TheRotomPokédex (Japanese:ロトム図鑑Rotom illustrated encyclopedia), referred to asRotom Dex in-game, is an electronic device and character found in theAlolaregion that appears inPokémon Sun, Moon,Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon. The Pokémon character inside, simply known by its species name asRotom (Japanese:ロトムRotom), can enhance the Pokédex by possessing the device as it would with other electronics. This special Pokédex is said to be rare, even in Alola. While inside the Pokédex, Rotom canspeak with the player or other characters. It is given to the player byProfessor Kukui.
In addition to functioning as a regular Pokédex, the Rotom Pokédex also has other features, such as a map and the ability to call people to and from other locations.
The Rotom Pokédex has many names that it may be called. The distinction between Rotom (the character) and the Rotom Dex (the machine) is still made clear within dialogue.
Rotom Pokédex (Japanese:ロトム図鑑Rotom illustrated encyclopedia) was primarily used in English promotional material such as thePokémon Sun and Moon website and pre-release trailers.[1] Many English-released merchandise such as thefigmaSelene figurine and the Poké Plush line of plush toys have mentioned the device as "Rotom Pokédex". However, as of the 2025 restock of the plush, it has been named "Rotom Dex"[2] for consistency with other media.
Rotom Dex is the more commonly used term, being used in-game in thecore series and in spin-off material such asPokémon Masters EX. Promotional material and the website forPokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon[3] use this term rather than the "Rotom Pokédex" label given to it in media based on Pokémon Sun and Moon. This change only exists within English material, whereas other languages have always called it by the same term continuously.
The Pokémon character inside,Rotom (Japanese:ロトムRotom), will always use its species name when being spoken to or about in-game, differentiating it from the machine that it possesses.
The usual term,Pokédex (Japanese:ポケモン図鑑illustrated Pokémon encyclopedia), may still refer to the actual device, or the listing of Pokémon species and their data. In-game, this term has been shortened to 'Dex by Rotom itself andProfessor Kukui.
InPokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, Rotom has called itselfPokédex Rotom version (Japanese:ロトムポケデックスフォルムRotom Pokédex Forme).
In the core series games
Character profile
The Rotom Pokédex speaking to the player on the bottom screen
As a character, Rotom is a sort of companion character for the player, acting as a mentor or guide for them by providing tips and useful advice throughout the game. Rotom is very supportive of the player and can be rather playful, commonly asking for nicknames or making jokes as a form of small talk. InPokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, its personality and actions can be swayed by the player depending on how and when they interact with it. While Rotom mainly talks to the player through the bottom screen, they do appear in the overworld as well, often being used to notify the player of certain accomplishments or new tasks.
The Pokédex's hardware was built byClemont.[4] Rotom appears very friendly towards people, including the player'sfriends. Despite its friendship with other people, Rotom appears to findLusamine scary and has trouble warming up to people likeGladion. Rotom has a habit of calling the player by several nicknames, including "kiddo" and "partner" and inPokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, offers a preferred nicknamed. Rotom's dialogue also contains many uses of "zzz" in place of the "s" sound. In Japanese, Rotom Dex makes no such sound, and instead, has a habit of saying ロト (roto) at the end of its statements. According to Rotom, itself, it had its own fair share of battles before being in the Pokédex, but currently prefers its stay with the player.
Rotom has shortened the name of the machine to 'Dex rather than saying Pokédex.
Rotom will be the one toevaluate the player's Pokédex. Rotom can evaluate the entireregional Pokédex, or each ofAlola's individual island Pokédexes. While catching or evolving a new Pokémon, Rotom will also take comment on the species' status, taking special note ofEggs,Ultra Beasts,Legendary Pokémon, andMythical Pokémon. In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Rotom will play a special animation when encountering a new Pokémon that has not been registered as seen.
Concept art of the Rotom Pokédex, featuring Clemont
The Rotom Dex is a small and red robot-like device. It mainly takes on the flat and square shape resembling that of asmart tablet. Rotom's head fans out on the top, rounding out to a half circle with two points on the side. These side contain two holes on each side resembling speakers. A large red antenna comes from the middle of device's head, this point is triangular in shape and matches with other the Rotom species' anatomy, this point does not appear unless a Rotom is present inside the machine. On the front of the tablet is the screen. When a Rotom is not powering the device, the screen is all gray, with two ovular shapes on the upper half. A black rounded semi-circle appears between the two ovals. When a Rotom is powering the device, the square screen is mostly white and light blue, with the ovular spots now being filled in with Rotom's eyes. In this form, Rotom's eyes are similar to how they appear outside the device, white ovals with blue pupils and a line going through them horizontally. Like the species, Rotom's pupils are where its eyelids are placed, being colored all white when close. Rotom's small mouth appears on the screen below and the mouth can appear and disappear. When smiling, its mouth takes on a crescent shape with three teeth showing.
Rotom can control the feet and arms of the device that fold in and out. Its feet are small and around and sit on the bottom of the device. While Rotom typically prefers to float while inside the Pokédex, the feet can be used to stand on objects. The device's arms can act as actual hands for Rotom. They are smaller towards the body and get bigger going outwards, taking on a lighting bolt shape. The large flatter ends of each "hand" has two rounding protrusions on both the front and back ends, with the front of the left one having a gray spot. Rotom Dex can retract its arms and legs back into the device's body and start emitting a light blue electric glow around its body, similar to other Rotom and Rotom-powered devices.
The Pokédex's back has several patterns and ports. On the lower half is a red circular port with unknown usage. On the left and right sides, are two lightning bolt shapes pointing inwards going vertically up and down and are smaller on the bottom half. Between the two lightning bolt shapes is a trapezoid-shaped plug or port. Normally this port is all red when not in use, however Rotom Dex can be upgraded, in which this port will have an identically shaped plug that contains a camera called the Poké Finder. The camera resembles one of Rotom's eyes, but more circular, being mostly white with a dark blue center, a horizontal line going across.
Rotom can freely exit the device, but the Pokédex was designed in a way where it would feel comfortable. Rotom Dex is not waterproof.[5]
Rotom Dex has two pieces of concept art released for it forPokémon Sun and Moon. A second piece indicating more detail, where the device would have more visualized joints and components. This version of the Pokédex had Rotom's top point fold out and open. Rotom Dex also appeared to have a gray strap connecting from one speaker to the other on its back. It appeared to be thicker and more flat.
The Pokédex hardware is first given to the player inIki Town byProfessor Kukui after savingNebby onMahalo Trail. Until then, the item will only have the Pokédex function when the player accesses the Xmenu. The following day, after which the player defeatsHau at Iki Town, the Rotom Dex character is then first encountered as a normal Rotom that is sleeping in the player's Pokédex. Kukui then asks the player to see their Pokédex, upgrading it into a function where Rotom could talk and understand them, along with adding many other features such as a map.
After going through theTrainers' School, the player, along with Hau andLillie, travel toHau'oli City. There, Rotom is brought to theAlola Tourist Bureau by the player and Hau, to get the Rotom Dex another upgraded. This upgrade provides the Rotom Dex with a new camera, the Poké Finder, in which the player can use it to take pictures ofwild Pokémon, and later, be used withinAcerola'strial in theThrifty Megamart. Rotom then comes out of the player's bag and takes a picture of the player, Hau and Lillie as a group with the new function. In Sun and Moon only, afterDexio andSina introduce the player to theZygarde Cube inHeahea City, Rotom will be called by Sina when a certain amount ofZygarde Cells and Cores are collected. InMalie City, the player meets up withSamson Oak, whom Rotom recognizes. Samson encourages the player to work on their Pokédex, for both the player's sake and Rotom's. According to Samson, the Rotom Dex was invented with the help of ayoung fellow from theKalos region.
When brought intoUltra Space inPokémon Sun and Moon, the Rotom Dex appears to be off; its screen is full of static, the map function cannot be used, and the Pokémon cannot be spoken to, though the Pokédex feature functions as normal. The Rotom Dex will return to normal after the player returns totheir world.
The Rotom Dex remains in the player's possession including in the post game, giving the player random questions and comments when the game is booted up or when they are tapped on. While Rotom does not appear in the credits for Sun and Moon, multiple photographs are pictured, including the photo that Rotom took of the player, Hau and Lillie in Hau'oli City, implying that Rotom and the player were the ones who took the pictures. Regardless of version, this photo can be seen in Lillie's loft at thePokémon Research Lab.
Functions
InPokémon Sun and Moon, the Rotom Dex appears on the bottom screen, displaying a map of the area theplayer is currently in. By tapping the screen, the player can access a variety of functions:
When the player taps the center of the map, Rotom repeats its most recent suggestion on where to go next.
When the player taps the map outside the center, the full map function opens, acting in a similar way to theTown Map in previous games.
When the player taps the black bridge between Rotom's eyes, thePokédex function opens.
When the player taps either of Rotom's eyes or the red part of its body, Rotom will shake and react in a variety of ways.
InPokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the Rotom Pokédex gains more features, upgrades, and different personalities depending on how the player responds to it.
The player can bond with Rotom by increasing its affection by talking to it or otherwise interacting with it in order to unlock new features, such as the Rotom Powers andZ-Rotom Power. Its affection can range from 0 to 1,000 points.
Every ten minutes, Rotom will get a sad look. Tapping it at that point will cause it to react and gain a heart (30 affection points); it may also ready the Roto Loto or ask the player questions. Answering these questions gives Rotom a heart and may ready the Roto Loto. Rotom will also ask questions at certain story intervals, and upon reachingPoni Island, every interaction that produces a heart will guarantee the readying of the Roto Loto. Additionally, taking a photo when prompted by Rotom following theEvolution of a Pokémon will ready the Roto Loto, and taking certain actions after becoming Champion (such assurfing on Mantine) has a chance of readying the Roto Loto.
Upon reaching 1,000 affection points, the Rotom Dex can give the player a nickname depending on their choice. These nicknames may be Roto-(first character in player's name), Roto Jr., or Master.
The personality of the Rotom Dex can be influenced in three different ways: defeating many Pokémon will result in Rotom having an aggressive demeanor; usingPokémon Refresh often will give Rotom a more playful personality; and visitingPokémon Centers often will make Rotom more easy going.
Rotom can give the player pieces of information and advice about game features. The advice given changes depending on how much the player responds to the Rotom Dex.
The Rotom Dex's primary function is a fully featured Pokédex. The player can browse and search Pokémon species, view data about them, and look up their habitats. The Pokédex can also produce QR Codes for theQR Scanner for most registered Pokémon. InPokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, a Pokémon that can only be encountered in anSOS Battle will have a picture of anAdrenaline Orb next to its location markers when the map is zoomed in.
When the Rotom Dex is idle, the screen usually shows a map. In this view, the map stays centered on theplayer's immediate area. The player's location is marked by a smiley face icon, with an arrow indicating the direction the player is facing. If the player is inside a building or certain locations (such asTen Carat Hill), however, the map will remain stationary no matter where the player moves and will not display a directional arrow. During the main story, a red flag may also appear, indicating a place the player is supposed to go.
If the player taps the map, the screen's view broadens to show a larger map akin toTown Maps in other games. In this broader view, the top screen shows an overview of the wholeAlola region, while the bottom screen focuses on an individual island. If the player moves the map's cursor over different areas on the island, the top screen will show a snapshot of the area, a description of the area, and a list of landmarks within it. The player can scroll between the islands using the L and R Buttons and can zoom in using the Y Button. This view also marks the location of anyPokémon Center the player has visited with an icon.
The broad map is also used when the player usesCharizard Glide. In this mode, all places that the player can fly to are marked by wing icons.
The island maps (from the lower screen of the broad map) are also used when the player views a Pokémon's habitat from itsPokédex entry.
Poké Finder
This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: How is the "thumbs-up" score calculated?
ThePoké Finder (Japanese:ポケファインダーPoké Finder) function allows players totake pictures of Pokémon in locations where the icon on the player's bottom screen turns into that of a camera. It can be activated by pressing the R button or tapping the camera icon in those select locations. Pictures are then evaluated with a "Thumbs-Up" score. Pokémon found through the Poké Finder will be registered as seen in the Pokédex.
Upgrades
Upon taking pictures, the player is awarded with a "Thumbs-up" score, which is then added to the total number of "Thumbs-Ups" the player has earned over time. As the total number increases, new versions of the Poké Finder can be unlocked as follows:
Version 1: Default version.
Version 2: Unlocks at 1,500 Thumbs-Up. Adds the ability to zoom.
Version 3: Unlocks at 10,000 Thumbs-Up. Adds additional zoom.
Version 4: Unlocks at 100,000 Thumbs-Up. Adds maximum zoom.
Version 5: Unlocks at 1,500,000 Thumbs-Up. Adds the ability to call Pokémon over to the player, causing them to look at the camera for a short time. A stamp is added to the player'sPassport.
Photo Locations
Pictures can only be taken at specific locations, each of which features its own set of available Pokémon. The Pokémon that can be encountered vary with the time of day.
This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Duration of Powers without immediate effects (Encounter, Stealth, etc.)
The feature can be activated by tapping on Rotom's eyes once it starts to glow gold, which can occur at random times between 10-20 minute intervals. Its eyes can also glow by tapping on Rotom if it has a sad look on its face. Once the player reachesPoni Island, the player can also activate Roto Loto by interacting with Rotom or answering its questions. After becoming the Champion, the Rotom Dex will activate Roto Loto if certain requests are fulfilled, such as afterMantine Surfing orUltra Warp Riding.
Rotom will automatically use several Rotom Powers during the course of the story: Roto Experience when arriving atMelemele Meadow to retrieveNebby, Roto Hatch after obtaining theEevee Egg atPaniola Ranch, and Roto Prize Money when first passing throughRoute 11. Rotom Powers can be held by Pokémon and traded to other Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon save files, but not Sun/Moon save files.
Prevents you from encountering wild Pokémon for a certain period of time.
Common
Z-Rotom Power
InPokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the Rotom Dex gains this ability from when the player reaches at least 601 affection with Rotom. When a Rotom Power is used during or outside of battle, the Rotom Dex will assist the player by allowing aZ-Move to be used again for a second time during the battle.
Rotom, prior to entering Moon's Pokédex, inPokémon AdventuresThe Rotom Pokédex in Pokémon Adventures
The Rotom Pokédex debuted inThe Grand Entrance and Delivery Boy Sun. Originally, it was a regular Rotom thatProfessor Kukui requested to receive from aregion outside of Alola so that he may use it to fuse with one of his Pokédexes. Due to this particular Rotom having a weak body, it was unable to be transferred electronically. As a result,Moon was given the task of delivering Rotom to Professor Kukui while also using her pharmaceutical skills to keep it healthy along the way.
After Moon successfully delivered Rotom, Professor Kukui decided to have it enterSun's empty Pokédex. Due to Sun's mishandling of the Pokédex, Rotom refused to enter it and ran away in disgust. Angered by this, Professor Kukui forced Sun to retrieve Rotom while he attempted to clean the dirty Pokédex.
Later, it was revealed that Professor Kukui had a spare Pokédex, which he gave to Moon. This Pokédex was the one that Rotom decided to enter, becoming the Rotom Pokédex in the process.
In the TCG
Rotom Dex secret rare print from Sun & Moon
The Rotom Pokédex has appeared on numerous pieces of artwork featured on cards, coins and themed merchandise. First being found oncards in theSun & Moon expansion.
Related cards Cards listed with ablue background are only legal to use in the currentExpanded format. Cards listed with agreen background are legal to use in both the currentStandard andExpanded formats.
Also released alongside the new Generation VII games on November 18, 2016 were theWelcome to Alola! Deck Case & Sleeves (Japanese:デッキケース＆シールド Welcome to Alola!Deck Case & Shield: Welcome to Alola!), a set including a deck case with a capacity to store up to 180 cards (or 90 cards in sleeves), two card dividers, and 64 card sleeves. All have illustrations featuring the player characters fromPokémon Sun and Moon and several native Alolan Pokémon.
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Welcome to Alola! Deck Case & Sleeves
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Rotom Pokédex Sleeves
Available to purchase at venues hosting Pokémon Card Gym meetings starting December 26, 2016 were theRotom Pokédex Sleeves (Japanese:デッキシールド「ロトム図鑑」Deck Shield: Rotom Illustrated Encyclopedia), a set of 64 card sleeves featuring a close-up portrait of the Rotom Pokédex.
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Rotom Pokédex Sleeves
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I Choose You! accessories
To promote the release ofI Choose You! in cinemas, new card files and sleeves were made available to purchase from July 15, 2017.
Files: Two mini card files were released, each of which can display 104 cards.
TheRotom Pokédex Mini Card File (Japanese:ミニカードファイル ロトム図鑑Mini Card File: Rotom Illustrated Encyclopedia) features the Rotom Pokédex and many nativeAlolan Pokémon. The front illustration is of a forest scene with aPokémon Center, while the reverse is that of a beach scene.
File images:
Rotom Pokédex Mini Card File (front)
Rotom Pokédex Mini Card File (reverse)
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Ultra Alola Adventure Deck Case & Sleeves
Leading up to the release ofPokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, theUltra Alola Adventure Deck Case & Sleeves (Japanese:デッキケース&シールド Ultra Alola AdventureDeck Case & Shield: Ultra Alola Adventure) were made available from November 11, 2017. The card box and set of 64 sleeves that come with it both feature protagonists fromPokémon Sun and Moon in their updated attire, version mascotsDusk Mane Necrozma andDawn Wings Necrozma, as well asfirst partner PokémonRowlet,Litten, andPopplio in front of an Ultra Wormhole. The card box itself can store 90 cards in sleeves or 180 cards without sleeves, and also comes with 2 dividers. The artwork was illustrated byGAME FREAK'sYusuke Ohmura
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The Rotom Pokédex is the firstPokédex without the ability to view information about allPokémon known as of that time (Generation VII), as it lacks information on the 403 Pokémon not in the Alola Pokédex and cannot receive a National Pokédex upgrade by any means.
Ironically, Rotom itself is among the Pokémon that lack a Rotom Dex entry.
InPokémon Sun and Moon,Samson Oak mentions that the Rotom Pokédex was at least partially invented by a "young fellow fromKalos", hinting atClemont. This is further supported by thePokémon Adventuresmanga, wherein Professor Kukui reveals that the Rotom Pokédex was developed by "Kalos's famous genius inventor", and Rotom Pokédex's conceptual artwork for Sun and Moon, which features Clemont. InPokémon Masters EX,Professor Kukui outright confirms this to be true.
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