Alpha Pokémon

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This article is about the wild Pokémon variant. For other uses, seeAlpha (disambiguation).For the Pokémon whosecategory is "Alpha Pokémon", seeArceus.

The alpha Pokémon wallpaper inPokémon HOME, featuring an alphaUrsaring

Analpha Pokémon (Japanese:オヤブンboss) is avariety of Pokémon that were introduced inPokémon Legends: Arceus. They arelarger-than-normal Pokémon that appear in thewild with increased combat capabilities. Alpha Pokémon can be identified with the icon in the Pokémon'ssummary screen and on their health bar in the wild (iftransferred toPokémon Scarlet and Violet, they have theAlpha Mark instead). Additionally, wild alpha Pokémon have glowing red eyes, unless it doesn't have eyes, such asZubat orGreavard; this trait is not retained uponcapture.

In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Pokémon who were previously identified as alpha Pokémon will have the title "Former Alpha" and with the Alpha Mark instead.

Alpha Pokémon returned inPokémon Legends: Z-A, retaining the same traits and behavior as in Legends: Arceus.

In the core series games

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Shortly after theplayer joins theSurvey Corps, an alphaKricketune intrudesDeertrack Heights.Mai, thewarden who overseesWyrdeer, enlistsAkari/Rei to help defeat the Kricketune, who in turn asks the player to aid Mai due to their skill inPokémon battles.

WhileIngo is leading the player throughWayward Cave, an alphaCrobat appears along the route. Ingo insists that the player not battle it due to the reduced visibility caused by the absence of the cave's torches, and leads them on a detour to avoid it. The player is unable to battle or catch this particular alpha Pokémon until Ingo reinstalls the torches in the cave.

During the threeTrials of theLake guardians, the player has to face an alpha Pokémon at each lake;HisuianGoodra atLake Verity,Overqwil atLake Valor, and HisuianZoroark atLake Acuity.

During the post-game, when the player goes to meetVolo atGrueling Grove, the two are ambushed by an alphaVespiquen. After defeating the Pokémon, the player receives aStone Plate from it.

Gameplay

In the wild, alpha Pokémon will be at a higherlevel than other species of the same kind that can be found in that area, will have at least three stats withindividual values of 31 (expressed in this game as initialeffort levels of 3) and will know and have mastered a move that cannot be learned by leveling up, selected at random from among the species' list of Move Tutor moves. Alpha Pokémon cannot be caught outside of battle if they are significantly higher level than the player's currentobedience level. They can, however, be caught regardless of level during a battle with them. If caught, alpha Pokémon will count as heavy specimens and large specimens forresearch tasks. Regardless of the species' normal behavior, alpha Pokémon (except forMantyke andMantine) are always aggressive towards the player and will never run away, unless aspace-time distortion appears around it or it is a species which only appears in the wild at certain times of day. If an alpha Pokémon spots the player, it will roar out a shockwave which, if close enough, will cause the player to be knocked to the ground; they are also forcibly dismounted from theirRide Pokémon if ridingWyrdeer,Ursaluna, orSneasler.

Upon entering battle, wild alpha Pokémon are filled withWild Might (Japanese:野性の力Wild Strength), as indicated by their glowing red eyes. This increases all of a Pokémon'sstats, independently of in-battle stat boosts, and reduces damage fromstatus conditions. Alpha Pokémon can also useagile style and strong style moves in battle.

There are three types of ways alpha Pokémon may spawn:

  • Fixed alpha Pokémon spawns will always be generated upon entering a given area of the Hisui region, and will be at a fixed level; for instance, the alphaRapidash in theObsidian Fieldlands is always Lv. 40. These alpha Pokémon will also automatically respawn after two full in-game days.
  • Random alpha Pokémon spawns may occur after the player has quelled the area'snoble Pokémon. Alpha Pokémon, of the same species as the location's standard spawns, each have a small chance of appearing (between a 0.2% and 2% chance). Each location has its own rates for how likely each alpha Pokémon may spawn, including space-time distortions. Prior to the Daybreak update, duringmass outbreaks, at most one alpha Pokémon could appear, however this limit was later lifted to account for the "exclusively alpha" bonus waves ofmassive mass outbreaks.
  • During a massive mass outbreak, clearing all Pokémon in a location may cause a second wave of Pokémon to appear in the same location; if this occurs, the second wave may be composed entirely of alpha Pokémon.

During the battle againstGiratina at theTemple of Sinnoh, it will be filled withTerrible Might (Japanese:すさまじい力Tremendous Strength), which has an identical effect to Wild Might.

InPokémon Scarlet and Violet, alpha Pokémontransferred from Legends: Arceus will gain the AlphaMark. They will not retain their unique sizes in these games, but will return to their alpha size when brought back to Legends: Arceus. Instead, they will be at the largest non-alpha height value that the species can have.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Alpha Pokémon recently began appearing inLumiose City, but the reason was never confirmed. Like in Legends: Arceus, alpha Pokémon are larger than is typical of their species, have red glowing eyes, and will chase and attack the player. Alpha Pokémon are always classified as XL-sized, though they are noticeably larger than non-alpha XL specimens. Alpha Pokémon will start to appear throughoutLumiose City after completingMain Mission 05: "The City in the Shadow of Prism Tower".

Alpha Pokémon all have the following benefits:

  • At least three randomIVs at the maximum value of 31
  • Already have the maximum 252EVs in HP
  • Know a mastered move not normally learn by level up; each species always gets thesame mastered TM move

Wild alpha Pokémon tend to prioritize directly attacking theplayer over attacking their Pokémon. Unlike in Legends: Arceus, the player is not stunned if they are within range of an alpha's shockwave, instead receiving a minor amount of damage, which can cause blacking out if the player is at critical health. When in battle, wild alpha Pokémon have

  • ×2 applied to their Attack, Defense, Sp. Atk, and Sp. Def stats; this is analogous to their Wild Might buff from Legends: Arceus, but is never stated in-game
  • ×0.5 applied to their catch rate; this penalty is negated if the alpha Pokémon is knocked out, applying ×3 during the catch window (effectively ×1.5)

The real-time battle system gives the size of alpha Pokémon an impact on battles. Larger Pokémon are easier to hit, especially by indirect attacks inZ-A Battle Club. They also can get stuck more easily. Ranged attacks coming from a certain part of the body may come out at less accurate angles. However, direct attacks can benefit from larger hitboxes.

Fixed alpha Pokémon

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Also known as "static" alpha Pokémon, fixed alpha Pokémon are specimens that always appear in their alpha form in a specific location. Some of these specimens do not spawn until after parts of the main story are completed, usually needing the region's frenzied Noble to be tamed before appearing in the overworld.

Species marked with an * can only be found as that single fixed alpha specimen, in rare or massive mass outbreaks, or a space-time distortion, but not anywhere else in the overworld.

Obsidian Fieldlands

#PokémonLevelSub-LocationTime of DayWeather
0042
Golbat35NearOreburrow TunnelNighttimeAll
0047
Parasect30Nature's PantryAllAll
0065
Alakazam*60Sandgem FlatsAllAll
0075
Graveler30NearObsidian FallsAllAll
0078
Rapidash*40Horseshoe PlainsAllSunny
0123
Scyther42NearGrandtree ArenaAllAll
0129
Magikarp55NearOreburrow TunnelAllAll
0130
Gyarados60Lake VerityAllAll
0143
Snorlax45NearSandgem FlatsAllAll
0214
Heracross45Grueling GroveAllAll
0234
Stantler42Deertrack HeightsAllAll
0242
Blissey62NearObsidian FallsAllAll
0392
Infernape*65Ramanas IslandAllAll
0397
Staravia32Windswept RunAllAll
0400
Bibarel16Tidewater DamAllAll
0402
Kricketune30NearTidewater DamAllAll
0404
Luxio40Floaro GardensAllAll
0419
Floatzel31NearWorn BridgeAllAll
0428
Lopunny40NearThe HeartwoodAllAll

Crimson Mirelands

#PokémonLevelSub-LocationTime of DayWeather
0026
Raichu*52NearGolden LowlandsAllAll
0095
Onix50NearDiamond SettlementAllAll
0111
Rhyhorn45Diamond HeathAllAll
0217
Ursaring55NearGapejaw BogAllAll
0217
Ursaring41Ursa's RingAllAll
0340
Whiscash64Lake ValorAllAll
0389
Torterra*65Holm of TrialsAllAll
0407
Roserade*50Cloudpool RidgeDaytimeAll
0416
Vespiquen61NearCottonsedge PrairieAllAll
0417
Pachirisu40NearGapejaw BogAllAll
0430
Honchkrow55Cloudpool RidgeNighttimeAll
0435
Skuntank45Scarlet BogAllAll
0450
Hippowdon46Gapejaw BogAllAll
0454
Toxicroak47Holm of TrialsAllAll
0455
Carnivine43NearCottonsedge PrairieAllAll
0463
Lickilicky52Shrouded RuinsAllAll
0465
Tangrowth*45Gapejaw BogAllAll
0469
Yanmega58Droning MeadowAllAll
0705
Sliggoo
Hisuian Form
50Holm of TrialsAllAll

Cobalt Coastlands

#PokémonLevelSub-LocationTime of DayWeather
0038
Ninetales*61Firespit IslandAllAll
0055
Golduck50Bathers' LagoonAllAll
0067
Machoke40Ginkgo LandingAllAll
0073
Tentacruel50NearLunker's LairAllAll
0113
Chansey51Tombolo WalkAllAll
0130
Gyarados58NearSand's ReachAllAll
0211
Qwilfish
Hisuian Form
55NearIslespy ShoreAllAll
0224
Octillery46Castaway ShoreAllAll
0226
Mantine50Tranquility CoveAllAll
0365
Walrein50Ginkgo LandingAllAll
0395
Empoleon*69Islespy ShoreAllAll
0414
Mothim56Spring PathAllAll
0423
Gastrodon61Seagrass HavenAllAll
0424
Ambipom50NearHideaway BayAllAll
0432
Purugly45Veilstone CapeAllAll
0452
Drapion*45NearGinkgo LandingAllAll
0457
Lumineon60Seagrass HavenAllAll
0477
Dusknoir*65Deadwood HauntNighttimeAll

Coronet Highlands

#PokémonLevelSub-LocationTime of DayWeather
0036
Clefable*62Fabled SpringNighttimeAll
0076
Golem*60Bolderoll RavineAllAll
0169
Crobat60Wayward CaveAllAll
0207
Gligar52NearCelestica RuinsAllAll
0208
Steelix*60Celestica TrailAllAll
0405
Luxray55Sacred PlazaAllAll
0414
Mothim55Wayward WoodAllAll
0429
Mismagius*61Stonetooth RowsNighttimeAll
0437
Bronzong55NearClamberclaw CliffsAllAll
0444
Gabite56NearClamberclaw CliffsAllAll
0455
Carnivine52Lonely SpringAllAll
0464
Rhyperior*74NearSacred PlazaAllAll
0466
Electivire*69Cloudcap PassAllAll
0472
Gliscor*77NearPrimeval GrottoAllAll
0476
Probopass*73NearPrimeval GrottoAllAll
0706
Goodra*
Hisuian Form
70NearAncient QuarryAllAll

Alabaster Icelands

#PokémonLevelSub-LocationTime of DayWeather
0068
Machamp*70Arena's ApproachAllAll
0125
Electabuzz65Icebound FallsAllAll
0215
Sneasel61NearAvalugg's LegacyAllAll
0220
Swinub62NearBonechill WastesAllAll
0221
Piloswine65Arena's ApproachAllAll
0282
Gardevoir*70Heart's CragDaytimeAll
0358
Chimecho65NearLake AcuityAllAll
0362
Glalie62Bonechill WastesAllAll
0445
Garchomp*85Avalanche SlopesAllAll
0448
Lucario70Icebound FallsAllAll
0460
Abomasnow68Bonechill WastesAllAll
0473
Mamoswine*68Avalugg's LegacyAllAll
0475
Gallade*70Snowpoint TempleAllAll
0478
Froslass72Ice Column ChamberAllAll

Unique alpha Pokémon

These unique alpha Pokémon can only be found once during the storyline. With the exception of Vespiquen, they do not have the usual guarantee of any stats with individual values of 31 (starting effort levels of 3). The alpha Pokémon found in Acuity, Verity, and Valor Caverns are prevented from beingShiny, and have Scale values of 128 instead of 255. Hisuian Zoroark and Overqwil do not have other fixed alpha spawns on the map.

#PokémonLevelLocationSub-LocationMission/RequestTutor move
0362
Glalie64Alabaster IcelandsArena's ApproachRequest 86: "Gone Astray...in the Icelands"Iron Head
0402
Kricketune12Obsidian FieldlandsDeertrack HeightsMission 5: "A Request from Mai"False Swipe
0416
Vespiquen60Obsidian FieldlandsGrueling GroveMission 20: "The Researcher of Myths"Sludge Bomb
0571
Zoroark
Hisuian Form
58Alabaster IcelandsAcuity CavernMission 16: "The Trial of Lake Acuity"None
0706
Goodra
Hisuian Form
58Obsidian FieldlandsVerity CavernMission 14: "The Trial of Lake Verity"Iron Tail
0904
Overqwil58Crimson MirelandsValor CavernMission 15: "The Trial of Lake Valor"Ice Ball

Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Legends: Arceus, fixed alpha Pokémon in Legends: Z-A always appear in their alpha form in a specific location.

Species marked with * cannot be found anywhere in the wild except as alpha Pokémon, outside ofMega Dimension.

#PokémonLevelsLocationTime of Day
0014Kakuna19-21Magenta DistrictAll
0015Beedrill51-52Wild Zone 15Daytime
0016Pidgey24-26Wild Zone 1All
0018Pidgeot40-42Jaune DistrictAll
0024Arbok50-52Wild Zone 10All
0024Arbok59-60Lysandre LabsAll
0025Pikachu40-42Wild Zone 6All
0035Clefairy58-60Wild Zone 19Nighttime
0069Bellsprout24-25Wild Zone 5All
0070Weepinbell46-47Wild Zone 13Daytime
0080Slowbro*42-44Wild Zone 11All
0120Staryu30-32Wild Zone 2Nighttime
0129Magikarp30-32Wild Zone 2Daytime
0167Spinarak20-21Wild Zone 4All
0181Ampharos*52-53Wild Zone 16All
0229Houndoom32-33Wild Zone 6All
0303Mawile56-57Wild Zone 17All
0310Manectric40-41Wild Zone 9All
0319Sharpedo41-43Wild Zone 10All
0323Camerupt*39-40Wild Zone 8All
0354Banette52-53Wild Zone 15Nighttime
0373Salamence*61-62Wild Zone 18All
0428Lopunny*55-56Wild Zone 18All
0460Abomasnow*43-45Wild Zone 12All
0504Patrat21-24Vert DistrictAll
0505Watchog41-43Wild Zone 10All
0511Pansage23-26Rouge DistrictAll
0511Pansage24-27Bleu DistrictAll
0513Pansear23-26Rouge DistrictAll
0513Pansear24-27Bleu DistrictAll
0515Panpour23-26Rouge DistrictAll
0515Panpour24-27Bleu DistrictAll
0530Excadrill48-49Wild Zone 14All
0544Whirlipede27-28Wild Zone 5All
0552Krokorok37-38Wild Zone 8All
0568Trubbish21-23Vert DistrictAll
0569Garbodor38-40Jaune DistrictAll
0661Fletchling30-31Wild Zone 3All
0662Fletchinder32-33Wild Zone 7All
0667Litleo23-24Wild Zone 3All
0668Pyroar
Male
56-57Wild Zone 15All
0669Flabébé
Red Flower
20-23Jaune DistrictAll
0669Flabébé
Orange Flower
21-23Jaune DistrictAll
0669Flabébé
Yellow Flower
21-23Jaune DistrictAll
0669Flabébé
Blue Flower
21-23Jaune DistrictAll
0669Flabébé
White Flower
20-23Jaune DistrictAll
0676Furfrou58-61Wild Zone 19Daytime
(except mornings)
0678Meowstic
Male
41-42Wild Zone 9Nighttime
0678Meowstic
Female
41-42Wild Zone 9Daytime
0682Spritzee26-29Rouge DistrictAll
0684Swirlix28-31Magenta DistrictAll
0688Binacle32-34Wild Zone 6All
0693Clawitzer*42-44Wild Zone 11All
0709Trevenant47-48Wild Zone 13Nighttime
0711Gourgeist
Medium Variety
52-53Wild Zone 15All
0713Avalugg*54-56Wild Zone 12All

Wild Zone 20

Each time the player enters Wild Zone 20, two random spawns are chosen to appear at the center of the zone, each of which can be any of the following alpha Pokémon.

#PokémonLevels#PokémonLevels#PokémonLevels#PokémonLevels
0026Raichu*63-640036Clefable63-640065Alakazam*64-650068Machamp*64-65
0071Victreebel*63-640094Gengar63-640115Kangaskhan64-650121Starmie63-64
0127Pinsir63-640130Gyarados64-650134Vaporeon*63-640135Jolteon*63-64
0136Flareon*63-640149Dragonite*64-650168Ariados63-640214Heracross63-64
0225Delibird63-640227Skarmory63-640248Tyranitar*64-650282Gardevoir64-65
0302Sableye63-640306Aggron64-650308Medicham63-640334Altaria64-65
0359Absol64-650376Metagross*64-650407Roserade63-640445Garchomp*64-65
0448Lucario64-650450Hippowdon63-640470Leafeon*63-640471Glaceon*63-64
0475Gallade*64-650478Froslass*63-640512Simisage*63-640514Simisear*63-64
0516Simipour*63-640545Scolipede63-640553Krookodile*63-640560Scrafty63-64
0569Garbodor64-650584Vanilluxe*63-640604Eelektross*64-650609Chandelure*64-65
0618Stunfisk63-640660Diggersby63-640663Talonflame63-640666Vivillon
Meadow Pattern
63-64
0671Florges
Red Flower
64-650673Gogoat63-640675Pangoro*64-650676Furfrou63-64
0681Aegislash64-650687Malamar64-650689Barbaracle64-650691Dragalge64-65
0695Heliolisk*64-650700Sylveon*63-640701Hawlucha63-640702Dedenne63-64
0703Carbink63-640706Goodra*64-650707Klefki63-640711Gourgeist
Medium Variety
63-64
0715Noivern63-640780Drampa64-650870Falinks64-65

Unique alpha Pokémon

During Main Mission 40: "The One That Gives", three unique Alpha Pokémon spawn, and each of them must be caught or defeated to progress the mission. If they are defeated without being caught, they will be permanently missed, and can never respawn again. They are referred to as "Anomalous Alphas" byMable and in herPokédex Research, specificallyInvestigating Anomalous Alphas.

#PokémonLevelLocation
0208Steelix*70Wild Zone 3
0475Gallade*70Wild Zone 5
0675Pangoro*70Wild Zone 9

In animation

An alphaGarchomp inPokémon: Hisuian Snow

Pokémon: Hisuian Snow

InTwo Hues, an alphaGarchomp attackedAlec and theGalaxy Team, but it was driven away by aHisuianZoroark that Alec had befriended in his youth as aZorua.

Trivia

  • There is a third variant of the Wild Might effect in game data, calledTerrific Might (Japanese:偉大な力), which is a version of Wild Might without the stat boosts. Its usage within the game is unknown.
  • When alphaCombee andGastrodon appear in the wild, only two of their eyes glow red.
  • When alphaSpiritomb appears in the wild, the lines in itsOdd Keystone also glow red.
  • Interestingly,Arceus itself is also known as theAlpha Pokémon, though this similarity does not hold in Japanese.
  • Alpha Pokémon are guaranteed to have 31 in at least 3 of theirIV stats, a trait thatLegendary andMythical Pokémon have also had sinceGeneration VI.
  • Alpha Pokémon have a slightly different music track in battle. If the player starts a battle with an alpha Pokémon and one or more non-alpha Pokémon at the same time, then catches or defeats the alpha Pokémon, the music will transition back into the standard wild battle track.

Origin

Alpha Pokémon might be based on the concept ofdominance hierarchy in biology. Amongst animal groups, an alpha is a member of the species that has a higher rank in the group's hierarchy, contrary to the beta members who are the more submissive ones. Alpha animals often employ aggression tactics to assert dominance and leadership over their specific groups. This concept may be seen in gameplay, where alpha Pokémon display an aggressive disposition even when members of said species typically would not. They also serve as leaders of the pack, as alpha Pokémon are regularly found in places where unevolved members of their species gather, and even show signs of territorialism, as some alpha Pokémon tend to come to the aid of the lesser members when alerted. Their Japanese name "boss" seems to reinforce this idea of hierarchical leadership.

In other languages

Alpha Pokémon

LanguageTitle
ChineseCantonese頭目Tàuhmuhk
Mandarin頭目 / 头目Tóumù
FrenchPokémon Barons
GermanElite-Pokémon
ItalianPokémon alfa
Korean우두머리Udumeori
SpanishEspécimenes alfa

Wild Might

LanguageTitle
ChineseCantonese野性之力Yéhsing jī Lihk
Mandarin野性之力Yěxìng zhī Lì
FrenchForce sauvage
GermanKraft der Wildnis
ItalianPotenza selvatica
Korean야성의힘이Yaseong-ui Himi
SpanishPoder salvaje

Terrible Might

LanguageTitle
ChineseCantonese驚駭之力Gīngháaih jī Lihk
Mandarin驚駭之力 / 惊骇之力Jīnghài zhī Lì
FrenchForce effroyable
GermanUnheilvolle Kraft
ItalianPotenza spaventosa
Korean무시무시한힘Musimusihan Himi
SpanishPoder tremebundo

Related articles

Pokémonforms andvariants
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Form differences (GO) •Totem-like PokémonBrilliant PokémonAlpha Pokémon
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Mega Evolution (Shuffle ·Masters ·GO) •Primal Reversion (GO) •Bond Phenomenon
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Side series originalColo/XD:Shadow Pokémon (Shadow Lugia ·list)
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Mystery Dungeon:Primal DialgaRumble:Toy Pokémon (Rusty Pokémon)
Pokkén:Shadow MewtwoQuest:PokéxelNew Snap:Illumina phenomenon
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TCG originalCrystal PokémonDark PokémonLight Pokémon
δ Delta SpeciesBREAKVSTARRadiant Pokémon
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