Salamence is a quadruped, draconic Pokémon with a long, tapering tail. It is primarily blue with a gray lower jaw and thickly scaled underside. There are red markings on its throat, the underside of its tail, and stripes on the inner surface of its legs. Additionally, there are raised red ridges above its eyes. Three flat fins protrude from either side of its head, possibly acting in the same manner that a Canard would on an aircraft. It has two pairs of pointed teeth, one in the upper jaw and one in the lower. Each of its short legs has three claws. This Pokémon’s powerful desire to fly triggered a mutation that allowed it to grow large, red wings. As an expression of joy, it flies around and releases blasts of fire. If enraged, it becomes uncontrollable and will destroy everything in its path. This Pokémon is found living in rough terrain.
As Mega Salamence, its wings meld together into a single huge, crescent-shaped wing. According to the anime, the hard, yet very flexible properties of its wings allow them to be used as blades in mid-air battles. Its face, neck, body and tail are narrower, and its tail is noticeably shorter in length. The ridges above its eyes are now far less prominent, and it no longer possesses the thick, gray scaling over its lower jaw. Instead, the smooth red flesh underneath has been left exposed, increasing its streamline appearance. The upper pair of fins resting on the sides of its head are now elongated and tapered. The lower pair has not changed much. However, the middle set now take the form of quarter-arches, spanning towards the bridge of the nose. The remnants of its shelled underbelly have been drastically transformed into a segmented, more aerodynamic, vest-like armored frame. This frame encases its chest and shoulders with the pieces interlocking whenever Mega Salamence tucks in its front forelegs.
A Salamence appeared in A Riveting Rivalry!, under the ownership of Sawyer, where it was revealed to have evolved from a Shelgon sometime before the episode.
Salamence, the Dragon Pokémon. Fully evolved form of Bagon. Equipped with sharp teeth and massive claws, weighs over 200 pounds, and has the fastest speed of all the Flying-type Pokémon.
Salamence, the Dragon Pokémon. As a result of a powerful desire to fly, Salamence were able to trigger the cells in their body and cause them to grow wings.
When Ruby was a child, he battled a Salamence that attacked him and Sapphire while the two were playing outside. After being defeated by Ruby and having scarred his forehead with its Dragon Claw in the process, the Salamence went on a rampage and destroyed a lab, freeing Rayquaza, which was in captivity at that time, in the process. This resulted in Norman being banned from the Gym Leader test for five years. This encounter changed both Ruby and Sapphire and their views on Pokémon, as well as themselves. In Ruby's case, he felt he was too strong, and in order to keep himself back, he focused on Pokémon Contests. Sapphire, on the other hand, felt weak after the encounter and decided she had to become stronger, and spent much of her time in the wild honing her battle skills.
Years later, in the Emerald arc, Dome Ace Tucker is shown to be in possession of another Salamence, with which he defeats Sapphire. While Sapphire acknowledges the man's overwhelming skill, she also adds that such a Pokémon is a hard one to fight against with her phobic old experience many years back.
In the Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire arc, Zinnia reveals that her Salamence is the very same one that Ruby fought in his childhood. Zinnia had ordered Salamence to free Rayquaza from being experimented by the Pokémon Association. Salamence faces Ruby again in the Sky Pillar, along with his companion Latios, and is Mega Evolved during the battle, but still loses.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity: Salamence is a member of Munna's gang working for Kyurem to stop any (transformed) humans called upon by Hydreigon from destroying the Bittercold. He aided his companions in pursuing the player and their partner, but was outmaneuvered by Hydreigon. Salamence, along with two Chandelure, later attempted to stop the player and their allies from reaching the Glacier Palace, but were defeated.
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Salamence came about as a result of a strong, long-held dream of growing wings. It is said that this powerful desire triggered a sudden mutation in this Pokémon's cells, causing it to sprout its magnificent wings.
By evolving into Salamence, this Pokémon finally realizes its long-held dream of growing wings. To express its joy, it flies and wheels all over the sky while spouting flames from its mouth.
After many long years, its cellular structure underwent a sudden mutation to grow wings. When angered, it loses all thought and rampages out of control.
Salamence came about as a result of a strong, long-held dream of growing wings. It is said that this powerful desire triggered a sudden mutation in this Pokémon’s cells, causing it to sprout its magnificent wings.
By evolving into Salamence, this Pokémon finally realizes its long-held dream of growing wings. To express its joy, it flies and wheels all over the sky while spouting flames from its mouth.
Game locations
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Salamence shares its category with Horsea, Dratini, their evolutions, and Goodra. They are all known as Dragon Pokémon.
Mega Salamence has the highest base Defense stat of all Dragon-type Pokémon.
Mega Salamence also has the highest base stat total of all non-Legendary Flying-type Pokémon, as well as that of all non-Legendary Dragon-type Pokémon, the latter of which it shares with Mega Garchomp.
Origin
Salamence appears to be based on a salamander, most likely the Hida salamander or Anderson's Salamander which was combined with the archetypal fire-breathing European dragon. This is further backed-up by Salamence featuring three prominent finlets on either side of its head which can be interpreted as external gills. These external gills are typical for many species of amphibians.
Name origin
Salamence may be a combination of salamander and menace, vengeance, vehemence, or violence (in regard to its brutal nature).
Bohmander is a combination of 暴行 bōkō (assault, outrage, or violent act) and salamander.
In other languages
Language
Title
Meaning
Japanese
ボーマンダ Bohmander
From 暴行 bōkō (assault, outrage, or violent act) and salamander
Dragon Scale (50%)
Dragon Fang (50%)
For other sprites and images, please see Salamence images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
