Paradox Pokémon

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

Paradox Pokémon (Japanese: パラドックスポケモン Paradox Pokémon) are a group of Pokémon found in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. They have two subgroups, one made of Pokémon resembling ancient relatives of contemporary Pokémon^S, and one resembling futuristic relatives of contemporary Pokémon^V. They are all gender unknown, unable to evolve, unable to breed, and—with the exceptions of Koraidon and Miraidon—their names do not follow regular naming conventions, thus having different names in Spanish and Italian. All of them share the category of Paradox Pokémon.

They are also known as unidentified creatures and Enigmas of Paldea by researchers and Occulture articles, respectively. Professor Sada^S/Professor Turo^V are the head researchers on the Paradox Pokémon. The professors also refer to the Paradox Pokemon as ancient Pokémon^S/future Pokémon^V.

History

The first recorded sightings of Paradox Pokémon were documented 200 years ago in Area Zero, in the Great Crater located in the center of the Paldea region. A member of the Area Zero exploration team 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. Eventually, a paranormal magazine called Occulture published articles on these sightings and theorized about what the Paradox Pokémon could be.

Ten years ago, the Paradox Pokémon from the ancient past^S/distant future^V were brought into the present using a time machine built by Professor Sada^S/Professor Turo^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. However, due to how dangerous they were to the ecosystem of Paldea, the Paradox Pokémon were kept locked away in Area Zero. The player's 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. It is later revealed that Sada^S/Turo^V was killed by the second specimen while defending the first.

Later, during the events of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, a Great Tusk^S/an Iron Treads^V escaped and became a Titan Pokémon that roamed the Asado Desert. The player and Arven defeated it, putting an end to its rampage.

During the The Way Home storyline, the player, Arven, Nemona, and Penny encountered several Paradox Pokémon while heading deeper into Area Zero. At Research Station 2, they encountered a Scream Tail^S/an Iron Bundle^V. At Research Station 3, they encountered a Great Tusk^S/an Iron Treads^V, like the one fought in the Asado Desert. Then, at Research Station 4, the second 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 Sada^S/Turo^V used seven Paradox Pokémon in an attempt to defend the time machine, only for the player and their Koraidon^S/Miraidon^V to put a stop to it. The time machine that summoned the Paradox Pokémon was then shut down when AI Sada^S/Turo^V used it one final time to travel into the ancient past^S/distant future^V.

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.

In the games

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 Ability also involves the effect of harsh sunlight in the battle.

Ndex	Paradox Pokémon			Contemporary Relative
	Image	Type	Enigmas of Paldea	Image	Type
---	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
---	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
---	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
---	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
---	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
---	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
---	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
---	Koraidon "Winged King"	Fighting  Dragon	Pokédex entries 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.	Cyclizar	Dragon  Normal

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 Ability also involves the effect of Electric Terrain in the battle.

Ndex	Paradox Pokémon			Contemporary Relative
	Image	Type	Enigmas of Paldea	Image	Type
---	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
---	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
---	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
---	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
---	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
---	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
---	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.	Mega Gardevoir	Psychic  Fairy
				Mega Gallade	Psychic  Fighting
---	Miraidon "Iron Serpent"	Electric  Dragon	Pokédex entries 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.	Cyclizar	Dragon  Normal

Base stats comparison

Pokémon	Great Tusk	Scream Tail	Brute Bonnet	Flutter Mane	Slither Wing	Sandy Shocks	Roaring Moon	Koraidon
HP	115	115	111	55	85	85	105	100
Attack	131	65	127	55	135	81	139	135
Defense	131	99	99	55	79	97	71	115
Sp. Attack	53	65	79	135	85	121	55	85
Sp. Defense	53	115	99	135	105	85	101	100
Speed	87	111	55	135	81	101	119	135
Total	570	570	570	570	570	570	590	670

Pokémon	Iron Treads	Iron Bundle	Iron Hands	Iron Jugulis	Iron Moth	Iron Thorns	Iron Valiant	Miraidon
HP	90	56	154	94	80	100	74	100
Attack	112	80	140	80	70	134	130	85
Defense	120	114	108	86	60	110	90	100
Sp. Attack	72	124	50	122	140	70	120	135
Sp. Defense	70	60	68	80	110	84	60	115
Speed	106	136	50	108	110	72	116	135
Total	570	570	570	570	570	570	590	670

Trivia

Legendary Beasts trio paradox Pokémon teaser from Scarlet Book

Swords of Justice trio paradox Pokémon teaser from Violet Book

• All future Pokémon have English names starting with "Iron".
  • While this doesn't explicitly apply to Miraidon, its past name was "Iron Serpent", as mentioned in its Pokédex entry from Pokémon Violet.
• Donphan, Volcarona, and Cyclizar are the only Pokémon to have Paradox counterparts in both Scarlet and Violet.
• Iron Valiant is the only Paradox Pokémon to be based off of more than one Pokémon.
• Roaring Moon and Iron Valiant can be considered counterparts of each other:
  • They are the only Paradox Pokémon based off Mega Evolved Pokémon.
  • They share a base stat total of 590 instead of the 570 found in the non-Legendary Paradox Pokémon.
  • Both have lower base stat totals than their Mega Evolved contemporaries.
  • Both are separated from the other Paradox Pokémon in Paldea Pokédex numbering.
  • Both do not appear in any editions of "Occulture" in the Naranja/Uva Academy entrance hall.
• Roaring Moon, Iron Jugulis, and Iron Thorns are the only Paradox Pokémon to have a lower base stat total than their contemporaries.
• Fighting is the most common type for Paradox Pokémon to have, with five Pokémon (counting Koraidon) having it.
  • Iron Moth and Iron Bundle are the only Paradox Pokémon to not share at least one type with another Paradox Pokémon.
• No Paradox Pokémon based on a version-exclusive Pokémon is available in the same game as its modern-day counterpart.
• The Paradox Pokémon share similarities with the Ultra Beasts:
  • Both cannot evolve in the first set of games the groups appear in.
  • Both play a role in the main story.
  • Both groups consist of gender unknown Pokémon and are unable to breed.
  • Both are connected to Legendary Pokémon.
  • The majority of Pokémon in both groups have a base stat total of 570.
  • With the exceptions of Koraidon and Miraidon, every Paradox Pokémon and every Ultra Beast 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 either group are actually Pokémon.
• Not counting Koraidon or Miraidon, all ancient Pokémon have odd numbered stats while all future Pokémon have even numbered stats.
  • Additionally, all ancient Pokémon are taller than the Pokémon they are based on, while all future Pokémon (except Miraidon) are shorter.
  • Furthermore, similarly to Ultra Beasts, all ancient Pokémon share a unique sound frequency in their cries, while all future Pokémon cries have electronic and mechanical noises.
• All types except Normal are represented by at least one Paradox Pokémon.
• In the Scarlet and Violet books, there is a sketch of an imaginary Pokémon, based on Paradox Pokémon found in Area Zero. Depending on the version, the drawing is similar to the three Legendary beasts^S and another to the three Swords of Justice^V.
• Generation II has the most Paradox Pokémon counterparts of Pokémon that debuted during the generation, with five. Generation IV has the fewest, with only one.
• No Pokémon from generations VI, VII, or VIII have Paradox Pokémon counterparts.
  • However, Roaring Moon and Iron Valiant are based on Mega Evolved Pokémon, a concept introduced in Generation VI.
• The Pokédex entries for each group of Paradox Pokémon share a common theme depending on whether or not they can be natively found in that game:
  • Scarlet's entries regarding ancient Pokémon, as well as Violet's entries regarding future Pokémon, regularly refer to an "expedition journal" or an "old book", referring to the Scarlet or Violet books, respectively.
  • Alternatively, Violet's entries regarding ancient Pokémon, as well as Scarlet's entries regarding future Pokémon, regularly refer to a "paranormal" or "dubious" magazine to account for the lack of a Scarlet Book in Violet and the lack of a Violet Book in Scarlet.
  • Koraidon's entry in Violet and Miraidon's entry in Scarlet both reference their resemblance to Cyclizar.

In other languages

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 Italian Pokémon Paradosso Korean 패러독스 포켓몬 Paradox Pokémon Spanish Pokémon paradoja

See Also

• Terastal phenomenon
• Legendary Pokémon
• Ultra Beast