Imprison (move)

Imprison ふういん Seal

Battles Type  Psychic Category  Status PP  10 (max. 16) Power  — Accuracy  —% Priority  0 Does not make contact Not affected by Protect Not affected by Magic Coat Affected by Snatch Not affected by Mirror Move Not affected by King's Rock

Range Opponent Opponent Opponent Self Ally Ally Self: Affects the user

Availability Introduced  Generation III TM44 in Pokémon Sword and Shield TM092 in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Contests Condition  Smart Appeal  3 ♥♥♥ Jam  0   Worsens the condition of those that made appeals.

Super Contests Condition  Smart Appeal  1 ♥ Earn +3 if two Pokémon raise the Voltage in a row.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Clever Appeal  3 ♥♥♥ Jamming  0   Temporarily stops the crowd from growing excited.

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

Imprison (Japanese: ふういん Seal) is a non-damaging Psychic-type move introduced in Generation III. It was TM44 in Pokémon Sword and Shield, and is TM092 in Generation IX.

Effect

As long as the user remains in battle, opponents cannot use any move which is also known by the user. This includes opponents switched in after the move was used, and non-adjacent opponents in Triple Battles.

Imprison applies only to the user's current moveset, including any new moves learned when leveling up in battle, or any moves acquired in battle by using Mimic, Sketch, or Transform.

A Pokémon will use Struggle if it has no other available moves with PP remaining besides moves blocked by Imprison. Similarly, it will use Struggle if it is forced to use a single move by Encore or a held choice item but that move is blocked by Imprison.

On the turn that Imprison is used, if an opposing Pokémon would move after Imprison is used and it selected a move the user knows that turn, it will be unable to use that move and will make no action that turn (i.e. PP for that move is not consumed). In this case, the affected Pokémon will not use Struggle.

A move blocked by Imprison can still be called by Assist, Me First, Metronome, or Sleep Talk. However, Instruct fails when attempting to force a Pokémon to use a move blocked by Imprison.

Imprison is unable to prevent opponents from using Struggle. Even though Imprison can be used in Max Raid Battles and Tera Raid Battles, the raid boss is immune to Imprison's effect. Imprison cannot be passed by Baton Pass.

If powered up by a Psychium Z into Z-Imprison, the user's Special Defense stat is raised by two stages.

Generations III and IV

Imprison fails if no opponent possesses a move the user knows at the time Imprison is used.

Imprison cannot be stolen by Snatch.

Generation V onwards

Imprison still works even if no opponent has a move the user knows. Although Imprison has no immediate effect in such a case, if the user or opponents change the moves they know (e.g. Mimic, Sketch, Transform, or learning a new move by leveling up) or a different opposing Pokémon enters the battle, it will be prevented from using the user's moves.

Imprison can now be stolen by Snatch.

Description

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII		IX
										SMUSUM	SwSh	BDSP	SV
0037		Vulpix		Field		Field	25	21	21BW 18B2W2	18XY 39ORAS	39	36	36	36
0037		Vulpix Alolan Form		Field		Field					39	36		36
0038		Ninetales		Field		Field	−	−	−	1	1	1	1	Rem.
0038		Ninetales Alolan Form		Field		Field					1	1		1
0151		Mew		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	−	−	−	−	−	70	70	70
0234		Stantler		Field		Field	−	43	49	49	49		49	49
0280		Ralts		Human-Like	Amorphous	31	32	34	34XY 29ORAS	29	−	−	−
0281		Kirlia		Human-Like	Amorphous	33	36	39	39XY 33ORAS	33	−	−	−
0282		Gardevoir		Human-Like	Amorphous	33	40	45	45XY 35ORAS	35	−	−	−
0343		Baltoy		Mineral		Mineral	−	−	−	43 ORAS	43	21	21
0344		Claydol		Mineral		Mineral	−	−	−	52 ORAS	52	21	21
0436		Bronzor		Mineral		Mineral		12	12BW 9B2W2	9	9	12	12	12
0437		Bronzong		Mineral		Mineral		1, 12	1, 12 BW 1, 9 B2W2	1, 9	1, 9	12	12	12
0475		Gallade		Human-Like	Amorphous		−	−	−	−	1	1	1
0480		Uxie		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		6	6	6	6	28	28	28
0481		Mesprit		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		6	6	6	6	28	28	28
0482		Azelf		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		6	6	6	6	28	28	28
0517		Munna		Field		Field			13	13	13	12
0518		Musharna		Field		Field			−	−	−	1
0527		Woobat		Field	Flying			19	19	19	20
0528		Swoobat		Field	Flying			19	19	19	20
0570		Zorua		Field		Field			53	53	53	36		36
0571		Zoroark		Field		Field			59	1, 59	1, 59	40		40
0605		Elgyem		Human-Like		Human-Like			25	25	25	6
0606		Beheeyem		Human-Like		Human-Like			25	25	25	1
0607		Litwick		Amorphous		Amorphous			24	24	24	44		44
0608		Lampent		Amorphous		Amorphous			24	24	24	46		46
0609		Chandelure		Amorphous		Amorphous			−	−	−	1		1
0643		Reshiram		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered			8, 64	8, 64	8, 64SM 8USUM	72		72
0644		Zekrom		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered			8, 64	8, 64	8, 64SM 8USUM	72		72
0645		Landorus All available forms		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered			7	7	1	30		30
0646		Kyurem All available forms		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered			8, 64	8, 64	8, 64SM 8USUM	64		64
0678		Meowstic Male		Field		Field				45	45	44		44
0707		Klefki		Mineral		Mineral				36	36	32		32
0772		Type: Null		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered					15	1
0773		Silvally All forms		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered					1	1
0899		Wyrdeer		Field		Field								49
0905		Enamorus All forms		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered								30
1010		Iron Leaves		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered								70
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 TM

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Compatibility
						VIII	IX
						SwSh TM44	SV TM092
0035		Clefairy		Fairy		Fairy	✔	✔
0036		Clefable		Fairy		Fairy	✔	✔
0037		Vulpix		Field		Field	✔	✔
0037		Vulpix Alolan Form		Field		Field	✔	✔
0038		Ninetales		Field		Field	✔	✔
0038		Ninetales Alolan Form		Field		Field	✔	✔
0065		Alakazam		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
0077		Ponyta Galarian Form		Field		Field	✔
0078		Rapidash Galarian Form		Field		Field	✔
0079		Slowpoke		Monster	Water 1	✔	✔
0079		Slowpoke Galarian Form		Monster	Water 1	✔	✔
0080		Slowbro		Monster	Water 1	✔	✔
0080		Slowbro Galarian Form		Monster	Water 1	✔	✔
0088		Grimer		Amorphous		Amorphous		✔
0088		Grimer Alolan Form		Amorphous		Amorphous		✔
0089		Muk		Amorphous		Amorphous		✔
0089		Muk Alolan Form		Amorphous		Amorphous		✔
0092		Gastly		Amorphous		Amorphous	−	✔
0093		Haunter		Amorphous		Amorphous	−	✔
0094		Gengar		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0096		Drowzee		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔
0097		Hypno		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔
0102		Exeggcute		Grass		Grass	−	✔
0103		Exeggutor		Grass		Grass	−	✔
0103		Exeggutor Alolan Form		Grass		Grass	−	✔
0105		Marowak Alolan Form		Monster		Monster	✔
0144		Articuno Galarian Form		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0146		Moltres Galarian Form		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0150		Mewtwo		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	−	✔
0151		Mew		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0163		Hoothoot		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0164		Noctowl		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0176		Togetic		Flying	Fairy	✔
0177		Natu		Flying		Flying	✔
0178		Xatu		Flying		Flying	✔
0196		Espeon		Field		Field	−	✔
0199		Slowking		Monster	Water 1	✔	✔
0199		Slowking Galarian Form		Monster	Water 1	✔	✔
0200		Misdreavus		Amorphous		Amorphous		✔
0203		Girafarig		Field		Field		✔
0234		Stantler		Field		Field		✔
0249		Lugia		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0250		Ho-Oh		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0251		Celebi		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
0275		Shiftry		Field	Grass	−	✔
0280		Ralts		Human-Like	Amorphous	✔	✔
0281		Kirlia		Human-Like	Amorphous	✔	✔
0282		Gardevoir		Human-Like	Amorphous	✔	✔
0302		Sableye		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔	✔
0307		Meditite		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔
0308		Medicham		Human-Like		Human-Like		✔
0325		Spoink		Field		Field		✔
0326		Grumpig		Field		Field		✔
0343		Baltoy		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0344		Claydol		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0350		Milotic		Water 1	Dragon	✔	✔
0353		Shuppet		Amorphous		Amorphous		✔
0354		Banette		Amorphous		Amorphous		✔
0355		Duskull		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0356		Dusclops		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0358		Chimecho		Amorphous		Amorphous		✔
0385		Jirachi		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0386		Deoxys All forms		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔
0425		Drifloon		Amorphous		Amorphous	−	✔
0426		Drifblim		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0429		Mismagius		Amorphous		Amorphous		✔
0436		Bronzor		Mineral		Mineral	✔	✔
0437		Bronzong		Mineral		Mineral	✔	✔
0442		Spiritomb		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0468		Togekiss		Flying	Fairy	✔
0475		Gallade		Human-Like	Amorphous	✔	✔
0477		Dusknoir		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0478		Froslass		Fairy	Mineral	✔	✔
0480		Uxie		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0481		Mesprit		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0482		Azelf		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0493		Arceus All forms		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔
0517		Munna		Field		Field	✔
0518		Musharna		Field		Field	✔
0527		Woobat		Flying	Field	✔
0528		Swoobat		Flying	Field	✔
0561		Sigilyph		Flying		Flying	✔
0562		Yamask		Mineral	Amorphous	✔
0562		Yamask Galarian Form		Mineral	Amorphous	✔
0563		Cofagrigus		Mineral	Amorphous	✔
0570		Zorua		Field		Field	✔	✔
0570		Zorua Hisuian Form		Field		Field		✔
0571		Zoroark		Field		Field	✔	✔
0571		Zoroark Hisuian Form		Field		Field		✔
0574		Gothita		Human-Like		Human-Like	−	✔
0575		Gothorita		Human-Like		Human-Like	−	✔
0576		Gothitelle		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔	✔
0577		Solosis		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0578		Duosion		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0579		Reuniclus		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0582		Vanillite		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0583		Vanillish		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0584		Vanilluxe		Mineral		Mineral	✔
0592		Frillish All forms		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔
0593		Jellicent All forms		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔
0605		Elgyem		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
0606		Beheeyem		Human-Like		Human-Like	✔
0607		Litwick		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0608		Lampent		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0609		Chandelure		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔
0622		Golett		Mineral		Mineral	✔	✔
0623		Golurk		Mineral		Mineral	✔	✔
0643		Reshiram		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0644		Zekrom		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0645		Landorus All forms		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0646		Kyurem All forms		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0653		Fennekin		Field		Field		✔
0654		Braixen		Field		Field		✔
0655		Delphox		Field		Field		✔
0678		Meowstic Male		Field		Field	✔	✔
0707		Klefki		Mineral		Mineral	✔	✔
0708		Phantump		Grass	Amorphous	✔	✔
0709		Trevenant		Grass	Amorphous	✔	✔
0710		Pumpkaboo All forms		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔
0711		Gourgeist All forms		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔
0724		Decidueye		Flying		Flying	✔	✔
0742		Cutiefly		Bug	Fairy	✔	✔
0743		Ribombee		Bug	Fairy	✔	✔
0765		Oranguru		Field		Field	✔	✔
0769		Sandygast		Amorphous		Amorphous	−	✔
0770		Palossand		Amorphous		Amorphous	−	✔
0772		Type: Null		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
0773		Silvally All forms		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔
0800		Necrozma All forms		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0801		Magearna All forms		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0825		Dottler		Bug		Bug	✔
0826		Orbeetle		Bug		Bug	✔
0854		Sinistea All forms		Mineral	Amorphous	✔	✔
0855		Polteageist All forms		Mineral	Amorphous	✔	✔
0856		Hatenna		Fairy		Fairy	✔	✔
0857		Hattrem		Fairy		Fairy	✔	✔
0858		Hatterene		Fairy		Fairy	✔	✔
0860		Morgrem		Fairy	Human-Like	−	✔
0861		Grimmsnarl		Fairy	Human-Like	−	✔
0867		Runerigus		Mineral	Amorphous	✔
0869		Alcremie All forms		Fairy	Amorphous	✔	✔
0873		Frosmoth		Bug		Bug	✔	✔
0874		Stonjourner		Mineral		Mineral	✔	✔
0876		Indeedee All forms		Fairy		Fairy	✔	✔
0888		Zacian All forms		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0889		Zamazenta All forms		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0898		Calyrex All forms		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
0899		Wyrdeer		Field		Field		✔
0905		Enamorus All forms		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔
0911		Skeledirge		Field		Field		✔
0954		Rabsca		Bug		Bug		✔
0981		Farigiraf		Field		Field		✔
0985		Scream Tail		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔
0987		Flutter Mane		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔
1006		Iron Valiant		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔
1010		Iron Leaves		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔
1012		Poltchageist All forms		Mineral	Amorphous		✔
1013		Sinistcha All forms		Mineral	Amorphous		✔
1015		Munkidori		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔
1025		Pecharunt		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered		✔
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
						III	IV	V	VI	VII	IX
										SMUSUM	SV
0088		Grimer		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	−
0088		Grimer Alolan Form		Amorphous		Amorphous					✔	−
0200		Misdreavus		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0302		Sableye		Human-Like		Human-Like	−	−	−	✔	✔	−
0353		Shuppet		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0355		Duskull		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	−
0442		Spiritomb		Amorphous		Amorphous		✔	✔	✔	✔	−
0562		Yamask		Mineral	Amorphous			✔	✔	✔
0577		Solosis		Amorphous		Amorphous			✔	✔	✔	−
0582		Vanillite		Mineral		Mineral			✔	✔	✔
0708		Phantump		Grass	Amorphous				✔	✔	−
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 IV

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0355		Duskull		Amorphous		Amorphous	Pokéwalker - Winner's Path
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 V

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0578		Duosion		Amorphous		Amorphous	Dream World - Spooky Manor
0583		Vanillish		Mineral		Mineral	Dream World - Icy Cave
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 V

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0575		Gothorita		Human-Like		Human-Like	Japanese Global Link
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 and Explorers series, Imprison targets the enemy in front, and inflicts the Paused status condition on target for 5-12 turns, making them incapable of action.

From Gates to Infinity onward, Imprison targets all enemy Pokémon on the floor and prevents them from using any move which is also known by the user.

Description

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Kirlia
The user creates a force field around the opponent's body that prevents it from moving. This prevents the opponent from using any moves that the user knows.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Kirlia creates a force field around its opponent's body that prevents it from moving. This prevents the opponent from using any moves that Kirlia knows.
Ruby's Rara	Rayquaza Redemption I		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

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

Trivia

• The kanji featured in Imprison's Japanese animations is 封, which is the first kanji of 封印 (ふういん Fūin (Seal)), which is its Japanese name.
• In Generation III, the status screen erroneously states that the move has 100% accuracy, even though it targets the user (thus it ignores accuracy and evasion checks).

In other languages

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.