Utility
Balanced
48Speed · Slow

Ditto Best Moveset

AbilityImposter transforms Ditto into the opposing Pokemon on entry, copying the stats, typing, ability, and stat changes. The moveset is whatever the opponent brought. Every move gets 5 PP. The entire strategy is picking the right moment to send it in, copying a boosted threat, and turning the opponent's strength against them.

SABCDEFFFFCCFFFFRed, Blue & YellowIRB/YGold, Silver & CrystalIIGS/CRuby, Sapphire & EmeraldIIIRS/EDiamond, Pearl & PlatinumIVDP/PtPEAKBlack & White / B2W2VBW/B2W2X & Y / ORASVIXY/ORASTHE FALLSun & Moon / USUMVIISM/USUMSword & Shield / BDSPVIIISS/BDSPScarlet & Violet / Legends Z-AIXSV/LZACURRENT
Gen I — Red, Blue & YellowF

Transform took a full turn in Gen I (Red & Blue). 48 HP on both sides made every matchup a fragile coin flip. Nothing else in the game was this passive.

Had a combined Special stat of 48
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 1
Transform
NormalPOPULARSTAB
Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
None
Best Nature for Ditto
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • TransformUtility
Gen II — Gold, Silver & CrystalF

Special split didn't affect Transform mechanics in Gen II (Gold & Silver). Still copying everything except HP, still losing to anything that attacked first.

SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 1
Transform
NormalPOPULARSTAB
Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
Metal Powder
Best Nature for Ditto
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • TransformUtility
Gen III — Ruby, Sapphire & EmeraldF

Limber prevented paralysis in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire), but that didn't help a Pokemon whose only strategy was copying the opponent turn one.

Received Limber
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 1
Transform
NormalPOPULARSTAB
Experimental
Bulky Support
Ability
Limber
Item
Quick Claw
Best Nature for Ditto
Jolly+SPE
EVs

Bulky Support Moveset

  • TransformUtility
Gen IV — Diamond, Pearl & PlatinumC

Physical/Special split made Transform copies more accurate in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Slight usage bump from finally copying the right attack stats.

Physical/Special split overhauled move damage

Best Moves

SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 1
Transform
NormalPOPULARSTAB

Best Build

Experimental
Bulky Support
Ability
Limber
Item
Quick Powder
Best Nature for Ditto
Jolly+SPE

Ditto best EVs are Speed and HP

EVs

Bulky Support Moveset

  • TransformUtility
Gen V — Black & White / B2W2C

Imposter changed Ditto forever in Gen V (Black & White). Instant Transform on switch-in, no wasted turn. 48 HP was still the ceiling on every copy.

Gained Imposter as hidden abilityHidden Abilities became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 1
Transform
NormalPOPULARSTAB
Experimental
Bulky Support
Ability
Imposter
Item
Choice ScarfSPEED
Best Nature for Ditto
Impish+DEF
EVs

Bulky Support Moveset

  • TransformUtility

Recommended Teammates

Gen VI — X & Y / ORASF

Power creep moved past Imposter in Gen VI (X & Y). Ditto's 48 HP couldn't survive neutral hits from the Pokemon it copied. The gimmick aged poorly.

Fairy type added to the gameMega Evolution became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 1
Transform
NormalPOPULARSTAB
Experimental
Mixed Revenge Killer
Ability
Imposter
Item
Choice ScarfSPEED
Best Nature for Ditto
HardyNEUTRAL
EVs

Mixed Revenge Killer Moveset

  • TransformUtility

Recommended Teammates

Gen VII — Sun & Moon / USUMF

Z-Moves added raw power Ditto couldn't effectively use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). One Z-Crystal per battle, and Ditto usually needed the survival more.

Z-Moves became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 1
Transform
NormalPOPULARSTAB
Experimental
Bulky Support
Ability
Imposter
Item
Choice ScarfSPEED
Best Nature for Ditto
EVs

Bulky Support Moveset

  • TransformUtility

Recommended Teammates

Gen VIII — Sword & Shield / BDSPF

Dynamax doubled HP for everything else in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). Ditto's base 48 stayed fixed while every opponent got tankier.

Gigantamax became availableDynamax became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 1
Transform
NormalPOPULARSTAB
Experimental
Bulky Support
Ability
Imposter
Item
Choice ScarfSPEED
Best Nature for Ditto
Impish+DEF
EVs

Bulky Support Moveset

  • TransformUtility
Gen IX — Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-AF

Nine gens of 48 HP told the full story in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet). Imposter was the one great idea, but the body couldn't support it.

Terastallization became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Lv 1
Transform
NormalPOPULARSTAB
Experimental
Bulky Support
Ability
Imposter
Item
Choice ScarfSPEED
Best Nature for Ditto
Impish+DEF
EVs

Bulky Support Moveset

  • TransformUtility

Ditto Weakness

Ditto is weak to Fighting. On the flip side, it's immune to Ghost-type moves entirely. Only 1 weakness makes it relatively easy to build around defensively.

Ditto Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Fighting
0x (Immune)Ghost

What is Ditto Weak Against

Good
1Weak
0Resist
1Immune
Score+1
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
½xResist
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune

What is Ditto Strong Against

0Strong
2Resisted
1Immune
Score-3
2xStrong
None
½xResisted
0xImmune

Best Pokemon Against Ditto

Evolution

Ditto is what you get. No evolutions, but it breeds through one egg group with no compatible partners. Hatching is average hatch time. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Ditto
#132Ditto
Does not evolve

Breeding

Essential

Ditto can breed with almost any Pokemon, making it essential for breeding genderless Pokemon and passing down IVs.

Egg Groups
Gender
GenderlessBreeds with any Pokemon
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Breed With
Can breed with almost any Pokemon(except Undiscovered egg group)

Ditto Locations

All 20 games

moderate rates across 8 locations for Ditto in mid-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.

Best Locations to Catch Ditto in Scarlet & Violet

Ditto appears in 4 walking locations at Lv. 28-35 across Violet and Scarlet. Not all encounters show up in every version, so check which ones match your game.

West Province (Area Three) - Near Town
Lv.28-35Overworld
Rate 6%
West Province (Area Two) - Near Town
Lv.28-35Overworld
Rate 6%
West Province (Area Three) - Grass
Lv.28-35Overworld
Rate 2%
West Province (Area Two) - Grass
Lv.28-35Overworld
Rate 2%

Base Stats

Ditto's stats barely vary. None sit in respectable range with no real gaps. It's a blank slate for EV investment. Worth 1 HP EV, medium-fast 1M XP curve to max.

Base Stats
Below
HP48
D
Attack48
D
Defense48
D
Sp. Atk48
D
Sp. Def48
D
Speed48
D
Total288
Details
Catch Rate
Difficult35 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height0.3 m
Weight4.0 kg
Base XP101
Abilities
Limber
Prevents paralysis.
ImposterHidden Ability
Transforms upon entering battle.
EV Yield
HP+1AtkDefSpASpDSpe
HP training source
Pokedex Entry

Its transformation ability is perfect. However, if made to laugh, it can’t maintain its disguise.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Ditto Guide

  • Ditto's biggest threats include Machamp (Fighting), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

  • Imposter. This is Ditto's defining trait. It transforms upon entering battle. Every competitive set revolves around it. If your Ditto doesn't have Imposter, it's not worth running.

  • Honestly, Ditto is a tough sell at 288 BST. Plenty of stronger Normal options exist. Fun pick, not a practical one.

  • Don't let Ditto's 288 base stat total fool you. Imposter is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it C-Tier.

  • Run Imposter on Ditto. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Ditto also gets Limber, but they don't compare.

Game Availability

Ditto has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 20 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.

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