Selecting Ability

Learn how to pass down abilities, including Hidden Abilities, when breeding Pokémon in Sun and Moon. Maximize your chances with the right parent.

Hey there! So you're looking to get into the nitty-gritty of breeding Pokémon in Sun and Moon, specifically how to make sure your new little ones inherit the abilities you want? It can seem a bit confusing at first, but it's actually pretty straightforward once you know the mechanics. Let's break down how abilities are passed down, focusing on both the regular ones and those elusive Hidden Abilities.

Passing Down Generic Abilities

When you're breeding, the mother of the pair has the biggest influence on which ability the offspring gets. If you pair a female Pokémon with a specific Ability with a male Pokémon (or a Ditto), there's a solid 80% chance that the baby will inherit the mother's Ability. The male parent's Ability doesn't really play a role here. The only exception is if you're breeding a male Pokémon (or a genderless one) with a Ditto. In this case, the game treats the male as the 'mother,' so its Ability gets that same 80% chance of being passed down.

Passing Down Hidden Abilities

Hidden Abilities are a bit trickier. When breeding a female Pokémon with a Hidden Ability with a compatible male or a Ditto, the chance of passing down that Hidden Ability drops to 60%. The remaining 40% is split between the Pokémon's two regular abilities (20% each). Just like with regular abilities, if you breed a male or genderless Pokémon with a Ditto, the male's Hidden Ability has a 60% chance of being passed on.

It's important to remember that if you have a female Pokémon and a male Pokémon of the same species, and *both* have their Hidden Ability, the chance of passing it down is still only 60%. This is because the mother's status is the deciding factor.

And just a quick reminder: to even get a Pokémon with its Hidden Ability in the first place, you'll usually need to use the SOS Battle system to chain encounters!