Sketch

When Sketch is successfully used, it will permanently overwrite itself with the move that the opponent attempted to perform (successful or not) just before the execution of Sketch. Sketch will automatically fail if at the time of execution the opposing pokémon has not even attempted any moves since it has come into play (either it was switched in just prior to the execution of Sketch normally, or the switch in was due to the pokémon acting just prior to the using pokémon executed either Explosion or Selfdestruct [which means these moves cannot be copied], or it has been fully paralyzed on each of its turns).

There are also a few moves which Sketch is unable to copy (which will also cause it to automatically fail when used). They are as follows:

1. Moves which call up other moves. This includes Metronome, Mimic, Mirror Move, and Sleep Talk.

2. Any move the using pokémon already knows (including Sketch). This means that if the using pokémon already has Thunderbolt in its moveset, Sketch will fail if the opponent uses Thunderbolt just prior to the execution of Sketch.

3. Struggle and Transform.

Sketch will also automatically fail during link battles and battles in the Stadium games (this does not include the battles for the gameboy games when they are run through Stadium in the emulation portion).

One additional condition is imposed on the use of Sketch: Only Smeargle can use it, without the use of a cheat device. The only pokémon aside from Smeargle that can get Sketch would be a Ditto using Transform on a Smeargle that has Sketch. When the Ditto has done so, if it attempts to use Sketch, the move will automatically fail.

Sketch is unaffected by Accuracy/Evade modifiers.