Shadow Tag is an ability introduced in Generation III.
Effect
- The ability prevents the opposing Pokémon from switching out/fleeing (Moves such as Teleport would also fail), except if the affected Pokémon have not yet made a move.
- A move that has a side effect of switching the user out, like Volt Switch, will still switch the user out. Run Away and Smoke Ball still allows the holder to run or teleport, but still prevents switching.
- If the Player tries to run without switching out a Pokémon that has fainted they will be able to escape this battle.
- In Generation IV, it is redone to negate itself and allows the Shed Shell to still switch the holder out.
- In Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, ghost-types are immune to the ability.
Description
| Generations | Description |
|---|---|
| Generation III | This Pokémon steps on the opposing Pokémon's shadow to prevent it from escaping. |
| Generation IV | |
| Generation V | |
| Generation VI | |
| Generation VII | |
| Generation VIII | |
| Generation IX |
Pokémon
| Pokémon | Type | First Ability | Second Ability | Hidden Ability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mega Gengar |  Ghost /  Poison | Shadow Tag | — | — |
 | Wobbuffet |  Psychic | Shadow Tag | — | Telepathy |
 | Wynaut | Psychic | Shadow Tag | — | Telepathy |
 | Gothita | Psychic | Frisk | Competitive | Shadow Tag |
 | Gothorita | Psychic | Frisk | Competitive | Shadow Tag |
 | Gothitelle | Psychic | Frisk | Competitive | Shadow Tag |
Trivia
- Before the introduction of Generation V games, it was Wynaut and Wobbuffet's signature ability.
- This was the hidden ability of the Litwick line in said games, but could not be obtained without hacking. It was replaced with Infiltrator from the following generation onwards.