Ditto
Ditto never appears in its true form on the Pokémon GO map. Instead, it disguises itself as another Pokémon and only reveals itself after being caught.
The best way to find Ditto is to catch every Pokémon from its current disguise pool. Any regular encounter with one of these Pokémon could turn out to be Ditto.
Current Ditto Disguises
As of September 2026, Ditto can be disguised as the following Pokémon:
Ditto disguises do not usually change every month, although special events can temporarily introduce a different disguise pool. We will update this list whenever the available disguises change.
Ditto cannot normally be encountered directly in the wild, hatched from an Egg, or identified before it is caught. It has been obtainable in Pokémon GO since November 2016.
How to Catch Ditto
There is no guaranteed way to tell whether a wild Pokémon is secretly Ditto. You must catch Pokémon from the current disguise list and wait for one to reveal itself.
These tips can help you find Ditto faster:
- Catch every Pokémon from the current Ditto disguise list.
- Use Incense or Lure Modules to generate more wild encounters. These do not specifically increase Ditto’s appearance rate, but they give you more Pokémon to check.
- Use the Nearby menu to look for areas where Ditto disguises are spawning.
- Watch local community chats for reported Ditto sightings.
- Pay attention when an ordinarily easy Pokémon repeatedly escapes from a Poké Ball. Ditto can be harder to catch than some of its disguises, although this is not a reliable way to identify one.
Regular wild Ditto spawns are shared between Trainers. If another player catches a Ditto, the same Pokémon should also be Ditto for other Trainers who catch that spawn before it disappears.
Once Ditto is caught, an “Oh?” message appears instead of the usual “Gotcha!” message. A short animation then shows the Pokémon transforming back into Ditto.
Ditto can also be caught using Pokémon GO Plus and other compatible auto-catch devices.
Shiny Ditto
Ditto
Shiny Ditto is available in Pokémon GO and appears light blue instead of purple. However, its Shiny encounter rules work differently from those of most wild Pokémon.
- A Pokémon that appears Shiny on the encounter screen will not transform into Ditto.
- A regular, non-Shiny Pokémon from the disguise list can transform into a regular Ditto.
- A regular, non-Shiny disguise can also transform into a Shiny Ditto.
- You will not know whether the Ditto is Shiny until after catching the disguised Pokémon.
This means you do not have to worry about losing a Shiny Mankey, Growlithe, or another disguise Pokémon. If the Pokémon is already Shiny on the encounter screen, it will remain that Pokémon after being caught.
Ditto and Zorua Disguises
Ditto and Zorua both disguise themselves, but they use different systems.
Ditto can only appear as one of the Pokémon in the current disguise pool. Zorua usually copies your current Buddy Pokémon, including details that can make the disguise easy to recognise, such as Shiny forms, costumes or Best Buddy ribbons.
Both Pokémon reveal their true form after being caught, so seeing the “Oh?” message does not always mean you have found Ditto.
Battling with Ditto
Ditto cannot be used in Trainer Battles or the GO Battle League. It can be used in Gym Battles and Raid Battles, and it can also be placed in Gyms as a defender.
Ditto has the Fast Attack Transform and the Charged Attack Struggle. When a battle begins, Transform changes Ditto into its opponent.
After transforming, Ditto copies the opposing Pokémon’s:
- Pokémon species and appearance
- Attack and Defense stats
- Typing
- Fast and Charged Attacks
Ditto keeps its own HP, level and Individual Values. Its low HP makes it fragile even when it transforms into a powerful Pokémon, so it is rarely a recommended attacker.
When defending a Gym, Ditto transforms into the first Pokémon that attacks it. If you need to battle a defending Ditto, use a Pokémon that resists its own attacks or deals relatively low damage to itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Ditto appear as any Pokémon?
No. Ditto can only appear as one of the Pokémon in the current disguise pool listed above.
Can Ditto hatch from an Egg?
No. Ditto cannot hatch from an Egg. It must normally be caught while disguised as a wild Pokémon.
Can a Shiny Pokémon turn into Ditto?
No. If a Pokémon appears Shiny on the encounter screen, it will not transform into Ditto.
Can a regular Pokémon become Shiny Ditto?
Yes. A regular Pokémon from the current disguise pool can reveal itself as either a regular Ditto or a Shiny Ditto after being caught.
Does trading for Ditto complete a catch task?
No. Receiving Ditto through a trade does not complete research that specifically requires you to catch a Ditto.
Can Ditto be used in the GO Battle League?
No. Ditto cannot currently participate in the GO Battle League or other Trainer Battles.
