Curse (move)
Curse (Japanese: のろい Curse/Slow) is a non-damaging Ghost-type move introduced in Generation II. Prior to Generation V, it was a ???-type move, and the only move of that type. It was TM03 in Generation II.
| Curse のろい Curse/Slow | ||||||||||||
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Target
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Availability
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Effect
In all generations, Curse acts differently depending on whether the user has the Ghost type or not.
Ghost-type Pokémon
The user will lose half of its maximum HP (rounded down) and put a curse on the target. If this causes the user's HP to drop to 0, the move will execute fully but cause the user to faint. A cursed Pokémon will lose ¼ of its maximum HP at the end of each turn. The curse will remain until the Pokémon switches out or the battle ends. This move is not blocked by Protect, Detect, or Spiky Shield, but is blocked by Crafty Shield.
The user does not lose HP if Curse misses (due to a move with a semi-invulnerable turn), fails (due to the target already being affected by Curse), or is blocked by Crafty Shield.
If powered up by a Ghostium Z into Z-Curse, the user restores all of its HP.
Non-Ghost-type Pokémon
The user's Speed stat will drop by one stage and its Attack stat and Defense stat will rise by one stage each. Despite being an effect acting on the user, this move will fail if there are no opponents on the field.
If powered up by a Ghostium Z into Z-Curse, the user's Attack stat raises another stage.
Generation II
Curse is a ???-type move.
If used by a non-Ghost-type Pokémon, Curse will fail if the user's Attack and Defense stats both are at +6 stages, even if its Speed stat is not at -6 stages.
If a cursed Pokémon defeats its opponent, it will not take curse damage on that turn.
Curse cannot hit through a substitute.
Generations III and IV
If used by a non-Ghost-type Pokémon, Curse can now reduce the user's Speed stat even if its Attack and Defense stats both are at +6 stages. (However, Curse will still fail if the user's Attack and Defense stats both are at +6 stages, and its Speed stat is at -6 stages.)
If a cursed Pokémon defeats its opponent, it now takes curse damage on that turn.
If the user changes type before using Curse, Curse will obey the user's type at the time of the move's execution. In a Double Battle, if the user gains the Ghost type before Curse executes, Curse will prioritize the opponent directly opposite the user as its target.
Curse can also be used as part of a Pokémon Contest combination, causing certain moves (Destiny Bond, Grudge, Mean Look, and Spite) to have their base appeal points doubled if used in the next turn.
Generation V
Curse is now a Ghost-type move.
Curse can now hit through a substitute.
In a Triple Battle, if the user gains the Ghost type before Curse executes, Curse will prioritize the opponent directly opposite the user as its target.
Generation VI
In a Single Battle, if the user is not already Ghost-type and becomes Ghost-type before executing Curse (due to Mega Evolution, Color Change, or Trick-or-Treat), Curse will execute as it does for all Ghost types, hurting the user and inflicting the curse.
In a Triple Battle or Horde Encounter, if the user is not already Ghost-type and becomes Ghost-type before executing Curse (due to Mega Evolution, Color Change, or Trick-or-Treat), Curse will now target a random adjacent opponent.
Due to a glitch, Curse can have an unusual behavior in some situations when the user has its type changed right before using the move.
In a Double Battle, if the user is not already Ghost-type and becomes Ghost-type before executing Curse (due to Mega Evolution, Color Change, or Trick-or-Treat), Curse may target a different Pokémon depending on the user's position. If the user is on the right side (from its Trainer's perspective), Curse will target the user's ally (or fail if there is none). If the user is on the left side (from its Trainer's perspective) Curse will target a random opponent. Follow Me and Rage Powder will still redirect Curse as normal.
If the user is not already Ghost-type and becomes Ghost-type due to Protean upon executing Curse, the user will use the Ghost-type Curse on itself (regardless of Follow Me or Rage Powder). This cannot be blocked by Crafty Shield.
Generation VII
In a Double Battle, if the user is not already Ghost-type and becomes Ghost-type before executing Curse (due to Mega Evolution, Color Change, or Trick-or-Treat), Curse will now target a random opponent.
Generation VIII
A Dynamax Pokémon can be cursed, however it only takes damage equal to 1/4 of its pre-Dynamax maximum HP, which will be between 1/6 and 1/8 of its Dynamax HP, or as little as 1/12 for the boss in a Max Raid Battle.
Ghost-type Pokémon are no longer able to choose targets for Curse in a Double Battle, and will always attempt to inflict the curse on a random opponent.
Description
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Learnset
By leveling up
By TM
| # | Pokémon | Types | Egg Groups | Machine | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| II TM03 |
III -- |
IV -- |
V -- |
VI -- |
VII -- |
VIII -- | |||||||
| Every Pokémon can learn this move by TM except the ones listed below and only if marked with ✘. | |||||||||||||
| 010 |  |
Caterpie |
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Bug | ✘ | ||||||||
| 011 |  |
Metapod |
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Bug | ✘ | ||||||||
| 013 |  |
Weedle |
 |
Bug | ✘ | ||||||||
| 014 |  |
Kakuna |
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Bug | ✘ | ||||||||
| 129 |  |
Magikarp |
 |
Water 2 | Dragon | ✘ | |||||||
| 132 |  |
Ditto |
 |
Ditto | ✘ | ||||||||
| 201 |  |
Unown |
 |
Undiscovered | ✘ | ||||||||
| 202 |  |
Wobbuffet |
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Amorphous | ✘ | ||||||||
| 235 |  |
Smeargle |
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Field | ✘ | ||||||||
| Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. | |||||||||||||
By breeding
Generation III
| # | Pokémon | Types | Egg Groups | Obtained with | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 143 |  |
Snorlax |
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Monster | Purified Shadow PokémonXD | |
| Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. | ||||||
Generation V
| # | Pokémon | Types | Egg Groups | Obtained with | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 241 |  |
Miltank |
|
Field | Dream World - Pleasant Forest | |
| 525 |  |
Boldore |
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Mineral | Dream World - Icy Cave | |
| 618 |  |
Stunfisk |
  |
Water 1 | Amorphous | Dream World - Sparkling Sea |
| Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. | ||||||
Generation VIII
| # | Pokémon | Types | Egg Groups | Obtained with | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 105 |  |
Marowak Alolan Form |
  |
Monster | Regina's Marowak (The Isle of Armor) | |
| 879 |  |
Copperajah |
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Field | Mineral | ★Sgr6879 Gigantamax Copperajah |
| Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. | ||||||
Generation IV
| # | Pokémon | Types | Egg Groups | Obtained with | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 446 |  |
Munchlax |
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Undiscovered | Shinsegae Munchlax | |
| Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. | ||||||
In other games
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series
In Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team, Explorers of Time, Darkness and Sky, Curse is a Normal-type move with 17PP. If the user is a Ghost-type, the move has 100% accuracy and it will target enemy in the front and inflict Curse status condition for 4-5 turns on the target, with the user losing 50% of their HP on usage. If the user is not a Ghost-type, their Attack and Defense is raised by one stage, and their Movement Speed is lowered by one stage. This move is affected by Taunt.
Pokémon Rumble Blast
When used by a non-Ghost-type Pokémon, Curse is the same as in Generation V. When used by a Ghost-type Pokémon, Curse deals damage and then drains the opponent's health over time.
Description
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In the manga
Pokémon Adventures
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| Gastly | |||
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| The user cuts its own health in order to lay a curse on the opponent. | |||
| Pokémon | Method | ||
| User | First Chapter Used In | Notes | |
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Gastly's opponent starts suffering from an intense pain and becomes unable to move. | ||
| The Masked Man's Gastly | The Last Battle V | Debut | |
In other generations
Ghost-type Pokémon
Non-Ghost-type Pokémon
Ghost-type Pokémon
Non-Ghost-type Pokémon
Trivia
- Curse and Z-Curse are the only moves with effects that vary depending on the type of the user.
- Curse's differing effects are a play on its Japanese name, のろい Noroi, which can mean either "curse" (呪い) or "dull/slow" (鈍い), depending on the kanji used. This is why it bestows an actual curse when used by Ghost-type Pokémon but lowers Speed when used by non-Ghost-type Pokémon.
- In Generation II, three Pokémon could legitimately use both effects of the move by using Conversion or Conversion 2 to alter its own type to and from the Ghost type: Porygon, Porygon2, and Smeargle. Technically speaking, any Pokémon that can change its type in battle (e.g. via Color Change, Reflect Type or Trick-or-Treat) can use of both of Curse's effects. Similarly, if a Ghost-type Pokémon uses Curse while under the effect of Soak, the non-Ghost version will be used.
- Curse is one of the four moves from Generation II to have its type changed in a later generation, the others being Charm, Moonlight, and Sweet Kiss.
- In Generation II, TM03, which contains Curse, is given away only at night by a man telling the following story:
- "Let me recount a terrifying tale... Once upon a time, there was a little boy who was given a new Bicycle... He wanted to try it right away... He was having so much fun that he didn't notice the sun had set... While riding home in the pitch-black night, the bike suddenly slowed! The pedals became heavy! When he stopped pedaling, the bike began slipping backwards! It was as if the bike were cursed and trying to drag him into oblivion! ... ... Shrieeeek! The boy had been riding uphill on Cycling Road! ... Ba-dum ba-dum! For listening so patiently, you may take this—TM03! TM03 is Curse. It's a terrifying move that slowly whittles down the victim's HP."
- This move was Gengar's Pokémon Power in the Fossil set of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, before it was introduced in the Generation II games.
In other languages
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| Generation II TMs | |
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| 01 • 02 • 03 • 04 • 05 • 06 • 07 • 08 • 09 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25 | |
| 26 • 27 • 28 • 29 • 30 • 31 • 32 • 33 • 34 • 35 • 36 • 37 • 38 • 39 • 40 • 41 • 42 • 43 • 44 • 45 • 46 • 47 • 48 • 49 • 50 | |
| Generation II HMs | |
| 01 • 02 • 03 • 04 • 05 • 06 • 07 | |
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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. |