While it is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon, Zygarde has three forms: 10% Forme, 50% Forme, and Complete Forme.
Additionally, there are two basic components of Zygarde: Zygarde Cores, which act as the brains of Zygarde, and Zygarde Cells, which compose Zygarde's forms and are non-sentient. Neither Zygarde Cores nor Zygarde Cells can use moves or are useful in battles by themselves. They are stored inside a Zygarde Cube.
Zygarde 50% Forme was introduced in Pokémon X and Y. The Zygarde Cells, Zygarde Cores, Zygarde 10% Forme, and Zygarde Complete Forme were revealed in the October 2015 issue of CoroCoro magazine and later introduced in Pokémon Sun and Moon.
Zygarde is a green and black Pokémon whose form depends on the percentage of Zygarde Cores and Zygarde Cells it has gathered together. Zygarde's Cores and Cells do not have the power to battle alone and can only fight when combined to form Zygarde. Zygarde serves as the protector of the planet's ecosystem. Zygarde is shown to be capable of gathering the energy of the land and focus it on its foes, damaging them. It has the ability to divide its cells from its body temporarily, using them as weapons, either as arrows or waves. Zygarde usually stays out of the sight of others. It has been referred to as a "guardian of the ecosystem"[1] due to its role to defend the world's order and in Rhyhorn Charges, it has been reffered to as "Z". Zygarde keeps a close watch on the planet and on its two counterparts Xerneas and Yveltal, ensuring the equilibrium of the planet and the cycle of life and death are kept in check. Additionally it is capable of reversing the effects of its counterpart's abilities Fairy Aura and Dark Aura. Normally, Zygarde avoids getting involved in conflicts unless the ecosystem is in grave danger. Examples of it are battles between Xerneas and Yveltal and invasions from Ultra Beasts. As seen in Pokémon the Series, should Zygarde be affected by outside influence, its color changes from green to red.
Zygarde has three forms: 10% Forme, 50% Forme, and Complete Forme, which are composed of Zygarde Cores and Zygarde Cells.
10% Forme
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50% Forme
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Complete Forme
Zygarde Cores and Zygarde Cells
Zygarde Cores are individuals who can combine with Zygarde Cells to make a whole beingZygarde Cells flying towards a Zygarde Core
Zygarde Cores are the brains of the Zygarde, and a Zygarde may contain up to five Cores. A Zygarde Core is a small, green Pokémon with a gelatinous body. It has a large, round head with a beak-shaped protrusion on the front, a thin, hook-shaped tail, and a red hexagon suspended in its body. Within its head is a single eye with a black pupil; beside this eye is another white oval that may be a second eye.
The Zygarde Core remains in watch of the region, usually living in caves. The Cores have their own will and are sometimes able to act on their own. The Zygarde Core can send a signal to Zygarde Cells, commanding them to fly towards it to form Zygarde's body in order to protect the ecosystem.[2] Zygarde Cores are capable of absorbing sunlight to regain their strength, can speak telepathically, communicate with other Cores, and use the Cells to observe the ecosystem, as depicted in the Pokémon the Series: XY episode Love Strikes! Eevee, Yikes!. Zygarde Cores can also turn invisible.
Zygarde Cells make up every other part of Zygarde and appear nearly identical to the Zygarde Core. Unlike the Core, it has a flat body and head. It has a green pupil, a simpler, unhooked tail, and a darker green, more elongated hexagon within its midsection.
Zygarde Cells tend to be scattered around the Pokémon world, allowing the Zygarde Cores to observe the ecosystem, seeing through their eyes, as depicted in Love Strikes! Eevee, Yikes!. The Zygarde Cells form the rest of Zygarde's body and are only able to act on the Core's orders[2]. The Cells also have the ability to fly in amazing speed, allowing them to reach a Zygarde Core from far away. Even though they are scattered all over the world, they're extremely hard to find as they are almost always invisible.
The 10% Forme resembles a canine and has impressive speed
The 10% Forme has a relatively small canine body. It is primarily black with a green collar and a leash-like extension on its neck. Additional green markings include two hexagon markings on its chest, a small hexagon over each eye, the area around its mouth, and its front left paw. There is an elongated, red hexagon marking attached to the collar marking. Its eyes are white hexagons with no discernible pupils and there is a thin, white line on its forehead. On each of its legs are hexagonal extensions: two on the back of each elbow, one behind each knee, and two on each hip. One of the hip extensions is longer than the other on each hip. Zygarde 10% Forme also has razor-sharp teeth.
10% Zygarde is created when a Zygarde Core combines with only a tenth of the total Zygarde Cells. The 10% Forme is skilled at close range combat. It is also capable of running at speeds greater than 60 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour). A single Core acts as the brain for the 10% form. This allows it to take action separately from Zygarde's 50% Forme, which comprises its main body, for a short time before separating.[3]
The 50% Forme has a serpentine body with green and black markings. Most of its back, head, and neck are black, while the underbelly and the tip of its tail are green. Its eyes are made of four green hexagons, similar to an insect with compound eyes, and there is a thin, white line down the center of its face. Across the back of its neck is a large frill made of five long, flat protrusions that each have two small, green hexagons on them. There are three short tendrils on either side of its chest; they are black on the right and green on the left. Its tail also ends in five tendrils. It has many small, green hexagon markings on its body capable of glowing.
The 50% Forme of Zygarde is formed from half of its Cores and Cells reuniting. Zygarde is thought to monitor those who destroy the ecosystem from deep within its cave. This form of Zygarde is known to be both ruthless and merciless, destroying anyone who stands in its way. Zygarde can summon and control massive roots, which it can use to attack and cover areas, as depicted in the episode Down to the Fiery Finish!. In the same episode, it is shown to affect the weather by changing the sky to the color red.
Complete Forme
Zygarde Complete Forme's complex biology
The Complete Forme has a large, humanoid body with a long tail similar to Zygarde 50% Forme's body. There are several flat protrusions around its head and triangular protrusions around its neck. These protrusions create a crown shape. On its face are three white hexagonal marks: one in the middle of its forehead with a line through it and two that act as eyes. There are an additional five green hexagons on its face: four along the bottom and one in the middle of a short protrusion on top. Each shoulder has two serpentine wings protruding from it. The wings all have an undulating pattern and a hexagon near the tip: blue on the right side and red on the left. There are multiple white protrusions on its body: three on each hand acting as claws, one on each knee, and one and the front of each foot. Additionally, there are green hexagons surrounding its wrists and two under the white protrusions on its knees and feet. Its abdomen has a vertical, hexagonal pattern with a thin, white line on either side. Across its chest is a thin, zigzagging opening that when opened, reveals five hexagons colored red, orange, white, cyan, and blue, respectively.
The Complete Forme of Zygarde is formed when 100% of its Cells and Cores come together. Zygarde Complete Forme contains separate Cores for each of its wings and its tail. In this case, each Core can make decisions and act independently of the others.[4] In Forming a More Perfect Union!, Zygarde is shown capable of using the mouths of its tail and wings to propel itself by shooting beams out of them. In the same episode, Zygarde Complete Forme is shown to restore an unbalanced ecosystem and weather back to normal. The opening on its chest can radiate enough energy to destroy everything around it. This form only appears to neutralize huge threats to the ecosystem. Examples of it are Lysandre's Zygarde-like creature and UltraNecrozma.
Game data
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VI.
Its sharp fangs make short work of finishing off its enemies, but it's unable to maintain this body indefinitely. After a period of time, it falls apart.
Zygarde has three forms: 10% Forme, 50% Forme, and Complete Forme. Zygarde Cells and Zygarde Cores also appear in the story of the Generation VII games, but they are not catchable Pokémon or registered in the Pokédex; they make up Zygarde's forms and are not forms themselves.
In Generation VI, Zygarde's only form was 50% Forme (unnamed at the time).
Since Generation VII, all three forms are available. Zygarde's 10% Forme and 50% Forme can be changed with the help of external tools: the Reassembly Unit and the Zygarde Cube. Zygarde can enter its Complete Forme during battle, and only if it has the Ability Power Construct.
In Generation VI, Zygarde could only have Aura Break and had no forms.
In Generation VII, a Zygarde with Aura Break could be transformed by the Reassembly Unit. This machine could create a 10% or 50% Zygarde with Aura Break or upgrade a 10% Zygarde with Aura Break to 50%; it could also upgrade either to a 50% Zygarde with Power Construct.
Since Generation VIII, the Zygarde Cube's "Change form" function can change Zygarde with Aura Break between 10% Forme and 50% Forme. Its "Change Ability" function can also change its Ability to Power Construct.
The Zygarde Cube's "Change Forme"SMUSUM/"Change form" function can change Zygarde with Power Construct between 10% Forme and 50% Forme. Since Generation VIII, its "Change Ability" function can also change its Ability to Aura Break.
Any Zygarde with Power Construct will change to Complete Forme in battle if its HP drops below half. At the end of battle, a Complete Forme Zygarde will return to its original form with the same HP it ended the battle with (within its original form's maximum HP).
A Zygarde known by the code name Z2 by Team Flare appeared as a 50% Forme Zygarde in From A to Z!. It managed to escape Team Flare by using Land's Wrath. It appeared as a Zygarde Core during Meeting at Terminus Cave!, being contacted by Squishy.
Unlike Squishy's red core, Z2 has a blue core.
Other
A Zygarde appeared in The Legend of X, Y, and Z! during a flashback, where it was seen in its 50% Forme. In the flashback, it destroyed the kingdom ruled by Veofum with Land's Wrath.
Zygarde debuted in Hawlucha Attacks. It first appeared in Anistar City, where it was caught by Essentia. It was later used by her against Team Flare's enemies at Pokémon Village. Eventually, she started to rebel, prompting Lysandre to take direct control of Zygarde. When Xerneas and Yveltal reverted to their dormant forms, Zygarde lost the need to keep itself active and disintegrated.
Zygarde also played a notable role in the Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon arc. Having been sent to Alola to find it, Dexio and Sina hired Sun to gather the Zygarde Cells and Cores scattered around Alola. During the climax of the chapter, Zygarde used the Reassembly Unit on Route 16 to transform into its Complete Forme, before joining the battle against Necrozma at Mount Lanakila.
It is the only Pokémon with a base stat total of 708.
It has the highest base HP stat of all Ground-type Pokémon.
It is the only changeable form of a Pokémon with a different HP stat than the forms it changes from. This gives it several more unique traits:
Zygarde is the only Pokémon that can change its maximum HP total in battle.
Because the difference in HP is added to Zygarde's current HP, transformation into Zygarde Complete is the only way a Pokémon affected by Heal Block can heal itself.
Transformation back from Zygarde Complete is the only time a Pokémon's maximum HP can lower on its own.
Zygarde 10% Forme may be based on the wolf Fenrir. The green leash-like object around its neck could be based on Gleipnir, the rope that binds Fenrir. Its left front paw has a different color from the others, being green instead of black, which is possibly a reference to Fenrir biting off the god Týr's right hand in reprisal for being bound by him. This Forme could also draw inspiration from Garmr, the watchdog that guards Helheim's gate. In appearance, it resembles a Doberman Pinscher.
Zygarde 50% Forme's appearance is based on a serpent in the shape of the letter Z. It may also draw inspiration from Jörmungandr, a sea serpent that encircles the earth; and Níðhöggr, a dragon that gnaws at the roots of Yggdrasil, the world tree. Jörmungandr is said to “dwell in the world sea, encircling the Earth (Midgard),” which may allude to Zygarde's partial Ground typing (“Earth”) and the 50% Forme being the middle forme (“Midgard”). Its flat shape and wriggling movement may be inspired by the tsuchinoko, a Japanese cryptid, and its snakelike appearance may be inspired by nāga, a class of snake entities in South and Southeast Asian cultures.
Zygarde Complete Forme may be based on Hel, the ruler of Helheim, the realm of the dead in Nordic myth. The colors on its Complete Forme's chest match the colors of the real-world flag of France, the country which inspired the region of Kalos. These three colors match Kalos' pentagonal emblem that is split between three sections matching each section of Kalos' sub regions: blue on the left depicting Coastal Kalos, red on the right depicting Mountain Kalos, and white in the middle depicting central Kalos. The blue and red colors also match the colors of Xerneas and Yveltal. Design-wise, it resembles a humanoid giant mecha despite its organic basis; its light-up technological appearance, "transforming"/"combining" gimmick, and the face-like pattern on its chest are all tropes commonly used for fictional mecha.
Zygarde Cells and Zygarde Cores may be based on cells as well as flatworms (specifically planaria) and single-celled organisms such as slime molds and members of Euglena. Some planarians' ocelli also resemble eyes, which may have inspired the designs for the Cell and Core Zygarde. The hexagons within them may represent a cell nucleus.
Name origin
Zygarde begins with the letter Z, following the pattern established by Xerneas and Yveltal. It may also be derived from ζυγωτός zygōtos (Greek for joined) or zygote, garde (French for guard), and garðr (Old Norse for enclosure; realm).
In other languages
Language
Title
Meaning
Japanese
ジガルデ Zygarde
From Z, ζυγωτός zygōtos or zygote, garde, and garðr
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.
Gold Bottle Cap (100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Zygarde images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
Zygarde Cells
Zygarde Core
Zygarde 10% Forme
Shiny Zygarde 10% Forme
Zygarde Complete Forme
Zygarde Cell in Pokémon Adventures
Zygarde Core in Pokémon Adventures
Zygarde 10% Forme in Pokémon Adventures
Zygarde Complete Forme in Pokémon Adventures
