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Keldeo (JP) is a species of Pokémon in the series of the same name. It is a dual-type Water/Fighting Mythical Pokémon that made its first appearance in the fifth generation games Black and White. It is a member of the Swords of Justice along with Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion. It can change into its Resolute Form as long it knows the move Secret Sword.

Physiology and Behaviour[]

Keldeo is a quadrupedal, colt-like Pokémon with a cream-colored body. It has a short, rounded snout with large nostrils and blue eyes. It has a large, feathery red mane, long, dark blue, ridged eyebrow-like protrusions, and a single cream-colored horn that curves slightly. The back of its head, as well as its neck, is covered with fluffy, light blue fur. Keldeo has blue hooves, which are capable of ejecting water. Its tail is light blue with white spots and resembles an elaborate feather in a cap.

Long ago, a fire started in the Moor of Icirrus because of a war among people. In this fire, Keldeo was separated from its parents, but together, Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion took care of Keldeo. They acted as its parents, and they taught it knowledge and moves for survival. Keldeo eventually grew and even surpassed the three Pokémon. One day, Keldeo took off from the forest with no one knowing why. When the four met again, they taught Keldeo the move Secret Sword. Keldeo was trained by the other members of the Swords of Justice.

Keldeo tends to cross the world and often appears at beautiful watersides. Keldeo also travels in order to further improve itself through training. It can walk across the water by ejecting water from its hooves.

Resolute Form[]

Upon learning the move Secret Sword, Keldeo transforms from its Ordinary Form into its Resolute Form. The dark blue protrusions on its head become shorter and lighter in color, now resembling ears. Its horn becomes dark blue and grows larger and ridged. On the side of its head are three feathers colored aqua blue, green, and orange.

Keldeo is at its full power when in Resolute Form. It is thought that when Keldeo becomes resolute, its body fills with power and it becomes swifter. Keldeo's jumping capabilities become fast to the point where it is hard to follow. The horn on its forehead is filled with hidden power. The horn can change into a sword that can cut through anything. It is said Keldeo must endure harsh battles in order for the forehead horn to develop, which then awakens its true power.

Appearances[]

Main Pokémon games[]

Pokémon spin-offs[]

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity: Keldeo is an important character in the storyline where he was a friend of Virizion, and a Magnagate savant. He was imprisoned in Glacier Palace, and there he wrote a letter to Virizion telling her that they weren't friends anymore. This letter caused Virizion to stop believing in friends. After being rescued by Umbreon and Espeon, he apologizes to Virizion for writing the letter. He joins the player's team after the player Pokémon returns to the human world.

Super Smash Bros. series[]

Resolute Form Keldeo appears as a Poké Ball summon in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. It slashes opponents with Secret Sword.

In the anime[]

Keldeo starred in the 15th Pokémon movie, Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice.

Origin[]

Keldeo is most likely based on the Scottish legend of the kelpie, a supernatural water horse that sometimes appeared as a lost pony. This is evidenced by the fact that Keldeo appears in the Crown Tundra, an area based on Scotland. Keldeo is also likely based on the kirin, also referred to as the "Chinese unicorn", which are often depicted with a single backward curving horn and the ability to walk on water.

Story-wise, as the rest of the Swords of Justice draw inspiration from the main characters of The Three Musketeers, Keldeo may draw inspiration from the character of d'Artagnan from the novel. Like d'Artagnan, Keldeo is the latest and youngest addition to the group. Keldeo's tail also resembles d'Artagnan's trademark feathered cap.

The three feathers on Resolute Form Keldeo's head may symbolize its fellow members: blue for Cobalion, yellow for Terrakion, and green for Virizion.

In-game information[]

Pokédex entries[]

Title Entry
Fifth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Black By blasting water from its hooves, it can glide across water. It excels at using leg moves while battling.
Pokémon White It crosses the world, running over the surfaces of oceans and rivers. It appears at scenic waterfronts.
Pokémon Black 2 When it is resolute, its body fills with power and it becomes swifter. Its jumps are then too fast to follow.
Pokémon White 2 When it is resolute, its body fills with power and it becomes swifter. Its jumps are then too fast to follow.
Sixth Pokémon generation
Pokémon X It crosses the world, running over the surfaces of oceans and rivers. It appears at scenic waterfronts.
Pokémon Y When it is resolute, its body fills with power and it becomes swifter. Its jumps are then too fast to follow.
Pokémon Omega Ruby It crosses the world, running over the surfaces of oceans and rivers. It appears at scenic waterfronts.
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire When it is resolute, its body fills with power and it becomes swifter. Its jumps are then too fast to follow.
Eighth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sword Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion taught this Pokémon how to fight. It dashes across the world, seeking more opportunities to further its training.
Pokémon Shield They say that Keldeo must survive harsh battles and fully develop the horn on its forehead before this Pokémon's true power will awaken.

Resolute Form[]

Title Entry
Eighth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sword Keldeo has strengthened its resolve for battle, filling its body with power and changing its form.
Pokémon Shield The power that lay hidden in its body now covers its horn, turning it into a sword that can slice through anything.


Game locations[]

Keldeo is only obtainable as an Event Pokémon.

Title Location(s)
Eighth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sword
Ballimere Lake
Pokémon Shield
Ballimere Lake

Base Stats[]

Base Stats
HP 91
Attack 72
Defense 90
Sp. Attack 129
Sp. Defense 90
Speed 108
Total 580

Moveset[]

Main article: Keldeo/moveset

Form change[]

Keldeo
Secret Sword
Keldeo
Resolute Form
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Gallery[]

Sprites[]

Ordinary Forme[]

Sprites
Black White
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Black 2 White 2
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X Y
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Sword Shield
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Scarlet Violet
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Resolute Forme[]

Sprites
Black White
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Black 2 White 2
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X Y
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Sword Shield
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Scarlet Violet
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Trivia[]

  • Keldeo is the only member of the Swords of Justice:
    • Can't learn Quick Attack. Instead, it can learn Aqua Jet, a variation of Quick Attack.
    • The moves that Keldeo learns by level have higher base powers than the moves learned by the other Swords of Justice.
    • Prior to the Eighth Pokémon generation, Keldeo learned Sacred Sword at a higher level than the others.
    • Its legs seem to be stylized after animal legs and hooves, unlike the others, which seem to have boots.
    • Keldeo isn't listed near the other three in National Pokédex order.
    • Keldeo's name doesn't end with -ion.
    • Keldeo is a Mythical Pokémon, and not a Legendary.
    • Keldeo does not have a Paradox Pokémon counterpart.
  • Keldeo, along with Meloetta, are the only Mythical Pokémon to learn their signature moves from an external source.
  • Keldeo is the lightest and smallest of the Swords of Justice.
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