Role Play (move)

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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 HeartGold and SoulSilver Move Tutor in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Move Tutor in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

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.

Effect

Role Play replaces the user's Ability with the target's Ability. Role Play cannot copy Zen Mode, Wonder Guard, Multitype, Imposter, Illusion, Stance Change, Battle Bond, or Shields Down.

Role Play bypasses accuracy checks to always hit, unless the opponent 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.

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. DPPtHGSS The user mimics the foe completely, copying the foe's natural ability. BWB2W2 XYORAS SM The user mimics the target completely, copying the target's natural Ability.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
0064		Kadabra		Human-Like		Human-Like	33	36	42	42XY 41ORAS	41
0122		Mr. Mime		Human-Like		Human-Like	40RSE 41FRLG	43	43	43	43
0234		Stantler		Field		Field	31FRLG	33	33	33	33
0439		Mime Jr.		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered		43	43	43	43
0648		Meloetta		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered			71	71	71
0655		Delphox		Field		Field				1	1
0658		Greninja		Water 1		Water 1				1	1
0678		Meowstic Male		Field		Field				43	43
678F		Meowstic Female		Field		Field				43	43
0802		Marshadow		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered					30
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	Parent Egg Groups		Egg Move
						II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
0096		Drowzee		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0327		Spinda		Field	Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
0511		Pansage		Field		Field			✔	✔	✔
0513		Pansear		Field		Field			✔	✔	✔
0515		Panpour		Field		Field			✔	✔	✔
0676		Furfrou		Field		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		Game
						FRLG	E	XD	DP	Pt	HGSS	BW	B2W2	XY	ORAS
0035		Clefairy		Fairy		Fairy		✔	✔	✔
0036		Clefable		Fairy		Fairy		✔	✔	✔
0037		Vulpix		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔
0038		Ninetales		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔
0039		Jigglypuff		Fairy		Fairy		✔	✔	✔
0040		Wigglytuff		Fairy		Fairy		✔	✔	✔
0054		Psyduck		Water 1	Field		✔	✔	✔
0055		Golduck		Water 1	Field		✔	✔	✔
0056		Mankey		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔
0057		Primeape		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔
0063		Abra		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0064		Kadabra		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0065		Alakazam		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0066		Machop		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0067		Machoke		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0068		Machamp		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0094		Gengar		Amorphous		Amorphous		✔	✔	✔
0096		Drowzee		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0097		Hypno		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0106		Hitmonlee		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0107		Hitmonchan		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0122		Mr. Mime		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0124		Jynx		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0128		Tauros		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔
0150		Mewtwo		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔
0151		Mew		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered	✔	✔	✔	✔
0173		Cleffa		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔
0174		Igglybuff		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔
0185		Sudowoodo		Mineral		Mineral		✔	✔	✔
0190		Aipom		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔
0228		Houndour		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔
0229		Houndoom		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔
0234		Stantler		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔
0236		Tyrogue		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔
0237		Hitmontop		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0238		Smoochum		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔
0257		Blaziken		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔
0296		Makuhita		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0297		Hariyama		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0302		Sableye		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0307		Meditite		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0308		Medicham		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0325		Spoink		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔
0326		Grumpig		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔
0327		Spinda		Field	Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0331		Cacnea		Grass	Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0332		Cacturne		Grass	Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0352		Kecleon		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔
0353		Shuppet		Amorphous		Amorphous		✔	✔	✔
0354		Banette		Amorphous		Amorphous		✔	✔	✔
0359		Absol		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔
0380		Latias		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔
0386		Deoxys Normal Forme		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔
386A		Deoxys Attack Forme		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔
386D		Deoxys Defense Forme		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔
386S		Deoxys Speed Forme		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔
0390		Chimchar		Field	Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0391		Monferno		Field	Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0392		Infernape		Field	Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0424		Ambipom		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔
0438		Bonsly		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔
0439		Mime Jr.		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔
0441		Chatot		Flying		Flying		✔	✔	✔
0447		Riolu		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔
0448		Lucario		Field	Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0453		Croagunk		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0454		Toxicroak		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔
0459		Snover		Monster	Grass		✔	✔	✔
0460		Abomasnow		Monster	Grass		✔	✔	✔
0480		Uxie		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔
0481		Mesprit		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔
0482		Azelf		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔
0494		Victini		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered			✔	✔
0509		Purrloin		Field		Field			✔	✔
0510		Liepard		Field		Field			✔	✔
0511		Pansage		Field		Field			✔	✔
0512		Simisage		Field		Field			✔	✔
0513		Pansear		Field		Field			✔	✔
0514		Simisear		Field		Field			✔	✔
0515		Panpour		Field		Field			✔	✔
0516		Simipour		Field		Field			✔	✔
0531		Audino		Fairy		Fairy			✔	✔
0549		Lilligant		Grass		Grass			✔	✔
0562		Yamask		Mineral	Amorphous			✔	✔
0563		Cofagrigus		Mineral	Amorphous			✔	✔
0574		Gothita		Human-Like		Human-Like			✔	✔
0575		Gothorita		Human-Like		Human-Like			✔	✔
0576		Gothitelle		Human-Like		Human-Like			✔	✔
0577		Solosis		Amorphous		Amorphous			✔	✔
0578		Duosion		Amorphous		Amorphous			✔	✔
0579		Reuniclus		Amorphous		Amorphous			✔	✔
0605		Elgyem		Human-Like		Human-Like			✔	✔
0606		Beheeyem		Human-Like		Human-Like			✔	✔
0619		Mienfoo		Field	Human-Like			✔	✔
0620		Mienshao		Field	Human-Like			✔	✔
0624		Pawniard		Human-Like		Human-Like			✔	✔
0625		Bisharp		Human-Like		Human-Like			✔	✔
0641		Tornadus		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered			✔	✔
0642		Thundurus		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered			✔	✔
0645		Landorus		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered			✔	✔
0648		Meloetta		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered			✔	✔
0655		Delphox		Field		Field				✔
0656		Froakie		Water 1		Water 1				✔
0657		Frogadier		Water 1		Water 1				✔
0658		Greninja		Water 1		Water 1				✔
0676		Furfrou		Field		Field				✔
0677		Espurr		Field		Field				✔
0678		Meowstic Male		Field		Field				✔
678F		Meowstic Female		Field		Field				✔
0686		Inkay		Water 1	Water 2				✔
0687		Malamar		Water 1	Water 2				✔
0708		Phantump		Grass	Amorphous				✔
0709		Trevenant		Grass	Amorphous				✔
0710		Pumpkaboo		Amorphous		Amorphous				✔
0711		Gourgeist		Amorphous		Amorphous				✔
0720		Hoopa Confined		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered				✔
720U		Hoopa Unbound		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered				✔
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		Mineral	Dream World - Pleasant Forest
0441		Chatot		Flying		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

Description

Games Description MDRB Copies the target's Special Ability. The user regains its own Special Ability when it leaves the floor.

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Alakazam
The user copies the opponent'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

Trivia

• Role Play can be considered a move counterpart to the ability Trace, as they both have the same effect. However, Trace can copy Wonder Guard, whereas Role Play cannot.

In other generations

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, and Sky	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, and Sky	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, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

In other languages

Language Title Mandarin Chinese 角色扮演 Jiǎo​sè​ Bànyǎn French Imitation German Rollentausch Greek Υπόδυση Italian Giocodiruolo Korean 역할 Yeokhal Brazilian Portuguese Jogo Teatral 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.