Role Play (move)

Role Play (Japanese: なりきり Change Appearance) is a non-damaging Psychic-type move introduced in Generation III.

Role Play
なりきり Change Appearance

Battles

Type	Psychic
Category	Status
PP	10 (max. 16)
Power	—
Accuracy	—%
Priority	{{{priority}}}
Does not make contact Not affected by Protect Not affected by Magic Coat Not affected by Snatch Not affected by Mirror Move Not affected by King's Rock

Target

Foe	Foe	Foe
Self	Ally	Ally
May affect anyone adjacent to the user

Availability

Introduced	Generation III
Move Tutor in Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness Move Tutor in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Move Tutor in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Move Tutor in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Move Tutor in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

Contests

Condition	Cute
Appeal	1 ♥
Jam	0
Makes the appeal as good as those before it.

Super Contests

Condition	Cute
Appeal	1 ♥
Earn +3 if the Pokémon gets the lowest score.

Contest Spectaculars

Condition	Cute
Appeal	1 ♥
Jamming	0
Shows off the Pokémon's appeal about as well as the move used just before it.

On Smogon's Movedex:

Effect

	This move effect may be in need of research. Reason: Check (for both user and target) Imposter in Generation V Check whether a Pokémon with the Ability Wonder Guard can use Role Play in Generation III (requires Mimic) Check Gulp Missile, Hunger Switch, or Ice Face in Generation VIII You can discuss this on the talk page.

Role Play replaces the user's Ability with the target's Ability.

Role Play bypasses accuracy checks to always hit, unless the target is in the semi-invulnerable turn of a move such as Dig or Fly. It is not affected by Protect, Detect, or Spiky Shield, but will fail if the target is protected by Crafty Shield.

Role Play fails if the target's Ability is Trace (Generation V onward), Wonder Guard, Forecast (Generation V onward), Flower Gift (Generation V onward), Multitype, Illusion, Zen Mode, Imposter, Stance Change, Power of Alchemy, Receiver, Schooling, Comatose, Shields Down, Disguise, RKS System, Power Construct, Battle Bond, Ice Face, Gulp Missile, or Neutralizing Gas.

Role Play fails if the user's Ability is Multitype, Zen Mode, Stance Change, Schooling, Comatose, Shields Down, Disguise, RKS System, Power Construct, Battle Bond, Ice Face, or Gulp Missile. If the user is under the affect of Illusion, using Role Play will cause its illusion to wear off. If the user has changed form due to Forecast or Flower Gift, it will change back to its original form upon the successful use of the move.

Generation III to IV

If the target has the same Ability as the user, Role Play will succeed, but Abilities such as Intimidate that activate when they are gained will not activate at this time.

Generation V onward

Role Play now displays the Ability the user had before using Role Play.

Role Play now fails if the target has the same Ability as the user.

If powered up by a Psychium Z into Z-Role Play, the user's Speed stat is raised by one stage.

Description

Games	Description
RS EColo.XD	Mimics the target and copies its special ability.
FRLG	The user mimics the foe completely and copies the foe's ability.
DP Pt HGSSPBR	The user mimics the foe completely, copying the foe's natural ability.
BW B2W2 XY ORAS SM USUM	The user mimics the target completely, copying the target's natural Ability.
SwSh	The user mimics the target completely, copying the target's Ability.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups	Level
#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups	I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII
064		Kadabra		Human-Like	Human-Like	33	36	42	42^XY 41^ORAS	41	40
065		Alakazam		Human-Like	Human-Like						40
122		Mr. Mime		Human-Like	Human-Like	41^RSE 40^FRLG	43	43	43	43	16
122		Mr. Mime Galarian Form		Human-Like	Human-Like						1^SwSh
234		Stantler		Field	Field	31^FRLG	33	33	33	33	33^BDSP
353		Shuppet		Amorphous	Amorphous						34^BDSP
354		Banette		Amorphous	Amorphous						34^BDSP
439		Mime Jr.		Undiscovered	Undiscovered		43	43	43	43	16
648		Meloetta		Undiscovered	Undiscovered			71	71	71
655		Delphox		Field	Field				1	1
658		Greninja		Water 1	Water 1				1	1
678		Meowstic Male		Field	Field				43	43	29^SwSh
678		Meowstic Female		Field	Field				43	43	29^SwSh
802		Marshadow		Undiscovered	Undiscovered					30	9^SwSh
866		Mr. Rime		Human-Like	Human-Like						1^SwSh
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.

By breeding

#	Pokémon		Types	Parent Egg Groups		Egg Move
#	Pokémon		Types	Parent Egg Groups		II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII
096		Drowzee		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔^BDSP
238		Smoochum		Human-Like		Human-Like						✔
327		Spinda		Field	Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔^BDSP
511		Pansage		Field		Field			✔	✔	✔
513		Pansear		Field		Field			✔	✔	✔
515		Panpour		Field		Field			✔	✔	✔
676		Furfrou		Field		Field				✔	✔
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.

By Move Tutor

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Game
#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		FRLG	E	XD	DP	Pt	HGSS	BW	B2W2	XY	ORAS	SM	USUM	PE
035		Clefairy		Fairy		Fairy		✔	✔	✔	✔
036		Clefable		Fairy		Fairy		✔	✔	✔	✔
037		Vulpix		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
037		Vulpix Alolan Form		Field		Field					✔
038		Ninetales		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
038		Ninetales Alolan Form		Field		Field					✔
039		Jigglypuff		Fairy		Fairy		✔	✔	✔	✔
040		Wigglytuff		Fairy		Fairy		✔	✔	✔	✔
054		Psyduck		Water 1	Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
055		Golduck		Water 1	Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
056		Mankey		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
057		Primeape		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
063		Abra		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
064		Kadabra		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
065		Alakazam		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
066		Machop		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
067		Machoke		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
068		Machamp		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
094		Gengar		Amorphous		Amorphous		✔	✔	✔	✔
096		Drowzee		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
097		Hypno		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
106		Hitmonlee		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
107		Hitmonchan		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
122		Mr. Mime		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
124		Jynx		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
128		Tauros		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
150		Mewtwo		Undiscovered		Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
151		Mew		Undiscovered		Undiscovered	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
173		Cleffa		Undiscovered		Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
174		Igglybuff		Undiscovered		Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
185		Sudowoodo		Mineral		Mineral		✔	✔	✔	✔
190		Aipom		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
228		Houndour		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
229		Houndoom		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
234		Stantler		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
236		Tyrogue		Undiscovered		Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
237		Hitmontop		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
238		Smoochum		Undiscovered		Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
257		Blaziken		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
296		Makuhita		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
297		Hariyama		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
302		Sableye		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
307		Meditite		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
308		Medicham		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
325		Spoink		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
326		Grumpig		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
327		Spinda		Field	Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
331		Cacnea		Grass	Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
332		Cacturne		Grass	Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
352		Kecleon		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
353		Shuppet		Amorphous		Amorphous		✔	✔	✔	✔
354		Banette		Amorphous		Amorphous		✔	✔	✔	✔
359		Absol		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
380		Latias		Undiscovered		Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
386		Deoxys Normal Forme		Undiscovered		Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
386		Deoxys Attack Forme		Undiscovered		Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
386		Deoxys Defense Forme		Undiscovered		Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
386		Deoxys Speed Forme		Undiscovered		Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
390		Chimchar		Field	Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
391		Monferno		Field	Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
392		Infernape		Field	Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
424		Ambipom		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔
438		Bonsly		Undiscovered		Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
439		Mime Jr.		Undiscovered		Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
441		Chatot		Flying		Flying		✔	✔	✔	✔
447		Riolu		Undiscovered		Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
448		Lucario		Field	Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
453		Croagunk		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
454		Toxicroak		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔
459		Snover		Monster	Grass		✔	✔	✔	✔
460		Abomasnow		Monster	Grass		✔	✔	✔	✔
480		Uxie		Undiscovered		Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
481		Mesprit		Undiscovered		Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
482		Azelf		Undiscovered		Undiscovered		✔	✔	✔	✔
494		Victini		Undiscovered		Undiscovered			✔	✔	✔
509		Purrloin		Field		Field			✔	✔	✔
510		Liepard		Field		Field			✔	✔	✔
511		Pansage		Field		Field			✔	✔	✔
512		Simisage		Field		Field			✔	✔	✔
513		Pansear		Field		Field			✔	✔	✔
514		Simisear		Field		Field			✔	✔	✔
515		Panpour		Field		Field			✔	✔	✔
516		Simipour		Field		Field			✔	✔	✔
531		Audino		Fairy		Fairy			✔	✔	✔
549		Lilligant		Grass		Grass			✔	✔	✔
562		Yamask		Mineral	Amorphous			✔	✔	✔
563		Cofagrigus		Mineral	Amorphous			✔	✔	✔
574		Gothita		Human-Like		Human-Like			✔	✔	✔
575		Gothorita		Human-Like		Human-Like			✔	✔	✔
576		Gothitelle		Human-Like		Human-Like			✔	✔	✔
577		Solosis		Amorphous		Amorphous			✔	✔	✔
578		Duosion		Amorphous		Amorphous			✔	✔	✔
579		Reuniclus		Amorphous		Amorphous			✔	✔	✔
605		Elgyem		Human-Like		Human-Like			✔	✔	✔
606		Beheeyem		Human-Like		Human-Like			✔	✔	✔
619		Mienfoo		Field	Human-Like			✔	✔	✔
620		Mienshao		Field	Human-Like			✔	✔	✔
624		Pawniard		Human-Like		Human-Like			✔	✔	✔
625		Bisharp		Human-Like		Human-Like			✔	✔	✔
641		Tornadus		Undiscovered		Undiscovered			✔	✔	✔
642		Thundurus		Undiscovered		Undiscovered			✔	✔	✔
645		Landorus		Undiscovered		Undiscovered			✔	✔	✔
648		Meloetta		Undiscovered		Undiscovered			✔	✔	✔
655		Delphox		Field		Field				✔	✔
656		Froakie		Water 1		Water 1				✔	✔
657		Frogadier		Water 1		Water 1				✔	✔
658		Greninja		Water 1		Water 1				✔	✔
676		Furfrou		Field		Field				✔	✔
677		Espurr		Field		Field				✔	✔
678		Meowstic Male		Field		Field				✔	✔
678		Meowstic Female		Field		Field				✔	✔
686		Inkay		Water 1	Water 2				✔	✔
687		Malamar		Water 1	Water 2				✔	✔
708		Phantump		Grass	Amorphous				✔	✔
709		Trevenant		Grass	Amorphous				✔	✔
710		Pumpkaboo		Amorphous		Amorphous				✔	✔
711		Gourgeist		Amorphous		Amorphous				✔	✔
720		Hoopa Confined		Undiscovered		Undiscovered				✔	✔
720		Hoopa Unbound		Undiscovered		Undiscovered				✔	✔
741		Oricorio		Flying		Flying					✔
759		Stufful		Field		Field					✔
760		Bewear		Field		Field					✔
764		Comfey		Grass		Grass					✔
769		Sandygast		Amorphous		Amorphous					✔
770		Palossand		Amorphous		Amorphous					✔
777		Togedemaru		Field	Fairy					✔
781		Dhelmise		Mineral		Mineral					✔
793		Nihilego		Undiscovered		Undiscovered					✔
802		Marshadow		Undiscovered		Undiscovered					✔
805		Stakataka		Undiscovered		Undiscovered					✔
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.

Generation V

#		Egg Groups	Obtained with
185	Sudowoodo	Mineral	Mineral	Dream World - Pleasant Forest
441	Chatot	Flying	Flying	Dream World - Windswept Sky
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.

In other games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

In Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team and Explorers of Time, Darkness and Sky, Role Play s a move with 17PP with 100% accuracy. The user targets enemy in front, replacing user's Abilities with target's (including removing the second Ability if the target has only one). It will fail if one of the Abilities about to be copied is Wonder Guard. The move is affected by Taunt.

Description

Games	Description
MDRB	Copies the target's Special Ability. The user regains its own Special Ability when it leaves the floor.
MDTD S	Copies the target's ability. The user regains its usual ability when it leaves the floor.
BSL	てきポケモンのとくせいをコピーしてじぶんのとくせいにするつぎのフロアにいくともとのとくせいにもどる
MDGtI SMD MDRTDX	It copies the Ability of a Pokémon in front of you. You regain your usual Ability when you go to the next floor.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

	Alakazam

The user mimics the target completely, copying the target's Ability.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In	Notes
Alakazam	Alakazam's face starts to glow brightly and the top half of its face morphs to look like the opponent. It then uses the opponent's Ability.
Blue's Alakazam	Secrets from Sneasel	Debut

In other generations

Core series games

Generation I	RB Y	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLG E	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	Pt HGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SM USUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Generation I	RB Y	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLG E	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	Pt HGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SM USUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Side series games

Generation I	RB Y	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLG E	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	Pt HGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SM USUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Spin-off series games

Generation I	RB Y	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLG E	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	Pt HGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SM USUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Trivia

In Generation III, the status screen erroneously states that the move has 100% accuracy, even though it ignores accuracy and evasion checks.

In other languages

Language		Title
Chinese	Cantonese	扮演 Baahnyín * 角色扮演 Goksīk Baahnyín *
Chinese	Mandarin	扮演 Bànyǎn * 角色扮演 Jiǎosè Bànyǎn *
French		Imitation
German		Rollenspiel* Rollentausch*
Greek		Υπόδυση
Italian		Giocodiruolo
Korean		역할 Yeokhal
Brazilian Portuguese		Atuar
Serbian		Gluma
Spanish		Imitación
Vietnamese		Nhập Vai

This article is part of Project Moves and Abilities, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on two related aspects of the Pokémon games.

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