Transform (move)

Transform (Japanese: へんしん Transform) is a non-damaging move introduced in Generation I. It is notable for being the only move of, despite never being a signature move, because can also learn it.

Generation I
Transform changes the user's current type, current stats, current stat modifications, current moves, current species, and current cry to that of the target's.

Each move copied by Transform will have 5 remaining of the usual maximum. With this in mind, if a Ditto encounters another Ditto in this generation, both Ditto will continually Transform into each other, replenishing the 5 PP constantly and making the battle seemingly endless. such as Ethers used from the Bag can only restore PP to moves the Pokémon knows before transforming.

Transform does not copy the target's status conditions, level, current or maximum, base experience, palette colors or the generic Minimize image. If a transformed Pokémon takes damage from a critical hit, its original stats will be used rather than its stats after Transform. The probability of a transformed Pokémon scoring a critical hit is based on the original Pokémon's base Speed, not the base Speed of the Pokémon it transformed into.

Transform bypasses checks to always hit, even if the target is in the  of a move such as  or.

In-game, if a wild Pokémon uses Transform and is subsequently caught, it will become a, regardless of what species it originally was. It will then have all the stats and moves of a Ditto, except for its current HP, which will remain unaltered by this change.

If a wild Pokémon uses Transform twice and is subsequently caught, its DVs will be the DVs of the first Pokémon it transformed into.

In Stadium, Transform will not work if the target's current species is Ditto.

Generation II
Transform, if used by a Shiny Pokémon, will cause the Pokémon species transformed into to appear Shiny. Likewise, a normal Pokémon transforming into a Shiny target's species will appear as a normal version. A transformed Pokémon retains its original species for determining if it is boosted by Pokémon-specific stat-enhancing items, with the exception of Metal Powder, which uses the target's species.

If a Pokémon transforms into a Pokémon that knows, Sketch will have its maximum 1 PP rather than 5 like other moves.

Transform will now fail if used on a transformed opponent or if the target is in the of a move such as  or. Wild Pokémon are now treated as their original species upon capture after transforming, rather than being treated as Ditto like in Generation I.

Transform will correctly copy 's letter.

Generation III
Transform copies the target Pokémon's Ability, replacing its own. Starting in this generation, Transform also copies the catch rate, the base experience, and the EV yield of the target.

Leppa Berries used from the Bag or as a held item can only restore PP to moves the Pokémon knows before transforming. A held Leppa Berry will only be consumed if a move known before transforming reaches 0 PP. The maximum PP of a move known due to Transform is the move's base maximum PP, regardless of any PP Ups used by the target.

If a Pokémon transforms into a Pokémon with multiple forms, it will copy the form of the target. If a Pokémon transforms into a and has the Ability, it will change form depending on the weather after transforming into Castform's current form.

During a Pokémon Contest, the Pokémon will transform into one of the other contestants.

Generation IV
Transform now copies the target's coloration; whether or not the transformed Pokémon is depends on whether the target is, not the user.

A held Leppa Berry will be consumed if the Pokémon runs out of PP for a move it knows due to Transform. If a Leppa Berry is consumed via, or , it will restore PP to a move known due to Transform. A Leppa Berry consumed as a held item, or via, or , can restore a move's PP above the 5 Transform gives, as long as it doesn't exceed the move's maximum PP.

If a Pokémon transforms into Origin Forme or, the Pokémon first transforms into the target's current form, then immediately changes to the form corresponding to its own held item; therefore, if it transforms into an Arceus but holds a Plate, it will first assume the target Arceus's form, then immediately change to the form corresponding to its own Plate (even if the transformed Pokémon had its Ability suppressed by ). If a Pokémon transforms into Origin Forme Giratina in the Distortion World, it will remain in Origin Forme regardless of its held item. If a Pokémon transforms into, it will change form depending on the weather. If a Pokémon transforms into Sky Forme, it will change to Land Forme if it is.

As in previous generations, a transformed Pokémon retains its original species for determining if it is boosted by Pokémon-specific stat-enhancing items, with the exception of Metal Powder and Quick Powder, which use the target's species.

During a Pokémon Super Contest, the Pokémon will transform into one of the other contestants.

Generation V onward
Transform no longer copies the target's catch rate. Transform will now fail if used by a Pokémon that is already transformed, targeting a Pokémon behind a, or targeting a Pokémon under the effect of.

A move known due to Transform now always has a maximum of at most 5 PP, regardless of the move's base maximum PP if it is greater than 5. As such, a Leppa Berry cannot restore the PP of a move known due to Transform above 5.

A transformed Pokémon can no longer change forms; it will remain in the form the target was in when the user transformed into it. For example, if a Pokémon transforms into, it will not change form even if the weather changes.

, 's signature Ability introduced in Generation V, automatically causes the user to transform into the opponent.

Pokémon that know Transform are banned from participating in Pokéstar Studios films.

The user will transform into Mega-Evolved Pokémon and maintain the form regardless of whether it holds the required Mega Stone. This has no effect on the restriction that only allows each player one Mega Evolution per battle. Also, a Pokémon that transforms into a species that has a Mega Evolution (but is not yet Mega Evolved) will be unable to Mega Evolve, even if the transformed Pokémon holds the corresponding Mega Stone.

A transformed Pokémon can use moves exclusive to a species it has transformed into, such as if transformed into  Unbound. A transformed Pokémon can use Z-Moves exclusive to a species it has transformed into and if it holds an appropriate Z-Crystal (excluding ). If the user has transformed into a Mega-Evolved Pokémon, it cannot use any Z-Moves, even if it holds an appropriate Z-Crystal.

Transform will fail if used on a Pokémon that is protected by.

In Pokémon Contest Spectaculars, if Transform is used, a doll would be thrown in the stage. The user would then transform into the doll. The effects of Transform will last for the round it is used in.

Even if a Pokémon transforms into Meteor Form, will not prevent a transformed Pokémon from being afflicted with status conditions.

If powered up by a Normalium Z into Z-Transform, the user's HP is fully restored.

If the user transforms into a Pokémon that has no type (i.e. it was a pure Fire type that used ), the user will become ; if such a target has additionally been affected by or, the user will become Normal-type with an added Grass or Ghost type respectively. If the user transforms into a dual-typed Pokémon that has used Burn Up, however, Transform will copy the target's current types (and type additions) as usual.

In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, if the user transforms into the /, it will also copy any clothes they have on them.

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In Generation I, if a Pokémon transforms into another Pokémon that knows more moves and, while transformed, switches the position of the move in the slot of a legitimate move and one which should contain no move, after reverting to its original form, it will have access to the glitch move.

Ditto glitch
The primary method of the Mew glitch involves having a wild Ditto transform into the player's Pokémon, as this copies the stat, which is used to modify the species of Pokémon encountered.

Transform assumption glitch
In Generation and, any Pokémon that uses Transform is regarded as a  in its new form; this means that if the player catches a  or a glitch Pokémon which has used the move Transform, or a Pokémon which has used Transform via , instead they will obtain a Ditto. Mew turning into Ditto was not an issue in these games because a wild Mew could not be legitimately encountered prior to Generation III. However, the Clefairy, Pidgey, and Fearow lines, which could be found in the wild, could use Transform via Metronome and Mirror Move, and would turn into Ditto on capture. This system was changed in Generation III.

Shiny Ditto glitch
The Shiny Ditto glitch requires a game from Generation I and Generation II, but only has an effect on a Generation II game. In Generation I, if a Pokémon uses the move while already transformed, after being caught it will retain the s of the Pokémon it transformed into. Due to Shininess being determined by IVs in Generations I and II, this allows the player to make a wild Ditto Shiny by having it use Transform while already Transformed; this can be accomplished by either having a Shiny Pokémon that knows Transform (, certain glitch Pokémon, or another Ditto), or by teaching a Shiny Pokémon Mimic, then having the wild Ditto use Mimic on the move Transform. While Shiny Pokémon do not exist in Generation I, due to being determined by IVs, this Ditto will be Shiny when traded to Generation II.

Sketch glitch
In Generation II, if a Pokémon uses while transformed, it will permanently learn the Sketched move.

Transform held item glitch
In Japanese versions of Diamond and Pearl, if a Pokémon holding an item uses Transform and has its item stolen, as long as it does not faint before the end of the battle, both the transforming Pokémon and the thief will retain the item after the battle.

Mimic glitch
In Japanese versions of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, if a Pokémon uses Transform via then faints, it will keep the moves it learned via Transform.

Rage glitch
In Generation IV, if a transformed Pokémon uses and causes the message "Rage is building" to appear, then defeats or captures the opponent, the Pokémon will permanently learn the moves it knew while transformed.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series
Prior to Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon, Transform caused the user to take only the form of a random hostile Pokémon on the dungeon's floor. It does not copy that Pokémon's moves, type combination, Abilities or stats. It has only 1 PP, leaving the user only the basic attack and left to use (unless the user knows moves other than Transform).

In Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon, Transform copies the appearance, type, and moves of the target. If used by an enemy to transform into the leader, the leader's teammates would become confused.

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Trivia

 * 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.
 * Transform is the only way to see the battle animation of 's Sunshine Form prior to Generation V, 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.
 * With the help of Transform, Pokémon can legitimately have more than 510 total effort values: if the target has EVs in some stats beside and the Transform user has EVs in HP, after transforming the total number of its EVs can exceed 510 due to HP not being copied.