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Pokémon Ruby Version, Sapphire Version, and Emerald Version - Abilities

→ Pokémon Ruby Version, Sapphire Version, and Emerald Version - Abilities

Tags: pokemon-ruby-sapphire-and-emerald, battle-system, in-depth-guides, abilities



This is a complete description of all the abilities in Pokémon Ruby Version and Pokémon Sapphire Version and their effects.

Air Lock

As long as this Pokémon is in battle, no effects from the weather are applied. (The weather effects are still displayed and can still end as normal.)

Arena Trap

An opposing Pokémon can’t switch out or run unless it has Levitate or it’s a Flying type. In Pokémon Emerald Version , if this Pokémon is the first in the player’s party and if the first in the party isn’t an Egg, doubles the rate of wild Pokémon battles.

Battle Armor

Attacks can’t be critical hits against this Pokémon.

Blaze

If this Pokémon’s current HP is 1/3 of its maximum HP, rounded down, or less, power of Fire-type attacks by this Pokémon is multiplied by 1.5.

Chlorophyll

During Sunny Day, this Pokémon’s Speed is doubled.

Clear Body

Attacks and abilities by other Pokémon, can’t lower this Pokémon’s stat stages. (An effect that merely changes stat stages without necessarily lowering them, such as Haze and Psych Up, is not affected.)

Cloud Nine

As long as this Pokémon is in battle, no effects from the weather are applied. (The weather effects are still displayed and can still end as normal.)

Color Change

Whenever this Pokémon loses HP because of a damaging attack by another Pokémon, if this Pokémon doesn’t share a type with that attack’s type, this Pokémon types change to that attack’s type. (Doesn’t affect Shadow attacks.)

Compoundeyes

Accuracy of attacks by this Pokémon is multiplied by 1.3. In Pokémon Emerald Version , if this Pokémon is the first in the player’s party and if the first in the party isn’t an Egg, the rate of encountering wild Pokémon with common items is 60% and of encountering those with rare items is 20%.

Cute Charm

If this Pokémon loses HP because of a direct attack by another Pokémon, that other Pokémon becomes infatuated (at a 1/3 chance) if its gender is different from this Pokémon and neither is gender-unknown (not considered an additional effect). In Pokémon Emerald Version , if this Pokémon is the first in the player’s party and if the first in the party isn’t an Egg, the rate of encountering wild Pokémon of the opposite gender as this Pokémon raises to 2/3.

Damp

As long as this Pokémon is in battle, Selfdestruct and Explosion will fail for all Pokémon in battle (doesn’t cause fainting).

Drizzle

When this Pokémon enters the battle, the effect of Rain Dance begins and continues indefinitely, even if already in effect, unless the effect is already indefinite.

Drought

When this Pokémon enters the battle, the effect of Sunny Day begins and continues indefinitely, even if already in effect, unless the effect is already indefinite.

Early Bird

The sleep count is reduced by 2 instead of 1 in this Pokémon’s sleep checks.

Effect Spore

Whenever this Pokémon loses HP because of a direct attack by another Pokémon, that other Pokémon becomes poisoned, becomes paralyzed, or sleeps, at a combined 10% chance (not considered an additional effect, Safeguard and Substitute don’t affect this).

Flame Body

If this Pokémon loses HP because of a direct attack by another Pokémon, that other Pokémon becomes burned at a 1/3 chance (not considered an additional effect, Safeguard and Substitute don’t affect this). In Pokémon Emerald Version , if this Pokémon is anywhere in the player’s party, every 256 steps lowers the "Egg counter" of each Egg by 2 instead of 1. (This effect is not cumulative with multiple instances of Flame Body, Magma Armor, or both.)

Flash Fire

Fire-type attacks are ineffective against this Pokémon (even Will-O-Wisp) as long as this Pokémon isn’t frozen. When a Fire-type attack that targets this Pokémon is used by another Pokémon and this Pokémon has this ability and isn’t frozen, damage from Fire-type attacks by this Pokémon is multiplied by 1.5 (even while this Pokémon doesn’t have this ability) until this Pokémon leaves the battle. (Effect is not cumulative.) For Will-O-Wisp, this ability is not activated if this Pokémon is poisoned, burned, paralyzed, frozen, or asleep, is a Fire type, or has a substitute. (Applied after accuracy check and effects that change targets, but before damage calculation.)

Forecast

When this Pokémon enters the battle, after each Pokémon’s attack segment, at the end of each turn, and whenever another Pokémon enters the battle, if this Pokémon’s current species is Castform, this Pokémon type becomes Fire during Sunny Day, Water during Ice during Hail, Normal otherwise, and Rain Dance, unless this Pokémon shares a type with that type.

Guts

This Pokémon’s Attack is multiplied by 1.5 if this Pokémon is poisoned, burned, paralyzed, frozen, or asleep. Damage from attacks by this Pokémon is not reduced because of burns.

Huge Power

This Pokémon’s Attack is doubled.

Hustle

This Pokémon’s Attack is multiplied by 1.5. Accuracy of physical attacks (even non-damaging ones) by this Pokémon is multiplied by 4/5. In Pokémon Emerald Version , if this Pokémon is the first in the player’s party and if the first in the party isn’t an Egg, adjusts levels of wild Pokémon differently from usual. (See "Encounters" in the notes.).

Hyper Cutter

Attacks and abilities by other Pokémon can’t lower this Pokémon’s Attack stat stage. (An effect that merely changes stat stages without necessarily lowering them, such as Haze and Psych Up, is not affected.) In Pokémon Emerald Version , When this Pokémon appears anywhere in party and uses Cut outside of battle, it removes grass within a 2-tile (instead of 1-tile) range.

Illuminate

If this Pokémon is the first in the player’s party and if the first in the party isn’t an Egg, doubles the rate of wild Pokémon battles.

Immunity

This Pokémon can’t be poisoned.

Inner Focus

Effects can’t cause this Pokémon to flinch. (Triggers only after an attack that causes flinching is used, and not at the beginning of this Pokémon’s attack segment.)

Insomnia

This Pokémon can’t fall asleep.

Intimidate

When this Pokémon enters the battle, lowers each opposing Pokémon’s Attack by 1 stage. In Pokémon Emerald Version , if this Pokémon is the first in the player’s party and if the first in the party isn’t an Egg, halves the rate of battles with wild Pokémon at least 5 levels less than this Pokémon’s level.

Keen Eye

Attacks and abilities by other Pokémon can’t lower this Pokémon’s accuracy stat stage. (An effect that merely changes stat stages without necessarily lowering them, such as Haze and Psych Up, is not affected.) In Pokémon Emerald Version , Halves the rate of lower-level Wild Pokémon battles.

Levitate

This Pokémon is immune to damaging Ground-type attacks. (This ability’s effect is checked at the same point that the type matchup is checked.)

Lightningrod

Electric-type attacks (even non-damaging ones) by opposing Pokémon are directed to this Pokémon instead of to any other Pokémon that could be a target of that attack (other than its user), unless that other target has this ability. Considers Hidden Power as Normal. (Applied after Follow Me, but before Magic Coat. If more than one Pokémon in battle on this Pokémon side has this ability, the attack is directed to the one earlier in this turn’s priority.) In Pokémon Emerald Version , if this Pokémon is the first in the player’s party and if the first in the party isn’t an Egg, the player will receive phone calls more often.

Limber

This Pokémon can’t be paralyzed.

Liquid Ooze

If Absorb, Giga Drain, Leech Life, Mega Drain, or the effect of Leech Seed (but not Dream Eater), when it drains HP from this Pokémon, would cause another Pokémon to gain HP (before adjusting for maximum HP), that other Pokémon loses that much HP instead.

Magma Armor

This Pokémon can’t be frozen. In Pokémon Emerald Version , if this Pokémon is anywhere in the player’s party, every 256 steps lowers the "Egg counter" of each Egg by 2 instead of 1. (This effect is not cumulative with multiple instances of Flame Body, Magma Armor, or both.)

Magnet Pull

An opposing Pokémon can’t switch out or run if it’s a Steel type. In Pokémon Emerald Version , Rate of encountering a Steel-type wild Pokémon is 50%.

Marvel Scale

This Pokémon’s Defense is multiplied by 1.5 if it’s poisoned, burned, paralyzed, frozen, or asleep.

Minus

If another Pokémon has the Plus ability, Special Attack of this Pokémon is multiplied by 1.5.

Natural Cure

If this Pokémon leaves the battle (but not if a battle ends or this Pokémon leaves the battle), this Pokémon stops being poisoned, burned, paralyzed, frozen, and asleep before that happens. (Checks this Pokémon’s current ability.)

Oblivious

This Pokémon can’t be infatuated.

Overgrow

If this Pokémon’s current HP is 1/3 of its maximum HP, rounded down, or less, power of Grass-type attacks by this Pokémon is multiplied by 1.5.

Own Tempo

This Pokémon can’t be confused.

Pickup

If this Pokémon appears anywhere in party and isn’t holding an item, this Pokémon picks up an item (at a 10% chance) after a battle other than a link, Battle Pike, Colosseum, or Trainer Hill battle ends, and if the player won the battle.

Detailed Information

The check for Pickup is done using the Pokémon’s original species and original ability. The items obtained with Pickup depend on the version:

  • Pokémon Ruby Version and Pokémon Sapphire Version ; Pokémon Colosseum: The chance is 30% to find a Super Potion, 10% each to find a Full Heal, Full Restore, Nugget, Rare Candy, Revive, or Ultra Ball, 5% to find a Protein, 4% to find a PP Up, and 1% to find a King’s Rock.
  • Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version : The chance is 15% to find an Oran Berry, 10% each to find a Aspear, Cheri, Chesto, Pecha, Persim Berry, or Rawst, 5% each to find Nugget, PP Up, Rare Candy, or TM10, and 1% each to find a Belue Berry, Durin, Pamtre, Spelon, or Watmel.
  • Emerald Version; Pokémon XD : Let X equal (L minus 1) divided by 10, rounded down, where L is the level of the Pokémon with Pickup. There are two sets of items, common items and rare items.
    • Common items: 0=Potion, 1=Antidote, 2=Super Potion, 3=Great Ball, 4=Repel, 5=Escape Rope, 6=X Attack, 7=Full Heal, 8=Ultra Ball, 9=Hyper Potion, 10=Rare Candy, 11=Protein, 12=Revive, 13=HP Up, 14=Full Restore, 15=Max Revive, 16=PP Up, 17=Max Elixir. The item chances for the item numbered X and the items following it are: 30%, 10%, 10%, 10%, 10%, 10%, 10%, 5%, and 3%.
    • Rare items: 0=Hyper Potion, 1=Nugget, 2=King’s Rock, 3=Full Restore, 4=Ether, 5=White Herb, 6=TM44, 7=Elixir, 8=TM01, 9=Leftovers, 10=TM26. The item chances for the item numbered X and the item following it are: 1% and 1%.

    The Pickup ability has no effect in the Battle Pike. In the Battle Pyramid, there is always a 30% chance to find a Hyper Potion and a 10% chance each to find Ether or Revive. The chance to find other items depends on the number of floors cleared. The chances for each item in order is 10%, 10%, 10%, 5%, 5%, 5%, 5%:

    • 0-6: Fluffy Tail, Cheri Berry, Lum Berry, Brightpowder, Shell Bell, Max Revive, Sacred Ash
    • 7-13: Dire Hit, Pecha Berry, Leppa Berry, Leftovers, Choice Band, Full Restore, Max Elixir
    • 14-20: X Attack, Rawst Berry, Lum Berry, Scope Lens, Focus Band, Max Revive, Sacred Ash
    • 21-27: X Defend, Lum Berry, Leppa Berry, Quick Claw, King’s Rock, Full Restore, Max Elixir
    • 28-34: X Speed, Chesto Berry, Lum Berry, Brightpowder, Shell Bell, Max Revive, Sacred Ash
    • 35-41: X Accuracy, Lum Berry, Leppa Berry, Leftovers, Choice Band, Full Restore, Max Elixir
    • 42-48: X Special, Lum Berry, Lum Berry, Scope Lens, Focus Band, Max Revive, Sacred Ash
    • 49-55: Guard Spec., Lum Berry, Leppa Berry, Quick Claw, King’s Rock, Full Restore, Max Elixir
    • 56-62: Fluffy Tail, Lum Berry, Lum Berry, Brightpowder, Shell Bell, Max Revive, Sacred Ash
    • 63-69: Dire Hit, Lum Berry, Leppa Berry, Leftovers, Choice Band, Full Restore, Max Elixir
    • 70-76: X Attack, Lum Berry, Lum Berry, Scope Lens, Focus Band, Max Revive, Sacred Ash
    • 77-83: X Defend, Lum Berry, Leppa Berry, Quick Claw, King’s Rock, Full Restore, Max Elixir
    • 84-90: X Speed, Lum Berry, Lum Berry, Brightpowder, Shell Bell, Max Revive, Sacred Ash
    • 91-97: X Accuracy, Lum Berry, Leppa Berry, Leftovers, Choice Band, Full Restore, Max Elixir
    • 98-104: X Special, Lum Berry, Lum Berry, Scope Lens, Focus Band, Max Revive, Sacred Ash
    • 105-111: Guard Spec., Lum Berry, Leppa Berry, Quick Claw, King’s Rock, Full Restore, Max Elixir
    • 112-118: Fluffy Tail, Lum Berry, Lum Berry, Brightpowder, Shell Bell, Max Revive, Sacred Ash
    • 119-125: Dire Hit, Lum Berry, Leppa Berry, Leftovers, Choice Band, Full Restore, Max Elixir
    • 126-132: X Attack, Lum Berry, Lum Berry, Scope Lens, Focus Band, Max Revive, Sacred Ash
    • 133 or more: X Defend, Lum Berry, Leppa Berry, Quick Claw, King’s Rock, Full Restore, Max Elixir
Plus

If another Pokémon has the Minus ability, Special Attack of this Pokémon is multiplied by 1.5.

Poison Point

If this Pokémon loses HP because of a direct attack by another Pokémon, that other Pokémon becomes poisoned at a 1/3 chance (not considered an additional effect, Safeguard and Substitute don’t affect this).

Pressure

Whenever an attack by another Pokémon (including Spikes) targets this Pokémon when it’s used, the PP of the move that attack’s user chose for use this turn is reduced by an additional 1, but not to less than 0. ( Applied after Follow Me and Lightningrod. If the move’s user changes, effect applies both to the move’s original and new users. Attack won’t fail solely because the move’s PP can’t be reduced this way. This effect also applies to moves used by other moves. If the attack’s user was not its original user, this effect applies only if this Pokémon is the first target of the attack. Doesn’t trigger for hits of multi-hit attacks after the first. This effect doesn’t apply if that other Pokémon "can’t take any action" because of an effect such as Outrage or Rollout. Doesn’t apply to Bide or to the "non-Ghost" version of Curse.) In Pokémon Emerald Version , if this Pokémon is the first in the player’s party and if the first in the party isn’t an Egg, adjusts levels of wild Pokémon differently from usual. (See "Encounters" in the notes.).

Pure Power

This Pokémon’s Attack is doubled.

Rain Dish

At the end of each turn, if Rain Dance is in effect, this Pokémon gains 1/16 of its maximum HP (but not less than 1 HP).

Rock Head

This Pokémon doesn’t receive recoil, except from Struggle.

Rough Skin

Whenever this Pokémon loses HP because of a direct attack by another Pokémon, that other Pokémon loses 1/16 of its maximum HP but not less than 1 HP (not considered recoil).

Run Away

This Pokémon can always run from a wild Pokémon battle even if an effect prevents it from running.

Sand Stream

When this Pokémon enters the battle, the effect of Sandstorm begins and continues indefinitely, even if already in effect, unless the effect is already indefinite.

Sand Veil

During Sandstorm, accuracy of attacks against this Pokémon is multiplied by 8/10 and this Pokémon doesn’t lose HP because of the Sandstorm effect. In Pokémon Emerald Version , if this Pokémon is the first in the player’s party and if the first in the party isn’t an Egg, halves the rate of wild Pokémon battles during a sandstorm.

Serene Grace

Chance of additional effects from attacks by this Pokémon is doubled.

Shadow Tag

Opposing Pokémon can’t run or switch.

Shed Skin

At the end of each turn, this Pokémon stops being poisoned, burned, paralyzed, frozen, and asleep at a 1/3 chance (combined).

Shell Armor

Attacks can’t be critical hits against this Pokémon.

Shield Dust

No additional effects of attacks by other Pokémon can occur against this Pokémon. (Additional effects that don’t affect this Pokémon are not prevented.)

Soundproof

This Pokémon doesn’t receive the effects of Grasswhistle, Growl, Heal Bell, Hyper Voice, Metal Sound, Perish Song, Roar, Screech, Sing, Snore, Supersonic, or Uproar. (Uproar doesn’t affect this Pokémon sleep status; this Pokémon doesn’t receive a Perish count when Perish Song is used, but its Perish count will still decline; Heal Bell doesn’t affect this Pokémon even if this Pokémon is not a Pokémon in battle)

Detailed Information

In battle, Soundproof’s effect also affects the Poke Flute in Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version : a Pokémon with Soundproof won’t wake up when it’s used in battle, even if it isn’t a Pokémon in battle. (Outside of battle, however, even a Pokémon with Soundproof will wake up when the Poke Flute is used.)

Speed Boost

At the end of each turn, raises this Pokémon’s Speed by 1 stage unless this Pokémon entered the battle after commands were chosen for this turn.

Static

Whenever this Pokémon loses HP because of a direct attack by another Pokémon, that other Pokémon becomes paralyzed at a 1/3 chance (not considered an additional effect, Safeguard and Substitute don’t affect this). In Pokémon Emerald Version , if this Pokémon is the first in the player’s party and if the first in the party isn’t an Egg, the rate of encountering an Electric-type wild Pokémon is 50%.

Stench

If this Pokémon is the first in the player’s party and if the first in the party isn’t an Egg, halves the rate of wild Pokémon battles.

Sticky Hold

This Pokémon’s held item can’t be removed from this Pokémon by other Pokémon. (This includes Knock Off.) (This Pokémon can use Trick normally. Trick will fail against this Pokémon even if it isn’t holding any items.) In Pokémon Emerald Version , if this Pokémon is the first in the player’s party and if the first in the party isn’t an Egg, the fishing success rate raises.

Sturdy

One-hit KO attacks against this Pokémon will fail for other Pokémon.

Suction Cups

Roar and Whirlwind fail against this Pokémon. In Pokémon Emerald Version , if this Pokémon is the first in the player’s party and if the first in the party isn’t an Egg, the fishing success rate raises.

Swarm

If this Pokémon’s current HP is 1/3 of its maximum HP, rounded down, or less, power of Bug-type attacks by this Pokémon is multiplied by 1.5. In Pokémon Emerald Version , if this Pokémon is the first in the player’s party and if the first in the party isn’t an Egg, Pokémon cries are heard more often.

Swift Swim

During Rain Dance, this Pokémon’s Speed is doubled.

Synchronize

Whenever an attack by another Pokémon or an ability from another Pokémon causes this Pokémon to be poisoned, burned, or paralyzed, that other Pokémon also receives the same condition. (Safeguard and Substitute don’t affect this. If this Pokémon became badly poisoned, that other Pokémon becomes normally poisoned. Resolves at the same time most other ability effects are resolved, not immediately.) In Pokémon Emerald Version , if this Pokémon is the first in the player’s party and if the first in the party isn’t an Egg, the rate of encountering wild Pokémon with the same nature as this Pokémon is 50%.

Thick Fat

Special Attack for Fire-type and Ice-type attacks against this Pokémon is halved.

Torrent

If this Pokémon’s current HP is 1/3 of its maximum HP, rounded down, or less, power of Water-type attacks by this Pokémon is multiplied by 1.5.

Trace

When this Pokémon enters the battle, it adopts the ability of a random opposing Pokémon. (See "notes" below.)

Detailed Information

In the strange case that neither Pokémon has an ability when a Pokémon with Trace enters the battle, it checks after each Pokémon’s attack segment and at the end of each turn whether the Pokémon has Trace and at least one opposing Pokémon has an ability. If so, this Pokémon gains the ability of one of the opposing Pokémon and processing ends. It is possible to gain any ability, including Trace and Wonder Guard, using Trace.

Truant

Every other turn, this Pokémon does nothing instead of using an attack.

Detailed Information

A variable, X, begins at 0 for each Pokémon in battle. At the end of each turn, if the Pokémon has Truant and it was in battle since after commands were chosen during that turn, X is set to 0 if it equals 1, or to 1 if it equals 0. At the Pokémon’s attack segment, a "Truant check" is made after the sleep and freeze checks, and before the confusion check. If the Pokémon has Truant and X equals 1, the Pokémon "is loafing around" and skips its attack this turn. (Any attack it could have used is prevented from being used.) A Pokémon’s value for X is reset to 0 when it enters the battle, and doesn’t change whenever the Pokémon loses or gains Truant.

Vital Spirit

This Pokémon can’t fall asleep. In Pokémon Emerald Version , if this Pokémon is the first in the player’s party and if the first in the party isn’t an Egg, adjusts levels of wild Pokémon differently from usual. (See "Encounters" in the notes.).

Volt Absorb

Whenever a damaging Electric-type attack by another Pokémon targets this Pokémon, this Pokémon gains 1/4 of its maximum HP (but not less than 1 HP) and the attack is ineffective against this Pokémon. (Applied after accuracy check and effects that change targets, but before damage calculation. Applies even if attack would otherwise be ineffective against this Pokémon.)

Water Absorb

Whenever a damaging Water-type attack by another Pokémon targets this Pokémon, this Pokémon gains 1/4 of its maximum HP (but not less than 1 HP) and the attack is ineffective against this Pokémon. (Applied after accuracy check and effects that change targets, but before damage calculation. Applies even if attack would otherwise be ineffective against this Pokémon.)

Water Veil

This Pokémon can’t be burned.

White Smoke

Attacks and abilities by other Pokémon, can’t lower this Pokémon’s stat stages. (An effect that merely changes stat stages without necessarily lowering them, such as Haze and Psych Up, is not affected.) In Pokémon Emerald Version , if this Pokémon is the first in the player’s party and if the first in the party isn’t an Egg, halves the rate of wild Pokémon battles.

Wonder Guard

This Pokémon is immune to damaging attacks whose type is not "super effective" against this Pokémon types. (Affects fixed-damage attacks in the same way as other damaging attacks. Doesn’t affect Future Sight, Doom Desire, Beat Up, Struggle, or confusion damage. This ability’s effect is checked at the same point that the type matchup is checked.)

Notes

Descriptions in normal text indicate effects that occur only in battle. Unless noted otherwise, such effects apply only if this Pokémon is a Pokémon in battle. Descriptions in italics indicate effects that occur out of battle.

The games also define an ability called "CACOPHONY", which goes before Air Lock in the ability order and has no effect, and which no Pokémon can have.

If an ability’s effect contains the words "This Pokémon can’t...", the affected condition, if the Pokémon has it, is removed if the Pokémon has this ability. This effect triggers after each Pokémon’s attack segment and whenever a Pokémon (including this Pokémon) enters the battle (but not when a battle begins). This effect won’t remove the affected condition when it leaves the battle or when a battle ends, even if this ability is the Pokémon’s original ability.