Gender Mechanics

Evolution | Breeding | Wild Mechanics | Attract Status
Moves | Abilities

Gender is a concept that originally seemed to only exist with the Nidorans but then expanded in Gold & Silver to be a fairly large dynamic in the games. Almost every Pokémon has a specific gender ratio and the ratio determines how likely it is that you'll get a male Pokémon or a female Pokémon. Some Pokémon have a simple 50/50 ratio while others have a 75/25 and even some as low as 87.5/12.5. Some Pokémon have various differences in appearance based upon their gender
There is only one case of a Pokémon having a different gender ratio as its evolution. Azurill has a 25/75 ratio while Marill has a 50/50 one meaning that one third of female Azurills may change gender to male upon evolution. This was fixed with Pokémon Sword & Shield where even though the ratio is different, the gender would never evolve
In addition to that, there are certain Pokémon which are only male or only female. These are listed below.

Male Only Pokémon
Nidoran♂
Poison Point
Rivalry
Hustle
Nidorino
Poison Point
Rivalry
Hustle
Nidoking
Poison Point
Rivalry
Sheer Force
Hitmonlee
Limber
Reckless
Unburden
Hitmonchan
Keen Eye
Iron Fist
Inner Focus
Tauros
Intimidate
Anger Point
Sheer Force
Tyrogue
Guts
Steadfast
Vital Spirit
Hitmontop
Intimidate
Technician
Steadfast
Volbeat
Illuminate
Swarm
Prankster
Latios
Levitate
Mothim
Swarm
Tinted Lens
Gallade
Steadfast
Justified
Throh
Guts
Inner Focus
Mold Breaker
Sawk
Sturdy
Inner Focus
Mold Breaker
Rufflet
Keen Eye
Sheer Force
Hustle
Braviary
Keen Eye
Sheer Force
Defiant
Tornadus
Prankster
Defiant
Thundurus
Prankster
Defiant
Landorus
Sand Force
Sheer Force
Impidimp
Prankster
Frisk
Pickpocket
Morgrem
Prankster
Frisk
Pickpocket
Grimmsnarl
Prankster
Frisk
Pickpocket
Okidogi
Munkidori
Fezandipiti
Female Only Pokémon
Nidoran♀
Poison Point
Rivalry
Hustle
Nidorina
Poison Point
Rivalry
Hustle
Nidoqueen
Poison Point
Rivalry
Sheer Force
Chansey
Natural Cure
Serene Grace
Healer
Kangaskhan
Early Bird
Scrappy
Inner Focus
Jynx
Oblivious
Forewarn
Dry Skin
Smoochum
Oblivious
Forewarn
Hydration
Miltank
Thick Fat
Scrappy
Sap Sipper
Blissey
Natural Cure
Serene Grace
Healer
Illumise
Oblivious
Tinted Lens
Prankster
Latias
Levitate
Wormadam
Anticipation
Overcoat
Vespiquen
Pressure
Unnerve
Happiny
Natural Cure
Serene Grace
Friend Guard
Froslass
Snow Cloak
Cursed Body
Cresselia
Levitate
Petilil
Chlorophyll
Own Tempo
Leaf Guard
Lilligant
Chlorophyll
Own Tempo
Leaf Guard
Vullaby
Big Pecks
Overcoat
Weak Armor
Mandibuzz
Big Pecks
Overcoat
Weak Armor
Flabébé
Flower Veil
Symbiosis
Floette
Flower Veil
Symbiosis
Florges
Flower Veil
Symbiosis
Salazzle
Corrosion
Oblivious
Bounsweet
Leaf Guard
Oblivious
Sweet Veil
Steenee
Leaf Guard
Oblivious
Sweet Veil
Tsareena
Leaf Guard
Queenly Majesty
Sweet Veil
Hatenna
Healer
Anticipation
Magic Bounce
Hattrem
Healer
Anticipation
Magic Bounce
Hatterene
Healer
Anticipation
Magic Bounce
Milcery
Sweet Veil
Aroma Veil
Alcremie
Sweet Veil
Aroma Veil
Enamorus
Healer
Contrary
Tinkatink
Mold Breaker
Own Tempo
Pickpocket
Tinkatuff
Mold Breaker
Own Tempo
Pickpocket
Tinkaton
Mold Breaker
Own Tempo
Pickpocket
Ogerpon

Gender-Based Evolution

Since Generation IV, there have been a few Pokémon who evolved based upon their gender. Sometimes the genders provide an alternate evolution while on others, such as Combee, the Pokémon will only evolve if it is a female..

Pic Name Base Stats & Type Evolution Method Evo Pic Evo Name Evo Base Stats & Type
HP Att Def S.Att S.Def Spd HP Att Def S.Att S.Def Spd
#412 Burmy Level 20
Only
#414 Mothim
40 29 45 29 45 36 70 94 50 94 50 66
#281 Kirlia Dawn Stone
Only
#475 Gallade
38 35 35 65 55 50 68 125 65 65 115 80
#412 Burmy Level 20
Only
#413 Wormadam
40 29 45 29 45 36 60 59 85 79 105 36
#415 Combee Level 21
Only
#416 Vespiquen
30 30 42 30 42 70 70 80 102 80 102 40
#361 Snorunt Dawn Stone
Only
#478 Froslass
50 50 50 50 50 50 70 80 70 80 70 110
#757 Salandit Level 33
Only
#758 Salazzle
48 44 40 71 40 77 68 64 60 111 60 117

Breeding Pokémon

The more commonly used feature of genders is the Breeding feature. This feature has you put a male and a female Pokémon into the day care centre and breed to get the base form of the female Pokémon. The male parents are the ones used to transfer moves to the Pokémon. For further information, check the Breeding section.

Finding & Capturing Pokémon

Previously, gender didn't play a part in the capturing of Pokémon. However, there are a few elements which will allow you to manipulate the wild Pokémon of which you will encounter and even increase the chance of capture of the Pokémon.
First, if the Pokémon at the head of your party has the Cute Charm ability, there is a 66% higher chance of you encountering a Pokémon of the opposite gender to your front Pokémon.
Second, in HeartGold & SoulSilver, you have the ability to get the item; the Love Ball. This ball increases the chances of capturing a Pokémon of the opposite gender to your active Pokémon by a factor of 8 making the capture calculation;
    CatchValue = ((( 3 * Max HP - 2 * HP ) * ((Catch Rate * 8) * 1 ) / (3 * Max HP) ) * Status Modifier

Attract Status

The Attract status is the main use of genders you shall see in battle. This status is a hidden status like Confusion. It requires the opponent to be of the opposite gender as the user and the user to have a gender

Effects:
The Pokémon afflicted cannot attack 50% of the time

Immunities:
Pokémon with the Oblivious ability
Pokémon of the same gender as the user
Genderless Pokémon

Methods of Healing
Using the attacks Heal Bell or Aromatherapy
Using the specialised items that follow:
Picture Name Effect
Mental Herb Removes Infatuation status; can only be used once
Red Flute Heals from Infatuation


Methods of Inflicting
If you or the opponent has the Cute Charm ability and the Pokémon attacking that Pokémon makes physical contact, then there is a 30% chance of the attacker being Infatuated
Using the following attacks:
Name Type Cat. Chance PP Att. Acc. Effect
Attract 100% 15 -- 100 Makes the opposite gender less likely to attack.
G-Max Cuddle 100% 10 -- 101 A Normal-type attack that Gigantamax Eevee use. This move infatuates opponents.

Moves Affected by Gender

There are a few moves that are affected by gender. These moves require the opponent to be of the opposite gender before their effect is implemented. There are currently no attacks which only affect the Pokémon of the same gender of the user.

Name Type Cat. Chance PP Att. Acc. Effect
Attract 100% 15 -- 100 Makes the opposite gender less likely to attack.
Captivate 100% 20 -- 100 If it is the opposite gender of the user, the target is charmed into harshly lowering its Sp. Atk stat.

Abilities Affected by Gender

In addition to the various moves, there are numberous abilities.

Cute Charm

US Name: Cute Charm
Jp. Name: Attract Body (メロメロボディ)

Effect:
Contact with the Pokémon may cause infatuation.

In-Depth Effect:
The opponent has a 30% chance of being induced with ATTRACT when using an attack, that requires physical contact, against this Pokémon.

Rivalry

US Name: Rivalry
Jp. Name: Conflicted Heart (とうそうしん)

Effect:
Raises Attack if the foe is of the same gender.

In-Depth Effect:
Attack is increased if the foe is of the same gender; Attack is decreased if the foe is of the opposite gender.

Genderless Pokémon

Finally, there are a few dozen Pokémon who are immune to all of these effects and are in fact devoid of Gender, some still breedable with Ditto but others not being breedable. That said, Mew and Cryogonal both learn Attract which will infatuate other Genderless Pokémon

Genderless Pokémon
Magnemite
Magnet Pull
Sturdy
Analytic
Magneton
Magnet Pull
Sturdy
Analytic
Voltorb
Soundproof
Static
Aftermath
Electrode
Soundproof
Static
Aftermath
Staryu
Illuminate
Natural Cure
Analytic
Starmie
Illuminate
Natural Cure
Analytic
Ditto
Limber
Imposter
Porygon
Trace
Download
Analytic
Articuno
Pressure
Snow Cloak
Zapdos
Pressure
Static
Moltres
Pressure
Flame Body
Mewtwo
Pressure
Unnerve
Mew
Synchronize
Unown
Levitate
Porygon2
Trace
Download
Analytic
Raikou
Pressure
Inner Focus
Entei
Pressure
Inner Focus
Suicune
Pressure
Inner Focus
Lugia
Pressure
Multiscale
Ho-Oh
Pressure
Regenerator
Celebi
Natural Cure
Shedinja
Wonder Guard
Lunatone
Levitate
Solrock
Levitate
Baltoy
Levitate
Claydol
Levitate
Beldum
Clear Body
Light Metal
Metang
Clear Body
Light Metal
Metagross
Clear Body
Light Metal
Regirock
Clear Body
Sturdy
Regice
Clear Body
Ice Body
Registeel
Clear Body
Light Metal
Kyogre
Drizzle
Groudon
Drought
Rayquaza
Air Lock
Jirachi
Serene Grace
Deoxys
Pressure
Bronzor
Levitate
Heatproof
Heavy Metal
Bronzong
Levitate
Heatproof
Heavy Metal
Magnezone
Magnet Pull
Sturdy
Analytic
Porygon-Z
Adaptability
Download
Analytic
Rotom
Levitate
Uxie
Levitate
Mesprit
Levitate
Azelf
Levitate
Dialga
Pressure
Telepathy
Palkia
Pressure
Telepathy
Regigigas
Slow Start
Giratina
Pressure
Telepathy
Phione
Hydration
Manaphy
Hydration
Darkrai
Bad Dreams
Shaymin
Natural Cure
Arceus
Multitype
Victini
Victory Star
Klink
Plus
Minus
Clear Body
Klang
Plus
Minus
Clear Body
Klinklang
Plus
Minus
Clear Body
Cryogonal
Levitate
Golett
Iron Fist
Klutz
No Guard
Golurk
Iron Fist
Klutz
No Guard
Cobalion
Justified
Terrakion
Justified
Virizion
Justified
Reshiram
Turboblaze
Zekrom
Teravolt
Kyurem
Pressure
Keldeo
Justified
Meloetta
Serene Grace
Genesect
Download
Carbink
Clear Body
Sturdy
Xerneas
Fairy Aura
Yveltal
Dark Aura
Zygarde
Aura Break
Diancie
Clear Body
Hoopa
Magician
Volcanion
Water Absorb
Type: Null
Battle Armor
Silvally
RKS System
Minior
Shields Down
Dhelmise
Steelworker
Tapu Koko
Electric Surge
Telepathy
Tapu Lele
Psychic Surge
Telepathy
Tapu Bulu
Grassy Surge
Telepathy
Tapu Fini
Misty Surge
Telepathy
Cosmog
Unaware
Cosmoem
Sturdy
Solgaleo
Full Metal Body
Lunala
Shadow Shield
Nihilego
Beast Boost
Buzzwole
Beast Boost
Pheromosa
Beast Boost
Xurkitree
Beast Boost
Celesteela
Beast Boost
Kartana
Beast Boost
Guzzlord
Beast Boost
Necrozma
Prism Armor
Magearna
Soul-Heart
Marshadow
Technician
Poipole
Beast Boost
Naganadel
Beast Boost
Stakataka
Beast Boost
Blacephalon
Beast Boost
Zeraora
Volt Absorb
Meltan
Magnet Pull
Melmetal
Iron Fist
Sinistea
Weak Armor
Cursed Body
Polteageist
Weak Armor
Cursed Body
Falinks
Battle Armor
Defiant
Dracozolt
Volt Absorb
Hustle
Sand Rush
Arctozolt
Volt Absorb
Static
Slush Rush
Dracovish
Water Absorb
Strong Jaw
Sand Rush
Arctovish
Water Absorb
Ice Body
Slush Rush
Zacian
Intrepid Sword
Zamazenta
Dauntless Shield
Eternatus
Pressure
Kubfu
Urshifu
Regieleki
Regidrago
Glastrier
Spectrier
Calyrex
Tandemaus
Run Away
Pickup
Own Tempo
Maushold
Friend Guard
Cheek Pouch
Technician
Great Tusk
Protosynthesis
Scream Tail
Protosynthesis
Brute Bonnet
Protosynthesis
Flutter Mane
Protosynthesis
Slither Wing
Protosynthesis
Sandy Shocks
Protosynthesis
Iron Treads
Quark Drive
Iron Bundle
Quark Drive
Iron Hands
Quark Drive
Iron Jugulis
Quark Drive
Iron Moth
Quark Drive
Iron Thorns
Quark Drive
Gimmighoul
Rattled
Gholdengo
Good as Gold
Wo-Chien
Tablets of Ruin
Chien-Pao
Sword of Ruin
Ting-Lu
Vessel of Ruin
Chi-Yu
Beads of Ruin
Roaring Moon
Protosynthesis
Iron Valiant
Quark Drive
Koraidon
Orichalcum Pulse
Miraidon
Hadron Engine
Poltchageist
Sinistcha

Gender Differences

Since Generation IV, there have been a few Pokémon who have different appearances based on their gender. These differences are set in stone and cannot be altered. These propogate across both the main series games and spin-off series games such as Pokémon GO.

No.MaleFemaleNameDescription
#003 Male VenusaurFemale VenusaurVenusaur Female Venusaur's Flower has a Seed in it
#012 Male ButterfreeFemale ButterfreeButterfree Butterfree's Wing Pattern is different
#019 Male RattataFemale RattataRattata Female Rattata's Whiskers are Smaller
#020 Male RaticateFemale RaticateRaticate Female Raticate's Whiskers are Smaller
#025 Male PikachuFemale PikachuPikachu Female Pikachu's Tail has a groove in it
#026 Male RaichuFemale RaichuRaichu Female Raichu's Tail lacks the point at the end
#041 Male ZubatFemale ZubatZubat Female Zubat's teeth are smaller
#042 Male GolbatFemale GolbatGolbat Female Golbat's teeth are smaller
#044 Male GloomFemale GloomGloom Female Gloom has a different flower pattern
#045 Male VileplumeFemale VileplumeVileplume Female Vileplume has a different flower pattern
#064 Male KadabraFemale KadabraKadabra Female Kadabra has a smaller moustache
#065 Male AlakazamFemale AlakazamAlakazam Female Alakazam has a smaller moustache
#084 Male DoduoFemale DoduoDoduo Female Doduo have beige necks. Male Doduo have black necks
#085 Male DodrioFemale DodrioDodrio Female Dodrio have beige necks. Male Dodrio have black necks
#097 Male HypnoFemale HypnoHypno Male Hypno has a smaller collar
#111 Male RhyhornFemale RhyhornRhyhorn Female Rhyhorn has a smaller horn
#112 Male RhydonFemale RhydonRhydon Female Rhydon has a smaller horn
#118 Male GoldeenFemale GoldeenGoldeen Female Goldeen has a smaller horn
#119 Male SeakingFemale SeakingSeaking Female Seaking has a smaller horn
#123 Male ScytherFemale ScytherScyther Female Scyther has a bigger abdomen
#129 Male MagikarpFemale MagikarpMagikarp Female Magikarp has white whiskers
#130 Male GyaradosFemale GyaradosGyarados Female Gyarados has white whiskers
#133Male EeveeFemale EeveeEeveeFemale Eevee's tail pattern is more rounded
#154 Male MeganiumFemale MeganiumMeganium Female Meganium has smaller antennae
#165 Male LedybaFemale LedybaLedyba Female Ledyba has smaller antennae
#166 Male LedianFemale LedianLedian Female Ledian has smaller antennae
#178 Male XatuFemale XatuXatu Female Xatu has less stripes on her body
#185 Male SudowoodoFemale SudowoodoSudowoodo Female Sudowoodo has smaller antennae
#186 Male PolitoedFemale PolitoedPolitoed Female Politoed has smaller spots on their cheek
#190 Male AipomFemale AipomAipom Female Aipom has longer hair
#194 Male WooperFemale WooperWooper Female Wooper have less bars on their antennae
#195 Male QuagsireFemale QuagsireQuagsire Female Quagsire have smaller back-fins
#198 Male MurkrowFemale MurkrowMurkrow Female Murkrow has a smaller 'hat'
#202 Male WobbuffetFemale WobbuffetWobbuffet Female Wobbufet appear to wear lipstick
#203 Male GirafarigFemale GirafarigGirafarig Female Girafarig have a bigger yellow pattern on their body
#207 Male GligarFemale GligarGligar Male Gligar have a bigger stinger
#208 Male SteelixFemale SteelixSteelix Male Steelix have extra teeth
#212 Male ScizorFemale ScizorScizor Female Scizor have a bigger abdomen
#214 Male HeracrossFemale HeracrossHeracross Female Heracross' horns are shaped similar to hearts
#215 Male SneaselFemale SneaselSneasel Female Sneasel have smaller head feathers
#215 Male SneaselFemale SneaselSneasel Female Sneasel have smaller head feathers
#217 Male UrsaringFemale UrsaringUrsaring Male Ursaring's have longer shoulder hair
#221 Male PiloswineFemale PiloswinePiloswine Female Piloswine have smaller tusks
#224 Male OctilleryFemale OctilleryOctillery Female Octiller have smaller yellow bumps & feelers
#229 Male HoundoomFemale HoundoomHoundoom Female Houndoom have smaller horns
#232 Male DonphanFemale DonphanDonphan Female Donphan have smaller tusks
#255 Male TorchicFemale TorchicTorchic Male Torchic have a small speck on their rear
#256 Male CombuskenFemale CombuskenCombusken Female Combusken have smaller head feathers
#257 Male BlazikenFemale BlazikenBlaziken Female Blaziken have smaller head feathers
#267 Male BeautiflyFemale BeautiflyBeautifly The red spot on Female Beautifly is smaller
#269 Male DustoxFemale DustoxDustox Female Dustox have smaller antennae
#272 Male LudicoloFemale LudicoloLudicolo Female Ludicolo's Body Stripes are thinner
#274 Male NuzleafFemale NuzleafNuzleaf Female Nuzleaf have smaller head leaves
#275 Male ShiftryFemale ShiftryShiftry Female Shiftry have smaller hand-leaves
#307 Male MedititeFemale MedititeMeditite Female Meditite's ears are lower on their head
#308 Male MedichamFemale MedichamMedicham The top of Female Medicham's head is smaller
#315 Male RoseliaFemale RoseliaRoselia Female Roselia have bigger body leaves
#316 Male GulpinFemale GulpinGulpin Female Gulpin have smaller head feathers
#317 Male SwalotFemale SwalotSwalot Female Swalot have smaller whiskers
#322 Male NumelFemale NumelNumel Female Numel have bigger humps
#323 Male CameruptFemale CameruptCamerupt Female Camerupt have bigger Volcanic Humps
#332 Male CacturneFemale CacturneCacturne Female Cacturne has a giant diamond on their body
#350 Male MiloticFemale MiloticMilotic Female Miltoic have larger eyebrows
#369 Male RelicanthFemale RelicanthRelicanth Female Relicanth have smaller jaws
#396 Male StarlyFemale StarlyStarly Male Starly have larger foreheads
#397 Male StaraviaFemale StaraviaStaravia Male Staravia have larger foreheads
#398 Male StaraptorFemale StaraptorStaraptor Male Staraptor have larger foreheads
#399 Male BidoofFemale BidoofBidoof Male Bidoof have extra lumps to their tails
#400 Male BibarelFemale BibarelBibarel Male Bibarel have bigger faces
#401 Male KricketotFemale KricketotKricketot Female Kricketot have larger collars
#402 Male KricketuneFemale KricketuneKricketune Female Kricketune have smaller moustaches
#403 Male ShinxFemale ShinxShinx Female Shinx have shorter head hair
#404 Male LuxioFemale LuxioLuxio Female Luxio have shorter head hair
#405 Male LuxrayFemale LuxrayLuxray Female Luxray have shorter head hair
#407 Male RoseradeFemale RoseradeRoserade Female Roserade have larger capes
#415 Male CombeeFemale CombeeCombee Female Combee have a Red spot on the bottom face's forehead
#417 Male PachirisuFemale PachirisuPachirisu Male Pachirisu's forehead pattern is longer
#418 Male BuizelFemale BuizelBuizel Male Buizel have two stripes on their back. Female Buizel only have one.
#419 Male FloatzelFemale FloatzelFloatzel Male Floatzel have two stripes on their back. Female Floatzel only have one.
#424 Male AmbipomFemale AmbipomAmbipom Female Ambipom have longer head hair
#443 Male GibleFemale GibleGible Male Gible have a groove in their fin
#444 Male GabiteFemale GabiteGabite Male Gabite have a groove in their fin
#445 Male GarchompFemale GarchompGarchomp Male Garchomp have a groove in their fin
#449 Male HippopotasFemale HippopotasHippopotas Male & Female Hippoptas have their colour scheme switched
#450 Male HippowdonFemale HippowdonHippowdon Male Hippowdon are brown. Female Hippowdon are Grey
#453 Male CroagunkFemale CroagunkCroagunk Female Croagunk's have smaller chests
#454 Male ToxicroakFemale ToxicroakToxicroak Male Toxicroak have larger chins
#456 Male FinneonFemale FinneonFinneon Female Finneon have larger tails
#457 Male LumineonFemale LumineonLumineon Female Lumineon have larger fins
#459 Male SnoverFemale SnoverSnover Female Snover's trunks are more snow covered
#460 Male AbomasnowFemale AbomasnowAbomasnow Female Abomasnow have larger hair
#461 Male WeavileFemale WeavileWeavile Male Weavile have larger ear feathers
#464 Male RhyperiorFemale RhyperiorRhyperior Female Rhyperior have smaller horns
#465 Male TangrowthFemale TangrowthTangrowth Female Tangrowth have larger hands
#473 Male MamoswineFemale MamoswineMamoswine Male Mamoswine have larger tusks
#521Male UnfezantFemale UnfezantUnfezantMale Unfezant have a mask on and have a greenish tinge to their feathers while female Unfezant lack the mask and are more brown.
#592Male FrillishFemale FrillishFrillishMale Frillish are blue while female are pink. Female's tips on tentacles are more curved.
#593Male JellicentFemale JellicentJellicentMale Jellicent are blue while female are pink. Male's collar lare thicker, covering the mouth while female's are smaller
#668Male PyroarFemale PyroarPyroarMale Pyroar have a full mane that looks like the kanji symbol for fire (大) while female Pyroar have a smaller mane
#678Male MeowsticFemale MeowsticMeowsticMale Meowstic is blue while female is white. Male Meowstic get more Status moves while Female Meowstic are more focused on attacking. They have different Hidden Abilities
#876Male IndeedeeFemale IndeedeeIndeedeeMale Indeedee has prominent horns while female's are perched down. Male has blue specks around the eye while female has pink. They have different stats, moves and abilities
#902Male BasculegionFemale BasculegionBasculegionMale Basculegion have a red stripe while Female Basculegion have a blue stripe. The male ones are more physically focused while the female ones are more Special focused
#916Male OinkologneFemale OinkologneOinkologneMale Oinkologne have a fully dark skin tone while the female Oinkologne are more beige, with a split tail. They have different stats