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 PokémonS, and one resembling futuristic relatives of contemporary PokémonV. 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 also share the category of Paradox Pokémon. They are also known as unidentified creatures and Enigmas of Paldea by researchers and Occulture articles, respectively. Professor SadaS/Professor TuroV are the head researchers on the Paradox Pokemon. They also referred to the Paradox Pokemon officially as Ancient PokémonS/Future PokémonV.
The first recorded sightings of Paradox Pokémon were documented 200 years ago in Area Zero, the Great Crater located in the center of the Paldearegion. A man named Heath of the Area Zero exploration team wrote these sightings in the Scarlet BookS/Violet BookV. Area Zero would be used research purposes on the Paradox Pokémon and Terastal phenomenon seemingly connected to them. Eventually, the Occulture articles started writing information on these sightings and theories on what the Paradox Pokémon could be.
Ten years ago, the Paradox Pokémon from the ancient pastS/distant futureV were first brought into present thanks to a time machine built by Professor SadaS/Professor TuroV in order for research, with the ultimate goal of establishing a sanctuary in which they would be able to coexist with modern-day Pokémon. Due to how dangerous they were to the ecosystem of Paldea, the Paradox Pokémon were kept locked away in Area Zero. KoraidonS/MiraidonV 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 SadaS/TuroV was killed by the second specimen while defending the first.
Durning the The Way Home storyline, the player, Arven, Nemona, and Penny encountered several Paradox Pokémon while heading deeper into Area Zero: they encountered, at Research Station 2, a Scream TailS/an Iron BundleV; and, at Research Station 3, a Great TuskS/an Iron TreadsV, like the one fought in the Asado Desert. Then, at Research Station 4, the second KoraidonS/MiraidonV is encountered before the group is ambushed by several Great TuskS/Iron TreadsV, Brute BonnetS/Iron HandsV, and Flutter ManeS/Iron JugulisV. The AI SadaS/TuroV would use seven Paradox Pokémon in an attempt to defend the time machine only for the player and their KoraidonS/MiraidonV to put a stop to it. The time machine that summoned the Paradox Pokémon was then shut down when AI SadaS/TuroV used it one final time to travel into the ancient pastS/distant futureV.
These Pokémon look like ancient relatives of contemporary Pokémon. They all share the ProtosynthesisAbility, with the exception of Koraidon, which has Orichalcum Pulse. Their Ability also involves the effect of harsh sunlight in the battle.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
These Pokémon look like futuristic relatives of contemporary Pokémon. They all share the Quark DriveAbility, with the exception of Miraidon, which has Hadron Engine. Their Ability also involves the effect of Electric Terrain in the battle.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 are shorter.
Furthermore, all Ancient Pokémon feature traditional oriental riffs, while all Future Pokémon have electronic and mechanical noises in the background of their respective cries.
All types except Normal are represented by at least one Paradox Pokémon.
In the Scarlet BookS/Violet BookV there is a sketch of an imaginary Pokémon, based on Paradox Pokémon found in Area Zero. It resembles the three Legendary beastsS/Swords of JusticeV, although it is currently unknown whether there is a relation.
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 is based on a Mega Evolved Pokémon, a concept introduced in Generation VI.