Donphan (Pokémon)

For Pokémon GO information on this species, see the game's section.
← #231: Phanpy	Pokémon	#233: Porygon2 →
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Donphan (disambiguation).

Donphan Armor Pokémon ドンファン Donfan #232 Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type Ground Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Abilities Sturdy Cacophony Cacophony Sand Veil Hidden Ability Cacophony Hidden Ability Cacophony Cacophony
Gender ratio Unknown 50% male, 50% female	Catch rate 60 (14.8%)
Breeding Egg Group Field Hatch time 20 cycles
Height 3'07″ 1.1 m Donphan 0'0" 0 m {{{form2}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form3}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form4}}}	Weight 264.6 lbs. 120.0 kg Donphan 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form2}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form3}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form4}}}
Mega Stone [[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield 189 Gen. II-IV Unknown IV 175 V+	Leveling rate Medium Fast
EV yield Total: 2 Donphan 0 HP 1 Atk 1 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed
Shape	Footprint {{{form2}}}
Pokédex color   Gray	Base friendship 70
External Links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Donphan (Japanese: ドンファン Donfan) is a Ground-type Pokémon introduced in Generation II.

It evolves from Phanpy starting at level 25.

Biology

Donphan is a gray, elephant-like Pokémon with a thick, black band of hide running down the length of its back and extending to the tip of its long trunk. When this Pokémon curls up, the band resembles a car tire. This tough hide prevents regular attacks from inflicting even a scratch. A pair of white tusks, which are smaller on the female, extend from the corners of its mouth. It has thin, elongated ears held out almost perpendicular to its body. Its four short legs are each encircled with a broken, black band and have three toes.

Donphan has the ability to curl up into a ball and violently roll around like a wheel. These rolling tackles are strong enough to knock down a house. Once it starts its rampage, it will be almost unstoppable. The anime shows that this ability is further used as a form of courtship. The male Donphan have rolling competitions to demonstrate their toughness to the females. It has been demonstrated that Donphan has a keen sense of smell, capable of sniffing out a gem known as amberite. Donphan travels in herds with a ranking system. The larger its tusks, the higher its rank in the herd. It lives in rough, mountainous terrain.

In the anime

Major appearances

Donphan in the anime

Ash's Donphan

In Reversing the Charges, Ash's Phanpy evolved into Donphan. It proved to be an excellent member of his team, showing its strength in every battle.

Other

Donphan debuted briefly in the beginning of Mewtwo Strikes Back, under the ownership of Raymond. At the time, it was an unknown Pokémon.

Donphan's first major role was in Roll On, Pokémon!. A girl named Rochelle was using four to find amberite.

In Date Expectations, multiple Donphan were falling in love with a Shiny Donphan. Ash and his friends helped one such Donphan mate with the Shiny Donphan.

Tyson used a Donphan during the Ever Grande Conference; it debuted in Chose It or Lose It!. Donphan was used in his battle against Ash where it battled against Swellow but was soon defeated.

In Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! (Part 2), Kellyn had a Donphan smash through the cave-ins that were caused by an Aggron belonging to J's client.

A Shiny Donphan in the anime

Minor appearances

A Donphan appeared in Tricks of the Trade as one of the Pokémon seen at the Pokémon Swap Meet in Palmpona.

A Donphan was seen in the wild in The Legend of Thunder!.

Several Donphan appeared in Misty's flashback in Gotta Catch Ya Later!.

A Coordinator's Donphan appeared in Battling The Generation Gap!, where it was competing in the Celestic Contest.

A Trainer's Donphan appeared in Challenging a Towering Figure!, where it battled against a Snover during the Festival Battle Challenge.

A Donphan briefly appeared in An Old Family Blend!, under the ownership of a Trainer in the Lily of the Valley Conference.

Ethan battled Ash and Pikachu with a Donphan in the beginning of Zoroark: Master of Illusions.

A Trainer's Donphan appeared in Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry EP120 Donphan Ash's Pokédex Donphan, the Armor Pokémon. With its strong tusks and tough skin, Donphan is known for its powerful Tackle attack. The length of Donphan's tusks indicates its level.

Episode Pokémon Source Entry AG114 Donphan Ash's Pokédex Donphan, the Armor Pokémon. Donphan is the evolved form of Phanpy. They attack by rolling their bodies into a circle and charging their enemies. Advanced Generation series entries continue below.

Episode Pokémon Source Entry AG154 Donphan May's Pokédex Donphan, the Armor Pokémon. Donphan has razor-sharp tusks, armor-like skin, and enormous power.

In the manga

Donphan in Pokémon Adventures

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

A silhouette of a wild Donphan appeared in Ponyta Tale where Professor Oak mentioned new Pokémon beyond the previously known 151 species.

A herd of Donphan were used by a thieving ruffian in Number One Donphan, but they were defeated by Gold afterwards. They appeared again in Bellsprout Rout.

In Quilava Quandary, the Day-Care Couple used a Donphan to train Gold.

A Donphan was one of the Pokémon sent to help the fight in Ilex Forest in The Last Battle XIII.

In I'm Your Biggest Fan, Donphan, Wattson accidentally catches Sapphire in a trap designed to catch a wild, rampaging Donphan. After 'discovering' New Mauville, Sapphire uses the wild Donphan to help Wattson shut down a power generator, adding it to her team in Plugging Past Electrike II and naming it Phado.

A Donphan appeared in a flashback as a Pokémon trained by the International Police in Innocent Scientist.

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

A Donphan appeared in Clefairy, the Battle Instructor under the ownership of a Trainer who had trouble controlling it. Donphan would usually fall asleep and did so since its loss to Silver's Totodile.

Pokédex entries

Manga Chapter Entry Pokémon Adventures PS096 The longer and bigger its tusks are, the higher it is ranked amongst its herd.*

In the TCG

Main article: Donphan (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Generation II Gold It has sharp, hard tusks and a rugged hide. Its Tackle is strong enough to knock down a house. Silver The longer and bigger its tusks, the higher its rank in its herd. The tusks take long to grow. Crystal Because this Pokémon's skin is so tough, a normal attack won't even leave a scratch on it. Stadium 2 It has sharp, hard tusks and a rugged hide. Its Tackle is strong enough to knock down a house.
Generation III Ruby Donphan's favorite attack is curling its body into a ball, then charging at its foe while rolling at high speed. Once it starts rolling, this Pokémon can't stop very easily. Sapphire If Donphan were to tackle with its hard body, even a house could be destroyed. Using its massive strength, the Pokémon helps clear rock and mud slides that block mountain trails. Emerald A Donphan is so strong it can easily haul a dump truck. Its hide has toughened to a rock-hard state. An ordinary sort of attack won't even leave a scratch. FireRed The longer and bigger its tusks, the higher its rank in its herd. The tusks take long to grow. LeafGreen It has sharp, hard tusks and a rugged hide. Its Tackle is strong enough to knock down a house.
Generation IV Diamond It attacks by curling up, then rolling into its foe. It can blow apart a house in one hit. Pearl Platinum HeartGold It has sharp, hard tusks and a rugged hide. Its Tackle is strong enough to knock down a house. SoulSilver The longer and bigger its tusks, the higher its rank in its herd. The tusks take long to grow.
Generation V Black It attacks by curling up, then rolling into its foe. It can blow apart a house in one hit. White Black 2 It attacks by curling up then rolling into its foe. It can blow apart a house in one hit. White 2
Generation VI X It has sharp, hard tusks and a rugged hide. Its Tackle is strong enough to knock down a house. Y The longer and bigger its tusks, the higher its rank in its herd. The tusks take long to grow. Omega Ruby Donphan's favorite attack is curling its body into a ball, then charging at its foe while rolling at high speed. Once it starts rolling, this Pokémon can't stop very easily. Alpha Sapphire If Donphan were to tackle with its hard body, even a house could be destroyed. Using its massive strength, the Pokémon helps clear rock and mud slides that block mountain trails.

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Generation II Gold Trade, Evolve event Phanpy Silver Route 28, Mt. Silver, Victory Road* Crystal Route 45MorningDay
Generation III Ruby Sapphire Evolve Phanpy Emerald Evolve Phanpy FireRed LeafGreen Evolve Phanpy Colosseum Trade XD Evolve Phanpy
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Evolve Phanpy Platinum Evolve Phanpy HeartGold Route 28, Mt. Silver, Victory Road SoulSilver Trade Pal Park Mountain
Generation V Black White Trade Black 2 White 2 Evolve Phanpy
Generation VI X Y Evolve Phanpy Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Safari Zone (Zone 4, tall grass), Mirage Mountains (west of Route 104, north of Lilycove City, northeast of Route 125, south of Route 131)
Generation VII Sun Moon Pokémon Bank Ultra Sun Ultra Moon Pokémon Bank

In side games

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Generation II This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
Generation III Pinball: R&S Evolve Phanpy Trozei! Secret Storage 18, Trozei Battle, Mr. Who's Den MD Red MD Blue Evolve Phanpy Ranger Fiore Temple
Generation IV MD Time MD Darkness Crystal Cave (B6F-B11F) MD Sky Crystal Cave (B6F-B11F) MD Stormy Evolve Phanpy Ranger: GS Faldera Island, Fire Temple
Generation V Rumble Blast Desert: Sunny Seashore (Post-ending) Rumble U Variety Battle: Pokémon on a Roll
Generation VI Battle Trozei Infinite Ruins: Stage 2 Shuffle Silbern Museum: Stage 101 Blau Salon: Stage 409 Rumble World Ruby Volcano: Dusty Desert (Center Boss, Back), Starlight Islands: Surveillance Dunes (Special)

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
HeartGold	SoulSilver	Passho Berry (5%)

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 90		150 - 197	290 - 384
Attack: 120		112 - 189	220 - 372
Defense: 120		112 - 189	220 - 372
Sp. Atk: 60		58 - 123	112 - 240
Sp. Def: 60		58 - 123	112 - 240
Speed: 50		49 - 112	94 - 218
Total: 500	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed 2/4 ★★☆☆	Power 5/5 ★★★★★
Skill 2/2 ★★	Stamina 4/4 ★★★★
Jump 2/2 ★★	Total 15/17 ★★★

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:

Damaged normally by: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison ½× Ground 1× Rock ½× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 2× Grass 2× Electric 0× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison ½× Ground 1× Rock ½× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 2× Grass 2× Electric 0× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison ½× Ground 1× Rock ½× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 2× Grass 2× Electric 0× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison ½× Ground 1× Rock ½× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 2× Grass 2× Electric 0× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Notes: If this Pokémon is given a Ring Target, the effectiveness of  Electric-type  moves is 1×.

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation VII Other generations: II - III - IV - V - VI - VIII - IX

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 011 Fury Attack Normal Physical 01515 08585% 20 011 Fire Fang Fire Physical 06565 09595% 15 011 Thunder Fang Electric Physical 06565 09595% 15 011 Horn Attack Normal Physical 06565 100100% 25 011 Bulldoze Ground Physical 06060 100100% 20 011 Growl Normal Status 0000— 100100% 40 011 Defense Curl Normal Status 0000— ——% 40 Evo.Evo. Fury Attack Normal Physical 01515 08585% 20 066 Rapid Spin Normal Physical 02020 100100% 40 1010 Rollout Rock Physical 03030 09090% 20 1515 Assurance Dark Physical 06060 100100% 10 1919 Knock Off Dark Physical 06565 100100% 20 2424 Slam Normal Physical 08080 07575% 20 3030 Magnitude Ground Physical 0000— 100100% 30 3737 Scary Face Normal Status 0000— 100100% 10 4343 Earthquake Ground Physical 100100 100100% 10 5050 Giga Impact Normal Physical 150150 09090% 5

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Donphan Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Donphan Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM/HM

Generation VII Other generations: II - III - IV - V - VI - VIII - IX

TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  TM05 TM05 Roar Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 20 TM06 TM06 Toxic Poison Status 0000— 090}}90% 10 TM10 TM10 Hidden Power Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 TM11 TM11 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000— —}}—% 5 TM15 TM15 Hyper Beam Normal Special 150150 090}}90% 5 TM17 TM17 Protect Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 TM21 TM21 Frustration Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM26 TM26 Earthquake Ground Physical 100100 100}}100% 10 TM27 TM27 Return Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM32 TM32 Double Team Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 15 TM37 TM37 Sandstorm Rock Status 0000— —}}—% 10 TM39 TM39 Rock Tomb Rock Physical 06060 095}}95% 15 TM42 TM42 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20 TM44 TM44 Rest Psychic Status 0000— —}}—% 10 TM45 TM45 Attract Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 15 TM48 TM48 Round Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 TM49 TM49 Echoed Voice Normal Special 04040 100}}100% 15 TM59 TM59 Brutal Swing Dark Physical 06060 100}}100% 20 TM68 TM68 Giga Impact Normal Physical 150150 090}}90% 5 TM69 TM69 Rock Polish Rock Status 0000— —}}—% 20 TM71 TM71 Stone Edge Rock Physical 100100 080}}80% 5 TM74 TM74 Gyro Ball Steel Physical 0000— 100}}100% 5 TM78 TM78 Bulldoze Ground Physical 06060 100}}100% 20 TM80 TM80 Rock Slide Rock Physical 07575 090}}90% 10 TM84 TM84 Poison Jab Poison Physical 08080 100}}100% 20 TM87 TM87 Swagger Normal Status 0000— 085}}85% 15 TM88 TM88 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 TM90 TM90 Substitute Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 XTM100 TM100 Confide Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 20

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Donphan Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Donphan Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation VII Other generations: II - III - IV - V - VI - VIII - IX

Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  Ancient Power Rock Special 60 100% 5 Body Slam Normal Physical 85 100% 15 Counter Fighting Physical — 100% 20 Endeavor Normal Physical — 100% 5 Fissure Ground Physical — 30% 5 Focus Energy Normal Status — —% 30 Head Smash Rock Physical 150 80% 5 Heavy Slam Steel Physical — 100% 10 High HorsepowerUSUM Ground Physical 95 95% 10 Ice Shard Ice Physical 40 100% 30 Mud-Slap Ground Special 20 100% 10 Play Rough Fairy Physical 90 90% 10 Snore Normal Special 50 100% 15

Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Donphan in Generation VII Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation. Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Donphan in that game. Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Donphan Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Donphan Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

Generation VII Other generations: II - III - IV - V - VI - VIII - IX

Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  S M US UM Block Normal Status — —% 5 S M US UM Bounce Flying Physical 85 85% 5 S M US UM Earth Power Ground Special 90 100% 10 S M US UM Endeavor Normal Physical — 100% 5 S M US UM Gunk Shot Poison Physical 120 80% 5 S M US UM Hyper Voice Normal Special 90 100% 10 S M US UM Iron Defense Steel Status — —% 15 S M US UM Iron Tail Steel Physical 100 75% 15 S M US UM Knock Off Dark Physical 65 100% 20 S M US UM Last Resort Normal Physical 140 100% 5 S M US UM Seed Bomb Grass Physical 80 100% 15 S M US UM Snore Normal Special 50 100% 15 S M US UM Stealth Rock Rock Status — —% 20 S M US UM Stomping Tantrum Ground Physical 75 100% 10 S M US UM Superpower Fighting Physical 120 100% 5

A black or white abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Donphan can be tutored the move in that game A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Donphan cannot be tutored the move in that game Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Donphan Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Donphan Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

By a prior evolution

Generation VII Other generations: II - III - IV - V - VI - VIII - IX

Stage   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  Odor Sleuth Normal Status — —% 40 Tackle Normal Physical 40 100% 35 Flail Normal Physical — 100% 15 Natural Gift Normal Physical — 100% 15 Endure Normal Status — —% 10 Take Down Normal Physical 90 85% 20 Charm Fairy Status — 100% 20 Last ResortSM Normal Physical 140 100% 5 Double-Edge Normal Physical 120 100% 15

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Donphan Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Donphan Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball RS Acquisition: Evolve			Pokémon Trozei! Rarity: Rare
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team Body size: 1 Recruit rate: Evolve Friend Area: Safari Phrases 51%-100% HP The length of these tusks is a measure of my power! 26%-50% HP This won't do. My health has dwindled to half. 1%-25% HP I've had enough... My tusks are too heavy to move... Level up I've leveled up! My tusks seem to have thrust out more!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 0.5% IQ group: E
Pokémon Ranger Group: Ground Poké Assist: Ground Field move: (Tackle ×2) Loops: 10 Min. exp.: 60 Max. exp.: 85 Browser entry R-000 Donphan rolls its body into a ball to charge. Its crash can shake things up!
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Ground Poké Assist: (present) Ground Field move: (present) (Tackle ×3) Poké Assist: (past) Ground Field move: (past) (Tackle ×1) Browser entry [[List of Pokémon by Oblivia Browser number|]] It triggers tremors to attack.
Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ●●●● Defense ●●●● Speed ●●●
Pokémon Battle Trozei Ground Attack Power: ★★★★★			Pokémon Shuffle Ground Attack Power: 60 - 125 15 #46 Quake Sometimes increases damage and leaves opponent paralyzed for a short period of time. Swappable Skill(s): Ground Forces
Pokémon GO Base HP: 180 Base Attack: 214 Base Defense: 214 Egg Distance: N/A Buddy Distance: 3 km Evolution Requirement: N/A Fast Attacks: Tackle, Counter Charged Attacks: Earthquake, Heavy Slam, Play Rough

Evolution

Unevolved Phanpy  Ground

Level 25 →

First Evolution Donphan  Ground

Sprites

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Generation II Gold Silver Crystal Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation III Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation V Black White Black 2 White 2 Front Back Front Back
Generation VI X Y Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Front Back Front Back
Generation VII Sun Moon Ultra Sun Ultra Moon Front Back Front Back

For other sprites and images, please see Donphan images on the Bulbagarden Archives.

Japanese sprites

Silver

Trivia

• Donphan shares its category with Tyranitar. They are both known as the Armor Pokémon.
• Donphan and Ursaring, along with their pre-evolutions, are the only Pokémon to swap version-exclusive status between localizations. While Phanpy and Donphan are found only in the Japanese and Korean Gold, they are not found in Gold in other languages, being found in the Silver Version of those languages instead, with Teddiursa and Ursaring getting the opposite treatment. This is corrected in the remakes HeartGold and SoulSilver, where they follow the Japanese and Korean Gold and Silver.

Origin

It appears to have been based on an adult elephant, although it resembles the tire of an automobile when curled up or using its trademark Rollout attack. As both Phanpy and Donphan are much smaller compared to humans than conventional African or Asian elephants, they may have actually been inspired by the dwarf elephant or pygmy elephant.

Name origin

Donphan and Donfan are a combination of don and elephant. Don may refer to lord; a root word meaning teeth, referring to its tusks; or mastodon, a prehistoric elephant. Don may have also been included to reflect Donphan's robust physique and great strength, especially in comparison to Phanpy.

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese ドンファン Donfan From don and elephant French Donphan Same as English name Spanish Donphan Same as English name German Donphan Same as English name Italian Donphan Same as English name Korean 코리갑 Korigap From 코끼리 kkokkiri and 갑 (甲) gap Mandarin Chinese 頓甲 / 顿甲 Dùnjiǎ From 頓 dùn and 甲 jiǎ Cantonese Chinese 冬凡 Dūngfàahn

More languages Hindi डॉनफैन Donphan Transcription of English name Russian Донфэн Donfen Transcription of English name

Related articles

• Ash's Donphan

External links

← #231: Phanpy

Pokémon

#233: Porygon2 →

This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.