The sixth generation (Generation VI) of the Pokémon franchise features 72 fictional species of creatures introduced to the core video game series in the 2013 Nintendo 3DS games Pokémon X and Y. Some Pokémon in this generation were introduced in animated adaptations of the franchise before X and Y. This generation featured the series' largest graphical overhaul: a shift from two-dimensional sprites to three-dimensional polygons. A new type (Fairy) was introduced for the first time since Gold and Silver in 1999, bringing the total to 18. Greater emphasis was placed on making Pokémon species more unique and in-tune with the culture and fauna of Europe, namely France.
All Pokémon were created by a team of roughly 20 artists, led by Ken Sugimori and Hironobu Yoshida. For the first time in the franchise, the generation's legendary Pokémon—specifically Xerneas and Yveltal—were not designed by Sugimori alone; he requested the help of Atsuko Nishida to move their designs forward.
The following list details the 72 Pokémon of Generation VI in order of their National Pokédex number. The first Pokémon, Chespin, is number 650 and the last, Volcanion, is number 721. Alternate forms that result in type changes and Mega Evolutions are included for convenience.
Design and development Pokémon are a species of fictional creatures created for the Pokémon media franchise. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, the Japanese franchise began in 1996 with the video games Pokémon Red and Green for the Game Boy, which were later released in North America as Pokémon Red and Blue in 1998. In these games and their sequels, the player assumes the role of a Trainer whose goal is to capture and use the creatures' special abilities to combat other Pokémon. Some Pokémon can transform into stronger species through a process called evolution via various means, such as exposure to specific items. Each Pokémon have one or two elemental types, which define its advantages and disadvantages when battling other Pokémon. A major goal in each game is to complete the Pokédex, a comprehensive Pokémon encyclopedia, by capturing, evolving, and trading with other Trainers to obtain individuals from all Pokémon species.
Development of Pokémon X and Y began in 2010 and the games were released worldwide on October 12, 2013. Director Junichi Masuda stated the three main themes of the games to be beauty, bonds and evolution. Beauty was the core focus and Masuda felt France to be a prime example of such; he brought a team to the country for study in 2011. With the games taking place in a region based on France (called Kalos), design inspiration stemmed more from European culture (e.g. the legendary trio of Xerneas, Yveltal and Zygarde have their roots in Norse mythology). More focus than usual was placed on giving new Pokémon unique elements for this generation.
A major design change for the franchise was the shift from two-dimensional sprites to three-dimensional polygons. This required a larger development team than past games, with more than 500 people involved with the games' development, inclusive of localization teams. Emphasis was placed on retaining the iconic style of Pokémon art director Ken Sugimori who has been designing Pokémon and creating the franchise's official artwork since Red and Green in 1996. A new type was also added into the game for the first time since Gold and Silver in 1999: Fairy type. This type was introduced to balance out the Dragon, Fighting, Poison, and Steel types. Dragon was previously only weak against itself and Ice, and only resisted against Steel. Fighting previously was super-effective against five different types (Normal, Ice, Rock, Dark and Steel) and only weak against Flying and Psychic types. Poison was previously only super-effective against Grass, resisted against itself, Rock, Ground and Ghost types and ineffective against Steel. Steel previously was only super-effective against Ice and Rock types and resisted against itself, Fire, Water and Electric types. Aside from this, Ghost and Dark are now neutral against Steel, improving the offensive usefulness of both types. Multiple Pokémon from previous generations, such as Jigglypuff, Gardevoir, and Marill, were retroactively assigned the new type while 13 new Pokémon, most notably Sylveon, donned the type. A new mechanic called Mega Evolution—a temporary form change akin to normal evolution—was also added for more dynamic battles and stemmed from the concepts of bonds and evolution. Mega Evolutions "refined designs to a new extreme" according to Yoshida and required considerable effort. They were made temporary to retain balance in battles and only made possible when a Pokémon is holding their respective Mega Stone to prevent players from giving them a different advantageous hold item. A variant of Mega Evolution called "Primal Reversion" was introduced in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire; this mechanic is exclusive to the legendary Pokémon Groudon and Kyogre.
The titles X and Y, representing the x-axis and y-axis—also reflecting different forms of thinking—were chosen early in development. The simplicity of the names was also related to the simultaneous worldwide release of the games. Designers additionally sought to make the Pokémon names the same in every country whenever possible. Masuda expressed that this effort proved exceptionally difficult as the names have to feel fitting to their physical appearance and not infringe upon any rights. At the request of Masuda, the shapes "X" and "Y" were used as the framework for the boxart legendary Pokémon: Xerneas and Yveltal. Normally, Sugimori designs the legendary Pokémon by himself; however, he required assistance from designer Atsuko Nishida to create Xerneas and Yveltal. Finalization of their designs took about 18 months, 3 times longer than normal. Manga artist Hitoshi Ariga was requested to assist in creating Pokémon for X and Y; Ariga ultimately designed ten species for the games. It is speculated by fans that the designs for the Chespin, Fennekin and Froakie evolutionary lines stem from typical role-playing game character classes, such as those in Final Fantasy. Chespin represents the knight, paladin and fighter classes; Fennekin represents the witch, mage and magician classes; and Froakie represents the ninja, thief and rogue classes.
List of Pokémon
Chespin Quilladin Chesnaught Fennekin Braixen Delphox Froakie Frogadier Greninja Bunnelby Diggersby Fletchling Fletchinder Talonflame Scatterbug Spewpa Vivillon Litleo Pyroar Flabébé Floette Florges Skiddo Gogoat Pancham Pangoro Furfrou Espurr Meowstic Honedge Doublade Aegislash Spritzee Aromatisse Swirlix Slurpuff Inkay Malamar Binacle Barbaracle Skrelp Dragalge Clauncher Clawitzer Helioptile Heliolisk Tyrunt Tyrantrum Amaura Aurorus Sylveon Hawlucha Dedenne Carbink Goomy Sliggoo Goodra Klefki Phantump Trevenant Pumpkaboo Gourgeist Bergmite Avalugg Noibat Noivern Xerneas Yveltal Zygarde Diancie Hoopa Volcanion
+ List of Pokémon species introduced in Generation VI (2013) Name Type(s) Evolves from Evolves into Notes Chespin(0650) ||align=center| Grass Quilladin (#651) Chespin are small creatures that can harden the quills on their head to smash rocks. Its design is based on a chestnut and a hedgehog. In the anime, Chespin was the first Grass-type starter to never be captured by Ash Ketchum, followed by Grookey. Quilladin(0651) ||align=center| Grass Chespin (#650) Chesnaught (#652) Quilladin are a kind species that have a tough shell of armour. Upon Quilladin's reveal prior to the release of X and Y, fans expressed distaste over its wrecking ball-like design. Its design has elements of a pinecone and squirrel. Chesnaught(0652) ||align=center| Grass / Fighting Quilladin (#651) Mega Evolution Chesnaught are powerful hedgehog Pokémon capable of moving tanks and withstanding explosions. It is based on Glyptodon. Fennekin(0653) ||align=center| Fire Braixen (#654) Fennekin are fox-like Pokémon whose ears can heat the air to . Its design is based on the fennec fox. Braixen(0654) ||align=center| Fire Fennekin (#653) Delphox (#655) Braixen are fox-like Pokémon that use a flaming twig stored in their tail-fur to battle. Its English name is a portmanteau of "braise" and "vixen". Braixen is also a playable character in Pokkén Tournament. Delphox(0655) ||align=center| Fire / Psychic Braixen (#654) Mega Evolution Delphox are fox-esque Pokémon that have psychic abilities and are capable of creating flames. Froakie(0656) ||align=center| Water Frogadier (#657) Froakie are frog-esque Pokémon that can secrete defensive bubbles from their back and neck. Frogadier(0657) ||align=center| Water Froakie (#656) Greninja (#658) Frogadier are agile, frog-esque Pokémon said to be capable of climbing a building in a minute. Its English name is a portmanteau of "frog" and "brigadier". Greninja(0658) ||align=center| Water / Dark Frogadier (#657) Mega Evolution As a ninja frog Pokémon, Greninja are able to create shurikens from water that can slice metal. Greninja that have the ability 'Battle Bond' are capable of transforming into 'Ash-Greninja' (a form of Greninja based on the change that occurs in the Pokémon XY anime series that happens whenever Ash's Greninja has a strong connection with Ash). As of Generation 7 this transformation could be triggered in-game by attaining a Greninja with the ability battle bond, by completing the demo for Pokémon Sun and Moon. Greninja was designed by Yusuke Ohmura. Greninja's name is a portmanteau of the French word for frog (grenouille) and "ninja". Greninja's design has been well received by fans and critics alike. In a 2016 poll, Greninja was voted as the most popular Pokémon in Japan. In the 2020 Pokémon of the Year Poll run by Google, Greninja was the most voted Pokémon in the world. It is also a playable character in the crossover fighting game Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Bunnelby(0659) ||align=center| Normal Diggersby (#660) Bunnelby are rabbit-esque Pokémon that use their large ears as shovels to dig burrows. Their ears are extremely strong and cannot break. Bunnelby's design is inspired by the local wildlife of France. Diggersby(0660) ||align=center| Normal / Ground Bunnelby (#659) Diggersby are rabbit-esque Pokémon that are said to be as powerful as an excavator and can lift boulders weighing one ton with their ears. They are popular with construction workers. Fletchling(0661) ||align=center| Normal / Flying Fletchinder (#662) Fletchling are small robin Pokémon that are known for being both friendly and fiercely territorial. Fletchling is the standard early-game Flying-type Pokémon. Fletchinder(0662) ||align=center| Fire / Flying Fletchling (#661) Talonflame (#663) Fletchinder have a flame sac on their undersides that, when heated, allow them to fly faster. It is the first regional bird Pokémon to not be Normal/Flying in typing. Talonflame(0663) ||align=center| Fire / Flying Fletchinder (#662) Talonflame are falcon Pokémon, and are capable of flying at speeds of while attacking prey. During the Generation VI era (2013–2016), Talonflame was one of the most-used Pokémon in competitions. It proved incredibly useful in the "hyper-offensive" Pokémon Video Game Championships and appeared on just over 41 percent of Winter 2014 teams. The entire metagame shifted in order to counter Talonflame, with most players adding dedicated strategies to taking it down. Later iterations of the game nerfed Talonflame, culminating with Sun and Moon adding multiple counters to the Pokémon. Scatterbug(0664) ||align=center| Bug Spewpa (#665) Scatterbug cover themselves in protective powder that allow them to regulate their body temperature and survive in any climate. Spewpa(0665)