While it is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon, Genesect has four other forms, which are activated by inserting a Drive in the cannon on its back. The Drive's light is visibly different depending on which one Genesect is holding.
Genesect is a bipedal, insectoid Pokémon with a metal body and a saucer-shaped head. It is primarily purple with several gray markings. It has two large red eyes that are capable of glowing, and a small white part that could be either its mouth or a vent. It has thin arms with overlapping segments. Each arm ends with a single, pointed claw from which it can spin a sticky string to create structures. There is a gray circle on each shoulder and a gray band around its abdomen. Its segmented legs each end with a large, upward-curving claw.
Genesect spinning its silk with its eyes glowing red
Genesect was revived from a Fossil and technologically enhanced by Team Plasma to create the most powerful Pokémon ever. N had the project canceled and the P2 Laboratory closed because he felt that Pokémon, who he thought to be perfect beings, would lose their beauty if modified by science. However, Scientist Dudley kept working on it, angry that N denied his talent. This scientist reconstructed Genesect and installed the cannon on its back. According to a Hiker in Ambrette Town's Fossil Lab, there is a rumor that Genesect can be found in Glittering Cave.
By folding up its limbs and connecting its head to the cannon on its back, Genesect can assume a flying saucer-like configuration, allowing it to fly. This configuration is known in Japanese as the 高速飛行形態 high-speed flight configuration. As seen in Genesect and the Legend Awakened, Genesect can breathe in outer space.
Forms
Genesect has four alternate forms determined by the Drive it holds: Shock Drive, Burn Drive, Chill Drive, and Douse Drive.
The powerful cannon on its back and other enhancements were added as part of the modifications made to it by Team Plasma. Genesect is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Techno Blast, an attack which changes type depending on the Drive it holds. Even before Team Plasma modified Genesect, it was feared as the strongest of hunters.
In Pokémon GO, Genesect can be obtained by completing the Special Research, Throwback Challenge Champion 2020, completing 4/5 of the Ticketed Special Research, A Drive to Investigate, and completing the Ticketed Special Research, Throwback Challenge Celebration 2020.
Genesect has five interchangeable forms. Its form changes to match the Drive it holds, which also changes the type of its signature move, Techno Blast.
If no Drive is held, Techno Blast will be Normal-type and Genesect will appear to have a dark yellow Drive.
If a Shock Drive is held, Techno Blast will be Electric-type and Genesect will appear to have a light yellow Drive.
If a Burn Drive is held, Techno Blast will be Fire-type and Genesect will appear to have a red Drive.
If a Chill Drive is held, Techno Blast will be Ice-type and Genesect will appear to have a cyan Drive.
If a Douse Drive is held, Techno Blast will be Water-type and Genesect will appear to have a blue Drive.
The Genesect Army, a group of five Genesect led by a Red Genesect, first appeared in Meowth, Colress and Team Rivalry!, where N found the ruins of a building and learned the Genesect Army was responsible for the destruction by using his ability to hear the voices of Pokémon.
Genesect was a Pokémon created by Dr. Zeno. After it saved Dr. Zeno from being trapped in his lab, he decided to give it to Arata in order to bring out its full potential.
In Mr. Perfect, Colress attacked Aspertia City with another Genesect, where it came into contact with Blake and Looker, the former of whom ultimately captured Genesect. Although Blake had initially reported Genesect to the International Police, he was seen in possession of it in Cold Storage Battle, riding it through the Relic Passage. In Pink Slip, it was revealed that Blake had taken Genesect for his own use without permission, despite it having been under strict supervision, which was one of the reasons why he had been subsequently fired from the International Police.
Genesect appears as a Poké Ball summon. In the 3DS version of the game, it is unlocked after playing Endless Smash at least once. It jumps around the stage, repeatedly firing four Techno Blast attacks, followed up by a wide beam. Both shots can go through walls.
Genesect also appears as a trophy in both versions of the game.
Trophy information
NA: A Bug/Steel-type Pokémon, Genesect was created from a 300-million-year-old fossil and later altered to carry a giant cannon on its back. The type of Drive inserted into the cannon affects the attack type of its Techno Blast. It will follow up this attack with a long-range laser.
PAL: A Bug- and Steel-type Pokémon revived from a 300-million-year-old fossil, then modified to carry a giant cannon on its back. The type of Drive inserted into the cannon affects the attack type of its Techno Blast. After using this attack mid-jump, it attacks its target with a long-range laser that passes through obstacles.
Genesect's backstory is similar to Mewtwo's: both were created by a villainous team in at least one canon, and they were genetically engineered to be more powerful than the Pokémon they were based on.
Genesect is the only Pokémon whose Pokédex entry names a villainous team, in this case, Team Plasma.
The symbol for the Plasma Blast expansion resembles Genesect's head seen from above.
Origin
Genesect is generally based on the giant insects of the Paleozoic era, which existed for 300,000,000 years, making it as old as the cockroach. Its Steel-type features that give it a somewhat robotic appearance may be a reference to alien robots or cyborgs in science fiction media, but this may be due to Team Plasma's modifications. Its design might also be inspired by the "artillery mech" vehicles in various mecha anime and manga while also resembling the enlarged pronona of treehoppers (family Membracidae). They also share a similar head shape with many treehoppers.