The Skull Fossil (Japanese: ずがいのカセキSkull Fossil) is a fossil introduced in Generation IV that can be regenerated into Cranidos. It is the counterpart of the Armor Fossil.
The Skull Fossil was introduced as a Trainer card in the Pokémon Trading Card Game in the Mysterious Treasures expansion, first released in the Japanese Secret of the Lakes expansion. It is a Fossil Trainer card, so after being played it is put on the Bench as a Colorless-typeBasic Pokémon. It has a Poké-Body that says if it is Knocked Out by damage from an opponent's attack, Skull Fossil's owner gets to flip coins until they get tails and put one damage counter on the Attacking Pokémon for each heads. It can evolve into Cranidos that evolve from a Skull Fossil.
The Mega Evolution Series saw the release of Antique Skull Fossil in the Japanese Abyss Eye expansion. Like the previous Skull Fossil card, this card allows the player to play it onto the Bench as if it were a Colorless-typeBasic Pokémon. It has an Ability that activates if it is in the Active Spot — if it is damaged by an attack used by the opponent's Pokémon, the player puts 3 damage counters on the Attacking Pokémon.
Skull Fossils are also featured on Unidentified Fossil cards, which are Fossil Trainer cards that can evolve into Cranidos as well.
Merchandise
The Skull Fossil has been featured in several officially licensed merchandise.
Cave Dweller Fossil excavation kit
WCS2019 Fossil Pokémon art print
