Curse (move)

Curse のろい Curse/Slow

Battles Type  Ghost 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 King's Rock

Range Opponent Opponent Opponent Self Ally Ally Self: Affects the user

Availability Introduced  Generation II TM03 in Generation II

Contests Condition  Tough Appeal  3 ♥♥♥ Jam  0   The next appeal can be made later next turn.

Super Contests Condition  Tough Appeal  0   Earn a higher score the later the Pokémon performs.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Tough Appeal  0   Jamming  0

On Smogon's Movedex: Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX

Curse (Japanese: のろい Curse/Slow) is a non-damaging Ghost-type move introduced in Generation II. Before Generation V, it was a ???-type move, and the only move of that type. It was TM03 in Generation II.

Effect

Generations II-IV

Curse is a ???-type move. It acts differently depending on whether it is used by a Ghost-type Pokémon or not. When executing this move, the Ghost type takes priority over other types, so dual-type Ghost-type Pokémon use the Ghost version of the move.

The selection of whether to use the Ghost-type or non-Ghost-type version of this move is decided upon execution, not selection, so if the user changes type before using the move the version of the move used will also change. In a double battle, if the user's type is changed to Ghost before execution, the user will use Curse on the opponent directly opposite if there are still two foes.

Ghost-type Pokémon

The user will lose half of its maximum HP and put a curse on the target. A cursed Pokémon will lose ¼ of its maximum HP at the end of each turn; the user can use Curse if it has less than half of its maximum HP remaining, but will cause itself to faint. The curse will remain until the Pokémon switches out or the battle ends.

Also, in Generation II, defeating the opponent will prevent the Pokémon it is used on taking damage from Curse on that turn.

In the Mystery Dungeon series, the curse will wear off after a few steps.

Non-Ghost-type Pokémon

The user's Speed stat will drop by one stage and its Attack stat and Defense stat will rise by one stage each. Despite the move's stat-boosting nature, it will fail if there is no target.

Generation V

Curse changes to become a Ghost-type move. Its effects remain the same.

Pokémon Rumble Blast

When used by a non-Ghost-type Pokémon, Curse is same as in Generation V. When used by a Ghost-type Pokémon, Curse deals damage and then drains the opponent's health over time.

Description

Games Description Raises Attack and Defense at the expense of Speed. It works differently for the Ghost type. Works differently for ghost-types. RSE A move that functions differently for Ghosts. FRLG A move that works differently for the Ghost-type and all the other types. A move that works differently for the Ghost type than for all the other types. A move that works differently for the Ghost type than for all other types.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Type		Level
					I		II		III		IV		V		VI
079		Slowpoke	Water	Psychic	--			--			--				--			'
080		Slowbro	Water	Psychic	--			--			--				--			'
092		Gastly	Ghost	Poison	16			16	13	12				12			'
093		Haunter	Ghost	Poison	16			16	13	12				12			'
094		Gengar	Ghost	Poison	16			16	13	12				12			'
095		Onix	Rock	Ground									38	46	4	'
199		Slowking	Water	Psychic	--			--			--				--			'
208		Steelix	Steel	Ground									38	46	4	'
322		Numel	Fire	Ground												29	'
323		Camerupt	Fire	Ground												29	'
324		Torkoal	Fire		Fire				7			12				12			'
353		Shuppet	Ghost		Ghost				20			13				13	19	'
354		Banette	Ghost		Ghost				--, 20			--, 13				--, 13	--, 19	'
355		Duskull	Ghost		Ghost				34			30				30			'
356		Dusclops	Ghost		Ghost				34			30				30			'
377		Regirock	Rock		Rock				17			17				17			'
378		Regice	Ice		Ice				17			17				17			'
379		Registeel	Steel		Steel				17			17				17			'
387		Turtwig	Grass		Grass							17				17			'
388		Grotle	Grass		Grass							17				17			'
389		Torterra	Grass	Ground							17				17			'
399		Bidoof	Normal		Normal									45	45			'
400		Bibarel	Normal	Water									53	53			'
442		Spiritomb	Ghost	Dark							--				--			'
477		Dusknoir	Ghost		Ghost							30				30			'
562		Yamask	Ghost		Ghost											29			'
563		Cofagrigus	Ghost		Ghost											30			'
564		Tirtouga	Water	Rock											35			'
565		Carracosta	Water	Rock											35			'
597		Ferroseed	Grass	Steel											9			'
598		Ferrothorn	Grass	Steel											--, 9			'
607		Litwick	Ghost	Fire											43			'
608		Lampent	Ghost	Fire											45			'
616		Shelmet	Bug		Bug											13			'
622		Golett	Ground	Ghost											40			'
623		Golurk	Ground	Ghost											40			'
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
001		Bulbasaur	Grass	Poison
041		Zubat*	Poison	Flying
074		Geodude	Rock	Ground
083		Farfetch'd	Normal	Flying
088		Grimer	Poison		Poison
102		Exeggcute*	Grass	Psychic
108		Lickitung	Normal		Normal
109		Koffing	Poison		Poison
111		Rhyhorn	Ground	Rock
131		Lapras	Water	Ice
133		Eevee	Normal		Normal
142		Aerodactyl*	Rock	Flying
143		Snorlax	Normal		Normal
185		Sudowoodo	Rock		Rock
191		Sunkern*	Grass		Grass
194		Wooper	Water	Ground
200		Misdreavus	Ghost		Ghost
206		Dunsparce	Normal		Normal
218		Slugma	Fire		Fire
220		Swinub	Ice	Ground
222		Corsola	Water	Rock
227		Skarmory*	Steel	Flying
241		Miltank	Normal		Normal
246		Larvitar	Rock	Ground
255		Torchic	Fire		Fire
258		Mudkip	Water		Water
287		Slakoth	Normal		Normal
304		Aron	Steel	Rock
309		Electrike	Electric		Electric
316		Gulpin	Poison		Poison
320		Wailmer	Water		Water
335		Zangoose	Normal		Normal
345		Lileep*	Rock	Grass
347		Anorith*	Rock	Bug
357		Tropius	Grass	Flying
358		Chimecho	Psychic		Psychic
359		Absol	Dark		Dark
363		Spheal	Ice	Water
408		Cranidos	Rock		Rock
410		Shieldon	Rock	Steel
422		Shellos	Water		Water
433		Chingling	Psychic		Psychic
438		Bonsly	Rock		Rock
446		Munchlax	Normal		Normal
449		Hippopotas	Ground		Ground
498		Tepig	Fire		Fire
517		Munna	Psychic		Psychic
524		Roggenrola	Rock		Rock
557		Dwebble	Bug	Rock
568		Trubbish	Poison		Poison
618		Stunfisk	Ground	Electric
631		Heatmor	Fire		Fire
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 --		II TM03		III --		IV --		V --		VI TM08
All Pokémon who can learn TMs can learn Curse.
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 event

Generation V

#   Pokémon Type Obtained with 0241 Miltank Normal Dream World - Pleasant Forest 0525 Boldore Rock Dream World - Icy Cave 0618 Stunfisk Ground Electric Dream World - Sparkling Sea Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB from this move.

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Gastly
The user cuts its own health in order to lay a curse on the opponent.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Gastly's opponent starts suffering from an intense pain and becomes unable to move.
The Masked Man's Gastly	The Last Battle V		Debut

In other generations

Ghost-type Pokémon

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, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Non-Ghost-type Pokémon

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, andSky	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, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Trivia

• Curse's differing effects are a play on its Japanese name, のろい Noroi, which can mean either "curse" (呪い) or "dull/slow" (鈍い), depending on the kanji used. This is why it bestows an actual curse when used by Ghost-type Pokémon but lowers Speed when used by non-Ghost-type Pokémon.
• In Generation II, three Pokémon could legitimately use both effects of the move by using Conversion or Conversion 2 to alter its own type to and from the Ghost type: Porygon, Porygon2, and Smeargle. Technically speaking, any Pokémon that can change its type in battle (e.g. via Color Change or Reflect Type) can use of both of Curse's effects. Similarly, if a Ghost-type Pokémon uses Curse while under the effect of Soak, the non-Ghost version will be used.
• Curse is one of five moves to change type between generations, along with Bite, Gust, Karate Chop and Sand-Attack. Of these five, it is the only one that did not originate in Generation I and was not originally a Normal-type move; and like Sand-Attack, the change in typing has no effects on the move itself.
• In Generation II, TM03, which contains Curse, is given away only at night by a man telling the following story:

"Let me recount a terrifying tale... Once upon a time, there was a little boy who was given a new Bicycle... He wanted to try it right away... He was having so much fun that he didn't notice the sun had set... While riding home in the pitch-black night, the bike suddenly slowed! The pedals became heavy! When he stopped pedaling, the bike began slipping backwards! It was as if the bike were cursed and trying to drag him into oblivion! ... ... Shrieeeek! The boy had been riding uphill on Cycling Road! ... Ba-dum ba-dum! For listening so patiently, you may take this—TM03! TM03 is Curse. It's a terrifying move that slowly whittles down the victim's HP."

In other languages

Language Title Mandarin Chinese 咒語 Zhòuyǔ Dutch Vloek French Malédiction German Fluch Greek Κατάρα Italian Maledizione Korean 저주 Jeoju Brazilian Portuguese Maldição Serbian Kletva Spanish Maldición

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.