Old Generation Exclusive Move Legality

Introduction

Throughout the history of Pokémon, Game Freak has elected to allow transfers from older generations. With this, some moves have remained teachable in older generations only, leading to a complex system of move legality issues. This can make teambuilding difficult to plan, especially for the more esoteric, time-limited formats such as Battle Spot Special and other Battle Spot competitions. This article aims to alleviate this by covering relevant move and ability legality issues.

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Generation 1: Red, Green, Blue, Yellow

• These Pokémon cannot have any Egg moves, as this was before breeding was introduced.
• All Pokémon transferred from Generation 1 are forced to have their Hidden Abilities.
• Since Pokémon transferred from Generation 1 have at least 3 flawless IVs, Hidden Power Fighting is impossible on these Pokémon.
• All of these Pokémon must come in regular Poké Balls, since Generation 1 games did not record the type of Poké Ball used to catch Pokémon.
• All of these Pokémon can be traded to Generation 2 games before they are transferred to Generation 7.
• All of these moves are TM moves. For information on how to find these TMs, check out the RBY TM location guide.
• Unless otherwise noted, these moves are also available in Generation 3 from Move Tutors. Getting these moves on Generation 1 Pokémon allows the use of them with Hidden Abilities.
• These Pokémon can only be transferred to Generation 7. This does not work with the original cartridge version of the games; it must be a Virtual Console edition on the 3DS.

Body Slam

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Kangaskhan	Early Bird, Scrappy	Power-Up Punch	None

Counter

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Alakazam	Inner Focus, Synchronize	Encore	None
Chansey	Natural Cure, Serene Grace	Aromatherapy, Wish	Counter is an Egg move starting in Generation 6, but teaching it via TM allows for compatibility with other Generation 1 and 2 moves.
Clefable	Cute Charm, Magic Guard	Fake Tears, Heal Pulse, Soft-Boiled	In order to have Moonblast and Stored Power, Clefable must learn them as a Clefairy in Generation 7.
Gengar	None	Clear Smog, Disable, Perish Song, Sludge Wave	None

Double-Edge

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Aerodactyl	Pressure, Rock Head	Curse, Pursuit	None
Kangaskhan	Early Bird, Scrappy	Power-Up Punch, Wish	None
Pinsir	Hyper Cutter, Mold Breaker	Feint, Quick Attack	None
Porygon2 and Porygon-Z	Download, Trace	None	Porygon2 must evolve from Porygon in either Generation 2 or 7. Porygon-Z must evolve from Porygon2 in Generation 7.
Snorlax	Immunity, Thick Fat	Pursuit, Whirlwind	Double-Edge is learned by level-up only in Generation 1. Double-Edge is also an Egg move starting in Generation 2, but teaching it via level-up or TM allows for compatibility with other Generation 1 moves.

Fissure

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Charizard	Blaze	Ancient Power, Dragon Dance	None
Machamp	Guts, No Guard	Bullet Punch, Heavy Slam, Quick Guard	None
Mew	None	Fake Out, Hypnosis	Mew was given out during an extremely limited event in the United Kingdom and Japan for Generation 1 Virtual Console games. In order to legally obtain this Mew otherwise, the arbitrary code execution glitches must be used, making this Mew illegal to trade on Smogon.
Poliwrath and Politoed	Water Absorb	Encore	Politoed must evolve from Poliwhirl in either Generation 2 or 7.
Slowbro and Slowking	Oblivious	Belly Drum	Slowking must evolve from Slowpoke in either Generation 2 or 7.
Snorlax	Immunity, Thick Fat	Pursuit, Whirlwind	Fissure is an Egg move starting in Generation 3, but teaching it via TM allows compatibility with other Generation 1 and 2 moves.

Horn Drill

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Dragonite	Inner Focus	Extreme Speed, Heal Bell	None
Mew	None	Fake Out, Hypnosis	Mew was given out during an extremely limited event in the United Kingdom and Japan for Generation 1 Virtual Console games. In order to legally obtain this Mew otherwise, the arbitrary code execution glitches must be used, making this Mew illegal to trade on Smogon.
Nidoqueen	Poison Point	Sucker Punch	None

Metronome

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Gengar	None	None	None
Primeape	Anger Point, Vital Spirit	None	None

Psywave

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Chansey and Blissey	Natural Cure, Serene Grace	Aromatherapy, Charm, Wish	Blissey must evolve from Chansey in either Generation 2 or 7.

Reflect

NOTE: While Reflect has consistently been a TM, the Generation 1 pool of Pokémon able to learn Reflect is dramatically different than in other generations.

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Venusaur	Overgrow	Leaf Storm	None
Chansey and Blissey	Natural Cure, Serene Grace	Aromatherapy, Charm, Wish	Blissey must evolve from Chansey in either Generation 2 or 7.
Dragonite	Inner Focus	Extreme Speed, Heal Bell	None
Eevee Family	Cute Charm, Flash Fire, Leaf Guard, Snow Cloak, Synchronize, Volt Absorb, Water Absorb	Wish, Yawn	In order to obtain Baton Pass, Eevee must learn it via level-up in Pokémon Crystal or in Generation 7. Espeon and Umbreon must evolve from Eevee in either Generation 2 or 7, and Glaceon, Leafeon, and Sylveon must do so in Generation 7. Stored Power is an Egg move starting in Generation 5, but teaching it via TM allows for compatibility with other Generation 1 and 2 moves.
Gyarados	None	None	None
Porygon2 and Porygon-Z	Adaptability, Download, Trace	None	Porygon-Z must evolve from Porygon2 in Generation 7.
Slowbro and Slowking	Oblivious	Belly Drum	Slowking must evolve from Slowpoke in Generation 7.
Tentacruel	Clear Body, Liquid Ooze	Rapid Spin	None
Venusaur	Overgrow	Leaf Storm	None
Chansey and Blissey	Natural Cure, Serene Grace	Aromatherapy, Wish	Blissey must evolve from Chansey in either Generation 2 or 7.
Dragonite	Inner Focus	Extreme Speed, Heal Bell	None
Eevee Family	Cute Charm, Flash Fire, Leaf Guard, Snow Cloak, Synchronize, Volt Absorb, Water Absorb	Wish, Yawn	In order to obtain Baton Pass, Eevee must learn it via level-up in Pokémon Crystal or in Generation 7. Espeon and Umbreon must evolve from Eevee in either Generation 2 or 7, and Glaceon, Leafeon, and Sylveon must do so in Generation 7. Stored Power is an Egg move starting in Generation 5, but teaching it via TM allows for compatibility with other Generation 1 and 2 moves.
Gyarados	Intimidate	None	None
Porygon2 and Porygon-Z	Adaptability, Download, Trace	None	Porygon-Z must evolve from Porygon2 in Generation 7.
Slowbro and Slowking	Oblivious	Belly Drum	Slowking must evolve from Slowpoke in Generation 7.
Tentacruel	Clear Body, Liquid Ooze	Rapid Spin	None
Electrode	Soundproof, Static	None	None
Zapdos	Pressure	Air Cutter, Baton Pass, Extrasensory, Metal Sound	This is the only way to obtain a shiny Zapdos with Static.

Seismic Toss

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Chansey	Natural Cure, Serene Grace	Aromatherapy, Charm, Wish	Seismic Toss is an Egg move starting in Generation 6, but teaching it via TM allows for compatibility with other Generation 1 and 2 moves.
Clefairy and Clefable	Cute Charm, Magic Guard	Fake Tears, Heal Pulse, Soft-Boiled	In order to have Moonblast and Stored Power, Clefable must learn them as a Clefairy in Generation 7.
Kangaskhan	Early Bird, Scrappy	Power-Up Punch	None

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Generation 2: Gold, Silver, Crystal

• These Pokémon can be transferred from Generation 1 games, but they cannot be transferred back if they learn a move that only existed in Generation 2 without glitches, which are not legal in most Pokémon formats.
• All Pokémon transferred from Generation 2 are forced to have their Hidden Abilities.
• Since Pokémon transferred from Generation 2 have at least 3 flawless IVs, Hidden Power Fighting is impossible on these Pokémon.
• All of these Pokémon must come in regular Poké Balls, since Generation 2 did not record the type of Poké Ball used to catch Pokémon.
• Since only male Pokémon can pass down Egg moves in this generation, not all Egg move combinations may be legal.
• All of these moves are TM moves unless otherwise noted. For more information on how to find them, check out the GSC TM location guide.

Curse

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Arcanine	Flash Fire, Intimidate	Close Combat	In order to have Flare Blitz and Crunch, Arcanine must learn them as a Growlithe in Generation 7.
Azumarill	Huge Power, Thick Fat	Aqua Jet	None
Charizard	Blaze	Dragon Dance	None
Dragonite	Inner Focus	Only one of Horn Drill or Extreme Speed is legal, Heal Bell	None
Entei	Pressure	Extreme Speed, Flare Blitz	This is the only way to obtain an Inner Focus Entei.
Feraligatr	Torrent	Aqua Jet	None
Gyarados	Intimidate	None	None
Ho-Oh	Pressure	Celebrate	This is the only way to obtain a shiny Ho-Oh with Regenerator.
Kangaskhan	Early Bird, Scrappy	Power-Up Punch	None
Machamp	Guts, No Guard	Bullet Punch, Heavy Slam, Quick Guard	None
Poliwrath and Politoed	Water Absorb	Encore	None
Porygon2 and Porygon-Z	Adaptability, Download, Trace	None	Porygon-Z must evolve from Porygon2 in Generation 7.
Scizor	Swarm, Technician	Quick Guard	None
Suicune	Pressure	Extreme Speed	This is the only way to obtain an Inner Focus Suicune.
Snorlax	Immunity, Thick Fat	Pursuit, Whirlwind	Curse is an Egg move starting in Generation 3, but teaching it via TM allows for compatibility with other Generation 1 and 2 moves.
Zapdos	Pressure	Air Cutter, Baton Pass, Extrasensory, Metal Sound	None

Detect

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Clefairy and Clefable	Cute Charm, Magic Guard	Fake Tears, Heal Pulse, Soft-Boiled	In order to have Moonblast and Stored Power, Clefable must learn them as a Clefairy in Generation 7.
Crobat	Inner Focus	Brave Bird, Whirlwind	None
Dragonite	Inner Focus	Only one of Extreme Speed or Horn Drill is legal, Heal Bell	None
Eevee family	Cute Charm, Flash Fire, Leaf Guard, Snow Cloak, Synchronize, Volt Absorb, Water Absorb	Wish, Yawn	Curse and Stored Power are Egg moves starting in Generation 3 and Generation 5, respectively, but teaching Detect via TM allows for compatibility with other Generation 1 and 2 moves.
Entei	Pressure	Extreme Speed, Flare Blitz	This is the only way to obtain an Inner Focus Entei.
Ho-Oh	Pressure	Celebrate	This is the only way to obtain a shiny Ho-Oh with Regenerator.
Lugia	Pressure	None	This is the only way to obtain a shiny Lugia with Multiscale.
Mew	None	Fake Out, Hypnosis	Mew was given out during an extremely limited event in the United Kingdom and Japan for Generation 1 Virtual Console games. In order to legally obtain this Mew otherwise, the arbitrary code execution glitches must be used, making this Mew illegal to trade on Smogon.
Mewtwo	Pressure	Heal Pulse, Hurricane	None
Poliwrath and Politoed	Water Absorb	Encore	None
Raichu and Alolan Raichu	Static	Encore, Fake Out	Alolan Raichu must evolve from Pikachu in Generation 7.
Raikou	Pressure	Aura Sphere, Extreme Speed	This is the only way to obtain an Inner Focus Raikou.
Scizor	Swarm, Technician	Quick Guard	None
Suicune	Pressure	Extreme Speed	This is the only way to obtain an Inner Focus Suicune.

Endure

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Azumarill	Huge Power, Thick Fat	Aqua Jet, Dive	None
Politoed	Damp, Water Absorb	Dive, Encore	Endure is an Egg move starting in Generation 5, but teaching it via TM allows for compatibility with other Generation 1 and 2 moves.

Mud-Slap

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Kangaskhan	Early Bird, Scrappy	Power-Up Punch	None

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Generation 3: Emerald, FireRed, LeafGreen, XD

• All tutor moves are only available in Emerald, FireRed, LeafGreen, and Pokémon XD. Unless otherwise noted, they can only be tutored once. For more information, check out our Generation 3 tutor moves guide.
• Cherish Balls, Dream Balls, Dusk Balls, Beast Balls, and all Apricorn Balls are illegal on these Pokémon.
• Hidden Abilities are not obtainable on these Pokémon.
• Since only male Pokémon can pass down Egg moves in this generation, not all Egg move combinations may be legal.
• Most of these moves are TMs in Generation 1 or 2. However, obtaining these moves in Generation 3 allows the use of regular abilities.

Body Slam (Tutor)

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Altaria	Cloud Nine	None	None
Kangaskhan	Inner Focus	Curse	None
Salamence	Moxie	None	None

Counter (Tutor)

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Chansey and Blissey	Healer	Reflect	This is the only way to obtain Counter and Wish on the same Chansey and Blissey.
Gengar	None	Clear Smog	None

Double-Edge (Tutor)

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Aerodactyl	Unnerve	None	None
Altaria	Cloud Nine	Feather Dance	None
Dodrio	Tangled Feet	Brave Bird	None
Glalie	Moody	None	None
Kangaskhan	Inner Focus	Curse	Double-Edge is an Egg move starting in Generation 4, but teaching it via Move Tutor allows for compatibility with other Generation 3 moves.
Pinsir	Moxie	Close Combat, Feint, Quick Attack	None

Endure (Tutor)

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Azumarill	Sap Sipper	Aqua Jet	Access to Dive requires a transfer to Generation 6, since Pal Park will not allow HM moves to be transferred.
Magnemite	Analytic	None	None
Onix	Weak Armor	None	None

Metronome

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Ambipom	Skill Link	None	Ambipom must evolve from Aipom starting in Generation 4.
Banette	Cursed Body	None	None
Celebi	None	None	This Celebi is only possible to get via the Japanese Pokémon Colosseum Bonus Disc.
Gengar	None	None	None
Hariyama	Sheer Force	None	None
Jirachi	None	None	This Jirachi is easiest to get via the Western Pokémon Colosseum Bonus Disc and the PAL Pokémon Channel.
Kecleon	Protean	None	None
Machamp	Steadfast	None	None
Medicham	Telepathy	None	None

Mud-Slap

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Kangaskhan	Inner Focus	Curse	None

Seismic Toss (Tutor)

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Chansey and Blissey	Healer	Reflect	This is the only way to obtain Seismic Toss and Wish on the same Chansey and Blissey.
Kangaskhan	Inner Focus	Curse	None

Soft-Boiled (Tutor)

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Clefairy and Clefable	Friend Guard, Unaware	Detect, Fake Tears, Heal Pulse	None
Togekiss	Super Luck	None	Togekiss must evolve from Togetic starting in Generation 4.

Swords Dance

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Qwilfish	Intimidate	None	For some reason, Qwilfish can only learn Swords Dance as a tutor move in Generation 3.

The Shedinja factor

In Generation 3, Shedinja will inherit a move Ninjask learns so long as Ninjask evolves from Nincada at the same level it learns the move. This leads to a particularly tricky move legality situation: Swords Dance and Baton Pass are not legal with each other. Note that in Generation 3, Shedinja will always be in the same Poké Ball that Nincada was caught in, including a Master Ball.

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Pokémon XD Moves

The GameCube game Pokémon XD has several exclusive moves that are obtained after purifying a Shadow Pokémon. Many of these moves are fairly useful in doubles, and this is the only way to obtain them. For more information, consult our XD special moves guide.

Extrasensory

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Articuno	Snow Cloak	None	None
Zapdos	Static	Curse, Reflect	None

Follow Me

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Electabuzz and Electivire	Vital Spirit	Detect, Feint, Reflect	Electivire must evolve from Electabuzz starting in Generation 4.
Magmar and Magmortar	Vital Spirit	Detect	Magmortar must evolve from Magmar starting in Generation 4.
Mr. Mime	Technician	Fake Out	None

Heal Bell

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Articuno	Snow Cloak	None	None
Dragonite	Multiscale	Curse, Extreme Speed, Reflect	None

Helping Hand

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Banette	Cursed Body	None	None
Dusclops and Dusknoir	Frisk	Destiny Bond, Haze, Imprison	Dusknoir must evolve from Dusclops starting in Generation 4.
Rhydon and Rhyperior	Reckless	Curse	Rhyperior must evolve from Rhydon starting in Generation 4.
Togekiss	Super Luck	Stored Power	Togekiss must evolve from Togetic starting in Generation 4.
Sableye	Prankster	None	None

Refresh

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Salamence	Moxie	Hydro Pump	While Dragon Dance is normally an Egg move, this Salamence learns it when purified.

Sing

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Kangaskhan	Inner Focus	Curse	None
Mawile	Sheer Force	Fire Fang	None

Mew Pokémon XD Tutors

These moves (Faint Attack, Fake Out, Hypnosis, Night Shade, Role Play, and Zap Cannon) can only be taught to Mew in Pokémon XD, with Fake Out being exclusive. Mew may only learn one of them.

Fake Out

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Mew	None	Curse, Detect, Horn Drill, Fissure	None

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Generation 4: Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, SoulSilver

• Hidden Abilities are not legal on these Pokémon.
• Dream Balls and Beast Balls are not legal on these Pokémon.
• Since only male Pokémon can pass down Egg moves in this generation, not all Egg move combinations may be legal.
• For more information on Generation 4 Move Tutors, check out our Generation 4 move tutor list.

Endure (TM)

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Azumarill	Sap Sipper	None	None
Magnemite	Analytic	None	None
Onix	Weak Armor	None	None

Heal Block

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Dialga	Telepathy	None	This move is learned via level-up in Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum only.
Palkia	Telepathy	None	This move is learned via level-up in Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum only.
Giratina	None	None	This move is learned via level-up in Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum only.

Natural Gift (TM)

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Crobat	Infiltrator	None	None
Entei	Inner Focus	None	None
Gyarados	Moxie	None	None
Scizor	Light Metal	Quick Guard	None

String Shot (HeartGold / SoulSliver-exclusive Tutor)

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Gastrodon	Sand Force	Clear Smog	None
Shedinja	None	Only one of Baton Pass or Swords Dance is legal.	None
Venusaur	Chlorophyll	Reflect	None

Sucker Punch (Tutor)

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Golem	Sand Veil	Wide Guard	None
Hitmonlee	Unburden	None	None
Hitmontop	Steadfast	None	None
Shedinja	None	Only one of Baton Pass or Swords Dance is legal.	None
Shiftry	Pickpocket	Leaf Blade	None
Victreebel	Gluttony	Clear Smog	None

Vacuum Wave (Tutor)

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Blaziken	Speed Boost	None	None
Infernape	Iron Fist	Quick Guard	None

The Shedinja factor

In Generation 4, Shedinja will inherit a move Ninjask learns so long as Ninjask evolves from Nincada at the same level it learns the move. This leads to a particularly tricky move legality situation: Swords Dance and Baton Pass are not legal with each other. Note that in Generation 4, Shedinja will always be in a regular Poké Ball.

My Pokémon Ranch Mew (Hypnosis)

If all 1000 Pokémon slots are filled up on the WiiWare game My Pokémon Ranch with Pokémon from Diamond or Pearl, you will be rewarded with a Mew that knows Hypnosis. Note that due to the closure of the Wii Shop Channel, this video game is no longer legally obtainable.

Hypnosis

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Mew	None	Curse, Detect, Horn Drill, Fissure	None

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Generation 6 Exclusive Move: Power-Up Punch

• Generation 6 is the most unrestrictive of all generations, having access to every Poké Ball except for Beast Balls, as well as almost every Hidden Ability.
• For more information on Generation 6 TM locations, check out our XY TM location guide and ORAS TM location guide.

Dive (ORAS HM)

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Azumarill	None	None	Azumarill cannot have Endure, Sap Sipper, and Dive on the same set.

Hone Claws

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Metagross	None	None	None
Zekrom	None	Haze	None

Power-Up Punch

Pokémon	Illegal Abilities	Relevant Illegal Moves	Other Notes
Kangaskhan	None	Curse	Kangaskhan cannot have Power-Up Punch, Seismic Toss, and Inner Focus on the same set.
Metagross	None	None	None

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Conclusion

As you can see, the topic of move legality has become quite complex over the generations. I hope this article serves as a useful resource when building a team for your next competition!