Ability change

:This article is about temporary Ability changes in battles. For the items that switch between a Pokémon's possible Abilities, see Ability Capsule and Ability Patch.
Ability change is a mechanic available in Pokémon battles.
==Effect==
Some moves and Abilities cause a Pokémon's Ability to be temporarily changed in battle. The original Ability is still displayed in the Pokémon's summary. All Ability changes are undone when the Pokémon is switched out, faints, or the battle ends.
===Generations III and IV===
 can only be copied by (Generation III only), , , and . can only be copied with Transform.
A Pokémon that transforms into or can change forms with or , respectively.
===Generation V onwards===
It is possible to copy Abilities from one Pokémon to another by using some moves (, , , and ) and Abilities (, , and ). Transforming into another Pokémon (via or ) copies its Ability as well.
Power of Alchemy, Receiver, and Trace cannot be copied by moves and Abilities, except by transforming into a Pokémon with this Ability.
Some Abilities cannot be gained or lost in battle, except by transforming into the correct Pokémon species that can use that Ability: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , or .
A transformed Pokémon is unable to change forms by using Abilities. For instance, a Pokémon that transforms into will be unable to change forms with .
 and spread to other Pokémon, causing them to have the same Ability. They do not spread to Pokémon that already have either of these Abilities. If a Pokémon with uses a contact move on a Pokémon with Lingering Aroma or Mummy, the user will be able to take recoil damage from this move.
==Causes==
===Moves===
:See also: :Category:Ability-changing moves
{| border=1 width="100%" class="sortable roundy" style="text-align:center; background: #FFFFFF; border:1px solid #; border-collapse:collapse;"	 	 	 	 	 	
Move	Type	Category	Power	Accuracy 	Generation	Notes
 	— 	100% 	IX 	and its ally have their Abilities replaced by the target's Ability 	 	
 	— 	100% 	V 	The target has its Ability replaced by the user's Ability 	 	
 	— 	—% 	III 	The user has its Ability replaced by the target's Ability 	 	
 	— 	100% 	V 	The target has its Ability replaced by 	 	
 	— 	—% 	III 	The user and target swap their Abilities with each other 	 	
 	— 	—% 	I 	The user transforms into the target, copying its appearance, types, stats, Ability, and moves	 	
 	— 	100% 	IV 	The target has its Ability replaced by 	 	
===Abilities===
:See also: :Category:Ability-changing Abilities
{| border=1 width="100%" class="sortable roundy" style="text-align:center; background: #FFFFFF; border:1px solid #; border-collapse:collapse;"	 	
Ability	Generation	Effect
 	V 	A with Imposter s into its opponent, copying its appearance, types, stats, Ability, and moves
 	IX 	When a Pokémon with Lingering Aroma hits another Pokémon with a contact move, the target has its Ability replaced by Lingering Aroma
 	V 	When a Pokémon with Mummy hits another Pokémon with a contact move, the target has its Ability replaced by Mummy
 	VII 	If a Pokémon has Power of Alchemy when an ally faints in battle, this Ability is replaced by the ally's Ability
 	VII 	If a Pokémon has Receiver when an ally faints in battle, this Ability is replaced by the ally's Ability
 	III 	When a Pokémon with Trace enters battle, its Ability is replaced by the Ability of a random adjacent opponent
 	VIII 	When a Pokémon with Wandering Spirit hits another Pokémon with a contact move, the user and target have their Abilities exchanged with each other
==In the manga==
===Pokémon Adventures===
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In Rayquaza Redemption I, Norman had his use on his , swapping its for Spinda's and thus allowing Slaking to both attack more actively and avoid being by Spinda's .
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In Secrets from Sneasel, 's used to copy the Ability of 's , Chuchu, which it used to Chuchu.
In Storming the Forretress, revealed that had used Skill Swap to swap Abilities with his , Poli, and acquire his Ability, which it used to prevent a from using .
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In The Final Dimensional Duel X, used on all the Legendary Pokémon put to by , turning their Abilities into and making them wake up.
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In Deduction Time, Hugh's acquired after a 's used on it.
===Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!===
In Team Galactic's Ultimate Warrior, Hareta used his 's Skill Swap to rid his of its Ability, allowing it to fight at its full power.
In Hareta's Heart's Desire, Hareta's used Skill Swap on Flint's just before being defeated by it, acquiring Drifblim's and using it to take Drifblim down with it.
===Pocket Monsters Platinum: Aim to Be Battle King!!===
In Clash! Yū vs. The Wandering Player, Yū had his use Skill Swap to have it acquire his 's . He later had Bronzong use Skill Swap again to pass Flash Fire on to his , rendering it immune to the moves it is usually weak against.
==Related articles==
* Type change
Category:Terminology
Category:Game mechanics