Abilities in competitive Pokémon

Introduced in third generation, abilities are a special power that every Pokémon has. A Pokémon can have up to 3 abilities, but like it can only hold one item, it can only have one ability during a match.

Though some abilities don't have any specific effect in competitive Pokémon, most of them will be able to influence the course of a match in many ways. For example, it may allow you to inflict damage to the target when it makes contact with your Pokémon, to cure a Pokémon of a status condition when it switches out or even to double its Attack stat.

For each ability, some examples of Pokémon that have access to it are given, non-exhaustively ; only the most susceptible to use them in at least one OU generation are listed below. Pokémon behind a "//" are currently banned.

Adaptability: : STAB moves are increased by x2 instead of x1,5.
Aerialate, Galvanize, Pixilate, Refrigerate: : Transforms Normal-type attacks into Flying-, Electrik-, Fairy- or Ice-type attacks respectively and gives them a 30% boost [from generation7 onward : 20%] in addition to the STAB.
Analytic: : Boosts the power of the attack used by 30% if the Pokémon moves last this turn. Works if the target moved first or was switched out.
Arena Trap: : Prevents every grounded foes from being switched out (Flying-type Pokémon are naturally immune), unless it has the ability Levitate, is holding the Shed Shell or is using a move like U-Turn or Volt Switch [from generation 6 onward - Ghost-type Pokémon are also immune to Arena Trap].
Aura Break: : Reverses the effects of Xerneas and Yveltal abilities Fairy Aura and Dark Aura. Therefore, Aura Break has no utility in Overused since those 2 Pokémon are banned.
Bad Dreams: : Targets that are asleep lose 1/8 of their max HP each turn.
Battle Bond: : Allows Greninja to take its Ash-Greninja form after it has KO'ed an opponent Pokémon [from generation 9 onward - Greninja can no longer change its form, Battle Bond now only boosts its Attack, Special Attack and Speed stats by 1 stage ; this can be triggered only 1 time during a match].
Beads of Ruin: : Lowers the Special Defense stat of opposing Pokémon on the filed by 25%. Do not affect an opponent Pokémon with the same ability.
Beast Boost: : The Pokémon's highest stat is boosted by 1 stage each time it KO'es a foe.
Big Pecks: : The Pokémon's Defense cannot be lowered.
Blaze: : Boosts the power of Fire-type moves by 50% when the Pokémon has 1/3 of its max HP or less.
Bulletproof: : The Pokémon is immune to ball and bomb moves (Focus Blast, Sludge Bomb, Energy Ball, Shadow Ball, Aura Sphere, Rock Blast, Gyro Ball, Pyro Ball, Weather Ball...).
Chlorophyll: : Doubles the Pokémon's Speed under harsh sunlight.
Clear Body: : The Pokémon stats cannot be lowered by the opponent's moves or abilities.
Cloud Nine: : Negates the effect of the active climate as long as the Pokémon is on the field, but does not dissipate it.
Contrary: : Reverses all changes to the Pokémon's stats stages. For example, Serperior's Special Attack stat is boosted by 2 stages when it uses Leaf Storm.
Cursed Body: : If a Pokémon with this ability is attacked, it has 30% chance to disable the move for 4 turns.
Cute Charm: : If the Pokémon is hit by a contact move that comes from a foe that is from the opposite gender, the target has 30% chance to become infatuated. An infatuated Pokémon cannot move 50% of the time. This effect ends when one of the two Pokémon leaves the field.
Damp: : Prevents Pokémon from using Explosion, Self-Destruct, Mind Blown and Misty Explosion.
Dauntless Shield: : Boosts Zamazenta's Defense stat by 1 stage when it enters the field [from generation 9 onward - can only trigger once per match].
Defiant: : If the Pokémon has one if its stat lowered (even its evasion), boosts its Attack stat by 2 stages.
Disguise: : The Pokémon can take a first hit without taking damage [from generation 8 onward - the Pokémon loses 1/8 of its max HP on the first attack].
Drizzle: : Makes the rain fall when the Pokémon enters the field [from generation 6 onward - the effect now lasts 5 turns only, 8 if holding the Damp Rock].
Drought: : Triggers a harsh sunlight when the Pokémon enters the field [from generation 6 onward - the effect now lasts 5 turns only, 8 if holding the Heat Rock].
Dry Skin: : The Pokémon recovers 12,5% of its max HP under rain, and loses the same amount of HP under harsh sunlight. Moreover, if the Pokémon is hit by a Water-type move, it restores 25% of its max HP instead of inflicting damage. In return, it takes 25% more damage on Fire-type attacks.
Earth Eater: : If the Pokémon is hit by a Ground-type move, it restores 25% of its max HP instead of inflicting damage.
Effect Spore: : 10% chance to paralyse, to poison or to put the target to sleep if hit by a move that makes contact [generation 4 - 30% chance ; from generation 5 onward - 9% chance to poison, 10% chance to paralyse and 11% chance to put to sleep].
Electric, Grassy, Misty, Psychic Surge: : Triggers the Electric, Grassy, Misty or Psychic Terrain respectively when the Pokémon enters the field for 5 turns, 8 if holding the Terrain Extender.
Embody Aspect: : Boosts Terastallized Ogerpon's Speed, Special Defense, Attack or Defense stat when it enters the field whether it wears the Teal, Wellspring, Hearthflame or Cornerstone Mask respectively.
Flame Body: : 30% chance to burn the target if hit by a move that makes contact.
Flash Fire: : If the Pokémon is hit by a Fire-type move, its own Fire-Type attacks are boosted by 50% instead of receiving damage.
Gale Wings: : Gives a +1 priority to Flying-type moves [from generation 7 onward - only works if the Pokémon is at full HP].
Good as Gold: : The Pokémon is immune to status moves.
Grim Neigh: : The Pokémon's Special Attack stat is boosted by 1 stage each time it KO'es a foe.
Guts: : Boosts the Pokémon's Attack stat by 50% if it is burned, paralysed or poisoned [from generation 4 onward - also works if the Pokémon is asleep and attacks with Sleep Talk].
Heatproof: : Halves the damage received on Fire-type attacks (and also halves the burn's residual damage).
Huge Power: : Doubles the Pokémon's Attack stat.
Hydration: : Cures the Pokémon of burn, paralysis, poison and sleep under rain.
Hyper Cutter: : The Pokémon's Attack stats cannot be lowered.
Ice Body: : The Pokémon recovers 6,25% of its max HP at the end of each turn under hail (snow from generation 9 onward).
Illusion: : The Pokémon appears as the team's last unfainted Pokémon until it takes offensive damage.
Immunity: : Prevents the Pokémon from being poisoned.
Imposter: : Copies the appearence of the opposing Pokémon as well as its ability, moves (5 PP), stats (except for the HP and IV), and stats stages.
Infiltrator: : Allows the Pokémon to attack ignoring the effect of screens (Reflect, Light Screen and Aurora Veil) [from generation 6 onward - can hit a target behind a substitute, without breaking it].
Inner Focus: : The Pokémon cannot be made flinched.
Intimidate: : When the Pokémon with Intimidate enters the field, it lowers the target's Attack stat by 1 stage.
Iron Barbs: : If the Pokémon is hit by a move that makes contact, the target loses 1/8 of its max HP. If both Pokémon are KO'ed as a result of the attack, the target faints first.
Iron Fist: : Punch-based attacks (Ice Punch, Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, Double Iron Bash...) are boosted by 20%.
Justified: : Boosts the Pokémon's Attack stat by 1 stage if it is hit by a Dark-type move.
Keen Eye: : The Pokémon's Accuracy cannot be lowered [from generation 6 onward - target's Evasion is also ignored].
Leaf Guard: : The Pokémon cannot be afflicted by a non-volatile status condition under harsh sunlight.
Levitate: : The Pokémon is immune to Ground-type moves.
Libero: : The Pokémon's type changes to match the move's type it is about to use [from generation 9 onward - only works with the first used move].
Light Metal: : Halves the Pokémon's weight, lowering the damage of Low Kick and Grass Knot as well as those inflicted with Heavy Slam.
Lightning Rod: : From generation 5 onward - the Pokémon is immune to Electrik-type moves and has its Special Attack stat boosted by 1 stage if it is hit by an Electrik-type move.
Limber: : The Pokémon cannot be paralysed.
Liquid Voice: : Sound-based moves become Water-type.
Magic Bounce: : Bounces back certain status moves to the user (Will-O-Wisp, Thunder Wave, Taunt, Stealth Rock...).
Magic Guard: : The Pokémon is immune to residual damage. It also does not take the Life Orb's recoil damage.
Magician: : Steals the target's item when attacking it, as long as the Pokémon isn't already holding one.
Magnet Pull: : Prevents the opposing Steel-type foes from being switched out, unless it is holding the Shed Shell or using a move like U-Turn or Volt Switch.
Marvel Scale: : Boosts the Pokémon's Defense stat by 50% if it is afflicted by a non-volatile status condition.
Mirror Armor: : Bounces back the stat-lowering effects of moves (Shadow Ball, Mystical Fire etc.) and abilities (Intimidate) to the user.
Mold Breaker: : Allows the Pokémon to ignore the opposing abilities when attacking. For example, Excadrill can use Stealth Rock in front of a Mega-Sableye even if it is not supposed to be able to do so, because of Magic Bounce.
Moxie: : The Pokémon's Attack stat is boosted by 1 stage each time it KO'es a foe.
Multiscale: : Halves the damage taken from attacks if the Pokémon is at full HP.
Natural Cure: : Cures any non-volatile status condition when the Pokémon is switched out.
No Guard: : This Pokémon's moves as well as those directed at it cannot fail.
Oblivious: : The Pokémon can't be infatuated [from generation 6 onward - the Pokémon is immune to Taunt ; from generation 8 onward - the Pokémon is immune to the ability Intimidate].
Overcoat: : The Pokémon is immune to climates' residual damage [from generation 6 onward - the Pokémon is immune to powder moves (Sleep Powder, Stun Spore...)].
Overgrow: : Boosts the power of Grass-type moves by 50% when the Pokémon has 1/3 of its max HP or less.
Pickpocket): : When hit by a contact move and if it doesn't hold any item, the Pokémon steals the targe'ts item.
Poison Heal: : If the Pokémon is poisoned, restores 1/8 of its max HP instead of losing HP.
Poison Point: : 30% chance to poison the target if hit by a move that makes contact.
Poison Puppeteer: : If the target is poisonned by any of Pecharunt's move, it also become confused.
Prankster: : Gives a +1 priority to status moves [from generation 7 onward - Dark-type Pokémon are immune to those moves].
Poison Touch: : 30% chance to poison the target if using a move that makes contact.
Pressure: : When the Pokémon with Pressure is targeted by a move, whether it is offensive or not, the attacking Pokémon loses 2 PP instead of 1.
Protean: : The Pokémon's type changes to match the move's type it is about to use [from generation 9 onward - only works with the first used move].
Protosynthesis: : Boosts the Pokémon's highest stat by 30% (50% in the case of Speed) under harsh sunlight or if the Pokémon is holding the Energy Booster. The ability Quark Drive is the equivalent for the Paradox forms that are exclusive to the Violet's version.
Punk Rock: : Boosts sound-based moves's power by 30% and halves the damage received on sound-based moves.
Pure Power: : Doubles the Pokémon Attack stat.
Purifying Salt: : The Pokémon is immune to status conditions + halves the damage received on Ghost-type attacks.
Quark Drive: : Boosts the Pokémon's highest stat by 30% (50% in the case of Speed) if the Electrik terrain is active or if the Pokémon is holding the Energy Booster. The ability Protosynthesis is the equivalent for the Paradox forms that are exclusive to the Scarlet's version.
Rain Dish: : The Pokémon recovers 6,25% of its max HP at the end of each turn under rain.
Reckless: : Boosts the power of moves with recoil damage by 20% (Brave Bird, High Jump Kick...).
Regenerator: : The Pokémon recovers 1/3 of its max HP when switched out.
Rock Head: : The Pokémon does not take the moves' recoil damage (Flare Blitz, Double-Edge).
Rough Skin: : If the Pokémon is hit by a move that makes contact, the target loses 1/16 of its max HP [from generation 4 onward - 1/8 ; if both Pokémon are KO'ed as a result of the attack, the target faints first].
Sand Force: : Boosts the power of Ground-, Rock- and Steel-type moves by 50% under sandstorm.
Sand Stream: : Triggers a sandstorm when the Pokémon enters the field [from generation 6 onward - the effect now lasts 5 turns only, 8 if holding the Smooth Rock].
Sand Rush: : Doubles the Pokémon's Speed stat under sandstorm.
Sap Sipper: : If the Pokémon is hit by a Grass-type move, its Attack stat is boosted by 1 stage instead of receiving damage.
Scrappy: : Allows the Pokémon to hit Ghost-type Pokémon with Normal- and Fighting-type moves.
Serene Grace: : Doubles the frequency of moves' secondary effects.
Sharpness: : Boosts the power of "slicing" moves by 50% (Ceaseless Edge, Aqua Cutter, Sacred Sword etc.).
Sheer Force: : Attacks with secondary effects will have their effects negated and their power boosted by 30%. The moves concerned by this ability are the ones with a secondary effect that either boost a user's stat (Power-Up Punch, Ancient Power), reduce a target's stat (Shadow Ball, Play Rough), inflict a status condition (Ice Beam, Discharge) or make the target flinch (Iron Head, Fire Fang). Though, if the effects are reducing a user's stat (Draco Meteor, Leaf Storm) or inflicting it recoil damage (Brave Bird, Bolt Strike), they are not negated and the attack is not boosted. In the case of a move with 2 secondary effects like Flare Blitz (recoil damage + potential burn on the target), the burning effect is the only one that will be negated. The user will still take recoil damage and the move will still be boosted by 30%. The Life Orb's recoil damage are also negated, if and only if an effect has been negated beforehand ; a Pokémon with Sheer Force that is using Earthquake will take the 10% life Orb's recoil.
Shell Armor: : The Pokémon is immune to critical hits.
Shield Dust: : The Pokémon is immune to moves' secondary effects.
Skill Link: : Allows the Pokémon to always hit 5 times with multi-strike moves (Rock Blast, Pin Missile, Bullet Seed, Icicle Spear...).
Slush Rush: : Doubles the Pokémon's Speed stat under hail (snow from generation 9 onward).
Snow Warning: : Triggers a hailstorm when the Pokémon enters the field [from generation 6 onward - the effect now lasts 5 turns only, 8 if holding the Icy Rock].
Soul-Heart: : The Pokémon's Special Attack stat is boosted by 1 stage each time it KO'es a foe.
Soundproof: : The Pokémon is immune to sound-based moves (Hyper Voice, Roar, Clanging Scales...)
Speed Boost: : The Pokémon's Speed stat is boosted by 1 stage at the end of each turn.
Stance Change: : Allows Aegislash to change its form. Thus, if Aegislash is using an attacking move, it will take its Blade form and if it is using the move King's Shield, it will take its Shield form.
Static: : 30% chance to paralyse the target if hit by a move that makes contact.
Storm Drain: : Si le Pokémon est touché par une attaque de type Eau, augmente son Attaque Spéciale d'un cran sans infliger de dégâts.
Strong Jaw: : Biting moves are boosted by 30% (Crunch, Fire Fang, Ice Fang, Thunder Fang, Psychic Fang, Fishious Rend).
Sturdy: : In generation 3 and 4, the Pokémon is immune to OHKO moves (Sheer Cold, Fissure, Guillotine et Horn Drill). From generation 5 onward, the Pokémon also survives any hit with at least 1 HP if it is at full HP before being attacked ; the effect is the same as the one of Focus Sash.
Supreme Overlord: : Boosts the Pokémon's Attack and Special Attack stats by 10% for each fainted member in the team.
Swarm: : Boosts the power of Bug-type moves by 50% when the Pokémon has 1/3 of its max HP or less.
Synchronize: : If the Pokémon is paralysed, bunred or poisoned because of an opponent's move or ability, the foe will also be inflicted with the same status condition. Does not work with sleep and freeze [in generations 3 and 4 - if a Pokémon with Synchronize is badly poisoned, the opposing Pokémon will only be inflicted with a regular poison].
Swift Swim: : Doubles the Pokémon's Speed stat under rain.
Sword of Ruin: : Lowers the Defense stat of opposing Pokémon on the filed by 25%. Do not affect an opponent Pokémon with the same ability.
Technician: : Moves with a power equal to 60 or less are boosted by 50%.
Teravolt: : Allows the Pokémon to ignore the opposing abilities when attacking. For example, Kyurem-Black can hit a Rotom-Wash with Earth Power even if it is supposed to be immune to Ground-type moves, thanks to Levitate.
Thermal Exchange: : If the Pokémon is hit by a Fire-type move, its Attack stat will be boosted by 1 stage. The Pokémon is immune to burn.
Thick Fat: : Halves the damage received on Fire- and Ice-type attacks.
Tinted Lens: : Doubles the damage done by attacks that are not very effective on the target (x1/2 et x1/4).
Torrent: : Boosts the power of Water-type moves by 50% when the Pokémon has 1/3 of its max HP or less.
Tough Claws: : Boosts the power of moves that make contact by 30%.
Toxic Debris: : If the Pokémon is hit by a physical move, it will set up a layer of Toxic Spikes on the opposing side of the field.
Trace: : When the Pokémon enters the field, it copies the foe's ability.
Transistor: : Boosts the power f Electrik-type moves by 50% [30% from generation 9 onward].
Unaware: : Ignores the target's stat stages (except for the Speed).
Unburden: : Doubles the Pokémon's Speed stat if it loses its item. The Speed stat is reseted if the Pokémon is switched out.
Unseen Fist: : Ignores the protection such as Protect or Baneful Bunker if the move makes contact.
Vessel of Ruin: : Lowers the Special Attack stat of opposing Pokémon on the filed by 25%. Do not affect an opponent Pokémon with the same ability.
Victory Star: : Boosts the accuracy of moves by 10%.
Volt Absorb: : If the Pokémon is hit by a Electrik-type move, it restores 25% of its max HP instead of inflicting damage.
Water Absorb: : If the Pokémon is hit by a Water-type move, it restores 25% of its max HP instead of inflicting damage.
Weak Armor: : If the Pokémon is hit by a physical move, its Defense stat will be lowered by 1 stage and its Speed stat will be boosted by 1 stage [from generation 7 onward - the Speed stat is boosted by 2 stages].

Overstrat

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Competitive Pokémon in a blink

Abilities in competitive Pokémon