Pay Day (move)

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 TM57 in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! TM02 in Pokémon Sword and Shield

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 is TM16 in Generation I, TM57 in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, and TM02 in Pokémon Sword and Shield.

In Generations II and III, it was the signature move of Meowth and Persian, and from Generations IV to VI, it was the signature move of Meowth. In Generation IX, it is the signature move of Meowth, Persian, and Perrserker.

Effect

	This move effect may be in need of research. Reason: What is the maximum amount of money available per battle from Pay Day in all generations? You can discuss this on the talk page.

Pay Day deals damage and scatters coins on the ground. The amount of coins increases directly with the user's level. If the player wins the battle or ends a wild encounter with a move that forces the opponent to flee (such as Roar or Dragon Tail), they will pick up all the scattered coins and receive the money amount.

The amount of money from Pay Day is doubled if any of the player's Pokémon takes part in battle while holding an Amulet Coin or Luck Incense. (This effect can only be applied once, regardless of how many additional Pokémon hold these items.)

No money is obtained if

• Either side flees or Teleports, unless the player forces the wild Pokémon to flee
• The player loses or blacks out
• The wild Pokémon ends the battle with a move that forces the player to flee
• The wild Pokémon is caught
• The battle is one of these types of battles:
  • Link battle
  • Battle facility
  • Max Raid Battle
  • Tera Raid Battle

Generation I

Pay Day scatters coins with a value equal to twice the user's level (at the time the move was used), up to 200 coins if the user is level 100.

Pay Day will normally scatter coins when it hits a substitute, but fails to do so if it breaks the substitute.

In this generation, the maximum amount of Pay Day coins allowed per battle is $999,999. After this, the game still states that coins are scattered with every use of Pay Day, but the value of coins stored by the game will not increase any further.

At the end of the battle, the player picks up all coins scatter by both their own Pokémon and opposing Pokémon.

Generation II

	This move effect may be in need of research. Reason: Is money received when a wild Pokémon escapes? (such as wild Magnemite, Grimer, Cubone, etc.) You can discuss this on the talk page.

Pay Day now scatters coins even if the move breaks a substitute.

Generation III to V

	This move effect may be in need of research. Reason: Does the Amulet Coin error occur in Pokémon Colosseum and XD? You can discuss this on the talk page.

Pay Day now scatters coins equal to five times the user's level each time. The player can now only pick up coins that were scattered by their own Pokémon.

Pay Day hitting a substitute will no longer scatter coins (even if the substitute breaks).

Generation VI

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

If Pay Day is used by a Pokémon with Parental Bond (e.g. by using Skill Swap), coins are only scattered on the first hit.

Happy Hour increases the amount of money picked up.

Prize Money Power increases the amount of money picked up.

Generation VII

	This move effect may be in need of research. Reason: Is money received when Nihilego escapes in Aether Paradise? Is the Lusamine fight (which does not offer money) in Ultra Space affected by Pay Day? Does Roto Prize Money affect Pay Day? You can discuss this on the talk page.

Glitches

	This move effect may be in need of research. Reason: Check the behavior for Levels 101-255 and 0 in Generation IV and up You can discuss this on the talk page.

Generations I and II

If the user has a level higher than 100 (which is not allowed in normal gameplay, but is possible via some methods such as the old man glitch), Pay Day still works as usual up to level 127, scattering up to $254 per use. This move would scatter $0 if the user is level 0, but no message is displayed. However, if the user's level is between 128 and 255, Pay Day scatters an amount of money equal to ${\textstyle ({\text{level}}-128)\times 2}$. For instance, Pay Day scatters $0 at level 128, $100 at level 178, and $254 at level 255.

Pokémon over Level 100 cannot be traded from Generation I into Generation II due to a message that the Pokémon is abnormal, but it is possible to obtain one in Generation II with a means of arbitrary code execution such as the Coin Case glitch.

Generation III

Unlike Generation I and II, Pay Day gives the expected amount of money for Levels 101-255 (five times the level; so a maximum of $1275 per use). As before, this move would scatter $0 if the user is level 0, but no message is displayed.

Pokémon over Level 100 can be obtained using an arbitrary code execution method such as viewing a glitch Pokémon's animation or using a glitch move from Glitzer Popping.

Due to a minor glitch in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, the wrong amount of money will be displayed if the Amulet Coin is held (including for Levels 1-100). The correct amount is still gained after the battle. This error was fixed in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen and all subsequent games.

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. PBR Numerous coins are hurled at the foe to inflict damage. BWB2W2 XYORAS SMUSUMPE SwShBDSPLA Numerous coins are hurled at the target to inflict damage. Money is earned after the battle. SV Coins are hurled at the target to inflict damage. Money is earned after the battle.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII		VIII		IX
												SMUSUM	PE	SwSh	BDSP	SV
0052		Meowth		Field		Field	17	20	20RSE 18FRLG	30	30	30	30	12	12	12	12
0052		Meowth Alolan Form		Field		Field							30	12	12		12
0052		Meowth Galarian Form		Field		Field									12		12
0053		Persian		Field		Field	17	20	20RSE 18FRLG	−	−	−	−	12	12	12	12
0053		Persian Alolan Form		Field		Field							−	12	12		12
0863		Perrserker		Field		Field									12		12
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		Types	Egg Groups		Compatibility
						I	VII	VIII
						TM16	PE TM57	SwSh TM02
0025		Pikachu		Field	Fairy	✔	✔	✔
0026		Raichu		Field	Fairy	✔	✔	✔
0026		Raichu Alolan Form		Field	Fairy		✔	✔
0031		Nidoqueen		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔	✔
0034		Nidoking		Monster	Field	✔	✔	✔
0052		Meowth		Field		Field	✔	✔	✔
0052		Meowth Alolan Form		Field		Field		✔	✔
0052		Meowth Galarian Form		Field		Field			✔
0053		Persian		Field		Field	✔	✔	✔
0053		Persian Alolan Form		Field		Field		✔	✔
0054		Psyduck		Water 1	Field	✔	✔	✔
0055		Golduck		Water 1	Field	✔	✔	✔
0056		Mankey		Field		Field	✔	✔
0057		Primeape		Field		Field	✔	✔
0078		Rapidash		Field		Field	−	−	✔
0078		Rapidash Galarian Form		Field		Field			✔
0079		Slowpoke		Monster	Water 1	✔	✔	✔
0079		Slowpoke Galarian Form		Monster	Water 1			✔
0080		Slowbro		Monster	Water 1	✔	✔	✔
0080		Slowbro Galarian Form		Monster	Water 1			✔
0086		Seel		Water 1	Field	✔	✔
0087		Dewgong		Water 1	Field	✔	✔
0112		Rhydon		Monster	Field	✔	✔	✔
0133		Eevee		Field		Field	−	✔	✔
0134		Vaporeon		Field		Field	−	✔	✔
0135		Jolteon		Field		Field	−	✔	✔
0136		Flareon		Field		Field	−	✔	✔
0143		Snorlax		Monster		Monster	✔	✔	✔
0150		Mewtwo		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔RGB	✔	✔
0151		Mew		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔	✔
0196		Espeon		Field		Field			✔
0197		Umbreon		Field		Field			✔
0199		Slowking		Monster	Water 1			✔
0199		Slowking Galarian Form		Monster	Water 1			✔
0446		Munchlax		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered			✔
0464		Rhyperior		Monster	Field			✔
0470		Leafeon		Field		Field			✔
0471		Glaceon		Field		Field			✔
0509		Purrloin		Field		Field			✔
0510		Liepard		Field		Field			✔
0677		Espurr		Field		Field			✔
0678		Meowstic All forms		Field		Field			✔
0700		Sylveon		Field		Field			✔
0725		Litten		Field		Field			✔
0726		Torracat		Field		Field			✔
0727		Incineroar		Field		Field			✔
0807		Zeraora		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered			✔
0863		Perrserker		Field		Field			✔
0876		Indeedee All forms		Fairy		Fairy			✔
0898		Calyrex All forms		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered			✔
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	Egg Groups		Egg Move
						II	V	VI	VII
									SMUSUM
0187		Hoppip		Fairy	Grass	✔	−	−	−
0509		Purrloin		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔
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		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0300		Skitty		Field	Fairy	Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire - Skitty Egg
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 I

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0022		Fearow		Flying		Flying	Pokémon Stamp
0078		Rapidash		Field		Field	Pokémon Stamp
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.

Generation II

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0225		Delibird		Water 1	Field	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

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

Pay Day deals damage. If the target is knocked out with this move, it will drop Poké (on top of their held item, if any). This effect will not trigger if the target is recruited. The move's secondary effect will not occur in all dungeons (for example, not in mazes in Super Mystery Dungeon).

Game Base Power Max Power Base PP Max PP Base Accuracy Max Accuracy Range Target Cuts corners MDRB 8 - 22 - 90% - Front Enemy No MDTDS 8 - 16 - 90% - Front Enemy No BSL 8 - 16 - 90% - Front Enemy No SMD 4 99 25 40 95% 98% Front Enemy Yes With some exceptions, Pokémon learnsets match those from the core series games: MD Rescue Team = Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald. MD Time and Darkness = Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. MD Sky = Pokémon Platinum. MD Adventure Squad = ??. Super Mystery Dungeon = Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. MD Rescue Team DX = Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.

Super Smash Bros. series

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

Pokémon Rumble Rush

Pay Day

★
Attack power	33.84057
Charge time	0.74 seconds
Range type	Projectile
Number of hits	1
Number of projectiles	1
Critical hit rate	1.5%
Additional effect	None

Description

Games Description MDRB Inflicts damage on the target. If the foe faints, it will drop money. MDTDS Inflicts damage on the target. The enemy will drop money if it faints. BSL てきポケモンに ダメージをあたえる このわざで たおれたポケモンは おかねを おとす MDGtI UNUSED SMD If you defeat an enemy with this move, the enemy will drop . MDRTDX If you defeat an enemy with this move, the enemy will drop money. However, enemies you defeat while you're in a maze won't drop any money!

In animation

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

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Alolan Meowth 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 Game 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 Game 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
	Alolan Meowth swings its arms and throws multiple gold coins that look like its charm at the opponent.
Sun's Cent	The Grand Entrance and Delivery Boy Sun		None

Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!

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

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

• 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 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.
• In Generation I, Pay Day can be used to obtain up to $999,999 per battle. However, this maximum amount would require using this move at least 5000 times in the same battle.
  • For instance, obtaining the maximum amount of money in a single battle is achievable in this generation by using a Mew with Pay Day, Rest, and Transform against a wild Ditto. Once Ditto transforms into Mew, they will both have the same moveset, including Pay Day, as well as Rest to restore their own HP. The opponent has infinite PP by default, while the player's Pokémon can indefinitely restore its own PP by repeatedly transforming into the opponent and obtaining its moves again.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 聚寶功 Jeuihbóu-gūng * 擲兩添金 Jaahkléungtīmgām * Mandarin 聚寶功 / 聚宝功 Jùbǎo-gōng Czech Výplata Danish Kasse I Dutch Afrekening Finnish Tilinteko French Jackpot German Zahltag Greek Φιλαργυρία Filargyría Italian GiornopagaIII+ Giorno-PagaI–II Korean 고양이돈받기 Goyang-idonbatgi Polish Dzień Zapłaty Brazilian Portuguese Dia de Pagamento (TCG, manga, The Official Pokémon Handbook) Dia do Pagamento (anime, The Official Pokémon Handbook) Russian Джекпот Dzhekpot Serbian Isplata Spanish Día de Pago Swedish Lönedags Lönedagen Turkish Ödeme Zamanı Vietnamese Vung Tiền

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.