Ariados is a red arachnid Pokémon that resembles a spider. It has purple eyes, a pair of white mandibles, and a white horn on its forehead. Around its abdomen are two black stripes and there are two black spots and a yellow spinneret on its rear. The spots and spinneret together form a pattern similar to a face. Ariados can produce thread from both its spinneret and its mouth. It has four yellow legs with two purple bands each; on its back are yellow structures similar to its legs with a single purple stripe each. Its feet are tipped with tiny hooks that allow it to climb ceilings and vertical walls.
Ariados makes its nest in the depths of temperate and tropical forests and leaves after dark to hunt prey. Ariados never rest in a specific place while hunting. While Ariados wanders in search of prey, it spins a single thread from its rear that leads back to its nest. When prey is captured, it is wrapped in thread and then attacked by fangs. Ariados then drinks the victim's bodily fluids at leisure. Sometimes, it will instead release prey with only a single thread attached. The thread is then followed to both the caught prey and its friends.
Ariados and its pre-evolved form, Spinarak, are the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Toxic Thread. Before Generation V, Spider Web was its signature move.
Evolution
Ariados evolves from Spinarak.
(For specifics on this Pokémon's Evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)
Main series
Major appearances
Ariados debuted in Ariados, Amigos, under the ownership of Tōkichi, who used it to battle Aya in an effort to make her stronger. It later participated in the battle against Team Rocket, where it eventually wrapped them up in its web.
In Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias, Oakley's Ariados is her main Pokémon in her mission to capture Latios and Latias.
In All in a Day's Wurmple, Forrester Franklin used an Ariados and a Yanma in a Double Battle against Ash. They went up against Pikachu and Treecko. After a long battle, Ash emerged victorious, with Ariados being knocked out by Treecko's Pound.
Harley's Ariados debuted in The Saffron Con. It reappeared in Harley Rides Again and New Plot, Odd Lot!; in the latter episode, it was temporarily loaned to James and Meowth.
In Following A Maiden's Voyage!, multiple Ariados attacked Dawn and her Piplup after the latter got caught in one of their webs. However, they worked together to escape them, and the Ariados were sent flying by Piplup's Bide.
Starting in Mutiny in the Bounty!, J's Ariados ties up her victims with String Shot as J steals their Pokémon. In Pillars of Friendship!, Ariados used String Shot, tying up Ash and his friends to prevent them from stopping the legendary giants and Regigigas.
In Stopped in the Name of Love!, eight Ariados attacked Dawn and her Piplup, mimicking the first day of their journey. Just like the first time, they were sent flying by Piplup's Bide.
In DPS01, multiple Ariados led by a Shiny one attacked Dawn and Shinko, once again mimicking the attack at the start of Dawn's journey. This time, they were defeated when Dawn's Cyndaquil evolved into a Quilava and used Eruption.
In Diancie — Princess of the Diamond Domain, three Ariados surrounded Merrick, Bort, and Allotrope as they were searching for Diancie. However, they were warded off by a Pangoro trapped in a log.
In A Slippery Encounter!, an Ariados was agitated by Chespin's Pin Missile and attacked it before being fought off by Pikachu.
In Defending the Homeland!, multiple Ariados served as Florges's minions. They were ordered to attack Goodra's homeland sometime prior to the episode, and Goodra and its friends during the episode. They then made further appearances in Pokémon the Series: XY.
In The Legend of the Ninja Hero!, a ninja army used two Ariados during the attack on Ninja Village. They reappeared in the next episode.
In Night and Day, You are the Ones!, Ilunas used an Ariados to kidnap Chloe, mistaking her for Soleil. It later battled Soleil and Chloe, only to be defeated.
Minor appearances
In UnBEARable, Misty's fantasy featured multiple Ariados.
In For Ho-Oh the Bells Toll!, multiple Ariados were part of the team protecting the Tin Tower after Team Rocket stole the Crystal Bells on the top floor.
In From Cradle to Save, a student at the Pokémon Ninja School had an Ariados.
An Ariados appeared in a flashback in Oh Do You Know The Poffin Plan!.
In Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! (Part 1), Kellyn used his Capture Styler on an Ariados and then had it use String Shot on some Crobat that belonged to J's henchmen.
In One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team!, Angie used an Ariados provided by the Pokémon Summer Academy for the first leg of the Pokémon Triathlon.
In Historical Mystery Tour!, multiple Ariados attacked Dawn and Piplup in Xatu's Forest.
Multiple Ariados appeared in a flashback in A Slippery Encounter!.
Multiple Ariados appeared in a flashback in An Oasis of Hope!.
In Meeting at Terminus Cave!, an Ariados was living inside Terminus Cave.
In A Little Rocket R & R!, two Trainers' Ariados were captured by the Matori Matrix but later freed by Ash and his friends.
Two Ariados appeared in Time After Time!. Goh caught one, while the other appeared in a flashback. Goh's Ariados has since made further appearances in Pokémon Journeys: The Series.
In Must Be Our Heroes and the Witch!, a Ariados appeared in a fantasy.
Pokédex entries
| Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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| EP176
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Ariados
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Ash's Pokédex
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Ariados, the Long Leg Pokémon. The evolved form of Spinarak. Ariados is able to spin extremely strong, sticky webs to trap its adversaries.
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| Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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| DPS01
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Ariados
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Dawn's Pokédex
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Ariados, the Long Leg Pokémon, and the evolved form of Spinarak. It is said to attach string to its prey and intentionally set it free, only to recapture it along with its companions.
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POKÉTOON
An Ariados appeared in The Slugma-Powered Home, under the ownership of Anna's grandparents.
An Ariados appeared in PT10, where it seen being defeated by the boy's Primeape.
For other sprites and images, please see Ariados images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
