Pokémon

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Gotta Catch 'em All!

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For detailed information about this series, visit Bulbapedia.

Background

Pokémon is a series of video games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company under the Pokémon media franchise. Created by Satoshi Tajiri with assistance from Ken Sugimori, the first games, Pocket Monsters Red and Green, released in 1996 in Japan for the Game Boy, later released outside of Japan as Pokémon Red and Blue and the main series of role-playing video games, referred as the "core series" by their developers, have continued on each generation of Nintendo's handhelds.

The core games are released in generations, each with different Pokémon, storylines, and characters. Remakes of the games are usually released around a decade after the original versions for the latest console at the time. While the main series consists of RPGs developed by Game Freak, many spin-off games based on the series have been developed by various companies, encompassing other genres such as action role-playing, puzzle, fighting, and digital pet games.

Pokémon is the world's largest media franchise, with successful anime series, movies, and merchandise, with spin-off game Pokémon Go having crossed 1 billion mobile game downloads worldwide. By November 24, 2017, more than 300 million Pokémon games had been sold worldwide on handheld and home consoles, across 76 titles, including spin-offs. As of March 2021, the series has sold over 380 million units worldwide. This makes Pokémon the fourth best-selling video game franchise, behind Nintendo's own Mario franchise, Tetris and Call of Duty.

Power of the Verse

Pokémon will vary extremely in terms of strength, speed, and abilities. The most consistent thing is all Pokemon are superhuman in strength, speed, and durability, with some of the higher level pokemon being comparable to legendaries capable of stopping meteors and saving the world from world ending threats. Some of the abilities include Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Non-Standard Interaction, Intangibility, Incorporeality, Water Manipulation, Ice Manipulation, Earth Manipulation, Metal Manipulation, Fire Manipulation, Magma Manipulation, Inorganic Physiology, Self-Sustenance, Water Walking, Flight, Power Modification, Power Nullification, Air Manipulation, Poison Manipulation, BFR, Energy Projection, Light Manipulation, Power Bestowal, Power Mimicry, Regeneration, Status Effect Inducement, Empathic Manipulation, Pain Manipulation, Spike Manipulation, Resurrection, Mind Manipulation, Sound Manipulation, Homing Attack, Corrosion Inducement, Electricity Manipulation, Electromagnetism Manipulation, Gravity Manipulation, Soul Manipulation, Pocket Reality Manipulation, Damage Transferal, Rage Power, Adaptation, Dream Manipulation, Duplication, Afterimage Creation, Forcefield Creation, Invulnerability, Absolute Zero, Absorption, Extrasensory Perception, Resistance Manipulation, Morality Manipulation, Probability Manipulation, Supernatural Luck, Sheer Will, Fear Manipulation, etcetera.

Terms

Pokémon: Pokémon (Japanese: ポケットモンスター Pocket Monsters; ポケモン Pokémon for short) are fictional creatures that are central to the Pokémon franchise. There are currently 898 known species that inhabit the Pokémon world; however, it is implied that there are more waiting to be discovered. Inherent to them are several fantastic powers not demonstrated by most real animals, such as the manipulation of elements/aspects of life, such as electricity or fire. Pokémon are shown to exist instead of animals in their world, although animals are also seldom seen in older media. While most Pokémon resemble animals and may behave like them, there are many that do not resemble animals at all, taking on other forms such as plants, inanimate objects, machines, human-like forms, or other more enigmatic and exotic appearances. Pokémon inhabit an extremely diverse range of habitats, ranging from the driest deserts to the lushest jungles, the deepest oceans to the highest mountains and everything else in-between, even outer space and other dimensions. Pokémon take up various ways of living in those places. However, all can be befriended and made into potential allies. Many Pokémon are able to evolve from or into other Pokémon, a process that typically makes them larger and stronger, and more closely resembles growth and development or metamorphosis rather than evolution in the real world. Pokémon typically know several techniques that they can use in battle or elsewhere, either to defend themselves or their Trainer, or to perform a task. In the anime, most Pokémon are known only to say their name. In the games, each Pokémon has a distinct voice associated with each species.
- Legendaries: Legendary Pokémon (Japanese: 伝説のポケモン Legendary Pokémon) are a group of incredibly rare and often very powerful Pokémon, generally featured prominently in the legends and myths of the Pokémon world. Legendary Pokémon are usually encountered as interactable or roaming Pokémon. Starting in Platinum, legendary Pokémon will reappear when the player defeats the Champion if the Pokémon fainted earlier. The Sex of most Legendary Pokémon is unknown (though there are nine notable exceptions: Latios, Latias, Heatran, Cresselia, Tornadus, Thundurus, Landorus, Kubfu, and Urshifu). In the core series games, no Legendary Pokémon can breed or hatch from an Egg. With the exception of Type: Null, Cosmog, and Kubfu, and their respective evolutionary families, Legendary Pokémon cannot evolve, although many are able to change form and are part of a duo or trio. Much like starter Pokémon appear at the beginning of each regional Pokédex and their generation's portion of the National Pokédex, Mythical Pokémon typically appear at the very end, and Legendary Pokémon immediately before them.
- Mythicals: Mythical Pokémon (Japanese: 幻のポケモン Illusory Pokémon) are a group of Pokémon seen so rarely in the Pokémon world that some question their very existence. In Japanese media, Mythical Pokémon and Legendary Pokémon have always been presented as distinct groups. In non-Japanese media prior to Generation V, Mythical Pokémon and Legendary Pokémon were both considered to be Legendary Pokémon (and the term Mythical Pokémon was unused, with some fans calling Mythical Pokémon "Event Legendaries", reflecting how they usually must be obtained at an event, but they are not a subset of them); since Generation V, the two groups are presented as distinct groups in all official media. In Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, Mythical Pokémon are referred to as rare Pokémon. Mythical Pokémon are regarded as among the rarest in Pokémon world mythology. Some are seemingly unknown to most people, while others are thought of as stuff of legends. They typically receive minimal exposure during normal gameplay, usually alluded to in vague hints. They are then revealed to players months or years after the debut of their respective generation. Upon being revealed, they are celebrated across the numerous media, often starring in movies and being featured prominently in merchandise. When they are first revealed, Mythical Pokémon cannot be obtained in the core series games in the course of normal gameplay. They can typically only be obtained by Mystery Gift (either directly, or using an event item). They are distributed to players via Mystery Gift on special occasions such as screenings of Pokémon movies, events in retail stores, online distributions, and the Pokémon 20th Anniversary, or may be received via spin-off games that feature special connectivity. With few exceptions, Mythical Pokémon have never been obtainable in regular gameplay. The Sex of every Mythical Pokémon is unknown. Almost all Mythical Pokémon cannot evolve, with the exception of Meltan, and most cannot breed, although Manaphy and Phione can be bred with Ditto to produce Phione Eggs. Much like starter Pokémon appear at the beginning of each regional Pokédex and their generation's portion of the National Pokédex, Mythical Pokémon typically appear at the very end, and Legendary Pokémon immediately before them. The Mythical Pokémon Victini is the only exception, which appears at the start of the Unova Pokédex as #000, coming before the region's starter Pokémon in the Pokédex. No Mythical Pokémon is required to complete the Pokédex for the Diploma, except in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, which require the player to obtain Deoxys to complete the National Pokédex Diploma due to it being available as part of the Delta Episode.

Z-Moves: A Z-Move (Japanese: Ｚワザ Z-Move) is a special type of move exclusive to the Generation VII games Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, in which a Trainer and their Pokémon's wishes combine to unleash an attack comprising the full power of both. These moves are very powerful, but they can only be used once per battle, unless Z-Rotom Power is used. There are three different kinds of Z-Moves: Z-Moves which can be used by any Pokémon, with one Z-Move for each of the 18 types; status moves that have been turned into Z-Moves by one of the 18 type-specific Z-Crystals; and Z-Moves that can only be used by specific Pokémon. The Z-Move that a Pokémon can perform depends on the Z-Crystal it holds. There are 18 different Z-Crystals that correspond to each of the 18 types, and several others that correspond to specific Pokémon. Z-Moves work by powering up one of the Pokémon's normal moves, so the Pokémon must also know an appropriate move. For the type-related Z-Crystals, the Pokémon must know a move of the same type as the Z-Crystal it is holding. For the Pokémon-specific Z-Crystals, the move required differs for each Pokémon.

Mega Evolution: Mega Evolution (Japanese: メガシンカ Mega Evolution) is a temporary transformation introduced in Generation VI that affects certain Pokémon. Mega-Evolved Pokémon are identified by having "Mega" in front of their name. In the core series, Mega Evolution requires the player to hold a Key Stone and a Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution holding its compatible Mega Stone (except in Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! in which the player simply needs to have the Mega Stone in their bag). While Mega Evolution is also available in the Generation VII games, including in Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! (Despite being based in Kanto), it has been removed from Pokémon Sword and Shield, due to the lack of Key Stones and Mega Stones. In order to Mega Evolve, most Pokémon must be holding their appropriate Mega Stone and the Trainer must have a Key Stone. Only Rayquaza does not need a Mega Stone to Mega Evolve; instead, it must know the move Dragon Ascent.

Types: Types (Japanese: タイプ Type) are properties for Pokémon and their moves. As of Generation VI, there are 18 types, as listed to the right. Most of these were introduced during Generation I, but the Dark and Steel types were introduced in Generation II and the Fairy type was introduced in Generation VI. A unique ??? type also existed from Generations II through IV. During Generation I, types were occasionally referred to as elements. The types are based on the concept of classical elements in popular culture. A Pokémon may have either one or two types: For instance, Charmander is a Fire type, while Bulbasaur is both a Grass type and a Poison type. With the current 18-type system, there are a total of 324 possible ways to assign types to Pokémon, with 171 unique combinations. As of Generation VIII, 154 different type combinations have been used. Similar to Pokémon, Pokéstar Studios opponents also have types. A move has exactly one type. The type of a damaging move typically defines which types of Pokémon it is super effective against, which types of Pokémon it is not very effective against, and which types of Pokémon it is completely ineffective against. (Uniquely, Flying Press is a Fighting-type move but has the type effectiveness of both a Fighting- and Flying-type move.) If the type of a move matches one of the types of the Pokémon using it, it gains a boost in power.

Dynamax: Dynamax (Japanese: ダイマックス Daimax) is a temporary transformation affecting Pokémon that was introduced in Generation VIII. Trainers who obtain a Dynamax Band are able to Dynamax their Pokémon. According to Professor Magnolia, the Pokémon distorts space to change its size while affecting the world around them. This transformation has another special variant known as Gigantamax. Dynamaxing increases a Pokémon's size drastically, as well as changing the moves of the Pokémon and increasing their HP in battle (except for Shedinja), but can only be used once during a battle, and ends after three turns or if the user is switched out. In addition, it can only be performed in areas known to have Power Spots, such as Galar's Gym Stadiums, Battle Court, and Battle Tower. When Dynamaxed, all of the Pokémon's moves will turn into Max Moves that correspond to those moves' types and categories. Like with Mega Evolution, Dynamax is activated at the start of the turn before all other moves are executed. If a Dynamax Pokémon runs out of PP of one move, it still can be selected but fails; if it is unable to use any moves (e.g., running out of PP), it will use Struggle. In a Max Raid Battle, the wild Pokémon is a Dynamax Pokémon for the entire duration of the battle. Only one of the Trainers' Pokémon can Dynamax during a Max Raid Battle, and only for the standard three turns. The first Trainer with the chance to Dynamax is the host, with the chance passing to the next player who joined until it returns to the first player.

Gigantamax: Gigantamax (Japanese: キョダイマックス Kyodaimax) is a special kind of Dynamax introduced in Generation VIII. Like other Dynamaxing, Gigantamaxing increases a Pokémon's size drastically and its HP in battle. Only certain species of Pokémon can Gigantamax, and when they do, their appearance changes significantly, unlike regular Dynamaxing. As revealed by Professor Magnolia, the Pokémon distorts space to change its size while affecting the world around them while altering their appearance drastically. In its Gigantamax form, a Pokémon can use a G-Max Move. Each G-Max Move is exclusive to a specific species of Gigantamax Pokémon. All of a Gigantamax Pokémon's moves of a certain type turn into G-Max Moves instead of their corresponding Max Move. Outside of G-Max Moves, Gigantamax is functionally identical to Dynamax; Pokémon's HP increases according to its Dynamax Level, while all other stats and its Ability remain the same.

Canon

Overall all Pokemon continuities are apart of the same multiverse, the anime is directly noted to be a parallel world to the games and even uses some of GameFreak's confidential documents for lore. However, there are some innate differences between continuities where it's hard to realistically say what one is capable of doing in the Pokemon anime they're capable of doing in the games. This ranges from moves working^[1] (leer makes one dizzy in the anime from staring at the opponent while the games description of leer is that them frightening the foe drops their defense) completely differently^[1](Bonemerang only gets thrown once when it has been consistently an attack that attacks twice in the game) from the games^[2] (Quick Attack is used here not as an attack but a means to get closer to the Geodude, while in the games it's a priority first hit move) and can't even really match the games descriptions^[2] (Thunder is charged from Pikachu and shoots outwards when when it's consistently a thunder bolt dropped on an opponent), to ground types being^[3] able to be affected by electric types^[2] (another example can be found in this video with Ash's Pikachu harming a Rhydon). There are dozens of other examples too from incorrect lore/backstory to Pokemon using more then four moves, to PP basically nto being a thing and onwards.

Due to this, while it is accepted all of these are in the same Multiverse and some are even parallel to each other, they are considered capable of doing things within their own continuities. There are very loose usages of cross-continuities such as if it's lore consistent across all of them, as an example, Mewtwo being considered one of the strongest legendaries, if not the strongest legendary.

Game Continuity

All of the games asides from the Pokemon TCG game on Gameboy^[4], as that's within the Pokemon Trading Card continuity.

PMD may have been a point of contention, however, in interviews it is effectively treated as having many similarities it's just in a different timeline. Which is already a thing with most Pokemon games, so feats and abilities from there are perfectly usable.

Origins/Evolution/Generations Continuity

Pokemon Origins/Generations/Evolution is technically its own continuity but also made to be direct adaptations of the games^[5]. Thus while they are their own continuity, they can borrow from the game and the game can borrow from it. They also act more consistent with the games, with actual health bars and moves not being very effective being acknowledged^[6].

Anime Continuity

The primary Pokemon anime and the movies. Pokemon Horizons would also be included for reference as it's a direct sequel to the primary anime. Same with Pokemon Chronicles. Some example differences from the game can be found here. Pokemon I Choose You is a separate universe, though overall apart of the anime continuity.

Manga Continuities

The mangas would be their own continuities, Pokémon: The Electric Tale of Pikachu and Pokemon Adventures aren't the same as an example. Though obviously if there's direct connections then they will be considered within the same continuity.

Trading Card Game Continuities

The Trading Card Games have their own completely separate type system, and work more similarly to Yugi-Oh battles^[4]. Moves also have completely different affects based off what the cards dictate.

Verse Scaling

Overall Tiering

Early Game
Early game is as soon as the game starts to whatever the mid-game point is of the game.

9-B

Wall level (Buster) (Pokemon in Legends Arceus can break apart large boulders overtime, including Magikarp^[7]. Weaker Pokemon like Cosmog can cause explosions that destroy an entire wooden bridge^[8]. Magikarp has one of the weakest attack stats and even with stats this low it can crater the ground with splash^[9] can break trees in half over time^[9] can break parts of a boulder overtime^[9], broke a frozen tree in half over time^[9])

Mid Game
Mid game is honestly harder to pin-point since there's no real definitive way to define a "mid-game" for Pokemon games, the basic generalization in mind is middle gyms and dealing with the Evil Team of the game, exlucing stories where the Evil Team stay until the end game. If you want an idea of how to decide a mid-game, this page also had an overall generalization of different level gaps for what would be classified as early, mid, and late game. Though this is more specific to Scarlet and Violet's path.

Building level (Potency) (Mid-Game Pokemon should generally have attack stats greater then Rhyhorn as they are naturally in wild habitats with Rhyhorn, such as the safari zone^[10], who can collapse and topple buildings through tackling)

End Game

End Game is pretty much the Pokemon League or Pokemon League adjecents of the games without one. This is typically the tiering given for Champion level characters.

6-B

Country level (Potency) (Only Champion level Pokemon and trainers are allowed within Cerulean Cave due to how dangerous the Pokemon are in there^[11], with this being in reference to Mewtwo^[12], being noted to have its battle abilities raised to the ultimate ability^[13], and referred to as the most powerful Pokemon of all in the Mystery Dungeon games^[14], putting it relative if not above Rayquaza, who destroyed a meteor that was of this size^[15] that Xatu described as something that messes with the very balance of the world and would cause great destruction if it hit^[16])

Mega Legendaries
Mega Legendaries are beyond even End Game statuses for Pokemon. It was noted by Zinnia that if the meteor that they need Mega Rayquaza to destroy existed in a world without Mega Evolution^[17] everyone would be dead as no Pokemon could stop it^[17].

At least High 6-A

At least Multi-Continent level (Potency) (Mega Legenadries should be relative to Mega Rayquaza, who was able to destroy a meteor that^[17] was so much larger then any other meteor it would "break the world forever"^[17])

For Trainers and their Pokemon

Trainers and their Pokemon get the tiering mentioned above however, specifically through bonds for tiers beyond 8-C. For example, Cereluean Cave is noted to be dangerous but it's filled with Pokemon like Ditto but that wouldn't make sense at all to say Cereluean Cave Ditto is relative to Mewtwo^[11], especially when in reality the statement is realistically meant to reference Mewtwo. Though one can still be harmed by wild Pokemon even as a champion level trainer, so how does one reconcile this? It's that Trainers and their Pokemons have two separate tiers: One when they're not in a serious fight so against a wild Pokemon, where they're at the standard tier and one with their bonds. It's noted by Cyrus that one can turn their bonds with their Pokemon into strength^[18], so it would make sense for immense bond levels of amplification like this to be during serious situations. Even the Mega Rayquaza scene in question required that. There's also implications that trainer Pokemons can easily take on hoards of wild Pokemon to further showcase they shouldn't be treated as relative. Pokemon Origins which adapts the Mewtwo fight has it where Red's Charizard is actually harming Mewtwo and then through Red and Charizard's bond they Mega Evolve to take down Mewtwo. So Bonds are shown to be something applicable when they're taking on more serious threats. Thus trainer mons and trainers should get a X tier normally. X tier with bonds.

I know a potential counterargument is you can catch a random Pokemon and they can normally be around the same tier as the rest of your team but it's clear the narrative isn't thinking of this. For example, you COULD catch and make an entire team of wild mons at Victory Road to take down the entire Pokemon League in Pokemon Red/Blue/Green/Fire Red/Leaf Green and Oak will still always tell Blue he lost because of your bond with your Pokemon. So it's clear that's not really an in-universe narrative thing being acknowledged.

So the tiers would work as follows:

Early Game: At least 9-B. Far Higher with Bonds (If the trainers bonds are close with a Pokemon, it can hit harder then normal and is described to be the true source of their maximum potential brought out by the trainer. It's noted by Cyrus that one can turn their bonds with their Pokemon into strength^[18])
Mid Game: 8-C, likely Far Higher. Far Higher with Bonds
End Game: At least 8-C, likely Far Higher. At least 6-B with Bonds (Only Champion level Pokemon and trainers are allowed within Cerulean Cave due to how dangerous the Pokemon are in there^[11], with this being in reference to Mewtwo^[12], being noted to have its battle abilities raised to the ultimate ability^[13], and referred to as the most powerful Pokemon of all in the Mystery Dungeon games^[14], putting it relative if not above Rayquaza, who destroyed a meteor that was of this size^[15] that Xatu described as something that messes with the very balance of the world and would cause great destruction if it hit^[16])
Mega Evolved End Game: At least 8-C, likely Far Higher. At least High 6-A with Bonds (Rayquaza chooses one with a strong heart and will to command it^[17] allowing the bond between it and the trainer to greatly amplify it to Mega Evolve^[17] to have it destroy a meteor that^[17] was so much larger then any other meteor it would "break the world forever"^[17])

For Wild Pokemon

Wild Pokemon pages need to be "X Line", for example, Ralts has a chance of evolving into a Gardevoir or a Gallade, so it would be called "Ralts Line" to cover all the evolution as just calling it Gardevoir wouldn't make sense due to the existence of Gallade. Same thing with Eevee, which has 9 different evolutions it can be. It would just be called "Eevee Line" special Pokemon should not be included into these lines usually. Like Ash's Pikachu as an example shouldn't be apart of the Pichu Anime line since it's noted to be a special Pikachu.

Scaling with Wild Pokemon should generally have multiple things to them:

1. Base Stats

While people will attribute base stats to gameplay mechanics, base stats are in actuality decently consistent with portrayal with some outliers. Legendries are almost always not surpassed in their stats. I would pay attention to things like how one's overall base stats goes against another too.

2. Area of wild Pokemon

Normally you can find beginning evolution wild Pokemon in some late game areas, the general reconciliation for this is normally their evolutions are in the areas with them so they would be protected similar in the animal kingdom to child animals still being in dangerous areas due to their parents being around. If you think that's conjecture, there are Pokedex entries such as Butterfree's where it directly notes its protecting the Caterpies from Pidgeys attacking it.

3. Pokedex Entries

Pokedex entries are normally an important thing to look at since they give a gauge at a Pokemon's lore. They can also give off some feats the Pokemon may have that you can give them a tier for.

4. Never scale to a Trainers bond tier

Wild Pokemon should never have scaling from Trainers and their Pokemons bond tiering since trainers Pokemons strength comes from taking down wild mons and the bonds with their Pokemon, so fighting a random wild Pokemon is not going to give them the same level of bond as fighting a gym leader, league champion, or evil team leader.

Currently the agreed upon tiering for Wild Mons are as follows:

Early Game: 9-B
Mid Game: 8-C
End Game: At least 8-C

Dynamax Pokemons

Dynamax Pokemons have a pretty consistent amount of statements of being threats to skyscrapers:

So Dynamax Pokemons will be around:

At least 8-B

At least City Block level (Potency) (All Dynamax's Pokemon come from the leakage of Eternatus' energy, where all of the regular Pokemon should be comparable to each other, being capable of smashing icebergs, blowing away a ten ton truck, having electricity equivalent to a lightning strike, blowing winds more powerful than any hurricanes, destroying a skyscrpaer with its sand, toppling a ten story building with its vines, etcetera. All of these getting around this result)

Knowledgeable Members

Physiologies

Pokémon Physiology
Bonds

Pokémon

Legendaries and Mythicals

Kanto

Articuno
Zapdos
Moltres
Mewtwo

Hoenn

Regirock
Regice
Registeel
Latias
Latios
Kyogre
Groudon
Rayquaza

Kalos

Xerneas
Zygarde
Diancie

Alola

Silvally
Tapu Koko
Tapu Lele
Solgaleo
Lunala
Magearna

Galar

Eternatus
Regidrago
Regieleki
Galarian Articuno
Galarian Zapdos
Galarian Moltres

Ultra Beasts

Nihilego
Buzzwole
Pheromosa
Xurkitree
Guzzlord
Stakataka

Totem Pokémon

Totem Gumshoos
Totem Alolan Raticate
Totem Wishiwashi
Totem Araquanid
Totem Salazzle
Totem Alolan Marowak
Totem Lurantis
Totem Vikavolt
Totem Togedemaru
Totem Mimikyu
Totem Kommo-o
Totem Ribombee

Pokkén Fighters

Pikachu
Blastoise

Pokémon Trainers