Substitute (move)

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Revision as of 03:46, 8 January 2023 by Daniel Carrero (talk | contribs) (→‎Unaffected moves: 1- Adding values for first gen, 2- Editing MoveResearch template, 3- Editing how info is displayed for Acupressure and Aromatherapy)
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Substitute
みがわり Scapegoat
Substitute IX.png
[[File:|center]]
Type  Normal
Category  Status
PP  10 (max. 16)
Power  —
Accuracy  —%
Priority  {{{priority}}}
  • 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
Target
Foe Foe Foe
Self Ally Ally
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

The user creates a substitute, with the same type and stats as the user. This requires decreasing the user's HP by 25% (rounded down) of its maximum HP. If the user's current HP is less than 25% (rounded down) of its maximum HP, Substitute fails.

If a Pokémon has a substitute, any damage the Pokémon would take from an opponent's moves is taken by the substitute instead. If the substitute runs out of HP or is hit by a one-hit KO move, it breaks. Other damage (except self-inflicted confusion damage), such as recoil damage or damage from status conditions, is not affected by a substitute.

Generation I

050Diglett.png This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Check if the oddities and glitches from Generation I games were also fixed in the Japanese Pokémon Stadium

The substitute is created with 1 HP more than the amount of HP lost by the user. If the user's current HP is exactly equal to 25% (rounded down) of its maximum HP, it will faint upon creating the substitute. If the user's maximum HP is 3 or less, it will not lose any HP when the substitute is made.

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.

While behind a substitute, its opponent's moves cannot lower its stat stages, poison it, freeze it, burn it, or cause it to flinch. A Pokémon behind a substitute can be inflicted with paralysis or sleep by status moves (such as Thunder Wave and Hypnosis), but not by damaging moves (such as Thunderbolt). Conversely, a Pokémon behind a substitute cannot be confused by status moves (such as Confuse Ray), but can be confused by damaging moves (such as Confusion) as long as they do not break the substitute. Even if a move breaks a substitute, it cannot inflict any effects it would not be able to inflict to a Pokémon behind a substitute.

Substitute does not affect the opponent's Disable, Leech Seed, Super Fang, Transform, or binding moves; the user's Bide, Counter, or Rage; nor either Pokémon's Haze.

In the Japanese games, draining moves always miss if the target is behind a substitute. In the Western games, they can hit and drain HP, but will not drain any HP if they break the substitute.

If a Pokémon breaks a substitute with Hyper Beam, it will not need to recharge. If a Pokémon breaks a substitute with Explosion or Selfdestruct, it will not faint, although its sprite will still disappear until it switches out (or uses Substitute). If a Pokémon breaks a substitute with a recoil move, it will not take any recoil damage. If a Pokémon breaks a substitute with Pay Day, that use of Pay Day will not count toward the money its Trainer picks up at the end of the battle. If a Pokémon attacks a substitute with a multi-strike move, the hits will automatically end if the substitute breaks.

In Stadium, several oddities and glitches listed above were fixed:

  • If the user's current HP is exactly equal to 25% (rounded down) of its maximum HP, it will be too weak to create a substitute.
  • A Pokémon behind a substitute cannot be inflicted with any status condition or confusion by an opponent's move.
  • If a Pokémon breaks a substitute with Explosion or Selfdestruct, it will faint as usual.
  • Draining moves always miss if used on a Pokémon behind a substitute.

In Generations I and II, the substitute retains its user's color palette. For instance, a blue Pokémon would create a blue substitute.

Generation II

In general, the fixed effects from Stadium in Generation I are retained. For example:

  • If the user's current HP is equal to or lower than 25% (rounded down) of its maximum HP, it will be too weak to create a substitute.
  • A Pokémon behind a substitute cannot be inflicted with any status condition or caused to flinch by an opponent's move.
  • Super Fang affects the substitute rather than the Pokémon behind it.
  • Rage works as normal.
  • 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.

Mechanics changed between Stadium and Generation II include:

  • The substitute's HP is now exactly equal to the HP lost to create the substitute, instead of being 1 + the HP lost.
  • Leech Seed now fails if the target is behind a substitute.
  • If a Pokémon behind a substitute hurts itself in confusion, it takes the damage itself.
  • Bide can be successfully used by a Pokémon behind a substitute, but damage dealt to a substitute is not considered for the damage Bide deals.
  • Because recoil damage is calculated from how much HP the target has actually lost, if a Pokémon hits a substitute with a recoil move, that attacker will only take 1 HP of recoil damage. (Jump Kick and Hi Jump Kick crash damage is calculated normally.) Breaking a substitute with a recoil move no longer prevents recoil damage.
  • A multi-strike move can now continue hitting even after a substitute has been broken, then dealing damage directly to the targeted Pokémon. (Twineedle can poison a target with the second strike if the first strike broke the substitute.)
  • Pay Day now works as normal.
  • False Swipe does not apply its additional effect if it hits a substitute.

Mechanics newly introduced in Generation II include:

  • A substitute can be passed by Baton Pass, and it will keep whatever HP it has remaining.
  • The moves Counter, Mirror Coat, Protect, Detect, and Endure will fail if used by a Pokémon behind a substitute.
  • The moves Lock-On, Mind Reader, Nightmare, Ghost-type Curse, and Sketch cannot affect a Pokémon behind a substitute. (If a Pokémon affected by one of these moves later gains a substitute, their effects remain.)
  • A substitute takes the damage from Future Sight.
  • A substitute takes the damage from Pursuit as the user switches out.
  • Binding moves will not trap the target if it is behind a substitute. In addition, creating a substitute will cause the user to escape a binding move.
  • If a Pokémon behind a substitute is targeted by Swagger, its Attack is sharply increased as normal, but it does not become confused.
  • Thief cannot steal an item from a Pokémon behind a substitute.
  • Pain Split fails if the target is behind a substitute.

Generation III

The following effects are carried over/expanded from Generation II:

  • A Pokémon behind a substitute cannot have its stat stages lowered by an opponent's Intimidate.
  • A Pokémon behind a substitute cannot have its item stolen by Covet or knocked off by Knock Off. Trick fails if its target is behind a substitute.
  • A substitute takes the damage from Doom Desire.
  • Yawn is blocked by the substitute, but if a Pokémon behind a substitute is already drowsy due to Yawn it can still fall asleep.

The following effects are changed between Generations II and III:

  • Rage's effect will now no longer activate if its user's substitute is hit.
  • Swagger and Flatter will now fail if used on a Pokémon behind a substitute.
  • Pay Day now does not cause its Trainer to gain money if it hits a substitute.
  • Protect, Detect, and Endure now behave as normal.
  • Damaging draining moves (except Dream Eater) can now hit a substitute as normal, and the user of the move will gain HP depending on the HP the substitute lost. (Leech Seed is still blocked by the substitute.)
  • Recoil moves now inflict recoil damage to the user depending on the damage dealt to the substitute.
  • Trapping moves are now blocked by the substitute.
  • Mimic is now blocked by the substitute.

The following effects are newly introduced in Generation III:

  • Shedinja, having a maximum of only 1 HP, cannot make a substitute.
  • Substitute can be stolen by Snatch.
  • SmellingSalt will not have any of its additional effects applied if it hits a substitute, even if the Pokémon behind it is paralyzed.

Generation IV

The following effects are carried over/expanded from Generation III:

  • A Pokémon behind a substitute cannot have its item eaten by Pluck or Bug Bite. Switcheroo fails if its target is behind a substitute.
  • Like Counter and Mirror Coat, Metal Burst also does not count damage taken by its user's substitute.
  • Similar to SmellingSalt, Wake-Up Slap will not have any of its additional effects applied if it hits a substitute, even if the Pokémon behind it is asleep.

The following effects changed between Generations III and IV:

The following effects are newly introduced in Generation IV:

Generation V

A Pokémon behind a substitute cannot have its item destroyed by Incinerate or be given an item by Bestow. The Ability Pickpocket and the Item Drop from Wonder Launcher can steal or remove a Pokémon's held item, respectively.

If Smack Down, Clear Smog, Circle Throw, or Dragon Tail target a substitute, their secondary effects will not trigger. The move Sky Drop will fail if the target is behind a substitute.

Acupressure can now successfully be used by a Pokémon behind a substitute on itself, but it will still fail if it targets an ally behind a substitute.

Substitute now blocks Transform and Imposter.

Another Pokémon's Dream Eater can now affect a Pokémon's substitute and acts the same way as other damaging draining moves.

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 defending Pokémon will appear to be behind a substitute, but will act as normal.

By TrainerOfDistinction
This video is not available on Bulbapedia; instead, you can watch the video on YouTube here.


Generation VI onwards

Substitute no longer blocks sound-based moves (such as Metal Sound) or any moves used by Pokémon with the Ability Infiltrator, except Transform and Sky Drop. The moves Hyperspace Hole, Hyperspace Fury, Play Nice, and Spectral Thief can also bypass a substitute. Aromatherapy can still heal the user's status conditions if it is behind a substitute, but will now fail to affect an ally behind a substitute. Substitute will prevent Knock Off from discarding a removable held item, however Knock Off's power will still be increased.

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 disappears.

Using Tidy Up will remove all substitutes from both sides of the field.

Unaffected moves

151Mew.png This move effect may be in need of research.
Reason:
  • 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.

Different moves are able to bypass Substitute in each generation. Moves marked with a in the following table can hit a Pokémon regardless of its substitute.

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
0000 Shroodle PoisonIC Big.png
NormalIC Big.png
Field Field 36
0000 Grafaiai PoisonIC Big.png
NormalIC Big.png
Field Field 40
0000 Gholdengo SteelIC Big.png
GhostIC Big.png
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 21
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
0000 Quaxly WaterIC Big.png Flying Water 1
0000 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 Red Rescue Team, Blue Rescue Team, Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness and Explorers of Sky, Substitute is a move with 7PP. The user targets Pokémon in front of them, ally or enemy, and inflicts Decoy status condition on them for 21-50 turns, making them more likely to be targeted by the AI. This move is affected by Snatch and Taunt.

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.

Super Smash Bros. Series

Substitute is Greninja's down special. The substitute doll it summons resembles those from the main 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.

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 and VIII
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
Shaymin Substitute disappears.png
Substitute fades away
Togepi Substitute.png
Togepi
Juniper Accelgor Substitute.png
Accelgor
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 clone 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


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


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