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 Mirror Move 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  3 ♥♥♥ Jamming  0   Causes the user to move later on the next turn.

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. Prior to Generation V, it was a ???-type move, and the only move of that type. It was TM03 in Generation II.

Effect

In all generations, Curse acts differently depending on whether the user has the Ghost type or not.

Ghost-type Pokémon

The user will lose half of its maximum HP (rounded down) and put a curse on the target. If this causes the user's HP to drop to 0, the move will execute fully but cause the user to faint. A cursed Pokémon will lose ¼ of its maximum HP at the end of each turn. The curse will remain until the Pokémon switches out or the battle ends. This move is not blocked by Protect, Detect, or Spiky Shield, but is blocked by Crafty Shield.

The user does not lose HP if Curse misses (due to a move with a semi-invulnerable turn), fails (due to the target already being affected by Curse), or is blocked by Crafty Shield.

If powered up by a Ghostium Z into Z-Curse, the user restores all of its HP.

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 being an effect acting on the user, this move will fail if there are no opponents on the field.

If powered up by a Ghostium Z into Z-Curse, the user's Attack stat raises another stage.

In different generations

Generation II

Curse is a ???-type move.

If used by a non-Ghost-type Pokémon, Curse will fail if the user's Attack and Defense stats both are at +6 stages, even if its Speed stat is not at -6 stages.

If a cursed Pokémon defeats its opponent, it will not take curse damage on that turn.

Curse cannot hit through a substitute.

Generations III and IV

If used by a non-Ghost-type Pokémon, Curse can now reduce the user's Speed stat even if its Attack and Defense stats both are at +6 stages. (However, Curse will still fail if the user's Attack and Defense stats both are at +6 stages, and its Speed stat is at -6 stages.)

If a cursed Pokémon defeats its opponent, it now takes curse damage on that turn.

If the user changes type before using Curse, Curse will obey the user's type at the time of the move's execution. In a Double Battle, if the user gains the Ghost type before Curse executes, Curse will prioritize the opponent directly opposite the user as its target.

Curse can be used as the first move of a Pokémon Contest combination, causing Destiny Bond, Grudge, Mean Look, and Spite to score double the normal appeal if used in the next turn.

Generation V

Curse is now a Ghost-type move.

Curse can now hit through a substitute.

In a Triple Battle, if the user gains the Ghost type before Curse executes, Curse will prioritize the opponent directly opposite the user as its target.

Generation VI

In a Single Battle, if the user is not already Ghost-type and becomes Ghost-type before executing Curse (due to Mega Evolution, Color Change, or Trick-or-Treat), Curse will execute as it does for all Ghost types, hurting the user and inflicting the curse.

In a Triple Battle or Horde Encounter, if the user is not already Ghost-type and becomes Ghost-type before executing Curse (due to Mega Evolution, Color Change, or Trick-or-Treat), Curse will now target a random adjacent opponent.

Due to a glitch, Curse can have an unusual behavior in some situations when the user has its type changed right before using the move.

In a Double Battle, if the user is not already Ghost-type and becomes Ghost-type before executing Curse (due to Mega Evolution, Color Change, or Trick-or-Treat), Curse may target a different Pokémon depending on the user's position. If the user is on the right side (from its Trainer's perspective), Curse will target the user's ally (or fail if there is none). If the user is on the left side (from its Trainer's perspective) Curse will target a random opponent. Follow Me and Rage Powder will still redirect Curse as normal.

If the user is not already Ghost-type and becomes Ghost-type due to Protean upon executing Curse, the user will use the Ghost-type Curse on itself (regardless of Follow Me or Rage Powder). This cannot be blocked by Crafty Shield.

Generation VII

In a Double Battle, if the user is not already Ghost-type and becomes Ghost-type before executing Curse (due to Mega Evolution, Color Change, or Trick-or-Treat), Curse will now target a random opponent.

Generation VIII

A Dynamax Pokémon can be cursed, however it only takes damage equal to 1/4 of its pre-Dynamax maximum HP, which will be between 1/6 and 1/8 of its Dynamax HP, or as little as 1/12 for the boss in a Max Raid Battle.

Ghost-type Pokémon are no longer able to choose targets for Curse in a Double Battle, and will always attempt to inflict the curse on a random opponent.

Description

Games Description Stad2 Raises Attack and Defense at the expense of Speed. It works differently for the Ghost type. GSC Works differently for ghost-types. RSEColoXD A move that functions differently for Ghosts. FRLG A move that works differently for the Ghost-type and all the other types. DPPtHGSSPBR A move that works differently for the Ghost type than for all the other types. BWB2W2 XYORAS SMUSUM SwShBDSPLA A move that works differently for the Ghost type than for all other types.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
0079		Slowpoke		Monster	Water 1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
079G		Slowpoke Galarian Form		Monster	Water 1							1SwSh
0080		Slowbro		Monster	Water 1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
080G		Slowbro Galarian Form		Monster	Water 1							1SwSh
0092		Gastly		Amorphous		Amorphous	16	16RSE 13FRLG	12	12	12	12	20
0093		Haunter		Amorphous		Amorphous	16	16RSE 13FRLG	12	12	12	12	20
0094		Gengar		Amorphous		Amorphous	16	16RSE 13FRLG	12	12	12	12	20
0095		Onix		Mineral		Mineral			38PtHGSS	46BW 4B2W2	4	4	16
0199		Slowking		Monster	Water 1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
199G		Slowking Galarian Form		Monster	Water 1							1SwSh
0208		Steelix		Mineral		Mineral			38PtHGSS	46BW 4B2W2	4	4	16
222G		Corsola Galarian Form		Water 1	Water 3							30SwSh
0322		Numel		Field		Field				29B2W2	29	29	29BDSP
0323		Camerupt		Field		Field				29B2W2	29	29	29BDSP
0324		Torkoal		Field		Field		7	12	12	12XY 22ORAS	22	44
0353		Shuppet		Amorphous		Amorphous		20	13	13BW 19B2W2	19XY 26ORAS	26	26BDSP
0354		Banette		Amorphous		Amorphous		1, 20	1, 13	1, 13BW 1, 19B2W2	1, 19XY 26ORAS	26	26BDSP
0355		Duskull		Amorphous		Amorphous		34	30	30	30XY 33ORAS	33	36
0356		Dusclops		Amorphous		Amorphous		34	30	30	30XY 33ORAS	33	36
0377		Regirock		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		17	17	17	17XY 25ORAS	25	30
0378		Regice		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		17	17	17	17XY 25ORAS	25	30
0379		Registeel		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		17	17	17	17XY 25ORAS	25	30
0387		Turtwig		Monster	Grass			17	17	17	17	17BDSP
0388		Grotle		Monster	Grass			17	17	17	17	17BDSP
0389		Torterra		Monster	Grass			17	17	17	17	17BDSP
0399		Bidoof		Water 1	Field			45PtHGSS	45	45	49	49BDSP
0400		Bibarel		Water 1	Field			53PtHGSS	53	53	58	58BDSP
0442		Spiritomb		Amorphous		Amorphous			1	1	1	1	40
0477		Dusknoir		Amorphous		Amorphous			30	30	30XY 33ORAS	33	36
0562		Yamask		Mineral	Amorphous				29	29	29	36SwSh
562G		Yamask Galarian Form		Mineral	Amorphous							36SwSh
0563		Cofagrigus		Mineral	Amorphous				29	29	29	38SwSh
0564		Tirtouga		Water 1	Water 3				35	35	35	30SwSh
0565		Carracosta		Water 1	Water 3				35	35	35	30SwSh
0597		Ferroseed		Grass	Mineral				9	9	9	41SwSh
0598		Ferrothorn		Grass	Mineral				1, 9	1, 9	1, 9	43SwSh
0607		Litwick		Amorphous		Amorphous				43	43	43	32SwSh
0608		Lampent		Amorphous		Amorphous				45	45	45	32SwSh
0609		Chandelure		Amorphous		Amorphous							1SwSh
0616		Shelmet		Bug		Bug				13	13	13	8SwSh
0617		Accelgor		Bug		Bug							1SwSh
0622		Golett		Mineral		Mineral				40	40	45	16SwSh
0623		Golurk		Mineral		Mineral				40	40	47	16SwSh
0704		Goomy		Dragon		Dragon							41SwSh
0705		Sliggoo		Dragon		Dragon							43SwSh
0706		Goodra		Dragon		Dragon							43SwSh
0708		Phantump		Grass	Amorphous					28	28	32SwSh
0709		Trevenant		Grass	Amorphous					28	28	32SwSh
0712		Bergmite		Monster	Mineral					22	22	9SwSh
0713		Avalugg		Monster	Mineral					22	22	9SwSh
0771		Pyukumuku		Water 1		Water 1						25	30SwSh
0842		Appletun		Grass	Dragon							4SwSh
0855		Polteageist		Mineral	Amorphous							66SwSh
0864		Cursola		Water 1	Water 3							30SwSh
0867		Runerigus		Mineral	Amorphous							38SwSh
0871		Pincurchin		Water 1	Amorphous							35SwSh
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		Types	Egg Groups		Machine
						I --	II TM03	III --	IV --	V --	VI --	VII --	VIII --	IX --
Every Pokémon can learn this move by TM except the ones listed below and only if marked with ✘.
0010		Caterpie		Bug		Bug	✘
0011		Metapod		Bug		Bug	✘
0013		Weedle		Bug		Bug	✘
0014		Kakuna		Bug		Bug	✘
0129		Magikarp		Water 2	Dragon	✘
0132		Ditto		Ditto		Ditto	✘
0201		Unown		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✘
0202		Wobbuffet		Amorphous		Amorphous	✘
0235		Smeargle		Field		Field	✘
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		Types	Parent Egg Groups		Egg Move
						II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
0001		Bulbasaur		Monster	Grass		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
027A		Sandshrew Alolan Form		Field		Field						✔	✔SwSh
0041		Zubat		Flying		Flying		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
052G		Meowth Galarian Form		Field		Field							✔SwSh
0074		Geodude		Mineral		Mineral			✔HGSS	✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
074A		Geodude Alolan Form		Mineral		Mineral						✔
0083		Farfetch'd		Flying	Field		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
083G		Farfetch'd Galarian Form		Flying	Field							✔SwSh
0088		Grimer		Amorphous		Amorphous		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
088A		Grimer Alolan Form		Amorphous		Amorphous						✔
0102		Exeggcute		Grass		Grass		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0104		Cubone		Monster		Monster						✔USUM	✔
0108		Lickitung		Monster		Monster		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0109		Koffing		Amorphous		Amorphous			✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0111		Rhyhorn		Monster	Field		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0131		Lapras		Monster	Water 1		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0133		Eevee		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0142		Aerodactyl		Flying		Flying		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0143		Snorlax		Monster		Monster		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0185		Sudowoodo		Mineral		Mineral				✔	✔	✔	✔
0191		Sunkern		Grass		Grass		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
0194		Wooper		Water 1	Field		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0200		Misdreavus		Amorphous		Amorphous			✔	✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
0206		Dunsparce		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0218		Slugma		Amorphous		Amorphous			✔	✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
0220		Swinub		Field		Field			✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0222		Corsola		Water 1	Water 3			✔HGSS	✔	✔	✔	✔
0227		Skarmory		Flying		Flying		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0241		Miltank		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0246		Larvitar		Monster		Monster		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0255		Torchic		Field		Field				✔	✔	✔	✔
0258		Mudkip		Monster	Water 1		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0287		Slakoth		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
0304		Aron		Monster		Monster			✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0309		Electrike		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0316		Gulpin		Amorphous		Amorphous			✔	✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
0320		Wailmer		Field	Water 2		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0335		Zangoose		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
0345		Lileep		Water 3		Water 3			✔HGSS	✔	✔	✔	✔
0347		Anorith		Water 3		Water 3			✔HGSS	✔	✔	✔	✔
0357		Tropius		Monster	Grass			✔	✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
0358		Chimecho		Amorphous		Amorphous		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
0359		Absol		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0363		Spheal		Water 1	Field		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0408		Cranidos		Monster		Monster			✔HGSS	✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
0410		Shieldon		Monster		Monster			✔	✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
0422		Shellos		Water 1	Amorphous			✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0433		Chingling		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered			✔	✔	✔	✔	✔BDSP
0438		Bonsly		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered				✔	✔	✔	✔
0446		Munchlax		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered			✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0449		Hippopotas		Field		Field			✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0498		Tepig		Field		Field				✔	✔	✔
0517		Munna		Field		Field				✔	✔	✔	✔SwSh
0524		Roggenrola		Mineral		Mineral				✔	✔	✔	✔SwSh
0557		Dwebble		Bug	Mineral				✔	✔	✔	✔SwSh
0568		Trubbish		Mineral		Mineral				✔	✔	✔	✔SwSh
0618		Stunfisk		Water 1	Amorphous				✔	✔	✔	✔SwSh
618G		Stunfisk Galarian Form		Water 1	Amorphous							✔SwSh
0631		Heatmor		Field		Field				✔	✔	✔	✔SwSh
0650		Chespin		Field		Field					✔	✔
0696		Tyrunt		Monster	Dragon					✔	✔	✔SwSh
0704		Goomy		Dragon		Dragon					✔	✔
0710		Pumpkaboo		Amorphous		Amorphous						✔USUM	✔SwSh
0722		Rowlet		Flying		Flying						✔
0769		Sandygast		Amorphous		Amorphous						✔USUM	✔SwSh
0776		Turtonator		Monster	Dragon							✔SwSh
0778		Mimikyu		Amorphous		Amorphous						✔	✔SwSh
0874		Stonjourner		Mineral		Mineral							✔SwSh
0878		Cufant		Field	Mineral							✔SwSh
0885		Dreepy		Amorphous	Dragon							✔SwSh
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.

Special move

Generation III

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0143		Snorlax		Monster		Monster	Purified Shadow PokémonXD
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.

Generation V

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0241		Miltank		Field		Field	Dream World - Pleasant Forest
0525		Boldore		Mineral		Mineral	Dream World - Icy Cave
0618		Stunfisk		Water 1	Amorphous	Dream World - Sparkling Sea
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.

Generation VIII

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
105A		Marowak Alolan Form		Monster		Monster	Regina's Marowak (The Isle of Armor)
0879		Copperajah		Field	Mineral	★Sgr6879 Gigantamax Copperajah
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 IV

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0446		Munchlax		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	Shinsegae Munchlax
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 other games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

In Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team, Explorers of Time, Darkness and Sky, Curse is a Normal-type move with 17PP. If the user is a Ghost-type, the move has 100% accuracy and it will target enemy in the front and inflict Curse status condition for 4-5 turns on the target, with the user losing 50% of their HP on usage. If the user is not a Ghost-type, their Attack and Defense is raised by one stage, and their Movement Speed is lowered by one stage. This move is affected by Taunt.

Pokémon Rumble Blast

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

Pokémon UNITE

In Pokémon UNITE, Curse is Trevenant's first move. It is obtained by evolving at level 5 and upgrading Will-O-Wisp into it instead of Wood Hammer. The user creates a cursed zone in exchange for 4% max HP per second for 6 seconds, dealing damage over time to enemies in the area of effect every .5s for 6s and decreasing their movement speed. The lower the user's HP is, the greater the decrease in movement speed. While using this move, the user builds up curse power every time it deals or receives damage. Releasing this built-up power will deal additional damage to enemies in the area of effect. If the curse power is at maximum when it’s released, the cooldowns of Branch Poke, Horn Leech, and Pain Split are reset. At level 11, the move's radius increases.

Description

Games Description MDRB Boosts the user's Attack and Defense by one level, but also lowers Movement Speed by one level. If used by a Ghost type, the target is cursed, and the user's HP halved. MDTDS Boosts the user's Attack and Defense by 1 level but also reduces Movement Speed by 1 level. If this move is used by a Ghost-type Pokémon, it afflicts the target with a Cursed status condition but halves the user's HP. BSL じぶんの こうげき ぼうぎょを １だんかいあげるが いどうそくどが １だんかいさがる ゴーストタイプが つかったときは てきポケモンを のろいじょうたいに するが じぶんの ＨＰは はんぶんになる MDGtI It boosts your Attack and Defense, but it lowers your Travel Speed. If this is used by a Ghost-type Pokémon, it causes the Cursed status condition to the enemy. But it halves your HP. SMD It boosts your Attack and Defense, but it lowers your Travel Speed. If this is used by a Ghost-type Pokémon, it makes the enemy cursed but halves your HP.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

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

Core series games

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

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

Side series games

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

Spin-off series games

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

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 and Z-Curse are the only moves with effects that vary depending on the type of the user.
  • 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, Reflect Type or Trick-or-Treat) can use of both of Curse's effects. Similarly, if a Ghost-type Pokémon uses Curse while under the effect of Soak or Magic Powder, the non-Ghost version will be used.
• Curse is one of the four moves from Generation II to have its type changed in a later generation, the others being Charm, Moonlight, and Sweet Kiss. Of these four, it is the only one to not change in Generation VI and the only one to not change into a Fairy type move.
• 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."

• This move was Gengar's Pokémon Power in the Fossil set of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, before it was introduced in the Generation II games.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 詛咒 Jojau * 咒語 Jauyúh * Mandarin 詛咒 / 诅咒 Zǔzhòu * 咒术 Zhòushù * 咒語 / 咒语 Zhòuyǔ * Dutch Vloek French Malédiction German Fluch Greek Κατάρα Katára Italian Maledizione Korean 저주 Jeoju Brazilian Portuguese Maldição Serbian Kletva Spanish Maldición Vietnamese Nguyền Rủa

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.