Variant Pokémon
Variant Pokémon are Pokémon who vary in their appearance compared to other Pokémon of the same species. This is often due to gender, diet, special genetic traits or environmental factors such as climate. Certain symbiotic relationships may also play a role in this. Depending on the species, the altered appearance may be purely cosmetic or it may affect how they perform in battles.
While many variances are caused by natural processes, they sometimes can be artificially invoked as well. This may be achieved through the use of physical modifications or behavioral conditioning, or contact with certain items and radiation.
Multiple species
Form differences
- Main article: List of Pokémon with form differences
Form differences are major variations that are officially recognized by the Pokédex.
Shiny Pokémon
- Main article: Shiny Pokémon
Shiny Pokémon are Pokémon with an alternate coloration. They are extremely rare. These Pokémon all have a shining animation at the beginning of the battle when they are sent out or encountered.
Shadow Pokémon
- Main article: Shadow Pokémon
Shadow Pokémon are Pokémon that have had the door to their heart shut artificially by Cipher. They are the only Pokémon capable of using Shadow moves.
Gender differences
- Main article: List of Pokémon with gender differences
From Generation IV onward, there are many Pokémon that appear differently as a result of their gender.
Of these, Unfezant, Frillish, Jellicent, Pyroar, and Meowstic differ so drastically that they even have separate menu sprites and artworks.
Regional forms
- Main article: Regional form
In Generation VII, regional forms made their debut with Alola Form Pokémon. Regional forms are Pokémon that have adapted uniquely to a habitat different than their species normally occupies in the rest of the world. This results in many differences, such as different appearances, types, and Abilities.
Giant Pokémon
- Main article: Giant Pokémon
Giant Pokémon are Pokémon that are much larger than usual.
Ancient giant Pokémon
Several ancient giant Pokémon appeared in The Ancient Puzzle of Pokémopolis. They were Gengar, Alakazam, and Jigglypuff. These Pokémon were all covered in tattoo-like marks.
Gengar emerged from a black dumbbell-like artifact, Alakazam emerged from a spoon-like artifact, and Jigglypuff emerged from an ancient bell.
Cloned Pokémon
- Main article: Cloning
Cloned Pokémon are Pokémon that have been artificially duplicated from another specimen. This process works on both living and fossilized specimens. Many of these clones are not identical to their original specimen: Mewtwo, Bulbasaurtwo, Charmandertwo, Squirtletwo, Pikachutwo, Venusaurtwo, Charizardtwo, Blastoisetwo, and Meowthtwo all display this.
Other known cloned Pokémon are Psyduck, Seadra, Tentacruel, Pidgeot, Scyther, Hitmonlee, Dewgong, Sandslash, Vaporeon, Golduck, Nidoqueen, Ninetales, Vulpix, Vileplume, Wigglytuff, Rapidash, and Rhyhorn.
Mewtwo, Venusaurtwo, Blastoisetwo, Sandslash, Vaporeon, Golduck, Nidoqueen, Ninetales, Vulpix, Vileplume, Wigglytuff, Rapidash, Rhyhorn
Mewtwo
Bulbasaurtwo, Charmandertwo, Squirtletwo
Pikachutwo
Venusaurtwo
Charizardtwo
Blastoisetwo
Meowthtwo
Baby Nidoqueen and Baby Rhyhorn born from clones
Mirage Pokémon
- Main article: Mirage Pokémon
Mirage Pokémon are holographic Pokémon created by Dr. Yung. They have only appeared in The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon.
Toy Pokémon
- Main article: Toy Pokémon
Toy Pokémon are Pokémon toys given self-awareness by Wonder Keys that appear in the Pokémon Rumble series. They are different to normal Pokémon in many ways; for example, they can only know two moves at a time.
Rusty Pokémon
- Main article: Rusty Pokémon
Over time Toy Pokémon rust, causing them to become Rusty Pokémon. Dark Rust can instantaneously rust Toy Pokémon. Rusty Pokémon can be restored using Glowdrops or the Rust Removal Spot.
Valencian Pokémon
In the episode Poké Ball Peril, a number of alternately colored Pokémon were seen on Valencia Island, including Butterfree, Raticate, Nidoran♂, Nidoran♀, Vileplume, Paras, and Weepinbell.
Butterfree
Raticate
Vileplume
Paras
Weepinbell
Pink Pokémon
In the episode In The Pink, all of the Pokémon native to Pinkan Island were shown to be colored pink, due to their diet of Pinkan Berries. Pink Pokémon seen on the island include Caterpie, Weedle, Pidgey, Rattata, Pikachu, Nidoran♀, Nidoran♂, Nidoking, Vileplume, Paras, Parasect, Venonat, Diglett, Mankey, Primeape, Bellsprout, Dodrio, Exeggutor, Rhyhorn and Rhydon.
Ash's Pikachu turned partially pink while eating Pinkan Berries.
Further pink Pokémon seen during Team Rocket's fantasy include Pidgeotto, Arbok, Oddish, Poliwhirl, Geodude, Weezing, Scyther and Electabuzz.
Caterpie, Mankey, Venonat, Weedle, Primeape
Rhyhorn
Rhydon, Exeggutor, Bellsprout, Vileplume, Mankey, Primeape
Paras, Diglett
Pidgey
Nidoran♀, Nidoran♂
Nidoking, Nidoran♂
Dodrio
Jessie's Arbok and James's Weezing (fantasy)
Electabuzz, Rattata, Bellsprout (fantasy)
Scyther, Venonat, Poliwhirl (fantasy)
Totem Pokémon
- Main article: Totem Pokémon
Totem Pokémon are wild Pokémon that serve as the final hurdle in all trials of the island challenge. They are larger and heavier than other Pokémon of the same species. At the start of battle, the Totem Pokémon is enveloped in a special aura which boosts its stats.
Individual species
Arbok
Several of Arbok's Pokédex entries state that there a number of variations of its face-like hood markings that differ between areas. Its Pokémon Yellow Pokédex entry mentions that there are six known patterns, but by the events of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, its Ultra Sun Pokédex entry mentions that there are known to be more than 20. Eight designs are known, but only four have appeared in the games, and only three of which appeared in main series games. In Pokémon Adventures, Arbok gains a special ability depending on its pattern.
The most common hood pattern has red, teardrop-shaped eyes outlined in black with yellow, elongated hearts inside, a black mouth, and a black arrow over the eyes, with two red dots near the tip and an upward-extending tail. This design appeared in the Generation I games and all games outside of Pokémon Emerald from Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen onward, the anime, the manga (except Agatha's Arbok in Pokémon Adventures), most TCG art, the FireRed and LeafGreen official art, Dream World art, and anime art. In the Pokémon Adventures manga, this is the "regenerative pattern" and is present on Koga's Arbok. These Arbok have a forked tongue and many fangs.
Arbok also has several hood variations with round eyes and a red mouth outlined in black. The most common variation of this has two black fangs descending onto its mouth, black eyebrows, and outward-pointing eyelashes. This design first appeared in the official Pokémon Red and Green artwork, and has also appeared in the Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald sprites, the TCG cards Arbok from Fossil, Arbok from Expedition, and Janine's Arbok from the VS set. These Arbok have a pointed tongue and four fangs.
Another hood variation with round eyes appeared in Gold, Silver, and Crystal. This pattern has no fangs or eyebrows, and its eyelashes point upward. It has also appeared in Pokémon Pinball and on the Arbok Coin in Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR!. These Arbok have a forked tongue and four fangs.
The final round-eye variation only appeared in Pokémon Ranger. This design has no eyelashes or fangs. A Y-shaped mark branches over each eye and connects to the middle to the mouth. The branches each have smaller, Y-shaped ends, between each of which resides a small black dot.
Arbok's conceptual art had three other hood designs, but these were only used in the Pokémon Adventures manga, in which Agatha's Arbok can change its markings to alter its powers. These are the speed, attack, and invulnerability patterns.
An evil-looking pattern was created by Mitsuhiro Arita solely for the TCG. Each red eye has a black mark in the center and flared outsides, and shares a combined yellow border. Its mouth represents a grin with eleven pointed, red teeth outlined in black. It is featured in the card Dark Arbok from the Team Rocket set.
Main pattern;
Regenerative pattern
Main circular pattern
Secondary circular pattern
Pattern from Pokémon Ranger
Conceptual art;
Invulnerability pattern
Conceptual art;
Attack pattern
Conceptual art;
Speed pattern
Dark Arbok (TCG)
Pikachu
- Main article: Pikachu variants
Almost every Pokémon medium has featured a different Pikachu variant, most notably Surfing and Flying Pikachu.
Vulpix
Several of Vulpix's Pokédex entries mention that newborn Vulpix only have a single white-colored tail. The tail then splits into six orange-colored tails as it matures, and eventually splits from their tips to increase in number even more.
Enta's Vulpix only has one tail in its debut in Enta Arrives at the Battle Frontier!. In the same chapter, its tails split into six.
A one-tailed Vulpix in Pokémon Battle Frontier
Shellder
Shellder can be either a bivalve shell or a spiral-shaped shell, depending on whether or not it is attached to a Slowpoke. Though impossible in the games, multiple Pokédex entries state that a Shellder can be detached from the Slowbro (making it devolve into a Slowpoke) or Slowking (making it lose its memory) it is attached to. This gives them a few more characteristics of Shellder variants than actual evolutions. However, because the Shellder is attached to and evolves with the Slowpoke, after evolution they are treated as one Pokémon. Slowbro's conceptual art depicted other variations, but they were never seen anywhere else.
Shellder
Spiral Shellder
Crown Shellder
Slowbro's conceptual art
Exeggcute and Exeggutor
Exeggcute are not always seen as a group of six; the number of heads an Exeggutor has also varies. Exeggutor's Pokédex entries state that, living in a good environment, more heads will grow in addition to the three it is usually seen with. Eventually, one of the heads will fall off and become a sole Exeggcute. This Exeggcute will telepathically communicate with others, in order to join and form a cluster of six. Until they are gathered, Exeggcute won't be able to maintain balance.
A single Exeggcute
A 5-headed Exeggutor
Kangaskhan
Kangaskhan's category in Japanese is "Parent and Child Pokémon", implying it consists of two beings. This is ratified by the fact that they are all born with a child in their pouch. The child is purple, and has not yet developed most of the features from its parent, having to stay in the pouch for 3 years. Although Kangaskhan's moves are performed by the parent, some TCG cards (Jungle Kangaskhan, Blaine's Kangaskhan, Aquapolis Kangaskhan, and EX FireRed & LeafGreen Kangaskhan) have attacks that involve or are performed by the child.
When Kangaskhan Mega Evolves into Mega Kangaskhan, the baby emerges from the mother's pouch and is noticeably matured.
Parent Kangaskhan
Child Kangaskhan
Mega Kangaskhan
Magikarp
In the game Pokémon: Magikarp Jump, Magikarp's scales come in many different patterns in addition to its usual standard and Shiny colorations. These patterns can be classified by groups, depending on how the Magikarp looks while it's still small-sized; a specific pattern arises when it becomes bigger. Which patterns can be caught depend on the Old Rod; the better, the more groups of patterns can be fished.
Standard
Skelly
Calico Orange/White
Calico Orange/White/Black
Calico White/Orange
Calico Orange/Gold
Orange Two-Tone
Orange Orca
Orange Dapples
Pink Two-Tone
Pink Orca
Pink Dapples
Gray Bubbles
Gray Diamonds
Gray Patches
Purple Bubbles
Purple Diamonds
Purple Patches
Apricot Tiger
Apricot Zebra
Apricot Stripes
Brown Tiger
Brown Zebra
Brown Stripes
Orange Forehead
Orange Mask
Black Forehead
Black Mask
Saucy Blue
Blue Raindrops
Saucy Violet
Violet Raindrops
Gold
Ditto copies
When some Ditto transform into another Pokémon, they take on a mild variant form of that Pokémon instead of an exact replica. This happens when Ditto is incapable of changing the face by memory, with the result being a deformed copy of the target Pokémon with a blank, beady-eyed expression.
This appearance was first present in one of Duplica's Ditto, both in the anime and in the Electric Tale of Pikachu manga. It was later seen in Ditto cards from the EX Delta Species expansion of the TCG, in a kind of Clefairy that appears in the Veilstone Game Corner, in Pokémon Snap with three Ditto disguised as Bulbasaur, and in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky in the Special Episode Here Comes Team Charm!.
The merchandise series Ditto Collection features Ditto transformed into a variety of other Pokémon while retaining its face.
Untransformed Ditto
Bulbasaur
Pikachu
Raichu
Clefairy
Vulpix
Alolan Vulpix
Jigglypuff
Gloom
Meowth
Poliwag
Machoke
Magnemite
Gengar
Voltorb
Electrode
Koffing
Magikarp
Lapras
Eevee
Vaporeon
Jolteon
Flareon
Omanyte
Snorlax
Dragonite
- Ditto Sentret.png
Sentret
Pichu
- Ditto Bellossom.png
Bellossom
Espeon
Umbreon
Sableye
Absol
Shaymin
Whimsicott
Eevee
In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, female partner Eevee have cream-colored flower shape (heart shapes on side view) at the tip of its tail. This trait is unique and isn't found on other female Eevee. In Pokémon Sword and Shield, the unique pattern is present on all female Eevee as a true gender difference.
Like its Pikachu counterpart, this Eevee doesn't evolve.
Male partner Eevee
- 133Eevee-Female LG.png
Female partner Eevee
Comparison of tail patterns
Snorlax
In Snorlax Snowman, several ice-blue Snorlax adapted to more frigid climates appeared.
Snorlax
Snorlax Snowmen
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). Some personality values can, however, produce the same apparent pattern from differing values. In Pokémon GO, 9 different numbered patterns of Spinda can be found and are registered as distinct forms in the Pokédex.
- Generation III core series
Personality value 001C00F0
in Ruby and Sapphire
Personality value 88888888
in Ruby and Sapphire
Personality value E3FDF3FD
in Ruby and Sapphire
Personality value FDE42A53
in Ruby and Sapphire
Personality value 00094289
in Emerald
Personality value 001C008A
in Emerald
Personality value 0029A280
in Emerald
Personality value 10232080
in Emerald
Personality value 102C3290
in Emerald
Personality value 102992A0
in Emerald
Personality value E2880098
in Emerald
Personality value 88FE9800
in Emerald
- Pokémon GO
Pattern 1
in Pokémon GO
Pattern 2
in Pokémon GO
Pattern 3
in Pokémon GO
Pattern 4
in Pokémon GO
Pattern 5
in Pokémon GO
Pattern 6
in Pokémon GO
Pattern 7
in Pokémon GO
Pattern 8
in Pokémon GO
Pattern 9
in Pokémon GO
- Other
Examples of Spinda in
the anime
Examples of Spinda in
Pokémon Adventures
Kecleon
A purple Kecleon is one of the two Kecleon Brothers in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series. He also appeared in the special episodes Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Team Go-Getters Out of the Gate! and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time & Darkness.
In The Kecleon Caper, a purple Kecleon nicknamed Reddy appeared under the ownership of Madison. This Kecleon differs in having normal frills, lips and eye rings.
Kecleon
Purple Kecleon
Unseen variants
Some variants have only been mentioned in Pokédex entries; Pokémon of these variants have not been shown in any Pokémon media.
- The Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum Pokédex entries for Weezing state that triplets of the species have been discovered. All Weezing have a third gas chamber, though it has no face.
- Mantyke's Pokédex entry in Pokémon Pearl says that the pattern on its back varies from region to region. While it has the same appearance in all Generation IV games (due to using the same sprites), the "face" in the Generation V and VI games appears wider; however, all Mantyke look the same within each game, regardless of origin.
Individual Pokémon
Pink Butterfree
- Main article: Pink Butterfree
A pink Butterfree appeared in Bye-Bye Butterfree and paired up with Ash's Butterfree, who then left his Trainer to go with her.
Ash's Butterfree
Pink Butterfree
Crystal Onix
- Main article: Crystal Onix
Crystal Onix is a special individual Onix that lives on Sunburst Island. Its body is made out of glass crystal. Due to being made out of crystal, it is no longer weak to Water-type attacks and instead weak to Fire-type attacks.
Onix
Crystal Onix
Shadow Mewtwo
In Pokkén Tournament, Shadow Mewtwo is a Mewtwo that had unwillingly merged with and become possessed by a Shadow Synergy Stone, causing its appearance to change. When Anne wields the power of the Synergy Stone contained in her brooch, Mewtwo is separated from the Shadow Synergy Stone and its appearance returns to normal.
Mewtwo
Shadow Mewtwo
Gold Sudowoodo
In All That Glitters is Not Golden!, a Trainer named Keenan owned a Sudowoodo that he had turned to gold during a science experiment, in an attempt to make Sudowoodo immune to Water-type attacks. The changes made to Sudowoodo were eventually reversed.
Sudowoodo
Golden Sudowoodo
Shadow Lugia
- Main article: Shadow Lugia
In Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, Shadow Lugia, also known as XD001, is a Lugia that had been so thoroughly corrupted by Cipher that its appearance changed. After Shadow Lugia is purified by Michael, its normal appearance is restored.
Lugia
Shadow Lugia
Fake Groudon
- Main article: Groudon (M06)
In Jirachi: Wish Maker, Butler created a mindless, evil Groudon using the power of his machine and Jirachi. This fake Groudon began to absorb all life in Forina until it was defeated by Jirachi.
Groudon
Fake Groudon
Green-crystal Deoxys
- Main article: Deoxys (M07)
One of the Deoxys that appeared in Destiny Deoxys had a green crystal instead of a purple one. It also had a green mark on its face instead of a purple one.
Purple-crystal Defense Forme Deoxys
Green-crystal Defense Forme Deoxys
The green crystal
Primal Dialga
- Main article: Primal Dialga
In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky, Dialga became Primal Dialga when it lost control of time due to the collapse of the Temporal Tower. Dialga can regain control of time and revert to its normal self if all the Time Gears are brought to the tower. As Primal Dialga, it is incapable of logical reasoning or showing mercy, only seeking self-preservation and preventing time from flowing properly.
Dialga
Primal Dialga
Z2
In the anime, Z2 has a blue core as its Core and in its 10% Forme instead of the red core shown in the official anime art of Zygarde's Formes.
Zygarde Core
Zygarde 10% Forme
Z2's Core
Z2's 10% Forme
Combined Pokémon
Venustoise
In The Ghost of Maiden's Peak, a Gastly, who had the ability to create illusions that were tangible enough to attack people, created a fusion of Venusaur and Blastoise to scare Bulbasaur and Squirtle, calling it a "Venustoise" (Japanese: フシギックス Fushigix).
Gastly's illusory Venusaur
Gastly's illusory Blastoise
Venustoise
Thu-Fi-Zer
- Main article: Thu-Fi-Zer
A combination of Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres made by Team Rocket in the Pokémon Adventures manga. The legendary birds were later freed.
Articuno
Zapdos
Moltres
Thu-Fi-Zer
Mismagius and Rayquaza
In Malice in Wonderland!, a real Mismagius merged with a Rayquaza illusion it created, giving Rayquaza the color palette and some features of Mismagius. It then attacked Ash and his friends.
Mismagius
Rayquaza
Mismagius and Rayquaza fusion
Tao trio
- Main article: List of Pokémon with form differences → Kyurem
Using the DNA Splicers, Kyurem has the ability to fuse with Reshiram or Zekrom, becoming White Kyurem or Black Kyurem, respectively.
Kyurem Dragon Ice |
White Kyurem Dragon Ice |
Black Kyurem Dragon Ice |
Necrozma
- Main article: List of Pokémon with form differences → Necrozma
Using the N-Solarizer or N-Lunarizer, Necrozma has the ability to fuse with Solgaleo or Lunala, becoming Dusk Mane Necrozma or Dawn Wings Necrozma, respectively.
Necrozma Psychic |
Dusk Mane Necrozma Psychic Steel |
Dawn Wings Necrozma Psychic Ghost |
