Palafin is a Water-typePokémon in the franchise of the same name. It was introduced in the ninth generation. It evolves from Finizen starting at level 38 when in a group using the Union Circle. Palafin transforms into its Hero Form when it is switched out from battle.
Zero Form Palafin is an aquatic Pokémon that resembles a dolphin. Its body is mainly light blue. Its underbelly and the underside of its fins are colored in a paler shade of light blue, which extends further to its lower jaw and around its eyes. The tip of its dorsal fin and the wave patterns on the sides of its body are white. It has eyes with two-tone blue and pink irises, a short snout, a pair of flippers, a blowhole atop its head, and a split tailfin with a single water ring surrounding the peduncle. Overall, it is almost identical to Finizen, its pre-evolved form, except for one single detail: a light pink heart-shaped mark on its chest, outlined by a slightly larger white one.
Palafin is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Jet Punch. It is also the only known Pokémon that can have Zero to Hero as an Ability.
Hero Form[]
Hero Form Palafin's appearance is drastically different, having given up its previous sleek, streamlined body in favor of a much more bulky and human-like physique. It is now able to stand on the flukes of its tail fin, which are longer and more slender than those of its Zero Form. Its body is now primarily indigo, although some parts, such as its sides, lower jaw, and the bottom of its flukes are colored in a pale shade of light blue. Its dorsal fin now has a white stripe in addition to the white tip. The heart-shaped mark on its chest has expanded into a shape that somewhat resembles a shield, now occupying most of its chest and abdomen. Notably, the central heart has deepened in color, going from light pink to dark pink, and also resembles the shape of a cetacean's tail flukes. As a result of its transformation, its eyes, the tip of its flippers, and shoulders have been covered by a set of bubble lenses, gloves, and cape, respectively. There are now three water rings around its peduncle.
As seen in the anime, Hero Form Palafin is able of stretching and contracting its water rings at will, as well as shooting them off its body. By releasing water from its blowhole, it can propel itself to jump very high and fly through the air. Despite the shape of its gloves, Hero Form Palafin does not gain hands upon changing into this form; instead, the tip of its flippers now have three small holes, from which it appears to expel the water needed to form its gloves and fire them off like jets of water. It has enhanced vision due to the bubble lenses that cover its eyes. The dark pink symbol on its chest glows pink as Hero Form Palafin takes on the people's cheers. That same episode also revealed that its chest is its weak point. In this form, it is known as the Pelagic Protector and the Hero of the Ocean.
While in its Zero Form, Palafin is said to be equal to Finizen in terms of physical capabilities. Once it changes into its Hero Form, however, Palafin reaches its full power, being strong enough to lift a cruise ship with just one fin and swim at speeds of 50 knots. It is known to save drowning people and Pokémon. According to Professor Friede's Pokémon Seminar, the sense of justice on Palafin's heart is its biggest source of strength.
Appearances[]
Main Pokémon games[]
Other Pokémon games[]
In the anime[]
Origin & Inspiration[]
Palafin appears to be based on a dolphin, particularly a bottlenose dolphin.
Palafin may be a combination of paladin and fin or dolphin.
Palafin evolving from Finizen at level 38 may be a reference to 1938, the year Superman debuted.
Palafin may be a combination of paladin or pal (since another player is needed to evolve it) and fin or dolphin.
