Pokémon abilities

Each ability from the latest generation of Pokémon games is listed below, along with a short description and how many Pokémon can have that ability. Click an ability name to see the Pokémon that can learn it.

About Pokémon abilities

Abilities, introduced in Generation 3 (Ruby/Sapphire), are special attributes given to each Pokémon that can aid them in battle. Many abilities act as a power-up by increasing a move or stat; others introduce a third-party effect like a weather condition. Some abilities can even hinder a Pokémon battle.

Each Pokémon can have only one ability, however, some have the option of two different abilities. The choice is random and each ability is equally likely. There are 308 single-ability Pokémon and 355 dual-ability Pokémon.

In Pokémon Black & White, a third hidden ability was introduced. The third ability is only available when a Pokémon is returned from the Dream World, a new online feature that is part of the Pokémon Global Link. 568 Pokémon have a Dream World ability.

Interesting questions

A selection of related questions from PokéBase:

The ability list

Name
Pokémon
Description
Gen.
Adaptability 13 Powers up moves of the same type. 4
Aerilate 2 Turns Normal-type moves into Flying-type moves. 6
Aftermath 8 Damages the attacker landing the finishing hit. 4
Air Lock 1 Eliminates the effects of weather. 3
Analytic 12 Boosts move power when the Pokémon moves last. 5
Anger Point 9 Maxes Attack after taking a critical hit. 4
Anticipation 14 Senses a foe's dangerous moves. 4
Arena Trap 3 Prevents the foe from fleeing. 3
Aroma Veil 4 Protects allies from attacks that limit their move choices. 6
As One 2 Combines Unnerve and Chilling Neigh/Grim Neigh 8
Aura Break 2 Reduces power of Dark- and Fairy-type moves. 6
Bad Dreams 1 Reduces a sleeping foe's HP. 4
Ball Fetch 1 Retrieves a Poké Ball from a failed throw. 8
Battery 1 Raises power of teammates' Special moves. 7
Battle Armor 11 The Pokémon is protected against critical hits. 3
Battle Bond 1 Transform into Ash-Greninja after causing opponent to faint. 7
Beast Boost 11 The Pokémon boosts its most proficient stat each time it knocks out a Pokémon. 7
Berserk 2 Raises Special Attack when HP drops below half. 7
Big Pecks 14 Protects the Pokémon from Defense-lowering attacks. 5
Blaze 26 Powers up Fire-type moves in a pinch. 3
Bulletproof 9 Protects the Pokémon from ball and bomb moves. 6
Cheek Pouch 5 Restores additional HP when a Berry is consumed. 6
Chilling Neigh 1 Boosts Attack after knocking out a Pokémon. 8
Chlorophyll 35 Boosts the Pokémon's Speed in sunshine. 3
Clear Body 16 Prevents other Pokémon from lowering its stats. 3
Cloud Nine 7 Eliminates the effects of weather. 3
Color Change 1 Changes the Pokémon's type to the foe's move. 3
Comatose 1 The Pokémon is always asleep but can still attack. 7
Competitive 10 Raises Special Attack when the Pokémon's stats are lowered. 6
Compound Eyes 11 The Pokémon's accuracy is boosted. 3
Contrary 9 Makes stat changes have an opposite effect. 5
Corrosion 2 The Pokémon can poison Steel and Poison types. 7
Cotton Down 2 Lowers foe's Speed when hit. 8
Curious Medicine 1 Resets all stat changes upon entering battlefield. 8
Cursed Body 13 May disable a move used on the Pokémon. 5
Cute Charm 14 Contact with the Pokémon may cause infatuation. 3
Damp 18 Prevents the use of self-destructing moves. 3
Dancer 4 Copies the foe's Dance moves. 7
Dark Aura 1 Raises power of Dark type moves for all Pokémon in battle. 6
Dauntless Shield 2 Boosts Defense in battle. 8
Dazzling 1 Protects the Pokémon from high-priority moves. 7
Defeatist 2 Lowers stats when HP drops below half. 5
Defiant 16 When its stats are lowered its Attack increases. 5
Delta Stream 1 Creates strong winds when the ability activates. 6
Desolate Land 1 Turns the sunlight extremely harsh when the ability activates. 6
Disguise 1 Avoids damage for one turn. 7
Download 4 Adjusts power according to a foe's defenses. 4
Dragon's Maw 1 Signature ability of Regidrago. Powers up Dragon-type moves. 8
Drizzle 3 The Pokémon makes it rain when it enters a battle. 3
Drought 5 Turns the sunlight harsh when the Pokémon enters a battle. 3
Dry Skin 7 Reduces HP if it is hot. Water restores HP. 4
Early Bird 15 The Pokémon awakens quickly from sleep. 3
Effect Spore 11 Contact may poison or cause paralysis or sleep. 3
Electric Surge 2 The Pokémon creates an Electric Terrain when it enters a battle. 7
Emergency Exit 1 Switches out when HP falls below 50%. 7
Fairy Aura 1 Raises power of Fairy type moves for all Pokémon in battle. 6
Filter 3 Reduces damage from super-effective attacks. 4
Flame Body 20 Contact with the Pokémon may burn the attacker. 3
Flare Boost 2 Powers up special attacks when burned. 5
Flash Fire 22 It powers up Fire-type moves if it's hit by one. 3
Flower Gift 1 Powers up party Pokémon when it is sunny. 4
Flower Veil 4 Prevents lowering of ally Grass-type Pokémon's stats. 6
Fluffy 4 Halves damage from contact moves, but doubles damage from Fire-type moves. 7
Forecast 4 Castform transforms with the weather. 3
Forewarn 6 Determines what moves a foe has. 4
Friend Guard 8 Reduces damage done to allies. 5
Frisk 31 The Pokémon can check a foe's held item. 4
Full Metal Body 1 Prevents other Pokémon from lowering its stats. 7
Fur Coat 2 Reduces damage from physical moves. 6
Gale Wings 3 Gives priority to Flying-type moves. 6
Galvanize 3 Normal-type moves become Electric-type moves and their power boosted. 7
Gluttony 31 Encourages the early use of a held Berry. 4
Gooey 3 Contact with the Pokémon lowers the attacker's Speed stat. 6
Gorilla Tactics 2 Boosts the Pokémon's Attack stat but only allows the use of the first selected move. 8
Grass Pelt 2 Boosts the Defense stat in Grassy Terrain. 6
Grassy Surge 4 The Pokémon creates a Grassy Terrain when it enters a battle. 7
Grim Neigh 1 Boosts Special Attack after knocking out a Pokémon. 8
Gulp Missile 1 Returns with a catch in its mouth after using Surf or Dive. 8
Guts 22 Boosts Attack if there is a status problem. 3
Harvest 6 May create another Berry after one is used. 5
Healer 11 May heal an ally's status conditions. 5
Heatproof 3 Weakens the power of Fire-type moves. 4
Heavy Metal 8 Doubles the Pokémon's weight. 5
Honey Gather 4 The Pokémon may gather Honey from somewhere. 4
Huge Power 6 Raises the Pokémon's Attack stat. 3
Hunger Switch 2 Changes forms each turn. 8
Hustle 23 Boosts the Attack stat, but lowers accuracy. 3
Hydration 22 Heals status problems if it is raining. 4
Hyper Cutter 11 Prevents other Pokémon from lowering Attack stat. 3
Ice Body 17 The Pokémon gradually regains HP in a hailstorm. 4
Ice Face 2 Avoids damage from Physical moves for one turn. 8
Ice Scales 2 Halves damage from Special moves. 8
Illuminate 8 Raises the likelihood of meeting wild Pokémon. 3
Illusion 2 Enters battle disguised as the last Pokémon in the party. 5
Immunity 3 Prevents the Pokémon from getting poisoned. 3
Imposter 1 It transforms itself into the Pokémon it is facing. 5
Infiltrator 24 Passes through the foe's barrier and strikes. 5
Innards Out 1 Deals damage upon fainting. 7
Inner Focus 36 The Pokémon is protected from flinching. 3
Insomnia 20 Prevents the Pokémon from falling asleep. 3
Intimidate 32 Lowers the foe's Attack stat. 3
Intrepid Sword 2 Boosts Attack in battle. 8
Iron Barbs 3 Inflicts damage to the Pokémon on contact. 5
Iron Fist 15 Boosts the power of punching moves. 4
Justified 10 Raises Attack when hit by a Dark-type move. 5
Keen Eye 40 Prevents other Pokémon from lowering accuracy. 3
Klutz 10 The Pokémon can't use any held items. 4
Leaf Guard 20 Prevents problems with status in sunny weather. 4
Levitate 41 Gives immunity to Ground type moves. 3
Libero 3 Changes the Pokémon's type to its last used move. 8
Light Metal 6 Halves the Pokémon's weight. 5
Lightning Rod 19 Draws in all Electric-type moves to up Sp. Attack. 3
Limber 14 The Pokémon is protected from paralysis. 3
Liquid Ooze 4 Damages attackers using any draining move. 3
Liquid Voice 3 All sound-based moves become Water-type moves. 7
Long Reach 3 The Pokémon uses its moves without making contact with the target. 7
Magic Bounce 9 Reflects status- changing moves. 5
Magic Guard 10 Protects the Pokémon from indirect damage. 4
Magician 6 The Pokémon steals the held item of a Pokémon it hits with a move. 6
Magma Armor 3 Prevents the Pokémon from becoming frozen. 3
Magnet Pull 9 Prevents Steel-type Pokémon from escaping. 3
Marvel Scale 3 Ups Defense if there is a status problem. 3
Mega Launcher 3 Boosts the power of aura and pulse moves. 6
Merciless 2 The Pokémon's attacks become critical hits if the target is poisoned. 7
Mimicry 1 Changes type depending on the terrain. 8
Minus 7 Ups Sp. Atk if another Pokémon has Plus or Minus. 3
Mirror Armor 1 Reflects any stat-lowering effects. 8
Misty Surge 2 The Pokémon creates a Misty Terrain when it enters a battle. 7
Mold Breaker 18 Moves can be used regardless of Abilities. 4
Moody 7 Raises one stat and lowers another. 5
Motor Drive 4 Raises Speed if hit by an Electric-type move. 4
Moxie 13 Boosts Attack after knocking out any Pokémon. 5
Multiscale 2 Reduces damage when HP is full. 5
Multitype 1 Changes type to match the held Plate. 4
Mummy 2 Contact with this Pokémon spreads this Ability. 5
Natural Cure 16 All status problems heal when it switches out. 3
Neuroforce 1 Powers up moves that are super effective. 7
Neutralizing Gas 3 Neutralizes abilities of all Pokémon in battle. 8
No Guard 10 Ensures attacks by or against the Pokémon land. 4
Normalize 2 All the Pokémon's moves become the Normal type. 4
Oblivious 24 Prevents it from becoming infatuated. 3
Overcoat 22 Protects the Pokémon from weather damage. 5
Overgrow 26 Powers up Grass-type moves in a pinch. 3
Own Tempo 27 Prevents the Pokémon from becoming confused. 3
Parental Bond 1 Allows the Pokémon to attack twice. 6
Pastel Veil 2 Prevents the Pokémon and its allies from being poisoned. 8
Perish Body 1 When hit by a move that makes direct contact, the Pokémon and the attacker will faint after three turns unless they switch out of battle. 8
Pickpocket 10 Steals an item when hit by another Pokémon. 5
Pickup 27 The Pokémon may pick up items. 3
Pixilate 3 Turns Normal-type moves into Fairy-type moves. 6
Plus 9 Ups Sp. Atk if another Pokémon has Plus or Minus. 3
Poison Heal 3 Restores HP if the Pokémon is poisoned. 4
Poison Point 16 Contact with the Pokémon may poison the attacker. 3
Poison Touch 9 May poison targets when a Pokémon makes contact. 5
Power Construct 3 Changes form when HP drops below half. 7
Power of Alchemy 2 The Pokémon copies the Ability of a defeated ally. 7
Power Spot 1 Just being next to the Pokémon powers up moves. 8
Prankster 17 Gives priority to a status move. 5
Pressure 30 The Pokémon raises the foe's PP usage. 3
Primordial Sea 1 Makes it rain heavily when the ability activates. 6
Prism Armor 3 Reduces damage from super-effective attacks. 7
Propeller Tail 2 Ignores moves and abilities that draw in moves. 8
Protean 4 Changes the Pokémon's type to its last used move. 6
Psychic Surge 3 The Pokémon creates a Psychic Terrain when it enters a battle. 7
Punk Rock 2 Boosts sound-based moves and halves damage from the same moves. 8
Pure Power 3 Raises the Pokémon's Attack stat. 3
Queenly Majesty 1 Prevents use of priority moves. 7
Quick Draw 1 8
Quick Feet 11 Boosts Speed if there is a status problem. 4
Rain Dish 13 The Pokémon gradually regains HP in rain. 3
Rattled 15 Bug, Ghost or Dark type moves scare it and boost its Speed. 5
Receiver 1 Inherits an ally's ability when it faints. 7
Reckless 13 Powers up moves that have recoil damage. 4
Refrigerate 3 Turns Normal-type moves into Ice-type moves. 6
Regenerator 24 Restores a little HP when withdrawn from battle. 5
Ripen 3 Doubles the effect of berries. 8
Rivalry 18 Deals more damage to a Pokémon of same gender. 4
RKS System 1 Changes type depending on held item. 7
Rock Head 21 Protects the Pokémon from recoil damage. 3
Rough Skin 6 Inflicts damage to the attacker on contact. 3
Run Away 29 Enables a sure getaway from wild Pokémon. 3
Sand Force 18 Boosts certain moves' power in a sandstorm. 5
Sand Rush 9 Boosts the Pokémon's Speed in a sandstorm. 5
Sand Spit 2 Creates a sandstorm when hit by an attack. 8
Sand Stream 5 The Pokémon summons a sandstorm in battle. 3
Sand Veil 26 Boosts the Pokémon's evasion in a sandstorm. 3
Sap Sipper 17 Boosts Attack when hit by a Grass-type move. 5
Schooling 2 Changes Wishiwashi to School Form. 7
Scrappy 13 Enables moves to hit Ghost-type Pokémon. 4
Screen Cleaner 2 Nullifies effects of Light Screen, Reflect, and Aurora Veil. 8
Serene Grace 13 Boosts the likelihood of added effects appearing. 3
Shadow Shield 1 Reduces damage when HP is full. 7
Shadow Tag 6 Prevents the foe from escaping. 3
Shed Skin 18 The Pokémon may heal its own status problems. 3
Sheer Force 29 Removes added effects to increase move damage. 5
Shell Armor 25 The Pokémon is protected against critical hits. 3
Shield Dust 11 Blocks the added effects of attacks taken. 3
Shields Down 2 Changes stats when HP drops below half. 7
Simple 5 Doubles all stat changes. 4
Skill Link 10 Increases the frequency of multi-strike moves. 4
Slow Start 1 Temporarily halves Attack and Speed. 4
Slush Rush 6 Boosts the Pokémon's Speed stat in a hailstorm. 7
Sniper 17 Powers up moves if they become critical hits. 4
Snow Cloak 14 Raises evasion in a hailstorm. 4
Snow Warning 8 The Pokémon summons a hailstorm in battle. 4
Solar Power 9 In sunshine, Sp. Atk is boosted but HP decreases. 4
Solid Rock 4 Reduces damage from super-effective attacks. 4
Soul-Heart 1 Raises Special Attack when an ally faints. 7
Soundproof 15 Gives immunity to sound-based moves. 3
Speed Boost 12 Its Speed stat is gradually boosted. 3
Stakeout 4 Deals double damage to Pokémon switching in. 7
Stall 1 The Pokémon moves after all other Pokémon do. 4
Stalwart 1 Ignores moves and abilities that draw in moves. 8
Stamina 2 Raises Defense when attacked. 7
Stance Change 2 Changes form depending on moves used. 6
Static 17 Contact with the Pokémon may cause paralysis. 3
Steadfast 15 Raises Speed each time the Pokémon flinches. 4
Steam Engine 3 Drastically raises Speed when hit by a Fire- or Water-type move. 8
Steelworker 1 Powers up Steel-type moves. 7
Steely Spirit 1 Powers up ally Pokémon's Steel-type moves. 8
Stench 9 The stench may cause the target to flinch. 3
Sticky Hold 8 Protects the Pokémon from item theft. 3
Storm Drain 7 Draws in all Water-type moves to up Sp. Attack. 4
Strong Jaw 10 Boosts the power of biting moves. 6
Sturdy 41 It cannot be knocked out with one hit. 3
Suction Cups 5 Negates all moves that force switching out. 3
Super Luck 9 Heightens the critical-hit ratios of moves. 4
Surge Surfer 1 Doubles Speed during Electric Terrain. 7
Swarm 28 Powers up Bug-type moves in a pinch. 3
Sweet Veil 9 Prevents the Pokémon and allies from falling asleep. 6
Swift Swim 43 Boosts the Pokémon's Speed in rain. 3
Symbiosis 4 The Pokémon can pass an item to an ally. 6
Synchronize 17 Passes a burn, poison, or paralysis to the foe. 3
Tangled Feet 8 Raises evasion if the Pokémon is confused. 4
Tangling Hair 2 Contact with the Pokémon lowers the attacker's Speed stat. 7
Technician 22 Powers up the Pokémon's weaker moves. 4
Telepathy 24 Anticipates an ally's attack and dodges it. 5
Teravolt 2 Moves can be used regardless of Abilities. 5
Thick Fat 25 Ups resistance to Fire- and Ice-type moves. 3
Tinted Lens 9 Powers up “not very effective” moves. 4
Torrent 26 Powers up Water-type moves in a pinch. 3
Tough Claws 8 Boosts the power of contact moves. 6
Toxic Boost 1 Powers up physical attacks when poisoned. 5
Trace 6 The Pokémon copies a foe's Ability. 3
Transistor 1 Signature ability of Regieleki. Powers up Electric-type moves. 8
Triage 1 Gives priority to restorative moves. 7
Truant 3 Pokémon can't attack on consecutive turns. 3
Turboblaze 2 Moves can be used regardless of Abilities. 5
Unaware 9 Ignores any stat changes in the Pokémon. 4
Unburden 14 Raises Speed if a held item is used. 4
Unnerve 25 Makes the foe nervous and unable to eat Berries. 5
Unseen Fist 2 Contact moves can strike through Protect/Detect. 8
Victory Star 1 Boosts the accuracy of its allies and itself. 5
Vital Spirit 15 Prevents the Pokémon from falling asleep. 3
Volt Absorb 9 Restores HP if hit by an Electric-type move. 3
Wandering Spirit 2 Swaps abilities with opponents on contact. 8
Water Absorb 25 Restores HP if hit by a Water-type move. 3
Water Bubble 2 Halves damage from Fire-type moves, doubles power of Water-type moves used, and prevents burns. 7
Water Compaction 2 Sharply raises Defense when hit by a Water-type move. 7
Water Veil 11 Prevents the Pokémon from getting a burn. 3
Weak Armor 22 Physical attacks lower Defense and raise Speed. 5
White Smoke 4 Prevents other Pokémon from lowering its stats. 3
Wimp Out 1 Switches out when HP drops below half. 7
Wonder Guard 1 Only supereffective moves will hit. 3
Wonder Skin 5 Makes status-changing moves more likely to miss. 5
Zen Mode 4 Changes form when HP drops below half. 5