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Assist (move)
Assist ねこのて Cat's Paw | ||||||||||||
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Range
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Availability
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Assist (Japanese: ねこのて Cat's Paw) is a non-damaging Template:Type2 move introduced in Generation III, in which it was Skitty's signature move.
Effect
Generation III-IV
Assist calls up a move randomly known by one of the fellow Pokémon in its party and fully executes the attack. An attack called up by Assist counts as the last move used. In a wild double battle, a wild Pokémon that uses Assist can use a move the other wild Pokémon knows.
If Assist successfully calls Hyper Beam or a partial trapping move and has 0 PP before the move fully executes, its PP can roll over in the same manner as the move is called. Assist cannot call Assist, Chatter, Circle Throw, Copycat, Counter, Covet, Destiny Bond, Detect, Dragon Tail, Endure, Feint, Focus Punch, Follow Me, Helping Hand, Me First, Metronome, Mimic, Mirror Coat, Mirror Move, Protect, Sketch, Sleep Talk, Snatch, Struggle, Switcheroo, Thief, or Trick. A Pokémon will be able to use a move that is disabled in its own moveset if called via Assist.
Generation V
Assist can now use moves known by unhatched eggs in the party.
Learnset
By leveling up
# | Pokémon | Type | Level | |||||||||
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III | IV | V | VI | |||||||||
300 | ![]() |
Skitty | Normal | 19 | 18 | 22 | 22 | ' | ||||
431 | ![]() |
Glameow | Normal | 29 | 29 | ' | ||||||
432 | ![]() |
Purugly | Normal | 29 | 29 | ' | ||||||
509 | ![]() |
Purrloin | Dark | 6 | ' | |||||||
510 | ![]() |
Liepard | Dark | 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 | Type | Father | |||||||||
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III | IV | V | VI | |||||||||
052 | ![]() |
Meowth | Normal | ![]() ![]() |
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096 | ![]() |
Drowzee | Psychic | ![]() |
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161 | ![]() |
Sentret | Normal | ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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215 | ![]() |
Sneasel | Dark | Ice | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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327 | ![]() |
Spinda | Normal | ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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390 | ![]() |
Chimchar | Fire | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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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 the anime
The user hurriedly and randomly uses a move among those known by other Pokémon in the party. | |||
Pokémon | Method | ||
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User | First Used In | Notes | |
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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
Pokémon Adventures
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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 | |
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Delcatty uses a move known by one of its Trainer's other Pokémon or its partner. | ||
Ruby's Coco | VS. Kyogre & Groudon XI | Debut |
Trivia
- The original Japanese name for this attack is neko no te (ねこのて), which literally means "cat's paw". However, this is probably a play on words; the attack calls for the assistance of a random team member's attack to help defeat the opponent. In Japanese, there is a saying for when assistance is greatly needed; "neko no te mo karitai" (猫の手も借りたい), or "I would even like to borrow a cat's hands / I would even like a cat to assist me", or "I need all the help I can get". And since the only Pokémon who can use this move by leveling up are cat-like (with an animation of scattered cat pawprints), it displays a double meaning.
In other languages
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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. |