Unown

Unown is a Psychic-type Pokémon introduced in the second generation of games (Gold and Silver). It takes the form of a single glyph from the Latin alphabet and has 28 distinct forms: the 26 letters A through Z plus two punctuation marks, ? and !. All forms share a common angular shape, with each form representing a different symbol. In lore and gameplay, Unown are associated with ancient alphabets and telepathic communication, and they are often depicted as capable of conveying information in the form of letters.

Unown are primarily found in the Ruins of Alph in Johto, where puzzles reveal specific shapes. They are typically encountered in groups and are considered rare. They do not evolve, have no gender, and their base statistics are relatively modest, which limits their use in standard battles. Their movepool is limited, and the different forms do not grant distinct moves; the forms are mainly cosmetic and tied to the puzzle-solving aspect of exploration.

In gameplay, Unown shapes are used to unlock lore, items, or access to certain areas within ruins or related puzzles. They are sometimes associated with the move Hidden Power, and the puzzles in various games often involve arranging or collecting certain forms to proceed.

Unown has appeared outside core games as well, including in anime and related media. The name derives from the word unknown, reflecting its cryptic, letter-like appearance and its role as a carrier of ancient messages and spells, notably depicted in the animated film Spell of the Unown.