Imposter (Ability)

Imposter	かわりもの
	Changer
Flavor text Generation III Currently unknown Generation IV Currently unknown Generation V It transforms itself into the Pokémon it is facing. Generation VI The Pokémon transforms itself into the Pokémon it's facing. Generation VII The Pokémon transforms itself into the Pokémon it's facing. Generation VIII The Pokémon transforms itself into the Pokémon it’s facing. Generation IX Currently unknown

Imposter (Japanese: かわりもの Changer) is an Ability introduced in Generation V. It is the signature Ability of Ditto.

Effect

In battle

As soon as the user comes into battle, it transforms into its opponent. Imposter copies the target's appearance, cry, moves (which all have 5 PP), Ability, stats (except HP), stat changes (but not stat multipliers such as with Choice Specs), weight, and Mega Evolution or form (regardless of held item). Imposter does not copy its opponent's IVs (for the purpose of Hidden Power), friendship or gender.

Imposter will not activate if the opponent is transformed, disguised with Illusion, or behind a substitute. Imposter only activates when the Pokémon with the Ability is sent out; if it fails to transform into an opponent, it will not activate unless the Pokémon with Imposter is withdrawn and sent out again. Imposter will also not activate when obtained during battle.

In Double Battles, Triple Battles, and Battle Royals, Imposter will copy the opponent in the position directly opposite it. If there is no opponent directly opposite it, it will not transform. In Horde Encounters, Imposter will copy the opponent in the right-most position.

A transformed Pokémon can use moves exclusive to a species it has transformed into, such as Hyperspace Fury if transformed into Hoopa Unbound. A transformed Pokémon can use Z-Moves exclusive to a species it has transformed into, if it holds an appropriate Z-Crystal. If the Pokémon with this Ability has transformed into a Mega-Evolved Pokémon, it cannot use any Z-Moves, even if it holds an appropriate Z-Crystal.

Role Play fails if the target has the Ability Imposter. Entrainment fails if the user has the Ability Imposter. Imposter cannot be copied by Trace, Power of Alchemy, or Receiver.

Even if a Pokémon transforms into Meteor Form Minior, Shields Down will not prevent a transformed Pokémon from being afflicted with status conditions.

If the Pokémon with this Ability transforms into a Pokémon that has no type (i.e. it was a pure Fire type that used Burn Up), the transformed Pokémon will become Normal-type; if such a Pokémon has additionally been affected by Forest's Curse or Trick-or-Treat, the user will become Normal-type with an added Grass or Ghost type respectively. If the Pokémon with this Ability transforms into a dual-typed Pokémon that has used Burn Up, however, Imposter will copy the user's current types (and type additions) as usual.

If a Pokémon transforms into a Dynamax Pokémon, it will successfully transform but not become Dynamaxed. Transformed Pokémon can Dynamax, unless they are transformed into Zacian, Zamazenta, or Eternatus. Transform does not copy the Gigantamax Factor, so even if a Pokémon transforms into a Pokémon that can Dynamax, the transformed Pokémon will be able to Dynamax but not Gigantamax.

Outside of battle

Imposter has no effect outside of battle.

Pokémon with Imposter

#	Pokémon		Types		First Ability	Second Ability	Hidden Ability
0132		Ditto	Normal		Normal	Limber	None	Imposter
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.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 變身者 Binsānjé Mandarin 變身者 / 变身者 Biànshēnzhě French Imposteur German Doppelgänger Italian Sosia Korean 괴짜 Goejja Portuguese Impostor Spanish Impostor

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.