Ditto (Pokémon): Difference between revisions

← #131: Lapras	Pokémon	#133: Eevee →
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Ditto (disambiguation).

Ditto メタモン Metamon #132
Art by Ken Sugimori from FireRed and LeafGreen
Type Normal ' Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Transform Pokémon
Abilities Limber ----- Blue-Striped ----- Eccentric Hidden Ability
Exp. at Lv. 100 1,000,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #132 Johto #092 Hoenn #287 Sinnoh — Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R— Oblivia R-291
Height 1'00" Imperial 0.3 m Metric 1'00"/0.3 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 8.8 lbs. Imperial 4.0 kg Metric 8.8 lbs./4.0 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Purple	Catch rate 35 (4.6%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown Gender unknown
Breeding Ditto group 21 cycles (5355 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 1 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 61 Battle Exp.: 611*
External links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Ditto (Japanese: メタモン Metamon) is a Template:Type2 Pokémon.

It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.

Ditto uses the move Transform to copy the opponent's moves, types, form, and non-HP stats. It is sought out for its ability to breed with any Pokémon other than the Pokémon in the No eggs group, including some genderless ones.

Biology

Physiology

In its natural state, Ditto is a purplish free-form shape blob with vestigial facial features. It also appears to have two vestigial, hand-less 'arms' protruding from its body. However, it can take the form of anything, even inanimate objects.

Gender differences

Ditto is a genderless species.

Special abilities

Ditto is capable of transforming into an exact replica of any other Pokémon (an ability that is also shared with Mew), or indeed any physical object. However, if Ditto tries to transform into something based on memory, it may get some of the details wrong. Ditto will also be unable to remain in a transformed state if it starts laughing. Frequently, a Ditto appears that can't transform its face. This fact is seen in the anime, as well as in Pokémon Snap (in which several Ditto are transformed into Bulbasaur), and Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (in which, during the Game Corner slot machine game, a Clefairy with a Ditto's face will occasionally appear instead of a real Clefairy). In rare cases it will lack the ability to increase or decrease in size, thus rather than creating exact duplicates, it will create (usually) miniature versions. Ditto cannot mimic the strength of another Pokémon. Ditto's ability to breed with any non-legendary Pokémon is also useful for creating Pokémon eggs of rarer Pokémon that it may be difficult to get a mate for, such as the starter Pokémon.

Behavior

Ditto's primary defense mechanism is its ability to rearrange its cellular structure. This permits it to transform into essentially any other physical object. When two Ditto meet in the wild, they will attempt to transform into each other. This tendency makes Ditto a unique Pokémon in battle, as it will adapt the form and abilities of its foe. Ditto is best able to transform into something if it has a model to work from. Although Ditto can transform via memory, it has a tendency to forget important details, particularly with its foe's face.

Habitat

Ditto live in very diverse habitats, the most common being caves and forested areas. However, Ditto are never far from civilization or people. There have even been sightings of Ditto in places such as the Pokémon Mansion. They have been documented living in Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

In the anime

Ditto in the anime

Major appearances

Ditto first appeared in Ditto's Mysterious Mansion. Duplica and her Ditto used to perform for people, but the two hadn't had an audience since people saw that Ditto couldn't change its face. Ditto fixed that problem near the end of the episode, when captured by Team Rocket. Duplica found another Ditto sometime before Imitation Confrontation that she named Mini-Dit. This second Ditto could transform into an exact mirror image of anything, but it couldn't change its size.

Shiny Ditto

In Hello Pummelo, Drake of the Orange Islands owns a Ditto and uses it to fight Ash's Pikachu. After the battle with Drake's Ditto, Pikachu came out the victor.

Two Ditto appear in Dealing With A Fierce Double Ditto Drama!, belonging to Narissa. One of them is normal and the other is Shiny.

Minor appearances

A Ditto was used by one of the students of the Pokémon Trainer's School in Gonna Rule The School!.

Ditto was also owned by a member of Team Magma named Brodie, who debuted in Unfair Weather Friends.

There is a picture of Ditto on the "Coffee & Tea" sign at one of last parts in the episode in The Misty Mermaid.

Pokédex entries

In the manga

In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga

Duplica and her Ditto are seen in The Electric Tale of Pikachu. Finding Ditto appealing, Misty decides to capture one of her own, but the plan is called off when Pikachu goes missing. Ditto also featured in a minicomic in which it transforms into Ash, harasses Misty and thereby getting Ash into a lot of pain.

In the Magical Pokémon Journey manga

In Magical Pokémon Journey, there is a ninja master named Master Ditto who appears several times in the manga. His first appearance is in The Wal Comes Tumbling Down.

Additionally, a group of Ditto appear in the fourth bonus chapter of the manga. The Ditto use Transform to mimic Pikachu and cause mischief.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Main article: Ditty

Ditto is one of the members on Green's team. As a master of transformation, Green uses Ditto extensively in her schemes, such as morphing over her face to disguise her appearance (like when she infiltrated the Silph Co. building disguised as Sabrina), camouflaging into its background for subterfuge, as well as forming a protective shield with Green's umbrella.

Ditto is seen later used by Team Rocket, to lure Crystal and Eusine away from Suicune, and smother them when discovered. It was, however, defeated by Crystal's Hitmonchan, Hitmonee.

In the Pokémon Zensho manga

Ditto is also featured in Pokémon Zensho under the ownership of Satoshi.

In the TCG

Main article: Ditto (TCG)

Other appearances

Super Smash Bros. Melee

A screenshot of Ditto in Melee

Ditto was originally intended to be one of the Pokémon randomly released from a Poké Ball. It would have transformed into a copy of the user's character and aided them in battle. However, processing problems forced its removal before the game's release. Ditto can be still be unlocked through the debug menu (which is only accessible through the use of Action Replay), though it does not do anything other than give 7-8% damage to those who touch it.

As for its official status, Ditto only appears as a random trophy and as a cameo in the Tournament Mode menu. In Winner Out or Loser Out tournaments, holding down L and R and pressing A will give the player a random character and color. The usual character image will instead be taken by a picture of Ditto.

Trophy information

Every Ditto has the ability to copy a Pokémon's entire cell structure in an instant and become its exact replica. They're terrible at remembering techniques, but when they use Transform, they temporarily learn all of their foe's moves. If a Ditto starts to laugh, it weakens and can't hold its transformation.

Game data

NPC appearances

• Pokémon Pinball: Ditto appears on the Red Table blocking the evolution cave, once the evolution arrows are lit, it moves out of the way, allowing the player to evolve one of the Pokémon they have captured.
• Pokémon Trozei!: Ditto serves as a "wild card", meaning it can Trozei with any Pokémon and must be used to get rid of Jammer Balls. One will appear when a Trozei is made with more Pokémon than necessary and multiple appear at the beginning of a new round in Endless and Forever mode to clear out the remaining Pokémon.

Pokédex entries

Game locations

In side games

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Red*	Blue*	Metal Powder (100%)
Yellow*
FireRed	LeafGreen	Metal Powder (5%)
Diamond	Pearl	Quick Powder (50%)	Metal Powder (5%)
Platinum

Stats

Base stats

Pokéathlon stats

Type effectiveness

These numbers are good only for a Ditto that has not Transformed. After that point, please see the type effectiveness for the species that it Transformed into.

Learnset

By leveling up

By TM/HM

By breeding

By tutoring

TCG-only moves

• Pound
• Energy Ball

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball     Acquisition: Catch		Pokémon Pinball RS  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Trozei!    Rarity: Common
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team File:MDP RT 132.png Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 6.8% Friend Area: Decrepit Lab Phrases 51%-100% HP Who should I copy next? 26%-50% HP I have only half my HP left... 1%-25% HP I'm out of it... I don't have the power to transform... Level up Yes! My level's up! Partner phrases 51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up Yes! My level's up!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 8.2% IQ group: A
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Loops: 0 Min. exp.: 0 Max. exp.: 0 Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Poké Assist: Field move:  Normal  ( Normal ) Past ( Normal ) None Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   It transforms into Raikou, Entei, and Suicune to attack.
Pokémon Rumble N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}} PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
Pokémon Conquest HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}} Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}} Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}} Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}} Does not evolve. Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

Does not evolve Ditto  Normal

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal				Back
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald		FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum		HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back
V	Black	White	Black 2	White 2			Back

For other sprites and images, please see Ditto images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• Ditto is the only Pokémon to date with a catch rate of 35. However, if Ditto transforms into another Pokémon with a different catch rate, its catch rate will become that of the new Pokémon.
• Ditto and Manaphy are the only Pokémon that are both able to breed yet unobtainable through breeding. Ditto, however, is the only one of the two that is not available at level 1 legally (legitimately the lowest level it is able to be is 10, in Generation II and its Generation IV remakes).
• In Pokémon Snap, Ditto takes the form of Bulbasaur in the Cave stage. The player can cause them to return to their Ditto form by hitting them with an object. When the player takes their picture, Ditto has the same eyes when it is transformed as when it is not. This trait is shared by Duplica's Ditto in the anime, although it was understood that this was not natural. Ditto cards from the EX Delta Species TCG expansion also have this trait.
• Ditto is one of two Pokémon to have two different species-specific items associated with it, the other being Clamperl. Ditto's two associated items, the Metal Powder and Quick Powder, seem to be the same colors as Ditto's normal and Shiny forms, respectively.
• Ditto along with Arceus, Giratina's Origin Forme, Sunkern, and Mew is one of the few Pokémon who can have a 5 in all of its performance stats.
• In Pokémon Rumble, since Transform was not programmed into the game, Ditto can only know Struggle. Since PP does not exist in Rumble, this makes Ditto the only Pokémon in Rumble that can use Struggle.
• Ditto is the most common Pokémon in Pokémon Trozei!, appearing in every area. This is due to its ability to transform, enabling the player a way to advance further if no links are available before Ditto appear.
• In Generations II and III, if a Shiny Ditto uses Transform to copy a Pokémon that is not Shiny, the Shiny Ditto will transform into the Shiny form of that Pokémon. However, in the anime, a Shiny Ditto that transforms into a Pokémon and will not have that Pokémon's Shiny coloration.
• In Generation II, Ditto's back sprite depicts its full body.

+In Weird Al Yankovic's ''Polkamon'', Ditto is mentioned twice. The reason is probably because of Ditto's name.

Glitches

Ditto is closely associated with several glitches throughout the series, most stemming from its nearly unique ability.

In Generation I, if the player manages to capture an 'M, an invisible wild Ditto will still be in battle with the player where 'M was before, and the battle will not end. Additionally, a Ditto is a necessary Pokémon for carrying out method #3 of the Mew glitch, which allows the player to encounter any Pokémon or glitch Pokémon (correspondence based upon this list). Furthermore, switching the order of moves in a Transformed Ditto's movelist in-battle causes Ditto to have the blank space glitch move when the battle ends.

Another glitch in Generation I involves one switching Ditto's first move with the second move after it has used transform in battle. If one of the copied moves is Whirlwind or Roar, at the end of the battle Ditto will appear to have no moves whilst Ditto will actually have a glitch move with the type 'Cooltrainer♀' This move will have 0 PP but if the player uses a PP Up and then an Elixir it is usable, yet crashes the game. If this Ditto is traded to Gold or Silver, the game will reset itself with different colors (a "Glitch dimension") upon clicking attack.

Also in Generation I, any Pokémon that uses Transform is regarded as a Ditto in its new form; this means that if the player catches a Mew or a Glitch Pokémon which has used the move Transform instead they will obtain a Ditto because a wild Mew cannot be legitimately encountered. This system was later changed in Generation III so that the Mew on Faraway Island is not caught as Ditto if it uses Transform.

By exploiting the factors that determine a shiny Pokémon, a shiny Ditto can be obtained by trading the red Gyarados to Generation I and capturing a Ditto that transforms into it. A similar glitch occurs if a regular Ditto is made to transform into a shiny Ditto in Generation II.

Several more glitches involving Ditto's transformation have been discovered in Generation IV as well. In the original Japanese Diamond and Pearl, due to an oversight in the programming of Transform, a Ditto will copy the Pokémon's held item in addition to its species, allowing rare items to be duplicated. Another glitch allows for Ditto to transform and then permanently keep the moveset of the Pokémon it became, allowing for the passing down of previously impossible egg move combinations in a large-scale version of Smeargle's ability to do so with all Ground Group Pokémon through Sketch.

In Generation IV, it is possible to perform the latter of the above glitches by battling a Ditto with a Pokémon that knows Rage, therefore it is possible for a Ditto to have moves like Surf or Fly by battling a Ditto with Pokémon like Totodile or Doduo respectively.

Origin

Ditto strongly resembles an amoeba, a single-celled organism with no definite shape. This may emphasize its ability to alter its cellular composition. This could also explain why Ditto is unavailable through breeding, since single-celled organisms reproduce differently from multi-cellular plants and animals. It may also be based on an undifferentiated cell, a cell in the body that can change into any other cell by sampling it. It could also have been based on a blob or a rubber ball.

Name origin

A ditto is a substitute for repeating what was previously written or said. It was also a common name for copies of master documents created by mimeograph machines. Ditto's Japanese name is a combination of metamorph, monster, and possibly transformation. Alternatively, it came from the prefix 'meta-' (which means 'to encompass all', which Ditto's Transform move does do to Pokémon) and the word 'monster', bringing to mind a parallel of the suffix '-mon' - standing for monster.

In other languages

• German: Ditto
• French: Metamorph - From metamorph.
• Korean: 메타몽 Metamong
• Chinese (Taiwan): 百變怪 Bǎi Biàn Guài - Literally "Hundred transformation creature".

Related articles

External links

Notes

← #131: Lapras

Pokémon

#133: Eevee →

This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species.