Pokemon GO is now offering players the chance to obtain the rare Pokemon Ditto in exchange for completing September research tasks. Pokemon is a franchise teeming with extraordinary creatures boasting an array of hidden talents: there’s a Pokemon ready to represent pretty much every “superpower” one can imagine. However, longtime fans know that amidst all the flashy accessories of the next generations, the original 151 Pokemon captured something special in one charmingly amorphous blob: Ditto.
Ditto’s claim to fame lies in its literal elasticity: this Pokemon is a shapeshifter. Ditto will copy the appearance and moves of any Pokemon it faces in battle. Shapeshifting is a classic gambit in the fantasy genre and Ditto is the sole heir of the move Transform. The only other Pokemon who can completely Transform is the legendary Mew, from whom Ditto derives. This unique creature is a desirable catch - here's the best way to utilize Ditto in Pokemon GO.
Ditto's Quick Move And Main Move
What’s the best moveset for Ditto? Well, it is Ditto's only moveset. Pokemon GO does not operate with the same combat system as the original games, preferring an interactive approach. Therefore, Ditto is presented a bit differently in GO canon: it’s still a Normal-type weak to Fighting Pokemon, but it is restrained by a max CP of 832.
- Ditto's Quick Move is Transform, which deals 0 damage and takes an entire turn to, well, transform.
- Ditto’s Main Move, Struggle, is used when it can’t Transform: i.e., when facing another Ditto. “Struggle” is a pretty accurate descriptor if this point in a battle is reached. Ditto’s only fighting move in its pre-transformative state, Struggle dishes out 35 damage at 19.1 dps.
|
Attack Name |
Damage |
Damage Per Second (DPS) |
|
Transform |
0 |
0 |
|
Struggle |
35 |
19.1 |
Pokemon GO’s Iteration Of Ditto Has Restrictions:
Ditto can’t be used in Trainer Battles or Battle League. Ditto is able to fight in Gym Battles, Rocket Stops, and Raids, during which the Pokemon will copy the moveset of the first enemy it encounters while maintaining its own Combat Power and stats. Ditto is not the strongest fighter, mainly because there are so few Pokemon types that inflict potent damage on same-type opponents. Ditto has the most utility in Gym Battles, where it will mimic the initial combatant throughout the entire Gym rotation and allow for predictable type advantages.
How To Catch Ditto In Pokemon GO
Luckily for Ditto, Pokemon isn’t all about strength in battle, and this cute glob is a fan favorite despite a lackluster combat performance. Ditto is a limited-time research breakthrough reward, but can also be found hiding as other Pokemon sprites in the wild on a rotating list of potential disguises. Fortunate players may even encounter a Shiny Ditto, only available as a non-shiny variant of the aforementioned Pokemon illusions. Be on the lookout for these familiar faces for a chance at catching this celebrated slime.
Ditto's September 2021 Disguises:
- Drowzee
- Dwebble
- Foongus
- Gastly
- Gulpin
- Numel
- Remoraid
- Stunky
- Teddiursa
Why Do Pokemon Fans Love Ditto?
Ditto has an exceedingly simple design with a legacy that persists in the memories of the early Pokemon audience and outlasts the bells and whistles of many complicated successors. This genderless being has a malleable pink body, beady little eyes, and a placid smile worn only by those confident in their clout. Ditto is #132 of the 1st generation released in Pokemon Red and Blue, the 1996 Game Boy debut of this childhood classic. It is a Normal-type Pokemon native to the Kanto region, a habitat that eventually expands alongside Pokemon lore.
During its gaming platform existence, Ditto became an iconic patron of the Daycare Center, where its fluid self-image enabled many trysts and many eggs for Pokemon breeders. Pokemon GO has not yet introduced a Daycare feature, and Pokemon eggs are acquired by spinning Pokéstops and opening gifts. Without this function, Ditto-seekers on the GO platform are usually on the hunt purely for collection purposes. Despite this, Ditto is still capable of fighting and provides a fun challenge for those willing to invest the Stardust for a chance to play every Pokemon in the game – at least for a little while.
Pokemon GO is available on Android and iOS.