archaludon #1018
Type Matchups
Weak to (2x damage):
Resistant to (½x damage):
Immune to (0x damage):
archaludon
Generation IX · #1018 — Alloy Pokémon
Archaludon is a Steel/Dragon-type Pokémon introduced in Generation IX as part of The Indigo Disk DLC expansion for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. As the evolution of Duraludon, this formidable Alloy Pokémon stands 2.0 meters tall and weighs 60.0 kilograms, earning the National Pokédex number 1018. With a base stat total of 600, Archaludon represents a significant power spike from its pre-evolution, particularly in its Defense (130) and Special Attack (125) statistics. This dual-type composition grants it an intriguing blend of defensive capabilities and special offensive prowess, making it a versatile addition to competitive teams. The Pokédex entries paint Archaludon as an electrically-charged powerhouse that scours mountainous terrain, capable of gathering static electricity from its surroundings to unleash tremendously powerful beam attacks while in a quadrupedal stance.
Base Stats
Height
2.0m
Weight
60.0kg
Category
Alloy Pokémon
Gender
Male 50% / Female 50%
Color
white
Shape
upright
Abilities
Raises this Pokémon's Defense by one stage when it takes damage from a move.
Prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. Protects against the one-hit KO moves regardless of HP.
Ignores moves and abilities that draw in moves.
Archaludon Biology & Physical Characteristics
Archaludon possesses a striking architectural appearance, resembling a metallic dinosaur with an angular, cuboid body composed of highly durable metallic alloys. Its frame is primarily cool gray with dark blue accents adorning its palms, soles, and facial plating, the latter arranged in a distinctive T-shape with a centered fold that partially obscures its yellow eyes. The underside of its body features intricate criss-crossing patterns across the torso, supplemented by two red stripes at the bottom and three small notches on each side. Extending from its head are horn-like protrusions tipped in red, while a continuous spinal ridge runs the length of its back, flanked by three pairs of zigzag patterns. Its most notable feature is the grooved copper-colored tube embedded within its permanent scowl-shaped mouth, which serves as the conduit for firing devastating beam attacks. Archaludon's extremities are notably large and V-shaped, featuring two rectangular digits on each limb. Particularly intriguing are the tall, retractable spires near its hand and foot joints, tipped with yellow terminals that absorb and store static electricity from the environment—a critical distinction from Duraludon, as Archaludon cannot generate electricity independently but instead accumulates it from external sources. Similar terminal pairs appear on the spikes adorning its head and tail, enabling comprehensive electrical collection across its body.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Archaludon Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Archaludon possesses a balanced gender ratio of 50% male to 50% female, allowing for breeding flexibility and ensuring both genders appear with equal frequency in the wild and through breeding programs. This species belongs to both the Mineral and Dragon egg groups, an unusual dual-group classification that opens diverse breeding possibilities and strategic breeding chains for competitive players. The Mineral egg group membership reflects Archaludon's inorganic, metallic nature—it shares this classification with other steel and rock-type Pokémon that lack biological reproduction in the traditional sense. Conversely, its Dragon egg group membership connects it to the broader dragon-type lineage and allows for cross-breeding with other dragon-type Pokémon to potentially create hybrid offspring with diverse movepool inheritances. With a base happiness value of 50 and a hatch counter of 30 cycles, Archaludon requires moderate care and dedication to breed successfully, though it remains accessible to dedicated trainers willing to invest time in cultivation. The medium growth rate suggests Archaludon reaches competitive levels at a reasonable pace, neither rushing toward maturity nor requiring exceptional grinding sessions. Competitive breeders particularly value Archaludon's egg group combination because it enables strategic inheritance of moves from both mineral-type and dragon-type parents, potentially creating offspring with movepool combinations impossible to achieve through leveling or TM usage alone.
Sprites
TMs & HMs
tm01
black white
tm01
black 2 white 2
tm01
omega ruby alpha sapphire
tm01
x y
tm02
emerald
tm02
firered leafgreen
tm02
ruby sapphire
tm02
black white
tm02
heartgold soulsilver
tm02
platinum
tm02
colosseum
tm02
diamond pearl
tm02
black 2 white 2
tm02
sun moon
tm02
omega ruby alpha sapphire
tm02
x y
tm02
xd
tm02
ultra sun ultra moon
tm03
yellow
tm03
red blue
+528 more TMs/HMs
archaludon's Evolution Chain
Archaludon Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Archaludon evolves from Duraludon through exposure to a Metal Alloy item, a unique evolution method introduced in Generation IX that reflects the Pokémon's fundamental nature as a metallic creature that strengthens through contact with advanced alloy materials. This evolution represents more than a simple power increase; it signifies a fundamental transformation in Archaludon's physical and elemental properties. Upon evolution, Archaludon immediately learns the move Electro Shot, an Electric-type special attack with 130 power, suggesting that the evolution process directly enhances its electrical capabilities and integration with its environment. The stat distribution shifts dramatically from Duraludon's more balanced profile, with Archaludon investing heavily in Defense (130, up from 100) and maintaining a robust Special Attack (125, up from 120), while its Speed remains moderate at 85. This reallocation creates a bulky special attacker archetype that can withstand significant punishment while delivering potent special-based offense. The Defense emphasis of 130 indicates that Archaludon's metallic composition becomes exponentially more refined and resilient through the evolution process, allowing it to function as a genuine defensive cornerstone for teams that can leverage its steel-type resistances and dragon-type coverage.
Where to Find
Location data not available for this Pokémon in the database.
Archaludon Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Archaludon demonstrates a highly adaptive excavation behavior, actively digging holes on mountainous terrain in search of sustenance and minerals necessary for maintaining its metallic physiology. Its durability is legendary among Pokémon; cave-ins and rockfalls that would incapacitate ordinary creatures leave Archaludon entirely unaffected, a testament to the superior engineering of its metal-alloy composition. The Pokémon exhibits a notable behavioral adaptation when encountering danger: it extends its normally bent torso from its characteristic hunched posture to a more rigid, bridge-like configuration. This postural shift sacrifices some mobility in exchange for a dramatically improved center of gravity, allowing Archaludon to assume an extraordinarily stable stance remarkably resembling a magnificent steel bridge. This behavior suggests a highly intelligent creature capable of tactical assessment and physical reconfiguration based on threat level. In its natural mountainous habitat, Archaludon actively gathers static electricity from atmospheric conditions and geological formations, stockpiling this energy within the yellow terminals distributed across its body. When provoked or hunting, it transitions to a quadrupedal stance from which it launches the electrically-charged beams that have become its signature offensive technique, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of when to employ its most formidable attacks.
Pokedex Entries
Generation IX
It gathers static electricity from its surroundings. The beams it launches when down on all fours are tremendously powerful.
It digs holes on mountains, searching for food. It’s so durable that being caught in a cave-in won’t faze it.
Archaludon Name Origin & Design Inspiration
Archaludon's name derives from 'archae' (ancient or primitive) combined with 'aluminum' and 'alluding' to 'alloy,' creating a portmanteau that emphasizes both its prehistoric dinosaurian appearance and its modern metallic construction. The Japanese name Briduras cleverly combines 'bridge' with 'Duraludon,' directly referencing the bridge-like stance Archaludon assumes when extending its torso for stability—a design feature that serves both aesthetic and functional purposes in gameplay mechanics. The design philosophy emphasizes architectural elements throughout Archaludon's structure: its cuboid body segments, angular protrusions, and the deliberate bridge-resemblance create a Pokémon that appears simultaneously organic and engineered, prehistoric yet futuristic. The color palette of cool gray with dark blue and red accents mirrors industrial metalwork and construction materials, while the copper-colored tube in its mouth references both biological anatomy and industrial machinery. The T-shaped facial plating with its centered fold creates an expressionless, utilitarian appearance that contrasts sharply with traditional dragon designs, positioning Archaludon as a unique subtype of dragon that has essentially been reconstructed from metallic materials. The yellow terminal points scattered across its body serve as visual indicators of its electrical collection capability, creating a cohesive design language where every element communicates the Pokémon's core identity as an electricity-gathering metal alloy creature.
Learnable Moves
Archaludon can learn 59 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| aura sphere | fighting | Special | 80 | — | 20 |
| body press | fighting | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| body slam | normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| breaking swipe | dragon | Physical | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| brick break | fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| dark pulse | dark | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| double edge | normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| draco meteor | dragon | Special | 130 | 90 | 5 |
| dragon cheer | dragon | Status | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| dragon claw | dragon | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| dragon pulse | dragon | Special | 85 | 100 | 10 |
| dragon tail | dragon | Physical | 60 | 90 | 10 |
| earthquake | ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| electro shot | electric | Special | 130 | 100 | 10 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| flash cannon | steel | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| focus energy | normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| foul play | dark | Physical | 95 | 100 | 15 |
| giga impact | normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| gyro ball | steel | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| hard press | steel | Physical | 0 | 100 | 10 |
| heavy slam | steel | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| hone claws | dark | Status | — | — | 15 |
| hyper beam | normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| iron defense | steel | Status | — | — | 15 |
| iron head | steel | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| leer | normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 |
| light screen | psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
| metal burst | steel | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| metal claw | steel | Physical | 50 | 95 | 35 |
| metal sound | steel | Status | — | 85 | 40 |
| meteor beam | rock | Special | 120 | 90 | 10 |
| mirror coat | psychic | Special | — | 100 | 20 |
| night slash | dark | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| outrage | dragon | Physical | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| reflect | psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| roar | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| rock slide | rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| rock smash | fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| rock tomb | rock | Physical | 60 | 95 | 15 |
| scary face | normal | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| slash | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| smack down | rock | Physical | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| snarl | dark | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| solar beam | grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| stealth rock | rock | Status | — | — | 20 |
| steel beam | steel | Special | 140 | 95 | 5 |
| stone edge | rock | Physical | 100 | 80 | 5 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| swords dance | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| take down | normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| tera blast | normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| thunder | electric | Special | 110 | 70 | 10 |
| thunder wave | electric | Status | — | 90 | 20 |
| thunderbolt | electric | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
Archaludon Competitive Battle Guide
Archaludon occupies a distinct niche in competitive Pokémon battling as a bulky special attacker with exceptional defensive credentials and respectable offensive potential. Its base Defense of 130 ranks among the highest for non-legendary Steel-type Pokémon, while its Special Attack of 125 delivers genuine offensive threat without sacrificing defensive integrity—a rare combination that allows Archaludon to function as both wall and sweeper depending on team composition and EV investment. The three available abilities provide different strategic options: Stamina raises Defense by one stage whenever Archaludon takes damage, creating an escalating defense mechanism that punishes physical attackers for repeatedly striking it; Sturdy provides crucial one-hit knockout immunity and ensures Archaludon survives full-health attacks; and the hidden ability Stalwart enables Archaludon to ignore move redirection effects from abilities like Follow Me and Rage Powder, invaluable in competitive doubles formats. Archaludon's movepool demonstrates impressive coverage, combining Steel-type moves like Flash Cannon and Metal Burst with Dragon-type attacks including Dragon Claw and Breaking Swipe, supplemented by the immediately-learned Electro Shot upon evolution. The moveset flexibility extends further through Technical Machines, enabling status disruption through Scary Face and Snarl, or utility coverage through Protect and Rock Tomb. Steel/Dragon typing grants resistances to ten types while maintaining a weakness to only Ground-type moves, an exceptional defensive typing that makes Archaludon resilient against common threats in the competitive metagame.
Commonly Asked Questions About Archaludon
What type is Archaludon?
Archaludon is a steel and dragon type Pokemon.
What does Archaludon evolve from?
Archaludon evolved from duraludon.
What are Archaludon's weaknesses?
Archaludon is weak to fighting and ground type moves.
Archaludon Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Archaludon emerged as a fan-favorite addition to the Generation IX roster, capturing imagination through its unique bridge-transformation mechanic and architectural aesthetic that distinguished it from conventional dragon-type designs. The Pokémon embodies a design philosophy increasingly prevalent in modern Pokémon generations: the fusion of mechanical and biological elements to create creatures that feel simultaneously alien and familiar. Its prominence in promotional material for The Indigo Disk DLC positioned Archaludon as a flagship pseudo-legendary alternative, appealing to trainers seeking powerful team members without committing to traditional pseudo-legendary lines. The bridge-stance concept sparked considerable community appreciation, with artists and content creators producing fan artwork depicting the transformation sequence and exploring the mechanical implications of such physical reconfiguration. Competitive players embraced Archaludon as a viable choice in tournament environments, particularly after meta-gaming evolved to appreciate bulky special attackers with strong type coverage. The electricity-gathering characteristic introduced an interesting biological concept to steel-type Pokémon, suggesting that metallic creatures possess different metabolic and energy requirements than biological organisms. Gaming communities discussed Archaludon's evolutionary implications, debating whether the Metal Alloy evolution item represented a legitimate biological transformation or a technological enhancement, conversations that enriched the broader lore discussions surrounding mechanically-inclined Pokémon species.
Where to Find Archaludon in Every Pokémon Game
Archaludon becomes available to players exclusively through The Indigo Disk DLC expansion for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, representing late-game content restricted to trainers who have progressed significantly through the expansion's narrative. Players must first obtain a Duraludon, available through standard gameplay within the DLC area, then locate or craft a Metal Alloy item to trigger the evolution. The Metal Alloy represents a crafting material within the DLC's progression system, obtainable through various means including specific item collection locations, NPC trades, or crafting stations using materials gathered from the Indigo Disk environment. Once obtained, Archaludon immediately learns Electro Shot upon evolution, an exclusive move granted only through the evolution process itself and unavailable through other means. In The Indigo Disk's post-game content, Archaludon receives a regional Pokédex number of 0162, indicating its placement within the expansion's localized numbering system. The extremely low capture rate of 10 means that trainers seeking wild-caught Archaludon specimens face considerable difficulty, with success rates dropping below 4% when using standard Pokéballs against full-health specimens. This rarity factor encourages trainers to evolve captured Duraludon specimens rather than attempting to catch Archaludon directly, making the Metal Alloy evolution method the practical acquisition path. Competitive players and completionists accessing the DLC can obtain Archaludon reliably through the evolution chain, though legendary and mythical Pokémon encountered in post-game content offer alternative team-building options for trainers seeking powerful additions to their rosters.