Primal Reversion
- Primal redirects here. For the Pokémon from Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky, see Primal Dialga.
Primal Reversion (Japanese: ゲンシカイキ Primal Regression) is an ancient transformation affecting Kyogre and Groudon. It debuted in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.
The process is said to restore Kyogre and Groudon's true powers as it absorbs the energy of nature to greatly increase its potential. It has been described in-game as an ancient form of Evolution.[1] It is similar but unrelated to Mega Evolution, both granting the Pokémon tremendous strength and power but activated through different energy sources.[2] Primal Reversion has been absent from the core series since Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, though it still appears in spin-off games such as Pokémon GO and Pokémon Masters EX, as well as in other media.
Terminology
- Main article: Terminology of Primal Reversion
Primal Reversion uses the same English name but a different Japanese name to refer specifically to the transformed version of a Pokémon: Primal Reversion (Japanese: ゲンシカイキのすがた Primal Regression's Form). This appears as the name of this form of Kyogre and Groudon in the Pokédex, including in Pokémon HOME.
Pokémon that have undergone Primal Reversion are distinguished by the word "Primal" (starting with a capital letter) in front of their species name: Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon. Each is referred to as their primal form in Generation VI and Pokémon GO, or as primal state in Generation VII, written in lowercase (Japanese: 原始の姿 primal form/state).
In the core series games
History
Primal Reversion was first discovered thousands of years ago, during the Hoenn region's primal age.[3] The Draconid people of ancient Hoenn named the transformation after the natural energy that used to be numerous. They also named their ancient tormentors Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre.[4]. The duo fought for this energy in constant clashes throughout the years. Eventually, it got a point they nearly destroyed the world after 20 days of clashes.[5] The transformation was forgotten from history once Mega Rayquaza defeated the duo and the natural energy disappeared overtime.
In the modern day, another occurrence of Primal Reversion was accomplished by Team MagmaOR/Team AquaAS through the use of the Red OrbOR/Blue OrbAS, awakening GroudonOR/KyogreAS. Unable to be controlled, Groudon/Kyogre started creating disastrous weather effects, similar to those from their clash thousands of years ago. They were attracted to the Cave of Origin in Sootopolis City, as it contained the very same natural energy to complete their Primal Reversion. Prior to awakening, the player was given the opposite orb that is used suppress the power of the Pokémon—The Blue Orb for GroudonOR/Red Orb for Kyogre.AS.
Gameplay
In battle
In order to undergo Primal Reversion, Kyogre and Groudon only need to be holding the appropriate colored orb (the Blue Orb for Kyogre and the Red Orb for Groudon). Like Mega Stones, orbs cannot be removed during battle if held by the appropriate Pokémon. Unlike Mega Evolution, however, the player does not need a Key Stone or have to manually trigger Primal Reversion; it will simply happen automatically after Kyogre or Groudon enters a battle and after any entry hazards take effect, but before the activation of weather-changing Abilities.
If a Pokémon that has undergone Primal Reversion faints and then is revived, it will still be in its primal form after revival. In contrast, this does not occur to a Pokémon that has Mega Evolved or undergone Ultra Burst.
In a Rotation Battle, Kyogre or Groudon will only undergo Primal Reversion if it is sent out in the primary position; the Primal Reversion will not activate if the Pokémon is sent out in a secondary position at the start of the battle and then rotated to the primary position. Also, unlike Mega Evolution and Ultra Burst, there is no limit to the number of times a Primal Reversion may be performed per battle.
Outside of battle
In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, if Kyogre or Groudon is holding the appropriate orb for Primal Reversion when it is entered into a Pokémon Contest Spectacular, it will automatically appear in its primal form for the entirety of the show. However, this has no effect on the Pokémon's performance.
Pokémon capable of Primal Reversion
| Pokémon | Before Primal Reversion | After Primal Reversion | Orb | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image | Type | Ability | Image | Type | Ability | ||
| Kyogre | 
|
Water | Drizzle | 
|
Water | Primordial Sea |  Blue Orb |
| Groudon | 
|
Ground | Drought | 
|
Ground Fire | Desolate Land |  Red Orb |
Base stat comparison
Similar to Mega Evolution, Primal Reversion increases a Pokémon's base stat total by 100.
| Pokémon | Kyogre |
Kyogre |
Groudon |
Groudon | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP |
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| Defense |
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| Sp. Attack |
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| Sp. Defense |
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| Speed |
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| Total | 670 | 770 | 670 | 770 |
Gallery
 
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| Icons from Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire | Icons from Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon |
In the spin-off games
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series
Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon
Kyogre and Groudon undergo Primal Reversion during the entirety of their boss fights in Ocean Tempest and Magma Chamber, respectively. However, after recruiting them, there is no method for Kyogre or Groudon to undergo Primal Reversion, not even after attaching an Awakening Emera to their Looplet, which normally enables Mega Evolution for other Pokémon species.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX
After the credits roll, Kyogre and Groudon undergo Primal Reversion during the second phase of their boss fights in Stormy Sea and Magma Cavern, respectively. Unlike in Super Mystery Dungeon, Kyogre and Groudon can undergo Primal Reversion after recruiting them by consuming an Empowerment Seed, which also gives them the Awakened state. They revert to their regular forms when inflicted with a status condition or after leaving the dungeon.
Pokémon GO
- Main article: Mega Evolution (GO)
Primal Reversion was introduced in Pokémon GO on February 18, 2023. Rather than using the Red Orb or Blue Orb, an eligible Pokémon instead consumes Primal Energy to undergo a temporary Primal Reversion. Primal Reversion is functionally similar to Mega Evolution. The only differences are the types affected by the 1.3× power boost given to allies in raids (Primal Groudon affects the Grass, Fire and Ground types, while Primal Kyogre affects the Electric, Water and Bug types) and that the damage bonuses are active whenever the Primal Pokémon is in the party, not only when it is on the field. A player can only have one active Mega Evolution or Primal Reversion at a time.
Pokémon Masters EX
Certain Pokémon in sync pairs can undergo Primal Reversion via their passive skills in Pokémon Masters EX.
| Trainer | Before Primal Reversion | After Primal Reversion | Passive skill changes |
|---|---|---|---|
 May (Champion) |
 Kyogre 
|
 Primal Kyogre
|
Blue Power Awakening → Primordial Ocean of Myths |
 Brendan (Champion) |
 Groudon
|
 Primal Groudon
|
Red Power Awakening → Desolate Land of Myths |
In animation
Pokémon the Series
Pokémon the Series: XY
Groudon and Kyogre appeared and underwent Primal Reversion in the Mega Evolution Special III, to try and take possession of an incredible source of power at the coast of Rustboro City, the Giant Rock. After battling each other, Alain, and Steven, a Mega Rayquaza appeared defeated the two, forcing both back into their regular forms.
A Primal Groudon and a Primal Kyogre also appeared in Hoopa and the Clash of Ages, where they were summoned and controlled by Hoopa Unbound along with the Pokémon of myth and Kyurem to battle Ash, Pikachu, Hoopa Confined, a Shiny Rayquaza, and an Eon duo in Dahara City.
Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Animated Trailer
Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre appeared fighting each other in the Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Animated Trailer.
Pokémon Generations
In The Vision, Courtney had a vision where Groudon was awakened by her fellow Team Magma members and underwet Primal Reversion before attacking them all, but this did not deter her from her team's plans for long.
In The Cavern, Kyogre was awakened by Archie and underwent Primal Reversion with the Blue Orb in Seafloor Cavern, despite Shelly's insistence not to. It left the cavern and proceeded to spread heavy rain across Hoenn and then attack Team Aqua.
Pokémon Evolutions
In The Wish, Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre appeared battling and being calmed by Mega Rayquaza in a flashback as Zinnia told the story of the Draconid people to May.
In the manga
Pokémon Adventures
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire arc
In Groudon Returns, Archie and Maxie used the Red and Blue Orbs to Primal Reverse Groudon and Kyogre in order to help save the world from the giant meteoroid headed for the planet.
Let's Play the Pokémon Card Game XY!
Pokémon Omega Ruby Crimson Passion and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Indigo Wisdom
Movie adaptations
In the TCG
from Primal Clash
from Primal ClashPrimal Reversion was brought into the Trading Card Game with the release of Primal Clash (Gaia Volcano • Tidal Storm in Japan). Primal Reversion is an extension of the Mega Evolution Pokémon mechanics. As such, Primal Reversion Pokémon only evolve from the long-standing Pokémon-EX and are Pokémon-EX themselves. The only Primal Reversion Pokémon are the Primal Kyogre-EX and Primal Groudon-EX cards from Primal Clash and Ancient Origins. Each Primal Reversion Pokémon features an Ancient Trait. The Ancient Origins prints feature the Shiny versions of the Pokémon and replace the original Ancient Traits with θ Max, but are otherwise identical to the Primal Clash cards.
| Related cards Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format. Cards listed with a green background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats. | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Card | Type | English Expansion |
Rarity | # | Japanese Expansion |
Rarity | # |
| Primal Kyogre
|
|
Primal Clash | 
|
55/160 | Tidal Storm | 
|
032/070 |
| Primal Clash | 
|
149/160 | Tidal Storm | 
|
073/070 | ||
| Primal Kyogre
|
|
Ancient Origins |
|
96/98 | 
|
093/081 | |
| Primal Groudon
|
|
Primal Clash |
|
86/160 | Gaia Volcano |
|
040/070 |
| Primal Clash |
|
151/160 | Gaia Volcano |
|
074/070 | ||
| Primal Groudon
|
|
Ancient Origins |
|
97/98 |
|
094/081 | |
In other languages
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Primal Kyogre
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Primal Groudon
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Reference
- ↑ Weather Institute employee: "Primal Reversion is a possible form of Evolution, like and yet not like Mega Evolution... Or so it has been theorized. But it has never been achieved by any Pokémon other than the super-ancient Legendary Pokémon, and so it has been largely forgotten as a method of Evolution." (Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
- ↑ Project AZOTH File No. 1: "In Primal Reversion, Kyogre absorbs natural energy into its body, thereby increasing its power dramatically. Both states significantly enhance Pokémon’s power: the difference lies in the source of the required energy." (Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire)
- ↑ Zinnia: "Thousands of years ago, in the primal age long lost, the world was overflowing with natural energy. Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre fought over that energy in endless, furious clashes." (Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire)
- ↑ Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre | Official Site | Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
- ↑ The Legends of Hoenn Continue
