Move duplication

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Move duplication is a special feature in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games that allows for a move to be learned several times by a Pokémon, rather than only four different moves.

In most games, it is well known that a Pokémon could only learn four moves at a time. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon still keeps this tradition but a Pokémon could also learn the same moves numerous times.

The immediate advantages obviously permit greater endurance and longevity for a move before the consumption of a Max Elixir. The moves, however, are otherwise treated as separate moves (and thus occupy one of the four slots) rather than one single move with greater PP. Having a duplicate of a move also allows for a higher rate of usage of that particular attack, regardless of PP. It is logical to assume this because the artificial intelligence seems to randomly choose moves based on its range capacity. In other words, if a Pokémon is within range of a move (offensive, defensive, et al.) it will randomly select one from of the moves with the capacity to be used. Other aspects of a separate slot occupation involve its isolation from dungeon traps and in powering it up with a Ginseng.

This "feature" is immediately granted and easily exploited with TM usage.

e.g. the use of Shock Wave twice on an Electric-type Pokémon. The logic for this is that Shock Wave in normal conditions never misses. However, it is limited in the Mystery Dungeon incarnation with 8 PP.

There are also naturally recruitable Pokémon who have this feature. One example includes a few Pupitar in the Southern Cavern with two Sandstorm moves.

It is also possible to raise a Pokémon to learn two of the same moves that aren't in TM form.

However, there are some rules regarding this:

1. It is still possible to evolve the Pokémon.
2. The Pokémon even after evolving it will still know the the duplicated move.
3. Pokémon, after evolving, will learn the desired move again as it levels up.

For example, a Squirtle is raised until it learns Hydro Pump. After learning the move, it is evolved into a Wartortle. Said Wartortle is raised until it again learns a second Hydro Pump. And evolved a final time and raised for a third Hydro Pump.

This makes a Blastoise with the moveset of three Hydro Pumps and one Hydro Cannon possible. Granted it would be useless regular RPGs, it makes for a good range attacker in Mystery Dungeon as both moves are powerful line based moves with naturally low PP.

Another benefit is in a Metagross with two Meteor Mash attacks, or two Agility moves.

Moves cannot be duplicated while in the Gulpin Link Shop. Once a non-TM move has been duplicated and deleted it cannot be learned again for the purpose of duplication unless the Pokémon naturally learns it again at higher level. It is also possible to link two similar moves to some redundant effects.

Other games

Due to being a Glitch Pokémon, Missingno. has the move Water Gun twice, as well as Sky Attack, when encountered in Pokémon Red and Blue. Also, the Glitch Pokémon .4 knows two Agility moves, in addition to TM28 and Super Glitch.