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Art of a Substitute doll released in conjunction with Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

The Substitute doll (Japanese: みがわり人形 Scapegoat Doll) is a recurring item in the Pokémon world. While most often associated with the move Substitute in the core series, it has made a number of cameo appearances in other media, both with the move and without.

In the core series

Substitute in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

The Substitute doll first appeared in the Generation I games, where it appears as an indicator that the user is being protected by the Subsitute move. In Generations I and II, its appearance is identical to the menu sprite used for Rhydon. After these sprites were updated in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire to reflect the Pokémon's actual appearance, the Subsitute Doll retained the same design.

A Substitute doll was an obtainable in the Plain Catalogue of the Pokémon Dream World in exchange for 200 Sitrus Berries. 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 doll. A Substiute Cushon also appears as an obtainable Décor item Generation VI's Pokémon-Amie screen on the PSS.

Appearance

A Substitute doll from Generations I and II	A Substitute doll from Generation III	A Substitute doll from Generation IV	A Substitute doll from Generation V	A Substitute doll from Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
	A Substitute doll from Dream World	A Plush Toy from Black 2 and White 2	A Substitute Cushion from Generation VI	A Substitute doll from Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

In the side series

The Substitute doll appears in the Pokémon Stadium series, Colosseum, XD, and Battle Revolution in the same capacity it does in the core series. In the Stadium series, it more closely resembles a Rhydon.

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.

Appearance

A Substitute doll from Stadium and Stadium 2

In the spin-off games

In Pokémon GO

A Substiute Doll can be found in the internal data of Pokémon GO, however, its use is unknown, as Subsitute is not a move available in the game.

In Pokémon: Magikarp Jump

A Substiute Doll appears as a decoration in Pokémon: Magikarp Jump. While active, the player gains a +2 bonus to their max food number.

In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, the Substitute doll is associated with the Decoy, Cross-Eyed, and Substitute status conditions.

In Pokkén Tournament/Pokkén Tournament DX

Three Subsitute Dolls are called by Whimsicott when used as a Support Pokémon.

In the Super Smash Bros. Series

Greninja using Substitute

A Substiute Doll is sometimes used in Greninja's Substitute special attack, in place of a log.

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.

Appearance

A Substitute doll from Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team	A Substitute doll from Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Darkness and Sky	Portrait of a Substitute doll from Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity and Super Mystery Dungeon	A Substitute doll from Pokémon GO	A Substitute doll from Magikarp Jump

In the anime

A Substitute doll in the anime

In the main series

While dolls aren't used in Substitute's depection in the anime, the Substitute doll has made several cameo appearances, first seen in Under the Pledging Tree!, where it was one of the items offered to Ash by a market vendor in Coumarine City. It made further appearances in Rocking Clawmark Hill! and No Stone Unturned! in Kukui and Burnet's house, and Legend? Go! Friends? Go! in Ash's room where Pikachu was shown hugging it while asleep.

In I Choose You!

A Subsistute Doll appears in Ash's room.

In Pokémon Origins

A Subsistute Doll appears in File 4: Charizard, where a Growlithe can be seen playing with it in Mr. Fuji's Pokémon House.

In the manga

Enta's Ninetales transformed into a Substitute doll in Pokémon Battle Frontier

Pokémon Adventures

Similar to the anime, Pokémon Adventures does not use dolls in its depiction of the move Substitute. However, a Substitute doll did make a cameo appearance in Omega Alpha Adventure 21 as one the many items that Hoopa pulled out of its ring while searching for a Diancite for Ruby.

Pokémon Battle Frontier

In the Pokémon Battle Frontier manga, Enta's Ninetales uses a Doll while performing Substitute.

In the TCG

Merchandise

The Substitute doll has been featured on card sleeves for the TCG.

Product image:

Substitute Sleeves	The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins
The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins
The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins
The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins
The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins	The Sneak-Peek Tins

Trivia

A substitute in place of Masahiro Sakurai

• 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 Generation VI, the size of the Doll 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.
• 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.