Roaming Pokémon

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A roaming Pokémon (Japanese: 移動してるポケモン migrating Pokémon) is a wild Legendary Pokémon that, instead of remaining in one place as a special event, runs around the region it appears in, seemingly at random. Roaming Pokémon appeared in every core series game from Generations II to VI except Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 and Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.

Mechanics

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In addition to changing routes (something that happens every time the player moves to a new area), roaming Pokémon will also attempt to flee from battle.

Generation II

When encountering a roaming Pokémon for the first time, their HP and DVs are initialized. Those stats remain static once generated. This means that Shiny Pokémon will remain Shiny, and any damage that has been inflicted to them will remain across battles. However, their PP and status conditions are reset each time they flee.

In addition to moving around each time the player changes map, all currently roaming Pokémon will also move after each battle with a 1/16 chance (always, if the player just encountered a roaming Pokémon, not merely the one they have just encountered).

There is a 1/8N chance that a roaming Pokémon will move to a completely random map other than the one the player is on, where N is the amount of possible connections to where the roaming Pokémon is at the moment. Otherwise, a roaming Pokémon will move to an adjacent route. A roaming Pokémon will never move past Olivine, meaning that if it is currently on Route 39, it will always move to Route 38.

Each time the player steps in tall grass that is currently in the same area as a roaming Pokémon, and the game attempts to generate a wild Pokémon, the player has a 25/256 (or roughly 10%) chance of randomly encountering it.

A roaming Pokémon will flee on any turn it is able to, immediately before it would use its move; if it is unable to flee, it will instead use its prepared move. Since the roaming Pokémon in Generation II all know moves with different priorities, depending on the move they are prepared to use, the player's Pokémon may sometimes act before it flees and sometimes not.

The player can stop a roaming Pokémon from fleeing by using trapping moves (such as Mean Look or Wrap). Sleep and freeze also prevent the Pokémon from fleeing.

If a roaming Pokémon is defeated, it will not reappear under any conditions.

Generation III

The chance of encountering a roaming Pokémon is now 25%, given that a wild encounter has successfully been generated in tall grass or water in the same area as a roaming Pokémon. Roaming Pokémon are affected by Repels but not Abilities that affect appearance of wild Pokémon.

From Generation III onward, if a roaming Pokémon is afflicted by a non-volatile status condition, it will retain those effects in subsequent encounters.

If a roaming Pokémon is not already trapped, each turn it will attempt to flee at an effective priority of 0 instead of using a move. If it becomes trapped in the battle during the turn, it will attempt to flee but fail. If it is already trapped at the start of a turn, it will use a move instead of attempting to flee.

A roaming Pokémon can become trapped if it is hit by a trapping move before it is able to act. Trapping Abilities (such as Shadow Tag) can only prevent the Pokémon from attempting to flee if in place at the start of the turn; if a Pokémon with a trapping Ability is switched in, its Ability will not prevent the roaming Pokémon from fleeing on that turn if it is able. Status conditions do not prevent a roaming Pokémon from fleeing.

Generation IV

Starting in Platinum, if the player defeats a roaming Pokémon, it will reappear when the player next enters the Hall of Fame, but the player must retrigger its roaming. For example, if the player defeats Mesprit and then enters the Hall of Fame, Mesprit will only begin roaming again once the player visits Verity Cavern.

Generation V

If a roaming Pokémon is not already trapped, each turn it will attempt to flee at an effective priority of -7 instead of using a move. If it becomes trapped (either by a trapping move or Ability) before it is able to act, it will attempt to flee but fail.

If the player defeats a roaming Pokémon, it will reappear when the player next enters the Hall of Fame.

Generation VI

A roaming Pokémon will flee unconditionally after the player sends out their Pokémon. It will become stationary in a specific area after the player encounters it 11 times. Not even Shadow Tag will prevent it from fleeing.

If a roaming Pokémon is defeated, it will reappear in its stationary position the next time the player enters the Hall of Fame.

Pokémon Sword and Shield

Unlike in previous games, roaming Pokémon no longer flee once encountered. They appear in the overworld and must be caught up to in order to be encountered.

Tracking

In Generations II, III, and VI, players can use their Pokédex to check the current location of a roaming Pokémon (after they have seen it). In Generation IV, the Pokétch's Marking MapDPPt application and the Pokégear's map cardHGSS serve this purpose. In Generation V, the player can track their locations using the notifications of stormy weather on electric bulletin boards in gates.

List of roaming Pokémon

Generation II

The Legendary beasts are found roaming Johto in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal; however, Suicune is not roaming in Crystal, where it instead can be found at the Tin Tower. They can be captured at any point after they are disturbed by the player in Ecruteak City's Brass Tower.

Gold, Silver, and Crystal
Spr 2c 243.png
Type:
Electric Unknown
Held item:
None
Raikou Lv.40
Leer
Normal
ThunderShock
Electric
Roar
Normal
Quick Attack
Normal
Spr 2c 244.png
Type:
Fire Unknown
Held item:
None
Entei Lv.40
Leer
Normal
Ember
Fire
Roar
Normal
Fire Spin
Fire
Gold and Silver
Spr 2g 245.png
Type:
Water Unknown
Held item:
None
Suicune Lv.40
Leer
Normal
Water Gun
Water
Roar
Normal
Gust
Flying

Generation III

Hoenn

The Eon Pokémon can be caught in Hoenn after entering the Hall of Fame. Only one will roam Hoenn; the other can be obtained on Southern Island with the Eon Ticket. In Emerald, the roaming Pokémon will depend on the color of Pokémon that the player tells their Mom was on the TV; red will result in Latias roaming, while blue will result in Latios roaming. In Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, the roaming Pokémon will have low individual values due to the Roaming Pokémon IV bug.

Sapphire and Emerald
Spr 3e 380.png
Types:
Dragon Psychic
Ability:
Levitate
Held item:
None
Latias Lv.40
Water Sport
Water
Refresh
Normal
Mist Ball
Psychic
Psychic
Psychic
Ruby and Emerald
Spr 3e 381.png
Types:
Dragon Psychic
Ability:
Levitate
Held item:
None
Latios Lv.40
Protect
Normal
Refresh
Normal
Luster Purge
Psychic
Psychic
Psychic

Kanto

One of the three Legendary beasts will roam Kanto in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, depending on the type weakness of the player's chosen first partner Pokémon (Raikou for Squirtle, Entei for Bulbasaur, Suicune for Charmander). It will commence roaming the Kanto mainland after the player defeats Team Rocket in the Rocket Warehouse on Five Island and delivers the Sapphire to Celio. It will have low IVs due to the Roaming Pokémon IV bug, and if it uses Roar to flee, it will disappear permanently due to the roaming Roar bug.

FireRed and LeafGreen
Spr 3f 243.png
Type:
Electric Unknown
Ability:
Pressure
Held item:
None
Raikou Lv.50
ThunderShock
Electric
Roar
Normal
Quick Attack
Normal
Spark
Electric
Spr 3f 244.png
Type:
Fire Unknown
Ability:
Pressure
Held item:
None
Entei Lv.50
Ember
Fire
Roar
Normal
Fire Spin
Fire
Stomp
Normal
Spr 3f 245.png
Type:
Water Unknown
Ability:
Pressure
Held item:
None
Suicune Lv.50
BubbleBeam
Water
Rain Dance
Water
Gust
Flying
Aurora Beam
Ice

Generation IV

In all Generation IV games, entering a gate does not cause roaming Pokémon to change routes, even if the player's location changes as a result.

Sinnoh

Sinnoh has five roaming Pokémon, each of which is available in the wild after certain events have taken place. Mesprit will roam after the player goes to Lake Verity after defeating Team Galactic at Mt. Coronet, Cresselia will appear after the player helps cure Eldritch's son's nightmares, and the legendary birds will appear in Platinum only after the player first talks to Professor Oak in Eterna City.

Diamond and Pearl
Spr 4d 481.png
Type:
Psychic Unknown
Ability:
Levitate
Held item:
None
Mesprit Lv.50
Confusion
Psychic Special
Lucky Chant
Normal Status
Future Sight
Psychic Special
Charm
Normal Status
Platinum
Spr 4p 481.png
Type:
Psychic Unknown
Ability:
Levitate
Held item:
None
Mesprit Lv.50
Swift
Normal Special
Lucky Chant
Normal Status
Future Sight
Psychic Special
Charm
Normal Status
Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum
Spr 4p 488.png
Type:
Psychic Unknown
Ability:
Levitate
Held item:
None
Cresselia Lv.50
Mist
Ice Status
Aurora Beam
Ice Special
Future Sight
Psychic Special
Slash
Normal Physical
Platinum
Spr 4p 144.png
Types:
Ice Flying
Ability:
Pressure
Held item:
None
Articuno Lv.60
Agility
Psychic Status
Ice Beam
Ice Special
Reflect
Psychic Status
Roost
Flying Status
Spr 4p 145.png
Types:
Electric Flying
Ability:
Pressure
Held item:
None
Zapdos Lv.60
Charge
Electric Status
Agility
Psychic Status
Discharge
Electric Special
Roost
Flying Status
Spr 4p 146.png
Types:
Fire Flying
Ability:
Pressure
Held item:
None
Moltres Lv.60
Flamethrower
Fire Special
Safeguard
Normal Status
Air Slash
Flying Special
Roost
Flying Status

Johto and Kanto

In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Raikou and Entei will roam Johto after meeting them in the Burned Tower. After leaving the Vermilion City Pokémon Fan Club house with Copycat's doll, Latios or Latias will start roaming Kanto.

HeartGold and SoulSilver
Spr 4h 243.png
Type:
Electric Unknown
Ability:
Pressure
Held item:
None
Raikou Lv.40
Roar
Normal Status
Quick Attack
Normal Physical
Spark
Electric Physical
Reflect
Psychic Status
Spr 4h 244.png
Type:
Fire Unknown
Ability:
Pressure
Held item:
None
Entei Lv.40
Roar
Normal Status
Fire Spin
Fire Special
Stomp
Normal Physical
Flamethrower
Fire Special
HeartGold
Spr 4h 380.png
Types:
Dragon Psychic
Ability:
Levitate
Held item:
None
Latias Lv.35
DragonBreath
Dragon Special
Water Sport
Water Status
Refresh
Normal Status
Mist Ball
Psychic Special
SoulSilver
Spr 4h 381.png
Types:
Dragon Psychic
Ability:
Levitate
Held item:
None
Latios Lv.35
DragonBreath
Dragon Special
Protect
Normal Status
Refresh
Normal Status
Luster Purge
Psychic Special

Generation V

In Pokémon Black and White, after obtaining the Legend Badge, when entering the gate leading to Route 10, the woman behind the desk will alert the player about the big storm on Route 7. TornadusB or ThundurusW will make the weather more extreme in Route 7 when entering the route. Heading towards the second house on the route will cause an old lady to come out and pull the player in. She will then recite the story of either TornadusB or ThundurusW. Upon exiting the house, the player will be approached by the respective Pokémon, which will then fly off and will roam around Unova until being caught or defeated. Wherever these Pokémon appear will be subject to weather identified as "stormy" by the bulletin boards in gates. Only these two Pokémon can cause stormy weather (which manifests as rain in-battle), so they can be tracked down using the bulletin boards.

Unlike other generations, the roaming Pokémon's location varies depending on the time of day. At night, between midnight and morning, the Pokémon can only be encountered in Routes 12, 13, 14 and 15, in the morning it can only be encountered in Routes 2, 3 and 18, during the daytime it can only be encountered in Routes 4, 5 and 16, in the evening it can only be encountered in Routes 6, 7 and 8 and at night before midnight it can only be encountered in Routes 9, 10 and 11.

Bulletin boards can be considered somewhat inferior to the tracking methods of previous generations, as, unlike Generation IV, Tornadus or Thundurus's location changes when the player exits the gate. However, as they simply cycle between three or four routes, one may continuously re-enter and exit the same gate until the route displays stormy weather.

Black
Spr 5b 641.png
Type:
Flying Unknown
Ability:
Prankster
Held item:
Noimage.png None Noimage.png
Tornadus Lv.40
Revenge
Fighting Physical
Air Cutter
Flying Special
Extrasensory
Psychic Special
Agility
Psychic Status
White
Spr 5b 642.png
Types:
Electric Flying
Ability:
Prankster
Held item:
Noimage.png None Noimage.png
Thundurus Lv.40
Revenge
Fighting Physical
Shock Wave
Electric Special
Heal Block
Psychic Status
Agility
Psychic Status


Generation VI

In Pokémon X and Y, one of the legendary birds roams the Kalos region, depending on the chosen first partner Pokémon: Articuno if the chosen first partner Pokémon was Chespin, Zapdos if it was Fennekin, and Moltres if it was Froakie. It will begin to roam after the player has defeated the Pokémon League, and it will always be the first wild Pokémon encountered in tall grass after the Pokémon League has been defeated.

If the player uses Fly, the roaming Pokémon will relocate to a random location. Traveling normally, on the other hand, will only provide a small chance for the roaming Pokémon to change routes, and even then it will move to an adjacent route. Furthermore, entering any of the connecting gates between cities (or Victory Road) may cause the roaming Pokémon to relocate randomly. This appears to be on a timer, however, as immediately pursuing the roaming Pokémon does not seem to cause it to change location.

As the bird will automatically flee upon encounter, it cannot be caught until after it has been encountered an additional 10 times (not counting the first encounter), and has subsequently retreated to the Sea Spirit's Den in Azure Bay, where it remains as a stationary Pokémon. However, if the battle in the Sea Spirit's Den is fled from, the bird will begin roaming Kalos again as before.

All three are coded to never be Shiny.

X and Y
144Articuno.png
Types:
Ice Flying
Ability:
Pressure
Held item:
None.png None None.png
Articuno Lv.70
Ice Beam
Ice Special
Reflect
Psychic Status
Hail
Ice Status
Tailwind
Flying Status
145Zapdos.png
Types:
Electric Flying
Ability:
Pressure
Held item:
None.png None None.png
Zapdos Lv.70
Agility
Psychic Status
Discharge
Electric Special
Rain Dance
Water Status
Light Screen
Psychic Status
146Moltres.png
Types:
Fire Flying
Ability:
Pressure
Held item:
None.png None None.png
Moltres Lv.70
Safeguard
Normal Status
Air Slash
Flying Special
Sunny Day
Fire Status
Heat Wave
Fire Special

Generation VIII

Galar

In Pokémon Sword and Shield's Crown Tundra, the Galarian Forms of the legendary birds appear. Once the player has encountered them at the Dyna Tree Hill, they will become roaming Pokémon in the overworld. Articuno roams around the Crown Tundra, Zapdos roams around the Wild Area, and Moltres roams around the Isle of Armor. If the player knocks any of the birds out, it respawns instantly.

All three are coded to never be Shiny.

Sword and Shield
144Articuno-Galar.png
Types:
Psychic Flying
Ability:
Competitive
Held item:
None.png None None.png
Articuno Lv.70
Freezing Glare
Psychic Special
Hurricane
Flying Special
Psycho Cut
Psychic Physical
Psycho Shift
Psychic Status
145Zapdos-Galar.png
Types:
Fighting Flying
Ability:
Defiant
Held item:
None.png None None.png
Zapdos Lv.70
Thunderous Kick
Fighting Physical
Drill Peck
Flying Physical
Reversal
Fighting Physical
Focus Energy
Normal Status
146Moltres-Galar.png
Types:
Dark Flying
Ability:
Berserk
Held item:
None.png None None.png
Moltres Lv.70
Fiery Wrath
Dark Special
Hurricane
Flying Special
Sucker Punch
Dark Physical
Nasty Plot
Dark Status

Sinnoh

Sinnoh has two roaming Pokémon, each of which is available in the wild after certain events have taken place. Mesprit will roam after the player goes to Lake Verity after defeating Team Galactic at Mt. Coronet and Cresselia will appear after the player helps cure Eldritch's son's nightmares.

Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
481Mesprit.png
Type:
Psychic Unknown
Ability:
Levitate
Held item:
None.png None None.png
Mesprit Lv.50
Imprison
Psychic Status
Extrasensory
Psychic Special
Charm
Fairy Status
Psychic
Psychic Special
488Cresselia.png
Type:
Psychic Unknown
Ability:
Levitate
Held item:
None.png None None.png
Cresselia Lv.50
Slash
Normal Physical
Psycho Cut
Psychic Physical
Moonlight
Fairy Status
Safeguard
Normal Status

In other languages

Language Title
France Flag.png French Pokémon mouvant
Germany Flag.png German Umherziehende Pokémon
Italy Flag.png Italian Pokémon che si spostano da un luogo all'altro
South Korea Flag.png Korean 이동하는 포켓몬 migrating Pokémon
Spain Flag.png Spanish Pokémon Errante


Game locations of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon
Kanto Seafoam IslandsPower PlantVictory RoadCerulean Cave
Route 10Route 25Pewter CityRoaming Pokémon
Sevii Islands Mt. EmberNavel RockBirth Island
Johto Ilex ForestBell TowerWhirl IslandsMt. Silver Cave
Burned TowerEmbedded TowerRoaming Pokémon
Hoenn Desert RuinsIsland CaveAncient TombCave of OriginMarine Cave
Terra CaveSky PillarSouthern IslandSea MauvilleScorched Slab
Pathless PlainNameless CavernFabled CaveGnarled Den
Trackless ForestCrescent IsleSkyRoaming Pokémon
Sinnoh Acuity CavernValor CavernSpear PillarTurnback Cave
Rock Peak RuinsIceberg RuinsIron RuinsSnowpoint Temple
Stark MountainNewmoon IslandFlower ParadiseHall of Origin
Ramanas ParkFloaroma TownRoaming Pokémon
Unova Guidance ChamberTrial ChamberRumination FieldN's CastleAbundant Shrine
Giant ChasmDragonspiral TowerLiberty GardenRoute 11Route 13Route 22
Route 23Celestial TowerNacrene CityUnderground RuinsTwist Mountain
DreamyardMarvelous BridgeReversal MountainCoastal BiomeRoaming Pokémon
Kalos Sea Spirit's DenTeam Flare Secret HQTerminus Cave
Unknown DungeonRoaming Pokémon
Alola Route 16Altar of the SunneAltar of the MooneMount LanakilaMahalo Trail
Ruins of ConflictRuins of LifeRuins of AbundanceRuins of Hope
Aether ParadiseAncient Poni PathLake of the SunneLake of the Moone
Ten Carat HillResolution Cave
Galar Tower summitBattle TowerMaster DojoCrown ShrineMax Lair
Rock Peak RuinsIceberg RuinsIron RuinsSplit-Decision RuinsGiant's Bed
Frigid SeaLakeside CaveBallimere LakeFreezingtonRoaming Pokémon
Hisui Seaside HollowTemple of SinnohAcuity CavernValor CavernVerity Cavern
Lava Dome SanctumMoonview ArenaSnowpoint TempleTurnback CaveBonechill Wastes
Cobalt CoastlandsRamanas IslandScarlet BogCoronet HighlandsFloaro Gardens
Paldea Grasswither ShrineIcerend ShrineGroundblight ShrineFirescourge Shrine
Poco PathArea ZeroArea Zero UnderdepthsGlaseado Mountain
South Province (Area One)Asado DesertWest Province (Area One)East Province (Area Three)
Casseroya LakeNorth Paldean SeaSouth Province (Area Four)North Province (Area Two)
Alfornada CavernGreat Crater of PaldeaTagtree ThicketEast Province (Area One)
South Province (Area Five)Dalizapa PassagePokémon LeagueSocarrat Trail
Kitakami Paradise BarrensWistful FieldsOni MountainDreaded DenLoyalty Plaza
Other Faraway IslandDistortion WorldSinjoh RuinsUltra Space Wilds



Event distributions
Generation I: JapaneseEuropean language
Generation II: JapaneseEuropean language
Generation III: JapaneseEnglishGermanSpanishFrenchItalian
Generation IV: Japanese (local | Wi-Fi) • English (local | Wi-Fi) • German (local | Wi-Fi)
Spanish (local | Wi-Fi) • French (local | Wi-Fi) • Italian (local | Wi-Fi) • Korean (local | Wi-Fi)
Trading (GTS)
Generation V: Japanese (local | Wi-Fi) • English (local | Wi-Fi) • German (local | Wi-Fi)
Spanish (local | Wi-Fi) • French (local | Wi-Fi) • Italian (local | Wi-Fi) • Korean (local | Wi-Fi)
Global Link promotions
Generation VI: Japanese region (Nintendo Network | serial code) • American region (Nintendo Network | serial code)
PAL region (Nintendo Network | serial code) • Korean region (Nintendo Network | serial code)
Taiwanese region (Nintendo Network | serial code)
LocalTrading
Generation VII: 3DS: Japanese region (Nintendo Network | serial code) • American region (Nintendo Network | serial code)
PAL region (Nintendo Network | serial code) • Korean region (Nintendo Network | serial code)
Taiwanese region (Nintendo Network | serial code)
Local
Switch: PE
Generation VIII: SwShBDSPLA
Trading
Generation IX: SV
Specific events: Gather More Pokémon! Campaign
PCNY (Gen II | Gen III) • Trade and Battle DayJourney Across AmericaParty of the Decade
Other groupings: Movie events10th AnniversaryTanabataUndistributed
Special Pokémon from games
In-game: Gen IGen II • Gen III (RSFRLGEOrre) • Gen IV (DP ​• Pt ​• HGSS) • Gen V (BWB2W2)
Gen VI (XYORAS) • Gen VII (SMUSUMPE) • Gen VIII (SwShBDSPLA) • Gen IX (SV)
Gift Pokémon (Eggs) • Wild Pokémon (Roaming Pokémon) • In-game trades (Hayley's trades)
Game-based: Gen IGen IIGen IIIGen IVGen VIGen VII
Gen VIII (Wild Area News) • Gen IX (Poké Portal News)
Other: Undistributed
Non-Pokémon event distributions
Gen IIIGen IVGen VGen VIGen VII (Game-based) • Gen VIIIGen IX (Game-based)
Global Link
Other lists
Notable ID numbers (Gens I-IIIII onward) • Wonder Cards (Gen VGen VIGen VII) • Serial code prefixes


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