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The subject of this article has no official name. The name currently in use is a fan designator; see below for more information.
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Super-ancient Pokémon (Japanese: 超古代ポケモン super-ancient Pokémon) is a term loosely applied in the games and the Super Music Collections to three ancient Legendary Pokémon from Hoenn legend-Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza. These Pokémon were long known under the fan term weather trio. A less commonly used fan term is elemental trio.
The three Pokémon could be references to the Biblical mythologies, Leviathan, a sea monster; Behemoth, a land beast; and Ziz, a giant bird, respectively. Also, their role as the guardian, as well as their respective types, are related to the elemental spheres; Kyogre being the hydrosphere, Groudon being the lithosphere, and Rayquaza being the atmosphere. These three members all appear to have similar physiology; identical signs on their body, as well as their yellow eyes.
In their reprised roles in the remakes of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Groudon and Kyogre gained the ability to undergo Primal Reversion and Rayquaza the ability to Mega Evolve. Primal Reversion is said to be a process whereby the Pokémon return to their original power. Meanwhile, Rayquaza is said to be the first Pokémon to have Mega Evolved.
In their original appearance in Generation III, Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza's weather-changing Abilities belonged exclusively to them. Though several non-Legendary Pokémon have other Abilities that can alter the weather conditions, only Cloud Nine's effect overlaps with the effects of the trio's Abilities (with Rayquaza's Air Lock). Upon undergoing Primal Reversion or Mega Evolution, Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza gain new exclusive Abilities, enhanced versions of their original Abilities.
Though moves such as Sunny Day and Rain Dance have acted just like Groudon's and Kyogre's Abilities since Generation II, causing the weather to change for only five turns, originally, Groudon's and Kyogre's Abilities caused their weather effect for the remainder of the battle or until the weather was changed again in some way. However, Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre's new, enhanced Abilities render it impossible for the weather to be changed by most other means, though the effect lasts only as long as they remain in battle. By contrast, Rayquaza's Ability—which removes the battle effects of any weather on the field, leaving only its visual effect—only lasts as long as Rayquaza remains active, as does Mega Rayquaza's enhanced version of the Ability.
Rayquaza, the trio master, was shown quelling a violent confrontation between the other two Pokémon during the events of Pokémon Emerald.
This, the Tao trio, and the Forces of Nature are the only Legendary trios whose members do not all have the same base stat total; Groudon and Kyogre share a total of 670, while Rayquaza's is 680. This fits with its role as a mediator between Groudon and Kyogre.
History
In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the trio's history is revealed. Thousands of years ago, during the primal age, the world was overflowing with natural energy. Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre fought over that energy in endless clashes. In the face of their great power, people could do nothing. But Rayquaza intervened, and its power overwhelmed that of the two Primal Pokémon, and peace returned to the world. A thousand years later, a meteoroid hit the earth, causing cracks in the ground that unleashed natural energy, causing Groudon and Kyogre to re-battle each other. Humans had a collective memory of how Rayquaza saved their race long ago, and that wish combined with the power of the Meteorite allowed Rayquaza to Mega Evolve for the first time and calm the two from quarreling.
Similar movesetsBase stat comparisonIn the games
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This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: ORAS details
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Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
In these games, both Kyogre and Groudon appear in the Cave of Origin in their respective games, and after defeating the Elite Four, the player can encounter Rayquaza at rest on the topmost floor of the Sky Pillar.
Pokémon Emerald
In the enhanced version of Ruby and Sapphire, Kyogre and Groudon both appear in alternating caves after beating the Elite Four: Marine Cave (on Route 105, Route 125, Route 127, or Route 129) for Kyogre and Terra Cave (on Route 114, Route 115, Route 116, or Route 118) for Groudon. Rayquaza appears atop the Sky Pillar after calming Kyogre and Groudon in Sootopolis City, and is obtainable before the defeat of the Elite Four.
Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
All three Super-ancient Pokémon can be obtained in the Embedded Tower after Red is defeated and player has the National Pokédex, Kanto starter Pokémon, and respective Orbs. Kyogre is obtainable in HeartGold, and Groudon is obtainable in SoulSilver. Once both a Kyogre from HeartGold and a Groudon from SoulSilver are in one game, the player gets an opportunity to catch Rayquaza.
Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
In the remakes, both Kyogre and Groudon appear in the Cave of Origin just like in the originals. However when the player faces them, they are in their Primal Forms. Rayquaza is obtained during the Delta Episode atop Sky Pillar, which occurs after the player become the Champion and is granted access to Sky Pillar by Wallace. Rayquaza must be caught when encountered; if the player runs away from it or defeats it, he or she will have to battle it again until it is caught.
In the anime
All three super-ancient Pokémon have appeared in the anime. Kyogre and Groudon both debuted in Gaining Groudon. Kyogre had been captured by Team Magma, who was also in possession of the Blue Orb. Groudon was in Team Aqua's possession along with the Red Orb. The two teams were planning on swapping Groudon and Kyogre, but Kyogre was released by Team Aqua commander Shelly, who had infiltrated Team Magma. Archie then proceeded to take control of Kyogre using the Red Orb. In the following episode, Archie threatened to use Kyogre's power to flood the island both teams had met at. At this time the now awakened Groudon came and began to battle with Kyogre. During this time, Ash, his friends, and Lance managed to snap Archie out of the Red Orb's possession. Now free from the Orbs' possession Kyogre and Groudon retreated into the ocean and a volcano, respectively.
Rayquaza debuted separately from the other members of its trio. It first appeared in Destiny Deoxys defending its territory from a Deoxys. It later made its television debut in Malice In Wonderland! as an illusion.
Mega Rayquaza debuted in Mega Evolution Special II, where Alain and Steven attempted to battle it with their receptive Mega Pokémon, but are quickly overwhelmed as it causes destruction to the surrounding area.
Primal Kyogre, Primal Groudon, and a Shiny Mega Rayqauza will make a major appearance in Hoopa and The Clash of Ages.
In the manga
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
All three super-ancient Pokémon have appeared in Pokémon Adventures. Archie and Maxie took control of Kyogre and Groudon respectively, and Norman obtained Rayquaza to calm the two.
Trivia
- The term super-ancient Pokémon has previously been attributed to Fossil Pokémon in the Japanese anime.
- The colors of the three super-ancient Pokémon are the additive primary colors of light.
- The super-ancient Pokémon are the first Legendary trio not to share one universal Ability.
- Rayquaza is the only super-ancient Pokémon that:
- Cannot learn an OHKO move.
- Is not directly sought after by a specific crime syndicate.
- Cannot learn its signature move by level-up, as it can learn it by move tutor.
- Has a Mega Evolution form and not a Primal Form.
- Also of note, Mega Rayquaza is the only member who does not require a Legendary Artifact to Mega Evolve. It is also the only Mega Evolution that does not require a Mega Stone. In the game lore it is explained that it eats meteorites to gain the power.