Artificial Pokémon
- If you were looking for the Pokémon identified in its Pokédex entry as the "Artificial Pokémon", see Magearna (Pokémon).
In the Pokémon world, a great deal of advanced technology is shown to be used by humans. Among this technology is the ability to create artificial Pokémon—Pokémon that have not emerged naturally but have been created, either through experiments or indirect means.
Known artificial Pokémon
Voltorb and Electrode
Voltorb and, as such, Electrode, first appeared, according to several Pokédex entries, at the company where modern Poké Balls were developed (though this is contradicted by the fact that Hisuian Voltorb and Electrode appear in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, although it could only refer to their Kantonian counterparts). It is rumored that it was first created when a Poké Ball was exposed to a powerful pulse of energy. This theory is supported further by the fact that its internal components are not a natural occurrence.
Porygon, Porygon2, and Porygon-Z
Until the re-discovery of Golett, Porygon was thought to be the first Pokémon created deliberately. It is the first Pokémon deliberately created using modern technology, as the result of an experiment by the Cinnabar Lab in Kanto. Silph Co. possesses a report on the Pokémon, calling it the first "virtual-reality Pokémon." Because it is made up entirely of computer data, it can exist in cyberspace. According to some Pokédex entries, there is copy-protection data embedded in the program to prevent illegal reproduction, but because Porygon can be bred using Ditto, this is arguably ineffective. Porygon was developed to work in space, but it lacks this ability until evolving.
Porygon possesses two evolutions, both possible through artificial upgrades. Porygon2 evolves from Porygon when it is traded while holding an Upgrade. According to some Pokédex entries, it is designed to work in and explore space; despite this, it is unable to reach and explore other planets. Unlike its predecessor, Porygon2 is not limited to what is contained in its program—it is capable of learning.
Porygon2 evolves into Porygon-Z when traded holding a Dubious Disc. It is a modification of Porygon2, designed for travel between different dimensions. However, it did not work as planned, so it exhibits erratic behavior.
Mewtwo
Mewtwo is a powerful Legendary Pokémon, the result of gene-splicing experiments using the DNA of the Mythical Pokémon Mew. According to logs found in the Pokémon Mansion in Kanto, Mew "gave birth" to Mewtwo after an embryo had been developed. This is inconsistent with Pokémon traditionally being born from Eggs. It has a somewhat artificial appearance, most notably the tube protruding from the back of its neck. Like Mew, it harnesses powerful psychic energy. However, Mewtwo's power was amplified to exceed Mew's power to create the most powerful Pokémon in existence.
Baltoy and Claydol
Many of Claydol's Pokédex entries state that it and its pre-evolution, Baltoy, were originally clay figures created by ancient people. The figures came to life after being exposed to mystical rays.
Castform
Castform was created by scientists at the Weather Institute in Hoenn to help predict the weather. Because of this, it has the ability to change its form and type with the weather.
Banette
Banette is a plush doll that was thrown away and came to life due to its grudge over being disowned. It seeks the child who abandoned it. However, it is said that treating Banette nicely will satisfy it, causing it to turn back into a plush toy.
Trubbish and Garbodor
Trubbish's Pokédex entries say it was created when garbage and industrial waste mixed, causing a reaction that generated Trubbish. Garbodor, as its evolution, springs from the same source.
Golett and Golurk
Golett and Golurk were apparently created by an ancient civilization to protect people and Pokémon alike.
Genesect
Genesect, a Mythical Pokémon, was a different Pokémon many years ago. However, in Unova, Team Plasma reconstructed it from a Fossil to create the most powerful Pokémon ever. N cancelled the project due to his belief that a Pokémon modified by science would lose its pureness. One scientist, however, kept working on the project in secrecy, disagreeing with N's decision to cancel it. The scientist equipped Genesect with a metallic body, a cannon behind its head, and items known as drives which change the type of its signature move, Techno Blast.
Type: Null and Silvally
Type: Null was created by the Aether Foundation as part of its "Beast Killer" project - an initiative to create a Pokémon optimized for battling the Ultra Beasts by using cell cultures from all known types of Pokémon and combining their greatest strengths. Originally known as "Type: Full", the RKS System it was originally built with was intended to allow it to change types to adapt to any situation. When the three known models all rejected the RKS system and went berserk, the project was deemed a failure and they were placed into cryogenic stasis. The helmet Type: Null wears was made to stabilize the side-effects of the RKS System's rejection at the expense of suppressing its full power. When it evolves into Silvally, it deliberately destroys its helmet and becomes able to use the RKS System without losing control of itself. Silvally was named by Gladion, according to the Pokédex. Additional Type: Null are later created in Galar using stolen research notes.
Magearna
Magearna was created over 500 years ago by human hands. Incidentally, it's identified in its Pokédex entry as the "Artificial Pokémon".
Varoom and Revavroom
It is said that Varoom was born when an unknown poison Pokémon entered and inspirited an engine created by humans at a scrap-processing factory.
Future Paradox Pokémon
Future Paradox Pokémon appear to be robotic versions of known Pokémon:
- Miraidon is a robotic descendent of the Pokémon Cyclizar.
- Iron Treads is theorized to be a scientific weapon that uses extraterrestrial technology.
- Iron Moth is theorized to be an alien-controlled UFO sent to observe humanity.
- Iron Hands is theorized to be a cyborg modified from an athlete who was mortally wounded.
- Iron Jugulis is theorized to be a machine-Hydreigon hybrid, possibly the offspring between a Hydreigon and a robot.
- Iron Bundle is theorized to be a robot created by an ancient civilization.
- Iron Valiant is theorized to be a robot created by a mad scientist from the future in order to make the strongest Psychic-type of them all.
- Iron Leaves is theorized to be a Virizion from the future.
- Iron Boulder is theorized to be a Terrakion augmented by an evil organization.
- Iron Crown is theorized to be a cutting-edge weapon shaped like Cobalion.
Other Pokémon influenced by humans
Some Pokémon that formed naturally are shown to be altered in some way by human involvement.
Grimer and Muk
According to several Pokédex entries, Grimer and consequently Muk were created from human pollution in a stream exposed to X-rays from the moon. As they were created from genetic waste, Grimer and Muk are Poison-type Pokémon.
Deoxys
Deoxys is said to be a virus that fell from space while attached to a meteor. Once on Earth, this virus was mutated by accidental exposure to a laser beam which transformed it into a Pokémon. Its DNA remains unstable and it will mutate further when exposed to certain sources of extraterrestrial radiation.
In Pokémon Adventures, Deoxys is one of two specimens. These specimens were used by Team Rocket to develop Deoxys similar to Mewtwo.
Burmy and Wormadam
Burmy create outer cloaks out of their habitat. This may be composed of natural materials, as seen in its Plant Cloak or Sandy Cloak, or of artificial insulation as seen in its Trash Cloak. Burmy's cloak will change depending on the location of its last battle.
A female Burmy with the Trash Cloak will evolve into Trash Cloak Wormadam, with the same artificial cloak it had as a Burmy. Unlike with Burmy, however, Wormadam's cloak is permanent.
Spiritomb
Spiritomb were once 108 separate entities whose sins caused their spirits to be bound together into the Odd Keystone as this Pokémon. The Keystones were then separated from the Hallowed Tower, which triggers Spiritomb's release.
Rotom
Rotom can possess microwaves, washing machines, refrigerators, electric fans, lawnmowers, and even certain Pokédexes.
Yamask
Yamask arose from the souls of dead people becoming attached to their respective death masks.
Alolan Rattata and Raticate
Rattata and Raticate in Alola were booming in population until Yungoos were imported as a control measure. As a result, they changed their habitat, settling in urban areas and becoming nocturnal - which gave it an additional Dark type and changed its appearance. Due to the new environment, Rattata and Raticate indulged themselves in richer, high-calorie foods, which made Raticate fatter and have puffier cheeks.
Alolan Meowth and Persian
Meowth were imported to Alola as a gift to royalty. Due to its pampered and luxurious lifestyle, Meowth grew greedy and selfish, becoming a pure Dark-type and changing its appearance, later becoming feral and more common in the wild after the monarchy in Alola fell and left it living on the streets. Its prideful nature continued upon evolution as a Persian and its distinct and round face is revered by the people of Alola.
Alolan Grimer and Muk
When Alola became more populated, Grimer were imported to deal with the garbage problem. Upon feeding on Alola's garbage, Grimer changed appearance and gained an additional Dark typing. The continual consumption of toxins also changed the appearance and typing of Muk, whose appetite now extends to anything within reach and has produced a new toxin from the accumulation of waste and manufactured materials.
Galarian Meowth and Perrserker
The bodies of Meowth in Galar were toughened into iron by their lifestyle alongside a seafaring people. This influenced its evolution, as it evolves into Perrserker instead of Persian.
Galarian Weezing
In the past, when there were a lot of factories that polluted the air in Galar, Weezing fed on the air pollution. This resulted in Weezing changing its appearance and gaining an additional Fairy typing. Galarian Weezing can create clean air by absorbing polluted air and removing the toxins in it.
Galarian Fossil Pokémon
Dracozolt, Arctozolt, Dracovish, and Arctovish are four Galarian Fossil Pokémon revived by combining two different Fossils together. As such, their bodies feature many abnormalities that make it difficult for these Pokémon to live well. It is unknown what they looked like when they were alive in their proper forms.
Hisuian Voltorb and Electrode
In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Hisuian Voltorb and Electrode are introduced, which resemble Poké Balls from the time period, have a more natural appearance, and despite Poké Balls having not been invented yet they have existed since at least the time of the ancient hero. Professor Laventon notes that the tissues on Hisuian Electrode's surface are similar to that of an Apricorn.
