Volcanion in the Video Games

Pokémon X and Pokémon Y (October 2013)

Pokémon X and Pokémon Y were released at the same time, and although they were separate games, they only had minor differences. Both of them were the same in that upon their release, neither featured Volcanion in their normal gameplay. Rather, Volcanion was obtained only through a special Nintendo distribution event that were both region- and time-specific. In North America, free serial code cards could be picked up in-person at participating GameStop stores in the US or EB Games in Canada between October 10 and October 31, 2016 (although the codes were valid through January 31, 2017).

In the game, go to Lumiose Press and talk to the lady seated behind the desk in the back right corner of the room. If you don’t have Volcanion, the lady will not be there. The female Pokémon Ranger standing near her desk will tell you, “The editor in chief left a note on the desk. She’s been gone for a long time. I’ve never seen her before. I wonder what kind of person she is.”

The memo on her desk states, “I’ll be away to pursue the Mythical Pokémon. First, I’ll go deep into the mountains.”

If the lady at the desk, the editor in chief is there, the Pokémon Ranger will tell you, "Finally, I got to know our editor in chief. She finished her research about the Mythical Pokémon Volcanion and came back to the office." The lady at the desk says: “Whoa! S-sorry! I was so surprised! I’ve been looking for Volcanion for 15 years. And finally, finally, I met a Trainer who’s traveling with it! I traveled everywhere to gather the information about Volcanion and put together a memo. I’ll let you read the memo. But just for you, because it’s top secret.”

The memo marked as "Top Secret" has the following bits of information, which the editor in chief is happy to share with you:

"My top-secret memo about Volcanion... If you're Volcanion's Trainer, I wouldn't mind you reading it."

“On the XXth day of the XXth month at the Pokémon Day Care on Route 7: About the extraordinary power that Volcanion is said to possess. Discussed it with a top Breeder who’s very familiar with the ecology of Pokémon and drew the following deduction. In order to cause a steam explosion powerful enough to blow up mountains, the Pokémon must have an organ with extremely high temperature that can instantly vaporize water to steam. That kind of organ is unheard of in the ecology of Pokémon, but Volcanion may have it…”

“On the XXth day of the XXth month at the Pokémon Center in Camphrier Town: Interviewed a Trainer who says he witnessed a Pokémon that could be Volcanion when he was stranded in a mountain. According to the Trainer, a huge Pokémon’s shadow appeared suddenly. Two huge armlike limbs that could crush even the land extended from its back, and from their tips, something that looked like smoke belched out and made the fog around the Pokémon even thicker. The Trainer said the Pokémon’s shadow slowly disappeared into the fog.”

“On the XXth day of the XXth month at Café Kizuna in Lumiose City: In the southern part of the Kalos region, there seems to be a custom to revere Volcanion as a nation-building Pokémon. People seem to believe that a steam explosion caused by Volcanion created the plain where they live. As a matter of fact, a huge mountain range suddenly disappeared due to an unexplained explosion in that part of the region in the past…”

In parting, the editor in chief tells you, “If you feel like reading my memo, come visit me anytime. Volcanion seems to trust you. I want you and Volcanion to travel together as good partners to each other!”

Volcanion could be obtained through the same distribution event as above in 2016. Once you have obtained Volcanion, go to Hoenn’s One and Only TV Network, TV Mauville.

A man, the head of the TV studio, can be found standing in the control room in the back left of the building. He shows you “some top-secret specials” the studio had made about Volcanion, but things didn’t pan out, and the TV show ended up getting shelved. He says, “Hot diggidy! That’s a Volcanion you have there, isn’t it? As far as I know, the people in that group are the only ones in history to have seen this Pokémon. To think that I’d meet a Trainer who not only found Volcanion, but actually caught it! What a day! I like you, kid!

The man shows you the special edition of "MVTV: Explorations of the Ancient World!" which is divided into three parts. The TV show is narrated by the "famous explorer" Brandon.

Part One. Join us deep in the swamplands of the Kalos region where we found a mythical Volcanion!
Explorer: “B-boss! There it is! It’s a Volcanion!”
Brandon: “Oh! Get back! If it blows, it could send even huge mountains flying! It can change moisture into super-heated steam in an instant with its internal organ causing a massive explosion!”
Explorer: “That was a close one! Thanks for saving me, boss!”
Brandon: “Stay alert at all times! Don’t forget your courage sensor!”

Part Two. Join us in the untouched woodlands of the Sinnoh region where we found a mythical Volcanion!
Explorer: “B-boss! There it is! It’s a Volcanion!”
Brandon: “Oh! Get back! Look at those arm-like things growing out of its back! It uses those to suck in moisture to turn into a thick fog! If we stay here, we’ll be trapped in the fog!”
Explorer: “That was a close one! Thanks for saving me, boss!”
Brandon: “Stay alert at all times! Don’t forget your courage sensor!”

Part Three. Join us on a desert island in the Johto region where we found a mythical Volcanion!
Explorer: “B-boss! There it is! It’s a Volcanion!”
Brandon: “Oh! Get back! An explosion from Volcanion can even change mountain ranges into plains! It’s thought that ancient land masses were formed in that way.”
Explorer: “That was a close one! Thanks for saving me, boss!”
Brandon: “Stay alert at all times! Don’t forget your courage sensor!”

This seems to imply there is more than one Volcanion and that they can be found in a number of different regions and environments.

Originally released as Pokémon Masters in August 2019, the game was renamed Pokémon Masters EX on its one year anniversary.

Volcanion was obtainable along with Genesect through a distribution event, but is never referenced by any NPCs or lore books in-game.

Volcanion was added as an endgame addition with the DLC.

Go to Pokémon Research Lab, take elevator to floor 3F Director’s Office and talk with Mabel.

MABEL: It’s bad news time! Listen, you won’t believe this—I found a hacked Poké Ball.

YOU: Poké Balls can be hacked? What are you talking about?

MABEL: Ah. I suppose you wouldn’t know. Poké Ball hacking was something Team Flare looked into back in the day. Our scientists developed a way to infect a Poké Ball with a computer virus and mess with it in different ways—even render it unusable. Awful, right?

Imagine what a nightmare it would’ve been for Kalos if this technology got out. And now it’s give-you-a-task time!

She hands you a Poké Ball.

MABEL: That’s the hacked Poké Ball. Would you believe it’s got the Pokémon called Volcanion inside? I’d love to know how a Mythical Pokémon that rare got caught in the first place, but I digress. Since this Poké Ball’s hacked, it’s unusable now. I want to let Volcanion out, but once I do, well… Volcanion will be out. It’ll probably be battle time. And that’s your time to shine, lackey! Once I set Volcanion loose, catch it again—but in a ball that actually works this time! Let me know when you’re ready to take on and catch Volcanion!

Ready to take on Volcanion? Got the right Pokémon and items with you? Got the guts?

YOU: Yeah, I got ‘em.

MABEL: Good for you, my brave little teacher’s pet. Now let’s get going! There’s just one minor problem. I’ve whacked together a device that should let us wipe out the virus, so we can open the Poké Ball without destroying it. But… Well, since the Poké Ball’s got such a mighty Pokémon in it, I had to use...creative methods to find a way to get the thing to open. I can basically guarantee that once Volcanion gets free, you’re gonna be dealing with one angry, powerful opponent. But you’ve got nothing to worry about, because I went and called in a Volcanion expert to help us.

YOU: There are Volcanion experts? You found someone like that?

Yvon runs up.

YVON: I’m the Volcanion expert! I’ve jogged through every street in this city, so I knew the quickest route here from Lumiose Press!

MABEL: You remember Ms. Yvon from the Z-A Royale? Well, she’s an associate editor at Lumiose Press. She found a top-secret memo about Volcanion!

YVON: The person who wrote this memo about the secret of Volcanion’s power had this to say: “In order to cause a steam explosion powerful enough to blow up mountains, the Pokémon must have an organ with extremely high temperature that can instantly vaporize water into steam.” They also talk more about how great its power can be—enough to change Kalos’s geography! “In the southern part of the Kalos region, there seems to be a custom to revere Volcanion as a nation-building Pokémon.” What’s more, “People seem to believe that a steam explosion caused by Volcanion created the plain where they live.”

MABEL: It sounds ridiculously powerful!

YVON: It’s true that there once was a huge mountain range in southern Kalos...until it was obliterated in a massive explosion of unknown origin.

MABEL: Smells like Volcanion to me. This isn’t making me thrilled about what could happen when it gets out… but no matter what, we can’t just leave it stuck in a hacked Poké Ball. So with that, I guess it’s time to introduce you to this lab’s basement!

The player finds themselves in a pitch black basement.

MABEL (via communicator): Hey, [player name]. You copy? Yvon and I are gonna be cheering you on from outside that room! We would come in with you, but...y’know. We like staying alive. Now toss out that Poké Ball with Volcanion in it!

The player nods and does as instructed. Lv. 80 Volcanion is released!

MABEL (via communicator): Yeah, that sure looks like one feisty opponent! Good luck in there!

Volcanion roars: VwwoooOOOAAARRR!

The player goes into a battle with the wild Volcanion!

YOU: Go! [Pokémon’s name]!

The battle is fought and Volcanion is captured.

MABEL (via communicator): Ding-ding-ding! Yup, you did it! To the victor goes...Volcanion! Strange how even the most riled-up Pokémon will chill out once you catch it, huh?

You return to the Director’s office.

YVON: My pulse is still racing from watching you go toe to toe with a Mythical Pokémon! If I could perhaps ask for one small favor in return for the info I provided… Would you mind letting Volcanion do away with some parts of Lumiose? Just enough to clear a nice, long track for a marath-

MABEL (shakes her head): Yeah, no. That’s not happening.

YVON: I was only joking, of course! Anyway, I think I can get a fantastic article out of all this. My editor in chief won’t believe her eyes! On that note, time to jog back to work. Lumiose Press won’t wait for me!

YVON jogs out of the room.

MABEL: I kind of get how Volcanion must’ve felt, losing its freedom thanks to Team Flare’s misdeeds… Not that my gilded cage is exactly the same as being stuck in a hacked Poké Ball. At least now Volcanion’s got a new partner! You get to show it all kinds of interesting stuff to see and do—the way only a Pokémon trainer can. I’ve got to see some pretty neat things thanks to you and your buds, too, I guess. What a ride. Now get lost, kid! Till next time, maybe!

Data breach in October 2024, revealed cut Southern Kalos map design and confirmed that the steam-vented doors in Pokémon X and Y were intended for scrapped downloadable content involving Volcanion and Team Flare.

Volcanion reveals himself shortly after the party platter is complete.

Professor Tangrowth: Oho, [player]! Everyone certainly seems to be enjoying themselves! This might even convince me to become something of a party Pokémon myself! I intend to enjoy today to the fullest! Hohoh—

There is a rumble heard (*rrruuummmble*).

Professor Tangrowth: Wha… What in the world is that?!

Cut scene of volcano as lava begins to flow and a Volcanion walks out on to a ledge above and within view of the party. Volcanion lets out a roar and the cut scene ends (see video above).

Professor Tangrowth: A Pokémon I’ve never seen before appears to be atop that volcano! Will you go talk to them, [player]?

Chef Dente: Do you think the smell of my curry even drew THAT Pokémon out?

As you approach Volcanion, he says, “It’s kinda noisy.”

Volcanion: Whoa! What’re you s’posed to be?! And what’s all that noise down there? That you and your friends, bud?

Player: It’s a party! Wanna eat some curry?

Volcanion: … … … Hah! That sounds pretty awesome, but I think I’ll pass! It’s cool that you’re all down there havin’ such a blast without any humans to help out! I was actually thinkin’ it’s kinda nice how quiet it’s been without humans around… But y’know… a little party ruckus every now and then may not be half bad!

Player: Where are the humans? What happened here?

Volcanion: Who knows? Never could bring myself to like humans. Couldn’t care less what they’re up to. I bet it’s their fault the world’s so messed up now!

I mean, uh… I guess there might be good humans too, somewhere out there. They’re a tough bunch, y’know? Can’t underestimate ‘em. I’m sure they figured out a way to survive this mess. Anyway, it’s been a hot minute since I’ve had my mood lifted quite like this, bud. It’s kinda nice! You all can consider me a friend now!

Volcanion: Well, I guess it’s about time for me to get goin’.

The professor calls up to you from down below.

Professor Tangrowth: Oooii, [player]! Were you able to make friends with that Pokémon? Are they coming to join the party?

Volcanion: Sounds like your friends are callin’ for ya, bud. I’m gonna show you all something cool real quick before I head out. It’s somethin’ the humans left behind. But first, you go back to your pals, all right?

Professor Tangrowth asks as you approach, “How did it go?”

Volcanion sets off some fireworks with his arm cannons.