BDSP
0439 Mime Jr. PsychicIC Big.png
FairyIC Big.png
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 29 29 29 29
0479 Rotom ElectricIC Big.png
GhostIC Big.png
Amorphous Amorphous 36 36 36 36 40 40
0656 Froakie WaterIC Big.png Water 1 Water 1 35 35 35
0657 Frogadier WaterIC Big.png Water 1 Water 1 38 40 40
0658 Greninja WaterIC Big.png
DarkIC Big.png
Water 1 Water 1 43 42 42
0944 Shroodle PoisonIC Big.png
NormalIC Big.png
Field Field 36
0945 Grafaiai PoisonIC Big.png
NormalIC Big.png
Field Field 40
1000 Gholdengo SteelIC Big.png
GhostIC Big.png
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 21
1011 Dipplin GrassIC Big.png
DragonIC Big.png
Grass Dragon 44
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.
A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.
An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.


By TM/TR

# 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 BugIC Big.png Bug Bug
0011 Metapod BugIC Big.png Bug Bug
0013 Weedle BugIC Big.png
PoisonIC Big.png
Bug Bug
0014 Kakuna BugIC Big.png
PoisonIC Big.png
Bug Bug
0129 Magikarp WaterIC Big.png Water 2 Dragon
0132 Ditto NormalIC Big.png Ditto Ditto
0201 Unown PsychicIC Big.png No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0202 Wobbuffet PsychicIC Big.png Amorphous Amorphous
0235 Smeargle NormalIC Big.png Field Field
0265 Wurmple BugIC Big.png Bug Bug
0266 Silcoon BugIC Big.png Bug Bug
0268 Cascoon BugIC Big.png Bug Bug
0360 Wynaut PsychicIC Big.png No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0374 Beldum SteelIC Big.png
PsychicIC Big.png
Mineral Mineral
0401 Kricketot BugIC Big.png Bug Bug
0412 Burmy BugIC Big.png Bug Bug
0415 Combee BugIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png
Bug Bug
0602 Tynamo ElectricIC Big.png Amorphous Amorphous
0664 Scatterbug BugIC Big.png Bug Bug
0665 Spewpa BugIC Big.png Bug Bug
0789 Cosmog PsychicIC Big.png No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0790 Cosmoem PsychicIC Big.png No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0824 Blipbug BugIC Big.png Bug Bug
0840 Applin GrassIC Big.png
DragonIC Big.png
Grass Dragon
0912 Quaxly WaterIC Big.png Flying Water 1 *
0913 Quaxwell WaterIC Big.png 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 NormalIC Big.png Monster Monster
0113 Chansey NormalIC Big.png Fairy Fairy
0115 Kangaskhan NormalIC Big.png Monster Monster
0131 Lapras WaterIC Big.png
IceIC Big.png
Monster Water 1
0143 Snorlax NormalIC Big.png Monster Monster
0161 Sentret NormalIC Big.png Field Field
0173 Cleffa FairyIC Big.png Fairy Fairy
0175 Togepi FairyIC Big.png Flying Fairy
0183 Marill WaterIC Big.png
FairyIC Big.png
Water 1 Fairy
0263 Zigzagoon NormalIC Big.png Field Field
0300 Skitty NormalIC Big.png Field Fairy
0311 Plusle ElectricIC Big.png Fairy Fairy
0312 Minun ElectricIC Big.png Fairy Fairy
0325 Spoink PsychicIC Big.png Field Field
0359 Absol DarkIC Big.png Field Field
0440 Happiny NormalIC Big.png Fairy Fairy
0446 Munchlax NormalIC Big.png 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 BugIC Big.png Bug Bug
0011 Metapod BugIC Big.png Bug Bug
0013 Weedle BugIC Big.png
PoisonIC Big.png
Bug Bug
0014 Kakuna BugIC Big.png
PoisonIC Big.png
Bug Bug
0129 Magikarp WaterIC Big.png Water 2 Dragon
0132 Ditto NormalIC Big.png Ditto Ditto
0201 Unown PsychicIC Big.png No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0202 Wobbuffet PsychicIC Big.png Amorphous Amorphous
0235 Smeargle NormalIC Big.png Field Field
0265 Wurmple BugIC Big.png Bug Bug
0266 Silcoon BugIC Big.png Bug Bug
0268 Cascoon BugIC Big.png Bug Bug
0360 Wynaut PsychicIC Big.png No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered
0374 Beldum SteelIC Big.png
PsychicIC Big.png
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 RockIC Big.png Mineral Mineral New York City Pokémon Center
0204 Pineco BugIC Big.png Bug Bug New York City Pokémon Center
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.
A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.
An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.


In other games

Greninja using Substitute

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

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

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

Game Base
Power
Max
Power
Base
PP
Max
PP
Base
Accuracy
Max
Accuracy
Range Target Cuts
corners
MDRB - - 7 - 100% - Front All No
MDTDS - - 7 - 100% - Front All No
BSL - - 7 - 100% - Front All No
MDGtI - - 10 50 —% - User User -
SMD - - 10 30 —% - User User -
With some exceptions, Pokémon learnsets match those from the core series games:

Super Smash Bros. series

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

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

Trophy information

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

Pokkén Tournament

050Diglett.png 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.

Subsitute Dolls appear on their own as part of the Practice Area mode. Three Substiute 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 wild Pokémon. 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.

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

050Diglett.png 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
SubstituteG12f.pngSubstituteG12b.png SubstituteG3f.pngSubstituteG3b.png SubstituteG4f.pngSubstituteG4b.png SubstituteG5f.pngSubstituteG5b.png SubstituteLGPEf.pngSubstituteLGPEb.png
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!
Substitute artwork.png SubstituteStadium.png SubstituteStadium2.png SubstitutePMDF.png SubstitutePMD2F.png GO000.png
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.png
Shaymin
Togepi Substitute.png
Togepi
Juniper Accelgor Substitute.png
Accelgor
Brassius Sudowoodo Substitute.png
Sudowoodo
The user creates a substitute for itself using some of its stamina. The substitute serves as the user's decoy.
Pokémon Method
User First Used In Notes
Shaymin Shaymin creates a copy that looks exactly like itself. It then fades soon after.
Shaymin (M11) Giratina and the Sky Warrior Debut
Delcatty 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 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 Accelgor's body flashes white, and a double that looks exactly like Accelgor dashes out of its body and at the opponent. When the copy is hit by an attack, it disappears in a puff of smoke. This also causes Accelgor to lose stamina upon using the move.
Professor Juniper's Accelgor Evolution Exchange Excitement! None
Sudowoodo Sudowoodo creates a copy that looks exactly like itself. When the copy is hit by an attack, it turns into a rock.
Brassius's Sudowoodo HZ010 None


In the manga

Phantom Thief Pokémon 7


Pokémon Adventures


Pokémon Battle Frontier


In other generations

Core series games

Side series games

Spin-off series games

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.
  • 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
The Czech Republic Flag.png Czech Vějička (manga)
Náhrada (DP142, BW063)
Dvojnický útok (DP095)
Náhražka (M11)
Nahrazení (The Official Pokémon Handbook)
Denmark Flag.png Danish Reserve
The Netherlands Flag.png Dutch Kloon
France Flag.png French Clonage
Germany Flag.png German Delegator
Greece Flag.png Greek Υποκατάσταση
Indonesia Flag.png Indonesian Menyamar
Perasuk
Italy Flag.png Italian Sostituto
South Korea Flag.png Korean 대타출동 Daetachuldong
Poland Flag.png Polish Zastępca
Brazil Flag.png Brazilian Portuguese Substituição (games, anime, manga)
Clonagem (The Official Pokémon Handbook)
Romania Flag.png Romanian Substituirea
Serbia Flag.png Serbian Izmena
Spanish CELAC Flag.png Latin America Sustitución (DP095)
Sustituto (M11, BW063)
Señuelo* (DP142)
Spain Flag.png Spain Sustituto
Vietnam Flag.png Vietnamese Hoán Đổi

References


Generation I TMs
01020304050607080910111213141516171819202122232425
26272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950
Generation I HMs
0102030405
Generation IV TMs
0102030405060708091011121314151617181920212223
2425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
4748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869
7071727374757677787980818283848586878889909192
Generation IV HMs
01020304 • 05 (DPPtHGSS) • 060708
Generation V TMs
01020304050607080910111213141516171819
20212223242526272829303132333435363738
39404142434445464748495051525354555657
58596061626364656667686970717273747576
77787980818283848586878889909192939495
Generation V HMs
010203040506
Generation VI TMs
0102030405060708091011121314151617181920212223242526
2728293031323334353637383940414243444546474849505152
5354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778
798081828384858687888990919293 • 94 (XYORAS) • 9596979899100
Generation VI HMs
010203040506ORAS07ORAS
Generation VII TMs
SMUSUM
0102030405060708091011121314151617181920
2122232425262728293031323334353637383940
4142434445464748495051525354555657585960
6162636465666768697071727374757677787980
81828384858687888990919293949596979899100
PE
0102030405060708091011121314151617181920
2122232425262728293031323334353637383940
4142434445464748495051525354555657585960
Generation VIII TMs
SwSh
0001020304050607080910111213141516171819
2021222324252627282930313233343536373839
4041424344454647484950515253545556575859
6061626364656667686970717273747576777879
8081828384858687888990919293949596979899
BDSP
0102030405060708091011121314151617181920
2122232425262728293031323334353637383940
4142434445464748495051525354555657585960
6162636465666768697071727374757677787980
81828384858687888990919293949596979899100
Generation VIII TRs (SwSh)
0001020304050607080910111213141516171819
2021222324252627282930313233343536373839
4041424344454647484950515253545556575859
6061626364656667686970717273747576777879
8081828384858687888990919293949596979899
Generation IX TMs
SV
001002003004005006007008009010011012013014015016017018019
020021022023024025026027028029030031032033034035036037038
039040041042043044045046047048049050051052053054055056057
058059060061062063064065066067068069070071072073074075076
077078079080081082083084085086087088089090091092093094095
096097098099100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114
115116117118119120121122123124125126127128129130131132133
134135136137138139140141142143144145146147148149150151152
153154155156157158159160161162163164165166167168169170171
Added in SV 2.0.1
172173174175176177178179180181182183184185186
187188189190191192193194195196197198199200201
Added in SV 3.0.0
202203204205206207208209210211212213214215216
217218219220221222223224225226227228229


Project Moves and Abilities logo.png 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.