thundurus-incarnate #642
Type Matchups
Weak to (2x damage):
Resistant to (½x damage):
thundurus-incarnate
LegendaryGeneration V · #0642 — Bolt Strike Pokémon
Thundurus, known as the Bolt Strike Pokémon and classified as National Pokédex #642, is a legendary Electric/Flying-type Pokémon introduced in Generation V. As a member of the Forces of Nature alongside Tornadus, Landorus, and Enamorus, Thundurus embodies the raw power of thunderstorms and electrical phenomena. This male-only species possesses a base stat total of 580, with particularly impressive Attack (115) and Special Attack (125) values that make it a formidable force in battle. Thundurus is distinguished by its incarnate form and its alternative Therian form, which can be accessed using the Reveal Glass—a transformation that fundamentally alters its appearance, stat distribution, and abilities. Unlike many legendary Pokémon, Thundurus maintains a relatively high base happiness of 90, suggesting a somewhat docile nature despite its chaotic reputation for causing destruction.
Base Stats
Height
1.5m
Weight
61.0kg
Category
Bolt Strike Pokémon
Gender
100% Male
Color
blue
Shape
arms
Abilities
Raises non-damaging moves' priority by one stage.
Raises Attack two stages upon having any stat lowered.
Thundurus-incarnate Biology & Physical Characteristics
In its Incarnate Forme, Thundurus is a striking blue, muscular humanoid Pokémon that resembles a genie or djinn, standing at 1.5 meters (4'11") tall and weighing 61.0 kilograms (134.5 lbs). Its most distinctive features include a single long purple horn protruding from its head, white zigzagging hair styled dramatically, and a spiky white mustache that gives it an imposing appearance. The creature possesses yellow eyes with beady white irises, pointed blue ears, and its torso is marked with irregular purple spots. Its broad chest features diamond-shaped pectorals adorned with magatama shapes at the shoulders and elbows, creating an otherworldly aesthetic. The most functionally significant feature is the spiky tail that serves as the primary discharge mechanism for its lightning attacks—according to Pokédex entries, these tail spikes can generate immense bolts of electricity. Thundurus's musculature is pronounced throughout its frame, with five-fingered hands on each arm that allow for complex physical interactions despite its primarily magical nature.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Thundurus-incarnate Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Thundurus is an exclusively male species with a gender ratio of 100% male and 0% female, making it biologically unique among Pokémon and preventing natural breeding through conventional means. This male-only status places Thundurus in the "Undiscovered" egg group, meaning it cannot be bred even with Ditto or other compatible partners. The species has a notably high base happiness of 90, which is higher than most Pokémon's default of 50, suggesting that despite its destructive nature and legendary status, Thundurus may be relatively amenable to companionship and training when captured. The inability to breed creates interesting implications for the species's reproduction in the Pokémon world—as a legendary force of nature, Thundurus may reproduce asexually, through magical means, or may simply be a finite manifestation of natural electrical phenomena rather than a biological species in the traditional sense. This breeding restriction also has significant implications for competitive players, as it prevents the creation of multiple Thundurus with optimal individual values through selective breeding, making each captured specimen's inherent stats particularly valuable. The slow growth rate compounds this limitation, requiring substantial experience accumulation to reach higher levels without external assistance.
Sprites
TMs & HMs
tm02
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm05
sword shield
tm05
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm06
yellow
tm06
gold silver
tm06
red blue
tm06
crystal
tm06
emerald
tm06
firered leafgreen
tm06
diamond pearl
tm06
platinum
tm06
ruby sapphire
tm06
colosseum
tm06
black 2 white 2
tm06
xd
tm06
black white
tm06
heartgold soulsilver
tm06
omega ruby alpha sapphire
tm06
ultra sun ultra moon
tm06
sun moon
+800 more TMs/HMs
Thundurus-incarnate Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Thundurus does not undergo traditional evolution or Mega Evolution, remaining unchanged throughout its progression. However, the species possesses a unique mechanic unavailable to most Pokémon: the ability to transform between its Incarnate Forme and Therian Forme using the Reveal Glass. This transformation is not an evolution in the classical sense but rather a fundamental shift in the Pokémon's physical form and capabilities. The Incarnate Forme represents Thundurus's more ethereal, genie-like state with an emphasis on Special Attack (125) and Speed (111), making it suited for special-based offensive strategies. Upon transformation via the Reveal Glass, Thundurus assumes its Therian Forme, which increases its height dramatically to 3.0 meters (9'10") and redistributes its stats to emphasize Special Attack (145) while slightly reducing Speed (101) and Attack (105). The Therian Forme also grants access to the ability Volt Absorb instead of Prankster, fundamentally changing its strategic role in competitive play. This form-changing mechanic represents an innovative design choice that allows players to adapt Thundurus to different strategic requirements without the permanence of traditional evolution.
Where to Find
team flare secret hq
kalos
soaring in the sky
hoenn
ultra space wilds
alola
ultra space
alola
Thundurus-incarnate Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Thundurus is notorious for its destructive behavior across the Unova region, constantly flying through skies while indiscriminately firing off lightning bolts. According to multiple Pokédex entries, this behavior frequently results in forest fires and widespread charring of landscapes, making the species actively disliked by local populations despite its legendary status. The creature's electrical discharges appear to be almost compulsive—whether this stems from a need to maintain its power or from a genuine lack of regard for collateral damage remains unclear from available documentation. Its association with severe weather patterns and its appearance during thunderstorms suggest that Thundurus may be intrinsically linked to atmospheric electrical phenomena, possibly serving as a manifestation of nature's electrical forces rather than a creature with independent motivations. The species is rarely encountered in locations outside severe storm conditions, and its presence is often preceded by increasingly volatile electrical activity in the environment. Unlike more territorial legendary Pokémon, Thundurus appears to be constantly mobile, ranging across the Unova region rather than maintaining a fixed territory.
Pokedex Entries
Generation V
Countless charred remains mar the landscape of places through which Thundurus has passed.
As it flies around, it shoots lightning all over the place and causes forest fires. It is therefore disliked.
The spikes on its tail discharge immense bolts of lightning. It flies around the Unova region firing off lightning bolts.
Generation VI
The spikes on its tail discharge immense bolts of lightning. It flies around the Unova region firing off lightning bolts.
As it flies around, it shoots lightning all over the place and causes forest fires. It is therefore disliked.
The spikes on its tail discharge immense bolts of lightning. It flies around the Unova region firing off lightning bolts.
As it flies around, it shoots lightning all over the place and causes forest fires. It is therefore disliked.
Generation VIII
They say this wielder of electricity has waged war with its nemesis, Tornadus, since time immemorial. The lightning bolts it hurls pierce the very earth and enrich the soil.
Thundurus-incarnate Name Origin & Design Inspiration
The name Thundurus derives from a straightforward portmanteau of "thunder" and "Urus," the latter potentially referencing the aurochs (Urus) or simply serving as a latinized suffix common in Pokémon nomenclature. The Japanese name Voltolos combines "volt" (electrical unit) with "los," creating a name that emphasizes the electrical nature while maintaining phonetic appeal. The Incarnate Forme's design draws heavily from mythological depictions of genies and djinn, with its humanoid body, dramatic facial hair, horn, and ethereal qualities evoking creatures from Middle Eastern and Islamic folklore. The purple spots and coloration scheme suggest electrical energy given visible form, while the spiky tail explicitly channels the concept of lightning discharge. The design philosophy appears to intentionally contrast with Tornadus's more avian appearance, instead granting Thundurus an almost demonic or otherworldly quality appropriate to a creature of pure electrical force. The Therian Forme's more serpentine and feline characteristics represent a transformation into a more animalistic, less humanoid state—a thematic choice that suggests a more primal, nature-aligned version of the legendary beast.
Learnable Moves
Thundurus-incarnate can learn 94 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| acrobatics | flying | Physical | 55 | 100 | 15 |
| agility | psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
| assurance | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 10 |
| astonish | ghost | Physical | 30 | 100 | 15 |
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| bite | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| body slam | normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| brick break | fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| brutal swing | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| bulk up | fighting | Status | — | — | 20 |
| charge | electric | Status | — | — | 20 |
| charge beam | electric | Special | 50 | 90 | 10 |
| confide | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| crunch | dark | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| dark pulse | dark | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| defog | flying | Status | — | — | 15 |
| discharge | electric | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| double team | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| eerie impulse | electric | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| electric terrain | electric | Status | — | — | 10 |
| electro ball | electric | Special | — | 100 | 10 |
| electroweb | electric | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| embargo | dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| extrasensory | psychic | Special | 80 | 100 | 20 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| flash cannon | steel | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| fling | dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| fly | flying | Physical | 90 | 95 | 15 |
| focus blast | fighting | Special | 120 | 70 | 5 |
| foul play | dark | Physical | 95 | 100 | 15 |
| frustration | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| giga impact | normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| grass knot | grass | Special | — | 100 | 20 |
| hammer arm | fighting | Physical | 100 | 90 | 10 |
| heal block | psychic | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| hyper beam | normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| incinerate | fire | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| iron tail | steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 |
| knock off | dark | Physical | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| lash out | dark | Physical | 75 | 100 | 5 |
| leer | normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 |
| nasty plot | dark | Status | — | — | 20 |
| payback | dark | Physical | 50 | 100 | 10 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| psychic | psychic | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| rain dance | water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| revenge | fighting | Physical | 60 | 100 | 10 |
| rising voltage | electric | Special | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| rock smash | fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| role play | psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| round | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| scary face | normal | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| secret power | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| shock wave | electric | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| sky drop | flying | Physical | 60 | 100 | 10 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sludge bomb | poison | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| sludge wave | poison | Special | 95 | 100 | 10 |
| smack down | rock | Physical | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| smart strike | steel | Physical | 70 | — | 10 |
| snarl | dark | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| spark | electric | Physical | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| strength | normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sunny day | fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| supercell slam | electric | Physical | 100 | 95 | 15 |
| superpower | fighting | Physical | 120 | 100 | 5 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| tackle | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| take down | normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| taunt | dark | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| tera blast | normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| thief | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| thrash | normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| thunder | electric | Special | 110 | 70 | 10 |
| thunder punch | electric | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| thunder shock | electric | Special | 40 | 100 | 30 |
| thunder wave | electric | Status | — | 90 | 20 |
| thunderbolt | electric | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| torment | dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| toxic | poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| twister | dragon | Special | 40 | 100 | 20 |
| u turn | bug | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| uproar | normal | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| volt switch | electric | Special | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| weather ball | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 10 |
| wild charge | electric | Physical | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| wildbolt storm | electric | Special | 100 | 80 | 10 |
| zen headbutt | psychic | Physical | 80 | 90 | 15 |
Thundurus-incarnate Competitive Battle Guide
In competitive Pokémon battles, Thundurus's Incarnate Forme serves as a mixed attacker with a strong emphasis on special offense, backed by decent Speed (111) that allows it to outpace many threats without requiring a Speed-boosting nature. Its signature ability Prankster grants all non-damaging moves a +1 priority stage, enabling strategic use of moves like Thunder Wave, Taunt, and Swagger to control the pace of battle before unleashing its powerful Electric-type attacks. With a Special Attack base stat of 125, Thundurus can reliably threaten opponents with moves such as Thunderbolt, Focus Blast, and Hidden Power variants, while its moderate Attack of 115 allows for coverage moves like Earthquake or Superpower. The ability to use Defiant as a hidden ability provides an alternative strategy, as this ability increases Attack by two stages whenever an opponent lowers any of Thundurus's stats, punishing common competitive tactics like Intimidate or stat reduction moves. The Therian Forme shifts toward a more specialized special attacker with 145 Special Attack, benefiting from higher offensive output while sacrificing Speed and Attack for increased durability in Special Defense contexts. Both forms struggle with Stealth Rock weakness and vulnerabilities to Ice and Rock-type moves, common coverage options in the competitive metagame, limiting its overall viability in certain formats despite its strong statistical foundation.
Commonly Asked Questions About Thundurus-incarnate
What type is Thundurus-incarnate?
Thundurus-incarnate is a electric and flying type Pokemon.
What does Thundurus-incarnate evolve from?
Thundurus-incarnate does not evolve.
What are Thundurus-incarnate's weaknesses?
Thundurus-incarnate is weak to ground, rock and ice type moves.
Where can I find Thundurus-incarnate?
Thundurus-incarnate can be found in team flare secret hq (kalos), soaring in the sky (hoenn) and ultra space wilds (alola) and 1 other locations.
Thundurus-incarnate Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Thundurus has maintained a notable presence in Pokémon media and fan culture since its introduction in Generation V, establishing itself as an iconic legendary Pokémon associated with the Unova region. In Pokémon the Series: Black & White, Thundurus formed a significant plot element and received character development through its interactions with the series's protagonist and the legendary Pokémon Meloetta, introducing audiences to its personality and motivations beyond mere destructive capability. The character design's genie-like appearance and dramatic visual presentation have made Thundurus particularly popular among fans who appreciate the series's incorporation of mythological elements from various cultures. Its dual form mechanic has influenced subsequent legendary Pokémon design philosophies, with the Reveal Glass transformation mechanic becoming a template for future form-changing systems in later generations. The species has appeared in trading card games, merchandise, and numerous spin-off titles, establishing itself as a recognizable face of Generation V's legendary lineup. Among competitive players, Thundurus maintains relevance as a consistent threat in formats where it's legal, with its Prankster ability making it a cornerstone of certain metagame strategies. The contrast between its destructive in-universe reputation and its relatively high base happiness has made it an interesting character for fan fiction and narrative interpretations that explore the complex relationship between legendary Pokémon and human society.
Where to Find Thundurus-incarnate in Every Pokémon Game
Thundurus can be encountered as a legendary Pokémon in Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon Black 2 Version within the Unova region, where it serves as a roaming legendary that requires persistence and strategy to capture due to its extremely low catch rate of 3 (approximately 0.4% with a standard Poké Ball at full health). The species appears in both its Incarnate Forme during standard gameplay and can transform to its Therian Forme in Black 2 and subsequent games through the use of the Reveal Glass, an item that allows players to switch between its two forms at will. Beyond the main series games, Thundurus has received distribution through various Nintendo events and promotional occasions, making legitimate copies available to players who may have missed its original release window. The creature's appearance in Pokémon Legends: Arceus reflects its integration into the broader Pokédex, though its availability remains restricted compared to common Pokémon species. Its presence in Pokémon GO and other mobile titles has extended its accessibility to casual players, though these versions may have different stat distributions and move pools than their core series counterparts. The 120-cycle egg hatching counter is essentially irrelevant due to its placement in the Undiscovered egg group, and its slow growth rate means that trainers require significant patience and experience gain to develop Thundurus to competitive levels. Players seeking Thundurus for their teams should prepare appropriately with status-inducing moves, False Swipe for health reduction, and appropriate Poké Balls for the eventual capture attempt.