Moltres (Pokémon)

← #145: Zapdos	Pokémon	#147: Dratini →
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Moltres (disambiguation).

Moltres ファイヤー Fire #146
Art by Ken Sugimori from FireRed and LeafGreen
Type Fire Flying Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Flame Pokémon
Abilities Pressure Blue-Striped ----- Flame Body Hidden Ability
Exp. at Lv. 100 1,250,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #146 Johto #242 Hoenn #301 Sinnoh — Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R— Oblivia R-300
Height 6'07" Imperial 2.0 m Metric 6'07"/2.0 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 132.3 lbs. Imperial 60.0 kg Metric 132.3 lbs./60.0 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Yellow	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 3 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 217 Battle Exp.: 2171*
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

Moltres (Japanese: ファイヤー Fire) is a dual-type Fire/Flying legendary Pokémon.

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

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

Biology

Physiology

Moltres takes the form of a large bird with flame-colored plumage, resembling a phoenix. Its dazzling wings and elaborate head crest appear to be covered with flames. It has a straight, pointed brown beak, which is the same color as its feet. Compared to the other legendary birds, it has the smallest feet and legs. However, it is the largest of the legendary birds, but its feathers make up a good portion of its bulk.

Gender differences

Moltres is a genderless species.

Special abilities

When Moltres flaps its wings, it creates a brilliant flash of flames. It is also one of the few Pokémon known to naturally wield the very powerful Flying-type move Sky Attack.

Behavior

Moltres is one of the legendary birds of Kanto, and is a poorly understood species, believed by many to be pure myth. Its behavior is largely clandestine, but it appears to migrate to the south during the springtime. There are many folktales surrounding this species, but perhaps the most popular is that its appearance will bring about an early spring. When Moltres flaps its wings, it sheds hundreds of tiny embers. It is believed that these embers have healing properties. If injured, it will immerse itself in lava to heal.

Habitat

Moltres appear to live in hot regions, particularly active volcanoes. They are spectacularly rare. Moltres have been sighted on Victory Road and near the Sevii Islands. One has been recently sighted, roaming Sinnoh. Another, possibly the one from Victory Road, lives in Mt. Silver.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

In the anime

Major appearances

Moltres made its first true appearance in The Power of One. Lawrence III wanted to capture the three legendary birds as well as their master Lugia.

Minor appearances

A robotic Moltres was shown chasing Jessie, James, and Meowth in Island of the Giant Pokémon.

Moltres also appeared in All Fired Up and The Search for the Legend.

Additionally it was mentioned in The Fortune Hunters where James mistakenly believed that it was his "Inner Pokémon" and dressed up in a Moltres costume.

A Moltres made a cameo in the intro of Zoroark: Master of Illusions.

Pokédex entries

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Sabrina is shown to have obtained Moltres for Team Rocket during the Kanto saga, but it is not seen in battle. It is later combined with Articuno and Zapdos to form a singular legendary bird, but they separate once Sabrina is defeated and go back to the wild.

Green later catches Moltres on Mt. Ember during her training journey to overcome her fear of birds. She used it and its fellow legendary birds in the fight against Karen and Will, who were commanding the Masked Man's Ho-Oh and Lugia. She has not used any of them since, meaning they have probably been deposited in the box or released.

In the TCG

Main article: Moltres (TCG)

Other appearances

Super Smash Bros.

Moltres made a cameo appearance in the Saffron City stage. Very rarely, it will fly by in the background.

Super Smash Bros. Melee/Brawl

When released from a Poké Ball, Moltres will remain where it is released, flapping its wings. It will then use Sky Attack in Melee or Fly in Brawl to leave the arena. Any opponent that touches it will receive a sizable amount of damage. Moltres is the only legendary bird to return in Brawl.

Trophy Information

Melee

As tradition has it, the onset of spring heralds the return of this legendary Pokémon from its southern home. Its bright orange color and fiery aspect lends to its overwhelming appearance. Sky Attack, the strongest of flying moves, is a perfect fit for this burning phenom, but it obviously also excels at powerful Template:Type2 moves.

Brawl

A Flame Pokémon. It's one of the legendary bird Pokémon. When Moltres appears in a town, it is said that spring will come earlier there than in other towns. If Moltres is injured, it apparently returns to a volcano to heal its wings with magma. Moltres spreads its wide, flame-covered wings and attacks opponents with the exciting and highly damaging Sky Attack.

Game data

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
	TM10	Hidden Power	Normal	Special	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM11	Sunny Day	Fire	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM15	Hyper Beam	Normal	Special	150150	090}}90%	5
	TM17	Protect	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM18	Rain Dance	Water	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM20	Safeguard	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	25
	TM21	Frustration	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM22	SolarBeam	Grass	Special	120120	100}}100%	10
	TM27	Return	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM32	Double Team	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	15
	TM35	Flamethrower	Fire	Special	09595	100}}100%	15
	TM37	Sandstorm	Rock	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM38	Fire Blast	Fire	Special	120120	085}}85%	5
	TM40	Aerial Ace	Flying	Physical	06060	—}}—%	20
	TM42	Facade	Normal	Physical	07070	100}}100%	20
	TM43	Flame Charge	Fire	Physical	05050	100}}100%	20
	TM44	Rest	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM48	Round	Normal	Special	06060	100}}100%	15
	TM50	Overheat	Fire	Special	140140	090}}90%	5
	TM58	Sky Drop	Flying	Physical	06060	100}}100%	10
	TM59	Incinerate	Fire	Special	03030	100}}100%	15
	TM61	Will-O-Wisp	Fire	Status	0000—	075}}75%	15
	TM68	Giga Impact	Normal	Physical	150150	090}}90%	5
	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 Moltres Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Moltres Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

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 fire! My fire can never be extinguished! 26%-50% HP My health is down quite a bit, but I'll be fine! 1%-25% HP I'm run-down...Even my fire won't give me power... Level up There! I've leveled! My firepower has been boosted! 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 There! I've leveled! My firepower has been boosted!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 2 Recruit rate: 30% 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:  Fire  ( Fire ) Past ( Normal ) None Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   It produces flames and creates pillars of fire to attack.
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 Moltres  Fire  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 Moltres images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• Moltres's sprites and artwork have depicted it with wings fully engulfed, or only partially engulfed in flames. As of Generation III, it is only shown with its wings partially engulfed.
  • On a similar note, its sprites and artwork show it with an orange body. In the anime, its body is colored cream.
• Moltres shares the same species name as Charmeleon, Charizard, Flareon, and Infernape. They are all known as Flame Pokémon.
• Moltres has appeared in every main series region except Hoenn and Unova:
  • In the Generation I games, it is found in Kanto.
  • In Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, it has moved to the Sevii Islands. However, a crater with a Guard Spec. marks its original location.
  • In Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, it is one of the many obtainable Shadow Pokémon found in Orre.
  • In Pokémon Platinum, it roams around Sinnoh.
  • In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, it is found in Johto, making it the only legendary bird not to be found near its original location.
• Moltres is the only one of the three legendary birds to not appear in the original opening of the English dub.
• Moltres is the only member of its trio that can't have super effective STAB against a Pokémon of its own type. Both Zapdos's Electric-type moves and Articuno's Ice-type moves are super effective against the Flying-type Pokémon.
• Moltres is the reason Blaine became a gym leader.

Origin

Like Ho-Oh, Moltres is based on the legend of the phoenix. It is most likely based on either the Arabian phoenix or the Slavic Firebird. Others claim that the bird is based on the Japanese mythical bird known as 朱雀 Suzaku, guardian of the South, and is not a true phoenix. Regardless, the Pokémon has a very similar appearance to both the phoenix and the Suzaku. It may also be based on a heron or Bennu, because of their similarities in shape. It also embodies traits from a number of other firebirds, such as the three-legged bird.

Name origin

Moltres is a combination of the words "molten" and the Spanish word for three, "tres", indicating that it is the third in the series of legendary birds. Its Japanese name, Fire, is simply "fire".

In other languages

Related articles

• Legendary birds
• Moltres (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

← #145: Zapdos

Pokémon

#147: Dratini →

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