What it does
Synchronize copies burn, paralysis, or poison (including toxic poison) back to the Pokémon that inflicted the condition on the holder. The mechanics:
- Same status is copied: burn → opponent gets burn; paralysis → opponent gets paralysis; poison → opponent gets regular poison.
- Badly poisoned reflects as regular poison: if the holder is hit with Toxic (badly poisoned), the reflected status is regular poison — not the escalating toxic.
- Sleep and freeze don't trigger Synchronize: only the three listed conditions.
- Immunity blocks the reflection: if the target is immune to that status (typing or ability), the copy doesn't land.
Synchronize isn't an attack — it's a disincentive. Using Will-O-Wisp or Toxic on a Synchronize holder gives you the same problem you were trying to create. That changes whether it's worth throwing a status move at a Synchronize Pokémon at all.
Who runs it
Umbreon: 8% usage — the main Synchronize carrier here. 130 Sp. Def, high HP, classic tank. Opponents using Toxic to drain Umbreon find themselves poisoned at the same time, and Umbreon's bulk means it often outlasts them anyway. Paired with Moonlight for recovery, this creates a genuinely durable attritional setup.
Gardevoir: 5% usage. Psychic/Fairy at 125 Sp. Atk. Synchronize here is both a deterrent against status disruption and a secondary threat in matchups where the reflected burn or paralysis matters.
Alakazam: 4% usage. 120 Speed, 135 Sp. Atk, but almost no bulk. Synchronize is theoretically useful but Alakazam usually either fires off a hit or faints before status is relevant.
Espeon: 2% usage. Primary value is 110 Speed and 130 Sp. Atk; Synchronize is incidental.
How to use it
Synchronize works passively. The moment it reflects a status, you've changed the math on your opponent's next decision. An opponent trying to chip Umbreon with Toxic is now running out the clock for both sides — but Umbreon's bulk makes it the more likely survivor.
Umbreon's attrition pattern: Foul Play deals damage scaling off the opponent's Attack (hitting physical attackers surprisingly hard), Toxic for chip, Moonlight for recovery. Synchronize closes the loop — using status to approach Umbreon costs them the status tool themselves. They have to use direct damage to break it.
Tips & strategy
Synchronize changes decisions, not just math: a good opponent who knows you're running Synchronize on Umbreon will simply switch to direct moves and not use status at all. You've successfully shaped their options without ever using a move. That's the real win.
You still take the status: Synchronize is a reflection, not immunity. The holder still receives burn, paralysis, or poison. Against teams trying to genuinely stall you out, Lum Berry is safer than relying on Synchronize — but then you lose the deterrent effect. Pick one.
Type immunities negate the reflect: burn reflected to a Fire-type, paralysis reflected to a Ground-type (Thunder Wave immune), poison reflected to a Steel or Poison-type — all fail. Know which reflected status will actually land.
Badly Poisoned becomes Regular Poison on reflect: if an opponent uses Toxic on you, the copy they receive is standard poison (1/8 HP per turn), not escalating toxic (1/16 + escalating). You take the more damaging version. Over a long game, this means you take more status damage than the reflected target does.