Drifblim (Japanese: フワライド Fuwaride) is a dual-type Ghost/Flying Pokémon introduced in Generation IV.
It evolves from Drifloon starting at level 28.
Biology
Drifblim is a Pokémon that has a large, spherical, purple body with the lower quarter of its body being a lighter purple. The colors are separated by a repeated semicircle pattern all around its body. On the top of its head is a puffy, white mass, which closely resembles a cloud. In the center of its body is a large yellow "X" mark, and on either side just above the "X" are its small, red eyes. On the lower portion of its body are four long, thin arms that extend diagonally in four different directions. Its arms are tipped with yellow and have three short points each. The bottom of its body narrows into a short, red extrusion that fans slightly outward. Drifblim's body contains souls, said to be burdened with regrets. These souls serve as fuel for Drifblim's gas.
Drifblim is strong enough to lift Pokémon or people but has no control over its flight. This causes it to drift with the wind and end up anywhere. It can, however, inflate and deflate itself with gas to control its altitude. It is rarely active during the day but usually gathers in groups during the evenings. When noticed, the groups will suddenly vanish to unknown locations. Drifblim preys on Clamperl. There are rumors of Drifblim carrying people to the afterlife; as well, there have been songs or poems dedicated to Drifblim due to people admiring its transient, melancholy aspect.
Drifblim and its pre-evolved form, Drifloon, are the only known Pokémon that can have Flare Boost as an Ability. Prior to Generation V, this was also true for Unburden.
Evolution
Drifblim evolves from Drifloon.
(For specifics on this Pokémon's Evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)
Game data
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
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Generation IV
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Sinnoh #066
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Johto #—
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Diamond
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It's drowzy in daytime, but flies off in the evening in big groups. No one knows where they go.
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Pearl
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It carries people and Pokémon when it flies. But since it only drifts, it can end up anywhere.
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Platinum
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At dusk, swarms of them are carried aloft on winds. When noticed, they suddenly vanish.
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HeartGold
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It can generate and release gas within its body. That's how it can control the altitude of its drift.
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SoulSilver
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Generation V
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Unova B2 W2 : #209
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Black
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At dusk, swarms of them are carried aloft on winds. When noticed, they suddenly vanish.
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White
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Black 2
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They carry people and Pokémon, but the wind can catch them, so there can't be a fixed destination.
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White 2
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Generation VI
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Kalos Coastal #002
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Hoenn #—
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X
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It carries people and Pokémon when it flies. But since it only drifts, it can end up anywhere.
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Y
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It's drowsy in daytime, but flies off in the evening in big groups. No one knows where they go.
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Omega Ruby
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It carries people and Pokémon when it flies. But since it only drifts, it can end up anywhere.
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Alpha Sapphire
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It's drowsy in daytime, but flies off in the evening in big groups. No one knows where they go.
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Generation VII
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Alola S M : #065
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Alola US UM : #077
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Kanto #—
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This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.
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Sun
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There was once an incident in which a man took a trip riding a Drifblim, only to go missing.
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Moon
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Even while under careful observation, large flocks of Drifblim flying at dusk will inexplicably disappear from view.
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Ultra Sun
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There's a rumor that if you catch a Drifblim floating on the wind at dusk, you'll be carried away to the afterlife.
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Ultra Moon
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The raw material for the gas inside its body is souls. When its body starts to deflate, it's thought to carry away people and Pokémon.
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Generation VIII
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Galar #125
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Galar Isle of Armor #136
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Sinnoh #066
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Hisui #038
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Sword
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Some say this Pokémon is a collection of souls burdened with regrets, silently drifting through the dusk.
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Shield
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It grabs people and Pokémon and carries them off somewhere. Where do they go? Nobody knows.
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Brilliant Diamond
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They're drowsy in daytime but fly off in the evening in big groups. No one knows where they go.
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Shining Pearl
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It carries people and Pokémon when it flies. But since it only drifts, it can end up anywhere.
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Legends: Arceus
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It drifts along at dusk, perfectly silent. Its transient, melancholy aspect touches some people deeply—every so often, one will come upon a song or poem devoted to Drifblim.
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Generation IX
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Paldea #144
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Kitakami #—
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Blueberry #—
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Scarlet
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It can generate and release gas within its body. That’s how it can control the altitude of its drift.
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Violet
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They carry people and Pokémon, but the wind can catch them, so there can't be a fixed destination.
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Game locations
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
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Generation VIII
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Sword
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Shield
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Expansion Pass
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Brilliant Diamond
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Shining Pearl
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Legends: Arceus
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Obsidian Fieldlands: Ramanas IslandNight, Sandgem FlatsNight, Lake Verity and nearbyNight, massive mass outbreaks Crimson Mirelands: Space-time distortions Cobalt Coastlands: Crossing SlopeNight, near Ginkgo LandingNight, near Aipom HillNight, Bathers' Lagoon and nearbyNight, near Hideaway BayNight, Deadwood HauntNight, near Tombolo WalkNight, Sand's Reach and nearbyNight, Tranquility CoveNight, near Castaway ShoreNight, near Islespy ShoreNight (mass outbreaks nearbyDayNight), Lunker's LairNight, Seagrass HavenNight, Firespit IslandNight Alabaster Icelands: Bonechill WastesNight, Avalugg's LegacyNight, Glacier TerraceNight (also mass outbreaksDayNight), Heart's CragNight, massive mass outbreaks
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In side games
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
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In events
Held items
Stats
Base stats
Stat
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Range
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At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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150
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210 - 257
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410 - 504
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80
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76 - 145
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148 - 284
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44
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44 - 105
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83 - 205
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90
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85 - 156
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166 - 306
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54
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53 - 116
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101 - 227
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80
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76 - 145
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148 - 284
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Total: 498
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- 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.
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Pokéathlon stats
Type effectiveness
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Learnset
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Drifblim
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Drifblim
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Drifblim
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution or an alternate form of Drifblim
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Drifblim
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Drifblim
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Drifblim
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Drifblim
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Drifblim
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations
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TCG-only moves
Side game data
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Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
Group:
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Poké Assist: (present)
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Field move: (present)
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(Psy Power ×1)
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Poké Assist: (past)
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Field move: (past)
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(Psy Power ×1)
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Browser entry R-233/N-220
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To attack, it spits out orbs imbued with loathsome emotions that make Pokémon Tired.
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Pokémon Rumble Rush
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Walking Speed: 1.58 seconds
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Base HP: 67
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Base Attack: 79
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Base Defense: 48
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Base Speed: 60
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New Pokémon Snap
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Photodex entry #083
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Drifblim float around as they please during the day, but at night they drift off to who knows where. Apparently, some of the Clamperl they’ve carried away are still missing.
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Evolution data
Sprites
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
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Other sprites
In animation
Major appearances
Drifblim made its main series debut in Playing The Leveling Field!, under the ownership of Fantina. It evolved from Drifloon in the episode during a battle with Ash's Pikachu. It appeared again in A Shield with a Twist!, where it defeated Ash's Pikachu and Buizel during a Gym battle, but lost to Chimchar.
Other
Drifblim debuted in The Rise of Darkrai, where it floated around Alamos Town, serving as a scout for Tonio so he could conduct scientific analyses throughout the city.
In PK18, Buizel grabbed on to a Drifblim while escaping from Meowth and his cronies. Meowth's group was later forced to hold on to more Drifblim after being blasted off by a Registeel.
In Foggy Pokémon Orienteering!, Ash used multiple Drifblim to hop across a gorge to safely reach Bonnie, who had fallen asleep on the other side.
Minor appearances
In Meloetta's Moonlight Serenade, a Drifblim watched Meloetta's concert.
Three Drifblim appeared in I Choose You!.
In A Haunted House for Everyone!, a Mismagius created illusions of two Drifblim.
Multiple Drifblim appeared in Nightfall? Nightmares!.
A Drifblim appeared in The Pendant That Starts It All (Part One).
Pokédex entries
Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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DP093
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Drifblim
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Dawn's Pokédex
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Drifblim, the Blimp Pokémon and the evolved form of Drifloon. Because it travels on wind currents, Drifblim's movements are unusual and unpredictable.
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In the manga
Phantom Thief Pokémon 7
The titular Phantom Thief, Hiori, uses a Drifblim primarily for aerial transportation. It is not seen battling much but can hold its own when it needs to.
Pokémon Adventures
- Main article: Fantina's Drifblim
When Diamond, Pearl and Platinum were in Hearthome City, Fantina used her Drifblim to throw off some women who were obstructing the trio for being rookies in Contests who didn't deserve to compete, an attitude that carried over even after Platinum won the Contest, to which Fantina responded by dropping them in a trash chute. She was later used in a Gym match against Platinum. Her Ominous Wind seemed to give her the upper hand at first against Platinum's Empoleon, but the girl then revealed that she took advantage of this gust of wind to send off her Blizzard, fainting her. She first appeared in Perturbed by Pachirisu.
Pokédex entries
Manga
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Chapter
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Entry
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Pokémon Adventures
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PS370
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Drifblim, the Blimp Pokémon. It carries people and Pokémon when it flies. But since it only drifts, it can end up anywhere.
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Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!
- Main article: Fantina's Drifblim
Fantina's Drifblim also makes a minor appearance in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!, fighting alongside its Trainer and the other Gym Leaders against an army of Team Galactic Grunts in The Legendary Pokémon, Captured.
Drifblim also appeared as a member of Flint's team in Hareta's Heart's Desire. Drifblim was used to finish off Hareta's Misdreavus, but was surprised when Misdreavus used Skill Swap to acquire Drifblim's Aftermath Ability, causing Drifblim to be taken down with the other Ghost-type Pokémon.
In the TCG
- Main article: Drifblim (TCG)
Trivia
- Drifblim has the highest HP base stat of all Flying-type Pokémon, and is tied with Giratina for the highest HP base stat of all Ghost-type Pokémon.
- Drifblim and Drifloon are the only Pokémon not introduced in Generation III to be found in the Fluctuating Experience Group.
- They are also the only Flying-type and Ghost-type Pokémon in the Fluctuating Experience Group.
- Drifblim is tied with Bronzong as the most common Pokémon found amongst Elite Four members, being used by four of them.
Origin
Drifblim appears to be based on a hot air balloon. The yellow shape around its mouth resembles a puncture bandage (its mouth being the puncture), the white puff on its head resembles a cloud, and its four arms pose as the rigging connected to the balloon's basket. It also resembles the box jellyfish, specifically the Carukia barnesi. It may also be based on space jellyfish (also known as atmospheric jellyfish), an atmospheric phenomenon caused by rocket launches that are often mistaken for cryptids or UFO sightings.
As a concept of a Ghost-type balloon, it may have been inspired by some Kaidan ghost stories, where ghosts and spirits have been compared to balloons.
Name origin
Drifblim may be a combination of drift and blimp.
Fuwaride may be a combination of ふわふわ fuwa fuwa (soft, airy, and light; or an onomatopoeia for floating), 風船 fūsen (balloon), and ride, as well as a pun on 付和雷同 fuwaraidō (following others blindly).
In other languages
Language
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Title
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Meaning
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Japanese
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フワライド Fuwaride
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From ふわふわ fuwafuwa, fuga, 風船 fūsen, ride, and possibly 付和雷同 fuwaraidō
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French
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Grodrive
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From gros and dérive
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Spanish
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Drifblim
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Same as English name
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German
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Drifzepeli
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From Drift and Zeppelin
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Italian
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Drifblim
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Same as English name
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Korean
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둥실라이드 Dungsilraid
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From 둥실둥실 dungsil-dungsil and ride
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Mandarin Chinese
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隨風球 / 随风球 Suífēngqiú * 附和氣球 / 附和气球 Fùhèqìqiú *
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From 隨風 / 随风 suífēng and 氣球 / 气球 qìqiú From 附和 fùhè and 氣球 / 气球 qìqiú
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Cantonese Chinese
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隨風球 Chèuihfūngkàuh * 附和氣球 Fuhwohheikàuh *
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From 隨風 chèuihfūng and 氣球 heikàuh From 附和 fuhwoh and 氣球 heikàuh
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More languages
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Hindi
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गुब्बावारा Gubbavara
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From ग़ुब्बारा gubbara
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Thai
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ฟูวาไรด์ Fuwarai
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Transcription of Japanese name
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Related articles
External links
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This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.
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