Rapidash is an equinePokémon with cream-colored fur and a pointed horn on its forehead. It has small, red eyes and triangular ears with reddish interiors. Yellow and reddish-orange flames stream from the back of its head to form a long, flowing mane. A short version of the mane trails down its back to its equally fiery tail. Flames are also present on its fetlocks. It has slender legs, each with a single black hoof.
Rapidash is a very agile Pokémon. It runs at about 150 mph (240 km/h), chasing everything that moves in hopes of racing it. With incredible acceleration, it reaches its top speed in only ten steps. At full gallop, its hooves barely touch the ground. The faster Rapidash goes, the longer the swaying flames of its mane will become. At an all-out gallop, its blazing mane sparkles, a feature that is said to enhance its beautiful appearance. Rapidash is capable of traveling an entire region like Hisui within a day and a half. Rapidash lives in grasslands, but it can also be seen on mountains in Pokémon Snap.
In Galar, Rapidash takes on a new form with a white coat, pale blue eyes, and a long, curly mane and tail colored in streaks of pastel cyan and pink. Its horn is much longer than that of Kantonian Rapidash and is deep violet in color with a spiraling white line running its length. Its fetlocks are adorned with long pink fur that stores psychic energy, which gives it a swift, airy gait, and it has deep violet hooves. When using psychic energy, its horn glows with a yellow aura, and its colored fur glows with seemly flowing color.
Galarian Rapidash lives in forests and is known for being brave and prideful. It can channel its psychic power into a powerful Psycho Cut from its horn that can pierce through sheet metal. Galarian Rapidash and its pre-Evolution are the only known Pokémon that can have Pastel Veil as an Ability.
At full gallop, its four hooves barely touch the ground because it moves so incredibly fast. (Pokémon Red, Silver, or Crystal inserted) With incredible acceleration, it reaches its top speed of 150 mph after running just ten steps. (Pokémon Blue, Gold, or Yellow inserted)
Rapidash usually can be seen casually cantering in the fields and plains. However, when this Pokémon turns serious, its fiery manes flare and blaze as it gallops its way up to 150 mph.
It usually canters casually in the fields and plains. But once a Rapidash turns serious, its fiery manes flare and blaze as it gallops its way up to 150 mph.
Rapidash usually can be seen casually cantering in the fields and plains. However, when this Pokémon turns serious, its fiery manes flare and blaze as it gallops its way up to 150 mph.
Fiery mane aglow, Rapidash darts like an arrow across the land. This prodigiously swift creature can traverse the vast region of Hisui in a day and a half.
Rapidash, Galarian form. The Unique Horn Pokémon. A Psychic and Fairy type, and Ponyta's evolved form. Fearless and proud, Rapidash uses Psychic powers stored in the flowing fur above its hooves to dash through the forest with ease.
Ash borrowed Lara Laramie's Ponyta when she couldn't qualify due to her having a broken arm. During the race, it evolved into a Rapidash and became faster, winning the race.
Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure
A Rapidash appeared as a silhouette in JBA5, under the ownership of Blaine.
Rapidash in its Galarian form is playable through obtaining a Unite License. It is a ranged speedster that starts as Galarian Ponyta, which evolves into Galarian Rapidash at level 5.
Trivia
In early English-language promotional material for Pokémon Red and Blue, it was revealed that Rapidash was to keep its romanized Japanese name "Gallop".
Rapidash is the favorite Pokémon of the KantoPokémon Fan Club Chairman. When the player first speaks to him, he goes on about why Rapidash is his favorite Pokémon at length.
Galarian Rapidash's category, Unique Horn, sounds similar to "unicorn".
In Galarian Rapidash's Pokédex entry in Pokémon Sword, Psycho Cut is not properly capitalized, which was common for moves mentioned in early Pokédex entries but rarely done in later ones.
Origin
Rapidash's horn shows it may have been inspired by unicorns, but it also displays a lot of resemblance to a regular horse. Both it and its pre-evolved form may also be based on fiery steeds in mythology, such as those of the Greek god Helios, Skinfaxi of Norse mythology, and the horses of the Ashvins in Hindu mythology. It may also be based on Qilin, a legendary Chinese hooved chimerical creature sometimes depicted with parts of their bodies on fire.
Galarian Rapidash appears to be based on more modern depictions of unicorns. Its inclusion in Galar and the Crown Tundra may be inspired by the fact that the unicorn is the national animal of Scotland, which the Crown Tundra is based on. Its signature Ability, Pastel Veil, may be inspired by the belief that unicorn horns can be used to cure diseases and neutralize poisons.
Name origin
Rapidash may be a combination of rapid and dash (referring to the high speed at which it runs) or ash (referencing its Fire type).
Gallop is literally gallop, a form of running for hooved animals.
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.
Silver Leaf (100%)
Shuca Berry (5%)
For other sprites and images, please see Rapidash images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
