The Galarian Moltres is a Dark/Flying type Legendary Pokémon introduced in Pokémon Sword and Shield’s The Crown Tundra DLC. It is one of the Galarian forms of the original Kanto Legendary bird Moltres. Galarian Moltres has a sinister appearance and is based on several mythological creatures and concepts.
Appearance and Design
Galarian Moltres has a very different look from the original fire/flying type Moltres. Instead of red and yellow plumage, Galarian Moltres has dark blue, black, and gray colors. Its wings and tail feathers are ragged looking. It has a metallic beak and small red eyes. Overall, Galarian Moltres has a more sinister vibe compared to the normal Moltres.
There are several mythological and folklore inspirations behind Galarian Moltres’ design:
- Fenghuang – A mythological bird in Chinese mythology that represents virtue and grace. Galarian Moltres’ colors are likely inspired by the black and blue variants of the Fenghuang.
- Thunderbird – A legendary creature in Native American folklore that is said to cause thunder and lightning. This is a reference to Galarian Moltres’ dual Dark/Flying type.
- Raven – Galarian Moltres resembles a large raven or crow. These birds are associated with death and darkness in many cultures.
- Nazgûl – The Ringwraiths from Lord of the Rings have dark cloaks and ride winged creatures. Galarian Moltres evokes the theme of these dark riders.
Overall, Galarian Moltres has clear connections to several ominous mythological creatures and concepts related to darkness, death, and lightning/storms.
Typing
Galarian Moltres retains its Flying type but gains the Dark type instead of Fire. This new Dark/Flying type represents a few key aspects of its design inspiration:
- Darkness – Matches its sinister appearance and connections to death/dark mythological motifs.
- Lightning – Many Dark type Pokémon can learn Electric moves. This references lightning birds like the Thunderbird.
- Evil – The Dark type is sometimes seen as an “evil” type. Galarian Moltres seems more malevolent compared to the normal Moltres.
In terms of gameplay, the Dark/Flying type gives Galarian Moltres a very different set of strengths, weaknesses, and moves compared to the original Fire/Flying Moltres. For example, it gains weaknesses to Fairy, Fighting, and Bug type moves while losing weaknesses to Electric and Rock types.
Behavior and Lore
Galarian Moltres exhibits some behaviors connected to its Dark type and sinister appearance:
- It is said to wander in the darkest storms and attack people and Pokémon with its destructive power.
- It roosts in the ruins and rocky peaks of the Crown Tundra area.
- It only appears during certain harsh storms and dark nights.
- It is considered an evil omen and bringer of calamity by some in the Galar region.
This lore establishes Galarian Moltres as a more vicious Legendary bird that brings darkness and storms. It lacks the heroic or graceful imagery of the normal Moltres and Fenghuang bird. Instead, it aligns with the destructive and frightening nature of the Thunderbird and Nazgûl motifs.
Origin
Galarian Moltres’ origins tie into the history and mythology of Galar:
- It was originally a normal Fire/Flying type Moltres that migrated to Galar long ago.
- Exposure to Galar’s dense Dark-type energy altered its typing and appearance over generations.
- Ancient Galarians saw its destructive storms and dark appearance as an evil omen.
This explanation provides some backstory for how a non-native Legendary like Moltres took on a Galarian form. It also connects Galarian Moltres to the region’s energy and ancient folklore.
Comparison to Original Moltres
Here is a comparison of key traits between normal Moltres and Galarian Moltres:
Trait | Normal Moltres | Galarian Moltres |
---|---|---|
Type | Fire/Flying | Dark/Flying |
Appearance | Red, yellow, and orange feathers. Flame-like wings. | Dark blue, black, and gray feathers. Ragged, ominous look. |
Inspiration | Phoenix, firebird | Fenghuang, Thunderbird, Raven, Nazgûl |
Behavior | Roosts on towering mountains. Can be destructive but not malicious. | Appears in dark storms. Considered an evil omen. Malicious tendencies. |
In summary, Galarian Moltres takes the original Moltres design and transforms it into a much more sinister and Dark-type themed Legendary bird. It retains Moltres’ general avian appearance and ties to storms/lightning but adopts darker inspirations from mythologies around the world.
Signature Move – Fiery Wrath
Galarian Moltres possesses the signature Dark type move Fiery Wrath. This move fits with Galarian Moltres’ lore and design in a few ways:
- Fiery – Matches its origin as the Fire type Moltres before adapting to Galar.
- Wrath – Evokes its destructive behavior and malevolent nature.
- Dark type – Corresponds to its new Dark/Flying typing.
Some key characteristics of Fiery Wrath:
- Category – Physical
- Power – 90
- Accuracy – 100%
- Effect – May cause target to flinch
Fiery Wrath is a strong Dark type attack that can strike fear into the target, fitting for the ominous Galarian Moltres. It’s a unique move that distinguishes Galarian Moltres from the original Legendary bird.
Conclusion
Galarian Moltres takes the Kanto Legendary bird and transforms it into a Dark/Flying type with a sinister appearance inspired by dark mythological motifs. It represents concepts like death, lightning, wrath, and misfortune in contrast to the normal Moltres’ connections to fire, rebirth, and valor. Galarian Moltres’ lore establishes it as a destructive bringer of storms and darkness in the Galar region. Overall, its design takes Moltres in a uniquely ominous and Galar-influenced direction as part of the Dark Legendary birds.