Curse (move)

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Curse
のろい Curse/Slow
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
Condition  Tough
Appeal  3 ♥♥♥
Jam  0  
The next appeal can be made later next turn.
Condition  Tough
Appeal  0  
Earn a higher score the later the Pokémon performs.
Condition  Tough
Appeal  3 ♥♥♥
Jamming  0  
Causes the user to move later on the next turn.

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 is 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.
SV A move that has different effects depending on whether the user is a Ghost type or not.


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 1
079G Slowpoke
Slowpoke
Galarian Form
Monster Water 1 1 1
0080 Slowbro
Monster Water 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
080G Slowbro
Slowbro
Galarian Form

Monster Water 1 1 1
0092 Gastly
Amorphous Amorphous 16 16RSE
13FRLG
12 12 12 12 20SwShBDSP 20
0093 Haunter
Amorphous Amorphous 16 16RSE
13FRLG
12 12 12 12 20SwShBDSP 20
0094 Gengar
Amorphous Amorphous 16 16RSE
13FRLG
12 12 12 12 20SwShBDSP 20
0095 Onix
Mineral Mineral 38PtHGSS 46BW
4B2W2
4 4 16SwShBDSP
0199 Slowking
Monster Water 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
199G Slowking
Slowking
Galarian Form

Monster Water 1 1 1
0204 Pineco Bug Bug 23
0205 Forretress
Bug Bug 23
0208 Steelix
Mineral Mineral 38PtHGSS 46BW
4B2W2
4 4 16SwShBDSP
222G Corsola
Corsola
Galarian Form
Water 1 Water 3 30
0322 Numel
Field Field 29B2W2 29 29 29BDSP 29
0323 Camerupt
Field Field 29B2W2 29 29 29BDSP 29
0324 Torkoal Field Field 7 12 12 12XY
22ORAS
22 44 44
0335 Zangoose Field Field Rem.
0353 Shuppet Amorphous Amorphous 20 13 13BW
19B2W2
19XY
26ORAS
26 26BDSP 26
0354 Banette Amorphous Amorphous 1, 20 1, 13 1, 13BW
1, 19B2W2
1, 19XY
26ORAS
26 26BDSP 26
0355 Duskull Amorphous Amorphous 34 30 30 30XY
33ORAS
33 36SwShBDSP
0356 Dusclops Amorphous Amorphous 34 30 30 30XY
33ORAS
33 36SwShBDSP
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 40SwShBDSP 40
0477 Dusknoir Amorphous Amorphous 30 30 30XY
33ORAS
33 36SwShBDSP
0562 Yamask Mineral Amorphous 29 29 29 36
562G Yamask
Yamask
Galarian Form

Mineral Amorphous 36
0563 Cofagrigus Mineral Amorphous 29 29 29 38
0564 Tirtouga
Water 1 Water 3 35 35 35 30
0565 Carracosta
Water 1 Water 3 35 35 35 30
570H Zorua
Zorua
Hisuian Form

Field Field 16
571H Zoroark
Zoroark
Hisuian Form

Field Field 16
0597 Ferroseed
Grass Mineral 9 9 9 41
0598 Ferrothorn
Grass Mineral 1, 9 1, 9 1, 9 43
0607 Litwick
Amorphous Amorphous 43 43 43 32
0608 Lampent
Amorphous Amorphous 45 45 45 32
0609 Chandelure
Amorphous Amorphous 1
0616 Shelmet Bug Bug 13 13 13 8
0617 Accelgor Bug Bug 1
0622 Golett
Mineral Mineral 40 40 45 16
0623 Golurk
Mineral Mineral 40 40 47 16
0704 Goomy Dragon Dragon 41SwSh 41
0705 Sliggoo Dragon Dragon 43 43
705H Sliggoo
Sliggoo
Hisuian Form

Dragon Dragon 43
0706 Goodra Dragon Dragon 43 43
706H Goodra
Goodra
Hisuian Form

Dragon Dragon 43
0708 Phantump
Grass Amorphous 28 28 32
0709 Trevenant
Grass Amorphous 28 28 32
0712 Bergmite Monster Mineral 22 22 9SwSh 9
0713 Avalugg Monster Mineral 22 22 9 9
713H Avalugg
Avalugg
Hisuian Form

Monster Mineral 9
0771 Pyukumuku Water 1 Water 1 25 30
0842 Appletun
Grass Dragon 4 4
0855 Polteageist Mineral Amorphous 66 66
0864 Cursola Water 1 Water 3 30
0867 Runerigus
Mineral Amorphous 38
0871 Pincurchin Water 1 Amorphous 35 35
0946 Bramblin
Grass Grass 45
0947 Brambleghast
Grass Grass 45
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
Sandshrew
Alolan Form

Field Field
0041 Zubat
Flying Flying
052G Meowth
Meowth
Galarian Form
Field Field
0056 Mankey Field Field
0074 Geodude
Mineral Mineral HGSS BDSP
074A Geodude
Geodude
Alolan Form

Mineral Mineral
0083 Farfetch'd
Flying Field
083G Farfetch'd
Farfetch'd
Galarian Form
Flying Field
0088 Grimer Amorphous Amorphous BDSP
088A Grimer
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
0128 Tauros Field Field
128PC Tauros
Tauros
Paldean Form
(Combat Breed)
Field Field
128PB Tauros
Tauros
Paldean Form
(Blaze Breed)

Field Field
128PA Tauros
Tauros
Paldean Form
(Aqua Breed)

Field Field
0131 Lapras
Monster Water 1
0133 Eevee Field Field
0142 Aerodactyl
Flying Flying
0143 Snorlax Monster Monster
0155 Cyndaquil Field Field
0191 Sunkern Grass Grass BDSP
0194 Wooper
Water 1 Field
194P Wooper
Wooper
Paldean Form

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
0524 Roggenrola Mineral Mineral
0557 Dwebble
Bug Mineral
0568 Trubbish Mineral Mineral
0618 Stunfisk
Water 1 Amorphous
618G Stunfisk
Stunfisk
Galarian Form

Water 1 Amorphous
0631 Heatmor Field Field
0650 Chespin Field Field
0696 Tyrunt
Monster Dragon
0704 Goomy Dragon Dragon
0710 Pumpkaboo
Amorphous Amorphous USUM
0722 Rowlet
Flying Flying
0769 Sandygast
Amorphous Amorphous USUM
0776 Turtonator
Monster Dragon
0778 Mimikyu
Amorphous Amorphous
0874 Stonjourner Mineral Mineral
0878 Cufant Field Mineral
0885 Dreepy
Amorphous Dragon
0909 Fuecoco Field Field
0932 Nacli Mineral Mineral
0968 Orthworm Field Field
0977 Dondozo Water 2 Water 2
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.


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
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 Rumble Rush

In Pokémon Rumble Rush, all status moves including Curse could only be used by opposing Pokémon and could not be obtained on any caught Pokémon. Curse could be seen as a move used by Boss Haunter.

Curse
Charge time 1.1 seconds
Range type Circular (ranged)
Target Enemy
Additional effect Puts a curse on the foe

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


In other generations

Core series games

Ghost-type Pokémon

Non-Ghost-type Pokémon

Side series games

Ghost-type Pokémon

Non-Ghost-type Pokémon

Spin-off series games

Ghost-type Pokémon

Non-Ghost-type Pokémon

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."

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


Generation II TMs
01020304050607080910111213141516171819202122232425
26272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950
Generation II HMs
01020304050607


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.