Prinplup (Japanese : ポッタイシ Pottaishi ) is a Water-type Pokémon introduced in Generation IV .
It evolves from Piplup starting at level 16 and evolves into Empoleon starting at level 36.
Biology
Prinplup is a blue, penguin -like Pokémon . It is mostly dark blue with light blue facial markings, wing tips, and lower body. Its eyes are blue and it has a short yellow beak with a small point above it. Two large, yellow ridges extend from its beak over the back of its head and meet just above the nape of its neck. On its body are four large, white spots that resemble buttons. Instead of arms, it has long, sturdy, flipper-like wings that are capable of knocking over and snapping trees. It has short legs with yellow, three-toed feet.
Prinplup has a high sense of self-pride, which prevents it from forming groups of its own kind. This Pokémon can be found in icy waters, where it hunts for prey. Prinplup can swim gracefully in the cold seas. Its singing voice has been compared to a roaring tide.
Evolution
Prinplup evolves from Piplup and evolves into Empoleon .
(For specifics on this Pokémon's Evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data .)
Game data
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation IV
Sinnoh #008
Johto #—
Diamond
It lives alone, away from others. Apparently, every one of them believes it is the most important.
Pearl
Its wings deliver wicked blows that snap even the thickest of trees. It searches for prey in icy seas.
Platinum
Because every Prinplup considers itself to be the most important, they can never form a group.
HeartGold
It lives a solitary life. Its wings deliver wicked blows that can snap even the thickest of trees.
SoulSilver
Generation V
Unova #—
Black
Because every Prinplup considers itself to be the most important, they can never form a group.
White
Black 2
Because every Prinplup considers itself to be the most important, they can never form a group.
White 2
Generation VI
Kalos #—
Hoenn #—
X
It lives alone, away from others. Apparently, every one of them believes it is the most important.
Y
It lives a solitary life. Its wings deliver wicked blows that can snap even the thickest of trees.
Omega Ruby
It lives alone, away from others. Apparently, every one of them believes it is the most important.
Alpha Sapphire
It lives a solitary life. Its wings deliver wicked blows that can snap even the thickest of trees.
Generation VIII
Galar #—
Sinnoh #008
Hisui #162
This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Sword and Shield .
Brilliant Diamond
It lives alone, away from others. Apparently, every one of them believes it is the most important.
Shining Pearl
Its wings deliver wicked blows that snap even the thickest of trees. It searches for prey in icy seas.
Legends: Arceus
It swims gracefully through the frigid sea and sings with a voice like the roaring tide. It has powerful, sturdy wings and dignity to match.
Generation IX
Paldea #—
Kitakami #—
Blueberry #198
Scarlet
It lives a solitary life. Its wings deliver wicked blows that can snap even the thickest of trees in half with a single hit.
Violet
Because every Prinplup considers itself to be the most important, they can never form a group.
Game locations
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
In side games
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation VIII
This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation VIII side games.
Held items
Stats
Base stats
Stat
Range
At Lv. 50
At Lv. 100
64
124 - 171
238 - 332
66
63 - 129
123 - 254
68
65 - 132
126 - 258
81
77 - 146
150 - 287
76
72 - 140
141 - 276
50
49 - 112
94 - 218
Total:
405
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
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
Learnset
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Prinplup
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Prinplup
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 Prinplup
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution or an alternate form of Prinplup
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 Prinplup
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Prinplup
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Prinplup
Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Prinplup
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Prinplup
Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations
Side game data
Evolution data
Sprites
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Other sprites
Platinum intro's sprite
In the anime
Prinplup in the anime
Main series
Major appearances
A Prinplup appeared in Getting the Pre-Contest Titters , under the ownership of Kenny . In the following episode , it battled Dawn's Piplup . In Last Call — First Round! , it was revealed to have evolved into an Empoleon by the time of the Sinnoh Grand Festival .
Other
Prinplup debuted in Dawn Of A New Era! . Three young Trainers stopped by at a Pokémon Center with their first partner Pokémon , but the girl of that group had a Prinplup.
Minor appearances
Pokédex entries
Episode
Pokémon
Source
Entry
DP004
Prinplup
Dawn's Pokédex
Prinplup, the Penguin Pokémon, and the evolved form of Piplup. A strike of its wings can be harmful as it searches the oceans for prey.
DP026
Prinplup
Ash's Pokédex
Prinplup, the Penguin Pokémon, and the evolved form of Piplup. One blow from its wings is strong enough to knock down trees.
Pokémon Evolutions
Prinplup in Pokémon Evolutions
A Prinplup appeared in The Rival under the ownership of Barry , having evolved from his Piplup . It was used to battle Jupiter and her Skuntank at Lake Acuity and was eventually defeated. It later evolved into Empoleon .
In the manga
Prinplup in Pokémon Adventures
Pokémon Adventures
Main article: Platinum's Prinplup
Platinum had a female Prinplup after her Piplup evolved in Eterna City in Ring Around the Roserade I . She has since evolved into an Empoleon.
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!
Main article: Hareta's Prinplup
Prinplup makes a brief appearance after Hareta's Piplup evolves after its Everstone is removed in (Violent) Earthquake! Cyrus's Consuming Ambition . It then quickly evolves into Empoleon .
Pokémon + Nobunaga's Ambition ~ Ranse's Color Picture Scroll ~
A Prinplup appeared in PNA4 .
In the TCG
Main article: Prinplup (TCG)
Trivia
Prinplup shares its category with its pre-evolved form and Eiscue . They are all known as the Penguin Pokémon.
Origin
Prinplup is based on a penguin . The crests on its head suggest it may be based on a species of crested penguin . Prinplup's body looks like it is clothed in a tailcoat adorned with buttons, often likened to the black and white plumage of penguins.
Name origin
Prinplup may be a combination of prince and plup (sound of a pebble hitting water).
Pottaishi may be a combination of ぽちゃぽちゃ pochapocha (sound of a pebble splashing in water) and 皇太子 kōtaishi (crown prince).
In other languages
Language
Title
Meaning
Japanese
ポッタイシ Pottaishi
From ぽちゃぽちゃ pochapocha and 皇太子 kōtaishi
French
Prinplouf
From prince and plouf
Spanish
Prinplup
Same as English name
German
Pliprin
From plip and Prinz
Italian
Prinplup
Same as English name
Korean
팽태자 Pengtaiza
From penguin and 황태자 (皇太子) hwangtaeja
Mandarin Chinese
波皇子 Bōhuángzǐ
From 波 bō and 皇子 huángzǐ or 皇太子 huángtàizǐ
Cantonese Chinese
皇子 Bōgwòhngjí
From 波 bō and 皇子 wòhngjí or 皇太子 wòhngtaaijí
More languages
Hindi
प्रिंगपु Pringpu
From prince
Thai
โพจไทชิ Photthaichi
Transcription of Japanese name
See also
External links
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.