unown
Generation II · #0201 — Symbol Pokémon
Unown, known as the Symbol Pokémon, is a fascinating Psychic-type species introduced in Generation II that has captivated researchers and trainers alike since its discovery in the Johto region. This remarkable Pokémon stands at a diminutive 0.5 meters tall and weighs only 5.0 kilograms, making it one of the smallest Psychic-types in existence. What truly sets Unown apart from virtually all other Pokémon is its extraordinary diversity—rather than evolving, Unown exists in 28 distinct forms, each corresponding to the 26 letters of the Latin alphabet plus the punctuation marks for exclamation and question. The mystery surrounding Unown's origins and its relationship to ancient writing systems has made it a subject of intense scientific study within the Pokémon world, with researchers unable to definitively determine whether Unown or written language came first.
Base Stats
Height
0.5m
Weight
5.0kg
Category
Symbol Pokémon
Gender
Genderless
Color
black
Shape
ball
Habitat
rare
Abilities
Evades ground moves.
Unown Biology & Physical Characteristics
Unown possesses a unique and unmistakable physical structure that resembles nothing so much as a circular eye with appendages extending outward, giving it the appearance of a hieroglyphic symbol or written character. The creature's entire body is colored a deep black, with only its white sclerae visible, creating a striking contrast that makes the Pokémon resemble an eye peering from ancient tablets. According to multiple Pokédex entries, Unown's flat, thin body is characteristically stuck to walls, where it maintains an almost two-dimensional appearance. Each of the 28 different forms of Unown corresponds directly to a written symbol—the 26 alphabetic forms feature fully open eyes, while the exclamation mark and question mark forms display half-closed eyes, suggesting a subtle variation in their nature. The Pokédex notes that different types of Unown are said to possess a variety of distinct abilities, hinting at the deep connection between the creature's form and its functional capabilities, though all known Unown share the Levitate ability, which allows them to evade ground-type moves entirely.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Unown Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Unown is classified as a genderless Pokémon, placing it in the exclusive Undiscovered egg group alongside other mysterious and legendarily-adjacent species. This genderless classification reflects the asexual or non-reproductive nature of Unown reproduction, which remains one of the great unsolved mysteries of Pokémon biology. The Pokédex has never provided a clear explanation for how Unown populations reproduce or maintain themselves, given their inability to participate in conventional breeding systems. Despite this limitation, Unown has a base happiness value of 70, suggesting that individual specimens can form meaningful bonds with trainers and experience contentment in captivity. The fact that Unown cannot be obtained through breeding means that each individual Unown specimen is inherently unique and must be discovered in the wild or obtained through other means. This breeding restriction has contributed to Unown's mystique, as trainers cannot easily produce their own Unown and must dedicate significant effort to finding all 28 forms in the wild to complete their collection.
Sprites
Forms
TMs & HMs
tm10
black white
tm10
colosseum
tm10
emerald
tm10
firered leafgreen
tm10
xd
tm10
gold silver
tm10
heartgold soulsilver
tm10
ruby sapphire
tm10
diamond pearl
tm10
black 2 white 2
tm10
crystal
tm10
omega ruby alpha sapphire
tm10
sun moon
tm10
platinum
tm10
x y
tm10
ultra sun ultra moon
Forms
aDefault
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
exclamation
questionUnown Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Unown exists as a singular species with no evolution line whatsoever—it does not evolve from any Pokémon, nor does it evolve into any other form. However, this apparent limitation is offset by Unown's remarkable ability to manifest in 28 different distinct forms, a diversity unmatched by almost any other non-legendary Pokémon species. In Generation II, the form that each individual Unown would take was determined by its individual values, while Generation III introduced a shift to determination by personality value. From Generation IV onwards, Unown's form has been controlled by a separate form identifier, allowing for more precise control and collection of the complete alphabet set. The introduction of the exclamation mark and question mark forms in Generation III expanded Unown's already impressive roster, creating a complete symbolic alphabet for trainers to discover and collect. This form diversity essentially replaces what would be a traditional evolution line in most other Pokémon, making Unown a unique case study in Pokémon biology and development.
Where to Find
ruins of alph
johto
+177 more
dilford chamber
kanto
+21 more
monean chamber
kanto
+21 more
rixy chamber
kanto
+21 more
weepth chamber
kanto
+21 more
scufib chamber
kanto
+21 more
liptoo chamber
kanto
+21 more
viapos chamber
kanto
+21 more
solaceon ruins
sinnoh
+645 more
Unown Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Unown exhibits profoundly mysterious behavior that remains poorly understood despite ongoing research. These creatures communicate with one another telepathically and are consistently found adhered to walls in various locations throughout the Pokémon world. Perhaps most intriguingly, the Pokédex reveals that when Unown are found alone, nothing of particular consequence occurs, but when two or more gather together, an odd and powerful force is said to emerge—a phenomenon that has yet to be fully explained by modern science. Their propensity for clustering together and their apparent telepathic connection suggests a collective consciousness or shared purpose that transcends individual Unown. The fact that Unown are always found in wall-bound positions, combined with their resemblance to written language, has led many researchers to theorize that they may be attracted to locations of historical or mystical significance. Their presence seems almost sentient, as if they are leaving messages or recording information through their arrangement, though no one has yet deciphered what these communications might mean.
Pokedex Entries
Their shapes look like hieroglyphs on ancient tab lets. It is said that the two are somehow related.
Its flat, thin body is always stuck on walls. Its shape appears to have some mean ing.
Because different types of UNOWN exist, it is said that they must have a variety of abilities.
This POKéMON is shaped like ancient writing. It is a mystery as to which came first, the ancient writings or the various UNOWN. Research into this topic is ongoing but nothing is known.
This POKéMON is shaped like ancient text characters. Although research is ongoing, it is a mystery as to which came first, the ancient writings or the various UNOWN.
Its flat, thin body is always stuck on walls. Its shape appears to have some meaning.
Their shapes look like hieroglyphs on ancient tablets. It is said that the two are somehow related.
Shaped like ancient writing, it is a huge mystery whether language or UNOWN came first.
They seem to communicate among each other telepathically. They are always found stuck on walls.
When alone, nothing happens. However, if there are two or more, an odd power is said to emerge.
Their shapes look like hieroglyphs on ancient tablets. It is said that the two are somehow related.
Its flat, thin body is always stuck on walls. Its shape appears to have some meaning.
When alone, nothing happens. However, if there are two or more, an odd power is said to emerge.
When alone, nothing happens. However, if there are two or more, an odd power is said to emerge.
Its flat, thin body is always stuck on walls. Its shape appears to have some meaning.
Shaped like ancient writing, it is a huge mystery whether language or Unown came first.
This Pokémon is shaped like ancient writing. It is a mystery as to which came first, the ancient writings or the various Unown. Research into this topic is ongoing but nothing is known.
It is hard to believe these strangely shaped Pokémon are truly living creatures. I've pointed out that the species' many forms resemble writing from other lands; no one will take me seriously.
Unown Name Origin & Design Inspiration
The name Unown is derived from the concept of being unknown or unidentified, perfectly capturing the air of mystery that surrounds this enigmatic species. In Japanese, Unown is called Unknown, a direct reference to the cryptic and ancient nature of its appearance. The creature's design was intentionally crafted to resemble the letters of the Latin alphabet and ancient writing systems, with each form corresponding to specific written symbols used by human civilizations. This design choice was revolutionary for its time, as it created a Pokémon species that was simultaneously a creative tool and a collectible element of the games. The visual inspiration clearly draws from real-world hieroglyphics and ancient text, suggesting that ancient humans may have actually encountered these Pokémon and incorporated them into their written systems. The symbolism is reinforced by the creature's circular eye design, which evokes both the all-seeing eye of mystical traditions and the concept of observation and recording. The black coloration with white accents creates a stark, almost printed appearance, further emphasizing the connection between Unown and written language.
Learnable Moves
Unown can learn 1 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
Unown Competitive Battle Guide
In competitive Pokémon battles, Unown is considered a novelty rather than a viable combatant, possessed of remarkably mediocre base statistics that total only 336. With identical Attack and Special Attack values of 72, Unown has only slightly better offensive capabilities than its other measly stats, while its Defense, Special Defense, and Speed are all languishingly low at 48 each. Its base HP of 48 provides minimal durability, making Unown extraordinarily fragile in direct combat scenarios. The only saving grace for Unown's competitive viability is its Levitate ability, which grants it immunity to Ground-type moves—a useful resistance but insufficient to overcome its numerous other weaknesses. Unown learns only a limited movepool, primarily consisting of Hidden Power as its most viable attack option, which provides little versatility in battle. Competitive players have never seriously considered Unown as part of their main battle teams, as even with perfect training and investment, Unown would remain severely outclassed by virtually any mainstream Pokémon. However, the species holds nostalgic and collectible value, and some players enjoy the challenge of attempting to create competitive sets with its various forms.
Commonly Asked Questions About Unown
What type is Unown?
Unown is a psychic type Pokemon.
What does Unown evolve from?
Unown does not evolve.
What are Unown's weaknesses?
Unown is weak to bug, ghost and dark type moves.
Where can I find Unown?
Unown can be found in ruins of alph (johto), dilford chamber (kanto) and monean chamber (kanto) and 6 other locations.
Unown Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Unown achieved significant cultural prominence through the Pokémon Trading Card Game and the animated series, particularly through the movie Pokémon 3: The Movie, where a powerful swarm of Unown played a central role in the plot. The visual design of Unown has made it a fan favorite for artistic and creative endeavors, with many trainers and artists drawn to its unique alphabet-based forms. The mystery surrounding Unown's origins and purpose has inspired countless fan theories and discussions within the Pokémon community, making it one of the franchise's most discussed species from a lore perspective. Unown's appearance in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Ultimate further cemented its cultural relevance, exposing the species to broader audiences beyond dedicated Pokémon fans. The creature's design has influenced how players approach Pokédex completion, as collecting all 28 Unown forms represents a specific and satisfying challenge distinct from traditional leveling and evolution. Unown Mode, Unown Report, and Unown Research Notes represent in-game features dedicated to tracking and studying these creatures, demonstrating how integral Unown has become to the franchise's identity.
Where to Find Unown in Every Pokémon Game
Unown was first introduced in the Generation II games Gold and Silver, where it could be found in the Ruins of Alph, a mysterious location filled with ancient stone tablets bearing the creature's symbolic likeness. In these original appearances, catching all 28 forms of Unown was a significant post-game challenge that required dedication and multiple playthroughs. Throughout subsequent generations, Unown has appeared in various locations across different Pokémon games, though its availability has never been casual or guaranteed. In Diamond and Pearl, Unown could be found in the Solaceon Ruins, another location rich with ancient history and mystical atmosphere. Unown's presence in Legends: Arceus marked its inclusion in that game's regional Pokédex at position 142, indicating its continued relevance in the franchise. The Pokémon's high capture rate of 225 makes it relatively easy to catch once encountered, offsetting the difficulty of actually finding one in the wild. In more recent games and features like Pokémon HOME, Unown remains available to collectors and researchers who seek to understand this mysterious species, ensuring that new generations of trainers can experience the unique challenge of pursuing a complete Unown collection.