Substitute (move)

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Substitute
みがわり Scapegoat
Substitute.png
Type  Normal
Category  Status
PP  10 (max. 16)
Power  —
Accuracy  —%
Priority  0
  • Does not make contact
  • Not affected by Protect
  • Not affected by Magic Coat
  • Affected by Snatch
  • Not affected by King's Rock
Range
Opponent Opponent Opponent
Self Ally Ally
Self: Affects the user
Availability
Introduced  Generation I
Condition  Smart
Appeal  2 ♥♥
Jam  0  
Can avoid being startled by others once.
Condition  Smart
Appeal  1
Earn +3 if the Pokémon gets the lowest score.
Condition  Smart
Appeal  0  
Jamming  0  

Substitute (Japanese: みがわり Scapegoat) is a non-damaging Normal-type move introduced in Generation I. It was TM50 in Generation I before losing its TM status in Generation II. It regained its TM status, albeit as TM90, in Generation IV onwards.

Effect

Generation I

Using 25% of its maximum HP, the user creates a substitute with 1 HP more than the amount of HP lost by the user. If the user's maximum HP is 3 or less, it will not lose any HP when the substitute is made. A substitute will have the same current type(s) and current stats of the Pokémon that created it.

Once created, all stat modifying attacks and side effects of attacks used by the opponent against the user will fail, though all current stat modifiers will remain in effect and any stat modifiers used by the user will also be applied to the substitute. The substitute will break when the damage the substitute has taken is greater than the HP used to make it. Until it breaks, a substitute will absorb all damage done by the opponent (even if the damage done exceeds the remaining HP of the substitute), but will not reduce the actual amount of damage that the opponent's attacks do. A one-hit KO move, if it hits, will always break a substitute.

Substitute will not protect the user from self-inflicted status ailments, but it will protect it from any status ailment generated by an opponent move and damage due to those status ailments.

Substitute will not alter the execution of Bide, Counter, Disable, Haze, Leech Seed, Super Fang, Transform, or partial trapping moves, and it will not absorb crash damage, recoil damage, or recurrent damage. However, a substitute will absorb self-inflicted confusion damage and prevent the user from flinching.

If a Pokémon breaks a substitute with Hyper Beam, it will not need to recharge. If a Pokémon breaks a substitute with Explosion or Selfdestruct, it will not faint, though its picture will no longer be visible until it switches out or uses Substitute. If a Pokémon breaks a substitute with a recoil move, it will not take any recoil damage. If a Pokémon breaks a substitute with a draining move, no HP will be restored to it. Note that in each of these cases, the substitute has to be broken, not merely damaged, by the referenced attack.

If the user's current HP is less than 25% (rounded down) of its maximum HP, it will be too weak to make a substitute. If the user's current HP is exactly equal to 25% (rounded down) of its maximum HP, it will faint upon creating the Substitute.

In Stadium, Substitute will protect the user from Absorb, Dream Eater, Leech Life, Leech Seed, Mega Drain, and all status ailments inflicted by the opponent. If the user's current HP is exactly equal to 25% (rounded down) of its maximum HP, it will be too weak to create a substitute. If a Pokémon breaks a substitute with Explosion or Selfdestruct, it will faint.

Generation II, III and IV

The effects of Substitute are the same as the previous generation; however, if the user has a status ailment, they will still take any damage from that status ailment after they have used Substitute.

If the substitute is broken by a target's Selfdestruct or Explosion, the user of that move will faint.

If Perish Song has been used, the substitute will not protect the user from Perish Song's effect.

If the user of Substitute has 25% or less of its max HP (rounded down), or it only has a maximum of 1 HP, such as Shedinja, it will be unable to make a substitute.

A substitute can be Baton Passed, and can absorb damage due to partial-trapping moves. A substitute will not block the evasion decrease caused by Defog.

Intimidate is blocked by Substitute, but is the only Ability affected by Substitute.

Generation V

Substitute now blocks the stat lowering effect of Defog, and Transform and Sky Drop will fail if used against a Pokémon behind a substitute. The only status moves that target the user of Substitute that aren't blocked are: Attract, Curse, Destiny Bond, Disable, Encore, Foresight, Grudge, Guard Swap, Haze, Heart Swap, Imprison, Miracle Eye, Odor Sleuth, Perish Song, Psych Up, Roar, Role Play, Skill Swap, Spite, Taunt, Torment, Transform* and Whirlwind.

Description

Games Description
Uses 1/4 of the user's maximum HP to create a substitute that takes the opponent's attacks.
Makes a decoy with 1/4 user's max HP.
RSE Creates a decoy using 1/4 of the user’s maximum HP.
FRLG The user creates a decoy using one-quarter of its full HP.
The user makes a copy of itself using some of its HP. The copy serves as the user’s decoy.


Learnset

By leveling up

# Pokémon Type Level
I II III IV V VI
122 Mr. Mime Mr. Mime Psychic Psychic 47 11 9 8 29 29 '
352 Kecleon Kecleon Normal Normal     40 37 39 37 '
439 Mime Jr. Mime Jr. Psychic Psychic       29 29 '
479 Rotom Rotom Electric Ghost       36 36 '
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
II III IV V VI
108 Lickitung Lickitung Normal Normal   Lapras    
113 Chansey Chansey Normal Normal   Skitty    
115 Kangaskhan Kangaskhan Normal Normal   Lapras    
131 Lapras Lapras Water Ice   Marill    
143 Snorlax Snorlax Normal Normal   Lapras    
161 Sentret Sentret Normal Normal   Kecleon    
173 Cleffa Cleffa Normal Normal   Skitty    
175 Togepi Togepi Normal Normal   Skitty    
183 Marill Marill Water Water   Skitty    
263 Zigzagoon Zigzagoon Normal Normal   Kecleon    
300 Skitty Skitty Normal Normal   Kecleon    
311 Plusle Plusle Electric Electric   Skitty    
312 Minun Minun Electric Electric   Skitty    
325 Spoink Spoink Psychic Psychic   Kecleon    
359 Absol Absol Dark Dark   Kecleon    
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 TM

# Pokémon Type Machine
I
TM50
II
--
III
--
IV
TM90
V
TM90
VI
TM08
All Pokémon who can learn TMs can learn Substitute.
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 Type Game
FRLG E XD
001 Bulbasaur Bulbasaur Grass Poison
002 Ivysaur Ivysaur Grass Poison
003 Venusaur Venusaur Grass Poison
004 Charmander Charmander Fire Fire
005 Charmeleon Charmeleon Fire Fire
006 Charizard Charizard Fire Flying
007 Squirtle Squirtle Water Water
008 Wartortle Wartortle Water Water
009 Blastoise Blastoise Water Water
012 Butterfree Butterfree Bug Flying
015 Beedrill Beedrill Bug Poison
016 Pidgey Pidgey Normal Flying
017 Pidgeotto Pidgeotto Normal Flying
018 Pidgeot Pidgeot Normal Flying
019 Rattata Rattata Normal Normal
020 Raticate Raticate Normal Normal
021 Spearow Spearow Normal Flying
022 Fearow Fearow Normal Flying
023 Ekans Ekans Poison Poison
024 Arbok Arbok Poison Poison
025 Pikachu Pikachu Electric Electric
026 Raichu Raichu Electric Electric
027 Sandshrew Sandshrew Ground Ground
028 Sandslash Sandslash Ground Ground
029 Nidoran♀ Nidoran♀ Poison Poison
030 Nidorina Nidorina Poison Poison
031 Nidoqueen Nidoqueen Poison Ground
032 Nidoran♂ Nidoran♂ Poison Poison
033 Nidorino Nidorino Poison Poison
034 Nidoking Nidoking Poison Ground
035 Clefairy Clefairy Normal Normal
036 Clefable Clefable Normal Normal
037 Vulpix Vulpix Fire Fire
038 Ninetales Ninetales Fire Fire
039 Jigglypuff Jigglypuff Normal Normal
040 Wigglytuff Wigglytuff Normal Normal
041 Zubat Zubat Poison Flying
042 Golbat Golbat Poison Flying
043 Oddish Oddish Grass Poison
044 Gloom Gloom Grass Poison
045 Vileplume Vileplume Grass Poison
046 Paras Paras Bug Grass
047 Parasect Parasect Bug Grass
048 Venonat Venonat Bug Poison
049 Venomoth Venomoth Bug Poison
050 Diglett Diglett Ground Ground
051 Dugtrio Dugtrio Ground Ground
052 Meowth Meowth Normal Normal
053 Persian Persian Normal Normal
054 Psyduck Psyduck Water Water
055 Golduck Golduck Water Water
056 Mankey Mankey Fighting Fighting
057 Primeape Primeape Fighting Fighting
058 Growlithe Growlithe Fire Fire
059 Arcanine Arcanine Fire Fire
060 Poliwag Poliwag Water Water
061 Poliwhirl Poliwhirl Water Water
062 Poliwrath Poliwrath Water Fighting
063 Abra Abra Psychic Psychic
064 Kadabra Kadabra Psychic Psychic
065 Alakazam Alakazam Psychic Psychic
066 Machop Machop Fighting Fighting
067 Machoke Machoke Fighting Fighting
068 Machamp Machamp Fighting Fighting
069 Bellsprout Bellsprout Grass Poison
070 Weepinbell Weepinbell Grass Poison
071 Victreebel Victreebel Grass Poison
072 Tentacool Tentacool Water Poison
073 Tentacruel Tentacruel Water Poison
074 Geodude Geodude Rock Ground
075 Graveler Graveler Rock Ground
076 Golem Golem Rock Ground
077 Ponyta Ponyta Fire Fire
078 Rapidash Rapidash Fire Fire
079 Slowpoke Slowpoke Water Psychic
080 Slowbro Slowbro Water Psychic
081 Magnemite Magnemite Electric Steel
082 Magneton Magneton Electric Steel
083 Farfetch'd Farfetch'd Normal Flying
084 Doduo Doduo Normal Flying
085 Dodrio Dodrio Normal Flying
086 Seel Seel Water Water
087 Dewgong Dewgong Water Ice
088 Grimer Grimer Poison Poison
089 Muk Muk Poison Poison
090 Shellder Shellder Water Water
091 Cloyster Cloyster Water Ice
092 Gastly Gastly Ghost Poison
093 Haunter Haunter Ghost Poison
094 Gengar Gengar Ghost Poison
095 Onix Onix Rock Ground
096 Drowzee Drowzee Psychic Psychic
097 Hypno Hypno Psychic Psychic
098 Krabby Krabby Water Water
099 Kingler Kingler Water Water
100 Voltorb Voltorb Electric Electric
101 Electrode Electrode Electric Electric
102 Exeggcute Exeggcute Grass Psychic
103 Exeggutor Exeggutor Grass Psychic
104 Cubone Cubone Ground Ground
105 Marowak Marowak Ground Ground
106 Hitmonlee Hitmonlee Fighting Fighting
107 Hitmonchan Hitmonchan Fighting Fighting
108 Lickitung Lickitung Normal Normal
111 Rhyhorn Rhyhorn Ground Rock
112 Rhydon Rhydon Ground Rock
113 Chansey Chansey Normal Normal
114 Tangela Tangela Grass Grass
115 Kangaskhan Kangaskhan Normal Normal
116 Horsea Horsea Water Water
117 Seadra Seadra Water Water
118 Goldeen Goldeen Water Water
119 Seaking Seaking Water Water
120 Staryu Staryu Water Water
121 Starmie Starmie Water Psychic
122 Mr. Mime Mr. Mime Psychic Psychic
123 Scyther Scyther Bug Flying
124 Jynx Jynx Ice Psychic
125 Electabuzz Electabuzz Electric Electric
126 Magmar Magmar Fire Fire
127 Pinsir Pinsir Bug Bug
128 Tauros Tauros Normal Normal
130 Gyarados Gyarados Water Flying
131 Lapras Lapras Water Ice
133 Eevee Eevee Normal Normal
134 Vaporeon Vaporeon Water Water
135 Jolteon Jolteon Electric Electric
136 Flareon Flareon Fire Fire
137 Porygon Porygon Normal Normal
138 Omanyte Omanyte Rock Water
139 Omastar Omastar Rock Water
140 Kabuto Kabuto Rock Water
141 Kabutops Kabutops Rock Water
142 Aerodactyl Aerodactyl Rock Flying
143 Snorlax Snorlax Normal Normal
144 Articuno Articuno Ice Flying
145 Zapdos Zapdos Electric Flying
146 Moltres Moltres Fire Flying
147 Dratini Dratini Dragon Dragon
148 Dragonair Dragonair Dragon Dragon
149 Dragonite Dragonite Dragon Flying
150 Mewtwo Mewtwo Psychic Psychic
151 Mew Mew Psychic Psychic
152 Chikorita Chikorita Grass Grass
153 Bayleef Bayleef Grass Grass
154 Meganium Meganium Grass Grass
155 Cyndaquil Cyndaquil Fire Fire
156 Quilava Quilava Fire Fire
157 Typhlosion Typhlosion Fire Fire
158 Totodile Totodile Water Water
159 Croconaw Croconaw Water Water
160 Feraligatr Feraligatr Water Water
161 Sentret Sentret Normal Normal
162 Furret Furret Normal Normal
163 Hoothoot Hoothoot Normal Flying
164 Noctowl Noctowl Normal Flying
165 Ledyba Ledyba Bug Flying
166 Ledian Ledian Bug Flying
167 Spinarak Spinarak Bug Poison
168 Ariados Ariados Bug Poison
169 Crobat Crobat Poison Flying
170 Chinchou Chinchou Water Electric
171 Lanturn Lanturn Water Electric
172 Pichu Pichu Electric Electric
173 Cleffa Cleffa Normal Normal
174 Igglybuff Igglybuff Normal Normal
175 Togepi Togepi Normal Normal
176 Togetic Togetic Normal Flying
177 Natu Natu Psychic Flying
178 Xatu Xatu Psychic Flying
179 Mareep Mareep Electric Electric
180 Flaaffy Flaaffy Electric Electric
181 Ampharos Ampharos Electric Electric
182 Bellossom Bellossom Grass Grass
183 Marill Marill Water Water
184 Azumarill Azumarill Water Water
185 Sudowoodo Sudowoodo Rock Rock
186 Politoed Politoed Water Water
187 Hoppip Hoppip Grass Flying
188 Skiploom Skiploom Grass Flying
189 Jumpluff Jumpluff Grass Flying
190 Aipom Aipom Normal Normal
191 Sunkern Sunkern Grass Grass
192 Sunflora Sunflora Grass Grass
193 Yanma Yanma Bug Flying
194 Wooper Wooper Water Ground
195 Quagsire Quagsire Water Ground
196 Espeon Espeon Psychic Psychic
197 Umbreon Umbreon Dark Dark
198 Murkrow Murkrow Dark Flying
199 Slowking Slowking Water Psychic
200 Misdreavus Misdreavus Ghost Ghost
203 Girafarig Girafarig Normal Psychic
204 Pineco Pineco Bug Bug
205 Forretress Forretress Bug Steel
206 Dunsparce Dunsparce Normal Normal
207 Gligar Gligar Ground Flying
208 Steelix Steelix Steel Ground
209 Snubbull Snubbull Normal Normal
210 Granbull Granbull Normal Normal
211 Qwilfish Qwilfish Water Poison
212 Scizor Scizor Bug Steel
213 Shuckle Shuckle Bug Rock
214 Heracross Heracross Bug Fighting
215 Sneasel Sneasel Dark Ice
216 Teddiursa Teddiursa Normal Normal
217 Ursaring Ursaring Normal Normal
218 Slugma Slugma Fire Fire
219 Magcargo Magcargo Fire Rock
220 Swinub Swinub Ice Ground
221 Piloswine Piloswine Ice Ground
222 Corsola Corsola Water Rock
223 Remoraid Remoraid Water Water
224 Octillery Octillery Water Water
225 Delibird Delibird Ice Flying
226 Mantine Mantine Water Flying
227 Skarmory Skarmory Steel Flying
228 Houndour Houndour Dark Fire
229 Houndoom Houndoom Dark Fire
230 Kingdra Kingdra Water Dragon
231 Phanpy Phanpy Ground Ground
232 Donphan Donphan Ground Ground
233 Porygon2 Porygon2 Normal Normal
234 Stantler Stantler Normal Normal
236 Tyrogue Tyrogue Fighting Fighting
237 Hitmontop Hitmontop Fighting Fighting
238 Smoochum Smoochum Ice Psychic
239 Elekid Elekid Electric Electric
240 Magby Magby Fire Fire
241 Miltank Miltank Normal Normal
242 Blissey Blissey Normal Normal
243 Raikou Raikou Electric Electric
244 Entei Entei Fire Fire
245 Suicune Suicune Water Water
246 Larvitar Larvitar Rock Ground
247 Pupitar Pupitar Rock Ground
248 Tyranitar Tyranitar Rock Dark
249 Lugia Lugia Psychic Flying
250 Ho-Oh Ho-Oh Fire Flying
251 Celebi Celebi Psychic Grass
252 Treecko Treecko Grass Grass
253 Grovyle Grovyle Grass Grass
254 Sceptile Sceptile Grass Grass
255 Torchic Torchic Fire Fire
256 Combusken Combusken Fire Fighting
257 Blaziken Blaziken Fire Fighting
258 Mudkip Mudkip Water Water
259 Marshtomp Marshtomp Water Ground
260 Swampert Swampert Water Ground
261 Poochyena Poochyena Dark Dark
262 Mightyena Mightyena Dark Dark
263 Zigzagoon Zigzagoon Normal Normal
264 Linoone Linoone Normal Normal
267 Beautifly Beautifly Bug Flying
269 Dustox Dustox Bug Poison
270 Lotad Lotad Water Grass
271 Lombre Lombre Water Grass
272 Ludicolo Ludicolo Water Grass
273 Seedot Seedot Grass Grass
274 Nuzleaf Nuzleaf Grass Dark
275 Shiftry Shiftry Grass Dark
276 Taillow Taillow Normal Flying
277 Swellow Swellow Normal Flying
278 Wingull Wingull Water Flying
279 Pelipper Pelipper Water Flying
280 Ralts Ralts Psychic Psychic
281 Kirlia Kirlia Psychic Psychic
282 Gardevoir Gardevoir Psychic Psychic
283 Surskit Surskit Bug Water
284 Masquerain Masquerain Bug Flying
285 Shroomish Shroomish Grass Grass
286 Breloom Breloom Grass Fighting
287 Slakoth Slakoth Normal Normal
288 Vigoroth Vigoroth Normal Normal
289 Slaking Slaking Normal Normal
290 Nincada Nincada Bug Ground
291 Ninjask Ninjask Bug Flying
292 Shedinja Shedinja Bug Ghost
293 Whismur Whismur Normal Normal
294 Loudred Loudred Normal Normal
295 Exploud Exploud Normal Normal
296 Makuhita Makuhita Fighting Fighting
297 Hariyama Hariyama Fighting Fighting
298 Azurill Azurill Normal Normal
299 Nosepass Nosepass Rock Rock
300 Skitty Skitty Normal Normal
301 Delcatty Delcatty Normal Normal
302 Sableye Sableye Dark Ghost
303 Mawile Mawile Steel Steel
304 Aron Aron Steel Rock
305 Lairon Lairon Steel Rock
306 Aggron Aggron Steel Rock
307 Meditite Meditite Fighting Psychic
308 Medicham Medicham Fighting Psychic
309 Electrike Electrike Electric Electric
310 Manectric Manectric Electric Electric
311 Plusle Plusle Electric Electric
312 Minun Minun Electric Electric
313 Volbeat Volbeat Bug Bug
314 Illumise Illumise Bug Bug
315 Roselia Roselia Grass Poison
316 Gulpin Gulpin Poison Poison
317 Swalot Swalot Poison Poison
318 Carvanha Carvanha Water Dark
319 Sharpedo Sharpedo Water Dark
320 Wailmer Wailmer Water Water
321 Wailord Wailord Water Water
322 Numel Numel Fire Ground
323 Camerupt Camerupt Fire Ground
324 Torkoal Torkoal Fire Fire
325 Spoink Spoink Psychic Psychic
326 Grumpig Grumpig Psychic Psychic
327 Spinda Spinda Normal Normal
328 Trapinch Trapinch Ground Ground
329 Vibrava Vibrava Ground Dragon
330 Flygon Flygon Ground Dragon
331 Cacnea Cacnea Grass Grass
332 Cacturne Cacturne Grass Dark
333 Swablu Swablu Normal Flying
334 Altaria Altaria Dragon Flying
335 Zangoose Zangoose Normal Normal
336 Seviper Seviper Poison Poison
337 Lunatone Lunatone Rock Psychic
338 Solrock Solrock Rock Psychic
339 Barboach Barboach Water Ground
340 Whiscash Whiscash Water Ground
341 Corphish Corphish Water Water
342 Crawdaunt Crawdaunt Water Dark
343 Baltoy Baltoy Ground Psychic
344 Claydol Claydol Ground Psychic
345 Lileep Lileep Rock Grass
346 Cradily Cradily Rock Grass
347 Anorith Anorith Rock Bug
348 Armaldo Armaldo Rock Bug
349 Feebas Feebas Water Water
350 Milotic Milotic Water Water
351 Castform Castform Normal Normal
352 Kecleon Kecleon Normal Normal
353 Shuppet Shuppet Ghost Ghost
354 Banette Banette Ghost Ghost
355 Duskull Duskull Ghost Ghost
356 Dusclops Dusclops Ghost Ghost
357 Tropius Tropius Grass Flying
358 Chimecho Chimecho Psychic Psychic
359 Absol Absol Dark Dark
361 Snorunt Snorunt Ice Ice
362 Glalie Glalie Ice Ice
363 Spheal Spheal Ice Water
364 Sealeo Sealeo Ice Water
365 Walrein Walrein Ice Water
366 Clamperl Clamperl Water Water
367 Huntail Huntail Water Water
368 Gorebyss Gorebyss Water Water
369 Relicanth Relicanth Water Rock
370 Luvdisc Luvdisc Water Water
371 Bagon Bagon Dragon Dragon
372 Shelgon Shelgon Dragon Dragon
373 Salamence Salamence Dragon Flying
375 Metang Metang Steel Psychic
376 Metagross Metagross Steel Psychic
377 Regirock Regirock Rock Rock
378 Regice Regice Ice Ice
379 Registeel Registeel Steel Steel
380 Latias Latias Dragon Psychic
381 Latios Latios Dragon Psychic
382 Kyogre Kyogre Water Water
383 Groudon Groudon Ground Ground
384 Rayquaza Rayquaza Dragon Flying
385 Jirachi Jirachi Steel Psychic
386 Deoxys Deoxys Psychic Psychic
386 Deoxys Deoxys Psychic Psychic
386 Deoxys Deoxys Psychic Psychic
386 Deoxys Deoxys Psychic Psychic
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.

By event

Generation II

#   Pokémon Type Obtained with
0185 185 Sudowoodo Rock New York City Pokémon Center
0204 204 Pineco Bug New York City Pokémon Center
Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move.
Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB
from this move.


Sprites

SubstituteG12f.pngSubstituteG12b.png SubstituteStadium2.png SubstituteG3f.pngSubstituteG3b.png
A substitute from
Generations I and II
A substitute from
Stadium 2
A substitute from
Generation III
SubstitutePMDF.png SubstituteG4f.pngSubstituteG4b.png SubstitutePMD2F.png
A substitute from
Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team
A substitute from
Generation IV
A substitute from
Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Darkness and Sky
Substitute Fly PBR.png SubstituteG5f.pngSubstituteG5b.png
A substitute from
Battle Revolution
A substitute from
Generation V

In the anime

Shaymin Substitute.png
Shaymin
Shaymin Substitute disappears.png
Substitute fades away
Togepi Substitute.png
Togepi
Juniper Accelgor Substitute.png
Accelgor
The user creates a substitute that resembles it. The substitute fades away soon after.
Pokémon Method
User First Used In Notes
Shaymin Shaymin creates a clone that looks exactly like itself. It then fades soon after.
Shaymin (M11) Giratina and the Sky Warrior Debut
Delcatty Delcatty creates an exact copy of itself. When it gets hit, it disappears in a puff of smoke.
Lila's Delcatty Battling the Generation Gap! None
Togepi Togepi moves quickly when the opponent is about to attack and creates an afterimage of itself. When the afterimage gets hit, it disappears.
A wild Togepi Where No Togepi Has Gone Before! None
Accelgor Accelgor's body flashes white, and a double that looks exactly like Accelgor dashes out of its body and at the opponent. When the afterimage is hit by an attack, it disappears in a puff of smoke.
Professor Juniper's Accelgor Evolution Exchange Excitement! None


In the manga

In the Phantom Thief Pokémon 7 manga


In the Pokémon Adventures manga


In other generations

Trivia

A Substitute "levitating"
  • In most games, the decoy and the Pokémon will switch places when the Pokémon is attacking. The only exception is in Pokémon Battle Revolution, where the battle animations play out as if the substitute was the one performing the attack. It generally remains stationary, except for when using moves like Fly or Bounce.
  • In the Generation I and II games, the substitute resembles the Pokémon Rhydon. In subsequent generations, the plush does not resemble any Pokémon.
  • Shedinja is capable of learning Substitute by both FireRed and LeafGreen Move Tutor as well as by TM90 in Generation IV and V (as well as inheriting it from its pre-evolution). Despite this, it cannot use it, as its HP is too low to make a substitute; however, a Pokémon that has Transformed into Shedinja would be able to use it.
  • Substitutes are interpreted differently throughout all forms of Pokémon canon. In the games, substitutes are seen as a plush-like decoy which simply replaces the Pokémon. In the anime, substitutes are seen to be exact clones of the user. In the manga, substitutes are like the anime representation, but more spectral and transparent, as shown by Red's Pikachu in Peace of Mime.
  • In the Mystery Dungeon series, if the player eats an X-Eye Seed, all other Pokémon appear as a substitute.
  • The Substitute doll in Pokémon Stadium bears a resemblence to a baby Kangaskhan.
  • The Plush Toy enemy in Mystery Doors of the Magical Land Series is similar to Substitute doll.
  • In Pokemon Stadium, glitch pokemon will appear as the substitute doll. The color will vary however due to the player's ID and the glitch pokemon's name. This is because the game treats the glitch pokemon's name as a nickname. (which will cause pokemon to change colors in the stadium series.)

In other languages

Language Title
Mandarin Chinese 替身 Tìshēn
The Netherlands Flag.png Dutch Kloon Aanval
France Flag.png French Clonage
Germany Flag.png German Delegator
Greece Flag.png Greek Υποκατάσταση
Indonesia Flag.png Indonesian Menyamar
Perasuk
Italy Flag.png Italian Sostituto
South Korea Flag.png Korean 대타출동' Daetachuldong
Poland Flag.png Polish Zastępca
Brazil Flag.png Brazilian Portuguese Substituição
Romania Flag.png Romanian Substituirea
Serbia Flag.png Serbian Izmena
Spain Flag.png Spanish Sustituto


Generation I TMs
01020304050607080910111213141516171819202122232425
26272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950
Generation I HMs
0102030405
Generation IV TMs
0102030405060708091011121314151617181920212223
2425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
4748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869
7071727374757677787980818283848586878889909192
Generation IV HMs
01020304 • 05 (DPPtHGSS) • 060708
Generation V TMs
01020304050607080910111213141516171819
20212223242526272829303132333435363738
39404142434445464748495051525354555657
58596061626364656667686970717273747576
77787980818283848586878889909192939495
Generation V HMs
010203040506
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