Regional form

(Redirected from Regional variant)

A regional form (Japanese: リージョンフォーム region form), also known as a regional variant, is an alternate form of a Pokémon species that is found in a specific region. These forms differ from those found in the region where the Pokémon was introduced — even, in most cases so far, to the point of having a different type.

The following regional forms are currently known:

54 Pokémon currently have regional forms, and 57 regional forms currently exist in total (55 and 58, respectively, if White-Striped Basculin is counted as a regional form). Apart from Meowth and Tauros, which have two and three respectively, each Pokémon with a regional form has only one.

Terminology

Main article: Terminology of regional forms

In Generation VII, they were introduced as regional variants, which is also mentioned in some Pokémon GO Community Day events from 2023. From Generation VIII onwards, they have been consistently known as regional forms in the core series games.

The place name adjective (such as "Alolan") is used before the Pokémon species. In running text, both the original form and the new regional forms are sometimes treated this way, such as "Kantonian Meowth" and "Alolan Meowth". Conversely, sometimes the Pokémon species are simply mentioned in running text without using the regional adjective. For instance, if the player encounters a wild Galarian Meowth, the battle dialogue would simply indicate "You encountered a wild Meowth!"

In Generation VII games, the Pokédex displays "Alola Form" as the title of this form. From Generation VIII onwards (including in Pokémon HOME), the adjectives for the place names are consistently used instead. For instance, "Alolan Form", "Galarian Form", "Hisuian Form", and "Paldean Form". The original form (such as Kantonian Meowth) is not named in the Pokédex.

In running text (as seen on Pokémon.com), the word "form" has been consistently written in lowercase. In the Generation VII era, this used to be "Alola form". From Generation VIII onwards, this includes "Kantonian form", "Alolan form", "Galarian form", etc.

List of regional forms

Ndex Pokémon Original form Region
(Gen.)
Regional form Regional evolution
#0019 Rattata  
 Normal 
 
Alola
VII
 
 Dark  Normal 
#0020 Raticate  
 Normal 
 
Alola
VII
 
 Dark  Normal 
#0026 Raichu  
 Electric 
 
Alola
VII
 
 Electric  Psychic 
#0027 Sandshrew  
 Ground 
 
Alola
VII
 
 Ice  Steel 
#0028 Sandslash  
 Ground 
 
Alola
VII
 
 Ice  Steel 
#0037 Vulpix  
 Fire 
 
Alola
VII
 
 Ice 
#0038 Ninetales  
 Fire 
 
Alola
VII
 
 Ice  Fairy 
#0050 Diglett  
 Ground 
 
Alola
VII
 
 Ground  Steel 
#0051 Dugtrio  
 Ground 
 
Alola
VII
 
 Ground  Steel 
#0052 Meowth  
 Normal 
 
Alola
VII
 
 Dark 
 
Galar
VIII
 
 Steel 
Perrserker  
 Steel 
#0053 Persian  
 Normal 
 
Alola
VII
 
 Dark 
#0058 Growlithe  
 Fire 
 
Hisui
VIII
 
 Fire  Rock 
#0059 Arcanine  
 Fire 
 
Hisui
VIII
 
 Fire  Rock 
#0074 Geodude  
 Rock  Ground 
 
Alola
VII
 
 Rock  Electric 
#0075 Graveler  
 Rock  Ground 
 
Alola
VII
 
 Rock  Electric 
#0076 Golem  
 Rock  Ground 
 
Alola
VII
 
 Rock  Electric 
#0077 Ponyta  
 Fire 
 
Galar
VIII
 
 Psychic 
#0078 Rapidash  
 Fire 
 
Galar
VIII
 
 Psychic  Fairy 
#0079 Slowpoke  
 Water  Psychic 
 
Galar
VIII
 
 Psychic 
#0080 Slowbro  
 Water  Psychic 
 
Galar
VIII
 
 Poison  Psychic 
#0083 Farfetch'd  
 Normal  Flying 
 
Galar
VIII
 
 Fighting 
Sirfetch'd  
 Fighting 
#0088 Grimer  
 Poison 
 
Alola
VII
 
 Poison  Dark 
#0089 Muk  
 Poison 
 
Alola
VII
 
 Poison  Dark 
#0100 Voltorb  
 Electric 
 
Hisui
VIII
 
 Electric  Grass 
#0101 Electrode  
 Electric 
 
Hisui
VIII
 
 Electric  Grass 
#0103 Exeggutor  
 Grass  Psychic 
 
Alola
VII
 
 Grass  Dragon 
#0105 Marowak  
 Ground 
 
Alola
VII
 
 Fire  Ghost 
#0110 Weezing  
 Poison 
 
Galar
VIII
 
 Poison  Fairy 
#0122 Mr. Mime  
 Psychic  Fairy 
 
Galar
VIII
 
 Ice  Psychic 
Mr. Rime  
 Ice  Psychic 
#0128 Tauros  
 Normal 
 
Paldea
IX
 
Combat Breed
 Fighting 
 
Blaze Breed
 Fighting  Fire 
 
Aqua Breed
 Fighting  Water 
#0144 Articuno  
 Ice  Flying 
 
Galar
VIII
 
 Psychic  Flying 
#0145 Zapdos  
 Electric  Flying 
 
Galar
VIII
 
 Fighting  Flying 
#0146 Moltres  
 Fire  Flying 
 
Galar
VIII
 
 Dark  Flying 
#0157 Typhlosion  
 Fire 
 
Hisui
VIII
 
 Fire  Ghost 
#0194 Wooper  
 Water  Ground 
 
Paldea
IX
 
 Poison  Ground 
Clodsire  
 Poison  Ground 
#0199 Slowking  
 Water  Psychic 
 
Galar
VIII
 
 Poison  Psychic 
#0211 Qwilfish  
 Water  Poison 
 
Hisui
VIII
 
 Dark  Poison 
Overqwil  
 Dark  Poison 
#0215 Sneasel  
 Dark  Ice 
 
Hisui
VIII
 
 Fighting  Poison 
Sneasler  
 Fighting  Poison 
#0222 Corsola  
 Water  Rock 
 
Galar
VIII
 
 Ghost 
Cursola  
 Ghost 
#0263 Zigzagoon  
 Normal 
 
Galar
VIII
 
 Dark  Normal 
#0264 Linoone  
 Normal 
 
Galar
VIII
 
 Dark  Normal 
Obstagoon  
 Dark  Normal 
#0503 Samurott  
 Water 
 
Hisui
VIII
 
 Water  Dark 
#0549 Lilligant  
 Grass 
 
Hisui
VIII
 
 Grass  Fighting 
#0554 Darumaka  
 Fire 
 
Galar
VIII
 
 Ice 
#0555 Darmanitan  
Standard Mode
 Fire 
 
Galar
VIII
 
Standard Mode
 Ice 
 
Zen Mode
 Fire  Psychic 
 
Zen Mode
 Ice  Fire 
#0562 Yamask  
 Ghost 
 
Galar
VIII
 
 Ground  Ghost 
Runerigus  
 Ground  Ghost 
#0570 Zorua  
 Dark 
 
Hisui
VIII
 
 Normal  Ghost 
#0571 Zoroark  
 Dark 
 
Hisui
VIII
 
 Normal  Ghost 
#0618 Stunfisk  
 Ground  Electric 
 
Galar
VIII
 
 Ground  Steel 
#0628 Braviary  
 Normal  Flying 
 
Hisui
VIII
 
 Psychic  Flying 
#0705 Sliggoo  
 Dragon 
 
Hisui
VIII
 
 Steel  Dragon 
#0706 Goodra  
 Dragon 
 
Hisui
VIII
 
 Steel  Dragon 
#0713 Avalugg  
 Ice 
 
Hisui
VIII
 
 Ice  Rock 
#0724 Decidueye  
 Grass  Ghost 
 
Hisui
VIII
 
 Grass  Fighting 

In the core series games

In the Alola, Galar, Hisui, and Paldea regions, certain Pokémon species have regional forms.

Pokémon with regional forms 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 a form of real-world evolution known as peripatric speciation, where a population that is isolated from the rest of the species develops unique traits and may eventually evolve into a new species.

When breeding Pokémon whose offspring have a regional form, the offspring will normally take on the form corresponding to the region in which it was bred, regardless of its parents' forms. However, if one of the parents of the same evolutionary family held an Everstone when the Egg was produced, the offspring will be the same form as that parent. This does not apply to White-Striped Basculin and Basculegion, which always produce White-Striped Basculin—regardless of region or held Everstones—when they are the mother or non-Ditto parent. If the parents are the same species but different forms and in different balls, then the offspring has a 50 percent chance of inheriting either parent's ball regardless of what form the offspring takes.

If a Kantonian Tauros is bred in Paldea and is not holding an Everstone, then the resulting offspring will always be Combat Breed Paldean Tauros and never the Blaze Breed or Aqua Breed Paldean Tauros.

If a Pokémon without a regional form evolves into a Pokémon with a regional form, it will evolve into the form native to the region it is currently in.

Regional forms introduced from Generation VIII onward may have an evolution that their regular form does not have, or evolve into a different species than the regular form, becoming something similar to a branched evolution.

In the spin-off games

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Alolan Raichu, Vulpix, and Exeggutor appear as Pokémon that can appear from Poké Balls in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Pokémon Shuffle

Main article: Alolan form → Pokémon Shuffle

Alolan forms appear in Pokémon Shuffle.

Pokémon GO

For a list of the regional forms, see Alolan form → Pokémon GO, Galarian form → Pokémon GO, Hisuian form → Pokémon GO, and Paldean form → Pokémon GO

In Pokémon GO, they are referred to in the game dialogue as regional variants. They often have special requirements to be obtained as opposed to simply encountering them in the wild.

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, but have occasionally reappeared in the wild since their debuts.

Galarian Pokémon first appeared on November 16, 2019, with the appearance of Galarian Weezing.

Hisuian Pokémon first appeared on January 30, 2022, with the appearance of Hisuian Voltorb.

Paldean Pokémon first appeared on November 5, 2023, with the appearance of Paldean Wooper.

Pokémon Duel

Main article: Alolan form → Pokémon Duel

Certain Alolan forms were included in Pokémon Duel.

Pokémon Masters EX

Main articles: Alolan form → Pokémon Masters EX, Galarian form → Pokémon Masters EX and Hisuian form → Pokémon Masters EX

In Pokémon Masters EX, the regional forms currently available are from Alola, Galar, and Hisui. However, they inconsistently use different naming systems: "Alola Form" and "Galarian Form".

New Pokémon Snap

Alolan Raichu, Sandslash, and Vulpix can be found and photographed in the Lental region.

Pokémon UNITE

Alolan Ninetales is a playable Pokémon in Pokémon UNITE. Alolan Meowth and Persian also appear as wild Pokémon in the Shivre City stage. In Panic Parade, Alolan Meowth, Alolan Persian, and Paldean Tauros appear as wild Pokémon opposing the players.

In the anime

Main series

Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon

Main article: Alolan form → Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon

In Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, all Alolan forms appeared. They were present since the first episode.

Pokémon Journeys: The Series

Main article: Alolan form → Pokémon Journeys: The Series
Main article: Galarian form → Pokémon Journeys: The Series
Main article: Hisuian form → Pokémon Journeys: The Series

In Pokémon Journeys: The Series, some Alolan form, Galarian form, and Hisuian form Pokémon appeared.

Pokémon Horizons: The Series

Main article: Alolan form → Pokémon Horizons: The Series
Main article: Galarian form → Pokémon Horizons: The Series
Main article: Paldean form → Pokémon Horizons: The Series

Some Alolan, Galarian, and Paldean form Pokémon have appeared in Pokémon Horizons: The Series.

Pokédex entries

Episode Subject Source Entry
JN027 Regional form Goh's Rotom Phone Even among the same species of Pokémon, there can still be minor differences, depending on the region where they live or are raised. These differences are called regional forms.

Pokémon: Twilight Wings

Main article: Galarian form → Pokémon: Twilight Wings

Some Galarian form Pokémon appear in Pokémon: Twilight Wings.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon arc

Main article: Alolan form → Pokémon Adventures

Sword & Shield arc

Main article: Galarian form → Pokémon Adventures

Scarlet & Violet arc

Main article: Paldean form → Pokémon Adventures

In the TCG

Main articles: Alolan form → In the TCG, Galarian form → In the TCG, Hisuian form → In the TCG, and Paldean form → In the TCG

Regional forms are featured in the Pokémon Trading Card Game as Alolan, Galarian, Hisuian, and Paldean Pokémon. These Pokémon have the adjective for their region printed in smaller font as part of their card name. Evolutions exclusive to regional forms are referred to with the same descriptors used for their pre-evolutions (for example, "Galarian" is used as a descriptor for both Galarian form Pokémon and their evolutions).

Notably, Alolan form cards brought the return of Attacks that cost zero Energy to use, a mechanic that was previously only seen during the TCG's Generation IV sets and had remained exclusive to cards featuring either Alolan forms or Hisuian forms until the Scarlet & Violet Series, where they are also seen on baby Pokémon cards.

Some cards care about if a Pokémon is a specific regional form. These cards check the card name for the relevant descriptor. For example, Aether Foundation Employee looks for "Pokémon that have 'Alolan' in their names".

Similar concepts

Variant Pokémon

Main article: Variant Pokémon
 
A Valencia Island Butterfree

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 any functional difference from their original forms; rather, their differences are purely aesthetic, with their type, moves, Abilities, height, and weight remaining the same.

δ Delta Species

Main article: δ Delta Species (TCG)

The Pokémon Trading Card Game introduced Delta Species Pokémon in Generation III. Like regional forms, these Pokémon would undergo a type change, but their appearance would stay generally the same. The backstory of EX Delta Species states that these changes were not due to natural adaptation but rather a mutation brought on by exposure to electromagnetic waves.

This seems to be an exclusive phenomenon on the island of Holon, the aforementioned waves a product of experiments by scientists in the area searching for the Mythical Pokémon Mew. Delta Species Pokémon appeared in the TCG from EX Delta Species to EX Dragon Frontiers.

Bloodmoon Ursaluna

Main article: Ursaluna (Pokémon)

Bloodmoon Ursaluna, a specific Ursaluna with a unique form is found in the Timeless Woods at the land of Kitakami, has a similar concept to the regional forms, being a Pokémon that moved away from their original region and adapted to the new different environment, but instead of changing types, it kept its original ones and gained special powers such as Blood Moon and Mind's Eye.

Trivia

  • The only type not possessed by any regional form is Bug.
    • Additionally, there are no Flying-type regional forms that were not already that type in their original form.
  • Dark is the most common type among regional forms, with 11, while Water, Dragon, and Fairy are tied for the least common type, with only 3 regional forms each.
  • Out of the generations that introduced Pokémon that would later have regional forms, Generation I introduced the most, at 33, while Generation VII introduced the fewest, at one.
    • Generations IV, VIII, and IX are the only generations to not introduce any Pokémon that have regional forms.
  • Out of the generations that introduced regional forms, Generation VIII introduced the most, with 36, while Generation IX introduced the fewest, with four (or only two if all three Paldean Tauros breeds are counted as a single regional form).
  • Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are the only core series games following the introduction of regional forms to not feature them.
  • Pokémon Legends: Arceus is the only core series game in which a regional form exists but its respective original form does not.
    • The only regional forms in the game whose original forms are also present are Sneasel and Vulpix.
  • According to the Pokédex, researchers initially believed Wiglett and Wugtrio to be regional forms of Diglett and Dugtrio, respectively, before concluding they were separate species entirely.

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 地區形態 Deihkēui Yìhngtaai *
地區型態 Deihkēui Yìhngtaai *
Mandarin 地區形態 / 地区形态 Dìqū Xíngtài *
地區型態 Dìqū Xíngtài *
  Czech Regionální varianta
  Danish Regional variation*
Alola-variant*
  Dutch Regionale variantSMUSUM
Regionale vormSwSh
  Finnish Alueellinen muunnos*
Alueellinen muoto*
  French Forme régionale
Variante régionale*
  German Regionalform
  Hungarian Regionális változat
  Italian Forma regionale
  Korean 리전폼 Region Forme
  Norwegian Regional variasjon
  Polish Forma regionalna*
Regionalny wariant*
Portuguese   Brazil Forma regional*
Variante regional*
Variação regional*
  Portugal Variante regionalSMUSUM
Forma regionalSwSh
  Russian Региональный вариант Regional'nyy variantSMUSUMSwSh
Региональная формa Regional'naya formaSwSh
  Spanish Forma regional
  Swedish Regional variant
  Turkish Bölgesel çeşitlilik
  Vietnamese Hình thái địa phương

See also


Pokémon forms and variants
Permanent: Shiny Pokémon (GO) • Alternately colored Pokémon (anime)
Gender differences‎Form differences (GO)
Brilliant PokémonAlpha Pokémon
Transformations: Mega EvolutionPrimal ReversionBond PhenomenonUltra Burst
Dynamax (Gigantamax) • EternamaxTerastal phenomenon
Groups: Totem PokémonNoble PokémonTitan Pokémon
Regional forms: AlolanGalarianHisuianPaldean
Analogous: Paradox PokémonEcologically similar Pokémon
Pikachu variants: Surfing PikachuFlying PikachuCosplay PikachuPikachu in a cap
Miscellaneous: Pokémon fusionsGiant PokémonSpiky-eared Pichu
Side series original: Shadow PokémonShadow Lugia
Spin-off original: Shadow PokémonPrimal DialgaToy Pokémon (Rusty Pokémon)
Shadow MewtwoPokéxelIllumina phenomenon
Anime original: Pink ButterfreeClone PokémonCrystal Onix
Mirage PokémonMeta GroudonGreen-crystal Deoxys
Manga original: Thu-Fi-ZerBlack FogBlack Tyranitar


  This game-related article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.