Why can't I change my Falinks' Ability?

Question

I have an Ability Capsule and I want my Falinks to change it's ability to Defiant. However, when I use it, it says "It won't have any effect." I don't particularly know how to use Ability Capsules, so an answer will help!

Comments

Defiant is its hidden ability. The Ability Capsule only switches between normal abilities when a Pokemon has two of them. You'd need an Ability Patch to change its ability to its hidden ability.

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ah, i get it now

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But when I used it on my Chandelure, it changed it to Infiltrator.

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Are you sure you used a Capsule on your Chandelure and not a Patch?

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I did, I bought it from the BP store and used it.

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Did you make sure your Falinks didn't already have Defiant?

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It does not have Defiant.

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Try using the patch and let us know if it worked.

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I don't have a Patch, and the Capsules still aren't working. This is weird.

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Because you need to use a Patch

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OK I understand now, I just need a Patch

Answer 1

You need to use an Ability Patch. According to this source, Ability Capsules cannot change Pokemon's standard Abilities into Hidden Abilities.

The Ability Capsule can only be used on a Pokémon that belongs to a species that has two standard Abilities.

However, you cannot find an Ability Patch in the Galar mainland for Sword-Shield. So, the only way to obtain it is to either get it from a trader in the DLC, or trade a Pokémon that's holding the Item.

Comments

You can get them from the Max Lair Dynite Ore trader according to Bulbapedia