Mean Look (move)

Mean Look くろいまなざし Dark Look

Battles Type  Normal Category  Status PP  5 (max. 8) Power  — Accuracy  —% Priority  0 Does not make contact Not affected by Protect Affected by Magic Coat and Magic Bounce Not affected by Snatch Affected by Mirror Move Not affected by King's Rock

Range Opponent Opponent Opponent Self Ally Ally Normal: May affect anyone adjacent to the user

Availability Introduced  Generation II Not a TM, TR, HM, or Move Tutor move.

Contests Condition  Beauty Appeal  2 ♥♥ Jam  0   Makes all Pokémon after the user nervous.

Super Contests Condition  Beauty Appeal  2 ♥♥ Lowers the Voltage of all Judges by one each.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Beautiful Appeal  2 ♥♥ Jamming  0   Makes the remaining Pokémon nervous.

On Smogon's Movedex: Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX

Mean Look (Japanese: くろいまなざし Dark Look) is a non-damaging Normal-type move introduced in Generation II.

Effect

Generation II

Mean Look prevents the target from switching out or fleeing (including via Teleport). It bypasses accuracy checks to always hit, unless the target is in the semi-invulnerable turn of a move such as Dig or Fly. The effect only applies as long as the Pokémon that used it remains in battle.

It will hit the target even if it has used Protect or Detect.

The affected Pokémon can still switch out via Baton Pass, but in that case, the Pokémon that switches in will now be affected. Conversely, the Pokémon that used Mean Look can switch out with Baton Pass and the effects of Mean Look will still apply. Also, if the affected Pokémon is Roared at or hit with a Whirlwind, they will still be switched out.

If a wild Pokémon uses Mean Look on the player's Pokémon, the player will be unable to escape.

Generations III and IV

Pokémon affected by Mean Look can escape (but not switch out) if the Pokémon has the Ability Run Away or is holding a Smoke Ball.

It is now blocked by Protect and Detect.

Pokémon affected by Mean Look can now switch out with U-turn.

Mean Look can be used as the first move of a Pokémon Contest combination, causing Destiny Bond and Perish Song to score double the normal appeal if used in the next turn. It can also be used to finish a combination, with the user gaining 2 bonus appeal points if Curse was used in the previous turn.

Generation V

If a Pokémon traps a target with Mean Look and then switches with Baton Pass, the target will no longer be trapped.

Pokémon affected by Mean Look can also switch out with Volt Switch.

Also, Dragon Tail and Circle Throw will force the affected Pokémon to switch out.

Generation VI onwards

Mean Look no longer affects Ghost-type Pokémon. It will now hit the target even if it has used Protect, Detect, or Spiky Shield, but will fail if the target is protected by Crafty Shield.

Pokémon affected by Mean Look can also switch out with Parting Shot and Flip Turn.

Mean Look can also be used as part of a Contest Spectacular combination, causing certain moves (Explosion, Memento, Perish Song and Self-Destruct) to give an extra three appeal points if used in the next turn.

If powered up by a Normalium Z into Z-Mean Look, the user's Special Defense stat is raised by one stage.

Description

Games Description Stad2 A probing stare that prevents the target from escaping until the attacking Pokémon is gone. GSC Prevents fleeing or switching. RSE Fixes the foe with a mean look that prevents escape. FRLG The foe is fixed with a mean look that prevents it from escaping. ColoXD Fixes the target with a look that prevents escape. DPPtHGSSPBR The user affixes the foe with a dark, arresting look. The target becomes unable to flee. BWB2W2 XYORAS SMUSUMPE SwShBDSPLA SV The user pins the target with a dark, arresting look. The target becomes unable to flee.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII		IX
											SMUSUM	SwSh	BDSP	SV
0041		Zubat		Flying		Flying	36	36	29	29BW 34B2W2	34XY 29ORAS	29	10	10
0042		Golbat		Flying		Flying	42	42	33	33BW 38B2W2	38XY 32ORAS	32	1	1
0092		Gastly		Amorphous		Amorphous	13	13RSE 48FRLG	8	8	8	8	8	8	8
0093		Haunter		Amorphous		Amorphous	13	13RSE 64FRLG	8	8	8	8	1	1	1
0094		Gengar		Amorphous		Amorphous	13	13RSE 64FRLG	8	8	8	8	1	1	1
0124		Jynx		Human-Like		Human-Like	35	35	21	25	25	25	46	46
0169		Crobat		Flying		Flying	42	42	33	33BW 38B2W2	38XY 32ORAS	32	1	1
0197		Umbreon		Field		Field	42	42	57	57BW 37B2W2	37	37	50	50	50
0198		Murkrow		Flying		Flying	41	48	41	41	41	41		41	35
0200		Misdreavus		Amorphous		Amorphous	19	23	19	19	19	19		19	19
0238		Smoochum		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	33	33	21	25	25	25	40	40
0302		Sableye		Human-Like		Human-Like		45	57	60	1, 60XY 46ORAS	46	36	36	36
0355		Duskull		Amorphous		Amorphous		45	38	41	41XY 46ORAS	46	28	28	28
0356		Dusclops		Amorphous		Amorphous		51	43	49	49XY 52ORAS	52	28	28	28
0429		Mismagius		Amorphous		Amorphous			−	−	−	−		1	−
0430		Honchkrow		Flying		Flying			−	−	−	−		1	−
0477		Dusknoir		Amorphous		Amorphous			43	49	49XY 52ORAS	52	28	28	28
0504		Patrat		Field		Field				31	31	36
0505		Watchog		Field		Field				36	36	43
0562		Yamask		Mineral	Amorphous				45	45	45	28
0562		Yamask Galarian Form		Mineral	Amorphous							28
0563		Cofagrigus		Mineral	Amorphous				51	51	51	28
0678		Meowstic Male		Field		Field					1	1	1		1
0785		Tapu Koko		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered						1	50
0786		Tapu Lele		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered						1	50
0787		Tapu Bulu		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered						1	50
0788		Tapu Fini		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered						1	50
0867		Runerigus		Mineral	Amorphous							28
0987		Flutter Mane		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered									14
1001		Wo-Chien		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered									1
1002		Chien-Pao		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered									1
1003		Ting-Lu		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered									1
1004		Chi-Yu		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered									1
1025		Pecharunt		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered									Rem.
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	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII		IX
											SMUSUM	SwSh	BDSP	SV
0088		Grimer		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔		✔	✔
0088		Grimer Alolan Form		Amorphous		Amorphous						✔			✔*
0163		Hoothoot		Flying		Flying	−	−	−	−	−	✔USUM	−	✔	−
0203		Girafarig		Field		Field	−	−	−	✔	✔	✔		✔	✔
0280		Ralts		Human-Like	Amorphous		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0302		Sableye		Human-Like		Human-Like		−	−	✔	✔	✔	−	✔	−
0359		Absol		Field		Field		−	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0495		Snivy		Field	Grass				✔	✔	✔			✔
0551		Sandile		Field		Field				✔	✔	✔	−		−
0574		Gothita		Human-Like		Human-Like				✔	✔	✔	✔		✔
0624		Pawniard		Human-Like		Human-Like				✔	✔	✔	✔		✔
0629		Vullaby		Flying		Flying				✔	✔	✔	✔		✔
0701		Hawlucha		Flying	Human-Like					−	−	✔		✔
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 V

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0553		Krookodile		Field		Field	Dream World - Rugged Mountain
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 V

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0235		Smeargle		Field		Field	2013 World Championships Smeargle
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

Mean Look inflicts the stuck (previously Leg Hold^RB/Shadow Hold^TDS) status condition which prevents the target from moving (but may attack), or switch places with the team leader. This status lasts for 2-5^RBTDS/ 7^GtISMDturns. In Super Mystery Dungeon Ghost-type Pokémon cannot become stuck. This move is affected by Magic Coat.

Game Base Power Max Power Base PP Max PP Base Accuracy Max Accuracy Range Target Cuts corners MDRB - - 12 - 100% - Front Enemy No MDTDS - - 12 - 100% - Front Enemy No BSL - - 12 - 100% - Front Enemy No MDGtI - - 16 50 100% - Front Enemy No SMD - - 16 40 100% - Front Enemy No 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 = ??. MD Gates to Infinity = Pokémon Black 2 and White 2. Super Mystery Dungeon = Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. MD Rescue Team DX = Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.

Pokémon UNITE

In Pokémon UNITE, Mean Look is Umbreon's first move. It is obtained by evolving into Umbreon at level 4 and upgrading Swift into it instead of Foul Play. The user pins an opposing Pokémon. For a short time, the opposing Pokémon becomes surrounded by a black zone, which it cannot leave. While the user is in the black zone, its basic attacks become boosted attacks, and it deals increased damage. At level 10, the black zone's duration is increased.

Description

Games Description MDRB Inflicts the Leg Hold status on the target, making it incapable of movement. MDTDS Afflicts the targeted enemy with a Shadow Hold status condition. A Pokémon with the Shadow Hold status is incapable of movement. BSL てきポケモンを かげふみじょうたいにかえる かげふみじょうたいの ポケモンは いどうできない MDGtI It causes the Stuck status condition to an enemy. With the Stuck status, the enemy can't move. SMD It causes an enemy to get stuck.

In animation

Haunter Dusknoir Watchog Absol
The user pins the target with a dark, arresting look. The target becomes unable to flee.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Haunter's eyes glow light-purple, preventing the opponent from escaping.
Morty's Haunter	From Ghost to Ghost		Debut
	Misdreavus opens its eyes wide and its body flashes black. The opponent can no longer run away from the battle.
Nelson's Misdreavus	Entei at Your Own Risk		None
	Dusclops's iris glows purple and it releases a black ring of energy from its eye at the opponent. When the ring hits the opponent, the opponent becomes surrounded by a purple aura, causing the opponent to no longer be able to be recalled into its Poké Ball.
Brandon's Dusclops	Gathering the Gang of Four!		None
	Dusknoir's iris glows purple and it releases a black ring of energy from its eye at the opponent. When the ring hits the opponent, it flips around so it is above the opponent and falls onto it. The ring then disappears and the opponent's body flashes black, preventing it from escaping.
Conway's Dusknoir	Working on a Right Move!		None
	Watchog closes its eyes and its body becomes surrounded by a dark purple aura. It then opens its eyes and they glow bright red. The purple aura then rises into the air and forms an eye with a black pupil. The eye then becomes surrounded by a magenta aura, and multiple smaller eyes with a magenta outline appear around it and spread throughout the battlefield. The opponent's body then becomes surrounded by a magenta aura. Once it does, the eyes disappear and the opponent can no longer be recalled. If the Trainer tries, a purple force field appears around the opponent.
Lenora's Watchog	The Battle According to Lenora!		None
	Gengar's irises and pupils turn purple, with a light-purple glow around them. The opponent then glows purple, with its eyes glowing bright red, and a dark-purple, shadowy mist appears around the opponent's body as the opponent turns towards Gengar.
Alva's Gengar	Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel		None
	Absol's eyes glow red and a dark, ghostly aura surrounds it. The aura then extends and surrounds the opponent, making them freeze in fear.
Lusamine's Absol	Rescuing the Unwilling!		None
	Sableye's eyes flash red and then a dark purple and shadowy aura shaped like its face is fired at the opponent. After the attack hits, the opponent's body becomes outlined in a dark purple aura and struggles to be able to move.
Nanu's Sableye	Guiding an Awakening!		None

In the manga

Be the Best! Pokémon B+W

Watchog
The user projects an evil eye at the opponent, scaring it and preventing it from running.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Watchog projects an evil eye at the opponent, scaring it and preventing it from running.
Monta's Watchog	Let's Master Pokémon Capturing!		Debut

Pokémon Adventures

Smoochum
The user fires black eye beams at the opponent, preventing them from escaping.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Smoochum fires black eye beams at the opponent from her eyes, stunning it and preventing it from escaping.
Crystal's Chumee	Slugging It Out with Slugma		Debut

Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys

Gastly Gengar The effect
The user looks at the opponent and eyes are targeted at it.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Gastly makes a scary face at the opponent and at least five eyes are targeting it.
Black's Gastly	Extreme Power!! The Friday Pokémon		Debut
	Gengar makes a scary face at the opponent and a few eyes are targeting it, causing the opponent to shudder in fear.
Morty's Gengar	A Promise Given to Miltank		None

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

Umbreon
Multiple eyes appear which prevents the foe from doing anything.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Umbreon looks at the foe and multiple eyes appear.
Karen's Umbreon	A Challenge to the Elite Four!		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, andSky	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, andSky	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, andSky	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, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Trivia

• In Generation III, the status screen erroneously states that the move has 100% accuracy, even though it ignores accuracy and evasion checks.
• The stock image used in the battle animation of Mean Look from Generation VII onwards appears to be based on Espurr's eyes, which can't itself learn the move. This trait is shared with Tearful Look and Baby-Doll Eyes^VII+.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 黑色目光 Hāaksīk Muhkgwōng * 黑色眼光 Hāaksīk Ngáahngwōng * 黑暗眼光 Hākam Ngáahngwōng * 黑暗視線 Hākam Sihsin * Mandarin 黑色目光 Hēisè Mùguāng * 黑色眼光 Hēisè Yǎnguāng * 黑暗的視線 Hēi'àn-de Shìxiàn * Czech Zlý pohled Danish Ondt Blik Dutch Valse blik Finnish Inhonaama French Regard Noir German Horrorblick Greek Άγρια Ματιά Indonesian Tatapan Gelap Mata Hitam Italian Malosguardo Korean 검은눈빛 Geom-eun Nunbit Polish Ciemne Spojrzenie Portuguese Brazil Olhar Malvado Portugal Olhar Paralisante Serbian Zao pogled Spanish Latin America Mirada Maligna (EP182) Cara Mala (EP259) Mirada Mala (AG189, BW015-BW016) Mal de Ojo (DP185) Spain Mal de Ojo Vietnamese Cái Nhìn Ác Ý

Variations of the move Mean Look
Block • Mean Look • Spider Web

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.