Regional form
A regional form (Japanese: リージョンフォーム Region Form), previously referred to as a regional variant in Generation VII, is a species of Pokémon found in a specific region that takes on a different form than it does in most other regions. These Pokémon have uniquely adapted to habitats that are different than those where its species naturally live in other parts of the world. As such, many things may be different about them, from their appearance and way of living to even their type, moves, Abilities, base stats, height, and weight. This is analogous to peripatric speciation in regards to real-world phenomena, where a population that is isolated from the rest of the species develop unique traits and eventually evolve into a new species.
In the Alola and Galar regions, certain Pokémon species have regional forms known as an Alolan Form (Japanese: アローラのすがた Alola Form), previously Alola Form in Generation VII, or a Galarian Form (Japanese: ガラルのすがた Galar Form), respectively. A Pokémon in these forms are described as Alolan or Galarian—for example, Meowth in its Alolan Form is referred to as Alolan Meowth and Meowth in its Galarian Form is referred to as Galarian Meowth.
When breeding Pokémon whose offspring has a regional form, the offspring's form depends on its parents. If the female parent is the species' normal form (including in a Ditto pairing) and holds an Everstone, and if the offspring is in the same family as that parent, then the offspring will hatch as the normal form. In all other cases, the offspring will always hatch in its regional form.
There are 32 Pokémon currently known to have regional forms, and there are 33 different regional forms.
Alolan Form
In Pokémon Sun and Moon, if a Pokémon evolves from a species that does not have an Alolan Form to one that does, such as Cubone, it will always evolve into its Alolan Form and cannot evolve into its normal form. In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the Pokémon will evolve into its Alolan Form while in Alola itself, but can also evolve into its normal form while in Ultra Space.
While Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! take place in Kanto, players can import Alolan Forms from Pokémon GO or receive them from in-game trades. Alolan Forms of Pokémon present in the Galar Pokédex are currently unavailable in Pokémon Sword and Shield. However, they are programmed and modeled in the game, and an Alolan Meowth even makes a cameo appearance in the NPC Pokémon Camp on Route 7.
There are eighteen Pokémon, all originating from Generation I, that are known to have Alolan Forms.
| Pokémon | Normal form | Alolan Form | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image | Type | Ability | Height | Weight | Image | Type | Ability | Height | Weight | |
| Rattata | 
|
Normal | Run Away or Guts Hustle (Hidden) |
1'00" (0.3 m) |
7.7 lbs. (3.5 kg) |
|
Dark Normal | Gluttony or Hustle Thick Fat (Hidden) |
1'00" (0.3 m) |
8.4 lbs. (3.8 kg) |
| Raticate | 
|
Normal | Run Away or Guts Hustle (Hidden) |
2'04" (0.7 m) |
40.8 lbs. (18.5 kg) |
|
Dark Normal | Gluttony or Hustle Thick Fat (Hidden) |
2'04" (0.7 m) |
56.2 lbs. (25.5 kg) |
| Raichu | 
|
Electric | Static Lightning Rod (Hidden) |
2'07" (0.8 m) |
66.1 lbs (30.0 kg) | 
|
Electric Psychic | Surge Surfer | 2'04" (0.7 m) |
46.3 lbs. (21.0 kg) |
| Sandshrew | 
|
Ground | Sand Veil Sand Rush (Hidden) |
2'00" (0.6 m) |
26.5 lbs. (12.0 kg) |
|
Ice Steel | Snow Cloak Slush Rush (Hidden) |
2'04" (0.7 m) |
88.2 lbs. (40.0 kg) |
| Sandslash | 
|
Ground | Sand Veil Sand Rush (Hidden) |
3'03" (1.0 m) |
65.0 lbs. (29.5 kg) |
|
Ice Steel | Snow Cloak Slush Rush (Hidden) |
3'11" (1.2 m) |
121.3 lbs. (55.0 kg) |
| Vulpix | 
|
Fire | Flash Fire Drought (Hidden) |
2'00" (0.6 m) |
21.8 lbs. (9.9 kg) |
|
Ice | Snow Cloak Snow Warning (Hidden) |
2'00" (0.6 m) |
21.8 lbs. (9.9 kg) |
| Ninetales | 
|
Fire | Flash Fire Drought (Hidden) |
3'07" (1.1 m) |
43.9 lbs. (19.9 kg) |
|
Ice Fairy | Snow Cloak Snow Warning (Hidden) |
3'07" (1.1 m) |
43.9 lbs. (19.9 kg) |
| Diglett | 
|
Ground | Sand Veil or Arena Trap Sand Force (Hidden) |
0'08" (0.2 m) |
1.8 lbs. (0.8 kg) |
|
Ground Steel | Sand Veil or Tangling Hair Sand Force (Hidden) |
0'08" (0.2 m) |
2.2 lbs. (1.0 kg) |
| Dugtrio | 
|
Ground | Sand Veil or Arena Trap Sand Force (Hidden) |
2'04" (0.7 m) |
73.4 lbs. (33.3 kg) |
|
Ground Steel | Sand Veil or Tangling Hair Sand Force (Hidden) |
2'04" (0.7 m) |
146.8 lbs. (66.6 kg) |
| Meowth | 
|
Normal | Pickup or Technician Unnerve (Hidden) |
1'04" (0.4 m) |
9.3 lbs. (4.2 kg) |
|
Dark | Pickup or Technician Rattled (Hidden) |
1'04" (0.4 m) |
9.3 lbs. (4.2 kg) |
| Persian | 
|
Normal | Limber or Technician Unnerve (Hidden) |
3'03" (1.0 m) |
70.5 lbs. (32.0 kg) |
|
Dark | Fur Coat or Technician Rattled (Hidden) |
3'07" (1.1 m) |
72.8 lbs. (33.0 kg) |
| Geodude | 
|
Rock Ground | Rock Head or Sturdy Sand Veil (Hidden) |
1'04" (0.4 m) |
44.1 lbs. (20.0 kg) |
|
Rock Electric | Magnet Pull or Sturdy Galvanize (Hidden) |
1'04" (0.4 m) |
44.8 lbs. (20.3 kg) |
| Graveler | 
|
Rock Ground | Rock Head or Sturdy Sand Veil (Hidden) |
3'03" (1.0 m) |
231.5 lbs. (105.0 kg) |
|
Rock Electric | Magnet Pull or Sturdy Galvanize (Hidden) |
3'03" (1.0 m) |
242.5 lbs. (110.0 kg) |
| Golem | 
|
Rock Ground | Rock Head or Sturdy Sand Veil (Hidden) |
4'07" (1.4 m) |
661.4 lbs. (300.0 kg) |
|
Rock Electric | Magnet Pull or Sturdy Galvanize (Hidden) |
5'07" (1.7 m) |
696.7 lbs. (316.0 kg) |
| Grimer | 
|
Poison | Stench or Sticky Hold Poison Touch (Hidden) |
2'11" (0.9 m) |
66.1 lbs (30.0 kg) | 
|
Poison Dark | Poison Touch or Gluttony Power of Alchemy (Hidden) |
2'04" (0.7 m) |
92.6 lbs. (42.0 kg) |
| Muk | 
|
Poison | Stench or Sticky Hold Poison Touch (Hidden) |
3'11" (1.2 m) |
66.1 lbs (30.0 kg) | 
|
Poison Dark | Poison Touch or Gluttony Power of Alchemy (Hidden) |
3'03" (1.0 m) |
114.6 lbs. (52.0 kg) |
| Exeggutor | 
|
Grass Psychic | Chlorophyll Harvest (Hidden) |
6'07" (2.0 m) |
264.6 lbs. (120.0 kg) |
|
Grass Dragon | Frisk Harvest (Hidden) |
35'09" (10.9 m) |
916.2 lbs. (415.6 kg) |
| Marowak | 
|
Ground | Rock Head or Lightning Rod Battle Armor (Hidden) |
3'03" (1.0 m) |
99.2 lbs. (45.0 kg) |
|
Fire Ghost | Cursed Body or Lightning Rod Rock Head (Hidden) |
3'03" (1.0 m) |
75.0 lbs. (34.0 kg) |
Galarian Form
Unlike Alolan Forms, there are Galarian Forms of Pokémon from beyond Generation I, and several Galarian Forms have an evolution that their regular form does not.
Slowbro and Slowking have Galarian Forms which have not been fully revealed yet.
Currently, there are sixteen Pokémon known to have Galarian forms - six of which evolve into new Pokémon.
| Pokémon | Normal form | Galarian Form | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image | Type | Ability | Height | Weight | Image | Type | Ability | Height | Weight | Evolution | |
| Meowth |
|
Normal | Pickup or Technician Unnerve (Hidden) |
1'04" (0.4 m) |
9.3 lbs. (4.2 kg) |
|
Steel | Pickup or Tough Claws Unnerve (Hidden) |
1'04" (0.4 m) |
16.5 lbs. (7.5 kg) |
 Perrserker |
| Ponyta | 
|
Fire | Run Away or Flash Fire Flame Body (Hidden) |
3'03" (1.0 m) |
66.1 lbs. (30.0 kg) |
|
Psychic | Run Away or Pastel Veil Anticipation (Hidden) |
2'07" (0.8 m) |
52.9 lbs. (24.0 kg) |
|
| Rapidash | 
|
Fire | Run Away or Flash Fire Flame Body (Hidden) |
5'07" (1.7 m) |
209.4 lbs. (95.0 kg) |
|
Psychic Fairy | Run Away or Pastel Veil Anticipation (Hidden) |
5'07" (1.7 m) |
176.4 lbs. (80.0 kg) |
|
| Slowpoke | 
|
Water Psychic | Oblivious or Own Tempo Regenerator (Hidden) |
3'11" (1.2 m) |
79.4 lbs. (36.0 kg) |
|
Psychic | Gluttony or Own Tempo Regenerator (Hidden) |
3'11" (1.2 m) |
79.4 lbs. (36.0 kg) |
|
| Farfetch'd | 
|
Normal Flying | Keen Eye or Inner Focus Defiant (Hidden) |
2'07" (0.8 m) |
33.1 lbs. (15.0 kg) |
|
Fighting | Steadfast Scrappy (Hidden) |
2'07" (0.8 m) |
92.6 lbs. (42.0 kg) |
 Sirfetch'd |
| Weezing | 
|
Poison | Levitate or Neutralizing Gas Stench (Hidden) |
3'11" (1.2 m) |
20.9 lbs. (9.5 kg) |
|
Poison Fairy | Levitate or Neutralizing Gas Misty Surge (Hidden) |
9'10" (3.0 m) |
35.3 lbs. (16.0 kg) |
|
| Mr. Mime | 
|
Psychic Fairy | Soundproof or Filter Technician (Hidden) |
4.03" (1.3 m) |
121.1 lbs. (54.5 kg) |
|
Ice Psychic | Vital Spirit or Screen Cleaner Ice Body (Hidden) |
4'07" (1.4 m) |
125.2 lbs. (56.8 kg) |
 Mr. Rime |
| Corsola | 
|
Water Rock | Hustle or Natural Cure Regenerator (Hidden) |
2'00" (0.6 m) |
11.0 lbs. (5.0 kg) |
|
Ghost | Weak Armor Cursed Body (Hidden) |
2'00" (0.6 m) |
1.1 lbs. (0.5 kg) |
 Cursola |
| Zigzagoon | 
|
Normal | Pickup or Gluttony Quick Feet (Hidden) |
1'04" (0.4 m) | 38.6 lbs. (17.5 kg) |
|
Dark Normal | Pickup or Gluttony Quick Feet (Hidden) |
1'04" (0.4 m) | 38.6 lbs. (17.5 kg) |
|
| Linoone | 
|
Normal | Pickup or Gluttony Quick Feet (Hidden) |
1'08" (0.5 m) | 71.6 lbs. (32.5 kg) |
|
Dark Normal | Pickup or Gluttony Quick Feet (Hidden) |
1'08" (0.5 m) | 71.7 lbs. (32.5 kg) |
 Obstagoon |
| Darumaka | 
|
Fire | Hustle Inner Focus (Hidden) |
2'00" (0.6 m) |
82.7 lbs. (37.5 kg) |
|
Ice | Hustle Inner Focus (Hidden) |
2'04" (0.7 m) |
88.2 lbs. (40.0 kg) |
|
| Darmanitan |  Standard Mode |
Fire | Sheer Force Zen Mode (Hidden) |
4.03" (1.3 m) |
204.8 lbs. (92.9 kg) |
 Standard Mode |
Ice | Gorilla Tactics Zen Mode (Hidden) |
5'07" (1.7 m) |
264.6 lbs. (120.0 kg) |
|
 Zen Mode |
Fire Psychic | Zen Mode |  Zen Mode |
Ice Fire | Zen Mode | ||||||
| Yamask | 
|
Ghost | Mummy | 1'08" (0.5 m) |
3.3 lbs. (1.5 kg) |
|
Ground Ghost | Wandering Spirit | 1'08" (0.5 m) |
3.3 lbs. (1.5 kg) |
 Runerigus |
| Stunfisk | 
|
Ground Electric | Static or Limber Sand Veil (Hidden) |
2'04" (0.7 m) |
24.3 lbs. (11.0 kg) |
|
Ground Steel | Mimicry | 2'04" (0.7 m) |
45.2 lbs. (20.5 kg) |
|
In spin-off games
In the Super Smash Bros. series
Alolan Raichu, Vulpix, and Exeggutor appear as Pokémon that can appear from Poké Balls in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
In Pokémon GO
Alolan Pokémon first appeared in Pokémon GO on May 30, 2018, with the appearance of Alolan Exeggutor. Initially, Alolan Pokémon were exclusive to 7 km Eggs and Raid Battles. However, Alolan Exeggutor has reappeared in the wild on occasion since its initial debut, and Alolan Rattata, Diglett, and Geodude have also infrequently appeared in the wild.
On November 16, 2019, in celebration of the release of Pokémon Sword and Shield, Galarian Weezing appeared in Pokémon GO as a level 4 Raid Boss as soon as Chimchar's Community Day ended, with Weezing being present as a Raid Boss in every Gym, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in every time zone. Since then, Galarian Weezing has been a potential level 4 Raid Boss.
In Pokémon Masters
Nanu and his Alolan Persian, as well as Hau and his Alolan Raichu, are playable sync pairs that are obtained in the main storyline.
In the anime
Sun & Moon series
Alolan Pokémon have been present in the Sun & Moon series since the first episode. Ash first learned about them in The Guardian's Challenge!, where his class discussed the difference between Alolan Exeggutor and Exeggutor from other regions.
An Alolan Persian nicknamed Pershie first appeared in That's Why the Litten is a Scamp!, where it was shown antagonizing a wild Litten. It reappeared in Dummy, You Shrunk the Kids! and We Know Where You're Going, Eevee!.
Multiple Alolan Rattata and Raticate appeared in To Top a Totem!, where they were harassing a farmer on Melemele Island, stealing his crops. Hala tasked Ash with finding a solution to this problem that doesn't involve battling the pests. Instead, Ash chose to battle the Verdant Cavern Totem Pokémon, Gumshoos, and enlisted its help to scare the Rattata and Raticate away.
Lillie received a Pokémon Egg in Lillie's Egg-xhilarating Challenge!. It hatched into an Alolan Vulpix she nicknamed Snowy in Racing to a Big Event!. After capturing it in the following episode, Lillie took her first steps towards overcoming her fear of touching Pokémon.
Racing to a Big Event! also featured the debut of Alolan Raichu and Muk. Raichu appeared under the ownership of Nina, while multiple Muk appeared to eat the pancakes dropped during the race.
In Getting the Band Back Together!, an Alolan Dugtrio appeared under the ownership of Professor Kukui's old friend, DJ Leo. Their musical performance drew the adoration of a wild Alolan Diglett, who later joined as another member of their DJ group.
In A Team-on-Team Tussle!, Team Rocket fought a trio of Team Skull Grunts over a Darkinium Z protected by a Totem Alolan Raticate and Ally Alolan Rattata and Raticate. While Jessie and James are ultimately unsuccessful in defeating the Totem, Meowth is able to steal the Z-Crystal while it is distracted.
An Alolan Geodude debuted in Treasure Hunt, Akala Style!, where Ash attempted to catch it. After a short battle, the Alolan Geodude punched Ash's Poké Ball into his face with a Thunder Punch and then ran away.
In A Crowning Moment of Truth!, while Ash and his classmates were visiting Wela Volcano Park for the Wela Fire Festival, the festivities were interrupted by a wild Alolan Marowak, who stole the Wela Crown used in a ceremony. While Kiawe and his Turtonator were defeated by it during their first challenge, they were able to defeat it in a rematch thanks to Turtonator's newly-learned Shell Smash. After being defeated, Marowak gave back the crown and asked to join Kiawe's party.
Alolan Sandshrew and Ninetales debuted in Getting a Jump on the Competition!. The Sandshrew appeared as wild Pokémon native to Mount Lanakila, while Ninetales appeared under the ownership of Cerah.
A wild Alolan Meowth appeared in Acting True to Form!, where it came to Team Rocket looking for a worthy master. It manipulated Jessie and James into turning against Meowth by showing off its abilities, and also earned their favor when they realized it could use their Darkinium Z. When Giovanni and Matori contacted the trio for a report on their activities, the Alolan Meowth became intrigued by them. To this end, it slipped away, stole Meowth's savings, and flew to Kanto to reach Team Rocket HQ, where Matori made it her assistant due to its craftiness.
An Alolan Grimer appeared in a flashback in Turning Heads and Training Hard!, under the ownership of Tupp.
More Alolan Sandshrew appeared in Not Caving Under Pressure! in the caverns underneath Mount Lanakila. Lillie befriended a particularly large Sandshrew, and helped it reclaim its territory from an aggressive Tyranitar. After the battle, Sophocles's Charjabug found an Ice Stone, which the Sandshrew promptly used to evolve into Sandslash. Sandslash rewarded Lillie with an Icium Z as a token of gratitude.
An Alolan Golem and Muk appeared in A Young Royal Flame Ignites!, under the ownership of members of the Revengers, a heel wrestler group.
Alolan Geodude and Graveler appeared in Sparking Confusion! at Wela Volcano Park, having been driven out by rock hunters attempting to mine the caves in the area for the food the Pokémon eat. The hunters were attacked by their leader, an Alolan Golem, who began attacking indiscriminately. Thanks to the Ultra Guardians' Metang, however, Ash, Kiawe, and Sophocles were able to calm the group of Alolan Pokémon and stop the magnetic interference coming from the Park. The leader Golem later joined a trio of Hikers who volunteered to help with future patrols of Wela Volcano Park.
In the manga
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon arc
Sun's great-grandfather owned three Alolan Meowth prior to his death. One of them, nicknamed Cent, joined Sun's team. They first appeared in The Grand Entrance and Delivery Boy Sun.
Nanu's Alolan Persian appeared in Pokémon Move Specialist Professor Kukui. It battled Olivia's Lycanroc.
Alolan Grimer, Meowth, Rattata, and Marowak appeared in The Decision and the Tournament of Six.
Moon owns an Alolan Grimer which first appeared in The Party Crasher and Guzma the Destroyer. It evolved into an Alolan Muk sometime before PASM29.
Kiawe's Alolan Marowak appeared in Going Ashore and Neighboring Akala Island, where it battled Cent.
An Alolan Grimer appeared in Unleashing the Incredible Z-Move.
Ilima's Alolan Rattata appeared in A Photoshoot and the Abandoned Thrifty Megamart. An Alolan Raticate belonging to a Team Skull Grunt appeared in a flashback in the same round.
Molayne's Alolan Dugtrio appeared in Truth and the Mastermind Behind Team Skull.
An Alolan Raticate belonging to an Aether Foundation Employee first appeared in PASM23.
Multiple Alolan Exeggutor appeared in PASM30 on Exeggutor Island.
Alolan Vulpix, Ninetales, Sandshrew, and Sandslash appeared in PASM32 on Mount Lanakila.
Alolan Graveler and Golem debuted in PASM33, under the ownership of Samson Oak.
Sword & Shield arc
Galarian Zigzagoon debuted in the Sword & Shield arc.
In the TCG
Regional forms are featured in the Pokémon Trading Card Game as Alolan and Galarian Pokémon.
Similar concepts
- Main article: Variant Pokémon
Prior to Generation VII, there were already certain Pokémon that had variations depending on their native geographical area, but, unlike regional forms, these Pokémon do not appear to have adapted to selective pressures; rather, their differences are purely aesthetic, with their type, moves, Abilities, height, and weight remaining the same.
- The Generation I Pokédex entries for Arbok state that there are six variations of its face-like hood markings that differ between areas. Eight designs are known, but only three have appeared in the core series games (with a fourth in Pokémon Ranger). In Pokémon Adventures, Arbok gains a special ability depending on its pattern.
- In Sinnoh, Shellos and Gastrodon have different appearances on each side of Mt. Coronet. East Sea Shellos and Gastrodon only appear east of Mt. Coronet, whereas West Sea Shellos and Gastrodon only appear on the west side.
- Mantyke's Pokédex entry in Pokémon Pearl says that the pattern on its back varies from region to region. While it has the same appearance in all Generation IV games (due to using the same sprites), the "face" from Generation V onward appears wider.
- Vivillon, which was introduced in Generation VI, has a different appearance depending on where the game it was created in is from in the real world.
- In the anime episode Poké Ball Peril, a number of alternately colored Pokémon were seen on Valencia Island, including Butterfree, Raticate, Nidoran♂, Nidoran♀, Vileplume, Paras, and Weepinbell. Professor Ivy, the Pokémon Professor of the Orange Archipelago, studies these variations.
- The episode Fly Me to the Moon featured Pidgey native to Pudgy Pidgey Isle that were too heavy to fly due to an abundance of food and a lack of predators.
- In the Pokémon Adventures round Off Course with Corsola, Bill mentioned that Kanto and Johto share many of the same Pokémon, but their colors and patterns are different between regions.
Trivia
- In Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, when a Pokémon undergoes evolution into a regional form, the background in the evolution animation is green, as opposed to the blue background for all other Pokémon. Conversely, when a Pokémon Egg hatches into a regional form, the background is blue instead of yellow. Additionally, a different arrangement of the evolution music is played in both of these situations.
- All non-Alolan Pokémon that can evolve into an Alola Form have a signature move.
- Meowth is the only known Pokémon to have both an Alolan and Galarian Form.
- All fully evolved Galarian Form Pokemon and/or their regional evolved forms have a signature move or a signature Ability.
- Slowpoke is the only Pokémon with a regional form that has a branched evolution.
- It is also the only Pokémon to not only not gain a new type in its regional form, but also lose one type without changing the other.
- Currently, no Pokémon that were introduced in Generation IV, Generation VI, or Generation VII have a regional form.
- Slowbro is the only Pokemon to have both a regional form and a Mega Evolution.
In other languages
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alola FormSMUSUMPE / Alolan FormSwSh
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alolan <Pokémon>
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Galarian form
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See also
- List of Pokémon with form differences
- List of Pokémon with gender differences
- Variant Pokémon
- Mega Evolution
- Primal Reversion
- Bond Phenomenon
- Ultra Burst
- Dynamax
|
This game-related article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games. |