Unown (Pokémon)

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This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Unown (disambiguation).

Unown アンノーン Unknown #201
F form art by Ken Sugimori from FireRed and LeafGreen
Type Psychic ' Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Symbol Pokémon
Ability Levitate ----- Blue-Striped -----	Exp. at Lv. 100 1,000,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #— Johto #061 Hoenn #346 Sinnoh #114 Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R— Oblivia
Height 1'08" Imperial 0.5 m Metric 1'08"/0.5 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 11.0 lbs. Imperial 5.0 kg Metric 11.0 lbs./5.0 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Black	Catch rate 225 (29.4%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown Gender unknown
Breeding Undiscovered group 41 cycles (10455 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 1 Def 0 Sp.Atk 1 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 61 Battle Exp.: 611*
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

Unown (Japanese: アンノーン Unknown) is a Template:Type2 Pokémon.

It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon. However, as of Generation III, Unown has 28 derivative shapes. There are 26 Latin alphabet characters, plus two punctuation marks: ? (question mark) and ! (exclamation mark). In Generation II its shape is determined by its individual values, whereas in Generation III and beyond, it is determined by its personality value.

Biology

They tend to stick to walls or orbit other Unown when in a group.

Physiology

Unown are floating, flat, eye-shaped Pokémon with appendages that make them resemble letters. They are black all over. All alphabetic Unown have fully open eyes while the two punctuation Unown have half-closed eyes.

Gender differences

This Pokémon is genderless.

Different forms

Unown has 28 different forms, one for each letter of the alphabet, as well as a form for an exclamation point (!) and a question mark (?). These are chronicled in the Unown Dex in Generation II and the Unown Report in HeartGold and SoulSilver. The exclamation point and question mark forms were not introduced until Generation III. There are also many glitch forms.

Special abilities

Unown's only known move in battle is the enigmatic Hidden Power.

In the anime, they are capable of reading the thoughts of other lifeforms. Great numbers of them are capable of warping reality to suit the dreams and wishes of whoever they read the thoughts of and is in control of the Unown.

Their mind reading ability seems to suggest that they should be able to learn Mind Reader. However, they can only do this when more Unown are present, so it could be a shared effort rather than an ability unique to each Unown.

Behavior

Unown can make telepathic contact with humans (as well as many other creatures). Unown have a timidness that makes them rarely venture outside of their dimension.

Habitat

File:Rare.gif

Rare Pokémon

Unown live in their own dimension.

When they move to the Pokémon World, Unown seem to prefer to make their habitat in ancient ruins stuck to the walls, appearing only in the Ruins of Alph in Johto, the Tanoby Chambers in the Sevii Islands, the Solaceon Ruins in Sinnoh, and Unown Relic and Aegis Cave in the Mystery Dungeon world. They have also been seen at the Sinjoh Ruins.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

In the anime

Unown in the anime

Major appearances

Spell of the Unown

Unown play a large role in the third movie, creating the illusions which drive the plot.

Notes about Unown can be seen on Professor Oak's computer at the beginning of the movie. The information (as presented in the Japanese version) has been cleaned up and transcribed here:

• Because of their very timid and careful character, Unown do not want to go out to the external world.
• Unown have the power to perceive the feelings of other creatures (including human beings).
• Unown communicate with each other over electromagnetic waves but cannot use telepathy.
• Given all this, Unown are still classified as a species of Pokémon, as opposed to any other sort of creature.

Other

An Unown fell out of the Unown dimension in Address Unown. After it was healed by the group, it helped defend against Team Rocket and its mind merged with that of Ash's Larvitar so that the group could help it to address its inner pain.

The tablet

Markings of Unown were on a tablet in Top-Down Training. Many Unown appeared in Journey to the Unown!, also the same tablet from it's previous appearance is shown.

The tablet is written (in Romaji):
FRIEND
SUBETE NO INOCHI HA
BETSU NO INOCHI TO DEAI
NANIKA WO UMIDASU
(In the dub, Dawn reads it as "When every life meets another life, something will be born").

Minor appearances

Multiple Unown also made a brief appearance in the The Rise of Darkrai fleeing from Dialga and Palkia in a different dimension.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry EP263 Unown Ash's Pokédex Unown, the Symbol Pokémon. Unown are said to have existed since ancient times. There are many in form and shape but little is known about this mysterious Pokémon.

Episode Pokémon Source Entry DP060 Unown Dawn's Pokédex Unown, the Symbol Pokémon. Unown use telepathy to communicate with each other. Many different shapes of Unown have been discovered.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Unown first appeared in Volume 8 when Gold and Bugsy were in the Ruins of Alph. Gold had his Sunkern use Flash to blind Team Rocket, but accidentally disturbed the Unown from their slumber with the light from Flash. Bugsy later returns to study the Ruins further in Volume 11, where he captures an Unown (G).

Unown later appear in Volume 24, having been awakened by Sird from the Tanoby Ruins to use as a distraction while she fought Lorelei. The Unown later appear again throughout the volume, being employed by Team Rocket as living security cameras while impeding the progress of Red, Blue and Green.

It also appeared in DP saga when Diamond, Pearl and Platinum were visiting Solaceon Town. Diamond and Pearl befriended two Unown (D and P) who behaved like them.

Unown's most recent appearance is in the HGSS saga, being summoned forth at the Sinjoh Ruins while Arceus is attempting a creation ritual much like on the games. Unlike the games however, no Cynthia is present, all three of Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina appear, most likely under the influence of the Executives, known as the Four Generals in the manga.

In the TCG

Main article: Unown (TCG)

Other appearances

Super Smash Bros. Melee

When one Unown is released from a Poké Ball it will fly off the screen. It then returns with a large swarm similar to what Beedrill did in the original Super Smash Bros. The only difference is that Beedrill only attack from left or right while Unown can come from any direction. Any opponent caught in this is damaged and juggled.

There are also a number of Unown Pokéfloats. In the second half of the cycle, a number fly across the screen. Towards the end of the cycle, staying on the stage relies on hopping between the Unown.

Trophy Information

These Psychic-type symbol Pokémon resemble ancient hieroglyphics found on rocks, a resemblance that's said to be more than superficial. Quite a few different shapes of Unown have been confirmed, and it's believed that each type has unique abilities. These enigmatic Pokémon can be found in the Ruins of Alph.

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Generation I Red {{{redbluedex}}} Blue Yellow {{{yellowdex}}} Stadium {{{stadiumdex}}}
Generation II Gold Their shapes look like hieroglyphs on ancient tablets. It is said that the two are somehow related. Silver Its flat, thin body is always stuck on walls. Its shape appears to have some meaning. Crystal Because different types of Unown exist, it is said that they must have a variety of abilities. Stadium 2 Their shapes look like hieroglyphs on ancient tablets. It is said that the two are somehow related.
Generation III Ruby This Pokémon is shaped like ancient writing. It is a mystery as to which came first, the ancient writings or the various Unown. Research into this topic is ongoing but nothing is known. Sapphire {{{sapphiredex}}} Emerald This Pokémon is shaped like ancient text characters. Although research is ongoing, it is a mystery as to which came first, the ancient writings or the various Unown. FireRed Its flat, thin body is always stuck on walls. Its shape appears to have some meaning. LeafGreen Their shapes look like hieroglyphs on ancient tablets. It is said that the two are somehow related.
Generation IV Diamond Shaped like ancient writing, it is a huge mystery whether language or Unown came first. Pearl They seem to communicate among each other telepathically. They are always found stuck on walls. Platinum When alone, nothing happens. However, if there are two or more, an odd power is said to emerge. HeartGold Their shapes look like hieroglyphs on ancient tablets. It is said that the two are somehow related. SoulSilver Its flat, thin body is always stuck on walls. Its shape appears to have some meaning.
Generation V Black When alone, nothing happens. However, if there are two or more, an odd power is said to emerge. White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 {{{black2dex}}} White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Generation I Red Blue None Trade Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow None Trade
Generation II Gold Silver Always Inside Ruins of Alph Crystal Always Inside Ruins of Alph
Generation III Ruby Sapphire None Trade Emerald None Trade FireRed LeafGreen Always Inside Tanoby Chambers Colosseum None Trade XD None Trade
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Always Solaceon Ruins Platinum Always Solaceon Ruins HeartGold SoulSilver Always Inside Ruins of Alph Pal Park Forest Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White None Trade Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World None
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Trozei!	Phobosphere (G) Endless Level 48 (N) Endless Level 83 (Y) Forever Level 48 (N) Endless Level 83 (Y) Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue Rescue Team	Unown Relic
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Aegis Cave

In Pokémon Trozei, rounds at Mr. Who's Den that contain Unown will include multiple forms at the same time.

Each form of Unown is found on different floors in the Unown Relic:

Form	Floors		Form	Floors		Form	Floors		Form	Floors
	1, 7			2, 8, 10			1, 4, 10, 11			3, 6, 10
	1, 7			3, 7, 9, 11			2, 4, 9, 10			6
	1, 5, 6, 8, 11			3, 5, 9, 10			5, 8, 10, 11			2, 6
	1, 8			3, 7, 9, 11			1, 5, 9			7
	2, 6, 9, 11			3, 9			2, 5, 8, 9, 11			1, 7
	2			4, 8, 11			3, 5, 10		File:201Exclamation.png	2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
	2, 5, 8, 11			4, 10			1, 6, 8		File:201Question.png	2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Stats

Base Stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 48		108 - 155	206 - 300
Attack: 72		69 - 136	134 - 267
Defense: 48		47 - 110	90 - 214
Sp. Atk: 72		69 - 136	134 - 267
Sp. Def: 48		47 - 110	90 - 214
Speed: 48		47 - 110	90 - 214
Total: 336	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

A-Z

Speed 2/4 ★★☆☆ Power 2/3 ★★☆ Skill 2/4 ★★☆☆ Stamina 2/4 ★★☆☆ Jump 2/5 ★★☆☆☆ Total 10/20 ★★☆☆

! and ?

Speed 2/4 ★★☆☆ Power 2/3 ★★☆ Skill 2/5 ★★☆☆☆ Stamina 2/4 ★★☆☆ Jump 2/5 ★★☆☆☆ Total 10/21 ★★☆☆

Type effectiveness

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

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

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

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

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

Notes: If Gravity is in effect, this Pokémon is given an Iron Ball or affected by Smack Down or Ingrain, the opponent has the Ability Mold Breaker, Turboblaze or Teravolt, or this Pokémon is affected by Gastro Acid, or this Pokémon's Ability is replaced, the effectiveness of  Ground-type  moves is 1×.

Learnset

By leveling up

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

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  00Start Hidden Power Normal Special 0000— 100100% 15

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

By TM/HM

Generation V Other generations: II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
TM		Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
This Pokémon learns no moves by TM.
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Unown Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Unown Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation V Other generations: II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Father	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
This Pokémon learns no moves by breeding.
Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Unown in Generation V 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 Unown in that game. Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Unown Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Unown Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

Generation V Other generations: II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Game				Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
This Pokémon learns no moves by tutoring.
A black abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Unown can be tutored the move in that game A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Unown cannot be tutored the move in that game Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Unown Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Unown Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Pinball RS  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Trozei!  N/A  Not available
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team File:MDP RT 201.png Body size: 1 Recruit rate: (A-Z) 1.8% (!?) 0.1% Friend Area: Aged Chamber Phrases 51%-100% HP What am I, you ask? 26%-50% HP My HP has plunged to half... 1%-25% HP I cannot go on... I have little power left... Level up I have leveled up. Partner phrases 51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up I have leveled up.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 8.2% IQ group: A
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Loops: 0 Min. exp.: 0 Max. exp.: 0 Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Poké Assist: Field move:  Normal  None Past ( Normal ) None Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Rumble N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}} PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
Pokémon Conquest HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}} Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}} Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}} Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}} Does not evolve. Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

Letter K Does not evolve Unown  Psychic

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
	This Pokémon did not appear during Generation I.
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal				Back
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald		FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum		HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back
V	Black	White	Black 2	White 2			Back

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

Trivia

The unreleased Unown featured in Spell of the Unown

• It is the first non-legendary to be in a central role in a Pokémon movie: Spell of the Unown.
  • In the movie Professor Oak had some pictures of unreleased Unown on his computer. They resemble a few Greek alphabet letters, especially σ (lowercase sigma), Σ (capital sigma), Π (pi) and Ω (omega). However, lowercase letters have never been made into Unown before, so this may be an error or a misinterpretation by fans. The top-middle Unown may be also a variation of an ancient Egyptian symbol of protection, the Eye of Horus, or the Russian letter Я (ya). This may lead to the conclusion that there are more forms of Unown, being the prototypes of other known (or unknown) alphabets.
    • It is, however, possible that the creators of the carvings drew Unown in the form of other letters and symbols, even if actual living equivalents did not exist.
  • Despite being in the book of legendary Pokémon owned by Molly Hale, Unown is not considered a legendary Pokémon.
  • It's also stated that the Unown communicate with each other using electromagnetic waves, specifically noting that they don't use telepathy. However, this is contradicted by a later episode as well as Unown's Pearl Pokédex entry.
• Unown apparently generate a radio signal where they are found in large numbers, which can be listened to by any Trainer with a Pokégear. If the player listens closely, the radio signal plays the melody of the Azure Flute.
• If a player does not have Unown's Pokédex data on a Generation II game when in Oak's lab in Pokémon Stadium 2, Unown's Pokédex number is listed as 252 instead of 201. This happens regardless of which Pokédex display mode is selected.
• Unown, Nidorina, Nidoqueen, and Ditto are the only non-legendary, non-baby Pokémon that cannot breed with Ditto.
• Unown is the only Pokémon that has a base stat total of 336.
• It has the smallest movepool of all Pokémon, learning only one move, Hidden Power, and being unable to learn any other moves through TMs, HMs, and Pokémon breeding (as it cannot breed). It shares this distinction with Ditto; however, it can potentially expand its movepool through the use of Transform.
• Despite having their own movie about their power, they are relatively weak in the games due to a very shallow move pool and a low base stat total.
  • Their power of warping reality is rarely acknowledged in the games. Only the Pokédex data in Pokémon Platinum hints to their power, saying that "an odd power is said to emerge" when two or more are together. This is partially confirmed in HeartGold and SoulSilver when the powers of Arceus and the Unown affect each other to create a huge energy, warping the player to the Sinjoh Ruins.
• Unown is the only Generation II Pokémon that has not been featured in a Ranger series game.
• Unown is the only Pokémon, barring external modification, with which it is not possible to enter a Super Contest, as Ditto can be afflicted with the Rage glitch to have more than one move.

Origin

Their appearances are corruptions of the modern Latin alphabet, as well as the exclamation point (!) and question mark (?) punctuation marks. The shapes of the Unown are used like runes in the Pokémon world, although in Hoenn and the Sevii Islands their place has been taken by Braille.

Name origin

Unown is a corruption of the word unknown. Its Japanese name is simply Unknown.

In other languages

Language Name Name Origin German Icognito From Inkognito and Ikon. French Zarbi From the word bizarre in Verlan, a youth language. Korean 안농 Annong Chinese (Mandarin) 未知圖騰 Wèi Zhī Tú Téng "Unknown totem". Hungarian (anime only) Öntudatlan Senseless, only in Pokémon the Movie 3 - Spell of the Unown, where it was mistakenly translated. Norwegian (anime only) Ukjent Unknown, only in episode 263 - Address Unown!, where it was mistakenly translated. Swedish (anime only) Okänd Unknown, only in episode 263 - Address Unown!, where it was mistakenly translated. Also of note was that they always referred to the Unown with very bad grammar, for example: "the place where Unknown comes from".

External links

• Article on Wikipedia

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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.