Unown (Pokémon)

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Misdreavus #200: Misdreavus
Pokémon
#202: Wobbuffet Wobbuffet
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Unown (disambiguation).
Unown
アンノーン Unknown
#201
201Unown.png
F form art by Ken Sugimori from FireRed and LeafGreen
Type
Psychic Unknown
Category
Symbol Pokémon
Ability
Levitate
Exp. at Lv. 100
1,000,000
Regional Pokédex numbers
Johto
#061
Hoenn
#346
Sinnoh
#114
Regional Browser numbers
Height
1'08"
Imperial
0.5 m
Metric
Weight
11.0 lbs.
Imperial
5.0 kg
Metric
Dex color
Black
Catch rate
225 (29.4%)
Body style
Body01.png BodyUnknown.png
Blue-Striped
Footprint
 F201.png   F487O.png
Blue-Striped
Gender ratio
Gender unknown
Breeding
Undiscovered group 41 cycles
(10455 minimum steps)
EV yield
HP
0
Atk
1
Def
0
Sp.Atk
1
Sp.Def
0
Speed
0
Base Exp.: 61 Battle Exp.: 611*

Unown (Japanese: アンノーン Unknown) is a Psychic-type Pokémon.

While it is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon, as of Generation III, Unown has 28 derivative shapes, chronicled in the Unown Dex in Generation II and the Unown Report in HeartGold and SoulSilver. There are 26 Latin alphabet characters, plus ? (question mark) and ! (exclamation mark) introduced in Generation III. In Generation II, its shape is determined by its individual values, whereas in Generation III and beyond, it is determined by its personality value.

Biology

Physiology

Unown are floating, flat, eye-shaped Pokémon with appendages that make them resemble letters. They are black all over. All alphabetic Unown have fully open eyes while the two punctuation Unown have half-closed eyes.

Gender differences

This Pokémon is genderless.

Special abilities

Unown's only known move in battle is the enigmatic Hidden Power.

In the anime, they are capable of reading the thoughts of other lifeforms. Great numbers of them are capable of warping reality to suit the dreams and wishes of whoever they read the thoughts of and is in control of the Unown. However, they can only do this when more Unown are present, so it could be a shared effort rather than an ability unique to each Unown.

Behavior

Unown can make telepathic contact with humans (as well as many other creatures). Unown have a timidness that makes them rarely venture outside of their dimension. They tend to stick to walls or orbit other Unown when in a group.

Habitat

Unown live in their own dimension.

When they move to the Pokémon world, Unown seem to prefer to make their habitat in ancient ruins stuck to the walls, appearing only in the Ruins of Alph in Johto, the Tanoby Chambers in the Sevii Islands, the Solaceon Ruins in Sinnoh, and Unown Relic and Aegis Cave in the Mystery Dungeon world. They have also been seen at the Sinjoh Ruins.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

In the anime

Unown in the anime

Major appearances

Unown (M03)

Unown play a large role in the third movie, creating the illusions which drive the plot.

Notes about Unown can be seen on Professor Oak's computer at the beginning of the movie. The information (as presented in the Japanese version) has been cleaned up and transcribed here:

  • Because of their very timid and careful character, Unown do not want to go out to the external world.
  • Unown have the power to perceive the feelings of other creatures (including human beings).
  • Unown communicate with each other over electromagnetic waves but cannot use telepathy.
  • Given all this, Unown are still classified as a species of Pokémon, as opposed to any other sort of creature.

Other

An Unown fell out of the Unown dimension in Address Unown!. After it was healed by the group, it helped defend against Team Rocket and its mind merged with that of Ash's Larvitar so that the group could help it to address its inner pain.

The tablet

Markings of Unown were on a tablet in Top-Down Training. Many Unown appeared in Journey to the Unown!, also the same tablet from its previous appearance is shown.

The tablet is written (in Romaji):
FRIEND
SUBETE NO INOCHI HA"
BETSU NO INOCHI TO DEAI
NANIKA WO UMIDASU


(In the dub, Dawn reads it as "When every life meets another life, something will be born").

Minor appearances

A Mirage Unown G appeared in The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon.

Multiple Unown also made a brief appearance in The Rise of Darkrai fleeing from Dialga and Palkia in a different dimension. Multiple of them also appeared in the opening of the movie.

Multiple Unown appeared on a stone tablet in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky - Beyond Time & Darkness.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry
EP263 Unown Ash's Pokédex Unown, the Symbol Pokémon. Unown are said to have existed since ancient times. There are many in form and shape but little is known about this mysterious Pokémon.
Episode Pokémon Source Entry
DP060 Unown Dawn's Pokédex Unown, the Symbol Pokémon. Unown use telepathy to communicate with each other. Many different shapes of Unown have been discovered.

In the manga

An Unown as seen in Pokémon Adventures

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Unown first appeared in Volume 8 when Gold and Bugsy were in the Ruins of Alph. Gold had his Sunkern use Flash to blind Team Rocket, but accidentally disturbed the Unown from their slumber with the light from Flash. Bugsy later returns to study the Ruins further in Volume 11, where he captures an Unown (G).

Unown later appear in Volume 24, having been awakened by Sird from the Tanoby Ruins to use as a distraction while she fought Lorelei. The Unown later appear again throughout the volume, being employed by Team Rocket as living security cameras while impeding the progress of Red, Blue and Green.

It also appeared in DP saga when Diamond, Pearl and Platinum were visiting Solaceon Town. Diamond and Pearl befriended two Unown (D and P) who behaved like them.

Unown's most recent appearance is in the HGSS saga, being summoned forth at the Sinjoh Ruins while Arceus is attempting a creation ritual much like on the games. Unlike the games however, no Cynthia is present, all three of Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina appear, most likely under the influence of the Executives, known as the Four Generals in the manga.

In the TCG

Main article: Unown (TCG)

Other appearances

Super Smash Bros. Melee

When one Unown is released from a Poké Ball it will fly off the screen. It then returns with a large swarm similar to what Beedrill did in the original Super Smash Bros. The only difference is that Beedrill only attack from left or right while Unown can come from any direction. Any opponent caught in this is damaged and juggled.

There are also a number of Unown Pokéfloats. In the second half of the cycle, a number fly across the screen. Towards the end of the cycle, staying on the stage relies on hopping between the Unown.

Trophy Information

These Psychic-type symbol Pokémon resemble ancient hieroglyphics found on rocks, a resemblance that's said to be more than superficial. Quite a few different shapes of Unown have been confirmed, and it's believed that each type has unique abilities. These enigmatic Pokémon can be found in the Ruins of Alph.

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Generation I
Red {{{redbluedex}}}
Blue
Yellow {{{yellowdex}}}
Stadium {{{stadiumdex}}}
Generation II
Gold Their shapes look like hieroglyphs on ancient tablets. It is said that the two are somehow related.
Silver Its flat, thin body is always stuck on walls. Its shape appears to have some meaning.
Crystal Because different types of Unown exist, it is said that they must have a variety of abilities.
Stadium 2 Their shapes look like hieroglyphs on ancient tablets. It is said that the two are somehow related.
Generation III
Ruby This Pokémon is shaped like ancient writing. It is a mystery as to which came first, the ancient writings or the various Unown. Research into this topic is ongoing but nothing is known.
Sapphire
Emerald This Pokémon is shaped like ancient text characters. Although research is ongoing, it is a mystery as to which came first, the ancient writings or the various Unown.
FireRed Its flat, thin body is always stuck on walls. Its shape appears to have some meaning.
LeafGreen Their shapes look like hieroglyphs on ancient tablets. It is said that the two are somehow related.
Generation IV
Diamond Shaped like ancient writing, it is a huge mystery whether language or Unown came first.
Pearl They seem to communicate among each other telepathically. They are always found stuck on walls.
Platinum When alone, nothing happens. However, if there are two or more, an odd power is said to emerge.
HeartGold Their shapes look like hieroglyphs on ancient tablets. It is said that the two are somehow related.
SoulSilver Its flat, thin body is always stuck on walls. Its shape appears to have some meaning.
Generation V
Black When alone, nothing happens. However, if there are two or more, an odd power is said to emerge.
White
Black 2 When alone, nothing happens. However, if there are two or more, an odd power is said to emerge.
White 2
Generation VI
X Unknown
Y Unknown


Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Generation I
Red Blue
None Trade
Blue (Japan)
None Trade
Yellow
None Trade
Generation II
Gold Silver
Always Inside Ruins of Alph
Crystal
Always Inside Ruins of Alph
Generation III
Ruby Sapphire
None Trade
Emerald
None Trade
FireRed LeafGreen
Always Inside Tanoby Chambers
Colosseum
None Trade
XD
None Trade
Generation IV
Diamond Pearl
Always Solaceon Ruins
Platinum
Always Solaceon Ruins
HeartGold SoulSilver
Always Inside Ruins of Alph
Pal Park
Forest
Pokéwalker
None
Generation V
Black White
None Poké Transfer
Black 2 White 2
None Poké Transfer
Dream World
None
Generation VI
X Y
None Trade



In side games

Game Location
Pokémon Trozei! Phobosphere (G)
Endless Level 48 (N)
Endless Level 83 (Y)
Forever Level 48 (N)
Endless Level 83 (Y)
Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red/Blue Rescue Team
Unown Relic
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Time/Darkness
Aegis Cave
Pokémon Rumble Blast Unown Hideout: Everspring Valley* (post ending)

In Pokémon Trozei, rounds at Mr. Who's Den that contain Unown will include multiple forms at the same time.

Each form of Unown is found on different floors in the Unown Relic:

Stats

Base Stats

Stat Range
At Lv. 50 At Lv. 100
48
108 - 155 206 - 300
72
69 - 136 134 - 267
48
47 - 110 90 - 214
72
69 - 136 134 - 267
48
47 - 110 90 - 214
48
47 - 110 90 - 214
Total:
336
Other Pokémon with this total
  • Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature.
  • Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.

Pokéathlon stats

A-Z
Speed
2/4 ★★☆☆
Power
2/3 ★★
Skill
2/4 ★★☆☆
Stamina
2/4 ★★☆☆
Jump
2/5 ★★☆☆☆
Total
10/20 ★★☆☆

Speed
2/4 ★★☆☆
Power
2/3 ★★
Skill
2/5 ★★☆☆☆
Stamina
2/4 ★★☆☆
Jump
2/5 ★★☆☆☆
Total
10/21 ★★☆☆

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation V, this Pokémon is:
Damaged
normally by:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic ½×
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Weak to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic ½×
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Immune to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic ½×
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Resistant to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic ½×
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Notes:

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation V
Other generations:
II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
 Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
00Start Hidden Power Normal Special 0000 100100% 15
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Unown
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Unown
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM/HM

Generation V
Other generations:
II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
 TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
This Pokémon learns no moves by TM.
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Unown
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Unown
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation V
Other generations:
II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
 Father   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
This Pokémon learns no moves by breeding.
  • Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Unown in Generation V
  • 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 Unown in that game.
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Unown
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Unown
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

Generation V
Other generations:
II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
 Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
This Pokémon learns no moves by tutoring.
  • A black abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Unown can be tutored the move in that game
  • A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Unown cannot be tutored the move in that game
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Unown
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Unown
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball
 N/A 
Not available
Pokémon Pinball RS
 N/A 
Not available
Pokémon Trozei!
 Trozeiani201.png 
Rarity: Common
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team
File:MDP RT 201.png Body size: 1
Recruit rate:
(A-Z) 1.8%
(!?) 0.1%
Friend Area: Aged Chamber
Phrases
51%-100% HP What am I, you ask?
26%-50% HP My HP has plunged to half...
1%-25% HP I cannot go on... I have little power left...
Level up I have leveled up.
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 I have leveled up.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness
,
and Explorers of Sky
MDP E 201.png Body size: 1
Recruit rate: 8.2%
IQ group: A
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:
 Normal  None Past
Electric Assist.png
( Normal )
None Past
Electrify 1 field move.png
(Electrify ×1)
Browser entry  
This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
Attack ●●
Defense ●●
Speed ●●●
Attack Not
Available
Defense
Speed
Attack Not
Available
Defense
Speed
Attack Not
Available
Defense
Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure
None.png PokéPark Pad entry:
This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond
None.png Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}}
PokéPark Pad entry:
This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
None.png HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}}
Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}}
Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}}
Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}}
Does not evolve.
Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

A B C D E F G
201.png 201B.png 201C.png 201D.png 201E.png 201F.png 201G.png
H I J K L M N
201H.png 201I.png 201J.png 201K.png 201L.png 201M.png 201N.png
O P Q R S T U
201O.png 201P.png 201Q.png 201R.png 201S.png 201T.png 201U.png
V W X Y Z ! ?
201V.png 201W.png 201X.png 201Y.png 201Z.png 201EX.png 201QU.png
Does not evolve
Unown
 Psychic 

Sprites

Gen Game
I Red Blue Yellow Red (Ja) Green Back
This Pokémon did not appear during Generation I.
II Gold Silver Crystal   Back
Spr 2g 201.png Spr 2s 201.png Spr 2c 201.png Spr b 2g 201.png
Spr 2g 201 s.png Spr 2s 201 s.png Spr 2c 201 s.png Spr b 2g 201 s.png
III Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen Back
Spr 3r 201.png Spr 3e 201.png Spr 3f 201.png Spr b 3r 201.png
Spr 3r 201 s.png Spr 3e 201 s.png Spr 3f 201 s.png Spr b 3r 201 s.png
IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Back
Spr 4d 201.png Spr 4p 201.png Spr 4h 201.png Spr b 4d 201.png
Spr 4d 201 s.png Spr 4p 201 s.png Spr 4h 201 s.png Spr b 4d 201 s.png
V Black White Black 2 White 2 Back
Spr 5b 201.png Spr 5b2 201.png Spr b 5b 201.png
Spr 5b 201 s.png Spr 5b2 201 s.png Spr b 5b 201 s.png
201G For other sprites and images, please see Unown images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

The unreleased Unown featured in Spell of the Unown
  • It is the first non-legendary to be in a central role in a Pokémon movie: Spell of the Unown.
    • In the movie Professor Oak had some pictures of unreleased Unown on his computer. They resemble a few Greek alphabet letters, especially σ (lowercase sigma), Σ (capital sigma), Π (pi), and Ω (omega). The top left large image also resembles the Greek Ȣ (ou). However, lowercase letters have never been made into Unown before, so this may be an error or a misinterpretation by fans. The top-middle Unown may be also a variation of an ancient Egyptian symbol of protection, the Eye of Horus, or the Russian letter Я (ya). One unreleased Unown resembles Russian letter Ю (yu). Another resembles the Cyrillic letter б (be). This may lead to the conclusion that there are more forms of Unown, being the prototypes of other known (or unknown) alphabets.
      • It is, however, possible that the creators of the carvings drew Unown in the form of other letters and symbols, even if actual living equivalents did not exist.
    • Despite being in the book of legendary Pokémon owned by Molly Hale, Unown is not considered a legendary Pokémon.
    • It is also stated that the Unown communicate with each other using electromagnetic waves, specifically noting that they cannot use telepathy. However, this is contradicted by a later episode as well as Unown's Pearl Pokédex entry.
  • Unown apparently generate a radio signal where they are found in large numbers, which can be listened to by any Trainer with a Pokégear. If the player listens closely, the radio signal plays the melody of the Azure Flute.
  • If a player does not have Unown's Pokédex data on a Generation II game when in Oak's lab in Pokémon Stadium 2, Unown's Pokédex number is listed as 252 instead of 201. This happens regardless of which Pokédex display mode is selected.
  • Unown, Nidorina, Nidoqueen, and Ditto are the only non-legendary, non-baby Pokémon that cannot breed with Ditto.
  • Unown is the only Pokémon that has a base stat total of 336.
  • Unown currently is represented in the Trading Card Game by the most cards of any Pokémon, at 86 unique cards.
  • It has the smallest movepool of all Pokémon, learning only one move, Hidden Power, and being unable to learn any other moves through TMs, HMs, and Pokémon breeding (as it cannot breed). It shares this distinction with Ditto and Smeargle; however, unlike Unown, Ditto and Smeargle can potentially expand their move pools through the use of Transform and Sketch, respectively.
  • Unown has the most officially recognized alternate forms of any Pokémon.
  • Unown is the only Pokémon, barring external modification, that cannot be entered in a Pokémon Super Contest, as Ditto can use the Rage glitch to have more than one move.
  • Unown is the only Generation II Pokémon that has not been featured in a Ranger series game.
  • Due to Unown's letter and Shininess both being determined by IVs in Generation II, only Shiny Unown I and V are possible in these games.

Origin

Their appearances are corruptions of the modern Latin alphabet, as well as the exclamation mark (!) and question mark (?) punctuation marks, and the G form of Unown may be based on a double-story lower case G. The shapes of the Unown are used like runes in the Pokémon world, although in Hoenn and the Sevii Islands their place has been taken by Braille.

Name origin

Unown is a corruption of unknown.

Unknown is literally unknown.

In other languages

Language Title Meaning
Japan Flag.png Japanese アンノーン Unknown From unknown
France Flag.png French Zarbi From the word bizarre in Verlan, a youth language consisting of reversed words
Spain Flag.png Spanish Unown Same as English name
Germany Flag.png German Icognito From icon and inkognito
Italy Flag.png Italian Unown Same as English name
South Korea Flag.png Korean 안농 Annong Transliteration of its Japanese name
China and Taiwan Flags.png Mandarin Chinese 未知圖騰 / 未知图腾 Wèizhītúténg Literally "Unknown totem".
Hong Kong Flag.png Cantonese Chinese


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