Index number: Difference between revisions

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An '''index number''' is a number used internally by games to identify certain things. In the Pokémon games, there are index numbers for many things, most which are not seen other than by the programmers.
An '''index number''' is a number used internally by games to identify certain things. In the Pokémon games, there are index numbers for many things, most which are not seen other than by the programmers.


Most specifically, there are index numbers for [[List of locations by index number|locations]], [[List of items by index number|items]], [[List of moves|moves]], [[Ability#List of Abilities|abilities]], and [[List of Pokémon#by index number|Pokémon]], most of which change between generations. There are a few for each, however, that remain unused, or are filled with "junk" data, such as the famed [[glitch]] Pokémon [[Missingno.]], or useless items, such as [[Teru-sama]].
Most specifically, there are index numbers for [[List of locations by index number|locations]], [[List of items by index number|items]], [[List of moves|moves]], [[Ability#List of Abilities|Abilities]], and [[List of Pokémon#by index number|Pokémon]], most of which change between generations. There are a few for each, however, that remain unused, or are filled with "junk" data, such as the famed [[glitch]] Pokémon [[Missingno.]], or useless items, such as [[Teru-sama]].


Only [[Generation I]] had Pokémon's index numbers and [[National Pokédex]] numbers not line up, unlike subsequent generations. There is, however, some discrepancy between the index and National numbers, after [[Generation II]]. For example, in [[Generation III]], {{p|Chimecho}} is National Pokédex number 358, but its index number is 411. [[Form differences|Alternate forms]] of a Pokémon, most notably {{p|Unown}} in Generation III and {{p|Wormadam}} in [[Generation IV]], also will have differing index numbers to accommodate their differences.
Only [[Generation I]] had Pokémon's index numbers and [[National Pokédex]] numbers not line up, unlike subsequent generations. There is, however, some discrepancy between the index and National numbers, after [[Generation II]]. For example, in [[Generation III]], {{p|Chimecho}} is National Pokédex number 358, but its index number is 411. [[Form differences|Alternate forms]] of a Pokémon, most notably {{p|Unown}} in Generation III and {{p|Wormadam}} in [[Generation IV]], also will have differing index numbers to accommodate their differences.

Revision as of 07:59, 14 August 2014

An index number is a number used internally by games to identify certain things. In the Pokémon games, there are index numbers for many things, most which are not seen other than by the programmers.

Most specifically, there are index numbers for locations, items, moves, Abilities, and Pokémon, most of which change between generations. There are a few for each, however, that remain unused, or are filled with "junk" data, such as the famed glitch Pokémon Missingno., or useless items, such as Teru-sama.

Only Generation I had Pokémon's index numbers and National Pokédex numbers not line up, unlike subsequent generations. There is, however, some discrepancy between the index and National numbers, after Generation II. For example, in Generation III, Chimecho is National Pokédex number 358, but its index number is 411. Alternate forms of a Pokémon, most notably Unown in Generation III and Wormadam in Generation IV, also will have differing index numbers to accommodate their differences.

See also


Generation IGeneration IIGeneration III (Colo/XD) • Generation IVGeneration VGeneration VI
Generation VII (SM/USUMLGPE) • Generation VIII (SwShBDSPLA) • Generation IX (SV)


List of items by index number
Core series Generation IGeneration IIGeneration IIIGeneration IVGeneration V
Generation VIGeneration VIIGeneration VIIIGeneration IX
Side series ColosseumXD
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Rescue Team


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