Articuno (Pokémon)

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This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Articuno (disambiguation).

Articuno フリーザー Freezer #144
Art by Ken Sugimori from FireRed and LeafGreen
Type Ice Flying Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Freeze Pokémon
Abilities Pressure Blue-Striped ----- Snow Cloak Hidden Ability
Exp. at Lv. 100 1,250,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #144 Johto #240 Hoenn #299 Sinnoh — Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R— Oblivia R-298
Height 5'07" Imperial 1.7 m Metric 5'07"/1.7 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 122.1 lbs. Imperial 55.4 kg Metric 122.1 lbs./55.4 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Blue	Catch rate 3 (0.4%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown Gender unknown
Breeding Undiscovered group 81 cycles* (20655 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 3 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 215 Battle Exp.: 2151*
External links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Articuno (Japanese: フリーザー Freezer) is a dual-type Ice/Flying legendary Pokémon.

It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.

It is, along with Zapdos and Moltres, one of the three legendary birds of Kanto.

Biology

Physiology

Articuno takes the form of a large bird with predominantly blue plumage. Its coloring is a cyan on its long streamer-like tail and head crest. Its head crest is fairly simple, consisting of three rhombus-shaped feathers on its forehead. Its body is a sky-blue, growing lighter on its chest and belly. Its most distinctive feature is its large wings, which look like they are made of ice. It has a small gray beak and thin, similarly-colored legs.

Gender differences

Articuno is a genderless species.

Special abilities

When Articuno flaps its wings, it can chill the moisture in the air around it, making snow fall.

Behavior

Articuno is one of the legendary birds of Kanto. Articuno is more passive than its counterparts; due to its isolation in the highest mountains, Articuno dislikes battling. It also flies from icy mountain to icy mountain. It is a poorly understood species, believed by many to be pure myth. According to legend, it appears before doomed travelers lost in icy regions. It is impossible to tell if these are valid sightings (as doomed travelers would have no way of passing on their story of the sighting), or merely delusions of the dying. It is described as being spectacular in flight: with its long tail streaming behind it, and its wings shining like ice. It is said to cause snow to fall when it flies, and has the potential ability to create blizzards.

Habitat

Articuno lives in cold, isolated locations, such as mountain peaks. Articuno are known to roost inside the Seafoam Islands of Kanto, Frosty Forest and Mt. Avalanche in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon world, and Mt. Sorbet in Oblivia. Articuno is an extremely rare Pokémon. In Pokémon Platinum, it roams around Sinnoh, showing that it can withstand warmer temperatures.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

In the anime

Major appearances

The Power of One

Articuno first appeared in the second movie. Lawrence III attempted to collect Articuno and the two other legendary birds in his scheme to capture Lugia.

Other

Another was seen in the episode Freeze Frame. It appears to Team Rocket early in the episode, and then to Ash, Todd, Misty, and Brock. Travelers say that the Articuno watch over them on their journeys through the mountains of Johto. Nurse Joy says that Articuno has a nest in all the high mountains and cold places in the world, and flies from nest to nest bringing cold weather with it.

Also, the Frontier Brain Noland uses an Articuno against certain challengers, as seen in the episode Numero Uno Articuno and The Symbol Life, when he accepted Ash's challenge and battled against him.

The Mirage Master briefly wielded the power of a mirage Articuno in The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon.

Minor appearances

Pokédex entries

In the manga

Magical Pokémon Journey

Articuno appears in the eighth chapter of the Magical Pokémon Journey manga, The Legendary Articuno!. In The Legendary Articuno!, there is an Articuno atop a mountain used by a ski resort. This Articuno is rumored to sprit away the lives of lost travelers, but in reality, it is a friendly Pokémon that runs a Snowcone shop. Pikachu, Clefairy and Jigglypuff enter a Snowcone-eating contest at Articuno's shop, and Articuno also rescues an injured Hazel.

Pokémon Adventures

Articuno is shown to seal itself in a block of ice when it senses the presence of an enemy. It strongly dislikes confrontation. However, in Pokémon Adventures volume 3, Team Rocket was able to temporary get hold of it, together with Moltres and Zapdos. It was used by the then-Rocket Executive Koga to try and finish Red and Blue and succeeded in freezing them, but that turned out to be a strategy to let the ninja master's guard down and attack him from behind when Blue's Charizard unfroze them. After his defeat, it is called upon by Sabrina's Kadabra with Zapdos and merged to form Zapmolcuno, a combination that proved almost unstoppable until Saur, the Ivysaur it knocked out of the wall, saved its trainers with a web created using Vine Whip and evolved to Venusaur to deliver the final blow with Charizard and Blasty. It at last regains its freedom after the defeat and splits from its fellow birds.

Much later, in the GSC saga, it reappears under Green's possession with its fellow birds and is lent to Red in the battle against Will and Karen, who nearly overwhelmed the three with Ho-Oh and Lugia. Since it has not been seen since, its has either been kept in the box or released, its true status unknown.

In the TCG

Main article: Articuno (TCG)

Merchandise

Articuno was one of the first four Pokémon designs revealed when the Pokémon 151 brand was first announced. In the shirt design, an Articuno is rising out of the right side with the number 144 on its chest.

Other appearances

Super Smash Bros. Melee

When released from a Poké Ball, Articuno will use a Blizzard attack that freezes any opponent that is caught in it for a few seconds.

Trophy information

Clouds gather, the barometer plunges, and fresh snow falls from the frigid air when this legendary Pokémon takes wing. Graceful and elegant, it boasts long tail feathers that flap in the wind and are lovely to behold. As would be expected, its combat moves are based on its cold nature; they include Ice Beam and Blizzard.

Game data

NPC appearances

• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness: Articuno is the guardian of the Icy Flute.

Pokédex entries

Game locations

In side games

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Red*	Blue*	BrightPowder (100%)
Yellow*

Stats

Base stats

Pokéathlon stats

Type effectiveness

Learnset

By leveling up

By TM/HM

Generation V Other generations: I - II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
TM		Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	TM05	Roar	Normal	Status	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM06	Toxic	Poison	Status	0000—	090}}90%	10
	TM07	Hail	Ice	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM10	Hidden Power	Normal	Special	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM11	Sunny Day	Fire	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM13	Ice Beam	Ice	Special	09595	100}}100%	10
	TM14	Blizzard	Ice	Special	120120	070}}70%	5
	TM15	Hyper Beam	Normal	Special	150150	090}}90%	5
	TM17	Protect	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM18	Rain Dance	Water	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM21	Frustration	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM27	Return	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM32	Double Team	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	15
	TM33	Reflect	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	20
	TM37	Sandstorm	Rock	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM40	Aerial Ace	Flying	Physical	06060	—}}—%	20
	TM42	Facade	Normal	Physical	07070	100}}100%	20
	TM44	Rest	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM48	Canon	Normal	Special	06060	100}}100%	15
	TM58	Sky Drop	Flying	Physical	06060	100}}100%	10
	TM68	Giga Impact	Normal	Physical	150150	090}}90%	5
	TM79	Ice Breath	Ice	Special	04040	090}}90%	10
	TM87	Swagger	Normal	Status	0000—	090}}90%	15
	TM88	Pluck	Flying	Physical	06060	100}}100%	20
	TM89	U-turn	Bug	Physical	07070	100}}100%	20
	TM90	Substitute	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM94	Rock Smash	Fighting	Physical	04040	100}}100%	15
	HM02	Fly	Flying	Physical	09090	095}}95%	15
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Articuno Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Articuno Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

By tutoring

Special moves

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball     Acquisition: Catch		Pokémon Pinball RS  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Trozei!    Rarity: Rare
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team Body size: 4 Recruit rate: 30% Friend Area: Legendary Island Phrases 51%-100% HP I represent the power of ice! I always fight at full power! 26%-50% HP My health is down by half. I must be careful. 1%-25% HP I feel faint... My coldness is weakening... Level up Leveled up! My coldness increased! Partner phrases 51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up Leveled up! My coldness increased!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 2 Recruit rate: 20% IQ group: C
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Loops: 0 Min. exp.: 0 Max. exp.: 0 Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Poké Assist: Field move:  Ice  ( Ice ) Past ( Normal ) None Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   It surrounds itself with blizzards when in danger.
Pokémon Rumble N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}} PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
Pokémon Conquest HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}} Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}} Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}} Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}} Does not evolve. Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

Does not evolve Articuno  Ice  Flying

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal				Back
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald		FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum		HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back
V	Black	White	Black 2	White 2			Back

For other sprites and images, please see Articuno images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• In the second episode of the anime, there is a engraving on the Viridian City Pokémon Center's wall that depicts the legendary birds. Ash mistakes the Articuno engraving as Ho-Oh. Though the blue coloration of the stone indicates the ice element, and the wings and crest feathers are those of Articuno, the tail feathers are more similar to those of Ho-Oh.
• In Red, Blue, and Yellow, as well as FireRed and LeafGreen, there are binoculars in the guardhouse separating Fuchsia City from Route 15, through which Articuno can be seen flying toward the sea. In a bout of continuity, or possibly an oversight by the designers, it is still visible in the binoculars if it is captured or defeated in the Seafoam Islands.
• In the opening of Spring Fever, Todd points out a tall mountain that is Articuno's home. This mountain is, on the outside, the same as Articuno's home in The Power of One.
• In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, it is the only one in its trio that cannot be encountered unless the player enters an event password.
• Articuno is the first legendary Pokémon in National Pokédex order, and the first Pokémon in National Pokédex order to make its anime debut in a movie.
• Articuno was the last Generation I Pokémon to be introduced in the anime, and the only one that did not appear in Season 1, if movies and banned episodes are included (Mew is the last if its appearances in movies are not counted).
• Articuno is the only Pokémon other than Smeargle and Poliwrath* who can learn an accuracy-focusing move and an OHKO move, learning Mind Reader and Sheer Cold.

Origin

This Pokémon's appearance is based on the Arabic Anka myth, deriving from the Persian رخ rokh, which is that of a giant arctic bird. Also, its long tail and small body may be reference to the rare bird, the quetzal. It is also anatomically very similar to the White-throated Magpie-jay.

Name origin

Articuno is a combination of the word arctic, the far northern regions of the globe, and uno, the Spanish word for one, indicating that it is the first in the series of Kanto legendary birds. It's Japanese name is Freezer which is simply "Freezer", one who freezes.

In other languages

Related articles

• Legendary birds
• Articuno (movie 2)

Notes

Legendary Pokémon

Generation I

Generation II

Generation III

Generation IV

Generation V

Generation VI

Generation VII

Generation VIII

Generation IX

See also: Mythical Pokémon

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Pokémon

#145: Zapdos →

This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species.