A Pokemon fan has recently devised a new future Paradox form for Heliolisk, coming up with an inventive new design for the lizard-like creature. Paradox forms were originally introduced in Gen 9 as either ancient or future versions of regular critters, and reimagining monsters using this concept became pretty popular among fan artists from the Pokemon community in recent years.

Heliolisk is an Electric/Normal-type creature originally introduced in the sixth generation of Pokemon games. To obtain this monster in Pokemon X and Y, gamers need to evolve a Helioptile using a Sun Stone after capturing it either in Route 9 or the Friend Safari. Heliolisk is a powerful pick for trainers, as it has access to powerful Electric-type moves such as Thunderbolt, Electrify, and Thunder.

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Now, a Pokemon fan artist called DefeatedPanda shared their latest work, a future Paradox form for Heliolisk called Iron Rod. This Electric/Fire-type monster looks like a robotic Heliolisk with a metal body, a solar panel disk on its long neck, and a round head. According to its creator, the Paradox Pokemon uses the disk on its neck to gather energy from the sun during sunny days and the neck as a thunder rod during thunderstorms, which explains the critter’s type.

Pokemon Fan's Future Paradox Form for Heliolisk

Curiously, this is not the first time that a fan artist has tried to create an Electric-Type future Paradox form for Heliolisk, as one fan came up with a similar concept in 2023. This Pokemon was called Iron Frill, and while it kept the idea of turning Heliolisk into a robot, it had a different, more lizard-like head, and the panel around its neck was considerably distinct from DefeatedPanda’s design.

Another Pokemon fan also created a Mega evolution for Heliolisk. In this form, the reptilian Pokemon becomes a quadruped and gains the red color, besides its classic black, yellow, and orange ones, as well as additional spikes on its body.

DefeatedPanda’s artwork is proof that, although Gen 9’s Pokemon Scarlet and Violet were released in 2022, Paradox forms are still quite popular. Last week, for example, one fan designed past Paradox forms for Nidoking and Nidoqueen, coming up with dinosaur-inspired designs for these two critters called Horned Crown and Copious Auricle, respectively. Hopefully, other fans will continue creating amazing fan art and share it with the community, especially after the launch of the upcoming Pokemon Legends: Z-A, which will be released on October 15, 2025, and likely bring in new ideas for fan art.

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Pokemon Legends: Z-A
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RPG
Adventure
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Top Critic Avg: 79 /100 Critics Rec: 66%
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Released
October 16, 2025
ESRB
Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases
Developer(s)
Game Freak, Creatures Inc.
Publisher(s)
Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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LIVE THE LIFE OF A POKÉMON TRAINER IN THE STREETS OF LUMIOSE CITY
Whether you’re a die-hard Pokémon fan or about to toss your first Poké Ball, the Pokémon Legends: Z-A game has plenty to offer for Trainers of all types. Experience classic gameplay with modern twists that are sure to revolutionize your Pokémon RPG experience.

CATCH, BATTLE, AND MEGA-EVOLVE—ALL IN REAL TIME!
 Step onto the battlefield and command your Pokémon directly—there are no turns! For the first time in the Pokémon RPG series, Trainers and their Pokémon can both move around in real-time battles, and your Pokémon will unleash their moves when you tell them to. Strategically swapping out your Pokémon and accounting for each move’s timing and area of effect will greatly help you in this new style of battle.

HARNESS THE POWER OF MEGA EVOLUTION
When Trainers have a strong bond with their Pokémon, a Key Stone worn by the Trainer resonates with a Mega Stone held by their Pokémon, allowing Mega Evolution to take place.

ROGUE MEGA EVOLUTION
Rampaging Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon are threatening Lumiose City. These Pokémon are extra tough to beat, but if you do manage to defeat them, you'll receive valuable Mega Stones as a reward.

RISE THROUGH THE RANKS OF THE Z-A ROYALE
You’re invited to join the Z-A Royale, a competition for Pokémon Trainers to test their skills and determine who’s strongest. 

Each night, a battle zone for the competition will appear. Prepare yourself by spending the day in wild zones, catching and training Pokémon, then venture into the battle zone and take on other Trainers.

Be strategic and complete bonus card challenges as you battle to speed up your climb from Rank Z to Rank A. Can you climb the ranks and reach the top?

WELCOME TO LUMIOSE CITY
Visit shops, restaurants, and more, all centered around Prism Tower. An urban redevelopment plan is underway to shape the city into a place that belongs to both people and Pokémon.

BATTLE WITH TRAINERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
With a Nintendo Switch Online membership*, you can battle up to three other Trainers at once, locally or online, in frenetic real-time battles!

Franchise
Pokemon
Nintendo Switch Release Date
October 16, 2025
Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
October 16, 2025
Genre(s)
RPG, Adventure