Physiology
Keldeo is pony-like, with a large, feathery red mane, long, dark blue, ridged eyebrow-like features, and a single white horn that is slightly curved. The back of its head, as well as its neck, has light blue-and-white-spotted coloration with spiky edges at the lower portion. Its body is cream-colored, with blue hooves. Its blue-and-white-spotted, lifted and feathery tail is comparable to an elaborate feather in a cap.
Gender differences
Keldeo is a genderless species.
Special abilities
Keldeo has the ability to cross water by ejecting water from its hooves.
Behavior
Keldeo tends to run about the entire world, running on the surface of seas and rivers.
Habitat
Keldeo appears at beautiful watersides.
Diet
- As the fourth member of the Musketeer quartet, it shares several traits with them, but is somewhat different in a number of ways:
- Unlike the others, Keldeo is unable to learn Quick Attack. Instead, it is capable of learning Aqua Jet, a variation of Quick Attack.
- The moves that Keldeo learns by level have higher base powers than the moves learned by the Musketeer Trio.
- Keldeo learns Sacred Sword one level later than the other three.
- Keldeo is not listed numerically near the other three.
- It distributes EVs for three different stats as opposed to one particular one.
- Its forelegs seem to be stylized after animal legs and hooves, unlike the others, which seem to have boots.
- Keldeo has the highest Special Attack of all Fighting-type Pokémon.
- Keldeo, along with Meloetta, are the only event legendary Pokémon to learn their signature moves from an external source.
- Its trait of running across water mirrors Suicune, another Water-type quadrupedal legendary Pokémon.
Origin
Keldeo is most likely based on a combination of the legend of the kelpie, a supernatural water horse that sometimes appeared as a lost pony, and a unicorn. Keldeo may also be inspired by the character of d'Artagnan from the novel The Three Musketeers. Like d'Artagnan, he is the latest and youngest addition to the group. Keldeo's tail also resembles d'Artagnan's trademark feathered cap.
Name origin
The Kel in its name may be derived from kelpie, a water horse from Celtic folklore.