yamask
Generation V · #0562 — Spirit Pokémon
Yamask is a Ghost-type Pokémon from Generation V that embodies the mystical concept of spirits bound to material possessions. As National Pokédex entry #562, this Spirit Pokémon represents one of the most poignant and melancholic creatures in the entire Pokédex, carrying profound lore about human mortality and spiritual attachment. Yamask stands at a modest 0.5 meters tall and weighs only 1.5 kilograms, making it one of the smallest Ghost-type Pokémon available in the early game. With a base stat total of 303, Yamask prioritizes defensive capabilities with a notable Defense stat of 85, though it struggles significantly in both offensive and speed categories with Attack and Speed stats of 30 each. Its signature ability, Mummy, allows it to transfer this unique trait to attacking Pokémon upon contact, creating interesting strategic possibilities despite Yamask's overall fragility in competitive play.
Base Stats
Height
0.5m
Weight
1.5kg
Category
Spirit Pokémon
Gender
Male 50% / Female 50%
Color
black
Shape
arms
Abilities
Changes attacking Pokémon's abilities to Mummy on contact.
Yamask Biology & Physical Characteristics
Yamask presents a haunting physical form that reflects its tragic origins as a human spirit. The Pokémon manifests as a shadow-like entity composed of ethereal matter, possessing two tendril-like arms and large, glowing red eyes that convey both sadness and otherworldly presence. Most distinctively, Yamask carries a golden mask suspended by a tail-like appendage—this mask represents the face the creature possessed during its human lifetime, serving as a haunting reminder of its previous existence. The Pokédex entries reveal that Yamask sometimes gazes upon this mask and weeps, suggesting deep emotional attachment and longing for its former humanity. According to multiple Pokédex accounts, these Pokémon arose from the spirits of people interred in graves during past ages, and remarkably, each Yamask retains vivid memories of its former life as a human. The creature becomes intensely furious if the mask is lost or stolen, and if a human dares to wear the mask, they risk immediate possession by the Yamask in question. Yamask is capable of human speech while possessing a human host, though it cannot communicate verbally in its standard ghostly form.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Yamask Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Yamask exhibits a perfectly balanced gender ratio with 50% male and 50% female distribution, allowing trainers equal opportunity to obtain either gender for their teams. When breeding, Yamask belongs to two egg groups: the Mineral egg group and the Amorphous egg group, granting it compatibility with a diverse range of Pokémon parents for breeding purposes. This dual egg group membership provides flexibility for competitive breeders seeking specific move pools or characteristics through strategic cross-breeding. Yamask requires 25 egg cycles to hatch, translating to approximately 6,169 to 6,425 steps before a fresh Yamask emerges from its egg, which places it in the moderate incubation range for breeding projects. The base happiness value of 70 (in Generations V through VII) indicates that Yamask hatchlings begin with reasonable friendship toward their trainers, though this was adjusted in later generations. The medium-fast growth rate means that Yamask progresses through its leveling at a reasonable pace compared to other Pokémon, neither hastened nor delayed significantly, allowing for steady development from early-game availability to its evolution at level 34. These breeding characteristics make Yamask accessible and manageable for trainers interested in competitive breeding or building optimized teams.
Held Items
Sprites
Held Items
spell-tag
type-enhancement
Held: Ghost-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
spell-tag
type-enhancement
Held: Ghost-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
spell-tag
type-enhancement
Held: Ghost-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
spell-tag
type-enhancement
Held: Ghost-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
spell-tag
type-enhancement
Held: Ghost-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
spell-tag
type-enhancement
Held: Ghost-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
spell-tag
type-enhancement
Held: Ghost-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
spell-tag
type-enhancement
Held: Ghost-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
spell-tag
type-enhancement
Held: Ghost-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
spell-tag
type-enhancement
Held: Ghost-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
spell-tag
type-enhancement
Held: Ghost-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
spell-tag
type-enhancement
Held: Ghost-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
TMs & HMs
tm03
crystal
tm03
gold silver
tm04
emerald
tm04
firered leafgreen
tm04
ruby sapphire
tm04
diamond pearl
tm04
xd
tm04
heartgold soulsilver
tm04
black white
tm04
colosseum
tm04
platinum
tm04
sun moon
tm04
ultra sun ultra moon
tm04
x y
tm04
omega ruby alpha sapphire
tm04
black 2 white 2
tm05
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm06
yellow
tm06
gold silver
tm06
red blue
+520 more TMs/HMs
yamask's Evolution Chain
Yamask Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Yamask's evolutionary line demonstrates a fascinating progression through different forms of spiritual manifestation. At level 34, Yamask evolves into Cofagrigus, a more powerful Ghost-type that represents a further transformation and loss of humanity as the spirit becomes increasingly ethereal and tomb-bound. This evolution marks a significant shift in both the Pokémon's appearance and its connection to its human past. In the Galar region, Yamask received a regional variant that introduces a Ground/Ghost typing, fundamentally altering its identity and power structure. This Galarian Yamask evolves into Runerigus through an unusual mechanic requiring the player to have their Yamask accumulate at least 49 HP in damage from attacks without fainting, then travel under a specific arch in the overworld near Dusty Bowl. This unique evolution method reflects the spiritual transformation and testing required for the spirit to achieve its final form. The evolution line as a whole symbolizes the progression of human spirits from initial manifestation through increasingly powerful and abstract representations of the afterlife, with each stage representing deeper integration into the supernatural realm.
Where to Find
relic castle
unova
+29 more
Yamask Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Yamask exhibits behavior deeply rooted in its human consciousness and the emotional weight of its transformation. These Pokémon are known to wander through ancient ruins and archaeological sites, seemingly searching for recognition or connection to their former identities. The Pokédex entry from Pokémon Sword describes this poignantly: "The spirit of a person from a bygone age became this Pokémon. It rambles through ruins, searching for someone who knows its face." This suggests Yamask possesses an active, almost desperate quest for acknowledgment of who they once were. Their interaction with the golden mask they carry demonstrates a complex emotional life—they don't merely carry it as a possession but treat it with reverence and protective affection. Yamask typically inhabits areas rich in historical significance, particularly locations where human burial grounds or ancient civilizations once thrived, making them commonly encountered in tombs, crypts, and archaeological excavations throughout the Unova region. Their medium growth rate and base happiness of 70 indicate they can form meaningful bonds with trainers, though their inherent melancholy nature persists regardless of companionship.
Pokedex Entries
Each of them carries a mask that used to be its face when it was human. Sometimes they look at it and cry.
These Pokémon arose from the spirits of people interred in graves. Each retains memories of its former life.
These Pokémon arose from the spirits of people interred in graves in past ages. Each retains memories of its former life.
These Pokémon arose from the spirits of people interred in graves. Each retains memories of its former life.
Each of them carries a mask that used to be its face when it was human. Sometimes they look at it and cry.
These Pokémon arose from the spirits of people interred in graves. Each retains memories of its former life.
Each of them carries a mask that used to be its face when it was human. Sometimes they look at it and cry.
It wanders through ruins by night, carrying a mask that’s said to have been the face it had when it was still human.
The spirit of a person from a bygone age became this Pokémon. It rambles through ruins, searching for someone who knows its face.
Yamask Name Origin & Design Inspiration
Yamask's design brilliantly synthesizes Egyptian funerary art with contemporary Ghost-type aesthetics, creating a Pokémon that feels both culturally grounded and fantastically mysterious. The golden mask is clearly inspired by ancient Egyptian death masks, particularly those associated with pharaohs and nobility, while the shadow-like body evokes the concept of ka in Egyptian mythology—the spiritual double or life force that survives bodily death. The Japanese name "Desumasu" (デスマス) derives from the English word "death," combined with the suffix suggesting a mask or masquerade, perfectly capturing the duality of the Pokémon's nature. The English name "Yamask" likely combines "yama" (potentially referencing death in various languages) with "mask," maintaining the conceptual focus on facial coverings and identity. The design choice to have Yamask carry rather than wear its mask is particularly significant—it represents a separation between the current spirit form and its previous human identity, with the mask serving as both anchor and artifact. The large red eyes contrasting against the dark, shadowy form create an immediately recognizable silhouette, while the tendril-like arms suggest an intangible, ghostly nature. This thoughtful design approach has made Yamask one of the most visually distinctive and conceptually rich Ghost-types introduced in Generation V.
Learnable Moves
Yamask can learn 70 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| after you | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| ally switch | psychic | Status | — | — | 15 |
| astonish | ghost | Physical | 30 | 100 | 15 |
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| block | normal | Status | — | — | 5 |
| calm mind | psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| confide | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| crafty shield | fairy | Status | — | — | 10 |
| curse | ghost | Status | — | — | 10 |
| dark pulse | dark | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| destiny bond | ghost | Status | — | — | 5 |
| disable | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| double team | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| dream eater | psychic | Special | 100 | 100 | 15 |
| embargo | dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| energy ball | grass | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| fake tears | dark | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| flash | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| frustration | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| grudge | ghost | Status | — | — | 5 |
| guard split | psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| haze | ice | Status | — | — | 30 |
| heal block | psychic | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| hex | ghost | Special | 65 | 100 | 10 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| imprison | psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| infestation | bug | Special | 20 | 100 | 20 |
| iron defense | steel | Status | — | — | 15 |
| knock off | dark | Physical | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| magic coat | psychic | Status | — | — | 15 |
| mean look | normal | Status | — | — | 5 |
| memento | dark | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| nasty plot | dark | Status | — | — | 20 |
| night shade | ghost | Special | — | 100 | 15 |
| nightmare | ghost | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| ominous wind | ghost | Special | 60 | 100 | 5 |
| pain split | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| payback | dark | Physical | 50 | 100 | 10 |
| poltergeist | ghost | Physical | 110 | 90 | 5 |
| power split | psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| psych up | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| psychic | psychic | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| rain dance | water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| role play | psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| round | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| safeguard | normal | Status | — | — | 25 |
| secret power | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| shadow ball | ghost | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| shock wave | electric | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| skill swap | psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| snatch | dark | Status | — | — | 10 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| spite | ghost | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| telekinesis | psychic | Status | — | — | 15 |
| thief | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| toxic | poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| toxic spikes | poison | Status | — | — | 20 |
| trick | psychic | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| trick room | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| will o wisp | fire | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| wonder room | psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| zen headbutt | psychic | Physical | 80 | 90 | 15 |
Yamask Competitive Battle Guide
In competitive Pokémon formats, Yamask occupies a niche role due to its limited offensive capabilities but notable defensive profile. With a base Defense stat of 85, Yamask can serve as a physical wall in specific team compositions, though its low HP of 38 severely hampers its overall bulk calculations, resulting in survivability that's respectable but not exceptional. The signature ability Mummy provides genuine strategic value by copying itself to attacking Pokémon on contact, potentially crippling opponents who rely heavily on their Pokémon's abilities—this has allowed Yamask to function as an ability disruptor in creative team builds. However, Yamask's Speed stat of 30 forces it to move last in nearly all circumstances, and its Special Defense of 65 leaves it vulnerable to special attacks, creating significant weaknesses that limit its viability in the competitive metagame. The evolution into Cofagrigus at level 34 provides substantially better stats and access to more powerful moves, making the final evolved form far more competitively relevant than Yamask itself. As a result, most serious competitors view Yamask primarily as a stepping stone rather than a finished competitive product, though creative players occasionally utilize its early-game defensive presence in specific formats or as a stalling mechanism for ability denial strategies.
Commonly Asked Questions About Yamask
What type is Yamask?
Yamask is a ghost type Pokemon.
What does Yamask evolve into?
Yamask evolves into cofagrigus, then into runerigus.
What are Yamask's weaknesses?
Yamask is weak to ghost and dark type moves.
Where can I find Yamask?
Yamask can be found in relic castle (unova).
Yamask Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Yamask has cultivated a devoted following within the Pokémon community due to its deeply emotional narrative and sophisticated design philosophy. The Pokémon's tragic backstory—a human spirit trapped in a ghostly form, eternally separated from its previous identity and searching through ruins for recognition—resonates profoundly with players who appreciate darker, more mature storytelling within the Pokémon franchise. Fan communities frequently discuss and create content exploring Yamask's existential themes, with artists and writers producing emotional interpretations of what it means to be trapped between life and death, human and Pokémon. The appearance of James's Yamask in the animated series introduced the character to a broader audience and humanized the species through its interactions with a beloved character. Yamask's design has influenced subsequent Ghost-type Pokémon introduced in later generations, establishing a template for spiritually significant creatures with emotional depth. The species has become iconic within discussions of Pokémon lore and worldbuilding, frequently cited as an example of how the franchise explores mature themes like mortality, identity, and the supernatural. Additionally, Yamask's regional variant in Galar expanded its cultural relevance by demonstrating how the same conceptual foundation could be adapted to different mythological traditions, with Galarian Yamask drawing from different spiritual and archaeological frameworks.
Where to Find Yamask in Every Pokémon Game
Yamask's availability has evolved considerably across different Pokémon generations and regional releases. In Generation V (Black and White versions), Yamask could be encountered in Unova at National Pokédex number 562, with local Pokédex positions of #68 in Black and White, and #124 in Black 2 and White 2, making it accessible during the main campaign storylines. The species maintained availability through Generation VI and VII with consistent encounter mechanics and breeding options. In the Galar region (Pokémon Sword and Shield), Yamask received its regional variant and was assigned local Pokédex position #327, introducing the alternative Ground/Ghost typing alongside the original Ghost-type form. The creature appears in various other spin-off games and mobile titles, including Pokémon GO where it remains obtainable through standard encounter methods. A catch rate of 190 makes Yamask relatively easy to capture in the wild compared to many Pokémon, allowing trainers to add it to their teams without excessive effort or specific Poké Ball strategies. The moderate base friendship value of 70 means freshly caught Yamask begin with reasonable affection, though traded specimens start at lower friendship values. As of Generation IX, Yamask continues to be available through breeding and structured encounters in various games, ensuring its consistent accessibility for new players and collectors seeking to complete their Pokédex entries.