Hello there, aspiring Pokémon Trainer! Professor Oak here, ready to impart some wisdom from my years of research. I hear you're curious about Hidden Abilities and the role Ditto plays in passing them down. A fascinating topic indeed! Let's dive into the intricacies of Pokémon breeding and uncover the truth behind Hidden Abilities.

Understanding Hidden Abilities

Before we address Ditto's role, it's crucial to grasp the concept of Hidden Abilities. These are special abilities, distinct from a Pokémon's usual ability set. They often offer unique tactical advantages or interesting twists on a Pokémon's usual battle prowess. Now, acquiring a Pokémon with its Hidden Ability isn't as simple as checking its summary screen. These abilities are, well, hidden!

The Ditto Dilemma

Now, about our amorphous friend, Ditto. While Ditto is the undisputed champion of breeding, capable of pairing with almost any Pokémon, there's a crucial detail to remember: **Ditto cannot pass down its own Hidden Ability.** This is because Ditto, when breeding, acts as a blank slate, mimicking the other parent's species and potential traits.

Let's illustrate with an example. Imagine you have a female Pikachu with the Lightning Rod ability and you want a Pichu with its Hidden Ability, Static. Breeding your Pikachu with a Ditto, even if that Ditto has its Hidden Ability (Imposter), won't guarantee a Static Pichu. The offspring inherits abilities based on the Pikachu mother's genetic makeup.

The Path to Hidden Abilities

So how does one acquire a Pokémon with its Hidden Ability? There are a few ways:


1. Special Encounters: Certain Pokémon, often found in Max Raid Battles, come with a higher chance of possessing their Hidden Ability. Keep an eye out for events or specific locations where these encounters are more common.


2. Ability Patches: This valuable item, introduced in later generations, allows you to change a Pokémon's existing ability to its Hidden Ability. However, obtaining an Ability Patch can be quite challenging.

3. **Breeding with Parents possessing the Hidden Ability:** This is the most reliable method. If you have a parent Pokémon with its Hidden Ability, it has a chance of passing it down to its offspring.

In Conclusion

While Ditto is an invaluable asset for breeding, remember that it doesn't directly pass down its own Hidden Ability. The key lies in acquiring a parent Pokémon that already possesses the Hidden Ability you seek and breeding them. So keep exploring, Trainer, and may you encounter Pokémon with incredible Hidden Abilities to bolster your team!

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Breeding two pokemon with normal abilities will never result in a pokemon with a hidden ability. To breed a pokemon with a hidden ability, the female pokemon (or a male/genderless pokemon being bred with a ditto) must have its hidden ability. It will have a 60% chance of passing on the hidden ability.read more >>