Slow Start (Ability)

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Slow Start スロースタート
Slow Start
Flavor text
Generation IV
Temporarily halves Attack and Speed.
Generation V
Currently unknown
Generation VI
Currently unknown
Generation VII
Currently unknown
Generation VIII
Currently unknown
Generation IX
Currently unknown

Slow Start (Japanese: スロースタート Slow Start) is an ability introduced in Generation IV. Only one Pokémon has this ability.

Effect

In battle

Slow Start causes the Attack stat and Speed stat to be halved during the first five turns in battle. If this Pokémon is switched out, its stats will once again be halved for the first five turns when it is sent out again.

If Skill Swap or Gastro Acid is used on this Pokémon, its stats will immediately return to full power. However, the user of Skill Swap will have its Attack and Speed stats halved.

In the Japanese version of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, removing Slow Start does not undo the Attack and Speed drop; it must still wait 5 turns. This was fixed in translated versions as well as in Platinum.


In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, when the Pokémon enters a dungeon floor, its Movement Speed is reduced temporarily, but its Attack is not affected.

Outside of battle

Slow Start has no effect outside of battle.

Pokémon with Slow Start

Single ability

# Pokémon Type
486 Regigigas Regigigas Normal
Regigigas
Regigigas
Regigigas
Regigigas
Regigigas


Dual ability

No Pokémon has Slow Start as one of their two abilities.

Trivia

  • It is implied that Slow Start has taken effect in Giratina and the Sky Warrior, as it failed to push back a glacier even with the help of many Mamoswine, despite having been said to tow continents with ropes.

In other languages

  • Spanish: Inicio Lento
  • Italian: Lentoinizio