A staple mechanic of the Pokemon franchise since the third generation, abilities are a fun new touch up on the sometimes redundant battle system. There are 126 of abilities in the game and each one has the potential to shape strategies and results. Just like all the other aspects of battling, if you wanna be really good you have to know ALL of these abilities plus what Pokemon learn them. It may seem like a big task, so I arranged this guide to help you memorize them.
(Note: Press Ctrl+F or Apple+F to search the guide for names of specific abilities or Pokemon. Remember, some Pokemon have more than one ability.)
Adaptibility
Description: Increases the user’s STAB from a 1.5x bonus to a 2x bonus.
Pokemon: Eevee, Porygon-Z
Aftermath
Description: If a physical attack is used to faint the user, the opponent receives damage.
Pokemon: Drifloon, Drifblim, Stunky, Skuntank
Air Lock
Description: All weather effects recede.
Pokemon: Rayquaza
Anger Point
Description: The user’s attack stat increases when it is hit by a Critical Hit.
Pokemon: Mankey, Primeape, Tauros
Anticipation
Description: If the user shivers went sent out, the enemy has a super effective move on it.
Pokemon: Barboach, Whiscash, Wormadam, Croagunk, Toxicroak.
Arena Trap
Description: The enemy cannot switch even if the user switches
Secondary: If the user is your leading poke you have a 2x chance of finding wild Pokemon.
Pokemon: Diglett, Dugtrio, Trapinch
Bad Dreams
Description: The opponent takes damage every turn if asleep.
Pokemon: Darkrai
Battle Armor
Description: The opponent cannot inflict Critical Hits.
Pokemon: Kabuto, Kabutops, Anorith, Armaldo, Skorupi, Drapion
Blaze
Description: If the user has less then 1/3 max hp, fire attacks are boosted by 50%.
Pokemon: Charmander, Charmeleon, Charizard, Cyndaquil, Quilava, Typhlosion, Torchic, Combusken, Blaziken, Chimchar, Monferno, Infernape
Chlorophyll
Description: Doubles the user’s speed stat during Sunny Day.
Pokemon: Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume, Bellsprout, Weepinbell, Victreebel, Exeggcute, Exeggutor, Tangela, Bellossom, Hoppip, Skiploom, Jumpluff, Sunkern, Sunflora, Seedot, Nuzleaf, Shirftry, Tropius, Cherubi, Tangrowth
Clear Body
Description: The user’s stats can’t be lowered by opponent’s moves.
Pokemon: Tenatcool, Tentacruel, Beldum, Metang, Metagross, Regirock, Regice, Registeel
Cloud Nine
Description: All effects from weather moves are negated.
Pokemon: Psyduck, Golduck
Color Change
Description: The user’s type is changed to match the opponent’s last attack.
Pokemon: Kecleon
Compound Eyes
Description: Increases accuracy of moves by 30%.
Secondary: If the user is your leading Pokemon the chance of finding wild pokes with a held item increases.
Pokemon: Butterfree, Venonat, Yanma, Nincada
Cute Charm
Description: 30% chance of infatuating the opponent on contact.
Secondary: If the user is in the first slot, 2/3 of all wild Pokemon will be the same gender.
Pokemon: Clefairy, Clefable, Jigglypuff, Wigglytuff, Cleffa, Igglybuff, Skitty, Delcatty, Lopnny
Damp
Description: Neither Pokemon can use the moves Selfdestruct or Explosion.
Pokemon: Psyduck, Golduck, Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Poliwrath, Politoed, Wooper, Quagsire
Download
Description: The user increases in whatever offensive stat the foe is highest in.
Pokemon: Porygon, Porygon2, Porygon-Z
Drizzle
Description: When the user is sent out, a never ending Rain Dance occurs.
Pokemon: Kyogre
Drought
Description: When the user is sent out, a never ending Sunny Day occurs.
Pokemon: Groudon
Dry Skin
Description: In the rain the user's HP increases, in the sun user's HP decreases. The user also has a water-type immunity.
Pokemon: Paras, Parasect, Croagunk, Toxicroak
Early Bird
Description: The user wakes up from sleep twice as quick.
Pokemon: Doduo, Dodrio, Kangaskhan, Ledyba, Ledian, Natu, Xatu, Girafarig, Houndour, Houndoom, Seedot, Nuzleaf, Shiftry
Effect Spore
Description: The user has a 10% chance of inflicting Poison, Paralysis or Sleep on contact.
Pokemon: Paras, Parasect, Shroomish, Breloom
Filter
Description: The damage taken from super-effective attacks is halved.
Pokemon: Mr.Mime, Mime Jr.
Flame Body
Description: The user has a 30% chance of inflicting a burn on contact.
Secondary: If the user is in the same party with Eggs, those hatch twice as fast
Pokemon: Magmar, Slugma, Magcargo, Magby, Magmortar
Flash Fire
Description: When hit by a fire-type move, the user’s fire type attacks are 50% stronger. The user also has a fire type immunity. Will-o-wisp activates this ability but does not effect fire types with this ability, but will still burn other types with this ability.
Pokemon: Vulpix, Ninetales, Growlithe, Arcanine, Ponyta, Rapidash, Flareon, Houndour, Houndoom, Heatran
Flower Gift
Description: The user’s stats and appearance are altered during Sunny Day.
Pokemon: Cherrim
Forecast
Description: The user’s type and appearance is altered by weather effects.
Pokemon: Castform
Forewarn
Description: The user can see one of the opponent’s attacks.
Pokemon: Drowsee, Hypno, Jynx, Smoochum
Frisk
Description: The user can see the opponent’s held item.
Pokemon: Stantler, Shuppet, Banette
Gluttony
Description: If the user is holding a berry, it will use it quicker then normal.
Pokemon: Shuckle, Zigzigoon, Linoone
Guts
Description: The user’s attack stat is raised by 50% when inflicted with a status condition.
Pokemon: Rattata, Raticate, Machop, Machoke, Machamp, Heracross, Ursaring, Tyrogue, Larvitar, Taillow, Swellow, Makuhita, Hariyama
Heat Proof
Description: The damage the user takes from fire type attacks is halved.
Pokemon: Bronzor, Bronzong
Honey Gather
Description: The user has a chance of collecting honey after battle.
Pokemon: Combee
Huge Power
Description: The attack stat of the user is doubled.
Pokemon: Azurill, Marill, Azumarill
Hustle
Description: The user’s accuracy is reduced by 20% but physical attacks are raised by 50%
Secondary: If the user is your lead Pokemon you have a 50% chance of finding lower level Pokemon.
Pokemon: Togepi, Togetic, Corsola, Remoraid, Delibird, Togekiss
Hydration
Description: The user’s status conditions are healed when Rain Dance is first used.
Pokemon: Seel, Dewgong, Phione, Manaphy
Hyper Cutter
Description: The attacks stat of the user cannot be decreased
Secondary: More grass is cut when using HM01 (Cut
).
Pokemon: Krabby, Kingler, Pinsir, Gilgar, Mawile, Trapinch, Corphish, Crawdaunt, Gliscor
Ice Body
Description: The user’s HP increases during Hail.
Pokemon: Snorunt, Glalie, Spheal, Sealeo, Walrein
Illuminate
Description: If the user is your lead Pokemon, your encounter rate is doubled.
Secondary: See description.
Pokemon: Staryu, Starmie, Chinchou, Lanturn, Volbeat
Immunity
Description: The user cannot be poisoned.
Pokemon: Snorlax, Zangoose
Inner Focus
Description: The user cannot flinch.
Pokemon: Zubat, Golbat, Abra, Kadabra, Alakazam, Farfetch’d, Dragonite, Crobat, Girafarig, Sneasel, Snorunt, Glalie, Riolu, Lucario
Insomnia
Description: The user cannot fall asleep.
Pokemon: Drowzee, Hypno, Noctowl, Spinarak, Ariados, Murkrow, Shuppet, Banette, Honchkrow
Intimidate
Description: When the user is sent out, the opponent’s attack stat is decreased by one stage.
Secondary: The chance of finding lower level wild Pokemon is reduced by 50%
Pokemon: Ekans, Arbok, Growlithe, Arcanine, Tauros, Gyrados, Snubbull, Granbull, Stantler, Hitmontop, Mightyena, Masquerain, Mawile, Salamence, Staravia, Staraptor, Shinx, Luxio, Luxray
Iron Fist
Description: The user’s punching attacks are stronger than normal.
Pokemon: Hitmonchan
Keen Eye
Description: The user’s accuracy stat cannot be lowered.
Secondary: The chance of finding lower level wild Pokemon is reduced by 50%
Pokemon: Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Spearow, Fearow, Farfetch’d, Hitmonchan, Sentret, Furret, Hoothoot, Noctowl, Sneasel, Skarmory, Wingull, Pelipper, Sableye, Starly, Chatot
Klutz
Description: The user cannot use hold items.
Pokemon: Buneary, Lopunny
Leaf Guard
Description: The user’s status conditions are healed when Sunny Day is first used.
Pokemon: Tangela, Hoppip, Skiploom, Jumpluff, Tangrowth, Leafeon
Levitate
Description: The user is immune to all Ground type attacks.
Pokemon: Gastly, Haunter, Gengar, Koffing, Weezing, Misdravus, Unown, Vibrava, Flygon, Lunatone, Solrock, Baltoy, Claydol, Duskull, Chimecho, Latias, Latios, Mismagius, Chingling, Bronzor, Bronzong, Carnivine, Rotom, Uxie, Meprit, Azelf, Cresslia
Lighting Rod
Description: All electric type attacks are drawn to this Pokemon (2v2 battles)
Pokemon: Cubone, Marowak, Rhyhorn, Rhydon, Electrike, Manectric, Rhyperior
Limber
Description: The user cannot be paralyzed.
Pokemon: Persian, Hitmonlee, Ditto, Glameow
Liquid Ooze
Description: If the opponent tries to steal HP from the user, it loses HP instead of gaining it.
Pokemon: Tentacool, Tentacruel, Gulpin, Swalot.
Magic Guard
Description: The user only takes damage from damaging attacks.
Pokemon: Clefairy, Clefable, Cleffa
Magma Armor
Description: The user cannot be frozen.
Secondary: If the user is in the same party with eggs, they hatch twice as fast.
Pokemon: Slugma, Marcargo, Camerupt
Magnet Pull
Description: While the user is in battle steel types cannot switch out.
Secondary: The chances of finding a wild steel type Pokemon are 150%.
Pokemon: Manemite, Magneton, Nosepass, Magnezone, Probopass
Marvel Scale
Description: The user’s Defense is increased by 50% when inflicted with a status condition.
Pokemon: Milotic
Minus
Description: The user’s special attacks stat is 1.5x higher when with Plusle (2v2 battles).
Pokemon: Minun
Mold Breaker
Description: The opponent’s ability has no effect.
Pokemon: Pinsir, Cranidos, Rampardos
Motor Drive
Description: The user’s speed stat increased one stage when hit by an electric type attack.
Pokemon: Electivire
Multitype
Description: The user’s type changes depending on the held Plate.
Pokemon: Arceus
Natural Cure
Description: The user’s status conditions are healed when the user switches out.
Pokemon: Chansey, Staryu, Starmie, Corsola, Blissey, Celebit, Roselia, Swablu, Altaria, Budew, Roserade, Happiny, Shaymin
No Guard
Description: The user’s and the opponent’s attacks all have 100% accuracy.
Pokemon: Machop, Machoke, Machamp
Normalize
Description: The user’s moves all become the normal type.
Pokemon: Skitty, Delcatty
Oblivious
Description: The user cannot be infatuated.
Pokemon: Slowpoke, Slowbro, Lickitung, Jynx, Slowking, Swinub, Piloswine, Smoochum, Illumise, Wailmer, Wailord, Numel, Barboach, Whiscash, Lickilicky, Mamoswine
Overgrow
Description: If the user has less then 1/3 max hp, grass attacks are boosted by 50%.
Pokemon: Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur, Chikorita, Bayleef, Meganium, Treecko, Grovyle, Sceptile, Turtwig, Grotle, Torterra
Own Tempo
Description: The user cannot be confused.
Pokemon: Slowpoke, Slowbro, Lickitung, Slowking, Smeargle, Spoink, Grumpig, Spinda, Glameow, Purugly, Lickilicky
Pick Up
Description: The user has a 10% chance of holding an item after battle.
Pokemon: Meowth, Aipom, Teddiursa, Phanpy, Zigzagoon, Linoone, Pachirisu, Ambipom, Munchlax
Plus
Description: The user’s special attacks stat is 1.5x higher when with Minun (2v2 battles).
Pokemon: Plusle
Poison Heal
Description: The user’s HP increases when inflicted with a status condition.
Pokemon: Shroomish, Breloom
Poison Point
Description: The user has a 30% chance of inflicting the Poison condition on contact.
Pokemon: Nidoran Female, Nidorina, Nidoqueen, Nidoran Male, Nidorino, Nidoking, Seadra, Qwilfish, Roselia, Budew, Roserade
Pressure
Description: The opponent loses 2 PP per move instead of 1 PP.
Pokemon: Aerodactyl, Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Mewtwo, Raikou, Entei, Suicune, Lugia, Ho-oh, Dusclops, Absol, Deoxys (all forms), Vespiqueen, Spiritomb, Weavile, Dusknoir, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina
Pure Power
Description: The user’s attack stat is doubled.
Pokemon: Meditite, Medicham
Quick Feet
Description: The user’s speed stat increases when inflicted with a status condition.
Pokemon: Granbull, Teddiursa, Ursaring, Poochyena, Mightyena
Rain Dish
Description: The user recovers 1/16th its max HP every turn during Rain Dance.
Pokemon: Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo
Reckless
Description: Moves that give recoil damage have greater power.
Pokemon: Hitmonlee
Rivalry
Description: The user’s attack stat is increased if the opponent is the same gender.
Pokemon: Nidoran Female, Nidorina, Nidoqueen, Nidoran Male, Nidorino, Nidoking, Shinx, Luxio, Luxray
Rock Head
Description: The user does not take any recoil damage.
Pokemon: Geodude, Graveler, Golem, Onix, Cubone, Marowak, Rhygorn, Rhydon, Aerodactyl, Sudowoodo, Steelix, Aron, Lairon, Aggron, Relicanth, Bagon, Shelgon, Bonsly
Rough Skin
Description: The opponent loses 1/16th its max HP when it makes contact with the user.
Pokemon: Carvanha, Sharpedo
Run Away
Description: The user can always run away from a wild battle.
Pokemon: Rattata, Raticate, Ponyta, Rapidash, Doduo, Dodrio, Eevee, Sentret, Furret, Aipom, Dunsparce, Snubbull, Poochyena, Pachirisu, Buneary
Sand Stream
Description: When the user sent out, a never ending Sandstorm occurs.
Pokemon: Tyranitar, Hippoptas, Hippowdon
Sand Veil
Description: The user’s evasion increases during a sandstorm.
Secondary: If the user is your leading poke the chances of a wild poke are reduced by 50%.
Pokemon: Sandshrew, Sandslash, Diglett, Dugtrio, Gligar, Cacnea, Cacturne, Gible, Gabite, Garchomp, Gliscor
Scrappy
Description: The user can hit Ghost types with normal and fighting-type moves.
Pokemon: Kangaskhan, Miltank
Serene Grace
Description: The secondary effects of the user’s moves are doubled.
Pokemon: Chansey, Togepi, Togetic, Dunsparce, Blissey, Jirachi, Happiny, Togekiss
Shadow Tag
Description: If the user is in a battle, the opponent cannot switch out.
Pokemon: Wobbuffet, Wynaut
Shed Skin
Description: The user has a 33% chance of healing its status condition every turn.
Pokemon: Metapod, Kakuna, Ekans, Arbok, Dratini, Dragonair, Pupitar, Silcoon, Cascoon, Seviper, Kricketot, Burmy
Shell Armor
Description: The opponent cannot land a Critical Hit.
Pokemon: Shellder, Cloyster, Krabby, Kingler, Lapras, Omanyte, Omastar, Corphish, Crawdaunt, Clamperl
Shield Dust
Description: Prevents secondary effects on the user.
Pokemon: Caterpie, Weedle, Venomoth, Wrumple, Dustox
Simple
Description: The added effects from the user’s moves and items are more likely.
Pokemon: Numel, Bidoof, Bibarel
Skill Link
Description: The user’s multiple-hit moves hit more consecutive times.
Pokemon: Shellder, Cloyster
Slow Start
Description: The user’s attack and speed stats are halved for the first 3-5 turns.
Pokemon: Regigigas
Sniper
Description: The move’s power increases when the user lands a critical hit.
Pokemon: Horsea, Seadra, Remoraid, Octillery, Kingdra, Skorupi, Drapion
Snow Cloak
Description: The user’s evasion stat increases in hail.
Pokemon: Swinub, Piloswine, Glaceon, Mamoswine, Froslass
Snow Warning
Description: When the user is sent out, a never ending hailstorm occurs.
Pokemon: Snover, Abomasnow
Solar Power
Description: The user’s HP decreases and Special attacks increases during Sunny Day.
Pokemon: Sunkern, Sunflora, Tropius
Solid Rock
Description: Super-effective attacks on the user are two thirds as strong as normal.
Pokemon: Camerupt, Rhyperior
Soundproof
Description: The user is not affected by sound-based moves (growl, roar, etc.).
Pokemon: Voltorb, Electrode, Mr. Mime, Whismur, Loudred, Exploud, Mime Jr.
Speed boost
Description: The user’s speed is increased by one stage every turn.
Pokemon: Yanma, Ninjask, Yanmeag
Static
Description: There is a 30% chance of paralyzing the foe on contact.
Secondary: If the user is your lead poke, the chances of finding wild electric pokes increases.
Pokemon: Pikachu, Raichu, Voltorb, Electrode, Electabuzz, Pichu, Mareep, Flaaffy, Ampharos, Elekid, Electrike, Manectric
Stall
Description: The user always goes last regardless of speed.
Pokemon: Sableye
Steadfast
Description: The user’s speed stat increases if it flinches.
Pokemon: Tyrogue, Riolu, Lucario, Gallade
Stench
Description: The chance of enctouring wild Pokemon is reduced by 50%.
Secondary: See description
Pokemon: Grimer, Muk, Stunky, Skuntank
Sticky Hold
Description: The user’s held items cannot be stolen.
Secondary: Pokemon are easier to catch while fishing.
Pokemon: Grimer, Muk, Gulpin, Swalot, Shellos, Gastrodon
Storm Drain
Description: All water type attacks are drawn to this Pokemon (2v2 battle).
Pokemon: Shellos, Gastrodon, Finneon, Lumineon
Sturdy
Description: The user is not affected by OHKO moves.
Pokemon: Geodude, Graveler, Golem, Magnemite, Magneton, Onix, Sudowoodo, Pineco, Forretress, Steelix, Shuckle, Skarmory, Donphan, Nosepas, Aron, Lairon, Aggron, Shieldon, Bastiodon, Bonsly, Magnezone, Probopass
Suction Cups
Description: The user cannot be forced to switch out of battle.
Secondary: Pokemon are easier to catch while fishing
Pokemon: Octillery, Lileep, Cradily
Super Luck
Description: The user’s critical hit ratios increases.
Pokemon: Murkrow, Absol, Honchkrow
Swarm
Description: If the user has less then 1/3 max hp, bug attacks are boosted by 50%.
Secondary: Wild Pokemons cries can be heard more often.
Pokemon: Beedrill, Scyther, Ledyba, Ledian, Spinarak, Ariados, Scizoe, Heracross, Beautifly, Volbeat, Kricketune, Mothim
Swift Swim
Description: The user’s speed doubles during Rain Dance.
Pokemon: Horsea, Goldeen, Seaking, Magikarp, Omanyte, Omastar, Kabuto, Kabutops, Qwilfish, Mantine, Kingdra, Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo, Surskit, Feebas, Huntail, Gorebyss, Relicanth, Luvdisc, Buizel, Floatzel, Finneon, Lumineon, Mantyke
Synchronize
Description: If the user becomes poisoned, paralyzed, or burned so does the opponent.
Secondary: If the user is ur leading poke the odds of findin pokes w/ the same nature goes up
Pokemon: Abra, Kadabra, Alakazam, Mew, Natu, Xatu, Espeon, Umbreon, Ralts, Kirlia, Gardevoir
Tangled Feet
Description: The user’s evasion stat increases when confused.
Pokemon: Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Chatot
Technician
Description: The power of the user’s moves less than or equal to 60 is increased by 50%.
Pokemon: Meowth, Persian, Scyther, Scizor, Smeargle, Hitmontop, Ambipom
Thick Fat
Description: The user takes 50% less damage from Fire and Ice type moves.
Pokemon: Seel, Dewgong, Snorlax, Marill, Azumarill, Miltank, Makuhita, Hariyama, Azurill, Spoink, Grumpig, Spheal, Sealeo, Walrein, Purugly, Munchlax
Tinted Lens
Description: The user’s ineffective attacks become stronger after usage.
Pokemon: Venonat, Venomoth, Illumise, Yanmega
Torrent
Description: If the user has less then 1/3 max hp, water attacks are boosted by 50%.
Pokemon: Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise, Totodile, Croconaw, Feraligatr, Mudkip, Marshtomp, Swampert, Piplup, Prinplup, Empoleon
Trace
Description: The user’s ability is changed to match the opponent’s.
Pokemon: Porygon, Porygon2, Ralts, Kirlia, Gardevoir
Traunt
Description: The user can only attack every other turn.
Pokemon: Slakoth, Slaking
Unaware
Description: The foe’s stat changes are ignored.
Pokemon: Bidoof, Bibarel
Unburden
Description: The user’s speed stat increases when not holding an item.
Pokemon: Drifloon, Drifblim
Vital Spirit
Description: The user cannot fall asleep.
Secondary: The chance of finding higher level wild Pokemon is reduced by 50%.
Pokemon: Mankey, Primeape, Delibird, Vigoroth
Volt Absorb
Description: The user recovers up to 1/4th max hp from an electric type attack.
Pokemon: Jolteon, Chinchou, Lanturn
Water Absorb
Description: The user recovers up to 1/4th max hp from a water type attack.
Pokemon: Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Poliwrath, Lapras, Vaporeon, Politoed, Wooper, Quagsire, Mantine, Mantyke
Water Veil
Description: The user cannot be burned.
Pokemon: Goldeen, Seaking, Wailmer, Wailord
White Smoke
Description: The user’s stats cannot be lowered by the opponent.
Pokemon: Torkoal
Wonder Guard
Description: The user can only be hit by super-effective attacks.
Pokemon: Shedinja