Utility
Balanced
288Low
48Slow
CTier

Ditto's entire strategy is Imposter — it copies the opposing Pokemon on switch-in, copying their stats, moves, and boosts. Speed ties decide who attacks first, and a Choice Scarf fixes that problem. Ghost moves can't touch it, and only a single type hits it super-effectively.

Ditto's stats barely vary. 0 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
288Below
HP48
D
Attack48
D
Defense48
D
Sp. Atk48
D
Sp. Def48
D
Speed48
D
Total288
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Ditto yields +1 HP
HP+1AtkDefSpASpDSpe
Details
Catch35DifficultMedium Fast1M XP0.3m / 1'00"4kg / 8.8 lbs101Base XP
Pokedex Entries

It can reconstitute its entire cellular structure to change into what it sees, but it returns to normal when it relaxes.

Sword

When it encounters another Ditto, it will move faster than normal to duplicate that opponent exactly.

Shield

Ditto Weakness

Good

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

4xCriticali
None
2xWeaki
½xResisti
None
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
STABi
No super-effective STAB
1Weak
0Resist
1Immune
Scorei+1
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesVulnerable
Abilities
LimberPrevents paralysis.
ImposterHATransforms upon entering battle.

Ditto is what you get. No evolutions, but it breeds through one egg group with a small partner pool. Hatching is average hatch time.

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
Ditto
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)

Prediction matters here. Choice Scarf means Ditto can't change moves after clicking, but the payoff is speed patching through item lock. Max HP and Defense EVs with Imposter back that up. Utility options prevents free switches.

Best Build

Bulky Support
Ability
Imposter
Item
Choice ScarfSPEED
Nature
Impish+DEF
EVs

Best Ditto Moveset

  • UnknownSTAB
  • TransformUtility

Ditto's options are limited here. You've got Normal STAB for STAB damage, but there isn't much beyond Normal hitting power. TMs help fill gaps, though the kit stays tight.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Transform
10Normal

TM Moves

Ditto can't learn any TM moves

Egg Moves

Ditto doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Ditto can't learn any Tutor moves

Ditto appears at high spawn rates across 40 spots in late-game routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.

Best Locations

Ditto appears in 40 walking locations at Lv. 40-58 across Sword and Shield. Not all encounters show up in every version, so check which ones match your game.

Workout Sea
SwordOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterOvercast
EFFORTLESS
Workout Sea
ShieldOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterSnowstorm
EFFORTLESS
Workout Sea
SwordOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterNormal Weather
EFFORTLESS
Workout Sea
SwordOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterSnowstorm
EFFORTLESS
Workout Sea
ShieldOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterThunderstorm
EFFORTLESS
Workout Sea
ShieldOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterIntense Sun
EFFORTLESS
Workout Sea
SwordOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterThunderstorm
EFFORTLESS
Workout Sea
ShieldOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterSnowing
EFFORTLESS
Workout Sea
SwordOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterIntense Sun
EFFORTLESS
Workout Sea
ShieldOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterSandstorm
EFFORTLESS
Workout Sea
SwordOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterSnowing
EFFORTLESS
Workout Sea
ShieldOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterRaining
EFFORTLESS
Workout Sea
SwordOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterSandstorm
EFFORTLESS
Workout Sea
ShieldOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterHeavy Fog
EFFORTLESS
Workout Sea
SwordOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterRaining
EFFORTLESS
Workout Sea
ShieldOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterOvercast
EFFORTLESS
Workout Sea
SwordOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterHeavy Fog
EFFORTLESS
Workout Sea
ShieldOverworldLv.40-4582%LateWaterNormal Weather
EFFORTLESS
Workout Sea
ShieldGrassLv.43-4830%LateWaterAll Weather
EFFORTLESS
Workout Sea
SwordGrassLv.43-4830%LateWaterAll Weather
EFFORTLESS
Lake of Outrage
ShieldOverworldLv.55-5810%PostWaterSnowstorm
MODERATE
Lake of Outrage
SwordOverworldLv.55-5810%PostWaterNormal Weather
MODERATE
Lake of Outrage
SwordOverworldLv.55-5810%PostWaterSnowstorm
MODERATE
Lake of Outrage
ShieldOverworldLv.55-5810%PostWaterThunderstorm
MODERATE
Lake of Outrage
ShieldOverworldLv.55-5810%PostWaterIntense Sun
MODERATE
Lake of Outrage
SwordOverworldLv.55-5810%PostWaterThunderstorm
MODERATE
Lake of Outrage
ShieldOverworldLv.55-5810%PostWaterSnowing
MODERATE
Lake of Outrage
SwordOverworldLv.55-5810%PostWaterIntense Sun
MODERATE
Lake of Outrage
ShieldOverworldLv.55-5810%PostWaterSandstorm
MODERATE
Lake of Outrage
SwordOverworldLv.55-5810%PostWaterSnowing
MODERATE
Lake of Outrage
ShieldOverworldLv.55-5810%PostWaterRaining
MODERATE
Lake of Outrage
SwordOverworldLv.55-5810%PostWaterSandstorm
MODERATE
Lake of Outrage
ShieldOverworldLv.55-5810%PostWaterHeavy Fog
MODERATE
Lake of Outrage
SwordOverworldLv.55-5810%PostWaterRaining
MODERATE
Lake of Outrage
ShieldOverworldLv.55-5810%PostWaterOvercast
MODERATE
Lake of Outrage
SwordOverworldLv.55-5810%PostWaterHeavy Fog
MODERATE
Lake of Outrage
ShieldOverworldLv.55-5810%PostWaterNormal Weather
MODERATE
Lake of Outrage
SwordOverworldLv.55-5810%PostWaterOvercast
MODERATE
Lake of Outrage
ShieldGrassLv.50-522%PostWaterNormal Weather
HARD
Lake of Outrage
SwordGrassLv.50-522%PostWaterNormal Weather
HARD
  • 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.

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

  • Ditto doesn't evolve and has no evolutionary line. It's a Normal-type Pokemon with a 288 base stat total.

  • 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.

  • Ditto fills the balanced role. It's leaning toward the physical side (base 48 Attack). Base 48 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. And it's fragile — can't afford to take many hits.

  • Ditto appears in 20 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.

Ditto has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 20 titles across all 9 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.