PokéRogue DNA Splicers Guide: Fusion Order Explained
DNA Splicers combine two unfused party members into one fusion. The order matters: the first Pokémon selected is the Primary, while the second is the Sacrifice. The fusion keeps different traits from each side, averages their base stats and combines their available moves and held items.
! Most important warning: You can unfuse for free, but the second Pokémon — the Sacrifice — is permanently lost. Always check the selection order before confirming the fusion.
In normal modes, DNA Splicers appear in the Master-tier reward pool only when the party contains at least two unfused Pokémon. In Spliced Endless, they move to a much more common tier.
Primary vs Sacrifice at a Glance
| Fusion Trait | Primary — First Pokémon | Sacrifice — Second Pokémon |
|---|---|---|
| Typing | Contributes its first or only type. | Contributes its second or only type, with duplicate-type rules. |
| Abilities | Contributes the Passive Ability. | Contributes the main Ability. |
| Level, IVs and Nature | Kept from the Primary. | Not used for these values. |
| Base stats | Averaged with the Sacrifice. | Averaged with the Primary. |
| Moves and learnsets | Available to the fusion. | Moves are offered immediately and learnset becomes available through Memory Mushroom. |
| Luck | Added to the Sacrifice's Luck. | Added while fused; lost if this Sacrifice is removed by unfusing. |
| Form-changing items | Primary can receive its valid form item after fusion. | Secondary form cannot be changed after fusion. |
How to Use DNA Splicers
- Make sure the party has two unfused Pokémon and enough room in the team plan for one combined slot.
- Select the Pokémon whose level, IVs, nature, first type and Passive you want to keep as the Primary.
- Select the Pokémon whose main Ability and secondary typing you want as the Sacrifice.
- Review the resulting move choices. The fusion can choose from the four moves held by each component at the time of fusion.
- Check the final type, ability, averaged stats, moves and held items before continuing the run.
How Are Types Combined?
The fusion normally takes the Primary's first type and the Sacrifice's second type. If the second type duplicates the Primary's first type, the game uses the Sacrifice's other type when possible. Mono-type edge cases preserve a useful second typing instead of producing a duplicate type.
Example: choose Charizard first and Houndoom second. Charizard contributes Fire as the first type. Houndoom's second type is Fire, which duplicates it, so the fusion uses Houndoom's other type and becomes Fire/Dark.
How Are Stats, Moves and Items Combined?
- Each base stat is averaged independently and rounded to an integer.
- Immediately after fusion, the Sacrifice's four current moves are offered so the player can choose a final set from up to eight moves.
- Memory Mushrooms can relearn moves from both component learnsets while the fusion exists.
- Held items from both Pokémon are combined; amounts above an item's hold limit are lost.
- Candy Friendship progress is split between both Pokémon while they are fused.
- Both component Pokémon can still evolve, and the fusion's averaged stats and other relevant traits update afterward.
A Full Fusion Example
| Trait | Charizard Primary | Houndoom Sacrifice | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Fire/Flying | Dark/Fire | Fire/Dark |
| Main Ability | Blaze | Early Bird | Early Bird |
| Passive | Sheer Force | Intimidate | Sheer Force |
| Level | 50 | 40 | 50 |
| Nature | Modest | Adamant | Modest |
| Luck | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Base stats | Charizard values | Houndoom values | Each stat averaged |
This example shows why "strong Pokémon + strong Pokémon" is not enough. Fusion order determines whether the final typing, main Ability, Passive, nature and level actually support the intended build.
How to Choose the Correct Fusion Order
| Keep as Primary When You Want… | Choose as Sacrifice When You Want… |
|---|---|
| Its level, IVs and nature. | Its main Ability. |
| Its first type. | Its second or only type. |
| Its Passive Ability. | Its current moves and learnset access. |
| Access to its form-changing items after fusion. | Its stats averaged into the final build. |
| It to survive if the fusion is later undone. | You accept that it will be lost when unfused. |
What Happens When You Unfuse?
Unfusing returns the Primary to its original type, main Ability and Luck. The current moves remain, but the Sacrifice disappears permanently. After unfusing, Memory Mushroom can no longer access the lost Sacrifice's learnset.
Before you unfuse:
- Confirm that the Sacrifice is genuinely expendable.
- Move or plan around valuable held items before changing the team.
- Remember that the Sacrifice's Luck contribution disappears.
- Make sure the Primary can still function with its restored type and Ability.
Special Cases to Check
- If Shedinja is the Sacrifice, the fusion is capped at 1 HP.
- A fusion can evolve on either component side, changing the averaged result.
- Form-changing Abilities such as Battle Bond, Disguise and Schooling do not activate on fused Pokémon.
- Transform and Imposter are incompatible with fused Pokémon.
- Catching a wild fusion unlocks collection data only for the Primary species.
- Challenge Mode legality can change when one fusion component is outside the selected generation or type restriction.
Common DNA Splicer Mistakes
- Selecting the intended Sacrifice first and accidentally making it the Primary.
- Looking only at total base stat value and ignoring individual stat averages.
- Expecting the Primary's regular Ability instead of the Sacrifice's regular Ability.
- Creating a poor type combination because the secondary-type rule was not checked.
- Losing held-item stacks above the allowed limit when the two inventories combine.
- Unfusing and permanently losing a valuable shiny, legendary or support Pokémon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fuse two Pokémon that are already fused?
No. DNA Splicers require two unfused party members.
Can I unfuse without another DNA Splicer?
Yes. Unfusing is free, but the Sacrifice is lost.
Which Pokémon gives the main Ability?
The second Pokémon, or Sacrifice.
Which Pokémon gives the Passive?
The first Pokémon, or Primary.
Are the final stats added together?
No. Each base stat is averaged independently.
Can both sides evolve?
Yes. Evolution of either component can update the fusion.
Does fusion combine shiny Luck?
Yes, while fused. The Sacrifice's Luck disappears if the fusion is undone.