Fossil Mons

Since Generation I, Pokemon has included the mechanic of collecting fossils to resurrect and “de-extinct” the Pokemon they’re from. These Fossil Pokemon are often based on actual real prehistoric animals, making it a good excuse for some fun monster design, and perhaps a way to even introduce children to the concept of extinct paleofauna.

In Gen I, III, IV, V, VI and VIII, the player would be presented at least two new fossil lines, but only allowed to pick one. Therefore the only way to get the other fossil line was through trade (or getting both game versions.) Only Gen I and Gen VII are outliers—Gen I had three Fossil Pokemon lines, and Gen VIII had a whole new fossil mechanic that I’ll go into in the entries for those Pokemon.

Almost all Fossil Mons are part Rock-type. This, we can assume, has to do with the Pokemon being resurrected from a fossil—though I consider it less of an in-universe explanation, and more of a flavour for gameplay. It makes sense for a Pokemon that comes from a fossil to be part Rock. It’s only the Gen VIII Fossil Mons that are outliers here, again.

Pokemon itself has singled out this special section of their roster. Most notably with the Pokemon Fossil Museum, a travelling exhibition that highlights Fossil Mons and the animals they’re based on. (Something I would DIE to go to, if it would only come to Canada…)

Here are all the Fossil Mons in the series (so far). Click for more information and analysis on them!

GEN I
Helix Fossil Omanyte & Omastar	Dome Fossil Kabuto & Kabutops	Old Amber Aerodactyl

GEN III
Root Fossil Lileep & Cradily	Claw Fossil Anorith & Armaldo

GEN IV
Skull Fossil Cranidos & Rampardos	Armor Fossil Sheildon & Bastiodon

GEN V
Cover Fossil Tirtouga & Carracosta	Plume Fossil Archen & Archeops

GEN VI
Jaw Fossil Tyrunt & Tyrantrum	Sail Fossil Amaura & Aurorus

GEN VIII
Fossilized Bird/Drake Dracozolt	Fossilized Bird/Dino Arctozolt	Fossilized Fish/Drake Dracovish	Fossilized Fish/Dino Arctovish