Donphan (Pokémon)

Phanpy #231: Phanpy
Pokémon
#233: Porygon2 Porygon2
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Donphan (disambiguation).
Donphan
ドンファン Donfan
#232
232Donphan.png
Art by Ken Sugimori from FireRed and LeafGreen
Type
Ground '
Category
Armor Pokémon
Abilities
Sturdy Sand Veil
Hidden Ability
Exp. at Lv. 100
1,000,000
Regional Pokédex numbers
Johto
#201
Hoenn
#166
Regional Browser numbers
Fiore
R-035
Oblivia
R-210 N-086
Height
3'07″
Imperial
1.1 m
Metric
Weight
264.6 lbs.
Imperial
120.0 kg
Metric
Dex color
Gray
Catch rate
60 (7.8%)
Body style
Body08.png BodyUnknown.png
Blue-Striped
Footprint
 F232.png   F487O.png
Blue-Striped
Gender ratio
50% male, 50% female
Breeding
Field group 21 cycles
(5355 minimum steps)
EV yield
HP
0
Atk
1
Def
1
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
0
Base Exp.: 189 Battle Exp.: 1891*

Donphan (Japanese: ドンファン Donfan) is a Ground-type Pokémon.

It evolves from Phanpy starting at level 25.

Biology

Physiology

Donphan are light-gray elephant-like Pokémon. There is a thick, black band of hide that runs down the length of Donphan's back and extends to the trunk, resembling a car tire. Donphan have four short legs with three claws with each leg having a black band around them. They also sport a pair of white tusks, and elongated ears held stiffly to Donphan's sides.

Gender differences

A female Donphan has shorter tusks than a male.

Special abilities

It has the ability to curl up into a ball and violently roll around like a wheel. Once it starts its rampage it will be almost unstoppable. These rolling tackles are strong enough to knock down a house. Its hide is also very tough. Regular attacks won't leave a scratch on it.

Behavior

Donphan travel in a herd that is led by a single Donphan. The larger the tusks, the higher its rank in the herd will be. They are also prone to going on violent rampages by curling into a ball and rolling almost nonstop. During their breeding season, male Donphan compete for mates by rolling as well to show how tough they are. This rolling is known as the Love Dance. Donphan are also known to have a keen sense of smell, at least in the sense of being able to detect amberite, and will upraise their trunks into the air to smell for it.

Habitat

These Pokémon seem to prefer rough, mountainous terrain.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

It is herbivorous, depicted to feed on shrubs. It apparently has an affinity for the Passho Berry, as it is occasionally found with it.

In the anime

 
Donphan in the anime

Major appearances

Ash's Donphan

In Reversing the Charges, Ash's Phanpy evolved into Donphan. It proved to be an excellent member of his team showing its strength in every battle.

Other

 
A Shiny Donphan in the anime

Donphan's first major role was in Roll On, Pokémon! A girl named Rochelle was using four to find amberite.

In Date Expectations, many Donphan were falling in love with a Shiny Donphan.

Minor appearances

Donphan first made a brief appearance in the beginning of Mewtwo Strikes Back, under the ownership of Raymond. At the time, it was an unknown Pokémon.

A Donphan was one of the Pokémon seen at the Pokémon Swap Meet in Tricks of the Trade.

A Donphan was seen in the wild in The Legend of Thunder!.

Tyson used a Donphan during the Hoenn League which first appeared in Chose It or Lose It!.

In Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! Part Two, Kellyn had a Donphan smash through the cave-ins that were caused by an Aggron that belonged to Pokémon Hunter J's client.

A Donphan also appeared in Battling the Generation Gap!.

Another Donphan appeared in Challenging a Towering Figure!.

A Donphan made a brief appearance under the ownership of a Trainer in the Lily of the Valley Conference in An Old Family Blend!.

Ethan battles Ash with a Donphan in the beginning of Zoroark: Master of Illusions.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry
EP120 Donphan Ash's Pokédex Donphan, the Armor Pokémon. With its strong tusks and tough skin, Donphan is known for its powerful Tackle attack. The length of Donphan's tusks indicates its level.
Episode Pokémon Source Entry
AG114 Donphan Ash's Pokédex Donphan, the Armor Pokémon. Donphan is the evolved form of Phanpy. They attack by rolling their bodies into a circle and charging their enemies.
Advanced Generation series entries continue below.
Episode Pokémon Source Entry
AG154 Donphan May's Pokédex Donphan, the Armor Pokémon. Donphan has razor sharp tusks, armor-like skin, and enormous power.

In the manga

File:Dono.png
Donphan in Pokémon Adventures

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

A herd of Donphan were used by a thieving ruffian in Volume 8. In the Ruby & Sapphire arc, Wattson accidentally catches Sapphire in a trap designed to catch a wild, rampaging Donphan. After 'discovering' New Mauville, Sapphire uses the wild Donphan to help Wattson shut down a power generator. Donphan has been in Sapphire's team ever since.

Pokédex entries

Manga Chapter Entry
Pokémon Adventures PS096 The longer and bigger its tusks are, the higher it is ranked amongst its herd.*

In the TCG

Main article: Donphan (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Generation I
Red {{{redbluedex}}}
Blue
Yellow {{{yellowdex}}}
Stadium {{{stadiumdex}}}
Generation II
Gold It has sharp, hard tusks and a rugged hide. Its Tackle is strong enough to knock down a house.
Silver The longer and bigger its tusks, the higher its rank in its herd. The tusks take long to grow.
Crystal Because this Pokémon's skin is so tough, a normal attack won't even leave a scratch on it.
Stadium 2 It has sharp, hard tusks and a rugged hide. Its Tackle is strong enough to knock down a house.
Generation III
Ruby Donphan's favorite attack is curling its body into a ball, then charging at its foe while rolling at high speed. Once it starts rolling, this Pokémon can't stop very easily.
Sapphire If Donphan were to tackle with its hard body, even a house could be destroyed. Using its massive strength, the Pokémon helps clear rock and mud slides that block mountain trails.
Emerald A Donphan is so strong it can easily haul a dump truck. Its hide has toughened to a rock-hard state. An ordinary sort of attack won't even leave a scratch.
FireRed The longer and bigger its tusks, the higher its rank in its herd. The tusks take long to grow.
LeafGreen It has sharp, hard tusks and a rugged hide. Its Tackle is strong enough to knock down a house.
Generation IV
Diamond It attacks by curling up, then rolling into its foe. It can blow apart a house in one hit.
Pearl
Platinum
HeartGold It has sharp, hard tusks and a rugged hide. Its Tackle is strong enough to knock down a house.
SoulSilver The longer and bigger its tusks, the higher its rank in its herd. The tusks take long to grow.
Generation V
Black It attacks by curling up, then rolling into its foe. It can blow apart a house in one hit.
White
Black 2 からだを まるめて かいてんしながら とっしんする こうげき。 いちげきで みんかを ばらばらに ふきとばす。
White 2
Generation VI
X Unknown
Y Unknown


Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Generation I
Red Blue
None Trade
Blue (Japan)
None Trade
Yellow
None Trade
Generation II
Gold Silver
Uncommon Route 28, Silver Cave, Victory Road* (Silver only)
Crystal
Uncommon Route 45
Generation III
Ruby Sapphire
None Evolve Phanpy
Emerald
None Evolve Phanpy
FireRed LeafGreen
None Evolve Phanpy
Colosseum
None Trade
XD
None Evolve Phanpy
Generation IV
Diamond Pearl
None Evolve Phanpy
Platinum
None Evolve Phanpy
HeartGold SoulSilver
Uncommon Route 28, Mt. Silver Cave, Victory Road  (HeartGold only)
Pal Park
Mountain
Pokéwalker
None
Generation V
Black White
None Poké Transfer
Black 2 White 2
None Poké Transfer
Dream World
None
Generation VI
X Y
None Trade



In side games

Game Location
Pokémon Pinball:
Ruby & Sapphire
Evolve from Phanpy
Pokémon Trozei! Secret Storage 18
Trozei Battle
Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red/Blue Rescue Team
Evolve from Phanpy
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Time/Darkness
Crystal Cave (B6-B11)
Pokémon Ranger Fiore Temple
Pokémon Ranger:
Guardian Signs
Faldera Island
Fire Temple
Pokémon Rumble Blast Desert: Sunny Seashore (Post-ending)

Held items

Game Held Item(s)
HeartGold SoulSilver   Passho Berry (5%)

Stats

Base stats

Stat Range
At Lv. 50 At Lv. 100
90
150 - 197 290 - 384
120
112 - 189 220 - 372
120
112 - 189 220 - 372
60
58 - 123 112 - 240
60
58 - 123 112 - 240
50
49 - 112 94 - 218
Total:
500
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

Speed
2/4 ★★☆☆
Power
5/5 ★★★★★
Skill
2/2 ★★
Stamina
4/4 ★★★★
Jump
2/2 ★★
Total
15/17 ★★★


Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation V, this Pokémon is:
Damaged
normally by:
Normal
Fighting
Flying
Poison ½×
Ground
Rock ½×
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Weak to:
Normal
Fighting
Flying
Poison ½×
Ground
Rock ½×
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Immune to:
Normal
Fighting
Flying
Poison ½×
Ground
Rock ½×
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Resistant to:
Normal
Fighting
Flying
Poison ½×
Ground
Rock ½×
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation V
Other generations:
II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
 Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
00Start Fire Fang Fire Physical 06565 09595% 15
00Start Thunder Fang Electric Physical 06565 09595% 15
00Start Horn Attack Normal Physical 06565 100100% 25
00Start Growl Normal Status 0000 100100% 40
00Start Defense Curl Normal Status 0000 —% 40
00Start Bulldoze Ground Physical 06060 100100% 20
066 Rapid Spin Normal Physical 02020 100100% 40
1010 Knock Off Dark Physical 02020 100100% 20
1515 Rollout Rock Physical 03030 09090% 20
1919 Magnitude Ground Physical 0000 100100% 30
2424 Slam Normal Physical 08080 07575% 20
2525 Fury Attack Normal Physical 01515 08585% 20
3131 Assurance Dark Physical 05050 100100% 10
3939 Scary Face Normal Status 0000 100100% 10
4646 Earthquake Ground Physical 100100 100100% 10
5454 Giga Impact Normal Physical 150150 09090% 5
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Donphan
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Donphan
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM/HM

Generation V
Other generations:
II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
 TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
  TM05 Roar Normal Status 0000 100}}100% 20
  TM06 Toxic Poison Status 0000 090}}90% 10
  TM10 Hidden Power Normal Special 0000 100}}100% 15
  TM11 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000 —}}—% 5
  TM15 Hyper Beam Normal Special 150150 090}}90% 5
  TM17 Protect Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 10
  TM21 Frustration Normal Physical 0000 100}}100% 20
  TM26 Earthquake Ground Physical 100100 100}}100% 10
  TM27 Return Normal Physical 0000 100}}100% 20
  TM32 Double Team Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 15
  TM37 Sandstorm Rock Status 0000 —}}—% 10
  TM39 Rock Tomb Rock Physical 05050 080}}80% 10
  TM42 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20
  TM44 Rest Psychic Status 0000 —}}—% 10
  TM45 Attract Normal Status 0000 100}}100% 15
  TM48 Round Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15
  TM49 Echoed Voice Normal Special 04040 100}}100% 15
  TM68 Giga Impact Normal Physical 150150 090}}90% 5
  TM69 Rock Polish Rock Status 0000 —}}—% 20
  TM71 Stone Edge Rock Physical 100100 080}}80% 5
  TM74 Gyro Ball Steel Physical 0000 100}}100% 5
  TM78 Bulldoze Ground Physical 06060 100}}100% 20
  TM80 Rock Slide Rock Physical 07575 090}}90% 10
  TM84 Poison Jab Poison Physical 08080 100}}100% 20
  TM87 Swagger Normal Status 0000 090}}90% 15
  TM90 Substitute Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 10
  TM94 Rock Smash Fighting Physical 04040 100}}100% 15
  HM04 Strength Normal Physical 08080 100}}100% 15
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Donphan
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Donphan
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation V
Other generations:
II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
 Father   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
AncientPower Rock Special 60 100% 5
Body Slam Normal Physical 85 100% 15
Counter Fighting Physical 100% 20
Endeavor Normal Physical 100% 5
Fissure Ground Physical —% 5
Focus Energy Normal Status —% 30
Head Smash Rock Physical 150 80% 5
Heavy Slam Steel Physical 100% 10
Ice Shard Ice Physical 40 100% 30
Mud-Slap Ground Special 20 100% 10
Snore Normal Special 40 100% 15
  • Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Donphan in Generation V
  • Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation.
  • Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Donphan in that game.
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Donphan
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Donphan
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

Generation V
Other generations:
II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
 Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
B W B2 W2 Block Normal Status —% 5
B W B2 W2 Bounce Flying Physical 85 85% 5
B W B2 W2 Earth Power Ground Special 90 100% 10
B W B2 W2 Endeavor Normal Physical 100% 5
B W B2 W2 Gunk Shot Poison Physical 120 70% 5
B W B2 W2 Hyper Voice Normal Special 90 100% 10
B W B2 W2 Iron Defense Steel Status —% 15
B W B2 W2 Iron Tail Steel Physical 100 75% 15
B W B2 W2 Knock Off Dark Physical 20 100% 20
B W B2 W2 Last Resort Normal Physical 140 100% 5
B W B2 W2 Seed Bomb Grass Physical 80 100% 15
B W B2 W2 Sleep Talk Normal Status —% 10
B W B2 W2 Snore Normal Special 40 100% 15
B W B2 W2 Stealth Rock Rock Status —% 20
B W B2 W2 Superpower Fighting Physical 120 100% 5
  • A black abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Donphan can be tutored the move in that game
  • A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Donphan cannot be tutored the move in that game
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Donphan
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Donphan
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

By a prior evolution

Generation V
Other generations:
II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
 Stage   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
  Odor Sleuth Normal Status —% 40
  Tackle Normal Physical 50 100% 35
  Flail Normal Physical 100% 15
  Take Down Normal Physical 90 85% 20
  Natural Gift Normal Physical 100% 15
  Endure Normal Status —% 10
  Charm Normal Status 100% 20
  Last ResortBW Normal Physical 140 100% 5
  Double-Edge Normal Physical 120 100% 15
  Seed BombBW Grass Physical 80 100% 15
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Donphan
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Donphan
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball
 N/A 
Not available
Pokémon Pinball RS
   
Acquisition: Evolve
Pokémon Trozei!
   
Rarity: Rare
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team
File:MDP RT 232.png Body size: 1
Recruit rate: Evolve
Friend Area: Safari
Phrases
51%-100% HP The length of these tusks is a measure of my power!
26%-50% HP This won't do. My health has dwindled to half.
1%-25% HP I've had enough... My tusks are too heavy to move...
Level up I've leveled up! My tusks seem to have thrust out more!
Partner phrases
51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%.
26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%.
1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%.
Level up I've leveled up! My tusks seem to have thrust out more!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness
,
and Explorers of Sky
  Body size: 1
Recruit rate: 0.5%
IQ group: E
Pokémon Ranger
Group:  Ground  Poké Assist:  
( Ground )
Field move:   
(Tackle ×2)
Loops: 10 Min. exp.: 60 Max. exp.: 85
Browser entry  
Donphan rolls its body into a ball to charge. Its crash can shake things up!
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia
Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None
Browser entry  
This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
Group: Poké Assist: Field move:
 Ground   
( Ground )
Past
 
( Normal )
 
(Tackle ×3)
Past
 
(Electrify ×1)
Browser entry  
It triggers tremors to attack.
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
Attack ●●●●
Defense ●●●●
Speed ●●●
Attack Not
Available
Defense
Speed
Attack Not
Available
Defense
Speed
Attack Not
Available
Defense
Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure
  PokéPark Pad entry:
This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond
  Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}}
PokéPark Pad entry:
This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
  HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}}
Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}}
Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}}
Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}}
Does not evolve.
Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

 
Unevolved
Phanpy
 Ground 
 
Level 25


 
First evolution
Donphan
 Ground 


Sprites

Gen Game
I Red Blue Yellow Red (Ja) Green Back
This Pokémon did not appear during Generation I.
II Gold Silver Crystal   Back
       
       
III Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen Back
       
       
IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Back
       
       
       
       
V Black White Black 2 White 2 Back
     
     
     
     
  For other sprites and images, please see Donphan images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Japanese sprites

 
 
Silver

Trivia

  • Donphan is one of several Pokémon whose sprites were altered during translation of Pokémon Silver. In Donphan's case, the underside of its trunk was changed from striped gray, similar to a real trunk, to solid black, and its eyes became smaller.
  • Donphan was the first evolved Generation II Pokémon seen in the anime, and the fifth Generation II Pokémon ever introduced, after Ho-Oh, Togepi, Snubbull and Marill. However, its name, and that of the move it used, Rollout, was not revealed in its debut. Its name was finally revealed when a promotional set of cards was released for Mewtwo Strikes Back.
  • Donphan shares the same species name with Tyranitar. They are both known as Armor Pokémon.
  • Donphan, along with its pre-evolution Phanpy, and also Seel and Shellder, are the only non-Ice-type Pokémon that can learn Ice Shard. Seel and Shellder can learn it by leveling up, while it is an Egg move for Phanpy. However, both Seel and Shellder evolve into dual-Ice types.
  • Donphan and Ursaring, along with their pre-evolutions, are the only Pokémon to swap version-exclusive status between localizations. While Phanpy and Donphan are found only in the Japanese Gold, they are not found in Gold in other languages, being found in the Silver Version of those languages instead, with Teddiursa and Ursaring getting the opposite treatment. This is corrected in the remakes HeartGold and SoulSilver, where they follow the Japanese Gold and Silver.
  • Donphan's sprites in Diamond and Pearl are the same as its sprites in all Generation III games, the only difference being a slight color change (its skin is less gray).

Origin

It appears to have been based on an adult elephant, although it resembles the tire of an automobile when curled up or using its trademark Rollout attack. As both Phanpy and Donphan are much smaller compared to humans than conventional African or Asian elephants, they may have actually been inspired by the Dwarf elephant or Pygmy elephant.

Name origin

Donphan and Donfan are a combination of don and elephant. Don may refer to lord; a root word meaning teeth, referring to its tusks; or mastodon, a prehistoric elephant. Don may have also been included to reflect Donphan's robust physique and great strength, especially in comparison to Phanpy.

In other languages

Language Title Meaning
  Japanese ドンファン Donfan From don and elephant
  French Donphan Same as English name
  Spanish Donphan Same as English name
  German Donphan Same as English name
  Italian Donphan Same as English name
  Korean 코리갑 Kkorigap From 코끼리 kkokkiri and 갑 (甲) gap
  Mandarin Chinese 頓甲 / 顿甲 Dùnjiǎ From dùn and jiǎ
  Cantonese Chinese 冬凡 Dūngfàahn


Related articles

External links

  #231: Phanpy
Pokémon
#233: Porygon2  


  This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species.