Curse (move)

Curse のろい Curse/Slow

Battles Type  Ghost 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 Self: Affects the user

Availability Introduced  Generation II TM03 in Generation II

Contests Condition  Tough Appeal  3 ♥♥♥ Jam  0   The next appeal can be made later next turn.

Super Contests Condition  Tough Appeal  0   Earn a higher score the later the Pokémon performs.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Tough Appeal  3 ♥♥♥ Jamming  0   Causes the user to move later on the next turn.

On Smogon's Movedex: Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX

Curse (Japanese: のろい Curse/Slow) is a non-damaging Ghost-type move introduced in Generation II. Prior to Generation V, it was a ???-type move, and the only move of that type. It was TM03 in Generation II.

Effect

In all generations, Curse acts differently depending on whether the user has the Ghost type or not.

Ghost-type Pokémon

The user will lose half of its maximum HP (rounded down) and put a curse on the target. If the user has less than half of its maximum HP remaining, the move will execute fully but cause the user to faint. A cursed Pokémon will lose ¼ of its maximum HP at the end of each turn. The curse will remain until the Pokémon switches out or the battle ends. This move is not blocked by Protect, Detect or Spiky Shield, but is blocked by Crafty Shield.

The user does not lose HP if Curse misses (due to a move with a semi-invulnerable turn), fails (due to the target already being affected by Curse), or is blocked by Crafty Shield.

If powered up by a Ghostium Z into Z-Curse, the user restores all of its HP.

Non-Ghost-type Pokémon

The user's Speed stat will drop by one stage and its Attack stat and Defense stat will rise by one stage each. Despite being an effect acting on the user, this move will fail if there are no opponents on the field.

If powered up by a Ghostium Z into Z-Curse, the user's Attack stat raises another stage.

In different generations

Generation II

Curse is a ???-type move.

If used by a non-Ghost-type Pokémon, Curse will fail if the user's Attack and Defense stats both are at +6 stages, even if its Speed stat is not at -6 stages.

If a cursed Pokémon defeats its opponent, it will not take curse damage on that turn.

Curse cannot hit through a substitute.

Generations III-IV

If used by a non-Ghost-type Pokémon, Curse can now reduce the user's Speed stat even if its Attack and Defense stats both are at +6 stages. (However, Curse will still fail if the user's Attack and Defense stats both are at +6 stages, and its Speed stat is at -6 stages.)

If a cursed Pokémon defeats its opponent, it now takes curse damage on that turn.

If the user changes type before using Curse, Curse will obey the user's type at the time of the move's execution. In a Double Battle, if the user gains the Ghost type before Curse executes, Curse will prioritize the opponent directly opposite the user as its target.

Curse can also be used as part of a Pokémon Contest combination, causing certain moves (Destiny Bond, Grudge, Mean Look and Spite) to have their base appeal points doubled if used in the next turn.

Generation V

Curse is now a Ghost-type move.

Curse can now hit through a substitute.

In a Triple Battle, if the user gains the Ghost type before Curse executes, Curse will prioritize the opponent directly opposite the user as its target.

Generation VI

In a Single Battle, if the user is not already Ghost-type and becomes Ghost-type before executing Curse (due to Mega Evolution, Color Change or Trick-or-Treat), Curse will execute as it does for all Ghost types, hurting the user and inflicting the curse.

In a Double Battle, if the user is not already Ghost-type and becomes Ghost-type before executing Curse (due to Mega Evolution, Color Change or Trick-or-Treat), Curse will now target the user's ally (or fail if there is none) if the user is on the right side (from its Trainer's perspective), or a random opponent if the user is on the left side (from its Trainer's perspective). Follow Me and Rage Powder will still redirect Curse as normal.

In a Triple Battle or Horde Encounter, if the user is not already Ghost-type and becomes Ghost-type before executing Curse (due to Mega Evolution, Color Change or Trick-or-Treat), Curse will now target a random adjacent opponent.

If the user is not already Ghost-type and becomes Ghost-type due to Protean upon executing Curse, the user will use the Ghost-type Curse on itself (regardless of Follow Me or Rage Powder); this cannot be blocked by Crafty Shield.

Generation VII

In a Double Battle, if the user is not already Ghost-type and becomes Ghost-type before executing Curse (due to Mega Evolution, Color Change or Trick-or-Treat), Curse will now target a random opponent.

Description

Games Description Stad2 Raises Attack and Defense at the expense of Speed. It works differently for the Ghost type. GSC Works differently for ghost-types. RSEColoXD A move that functions differently for Ghosts. FRLG A move that works differently for the Ghost-type and all the other types. DPPtHGSSPBR A move that works differently for the Ghost type than for all the other types. BWB2W2 XYORAS SMUSUM A move that works differently for the Ghost type than for all other types.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
0079		Slowpoke		Monster	Water 1	1	1	1	1	1	1
0080		Slowbro		Monster	Water 1	1	1	1	1	1	1
0092		Gastly		Amorphous		Amorphous	16	16RSE 13FRLG	12	12	12	12
0093		Haunter		Amorphous		Amorphous	16	16RSE 13FRLG	12	12	12	12
0094		Gengar		Amorphous		Amorphous	16	16RSE 13FRLG	12	12	12	12
0095		Onix		Mineral		Mineral			38PtHGSS	46BW 4B2W2	4	4
0199		Slowking		Monster	Water 1	1	1	1	1	1	1
0208		Steelix		Mineral		Mineral			38PtHGSS	46BW 4B2W2	4	4
0322		Numel		Field		Field				29B2W2	29	29
0323		Camerupt		Field		Field				29B2W2	29	29
0324		Torkoal		Field		Field		7	12	12	12XY 22ORAS	22
0353		Shuppet		Amorphous		Amorphous		20	13	13BW 19B2W2	19XY 26ORAS	26
0354		Banette		Amorphous		Amorphous		1, 20	1, 13	1, 13BW 1, 19B2W2	1, 19XY 26ORAS	26
0355		Duskull		Amorphous		Amorphous		34	30	30	30XY 33ORAS	33
0356		Dusclops		Amorphous		Amorphous		34	30	30	30XY 33ORAS	33
0377		Regirock		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		17	17	17	17XY 25ORAS	25
0378		Regice		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		17	17	17	17XY 25ORAS	25
0379		Registeel		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		17	17	17	17XY 25ORAS	25
0387		Turtwig		Monster	Grass			17	17	17	17
0388		Grotle		Monster	Grass			17	17	17	17
0389		Torterra		Monster	Grass			17	17	17	17
0399		Bidoof		Water 1	Field			45PtHGSS	45	45	49
0400		Bibarel		Water 1	Field			53PtHGSS	53	53	58
0442		Spiritomb		Amorphous		Amorphous			1	1	1	1
0477		Dusknoir		Amorphous		Amorphous			30	30	30XY 33ORAS	33
0562		Yamask		Mineral	Amorphous				29	29	29
0563		Cofagrigus		Mineral	Amorphous				29	29	29
0564		Tirtouga		Water 1	Water 3				35	35	35
0565		Carracosta		Water 1	Water 3				35	35	35
0597		Ferroseed		Grass	Mineral				9	9	9
0598		Ferrothorn		Grass	Mineral				1, 9	1, 9	1, 9
0607		Litwick		Amorphous		Amorphous				43	43	43
0608		Lampent		Amorphous		Amorphous				45	45	45
0616		Shelmet		Bug		Bug				13	13	13
0622		Golett		Mineral		Mineral				40	40	45
0623		Golurk		Mineral		Mineral				40	40	47
0708		Phantump		Grass	Amorphous					28	28
0709		Trevenant		Grass	Amorphous					28	28
0712		Bergmite		Monster		Monster					22	22
0713		Avalugg		Monster		Monster					22	22
0771		Pyukumuku		Water 1		Water 1						25
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
0001		Bulbasaur		Monster	Grass		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
027A		Sandshrew Alola Form		Field		Field						✔
0041		Zubat		Flying		Flying		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0074		Geodude		Mineral		Mineral			✔HGSS	✔	✔	✔
074A		Geodude Alola Form		Mineral		Mineral						✔
0083		Farfetch'd		Flying	Field		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0088		Grimer		Amorphous		Amorphous		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
088A		Grimer Alola Form		Amorphous		Amorphous						✔
0102		Exeggcute		Grass		Grass		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0104		Cubone		Monster		Monster						✔USUM
0108		Lickitung		Monster		Monster		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0109		Koffing		Amorphous		Amorphous			✔	✔	✔	✔
0111		Rhyhorn		Monster	Field		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0131		Lapras		Monster	Water 1		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0133		Eevee		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0142		Aerodactyl		Flying		Flying		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0143		Snorlax		Monster		Monster		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0185		Sudowoodo		Mineral		Mineral				✔	✔	✔
0191		Sunkern		Grass		Grass		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0194		Wooper		Water 1	Field		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0200		Misdreavus		Amorphous		Amorphous			✔	✔	✔	✔
0206		Dunsparce		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0218		Slugma		Amorphous		Amorphous			✔	✔	✔	✔
0220		Swinub		Field		Field			✔	✔	✔	✔
0222		Corsola		Water 1	Water 3			✔HGSS	✔	✔	✔
0227		Skarmory		Flying		Flying		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0241		Miltank		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0246		Larvitar		Monster		Monster		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0255		Torchic		Field		Field				✔	✔	✔
0258		Mudkip		Monster	Water 1		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0287		Slakoth		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0304		Aron		Monster		Monster			✔	✔	✔	✔
0309		Electrike		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0316		Gulpin		Amorphous		Amorphous			✔	✔	✔	✔
0320		Wailmer		Field	Water 2		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0335		Zangoose		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0345		Lileep		Water 3		Water 3			✔HGSS	✔	✔	✔
0347		Anorith		Water 3		Water 3			✔HGSS	✔	✔	✔
0357		Tropius		Monster	Grass			✔	✔	✔	✔
0358		Chimecho		Amorphous		Amorphous		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0359		Absol		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0363		Spheal		Water 1	Field		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0408		Cranidos		Monster		Monster			✔HGSS	✔	✔	✔
0410		Shieldon		Monster		Monster			✔	✔	✔	✔
0422		Shellos		Water 1	Amorphous			✔	✔	✔	✔
0433		Chingling		Amorphous		Amorphous			✔	✔	✔	✔
0438		Bonsly		Mineral		Mineral				✔	✔	✔
0446		Munchlax		Monster		Monster			✔	✔	✔	✔
0449		Hippopotas		Field		Field			✔	✔	✔	✔
0498		Tepig		Field		Field				✔	✔	✔
0517		Munna		Field		Field				✔	✔	✔
0524		Roggenrola		Mineral		Mineral				✔	✔	✔
0557		Dwebble		Bug	Mineral				✔	✔	✔
0568		Trubbish		Mineral		Mineral				✔	✔	✔
0618		Stunfisk		Water 1	Amorphous				✔	✔	✔
0631		Heatmor		Field		Field				✔	✔	✔
0650		Chespin		Field		Field					✔	✔
0696		Tyrunt		Monster	Dragon					✔	✔
0704		Goomy		Dragon		Dragon					✔	✔
0710		Pumpkaboo		Amorphous		Amorphous						✔USUM
0722		Rowlet		Flying		Flying						✔
0769		Sandygast		Amorphous		Amorphous						✔USUM
0778		Mimikyu		Amorphous		Amorphous						✔
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 TM

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Machine
						I --	II TM03	III --	IV --	V --	VI --	VII --	VIII --	IX --
All Pokémon who can learn TMs can learn Curse.
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 III

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0143		Snorlax		Monster		Monster	Purified Shadow PokémonXD
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.

Generation V

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0241		Miltank		Field		Field	Dream World - Pleasant Forest
0525		Boldore		Mineral		Mineral	Dream World - Icy Cave
0618		Stunfisk		Water 1	Amorphous	Dream World - Sparkling Sea
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 event

Generation IV

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0446		Munchlax		Monster		Monster	Shinsegae Munchlax
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

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

The curse will wear off after a few steps. In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team, this move is a Normal-type move.

Pokémon Rumble Blast

When used by a non-Ghost-type Pokémon, Curse is the same as in Generation V. When used by a Ghost-type Pokémon, Curse deals damage and then drains the opponent's health over time.

Description

Games Description MDRB Boosts the user's Attack and Defense by one level, but also lowers Movement Speed by one level. If used by a Ghost type, the target is cursed, and the user's HP halved. MDTDS Boosts the user's Attack and Defense by 1 level but also reduces Movement Speed by 1 level. If this move is used by a Ghost-type Pokémon, it afflicts the target with a Cursed status condition but halves the user's HP. BSL じぶんの こうげき ぼうぎょを １だんかいあげるが いどうそくどが １だんかいさがる ゴーストタイプが つかったときは てきポケモンを のろいじょうたいに するが じぶんの ＨＰは はんぶんになる MDGtI It boosts your Attack and Defense, but it lowers your Travel Speed. If this is used by a Ghost-type Pokémon, it causes the Cursed status condition to the enemy. But it halves your HP. SMD It boosts your Attack and Defense, but it lowers your Travel Speed. If this is used by a Ghost-type Pokémon, it makes the enemy cursed but halves your HP.

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Gastly
The user cuts its own health in order to lay a curse on the opponent.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Gastly's opponent starts suffering from an intense pain and becomes unable to move.
The Masked Man's Gastly	The Last Battle V		Debut

In other generations

Core series games

Ghost-type Pokémon

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

Non-Ghost-type Pokémon

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

Side series games

Ghost-type Pokémon

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

Non-Ghost-type Pokémon

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

Spin-off series games

Ghost-type Pokémon

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

Non-Ghost-type Pokémon

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

Trivia

• Curse and Z-Curse are the only moves with effects that vary depending on the type of the user.
  • Curse's differing effects are a play on its Japanese name, のろい Noroi, which can mean either "curse" (呪い) or "dull/slow" (鈍い), depending on the kanji used. This is why it bestows an actual curse when used by Ghost-type Pokémon but lowers Speed when used by non-Ghost-type Pokémon.
• In Generation II, three Pokémon could legitimately use both effects of the move by using Conversion or Conversion 2 to alter its own type to and from the Ghost type: Porygon, Porygon2, and Smeargle. Technically speaking, any Pokémon that can change its type in battle (e.g. via Color Change, Reflect Type or Trick-or-Treat) can use of both of Curse's effects. Similarly, if a Ghost-type Pokémon uses Curse while under the effect of Soak, the non-Ghost version will be used.
• Curse is one of eight moves to change type between generations, along with Bite, Charm, Gust, Karate Chop, Moonlight, Sand Attack and Sweet Kiss. Of these eight, it is the only one that was not originally a Normal-type move.
• In Generation II, TM03, which contains Curse, is given away only at night by a man telling the following story:

"Let me recount a terrifying tale... Once upon a time, there was a little boy who was given a new Bicycle... He wanted to try it right away... He was having so much fun that he didn't notice the sun had set... While riding home in the pitch-black night, the bike suddenly slowed! The pedals became heavy! When he stopped pedaling, the bike began slipping backwards! It was as if the bike were cursed and trying to drag him into oblivion! ... ... Shrieeeek! The boy had been riding uphill on Cycling Road! ... Ba-dum ba-dum! For listening so patiently, you may take this—TM03! TM03 is Curse. It's a terrifying move that slowly whittles down the victim's HP."

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 詛咒 Jojau * 咒語 Jauyúh * Mandarin 詛咒 / 诅咒 Zǔzhòu * 咒語 / 咒语 Zhòuyǔ * Dutch Vloek French Malédiction German Fluch Greek Κατάρα Katára Italian Maledizione Korean 저주 Jeoju Brazilian Portuguese Maldição Serbian Kletva Spanish Maldición Vietnamese Nguyền Rủa

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.