Despite making its Pokemon Go debut in 2016, the purple Transform Pokemon Ditto still manages to evade many trainers each month, which can be frustrating if you’re trying to fill out your Kanto Pokedex or complete a specific Special Research Task.
Trainers tend to struggle to find this elusive creature because Ditto disguises itself as another Pokemon in the Pokedex. For example, while Zorua can disguise itself as a trainer’s current Buddy Pokemon, Ditto has a list of disguises that change over time.
To help you out, we’ve rounded up all the details and tips you’ll need to learn how to catch a Ditto of your own this month.
Current Ditto disguises in September 2024
| POKEDEX # | POKEMON | SPRITE | GEN/REGION |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0043 | Oddish | Gen 1 / Kanto | |
| 0109 | Koffing | Gen 1 / Kanto | |
| 0111 | Rhyhorn | Gen 1 / Kanto | |
| 0118 | Goldeen | Gen 1 / Kanto | |
| 0167 | Spinarak | Gen 2 / Johto | |
| 0322 | Numel | Gen 3 / Hoenn | |
| 0399 | Bidoof | Gen 4 / Sinnoh | |
| 0574 | Gothita | Gen 5 / Unova | |
| 0577 | Solosis | Gen 5 / Unova | |
| 0712 | Bergmite | Gen 6 / Kalos | |
| 0759 | Stufful | Gen 7 / Alola |
Ditto’s disguises typically rotate with each new season, so we’ll keep the table above updated if there are any changes during the Max Out season, which kicks off on September 3, 2024.
The most important thing to know when trying to catch Ditto is that it will never appear as a Ditto on the overworld map. Instead, it will disguise itself as one of several other Pokemon, so trainers won’t know it’s a Ditto until it’s been caught.
How to catch Ditto in Pokemon Go
The only way to get a Ditto is to look at its potential disguises and catch every single one while out and exploring. It’ll require some patience, but eventually, one should reveal itself as a Ditto.
Boosting your chances of catching Ditto
During certain limited-time events, like the Let’s Go! event in March 2023, there was a boost in Ditto spawns on the map. Naturally, these are ideal times to try and catch one. Using the Nearby feature can help you locate potential Ditto disguises on the map.
It’s also important to point out that the list of Pokemon that Ditto can disguise itself as changes every now and then, so you’ll need to keep up to date with the current crop of disguises.
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Can Ditto hatch from an Egg?
Players cannot hatch Ditto from an Egg in Pokemon Go, and the only way to find one is by catching a disguised one out in the wild.
Can Ditto be Shiny in Pokemon Go?
The good news for trainers is that Shiny Ditto is available in Pokemon Go. Just like other Shiny variants in the game, though, catching one is going to take a lot of persistence and plenty of luck.
The below picture shows you how a Shiny Ditto looks in-game, with its lovely blue colorway instead of the purple, non-shiny variant:
Ditto’s shiny form was originally tied to Special Research that could only be claimed during the Pokemon Go Tour: Kanto event, but this rare variant can now be encountered in the wild (if you’re lucky).
Players will recognize it easily, as its iconic pink body will turn light blue, resembling a Slime from the Dragon Quest franchise.
Now you know what Ditto is disguising itself as this month, check out our other guides covering the best competitive Pokemon, the best Eeveelutions, the best Mega Evolutions, or the rarest Pokemon in Pokemon Go.
