For your convenience, this page lists all of Nintendo's Special Abilities, so you can make an informed decision about the best Special Ability for your pokémon. Also, on the rare occasion that we accept a new Special Ability, it'll be listed here...so, for PF Pokémon, this is truly the best reference!
Click on an ability's name for more detailed information.
| Name | Game Text | Examples | Origin |
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| Chlorophyll | Boosts the Pokémon's Speed in sunshine. | Oddish, Bellsprout |  |
| Dry Skin | Reduces HP if it is hot. Water restores HP. | Croagunk, Parasect | |
| Flower Gift | Powers up party Pokémon when it is sunny. | Cherrim | |
| Forecast | The Pokémon transforms with the weather. | Castform |  |
| Hydration | Heals status problems if it is raining. | Seel, Manaphy | |
| Ice Body | The Pokémon regains HP in a hailstorm. | Snorunt, Walrein | |
| Leaf Guard | Prevents status problems in sunny weather. | Hoppip, Tangrowth | |
| Overcoat | Protects the Pokémon from damage from weather. | Sewaddle, Reuniclus | |
| Rain Dish | The Pokémon gradually recovers HP in rain. | Lotad | |
| Sand Force | Boosts certain moves' power in a sandstorm. | Drilbur, Landorus | |
| Sand Rush | Boosts the Pokémon's Speed in a sandstorm. | Herdier, Excadrill | |
| Sand Veil | Boosts the Pokémon's evasion in a sandstorm. | Sandshrew, Cacturne | |
| Snow Cloak | Raises evasion in a hailstorm. | Swinub, Froslass | |
| Solar Power | Boosts Sp. Atk, but lowers HP in sunshine. | Sunkern, Tropius | |
| Solubility | During sunshine, Sp.ATK increases. During rain, Sp.DEF decreases. | Saliwitch, Naclimage |  |
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| Name | Game Text | Examples | Origin |
|---|
| Arena Trap | Prevents the foe from fleeing. | Trapinch, Diglett | |
| Compoundeyes | The Pokémon's accuracy is boosted. | Butterfree, Venonat | |
| Cute Charm | Contact with the Pokémon may cause infatuation. | Skitty, Clefairy | |
| Hustle | Boosts the Attack stat, but lowers accuracy. | Togepi, Delibird | |
| Illuminate | Raises the likelihood of meeting wild Pokémon. | Volbeat, Chinchou | |
| Intimidate | Lowers the foe's Attack stat. | Gyarados, Arcanine | |
| Keen Eye | Prevents the Pokémon from losing accuracy. | Hoothoot, Hitmonchan | |
| No Guard | Ensures the Pokémon and its foe's attacks land. | Machop | |
| Perfume | The perfume helps attract wild Pok�mon. | Syruple | |
| Quick Feet | Boosts Speed if there is a status problem. | Poochyena, Granbull | |
| Snow Cloak | Raises evasion in a hailstorm. | Swinub, Froslass | |
| Static | Contact with the Pokémon may cause paralysis. | Mareep, Pikachu | |
| Stench | The stench helps keep wild Pokémon away. | Grimer | |
| Synchronize | Passes on a burn, poison, or paralysis to the foe. | Ralts, Espeon | |
| Vital Spirit | Prevents the Pokémon from falling asleep. | Mankey, Vigoroth | |
| White Smoke | Prevents the Pokémon's stats from being lowered. | Torkoal | |
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| Name | Game Text | Examples | Origin |
|---|
| Antigravity | Changes the Pokémon's reaction to altered gravity. | Upsidaze | |
| Battle Armor | The Pokémon is protected against critical hits. | Kabuto, Drapion | |
| Dry Skin | Reduces HP if it is hot. Water restores HP. | Croagunk, Parasect | |
| Durable | Protects the Pokémon from recoil damage. | Possessord, Chromnium | |
| Erode | Weakens Grass moves and damages Ground and Rock Pokémon. | Petaeros | |
| Filter | Reduces damage from super-effective attacks. | Mime Jr., Mr. Mime | |
| Friend Guard | Reduces damage done to allies. | Clefairy, Jigglypuff, Happiny | |
| Heatproof | Weakens the power of Fire-type moves. | Bronzor, Bronzong | |
| Levitate | Gives immunity to GROUND but weakness to WIND. | Gastly, Carnivine | |
| Liquid Ooze | Inflicts damage on foes using any draining move. | Tentacool, Gulpin | |
| Loyalty | Fierce loyalty prevents any betrayals. | Maldito, Malvaro | |
| Magic Guard | The Pokémon only takes damage from attacks. | Clefairy | |
| Motor Drive | Raises Speed if hit by an Electric-type move. | Electivire | |
| Multiscale | Reduces damage when HP is full. | Dragonite, Lugia | |
| Overcoat | Protects the Pokémon from damage from weather. | Sewaddle, Reuniclus | |
| Pure Breath | Lowers the chance of success of filthy moves. | Jibayuna | |
| Rock Head | Protects the Pokémon from recoil damage. | Geodude, Marowak | |
| Rubber Skin | Gives full immunity to all ELECTRIC-type moves. | Rubbarvaz | |
| Sap Sipper | Boosts Attack when hit by a Grass-type move. | Deerling, Bouffalant | |
| Shell Armor | The Pokémon is protected against critical hits. | Shellder, Omastar | |
| Shield Dust | Blocks the added effects of attacks taken. | Wurmple, Venomoth | |
| Solid Rock | Powers down super-effective moves. | Camerupt, Rhyperior | |
| Soundproof | Gives full immunity to all sound-based moves. | Voltorb, Loudred | |
| Sturdy | The Pokémon is protected against 1-hit KO attacks. | Pineco, Bastiodon | |
| Telepathy | Anticipates an ally's attack and dodges it. | Elgyem, Musharna | |
| Thick Fat | Raises resistance to FIRE-type and ICE-type moves. | Munchlax, Dewgong | |
| Thick Skin | Protects the Pok�mon from super effective hits. | Peipelt | |
| Wonder Guard | Only super effective moves will hit. | Shedinja | |
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| Name | Game Text | Examples | Origin |
|---|
| Adaptability | Powers up moves of the same type. | Eevee, Porygon-Z | |
| Analytic | Boosts move power when the Pokémon moves last. | Magnemite, Beheeyem | |
| Aqua Phase | Can change the phase of Water-type moves to be super-effective. | Aquletale | |
| Bellows | Its Fire-type moves power up if it's hit by a Wind-type move | Theranqure | |
| Blaze | Powers up Fire-type moves in a pinch. | Charmander, Torchic | |
| Cacophony | Raises the base power of sound moves. | Magtie, Megaphon | |
| Cutting Edge | Boosts the power of cutting moves. | Possessord | |
| Dispersal | Boosts the power of seed-based moves. | Dyspreeze | |
| Diurnal | Boosts power to 125% during the day, but cuts to 75% at night. | Searpent | |
| Flash Fire | Its Fire-type moves power up if it's hit by one. | Vulpix, Rapidash | |
| Iron Fist | Boosts the power of punching moves. | Hitmonchan | |
| Malfunction | The Pokémon may disobey its trainer. | Omegabot | |
| Mold Breaker | Moves can be used regardless of abilities. | Pinsir, Rampardos | |
| Reckless | Powers up moves that have recoil damage. | Hitmonlee | |
| Sheer Force | Removes added effects to increase move damage. | Timburr, Darmanitan | |
| Sniper | Powers up moves if they become critical hits. | Remoraid, Seadra | |
| Solubility | During sunshine, Sp.ATK increases. During rain, Sp.DEF decreases. | Saliwitch, Naclimage | |
| Super Luck | Heightens the critical-hit ratios of moves. | Murkrow, Absol | |
| Technician | Powers up the Pokémon's weaker moves. | Meowth, Persian | |
| Teravolt | Moves can be used
regardless of Abilities. | Zekrom | |
| Tight Grip | Boosts the damage from binding moves each turn. | Soulace | |
| Tinted Lens | Powers up "not very effective" moves. | Venonat, Yanmega | |
| Turbine | Its Electric-type moves power up if it's hit by a Wind-type move. | Vornaries | |
| Turboblaze | Moves can be used regardless of Abilities. | Reshiram | |
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| Name | Game Text | Examples | Origin |
|---|
| Aftermath | Damages the attacker landing the finishing hit. | Drifloon, Skuntank | |
| Bad Dreams | Reduces a sleeping foe's HP. | Darkrai | |
| Bloodsucker | Drains the attacking Pokémon's HP on physical contact. | Transquito | |
| Erode | Weakens Grass moves and damages Ground and Rock Pokémon. | Petaeros | |
| Frigid | Contact with the Pokémon may freeze the attacker. | Midice | |
| Iron Barbs | Inflicts damage to the Pokémon on contact. | Ferroseed, Ferrothorn | |
| Liquid Ooze | Inflicts damage on foes using any draining move. | Tentacool, Gulpin | |
| Pitiful | The Pok�mon may cause the foe to flinch. | Phantrough | |
| Radioactive | Damages the foe by emitting radiation. | Abominatom | |
| Rough Skin | Inflicts damage to the foe on contact. | Carvanha | |
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| Name | Game Text | Examples | Origin |
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| Early Bird | The Pokémon awakens quickly from sleep. | Doduo, Houndour | |
| Flare Boost | Powers up special attacks when burned. | Drifloon, Drifblim | |
| Guts | Boosts Attack if there is a status problem. | Machop, Tyrogue | |
| Healer | May heal an ally's status conditions. | Chansey, Audino | |
| Heatproof | Weakens the power of Fire-type moves. | Bronzor, Bronzong | |
| Hydration | Heals status problems if it is raining. | Seel, Manaphy | |
| Immunity | Prevents the Pokémon from getting poisoned. | Zangoose, Snorlax | |
| Inner Focus | The Pokémon is protected from flinching. | Zubat, Kadabra | |
| Insomnia | Prevents the Pokémon from falling asleep. | Hoothoot, Drowzee | |
| Leaf Guard | Prevents status problems in sunny weather. | Hoppip, Tangrowth | |
| Limber | The Pokémon is protected from paralysis. | Ditto, Persian | |
| Loyalty | Fierce loyalty prevents any betrayals. | Maldito, Malvaro | |
| Magma Armor | Prevents the Pokémon from becoming frozen. | Slugma, Camerupt | |
| Marvel Scale | Boosts Defense if there is a status problem. | Milotic | |
| Natural Cure | All status problems are healed upon switching out. | Chansey, Altaria | |
| Oblivious | Prevents the Pokémon from becoming infatuated. | Slowpoke, Lickilicky | |
| Own Tempo | Prevents the Pokémon from becoming confused. | Spinda, Spoink | |
| Poison Heal | Restores HP if the Pokémon is poisoned. | Shroomish | |
| Quick Feet | Boosts Speed if there is a status problem. | Poochyena, Granbull | |
| Shed Skin | The Pokémon may heal its own status problems. | Ekans, Metapod | |
| Shield Dust | Blocks the added effects of attacks taken. | Wurmple, Venomoth | |
| Steadfast | Raises Speed each time the Pokémon flinches. | Riolu, Gallade | |
| Synchronize | Passes on a burn, poison, or paralysis to the foe. | Ralts, Espeon | |
| Tangled Feet | Raises evasion if the Pokémon is confused. | Chatot, Pidgeotto | |
| Toxic Boost | Powers up physical attacks when poisoned. | Zangoose | |
| Vital Flow | Prevents the Pok�mon from falling asleep. | Pharaleoh | |
| Vital Spirit | Prevents the Pokémon from falling asleep. | Mankey, Vigoroth | |
| Water Veil | Prevents the Pokémon from getting a burn. | Wailmer, Seaking | |
| Wonder Skin | Makes status-changing moves more likely to miss. | Skitty, Sigilyph | |
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| Name | Game Text | Examples | Origin |
|---|
| Autorepair | Recovers HP gradually but can't heal by organic means. | Sigmabot | |
| Bloodsucker | Drains the attacking Pokémon's HP on physical contact. | Transquito | |
| Dry Skin | Reduces HP if it is hot. Water restores HP. | Croagunk, Parasect | |
| Graze | The Pokémon rests to restore HP every two turns. | Alpaquick | |
| Ice Body | The Pokémon regains HP in a hailstorm. | Snorunt, Walrein | |
| Poison Heal | Restores HP if the Pokémon is poisoned. | Shroomish | |
| Pure Breath | Lowers the chance of success of filthy moves. | Jibayuna | |
| Rain Dish | The Pokémon gradually recovers HP in rain. | Lotad | |
| Regenerator | Restores a little HP when withdrawn from battle. | Audino, Mienshao | |
| Volt Absorb | Restores HP if hit by an ELECTRIC-type move. | Chinchou, Jolteon | |
| Water Absorb | Restores HP if hit by a WATER-type move. | Wooper, Vaporeon | |
| Wind Absorb | Restores HP if hit by a WIND-type move. | Hurricroak | |
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| Name | Game Text | Examples | Origin |
|---|
| Arena Trap | Prevents the foe from fleeing. | Trapinch, Diglett | |
| Cherity | Generates Cheri Berries. | Chwins | |
| Compoundeyes | The Pokémon's accuracy is boosted. | Butterfree, Venonat | |
| Cute Charm | Contact with the Pokémon may cause infatuation. | Skitty, Clefairy | |
| Flame Body | Contact with the Pokémon may burn the attacker. | Slugma, Magmar | |
| Hustle | Boosts the Attack stat, but lowers accuracy. | Togepi, Delibird | |
| Illuminate | Raises the likelihood of meeting wild Pokémon. | Volbeat, Chinchou | |
| Intimidate | Lowers the foe's Attack stat. | Gyarados, Arcanine | |
| Keen Eye | Prevents the Pokémon from losing accuracy. | Hoothoot, Hitmonchan | |
| Magma Armor | Prevents the Pokémon from becoming frozen. | Slugma, Camerupt | |
| Magnet Pull | Prevents Steel-type Pokémon from escaping. | Magneton, Nosepass | |
| No Guard | Ensures the Pokémon and its foe's attacks land. | Machop | |
| Pressure | The Pok�mon raises the foe's PP usage. | Dusclops, Mewtwo | |
| Quick Feet | Boosts Speed if there is a status problem. | Poochyena, Granbull | |
| Snow Cloak | Raises evasion in a hailstorm. | Swinub, Froslass | |
| Stench | The stench helps keep wild Pokémon away. | Grimer | |
| Sticky Hold | Protects the Pokémon from item theft. | Grimer, Gastrodon | |
| Suction Cups | Negates moves that force switching out. | Lileep, Octillery | |
| Swarm | Powers up Bug-type moves in a pinch. | Beedrill, Scyther | |
| Synchronize | Passes on a burn, poison, or paralysis to the foe. | Ralts, Espeon | |
| Vital Spirit | Prevents the Pokémon from falling asleep. | Mankey, Vigoroth | |
| White Smoke | Prevents the Pokémon's stats from being lowered. | Torkoal | |
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| Name | Game Text | Examples | Origin |
|---|
| Contrary | Makes stat changes have an opposite effect. | Spinda, Serperior | |
| Defeatist | Lowers stats when HP becomes half or less. | Archen, Archeops | |
| Dry Skin | Reduces HP if it is hot. Water restores HP. | Croagunk, Parasect | |
| Hot Temper | Boosts Sp. Atk, but lowers Sp. Def when HP is low. | Tyrantorch | |
| Hustle | Boosts the Attack stat, but lowers accuracy. | Togepi, Delibird | |
| Klutz | The Pokémon can't use any held items. | Buneary | |
| Malfunction | The Pokémon may disobey its trainer. | Omegabot | |
| Moody | Raises one stat and lowers another. | Bidoof, Octillery | |
| Pain | Boosts Attack, but lowers Defense when HP is low. | Phobain | |
| Panic | Boosts Defense, but lowers Attack when HP is low. | Depanos | |
| Paper Thin | Thin defenses provide no protection from attacks. | | |
| Slow Start | Temporarily halves Attack and Speed. | Regigigas | |
| Solar Panels | Boosts in sunshine, but lowers in rain. | Stegolar | |
| Solar Power | Boosts Sp. Atk, but lowers HP in sunshine. | Sunkern, Tropius | |
| Weak Armor | Physical attacks lower Defense and raise Speed. | Magcargo, Garbodor | |
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| Name | Game Text | Examples | Origin |
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| Anger Point | Maxes Attack after taking a critical hit. | Tauros, Primeape | |
| Antigravity | Changes the Pokémon's reaction to altered gravity. | Upsidaze | |
| Chlorophyll | Boosts the Pokémon's Speed in sunshine. | Oddish, Bellsprout | |
| Compoundeyes | The Pokémon's accuracy is boosted. | Butterfree, Venonat | |
| Contrary | Makes stat changes have an opposite effect. | Spinda, Serperior | |
| Defiant | When its stats are lowered its Attack increases. | Purugly, Bisharp | |
| Download | Adjusts power according to a foe's defenses. | Porygon2, Genesect | |
| Flare Boost | Powers up special attacks when burned. | Drifloon, Drifblim | |
| Flower Gift | Powers up party Pokémon when it is sunny. | Cherrim | |
| Focus | Boosts Sp. Atk if there is a status problem. | Miravistel | |
| Guts | Boosts Attack if there is a status problem. | Machop, Tyrogue | |
| Hot Temper | Boosts Sp. Atk, but lowers Sp. Def when HP is low. | Tyrantorch | |
| Huge Power | Raises the Pokémon's Attack stat. | Marill | |
| Hustle | Boosts the Attack stat, but lowers accuracy. | Togepi, Delibird | |
| Justified | Raises Attack when hit by a Dark-type move. | Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizion | |
| Marvel Scale | Boosts Defense if there is a status problem. | Milotic | |
| Minus | Boosts Sp. Atk if another Pok�mon has Plus. | Minun | |
| Moody | Raises one stat and lowers another. | Bidoof, Octillery | |
| Motor Drive | Raises Speed if hit by an Electric-type move. | Electivire | |
| Moxie | Boosts Attack after knocking out any Pokémon. | Sandile, Scrafty | |
| No Guard | Ensures the Pokémon and its foe's attacks land. | Machop | |
| Nocturnal | The user's ability to see at night raises its accuracy in darkness. | | |
| Pain | Boosts Attack, but lowers Defense when HP is low. | Phobain | |
| Panic | Boosts Defense, but lowers Attack when HP is low. | Depanos | |
| Plus | Boosts Sp. Atk if another Pokémon has Minus. | Plusle | |
| Prankster | Gives priority to a status move. | Whimsicott, Tornadus | |
| Pure Power | Boosts the power of physical attacks. | Medicham | |
| Quick Feet | Boosts Speed if there is a status problem. | Poochyena, Granbull | |
| Rattled | Some move types scare it and boost its Speed. | Sudowoodo, Whismur | |
| Rivalry | Raises Attack if the foe is of the same gender. | Shinx, Nidorino | |
| Sand Rush | Boosts the Pokémon's Speed in a sandstorm. | Herdier, Excadrill | |
| Sand Veil | Boosts the Pokémon's evasion in a sandstorm. | Sandshrew, Cacturne | |
| Sap Sipper | Boosts Attack when hit by a Grass-type move. | Deerling, Bouffalant | |
| Snow Cloak | Raises evasion in a hailstorm. | Swinub, Froslass | |
| Solar Panels | Boosts in sunshine, but lowers in rain. | Stegolar | |
| Solar Power | Boosts Sp. Atk, but lowers HP in sunshine. | Sunkern, Tropius | |
| Speed Boost | The Pokémon's Speed stat is gradually boosted. | Ninjask, Yanma | |
| Steadfast | Raises Speed each time the Pokémon flinches. | Riolu, Gallade | |
| Storm Drain | The Pokémon draws in all Water-type moves. | Finneon, Gastrodon | |
| Swift Swim | Boosts the Pokémon's Speed in rain. | Goldeen, Horsea | |
| Tangled Feet | Raises evasion if the Pokémon is confused. | Chatot, Pidgeotto | |
| Toxic Boost | Powers up physical attacks when poisoned. | Zangoose | |
| Unburden | Raises Speed if a held item is used. | Drifloon | |
| Victory Star | Boosts the accuracy of its allies and itself. | Victini | |
| Weak Armor | Physical attacks lower Defense and raise Speed. | Magcargo, Garbodor | |
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| Name | Game Text | Examples | Origin |
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| Alter Time | This Pokémon always seems to move first, no matter what. | Bonzai | |
| Ambush | May go first and lowers the foe's Defense. | Bamboozl' | |
| Anticipation | Senses a foe's dangerous moves. | Barboach, Toxicroak | |
| Aqua Phase | Can change the phase of Water-type moves to be super-effective. | Aquletale | |
| Color Change | Changes the Pokémon's type to the foe's move. | Kecleon | |
| Cursed Body | May disable a move used on the Pokémon. | Froslass, Jellicent | |
| Damp | Prevents combatants from self-destructing. | Psyduck, Poliwhirl | |
| Dispersal | Boosts the power of seed-based moves. | Dyspreeze | |
| Element Cycle | Cycles through the elements at the start of battle. | Deckadecu | |
| Forewarn | Determines what moves a foe has. | Smoochum, Hypno | |
| Graze | The Pokémon rests to restore HP every two turns. | Alpaquick | |
| Heavy Metal | Doubles the Pokémon's weight. | Aron, Bronzong | |
| Honey Gather | The Pokémon may gather Honey from somewhere. | Combee | |
| Illusion | Comes out disguised as the Pokémon in back. | Zorua, Zoroark | |
| Imposter | It transforms itself into the Pokémon it is facing. | Ditto | |
| Infiltrator | Passes through the foe's barrier and strikes. | Zubat, Whimsicott | |
| Liar Liar | The Pok�mon counteracts foe's last move's type. | Gaolah | |
| Light Metal | Halves the Pokémon's weight. | Scizor, Registeel | |
| Magic Bounce | Reflects status-changing moves. | Natu, Espeon | |
| Malfunction | The Pokémon may disobey its trainer. | Omegabot | |
| Multitype | Changes type to match the held Plate. | Arceus | |
| Mummy | Contact with this Pokémon spreads this Ability. | Yamask, Cofagrigus | |
| Neutral | Changes charge into Plus or Minus at random. | Neutri | |
| No Ability | The Pok�mon has no special ability. | -none currently known- | |
| Pressure | The Pok�mon raises the foe's PP usage. | Dusclops, Mewtwo | |
| Run Away | Enables sure getaway from wild Pokémon. | Rattata, Dodrio | |
| Serene Grace | Boosts the likelihood of added effects appearing. | Chansey, Jirachi | |
| Simple | The Pokémon is prone to wild stat changes. | Numel, Bibarel | |
| Skill Link | Increases the frequency of multi-strike moves. | Shellder | |
| Stall | The Pokémon moves after even slower foes. | Sableye | |
| Terramorph | Transforms depending on natural energy in the region. | Maqueterra | |
| Trace | The Pokémon copies the foe's ability. | Ralts, Porygon | |
| Trickster | The Pok�mon disguises as a random Pok�mon. | Prankstar | |
| Truant | The Pokémon can't attack on consecutive turns. | Slakoth | |
| Truth Tell | The Pok�mon copies foe's last move's type. | Gaolah | |
| Unaware | Ignores any change in ability by the foe. | Bidoof | |
| Zen Mode | Changes the Pokémon's shape when HP is halved. | Darmanitan | |
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