Paradox Pokémon

Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.

TCG promotional artwork of ancient Paradox Pokémon

TCG promotional artwork of future Paradox Pokémon

Paradox Pokémon (Japanese: パラドックスポケモン Paradox Pokémon) are a group of Pokémon introduced in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. They have two subgroups: one appearing in Pokémon Scarlet resembling ancient relatives of contemporary Pokémon, and one appearing in Pokémon Violet resembling futuristic relatives of contemporary Pokémon. They are all gender unknown and unable to evolve or breed, and — with the exceptions of Koraidon and Miraidon — their names do not follow typical Pokémon naming conventions. All of them share the category of "Paradox Pokémon".

They are also known as unidentified creatures, Monsters of Area Zero (Japanese: エリアゼロの怪物(かいぶつ) Monsters of Area Zero), and Enigmas of Paldea (Japanese: パルデア未確認(みかくにん)) by researchers and Occulture magazine articles, respectively. Professor Sada^S/Professor Turo^V researches Paradox Pokémon. The professor also refers to the Paradox Pokémon as ancient Pokémon^S/future Pokémon^V.

The precise origin of the Paradox Pokémon is unclear; AI Sada^S/AI Turo^V claims that they originate from different points in the Pokémon world's timeline (specifically the ancient past^S/distant future^V), while a version of Sada^S/Turo^V brought to the Crystal Pool by Terapagos suggests that they are from different timelines. The latter notion is also alluded to in the original Japanese version of AI Sada^S/AI Turo^V's dialogue. They were apparently brought to Area Zero in the present day by the time machine built by the professor, but the Scarlet Book^S/Violet Book^V documents sightings of them prior to the time machine being built. Terapagos appears to have a connection to the Paradox Pokémon's appearance in the present day due to the Terastal energy it produces.

List of Paradox Pokémon

As a group, Paradox Pokémon share multiple similarities with one another, including a base stat total of either 570, 590, or 670, sharing Abilities related to either harsh sunlight or Electric Terrain, and having two types.

Ancient Pokémon

These Pokémon look like ancient relatives of contemporary Pokémon. They all share the Protosynthesis Ability, with the exception of Koraidon, which has Orichalcum Pulse. Their Abilities involve the effect of harsh sunlight in battle. All ancient Pokémon share a unique whistle-like sound frequency in their cries.

Pokédex number	Paradox Pokémon			Contemporary relative
	Image	Type	Description	Image	Type
#0984	Great Tusk	Ground  Fighting	Great Tusk: A Living Relic of the Dinosaur Era?! In one arid corner of Paldea, there have been reports of a mysterious life-form. It's said to resemble a Donphan at first glance, albeit one with gigantic tusks, tough scales, and an aggressive disposition. Leading theories hold that this being is nothing less than a living relic of the dinosaur era, but no one can say for sure. Apparently, it's called Great Tusk after the name of a strange being that was written about in the mysterious Scarlet Book.	Donphan	Ground
#0985	Scream Tail	Fairy  Psychic	Scream Tail: A Billion-Year-Old Jigglypuff?! Somewhere in a Paldean forest, it's said, lurks Scream Tail—a being with Jigglypuff's own endearing puffball appearance but also a ferocious aggression that leads it to attack anyone who comes near. Its primitive appearance and savage nature have prompted rumors that it could be a Jigglypuff from one billion years ago. It's named after a creature in the Scarlet Book that is described as having a distinctive tail and scream.	Jigglypuff	Normal  Fairy
#0986	Brute Bonnet	Grass  Dark	Brute Bonnet: Amoonguss Meets Dinosaur? This bizarre creature is said to combine traits of dinosaurs with those of the Pokémon Amoonguss. It's named after a fierce mushroom creature of matching description that appears in the renowned Scarlet Book. Brute Bonnet certainly resembles Amoonguss, though with its own unique twists: its gigantic stature and seemingly low intelligence combine to make it a savage, powerful fighter.	Amoonguss	Grass  Poison
#0987	Flutter Mane	Ghost  Fairy	Flutter Mane: A Ghostly Pterosaur?! Flutter Mane—a name taken from a strange creature with a matching description appearing in the Scarlet Book—is said to float around the sky at night with its long hair writhing about it. Eyewitness accounts describe it as resembling a giant Misdreavus at first glance, albeit a highly fierce and aggressive one. Some believe that it's a ghost of a pterosaur from a long-gone era.	Misdreavus	Ghost
#0988	Slither Wing	Bug  Fighting	Slither Wing: A Prehistoric Volcarona, Revived?! There have been precious few sightings reported of the ultra-mysterious Slither Wing, a being whose name is taken from that of a similar-seeming creature described in the ever-puzzling Scarlet Book. Slither Wing shares traits with Volcarona, so some theorize that it may have been revived from fossils from a prehistoric era that we have discussed in these pages. However, no Volcarona fossils of that era are known to have been found.	Volcarona	Bug  Fire
#0989	Sandy Shocks	Electric  Ground	Sandy Shocks: A Magneton with a 10-Thousand-Year Lifespan?! Some scientists claim that this mysterious being is a Magneton that has lived for 10 thousand years. It has been sighted numerous times in Paldea's more arid regions, but there are no reports of it ever having been caught. It's said that Sandy Shocks is an aggressive sort and that some people who've seen it have been attacked as well. It takes its name from a beast with a matching description in the era-defining Scarlet Book.	Magneton	Electric  Steel
#1005	Roaring Moon	Dragon  Dark	Roaring Moon: A Primeval Salamence?! This elusive creature is called Roaring Moon after a similarly described being in the Scarlet Book. It looks similar to Salamence when they undergo a certain phenomenon elsewhere in the world, but it's unclear if there is any connection. This creature scatters feathers as it flies around at high speeds seeking prey. It's thought to be more savage than Salamence, and if you should encounter one, it's imperative that you avoid actual contact.	Mega Salamence	Dragon  Flying
#1007	Koraidon "Winged King"	Fighting  Dragon	Pokédex entries: Apex Build This seems to be the Winged King mentioned in an old expedition journal. It was said to have split the land with its bare fists. This Pokémon resembles Cyclizar, but it is far burlier and more ferocious. Nothing is known about its ecology or other features. Pokédex entries: Limited Build* The ecology and other data about this Pokémon are unknown. It was named Koraidon by the professor who discovered it. It has similar characteristics to a creature described in an old book as the Winged King.	Cyclizar	Dragon  Normal
#1009	Walking Wake	Water  Dragon	Pokédex entries This ferocious creature is shrouded in mystery. It's named after an aquatic monster mentioned in an old expedition journal. It resembles an illustration published in a paranormal magazine, said to be a depiction of a super-ancient Suicune.	Suicune	Water
#1020	Gouging Fire	Fire  Dragon	Pokédex entries There are scant few reports of this creature being sighted. One short video shows it rampaging and spouting pillars of flame. It resembles an eerie Pokémon once shown in a paranormal magazine. That Pokémon was said to be an Entei regenerated from a fossil.	Entei	Fire
#1021	Raging Bolt	Electric  Dragon	Pokédex entries It's said to incinerate everything around it with lightning launched from its fur. Very little is known about this creature. It bears resemblance to a Pokémon that became a hot topic for a short while after a paranormal magazine touted it as Raikou's ancestor.	Raikou	Electric

Future Pokémon

These Pokémon look like futuristic relatives of contemporary Pokémon. They all share the Quark Drive Ability, with the exception of Miraidon, which has Hadron Engine. Their Abilities involve the effect of Electric Terrain in battle. All future Pokémon cries share a unique electronic, mechanical noise. Their names all contain the word "iron" (or the equivalent in other languages) as a prefix, with the exception of Miraidon—it, however, is also known as "Iron Serpent".

Pokédex number	Paradox Pokémon			Contemporary relative
	Image	Type	Description	Image	Type
#0990	Iron Treads	Ground  Steel	Iron Treads: An Alien Weapon?! In one arid corner of Paldea, there have been reports of a mysterious life-form. It's said to resemble a Donphan at first glance, albeit one that can abruptly assume a spherical shape and launch into a swift rolling attack. Rumors say this being is some kind of weapon using technology not of this world, but no one can say for sure. Apparently, it's called Iron Treads after the name of a strange being that was written about in the mysterious Violet Book.	Donphan	Ground
#0991	Iron Bundle	Ice  Water	Iron Bundle: An Ancient Civilization's Robot?! The mysterious Violet Book makes reference to a being called Iron Bundle, which was said to look like Delibird and to possess a spherical apparatus from which it would fire huge blasts of ice to propel itself through snowy lands. Plenty of theories about it have been floated. A leading one suggests it is the product of a long-gone civilization—a notion supported by ancient writings that describe the design and usage of machines resembling Iron Bundle.	Delibird	Ice  Flying
#0992	Iron Hands	Fighting  Electric	Iron Hands: Secretly a Cyborg?! This being's name comes from the one given to an iron-handed entity in the mysterious Violet Book. It is said to have fists that move independent of its body and to be capable of throwing large, fast-moving vehicles. A leading theory holds that Iron Hands was once an athlete who became mortally wounded but was kept alive by being made into a cyborg. Why it so strongly resembles Hariyama, however, remains unanswered.	Hariyama	Fighting
#0993	Iron Jugulis	Dark  Flying	Iron Jugulis: Pokémon or Machine?! This flying life-form bearing a resemblance to Hydreigon has been seen in a certain corner of Paldea. It was reported to have razed an entire building with a high-energy blast, then flown off as if to find its next objective. Iron Jugulis is theorized to be a sort of machine-Hydreigon hybrid, as it combines the former's ruthlessness with the latter's ferocity. It takes its name from a similarly described entity in the Violet Book.	Hydreigon	Dark  Dragon
#0994	Iron Moth	Fire  Poison	Iron Moth: A UFO Sent to Spy on Humankind?! The name Iron Moth was borrowed from that of a flying object described in the era-defining Violet Book. It was said to resemble Volcarona and would descend from the skies, following people around and occasionally even attacking them. Some point to Iron Moth's aggression as a sign that it is, in fact, a UFO of sorts being controlled by alien life. Perhaps something out there is using Iron Moth to observe us, waiting for the moment to mount an invasion...	Volcarona	Bug  Fire
#0995	Iron Thorns	Rock  Electric	Iron Thorns: A Tyranitar of the Distant Future?! A strange being called Iron Thorns has been sighted in a certain cave in Paldea. This being bears a strong resemblance to Tyranitar, but it apparently displays great coolheadedness and prefers to avoid unnecessary fights. It appears to be highly intelligent and clad in metallic armor, causing some to speculate that it may be a Tyranitar as it would appear a billion years from now. Its name comes from a similarly described entity that appears in the Violet Book.	Tyranitar	Rock  Dark
#1006	Iron Valiant	Fairy  Fighting	Iron Valiant: An Experiment Gone Wrong?! This oddity's name is borrowed from that of an object described in the Violet Book. One theory holds that it is in fact a robot—the product of a mad scientist's efforts to create the most powerful psychic Pokémon of all. According to its few eyewitnesses, Iron Valiant appears similar to both Gardevoir and Gallade. It's also said to be cruel enough to take its brilliantly shining blade and cut down anyone confronting it without hesitation.	Gardevoir	Psychic  Fairy
				Gallade	Psychic  Fighting
#1008	Miraidon "Iron Serpent"	Electric  Dragon	Pokédex entries: Ultimate Mode Much remains unknown about this creature. It resembles Cyclizar, but it is far more ruthless and powerful. This seems to be the Iron Serpent mentioned in an old book. The Iron Serpent is said to have turned the land to ash with its lightning. Pokédex entries: Low-Power Mode* Its characteristics match those of a mysterious object recorded in an old expedition journal as the Iron Serpent. It was given the name Miraidon by the professor who discovered it. Its ecology and other details are unknown.	Cyclizar	Dragon  Normal
#1010	Iron Leaves	Grass  Psychic	Pokédex entries Many of its physical characteristics match those of a Virizion from the future that was covered in a paranormal magazine. According to the few eyewitness accounts that exist, it used its shining blades to julienne large trees and boulders.	Virizion	Grass  Fighting
#1022	Iron Boulder	Rock  Psychic	Pokédex entries It resembles a Pokémon described in a dubious magazine as a Terrakion that had been modified by an evil organization. It was named after a mysterious object recorded in an old book. Its body seems to be metallic.	Terrakion	Rock  Fighting
#1023	Iron Crown	Steel  Psychic	Pokédex entries It resembles a mysterious object introduced in a paranormal magazine as a cutting-edge weapon shaped like a Cobalion. There was supposedly an incident in which it launched shining blades to cut everything around it to pieces. Little else is known about it.	Cobalion	Steel  Fighting

In the core series games

History

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.

It is unknown where the Paradox Pokémon originate from. Conflicting accounts claim that they either come from the ancient past^S/distant future^V, or from different timelines.

Area Zero expedition

Imaginary Paradox Pokémon from the Scarlet Book that resembles a fusion of the Legendary beasts

Imaginary Paradox Pokémon from the Violet Book that resembles a fusion of the Swords of Justice

The first recorded sightings of Paradox Pokémon were documented 200 years before the events of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, in Area Zero within the Great Crater of Paldea located in the center of the Paldea region. A member of the Area Zero expedition team, an author and natural historian named Heath, wrote about these sightings in the Scarlet Book^S/Violet Book^V. Area Zero would be occupied by scientists researching the Paradox Pokémon and the Terastal phenomenon. During the expedition, a member of the team was fatally injured by a Great Tusk^S/Iron Treads^V that attacked them, and another survey team member managed to take a photograph of the encountered Paradox Pokémon. They at some point also encountered a Winged King^S/Iron Serpent^V that was used in Heath's Scarlet Book^S/Violet Book^V's cover. After encountering each of the known Paradox Pokémon, Heath named each of them in his journal.

At some point, the team's sketch artist made a drawing inspired by the Paradox Pokémon they had seen, imagining what other species in the crater might look like, which resembled a combined version of the Legendary beasts^S/Swords of Justice^V. Walking Wake^S/Iron Leaves^V, Gouging Fire^S/Iron Boulder^V, and Raging Bolt^S/Iron Crown^V would be later discovered, resembling the sketch, but their connection is unclear. It is unclear how these first Paradox Pokémon arrived in Paldea, but they were supposedly brought over by Terapagos due to its Terastal energy. At the time, the Paradox Pokémon were believed to have been fabricated by Heath, thus not being considered real. As a result, Heath and his team were widely discredited. The Paradox Pokémon faded into obscurity and research on them ended for a time. None of these Paradox Pokémon similar to these groups are found in Paldea's Pokédex, but instead, Blueberry Academy's.

Project Tera

10 years before the events of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the Paradox Pokémon claimed to be from the ancient past^S/distant future^V were brought to Area Zero using a time machine built by Professor Sada^S/Professor Turo^V through Terapagos's Terastal energy. The professor is said to have used the time machine to send Poké Balls to different points in the timeline. The Poké Balls then caught the Paradox Pokémon, before bringing them into modern time. The reason the professor created the time machine was because they were fascinated with the Paradox Pokémon after reading about them from the Scarlet Book^S/Violet Book^V.

The professor conducted research on these Pokémon, with the ultimate goal of establishing a sanctuary in which they would be able to coexist with modern-day Pokémon. This goal would be called Project Tera. At some point, the professor created an AI version of themselves, to assist in research on Paradox Pokémon, using the very same Terastal energy that helped create the time machine. However, due to how dangerous they were to the ecosystem of Paldea, the Paradox Pokémon were kept locked away in Area Zero. At some point, security blocks and a Poké Ball Lock System were created to help both protect the time machine and Paradox Pokémon.

A quirky, friendly Koraidon^S/Miraidon^V was the first of the Paradox Pokémon to be brought into the present; a second specimen was later brought into the present as well, but it proved to be far more aggressive than the original and drove it away in a territorial dispute. At some point, the professor also renamed the species from Winged King^S/Iron Serpent^V to Koraidon^S/Miraidon^V, taking the name from a child after they found themselves in an unfamiliar place. It is later revealed that the professor was killed by the second specimen while defending the first. Because of this, the Paradox Pokémon would continue to arrive in Area Zero and eventually form their own population in Area Zero. Meanwhile, the professor's AI counterpart realized that the project was a mistake and that their creator's dreams were doomed to failure; however, their programming prevented them from doing anything that might stop the project directly.

Occulture

Later, shortly before the events of Scarlet and Violet, some Paradox Pokémon started to escape Area Zero, so a paranormal magazine called Occulture started publishing articles on recent sightings of them, theorizing about what the Paradox Pokémon could be and mentioning their similarities to the entities mentioned in the Scarlet Book^S/Violet Book^V. According to the Pokédex entries and the Occulture issues, sightings of all Paradox Pokémon happened all over Paldea, which implies that at least one of each of the Paradox Pokémon managed to escape the crater at some point.

The Quaking Earth Titan

Illustration of Great Tusk, a Paradox Pokémon in the Scarlet Book that resembles Donphan.

Illustration of Iron Treads, a Paradox Pokémon in the Violet Book that resembles Donphan.

Later, shortly before the events of Scarlet and Violet, a lone Great Tusk^S/Iron Treads^V escaped Area Zero like others did and become a Titan Pokémon after eating the Herba Mystica while roaming the Asado Desert. During the events of the games, the player and Arven defeat it, putting an end to its rampage, and taking its Herbs, which forces it back to its original size.

The Way Home

During the events of The Way Home in Scarlet and Violet, the player, Arven, Nemona, and Penny encountered several Paradox Pokémon while heading deeper into Area Zero. At Research Station 2, they encountered a wild Scream Tail^S/Iron Bundle^V, which Penny mistook for an ordinary Jigglypuff^S/Delibird^V until it became hostile. At Research Station 3, they encountered a wild Great Tusk^S/Iron Treads^V, like the one fought in the Asado Desert. Then, outside the Zero Lab, the other Koraidon^S/Miraidon^V was encountered before the group was ambushed by a group of Paradox Pokémon: Great Tusk, Brute Bonnet, and Flutter Mane^S; or Iron Treads, Iron Hands, and Iron Jugulis^V. The AI professor's Paradox Protection Protocol fights the player using seven Paradox Pokémon in an attempt to defend the time machine. After a long battle, the player and their Koraidon^S/Miraidon^V successfully defeat the Paradox Protection Protocol and the other Koraidon^S/Miraidon^V. The time machine that summoned the Paradox Pokémon was then shut down when the AI professor used it one final time to travel to the ancient past^S/distant future^V.

Post-game Paradox Pokémon

Afterward, the rest of the Paradox Pokémon can be found in Area Zero during the post-game, including Roaring Moon^S/Iron Valiant^V and the second Koraidon^S/Miraidon^V. Walking Wake^S/Iron Leaves^V have only appeared in special Poké Portal News event Tera Raid Battles. Great Tusk^S/Iron Treads^V, Slither Wing^S/Iron Moth^V, Iron Bundle, Flutter Mane^S/Iron Jugulis^V, and Sandy Shocks^S/Iron Thorns^V have also appeared in special Tera Raids.

The Indigo Disk

Later on after helping Perrin find the Bloodmoon Beast in The Teal Mask, she appears in the Blueberry Academy's Terarium, working there as a photographer to get promotional pictures for the academy. After the player catches 200 Pokémon in the Blueberry Pokédex and shows the player two blurry pictures, one of Gouging Fire^S/Iron Boulder^V and one of Raging Bolt^S/Iron Crown^V, however, she's unsure if the creatures caught in these pictures are even real to begin with. After that, the two Paradox Pokémon can be encountered in Area Zero close to where the pictures were taken, surprising Perrin that they were indeed real Pokémon.

During Briar's expedition in Area Zero Underdepths, the player encounters a Stellar Tera Sandy Shocks^S/Iron Thorns^V that they need to defeat in order to open the way to travel deeper.

	Spoilers end here.

Base stats comparison

Pokémon	Great Tusk	Scream Tail	Brute Bonnet	Flutter Mane	Slither Wing	Sandy Shocks	Roaring Moon
HP	115	115	111	55	85	85	105
Attack	131	65	127	55	135	81	139
Defense	131	99	99	55	79	97	71
Sp. Attack	53	65	79	135	85	121	55
Sp. Defense	53	115	99	135	105	85	101
Speed	87	111	55	135	81	101	119
Total	570	570	570	570	570	570	590

Click Expand to view.

Pokémon	Donphan	Jigglypuff	Amoonguss	Misdreavus	Volcarona	Magneton	Salamence
HP	90	115	114	60	85	50	95
Attack	120	45	85	60	60	60	135
Defense	120	20	70	60	65	95	80
Sp. Attack	60	45	85	85	135	120	110
Sp. Defense	60	25	80	85	105	70	80
Speed	50	20	30	85	100	70	100
Total	500	270	464	435	550	465	600

Pokémon	Koraidon	Walking Wake	Gouging Fire	Raging Bolt
HP	100	99	105	125
Attack	135	83	115	73
Defense	115	91	121	91
Sp. Attack	85	125	65	137
Sp. Defense	100	83	93	89
Speed	135	109	91	75
Total	670	590	590	590

Click Expand to view.

Pokémon	Cyclizar	Suicune	Entei	Raikou
HP	70	100	115	90
Attack	95	75	115	85
Defense	65	115	85	75
Sp. Attack	85	90	90	115
Sp. Defense	65	115	75	100
Speed	121	85	100	115
Total	501	580	580	580

Pokémon	Iron Treads	Iron Bundle	Iron Hands	Iron Jugulis	Iron Moth	Iron Thorns	Iron Valiant
HP	90	56	154	94	80	100	74
Attack	112	80	140	80	70	134	130
Defense	120	114	108	86	60	110	90
Sp. Attack	72	124	50	122	140	70	120
Sp. Defense	70	60	68	80	110	84	60
Speed	106	136	50	108	110	72	116
Total	570	570	570	570	570	570	590

Click Expand to view.

Pokémon	Donphan	Delibird	Hariyama	Hydreigon	Volcarona	Tyranitar	Gardevoir	Gallade
HP	90	45	144	92	85	100	68	68
Attack	120	55	120	105	60	134	65	125
Defense	120	45	60	90	65	110	65	65
Sp. Attack	60	65	40	125	135	95	125	65
Sp. Defense	60	45	60	90	105	100	115	115
Speed	50	75	50	98	100	61	80	80
Total	500	330	474	600	550	600	518	518

Pokémon	Miraidon	Iron Leaves	Iron Boulder	Iron Crown
HP	100	90	90	90
Attack	85	130	120	72
Defense	100	88	80	100
Sp. Attack	135	70	68	122
Sp. Defense	115	108	108	108
Speed	135	104	124	98
Total	670	590	590	590

Click Expand to view.

Pokémon	Cyclizar	Virizion	Terrakion	Cobalion
HP	70	91	91	91
Attack	95	90	129	90
Defense	65	72	90	129
Sp. Attack	85	90	72	90
Sp. Defense	65	129	90	72
Speed	121	108	108	108
Total	501	580	580	580

In the spin-off games

Pokémon Masters EX

The following sync pairs use Paradox Pokémon:

Dex	Trainer		NDex	Pokémon		Type	Weakness	Role	EX role	Base potential	Availability
#173		Sygna Suit Nemona	#0985		Scream Tail	Fairy	Poison			★★★★★☆EX	Master Fair Sync Pair Scout

In the anime

Main series

Koraidon in the anime

Miraidon in the anime

Pokémon Journeys: The Series

A Koraidon debuted in the post-episode segment of JN137, where Team Rocket tried to catch it but failed, resulting in them getting rammed by Koraidon and sent blasting off.

A Miraidon debuted in the post-episode segment of JN138, where Team Rocket tried to catch it as well, but failed, resulting in them getting shocked and sent blasting off.

Pokémon Horizons: The Series

Paradox Pokémon were referenced in HZ056. After Dot asked "Agepan" if she is a fan of the Occulture magazine, the undercover Explorer mentioned a resurrected prehistoric Volcarona (Slither Wing) and a Jigglypuff from a billion years ago (Scream Tail), both creatures featured in the Occulture, though she found the ideas presented in the magazine absurd.

Biri-Biri

A Great Tusk, namely the Quaking Earth Titan, briefly appears as a silhouette in the music video for Biri-Biri.

In the manga

Miraidon in Pokémon Adventures

An Iron Treads and a Great Tusk in Pokémon Adventures

Pokémon Adventures

Scarlet & Violet arc

Miraidon debuted as Violet's ride Pokémon. He later revealed to Arven that he had encountered it on a beach at Poco Path, after which Professor Turo had contracted him and asked him to take care of it.

In PASV02, Violet and Arven visited Asado Desert and encountered two Paradox Pokémon; the Quaking Earth Titan Iron Treads and a Great Tusk. Being outmatched against the former, they were ultimately forced to retreat.

In the TCG

Main articles: Ancient (TCG); Future (TCG)

An example of an Ancient Pokémon card

An example of a Future Pokémon card

The Paradox Pokémon Great Tusk, Iron Treads, Koraidon, and Miraidon appear in the Pokémon Trading Card Game starting with the Scarlet & Violet expansion (the Japanese Scarlet ex and Violet ex expansions) as Pokémon ex cards. Non-Pokémon ex versions of Koraidon and Miraidon were also released in the same expansion.

Starting with the Paradox Rift expansion (the Japanese Ancient Roar and Future Flash expansions), two new categories of cards were introduced: Ancient and Future, which includes all cards of Paradox Pokémon released in this set. Ancient Pokémon cards tend to have direct attacks that deal a large amount of damage, while being difficult to Knock Out. Future Pokémon cards tend to have Abilities and attacks with extra effects, allowing for craftier strategies.

Trivia

• The Shiny colorations of the ancient Paradox Pokémon are based on the Shiny colorations of the Pokémon they are based on. In contrast, every future Paradox Pokémon has a metallic grey Shiny colloration, possibly to reflect their robotic appearances and natures. The only exceptions to these are Koraidon and Miraidon.
• These Pokémon are similar to the ecologically similar Pokémon in that they bear a striking resemblance to certain Pokémon but are nonetheless completely different species.
• Donphan, Volcarona, and Cyclizar are the only Pokémon to have both ancient and future Paradox Pokémon counterparts.
  • All three of these Pokémon have Fighting-type ancient counterparts.
• Volcarona is the only Pokémon with Paradox Pokémon relatives that can be naturally found in the same area as them.
• Iron Valiant is the only Paradox Pokémon to be based on more than one Pokémon.
• Roaring Moon, Iron Jugulis, and Iron Thorns are the only Paradox Pokémon to have a lower base stat total than their contemporary counterparts (all of which are pseudo-legendary Pokémon).
• The ancient Pokémon, Flutter Mane, Scream Tail and Sandy Shocks are the only Paradox Pokémon whose contemporary relatives are not fully evolved. Furthermore, these contemporary Pokémon all evolve with Evolution stones.
• No Paradox Pokémon based on a version-exclusive Pokémon is available in the same version as its present-day counterpart in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, except for the post-release Paradox Pokémon based on Legendary trios; for example, both Raikou and Raging Bolt are exclusive to Pokémon Scarlet.
  • Of these, Flutter Mane is the only one not based on a pseudo-legendary Pokémon.
• All Paradox Pokémon are dual-type.
  • All Paradox Pokémon share one of their types with their apparent relatives and have another type that the relative lacks.
  • There is at least one Paradox Pokémon of every type except Normal.
  • Dragon is the most common types for Paradox Pokémon to have, with six Paradox Pokémon having it.
  • Miraidon and Raging Bolt are the only Paradox Pokémon to share both of their types with each other.
• The naming convention for Paradox Pokémon differs by language:
  • In Japanese, Spanish, Italian, and German, along with all East Asian translations, Paradox Pokémon are named with a single word.
  • In English, Paradox Pokémon are named with a two-word descriptor; all future Paradox Pokémon have "Iron" as the first word in their names.
  • In French, Paradox Pokémon are named with two or three words hyphenated into a single name; all future Paradox Pokémon have the suffix "-de-Fer" in their names.
• All ancient Pokémon are taller than the Pokémon they are based on, while all future Pokémon except Miraidon are shorter.
  • Furthermore, all ancient Pokémon weigh more than the Pokémon they are based on except Sandy Shocks, which weighs the same as Magneton.
• Raging Bolt and Gouging Fire are the only ancient Paradox Pokémon that do not have yellow eyes.
• Despite all of the future Paradox Pokémon having “Iron” in their name, only Iron Treads and Iron Crown are actually Steel type.
• In their battle against the player in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Professor Sada^S/Professor Turo^V uses every Paradox Pokémon present in the base game, with the exception of Great Tusk^S/Iron Treads^V, which is instead fought as a Titan Pokémon earlier in the story.
• Generation II and Generation V are both tied for having the most Paradox Pokémon counterparts of Pokémon that debuted during them, at seven each. Out of the generations that have at least one, Generation IV has the fewest, at one. Generation VI, Generation VII, and Generation VIII all have no Paradox Pokémon counterparts of Pokémon at all (though Roaring Moon is based on Mega Salamence, a form that was introduced in Generation VI).
• The Paradox Pokémon share similarities with the Ultra Beasts, another group of Pokémon.
  • Both groups consist only of Pokémon that cannot evolve in the first set of games they appear in.
  • Both play a role in the main story of their debut games.
  • Both appear to originate from another world.
  • Both groups consist entirely of gender unknown Pokémon in the No Eggs Discovered Egg Group, thus being unable to breed.
  • Both are connected to the mascot Legendary Pokémon of the games they were introduced in.
  • Both have base stats themed around a certain type of number, with the ancient Pokémon having odd-numbered base stats and the future Pokémon having even-numbered base stats, while Ultra Beasts have base stats themed around prime numbers. Additionally, the levels they learn moves at are themed around numbers, with Paradox Pokémon learning moves around multiples of seven, while Ultra Beasts learn moves around prime numbers.
  • The majority of Pokémon in both groups have a base stat total of 570.
  • Every Ultra Beast and Paradox Pokémon (except Koraidon and Miraidon) has an Ability that boosts its most proficient non-HP stat.
  • Promotional material for both groups' debut games did not refer to them as Pokémon or reveal any of their types prior to the games' releases.
  • Characters in the games are initially unsure whether the members of either group are actually Pokémon.
  • With the exception of Koraidon and Miraidon, both groups have a certain sound sample that recurs in their cries.
• The term "Paradox Pokémon" may be a reference to Animalia Paradoxa or the concept of a temporal paradox.
• The Paradox Pokémon (excluding Koraidon and Miraidon) and Type: Null are the only Pokémon to have Spanish, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, and Turkish names different to their English names, Russian names that are not orthographic transcriptions of their English names, and Thai names that are not orthographic transcriptions of their Japanese names.
• All Paradox Pokémon's Pokédex entries in the versions they are not obtainable in reference Occulture, except Koraidon and Miraidon, whose entries instead reference them resembling Cyclizar but being more aggressive, as well as little being known about them.

In other languages

Paradox Pokémon

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 悖謬寶可夢 Buhtmauh Pokémon Mandarin 悖謬寶可夢 / 悖谬宝可梦 Bèimiù Bǎokěmèng French Pokémon Paradoxe German Paradox-Pokémon Indonesian Pokémon Paradoks Italian Pokémon Paradosso Korean 패러독스 포켓몬 Paradox Pokémon Brazilian Portuguese Pokémon Paradoxo Spanish Pokémon paradoja Thai พาราด็อกซ์โปเกมอน Paradox Pokémon

Monsters of Area Zero

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 第零區的怪物 Mandarin 第零區的怪物 / 第零区的怪物 French Les créatures de la Zone Zéro German Die Monster von Zone Null Italian I mostri dell’Area Zero Korean 에리어 제로의 괴물 Spanish Los monstruos del Área Cero

Enigmas of Paldea

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 帕底亞未解 Mandarin 帕底亞未解 / 帕底亚未解 French Les mystères de Paldea German Unerklärliche Phänomene Paldeas Italian I misteri inspiegati di Paldea Korean 팔데아 미확인 Spanish Interrogantes de Paldea

Ancient Pokémon

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 古代的寶可夢 Mandarin 古代的寶可夢 / 古代宝可梦 French Pokémon du passé German Pokémon aus der Vergangenheit Italian Pokémon del passato Korean 고대의 포켓몬 Spanish Pokémon del pasado

Future Pokémon

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 未來的寶可夢 Mandarin 未來的寶可夢 / 未来宝可梦 French Pokémon du futur German Pokémon aus der Zukunft Italian Pokémon del futuro Korean 미래의 포켓몬 Spanish Pokémon del futuro

See also

• Legendary Pokémon
• Ultra Beast
• Herba Mystica
• Terastal phenomenon
• Scarlet Book
• Violet Book
• Great Crater of Paldea
• Area Zero
• Occulture
• Paradox duo
• Ecologically similar Pokémon
• Time travel
• Time machine

Ancient Paradox Pokémon

Future Paradox Pokémon

Pokémon forms and variants Permanent: Shiny Pokémon (GO) • Alternately colored Pokémon (animated series) Gender differences • Form differences (GO) Brilliant Pokémon • Alpha Pokémon Transformations: Mega Evolution (Shuffle • Masters • GO) • Primal Reversion (GO) • Bond Phenomenon Ultra Burst • Dynamax (GO) • Gigantamax • Eternamax • Terastal phenomenon Groups: Totem Pokémon • Noble Pokémon • Titan Pokémon Regional forms: Alolan • Galarian • Hisuian • Paldean Analogous: Paradox Pokémon • Ecologically similar Pokémon Pikachu variants: Surfing Pikachu • Flying Pikachu • Cosplay Pikachu • Pikachu in a cap Miscellaneous: Fusions (GO) • Giant Pokémon • Spiky-eared Pichu • Partner Pokémon (LGPE) Side series original: Shadow Pokémon • Shadow Lugia Spin-off original: Shadow Pokémon (GO) • Primal Dialga • Toy Pokémon (Rusty Pokémon) Shadow Mewtwo • Pokéxel • Illumina phenomenon Animated series original: Pink Butterfree • Clone Pokémon • Crystal Onix Mirage Pokémon • Meta Groudon • Green-crystal Deoxys Manga original: Thu-Fi-Zer • Black Fog • Black Tyranitar