From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.
Palafin (Japanese: イルカマン Irukaman) is a Water-type Pokémon introduced in Generation IX.
It evolves from Finizen starting at level 38 when leveled up while connected with another player via the Union Circle.
Palafin transforms into its Hero Form when it is switched out from battle.
Biology
In its Zero Form, Palafin is a light blue cetacean Pokémon with the exact same physiology as its pre-evolution Finizen, except for a pink heart-shaped marking on its chest, surrounded by a larger white heart-shaped marking. Like Finizen, it has a pale bluish white coloration on its underbelly that extends to its lower jaw and eyes, as well as on its dorsal fin. Its eyes have two-tone blue and pink pupils, and it has a short snout, as well as a single blowhole atop its head. On the sides of its body are pale bluish white wave patterns. It has a pair of pectoral fins and a split tailfin, with a ring of water surrounding the base of its tail.
In its Hero Form, Palafin's physiology drastically changes, gaining considerable muscle mass and becoming able to stand on its tail fins. Its body is primarily dark blue with white colorations on its lower jaw, belly, sides, dorsal fin, and the bottom of its tail fins. The heart-shaped marking on its chest grows larger to resemble a shield and a cetacean's tail fin. Parts of its body are covered with water, forming gloves, a cape or cowl, and three tail rings. Its eyes are also covered with water, evoking a mask.
Palafin is known as the "Pelagic Protector". When it hears its allies calling for help, Palafin will change its appearance from its Zero Form to its Hero Form via its signature Ability, Zero to Hero. This transformation awakens its ancient genes, and is done in secret. Hero Form Palafin is strong enough to lift a cruise ship with just one fin, and is capable of swimming at speeds of 50 knots. It is known to save drowning people and Pokémon.
Palafin is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Jet Punch.
In the anime
Major appearances
Minor appearances
In the manga
Game data
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IX.
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Generation IX
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Paldea #292
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Zero Form
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Scarlet
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This Pokémon changes its appearance if it hears its allies calling for help. Palafin will never show anybody its moment of transformation.
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Violet
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Its physical capabilities are no different than a Finizen's, but when its allies are in danger, it transforms and powers itself up.
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Hero Form
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Scarlet
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This Pokémon’s ancient genes have awakened. It is now so extraordinarily strong that it can easily lift a cruise ship with one fin.
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Violet
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This hero of the ocean swims at a speed of 50 knots and saves drowning people and Pokémon.
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Game locations
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IX.
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In side games
Held items
Stats
Base stats
Zero Form
Stat
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Range
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At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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100
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160 - 207
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310 - 404
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70
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67 - 134
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130 - 262
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72
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69 - 136
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134 - 267
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53
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52 - 115
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99 - 225
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62
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60 - 125
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116 - 245
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100
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94 - 167
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184 - 328
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Total: 457
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- 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.
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Hero Form
Stat
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Range
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At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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100
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160 - 207
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310 - 404
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160
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148 - 233
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292 - 460
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97
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91 - 163
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179 - 322
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106
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99 - 173
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195 - 342
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87
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82 - 152
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161 - 300
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100
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94 - 167
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184 - 328
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Total: 650
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- 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.
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Type effectiveness
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Learnset
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Palafin
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Palafin
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Palafin
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution or an alternate form of Palafin
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Palafin
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Palafin
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Palafin
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Palafin
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Palafin
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Side game data
Evolution
Forms
Sprites
Trivia
- Zero Form Palafin is the only Pokémon with a base stat total of 457.
- Hero Form Palafin:
- is the only Pokémon with a base stat total of 650.
- has the highest base Attack stat of all Water-type Pokémon.
- Palafin has different cries depending on its form. In particular, Zero Form Palafin and its pre-evolution, Finizen, have identical cries.
Origin
Palafin seems to be based on a dolphin and a comic book superhero. Its Zero Form's relative lack of visual changes from its pre-evolution seems to be inspired by the trope of superheroes assuming civilian identities to keep their true identity a secret, while its Hero Form seems to represent the hero suiting up whilst unseen and emerging as a superhero. The names of its forms and Ability reference the term "going from zero to hero". The connection between dolphins and superheroes may be inspired by numerous real-life accounts of wild dolphins saving people in open seas.
Additionally, Palafin may be based on the Boto, a mythical South American creature that takes the form of an ordinary pink river dolphin, but can occasionally take a human form, and will join in human festivities. Eventually, the Boto must return to the water, and shapeshift back into an ordinary pink dolphin. Hero Form Palafin's Shiny coloration is reminiscent of the orca, a type of dolphin.
Palafin evolving from Finizen at level 38 may be a reference to 1938, the year Superman debuted.
Name origin
Palafin may be a combination of paladin or pal (since another player is needed to evolve it) and fin or delfín (Spanish for dolphin).
Irukaman may be a combination of 海豚 iruka (dolphin) and man, which is often used as a suffix for superhero codenames.
In other languages
Language
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Title
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Meaning
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Japanese
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イルカマン Irukaman
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From 海豚 iruka and man
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French
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Superdofin
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From super and dauphin or Dofin
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Spanish
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Palafin
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Same as English name
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German
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Delfinator
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From Delfin and Terminator
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Italian
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Palafin
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Same as English name
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Korean
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돌핀맨 Dolpinmaen
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From dolphin and man
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Mandarin Chinese
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海豚俠 / 海豚侠 Hǎitúnxiá
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From 海豚 hǎitún and 俠 / 侠 xiá
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Cantonese Chinese
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海豚俠 Hóityùhnhahp
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From 海豚 hóityùhn and 俠 hahp
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More languages
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Thai
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อิรุกะแมน Irukamaen
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Transcription of Japanese name
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Related articles
External links
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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.
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