Paradox Pokémon

All Paradox Pokémon, including Koraidon and Miraidon, as seen in the Pokémon Trading Card Game

Paradox Pokémon (パラドックスポケモン, Paradox Pokémon) are a group of Pokémon introduced in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. They are Pokemon that have been transformed by the power the Tera crystals in Area Zero to resemble ancient or futuristic versions of themselves, and are created by an automated "time machine" in the deepest part of Area Zero, the Great Crater of Paldea. They are also known as unidentified creatures, Monsters of Area Zero, and Enigmas of Paldea by researchers and Occulture magazine articles, respectively.

They are all genderless, unable to breed or evolve, and do not follow the standard naming conventions with the exception of Koraidon and Miraidon. They do not have corresponding TM Materials and do not drop any when defeated, and they are also categorized in the Pokédex as "Paradox Pokémon".

They can be divided further into two groups: Ancient Pokémon and Future Pokémon. The first are found in Scarlet and are prehistoric "ancestors" of certain contemporary Pokémon, while the second are found in Violet and are futuristic robotic "descendants" of present-day Pokémon. The Ancient Pokémon come with the unique Ability Protosynthesis while the Future Pokémon come with the Ability Quark Drive. This increases their highest stat when in harsh sunlight (ancient Pokémon), on Electric Terrain (future Pokémon) or when Booster Energy is used (if no corresponding weather).

The precise origin of the Paradox Pokémon is unclear; AI Sada/AI Turo claims that they originate from different points in the Pokémon world's timeline (specifically the ancient past/distant future), while a version of Sada/Turo brought to the Crystal Pool by Terapagos suggests that they are from different timelines. The latter notion is also alluded to in the original Japanese version of AI Sada/AI Turo's dialogue. They were apparently brought to Area Zero in the present day by the time machine built by the professor, but the Scarlet Book/Violet Book documents sightings of them prior to the time machine being built. Terapagos appears to have a connection to the Paradox Pokémon's appearance in the present day due to the Terastal energy it produces.

These Pokémon have different typings compared to their present counterparts. They are categorized in their own group separate from both normal and Legendary Pokémon, similar to the Ultra Beasts.

List of Paradox Pokémon

Ancient Pokémon

Pokémon	Description	Modern counterpart
Great Tusk	In one arid corner of Paldea, there have been reports of a mysterious life-form. It's said to resemble a Donphan at first glance, albeit one with gigantic tusks, tough scales, and an aggressive disposition. Leading theories hold that this being is nothing less than a living relic of the dinosaur era, but no one can say for sure. Apparently, it's called Great Tusk after the name of a strange being that was written about in the mysterious Scarlet Book.	Donphan
Scream Tail	Somewhere in a Paldean forest, it's said, lurks Scream Tail—a being with Jigglypuff's own endearing puffball appearance but also a ferocious aggression that leads it to attack anyone who comes near. Its primitive appearance and savage nature have prompted rumors that it could be a Jigglypuff from one billion years ago. It's named after a creature in the Scarlet Book that is described as having a distinctive tail and scream.	Jigglypuff
Brute Bonnet	This bizarre creature is said to combine traits of dinosaurs with those of the Pokémon Amoonguss. It's named after a fierce mushroom creature of matching description that appears in the renowned Scarlet Book. Brute Bonnet certainly resembles Amoonguss, though with its own unique twists: its gigantic stature and seemingly low intelligence combine to make it a savage, powerful fighter.	Amoonguss
Flutter Mane	Flutter Mane—a name taken from a strange creature with a matching description appearing in the Scarlet Book—is said to float around the sky at night with its long hair writhing about it. Eyewitness accounts describe it as resembling a giant Misdreavus at first glance, albeit a highly fierce and aggressive one. Some believe that it's a ghost of a pterosaur from a long-gone era.	Misdreavus
Slither Wing	There have been precious few sightings reported of the ultra-mysterious Slither Wing, a being whose name is taken from that of a similar-seeming creature described in the ever-puzzling Scarlet Book. Slither Wing shares traits with Volcarona, so some theorize that it may have been revived from fossils from a prehistoric era that we have discussed in these pages. However, no Volcarona fossils of that era are known to have been found.	Volcarona
Sandy Shocks	Some scientists claim that this mysterious being is a Magneton that has lived for 10 thousand years. It has been sighted numerous times in Paldea's more arid regions, but there are no reports of it ever having been caught. It's said that Sandy Shocks is an aggressive sort and that some people who've seen it have been attacked as well. It takes its name from a beast with a matching description in the era-defining Scarlet Book.	Magneton
Roaring Moon	This elusive creature is called Roaring Moon after a similarly described being in the Scarlet Book. It looks similar to Salamence when they undergo a certain phenomenon elsewhere in the world, but it's unclear if there is any connection. This creature scatters feathers as it flies around at high speeds seeking prey. It's thought to be more savage than Salamence, and if you should encounter one, it's imperative that you avoid actual contact.	Salamence
Walking Wake	This ferocious creature is shrouded in mystery. It's named after an aquatic monster mentioned in an old expedition journal. It resembles an illustration published in a paranormal magazine, said to be a depiction of a super-ancient Suicune.	Suicune
Gouging Fire	There are scant few reports of this creature being sighted. One short video shows it rampaging and spouting pillars of flame. It resembles an eerie Pokémon once shown in a paranormal magazine. That Pokémon was said to be an Entei regenerated from a fossil.	Entei
Raging Bolt	It's said to incinerate everything around it with lightning launched from its fur. Very little is known about this creature. It bears resemblance to a Pokémon that became a hot topic for a short while after a paranormal magazine touted it as Raikou's ancestor.	Raikou

Future Pokémon

Pokémon	Description	Modern counterpart
Iron Treads	In one arid corner of Paldea, there have been reports of a mysterious life-form. It's said to resemble a Donphan at first glance, albeit one that can abruptly assume a spherical shape and launch into a swift rolling attack. Rumors say this being is some kind of weapon using technology not of this world, but no one can say for sure. Apparently, it's called Iron Treads after the name of a strange being that was written about in the mysterious Violet Book.	Donphan
Iron Bundle	The mysterious Violet Book makes reference to a being called Iron Bundle, which was said to look like Delibird and to possess a spherical apparatus from which it would fire huge blasts of ice to propel itself through snowy lands. Plenty of theories about it have been floated. A leading one suggests it is the product of a long-gone civilization—a notion supported by ancient writings that describe the design and usage of machines resembling Iron Bundle.	Delibird
Iron Hands	This being's name comes from the one given to an iron-handed entity in the mysterious Violet Book. It is said to have fists that move independent of its body and to be capable of throwing large, fast-moving vehicles. A leading theory holds that Iron Hands was once an athlete who became mortally wounded but was kept alive by being made into a cyborg. Why it so strongly resembles Hariyama, however, remains unanswered.	Hariyama
Iron Jugulis	This flying life-form bearing a resemblance to Hydreigon has been seen in a certain corner of Paldea. It was reported to have razed an entire building with a high-energy blast, then flown off as if to find its next objective. Iron Jugulis is theorized to be a sort of machine-Hydreigon hybrid, as it combines the former's ruthlessness with the latter's ferocity. It takes its name from a similarly described entity in the Violet Book.	Hydreigon
Iron Moth	The name Iron Moth was borrowed from that of a flying object described in the era-defining Violet Book. It was said to resemble Volcarona and would descend from the skies, following people around and occasionally even attacking them. Some point to Iron Moth's aggression as a sign that it is, in fact, a UFO of sorts being controlled by alien life. Perhaps something out there is using Iron Moth to observe us, waiting for the moment to mount an invasion...	Volcarona
Iron Thorns	A strange being called Iron Thorns has been sighted in a certain cave in Paldea. This being bears a strong resemblance to Tyranitar, but it apparently displays great coolheadedness and prefers to avoid unnecessary fights. It appears to be highly intelligent and clad in metallic armor, causing some to speculate that it may be a Tyranitar as it would appear a billion years from now. Its name comes from a similarly described entity that appears in the Violet Book.	Tyranitar
Iron Valiant	This oddity's name is borrowed from that of an object described in the Violet Book. One theory holds that it is in fact a robot—the product of a mad scientist's efforts to create the most powerful psychic Pokémon of all. According to its few eyewitnesses, Iron Valiant appears similar to both Gardevoir and Gallade. It's also said to be cruel enough to take its brilliantly shining blade and cut down anyone confronting it without hesitation.	Gardevoir and Gallade
Iron Leaves	Many of its physical characteristics match those of a Virizion from the future that was covered in a paranormal magazine. According to the few eyewitness accounts that exist, it used its shining blades to julienne large trees and boulders.	Virizion
Iron Boulder	It resembles a Pokémon described in a dubious magazine as a Terrakion that had been modified by an evil organization. It was named after a mysterious object recorded in an old book. Its body seems to be metallic.	Terrakion
Iron Crown	It resembles a mysterious object introduced in a paranormal magazine as a cutting-edge weapon shaped like a Cobalion. There was supposedly an incident in which it launched shining blades to cut everything around it to pieces. Little else is known about it.	Cobalion

Guardian of Paradise

The Legendary Pokémon Koraidon and Miraidon are the ancient and futuristic relative to Cyclizar, known as the Winged King and Iron Serpent respectively.

Gallery

All Paradox Pokémon, including Koraidon and Miraidon

Ancient Pokémon including Koraidon

Future Pokémon including Miraidon

Imaginary Paradox Pokémon from the Scarlet Book that resembles a fusion of the Legendary beasts

Imaginary Paradox Pokémon from the Violet Book that resembles a fusion of the Swords of Justice (except Keldeo)

Great Tusk from the Scarlet Book

Iron Treads from the Violet Book

Great Tusk as a Titan Pokémon

Iron Treads as a Titan Pokémon

Ancient Pokémon seen in the Strange Paradox merchandise

Trivia

• All Paradox Pokémon are dual-type.
• The Shiny colorations of the ancient Paradox Pokémon are based on the Shiny colorations of the Pokémon they are based on. In contrast, every future Paradox Pokémon has a metallic grey Shiny colloration, possibly to reflect their robotic appearances and natures.
• The term "Paradox Pokémon" may be a reference to Animalia Paradoxa.
• The Paradox Pokémon (excluding Koraidon and Miraidon) and Type: Null are the only Pokémon to have Spanish, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, and Turkish names different to their English names, Russian names that are not orthographic transcriptions of their English names, and Thai names that are not orthographic transcriptions of their Japanese names.
• All Paradox Pokémon's Pokédex entries in the versions they are not obtainable in reference Occulture, except Koraidon and Miraidon, whose entries instead reference them resembling Cyclizar but being more aggressive, as well as little being known about them.
• The naming convention for Paradox Pokémon differs by language:
  • In Japanese, Spanish, Italian, and German, along with all East Asian translations, Paradox Pokémon are named with a single word.
  • In English, Paradox Pokémon are named with a two-word descriptor; all future Paradox Pokémon have "Iron" as the first word in their names.
  • In French, Paradox Pokémon are named with two or three words hyphenated into a single name; all future Paradox Pokémon have the suffix "-de-Fer" in their names.

See also

• Legendary Pokémon
• Mythical Pokémon
• Ultra Beasts (Pokémon group with similar traits)
• Ecologically similar Pokémon