Biology
Articuno is a large avian Pokémon with predominantly sky blue plumage and wings said to be made of ice. On its forehead is a crest that consists of three, darker blue rhombus-shaped feathers. It has circular red eyes, a short gray beak, and long, thin gray legs. Each foot has three forward-facing toes and one that faces backward. On its chest is a mass of pale blue, downy feathers. Its long, streamer-like tail is longer than its body and the same shade of blue as its crest.
Articuno has the power to control ice at will. When Articuno flaps its wings, it can chill the moisture in the air around it, making snow fall. It flies from icy mountain to icy mountain. According to legend, it appears before doomed travelers lost in icy regions. As seen in the anime, Articuno sometimes aids travelers and guides them to safety. Articuno lives in cold, isolated locations such as snowy mountains filled with permafrost.
Forms
Galarian Articuno firing beams from its eyes
Articuno has a regional form: Galarian Articuno.
In Galar, Articuno has a distinct appearance. Its main body has lavender coloration with a black marking covering its chest. Its feet are black with lavender talons. The three feathers of its crest, which are longer, fused, and folded to the back, have the same purple color as its beak and tail. Its eyes glow light blue, appear to be mostly closed, and are surrounded by a black, mask-like facial disc. When Articuno utilizes its psychic power, the entire mask glows the same color as its eyes, as do the white, feather-like blades of condensed psychic power at the edges of its wings.
Galarian Articuno keeps itself airborne with its psychic power, almost never having to use its wings for this purpose. Instead, the blades on its wings can be used to slice through iron as easily as paper. Its eyes can fire beams of psychic energy that leave its opponents stuck in place, as if frozen solid — this is what earns this Pokémon the name of its Kantonian counterpart. It also has the ability to create mirages of itself in order to fool its opponent and escape. Its elegant and refined movements belie a cold and callous personality. It can be found in the Crown Tundra once every few decades congregating at the Dyna Tree Hill.[1]
Galarian Articuno is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Freezing Glare.
In the anime
Main series
Major appearances
Articuno debuted in The Power of One, where Lawrence III sought it, along with the other two Legendary birds and their master Lugia, for his own personal collection.
Articuno made its main series debut in Moving Pictures, where one was seen flying in the distance. The next episode featured Articuno in the same capacity. Todd had gone to search for Articuno in the Johto region so he could add its photograph to his photo album. In Freeze Frame, he followed it to Snowtop Mountain, where he finally took a snapshot of it.
In Numero Uno Articuno and The Symbol Life, Frontier Brain Noland was revealed to have befriended a wild Articuno that he uses against challengers. He accepted Ash's challenge, and Articuno battled Charizard; it was eventually defeated.
Other
In The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon, the Mirage Master briefly used a Mirage Articuno.
In Battling in the Freezing Raid!, Ash, Goh, Gary, and Horace faced an Articuno in a Raid Battle at the Seafoam Islands.
Minor appearances
In An EGG-sighting Adventure!, Team Rocket's fantasy featured an Articuno.
An Articuno appeared in the opening sequence of Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.
In the opening sequence of The Rise of Darkrai, an Articuno was flying across the sky.
An Articuno appeared in the opening sequence of Zoroark: Master of Illusions.
An Articuno appeared in a fantasy in An Electrifying Rage!.
In the ending credits of I Choose You!, Sorrel and his Lucario witnessed an Articuno flying overhead whilst in a snowy environment.
A silhouetted Articuno appeared in a fantasy in Healing the Healer!.
A shadowed Articuno appeared in This Could be the Start of Something Big!.
Pokédex entries
Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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EP187
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Articuno
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Ash's Pokédex
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Articuno, the Freeze Pokémon. This Legendary Pokémon, with wings like thin sheets of ice, is believed to possess the ability to freeze water vapor and create snow.
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Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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AG135
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Articuno
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May's Pokédex
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Articuno, the Freeze Pokémon. Articuno lives deep within mountain ranges, and is said to be able to fly by gracefully waving its tail.
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Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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JN102
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Articuno
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Goh's Rotom Phone
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Articuno, the Freeze Pokémon. An Ice and Flying type. Articuno is a Legendary Pokémon who can control ice. It's said to inhabit snowy mountains covered in permafrost.
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Pokémon Origins
In File 4: Charizard, Red caught an Articuno in Seafoam Islands. He later used it in his battle with Mewtwo, but it was easily defeated.
GOTCHA!
An Articuno briefly appeared as a silhouette in GOTCHA!.
Pokémon: Twilight Wings
In The Gathering of Stars, a Galarian Articuno was seen in the Crown Tundra.
In the manga
Ash & Pikachu
An Articuno appears in One Half Of A Poké Ball.
- Main article: Noland's Articuno
Noland's Articuno appears in Off To The Battle Frontier!!.
Movie adaptations
- Main article: Articuno (M02)
Articuno appeared in the manga adaptation of The Power of One.
Articuno also appeared in the graphic novel adaptation of the same movie.
Magical Pokémon Journey
Articuno appears in The Legendary Articuno!. It lives atop a mountain used by a ski resort and is rumored to spirit away the lives of lost travelers, but in reality, it is a friendly Pokémon that runs a Snowcone shop. Pikachu, Clefairy and Jigglypuff enter a Snowcone-eating contest at Articuno's shop, and Articuno also rescues an injured Hazel.
Pokémon Adventures
- Main article: Articuno (Adventures)
Articuno first appeared in You know... Articuno!, where it was chased by a group of Team Rocket Grunts at Seafoam Islands. Although it managed to defeat their Muk, it spent so much energy in doing this that it was soon caught by the Grunts and placed under Team Rocket Commander Koga's possession. He later used it to battle Blue and Red at Silph Co., where it froze both of them. However, Blue's Charizard quickly melted them, allowing Red and Blue to defeat Koga. Articuno was later merged with Zapdos and Moltres into a combination Pokémon that was defeated by Red, Blue, and Green, causing it to split up again and freeing the Legendary birds.
Green later caught Articuno before the Gold, Silver & Crystal arc as a part of overcoming her fear of birds. She used it and the other Legendary birds to battle Lugia and Ho-Oh in Ilex Forest.
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Spoilers end here.
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Pokémon Battrio: Aim to be Battrio Master!
An Articuno appeared in ABM01.
Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys
In The Legendary Pokémon Appears!, an Articuno appeared at the Violet Gym during Gold's Gym battle against Falkner, joining the battle on the Gym Leader's side. With the help of a Pikachu that appeared from a time tunnel, Gold was able to damage the Legendary bird enough for it to leave and thus admit defeat.
Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All
An Articuno appeared in GDZ24.
An Articuno appeared in GDZ52, under the ownership of Nagi.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team
An Articuno appeared in Battle in a Bitter Cold Land!!. It reappeared in a flashback in Why I Became a Pokémon. The Answer Finally Revealed!!.
Pokémon Pocket Monsters
Articuno debuted in Will You Risk Your Life To Play The Magic Game?!. It was caught by Red in the next chapter.
An Articuno appeared in Get Lugia!.
Pokémon Zensho
A silhouette of an Articuno appeared in PZ07.
Blaine caught an Articuno with Satoshi's help in PZ08.
In the TCGMerchandise
Articuno was one of the first four Pokémon designs revealed when the Pokémon 151 brand was first announced. In the shirt design, an Articuno is rising out of the right side with the number 144 on its chest.
Other appearances
When released from a Poké Ball, Articuno will use a Blizzard attack that freezes any opponent that is caught in it for a few seconds.
Trophy information
"Clouds gather, the barometer plunges, and fresh snow falls from the frigid air when this legendary Pokémon takes wing. Graceful and elegant, it boasts long tail feathers that flap in the wind and are lovely to behold. As would be expected, its combat moves are based on its cold nature; they include Ice Beam and Blizzard."
Articuno reappears as a trophy in the 3DS game, but not the Wii U edition.
Trophy information
Articuno trophy in
Super Smash Bros. for 3DS
NA: The air around Articuno is always cool, and it can make snow fall on even the hottest of days. It must be the perfect Pokémon to have around in summer! Then again, do you really want to be the one to use a Legendary bird Pokémon as an ice machine? Let's just think this through for a minute.
PAL: The air around Articuno is always cool, and it can make snow fall on even the hottest of days. It must be the perfect Pokémon to have around in summer! Then again, do you really want to be the one to use a Legendary Bird Pokémon as an ice machine? You'd just get the cold shoulder from the whole Pokémon community.
Articuno appears as a Spirit alongside Zapdos and Moltres.
Game data
NPC appearances
Pokédex entries
In Japanese, the wording 「でんせつの れいとうポケモン」 (Legendary Freezing Pokémon) is found in the Pokédex entry from Pokémon Blue and LeafGreen. This is a reference to Articuno's category (English: Freeze Pokémon; Japanese: れいとうポケモン). However, in the English version of LeafGreen, this was changed to "legendary bird Pokémon" instead, which is an expression also found in several other Pokédex entries of the three Legendary birds.
Generation I
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Kanto #144
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Red(ENG)
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A legendary bird Pokémon that is said to appear to doomed people who are lost in icy mountains.
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Blue
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Yellow
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A legendary bird Pokémon. It freezes water that is contained in winter air and makes it snow.
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Stadium
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A legendary bird Pokémon with long and distinctive tail feathers. Said to appear if you are freezing on a snowy mountain.
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Generation II
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Johto #235
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Gold
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The magnificent, seemingly translucent wings of this legendary bird Pokémon are said to be made of ice.
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Silver
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One of the legendary bird Pokémon, it chills moisture in the atmosphere to create snow while flying.
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Crystal
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Legendary bird Pokémon. As it flies through the sky, it cools the air, causing snow to fall.
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Stadium 2
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The magnificent, seemingly translucent wings of this legendary bird Pokémon are said to be made of ice.
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Generation III
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Hoenn #—
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Kanto #144
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Ruby
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Articuno is a legendary bird Pokémon that can control ice. The flapping of its wings chills the air. As a result, it is said that when this Pokémon flies, snow will fall.
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Sapphire
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Emerald
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Articuno is a legendary bird Pokémon that can control ice. The flapping of its wings chills the air. As a result, it is said that when this Pokémon flies, snow will fall.
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FireRed
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One of the legendary bird Pokémon. With its long tail trailing behind, its flying form is magnificent.
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LeafGreen
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A legendary bird Pokémon that is said to appear to doomed people who are lost in icy mountains.
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Generation IV
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Sinnoh #—
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Johto #240
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Diamond
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A legendary bird Pokémon. It can create blizzards by freezing moisture in the air.
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Pearl
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Platinum
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HeartGold
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The magnificent seemingly translucent wings of this legendary bird Pokémon are said to be made of ice.
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SoulSilver
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One of the legendary bird Pokémon, it chills moisture in the atmosphere to create snow while flying.
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Generation V
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Unova #—
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Black
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A legendary bird Pokémon. It can create blizzards by freezing moisture in the air.
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White
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Black 2
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A legendary bird Pokémon. It can create blizzards by freezing moisture in the air.
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White 2
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Generation VI
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Kalos Coastal #151
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Hoenn #—
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X
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A legendary bird Pokémon. It can create blizzards by freezing moisture in the air.
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Y
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A legendary bird Pokémon that is said to appear to doomed people who are lost in icy mountains.
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Omega Ruby
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Articuno is a legendary bird Pokémon that can control ice. The flapping of its wings chills the air. As a result, it is said that when this Pokémon flies, snow will fall.
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Alpha Sapphire
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Generation VIII
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Galar Crown Tundra #202
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Sinnoh #—
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Hisui #—
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This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Legends: Arceus.
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Sword
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It's said that this Pokémon's beautiful blue wings are made of ice. Articuno flies over snowy mountains, its long tail fluttering along behind it.
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Shield
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This Pokémon can control ice at will. Articuno is said to live in snowy mountains riddled with permafrost.
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Brilliant Diamond
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This legendary bird Pokémon can create blizzards by freezing moisture in the air.
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Shining Pearl
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Galarian Articuno
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Sword
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Its feather-like blades are composed of psychic energy and can shear through thick iron sheets as if they were paper.
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Shield
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Known as Articuno, this Pokémon fires beams that can immobilize opponents as if they had been frozen solid.
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Game locations
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Generation VII
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Sun
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Moon
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Ultra Sun
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Ultra Moon
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Let's Go Pikachu
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Let's Go Eevee
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Seafoam Islands (Only one) Routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25
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In side games
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Generation II
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This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
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In events
Articuno
Games
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Event
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Language/Region
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Location
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Level
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Distribution period
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GSC
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Gotta Catch 'Em All Station! Articuno
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English
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United States
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50
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November 30 to December 20, 2001; February 15 to 21, 2002
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RSEFRLG
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Journey Across America Articuno
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English
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United States
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70
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February 25 to July 23, 2006
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RSEFRLG
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Top 10 Distribution Articuno
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English
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United Kingdom
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70
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June 10, 2006; October 14 to November 19, 2006
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RSEFRLG
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Top 10 Distribution Articuno
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Italian
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Italy
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70
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June 23 to 25, 2006
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RSEFRLG
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Top 10 Distribution Articuno
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Spanish
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Spain
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70
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June 27 to August 27, 2006
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RSEFRLG
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Party of the Decade Articuno
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English
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United States
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70
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August 8, 2006
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RSEFRLG
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Top 10 Distribution Articuno
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German
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Germany
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70
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September 24 to November 5, 2006
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RSEFRLG
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Top 10 Distribution Articuno
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French
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France
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70
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September 26, 2006
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XYORAS
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Pokémon Scrap Articuno
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Japanese region
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Online
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70
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March 1 to August 31, 2016
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XYORAS
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Aldora Articuno
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PAL region
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Online
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70
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March 11 to September 30, 2016
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ORAS
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Movie Articuno
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Korean region
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Online
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70
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May 2 to July 31, 2016
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XYORAS
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Aldora Articuno
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American region
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Online
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70
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May 3 to August 31, 2016
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Galarian Articuno
Held items
Stats
Base stats
Articuno
Stat
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Range
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At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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90
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150 - 197
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290 - 384
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85
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81 - 150
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157 - 295
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100
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94 - 167
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184 - 328
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95
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90 - 161
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175 - 317
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125
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117 - 194
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229 - 383
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85
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81 - 150
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157 - 295
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Total: 580
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- 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.
- This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 125.
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Galarian Articuno
Stat
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Range
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At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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90
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150 - 197
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290 - 384
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85
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81 - 150
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157 - 295
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85
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81 - 150
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157 - 295
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125
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117 - 194
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229 - 383
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100
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94 - 167
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184 - 328
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95
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90 - 161
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175 - 317
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Total: 580
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- 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.
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Pokéathlon stats
Type effectiveness
Articuno
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Galarian Articuno
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Learnset
Articuno
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Articuno
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Articuno
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
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Galarian Articuno
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Articuno
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Articuno
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Articuno
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Articuno
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution or an alternate form of Articuno
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
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Galarian Articuno
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Articuno
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution or an alternate form of Articuno
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Articuno
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Articuno
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Articuno
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Articuno
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
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Galarian Articuno
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Articuno
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Articuno
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Articuno
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
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Side game data
Articuno
Galarian Articuno
Evolution data
Articuno
Galarian Articuno
Sprites
Trivia
- Galarian Articuno shares its category with Liepard. They are both known as the Cruel Pokémon.
- In the second episode of the anime, there is an engraving on a wall in the Viridian City Pokémon Center that depicts the Legendary birds. Ash mistakes the Articuno engraving as Ho-Oh. While the blue coloration of the stone indicates the Ice type, and the wings and crest feathers are those of Articuno, the multiple tail feathers look nothing like Articuno's tail, being more similar in appearance to those of Ho-Oh.
- In Red, Blue, and Yellow, as well as FireRed and LeafGreen, there are binoculars in the gate separating Fuchsia City from Route 15, through which Articuno can be seen flying toward the sea. It is still visible in the binoculars even if it is captured or defeated in the Seafoam Islands.
- In the opening of Spring Fever, Todd points out a tall mountain that is Articuno's home. This mountain is, on the outside, the same as Ice Island, Articuno's home in The Power of One.
- In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, Articuno is the only one in its trio that cannot be encountered unless the player enters an event password.
- Kantonian Articuno is the only Pokémon other than Poliwrath (Generation II only) and Smeargle that is able to learn Lock-On or Mind Reader and an OHKO move, being able to learn Mind Reader and Sheer Cold. An Articuno using this combination can be fought in the Battle Subway.
- Articuno and the other two Legendary birds had Australian beetle species named after them: Binburrum articuno, Binburrum zapdos, and Binburrum moltres. The three species were first described in 2020, and were collectively named after the Legendary birds to reflect their rarity.[2][3]
Origin
Articuno seems to take inspiration from various mythical birds such as the Persian Simurgh, Huma, and Roc, or the Chinese Fenghuang. Many of these rare birds were said to live on high mountain peaks and are symbols of good fortune. Tales of their benevolence might be the inspiration behind Articuno’s reputation for rescuing people. Anatomically, it is very similar to the white-throated magpie-jay, and its streamer-like tail feathers are similar to the resplendent quetzal.
As suggested by the Pokédex entries, the three legendary birds appear to be embodiments of seasons, Articuno represents winter, while Zapdos and Moltres represent summer and spring, respectively. Autumn is however unrepresented.
Galarian Articuno’s facial feathers resemble a mask worn at a masquerade ball as well as some form of protective eyewear such as glasses, goggles, or a visor. Its freezing glare might be a reference to the Cockatrice, a mythical reptile/bird monster that could turn people to stone with its gaze. Its Shiny coloration is similar to Kantonian Articuno's regular coloration.
Name origin
Articuno may be a combination of arctic (northern polar region) and uno (Spanish for one, indicating that it is the first of the Kanto Legendary birds).
Freezer is literally freezer (that which freezes).
In other languagesRelated articlesReferencesExternal links
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This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.
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