Status conditions (状態異常, status defects?) are a game mechanic introduced in Generation I.
Description[]
A status condition has a negative effect on a Pokémon both during and after a battle. Depending on the type of status condition, it either makes the Pokémon incapable of using a move or causes them to lose HP. A Pokémon can have only one status condition at a time, and an affected Pokémon cannot have their status condition replaced by another, except Sleep. If a wild Pokémon has a status condition, this increases the player's chance of being able to catch it.
There are five types of status conditions, all of which have a self-explanatory effect: Burn, Freeze, Paralysis, Poison, and Sleep. Despite their similarities, faint and Pokérus are not considered to be status conditions.
The battle interface shows which Pokémon are affected by a status condition, something that has been presented differently over the course of its appearances. In Generations I and II, an abbreviation of the status condition is shown in place of the the Pokémon's level, but since Generation III, the status condition has been displayed next to the Pokémon's HP bar. Starting with Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, the battle screen switches between the Pokémon's level and status condition. Since Pokémon Legends: Arceus, each type of status condition is represented by a small illustrative icon next to the HP bar instead of an abbreviation or the name of the status condition.
Hex inflicts twice the amount of damage if the move is used on a Pokémon with a status condition.
A Pokémon with the Synchronize Ability can pass Burn, Paralysis, or Poison over to the Pokémon that inflicted it on them, but this does not remove the Ability from the targeted Pokémon.
Since Generation V, the sprite or model of a Pokémon shows if it has a status condition, and the player can also see this in the summary.
There is a less severe type of status condition known as a volatile status condition, which lasts until either the Pokémon is recalled, after a few turns, or when the battle ends.
Curing[]
Status conditions can be cured through a variety of methods. One of the most common methods is using a certain type of item, although some cure only one type of status condition while others can cure any type. Another common method is taking one's Pokémon to a Pokémon Center, where there is a machine that restores Pokémon to full health, taking away not only any status condition but also restoring HP and PP entirely.
Sleep is the only status effect that wears off after a certain amount of time.
Items[]
Thirteen items that can cure any status condition have appeared throughout the core series: Big Malasada, Casteliacone, Full Heal, Full Restore, Heal Powder, Jubilife Muffin (in Pokémon Legends: Arceus only), Lava Cookie, Lum Berry, Lumiose Galette, MiracleBerry (exclusively in Generation II), Old Gateau, Pewter Crunchies, Shalour Sable
Moves[]
There are five moves that can cure any status condition without any side effects: Heal Bell, Aromatherapy, Sparkly Swirl, Jungle Healing, and G-Max Sweetness. All five attacks affect all Pokémon on the player's team except Heal Bell since Generation V, when it was changed to affect only Pokémon with the Soundproof Ability. Psycho Shift nearly fits the same definition as the five aforementioned moves except it transfers the status condition to an opponent instead, unless the opponent already has a status condition.
Rest can cure any other status condition from putting the user to sleep. Conversely, in Generation I only, Haze cures the opponent from any status condition.
The moves Lunar Dance and Healing Wish fully restore the next Pokémon sent out, including any status condition, although this causes the Pokémon that used either move to faint.
Abilities[]
A few Abilities can cure any status condition under certain occurrences. A Pokémon with Natural Cure can have any of its status conditions cured upon being recalled. Hydration cures a Pokémon of any status condition at the end of a turn if it is raining.
Two Abilities have only a chance to cure a Pokémon of its status condition. A Pokémon with Shed Skin has a 30 percent chance of curing itself from a status condition after each turn. If a Pokémon with the Healer Ability is partnered in battle, it has a 30 percent chance of curing any status condition of its ally, but never itself.
Protection[]
There are ways to protect a Pokémon from receiving a status condition. Safeguard protects all Pokémon on the team from getting a status condition for five turns. Misty Terrain protects all Pokémon from getting a status condition, even opponents. Leaf Guard can protect against status conditions only while the weather is sunny.
A Pokémon with Comatose as an Ability can only have the Sleep status condition, therefore protecting them from receiving any other status condition.
Advantages[]
A status condition can very rarely be used to a Pokémon's advantage. Marvel Scale and Quick Feet are two Abilities that depend on the Pokémon having a status condition to work.
Appearances[]
Core series[]
In Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon and Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon only, the player can use Pokémon Refresh outside of battle to cure a Pokémon with a status condition.
In Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, at a Pokémon Camp, a curry with a taste rating of Milcery Class or higher can cure any status condition of a Pokémon.
In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, status conditions have differences from other games in the core series. They work more similarly to the volatile type, because they wear off after a few turns and do not last after the battle. It is also possible for a status condition to be replaced by a different one. The model of a Pokémon cannot determine whether it has a status condition. The Freeze and Sleep status conditions are also replaced with Frostbite and Drowsy, respectively.