Aurorus

Using Aurorus in a Playthrough

Amaura is revived from a Sail Fossil and evolves into Aurorus when leveled up at night starting at level 39. Aurorus is Rock/Ice with huge base 123 HP, base 99 Special Attack, and 92 Special Defense, but only base 58 Speed and a typing that creates six weaknesses. Refrigerate changes Normal-type attacks into Ice-type moves and boosts their power—by 30 percent in Generation VI and 20 percent from Generation VII onward—making Hyper Voice a strong and accurate Ice STAB option. The Hidden Ability Snow Warning automatically summons hail in older generations or snow under modern rules, making Blizzard perfectly accurate and in Generation IX also increasing the Defense of Ice-types. Freeze-Dry is especially valuable because it hits Water-types super effectively, while Earth Power, Ancient Power or Rock STAB, Stealth Rock, Thunder Wave, and coverage give Aurorus multiple roles. Water, Grass, Ground, and Rock are super effective, while Fighting and Steel deal quadruple damage. Modest is usually best because base 58 Speed is difficult to salvage, while Quiet can support Trick Room.

Aurorus in Competitive Pokémon

Aurorus was an XY NU wallbreaker whose offensive tools were much stronger than its raw base 99 Special Attack initially suggests. Refrigerate turns Hyper Voice into boosted Ice STAB that also bypasses Substitute, while Snow Warning makes Blizzard perfectly accurate and Freeze-Dry punishes Water-types that would normally resist Ice. Earth Power provides excellent coverage against Steel-, Rock-, and Fire-type answers, and Stealth Rock or Rock Polish add useful support and setup options. Smogon described Aurorus as one of XY NU's most fearsome wallbreakers and later as one of SM PU's stronger offensive threats. Its competitive ceiling is held down by defensive typing rather than movepool: six weaknesses, quadruple Fighting and Steel weaknesses, Stealth Rock vulnerability, and base 58 Speed make it easy for faster attackers to revenge kill. Aurorus succeeds by getting onto the field safely and forcing immediate damage rather than by staying in against broad portions of a team.

Aurorus in Nuzlockes

Aurorus offers excellent special offense and a very large HP pool, but it is one of the most matchup-sensitive Fossil Pokemon for a Nuzlocke. Fighting and Steel moves deal quadruple damage, while Water, Grass, Ground, and Rock are also super effective, so its 123 HP should never be mistaken for universal durability. Refrigerate Hyper Voice is reliable and accurate, while Snow Warning can make Blizzard safe from an accuracy standpoint and improve physical Ice-type bulk under Generation IX snow. Freeze-Dry is particularly useful because it lets Aurorus defeat Water-types without relying on risky neutral coverage. Its low Speed means it usually takes a hit first, making careful type knowledge far more important than raw damage. Modest maximizes the value of each safe attacking turn, while Quiet is appropriate on Trick Room teams.

Aurorus is generally quiet and gentle despite its enormous size. The diamond-shaped crystals on its body can expel air as cold as roughly −240 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing it to surround enemies in ice or instantly create defensive ice walls. Its long neck sails can change color according to mood, and its howls are associated with auroras appearing in the sky. At least one Aurorus has been discovered preserved in a glacier in a condition resembling the species' ancient living form.