Salamence (Pokémon)

For Pokémon GO information on this species, see the game's section.
← #372: Shelgon	Pokémon	#374: Beldum →
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Salamence (disambiguation).

Salamence Dragon Pokémon ボーマンダ Bohmander #373 Salamence Mega Salamence Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type Dragon Flying Unknown Unknown Mega Salamence Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Abilities Intimidate Salamence Cacophony Mega Salamence Cacophony Moxie Hidden Ability Cacophony Hidden Ability Aerilate Mega Salamence Cacophony
Gender ratio Unknown 50% male, 50% female	Catch rate 45 (11.9%)
Breeding Egg Group Dragon Hatch time 40 cycles
Height 4'11" 1.5 m Salamence 5'11" 1.8 m Mega Salamence 0'0" 0 m {{{form3}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form4}}}	Weight 226.2 lbs. 102.6 kg Salamence 248.2 lbs. 112.6 kg Mega Salamence 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form3}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form4}}}
Mega Stone Salamencite [[|]]
Base experience yield 218 Gen. III-IV Unknown IV 270 V+	Leveling rate Slow
EV yield Total: 3 Salamence 0 HP 3 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed Mega Salamence 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed
Shape	Footprint Mega Salamence
Pokédex color   Blue	Base friendship 35
External Links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Salamence (Japanese: ボーマンダ Bohmander) is a dual-type Dragon/Flying pseudo-legendary Pokémon introduced in Generation III.

It evolves from Shelgon starting at level 50. It is the final form of Bagon.

Salamence can Mega Evolve into Mega Salamence using the Salamencite.

Biology

Salamence is a quadrupedal, draconic Pokémon with a long, tapering tail. It is primarily blue with a gray lower jaw and thickly scaled underside. There are red markings on its throat, the underside of its tail, and stripes on the inner surface of its legs. Additionally, there are raised red ridges above its eyes. Three flat fins protrude from either side of its head, possibly acting in the same manner that a Canard would on an aircraft. It has two pairs of pointed teeth, one in the upper jaw and one in the lower. Each of its short legs has three claws.

Salamence is considered an unusual Pokémon due to its evolution being triggered from a constant desire to fly. Its wings were created from cells mutating from wishing. This Pokémon's powerful desire to fly triggered a mutation that allowed it to grow large, red wings. As an expression of joy, it flies around and releases blasts of fire. Salamence only stops flying when it gets exhausted and needs to sleep. If enraged, it loses all sense of self and flies into an uncontrollable rampage, destroying everything around it until it tires itself out. It lives in rough terrain, and it competes with Garchomp midair for food.

As Mega Salamence, its wings meld together into a single huge, crescent-shaped wing. According to the anime, the hard, yet very flexible properties of its wings allow them to be used as blades in mid-air battles. Its face, neck, body and tail are narrower, and its tail is noticeably shorter in length. The ridges above its eyes are now far less prominent, and it no longer possesses the thick, gray scaling over its lower jaw. Instead, the smooth red flesh underneath has been left exposed, increasing its streamline appearance. The upper pair of fins resting on the sides of its head are now elongated and tapered. The lower pair has not changed much. However, the middle set now take the form of quarter-arches, spanning towards the bridge of the nose. The remnants of its shelled underbelly have been drastically transformed into a segmented, more aerodynamic, vest-like armored frame. This frame encases its chest and shoulders with the pieces interlocking whenever Mega Salamence tucks in its front forelegs.

The stress of Salamence's vaunted wings becoming misshapen in its Mega Evolution aggravates it to the point of rampaging. This fuels its already brutal nature and makes it likely to turn against the Trainer who raised it. Because of this, Mega Salamence is feared as "the blood-soaked crescent". Anything and anyone in Salamence's path gets sliced in two by its bladelike wings, posing no interruption to its flight.

In the anime

In the main series

Salamence in the anime

Sugimori reference sheet for the anime

Major appearances

J's Salamence

A Salamence belonging to J first appeared in Mutiny in the Bounty. It made further appearances in Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl.

Other

Salamence debuted in Jirachi: Wish Maker, under the ownership of Butler. He used it to battle a wild Flygon that was helping Ash and Max in their effort to free Jirachi from his control. However, it and its Trainer joined Ash and Max's side after Butler wound up creating a fake Groudon that threatened the safety of Forina, Jirachi's home. It reappeared in a flashback during the opening sequence of Destiny Deoxys.

Salamence made its physical TV debut in The Search for the Legend, under the ownership of Silver. He used it to battle Moltres, but the battle was interrupted when a nearby volcano erupted.

Salamence made its physical main series debut in Vanity Affair, under the ownership of Drake of the Elite Four. It was used against Team Rocket after they tried to steal Ash's Pikachu.

In The Clumsy Crier Quiets the Chaos!, Team Rocket's attempts to capture a Salamence resulted in it going on a rampage before it was calmed down by Nurse Joy's Wigglytuff.

In A Riveting Rivalry!, Sawyer's Shelgon was revealed to have evolved into a Salamence sometime before the episode. It was used in Sawyer's battle against Ash, where it went up against Noivern; the match eventually ended in a tie.

In Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel, a Salamence that can Mega Evolve was under the control of Levi and Cherie's Mega Wave. Salamence was used to battle Ash's Noivern and Greninja. It was later freed from their control when Alva's Mega Wave Crystal was destroyed, and it escaped.

Minor appearances

Salamence made its main series debut in a fantasy in Let Bagons be Bagons, where Michelle's Bagon had a fantasy about evolving so it could fly.

In Battling the Enemy Within, Team Rocket found a Salamence living in underground ruins while searching for Ho-Oh.

In May, We Harley Drew'd Ya!, a Coordinator's Salamence competed in the Kanto Grand Festival.

In Pinch Healing!, Team Rocket imagined evolving Matt's Bagon into a Salamence.

A Salamence appeared in the opening sequence of Giratina and the Sky Warrior.

A Salamence appeared in the opening sequence of Zoroark: Master of Illusions.

A Salamence that can Mega Evolve into Mega Salamence appeared in the ending segment of Mega Evolution Special II.

In Battle Royal 151!, a Trainer's Salamence competed in the Battle Royal preliminary round of the Manalo Conference but was defeated by Snowy and Kiawe's Turtonator.

A Salamence appeared in A Talent for Imitation! as an image in the Pokédex or a fantasy.

Pokédex entries

In the Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Animated Trailer

Mega Salamence in the animated trailer

In the Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Animated Trailer, a Mega Salamence battled a Mega Pidgeot.

In Pokémon Generations

Salamence in Pokémon Generations

A soldier's Salamence appeared in The Redemption, during a fantasy of a story from the past. It was one of the many Pokémon fighting in the great war of Kalos 3,000 years previously.

In the GOTCHA! music video

A Salamence briefly appeared in GOTCHA!, under the ownership of Drake.

In the manga

Salamence in Pokémon Adventures

Mega Salamence in Pokémon Adventures

In the Ash & Pikachu manga

Drake owns a Salamence, which appeared in Battle Till The End! Drake, One Of The Elite Four!.

In the Pocket Monsters Platinum: Aim to Be Battle King!! manga

A Salamence appeared in PBK2, where it fought Yū Shirogane's Infernape and a Glaceon.

In the Pokémon - The Legend of the Dragon King manga

A Salamence appeared in LDK1.

A Salamence appeared in LDK2.

Goro also owns a Salamence, which debuted in LDK3.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Main article: Zinnia's Salamence

When Ruby was a child, he battled a Salamence that attacked him and Sapphire while the two were playing outside. After being defeated by Ruby and having scarred his forehead with its Dragon Claw in the process, the Salamence went on a rampage and destroyed a lab, freeing Rayquaza, which was in captivity at that time, in the process. This resulted in Norman being banned from the Gym Leader test for five years. This encounter changed both Ruby and Sapphire and their views on Pokémon, as well as themselves. In Ruby's case, he felt he was too strong, and in order to keep himself back, he focused on Pokémon Contests. Sapphire, on the other hand, felt weak after the encounter and decided she had to become stronger, and spent much of her time in the wild honing her battle skills. It appeared in a flashback in The Beginning of the End with Kyogre & Groudon XIV. In the Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire arc, where Zinnia is revealed to be its owner, it has obtained a Salamencite, allowing it to Mega Evolve into Mega Salamence.

In Swanky Showdown with Swalot, Tucker is shown to be in possession of another Salamence, with which he defeats Sapphire. While Sapphire acknowledges the man's overwhelming skill, she also adds that such a Pokémon is a hard one to fight against with her phobic old experience many years back.

A Salamence appeared in a flashback in Flabébé Blooms.

In Omega Alpha Adventure 4, a Salamence appeared as a silhouette during Steven's explanation about the Draconid people.

Anabel owns a Salamence, which first appeared in Battle in Vast Poni Canyon.

In the Pokémon Battle Frontier manga

Tucker used a Salamence in a Tag Battle against Enta in Introducing the Frontier Brains!.

In the TCG

Main article: Salamence (TCG)

In the TFG

One Salamence figure has been released.

• Next Quest: Salamence

Other appearances

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Salamence appears as a Spirit.

Game data

NPC appearances

• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity: Salamence is a member of Munna's gang working for Kyurem to stop any (transformed) humans called upon by Hydreigon from destroying the Bittercold. He aided his companions in pursuing the player and their partner, but was outmaneuvered by Hydreigon. Salamence, along with two Chandelure, later attempted to stop the player and their allies from reaching the Glacier Palace, but they were defeated.

Pokédex entries

Game locations

In side games

In events

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Sun	Moon	Dragon Fang (5%)
Ultra Sun	Ultra Moon	Dragon Fang (5%)
Sword	Shield	Dragon Fang (5%)
Events*		Dragon Scale (50%)	Dragon Fang (50%)
		Dragon Fang (100%)

Stats

Base stats

Mega Salamence

Pokéathlon stats

Type effectiveness

Learnset

By leveling up

By TM/TR

Generation VIII Other generations: III - IV - V - VI - VII - IX

TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  TM06 TM06 Fly Flying Physical 09090 095}}95% 15 TM08 TM08 Hyper Beam Normal Special 150150 090}}90% 5 TM09 TM09 Giga Impact Normal Physical 150150 090}}90% 5 TM21 TM21 Rest Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM22 TM22 Rock Slide Rock Physical 07575 090}}90% 10 TM24 TM24 Snore Normal Special 05050 100}}100% 15 TM25 TM25 Protect Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM26 TM26 Scary Face Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 10 TM30 TM30 Steel Wing Steel Physical 07070 090}}90% 25 TM31 TM31 Attract Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 15 TM33 TM33 Rain Dance Water Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5 TM34 TM34 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5 TM39 TM39 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20 TM40 TM40 Swift Normal Special 06060 00—}}—% 20 TM43 TM43 Brick Break Fighting Physical 07575 100}}100% 15 TM48 TM48 Rock Tomb Rock Physical 06060 095}}95% 15 TM65 TM65 Shadow Claw Ghost Physical 07070 100}}100% 15 TM66 TM66 Thunder Fang Electric Physical 06565 095}}95% 15 TM68 TM68 Fire Fang Fire Physical 06565 095}}95% 15 TM76 TM76 Round Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 TM81 TM81 Bulldoze Ground Physical 06060 100}}100% 20 TM95 TM95 Air Slash Flying Special 07575 095}}95% 15 TM97 TM97 Brutal Swing Dark Physical 06060 100}}100% 20 TM99 TM99 Breaking Swipe Dragon Physical 06060 100}}100% 15 TR01 TR01 Body Slam Normal Physical 08585 100}}100% 15 TR02 TR02 Flamethrower Fire Special 09090 100}}100% 15 TR03 TR03 Hydro Pump Water Special 110110 080}}80% 5 TR10 TR10 Earthquake Ground Physical 100100 100}}100% 10 TR13 TR13 Focus Energy Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 30 TR15 TR15 Fire Blast Fire Special 110110 085}}85% 5 TR20 TR20 Substitute Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TR24 TR24 Outrage Dragon Physical 120120 100}}100% 10 TR26 TR26 Endure Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TR27 TR27 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TR31 TR31 Iron Tail Steel Physical 100100 075}}75% 15 TR32 TR32 Crunch Dark Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 TR36 TR36 Heat Wave Fire Special 09595 090}}90% 10 TR42 TR42 Hyper Voice Normal Special 09090 100}}100% 10 TR46 TR46 Iron Defense Steel Status 0000— 00—}}—% 15 TR47 TR47 Dragon Claw Dragon Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 TR51 TR51 Dragon Dance Dragon Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TR62 TR62 Dragon Pulse Dragon Special 08585 100}}100% 10 TR69 TR69 Zen Headbutt Psychic Physical 08080 090}}90% 15 TR75 TR75 Stone Edge Rock Physical 100100 080}}80% 5 TR89 TR89 Hurricane Flying Special 110110 070}}70% 10

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Salamence Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Salamence Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation VIII Other generations: III - IV - V - VI - VII - IX

Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  Defense Curl* Normal Status — —% 40 Dragon Rush Dragon Physical 100 75% 10 Thrash Normal Physical 120 100% 10 Twister Dragon Special 40 100% 20

Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Salamence in Generation VIII Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation. Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Salamence in that game. Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Salamence Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Salamence Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

By a prior evolution

By transfer from another generation

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball RS Acquisition: Evolve			Pokémon Trozei! Rarity: Rare
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team Body size: 2 Recruit rate: Evolve Friend Area: Dragon Cave Phrases 51%-100% HP I raze everything with my fiery breath! 26%-50% HP How could this be? My health has been slashed in half... 1%-25% HP I give up... There's not enough power to even breathe fire... Level up Leveled up! Let me work my slash-and-burn attacks on foes!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 2 Recruit rate: -10% IQ group: E
Pokémon Ranger Group: Dragon Poké Assist: Flying Field move: (Crush ×3) Loops: 22 Min. exp.: 0 Max. exp.: 0 Browser entry R-167 Salamence roars to set off earthquakes. It also shoots a beam from its mouth.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group: Dragon Poké Assist: Dragon Field move: (Crush ×4) Browser entry R-227 It lets loose shock waves and breathes powerful flames.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Dragon Poké Assist: (present) Dragon Field move: (present) (Burn ×4) Poké Assist: (past) Dragon Field move: (past) (Burn ×1) Browser entry R-221/N-202 It attacks by launching a large blue fireball.
Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ●●●●● Defense ●●● Speed ●●●●
Pokémon Rumble Rush Walking Speed: 1.5 seconds Base HP: 58 Base Attack: 84 Base Defense: 55 Base Speed: 70
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: Salamence is the Attraction Chief of Salamence's Air Ace in the Granite Zone.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Strong:   Weak: PokéPark Pad entry: He likes the Tech Area. He thinks the Area is comfortable because it is warm and dry.
Pokémon Battle Trozei Dragon Attack Power: ★★★★★
Pokémon Shuffle Flying Attack Power: 80 - 115 5 #195 Hitting Streak Increases damage when it is triggered in a row. Swappable Skill(s): Mega Boost Mega Effects 10 Clears one kind of Pokémon with the same type as Mega Salamence (max 10).
Pokémon GO Base HP: 216 Base Attack: 277 Base Defense: 168 Egg Distance: N/A Buddy Distance: 5 km Evolution Requirement: N/A Fast Attacks: Dragon Tail, Fire Fang, Bite* Charged Attacks: Fire Blast, Hydro Pump, Draco Meteor, Outrage†, Frustration‡, Return‡

Evolution

Unevolved Bagon  Dragon

Level 30 →

First evolution Shelgon  Dragon

Level 50 →

Second evolution Salamence  Dragon  Flying

Forms

Mega Evolution

Default Salamence Salamence  Dragon  Flying

Salamencite ↔

Held Salamencite Mega Salamence Salamence  Dragon  Flying

Sprites

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Generation III Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation V Black White Black 2 White 2 Front Back Front Back
Generation VI X Y Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Front Back Front Back
Generation VII Sun Moon Ultra Sun Ultra Moon Front Back Front Back

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

Trivia

• Salamence shares its category with Horsea, the Dratini evolutionary line, and Goodra. They are all known as the Dragon Pokémon.
• Salamence is tied with Metagross for the highest base Attack stat of all pseudo-legendary Pokémon.

Origin

Salamence seems to be based on the archetypal fire-breathing European dragon. It may also be based on a salamander, most likely the Hida salamander or Anderson's salamander; this is backed up by Salamence featuring three prominent finlets on either side of its head, which can be interpreted as external gills. These external gills are typical for many species of amphibians.

Mega Salamence's wing and head shape resemble that of a fighter jet. Alternatively, it might take inspiration from the mythical salamanders, as evidenced by its ability to learn numerous Fire-type moves by leveling up, and its Pokédex entry describing its propensity for breathing fire.

Name origin

Salamence may be a combination of salamander and menace, vengeance, vehemence, or violence (in regard to its brutal nature).

Bohmander is a combination of 暴行 bōkō (assault, outrage, or violent act) and salamander.

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese ボーマンダ Bohmander From 暴行 bōkō (assault, outrage, or violent act) and salamander French Drattak From dragon and attak Spanish Salamence Same as English name German Brutalanda From brutal and Salamander Italian Salamence Same as English name Korean 보만다 Bomanda Same as Japanese name Mandarin Chinese 暴蠑螈 Bào Róng Yuán Literally "Violent salamander". Cantonese Chinese

More languages Thai โบมันเดอร์ Bomandoe Transcription of Japanese name

Related articles

• Zinnia's Salamence
• J's Salamence
• Pseudo-legendary Pokémon
• Mega Evolution

← #372: Shelgon

Pokémon

#374: Beldum →

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