Confusion (move)

This article is about the Pokémon move. For the status condition, see Confusion (status condition).

Confusion
ねんりき Willpower
Type  Psychic
Category  Special
PP  25 (max. 40)
Power  50
Accuracy  100%
Priority  0
Range
Opponent Opponent Opponent
Self Ally Ally
Normal: May affect anyone adjacent to the user
Availability
Introduced  Generation I
Condition  Smart
Appeal  2 ♥♥
Jam  3 ♥♥♥
Startles the Pokémon that appealed before the user.
Condition  Smart
Appeal  3 ♥♥♥
A basic performance using a move known by the Pokémon.
Condition  Clever
Appeal  4 ♥♥♥♥
Jamming  0  
Quite an appealing move.

Confusion (Japanese: ねんりき Willpower) is a damage-dealing Psychic-type move introduced in Generation I.

Effect

Confusion does damage and has a 10% chance of confusing the target.

Confusion can be used as the first move of a Pokémon Contest combination, causing Future Sight, Kinesis, Psychic, and Teleport to score double the normal appeal if used in the next turn. It can also be used to finish a combination, with the user gaining 2 bonus appeal points if Calm Mind, Kinesis, or Psychic was used in the previous turn.

Generation VIII

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Category  Special
PP  20
Agile Strong
Power  50  40  60
Accuracy  100%  100%  100%
Action speed modifier
Self  0  0  +5
Target  0  +3  0
Additional effect
   ?  ?
   ?  ?
   ?  ?
None

Description

Games Description
StadStad2 A Psychic-type attack. Has a one-in-ten chance of leaving the target confused.
GSC An attack that may cause confusion.
RSEColoXD A psychic attack that may cause confusion.
FRLG A weak telekinetic attack that may also leave the foe confused.
DPPtHGSSPBR The foe is hit by a weak telekinetic force. It may also leave the foe confused.
BWB2W2 The target is hit by a weak telekinetic force. It may also leave the target confused.
XYORAS
SMUSUMPE
SwShBDSP
The target is hit by a weak telekinetic force. This may also confuse the target.
LA The target is hit with a weak telekinetic force to inflict damage.
SV The target is hit with a weak telekinetic force to inflict damage. This may also confuse the target.


Learnset

By leveling up

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Level
0012 Butterfree
Bug Bug 1, 12RGB
1, 10Y
1, 10 1, 10 1, 10 1, 10 1, 10 1, 11 1 8 8
0048 Venonat
Bug Bug 19Y 17 17 11 11 11 11 12 11 11
0049 Venomoth
Bug Bug 1Y 17 17 11 11 11 11 1, 12 11 11
0054 Psyduck Water 1 Field 36 16 16 18 18BW
15B2W2
15XY
11ORAS
10 14 6 6 6 6
0055 Golduck Water 1 Field 39 1, 16 16 18 18BW
15B2W2
15XY
11ORAS
10 1, 14 6 6 6 1
0064 Kadabra Human-Like Human-Like 1, 16RGB
16Y
1, 16 1, 16 1, 16 1, 16 1, 16 1, 16 1 1, Evo. 1, Evo. Evo.
0065 Alakazam Human-Like Human-Like 1, 16RGB
16Y
1, 16 1, 16 1, 16 1, 16 1, 16 1, 16 1 1 1 6
0077 Ponyta
Ponyta
Galarian Form
Field Field 10
0078 Rapidash
Rapidash
Galarian Form

Field Field 1
0079 Slowpoke
Monster Water 1 1 20 20RSE
17FRLG
15 14 14 14 18 12 12 12
0079 Slowpoke
Slowpoke
Galarian Form
Monster Water 1 12 12
0080 Slowbro
Monster Water 1 1 20 20RSE
17FRLG
15 14 14 14 18 12 12 12
0080 Slowbro
Slowbro
Galarian Form

Monster Water 1 12 12
0096 Drowzee Human-Like Human-Like 17 18 18RSE
11FRLG
9 9 9 9 9 9 9
0097 Hypno Human-Like Human-Like 1, 17 1, 18 1, 18RSE
1, 11FRLG
1, 9 1, 9 1, 9 1, 9 1, 9 1, 9 1
0102 Exeggcute
Grass Grass 19 19 27 27 27 27 14 20 20 20
0103 Exeggutor
Grass Grass 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0103 Exeggutor
Exeggutor
Alolan Form

Grass Grass 1 1 1 1
0114 Tangela Grass Grass 10
0122 Mr. Mime
Human-Like Human-Like 1, 15 6 5 1 1 1 1 1 12 12 1
0122 Mr. Mime
Mr. Mime
Galarian Form

Human-Like Human-Like 12
0124 Jynx
Human-Like Human-Like 12 12 12
0144 Articuno
Articuno
Galarian Form

No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 5 5
0150 Mewtwo No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0151 Mew No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1
0163 Hoothoot
Flying Flying 34 34 21 21 21 10 9 9 9
0164 Noctowl
Flying Flying 41 41 22 22 22 10 9 9 9
0196 Espeon Field Field 16 16 15 15BW
9B2W2
9 1, Evo. 1, Evo. 1, Evo. Evo. Evo.
0199 Slowking
Monster Water 1 20 20RSE
17FRLG
15 14 14 14 12 12 12
0199 Slowking
Slowking
Galarian Form

Monster Water 1 12 12
0200 Misdreavus Amorphous Amorphous 1 6 1
0203 Girafarig
Field Field 1, 7 13 1 1 1 1 5 5
0234 Stantler Field Field 5
0238 Smoochum
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 21 21 15 15 15 15 12 12
0251 Celebi
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0269 Dustox
Bug Bug 1, 10 1, 10 1, 10 1, 10XY
12ORAS
12 12 Evo.
0280 Ralts
Human-Like Amorphous 6 6 6 6XY
4ORAS
4 6 6 1 6
0281 Kirlia
Human-Like Amorphous 1, 6 1, 6 1, 6 1, 6XY
1, 4ORAS
1, 4 1 1 1 1
0282 Gardevoir
Human-Like Amorphous 1, 6 1, 6 1, 6 1, 6XY
1, 4ORAS
1, 4 1 1 1 1
0307 Meditite
Human-Like Human-Like 9 8 8 8XY
7ORAS
7 7 1
0308 Medicham
Human-Like Human-Like 1, 9 1, 8 1, 8 1, 8XY
1, 7ORAS
1, 7 1, 7 1
0325 Spoink Field Field 1 7
0326 Grumpig Field Field 1 1
0337 Lunatone
Mineral Mineral 7 1 1 1 1 1 1
0338 Solrock
Mineral Mineral 7 1 1 1 1 1 1
0343 Baltoy
Mineral Mineral 1 1 1 1 1 6 6
0344 Claydol
Mineral Mineral 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0358 Chimecho Amorphous Amorphous 14 14 14 14XY
1, 10ORAS
1, 10 1, 10 6 1
0368 Gorebyss Water 1 Water 1 8 6 6 6XY
1ORAS
1 1
0375 Metang
Mineral Mineral 20 1, 20 1, 20 1, 20 1, Evo. 1, Evo. 1, Evo. Evo.
0376 Metagross
Mineral Mineral 1, 20 1, 20 1, 20 1, 20 1 1 1 1
0380 Latias
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 15 15 15
0381 Latios
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 15 15 15
0385 Jirachi
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0413 Wormadam
Wormadam
All forms

Bug Bug 23 23 23 23 23 11
0414 Mothim
Bug Bug 23 23 23 23 23 11
0425 Drifloon
Amorphous Amorphous 1
0426 Drifblim
Amorphous Amorphous 1
0429 Mismagius Amorphous Amorphous 1 6
0433 Chingling No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 14 14 14XY
10ORAS
10 10 6 10
0436 Bronzor
Mineral Mineral 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 1
0437 Bronzong
Mineral Mineral 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 1
0439 Mime Jr.
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1 1 1 1 12 12 1
0475 Gallade
Human-Like Amorphous 1, 6 1, 6 1, 6XY
1, 4ORAS
1, 4 1 1 1 1
0480 Uxie No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 21DP
1PtHGSS
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0481 Mesprit No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 21DP
1PtHGSS
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0482 Azelf No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 21DP
1PtHGSS
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0488 Cresselia No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 1
0489 Phione Water 1 Fairy 6
0490 Manaphy Water 1 Fairy 6
0493 Arceus
Arceus
All forms
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 6
0494 Victini
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1 1 1 1
0527 Woobat
Field Flying 1 1 1 5
0528 Swoobat
Field Flying 1 1 1 1
0561 Sigilyph
Flying Flying 1
0574 Gothita Human-Like Human-Like 3 3 3 1 1
0575 Gothorita Human-Like Human-Like 1, 3 1, 3 1, 3 1 1
0576 Gothitelle Human-Like Human-Like 1, 3 1, 3 1, 3 1 1
0577 Solosis Amorphous Amorphous 1 1
0578 Duosion Amorphous Amorphous 1 1
0579 Reuniclus Amorphous Amorphous 1 1
0605 Elgyem Human-Like Human-Like 1 1 1 1
0606 Beheeyem Human-Like Human-Like 1 1 1 1
0648 Meloetta
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 11 11 1, 11 1
0677 Espurr Field Field 9 9 9 9
0678 Meowstic
Meowstic
All forms
Field Field 9 1, 9 9 9
0720 Hoopa
Hoopa
All forms

No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1 1 1
0765 Oranguru
Field Field 1 1 1
0779 Bruxish
Water 2 Water 2 9 9
0786 Tapu Lele
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1 1
0792 Lunala
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1 1 1
0800 Necrozma
Necrozma
All available forms
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1 1 1
0825 Dottler
Bug Bug 1, Evo.
0826 Orbeetle
Bug Bug 1
0856 Hatenna Fairy Fairy 1 1
0857 Hattrem Fairy Fairy 1 1
0858 Hatterene
Fairy Fairy 1 1
0866 Mr. Rime
Human-Like Human-Like 12
0898 Calyrex
Calyrex
All forms

No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1 1
0899 Wyrdeer
Field Field 5
0954 Rabsca
Bug Bug 1
0955 Flittle Flying Flying 5
0956 Espathra Flying Flying 5
0981 Farigiraf
Field Field 5
1015 Munkidori
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1
1023 Iron Crown
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 1
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose Evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.
A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.
An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.


By breeding

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Egg Move
0007 Squirtle Monster Water 1
0032 Nidoran♂ Monster Field
0063 Abra Human-Like Human-Like
0114 Tangela Grass Grass
0187 Hoppip
Fairy Grass
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose Evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.
A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.
An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.


Form change

Generation VII

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Obtained with
0800 Necrozma No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered Having no other movesUSUM
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose Evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.
A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.
An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.


Generation VIII onward

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Obtained with
0800 Necrozma No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered Having no other movesSwShSV
0898 Calyrex
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered Having no other movesSwShSV
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose Evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.
A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.
An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.


In other games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

Confusion deals damage and may leave the target confused.

Game Base
Power
Max
Power
Base
PP
Max
PP
Base
Accuracy
Max
Accuracy
Range Target Cuts
corners
MDRB 5 - 22 - 100% - Front Enemy No
MDTDS 5 - 22 - 85% - Front Enemy No
BSL 5 - 22 - 85% - Front Enemy No
MDGtI 5 99 18 50 95% 98% Front Enemy No
SMD 5 99 18 40 95% 98% Front Enemy No
With some exceptions, Pokémon learnsets match those from the core series games:

Super Smash Bros. series

Mewtwo uses Confusion as its side special move. The move acts as a grab, ignoring shields while flipping the opponent in midair. Additionally, the move is capable of reflecting projectiles, although they would not damage the initial user of the projectile in Super Smash Bros. Melee. This was fixed in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U.

Pokémon Conquest

 
>
 
Stars: ★★
Power: 29
Accuracy: 100%
Effect: 10% chance to confuse the target
Users: Ralts   Chingling   Gothita
Grid assumes the user is in the square marked by > facing to the right, to act as their origin point.
A blue square indicates the user's position after performing the move, if the move changes their positioning at all.
Orange squares indicate spaces that are hit.
Red squares indicate the knockback on hit Pokémon.

Pokémon GO

This section contains old or outdated information, or has not been updated in a while.
Please check the content of this section and update it as required.
Reason: Energy level.
 Confusion
Fast Attack
Gyms & Raids
Power 20
Energy boost 15
Duration 1.6 seconds
Damage window 0.6 - 1.6 seconds
Trainer Battles
Power 16
Energy boost 12
Turns 4
Eligible Pokémon:
Standard eligibility
ButterfreeVenonatVenomothGolduckKadabraAlakazamSlowpokeSlowpoke (Galarian Form)SlowbroSlowbro (Galarian Form)DrowzeeHypnoExeggcuteExeggutorMr. MimeMr. Mime (Galarian Form)JynxArticuno (Galarian Form)MewtwoMewtwo (Armored Mewtwo)EspeonSlowkingSlowking (Galarian Form)GirafarigCelebiDustoxRaltsKirliaGardevoirMedititeLunatoneSolrockBaltoyClaydolGorebyssJirachiWormadam (Plant Cloak)Wormadam (Sandy Cloak)Wormadam (Trash Cloak)BronzorBronzongMime Jr.GalladeUxieMespritAzelfCresseliaVictiniWoobatSwoobatGothitaGothoritaGothitelleElgyemBeheeyemMeloetta (Aria Forme)EspurrMeowstic (Male)Meowstic (Female)Hoopa (Confined)Hoopa (Unbound)OranguruBruxishTapu LeleLunalaHatennaHattremHattereneMr. RimeWyrdeer
By Elite Fast TM
By GO Snapshot
Smeargle
As Shadow Pokémon
As Purified Pokémon
Formerly eligible
None

Updates

Gyms & Raids
  • July 30, 2016
    • Power: 12 → 15
    • Energy boost: 7 → 14
  • February 16, 2017
    • Power: 15 → 20
    • Energy boost: 14 → 10
    • Duration: 1.51 → 2.1 seconds
    • Damage window: 1.31 - 1.51 → 0.6 - 1.6 seconds
  • February 21, 2017
    • Energy boost: 10 → 15
    • Duration: 2.1 → 1.6 seconds
Trainer Battles
  • January 31, 2019
    • Power: 12 → 16

Pokémon Rumble Rush

Confusion
★★
Attack power 47.05378
Charge time 0.9 seconds
Range type Circular (ranged)
Number of hits 1
Number of projectiles 1
Critical hit rate 1.5%
Additional effect May confuse the foe

Pokémon Masters EX

Category Move gauge cost MP
(uses)
Base Power Max Power Accuracy Target Effect Tag(s) Description Playable sync pair(s)
Special 1 18 21 100% An opponent Has a chance (10%) of leaving the target confused. Liza & Lunatone
Giovanni & Mewtwo (before Mega Evolving only)
Sabrina (New Year's 2022) & Chingling
Sygna Suit Dawn & Cresselia
Lucian & Girafarig
Sygna Suit Hilda & Victini
Bede (Champion) & Galarian Articuno
Elio & Espeon
Will & Slowbro
Scottie/Bettie & Mesprit
Scottie/Bettie & Exeggcute/ExeggutorEgg
Scottie/Bettie & Slowpoke/SlowbroEgg
  • Description prior to Version 2.10.0 (from June 28, 2021): Has a very small chance of leaving the target confused.

Pokémon UNITE

In Pokémon UNITE, Confusion is Mr. Mime's and Gardevoir's first move and Hoopa's second move

Mr. Mime can obtain it by reaching level 4 and upgrading Fake Out into it instead of Psychic. The user fires a wave of psychic energy, damaging and knocking enemies back. Enemies hit into a wall take bonus damage and are stunned for 1.5s. Enemies debuffed by Guard Swap take bonus damage and are stunned, but are not knocked back. At level 11, its damage is increased.

Gardevoir starts with the move as Ralts. The user fires a piercing bolt, damaging enemies. At level 7 at Kirlia stage, the move is replaced by either Psychic or Moonblast.

Hoopa starts with the move. The user unleashes a telekinetic force in the designated direction, dealing damage to the first opposing Pokémon it hits. The telekinetic force clings to that Pokémon and then causes a delayed explosion. The explosion deals damage to opposing Pokémon in the area of effect and decreases their movement speed for a short time. At level 4, this move is replaced by either Hyperspace Hole or Trick.

Description

Games Description
MDRB Inflicts damage on the target. It may also leave the target confused.
MDTDS Inflicts damage on the target. It may also afflict the targeted enemy with a Confused status condition, which makes its movements and attacks go astray.
BSL てきポケモンに ダメージをあたえる しかも いっていのかくりつで こんらんじょうたいにかえる
Conq. The target is hit by a weak telekinetic force. It may also leave the target confused.
MDGtI It damages an enemy. It could also cause the Confused status condition. The Confused status impairs its sense of direction.
SMD It damages an enemy. It could also make the enemy confused.


In animation

Pokémon animated series

Pokédex entries

Episode Subject Source Entry
EP182 Ash's Pokédex Confusion. This powerful Psychic attack confuses an opponent and weakens it as well.

Pokémon Origins

In the manga

Ash & Pikachu

How I Became a Pokémon Card

Pokémon Adventures

  • Blaine's Mewtwo was revealed to know Confusion on the official website, but it was never shown using the move.
  • A wild Dustox was revealed to know Confusion on the official website, but it was never shown using the move.

Pokémon Colosseum Snatcher Leo

Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys

Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!

In other generations

Core series games

Side series games

Spin-off series games

Trivia

  • The English name of this move is semantically dissimilar to its Japanese name, ねんりき Nenriki, which can be translated to mean mindpower. This has been known to cause some confusion when depicted in the English dub of the animated series.
  • In the animated series, Confusion seems to have exactly the same effect as the move Psychic.
  • A majority of the time when Confusion is featured in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, it causes the Defending Pokémon to be Paralyzed rather than Confused.

In other languages

Language Title
English Confusion (all media except the TCG)
Psyshock (TCG only, up until Call of Legends)
Psy Bolt (TCG only, Emerging Powers onward)
Chinese Cantonese 念力 Nihmlihk *
精神念力 Jīngsàhn Nihmlihk
Mandarin 念力 Niànlì
Czech Zmatení
Danish Forvirring
Dutch Verwarring
Finnish Sekaannus (Original Series)
Hämmennys (Advanced Generation)
French Choc Mental
Choc Psy (TCG only, up until Call of Legends, inconsistently capitalized)
German Konfusion (all media except the TCG, except between Emerging Powers and Evolutions)
Psyschock (TCG only, up until Neo Destiny, used interchangeably with "Psychoschock")
Psychoschock (TCG only, up until Call of Legends)
Mentale Blockade (TCG only, Sun & Moon onward)
Greek Σύγχυση Sýgchysi
Hindi चक्रादों Chakraado, Uljhan me daalna
Italian Confusione (all media except the TCG)
Psicoshock (TCG only, up until Call of Legends)
Psico (TCG only, Emerging Powers onward)
Korean 염동력 Yeomdongnyeok
Norwegian Forvirring
Polish Zamęt
Portuguese Brazil Confusão
Portugal Confusão (Pokémon Chronicles)
Romanian Confuzie
Serbian Zbunjivanje
Spanish Latin America Confusión
Perturbación (AG076)
Psicotrueno (TCG only)
Spain Confusión (all media except the TCG)
Psyshock (TCG only, up until HeartGold & SoulSilver)
Psicocarga (only Slowking (Call of Legends 32))
Rayo Psi (TCG only, Emerging Powers onward)
Swedish Förvirring
Thai จิตตานุภาพ
Turkish Karmaşa
Vietnamese Gây Rối
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.