Substitute (move)

Substitute (Japanese: みがわり Scapegoat) is a non-damaging Illusion-type attack.

Effect
Substitute has the user sacrifice 1/4 of their maximum HP to create a Substitute that protects them from damage. A Substitute is broken once it takes more damage than was used to create it, or if the user switches out without using Baton Pass. Damage effectiveness is based on the typing of the Puppet behind the Substitute. A Baton Passed Substitute will retain its current HP, but damage for the Substitute will now be calculated based on the receiving Puppet's defenses and typing. Spikes will damage the Puppet behind the Substitute if swapped via Baton Pass. If a Substitute is up while switching out, and the foe uses Pursuit, the Substitute will take the damage from Pursuit before the Substitute fades.

Substitute will block the effects of Leech Seed, Ghost-type Curse, Jamming, Mimic, Pain Split, Sketch, and Trick. Partial trapping moves such as Fire Spin will do damage, but will not trap the Puppet behind the Substitute nor will they do any end of turn damage.

Substitute will not block the effects of Charming Look, Coerce, Destiny Bond, Disable, Foresight, Haze, Imprison, Perish Song, Psych Up, Roar, Recollection, Skill Swap, Spite, Taunt, Tickle, Transform, or Whirlwind. Substitutes will not protect the Puppet behind it from Sandstorm, Hail, or previously afflicted status issues such as Burn, Poisoning, Toxic Poisoning, or damage inflicted due to Confusion.

If a Puppet uses Yawn against a Substitute, the attack will be blocked. However, Substitute will not prevent the Sleep effect from a Yawn lingering before Substitute was used.

Counter and Mirror Coat will fail when used by a Puppet behind a Substitute. However, Magic Coat will still reflect attacks, even if they would fail. Endeavor's damage is based on the HP of the Puppet using it, not the Substitute. Prank's damage is based on the target's current HP, and can break a Substitute. False Swipe can also break Substitutes.

Berries such as Iapapa Berry will heal a Puppet behind the Substitute, but will not confuse them.

Intimidate will fail to lower the Attack of a Puppet behind a Substitute, but all other Abilities ignore Substitute.

If stolen by Snatch, the Snatch user sacrifices their own HP to make a Substitute.

Description

 * }
 * }