The Mimic Pokemon move stands as one of the most conceptually unique and mechanically complex additions to the franchise since its inception in Generation I. Categorized as a Normal-type status move, Mimic does not deal direct damage. Instead, it offers a tactical mirror, allowing a Pokemon to temporarily adopt a move from its opponent's arsenal. While the move has undergone significant revisions across nine generations of gameplay, its core identity as a tool for adaptability remains intact. Understanding how to leverage this move requires a deep dive into its history, its role in Pokemon evolution, and its specific limitations in the current competitive meta.

The Fundamental Mechanics of Mimic

At its core, the Mimic Pokemon move functions by replacing itself with the last move successfully used by the target. This replacement is temporary, lasting only until the user is switched out of battle or the battle concludes. Once the user leaves the field, the copied move reverts to Mimic, ready to be used again upon re-entry.

In the current generation, Mimic has a base Power of 0 and an Accuracy that is generally considered to bypass standard checks, meaning it will hit unless the target is in a semi-invulnerable state (such as during the high-flying turn of Fly or the underground turn of Dig). It has a base PP of 10, which can be increased to a maximum of 16 through the use of PP Ups. Interestingly, while Mimic itself has its own PP, the move it copies typically inherits a specific set of rules regarding usage. In modern iterations, the mimicked move receives its maximum possible PP, allowing the user to utilize the stolen technique multiple times without immediate exhaustion.

Historical Evolution: From Choice to Chance

The behavior of the Mimic Pokemon move in Generation I (Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow) was markedly different from what players experience today. In those early titles, when used against a non-player character or a wild Pokemon, Mimic actually allowed the trainer to view the opponent's entire moveset and choose which specific move to copy. This provided an immense strategic advantage, as a player could scout an opponent's capabilities while gaining access to their most powerful attack. However, in link battles between players, this was restricted to copying a random move from the opponent's set to maintain balance.

Starting with Generation II, the move was streamlined to its current form: copying only the move used most recently by the target. This change shifted the strategy from "scouting and choosing" to "timing and prediction." A trainer must now carefully predict when an opponent will use a desirable move, such as a high-damage coverage attack or a crucial setup move like Dragon Dance or Recovery.

Another significant change occurred regarding PP. In the earliest games, the copied move would use Mimic's remaining PP. By the middle generations, the mimicked move was hard-coded to have 5 PP regardless of the original move's capacity. In the most recent games, the mechanics have swung back toward player utility, granting the copied move its standard maximum PP, thus making the move far more viable in long-range tactical exchanges.

Evolution Trigger: The Case of Bonsly and Mime Jr.

Beyond its utility in battle, the Mimic Pokemon move is a critical biological requirement for certain species. Specifically, two baby Pokemon—Bonsly and Mime Jr.—cannot reach their adult forms without mastering this technique.

Bonsly, the Rock-type Bonsai Pokemon, evolves into Sudowoodo when it levels up while knowing Mimic. Historically, Sudowoodo was the signature user of Mimic in Generation II, often confusing players who mistook it for a Grass-type due to its appearance. To evolve a Bonsly, a trainer must ensure the move is in the active moveset; if the move is forgotten or replaced before the level-up occurs, the evolution will fail to trigger.

Mime Jr. follows a similar evolutionary path. It evolves into Mr. Mime (or Galarian Mr. Mime, depending on the region) upon leveling up while knowing Mimic. This evolutionary requirement highlights the thematic nature of these Pokemon—creatures that define themselves through the imitation of others. For trainers looking to complete their Pokedex, managing the moveset to retain Mimic is the most important step in securing these evolutions.

Technical Restrictions: What Mimic Cannot Copy

While the Mimic Pokemon move is designed for versatility, it is not omnipotent. Game Freak has implemented a rigorous list of exceptions to prevent game-breaking loops or technical glitches. Mimic will consistently fail if it attempts to copy any of the following:

  1. Struggle: Since Struggle is only used when all other PP is exhausted, it is excluded from the pool of copiable moves.
  2. Transform: To prevent infinite transformation loops (particularly involving Ditto or Mew), Mimic generally fails to copy the move Transform in most generations.
  3. Chatter: Due to the unique audio-recording mechanics once associated with Chatot's signature move, Mimic was barred from interacting with it.
  4. Z-Moves and Max Moves: The high-powered mechanics of Generation VII and VIII are considered too powerful or mechanically distinct to be mimicked. You cannot use Mimic to gain a Z-Move or a Max Move effect.
  5. Signature Moves with Specific Requirements: Certain moves like Dragon Ascent (required for Rayquaza's Mega Evolution) can be mimicked, but using them will not trigger the associated transformation or special effect for the mimic-user.
  6. Self-Copying: Mimic cannot copy an opponent's Mimic, nor can it copy Sketch or Metronome. This prevents circular logic in the game's code.

If a Pokemon attempts to use Mimic against a target that has not yet moved during the battle, the move will fail. Similarly, if the target's last attempted move failed or was blocked by Protect, Mimic will have nothing to copy and will result in a wasted turn.

Strategic Depth in Competitive Play

In the competitive landscape, the Mimic Pokemon move is often viewed as a "high-risk, high-reward" niche option. It is rarely seen in standard top-tier builds, but it can serve as a devastating surprise in specific formats.

One primary use of Mimic is obtaining coverage that a Pokemon naturally lacks. For example, a Normal-type Pokemon that struggles against Steel-types might use Mimic to steal a Fighting-type move like Close Combat or a Fire-type move like Flare Blitz from an opponent. This effectively allows a Pokemon to break through its traditional counters.

In Double Battles (VGC), Mimic can be used in tandem with a teammate. A faster teammate can use a powerful move, and the slower Mimic-user can then copy that move from the opponent who was just hit by it (provided the turn order aligns). However, it is important to note that Mimic targets the opponent, not the ally, in most standard battle scenarios, meaning the user must be reactive to the enemy's actions.

The move also finds a home in "Gimmick" teams. By utilizing a Pokemon with the Prankster ability (which gives priority to status moves), a trainer can use Mimic with +1 priority. This allows the user to copy a move and immediately gain access to it before the opponent can react in the following turn. However, the unpredictability of what the opponent will use makes this a difficult strategy to master.

The "Mimic Glitch" Legacy

No discussion of the Mimic Pokemon move would be complete without mentioning the famous "Mimic Glitch" found in early copies of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl. This technical oversight allowed a Pokemon to permanently learn moves it otherwise could not. By using Mimic to copy Transform, and then having the Pokemon faint under specific conditions, the game's memory would occasionally fail to reset the moveset. This resulted in Pokemon retaining the moves of the target they had transformed into after the battle ended.

While modern games have patched these vulnerabilities, the glitch remains a legendary piece of Pokemon history, illustrating just how complex the coding for a move that "copies other code" can be. It serves as a reminder of the move's unique position as a bridge between different Pokemon's data sets.

Learning Mimic: Accessibility Across Generations

How a Pokemon acquires the Mimic Pokemon move has varied wildly. In Generation I, TM31 was the primary method, making the move widely available to a massive roster of Pokemon. In later generations, it transitioned into a Move Tutor exclusive, often found in "third versions" like Emerald or Platinum, or in remakes like FireRed and LeafGreen.

In the modern era (Generations VIII and IX), the move is primarily learned through level-up by a select group of Pokemon. Aside from the aforementioned Bonsly and Mime Jr., Pokemon like Jigglypuff, Clefairy, and Sudowoodo naturally learn the move. For other Pokemon, the move is often an Egg Move, requiring careful breeding chains to pass the trait down from a compatible parent.

For trainers in the current Paldea region, checking the Move Reminder in the party menu is the easiest way to see if a Pokemon has the potential to relearn Mimic. Since TMs for Mimic are not always available in every generation, checking level-up sets is the first step for any strategic build.

Z-Mimic and Enhancement Mechanics

In Generation VII, the introduction of Z-Crystals gave the Mimic Pokemon move an additional layer of utility. When a Pokemon holding a Normalium Z uses Mimic, it transforms into Z-Mimic. This boosted version not only performs the standard copying function but also raises the user's Accuracy by one stage. While an accuracy boost might seem redundant for a move that rarely misses, it can be beneficial for the move that is about to be copied. If you Mimic a low-accuracy move like Hydro Pump or Dynamic Punch, the Z-Mimic boost ensures your newly acquired attack is much more likely to land.

Final Evaluation

The Mimic Pokemon move is a testament to the depth of the Pokemon battle system. It is a move that rewards patience, encyclopedic knowledge of opponent movesets, and precise timing. Whether you are using it to evolve a Mime Jr. into a powerful Mr. Rime or attempting to steal a legendary Pokemon's signature strike in a casual battle, Mimic provides a level of dynamism that few other moves can match.

As we look toward future updates and potential new regions, the role of Mimic may continue to shift, but its status as the ultimate "wild card" in a trainer's deck is secure. For those willing to experiment beyond high-damage output, the Mimic Pokemon move offers a unique way to play the game—by using the opponent's own strength against them.