List of Pokémon with form differences

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While there are 1026 officially recognized species of Pokémon, with most members of an individual species looking relatively similar to one another, several Pokémon species have remarkable differences in appearance between members. At times, these differences are purely cosmetic, and have no bearing on the difference in the Pokémon's stats from another; however, several Pokémon not only differ in stats, but also type, depending on their form.

Among these are several legendary Pokémon, whose unique forms can be changed between at will, and are spelled officially as "Formes". Many of the forms are known to have special names, while others do not, and are thus only named in fanon. In Generations II-IV, whichever form is encountered first will be the form displayed in the Pokédex by default; i.e., a player who encountered a West Sea Shellos would have it appear in the Pokédex by default, while one who encounters an East Sea Shellos first would see that Shellos appear in the Pokédex first. In Generation V the form displayed in the Pokédex can be changed upon reaching Fukiyose, even to a Shiny form, if encountered.

Pokémon with differing forms

Pichu

In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, an alternate form of Pichu will appear at Ilex Forest (but only if the player has a Pikachu-colored Pichu in their party). This Pichu has a tuft of hair on the end of its left ear, and is known as the Spiky-eared Pichu. Spiky-eared Pichu's Pokéathlon performance stats are different than a normal Pichu's. It is always a female.

Normal
Spr 4h 172.png
Spiky-eared
172N.png

Unown

Unown was the first known Pokémon which had visual differences between individuals of the species. From the species' debut in Generation II, each Unown would have an appearance similar to that of one of the twenty-six letters of the Latin alphabet. In Generation III, two more forms were added, corresponding to the question mark and exclamation point.

A special Unown Dex, an upgrade to the Pokédex that was developed by the researchers at the Ruins of Alph to record the different forms of Unown, was available in Generation II after the player had caught several Unown. This was superseded in HeartGold and SoulSilver by the Unown Report, obtainable after the player completes the first tile puzzle in the Ruins of Alph.

Unown's form is determined in Generation III based on its personality value. Though the form has no bearing on base stats, ! and ? Unown have different performance stats than their alphabetical brethren.

A
201A.png
B
201B.png
C
201C.png
D
201D.png
E
201E.png
F
201F.png
G
201G.png
H
201H.png
I
201I.png
J
201J.png
K
201K.png
L
201L.png
M
201M.png
N
201N.png
O
201O.png
P
201P.png
Q
201Q.png
R
201R.png
S
201S.png
T
201T.png
U
201U.png
V
201V.png
W
201W.png
X
201X.png
Y
201Y.png
Z
201Z.png
!
File:201Exclamation.png
?
File:201Question.png

Spinda

Like Unown, Spinda has many visual variations in its species, all involving the placement of its spots. Like Unown's letter, the spot placement is generated based on the individual's personality value, and likewise, has no effect on the Pokémon's stats. Unlike Unown, however, these differences are rarely repeated, as the calculation uses the entirety of the personality value—a number that can range from zero to 4,294,967,295 (232 - 1).

RSFRLG E DPPtHGSS BW
Spr 3r 327.png File:Spr 3e 327.gif Spr 4d 327.png 327.png

Castform

Castform's first appearance at Hoenn's Weather Institute in Generation III brought about the concept of interchangeable forms. Unlike other Pokémon, an individual Castform's form is not static, and will change, due to its ability, with the weather.

Normally, Castform takes on a rather plain appearance, with a gray body. In this form, it is of the Template:Type2; as could be expected, it is in this form that it is at its least effective.

When Castform is exposed to bright rays of sunlight, it changes its form to a more sunny appearance, and becomes a Template:Type2 (Sunny Form). In rain, Castform becomes more like a raindrop, and becomes a Template:Type2 (Rainy Form). Finally, in hail, Castform takes the form of a snowy cloud, and becomes an Template:Type2 (Snowy Form). It will not transform in any other weather conditions.

Castform's stats do not change between any of these forms.

Normal
351.png
 Normal 
Sunny Form
351S.png
 Fire 
Rainy Form
351R.png
 Water 
Snowy Form
351H.png
 Ice 

Deoxys

Deoxys, the final Pokémon in the National Pokédex as of Generation III, was the first known Pokémon whose base stats and move compatibility differed, as well as its appearance, depending on its form. First introduced in Destiny Deoxys, Deoxys was revealed to have three alternating forms, while a fourth was added later, with the release of Pokémon Emerald. Like its base stats, its Pokéathlon performance varies depending on its form.

Deoxys's forms are game-specific in Generation III, but can be changed at will in Generation IV by inspecting the meteorites in Veilstone City in Sinnoh and Route 3 in Kanto.

Deoxys's Normal Forme is the default form it takes, as well as the form it appears in in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. In this form, its stats are more balanced, though it is notably far more offensive than it is defensive.

It is in this form that Deoxys will be found in the wild on Birth Island, though it will transform after it has been captured, depending on its Generation III game version.

The Attack Forme is the appearance that Deoxys takes on in Pokémon FireRed, and it learns noticeably more powerful moves while in this form. Its Attack and Special Attack stats have been maxed out, making it the most powerful of all Pokémon in both aspects, while its Speed remains the same as its default form. Its defensive stats, however, take a harsh blow, lowering so much that it is only more powerful in Defense than seven Pokémon (tied with three others), and is tied for last place in Special Defense with five others, including Magikarp.

In Pokémon LeafGreen, the counterpart version to FireRed, Deoxys takes on a counterpart form to the Attack Forme, the Defense Forme. Whereas the Attack Forme had incredible offensive power (and incredibly weak defensive capabilities), Defense Forme inverts this somewhat, having mediocre offensive power (and a lower Speed stat) and heightened Defense and Special Defense. This form of Deoxys learns moves more attuned to attrition than to elimination, raising its already high defenses to protect against opponents' moves rather than attack them before they can attack.

By far the quickest of all Pokémon, Deoxys in its Speed Forme learns many moves that can guarantee that it will strike before any other Pokémon can. Though it can still be outsped by a Pokémon with Speed Boost, Speed Forme Deoxys takes the uneven nature of the stats of Deoxys's other forms and balances them out, keeping it from hitting too hard, but at the same time, preventing it from being hit too hard itself.

386Deoxys.png
Deoxys
Normal Forme
 Psychic 
Pressure
Ruby and Sapphire
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe
50 150 50 150 50 150
File:386ADeoxys.png
Deoxys
Attack Forme
 Psychic 
Pressure
FireRed
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe
50 180 20 180 20 150
File:386DDeoxys.png
Deoxys
Defense Forme
 Psychic 
Pressure
LeafGreen
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe
50 70 160 70 160 90
File:386SDeoxys.png
Deoxys
Speed Forme
 Psychic 
Pressure
Emerald
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe
50 95 90 95 90 180
Lv. 386.png
Normal Forme
 Psychic 
386A.png
Attack Forme
 Psychic 
386D.png
Defense Forme
 Psychic 
386S.png
Speed Forme
 Psychic 
Start Leer
Wrap
9 Night Shade
17 Teleport Double Team
25 Knock Off Taunt Knock Off
33 Pursuit Spikes Pursuit
41 Psychic
49 Snatch Superpower Snatch
57 Psycho Shift
65 Zen Headbutt
73 Cosmic Power Iron Defense Agility
Amnesia
81 Recover Zap Cannon Recover
89 Psycho Boost
97 Hyper Beam Counter Extremespeed
Mirror Coat
Moves in bold are STAB. Moves in italics do no damage.



Burmy and Wormadam

Both Burmy and its female evolution, Wormadam, have three separate forms, being the first Pokémon whose evolution depends on a specific form. Like others, Burmy can change form freely, depending on where it last participated in a battle actively (Exp. Share maintains a Burmy's form if it does not leave the Poké Ball); however, Wormadam's form is permanent.

If a Burmy last battled in a grassy outside area, hatched from an egg whose Wormadam parent was in the Plant Cloak, or hatched from an egg that had Mothim and Ditto as parents, it will be in its basic state, the Plant Cloak. This form of Burmy is covered in leaves and twigs. If a female, it will evolve into Wormadam in its Plant Cloak, which is a Bug/Grass Pokémon.

If a Burmy last battled on a beach or in a cave, or hatched from an egg whose Wormadam parent was in the Sandy Cloak, it will be in the Sandy Cloak. This form of Burmy is covered in sand and rocks. If a female, it will evolve into Wormadam in its Sandy Cloak, which is a Bug/Ground Pokémon.

If a Burmy last battled inside of a building, or hatched from an egg whose Wormadam parent was in the Trash Cloak, it will be in the Trash Cloak. This form of Burmy is covered in pink insulation. If a female, it will evolve into Wormadam in its Trash Cloak, which is a Bug/Steel Pokémon.

A Wormadam's stats and move compatibility vary with her form, in addition to type and appearance. The cloak a male Burmy takes on before evolution makes no difference, as it sheds it upon evolution into Mothim.

Plant Cloak
412.png
 Bug 
Sandy Cloak
412G.png
 Bug 
Trash Cloak
412S.png
 Bug 
413Wormadam.png
Wormadam
Plant Cloak
 Bug  Grass 
Anticipation
Evolve after battle
on grassy terrain
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe
60 59 85 79 105 36
File:413GWormadam.png
Wormadam
Sandy Cloak
 Bug  Ground 
Anticipation
Evolve after battle
on rocky terrain
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe
60 79 105 59 85 36
File:413SWormadam.png
Wormadam
Trash Cloak
 Bug  Steel 
Anticipation
Evolve after battle
inside a building
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe
60 69 95 69 95 36
Lv. 413.png
Plant Cloak
 Bug  Grass 
413G.png
Sandy Cloak
 Bug  Ground 
413S.png
Trash Cloak
 Bug  Steel 
Start Tackle
10 Protect
15 Bug Bite
20 Hidden Power
23 Confusion
26 Razor Leaf Rock Blast Mirror Shot
29 Growth Harden Metal Sound
32 Psybeam
35 Captivate
38 Flail
41 Attract
44 Psychic
47 Leaf Storm Fissure Iron Head
Moves in bold are STAB. Moves in italics do no damage.


Cherrim

Like Castform, Cherrim changes its appearance depending on the weather, though not with all kinds. It will be in its Sunshine form in intense sunlight and its Overcast form in any other weather. Due to its ability, its Attack and Special Defense will also increase in its Sunshine form. Unlike Castform, its type does not change.

Overcast form
421.png
 Grass 
Sunshine form
421S.png
 Grass 

Shellos and Gastrodon

Another Sinnoh-native evolution family, Shellos and Gastrodon also have a difference, depending on, this time, whether the Pokémon in question was caught east or west of Mt. Coronet. Like others before, neither form can change to the other, but unlike other multiple-form Pokémon, the appearance of the mother is the determinant to the appearance of the hatched Pokémon.

Both West Sea Shellos and Gastrodon take on a pink appearance, while their East Sea cousins take on a blue hue. There is also a slight difference in bodily appearance depending on the form.

West Sea
422.png
 Water 
423.png
 Water  Ground 
East Sea
422E.png
 Water 
423E.png
 Water  Ground 

Rotom

In August of 2008, shortly before the Japanese release of Pokémon Platinum, five silhouetted Pokémon were shown, with a statement that indicated that these Pokémon would be in the game. Days before the game's release, it was revealed that these Pokémon were alternate forms of Rotom.

In each of these forms, Rotom has possessed a different household appliance, and each has its own special move. Heat Rotom, which has possessed a microwave oven, knows Overheat and is Electric/Fire; Wash Rotom, which has possessed a washing machine, knows Hydro Pump and is Electric/Water; Frost Rotom, which has possessed a refrigerator, knowns Blizzard and is Electric/Ice; Fan Rotom, which has possessed a rotary fan, knows Air Slash and is Electric/Flying; and Mow Rotom, which has possessed a lawn mower, knows Leaf Storm and is Electric/Grass.

Until Generation V, all forms of Rotom were Electric/Ghost-type. All alternate forms have the same base stat total, which is higher than that of normal Rotom.

479Rotom.png
Rotom
Normal Rotom
 Electric  Ghost 
Levitate
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe
50 50 77 95 77 91
File:479ORotom.png
Rotom
Heat Rotom
 Electric  Fire 
Levitate
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe
50 65 107 105 107 86
File:479WRotom.png
Rotom
Wash Rotom
 Electric  Water 
Levitate
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe
50 65 107 105 107 86
File:479RRotom.png
Rotom
Frost Rotom
 Electric  Ice 
Levitate
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe
50 65 107 105 107 86
File:479FRotom.png
Rotom
Fan Rotom
 Electric  Flying 
Levitate
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe
50 65 107 105 107 86
File:479LRotom.png
Rotom
Mow Rotom
 Electric  Grass 
Levitate
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe
50 65 107 105 107 86

Giratina

Giratina, much like Deoxys had been earlier, was announced to have an alternate form in the then-upcoming Giratina and the Sky Warrior in February, 2008. One of the two forms is the familiar form to players of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, designated as Altered Forme Giratina, while the other is a more serpentine form that was not previously known, the Origin Forme.

The Origin Forme is known as Giratina's natural form, which it appears in in its home of the Reverse World (in the anime) and Distortion World (in the games). If it travels to the Pokémon world, it assumes its Altered Forme. Both Formes appear in Pokémon Platinum, where Giratina is captured in the Distortion World in its more offense-oriented Origin Forme, and will revert to the defensive Altered Forme outside of this area unless it holds the Griseous Orb.

487Giratina.png
Giratina
Altered Forme
 Ghost  Dragon 
Pressure
Pokémon world
no Griseous Orb
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe
150 100 120 100 120 90
File:487OGiratina.png
Giratina
Origin Forme
 Ghost  Dragon 
Levitate
Distortion World
or with Griseous Orb
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe
150 120 100 120 100 90

Shaymin

As with Giratina, an alternate form of the event Pokémon Shaymin was announced to appear in Giratina and the Sky Warrior, and is, in fact, the titular sky warrior. This new Sky Forme of Shaymin, with the previously-known form now called the Land Forme, has a completely altered appearance and, rather than being a pure-Template:Type2, is now Grass/Flying.

Like Giratina and Deoxys's transformations are activated by an external source, Shaymin's is activated by contact with a Gracidea, whose bouquets look almost like a sleeping Shaymin.

A Shaymin in its Sky Forme will revert to its Land Forme if frozen or during night.

It is interesting to note that upon changing forms, Shaymin also changes its cry. It is the only Pokémon to do so.

492Shaymin.png
Shaymin
Land Forme
 Grass 
Natural Cure
Nighttime
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe
100 100 100 100 100 100
File:492SShaymin.png
Shaymin
Sky Forme
 Grass  Flying 
Serene Grace
Gracidea
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe
100 103 75 120 75 127
Lv. 492.png
Land Forme
 Grass 
492S.png
Sky Forme
 Grass  Flying 
Start Growth
10 Magical Leaf
19 Leech Seed
28 Synthesis Quick Attack
37 Sweet Scent
46 Natural Gift
55 Worry Seed
64 Aromatherapy Air Slash
73 Energy Ball
82 Sweet Kiss
91 Healing Wish Leaf Storm
100 Seed Flare
Moves in bold are STAB. Moves in italics do no damage.


Arceus

Arceus has eighteen different forms, each with a slightly different coloration, which correspond to the eighteen different elemental types.

Arceus's transformation between these Formes is brought about by its held item: if it is holding a plate, it draws its type from that plate as stated in Sinnoh's mythology, while remaining Template:Type2 when not holding a plate or holding any non-plate item.

The Template:Type2 Forme of Arceus exists only in Generation IV, and is currently unavailable in any legitimate manner, as there is no plate to turn it to this type. Educated speculation attributes this to an attempt made by Game Freak as an error handler. This is supported by the fact that there is no ???-type sprite data for Arceus in the Generation V games, because the ???-type was removed entirely from Generation V.

While its base stats remain constant despite its changing type, its Pokéathlon performance changes slightly.

 Normal 
493.png
 Fire 
493-Fire.png
 Water 
493-Water.png
 Electric 
493-Electric.png
 Grass 
493-Grass.png
 Ice 
493-Ice.png
 Fighting 
493-Fighting.png
 Poison 
493-Poison.png
 Ground 
493-Ground.png
 Flying 
493-Flying.png
 Psychic 
493-Psychic.png
 Bug 
493-Bug.png
 Rock 
493-Rock.png
 Ghost 
493-Ghost.png
 Dragon 
493-Dragon.png
 Dark 
493-Dark.png
 Steel 
493-Steel.png
 ??? 
493-Unknown.png

Basslao

Similar to Shellos and Gastrodon, Basslao can appear in two different forms—the Red Stripe form and the Blue Stripe form. The Red Stripe form sports a red stripe, with wide eyes and spiky fins, while the other has a blue stripe, with squinted eyes and smooth fins. Its color depends on the version it is found in, with the Red Stripe form appearing in Black and the Blue Stripe form appearing in White. However, rare instances of the other color can be found in the game by surfing on or fishing in swirling water.

Wild Red Stripe Basslao have a 5% chance of holding a DeepSeaTooth while wild Blue Stripe Basslao have a 5% chance of holding a DeepSeaScale.

Red Stripe
550.png
 Water 
Blue Stripe
550B.png
 Water 

Darmanitan

If Darmanitan has Daruma Mode as its ability, it changes into Daruma mode when its HP drops to below half. Darmanitan in Daruma mode is blue in color, has Psychic as a secondary type, inverts its Attack and Special Attack from normal Darmanitan, and has boosted defenses and lowered Speed.

555Darmanitan.png
Darmanitan
Normal
 Fire 
Daruma Mode
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe
105 140 55 30 55 95
File:555DDarmanitan.png
Darmanitan
Daruma Mode
 Fire  Psychic 
Daruma Mode
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe
105 30 105 140 105 55

Shikijika and Mebukijika

Shikijika changes its appearance depending on the season, each of which lasts a month in real time, rather than three. During spring, its coat will be pink; during summer, green; during autumn, orange; and during winter, brown.

Mebukijika, Shikijika's evolved form, also differs with the season, with flowers in its antlers during spring; a full set of leaves in its antlers in summer; brown and wilting leaves in the autumn; and white antlers along with sections of thicker, white fur in the winter.

Spring Form
585.png
 Normal  Grass 
586.png
 Normal  Grass 
Summer Form
585S.png
 Normal  Grass 
586S.png
 Normal  Grass 
Autumn Form
585A.png
 Normal  Grass 
586A.png
 Normal  Grass 
Winter Form
585W.png
 Normal  Grass 
586W.png
 Normal  Grass 

Meloetta

Meloetta, if the move Ancient Song, which it can learn from a man in Castelia City, is used in battle it will change between its Step and Voice Formes, which changes its typing from Normal/Psychic to Normal/Fighting.

648Meloetta.png
Meloetta
Voice Forme
 Normal  Psychic 
Serene Grace
Use Ancient Song
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe
100 77 77 128 128 90
File:648FMeloetta.png
Meloetta
Step Forme
 Normal  Fighting 
Serene Grace
Use Ancient Song
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe
100 128 90 77 77 128

Genesect

Genesect has five different Formes, each depending on whether or not a Cassette is held and which Cassette it is. However, this does not change Genesect's type, but rather the type of the move Techno Buster. If it lacks a Cassette, it will be Template:Type2. The four Cassettes the can be equipped are the Lightning, Blaze, Freeze, and Aqua Cassettes, which make the move Electric, Fire, Ice, and Template:Type2, respectively. Otherwise, the change is purely cosmetic, with the physical difference being the ammo cartridge in Genesect's cannon.

Normal Forme

649.png
 Bug  Steel 
Lightning Cassette
649Y.png
 Bug  Steel 
Blaze Cassette

649R.png
 Bug  Steel 
Freeze Cassette

649W.png
 Bug  Steel 
Aqua Cassette

649B.png
 Bug  Steel 

Other Pokémon

  • The Generation I Pokédex entries for Arbok state that the markings on its belly differ between regions. The pattern has differed in sprites; however, this is dependent on the game the Pokémon is in, rather than the game in which it was caught.
  • Shellder also changes between bivalve and spiral-shaped variations depending on whether or not it is attached to a Slowpoke's head or tail.
  • From Generation IV onward, there are many Pokémon that appear differently as a result of their gender, some drastically, some not.
  • XD001 was a Shadow Lugia that was so thoroughly corrupted that its appearance changed.
  • A Dialga also changed its appearance when it lost control of time in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness.
  • Mantyke's Pokédex entry in Pearl says that the special patterns on its back vary from region to region. Unlike Arbok, however, its backsprite shows no difference between Sinnoh and Johto games, and has the same smile in Pokémon Black and White.
  • The Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum Pokédex entries for Weezing state that triplet forms have been discovered; however, this variant has not been shown in any Pokémon media. A third section of Weezing (without a face) appears on every Weezing seen so far.

Other form differences

There are several other differences that Pokémon have. For detailed descriptions of them, see Variant Pokémon.

In other languages

Giratina

Origin Forme

Language Title
French Canada Flag.png Canada Forme Originelle
France Flag.png Europe Forme Originelle
Germany Flag.png German Urform
Italy Flag.png Italian Forma Originale
Spanish CELAC Flag.png Latin America Forma Origen
Spain Flag.png Spain Forma Origen

Altered Forme

Language Title
French Canada Flag.png Canada Forme Alternative
France Flag.png Europe Forme Alternative
Germany Flag.png German Wandelform
Italy Flag.png Italian Forma Alterata
Spanish CELAC Flag.png Latin America Forma Modificada
Spain Flag.png Spain Forma Modificada

Shaymin

Land Forme

Language Title
French Canada Flag.png Canada Forme Terrestre
France Flag.png Europe Forme Terrestre
Germany Flag.png German Landform
Italy Flag.png Italian Forma Terra
Spanish CELAC Flag.png Latin America Forma Tierra
Spain Flag.png Spain Forma Tierra

Sky Forme

Language Title
French Canada Flag.png Canada Forme Céleste
France Flag.png Europe Forme Céleste
Germany Flag.png German Zenitform
Italy Flag.png Italian Forma Cielo
Spanish CELAC Flag.png Latin America Forma Cielo
Spain Flag.png Spain Forma Cielo

Rotom

Heat Rotom

Language Title
French Canada Flag.png Canada Motisma Chaleur
France Flag.png Europe Motisma Chaleur
Germany Flag.png German Hitze-Rotom
Italy Flag.png Italian Rotom Calore

Wash Rotom

Language Title
French Canada Flag.png Canada Motisma Lavage
France Flag.png Europe Motisma Lavage
Germany Flag.png German Wasch-Rotom
Italy Flag.png Italian Rotom Lavaggio

Fan Rotom

Language Title
French Canada Flag.png Canada Motisma Hélice
France Flag.png Europe Motisma Hélice
Germany Flag.png German Wirbel-Rotom
Italy Flag.png Italian Rotom Vortice

Mow Rotom

Language Title
French Canada Flag.png Canada Motisma Tonte
France Flag.png Europe Motisma Tonte
Germany Flag.png German Schneid-Rotom
Italy Flag.png Italian Rotom Taglio

Frost Rotom

Language Title
French Canada Flag.png Canada Motisma Froid
France Flag.png Europe Motisma Froid
Germany Flag.png German Frost-Rotom
Italy Flag.png Italian Rotom Gelo