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 Donphan #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 Donphan) 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

Donphan in the anime

Main series

Major appearances

Ash's Donphan

In Reversing the Charges, Ash's Phanpy evolved into a 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. It battled Ash's Bulbasaur and managed to land two successive hits with Rollout, only to then defeated by Bulbasaur's Solar Beam. At the time, Donphan was an unknown Pokémon. In the film's remake, Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution, it played the same role.

Four Donphan made their main series debut in Roll On, Pokémon!, under the ownership of Rochelle. She would use them to find amberite.

In Date Expectations, a Shiny Donphan was the center of romantic attention for multiple male Donphan. Ash and his friends eventually helped one such Donphan to succeed and mate with the Shiny Donphan.

In Chose It or Lose It!, Tyson used a Donphan in his Ever Grande Conference battle against Ash. It went up against Swellow but was soon defeated.

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

Minor appearances

A Shiny Donphan in the anime

In Tricks of the Trade, a Donphan was at the Pokémon Swap Meet in Palmpona.

A Donphan appeared in The Legend of Thunder!.

A Donphan appeared in Pikachu's PikaBoo.

In Gotta Catch Ya Later!, Misty's flashback featured multiple Donphan.

In Beg, Burrow and Steal, a Donphan was living in an underground paradise.

A Coordinator's Donphan appeared in Deceit and Assist.

In Battling The Generation Gap!, a Coordinator's Donphan competed in the Celestic Contest.

In Challenging a Towering Figure!, a Trainer's Donphan battled a Snover during the Festival Battle Challenge.

In An Old Family Blend!, a Trainer's Donphan was at the Lily of the Valley Conference.

In the opening of Zoroark: Master of Illusions, Ethan used a Donphan to battle Ash and Pikachu, though the outcome of that battle was left unknown.

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

In The Power of Us, a Trainer's Donphan competed in the Pokémon Catch Race.

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.

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

Pokémon Masters Animated Trailer

In the Pokémon Masters Animated Trailer, a Trainer's Donphan was in a town square in Pasio.

In the manga

Donphan in Pokémon Adventures

Pokémon Adventures

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

In Number One Donphan, a thieving ruffian used multiple Donphan, but they were defeated by Gold afterwards. They reappeared in Bellsprout Rout.

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

In The Last Battle XIII, a Donphan was sent to participate in the fight in Ilex Forest.

In I'm Your Biggest Fan, Donphan, Wattson accidentally catches Sapphire in a trap designed to catch a wild, rampaging Donphan. After coming across 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.

In a flashback in Innocent Scientist, the International Police trained a Donphan.

Pokédex entries

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

Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys

A Donphan appeared in The Secret Of The Fighting Type Pokémon.

Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All

A Donphan appeared in GDZ40, under the ownership of a male Trainer.

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

In Clefairy, the Battle Instructor, a boy who had trouble controlling a Donphan. It would usually fall asleep and did so since its loss to Silver's Totodile.

In the TCG

Main article: Donphan (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Generation II Johto #196 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 Hoenn #166 Kanto #— 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 Sinnoh #— Johto #201 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 Unova #— 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 Kalos #— Hoenn #173 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.
Generation VII Alola #— Kanto #— This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Generation VII.
Generation VIII Galar #— This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Generation VIII.

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 Let's Go Pikachu Let's Go Eevee Unobtainable
Generation VIII Sword Shield Unobtainable

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)
Generation VII Rumble Rush Dragonite Sea, Lugia Sea, Charizard Sea2020, Entei SeaFinal

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

Generation IX Other generations: II - III - IV - V - VI - VII - VIII - IX
This Pokémon is unavailable within Generation VIII. Click on the generation numbers above to see Donphan's learnsets 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-035 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 R-210/N-086 It triggers tremors to attack.
Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ●●●● Defense ●●●● Speed ●●●
Pokémon Rumble Rush Walking Speed: 1.25 seconds Base HP: 57 Base Attack: 80 Base Defense: 57 Base Speed: 60
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: 207 Base Attack: 214 Base Defense: 185 Egg Distance: N/A Buddy Distance: 3 km Evolution Requirement: N/A Fast Attacks: Tackle, Counter, Mud-Slap*, Charm* 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-evolved forms, 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

Donphan seems to be based on an adult elephant, possibly the pygmy elephant or the extinct dwarf elephant due to its relatively small size. The ridges on its dark gray backside are similar to tire treads, causing it to resemble a spinning car tire when using its Rollout attack. Its armored body may be a reference to war elephants that were trained by humans for combat.

Name origin

Donphan may be a combination of don (Spanish for lord or master) or dónti (Greek for tooth) and elephant.

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese ドンファン Donphan From don, dónti, 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 Thai ดอนแฟน Donfaen Transcription of Japanese 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.