Between regional variants, Mega Evolutions, and Gigantamax, Pokemon seems to introduce new forms of Pokemon with each generation. However, while dozens of Pokemon, such as Burmy, Gastrodon, and Deerling, come in all shapes, colors, and sizes, few have more than four alternate forms, making those that do a unique and worthwhile sight to see.
Often alternate forms of a Pokemon earn their own Pokedex entry since they also influence a Pokemon’s type, moves, or stats, but that isn’t always the case with cosmetic variations. Still, whether or not they earn their own Pokedex entry, extreme form differences showcase the limitless potential for change in the Pokemon world while reinforcing how challenging it can be to catch them all.
7 Rotom
Although Rotom’s Pokedex entry in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl alludes to the fact that the small Electric-Ghost type Pokemon can possess and take on the shape of certain electronics, its alternate forms first appeared in Pokemon Platinum.
Aside from its default design, Rotom has five other variations - Heat Rotom, Wash Rotom, Frost Rotom, Fan Rotom, and Mow Rotom - that can be used in battle. Each form has its own dual-typing and learns a move that reflects its secondary type. While only six versions of Rotom are recorded in the Pokedex, Rotom has also infiltrated Pokedexes, drones, bikes, phones, and terminals throughout the series, giving it at least 11 canonical forms.
6 Silvally
In Pokemon Sun and Moon, the Legendary Pokemon Silvally and its pre-evolution, Type: Null, were designed as part of an experiment hoping to create a Pokemon capable of changing its type by recalling different memories stored on discs. While Type: Null’s powers are suppressed by its helmet, it unlocks its full potential after befriending its trainer.
Once players evolve their Type: Null, they can use memory discs to make Silvally transform into any of its 18 forms almost interchangeably, making it a valuable and versatile ally.
5 Arceus
Arceus is a Mythical Pokemon renowned by many as “The Original One” and often considered the God of all Pokemon. It designed Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina to manipulate time, space, and antimatter and is said to have had a role in creating the rest of the Pokemon world.
Considering its power and influence, it would not be fitting for Arceus to be limited to a single type. Luckily, Arceus can transform to reflect each of the 18 types by holding a corresponding Plate or Z-Crystal. While changing between each form may already give Arceus an advantage in battle at times, Pokemon Legends: Arceus added a 19th Plate that allows the Mythical Pokemon to change its type at will, making it all the more awe-inspiring and elegant.
4 Vivillon
Vivillon is perhaps most commonly associated with the pink and black Meadow Pattern, but the butterfly Pokemon has a total of 20 different designs. In Pokemon X, Y, Sun, and Moon, a Vivillon will display one of 18 wing styles based on a player’s registered location, with other variants obtainable through trading.
In addition to its location-based form differences, Vivillon can appear in two other designs - the Fancy Pattern and the elusive Pokeball Pattern. While both began as event exclusives, wild Vivillon in the Paldea region naturally appear in the Fancy Pattern, regardless of a player’s location.
3 Unown
Despite their simple appearance, Unown have one of the most influential designs in all of Pokemon because they introduced form differences to the series in the second generation. Originally, Unown had 26 forms, each resembling a letter of the Latin alphabet. In the games, Unknown occasionally leave messages for players to decode in caves, but they also made a noteworthy appearance in the third Pokemon movie.
Around the third generation, question mark and exclamation mark Unown were added to the series. Unlike its predecessors, the punctuation Unown have droopy eyes and are an even more challenging and rare catch.
2 Alcremie
Inspired by whipped cream, Alcremie is a sweet Pokemon with 63 forms and the ability to Gigantamax. To evolve a Milcery into the desired Alcremie variation, players must hand the pre-evolution one of seven Sweets that the cream Pokemon will later wear on their head and spin. Depending on the time of the spin, its direction, and duration, Alcremie’s color, or flavor, will change.
Registering Alcremie’s forms to the Pokedex takes time and dedication, but there’s nothing like seeing those efforts pay off by looking at its complete entry. With so many different designs, a trainer’s favorite Alcremie is a matter of personal taste.
1 Spinda
Although Spinda may not be the strongest fighter, the spotted panda Pokemon is appropriately abundant in one thing: spots. Spinda’s spots have so many possible layouts that there is less than a one in four billion chance that two of the Pokemon will ever share the same pattern and several of its Pokedex entries claim that each Spinda has its own unique design.
In a world where form differences are so abundant, Spinda is an unsuspecting paragon of change and diversity. The Pokedex may never list out all of Spinda’s alternate designs, but its patterns make it a much more complex and collectible Pokemon nonetheless.