Protean (Ability)

Protean redirects here. For the item, see Protein.

Protean	へんげんじざい
	Protean
Flavor text Generation VI Changes the Pokémon's type to the type of the move it's using. Generation VII Changes the Pokémon's type to the type of the move it's about to use. Generation VIII Changes the Pokémon's type to the type of the move it's about to use. Generation IX Changes the Pokémon's type to the type of the move it's about to use. This works only once each time the Pokémon enters battle.

Protean (Japanese: へんげんじざい Protean) is an Ability introduced in Generation VI. In Generation VIII, it was the signature Ability of Kecleon.

Effect

In battle

Generation VI to VIII

Immediately before using any move (except Struggle), a Pokémon with Protean as its Ability will change its type to be the same type as the move it is using. Protean always causes the user to become a single-type Pokémon.

Because Protean activates prior to executing a move, the user will receive same-type attack bonus on every move it uses (except Struggle and typeless Revelation Dance) regardless of the move's type, and will always hit with the move Toxic.

When using a move that calls another move (such as Nature Power), the type of the called move will be considered. When using a move that can change type or if the move has been affected by Electrify or Ion Deluge, the type it changes to will be considered. When using a move that changes the user's type, such as Camouflage, first Protean changes the user's type to the type of the move, then the move will either fail or change the user's type again. When using Curse (unless its type is changed by Electrify), if the user is not already Ghost-type prior to the activation of Protean, Protean will change the user to Ghost-type, then the user will use the Ghost-type effect of Curse on itself (regardless of Crafty Shield and Follow Me or Rage Powder).

Protean will not activate if the move fails (unless it fails due to the activation of Protean), if the execution is interrupted entirely (such as by the effect of infatuation or confusion), if the move is prevented by heavy rain or extremely harsh sunlight, if the user is already the same single type as the move being used, or if the move is prevented by Powder. Protean will activate even if the move misses, is blocked by a protection move, or fails to affect the opponent. Protean will still change the user's type when using Roar, Whirlwind, Trick-or-Treat, and Forest's Curse, regardless of whether the move successfully executes or not.

The user's new type remains in effect until changed again or until the user is switched out; negating or replacing the Ability does not change the user back to their original type.

Generation IX

Protean only activates once per switch in. If the user Terastallizes, the effects of Protean will be nullified.

Outside of battle

Protean has no effect outside of battle.

Pokémon with Protean

#	Pokémon		Types		First Ability	Second Ability	Hidden Ability
0352		Kecleon	Normal		Normal	Color Change	None	ProteanGen VI+
0656		Froakie	Water		Water	Torrent	None	Protean
0657		Frogadier	Water		Water	Torrent	None	Protean
0658		Greninja	Water	Dark	Torrent	None	Protean
0906		Sprigatito	Grass		Grass	Overgrow	None	Protean
0907		Floragato	Grass		Grass	Overgrow	None	Protean
0908		Meowscarada	Grass	Dark	Overgrow	None	Protean
Please note that Abilities marked with a superscript are only available in the stated generation or later. For Generation III and IV games, ignore Hidden Abilities.

Trivia

• Together with Shell Armor, these are the only Abilities that more than one first partner Pokémon line can have as their Hidden Ability.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 變幻自如 Binwaahn Jihyùh * 變化萬千 Binfa Maahnchīn * 變幻莫測 Binwaahn Mohkchāk * Mandarin 變幻自如 / 变幻自如 Biànhuàn Zìrú * 千變萬化 Qiānbiàn Wànhuà * French Protéen German Wandlungskunst Italian Mutatipo Korean 변환자재 Byeonhwan Jajae Spanish Mutatipo

Variations of the Ability Protean
Protean • Libero

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.