Abilities

Abilities were a brand new feature that were introduced in Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire. Every Pokémon had access to 1 of up to 2 abilities, depending upon their species. This ability altered the way the battle ran, and the way the Pokémon can be used.

These range from abilities that set up the weather, such as Tyranitar's Sand Stream, to ones that powered up the Pokémon like Plus, or ones that lowered opponent's stats like Intimidate. Below is a list of all the abilities introduced in Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire.

Name Effect
Stench The stench helps keep wild Pokémon away.
Drizzle The Pokémon makes it rain if it appears in battle.
Speed Boost The Pokémon’s Speed stat is gradually boosted.
Battle Armor The Pokémon is protected against critical hits.
Sturdy The Pokémon is protected against 1-hit KO attacks.
Damp Prevents combatants from self destructing.
Limber The Pokémon is protected from paralysis.
Sand Veil Boosts the Pokémon’s evasion in a sandstorm.
Static Contact with the Pokémon may cause paralysis.
Volt Absorb Restores HP if hit by an Electric-type move.
Water Absorb Restores HP if hit by a Water-type move.
Oblivious Prevents the Pokémon from becoming infatuated.
Cloud Nine Eliminates the effects of weather.
Compoundeyes The Pokémon’s accuracy is boosted.
Insomnia Prevents the Pokémon from falling asleep.
Color Change Changes the Pokémon’s type to the foe’s move.
Immunity Prevents the Pokémon from getting poisoned.
Flash Fire Powers up Fire-type moves if hit by a fire move.
Shield Dust Blocks the added effects of attacks taken.
Own Tempo Prevents the Pokémon from becoming confused.
Suction Cups Negates moves that force switching out.
Intimidate Lowers the foe’s Attack stat.
Shadow Tag Prevents the foe from escaping.
Rough Skin Inflicts damage to the foe on contact.
Wonder Guard Only supereffective moves will hit.
Levitate Gives full immunity to all Ground-type moves.
Effect Spore Contact may paralyze, poison, or cause sleep.
Synchronize Passes on a burn, poison, or paralysis to the foe.
Clear Body Prevents the Pokémon’s stats from being lowered.
Natural Cure All status problems are healed upon switching out.
Lightningrod The Pokémon draws in all Electric-type moves.
Serene Grace Boosts the likelihood of added effects appearing.
Swift Swim Boosts the Pokémon’s Speed in rain.
Chlorophyll Boosts the Pokémon’s Speed in sunshine.
Illuminate Raises the likelihood of meeting wild Pokémon.
Trace The Pokémon copies the foe’s ability.
Huge Power Raises the Pokémon’s Attack stat.
Poison Point Contact with the Pokémon may poison the foe.
Inner Focus The Pokémon is protected from flinching.
Magma Armor Prevents the Pokémon from becoming frozen.
Water Veil Prevents the Pokémon from getting a burn.
Magnet Pull Prevents Steel-type Pokémon from escaping.
Soundproof Gives full immunity to all sound-based moves.
Rain Dish The Pokémon gradually recovers HP in rain.
Sand Stream The Pokémon summons a sandstorm in battle.
Pressure The Pokémon raises the foe’s PP usage.
Thick Fat Raises resistance to Fire-and Ice-type moves.
Early Bird The Pokémon awakens quickly from sleep.
Flame Body Contact with the Pokémon may burn the foe.
Run Away Enables sure getaway from wild Pokémon.
Keen Eye Prevents the Pokémon from losing accuracy.
Hyper Cutter Prevents the Attack stat from being lowered.
Pickup The Pokémon may pick up items.
Truant The Pokémon can’t attack on consecutive turns.
Hustle Boosts the Attack stat, but lowers accuracy.
Cute Charm Contact with the Pokémon may cause infatuation.
Plus Boosts Sp. Atk if another Pokémon has Minus.
Minus Boosts Sp. Atk if another Pokémon has Plus.
Forecast CASTFORM transforms with the weather.
Sticky Hold Protects the Pokémon from item theft.
Shed Skin The Pokémon may heal its own status problems.
Guts Boosts Attack if there is a status problem.
Marvel Scale Boosts Defense if there is a status problem.
Liquid Ooze Inflicts damage on foes using any draining move.
Overgrow Powers up Grass-type moves in a pinch.
Blaze Powers up Fire-type moves in a pinch.
Torrent Powers up Water-type moves in a pinch.
Swarm Powers up Bug-type moves in a pinch.
Rock Head Protects the Pokémon from recoil damage.
Drought The Pokémon makes it sunny if it is in battle.
Arena Trap Prevents the foe from fleeing.
Vital Spirit Prevents the Pokémon from falling asleep.
White Smoke Prevents the Pokémon’s stats from being lowered.
Pure Power Boosts the power of physical attacks.
Shell Armor The Pokémon is protected against critical hits.
Air Lock Eliminates the effects of weather.