Blacephalon

Within its evolutionary line, Blacephalon stands alone: it neither evolves nor comes from another species. It is a humanoid Ultra Beast with a white body and a head that functions like a firework. Its design blends the figure of a circus performer with the image of a sinister clown, while the sparks and explosions evoke pyrotechnics. It also recalls certain mythological beings capable of detaching their heads.

Pokédex entries describe calculated behaviour. It approaches with a swagger, waits for its victim to let its guard down, then suddenly blows its own head up. The shock lets it absorb vital energy, so its playful attitude is merely the outward appearance of a dangerous creature. Emerging from an Ultra Wormhole, it belongs to a family of beings that do not fit into Alola’s usual wildlife. Its silhouette can be compared to that of Mr. Mime, but the pyrotechnics and spectral element set it completely apart from that kind of performer.

Blacephalon does have a clear competitive role, especially as a special attacker in singles. Its stats are heavily concentrated: 151 Special Attack, 107 Speed and 127 Attack, compared with 53 HP, 53 Defense and 79 Special Defense. It is not designed to take hits; it comes in, attacks and gets out before the opponent can respond.

Beast Boost defines its game plan. If it defeats an opponent during that turn, it raises its highest stat, which will normally be Special Attack. This lets it chain KOs, although adjusting the EV spread can make Speed the stat that receives the boost. Its Fire and Ghost typing gives it two STAB types that are difficult to cover at the same time. It also grants immunity to Normal and Fighting, along with resistances to Bug, Fairy, Fire, Grass, Ice, Poison and Steel. In return, it is weak to Water, Ground, Rock, Ghost and Dark.

Flamethrower provides accuracy, Shadow Ball covers the second STAB type, and Fire Blast aims for more damage when accepting the risk of missing. Mind Blown hits extremely hard, but it costs HP, so it should not be used without calculating the trade-off. Entry hazards and priority attacks punish it, and its poor bulk prevents it from switching directly into many opponents. In high-level singles formats, it saw use in OU, with offensive variants as well as others based on Choice Scarf or Choice Specs.

Blacephalon belongs to the Undiscovered Egg Group and has no gender, so it cannot take part in conventional breeding. Its incubation cycles are 120, equivalent to approximately 30,855 steps using the usual formula. It also receives no Egg Moves; its options come from level-up, TMs and the Move Tutor, including Expanding Force.

Its evolutionary line ends with the species itself, so there is no evolution condition to fulfil. In Pokémon Ultra Sun, it can be obtained in Poni Grove, while in Pokémon Ultra Moon, it is obtained through a trade. It is also available in Sword and Shield after the update associated with The Crown Tundra expansion. Its catch rate is 30: it is not impossible to catch, but it is a long way from the species that are easy to add to a team. The absence of gender and breeding means each specimen has to be obtained by catching or trading.