Rayquaza (Japanese: レックウザ Rayquaza) (Pronounciation: Ray-Quay-z-uh) is a dual-type Dragon/Flying Legendary Pokémon.
While it is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon, it can Mega Evolve into Mega Rayquaza, but only if it knows the move Dragon Ascent.
Rayquaza is the version mascot of Pokémon Emerald, appearing on the boxart of the game. It serves to end the conflict between Kyogre and Groudon when Team Magma's leader Maxie and Team Aqua's leader Archie awakened them.
Along with Kyogre and Groudon, Rayquaza is a part of the weather trio, serving as its trio master. In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, it plays an important role during the Delta Episode and is required to be caught there.
Biology
Rayquaza is a large, green, serpentine creature. It has red-tipped, rudder-like wings on its shoulders and down its body, and similarly patterned fins on the tip of its tail. Yellow ring-like symbols run across the length of Rayquaza's body and it has an additional yellow ring on top of its head. Rayquaza has two limbs with three-clawed hands, and two long, flat, horn-like structures on its head, with two shorter horns along its jawline. It has small, yellow eyes with black pupils, prominent pink gums, and two discernible fangs in its upper jaw.
As Mega Rayquaza, its body becomes longer and gains more features. Its head becomes longer with the Δ symbol appearing on its forehead. Its eyes now contain yellow pupils and red irises, and black, tree-like markings trail behind its eyes. Its red lips and teeth become gold, and the gold lines connect to those on its lower horns, which take on a broad, triangular shape. At the outer edges of its lower horns are long, golden, glowing tendrils that each extend to a green, fin-like structure; these tendrils have ring patterns that strongly resemble the yellow markings running along the length of Rayquaza's normal form. Its two upper horns become longer with a gold line running over them in a V shape, and each upper horn has another glowing tendril that ends in a circular shape with a spike. Along the length of its body are golden, glowing orbs placed where its ring patterns used to be. The chin, part of the neck, and parts of its serpentine body are changed to the color black. The fins running along its body are now marked with gold lines; the fins on its tail become entirely yellow and substantially longer. Particles stream from the long tendrils that extend from its jutting jaw; these particles can control the density and humidity of the air, allowing Mega Rayquaza to manipulate the weather. Its green hide sparkles with an emerald-like quality.[1]
Inside Rayquaza's body lies an organ that contains the same power of a Mega Stone. A Devon Corporation scientist named this organ the mikado organ (Japanese: ミカド器官). By consuming meteoroids as it flies through the stratosphere, the mikado organ will be filled with enough energy to enable Rayquaza's Mega Evolution.
It is able to soothe the other members of the weather trio, even in their Primal Forms. Rayquaza can live for hundreds of millions of years in the ozone layer, where it feeds on water and other particles. Rayquaza is rarely seen by people; even in flight, its appearance is indistinguishable from that of a meteor. Rayquaza is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Dragon Ascent.
In the anime
Mega Rayquaza in the anime
Major appearances
Multiple different Rayquaza are seen in the anime, including a shiny one.
Rayquaza first appears in Destiny Deoxys. It fights against Deoxys, believing it to be invading the Sky High Pokémon's territory when Deoxys was in fact looking for its friend, another Deoxys.
Other
In Malice In Wonderland!, a Rayquaza appeared under ownership of Cynthia, but as an illusion created by Mismagius. When Mismagius fuses with Rayquaza, it becomes the same color as the Mismagius, making it look like a Shiny Rayquaza.
Rayquaza made its anime episode debut in outer space in Where No Togepi Has Gone Before!, where it used Hyper Beam on the rocket ship Ash and his friends and Team Rocket were on, presumably protecting its territory.
A Rayquaza appeared in SS028, where it was seen by Iris.
A Rayquaza appeared in Mega Evolution Special II, where it Mega Evolved. Alain and Steven tried to battle it, but were quickly defeated by the Sky High Pokémon. It reappeared again in SS032.
A Shiny Mega Rayquaza is set to appear in the eighteenth movie.
Minor appearances
A Rayquaza had a cameo appearance at the beginning introduction of Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea, where it ended up captured by Team Rocket operatives.
A Rayquaza had a cameo appearance at the beginning of Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, The Rise of Darkrai and Zoroark: Master of Illusions.
In the manga
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
To stop the battle between Kyogre and Groudon, Wally and Norman trained at the Sky Pillar and woke up Rayquaza. Five years earlier, Ruby's victory over a Salamence was the reason Norman was banned from the Gym Leader test as the wounded Salamence rampaged in a lab, accidentally letting Rayquaza, who was in captivity at that time, free. Having been ordered to recapture Rayquaza in the five years he was prohibited from attaining a Gym Leader position, Norman attended the Mossdeep Space Center and scrutinized its tracks, finally discovering that it slumbered atop the Sky Pillar when it wasn't scouring beyond Earth's atmosphere. With Wally's help, he was able to awaken and take command of Rayquaza, using it to calm Groudon and Kyogre in conjunction with Ruby's Red and Blue Orbs. When Norman fell under the strain of controlling Rayquaza without a proper medium, it escaped once again, and has not been seen since.
In the Pokémon Ruby-Sapphire manga
A Rayquaza appears in Pokémon Task Force In Action!! where Red, Clefairy, Pikachu and Tyrogue as usual try to stop it from destroying the city.
In the TCG
- Main article: Rayquaza (TCG)
Other appearances
Rayquaza in Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Rayquaza appears in The Subspace Emissary mode as a boss. After Diddy Kong lands in The Lake, Rayquaza lunges out of the water and grabs him, angry at being disrupted. Before it can further attack, Fox ejects out of his ship, which had crashed and been destroyed by Rayquaza earlier, and rescues Diddy Kong. Enraged, Rayquaza attacks Fox with Dragon Pulse, but Fox reflects its attack back at it, sending it reeling back into the water. Rayquaza soon launches back out and engages in battle against Fox and Diddy Kong.
Like all other Subspace Emissary bosses, Rayquaza is later battled again in The Great Maze, and can be fought in the Boss Battles mode after the latter is unlocked. Its attacks in battle include ExtremeSpeed, Thunder, Dig, Iron Tail, and Fly.
Trophy Information
A Sky High Pokémon. It normally resides high up in the ozone layer where it flies endlessly, so it is rarely seen. However, when Groudon and Kyogre began to fight, it appeared to calm them down. It has the ability Air Lock, which blocks all weather-condition effects. It has exceedingly strong abilities, and its attack power is especially remarkable.
Rayquaza appears as an occasional stage hazard in the Dragonmark Chamber of the Wii U version exclusive stage Kalos Pokémon League, which is based on Pokémon X and Y's Pokémon League. Appearing rarely, it flies across the stage at various angles, dealing damage to fighters. Its path is shown briefly by lightning before it appears, giving players time to avoid it.
Trophy Information
This Dragon- and Flying-type Pokemon usually dwells high in the ozone layer, so it can't be seen from the ground. In the Kalos Pokemon League stage, it occasionally flies at great speed through the Elite Four's Dragon-type chamber, where any fighters in its path will be damaged and launched with great force.
Game data
NPC appearances
- Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire: Rayquaza is the focus of the third and final Bonus Field. It can only be challenged after capturing Groudon or Kyogre and will then join the circuit of bonus fields. Rayquaza will bounce along from left to right, allowing the ball to roll under it if it is up. It will sometimes use Thunder to paralyze the ball if it is not moving fast enough, though it does stay still while it is unleashing the attack. Rayquaza will also sometimes use ExtremeSpeed to create two tornadoes that cause the ball to fly up into the air for several seconds if contact is made. Rayquaza must be hit 15 times in three minutes to win. After beating the round twice, Rayquaza will be captured.
- Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rayquaza acts as the final boss, living on the Sky Tower. After it is defeated, Rayquaza helps save the world from a meteor. After the credits roll, the player can re-battle Rayquaza to recruit it.
- Pokémon Ranger: Rayquaza can be captured in a bonus mission after the credits.
- Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Darkness: Rayquaza is the guardian of the Sky Melodica.
Pokédex entries
| This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
|
| Generation III
|
|
| Ruby
|
Rayquaza lived for hundreds of millions of years in the earth's ozone layer, never descending to the ground. This Pokémon appears to feed on water and particles in the atmosphere.
|
| Sapphire
|
Rayquaza is said to have lived for hundreds of millions of years in the earth's ozone layer, above the clouds. Its existence had been completely unknown because it lived so high in the sky.
|
| Emerald
|
A Pokémon that flies endlessly in the ozone layer. It is said it would descend to the ground if Kyogre and Groudon were to fight.
|
| FireRed
|
It has lived for hundreds of millions of years in the ozone layer. Its flying form looks like a meteor.
|
| LeafGreen
|
|
|
| Generation IV
|
|
| Diamond
|
It cannot be seen from ground level since it lives far up above the clouds in the ozone layer.
|
| Pearl
|
| Platinum
|
| HeartGold
|
It flies in the ozone layer, way up high in the sky. Until recently, no one had ever seen it.
|
| SoulSilver
|
|
|
| Generation V
|
|
| Black
|
It lives in the ozone layer far above the clouds and cannot be seen from the ground.
|
| White
|
| Black 2
|
It lives in the ozone layer far above the clouds and cannot be seen from the ground.
|
| White 2
|
|
|
| Generation VI
|
|
| X
|
It lives in the ozone layer far above the clouds and cannot be seen from the ground.
|
| Y
|
It flies in the ozone layer, way up high in the sky. Until recently, no one had ever seen it.
|
| Omega Ruby
|
Rayquaza is said to have lived for hundreds of millions of years. Legends remain of how it put to rest the clash between Kyogre and Groudon.
|
| Alpha Sapphire
|
It flies forever through the ozone layer, consuming meteoroids for sustenance. The many meteoroids in its body provide the energy it needs to Mega Evolve.
|
|
|
Game locations
| This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In side games
| This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In events
Pokémon Global Link promotions
Held items
Stats
Base stats
| Stat
|
Range
|
| At Lv. 50
|
At Lv. 100
|
105
|
|
165 - 212
|
320 - 414
|
150
|
|
139 - 222
|
274 - 438
|
90
|
|
85 - 156
|
166 - 306
|
150
|
|
139 - 222
|
274 - 438
|
90
|
|
85 - 156
|
166 - 306
|
95
|
|
90 - 161
|
175 - 317
|
Total: 680
|
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.
|
Mega Rayquaza
| Stat
|
Range
|
| At Lv. 50
|
At Lv. 100
|
105
|
|
165 - 212
|
320 - 414
|
180
|
|
166 - 255
|
328 - 504
|
100
|
|
94 - 167
|
184 - 328
|
180
|
|
166 - 255
|
328 - 504
|
100
|
|
94 - 167
|
184 - 328
|
115
|
|
108 - 183
|
211 - 361
|
Total: 780
|
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
Type effectiveness
Rayquaza
| Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mega Rayquaza
| Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Learnset
|
|
|
|
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Rayquaza
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Rayquaza
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
|
|
|
|
|
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Rayquaza
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by a Mega Evolution of Rayquaza
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
|
|
|
|
|
- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Rayquaza in Generation VI
- 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 Rayquaza in that game.
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Rayquaza
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Rayquaza
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
|
|
|
|
|
- A black or white abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Rayquaza can be tutored the move in that game
- A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Rayquaza cannot be tutored the move in that game
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Rayquaza
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Rayquaza
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations
|
|
|
|
|
- A superscript level indicates that Rayquaza can learn this move normally in Generation VI
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Rayquaza
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Rayquaza
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations
|
Side game data
Evolution
Sprites
| This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trivia
- Rayquaza has many differences from the other members of its trio:
- It is the only Pokémon with a base stat total of 680 that does not share the specific stat numbers with another Pokémon.
- It is the only member without a Primal form, instead having a Mega Evolution form.
- It is the only member not to be directly sought after by a specific crime syndicate.
- It is the only member that cannot learn an OHKO move.
- It is the only member that cannot learn its signature move by level-up, as it can learn it by move tutor.
- It is the only member that didn't appear in the episodes Gaining Groudon and The Scuffle of Legends.
- However, evidence says that it will come if Groudon and Kyogre are battling; in Pokémon Emerald, the player must get Rayquaza to stop the battle of Groudon and Kyogre in Sootopolis manually. This may mean that Rayquaza can only calm the two down but may not know when and where they are fighting.
- Mega Rayquaza has the highest Attack and Special Attack stats and the highest base stat total of all Dragon-type and Flying-type Pokémon.
- Mega Rayquaza is the tallest Dragon-type Pokémon and Flying-type Pokémon.
- In games prior to Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Rayquaza has a catch rate of 3.
- Rayquaza's catch rate was raised to 45 in ORAS, likely due to it being a required capture during the storyline.
- Rayquaza is the only legendary Pokémon that can be caught at a higher level than the Elite Four's Pokémon before defeating the Elite Four. This only happens in Pokémon Emerald.
- Rayquaza was the most voted Pokémon of all pre-Generation V Pokémon in the Korean Pokémon Global Link promotion poll.
- Rayquaza is misspelled as "Rayquayza" in Pokémon Team Turbo in every instance.
- Even though Rayquaza uses Dig in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, it has no way of learning the move in any Pokémon game.
- Rayquaza is the only Pokémon capable of Mega Evolving that does not require a Mega Stone to do so in the games.
- Rayquaza is also the only trio master capable of Mega Evolution.
- Mega Rayquaza is tied with both of Mewtwo's Mega Evolutions for the highest base stat total of all Pokémon, with 780.
- This makes it the only Pokémon with a base stat total above 720 that doesn't require a specific held item.
- When Mega Evolving Rayquaza, the game will state, "<player>'s fervent wish has reached Rayquaza", instead of the normal message.
- Rayquaza's battle theme in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire is the only battle theme that can play while the player is capable of walking in the overworld; there is a brief period of time between the cutscene in which Zinnia summons it and the battle itself where the player must approach Rayquaza themselves.
Origin
Rayquaza is most likely based on the Hebrew legends of Ziz, the unconquerable primal master of the sky. Its counterparts were Behemoth and Leviathan. Rayquaza's appearance also draws inspiration from other creatures of myth such as the Asian dragon and lindworm. Alternatively, Rayquaza matches the description of the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl, who was depicted as a flying serpent, and created the boundary between the earth (including the oceans) and the sky. Its trait of being capable of inhabiting the skies, and living there while subsisting on nothing but dew and particles for centuries, also bears aspects of the legendary Chinese xian hermit sages and East Asian dragons.
Name origin
Rayquaza most likely refers to Raqiya, the Hebrew word for "firmament". It also may be a combination of ray and quasar. Alternatively, it may be a combination of 烈 retsu (violent or furious), 空 kū (sky), and 座 za (seat or location), which can be taken to mean "one that sits in the ferocious heavens".
Rayquaza's mikado organ refers to 帝 mikado (emperor), another name for the Emperor of Japan or 天皇 tennō in Japanese, which can be translated as either "heavenly sovereign" or "king of the heaven/sky".
In other languages
| Language
|
Title
|
Meaning
|
 Japanese
|
レックウザ Rayquaza
|
Possibly from ray and quasar. Alternatively, it may be a combination of 烈 retsu (violent or furious), 空 kū (sky), and 座 za (seat or location), which can be taken to mean "one that sits in the ferocious heavens".
|
 French
|
Rayquaza
|
Same as Japanese name
|
 Spanish
|
Rayquaza
|
Same as Japanese name
|
 German
|
Rayquaza
|
Same as Japanese name
|
 Italian
|
Rayquaza
|
Same as Japanese name
|
 Korean
|
레쿠쟈 Rekujya
|
Transliteration of the Japanese name; from 裂空者/열공자 Yeolgongja.
|
 Mandarin Chinese
|
烈空坐 Lièkōngzuò
|
From its Japanese name. Can also be taken as "one who sits in the fierce heavens".
|
 Cantonese Chinese
|
烈空坐 Lihthūngjoh
|
Same as Mandarin name.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Related articles
External links
Notes
|
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.
|
Dragon Scale (100%)
Life Orb (100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Rayquaza images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
