Disable (move)

Disable かなしばり Temporary Binding

Battles Type  Normal Category  Status PP  20 (max. 32) Power  — Accuracy  100% Priority  0 Does not make contact Affected by Protect Affected by Magic Coat and Magic Bounce Not affected by Snatch Affected by Mirror Move Not affected by King's Rock

Range Opponent Opponent Opponent Self Ally Ally Normal: May affect anyone adjacent to the user

Availability Introduced  Generation I Not a TM, TR, HM, or Move Tutor move.

Contests Condition  Smart Appeal  2 ♥♥ Jam  0   Makes all Pokémon after the user nervous.

Super Contests Condition  Smart Appeal  2 ♥♥ Prevents the Voltage from going down in the same turn.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Clever Appeal  2 ♥♥ Jamming  0   Makes the remaining Pokémon nervous.

On Smogon's Movedex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX

Disable (Japanese: かなしばり Temporary Binding) is a non-damaging Normal-type move introduced in Generation I.

Effect

This move effect may be in need of research. Reason: How does Disable interact with Thrash, Outrage, and Petal Dance? From gen 2 onwards, can it disable a move that currently has no PP? If the target's last used move was Mimic (replacing it with a new move) or Transform (completely changing the moveset), does Disable fail? Does Disable work normally on moves temporarily acquired in battle through Mimic or Transform? If the Pokémon with a disabled move uses Transform and changes its moveset, but still has the disabled move in the new moveset, does the move remain disabled? Is the target now able to be disabled again after it forgets the disabled move by leveling up in battle or has the move replaced by the use of Transform? You can discuss this on the talk page.

Disable temporarily prevents the target from using a specific move.

The affected Pokémon will use Struggle if it has no other usable moves with PP remaining besides the disabled move. For instance, it will use Struggle if it is forced to use a single move because of Encore or choice items but that move is disabled.

The affected Pokémon can still use the disabled move as a result of Sleep Talk, Metronome, or Mirror Move. An ally Pokémon's Assist can also call the disabled move.

Disable fails if one of the target's moves is already disabled. Disable does not affect Pokémon under the protection of Aroma Veil.

Disable's effect ends after a number of turns that varies by generation, or when the Pokémon is switched out, faints, or the battle ends.

In Generation I and II, the turns are only counted if the affected Pokémon attempts to use a move. Turns spent flinching, fast asleep, frozen solid, recharging, or bound will not count towards the Disable duration length. From Generation III onwards, all turns are counted regardless of attempting to use a move or not.

Disable's effect cannot be transferred via Baton Pass.

Generation I

The disabled move is randomly selected among the target's moves whose current PP is greater than 0. Disable fails if the target has no PP for any of its moves.

In this generation, Disable's effect lasts for 0 to 7 turns.

While the move is disabled, a message of "disabled!" will appear in place of the disabled move's PP, and the target will be unable to use the move until the round after Disable wears off (attempting to select the move will just result in a notice that the move is disabled).

If the target does manage to select the move (such as if it knows the move twice because of Mimic, or if the user is faster than the target and disables the attack that the target was going to use during that round) and attempts to execute it before the disable duration is over, it will only result in a wasted turn and a message that the move is disabled. Since the check to see if a move is disabled happens after the duration reduction, it is possible to disable the move the target was about to use for only 0 turns and as a result have Disable end immediately, still allowing the target to use said move during that round.

Even if unsuccessful (for any reason), using Disable against a Pokémon using Rage will cause its rage to build.

Pokémon currently locked in to using Thrash, Petal Dance, or Rage will be unable to attack until Disable wears off. The Thrash/Petal Dance counter does not reduce during this time, and will continue as usual once Disable wears off.

If an opponent is currently charging up a move (i.e., Razor Wind, Skull Bash, Sky Attack, or SolarBeam) and the move is disabled before completion, the move will be unsuccessful, and the charging status reset. However, if the Disable counter was set to 0 turns, the effect of Disable will end before the opponent's second turn and it will be able to fully execute the move as normal.

In this generation, if a Pokémon levels up in battle and replaces the disabled move with a new move, the new move will be disabled in its place.

In Pokémon Stadium, Disable will cause a Pokémon's rage to build only if successful. The disabled move's PP is not replaced with a "disabled!" message, though attempting to select the move will still result in a notice that the move is disabled.

Generation II onwards

Disable now disables the last move that the target used. It fails if the target has not used a move yet, or if the last move it used was Struggle.

If the target is currently locked in to using a consecutively executed move; and the move is disabled before completion, the move will be disrupted. If the target has already acted that turn before the move is disabled, it will still be locked into the move and attempt to use it on the following turn, and the move will be unsuccessful.

If powered up by a Normalium Z into Z-Disable, all of the user's lowered stats are reset.

If the last move the target used was a Max Move, Disable will fail.

Description

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII		VIII		IX
												SMUSUM	PE	SwSh	BDSP	SV
0037		Vulpix		Field		Field	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	4	4	4
0037		Vulpix Alolan Form		Field		Field							−	−	4	4	4
0038		Ninetales		Field		Field	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	1	1	Rem.
0038		Ninetales Alolan Form		Field		Field							−	−	1	1	Rem.
0039		Jigglypuff		Fairy		Fairy	14	14	14	13	13	13XY 15ORAS	14	16	1	1	1
0040		Wigglytuff		Fairy		Fairy	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	−	1	1	1
0048		Venonat		Bug		Bug	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	4		1	1
0049		Venomoth		Bug		Bug	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1, 4		1	1
0054		Psyduck		Water 1	Field	31	10	10	14	14BW 11B2W2	11XY 22ORAS	19	23	15	15	15
0055		Golduck		Water 1	Field	1, 31	1, 10	1, 10	14	14BW 11B2W2	11XY 22ORAS	19	23	15	15	15
0064		Kadabra		Human-Like		Human-Like	1, 20RGB 20Y	18	18	18	18	18	18	1, 6	1	1
0065		Alakazam		Human-Like		Human-Like	1, 20RGB 20Y	18	18	18	18	18	18	1, 6	1	1
0079		Slowpoke		Monster	Water 1	18	29	29RSE 24FRLG	20	19	19	19	24	15	15	15
0079		Slowpoke Galarian Form		Monster	Water 1									15		15
0080		Slowbro		Monster	Water 1	1, 18	29	29RSE 24FRLG	20	19	19	19	24	15	15	15
0080		Slowbro Galarian Form		Monster	Water 1									15		15
0088		Grimer		Amorphous		Amorphous	1	10	8	12	12	12	12	18		12	12
0088		Grimer Alolan Form		Amorphous		Amorphous							12	18			12
0089		Muk		Amorphous		Amorphous	1	37	8	12	12	12	12	18		12	12
0089		Muk Alolan Form		Amorphous		Amorphous							12	18			12
0094		Gengar		Amorphous		Amorphous	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	1	−	−	−
0096		Drowzee		Human-Like		Human-Like	12	10	10RSE 7FRLG	7	5	5	5	4		5	5
0097		Hypno		Human-Like		Human-Like	1, 12	1, 10	1, 10RSE 1, 7FRLG	1, 7	1, 5	1, 5	1, 5	1, 4		1, 5	1
0108		Lickitung		Monster		Monster	15	31	34	25	25	25	25	20	24	24
0117		Seadra		Water 1	Dragon	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	1	−	−	−
0150		Mewtwo		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
0174		Igglybuff		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		−	−	−	−	−	−		16	16	16
0199		Slowking		Monster	Water 1		29	29RSE 24FRLG	20	19	19	19		15	15	15
0199		Slowking Galarian Form		Monster	Water 1									15		15
0222		Corsola Galarian Form		Water 1	Water 3									10
0302		Sableye		Human-Like		Human-Like			−	−	−	−	−		15	15	15
0335		Zangoose		Field		Field			−	−	−	−	−			−	Rem.
0352		Kecleon		Field		Field			−	−	−	−	−			16
0355		Duskull		Amorphous		Amorphous			5	6	6	6	6		4	4	4
0356		Dusclops		Amorphous		Amorphous			1, 5	1, 6	1, 6	1, 6	1, 6		1	1	1
0463		Lickilicky		Monster		Monster				25	25	25	25		24	24
0477		Dusknoir		Amorphous		Amorphous				1, 6	1, 6	1, 6	1, 6		1	1	1
0491		Darkrai		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered				1	1	1	1			1	1
0562		Yamask		Mineral	Amorphous					5	5	5		12
0562		Yamask Galarian Form		Mineral	Amorphous									12
0563		Cofagrigus		Mineral	Amorphous					1, 5	1, 5	1, 5		12
0717		Yveltal		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered						35	35		15
0758		Salazzle		Monster	Dragon							1		1		1
0779		Bruxish		Water 2		Water 2							20				20
0787		Tapu Bulu		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered							1		10
0864		Cursola		Water 1	Water 3									1
0867		Runerigus		Mineral	Amorphous									12
0897		Spectrier		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered									60		60
0898		Calyrex Shadow Rider		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered									1		1
0946		Bramblin		Grass		Grass											29
0947		Brambleghast		Grass		Grass											29
0985		Scream Tail		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered											1
1006		Iron Valiant		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
						II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII		IX
											SMUSUM	SwSh	BDSP	SV
0023		Ekans		Field	Dragon	−	−	✔	✔	✔	✔		✔	−
0029		Nidoran♀		Monster	Field	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0032		Nidoran♂		Monster	Field	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0037		Vulpix		Field		Field	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	−	✔	−
0037		Vulpix Alolan Form		Field		Field						✔	−		−
0086		Seel		Water 1	Field	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔		✔	✔
0092		Gastly		Amorphous		Amorphous	−	−	✔HGSS	✔	✔	✔	−	✔	✔
0115		Kangaskhan		Monster		Monster	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0116		Horsea		Water 1	Dragon	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0167		Spinarak		Bug		Bug	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔		✔	✔
0234		Stantler		Field		Field	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔		✔	✔
0280		Ralts		Human-Like	Amorphous		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0327		Spinda		Field	Human-Like		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔		✔
0331		Cacnea		Grass	Human-Like		−	−	✔	✔	✔		✔	✔*
0335		Zangoose		Field		Field		−	−	✔	✔	✔		✔	−
0351		Castform		Fairy	Amorphous		−	✔	✔	✔	✔		✔
0352		Kecleon		Field		Field		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔		✔
0353		Shuppet		Amorphous		Amorphous		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔		✔	✔
0358		Chimecho		Amorphous		Amorphous		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔		✔	−
0361		Snorunt		Fairy	Mineral		−	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0425		Drifloon		Amorphous		Amorphous			✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0433		Chingling		Amorphous		Amorphous			✔	✔	✔	✔		✔	✔
0442		Spiritomb		Amorphous		Amorphous			−	−	−	✔USUM	✔	✔	✔
0562		Yamask		Mineral	Amorphous				✔	✔	✔	−
0595		Joltik		Bug		Bug				✔	✔	✔	−		−
0605		Elgyem		Human-Like		Human-Like				✔	✔	✔	✔
0682		Spritzee		Fairy		Fairy					✔	✔	✔
0686		Inkay		Water 1	Water 2					−	−	✔		✔
0708		Phantump		Grass	Amorphous					−	−	✔		✔
0710		Pumpkaboo All forms		Amorphous		Amorphous					✔	✔	✔
0885		Dreepy		Amorphous	Dragon							✔		✔
0935		Charcadet		Human-Like		Human-Like									✔
0971		Greavard		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. 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.

Special move

Generation V

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0092		Gastly		Amorphous		Amorphous	Dream World - Spooky Manor
0234		Stantler		Field		Field	Dream World - Pleasant Forest
0355		Duskull		Amorphous		Amorphous	Dream World - Spooky Manor
0596		Galvantula		Bug		Bug	Dream World - Spooky Manor
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 event

Generation VI

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0683		Aromatisse		Fairy		Fairy	Shigeki Morimoto's Aromatisse
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

In the Rescue Team, Explorers and Adventure Squad series, Disable inflicts paralysis on the enemy. From Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky, the move is affected by Magic Coat.

In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity onwards, Disable seals the move that its target most recently used on the floor.

Super Smash Bros. series

Mewtwo uses Disable as its down special move. Rather than disabling a move, Disable stuns the opponent, leaving them vulnerable for a short period of time. The move only works if the opponent is making eye contact with Mewtwo. Also, the opponent has to be standing on the ground, or they take weak knockback instead.

Pokémon Rumble Rush

In Pokémon Rumble Rush, all status moves including Disable could only be used by opposing Pokémon and could not be obtained on any caught Pokémon. Disable could be seen as a move used by Boss Kadabra and Slowbro.

Disable

Charge time	1.06 seconds
Range type	Arc (wide)
Target	Enemy
Additional effect	No Attack

Description

In animation

Pokémon animated series

Psyduck Golduck Slowbro Venomoth
The user stops the opponent from attacking.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Psyduck releases blue rings of energy from its body that make the opponent unable to move; or, Psyduck's eyes glow blue, making the opponent unable to move.
Misty's Psyduck	The Ninja Poké-Showdown!		Debut
	Gengar's eyes glow red and the opponent briefly becomes surrounded in a red aura, making the opponent unable to move.
A giant Gengar	The Ancient Puzzle of Pokémopolis		Japanese version only Gengar could not legally learn Disable at the time
	Alakazam's eyes glow yellow and the opponent briefly becomes surrounded in a red aura, making the opponent unable to move; or, Alakazam throws its spoons in the air, then crosses them. The spoons glow red and release a red shock to the opponent, surrounding it and making it unable to move.
A giant Alakazam	The Ancient Puzzle of Pokémopolis		Japanese version only
Eusine's Alakazam	For Ho-Oh the Bells Toll!		None
	Golduck's eyes glow blue and a blue aura appears around it. Any attacks that try to hit Golduck are instantly disintegrated.
A wild Golduck	Bye Bye Psyduck		None
	Slowbro becomes surrounded by a light blue aura and the opponent starts to glow light blue, making it completely motionless and rendering it under Slowbro's control.
Prima's Slowbro	The Mandarin Island Miss-match		None
	Venomoth's eyes glow light blue while its opponent is using an attack. The opponent becomes outlined in light blue briefly and it stops using the attack. In addition, the opponent cannot use the attack for a while.
Katie's Venomoth	Shocks and Bonds		None

In the manga

The Electric Tale of Pikachu

Slowpoke
The user stops the opponent from moving.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	The opponent attacking Slowpoke freezes in motion when they are about to attack.
Gary's Slowpoke	Side Story: Ash vs. Gary		Debut

How I Became a Pokémon Card

Drowzee
The user stops the opponent from moving.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Drowzee closes its eyes and a wave of psychic energy freezes the opponent in motion.
A wild Drowzee	PW22		Debut

• In PW18, Slowpoke was revealed to have known Disable, but it was not shown using it.

Magical Pokémon Journey

The user stops the opponent from moving.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Jigglypuff glances at the opponent and freezes them.
Jigglypuff	Oh, that Cute, Cute Jigglypuff!		Debut

Pokémon Adventures

Kadabra Jigglypuff
The user stops the opponent from moving.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Kadabra puts its hand forward and the opponent becomes unable to move their body.
Sabrina's Kadabra	Zap! Zap! Zapdos!		Debut
	Jigglypuff stares at the opponent and they become unable to move their body.
Green's Jiggly	Just a Spearow Carrier		None

• In The Secret of Kangaskhan, Blue's Venomoth was revealed to know Disable by his Pokédex.

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!

Dusknoir
The foe's move it selected cannot be used.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Dusknoir's eye glows, making the opponent unable to use the last move it selected.
Mitsumi's Dusknoir	Battle Against Team Galactic…and Mitsumi!		Debut

Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys

Psyduck Hypno
The user uses its psychic powers to prevent the opponent from moving.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Psyduck uses its psychic powers to prevent the opponent from moving.
A wild Psyduck	The New Pokémon Is Hatched!!		Debut
	Hypno prevents itself from getting hurt from the last attack used by the opponent, and that attack cannot be used during the duration of the battle.
Eusine's Hypno	Farewell To Pikachu?!		None

Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!

Slowpoke
The user disables the opponent.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Slowpoke fires a beam at the opponent, preventing them from moving.
Shu's Slowpoke	GDZ44		Debut

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

Slowpoke
The user prevents the opponent from moving.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Slowpoke jumps onto the foe and holds them down.
Kurt's Slowpoke	Find Slowpoke!!		Debut

In other generations

Core series games

Generation I	RBY	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	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	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	RBY	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	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	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	RBY	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	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	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	RBY	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	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	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	RBY	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	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	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

In other languages

Variations of the move
• Torment • Taunt • Embargo • Heal Block

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.