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Pokémon boss encounters are wild Pokémon (or Pokémon-like entities) who are battled as boss opponents under special conditions that differ from regular battles. They have been featured in every mainline game in the series since Pokémon Sun and Moon, though the exact mechanics differ between games. In some games, these battles utilise the turn-based system featured in regular battles. In other games, the player moves around an arena to battle or pacify the Pokémon in real-time.
Typically, in these encounters the Pokémon will grow in size, have raised stats, and employ the use of special abilities that are not available to them in regular battles. They generally cannot be captured, except in some cases where the player may attempt to catch the Pokémon after it has been defeated in battle.
Turn-based
Totem Pokémon
- Main article: Totem Pokémon
Totem Pokémon are wild Pokémon in Pokémon Sun and Moon and Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon who serve as a test for trainers at the end of a trial. They have increased height and weight compared to regular Pokémon of their species, and are always accompanied by regular wild Pokémon allies who will support them.
At the start of the battle, the Totem Pokémon will be enveloped in a Z-Power aura that raises their stats. The encounter is treated as an SOS Battle, allowing the Totem Pokémon to summon additional reinforcements throughout the battle. However, unlike regular SOS Battles, they may be capped as to the total number of allies that can summoned, their choice of ally is not influenced by weather, and they are able to summon help at specific times rather than randomly.
After defeating a Totem Pokémon, the player will successfully complete the trial and be awarded with a Z-Crystal. Totem Pokémon cannot be captured, however, in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the player is able to obtain Totem-like variants of these Pokémon as gifts.
Necrozma
- Main article: Necrozma (game)
In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Necrozma is initially battled at the Altar of the Sunne/Altar of the Moone after fusing with Nebby. It cannot be captured during this encounter, and the plot will progress regardless of the outcome of the battle.
Necrozma is encountered once again in the Megalo Tower in Ultra Megalopolis. It uses the light obtained from fusing with Nebby to undergo Ultra Burst, transforming into Ultra Necrozma. During this battle, Ultra Necrozma has a yellow aura that raises all of its stats by one stage. It is not possible to catch Ultra Necrozma, nor can the trainer flee this battle.
Max Raid Battle
- Main article: Max Raid Battle
In Pokémon Sword and Shield, Max Raid Battles feature four trainers battling as a team against a single wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon which remains in this state for the entire duration of the battle. These are typically initiated through an active Pokémon Den, but also occur at certain points of the storyline, as well as during Dynamax Adventure. The player may battle alongside other players, but if less than 4 players are available then an AI trainer will take their place instead.
Each trainer may only use a single Pokémon during the battle, and will take their actions in turn. If their Pokémon faints, the trainer may cheer on their allies for a time until their Pokémon is revived. If 4 Pokémon on the challenging team faint, or if the 10-turn limit is reached, the Max Raid Battle is lost. If the Dynamax Pokémon is successfully defeated, all four Trainers may individually catch the Pokémon and will receive rewards based on the Dynamax Pokémon that was encountered.
Titan Pokémon
- Main article: Titan Pokémon
In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Titan Pokémon are encountered as part of the "Path of Legends" storyline.
Tera Raid
- Main article: Tera Raid
In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Tera Raid battles feature four trainers battling as a team against a single wild Tera Pokémon, which remains Terastallized until enough damage has been dealt to the Pokémon. These are typically initiated from active crystals found around Paldea. The player may battle alongside other players, but if less than 4 players are available then an AI trainer will take their place instead.
Unlike regular battles, Tera Raid battles are timed, with a visible timer displayed below the boss Pokémon's HP bar counting down 5 to 7½ minutes depending on the level of the raid. Participants will be warned when only 10% of the time is remaining. Each trainer may only use a single Pokémon during the battle. Unlike Max Raid battles, each participant may perform actions simultaneously without the need to battle in turn. Once the timer expires, all participants will be blown out of the arena, and the battle will be lost. If the Tera Pokémon is successfully defeated within the time limit, they will cease to be Terastallized, and all four Trainers may individually catch the Pokémon. They will also receive rewards based on the Tera Pokémon that was encountered.
Real-time
Noble Pokémon
- Main article: Noble Pokémon
In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Noble Pokémon are guardians of Hisui's distinct sub-regions who become frenzied over the course of the game's storyline.
Initially, the player must quell the Noble Pokémon by throwing balms made of the noble's favorite food until its frenzy gauge reaches zero. The Noble will attempt to attack the player directly, and the player must avoid being struck as they will black out if they take too much damage. At some point in the fight, the Noble can be stunned by exploiting gaps in their attack patterns, and the player can use this opportunity to release their Pokémon to initiate a regular battle.
After being quelled, each noble Pokémon will grant the player the plate corresponding to its primary type.
Dialga/Palkia
In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the player will be required late in the game's storyline to side with either the Diamond Clan or the Pearl Clan. Players who side with the Diamond Clan will face Origin Form Palkia, while those who side with the Pearl Clan will face Origin Form Dialga. This battle functions very similar to the Noble Pokémon encounters, requiring the player to quell the Legendary Pokémon with balms while dodging attacks. Dialga/Palkia cannot be captured during this encounter.
Dialga/Palkia are able to lunge at the player, as well as summon meteors that rain down on a section of the arena. Both of these attacks can simply be dodged. They are also able to create a shockwave that spreads from the center to the outer edge of the arena, which the player can only avoid by rolling directly into the shockwave itself.
Arceus
In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, after defeating Volo at the Temple of Sinnoh, their Celestic Flute will turn into the Azure Flute. If the player has captured every other Pokémon in Hisui, they may summon Arceus, who will teleport them to the Hall of Origin. The player's Arc Phone will turn into a Mysterious Balm, which they must use to quell Arceus in a battle similar to the Noble Pokémon and Dialga/Palkia encounters.
Rogue Mega Evolution
- Main article: Rogue Mega Evolution
In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the player must battle Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon that gradually appear around Lumiose City during the main storyline. These battles take place in a circular battlefield, in which the Pokémon will Mega Evolve and grow to a huge size.
The Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon will attempt to attack the player directly, as well as their Pokémon, so the player must dodge to avoid taking damage. In addition to their regular moveset, each Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon has a special attack that is only used during these encounters. When the Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon's HP is reduced to 0, it will be pacified. If the player is defeated, they will be given the option to continue from the point at which they failed, to restart from the beginning, or to forfeit the battle.
Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon cannot be captured, though an Absol that is battled during the very first encounter will join the player after it is pacified. The player may choose to forfeit the battle at any time.
Additionally, wild Mega-Evolved Pokémon are encountered during a crisis in Lumiose City that occurs in the game's climax. However, these encounters function as regular wild Pokémon battles, though the Mega-Evolved Pokémon cannot be captured.
Hyperrogue Ange Floette
- Main article: Ange#Hyperrogue Ange Floette
In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Hyperrogue Ange Floette is a fusion of Ange and AZ's Floette that serves as the final boss of the main storyline. It will battle the player on the ground using Blue and Red Eternal Flowers, while Zygarde distracts the main flower high above. The player must knock out the flowers to create an opening for Zygarde to launch an attack on the main flower.
Hyperrogue Ange Floette is unique in that it is technically not a Pokémon, but in fact an object that is scripted to function like one. It is typeless and resistant to all attacks except for Plus Moves.
Zygarde
Zygarde is battled in Pokémon Legends: Z-A using a very similar battle system to Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon during Mission 42: "To Keep the World in Balance". The battle has three phases, with Zygarde assuming each of its three Formes. As with Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon, Zygarde can be temporarily stunned, but it will not drop orbs of Mega Power. Once Zygarde transforms to Complete Form, it will prioritise attacking the player, and can release an area-of-effect blast if the player gets too close to it.
In the first phase, Zygarde 10% Forme can use ExtremeSpeed, Crunch, and Thousand Arrows. In the second phase, Zygarde 50% Forme can use Dragon Pulse, Rock Slide, and Land's Wrath. In the third phase, Zygarde Complete Forme can use Thousand Arrows, Thousand Waves, Land's Wrath, and Core Enforcer.
Several of these moves function differently during this battle compared to regular battles, and even differ between phases:
- ExtremeSpeed: Zygarde will rapidly dash around the arena to evade the player and their Pokémon.
- Thousand Arrows: A shower of arrows will rain down upon the targeted area. The player can avoid the attack by simply running or dodging out of the way.
- 50% Forme: Zygarde will face a specific direction and target the area directly in front of it.
- Complete Forme: Zygarde can change direction while attacking to home in on the target.
- Land's Wrath: Zygarde will briefly charge power in the center of the arena before unleashing this attack.
- 50% Forme: The ground beneath the player will start to crack, following the player, before exploding seconds later. The player can avoid the attack by running in a circle around Zygarde.
- Complete Forme: The cracks and explosions will initially occur in a large circle spanning the entire outer edge of the arena, rapidly working inwards towards the center, before starting from the outer edge again. The player can avoid the attack by running to the barriers at the very edge of the arena, where a small section of ground cannot have cracks form.
- Core Enforcer: Zygarde will teleport outside of the arena, before leaping into the air to Mega Evolve. Using a laser from its cannon, it will draw a Z-shaped pattern across the entire arena. The laser will damage anything that comes into contact with it. The ground of the arena will starting glowing green, and will explode within seconds. Facing Zygarde when it is outside of the arena, the player must immediately get to a small safe zone on the very left or right side, as the power of the explosion will cause them to instantly black out.
After defeating Zygarde Complete Forme, L will prompt the player to throw a Poké Ball to catch Zygarde. The catch rate is 100%, making this a guaranteed catch.
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