Protean (Ability)

Protean redirects here. For the item, see Protein.

Protean	へんげんじざい
	Protean
Flavor text Generation III Currently unknown Generation IV Currently unknown Generation V Currently unknown 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 Currently unknown Generation IX Currently unknown

Protean (Japanese: へんげんじざい Protean) is an Ability introduced in Generation VI. This Ability is exclusively obtained as a Hidden Ability.

Effect

In battle

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) 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, or if the move is prevented by Powder. Protean will also not activate if the user is Arceus or Silvally, although neither of those Pokémon are normally capable of obtaining this ability anyway. 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 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.

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	Protean
0656		Froakie	Water		Water	Torrent	None	Protean
0657		Frogadier	Water		Water	Torrent	None	Protean
0658		Greninja	Water	Dark	Torrent	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

• Since Hidden Power cannot be a Fairy-type move and neither Kecleon nor Greninja's evolution line can know a Fairy-type move, no Pokémon that normally has Protean can use it to become Fairy-type.

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

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.