Ditto is a unique Pokémon with the ability to transform into an exact copy of any other Pokémon. This allows Ditto to be compatible for breeding with almost any other Pokémon species and gender. However, there are some limitations on which Pokémon Ditto can successfully breed with.
Ditto’s Transform Ability
Ditto’s signature move is Transform, which allows it to morph its cellular structure to match that of any other Pokémon. This gives Ditto the appearance, types, stats, and moves of the copied Pokémon. Once transformed, Ditto can use this mimicry to breed with most other Pokémon and produce Eggs.
Breeding in Pokémon
In the Pokémon games, breeding occurs when a male Pokémon and a female Pokémon (or any gender pairing with Ditto) are placed together in the Day Care center. After a certain amount of time, an Egg containing a baby Pokémon of their species will be produced.
For breeding to be successful, the male and female Pokémon must be of the same Egg Group or one partner must be Ditto. There are 15 Egg Groups that categorize Pokémon by biological similarities. Pokémon in the same Egg Group are compatible for breeding.
Pokémon that Ditto Can Breed With
Thanks to its Transforming ability, Ditto is able to breed with almost any Pokémon species. The only major limitations are genderless Pokémon and certain Legendaries.
Gendered Pokémon
Ditto is able to breed with any gendered Pokémon. This includes:
- Male Pokémon
- Female Pokémon
- Single gender species like Nidoran
Since Ditto can Transform into the opposite gender of the breeding partner, it can successfully reproduce with any male or female Pokémon. The exception is incense breeding.
Genderless Pokémon
Ditto is unable to breed with most genderless Pokémon. Genderless Pokémon include:
- Magnemite
- Voltorb
- Porygon
- Bronzor
- Beldum lines
These Pokémon cannot produce Eggs in the Day Care center since they do not have biological genders. However, some mythicals like Manaphy and Phione can breed with Ditto through incense items.
Legendary Pokémon
Legendary Pokémon have vast restrictions on which partners they can breed with:
- Some cannot breed at all like Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres
- Some only breed with their own species like Latios, Latias, Heatran
- Some can breed with Ditto like the Tapus, Type: Null line
- Manaphy and Phione can breed with Ditto using incense
So Ditto has limited potential with Legendary Pokémon, mainly the minor Legendaries from later generations.
Baby Pokémon
Ditto is able to breed with Baby Pokémon like Cleffa, Pichu, Riolu etc. This will always produce the base evolution Pokémon, not another Baby Pokémon.
Breeding Mechanics with Ditto
When breeding with Ditto, the standard mechanics apply but with Ditto as one parent. Here are some key points:
- Ditto will always pass down its perfect IVs to the offspring
- Ditto has a chance of passing down its hidden ability if it has one
- The non-Ditto parent determines the Pokémon species, Egg moves, Poké Ball inheritance
- The offspring will always be the base evolution stage
So while Ditto contributes its IVs, the other parent provides the moveset and Pokémon species.
Inheriting Abilities
The offspring has an 80% chance of inheriting the non-Ditto parent’s regular ability. It only has a 20% chance of inheriting Ditto’s ability if it has a regular ability.
If the non-Ditto parent has a hidden ability, the offspring has an 80% chance of inheriting the hidden ability and 20% chance of inheriting a regular ability.
Inheriting Poké Balls
The Poké Ball passed down from breeding is always determined by the female partner. So when breeding with Ditto, the Poké Ball will be inherited from the non-Ditto parent if that Pokémon is female.
If the non-Ditto parent is male or genderless, the baby Pokémon will inherit a standard Poké Ball from Ditto.
Uses for Ditto Breeding
Ditto’s broad breeding capabilities make it a valuable Pokémon for Trainers to use in the Day Care center. Here are some of Ditto’s key breeding applications:
Shiny Hunting
Breeding with a foreign Ditto increases the chances of hatching a Shiny Pokémon. So players will trade for Ditto from games in other languages to maximize Shiny odds.
IV Breeding
Ditto with perfect IVs can rapidly pass those stats down when bred with other Pokémon. This is the fastest way to generate competitive-ready Pokémon.
Egg Moves
Ditto can inherit Egg Moves from the non-Ditto parent. So it can copy useful moves that Pokémon normally learn from breeding.
Hidden Abilities
Though the chance is only 20%, Ditto can sometimes pass down its hidden ability to offspring if it has one.
Ditto Breeding in the Pokémon Games
The list of Pokémon that Ditto can successfully breed with has gradually expanded over the generations along with new mechanics.
Red/Blue/Yellow
The only indication of breeding was through an NPC dialog in Red/Blue about leaving two Pokémon at the Day Care center. No actual breeding mechanics existed yet.
Gold/Silver/Crystal
Breeding was introduced but limited. Only opposite gender Pokémon could breed except for Ditto. Genderless couldn’t breed. Only bred Baby Pokémon, no Eggs.
Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald
All gender pairings with Ditto now worked. Eggs introduced, enabling inheritance of moves/abilities/stats. Genderless still couldn’t breed.
Diamond/Pearl
Male+Ditto now passed down Poké Ball. Incense enabled some Genderless and Legendary breeding.
Black/White
Hidden abilities could now be inherited from Ditto. More incense Legendary breeding added.
X/Y
Ability inheritance mechanics improved. More Legendary and Mythical Pokémon made breedable with Ditto.
Sun/Moon
Alola Forms could pass down from Ditto. Increased Shiny odds by breeding with foreign Ditto.
Sword/Shield
Several formerly genderless Pokémon got genders making them Ditto compatible. Legendary restrictions further relaxed.
Conclusion
In summary, Ditto’s Transforming makes it unique among Pokémon for its ability to breed with almost any species. While genderless and certain Legendaries still cannot breed with Ditto, the list of compatible partners grows larger each generation. With clever use of Ditto, players can hatch Shiny Pokémon, inherit perfect IVs, Hidden Abilities, useful Egg Moves, and customize Poké Balls. As long as Trainers have access to Ditto, they hold the key to breeding powerful Pokémon teams.