zarude
MythicalGeneration VIII · #0893 — Rogue Monkey Pokémon
Zarude is a Mythical Dark/Grass-type Pokémon introduced in Generation VIII as part of The Isle of Armor expansion. As National Pokédex entry #893, Zarude represents one of the most enigmatic creatures in the Galar region, combining the ferocity of a rogue primate with the regenerative properties of nature itself. With a base stat total of 600, Zarude possesses a well-rounded distribution emphasizing physical prowess, featuring an impressive 120 Attack and solid 105 HP and Defense stats. Unlike typical Pokémon, Zarude cannot breed and has no known evolutionary line, cementing its status as a singular, legendary entity. The species gained widespread recognition following its official reveal on Pokémon Day 2020, when it was announced as the star of the 23rd Pokémon movie, Secrets of the Jungle, which introduced the unique Dada Zarude variant and expanded the mythos surrounding this mysterious rogue monkey.
Base Stats
Height
1.8m
Weight
70.0kg
Category
Rogue Monkey Pokémon
Gender
Genderless
Color
green
Shape
upright
Abilities
Protects against major status ailments during strong sunlight.
Zarude Biology & Physical Characteristics
Zarude is a powerful simian Pokémon bearing striking resemblance to a baboon or mandrill, with its body predominantly covered in coarse black fur contrasted by shorter gray fur patterning its chest and belly. Its most distinctive feature is the presence of prehensile vines extending from its wrists, neck, and foot soles—biological appendages it can manipulate at will for combat, locomotion, and resource gathering. These vines possess remarkable healing properties, capable of rapidly mending wounds when wrapped around injured targets and absorbing vital energy directly from trees. The creature's physical appearance is further distinguished by its light gray facial features, including a bare upper snout and distinctive red-irised eyes with black, slitted pupils, framed by angular fur crests that resemble wings. Standing 1.8 meters tall and weighing 70.0 kilograms, Zarude's musculature reflects its exceptional physical capabilities. Notably, the number and prominence of Zarude's vines can vary between individuals, with evidence suggesting this variation may indicate age or social status within its pack hierarchy, as exemplified by specimens featured in Secrets of the Jungle.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Zarude Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Zarude is classified as genderless, lacking biological sex differentiation despite its clearly masculine appearance and behavioral patterns. This classification places Zarude within the Undiscovered Egg Group, rendering it incapable of breeding through conventional means and ensuring each specimen exists as a singular, irreplaceable entity. With a base friendship value of 0—lower than typical Pokémon—Zarude exhibits inherent difficulty in forming bonds, reflecting its naturally aggressive and solitary tendencies even within pack contexts. The zero base friendship serves as a mechanical representation of Zarude's rogue nature, requiring significant effort and interaction to develop affection toward trainers or other entities. This breeding classification is consistent with Zarude's Mythical status, as most legendary and mythical Pokémon exist outside standard reproductive frameworks, making them precious and non-renewable resources. The species' inability to breed contributes to its mystique and rarity, positioning any captured Zarude as an exceptional achievement. Despite this reproductive limitation, Dada Zarude's exceptional story demonstrates that while Zarude cannot create biological offspring, individual specimens possess profound capacity for parental bonds and emotional attachment, transcending conventional breeding mechanics through genuine care and devotion.
Sprites
TMs & HMs
tm00
sword shield
tm01
yellow
tm01
red blue
tm01
platinum
tm01
emerald
tm01
diamond pearl
tm01
firered leafgreen
tm01
ruby sapphire
tm01
xd
tm01
colosseum
tm01
heartgold soulsilver
tm01
blue japan
tm01
red green japan
tm01
sword shield
tm02
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm03
yellow
tm03
red blue
tm03
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm03
blue japan
tm03
red green japan
+595 more TMs/HMs
Zarude Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Zarude does not evolve from any Pokémon, nor does it evolve into any other species, existing as a singular form within its evolutionary line. This non-evolving status further emphasizes its classification as a Mythical Pokémon—a rare designation reserved for legendary creatures of exceptional significance within Pokémon lore. However, a remarkable exception exists in the form of Dada Zarude, a unique individual featured prominently in the 23rd Pokémon movie, Secrets of the Jungle. Rather than representing a traditional evolution or alternate form in the biological sense, Dada Zarude is a distinct specimen with significant behavioral and statistical differences, having abandoned its pack to raise a human orphan child. While sharing the same Dark/Grass typing and base stat total of 600 as standard Zarude, Dada Zarude's special ability is listed as Cacophony rather than Leaf Guard, reflecting its divergent life path and unique circumstances. The distinction between standard Zarude and Dada Zarude appears to be narrative and circumstantial rather than evolutionary, representing how individual experience and choice can fundamentally alter a Pokémon's characteristics and abilities despite maintaining the same species designation.
Where to Find
Location data not available for this Pokémon in the database.
Zarude Behaviour and Natural Habitat
According to Pokédex records, Zarude inhabits dense forest ecosystems where it thrives as a pack-based predator, displaying exceptionally aggressive territorial behavior that commands fear from other forest Pokémon. These rogue monkeys are described as incredibly aggressive hunters that dominate their environments through strength and cunning coordination with pack members. The relationship between Zarude and its forest habitat operates on a symbiotic level—when the vines covering Zarude's body naturally tear away during its activities, they decompose into nutrient-rich soil matter that directly nourishes the surrounding vegetation, facilitating robust plant growth. This ecological contribution demonstrates that despite its fearsome reputation as a predator, Zarude plays a vital role in forest ecosystems as both apex predator and inadvertent gardener. The species' pack mentality and territorial nature suggest complex social structures, though individual specimens have demonstrated capacity for unexpected bonds, as seen with Dada Zarude's profound connection to a human child in Secrets of the Jungle. Its natural ability, Leaf Guard, provides protection from major status ailments during strong sunlight, complementing its forest-dwelling nature.
Pokedex Entries
Within dense forests, this Pokémon lives in a pack with others of its kind. It’s incredibly aggressive, and the other Pokémon of the forest fear it.
Once the vines on Zarude’s body tear off, they become nutrients in the soil. This helps the plants of the forest grow.
Zarude Name Origin & Design Inspiration
The name Zarude combines elements suggesting both the 'rogue' nature emphasized in its species designation and primate characteristics central to its design. In Japanese, it is written as ザルード (Zarude), with the name likely derived from 'zaru' (Japanese for monkey) and possibly 'rude' or similar phonetic elements suggesting its aggressive personality. The Rogue Monkey Pokémon designation reflects its pack-based yet independently fierce nature—neither fully wild nor domesticated, operating under primal instinct and social hierarchy. Visually, Zarude draws inspiration from real-world primates, particularly mandrills and baboons, translating their natural aggression and physical strength into Pokémon form. The distinctive vine appendages represent a biological synthesis of plant and animal characteristics, embodying the Dark/Grass dual typing through physical manifestation. These vines serve multiple narrative and mechanical purposes, functioning as weapons, tools, and ecological contributors that reinforce Zarude's role as both apex predator and forest custodian. The design philosophy emphasizes contradiction—a creature simultaneously feared and beneficial, destructive yet nurturing, wild yet capable of profound care and social bonding, particularly evident in Dada Zarude's departure from traditional pack aggression to nurture an orphaned human child.
Learnable Moves
Zarude can learn 82 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| acrobatics | flying | Physical | 55 | 100 | 15 |
| aerial ace | flying | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| assurance | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 10 |
| bind | normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 20 |
| 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 |
| bullet seed | grass | Physical | 25 | 100 | 30 |
| close combat | fighting | Physical | 120 | 100 | 5 |
| crunch | dark | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| dark pulse | dark | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| darkest lariat | dark | Physical | 85 | 100 | 10 |
| dig | ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| double edge | normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| drain punch | fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 10 |
| encore | normal | Status | — | 100 | 5 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| energy ball | grass | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| fling | dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| focus punch | fighting | Physical | 150 | 100 | 20 |
| fury swipes | normal | Physical | 18 | 80 | 15 |
| giga drain | grass | Special | 75 | 100 | 10 |
| giga impact | normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| grass knot | grass | Special | — | 100 | 20 |
| grassy glide | grass | Physical | 55 | 100 | 20 |
| grassy terrain | grass | Status | — | — | 10 |
| growth | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| hammer arm | fighting | Physical | 100 | 90 | 10 |
| helping hand | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| hyper beam | normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| hyper voice | normal | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| iron tail | steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 |
| jungle healing | grass | Status | — | — | 10 |
| knock off | dark | Physical | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| lash out | dark | Physical | 75 | 100 | 5 |
| leaf storm | grass | Special | 130 | 90 | 5 |
| leer | normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 |
| low kick | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| low sweep | fighting | Physical | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| magical leaf | grass | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| mega kick | normal | Physical | 120 | 75 | 5 |
| mega punch | normal | Physical | 80 | 85 | 20 |
| mud shot | ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| nasty plot | dark | Status | — | — | 20 |
| payback | dark | Physical | 50 | 100 | 10 |
| petal blizzard | grass | Physical | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| power whip | grass | Physical | 120 | 85 | 10 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| revenge | fighting | Physical | 60 | 100 | 10 |
| roar | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| rock slide | rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| rock tomb | rock | Physical | 60 | 95 | 15 |
| round | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| scary face | normal | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| scratch | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| seed bomb | grass | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| snarl | dark | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| solar beam | grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| solar blade | grass | Physical | 125 | 100 | 10 |
| stomping tantrum | ground | Physical | 75 | 100 | 10 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sunny day | fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| superpower | fighting | Physical | 120 | 100 | 5 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| swift | normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| swords dance | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| synthesis | grass | Status | — | — | 5 |
| 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 |
| throat chop | dark | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| trailblaze | grass | Physical | 50 | 100 | 20 |
| u turn | bug | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| vine whip | grass | Physical | 45 | 100 | 25 |
Zarude Competitive Battle Guide
Zarude's competitive viability stems from its excellent base stat distribution totaling 600, with particular emphasis on physical offense and bulk. Its 120 Attack stat provides formidable offensive pressure, supported by respectable 105 HP and Defense statistics that grant surprising durability for a physical attacker. The 105 Speed tier allows Zarude to outpace many common threats, ensuring it frequently strikes first in crucial matchups. Its Dark/Grass typing presents a unique dual-type combination offering resistance to Electric, Grass, Water, Ground, and Psychic-type moves—seven resistance matchups that grant significant defensive utility—while granting immunity to Psychic-type moves through its Dark typing. However, Zarude faces notable weaknesses to Bug, Fire, Flying, Ice, and Poison-type attacks, necessitating careful team construction around these vulnerabilities. Competitively, Zarude learns powerful movepool options including Jungle Healing for recovery and status cleansing, Power Whip for STAB coverage, Hammer Arm for surprising neutral coverage, and U-turn for pivoting utility. Its Leaf Guard ability provides weather-based support, becoming particularly valuable in sun-based team structures. While possessing lower Special Attack (70) limits special move viability, Zarude excels as a physical sweeper or bulky physical wallbreaker depending on investment distribution, though its Mythical status and limited availability restrict its presence in competitive circuits.
Commonly Asked Questions About Zarude
What type is Zarude?
Zarude is a dark and grass type Pokemon.
What does Zarude evolve from?
Zarude does not evolve.
What are Zarude's weaknesses?
Zarude is weak to flying, poison, bug, fire, ice, fighting and fairy type moves.
Zarude Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Zarude achieved significant cultural prominence following its announcement on Pokémon Day 2020, becoming the centerpiece of Pokémon Sword and Shield's Isle of Armor expansion and the 23rd Pokémon movie, Secrets of the Jungle. The film introduced Dada Zarude, a narrative-driven variant that fundamentally altered perceptions of Zarude from a purely aggressive predator to a creature capable of profound parental love and sacrifice. This characterization resonated deeply with audiences, transforming Zarude from a fearsome mythical beast into a sympathetic, complex character whose violation of species norms—abandoning its pack to raise a human orphan—demonstrated emotional depth rarely attributed to wild Pokémon. The movie's exploration of unconventional family structures and cross-species bonds elevated Zarude's thematic significance within Pokémon media, making it a symbol of individual choice transcending instinct. Additionally, Zarude's design and mechanics bridged player expectations of Mythical Pokémon, presenting neither the godlike power of legendary beasts nor the innocence of event legendaries, but rather a balanced, achievable companion with real competitive potential. Its dark/grass typing introduced fresh strategic possibilities to competitive Pokémon, inspiring team building innovations and expanding the metagame's tactical diversity.
Where to Find Zarude in Every Pokémon Game
Zarude remains among the most restrictively available Pokémon in the series, distributed exclusively through special events rather than standard gameplay acquisition. Initial distribution occurred through the Crown Tundra episode of Pokémon Sword and Shield's DLC, available only to players who engaged with specific event mechanics. The species cannot be encountered through normal wild encounters, breeding, or standard progression pathways, maintaining its Mythical status through deliberate scarcity. Dada Zarude represented an even more limited release, distributed specifically through the 23rd Pokémon movie's promotional campaign, available in limited quantities during specific promotional windows. Subsequent Pokémon generations have maintained Zarude's restricted availability, though some specimens may transfer through Pokémon Home if players successfully obtained them during original distribution periods. The combination of its inability to breed (Undiscovered Egg Group classification) with deliberate distribution restrictions ensures Zarude remains a precious collectible, conferring prestige upon trainers who possess legitimate specimens. This availability model reinforces Zarude's Mythical designation, distinguishing it from standard Pokémon while maintaining competitive viability for players fortunate enough to obtain official distributions. Current availability remains dependent on Nintendo's official event schedules and promotional partnerships, making future opportunities unpredictable and contingent upon global distribution announcements.