Multitype (Ability)

Multitype (Japanese: マルチタイプ Multitype) is an Ability introduced in Generation IV. It is the signature Ability of Arceus.

Effect

In battle

Multitype changes the form and type of a Pokémon with this Ability depending on the Plate attached.

Gastro Acid, Worry Seed, and Simple Beam fail if the target has the Ability Multitype. Role Play, Skill Swap, Entrainment, and Doodle fail if either Pokémon has Multitype. Multitype cannot be copied by Trace, Power of Alchemy, or Receiver. Multitype cannot be replaced by Mummy or Lingering Aroma, suppressed by Core Enforcer or Neutralizing Gas, or traded by Wandering Spirit.

Generation IV

The item-removing effects of Thief, Covet, Trick, Switcheroo, and Knock Off will not work on a Pokémon with Multitype, regardless of what item it is holding.

When a Pokémon transforms into Arceus, it becomes the same form and type as the target Arceus. If the transformed Pokémon is holding a Plate that is different from the target's held Plate, it then immediately changes to the form and type corresponding to that Plate; if it is not holding a Plate, it immediately changes to Normal Arceus (unless it transformed into Normal Arceus).

Generations V and VI

If a Pokémon transforms into Arceus, the Pokémon will now be in the same form as the target Arceus, regardless of its own held item.

Multitype no longer has an effect on items; instead, item-manipulating effects cannot affect Arceus if they would cause it to hold a Plate or take a Plate it already holds.

Generation VII

Multitype will also change Arceus's type and form if it holds a type-specific Z-Crystal.

Generation IX

If the user Terastallizes, the effects of Multitype will be nullified.

Outside of battle

Multitype has no effect outside of battle.

Pokémon with Multitype

#	Pokémon		Types		First Ability	Second Ability	Hidden Ability
0493		Arceus	Normal		Normal		None	None
Please note that Abilities marked with a superscript are only available in the stated generation or later. For Generation III and IV games, ignore Hidden Abilities.

In other games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

The ability exists within the data of Explorers of Time, Darkness and Sky in a non-functional state, and only keeps its name and description in the Japanese version. This description would eventually see use in the WiiWare games.

In Super Mystery Dungeon, a Pokémon with Multitype and all of its teammates' moves deal additional damage as if they had the same-type attack bonus. Type-effectiveness for the moves still apply normally.

Description

In animation

Pokémon animated series

Arceus Arceus (Spooky Plate) Arceus (Flame Plate)
The Pokémon changes its type to match the Plate it is using.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	The non-white parts of Arceus's body glow white. It then changes its color freely to match that of the type it is changing into. A yellow ripple then forms throughout its body when it wants to change back to normal and its body goes back to its original colors.
Arceus (M12)	Arceus and the Jewel of Life		Debut
A wild Arceus	The Arceus Chronicles (Part 4)		None

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Arceus
The Pokémon changes its type depending on what Plate is used on it.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Arceus's body changes color depending on the Plate used on it. Upon doing so, its type changes and gives Arceus control over the type that the Plate represents.
Arceus (Adventures)	All About Arceus IV		Debut

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.