Role Play (move)

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 XD: Gale of Darkness 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 Move Tutor in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

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

	This move effect may be in need of research. Reason: Check (for both user and target) Imposter in Generation V Check whether a Pokémon with the Ability Wonder Guard can use Role Play in Generation III (requires Mimic) Check Hunger Switch in Generation VIII Check Hadron Engine, Orichalcum Pulse,Hadron Engine and Protosynthesis You can discuss this on the talk page.

Role Play replaces the user's Ability with the target's Ability.

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

Role Play fails if the target's Ability is Trace (Generation V onward), Wonder Guard, Forecast (Generation V onward), Flower Gift (Generation V onward), Multitype, Illusion, Zen Mode, Imposter, Stance Change, Power of Alchemy, Receiver, Schooling, Comatose, Shields Down, Disguise, RKS System, Power Construct, Battle Bond, Ice Face, Gulp Missile, Neutralizing Gas, Zero to Hero, or Commander.

Role Play fails if the user's Ability is Multitype, Zen Mode, Stance Change, Schooling, Comatose, Shields Down, Disguise, RKS System, Power Construct, Battle Bond, Ice Face, Gulp Missile, Zero to Hero, or Commander. If the user is under the affect of Illusion, using Role Play will cause its illusion to wear off. If the user has changed form due to Forecast or Flower Gift, it will change back to its original form upon the successful use of the move.

Generations III and IV

If the target has the same Ability as the user, Role Play will succeed, but Abilities such as Intimidate that activate when they are gained will not activate at this time.

Generation V onwards

Role Play now displays the Ability the user had before using Role Play.

Role Play now fails if the target has the same Ability as the user.

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. DPPtHGSSPBR The user mimics the foe completely, copying the foe's natural ability. BWB2W2 XYORAS SMUSUM The user mimics the target completely, copying the target's natural Ability. SwShBDSPLA SV The user mimics the target completely, copying the target's 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	40SwShBDSP
0065		Alakazam		Human-Like		Human-Like						40SwShBDSP
0122		Mr. Mime		Human-Like		Human-Like	41RSE 40FRLG	43	43	43	43	16SwShBDSP
122G		Mr. Mime Galarian Form		Human-Like		Human-Like						1
0234		Stantler		Field		Field	31FRLG	33	33	33	33	33BDSP	32
0353		Shuppet		Amorphous		Amorphous						34BDSP	34
0354		Banette		Amorphous		Amorphous						34BDSP	34
0439		Mime Jr.		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		43	43	43	43	16SwShBDSP
0648		Meloetta		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered			71	71	71		71
0655		Delphox		Field		Field				1	1		1
0658		Greninja		Water 1		Water 1				1	1		1
0678		Meowstic Male		Field		Field				43	43	29
678F		Meowstic Female		Field		Field				43	43	29
0802		Marshadow		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered					30	9
0866		Mr. Rime		Human-Like		Human-Like						1
0899		Wyrdeer		Field		Field							32
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	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP	✔
0238		Smoochum		Human-Like		Human-Like						✔
0327		Spinda		Field	Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
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	SM	USUM	PE
0035		Clefairy		Fairy		Fairy		✔	✔	✔	✔
0036		Clefable		Fairy		Fairy		✔	✔	✔	✔
0037		Vulpix		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
037A		Vulpix Alolan Form		Field		Field					✔
0038		Ninetales		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
038A		Ninetales Alolan Form		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		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
0151		Mew		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0173		Cleffa		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
0174		Igglybuff		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
0185		Sudowoodo		Mineral		Mineral		✔	✔	✔	✔
0190		Aipom		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
0228		Houndour		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
0229		Houndoom		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
0234		Stantler		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
0236		Tyrogue		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
0237		Hitmontop		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
0238		Smoochum		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
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		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
0386		Deoxys Normal Forme		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
386A		Deoxys Attack Forme		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
386D		Deoxys Defense Forme		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
386S		Deoxys Speed Forme		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
0390		Chimchar		Field	Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
0391		Monferno		Field	Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
0392		Infernape		Field	Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
0424		Ambipom		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
0438		Bonsly		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
0439		Mime Jr.		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
0441		Chatot		Flying		Flying		✔	✔	✔	✔
0447		Riolu		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
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		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
0481		Mesprit		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
0482		Azelf		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
0494		Victini		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered			✔	✔	✔
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		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered			✔	✔	✔
0642		Thundurus		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered			✔	✔	✔
0645		Landorus		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered			✔	✔	✔
0648		Meloetta		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered			✔	✔	✔
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		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered				✔	✔
720U		Hoopa Unbound		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered				✔	✔
0741		Oricorio		Flying		Flying					✔
0759		Stufful		Field		Field					✔
0760		Bewear		Field		Field					✔
0764		Comfey		Grass		Grass					✔
0769		Sandygast		Amorphous		Amorphous					✔
0770		Palossand		Amorphous		Amorphous					✔
0777		Togedemaru		Field	Fairy					✔
0781		Dhelmise		Mineral		Mineral					✔
0793		Nihilego		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered					✔
0802		Marshadow		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered					✔
0805		Stakataka		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered					✔
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

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

In Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team and Explorers of Time, Darkness and Sky, Role Play is a move with 17PP with 100% accuracy. The user targets enemy in front, replacing user's Abilities with target's (including removing the second Ability if the target has only one). It will fail if one of the Abilities about to be copied is Wonder Guard. The move is affected by Taunt.

Description

Games Description MDRB Copies the target's Special Ability. The user regains its own Special Ability when it leaves the floor. MDTDS Copies the target's ability. The user regains its usual ability when it leaves the floor. BSL てきポケモンの とくせいを コピーして じぶんの とくせいにする つぎのフロアにいくと もとの とくせいに もどる MDGtI SMD MDRTDX It copies the Ability of a Pokémon in front of you. You regain your usual Ability when you go to the next floor.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Alakazam
The user mimics the target completely, copying the target'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

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

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 ignores accuracy and evasion checks.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 扮演 Baahnyín * 角色扮演 Goksīk Baahnyín * Mandarin 扮演 Bànyǎn * 角色扮演 Jiǎosè Bànyǎn * French Imitation German RollenspielVIII+ RollentauschIII–VII Greek Υπόδυση Italian Giocodiruolo Korean 역할 Yeokhal Brazilian Portuguese Atuar 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.