Fossil Pokémon are Pokémon which can be obtained from specific fossils.
All of these Pokémon are of dual Rock-Type, except for Cranidos. They all evolve at Level 40 with the exception of Cranidos and Shieldon, which evolve at Level 30, then Archen and Tirtouga, which evolve at Level 37, and Aerodactyl, who does not evolve at all. In Generation IV, addtional Fossils can be also found in the Underground or Ruins of Alph. In Generation V, additional Fossils can be also found in Twist Mountain or Antique Shops in Join Avenue. In Generation VI, additional Fossils can be also found in Glittering Cave.
Generation I Fossil Pokémon[]
These Pokémon can be obtained in Pokémon Red and Blue, Pokémon Yellow, and in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen by handing their fossil over to the weird scientist at the Lab on Cinnabar Island.
Kabuto and Kabutops[]
Kabuto is a shellfish Water and Rock-Type Pokémon revived from a Dome Fossil. It evolves into Kabutops. It is possibly based on a Cheirurus ingricus.
Omanyte and Omastar[]
Omanyte is a spiral Water and Rock-Type Pokémon revived from a Helix Fossil. It evolves into Omastar. Omanyte's name and design come from the Devonian organism, Michelinoceras primum.
Aerodactyl and Mega Aerodactyl[]
Aerodactyl is a fossil Flying and Rock-Type Pokémon revived from Old Amber. After evolves from pre-evolution known as Aerodactyl, Mega Aerodactyl is the only Fossil Pokémon that evolved. Its name and design the prehistoric animal, Nyctosaurus gracilis. Aerodactyl is the only Flying/Rock Type Pokémon until Generation V. In the game and manga it is revived in Cinnabar Island
Generation III Fossil Pokémon[]
These Fossils can be found in the desert area east of Lavaridge Town in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. They are in the Crumbling Tower which requires a Mach Bike to get to the top. They can be brought back to life by a Devon worker in Rustboro City. You can get the fossil you did not choose after beating the Elite 4 and going to the fossil maniac's house.
Anorith and Armaldo[]
Anorith is based on the Anomalocaris canadensis. It is a Bug and Rock-Type Pokémon revived from a Claw Fossil. It evolves into Armaldo.
Lileep and Cradily[]
Lileep is a crinoid Grass and Rock-Type Pokémon revived from a Root Fossil. It evolves into Cradily.
Relicanth[]
- Relicanth doesn't have any fossils. It is based on Coelacanth, an living fossil fish.
Generation IV Fossil Pokémon[]
You can bring these Pokémon back to life at the Oreburgh Museum.
Cranidos and Rampardos[]
Cranidos is a head butt Rock-Type Pokémon revived from a Skull Fossil. It evolves into Rampardos. Its fossil can only be obtained in Pokémon Diamond or in Pokémon Platinum if the last digit of your trainer ID is an odd number. It is the only Fossil Pokémon who only has one type. Cranidos and Rampardos is based on the Pachycephalosaurus wyomingensis.
Shieldon and Bastiodon[]
Shieldon is a shield Steel and Rock-Type Pokémon revived from an Armor Fossil. It evolves into Bastiodon. Its fossil can only be obtained in Pokémon Pearl, Pokémon Platinum, and Pokemon Black & White if the last digit of your trainer ID is an even number. It is based on a ceratopsian dinosaur, like Zuniceratops christopheri.
Generation V Fossil Pokémon[]
These fossil are found inside the Relic Castle the player can bring these Pokémon back to life at the Nacrene Museum.
Tirtouga and Carracosta[]
Tirtouga is based on an Ancylotherium hennigi. It is a Water/Rock-type Pokémon revived from a Cover Fossil. Carracosta is the evolved form of Tirtouga. It is a Water/Rock-type Pokémon.
Archen and Archeops[]
Archen is based on an Archaeopteryx lithographica. It is a Rock/Flying-type Pokémon revived from a Plume Fossil. Archeops is the evolved form of Archen. It is a Rock/Flying-type Pokémon.
Generation VI Fossil Pokémon[]
These fossil are found inside the Glittering Cave the player can bring these Pokémon back to life at the Fossil Lab.
Tyrunt and Tyrantrum[]
Tyrunt is based on an Tyrannosaurus rex. It is a Rock/Dragon-type Pokémon revived from a Jaw Fossil. Tyrantrum is the evolved form of Tyrunt. It is a Rock/Dragon-type Pokémon.
Amaura and Aurorus[]
Amaura is based on an Amargasaurus cazaui. It is a Rock/Ice-type Pokémon revived from a Saw Fossil. Aurorus is the evolved form of Amaura. It is a Rock/Ice-type Pokémon.
Generation VIII Fossil Pokémon[]
Dracosaur and Velozolt[]
- Dracosaur, the Baboon-Lizard Pokémon. It is based on an Chacmavenator mbwuniensis. It is a Rock/Dragon-type Pokémon revived from a Fossilized Drake.
- Velozolt, the Terror Pokémon. It is based on an Kelenken guillermoi. It is a a Rock/Electric-type Pokémon revived from a Fossilized Bird.
Dunklevish and Arctophoca[]
- Dunklevish, the Ancient Fish Pokémon. It is based on an Dunkleosteus terrelli. It is a Rock/Water-type Pokémon revived from a Fossilized Fish.
- Arctophoca, the Prehistoric Mammal Pokémon. It is based on an Cadborosaurus congluscens (Caddy). It is a a Rock/Ice-type Pokémon revived from a Fossilized Dino.
Other[]
- While normally just a Legendary Pokémon, a Groudon fossil is recovered by Butler in Jirachi: Wish Maker and used to resurrect it as Virus Groudon.
- Genesect were restored from fossils by Team Plasma.
Trivia[]
- Generation II and Generation VII are the only Generations not to introduce its own Fossil Pokémon.
- This makes it so that Generation VII is the only odd-numbered generation that didn't introduce any Fossil Pokémon.
- Generation I is the only Generation to introduce three fossils from which to get fossil Pokémon.
- The fossil Pokémon in Generation I are the only Rock-type Pokémon that aren't part Ground-type introduced in that Generation.
- Most of the Fossil Pokémon have special attributes:
- Aerodactyl is the only Fossil Pokémon that doesn't evolve (not counting Mega Evolution). It is also the only Fossil Pokémon that used to have a unique type but now does not.
- Cranidos and Rampardos are the only Fossil Pokémon that aren't dual type.
- Archen and Archeops are the only Fossil Pokémon that don't have a Hidden Ability.
- Tirtouga and Carracosta are the only Fossil Pokémon that have the Rock-type as their secondary type.
- All of the Fossil Pokémon in Generation VIII are the first to not have the Rock-type or have genders.
- The Cranidos line are the only single-type Fossil Pokémon.
- The Tirtouga line are the only Fossil Pokémon to have the Rock-type as a secondary type instead of a primary one.
- The Generation V fossils and the Generation I fossils share their type combinations.
- The Lileep line is the only Fossil Pokémon that is based on an animal that still lives in the modern age.