Role Play (move)

Role Play なりきり Change Appearance

Battles Type  Psychic Category  Status PP  10 (max. 16) Power  — Accuracy  —% Priority  0 Does not make contact Not affected by Protect Not affected by Magic Coat Not affected by Snatch Not 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 III Move Tutor in Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness Move Tutor in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Move Tutor in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Move Tutor in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Move Tutor in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

Contests Condition  Cute Appeal  1 ♥ Jam  0   Makes the appeal as good as those before it.

Super Contests Condition  Cute Appeal  1 ♥ Earn +3 if the Pokémon gets the lowest score.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Cute Appeal  1 ♥ Jamming  0   Shows off the Pokémon's appeal about as well as the move used just before it.

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

Role Play (Japanese: なりきり Change Appearance) is a non-damaging Psychic-type move introduced in Generation III.

Contents

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Close table of contents

• (Return to top)
• Effect
  • Generations III and IV
  • Generation V onwards
• Description
• Learnset
  • By leveling up
  • By breeding
  • By Move Tutor
  • Special move
    • Generation V
• In other games
  • Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series
  • Description
• In the manga
  • Pokémon Adventures
• In other generations
  • Core series games
  • Side series games
  • Spin-off series games
• Trivia
• In other languages

Contents

Effect

Role Play replaces the user's Ability with the target's Ability.

Role Play bypasses accuracy checks to always hit, unless the target is in the semi-invulnerable turn of a move such as Dig or Fly. It is not affected by Protect, Detect, or Spiky Shield, but will fail if the target is protected by Crafty Shield.

Role Play fails if the target's Ability is Trace (Generation V onward), Wonder Guard, Forecast (Generation V onward), Flower Gift (Generation V onward), Multitype, Illusion, Zen Mode, Imposter, Stance Change, Power of Alchemy, Receiver, Schooling, Comatose, Shields Down, Disguise, RKS System, Power Construct, Battle Bond, Ice Face, Gulp Missile, Neutralizing Gas, Zero to Hero, Commander, Quark Drive, or Protosynthesis.

Role Play fails if the user's Ability is Multitype, Zen Mode, Stance Change, Schooling, Comatose, Shields Down, Disguise, RKS System, Power Construct, Battle Bond, Ice Face, Gulp Missile, Zero to Hero, or Commander. If the user is under the effect of Illusion, using Role Play will cause its illusion to wear off. If the user has changed form due to Forecast, it will change back to its original form upon the successful use of the move.

Generations III and IV

If the target has the same Ability as the user, Role Play will succeed, but Abilities such as Intimidate that activate when they are gained will not activate at this time.

Generation V onwards

Role Play now displays the Ability the user had before using Role Play.

Role Play now fails if the target has the same Ability as the user.

If powered up by a Psychium Z into Z-Role Play, the user's Speed stat is raised by one stage.

Description

Games Description RSEColoXD Mimics the target and copies its special ability. FRLG The user mimics the foe completely and copies the foe's ability. DPPtHGSSPBR The user mimics the foe completely, copying the foe's natural ability. BWB2W2 XYORAS SMUSUMPE The user mimics the target completely, copying the target's natural Ability. SwShBDSPLA SV The user mimics the target completely, copying the target's Ability. Champs Changes the user's Ability to be the same as the target's.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups	Level
					III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII		IX
									SMUSUM	SwSh	BDSP	SV
0064		Kadabra		Human-Like	33	36	42	42XY 41ORAS	41	40	40
0065		Alakazam		Human-Like	−	−	−	−	−	40	40
0122		Mr. Mime		Human-Like	41RSE 40FRLG	43	43	43	43	16	16
0122		Mr. Mime Galarian Form		Human-Like						1
0234		Stantler		Field	31FRLG	33	33	33	33		33	32
0353		Shuppet		Amorphous	−	−	−	−	−		34	34
0354		Banette		Amorphous	−	−	−	−	−		34	34
0439		Mime Jr.		No Eggs Discovered		43	43	43	43	16	16
0648		Meloetta		No Eggs Discovered			71	71	71			71
0655		Delphox		Field				1	1			1
0658		Greninja All available forms		Water 1				1	1			1
0678		Meowstic All forms		Field				43	43	29		29
0802		Marshadow		No Eggs Discovered					30	9
0866		Mr. Rime		Human-Like						1
0899		Wyrdeer		Field								32
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
					III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII		IX
									SMUSUM	SwSh	BDSP	SV
0096		Drowzee		Human-Like	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔		✔	✔
0238		Smoochum		Human-Like	−	−	−	−	−	✔	✔
0327		Spinda		Field Human-Like	−	✔	✔	✔	✔		✔
0511		Pansage		Field			✔	✔	✔
0513		Pansear		Field			✔	✔	✔
0515		Panpour		Field			✔	✔	✔
0676		Furfrou All forms		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.

By Move Tutor

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups	Compatibility
					III	IV	V	VI	VII
					XD Tutor	HGSS Tutor	B2W2 Tutor	ORAS Tutor	USUM Tutor
0035		Clefairy		Fairy	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0036		Clefable		Fairy	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0037		Vulpix		Field	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0037		Vulpix Alolan Form		Field					✔
0038		Ninetales		Field	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0038		Ninetales Alolan Form		Field					✔
0039		Jigglypuff		Fairy	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0040		Wigglytuff		Fairy	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0054		Psyduck		Water 1 Field	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0055		Golduck		Water 1 Field	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0056		Mankey		Field	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0057		Primeape		Field	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0063		Abra		Human-Like	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0064		Kadabra		Human-Like	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0065		Alakazam		Human-Like	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0066		Machop		Human-Like	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0067		Machoke		Human-Like	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0068		Machamp		Human-Like	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0094		Gengar		Amorphous	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0096		Drowzee		Human-Like	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0097		Hypno		Human-Like	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0106		Hitmonlee		Human-Like	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0107		Hitmonchan		Human-Like	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0122		Mr. Mime		Human-Like	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0124		Jynx		Human-Like	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0128		Tauros		Field	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0150		Mewtwo		No Eggs Discovered	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0151		Mew		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0173		Cleffa		No Eggs Discovered	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0174		Igglybuff		No Eggs Discovered	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0185		Sudowoodo		Mineral	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0190		Aipom		Field	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0228		Houndour		Field	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0229		Houndoom		Field	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0234		Stantler		Field	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0236		Tyrogue		No Eggs Discovered	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0237		Hitmontop		Human-Like	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0238		Smoochum		No Eggs Discovered	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0257		Blaziken		Field	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0296		Makuhita		Human-Like	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0297		Hariyama		Human-Like	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0302		Sableye		Human-Like	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0307		Meditite		Human-Like	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0308		Medicham		Human-Like	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0325		Spoink		Field	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0326		Grumpig		Field	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0327		Spinda		Field Human-Like	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0331		Cacnea		Grass Human-Like	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0332		Cacturne		Grass Human-Like	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0352		Kecleon		Field	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0353		Shuppet		Amorphous	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0354		Banette		Amorphous	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0359		Absol		Field	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0380		Latias		No Eggs Discovered	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0386		Deoxys All forms		No Eggs Discovered	−	✔	✔	✔	✔
0390		Chimchar		Field Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
0391		Monferno		Field Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
0392		Infernape		Field Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
0424		Ambipom		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
0438		Bonsly		No Eggs Discovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
0439		Mime Jr.		No Eggs Discovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
0441		Chatot		Flying		✔	✔	✔	✔
0447		Riolu		No Eggs Discovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
0448		Lucario		Field Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
0453		Croagunk		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
0454		Toxicroak		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
0459		Snover		Monster Grass		✔	✔	✔	✔
0460		Abomasnow		Monster Grass		✔	✔	✔	✔
0480		Uxie		No Eggs Discovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
0481		Mesprit		No Eggs Discovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
0482		Azelf		No Eggs Discovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
0494		Victini		No Eggs Discovered			✔	✔	✔
0509		Purrloin		Field			✔	✔	✔
0510		Liepard		Field			✔	✔	✔
0511		Pansage		Field			✔	✔	✔
0512		Simisage		Field			✔	✔	✔
0513		Pansear		Field			✔	✔	✔
0514		Simisear		Field			✔	✔	✔
0515		Panpour		Field			✔	✔	✔
0516		Simipour		Field			✔	✔	✔
0531		Audino		Fairy			✔	✔	✔
0549		Lilligant		Grass			✔	✔	✔
0562		Yamask		Mineral Amorphous			✔	✔	✔
0563		Cofagrigus		Mineral Amorphous			✔	✔	✔
0574		Gothita		Human-Like			✔	✔	✔
0575		Gothorita		Human-Like			✔	✔	✔
0576		Gothitelle		Human-Like			✔	✔	✔
0577		Solosis		Amorphous			✔	✔	✔
0578		Duosion		Amorphous			✔	✔	✔
0579		Reuniclus		Amorphous			✔	✔	✔
0605		Elgyem		Human-Like			✔	✔	✔
0606		Beheeyem		Human-Like			✔	✔	✔
0619		Mienfoo		Field Human-Like			✔	✔	✔
0620		Mienshao		Field Human-Like			✔	✔	✔
0624		Pawniard		Human-Like			✔	✔	✔
0625		Bisharp		Human-Like			✔	✔	✔
0641		Tornadus All forms		No Eggs Discovered			✔	✔	✔
0642		Thundurus All forms		No Eggs Discovered			✔	✔	✔
0645		Landorus All forms		No Eggs Discovered			✔	✔	✔
0648		Meloetta		No Eggs Discovered			✔	✔	✔
0655		Delphox		Field				✔	✔
0656		Froakie		Water 1				✔	✔
0657		Frogadier		Water 1				✔	✔
0658		Greninja All available forms		Water 1				✔	✔
0676		Furfrou All forms		Field				✔	✔
0677		Espurr		Field				✔	✔
0678		Meowstic All forms		Field				✔	✔
0686		Inkay		Water 1 Water 2				✔	✔
0687		Malamar		Water 1 Water 2				✔	✔
0708		Phantump		Grass Amorphous				✔	✔
0709		Trevenant		Grass Amorphous				✔	✔
0710		Pumpkaboo All forms		Amorphous				✔	✔
0711		Gourgeist All forms		Amorphous				✔	✔
0720		Hoopa All forms		No Eggs Discovered				✔	✔
0741		Oricorio All forms		Flying					✔
0759		Stufful		Field					✔
0760		Bewear		Field					✔
0764		Comfey		Grass					✔
0769		Sandygast		Amorphous					✔
0770		Palossand		Amorphous					✔
0777		Togedemaru		Field Fairy					✔
0781		Dhelmise		Mineral					✔
0793		Nihilego		No Eggs Discovered					✔
0802		Marshadow		No Eggs Discovered					✔
0805		Stakataka		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.

Special move

Generation V

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups	Obtained with
0185		Sudowoodo		Mineral	Dream World - Pleasant Forest
0441		Chatot		Flying	Dream World - Windswept Sky
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

Role Play replaces the user's Abilities with the target's Abilities. Prior to Gates to Infinity when Pokémon could have two Abilities, the second Ability will be removed if the target has only one. It will fail if it tries to copy Wonder Guard or Stance Change.

Game Base Power Max Power Base PP Max PP Base Accuracy Max Accuracy Range Target Cuts corners MDRB - - 17 - 100% - Front Enemy No MDTDS - - 17 - 100% - Front Enemy No BSL - - 17 - 100% - Front Enemy No MDGtI - - 20 99 —% - Front All No SMD - - 20 99 —% - Front All No With some exceptions, Pokémon learnsets match those from the core series games: MD Rescue Team = Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. MD Time and Darkness = Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. MD Sky = Pokémon Platinum. MD Adventure Squad = Pokémon Platinum. 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.

Description

Games Description MDRB Copies the target's Special Ability. The user regains its own Special Ability when it leaves the floor. MDTDS Copies the target's ability. The user regains its usual ability when it leaves the floor. BSL てきポケモンの とくせいを コピーして じぶんの とくせいにする つぎのフロアにいくと もとの とくせいに もどる MDGtI SMD MDRTDX It copies the Ability of a Pokémon in front of you. You regain your usual Ability when you go to the next floor.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Alakazam
The user mimics the target completely, copying the target's Ability.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Alakazam's face starts to glow brightly and the top half of its face morphs to look like the opponent. It then uses the opponent's Ability.
Blue's Alakazam	Secrets from Sneasel		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	SV	Legends: Z-A	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Time and Darkness	MD: Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX	Champions

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	SV	Legends: Z-A	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Time and Darkness	MD: Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX	Champions

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	SV	Legends: Z-A	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Time and Darkness	MD: Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX	Champions

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	SV	Legends: Z-A	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Time and Darkness	MD: Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX	Champions

Trivia

• In Generation III, the status screen erroneously states that the move has 100% accuracy, even though it ignores accuracy and evasion checks.

In other languages

Language		Title
Chinese	Cantonese	扮演 Baahnyín * 角色扮演 Goksīk Baahnyín *
	Mandarin	扮演 Bànyǎn * 角色扮演 Jiǎosè Bànyǎn *
French		Imitation
German		RollenspielVIII+ RollentauschIII–VII
Greek		Υπόδυση
Italian		Giocodiruolo
Korean		역할 Yeokhal
Brazilian Portuguese		Atuar
Serbian		Gluma
Spanish		Imitación
Vietnamese		Nhập Vai

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.