Unown (Pokémon)

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Misdreavus #200: Misdreavus
Pokémon
#202: Wobbuffet Wobbuffet
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Unown (disambiguation).
Unown
アンノーン Unknown
#201
201Unown.png
F form art by Ken Sugimori from FireRed and LeafGreen
Type
Psychic '
Category
Symbol Pokémon
Abilities
Levitate Levitate
Hidden Ability
Exp. at Lv. 100
1,000,000
Regional Pokédex numbers
Johto
#061
Hoenn
#346
Sinnoh
#114
Regional Browser numbers
Height
1'08"
Imperial
0.5 m
Metric
Weight
11.0 lbs.
Imperial
5.0 kg
Metric
Dex color
Black
Catch rate
225 (29.4%)
Body style
Body01.png BodyUnknown.png
Blue-Striped
Footprint
 F201.png   F487O.png
Blue-Striped
Gender ratio
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*

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 up, 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.

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 (and many other creatures also). Unown have a timidness that rarely makes them venture outside of their dimension.

Habitat

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 last 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
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 1ぴきで いても なにも おきないが 2ひき いじょうで ならぶと なにかの ちからが めばえるという。
White
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
201A.png 1, 7 201H.png 2, 8, 10 201O.png 1, 4, 10, 11 201V.png 3, 6, 10
201B.png 1, 7 201I.png 3, 7, 9, 11 201P.png 2, 4, 9, 10 201W.png 6
201C.png 1, 5, 6, 8, 11 201J.png 3, 5, 9, 10 201Q.png 5, 8, 10, 11 201X.png 2, 6
201D.png 1, 8 201K.png 3, 7, 9, 11 201R.png 1, 5, 9 201Y.png 7
201E.png 2, 6, 9, 11 201L.png 3, 9 201S.png 2, 5, 8, 9, 11 201Z.png 1, 7
201F.png 2 201M.png 4, 8, 11 201T.png 3, 5, 10 File:201Exclamation.png 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
201G.png 2, 5, 8, 11 201N.png 4, 10 201U.png 1, 6, 8 File:201Question.png 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Stats

Base Stats

Stat Range
At Lv. 50 At Lv. 100
48
108 - 155 206 - 300
72
69 - 136 134 - 267
48
47 - 110 90 - 214
72
69 - 136 134 - 267
48
47 - 110 90 - 214
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 ★★☆☆

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
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic ½×
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Weak to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic ½×
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Immune to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic ½×
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Resistant to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic ½×
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Notes:

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
MDP E 201.png 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
Electric Assist.png
( Normal )
None Past
Electrify 1 field move.png
(Electrify ×1)
Browser entry  
This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
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
None.png PokéPark Pad entry:
This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond
None.png Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}}
PokéPark Pad entry:
This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
None.png 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 I
Unown
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
Spr 2g 201.png Spr 2s 201.png Spr 2c 201.png Spr b 2g 201.png
Spr 2g 201 s.png Spr 2s 201 s.png Spr 2c 201 s.png Spr b 2g 201 s.png
III Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen Back
Spr 3r 201.png Spr 3e 201.png Spr 3f 201.png Spr b 3r 201.png
Spr 3r 201 s.png Spr 3e 201 s.png Spr 3f 201 s.png Spr b 3r 201 s.png
IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Back
Spr 4d 201.png Spr 4p 201.png Spr 4h 201.png Spr b 4d 201.png
Spr 4d 201 s.png Spr 4p 201 s.png Spr 4h 201 s.png Spr b 4d 201 s.png
V Black White Black 2 White 2 Back
Spr 5b 201.png Spr 5b2 201.png Spr b 5b 201.png
Spr 5b 201 s.png Spr 5b2 201 s.png Spr b 5b 201 s.png
201I For other sprites and images, please see Unown images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

File:Unreleased Unown.jpg
Unreleased Unown
  • In Spell of the Unown, 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.
  • Also in the third movie, Molly Hale owned a book that had Unown on the cover of it.
  • 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.
  • It is the first non-legendary to be in a central role in a Pokémon movie.
  • Unown, Nidorina, Nidoqueen, and Ditto are the only non-legendary, non-baby Pokémon that cannot breed with Ditto.
  • Despite being in the book of legendary Pokémon, Unown is not considered a legendary Pokémon.
  • The two punctuation Unown have half-closed eyes; all alphabetic Unown have fully open eyes.
  • 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.
  • 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 and Smeargle; however, they can potentially expand their movepools through the use of Transform and Sketch, respectively.
  • 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 barely acknowledged in the games. Only the Pokédex data in Pokémon Platinum even hints to their power, saying that "an odd power is said to emerge" when two or more are together. Nothing special occurs when two Unown are sent out side by side in a double battle, however.
  • Spell of the Unown states 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 is the only Generation II Pokémon that has not been featured in a Ranger series game.

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 Generation III their place has been taken by Braille.

Name origin

Unown is a corruption of the word unknown. It's Japanese name is Unknown which is simply unknown.

In other languages

Language Name Name Origin
French Zarbi From the word bizarre in Verlan, a youth language.
German Icognito From Inkognito and Ikon.
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


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