Thief (move)

Move data

Type Dark
Category Physical  Physical
Power 60
Accuracy 100
PP 25  (max. 40)
Makes contact? Yes
Introduced Generation 2

Machine/Record

Gold​/​Silver
Crystal
TM46
Ruby​/​Sapphire
FireRed​/​LeafGreen
Emerald
TM46
Diamond​/​Pearl
Platinum
HeartGold​/​SoulSilver
TM46
Black​/​White
Black 2​/​White 2
TM46
X​/​Y
O.Ruby​/​A.Sapphire
TM46
Sun​/​Moon
Ultra Sun​/​Ultra Moon
TM46
Sword​/​Shield TM23
B.Diamond​/​S.Pearl TM46
Scarlet​/​Violet TM018

Effects

Thief deals damage and steals the target's held item, if the user is not holding an item.

Items stolen from wild Pokémon are kept after the battle ends, but items stolen from a Trainer's Pokémon are not. Items stolen from the player's Pokémon either by wild Pokémon or Trainer Pokémon are returned at the end of the battle. All held items in wi-fi/linked battles (including Battle Tower/Subway/Maison) are returned to their respective owners at the end of a battle.

If the item would activate on attack (e.g. Focus Band), it does so before being stolen. If the item is consumable on attack (e.g. Focus Sash) then the item is consumed as normal and cannot be stolen.

Pokemon with the ability Sticky Hold cannot have their held item removed. The Griseous Orb cannot be removed from Giratina; Type Plates cannot be removed from Arceus; Drives cannot be removed from Genesect; and Mega Stones cannot be removed from their respective Pokémon.

Changes

  • In Generations 2-3, Thief is categorized as Special.
  • In Generations 2-5, Thief has 40 base power.
  • In Generations 2-5, Thief has 10 PP.
  • In Generations 2-4, Thief steals a Trainer Pokémon's item permanently, but a wild Pokémon or a Trainer's Pokémon using Thief will not steal the player's item at all.

Z-Move effects

When a Pokémon is holding Darkinium Z and uses its Z-Power, Thief turns into Black Hole Eclipse and has base power 120.

Move target

Foe
Foe
Foe
User
Ally
Ally

Targets a single adjacent Pokémon.

Other languages

English Thief
Japanese どろぼう (Dorobō)
German Raub
French Larcin
Italian Furto
Spanish Ladrón
Korean 도둑질
Chinese (Simplified) 小偷
Chinese (Traditional) 小偷

Game descriptions

Gold​/​Silver
Crystal
An attack that may steal a held item.
Ruby​/​Sapphire
Emerald
While attacking, it may steal the foe’s held item.
FireRed​/​LeafGreen An attack that may take the foe’s held item if the user isn’t holding one.
Diamond​/​Pearl
Platinum
HeartGold​/​SoulSilver
The user attacks and steals the foe’s held item simultaneously. It can’t steal if the user holds an item.
Black​/​White
Black 2​/​White 2
The user attacks and steals the target’s held item simultaneously. It can’t steal if the user holds an item.
X​/​Y
O.Ruby​/​A.Sapphire
The user attacks and steals the target’s held item simultaneously. The user can’t steal anything if it already holds an item.
Sun​/​Moon
Ultra Sun​/​Ultra Moon
The user attacks and steals the target’s held item simultaneously. The user can’t steal anything if it already holds an item.
Sword​/​Shield
B.Diamond​/​S.Pearl
The user attacks and steals the target’s held item simultaneously. The user can’t steal anything if it already holds an item.
Scarlet​/​Violet The user attacks and steals the target’s held item simultaneously. The user can’t steal anything if it already holds an item.

Learnt by level up

These Pokémon learn Thief at the level specified. The numbers given are for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet and may vary in other games; check the respective Pokédex pages for details.

Mightyena Mightyena
#0262 / Dark
Level 1
Bombirdier Bombirdier
#0962 / Flying · Dark
Level 7

Learnt by TM

Ekans Ekans
#0023 / Poison
Arbok Arbok
#0024 / Poison
Pikachu Pikachu
#0025 / Electric
Raichu Raichu
#0026 / Electric
Alolan Raichu Raichu
Alolan Raichu
#0026 / Electric · Psychic
Sandshrew Sandshrew
#0027 / Ground
Alolan Sandshrew Sandshrew
Alolan Sandshrew
#0027 / Ice · Steel
Sandslash Sandslash
#0028 / Ground
Alolan Sandslash Sandslash
Alolan Sandslash
#0028 / Ice · Steel
Clefairy Clefairy
#0035 / Fairy
Clefable Clefable
#0036 / Fairy
Jigglypuff Jigglypuff
#0039 / Normal · Fairy
Wigglytuff Wigglytuff
#0040 / Normal · Fairy
Venonat Venonat
#0048 / Bug · Poison
Venomoth Venomoth
#0049 / Bug · Poison
Diglett Diglett
#0050 / Ground
Alolan Diglett Diglett
Alolan Diglett
#0050 / Ground · Steel
Dugtrio Dugtrio
#0051 / Ground
Alolan Dugtrio Dugtrio
Alolan Dugtrio
#0051 / Ground · Steel
Meowth Meowth
#0052 / Normal
Alolan Meowth Meowth
Alolan Meowth
#0052 / Dark
Galarian Meowth Meowth
Galarian Meowth
#0052 / Steel
Persian Persian
#0053 / Normal
Alolan Persian Persian
Alolan Persian
#0053 / Dark
Psyduck Psyduck
#0054 / Water
Golduck Golduck
#0055 / Water
Mankey Mankey
#0056 / Fighting
Growlithe Growlithe
#0058 / Fire
Arcanine Arcanine
#0059 / Fire
Hisuian Arcanine Arcanine
Hisuian Arcanine
#0059 / Fire · Rock
Poliwag Poliwag
#0060 / Water
Poliwhirl Poliwhirl
#0061 / Water
Bellsprout Bellsprout
#0069 / Grass · Poison
Weepinbell Weepinbell
#0070 / Grass · Poison
Victreebel Victreebel
#0071 / Grass · Poison
Tentacool Tentacool
#0072 / Water · Poison
Tentacruel Tentacruel
#0073 / Water · Poison
Doduo Doduo
#0084 / Normal · Flying
Dodrio Dodrio
#0085 / Normal · Flying
Seel Seel
#0086 / Water
Dewgong Dewgong
#0087 / Water · Ice
Grimer Grimer
#0088 / Poison
Alolan Grimer Grimer
Alolan Grimer
#0088 / Poison · Dark
Muk Muk
#0089 / Poison
Alolan Muk Muk
Alolan Muk
#0089 / Poison · Dark
Gastly Gastly
#0092 / Ghost · Poison
Haunter Haunter
#0093 / Ghost · Poison
Gengar Gengar
#0094 / Ghost · Poison
Drowzee Drowzee
#0096 / Psychic
Hypno Hypno
#0097 / Psychic
Voltorb Voltorb
#0100 / Electric
Hisuian Voltorb Voltorb
Hisuian Voltorb
#0100 / Electric · Grass
Hisuian Electrode Electrode
Hisuian Electrode
#0101 / Electric · Grass
Exeggcute Exeggcute
#0102 / Grass · Psychic
Exeggutor Exeggutor
#0103 / Grass · Psychic
Alolan Exeggutor Exeggutor
Alolan Exeggutor
#0103 / Grass · Dragon
Koffing Koffing
#0109 / Poison
Weezing Weezing
#0110 / Poison
Galarian Weezing Weezing
Galarian Weezing
#0110 / Poison · Fairy
Rhyhorn Rhyhorn
#0111 / Ground · Rock
Rhydon Rhydon
#0112 / Ground · Rock
Chansey Chansey
#0113 / Normal
Scyther Scyther
#0123 / Bug · Flying
Magmar Magmar
#0126 / Fire
Tauros Tauros
#0128 / Normal
Tauros (Combat Breed) Tauros
Combat Breed
#0128 / Fighting
Tauros (Blaze Breed) Tauros
Blaze Breed
#0128 / Fighting · Fire
Tauros (Aqua Breed) Tauros
Aqua Breed
#0128 / Fighting · Water
Porygon Porygon
#0137 / Normal
Galarian Moltres Moltres
Galarian Moltres
#0146 / Dark · Flying
Mew Mew
#0151 / Psychic
Totodile Totodile
#0158 / Water
Croconaw Croconaw
#0159 / Water
Feraligatr Feraligatr
#0160 / Water
Sentret Sentret
#0161 / Normal
Furret Furret
#0162 / Normal
Hoothoot Hoothoot
#0163 / Normal · Flying
Noctowl Noctowl
#0164 / Normal · Flying
Spinarak Spinarak
#0167 / Bug · Poison
Ariados Ariados
#0168 / Bug · Poison
Sudowoodo Sudowoodo
#0185 / Rock
Politoed Politoed
#0186 / Water
Hoppip Hoppip
#0187 / Grass · Flying
Skiploom Skiploom
#0188 / Grass · Flying
Jumpluff Jumpluff
#0189 / Grass · Flying
Aipom Aipom
#0190 / Normal
Yanma Yanma
#0193 / Bug · Flying
Quagsire Quagsire
#0195 / Water · Ground
Umbreon Umbreon
#0197 / Dark
Murkrow Murkrow
#0198 / Dark · Flying
Misdreavus Misdreavus
#0200 / Ghost
Dunsparce Dunsparce
#0206 / Normal
Gligar Gligar
#0207 / Ground · Flying
Snubbull Snubbull
#0209 / Fairy
Granbull Granbull
#0210 / Fairy
Scizor Scizor
#0212 / Bug · Steel
Heracross Heracross
#0214 / Bug · Fighting
Sneasel Sneasel
#0215 / Dark · Ice
Hisuian Sneasel Sneasel
Hisuian Sneasel
#0215 / Fighting · Poison
Teddiursa Teddiursa
#0216 / Normal
Ursaring Ursaring
#0217 / Normal
Delibird Delibird
#0225 / Ice · Flying
Skarmory Skarmory
#0227 / Steel · Flying
Houndour Houndour
#0228 / Dark · Fire
Houndoom Houndoom
#0229 / Dark · Fire
Phanpy Phanpy
#0231 / Ground
Donphan Donphan
#0232 / Ground
Porygon2 Porygon2
#0233 / Normal
Stantler Stantler
#0234 / Normal
Tyrogue Tyrogue
#0236 / Fighting
Elekid Elekid
#0239 / Electric
Magby Magby
#0240 / Fire
Blissey Blissey
#0242 / Normal
Treecko Treecko
#0252 / Grass
Grovyle Grovyle
#0253 / Grass
Sceptile Sceptile
#0254 / Grass
Combusken Combusken
#0256 / Fire · Fighting
Blaziken Blaziken
#0257 / Fire · Fighting
Poochyena Poochyena
#0261 / Dark
Mightyena Mightyena
#0262 / Dark
Lotad Lotad
#0270 / Water · Grass
Lombre Lombre
#0271 / Water · Grass
Ludicolo Ludicolo
#0272 / Water · Grass
Nuzleaf Nuzleaf
#0274 / Grass · Dark
Shiftry Shiftry
#0275 / Grass · Dark
Wingull Wingull
#0278 / Water · Flying
Pelipper Pelipper
#0279 / Water · Flying
Ralts Ralts
#0280 / Psychic · Fairy
Kirlia Kirlia
#0281 / Psychic · Fairy
Gardevoir Gardevoir
#0282 / Psychic · Fairy
Surskit Surskit
#0283 / Bug · Water
Masquerain Masquerain
#0284 / Bug · Flying
Slakoth Slakoth
#0287 / Normal
Vigoroth Vigoroth
#0288 / Normal
Slaking Slaking
#0289 / Normal
Sableye Sableye
#0302 / Dark · Ghost
Volbeat Volbeat
#0313 / Bug
Illumise Illumise
#0314 / Bug
Gulpin Gulpin
#0316 / Poison
Swalot Swalot
#0317 / Poison
Spoink Spoink
#0325 / Psychic
Grumpig Grumpig
#0326 / Psychic
Cacnea Cacnea
#0331 / Grass
Cacturne Cacturne
#0332 / Grass · Dark
Swablu Swablu
#0333 / Normal · Flying
Altaria Altaria
#0334 / Dragon · Flying
Zangoose Zangoose
#0335 / Normal
Seviper Seviper
#0336 / Poison
Corphish Corphish
#0341 / Water
Crawdaunt Crawdaunt
#0342 / Water · Dark
Shuppet Shuppet
#0353 / Ghost
Banette Banette
#0354 / Ghost
Duskull Duskull
#0355 / Ghost
Dusclops Dusclops
#0356 / Ghost
Chimchar Chimchar
#0390 / Fire
Monferno Monferno
#0391 / Fire · Fighting
Infernape Infernape
#0392 / Fire · Fighting
Starly Starly
#0396 / Normal · Flying
Staravia Staravia
#0397 / Normal · Flying
Staraptor Staraptor
#0398 / Normal · Flying
Shinx Shinx
#0403 / Electric
Luxio Luxio
#0404 / Electric
Luxray Luxray
#0405 / Electric
Cranidos Cranidos
#0408 / Rock
Rampardos Rampardos
#0409 / Rock
Vespiquen Vespiquen
#0416 / Bug · Flying
Buizel Buizel
#0418 / Water
Floatzel Floatzel
#0419 / Water
Ambipom Ambipom
#0424 / Normal
Drifloon Drifloon
#0425 / Ghost · Flying
Drifblim Drifblim
#0426 / Ghost · Flying
Mismagius Mismagius
#0429 / Ghost
Honchkrow Honchkrow
#0430 / Dark · Flying
Stunky Stunky
#0434 / Poison · Dark
Skuntank Skuntank
#0435 / Poison · Dark
Bonsly Bonsly
#0438 / Rock
Spiritomb Spiritomb
#0442 / Ghost · Dark
Finneon Finneon
#0456 / Water
Lumineon Lumineon
#0457 / Water
Weavile Weavile
#0461 / Dark · Ice
Rhyperior Rhyperior
#0464 / Ground · Rock
Magmortar Magmortar
#0467 / Fire
Yanmega Yanmega
#0469 / Bug · Flying
Gliscor Gliscor
#0472 / Ground · Flying
Porygon-Z Porygon-Z
#0474 / Normal
Dusknoir Dusknoir
#0477 / Ghost
Rotom Rotom
#0479 / Electric · Ghost
Rotom (Heat Rotom) Rotom
Heat Rotom
#0479 / Electric · Fire
Rotom (Wash Rotom) Rotom
Wash Rotom
#0479 / Electric · Water
Rotom (Frost Rotom) Rotom
Frost Rotom
#0479 / Electric · Ice
Rotom (Fan Rotom) Rotom
Fan Rotom
#0479 / Electric · Flying
Rotom (Mow Rotom) Rotom
Mow Rotom
#0479 / Electric · Grass
Darkrai Darkrai
#0491 / Dark
Oshawott Oshawott
#0501 / Water
Dewott Dewott
#0502 / Water
Samurott Samurott
#0503 / Water
Hisuian Samurott Samurott
Hisuian Samurott
#0503 / Water · Dark
Timburr Timburr
#0532 / Fighting
Gurdurr Gurdurr
#0533 / Fighting
Whimsicott Whimsicott
#0547 / Grass · Fairy
Sandile Sandile
#0551 / Ground · Dark
Krokorok Krokorok
#0552 / Ground · Dark
Krookodile Krookodile
#0553 / Ground · Dark
Scraggy Scraggy
#0559 / Dark · Fighting
Scrafty Scrafty
#0560 / Dark · Fighting
Zorua Zorua
#0570 / Dark
Hisuian Zorua Zorua
Hisuian Zorua
#0570 / Normal · Ghost
Zoroark Zoroark
#0571 / Dark
Hisuian Zoroark Zoroark
Hisuian Zoroark
#0571 / Normal · Ghost
Minccino Minccino
#0572 / Normal
Cinccino Cinccino
#0573 / Normal
Gothita Gothita
#0574 / Psychic
Joltik Joltik
#0595 / Bug · Electric
Galvantula Galvantula
#0596 / Bug · Electric
Litwick Litwick
#0607 / Ghost · Fire
Lampent Lampent
#0608 / Ghost · Fire
Chandelure Chandelure
#0609 / Ghost · Fire
Cubchoo Cubchoo
#0613 / Ice
Beartic Beartic
#0614 / Ice
Golett Golett
#0622 / Ground · Ghost
Golurk Golurk
#0623 / Ground · Ghost
Pawniard Pawniard
#0624 / Dark · Steel
Bisharp Bisharp
#0625 / Dark · Steel
Vullaby Vullaby
#0629 / Dark · Flying
Mandibuzz Mandibuzz
#0630 / Dark · Flying
Deino Deino
#0633 / Dark · Dragon
Zweilous Zweilous
#0634 / Dark · Dragon
Hydreigon Hydreigon
#0635 / Dark · Dragon
Tornadus (Incarnate Forme) Tornadus
Incarnate Forme
#0641 / Flying
Tornadus (Therian Forme) Tornadus
Therian Forme
#0641 / Flying
Thundurus (Incarnate Forme) Thundurus
Incarnate Forme
#0642 / Electric · Flying
Thundurus (Therian Forme) Thundurus
Therian Forme
#0642 / Electric · Flying
Fennekin Fennekin
#0653 / Fire
Braixen Braixen
#0654 / Fire
Delphox Delphox
#0655 / Fire · Psychic
Froakie Froakie
#0656 / Water
Frogadier Frogadier
#0657 / Water
Greninja Greninja
#0658 / Water · Dark
Greninja (Ash-Greninja) Greninja
Ash-Greninja
#0658 / Water · Dark
Fletchinder Fletchinder
#0662 / Fire · Flying
Talonflame Talonflame
#0663 / Fire · Flying
Vivillon Vivillon
#0666 / Bug · Flying
Litleo Litleo
#0667 / Fire · Normal
Pyroar Pyroar
#0668 / Fire · Normal
Inkay Inkay
#0686 / Dark · Psychic
Malamar Malamar
#0687 / Dark · Psychic
Skrelp Skrelp
#0690 / Poison · Water
Dragalge Dragalge
#0691 / Poison · Dragon
Clauncher Clauncher
#0692 / Water
Clawitzer Clawitzer
#0693 / Water
Dedenne Dedenne
#0702 / Electric · Fairy
Klefki Klefki
#0707 / Steel · Fairy
Phantump Phantump
#0708 / Ghost · Grass
Trevenant Trevenant
#0709 / Ghost · Grass
Noibat Noibat
#0714 / Flying · Dragon
Noivern Noivern
#0715 / Flying · Dragon
Hoopa (Hoopa Confined) Hoopa
Hoopa Confined
#0720 / Psychic · Ghost
Hoopa (Hoopa Unbound) Hoopa
Hoopa Unbound
#0720 / Psychic · Dark
Incineroar Incineroar
#0727 / Fire · Dark
Pikipek Pikipek
#0731 / Normal · Flying
Trumbeak Trumbeak
#0732 / Normal · Flying
Toucannon Toucannon
#0733 / Normal · Flying
Yungoos Yungoos
#0734 / Normal
Gumshoos Gumshoos
#0735 / Normal
Cutiefly Cutiefly
#0742 / Bug · Fairy
Ribombee Ribombee
#0743 / Bug · Fairy
Salandit Salandit
#0757 / Poison · Fire
Salazzle Salazzle
#0758 / Poison · Fire
Comfey Comfey
#0764 / Fairy
Komala Komala
#0775 / Normal
Mimikyu Mimikyu
#0778 / Ghost · Fairy
Necrozma Necrozma
#0800 / Psychic
Grookey Grookey
#0810 / Grass
Thwackey Thwackey
#0811 / Grass
Rillaboom Rillaboom
#0812 / Grass
Skwovet Skwovet
#0819 / Normal
Greedent Greedent
#0820 / Normal
Rookidee Rookidee
#0821 / Flying
Cramorant Cramorant
#0845 / Flying · Water
Toxtricity (Amped Form) Toxtricity
Amped Form
#0849 / Electric · Poison
Toxtricity (Low Key Form) Toxtricity
Low Key Form
#0849 / Electric · Poison
Impidimp Impidimp
#0859 / Dark · Fairy
Morgrem Morgrem
#0860 / Dark · Fairy
Grimmsnarl Grimmsnarl
#0861 / Dark · Fairy
Perrserker Perrserker
#0863 / Steel
Morpeko (Full Belly Mode) Morpeko
Full Belly Mode
#0877 / Electric · Dark
Drakloak Drakloak
#0886 / Dragon · Ghost
Dragapult Dragapult
#0887 / Dragon · Ghost
Zarude Zarude
#0893 / Dark · Grass
Wyrdeer Wyrdeer
#0899 / Normal · Psychic
Kleavor Kleavor
#0900 / Bug · Rock
Ursaluna Ursaluna
#0901 / Ground · Normal
Ursaluna (Bloodmoon) Ursaluna
Bloodmoon
#0901 / Ground · Normal
Meowscarada Meowscarada
#0908 / Grass · Dark
Lechonk Lechonk
#0915 / Normal
Oinkologne (Male) Oinkologne
Male
#0916 / Normal
Tarountula Tarountula
#0917 / Bug
Spidops Spidops
#0918 / Bug
Nymble Nymble
#0919 / Bug
Lokix Lokix
#0920 / Bug · Dark
Pawmi Pawmi
#0921 / Electric
Pawmo Pawmo
#0922 / Electric · Fighting
Tandemaus Tandemaus
#0924 / Normal
Maushold (Family of Four) Maushold
Family of Four
#0925 / Normal
Maushold (Family of Three) Maushold
Family of Three
#0925 / Normal
Squawkabilly (Green Plumage) Squawkabilly
Green Plumage
#0931 / Normal · Flying
Maschiff Maschiff
#0942 / Dark
Mabosstiff Mabosstiff
#0943 / Dark
Shroodle Shroodle
#0944 / Poison · Normal
Grafaiai Grafaiai
#0945 / Poison · Normal
Bramblin Bramblin
#0946 / Grass · Ghost
Klawf Klawf
#0950 / Rock
Capsakid Capsakid
#0951 / Grass
Scovillain Scovillain
#0952 / Grass · Fire
Rellor Rellor
#0953 / Bug
Rabsca Rabsca
#0954 / Bug · Psychic
Flittle Flittle
#0955 / Psychic
Espathra Espathra
#0956 / Psychic
Tinkatink Tinkatink
#0957 / Fairy · Steel
Tinkatuff Tinkatuff
#0958 / Fairy · Steel
Tinkaton Tinkaton
#0959 / Fairy · Steel
Bombirdier Bombirdier
#0962 / Flying · Dark
Varoom Varoom
#0965 / Steel · Poison
Revavroom Revavroom
#0966 / Steel · Poison
Cyclizar Cyclizar
#0967 / Dragon · Normal
Greavard Greavard
#0971 / Ghost
Houndstone Houndstone
#0972 / Ghost
Flamigo Flamigo
#0973 / Flying · Fighting
Dudunsparce (Two-Segment Form) Dudunsparce
Two-Segment Form
#0982 / Normal
Kingambit Kingambit
#0983 / Dark · Steel
Brute Bonnet Brute Bonnet
#0986 / Grass · Dark
Iron Bundle Iron Bundle
#0991 / Ice · Water
Gimmighoul (Chest Form) Gimmighoul
Chest Form
#0999 / Ghost
Gholdengo Gholdengo
#1000 / Steel · Ghost
Okidogi Okidogi
#1014 / Poison · Fighting