Biology
Moltres is a large, avian Pokémon with golden plumage. It has a long, flowing head crest and a billowing tail, both made of reddish-orange and yellow flames. Additionally, its wings are also shrouded in fiery plumage. When using its the wings, they gain a dazzling red glow. It has a long, thin neck, a pointed, brown beak, and small, triangular eyes. Its thin, brown legs have feet that have three forward-facing toes and one backward-facing toe. It has short talons.
Moltres sheds embers with every flap of its wings, creating a brilliant flash of flames. By dipping itself into the magma of an active volcano, this Pokémon can heal itself. It migrates to the south with the coming of spring and is said to bring an early springtime to cold lands. There have been stories of Moltres using its wings to assist those lost in the mountains. Moltres is rarely seen. In the past, Sky Attack was its signature move.
In Galar, Moltres has a similar build, but a drastically different color scheme. Its body is primarily black with scarlet highlights and bright blue eyes. Its scarlet beak is hooked at the tip and leads to markings that run down its front and behind its head. Its feet are also scarlet with black talons. Its wings, crest, and tail are mostly black, with the crest having an extra curl at the front and the tail being split in two, and all three of these features exude a magenta, flame-like energy that earns it the name of its original counterpart.
The sinister energy that blazes from within its body is so oppressive that most Pokémon can't even approach it. Galarian Moltres attacks by spreading its wings wide to unleash its energy in a powerful aura that attacks the minds of its foes, inflicting deep fatigue as it burns away their energy from within. The aura has the power to consume the spirit of its victims, reducing them to burned-out shadows of themselves. It is said to have a haughty personality and a calm demeanor. It appears in the Crown Tundra once every few decades to reach Dyna Tree Hill.[1]
Galarian Moltres is the only Pokémon that can learn the move Fiery Wrath.
In the anime
Main series
Major appearances
In The Power of One, Lawrence III sought a Moltres, the other two Legendary birds, and their master Lugia for his own personal collection.
Other
In All Fired Up!, a Moltres fully engulfed in flames defeated Team Rocket when they attempted to steal the Moltres Flame during the opening ceremony of the Indigo Plateau Conference. It reappeared in a flashback in Friends to the End.
In The Search for the Legend, Butch and Cassidy attempted to capture a weakened Moltres at One Island, but they were unsuccessful. After recovering its strength, it was about to battle Silver, who had dreamed of battling it since his youth, but the battle was interrupted by Mt. Ember's eruption.
In the Hoopa's Surprise Ring Adventures short Heated Battle, a Moltres hit and burnt Hoopa with a Fire-type attack before flying off.
In A Legendary Photo Op!, a Moltres was resting in the crater of Mt. Molteau. Ash and his friends joined Trevor, who was looking to photograph the Legendary bird. However, it was attacked by Team Rocket, and as a result, it attacked Ash's group, assuming they were allied with the trio. After witnessing the selfless actions of Ash and his newly evolved Talonflame, however, Moltres realized its error and left them in peace.
In JN068, Ash, Gary, and Goh encountered a Moltres whilst searching for Ash's Infernape. They battled against it until it flew off, leaving behind a burning feather.
Minor appearances
In Island of the Giant Pokémon, a mechanical Moltres was a part of Pokémon Land. It chased Team Rocket.
A Moltres appeared in a fantasy in the Fortune Teller book in The Fortune Hunters. James also dressed up as one.
In An EGG-sighting Adventure!, Team Rocket's fantasy featured a Moltres.
A Moltres appeared in the opening sequence of Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.
In the opening sequence of The Rise of Darkrai, a Moltres was flying across the sky.
A Moltres appeared in the opening sequence of Arceus and the Jewel of Life.
A Moltres appeared in the opening sequence of Zoroark: Master of Illusions.
A Moltres appeared in a fantasy An Electrifying Rage!.
A Moltres appeared in I Choose You!.
A silhouetted Moltres appeared in a fantasy in Healing the Healer!.
Pokédex entries
Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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HS18
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Moltres
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Ritchie's Pokédex
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Moltres, a one-of-a-kind Legendary Flame Pokémon. So powerful, its fire dust can bring early spring to wintery lands.
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Pokémon Origins
In File 4: Charizard, Red caught a Moltres in Victory Road.
GOTCHA!
A Moltres briefly appeared as a silhouette in GOTCHA!.
Pokémon: Twilight Wings
In The Gathering of Stars, a Galarian Moltres was seen flying over to the Crown Tundra.
In the manga
Movie adaptations
- Main article: Moltres (M02)
Moltres appeared in the manga adaptation of The Power of One.
Moltres also appeared in the graphic novel adaptation of the same movie.
The Electric Tale of Pikachu
Moltres was mentioned in Welcome to the Big Leagues, where its flames represent the Indigo League.
Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure
A Moltres appeared as a silhouette in JBA5.
Pokémon Adventures
- Main article: Moltres (Adventures)
Moltres debuted in Holy Moltres, where it pursued and battled Blaine and Red on Cinnabar Island, having been caught by Team Rocket at Indigo Plateau sometime before. It was wounded by Red's newly resurrected Aerodactyl, forcing Team Rocket to retreat. Team Rocket Commander Sabrina later sent Moltres out to face Red at Silph Co. Moltres was soon merged with Articuno and Zapdos 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 Moltres 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. In the FireRed & LeafGreen arc, it was revealed that Green had caught Moltres on Mt. Ember.
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Spoilers end here.
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Pokémon Battrio: Aim to be Battrio Master!
A Moltres appeared in ABM01.
Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All
A Moltres appeared in Get Moltres?, though it was ultimately revealed to be a Ditto in disguise.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team
Moltres appeared in Goodbye to a Peaceful Village, where it attacked Ginji and Mudkip because it believed Ginji was destined to destroy the world. It reappeared in a flashback in Why I Became a Pokémon. The Answer Finally Revealed!!.
Pokémon Pocket Monsters
A Moltres appeared in The Legendary Moltres Appears!!, where it was inside Victory Road and fought a Kabutops.
A Moltres appeared in Get Lugia!, where Red, Green and Blue fought it to get the orb in order to summon Lugia.
Pokémon Zensho
A silhouette of a Moltres appeared in PZ07.
In the TCGOther appearances
Moltres in Super Smash Bros.
Moltres in Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Moltres makes a cameo appearance in the Saffron City stage. Very rarely, it will fly by in the background.
When released from a Poké Ball, Moltres will remain where it is released, flapping its wings. It will then use Sky Attack in Melee or Fly in Brawl to leave the arena. Any opponent that touches it will receive a sizable amount of damage. Moltres is the only Legendary bird to return in Brawl.
Trophy information
Melee
As tradition has it, the onset of spring heralds the return of this legendary Pokémon from its southern home. Its bright orange color and fiery aspect lends to its overwhelming appearance. Sky Attack, the strongest of flying moves, is a perfect fit for this burning phenom, but it obviously also excels at powerful Fire-type moves.
Brawl
"A Flame Pokémon. It's one of the legendary bird Pokémon. When Moltres appears in a town, it is said that spring will come earlier there than in other towns. If Moltres is injured, it apparently returns to a volcano to heal its wings with magma. Moltres spreads its wide, flame-covered wings and attacks opponents with the exciting and highly damaging Sky Attack."
3DS/Wii U
Moltres in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS.
Moltres trophy in
Super Smash Bros. for 3DS
NA: This Fire/Flying-type Pokémon is one of three Legendary birds in the Kanto region. It will use Fly when called into a Smash Bros. battle, flapping its orange wings and sending fire out around it. Getting hit hurts and could launch you so far, you'd make Moltres jealous. That isn't a good thing...
PAL: Moltres is one of the three Legendary Bird Pokémon of the Kanto region, along with Articuno and Zapdos. When spreading its huge wings and taking flight, it can make the flames all over its body burn even brighter. If you get hit by those flames during its Fly attack, you might go flying even further than Moltres!
Moltres returns as a Pokémon summoned from the Poké Ball, retaining its behavior from past games. It also appears as a Spirit alongside Articuno and Zapdos.
Game data
NPC appearances
Pokédex entries
Generation I
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Kanto #146
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Red(ENG)
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Known as the legendary bird of fire. Every flap of its wings creates a dazzling flash of flames.
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Blue
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Yellow
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A legendary bird Pokémon. As it flaps its blazing wings, even the night sky will turn red.
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Stadium
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A legendary bird Pokémon known as the "fire bird." Every time it flaps, its wings flare and burn brightly.
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Generation II
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Johto #237
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Gold
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This legendary Pokémon scatters embers with every flap of its wings. It is a thrilling sight to behold.
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Silver
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This legendary bird Pokémon is said to bring early spring to the wintry lands it visits.
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Crystal
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Legendary bird Pokémon. It is said to migrate from the south along with the spring.
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Stadium 2
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This legendary Pokémon scatters embers with every flap of its wings. It is a thrilling sight to behold.
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Generation III
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Hoenn #—
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Kanto #146
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Ruby
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Moltres is a legendary bird Pokémon that has the ability to control fire. If this Pokémon is injured, it is said to dip its body in the molten magma of a volcano to burn and heal itself.
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Sapphire
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Emerald
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Moltres is a legendary bird Pokémon that can control fire. If injured, it is said to dip its body in the molten magma of a volcano to burn and heal itself.
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FireRed
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One of the legendary bird Pokémon. Those who see it are overwhelmed by its orange wings that seem to be on fire.
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LeafGreen
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It is said to be the legendary bird Pokémon of fire. Every flap of its wings creates a dazzling flare of flames.
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Generation IV
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Sinnoh #—
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Johto #242
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Diamond
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One of the legendary bird Pokémon. It is said that spring will soon arrive if Moltres shows itself.
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Pearl
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Platinum
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One of the legendary bird Pokémon. It is said that its appearance indicates the coming of spring.
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HeartGold
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This legendary Pokémon scatters embers with every flap of its wings. It is a thrilling sight to behold.
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SoulSilver
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This legendary bird Pokémon is said to bring early spring to the wintry lands it visits.
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Generation V
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Unova #—
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Black
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One of the legendary bird Pokémon. It is said that its appearance indicates the coming of spring.
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White
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Black 2
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One of the legendary bird Pokémon. It is said that its appearance indicates the coming of spring.
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White 2
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Generation VI
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Kalos Coastal #153
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Hoenn #—
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X
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It is said to be the legendary bird Pokémon of fire. Every flap of its wings creates a dazzling flare of flames.
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Y
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One of the legendary bird Pokémon. It is said that its appearance indicates the coming of spring.
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Omega Ruby
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Moltres is a legendary bird Pokémon that has the ability to control fire. If this Pokémon is injured, it is said to dip its body in the molten magma of a volcano to burn and heal itself.
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Alpha Sapphire
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Generation VIII
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Galar Crown Tundra #204
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Moltres
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Sword
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It's one of the legendary bird Pokémon. When Moltres flaps its flaming wings, they glimmer with a dazzling red glow.
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Shield
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There are stories of this Pokémon using its radiant, flame-cloaked wings to light up paths for those lost in the mountains.
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Galarian Moltres
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Sword
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This Pokémon's sinister, flame-like aura will consume the spirit of any creature it hits. Victims become burned-out shadows of themselves.
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Shield
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The sinister aura that blazes like molten fire around this Pokémon is what inspired the name Moltres.
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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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Victory Road (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
Held items
Stats
Base stats
Moltres
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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100
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94 - 167
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184 - 328
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90
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85 - 156
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166 - 306
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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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90
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85 - 156
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166 - 306
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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 Moltres
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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90
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85 - 156
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166 - 306
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100
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94 - 167
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184 - 328
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125
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117 - 194
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229 - 383
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90
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85 - 156
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166 - 306
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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
Moltres
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Galarian Moltres
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Learnset
Moltres
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Moltres
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Moltres
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
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Galarian Moltres
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Moltres
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Moltres
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Moltres
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Moltres
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Moltres
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
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Galarian Moltres
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Moltres
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Moltres
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Moltres
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Moltres in Generation VIII
- 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 Moltres in that game.
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Moltres
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Moltres
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
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Galarian Moltres
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Moltres in Generation VIII
- 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 Moltres in that game.
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Moltres
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Moltres
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Moltres
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Moltres
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Moltres
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations
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Galarian Moltres
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Moltres
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Moltres
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By transfer from another generation
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- Transferred Pokémon only retain these moves in Pokémon Sword and Shield
- A striped background indicates a generation in which the move can only be obtained via event or as a special move
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Moltres
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Moltres
- × indicates a move that cannot be used in Sword and Shield
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see transfer-only moves for other generations
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Side game data
Evolution
Moltres
Galarian Moltres
Sprites
Trivia
- Moltres shares its category with Charmeleon, Charizard, Flareon, and Infernape. They are all known as the Flame Pokémon.
- Moltres, alongside the other two Legendary birds, had an Australian Beetle named after it, named Binburrum moltres.
- Peony describes Galarian Moltres as "...barely lukewarm!" This comment is likely there to explain how it is no longer a Fire-type.
Origin
Moltres seems to be based on the legends of firebirds such as the phoenix, the Slavic firebird, or the Bennu. It may also be based on the Japanese mythical bird known as 朱雀 Suzaku, guardian of the South, which is not a true phoenix. In addition, it may be based on a heron because of their similarities in body shape.
Galarian Moltres appears to resemble a cormorant.
Name origin
Moltres is a combination of molten and tres (Spanish for three, indicating that it is the third in the trio of Kanto Legendary birds). It may also derive from molt.
Fire is literally fire.
In other languagesRelated articlesNotesExternal 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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