Talk:Transform (move)

Transform Effect Against Semi-Invulnerable State in Gen 1

Please take a look at the comment I made on Exempt-Medic's talk page and don't undo my edit for fixing the mechanic description for transform in gen 1. If you think I'm wrong, please contact me, and I can discuss further with you, but I would really appreciate it if you actually contacted me and didn't just undo an edit silently.

Sketch

Can Smeargle copy Transform with Sketch? --TTEchidna 06:18, 8 June 2007 (UTC)

Yes, I think it does. Tesh 19:46, 17 September 2007 (UTC)

In Gen II. Otherwise, no.--Goukazaru 23:00, 5 December 2007 (UTC)

Shiny

Okay, if Ditto is shiny and uses Transform on a regular Pokemon, will the transformed Ditto be Shiny? Will it be shiny if its a normal Ditto transforming into a Shiny Pokemon? What about if their both shiny?--Goukazaru 23:00, 5 December 2007 (UTC)

If the Ditto that you're using is Shiny, YES, it will transform shiny no matter what type of Pokémon you use it on. If you use a regular Ditto on a Shiny Pokémon, NO, it will not transform shiny. --Theryguy512 23:03, 5 December 2007 (UTC)

Actually on a wifi battle I used Transform with my mew against a shiny girantina and It was a shiny girantina.Darkmaster0 21:36, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Hunting ditto, I saw a not-shiny turn into my shiny Rapidash. It even gave the sparkle after it escaped the first pokeball. It is most definitely not shiny itself, however. - unsigned comment from Ryvaken (talk • contribs)

Substitute

How about with Substitute and Baton Pass? On substitute, does ditto transform into the Substitute? If so, and it uses Baton Pass, and it gets sent back out via Baton Pass, will it still be a Ditto or the substitute? Finally, if a Pokemon transforms into Ditto, then into another Pokemon (like, say, Shedinja), and gets caught, will it be a Shedinja still, or Ditto? ---ht14 21:45, 12 March 2007 (GMT)

No, it won't turn into the substitute. It'll just fail (I think). And for your last question, you're saying that the ditto transforms twice in one battle. That can't be done, unless you use a mew. And if it gets caught, It woundn't be the transformed Pokémon, it'll be the Mew. (right?)--Theryguy512 10:51, 13 March 2008 (UTC)

Wait, is this true?

"In-game, if a wild Pokémon uses Transform and is subsequently caught, it will become a Ditto, regardless of what species it originally was."

So, wait, if there's a wild Smeargle that somehow copies your Ditto's transform and you catch it, you'll have caught a Ditto, and not a Smeargle? --Someone Else 14:44, 27 March 2008 (UTC)

No, the effect of Transorm is only during the battle. - unsigned comment from MathijsP (talk • contribs)

If this were true as of Generation III, then you'd pretty much need a Master Ball to catch the World's Edge Island Mew in Emerald. Trust me, if that's true for Generation I, then they fixed it after either that generation or Generation II. --Shiningpikablu252 15:36, 27 March 2008 (UTC)

This IS true, but *ONLY* in RBY. It was fixed for GSC.Blueapple128 17:21, 25 October 2008 (UTC)

Stats and other things

I've a few queries as to what happens with transform and the following:

• Hold Items - Does the Transformed Pokémon have it's original item, or what the target is holding?
• Stats - Are they the exact same as the target with same EVs, or are they calculated on the EVs of the transformed Pokémon?
  • On the same note, what happens with nature stat changes?

Gywall^(Talk) 09:53, 7 August 2008 (UTC)

Right. The held item remains the same for both Pokemon. So the transformed Pokemon will still have its original item. The stats of the target, including the EV's are copied and including any stat increases/decreases. The nature of the target is also copied. TESHIGIGAS 17:31, 25 October 2008 (UTC)

So, wait. If you have a level 1 ditto, and you use transform against a level 100 Mewtwo, you'll have the level 100's stats, but with a level 1's HP? Or do you have the stats of a level 1 Mewtwo with the same IVs, EVs, Nature, etc? Talonos 22:22, 1 November 2009 (UTC)

Ditto

I battled Ditto vs. Ditto in Crystal, where my speed was higher than the opponent. What happened was that my Ditto successfully transformed, but the other Ditto didn't. Eventually, the opponent DID get into Struggle. So I'm confused... ht14 03:52, 29 August 2008 (UTC)

Might happen only in DP. TTEchidna 05:10, 29 August 2008 (UTC)

I guess that's true, as it's confirmed with Serebii.net...ht14 22:09, 4 September 2008 (UTC)

Transform glitch?

On the Ditto page, it says that there is a glitch in D/P involving Ditto using transform on the foe then keeping the foe's moveset somehow after the battle. Is this true? If it is, how do you do it? Blueapple128 17:22, 25 October 2008 (UTC)

Yes it happened to me before but i deleted the moves and brought it to a tutor and got transform again i thinl its because if you use transform then you switch out then run ayat you keep the movesetLeftywright 07:58, 9 August 2010 (UTC)

Usage on Pokémon in the midst of a move with a semi-invulnerable turn

My tests indicate that Transform cannot be used on a Pokémon who is in the midst of a move with a semi-invulnerable turn like Dig, Fly, and Bounce, at least in Generation IV. However, the pages for Dig and Fly both indicate that Transform will not miss on a Pokémon using these moves. But both of those pages list this under Generation I, so the behavior may have changed in Generation IV. I don't want to simply change these pages if the behavior in older generations does not match IV. Is anyone here able to test Transform on a Pokémon using Dig or Fly in a previous generation? — Laoris _(Blah) 18:13, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

Transformed Sketch?

If a Ditto/Mew Transformed into a Smeargle, then tried to use Sketch, would it fail? And, if not, would the Sketched move stay on the Ditto/Mew that transformed? It sounds like it wouldn't work but it would be awesome to get moves other than Transform on a Ditto. --Alex S. 04:08, 6 February 2009 (UTC)

Although I never tried it, I'm pretty sure that this actually did work in Generation II, which led to a bit of a hullabaloo over whether or not to allow moves gained like this to be included in Tournament play. However, as I've said, I've never actually done this myself. Can anyone confirm? Schreiber 23:53, 12 November 2009 (UTC)

STAB Question

Will a pokémon that uses Transform and changes type(s) get STAB for the new type(s) or retain the STAB for the original type(s)? Is it the same for all generations?

White Phoenix 03:18, 21 May 2009 (UTC)

Now that it's not worded for a forum, I'll tell you. The Transformed Pokémon copies everything BUT the target's item, and HP. Otherwise, stats, attacks, ability, and types are the same. And because they're now a new type, they get the STAB of the copied Pokémon, but only if the moves used are the same type, just like what happens normally. R.A. Hunter Blade 12:47, 21 May 2009 (UTC)

Copying IVs

Obviously, at one point; Ditto was able to copy its foes IVs, at least to some extent; it was presumably the whole basis to the "Shiny Ditto Trick" In Gen I/II. However, very little information is given about the idea of copying IVs, so it makes me wonder if it still works... or even to what extent it worked to begin with. (The "Shiny Ditto Trick" was somewhat convoluted...) --Saethori 23:53, 1 August 2009 (UTC)

Copy Ability?

Does it copy the target's ability? I was battling a ditto recently, and i paralized it after it transformed. If it didn't copy the ability, then it would've still had limber and wouldn't have been able to be paralized, right? Morgil27 03:55, 15 April 2010 (UTC)

Capture Method Change?

I was just hunting a ditto with my snorlax in front. I didn't have anyone weak enough to damage it without KOing it, so I just tried hucking balls at it. It escaped them quickly. However, to my surprise, I got one, then two wiggles out of two Heavy Balls before it escaped them. Am I right in thinking that once a pokémon uses Transform, any of the special considerations for capture aside from level (and gender, I think?) that apply for the original are applied to the Transformed one? In other words, once a pokémon Transforms, do special balls check for the new Transformed form instead of the original ditto for capture rate-increasing criteria? FerreTrip 16:58, 17 August 2010 (UTC)

I just caught one of the buggers after having it Transform into my gyarados, putting it to sleep with my newly-withdrawn venomoth, then hucking a Net Ball at it. Caught it right away. I think this might be further proof. (Nicknamed it "TrickyFish", btw. X3 ) FerreTrip 17:06, 17 August 2010 (UTC)

Exp Yield

From my own experience in HG/SS, it DOES copy the Pokemon's Exp Yield: I defeated two different Ditto: One used transform on Pidgeot and the other was fainted before that, and both were Level 35. The one that fainted before transforming rewarded 270 Exp where the one that was able to transform into Pidgeot rewarded 810 Exp. This wasn't the case in B/W though, because I've seen Ditto transform into nearly every Pokemon I've ever used at Giant Chasm from Emboar to Arceus, and always rewarded around 1,000 or so Exp no matter which it transformed into. Shiramu Kuromu 23:51, 21 May 2011 (UTC)

Chatter?

If a ditto transform into a chatot that knows chatter what would happen if the ditto tried to use it? Savelijah 14:08, 26 May 2011 (UTC)

Just tested it. It works normally. Ditto always uses Chatot's default cry though, not its cry via Chatter. --SnorlaxMonster 14:20, 26 May 2011 (UTC)

Type Change

When transforming into a Pokémon that had been "Soaked" would Ditto take the Pokémon's original type or Water? --Wild Gardevoir ♂ 02:28, 1 September 2011 (UTC)

In Double battles?

Here's a Generation III question -- can multiple Pokemon each use Transform during a double battle, long as that they are not using it on each other? --Stratelier 02:24, 13 February 2012 (UTC)

I was doing some testing last night and realized that at least in Generation V the answer is 'yes' -- I had a Smeargle and Ditto both transform into the same wild Patrat around Nacrene. --Stratelier 16:56, 13 February 2012 (UTC)

EV yield

Does Transform copy EV yield? Tk3141 02:05, 19 April 2012 (UTC)

Yes, for instance, I was battling a wild Ditto with a Flareon, so it transformed into Flareon, and gave me 2 EV's in attack upon defeat. Redtroopa (talk) 16:47, 2 September 2013 (UTC)

Mew Transform Glitch

Hey guys, in Pokemon Blue i was battling Blue's Gyarados with a level 19 Mew, it transformed into enemy Pokemon and, after Mew defeated Gyarados, it went up to level 20, level in which Mew learns Megapunch. At last Mew retained the Gyarados sprite but regained the old moves plus Megapunch. Should we add this case in "Oddities"? --- unsigned comment from snort (talk • contribs)

Pokemon Stat-enhancing Items + Transform

I don't know if this is worth an edit but, with the exception of Ditto's two items, a pokemon will retain the boosts from its Stat-enhancing item item even after Transformation. i.e If Latios transformed into another Pokemon holding Soul Dew. Latios would have the Target Pokemon's stats and those stats would be boosted by Soul Dew. --V4Victini (talk) 06:29, 22 September 2012 (UTC)

I've added it. --SnorlaxMonster 12:29, 5 January 2013 (UTC)

Catch rate

For a long time catch rate had been listed as being copied in Generation I. However, this was disproven. I think what it might be is the item held when traded to Gen II that is copied (since this value is identical to the catch rate in Gen I). Could someone test this? --SnorlaxMonster 12:29, 5 January 2013 (UTC)

It's both, I think. Maybe the person who tested it originally didn't get that Ditto's HP down as far as he thought? I no longer have a GBC Link Cable to test it with, but if either the hold item or the catch rate is changing, then they both are - since they are the same data bit. Still, from my testing in Gen I, it looks like a Ditto is much easier to catch as something with low catch rate than as something with a high catch rate. As such, I bet it does transform its hold item as well. But again, I have no way to know for sure, as I lack the ability to trade to my Gen II games. --GoldenSandslash15 (talk) 23:52, 16 February 2013 (UTC)

I just tested it on my Red: I encountered a L26 Ditto and had it transform into a Spearow, then got it to about 30% health and threw a Great Ball at it. The ball shook once before the Ditto broke out, whereas if it had Spearow's catch rate it would have been caught with certainty. Therefore, catch rate is definitely not copied. I can't see how you would test the Gen II item theory, though, since in a trade the Ditto appears as itself and IIRC you can't have a link battle between Gen I and Gen II games. Arcorann (talk) 08:12, 17 February 2013 (UTC)

"if either the hold item or the catch rate is changing, then they both are - since they are the same data bit" - that's not entirely true. The held item in Gen II is saved in the Pokémon's personal data structure, and in Gen I this is set to the Pokémon's catch rate upon capture; the catch rate is stored in the species data structure. As for testing it, the point I'm trying to make is that if you catch a Ditto after it transforms into a Spearow (it would need to be a Spearow caught in Gen I and has never been in Gen II), it would be holding a Berry when traded to Gen II rather than Metal Powder; or at least, that is what I'm proposing might happen. What I need is someone to try this. --SnorlaxMonster 09:21, 18 February 2013 (UTC)

When did this start being true? I can confirm that it is NOT true in Gen II.Ljubljana (talk) 07:57, 4 April 2016 (UTC)

"Stats" vs. "Stat levels"

Sorry, but I'm way confused. Assuming, first of all, that HP is entirely unaffected by it and Imposter:

1. Are targets' stats copied exactly, or are the EVs and IVs copied, along with the base stats, and then used to calculate for the transformer's level?
2. What exactly are "Stat levels"?

Thanks. TogePikachu 14:06, 6 August 2013 (UTC)

1. The actual stats are copied. I'm not sure if it also copies IVs (such that Hidden Power changes); it would be necessary to test this in each generation.
2. I've changed "Stat levels" to "Stat modifications". It is referring to stat changes due to Growl/Swords Dance/etc. --SnorlaxMonster 15:09, 6 August 2013 (UTC)

Gen 3 Ability Copy

The Gen 3 part states that Transform does NOT copy abilities there, but I have proof that it does in an Imgur link: http://imgur.com/HtcOf0M I'm not sure if I can edit the Transform page, but this is proof that Transform does copy abilities in Gen 3. --Flametix (talk) 12:34, 2 January 2014 (UTC)

A stationary screenshot by itself doesn't provide proof. (Credibility of a random imgur pic nothwistanding...) We need to be able to replicate it. I'd also be a bit hesitant given that Wonderguard is a signature ability and Shedinja has a fixed HP value. It could be the exception to the rule, rather than disproving it. --GARY-DOS (talk) 22:34, 8 January 2014 (UTC)

Well, I tried it and it seems to be true. I made a video demonstrating it with clear body: http://youtu.be/jGkAKUNujU0 --GARY-DOS (talk) 03:08, 9 January 2014 (UTC)

A normal Ditto can double-transform into a shiny Ditto in Gen II as well

I did the regular method by trading the shiny Gyarados to blue version and encountering a wild Ditto which I then captured after it had transformed a second time. I traded both back to crystal and, as expected, both were shiny. While running around near the Goldenrod City daycare, I encountered a wild ditto while I had another Pokemon leading my party. Out of curiosity I decided to switch with my shiny Ditto to see what would happen. Since trainer actions take precedence over attacks in most cases, the wild Ditto automatically got the first chance to attack. Attempting to have my own Ditto use transform failed, and the opponent transformed again. Assuming the trick would not work since the wild Ditto remained pink, I decided to switch again and just fight it. However when the game returned to the battle screen from the party menu, and my Ditto was being recalled, I saw that the wild Ditto was now blue like a shiny one. To be sure it had really worked, I captured it, and when I went to look in my PC it was still shiny.

Now, this was done on cartriges. I'm not currently able to duplicate this on an emulator due to the trade requirement. I've tried using vbalink, but it seems to only work with the advance games. Are there any other programs that enable trade emulation, or are the only other options save state hacking and using a cheat code to make Gyarados know transform? I'd like to provide proof of this, but considering I've never encountered a wild shiny pokemon over the course of 10 years, I'm going to say the chances of me specifically encountering a legitimate shiny Ditto are next to nil. --GARY-DOS (talk) 22:26, 8 January 2014 (UTC)

-There are emukators that alllw trading, yes. TGBDual, but the steps to trade between the games gets a bit... Conplex--Shadowater (talk) 04:48, 17 September 2015 (UTC)

Transform Question.

I have a weird question, if I battle a ditto, and it transforms into my first pokemon, then i switch out to another pokemon with assist who uses that and calls transform will I transform into the ditto or my first pokemon?--Submachine39 (talk) 10:20, 28 April 2014 (UTC)

Assist will not use the move Transform starting in Generation V. Also, starting in Generation II, a Pokémon cannot transform into a transformed Pokémon. As Assist was not introduced until Generation III, it will just fail. --Abcboy (talk) 10:26, 28 April 2014 (UTC)

Transforming into a Shadow PokemonT

I had just tried a little experiment by attempting to transform into Shadow Bayleef. Seems like it's locked off. Any ideas why? --Shadowater (talk) 04:54, 17 September 2015 (UTC)

As in, it just won't let you? There doesn't have to be a "reason" for that. Tiddlywinks (talk) 05:05, 17 September 2015 (UTC)

Mew Boosts, Then Transforms

Will a Mew that used a boosting move like Rock Polish be able to keep the boost when it uses transform? --Petsinwinter (Talk) 02:21, 23 February 2016 (UTC)

"Transform changes the user's current type, current stats, current stat modifications, current moves, current species, and current cry to that of the target's." In other words, it would not keep that boost, nor would it keep any stat decreases it has unless the target has the same modifications. VioletPumpkin (talk) 19:17, 23 February 2016 (UTC)

Another Ditto Transformation issue

So, I have a Ditto Friend Saffari and was using a Ditto lead. I would let them transform into my Ditto and then bring out my main False Swiper. From there, the other Ditto would keep using Transform but it kept failing to transform into my other Pokémon. I know that the move description says: "Transform will now fail if used on an opponent who has already transformed." However that doesn't explain why a transformed opponent can't transform a 2nd time.

Just curious (Arcalargo (talk) 22:18, 11 March 2016 (UTC))

Bizarre paralysis thing

In GenI, transform copied stat changes induced by status, such as para/burn, because these were just applied when the status was given like a typical volatile stat boost. For the same reason, GenI Rest did not heal the speed drop from paralysis or the attack drop from burn. In GenII, the stat changes from para/burn are no longer applied in this way, yet I can confirm that Transform copies the paralysis speed drop, even when Ditto is not itself paralyzed! This holds even if the paralyzed opponent is forced to switch out and then back in via Whirlwind, and then Ditto comes in to transform! I find this incredibly bizarre, but there it is -- it is easy to forget just how strangely these games were coded.Ljubljana (talk) 08:02, 4 April 2016 (UTC)

Giratina research note

The research note in the Generation IV section seems to have already been answered in the Oddities section, under Origin Forme Giratina. However, the Oddities explanation was already in place when the research note was added. Is there something about this topic that the Oddities explanation doesn't cover? Boblers (talk) 18:21, 30 May 2017 (UTC)

Transforming into Pokémon with Form-Changing abilities

Apparently this causes some things to be messed up. 13thehappykid. 21:37, 22 October 2017 (UTC)

I don't get your point. ¿¡Unowninator?! (talk) 22:00, 22 October 2017 (UTC)

From Generation V onward, transformed Pokémon cannot change form. --SnorlaxMonster 02:45, 23 October 2017 (UTC)

Level up glitch

Jrose11 recently posted a vidoe where he beat Pokémon Emerald with only a Ditto. In it, he described a glitch he found with transform. When he leveled up while transformed, the stats of his Ditto were replaced with his Ditto's stats (instead of the stats of the Pokémon it transformed into).

We should probably see if this happens in other generations.

Wildfire555 (talk) 14:55, 5 June 2020 (UTC)

Moved to appropiate section; I am pretty sure this is an oversight inherent to the move, rather than Ditto itself (so Mew would work as well, and possibly anything else that somehow used Transform). Eridanus (talk) 15:04, 5 June 2020 (UTC)