Palafin (Pokémon)

For Pokémon GO information on this species, see the game's section.
0963MS.png #0963: Finizen
Pokémon
#0965: Varoom 0965MS.png
Palafin
Dolphin Pokémon
Hero Pokémon
イルカマン
Irukaman
#0964
Zero Form
Zero Form
Hero Form
Hero Form



Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type
Water Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Hero Form
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Ability
Zero to Hero Cacophony
Hero Form
Cacophony

Hidden Ability
Cacophony
Hidden Ability
Cacophony
Hero Form
Cacophony
Gender ratio
Unknown
50% male, 50% female
Catch rate
45 (11.9%)
Breeding
Egg Groups
Field and Water 2
Hatch time
40 cycles
Height
4'03" 1.3 m
Zero Form
5'11" 1.8 m
Hero Form
0'0" 0 m
{{{form3}}}
0'0" 0 m
{{{form4}}}
Weight
132.7 lbs. 60.2 kg
Zero Form
214.7 lbs. 97.4 kg
Hero Form
0 lbs. 0 kg
{{{form3}}}
0 lbs. 0 kg
{{{form4}}}
Mega Stone
[[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield
Unknown
Gen. IV
Unknown
IV
160
Leveling rate
Slow
EV yield
Total: 2
Zero Form
2
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
Hero Form
0
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
0
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
0
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
Shape
Body03.png
Footprint
F0964.png F000.png
Hero Form
Pokédex color
Blue
Base friendship
50
External Links

Palafin (Japanese: イルカマン Irukaman) is a Water-type Pokémon introduced in Generation IX.

It evolves from Finizen starting at level 38 when leveled up while connected with another player via the Union Circle.

Palafin transforms into its Hero Form when it is switched out from battle.

(Refer to Game data→Form data for more details.)

Biology

Palafin is a blue cetacean Pokémon that can change between two markedly different forms in battle. When it hears its allies calling for help, Palafin will change its appearance and power itself up — a process which awakens its ancient genes and is always done in secret.

Palafin is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Jet Punch. It is also the only known Pokémon that can have Zero to Hero as an Ability.

Forms

Palafin has two forms: Zero Form and Hero Form.

Zero Form Hero Form
   

Zero Form Palafin is an aquatic Pokémon that resembles a dolphin. Its body is mainly light blue. Its underbelly and the underside of its fins are colored in a paler shade of light blue, which extends further to its lower jaw and around its eyes. The tip of its dorsal fin and the wave patterns on the sides of its body are white. It has eyes with two-tone blue and pink irises, a short snout, a pair of flippers, a blowhole atop its head, and a split tailfin with a single water ring surrounding the peduncle. Overall, it is almost identical to Finizen, its pre-evolved form, except for one single detail: a light pink heart-shaped mark on its chest, outlined by a slightly larger white one.

 
Hero Form Palafin shooting off its water rings

Hero Form Palafin's appearance is drastically different, having given up its previous sleek, streamlined body in favor of a much more bulky and human-like physique. It is now able to stand on the flukes of its tail fin, which are longer and more slender than those of its Zero Form. Its body is now primarily indigo, although some parts, such as its sides, lower jaw, and the bottom of its flukes are colored in a pale shade of light blue. Its dorsal fin now has a white stripe in addition to the white tip. The heart-shaped mark on its chest has expanded into a shape that somewhat resembles a shield, now occupying most of its chest and abdomen. Notably, the central heart has deepened in color, going from light pink to dark pink, and also resembles the shape of a cetacean's tail flukes. As a result of its transformation, its eyes, the tip of its flippers, and shoulders have been covered by a set of bubble lenses, gloves, and cape, respectively. There are now three water rings around its peduncle.

 
Hero Form Palafin's chest glowing

As seen in the anime, Hero Form Palafin is able of stretching and contracting its water rings at will, as well as shooting them off its body. By releasing water from its blowhole, it can propel itself to jump very high and fly through the air. Despite the shape of its gloves, Hero Form Palafin does not gain hands upon changing into this form; instead, the tip of its flippers now have three small holes, from which it appears to expel the water needed to form its gloves and fire them off like jets of water. It has enhanced vision due to the bubble lenses that cover its eyes. The dark pink symbol on its chest glows pink as Hero Form Palafin takes on the people's cheers. That same episode also revealed that its chest is its weak point. In this form, it is known as the "Pelagic Protector" and the "Hero of the Ocean."

While in its Zero Form, Palafin is said to be equal to Finizen in terms of physical capabilities. Once it changes into its Hero Form, however, Palafin reaches its full power, being strong enough to lift a cruise ship with just one fin and swim at speeds of 50 knots. It is known to save drowning people and Pokémon. According to Professor Friede's Pokémon Seminar, the sense of justice on Palafin's heart is its biggest source of strength.

Evolution

Palafin evolves from Finizen.

(For specifics on this Pokémon's evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)

 
Unevolved
Finizen
 Water 

 
First evolution
Palafin
 Water 


In the anime

 
Zero Form Palafin in the anime
 
Hero Form Palafin in the anime

Major appearances

Both forms of Palafin debuted in HZ042. Throughout the episode, it was seen changing back and forth between its Zero Form and Hero Form in order to act as a hero. Only Liko, however, was able to see the actual transformation process, as a token of gratitude for preventing the Snap Boys from photographing its transformation.

Minor appearances


In the manga

In the TCG

Main article: Palafin (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IX.
Generation IX Paldea
#292
Kitakami
#—
Blueberry
#—
Zero Form
Scarlet This Pokémon changes its appearance if it hears its allies calling for help. Palafin will never show anybody its moment of transformation.
Violet Its physical capabilities are no different than a Finizen's, but when its allies are in danger, it transforms and powers itself up.
Hero Form
Scarlet This Pokémon’s ancient genes have awakened. It is now so extraordinarily strong that it can easily lift a cruise ship with one fin.
Violet This hero of the ocean swims at a speed of 50 knots and saves drowning people and Pokémon.


 
Palafin in the Paldea Pokédex

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IX.
Generation IX
Scarlet Violet
Tera Raid Battles (5★)


In side games

In events

Games Event Language/Region Location Level Distribution period
SV Gavin Michaels' Palafin All Online 50 April 14 to 17, 2023

Held items

Stats

Base stats

Zero Form
Stat Range
At Lv. 50 At Lv. 100
100
160 - 207 310 - 404
70
67 - 134 130 - 262
72
69 - 136 134 - 267
53
52 - 115 99 - 225
62
60 - 125 116 - 245
100
94 - 167 184 - 328
Total:
457
Other Pokémon with this total
  • 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.
Hero Form
Stat Range
At Lv. 50 At Lv. 100
100
160 - 207 310 - 404
160
148 - 233 292 - 460
97
91 - 163 179 - 322
106
99 - 173 195 - 342
87
82 - 152 161 - 300
100
94 - 167 184 - 328
Total:
650
Other Pokémon with this total
  • 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.

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
Damaged
normally by:
Normal
Fighting
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel ½×
Fire ½×
Water ½×
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice ½×
Dragon
Dark
Fairy
None
Weak to:
Normal
Fighting
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel ½×
Fire ½×
Water ½×
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice ½×
Dragon
Dark
Fairy
None
Immune to:
Normal
Fighting
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel ½×
Fire ½×
Water ½×
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice ½×
Dragon
Dark
Fairy
None
Resistant to:
Normal
Fighting
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel ½×
Fire ½×
Water ½×
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice ½×
Dragon
Dark
Fairy
None

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation IX
Other generations:
None
 Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP
011 Jet Punch Water Physical 06060 100100% 15
011 Water Gun Water Special 04040 100100% 25
011 Supersonic Normal Status 0000 05555% 20
Evo.Evo. Flip Turn Water Physical 06060 100100% 20
077 Astonish Ghost Physical 03030 100100% 15
1010 Focus Energy Normal Status 0000 00——% 30
1313 Aqua Jet Water Physical 04040 100100% 20
1717 Double Hit Normal Physical 03535 09090% 10
2121 Dive Water Physical 08080 100100% 10
2525 Charm Fairy Status 0000 100100% 20
2929 Acrobatics Flying Physical 05555 100100% 15
3434 Encore Normal Status 0000 100100% 5
3939 Aqua Tail Water Physical 09090 09090% 10
4444 Mist Ice Status 0000 00——% 30
5050 Hydro Pump Water Special 110110 08080% 5
5555 Focus Punch Fighting Physical 150150 100100% 20
6161 Wave Crash Water Physical 120120 100100% 10
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Palafin
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Palafin

By TM

Generation IX
Other generations:
None
   TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
TM001  TM001 Take Down Normal Physical 09090 085}}85% 20
TM002  TM002 Charm Fairy Status 0000 100}}100% 20
TM004  TM004 Agility Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 30
TM007  TM007 Protect Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TM011  TM011 Water Pulse Water Special 06060 100}}100% 20
TM014  TM014 Acrobatics Flying Physical 05555 100}}100% 15
TM019  TM019 Disarming Voice Fairy Special 04040 00—}}—% 15
TM022  TM022 Chilling Water Water Special 05050 100}}100% 20
TM025  TM025 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20
TM032  TM032 Swift Normal Special 06060 00—}}—% 20
TM034  TM034 Icy Wind Ice Special 05555 095}}95% 15
TM037  TM037 Draining Kiss Fairy Special 05050 100}}100% 10
TM043  TM043 Fling Dark Physical 0000 100}}100% 10
TM047  TM047 Endure Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TM050  TM050 Rain Dance Water Status 0000 00—}}—% 5
TM059  TM059 Zen Headbutt Psychic Physical 08080 090}}90% 15
TM064  TM064 Bulk Up Fighting Status 0000 00—}}—% 20
TM066  TM066 Body Slam Normal Physical 08585 100}}100% 15
TM069  TM069 Ice Punch Ice Physical 07575 100}}100% 15
TM070  TM070 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TM073  TM073 Drain Punch Fighting Physical 07575 100}}100% 10
TM077  TM077 Waterfall Water Physical 08080 100}}100% 15
TM081  TM081 Grass Knot Grass Special 0000 100}}100% 20
TM085  TM085 Rest Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 5
TM087  TM087 Taunt Dark Status 0000 100}}100% 20
TM099  TM099 Iron Head Steel Physical 08080 100}}100% 15
TM103  TM103 Substitute Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TM110  TM110 Liquidation Water Physical 08585 100}}100% 10
TM112  TM112 Aura Sphere Fighting Special 08080 00—}}—% 20
TM117  TM117 Hyper Voice Normal Special 09090 100}}100% 10
TM122  TM122 Encore Normal Status 0000 100}}100% 5
TM123  TM123 Surf Water Special 09090 100}}100% 15
TM130  TM130 Helping Hand Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 20
TM134  TM134 Reversal Fighting Physical 0000 100}}100% 15
TM135  TM135 Ice Beam Ice Special 09090 100}}100% 10
TM142  TM142 Hydro Pump Water Special 110110 080}}80% 5
TM143  TM143 Blizzard Ice Special 110110 070}}70% 5
TM152  TM152 Giga Impact Normal Physical 150150 090}}90% 5
TM156  TM156 Outrage Dragon Physical 120120 100}}100% 10
TM158  TM158 Focus Blast Fighting Special 120120 070}}70% 5
TM163  TM163 Hyper Beam Normal Special 150150 090}}90% 5
TM167  TM167 Close Combat Fighting Physical 120120 100}}100% 5
TM171  TM171 Tera Blast Normal Special 08080 100}}100% 10
TM174  TM174 Haze Ice Status 0000 00—}}—% 30
TM192  TM192 Focus Punch Fighting Physical 150150 100}}100% 20
TM196  TM196 Flip Turn Water Physical 06060 100}}100% 20
TM203  TM203 Psych Up Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TM205  TM205 Endeavor Normal Physical 0000 100}}100% 5
TM208  TM208 Whirlpool Water Special 03535 085}}85% 15
TM221  TM221 Throat Chop Dark Physical 08080 100}}100% 15
TM225  TM225 Hard Press Steel Physical 0000 100}}100% 10
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Palafin
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution or an alternate form of Palafin

By breeding

Generation IX
Other generations:
None
 Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
Boomburst Normal Special 140 100% 10
Bounce Flying Physical 85 85% 5
Counter Fighting Physical 100% 20
Haze Ice Status —% 30
Tickle Normal Status 100% 20
  • Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Palafin
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Palafin
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Palafin

By a prior evolution

Generation IX
Other generations:
None
 Stage   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
This Pokémon has no moves exclusive to prior evolutions.
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Palafin
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Palafin

Side game data

Zero Form

Pokémon GO
File:GO0964.png Base HP: 225 Base Attack: 143 Base Defense: 144
Egg Distance: N/A Buddy Distance: 5 km Evolution Requirement: N/A
Fast Attacks: Waterfall, Charm, Counter
Charged Attacks: Aqua Jet, Water Pulse, Icy Wind, Drain Punch, Acrobatics

Hero Form

Pokémon GO
File:GO0964H.png Base HP: 225 Base Attack: 322 Base Defense: 196
Egg Distance: N/A Buddy Distance: 5 km Evolution Requirement: N/A
Fast Attacks: Waterfall, Charm, Counter
Charged Attacks: Aqua Jet, Water Pulse, Icy Wind, Drain Punch, Acrobatics

Form data

Palafin has two interchangeable forms: Zero Form and Hero Form. It will always be in Zero Form outside of battle.

Palafin starts battles in its Zero Form. When it is switched out without fainting, it changes into Hero Form with its Ability Zero to Hero, and remains in that form until the battle ends.

Before switching out
 
Zero Form
Palafin
 Water 


After switching out
 
Hero Form
Palafin
 Water 

The two forms have different base stats, with Hero Form having increased Attack, Defense, Special Attack, and Special Defense but identical HP and Speed compared to Zero Form. It also has different cries depending on its form. In particular, Zero Form Palafin and its pre-evolution, Finizen, have identical cries.

 
Palafin
Zero Form
 Water 
Zero to Hero
Default
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spd
100 70 72 53 62 100
 
Palafin
Hero Form
 Water 
Zero to Hero
Switch out
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spd
100 160 97 106 87 100

Evolution data

 
Unevolved
Finizen
 Water 
  +   
Level 38
while in a Union Circle group
 
First evolution
Palafin
 Water 


Sprites

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IX.
Cross-Generation
HOME
   
   
  For other sprites and images, please see Palafin images on the Bulbagarden Archives.


Trivia

  • Zero Form Palafin is the only Pokémon with a base stat total of 457.
  • Hero Form Palafin:
    • is the only Pokémon with a base stat total of 650.
    • has the highest base Attack stat of all Water-type Pokémon.

Origin

Palafin seems to be based on a dolphin and a comic book superhero. Its Zero Form's relative lack of visual changes from its pre-evolution seems to be inspired by the trope of superheroes assuming civilian identities to keep their true identity a secret, while its Hero Form seems to represent the hero suiting up whilst unseen and emerging as a superhero. The names of its forms and Ability reference the term "go from zero to hero". The connection between dolphins and superheroes may be inspired by numerous accounts of wild dolphins saving people in open seas.

Additionally, Palafin may be based on the Boto Encantado, a mythical South American creature that takes the form of an ordinary pink river dolphin but can occasionally take a human form and will join in human festivities. Eventually, the Boto must return to the water and shapeshift back into an ordinary pink dolphin. Hero Form Palafin may also draw inspirations from the Ultraman series, with the red symbol on its chest somewhat resembling the one worn by Ultraman Noa. This can also be seen by its heart-shaped symbol glowing and emitting a beeping sound when it is weak, much like the various iterations of Ultraman. Hero Form Palafin's Shiny coloration is reminiscent of the orca, a type of dolphin.

Palafin evolving from Finizen at level 38 may be a reference to 1938, the year Superman debuted.

Name origin

Palafin may be a combination of paladin or pal (since another player is needed to evolve it) and fin or delfín (Spanish for dolphin).

Irukaman may be a combination of 海豚 iruka (dolphin) and man, which is often used as a suffix for superhero codenames.

In other languages

Language Title Meaning
  Japanese イルカマン Irukaman From 海豚 iruka and man
  French Superdofin From super and dauphin or Dofin
  Spanish Palafin Same as English name
  German Delfinator From Delfin and Terminator
  Italian Palafin Same as English name
  Korean 돌핀맨 Dolpinmaen From dolphin and man
  Mandarin Chinese 海豚俠 / 海豚侠 Hǎitúnxiá From 海豚 hǎitún and 俠 / 侠 xiá
  Cantonese Chinese 海豚俠 Hóityùhnhahp From 海豚 hóityùhn and hahp


Zero Form

Language Title
  Japanese ナイーブフォルム Naive Form
Chinese Cantonese 平凡形態 Pìhngfàahn Yìhngtaai
Mandarin 平凡形態 / 平凡形态 Píngfán Xíngtài
  French Forme Ordinaire
  German Alltagsform
  Italian Forma Ingenua
  Korean 나이브폼 Naive Form
  Spanish Forma Ingenua
  Thai ฟอร์มไร้เดียงสา

Hero Form

Language Title
  Japanese マイティフォルム Mighty Form
Chinese Cantonese 全能形態 Chyùhnnàhng Yìhngtaai
Mandarin 全能形態 / 全能形态 Quánnéng Xíngtài
  French Forme Super
  German Heldenform
  Italian Forma Possente
  Korean 마이티폼 Mighty Form
  Spanish Forma Heroica
  Thai ฟอร์มทรงพลัง

Related articles

External links

  #0963: Finizen
Pokémon
#0965: Varoom  
  This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species.