Multitype

1Pokémon

0Hidden Ability

Gen IVGeneration

Effect

Changes Arceus's type and form to match its held Plate.

GenerationGen IV

Pokemon1

Hidden Ability Holders0

Game Descriptions

Gen IVChanges type to match the held Plate.

Gen VChanges type to match the held Plate.

Gen VIChanges the Pokémon’s type to match the Plate it holds.

Gen VIIChanges the Pokémon’s type to match the Plate or Z-Crystal it holds.

Gen VIIIChanges the Pokémon’s type to match the Plate or Z-Crystal it holds.

Gen IXChanges the Pokémon's type to match the plate it holds.

Multitype in Battle

Multitype is the signature ability of Arceus, the mythical creator deity of the Pokemon universe, introduced in Generation IV. It changes Arceus's type to match the elemental Plate item it holds -- Flame Plate makes it Fire-type, Splash Plate makes it Water-type, and so on for all 18 types. Without a Plate, Arceus remains Normal-type.

Beyond the type change, Multitype provides comprehensive item protection. Arceus's held item -- whether it is a Plate or not -- cannot be removed by Knock Off, stolen by Thief or Covet, or swapped by Trick or Switcheroo. These moves still deal their damage but fail to affect the item. In Generation VII, Multitype was updated to also respond to type-specific Z-Crystals, allowing Arceus to change form through those items as well.

Multitype cannot be copied by Trace, suppressed by Gastro Acid, or overwritten by abilities like Mummy or Worry Seed. This makes Arceus's type change permanent and unbreakable as long as the Plate is held. In competitive formats where Arceus is legal (primarily Anything Goes and Ubers), Multitype's versatility allows Arceus to fill virtually any team role -- from a bulky support with Will-O-Wisp to an offensive Swords Dance sweeper -- simply by changing its Plate.

Pokemon With Multitype (1)

# ▲		Name	Type	Other Abilities	Hidden?	HP	Atk	Def	SpA	SpD	Spe	Total
#493		Arceus	Normal	–	Regular	120	120	120	120	120	120	720

Related Abilities (Gen IV)

Ability	Pokemon	Description
Tangled Feet	9	Doubles evasion when confused.
Motor Drive	4	Absorbs Electric moves, raising Speed one stage.
Rivalry	18	Increases damage inflicted to 1.25× against Pokémon of the same gender, but decreases damage to 0.75× against the opposite gender.
Steadfast	16	Raises Speed one stage upon flinching.
Snow Cloak	15	Increases evasion to 1.25× during hail. Protects against hail damage.
Gluttony	39	Makes the Pokémon eat any held Berry triggered by low HP below 1/2 its max HP.
Anger Point	12	Raises Attack to the maximum of six stages upon receiving a critical hit.
Unburden	17	Doubles Speed upon using or losing a held item.

FAQ

What does Multitype do?

If this Pokémon is holding an elemental Plate, its type and form change to match the Plate. This Pokémon's held item, whether or not it is a Plate, cannot be taken by Covet or Thief, nor removed by Knock Off, nor traded by Switcheroo or Trick. Covet, Thief, and Knock Off still inflict damage against this Pokémon. Unlike with Sticky Hold, this Pokémon cannot use Fling, Switcheroo, or Trick to lose its item itself, nor gain an item through Switcheroo or Trick if it does not have one. This ability has no effect for any Pokémon other than Arceus. This ability cannot be traded with Skill Swap, nor copied with Role Play or Trace, nor disabled with Gastro Acid, nor changed with Worry Seed. This Pokémon cannot use Skill Swap or Role Play to lose its ability itself. Mold Breaker cannot ignore this ability. If a Pokémon Transforms into an Arceus with this ability, it will Transform into Arceus's default, Normal-type form. If the Transforming Pokémon is holding a Plate, this ability will then activate and change the Pokémon into the corresponding form.

How many Pokemon have Multitype?

1 Pokemon can have Multitype as their ability, including both regular and hidden ability holders.

Is Multitype a Hidden Ability?

Multitype is not a Hidden Ability for any Pokemon. All Pokemon that have it receive it as a regular ability.

When was Multitype introduced?

Multitype was introduced in Generation IV.