The Origins of 7 Deer Pokemon & the Real Animals Behind Them

Deer are rare in Pokemon, and the best known of them are legends. Three of the seven are legendary Pokemon that cannot breed. The four ordinary deer are all Normal types, with Grass or Psychic added for some. None of the seven has the word deer in its Pokedex category.

See all 7 deer Pokemon in one list.

Here's every deer Pokemon:

All 7 Deer Pokemon

#234

Stantler

Stantler, the Big Horn Pokemon, seems to be based on a deer, most noticeably the sika deer, and the reindeer. Its name may be a pun on shishi-odoshi, or "deer scare", Japanese devices traditionally used to scare deer and other animals away. Because its antlers resemble intimidating eyes, they may be based on medama fūsen, the eyeball balloons used to scare birds.

Its strangely shaped antlers have the power to bewitch those who see them, and medicine made by grinding up the black orbs from fallen antlers is an effective treatment for insomnia. That may reference velvet antler in traditional Chinese medicine, usually farmed from sika deer. We would take that medicine, having already tried counting actual sheep. Its Intimidate ability lowers the opponent's Attack one stage as it enters battle, which suits the staring antlers (an ability is a passive effect that works on its own in battle).

#585

Deerling

Deerling, the Season Pokemon, may be based on a sika deer fawn with a yellow flower on top of its head. It has four seasonal forms, and their colors match trees and bushes through the year: pink for spring blossoms, green for summer leaves, orange for autumn and brown for bare winter branches.

The turning of the seasons changes the color and scent of its fur, and people use it to mark the seasons. We mark the seasons by which coat is on the chair. It is 0.6 m tall and weighs 19.5 kg. Its hidden ability, Serene Grace, doubles the chance of its moves' extra effects (a hidden ability is a rarer second ability some Pokemon can have).

#586

Sawsbuck

Sawsbuck may be based on Père David's deer, a species that decorates its antlers with foliage during the breeding season. Each of its forms represents one of the four seasons, and the foliage in its antlers changes like a deciduous tree. It may also come from the Four Stags of Yggdrasill, which eat among the branches of the world tree in Norse mythology and are sometimes associated with the seasons.

Another candidate is a tall tale of Baron Munchausen, who shoots a stag with cherry pits from his musket. The stag escapes and comes back a year later with a cherry tree growing out of its head. (We have several questions about the baron's hunting.) Sawsbuck migrate according to the seasons, so some people call them the harbingers of spring. Its Chlorophyll ability doubles its Speed in strong sunlight (Speed decides who attacks first in a turn).

#638

Cobalion

Cobalion, the Iron Will Pokemon, resembles hoofed animals, most notably the markhor (a type of goat), the stag and antelopes such as the greater kudu. It belongs to the Swords of Justice, a group of legendary Pokemon that draws on The Three Musketeers, and like the rest of its trio, its nose is shaped like that of a sheep or goat. Its Steel type may reference Athos's title of Count de la Fère, a pun on fer, French for iron.

Cobalion radiates the air of a leader from the moment it is born, and its presence will calm even vicious foes. We radiate the air of someone who has lost their keys. It stands 2.1 m tall and weighs 250 kg.

#640

Virizion

Virizion, the Grassland Pokemon, resembles antelopes such as the gerenuk or other gazelles, and it may also be based on a stag. The shape of its head resembles a tricorne hat, the kind worn by Spanish and French musketeers in the 17th and 18th centuries. Its Grass type may reference Aramis's real name, René d'Herblay, which contains herb.

Virizion darts around opponents with a flurry of quick movements, slicing them up with its horns. We dart around people too, mostly in the grocery store. Its Justified ability raises its Attack one stage when a Dark move hits it.

#716

Xerneas

Xerneas, the Life Pokemon, is shaped like the letter X and resembles a cervid, more specifically the extinct deer Eucladoceros. It may be based on Eikþyrnir, a stag of Norse myth that lives in Valhalla, eats the foliage of Læraðr and has glowing horns that drip with dew, and on the four stags that eat the branches of Yggdrasil. It may also come from Cernunnos of Celtic mythology, a life-giving deity known as the "horned god".

When the horns on its head shine in seven colors, it is said to be sharing everlasting life. We share leftovers in the same spirit. It is legendary (a rare Pokemon tied to the game's big story), and it stands 3 m tall. It looks much like the deer legendaries before it, Cobalion in particular.

#899

Wyrdeer

Wyrdeer, the Big Horn Pokemon, seems to be based on the Yezo sika deer and the reindeer. The Yezo sika deer is native to Hokkaido, the region of Japan that Hisui is based on, and the Ainu people count it as very important because its hide is essential for clothing, much like Hisui's people treasure Wyrdeer fur. Its white beard and eyebrows resemble elderly Ainu men, and also the usual picture of a wizard or Santa Claus.

The black orbs on its antlers shine with an uncanny light when it puts up invisible barriers, and the fur shed from its beard keeps heat well and makes useful winter clothing. We approve of a Santa who grew his own coat.

Every Deer That Can Breed Has Sap Sipper

Sap Sipper absorbs Grass moves and raises Attack by one stage. Stantler, Deerling, Sawsbuck and Wyrdeer all have it, and the other three deer on this list are legendary Pokemon that cannot breed. It is a regular ability for Deerling and Sawsbuck and a hidden ability, a rarer third slot, for Stantler and Wyrdeer.

Deer Pokemon FAQ

How many deer Pokemon are there?

There are 7 deer Pokemon: Stantler, Deerling, Sawsbuck, Cobalion, Virizion, Xerneas and Wyrdeer.

What is the strongest deer Pokemon?

Xerneas, with a base stat total of 680. Among the deer Pokemon that are not legendary, Wyrdeer is the highest at 525.

Is Xerneas a deer?

Yes. Xerneas resembles a cervid, the deer family, in particular the extinct Eucladoceros, and it draws on the stags of Norse myth.

Is Cobalion a deer?

No. Cobalion resembles several hoofed animals at once, most notably the markhor, a type of goat, along with the stag and antelopes such as the greater kudu.

Does Deerling change with the seasons?

Yes. The turning of the seasons changes the color and scent of its fur, and it has four seasonal forms.