Regional form

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A regional form (Japanese: リージョンフォーム region form), also known as a regional variant, is an alternate form of a Pokémon species that is found in a specific region. These forms differ from those found in the region where the Pokémon was introduced, usually even to the point of having a different type.

The following regional forms are currently known:

54 Pokémon currently have regional forms, and 57 regional forms currently exist in total (55 and 58, respectively, if White-Striped Basculin is counted as a regional form). Apart from Meowth and Tauros, which have two and three respectively, each Pokémon with a regional form has only one.

Some regional forms have a different Evolution method than their counterparts from other regions.

Terminology

Main article: Terminology of regional forms

In Generation VII, they were introduced as regional variants, which is also mentioned in some Pokémon GO Community Day events from 2023. From Generation VIII onwards, they have been consistently known as regional forms in the core series games.

The place name adjective (such as "Alolan") is used before the Pokémon species. In running text, both the original form and the new regional forms are sometimes treated this way, such as "Kantonian Meowth" and "Alolan Meowth". Conversely, sometimes the Pokémon species are simply mentioned in running text without using the regional adjective. For instance, if the player encounters a wild Galarian Meowth, the battle dialogue would simply indicate "You encountered a wild Meowth!"

In Generation VII games, the Pokédex displays "Alola Form" as the title of this form. From Generation VIII onwards (including in Pokémon HOME), the adjectives for the place names are consistently used instead. For instance, "Alolan Form", "Galarian Form", "Hisuian Form", and "Paldean Form". The original form (such as Kantonian Meowth) is not named in the Pokédex.

In running text (as seen on Pokémon.com), the word "form" has been consistently written in lowercase. In the Generation VII era, this used to be "Alola form". From Generation VIII onwards, this includes "Kantonian form", "Alolan form", "Galarian form", etc.

List of regional forms

Ndex Pokémon Original form Region
(Gen.)
Regional form Regional Evolution
#0019 Rattata 0019Rattata.png
 Normal 
Black clover HOME.png
Alola
VII
0019Rattata-Alola.png
 Dark  Normal 
#0020 Raticate 0020Raticate.png
 Normal 
Black clover HOME.png
Alola
VII
0020Raticate-Alola.png
 Dark  Normal 
#0026 Raichu 0026Raichu.png
 Electric 
Black clover HOME.png
Alola
VII
0026Raichu-Alola.png
 Electric  Psychic 
#0027 Sandshrew 0027Sandshrew.png
 Ground 
Black clover HOME.png
Alola
VII
0027Sandshrew-Alola.png
 Ice  Steel 
#0028 Sandslash 0028Sandslash.png
 Ground 
Black clover HOME.png
Alola
VII
0028Sandslash-Alola.png
 Ice  Steel 
#0037 Vulpix 0037Vulpix.png
 Fire 
Black clover HOME.png
Alola
VII
0037Vulpix-Alola.png
 Ice 
#0038 Ninetales 0038Ninetales.png
 Fire 
Black clover HOME.png
Alola
VII
0038Ninetales-Alola.png
 Ice  Fairy 
#0050 Diglett 0050Diglett.png
 Ground 
Black clover HOME.png
Alola
VII
0050Diglett-Alola.png
 Ground  Steel 
#0051 Dugtrio 0051Dugtrio.png
 Ground 
Black clover HOME.png
Alola
VII
0051Dugtrio-Alola.png
 Ground  Steel 
#0052 Meowth 0052Meowth.png
 Normal 
Black clover HOME.png
Alola
VII
0052Meowth-Alola.png
 Dark 
Galar symbol HOME.png
Galar
VIII
0052Meowth-Galar.png
 Steel 
Perrserker 0863Perrserker.png
 Steel 
#0053 Persian 0053Persian.png
 Normal 
Black clover HOME.png
Alola
VII
0053Persian-Alola.png
 Dark 
#0058 Growlithe 0058Growlithe.png
 Fire 
Arceus mark HOME.png
Hisui
VIII
0058Growlithe-Hisui.png
 Fire  Rock 
#0059 Arcanine 0059Arcanine.png
 Fire 
Arceus mark HOME.png
Hisui
VIII
0059Arcanine-Hisui.png
 Fire  Rock 
#0074 Geodude 0074Geodude.png
 Rock  Ground 
Black clover HOME.png
Alola
VII
0074Geodude-Alola.png
 Rock  Electric 
#0075 Graveler 0075Graveler.png
 Rock  Ground 
Black clover HOME.png
Alola
VII
0075Graveler-Alola.png
 Rock  Electric 
#0076 Golem 0076Golem.png
 Rock  Ground 
Black clover HOME.png
Alola
VII
0076Golem-Alola.png
 Rock  Electric 
#0077 Ponyta 0077Ponyta.png
 Fire 
Galar symbol HOME.png
Galar
VIII
0077Ponyta-Galar.png
 Psychic 
#0078 Rapidash 0078Rapidash.png
 Fire 
Galar symbol HOME.png
Galar
VIII
0078Rapidash-Galar.png
 Psychic  Fairy 
#0079 Slowpoke 0079Slowpoke.png
 Water  Psychic 
Galar symbol HOME.png
Galar
VIII
0079Slowpoke-Galar.png
 Psychic 
#0080 Slowbro 0080Slowbro.png
 Water  Psychic 
Galar symbol HOME.png
Galar
VIII
0080Slowbro-Galar.png
 Poison  Psychic 
#0083 Farfetch'd 0083Farfetch'd.png
 Normal  Flying 
Galar symbol HOME.png
Galar
VIII
0083Farfetch'd-Galar.png
 Fighting 
Sirfetch'd 0865Sirfetch'd.png
 Fighting 
#0088 Grimer 0088Grimer.png
 Poison 
Black clover HOME.png
Alola
VII
0088Grimer-Alola.png
 Poison  Dark 
#0089 Muk 0089Muk.png
 Poison 
Black clover HOME.png
Alola
VII
0089Muk-Alola.png
 Poison  Dark 
#0100 Voltorb 0100Voltorb.png
 Electric 
Arceus mark HOME.png
Hisui
VIII
0100Voltorb-Hisui.png
 Electric  Grass 
#0101 Electrode 0101Electrode.png
 Electric 
Arceus mark HOME.png
Hisui
VIII
0101Electrode-Hisui.png
 Electric  Grass 
#0103 Exeggutor 0103Exeggutor.png
 Grass  Psychic 
Black clover HOME.png
Alola
VII
0103Exeggutor-Alola.png
 Grass  Dragon 
#0105 Marowak 0105Marowak.png
 Ground 
Black clover HOME.png
Alola
VII
0105Marowak-Alola.png
 Fire  Ghost 
#0110 Weezing 0110Weezing.png
 Poison 
Galar symbol HOME.png
Galar
VIII
0110Weezing-Galar.png
 Poison  Fairy 
#0122 Mr. Mime 0122Mr. Mime.png
 Psychic  Fairy 
Galar symbol HOME.png
Galar
VIII
0122Mr. Mime-Galar.png
 Ice  Psychic 
Mr. Rime 0866Mr. Rime.png
 Ice  Psychic 
#0128 Tauros 0128Tauros.png
 Normal 
Paldea icon HOME.png
Paldea
IX
0128Tauros-Paldea Combat.png
Combat Breed
 Fighting 
0128Tauros-Paldea Blaze.png
Blaze Breed
 Fighting  Fire 
0128Tauros-Paldea Aqua.png
Aqua Breed
 Fighting  Water 
#0144 Articuno 0144Articuno.png
 Ice  Flying 
Galar symbol HOME.png
Galar
VIII
0144Articuno-Galar.png
 Psychic  Flying 
#0145 Zapdos 0145Zapdos.png
 Electric  Flying 
Galar symbol HOME.png
Galar
VIII
0145Zapdos-Galar.png
 Fighting  Flying 
#0146 Moltres 0146Moltres.png
 Fire  Flying 
Galar symbol HOME.png
Galar
VIII
0146Moltres-Galar.png
 Dark  Flying 
#0157 Typhlosion 0157Typhlosion.png
 Fire 
Arceus mark HOME.png
Hisui
VIII
0157Typhlosion-Hisui.png
 Fire  Ghost 
#0194 Wooper 0194Wooper.png
 Water  Ground 
Paldea icon HOME.png
Paldea
IX
0194Wooper-Paldea.png
 Poison  Ground 
Clodsire 0980Clodsire.png
 Poison  Ground 
#0199 Slowking 0199Slowking.png
 Water  Psychic 
Galar symbol HOME.png
Galar
VIII
0199Slowking-Galar.png
 Poison  Psychic 
#0211 Qwilfish 0211Qwilfish.png
 Water  Poison 
Arceus mark HOME.png
Hisui
VIII
0211Qwilfish-Hisui.png
 Dark  Poison 
Overqwil 0904Overqwil.png
 Dark  Poison 
#0215 Sneasel 0215Sneasel.png
 Dark  Ice 
Arceus mark HOME.png
Hisui
VIII
0215Sneasel-Hisui.png
 Fighting  Poison 
Sneasler 0903Sneasler.png
 Fighting  Poison 
#0222 Corsola 0222Corsola.png
 Water  Rock 
Galar symbol HOME.png
Galar
VIII
0222Corsola-Galar.png
 Ghost 
Cursola 0864Cursola.png
 Ghost 
#0263 Zigzagoon 0263Zigzagoon.png
 Normal 
Galar symbol HOME.png
Galar
VIII
0263Zigzagoon-Galar.png
 Dark  Normal 
#0264 Linoone 0264Linoone.png
 Normal 
Galar symbol HOME.png
Galar
VIII
0264Linoone-Galar.png
 Dark  Normal 
Obstagoon 0862Obstagoon.png
 Dark  Normal 
#0503 Samurott 0503Samurott.png
 Water 
Arceus mark HOME.png
Hisui
VIII
0503Samurott-Hisui.png
 Water  Dark 
#0549 Lilligant 0549Lilligant.png
 Grass 
Arceus mark HOME.png
Hisui
VIII
0549Lilligant-Hisui.png
 Grass  Fighting 
#0554 Darumaka 0554Darumaka.png
 Fire 
Galar symbol HOME.png
Galar
VIII
0554Darumaka-Galar.png
 Ice 
#0555 Darmanitan 0555Darmanitan.png
Standard Mode
 Fire 
Galar symbol HOME.png
Galar
VIII
0555Darmanitan-Galar.png
Standard Mode
 Ice 
0555Darmanitan-Zen.png
Zen Mode
 Fire  Psychic 
HOME0555GZ.png
Zen Mode
 Ice  Fire 
#0562 Yamask 0562Yamask.png
 Ghost 
Galar symbol HOME.png
Galar
VIII
0562Yamask-Galar.png
 Ground  Ghost 
Runerigus 0867Runerigus.png
 Ground  Ghost 
#0570 Zorua 0570Zorua.png
 Dark 
Arceus mark HOME.png
Hisui
VIII
0570Zorua-Hisui.png
 Normal  Ghost 
#0571 Zoroark 0571Zoroark.png
 Dark 
Arceus mark HOME.png
Hisui
VIII
0571Zoroark-Hisui.png
 Normal  Ghost 
#0618 Stunfisk 0618Stunfisk.png
 Ground  Electric 
Galar symbol HOME.png
Galar
VIII
0618Stunfisk-Galar.png
 Ground  Steel 
#0628 Braviary 0628Braviary.png
 Normal  Flying 
Arceus mark HOME.png
Hisui
VIII
0628Braviary-Hisui.png
 Psychic  Flying 
#0705 Sliggoo 0705Sliggoo.png
 Dragon 
Arceus mark HOME.png
Hisui
VIII
0705Sliggoo-Hisui.png
 Steel  Dragon 
#0706 Goodra 0706Goodra.png
 Dragon 
Arceus mark HOME.png
Hisui
VIII
0706Goodra-Hisui.png
 Steel  Dragon 
#0713 Avalugg 0713Avalugg.png
 Ice 
Arceus mark HOME.png
Hisui
VIII
0713Avalugg-Hisui.png
 Ice  Rock 
#0724 Decidueye 0724Decidueye.png
 Grass  Ghost 
Arceus mark HOME.png
Hisui
VIII
0724Decidueye-Hisui.png
 Grass  Fighting 

In the core series games

In the Alola, Galar, Hisui, and Paldea regions, certain Pokémon species have regional forms.

Pokémon with regional forms have uniquely adapted to habitats that are different than those where its species naturally live in other parts of the world. As such, many things may be different about them, from their appearance and way of living to even their type, moves, Abilities, base stats, height, and weight. This is analogous to a form of real-world evolution known as peripatric speciation, where a population that is isolated from the rest of the species develops unique traits and may eventually evolve into a new species.

When breeding Pokémon whose offspring have a regional form, the offspring will normally take on the form corresponding to the region in which it was bred, regardless of its parents' forms. However, if one of the parents of the same evolutionary line held an Everstone when the Egg was produced, the offspring will be the same form as that parent. This does not apply to White-Striped Basculin and Basculegion, which always produce White-Striped Basculin—regardless of region or held Everstones—when they are the mother or non-Ditto parent. If the parents are the same species but different forms and in different balls, then the offspring has a 50 percent chance of inheriting either parent's ball regardless of what form the offspring takes.

If a Kantonian Tauros is bred in Paldea and is not holding an Everstone, then the resulting offspring will always be Combat Breed Paldean Tauros and never the Blaze Breed or Aqua Breed Paldean Tauros.

If a Pokémon without a regional form evolves into a Pokémon with a regional form, it will evolve into the form native to the region it is currently in.

Regional forms introduced from Generation VIII onward may have an Evolution that their regular form does not have, or evolve into a different species than the regular form, becoming something similar to a branched Evolution.

In the spin-off games

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Alolan Raichu, Vulpix, and Exeggutor appear as Pokémon that can appear from Poké Balls in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Pokémon Shuffle

Main article: Alolan form → Pokémon Shuffle

Alolan forms appear in Pokémon Shuffle.

Pokémon GO

For a list of the regional forms, see Alolan form → Pokémon GO, Galarian form → Pokémon GO, Hisuian form → Pokémon GO, and Paldean form → Pokémon GO

In Pokémon GO, they are referred to in the game dialogue as regional variants. They often have special requirements to be obtained as opposed to simply encountering them in the wild.

Alolan Pokémon first appeared in Pokémon GO on May 30, 2018, with the appearance of Alolan Exeggutor. Initially, Alolan Pokémon were exclusive to 7 km Eggs and Raid Battles, but have occasionally reappeared in the wild since their debuts.

Galarian Pokémon first appeared on November 16, 2019, with the appearance of Galarian Weezing.

Hisuian Pokémon first appeared on January 30, 2022, with the appearance of Hisuian Voltorb.

Paldean Pokémon first appeared on November 5, 2023, with the appearance of Paldean Wooper.

Pokémon Duel

Main article: Alolan form → Pokémon Duel

Certain Alolan forms were included in Pokémon Duel.

Pokémon Masters EX

Main articles: Alolan form → Pokémon Masters EX, Galarian form → Pokémon Masters EX and Hisuian form → Pokémon Masters EX

In Pokémon Masters EX, the regional forms currently available are from Alola, Galar, and Hisui. However, they inconsistently use different naming systems: "Alola Form" and "Galarian Form".

New Pokémon Snap

Alolan Raichu, Sandslash, and Vulpix can be found and photographed in the Lental region.

Pokémon UNITE

Alolan Ninetales is a playable Pokémon in Pokémon UNITE. Alolan Meowth and Persian also appear as wild Pokémon in the Shivre City stage. In Panic Parade, Alolan Meowth, Alolan Persian, and Paldean Tauros appear as wild Pokémon opposing the players.

In animation

Pokémon animated series

Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon

Main article: Alolan form → Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon

In Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, all Alolan forms appeared. They were present since the first episode.

Pokémon Journeys: The Series

Main article: Alolan form → Pokémon Journeys: The Series
Main article: Galarian form → Pokémon Journeys: The Series
Main article: Hisuian form → Pokémon Journeys: The Series

In Pokémon Journeys: The Series, some Alolan form, Galarian form, and Hisuian form Pokémon appeared.

Pokémon Horizons: The Series

Main article: Alolan form → Pokémon Horizons: The Series
Main article: Galarian form → Pokémon Horizons: The Series
Main article: Paldean form → Pokémon Horizons: The Series

Some Alolan, Galarian, and Paldean form Pokémon have appeared in Pokémon Horizons: The Series.

Pokédex entries

Episode Subject Source Entry
JN027 Regional form Goh's Rotom Phone Even among the same species of Pokémon, there can still be minor differences, depending on the region where they live or are raised. These differences are called regional forms.

Pokémon: Twilight Wings

Main article: Galarian form → Pokémon: Twilight Wings

Some Galarian form Pokémon appear in Pokémon: Twilight Wings.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon arc

Main article: Alolan form → Pokémon Adventures

Sword & Shield arc

Main article: Galarian form → Pokémon Adventures

Scarlet & Violet arc

Main article: Paldean form → Pokémon Adventures

In the TCG

Main articles: Alolan form → In the TCG, Galarian form → In the TCG, Hisuian form → In the TCG, and Paldean form → In the TCG

Regional variants are featured in the Pokémon Trading Card Game as Alolan, Galarian, Hisuian, and Paldean Pokémon. Notably, Evolutions exclusive to regional variants have the same descriptors used for their pre-evolved forms appended to the name of the Evolution. For example, "Galarian" is used as a descriptor for both Galarian form Pokémon and their Evolutions, as seen with Galarian Mr. Mime and Galarian Mr. Rime from Battle Styles. This is because some cards refer to Pokémon that are of a specific regional variant. For example, Aether Foundation Employee refers to "Pokémon that have 'Alolan' in their names".

While Galarian and Paldean Pokémon have no other exclusive mechanics, Alolan and Hisuian Pokémon have the distinction of often featuring attacks that cost zero Energy to use. Before the Sun & Moon Series, this mechanic had been absent from the TCG since the HeartGold & SoulSilver Series. Free attacks were exclusive to Alolan and Hisuian Pokémon until the Scarlet & Violet Series, when they were also once again seen on baby Pokémon cards.

Similar concepts

Variant Pokémon

Main article: Variant Pokémon
A Valencia Island Butterfree

Prior to Generation VII, there were already certain Pokémon that had variations depending on their native geographical area, but, unlike regional forms, these Pokémon do not appear to have any functional difference from their original forms; rather, their differences are purely aesthetic, with their type, moves, Abilities, height, and weight remaining the same.

δ Delta Species

Main article: δ Delta Species (TCG)
A Metal type Pikachu

The Pokémon Trading Card Game introduced Delta Species Pokémon in Generation III. Like regional forms, these Pokémon would undergo a type change, but their appearance would stay generally the same. The backstory of EX Delta Species states that these changes were not due to natural adaptation but rather a mutation brought on by exposure to electromagnetic waves.

This seems to be an exclusive phenomenon on the island of Holon, the aforementioned waves a product of experiments by scientists in the area searching for the Mythical Pokémon Mew. Delta Species Pokémon appeared in the TCG from EX Delta Species to EX Dragon Frontiers.

Ecologically similar Pokémon

Main article: Ecologically similar Pokémon

Certain Pokémon that are considered ecologically similar to previously discovered species are often mistaken for regional forms of the same species.

According to the Pokédex, researchers initially believed Wiglett and Wugtrio to be regional forms of Diglett and Dugtrio, respectively, before concluding they were separate species entirely.

Bloodmoon Ursaluna

Main article: Ursaluna (Pokémon)

Bloodmoon Ursaluna, a specific Ursaluna with a unique form is found in the Timeless Woods at the land of Kitakami, has a similar concept to the regional forms, being a Pokémon that moved away from their original region and adapted to the new different environment, but instead of changing types, it kept its original ones and gained special powers such as Blood Moon and Mind's Eye.

Trivia

  • The only type not possessed by any regional form is Bug.
    • Additionally, there are no Flying-type regional forms that were not already that type in their original form.
  • Dark is the most common type among regional forms, with 11, while Water, Dragon, and Fairy are tied for the least common type, with only 3 regional forms each.
  • Out of the generations that introduced Pokémon that would later have regional forms, Generation I introduced the most, at 33, while Generation VII introduced the fewest, at one.
    • Generations IV, VIII, and IX are the only generations to not introduce any Pokémon that have regional forms.
  • Out of the generations that introduced regional forms, Generation VIII introduced the most, with 36, while Generation IX introduced the fewest, with four (or only two if all three Paldean Tauros breeds are counted as a single regional form).
  • Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are the only core series games following the introduction of regional forms to not feature them.
  • Pokémon Legends: Arceus is the only core series game in which a regional form exists but its respective original form does not.
    • The only regional forms in the game whose original forms are also present are Sneasel and Vulpix.

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 地區形態 Deihkēui Yìhngtaai *
地區型態 Deihkēui Yìhngtaai *
Mandarin 地區形態 / 地区形态 Dìqū Xíngtài *
地區型態 Dìqū Xíngtài *
The Czech Republic Flag.png Czech Regionální varianta
Denmark Flag.png Danish Regional variation*
Alola-variant*
The Netherlands Flag.png Dutch Regionale variantSMUSUM
Regionale vormSwSh
Finland Flag.png Finnish Alueellinen muunnos*
Alueellinen muoto*
France Flag.png French Forme régionale
Variante régionale*
Germany Flag.png German Regionalform
Hungary Flag.png Hungarian Regionális változat
Italy Flag.png Italian Forma regionale
South Korea Flag.png Korean 리전폼 Region Forme
Norway Flag.png Norwegian Regional variasjon
Poland Flag.png Polish Forma regionalna*
Regionalny wariant*
Portuguese Brazil Flag.png Brazil Forma regional*
Variante regional*
Variação regional*
Portugal Flag.png Portugal Variante regionalSMUSUM
Forma regionalSwSh
Russia Flag.png Russian Региональный вариант Regional'nyy variantSMUSUMSwSh
Региональная формa Regional'naya formaSwSh
Spain Flag.png Spanish Forma regional
Sweden Flag.png Swedish Regional variant
Turkey Flag.png Turkish Bölgesel çeşitlilik
Vietnam Flag.png Vietnamese Hình thái địa phương

See also

Pokémon forms and variants
Permanent: Shiny Pokémon (GO) • Alternately colored Pokémon (animated series)
Gender differencesForm differences (GO) • Brilliant PokémonAlpha Pokémon
Transformations: Mega Evolution (ShuffleMastersGO) • Primal Reversion (GO) • Bond Phenomenon
Ultra BurstDynamax (GO) • GigantamaxEternamaxTerastal phenomenon
Groups: Totem PokémonNoble PokémonTitan Pokémon
Regional forms: AlolanGalarianHisuianPaldean
Analogous: Paradox PokémonEcologically similar Pokémon
Species-specific: Arbok variantsPikachu variants (SurfingFlyingCosplayCap) • Ditto transformations
Miscellaneous: Giant PokémonSpiky-eared PichuPartner Pokémon (LGPE)
Fusions (GO) • Human–Pokémon transformation
Side series original: Shadow PokémonShadow Lugia
Spin-off original: Shadow Pokémon (GO)Primal DialgaToy Pokémon (Rusty Pokémon)
Shadow MewtwoPokéxelIllumina phenomenonMighty Pokémon
Animated series original: Pink ButterfreeClone PokémonCrystal Onix
Mirage PokémonMeta GroudonGreen-crystal Deoxys
Manga original: Thu-Fi-ZerBlack FogBlack Tyranitar
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