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Falling asleep on the job is never a good thing, especially if one’s job involves direct combat against a fellow pocket monster. InPokemon Sword & Shield, as well as in every other main-series game in thePokemonfranchise, Sleep is a status condition that can debilitate any target for a few turns.
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Sleep prevents an afflicted pokemon from being able to move under normal circumstances for one or more turns, depending on some hidden RNG mechanics. While not as common as some other status conditions in modern games likePokemon Sword & Shield, Sleep arguably has the best versatility, as it can be used as both a way to hinder foes or by players for certain niche strategies.
Updated August 28th, 2022 by Russ Boswell: There have been a lot of moves, abilities, and items introduced with each passing Pokemon generation. The Sleep Status Effect has been changed a bit over the years, but for the most part, remains a pivotal (and sometimes paniful) part of the battle system. Players that don’t know how to best deal with Sleep may find themselves losing teams of Pokemon to a foe that can quickly and easily send them into a slumber. To better aid against this, and show players how to better handleSleep in Pokemon, the following guide has been updated to include items, moves, and abilities that affect or cure the Sleep status.
Sleep Throughout The Generations Of Main Series Pokemon Games
Sleep In Generation 1 Pokemon Games
Sleep in the initial games of the franchise can last between 1 to 7 turns (or between 1 to 3 turns inPokemon Stadium). The Sleep counter does not reset upon switching out, meaning that if a pokemon is meant to be asleep for 4 turns as determined by the RNG, if it stays in combat for 1 turn before retreating, it will be asleep for 3 turns when it returns to the battle. When a pokemon wakes up from its slumber, it still won’t be able to move until the next turn, which can be abused to lock a pokemon into an unending sleep cycle if the attacker is faster.
Sleep In Generation 2 Pokemon Games
The maximum duration of Sleep was reduced to 5 turns as to slightly decrease its power and usage, plus pokemon that awaken from their slumber will be able to move on the same turn, preventing the aggressive sleep-cycling that was abused in the Generation 1 games. It is also worth noting that wild pokemon cannot flee while they are asleep, making Sleep-inducing moves excellent for aiding in the capture of the roaming legendaries Raikou, Entei, and Suicune.
Sleep In Generation 3 Pokemon Games
The minimum duration of Sleep was increased, so the new possible duration is between 2 to 5 turns. In an unfortunate change, wild pokemon are now able to flee when asleep, making catching roaming legendaries more difficult than before. The moves Sleep Talk and Snore will slightly increase how long a pokemon stays asleep if used by a sleeping pokemon, however, this was weirdly implemented and this mechanic operates on a separate counter than the real Sleep counter.
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Sleep In Generation 4 Pokemon Games
The Sleep counter mechanic for Sleep Talk and Snore were integrated into the real Sleep counter, though possesses the same effects from the perspective of the player, meaning no visible change was noticeable to most.
Sleep In Generation 5 Pokemon Games
In yet another duration change, Sleep can now only affect a pokemon for between 1 to 3 turns, though, upon switching out, a sleeping pokemon’s Sleep counter gets reset to its starting value, meaning that pokemon that switch out while sleeping will remain dormant for more turns. This new mechanic also works with Rest, so players who want to keep a specific pokemon asleep can use switching out to their advantage.
Sleep In Generation 6 Pokemon Games
The developers didn’t like that the Sleep counter resets for sleeping pokemon that switch out of combat, therefore this was removed. However, nothing else was changed about Sleep in this generation’s games.
Sleep In Generation 7 Pokemon Games & Beyond
There were no changes made to how the Sleep status condition works after Generation 6, therefore it remains the same in Generation 7 and Generation 8Pokemongames.
Dark Void
100%
Targets all opponents (was only usable by Darkrai in Generation 7)
Cannot affect pokemon with the Soundproof ability
A regular status move
Psycho Shift
Can only inflict Sleep on an opponent via the move Sleep Talk if the user is asleep
Rest
Can only target the user and will always last 2 turns
Sleep Powder
Cannot affect pokemon with the Overcoat ability, those holding the Safety Goggles item, or Grass-types
Yawn
Will make the target fall asleep on their next turn, though this effect gets canceled if the target switches out before falling asleep
Spore
G-Max Snooze
50%
Exclusive G-Max move of Gigantamax Grimmsnarl and the Sleep effect will only potentially occur on the user’s following turn
33.3%
Secret Power
30%
Can only potentially cause Sleep if used while in an area with long grass (Generation 3), tall grass (Generation 4 to 8), or if the effects of Grassy Terrain are active
Relic Song
10%
Targets all opponents but cannot affect pokemon with the Soundproof ability
Abilities That Can Cause Sleep In Main Series Pokemon Games
There is a single ability in thePokemonfranchise that can put an opponent to Sleep, which is Effect Spore. When an enemy makes contact with a pokemon with the Effect Spore ability, there is an 11% chance that they will fall asleep.
It’s also important to note that Sleep can possibly happen to a Pokemon that is disobedient. Players that attempt to battle with a creature that is a high level (and they do not have the appropriate Gym Badge) may end up falling asleep in defiance.
How To Cure Sleep
Thankfully, there are multiple ways for trainers to cure the Sleep status effect, with many items capable of waking up a Pokemon that has fallen into a deep slumber during battle. Here’s a look at all the known items in the main Pokemon series that will wake up a snoozing pocket monster.
Pokemon Moves That Cure Sleep
In addition to all of the above items, there are actually a handful of Pokemon moves that are capable of curing sleep and forcing a Pokemon awake. Here’s a rundown of the available moves that have shown up in the mainline series over the years and how they work.
5
25
10
Causes damage and prevents Sleep for 2 to 5 turns
Wake Up Slap
Will wake a sleeping opponent and does double damage on them if they were asleep
Pokemon Abilities That Effect Sleep
Moves aren’t the only defense that Pokemon have against Sleep. There are quite a few abilities that can affect how the Status works, with some Pokemon incapable of falling asleep thanks to their hidden abilities. Here’s a look at all the abilities that pertain to Sleep.
The Pokemon will awaken quicker from Sleep
Will sometimes heal an ally’s Status Condition
Prevents Pokemon from getting Status Effects if it’s Raining
Insomnia
The Pokemon cannot fall asleep. This even includes positive effect moves like Rest.
Prevents Pokemon from getting Status Effects if it’s Sunny out
Heals Status Condition when Pokemon is swapped out
Shed Skin
In battle, Pokemon has a 30% chance to heal its own Status Condition
Vital Spirit
Prevents Sleep, will also cause higher-level Pokemon encounters outside of battle if leading
