In battle
- Main article:Transform (move) → Effect
As soon as the user comes into battle, ittransforms into its opponent. Broadly, the target's appearance, including itsform,gender, andShiny status or lack thereof, as well as itstypes,Ability,moves,stats, andcry are copied; the user retains its ownHP,level,nickname, andheld item. The user still retains its original appearance and information in theparty andsummary screens, and its original sprite in the battle menu and the list of moves. The user remains transformed until it switches out, faints, or the battle ends.
Imposter will not activate if the opponent is transformed, is disguised withIllusion, is behind asubstitute, or is aStarmobile. Imposter only activates when the Pokémon with the Ability is sent out; it does not activate if gained while already on the field, and if it fails to activate when a Pokémon is sent out, it will not activate again until the Pokémon is sent out again. If a Pokémon with Imposter Terastallizes into theStellar type, Imposter will no longer activate. Imposter cannot beignored.
InDouble Battles,Triple Battles, andBattle Royals, Imposter transforms into the opponent in the position directly opposite it. InHorde Encounters, Imposter transforms into the opponent in the rightmost position. In anSOS Battle, Imposter will copy the opponent in the leftmost position. In all cases, if there is no opponent in that position, the Pokémon will not transform. If the raid boss in aMax Raid Battle orTera Raid Battle has Imposter, it will transform into the host's Pokémon; however, in a Max Raid Battle, the raid boss's Imposter will fail to activate if the host is usingZacian,Zamazenta, orEternatus.
Role Play fails if the target has the Ability Imposter.Entrainment fails if the user has the Ability Imposter. Imposter cannot be copied byTrace,Power of Alchemy, orReceiver.
Outside of battle
Imposter has no effect outside of battle.
