Assist (move)

Assist ねこのて Cat's Paw

Battles Type  Normal Category  Status PP  20 (max. 32) 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 III Not a TM, TR, HM, or Move Tutor move.

Contests Condition  Cute Appeal  1 ♥ Jam  0   The appeal's quality depends on its timing.

Super Contests Condition  Cute Appeal  2 ♥♥ Makes the order of contestants random in the next turn.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Cute Appeal  1 ♥ Jamming  0   Effectiveness varies depending on when it is used.

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

Assist (Japanese: ねこのて Cat's Paw) is a non-damaging Normal-type move introduced in Generation III. Prior to Generation IV, it was the signature move of Skitty.

Effect

	This move effect may be in need of research. Reason: Can it call moves from an ally (and allied inactive Pokémon) in a Multi Battle in Generation III? You can discuss this on the talk page.

Assist randomly selects an eligible move from all of the moves known by other Pokémon in the user's party allies (including fainted Pokémon) and executes it. If no other Pokémon in the user's party know eligible moves, Assist fails. Assist can call a move even if that move is disabled for the user.

From Generation IV onward, Assist is unable to call a move from an allied Pokémon belonging to a different trainer in a Multi Battle.

In Generation V only, Assist can use moves known by unhatched Eggs in the party. In a wild Double Battle, a wild Pokémon that uses Assist can use a move the other wild Pokémon knows.

If powered up by a Normalium Z into Z-Assist, it will turn the called move into its respective Z-Move.

Uncallable moves

	This move effect may be in need of research. Reason: Uncallable moves in Generation VII and Mystery Dungeon (if any), whether Shadow moves are callable You can discuss this on the talk page.

Assist cannot call itself or any of the following moves marked with a ✓:

Move Type Cat Generations III IV V VI VII Baneful Bunker  Poison  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ Beak Blast  Flying  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ Belch  Poison  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ Bestow  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ Bounce  Flying  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ Celebrate  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ Chatter  Flying  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Circle Throw  Fighting  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ Copycat  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Counter  Fighting  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Covet  Normal  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Destiny Bond  Ghost  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Detect  Fighting  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Dig  Ground  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ Dive  Water  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ Dragon Tail  Dragon  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ Endure  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Feint  Normal  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Fly  Flying  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ Focus Punch  Fighting  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Follow Me  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Helping Hand  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Hold Hands  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ King's Shield  Steel  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ Mat Block  Fighting  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ Me First  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Metronome  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Mimic  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Mirror Coat  Psychic  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Mirror Move  Flying  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Nature Power  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ Phantom Force  Ghost  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ Protect  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Rage Powder  Bug  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ Roar  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ Shadow Force  Ghost  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ Shell Trap  Fire  Special {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ Sketch  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Sky Drop  Flying  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✔ ✔ Sleep Talk  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Snatch  Dark  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Spiky Shield  Grass  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ Spotlight  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ Struggle  Normal  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Switcheroo  Dark  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Thief  Dark  Physical {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Transform  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔ ✔ Trick  Psychic  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Whirlwind  Normal  Status {{{3}}} {{{4}}} {{{5}}} {{{6}}} ✘ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✔

Description

Games Description RSEColoXD Attacks randomly with one of the partner's moves. FRLG The user randomly picks and uses a move of an allied Pokémon. DPPtHGSSPBR BWB2W2 XYORAS The user hurriedly and randomly uses a move among those known by other Pokémon in the party. SMUSUM The user hurriedly and randomly uses a move among those known by ally Pokémon.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
0300		Skitty		Field	Fairy	19	18DP 22PtHGSS	22	22XY 31ORAS	31
0431		Glameow		Field		Field		29	29	29	29
0432		Purugly		Field		Field		29	29	29	29
0509		Purrloin		Field		Field			6	6	6
0510		Liepard		Field		Field			1, 6	1, 6	1, 6
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
0052		Meowth		Field		Field	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
052A		Meowth Alola Form		Field		Field					✔
0096		Drowzee		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0161		Sentret		Field		Field	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0215		Sneasel		Field		Field		✔HGSS	✔	✔	✔
0327		Spinda		Field	Human-Like	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0390		Chimchar		Field	Human-Like		✔HGSS	✔	✔	✔
0677		Espurr		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 event

Generation IV

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0052		Meowth		Field		Field	Pokémon Center Meowth
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

Assist will call a move known by Pokémon on the floor, including the user, or itself. If Assist calls itself, the move fails.

Description

Games Description MDRB Makes the user randomly use one move out of all the moves of the Pokémon on the floor. MDTDS Causes the user to unleash a random move drawn from all the moves that all Pokémon on the floor know. BSL フロアすべての ポケモンのわざから どれかひとつの わざを くりだす MDGtI It causes you to unleash a random move from all the moves that your teammates on the floor know. SMD It enables you to use one of the moves known by your teammates.* It causes you to unleash a random move from all the moves known by your teammates on the floor.*

In the anime

Skitty; using Razor Leaf Skitty Skitty; using Ember Skitty; using String Shot
The user hurriedly and randomly uses a move among those known by other Pokémon in the party.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	A white orb appears on Skitty's front paw. Skitty then fires a random move known by the Trainer's team from the orb.
May's Skitty	Game Winning Assist		Debut

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Delcatty; using Iron Defense
The user uses a move known by one of its Trainer's other Pokémon or a partner.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Delcatty uses a move known by one of its Trainer's other Pokémon or its partner.
Ruby's Kiki	The Beginning of the End with Kyogre & Groudon XI		Debut

In other generations

Core series games

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

Side series games

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

Spin-off series games

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

Trivia

• In Generation III, the status screen erroneously states that the move has 100% accuracy, even though it targets the user (thus it ignores accuracy and evasion checks). The move called by Assist still has to undergo accuracy and evasion checks as normal, however.
• The Japanese name for this move, ねこのて Neko no Te (Cat's Paw), is likely a reference to the saying 猫の手も借りたい neko no te mo karitai, which translates to "I would even like to borrow a cat's hands" ("I would even like a cat to assist me"), which means "I need all the help I can get". This is reflected by the way the move works, and that many feline Pokémon are capable of learning it.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 借助 Jejoh * 協助 Hipjoh * Mandarin 借助 Jièzhù * 協助 / 协助 Xiézhù * Dutch Bijstand Finnish Avustus French Assistance German Zuschuss Greek Στήριξη Hindi मदद Madad Indonesian Tangan Kucing Italian Assistente Korean 조수 Josu Polish Asysta Portuguese Brazil Auxílio Assistência (TCG) Portugal Assistência Serbian Asistencija Spanish Latin America Asistencia Spain Ayuda Vietnamese Tay Mèo

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.