Transform (move)

Transform (Japanese: へんしん Transform) is a non-damaging move introduced in Generation I.
The Ability has the same effect as Transform.
==Effect==
Transform causes the user to become a copy of the target.
Transform bypasses checks to always hit, unless the target is in the semi-invulnerable turn of a move such as or . It is not affected by type immunity. Transform fails if used on a Pokémon that is protected by , but works on a target protected by other moves such as or . It also fails against Shadow Pokémon, if the user or the target are transformed or disguised by an , if the target is behind a , or if the target's Ability is . Some of these conditions were different in older generations; see the table below for details on when conditions would not prevent Transform from executing.
 	 	Gen I	Gen II	Gen III	Gen IV	Gen V	Gen VI	Gen VII	Gen VIII	Gen IX
Can execute?	Target is semi-invulnerable	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Can execute?	Target is transformed 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Can execute?	User is transformed 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Can execute?	Target is behind a 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Can execute?	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
A transformation cannot be transferred via .
A transformed Pokémon returns to its original state once it is switched out, faints, or the battle ends.
====Copied traits====
Broadly, Transform copies the target's appearance, types, Ability, stats, and moves; the user retains its and level. More precise details are below.
 	Gen I	Gen II	Gen III	Gen IV	Gen V	Gen VI	Gen VII	Gen VIII	Gen IX
Name 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Level 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(current and maximum) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Status condition 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Friendship 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Held item 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Species 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Appearance 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Types 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
, , , , 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Stat stages 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Moves 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Height and weight 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Catch rate 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
EV yield and base Exp.	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Ability 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cry 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gender 	 	* 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
*: In Generation II, the Love Ball uses copied IVs for transformed wild Pokémon. See below
Transform copies any changes to the target's type (such as from or ), Ability (such as from ), or moves (via ). It also copies types added by or . If the target has no primary types (not counting added types, that is) due to , , or , the transformation will copy the target's original typing.
The user's level has no effect, except in Generations - if the Pokémon levels up and its stats are recalculated. Appearance refers to the sprite or model of the Pokémon shown on the field and covers the Pokémon's species, gender, form, and whether it is . (Prior to Generation IV, there was some complicated nuance regarding the transformation's coloration.) The copied stats (Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, Speed) include the final values (as seen on the summary screen) as well as the target's base stats, individual values, and effort values. Outside of the transformation's appearance, gender (for the purpose of battle mechanics as well as the gender symbol after the name) was only copied starting in Generation V, with a small exception in Generation II.
Transform does not affect the user's (whose type, as well as the power up to Generation V, are based on the user's original IVs). It also will not alter status conditions or volatile statuses (such as or ) based on the transformation's immunities.
===Appearance nuances===
In all generations, in the summary and party screens, a transformed Pokémon is shown in its untransformed state. (This applies to its moves, Ability, and stats as well.) In Nintendo DS and 3DS games, the list of moves seen on the bottom screen during battle will also show the untransformed sprite of the Pokémon.
In Generation I, if either the user or the target's sprite has changed because of or , after using Transform, the transformation's normal sprite will be shown.
In the Generation I and II core series games, a transformed Pokémon retains its original color palette.
In and Generation III games (including and ), whether a transformed Pokémon appears Shiny depends on whether the user was originally Shiny; since Generation IV, it depends on whether the target was Shiny.
In , if the / is the target of Transform, Transform will copy any they are wearing.
===Forms===
Transform copies the target's current form. In Generations and , a transformed Pokémon can change form if it fulfills the conditions for a form change (such as by holding a Plate as ). Since Generation V, a transformed Pokémon cannot change forms.
Dynamax transformations are not treated like a form, meaning Transform will copy the base form of a Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon or Eternamax , and a transformed Pokémon is able to Dynamax. If Transform copies a Gigantamax Pokémon, it does not copy the Gigantamax Factor, so Dynamaxing will not result in a Gigantamax Pokémon. If Transform is used by a Dynamaxed Pokémon, it will fail if the target is , , or Eternatus.
Transform will fail if the target is a Starmobile. If the target is a Titan Pokémon, the user transforms into a regular version of that species.
===PP===
When a move is copied, it will have 5 , unless its maximum PP is less (such as ). In Generations I and II, the maximum PP is the same as the move's natural maximum PP; in Generations III and IV, each copied move receives the effect of PP Ups applied to the same move slot of the user's original moves; since Generation V, the maximum PP for copied moves is 5.
In Generations I-III, such as Ether can only restore PP to a move if the Pokémon knew the move before transforming. For a held Leppa Berry, if a move the Pokémon did not know reaches 0 PP, the Berry will not trigger.
===Species-exclusive conditions===
A transformed Pokémon retains its original species for determining if it is boosted by most Pokémon-specific stat-enhancing items. Only Metal Powder and Quick Powder use the transformation's species.
A transformed Pokémon can use moves exclusive to a species it has transformed into, such as if transformed into Unbound or exclusive Z-Moves (if it holds the correct Z-Crystal, and is not Mega-Evolved).
If a Pokémon transforms into Meteor Form , will not prevent it from being afflicted with status conditions.
===Generation I===
In this generation only, if the player's Pokémon is transformed and deals or receives a critical hit, its untransformed stats are used in the damage calculation. (The calculation correctly uses transformed stats for wild and NPC Pokémon.)
In Pokémon Stadium only, Transform fails if the target's current species is . Transforms works normally against Ditto in the earlier Japan-only game .
====Glitches====
Generation I has several glitches relating to Transform. Any transformed wild Pokémon will become Ditto if it is caught, due to the . If a transformed Pokémon uses Transform again, its previous stats (stored as a backup) are overwritten by its current stats (as they are backed up so that Transform can change the working stats); this is the . If a Pokémon that is not uses Transform, the will cause it to change to Ditto's palette. The causes a transformed Pokémon to regain its original moveset if it levels up and learns a new move.
===Generation II===
In this generation only, for a wild transformed Pokémon, the Love Ball uses the stats copied by Transform and the Pokémon's original species to determine the Pokémon's genderGS Love Ball mismatched species for transformed Pokémon bug in pret decompilation on GitHub. Both and the gender symbol shown in battle obey the Pokémon's original gender (for any transformed Pokémon).
In this generation only, always fails when used by a transformed Pokémon.
====Glitches====
Generation II has several glitches relating to Transform. The and from Generation I still exist. The latter now has an additional effect, the : in a battle with an NPC, if the NPC's Pokémon has used Transform twice and is forced to switch out, the next Pokémon will have its predecessor's DVs. If a transformed Pokémon is caught, it will have 10/10 PP for Transform despite having used the move.
===Generation III===
During a Pokémon Contest, the Pokémon will transform into one of the other contestants.
===Generation IV===
During a Pokémon Super Contest, the Pokémon will transform into one of the other contestants.
===Generation V===
Pokémon that know Transform are banned from participating in Pokéstar Studios films. For the purposes of the Eviolite, the original form of the user is considered, rather than the Pokémon it Transformed into.
===Generation VI===
In a Pokémon Contest Spectacular, when Transform is used, a doll is thrown on the stage and the user transforms into the doll. The effect of Transform will last for the round it is used in.
===Generation VII===
If a Pokémon transforms into a Mega Evolved Pokémon, it cannot use any Z-Moves, even if it holds an appropriate Z-Crystal.
If powered up by a Normalium Z into Z-Transform, the user's HP is fully restored.
===Generation IX===
Transform does not copy Tera Types, meaning that a transformed Pokémon that stallizes will use its own Tera Type. If a Terastallized Pokémon uses Transform, the move will not change its type.
Transform fails against a Terastallized or . If a Pokémon Transforms into Ogerpon or Terapagos, it will be unable to Terastallize.
Starting with Version 3.0.1 of , Transform fails if used in a battle against a wild Pokémon when used by anything other than or . This was done to address a cloning glitch involving wild Smeargle using the move, though it also affects Smeargle owned by the player.
If a Pokémon Terastallizes into the type and uses Transform, it will fail.
==Description==
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==Learnset==
===By leveling up===
==In other games==
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In , , and the Adventure Squad series, Transform causes the user to take the form of a random hostile Pokémon on the dungeon's floor. It does not copy anything else; if the Pokémon had nothing but Transform, they are left only with the regular attack and .
From onward, Transform copies the appearance, type, Ability, moves, and stat modifications of the target for the current floor, but the transforming Pokémon retains its stats. Moves learned through while transformed will be forgotten after moving to the next floor. If used by an enemy to transform into the leader, the leader's teammates become confused.
Transformed Pokémon are still prone to status conditions and dungeon tile restrictions from its original form; for example, a transformed into a can still be ed, and a Pokémon that cannot walk through water still cannot when transforming into a Pokémon that is able to.
Transform cannot be used in a in the Adventure Squad series.
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In a or , Transform is automatically cast at the beginning of the battle. It turns the user into a copy of the opponent and copies the opponent's moves, species, base Attack, and base Defense; HP, s, and power up level are not copied. Unlike other attacks, Transform does not require the user to wait out the duration before casting an attack or dodging, and its animation is purely visual. However, it may cause lag for the rest of the battle if the player attempts to attack during the animation. The effects of Transform expire at the end of the battle.
Transform will not be cast if the opponent is a Ditto.
If Ditto is used against a Team GO Rocket Grunt or another player, Transform will behave like regular attacks and not transform Ditto into opposing Pokémon. 
====Updates====
;Gyms & Raids
* February 16, 2017
** Duration: 1.73 → 2.23 seconds
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In , all status moves including Transform could only be used by opposing Pokémon and could not be obtained on any caught Pokémon. Transform could be seen as a move used by opposing .
===Description===
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==In animation==
===Pokémon animated series===
==In the manga==
===Aim to Be a Card Master!!===
===The Electric Tale of Pikachu===
===Pokémon Adventures===
===Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys===
===Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!===
===Pokémon Pocket Monsters===
===Pokémon Zensho===
==In other generations==
===Core series games===
===Side series games===
===Spin-off series games===
==Trivia==
* In Generation I core series games and , if two Pokémon battle using only Transform (such as a battle between two or two with Transform), both Pokémon are able to continually Transform into each other, replenishing the 5 PP constantly and so that the battle never has to end.
* Since the Transform user retains its own gender, it is possible to transform into a Pokémon species which would be normally unavailable with that gender. For instance, a male retains his gender (including the symbol ♂ displayed in battle), even when transformed into female-only Pokémon such as , , or , or into gender-unknown Pokémon such as , , or .
** The Transform user copies the appearance and visual gender differences of the target, even if those are not compatible with the Transform user's gender. For instance, if a male Smeargle copies a female , then he will have the appearance of a female Pikachu as well (with the heart-shaped tail) even though he remains male like before (with the ♂ symbol in battle).
* Transform is the only legitimate way to see the battle animation of 's in Generation IV, as Cherrim sent from a Poké Ball will always be sent out in Overcast Form, and Cherrim is not available in the wild in Generation IV. A Ditto that transforms into Cherrim, however, will play the animation of the alternate form if it escapes from a thrown Poké Ball.
* In Generations and , since most Pokémon can use Transform via and keep their original color palette while transformed, it is possible to see several color palettes applied to any Pokémon. For example, if a , , or uses Transform (via Mimic), it becomes a yellow, green, or red version of the target, respectively.
** In these generations, the Pokémon images and their color palettes are stored separately in the game data, so the palettes are able to be arbitrarily applied to each Pokémon. There is no need to store repeated Pokémon images with different colors in the internal data.
* From Generation III to , a transformed Pokémon may legitimately have up to 765 EVs (if it has 255 HP EVs, and the target Pokémon has 510 EVs other than HP). Similarly, from Generation VI onwards, a transformed Pokémon may legitimately have up to 762 EVs (if it has 252 HP EVs, and the target Pokémon has 510 EVs other than HP).
* In the German version of the Generation II games, this move was renamed from Wandler into Verwandler. The reason for this is unknown. Even though the difference in meaning is minimal, this change was retracted in the following generations.
* In some Pokémon media, Ditto is known to transform into humans. This happened in , as well as in volume 2 of The Electric Tale of Pikachu, in the Pokémon Newspaper Strip, and in .
==In other languages==
==References==
Category:Moves that cannot miss
Category:Moves that change a Pokémon's type
Category:Ability-changing moves
Category:Moves in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
Category:Moves usable in Pokémon Sword and Shield
Category:Moves usable in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
de:Wandler
es:Transformación
fr:Morphing
it:Trasformazione
ja:へんしん
zh:变身（招式）