Amaura Evolution: A Complete Guide to the Fossil Pokémon's Evolutionary Journey

May 14, 2025 by

Ryan Clark, co-founder

Amaura evolution represents one of the most fascinating developmental processes in the Pokémon world. This ancient, resurrected creature from the frigid eras of prehistoric times offers trainers both a glimpse into the past and a powerful ally for modern battles. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about Amaura's evolutionary journey—from its fossil origins to its impressive evolved form, Aurorus. Whether you're a dedicated Pokémon trainer seeking battle strategies or a Pokémon enthusiast curious about the lore behind this Ice/Rock-type creature, this article will serve as your ultimate resource for understanding Amaura evolution.

The Origins of Amaura: A Prehistoric Wonder

Amaura first appeared in Pokémon X and Y as part of the sixth generation of Pokémon games. This gentle, dinosaur-like creature is classified as the Tundra Pokémon and is reborn from the Sail Fossil, which represents the remnants of this ancient species that once roamed the world during colder prehistoric eras.

The design of Amaura draws inspiration from the Amargasaurus, a sauropod dinosaur that lived approximately 129 to 122 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous period. The distinctive sail-like protrusions on its neck are reminiscent of the neural spines found on the vertebrae of the Amargasaurus. Combining elements of real paleontology with Pokémon's imaginative design philosophy, Amaura demonstrates Game Freak's attention to scientific detail while maintaining the charm characteristic of the franchise.

In the Pokémon universe, Amaura is said to have lived in cold regions around 100 million years ago. Its body has adapted to frigid environments, developing special abilities that allow it to thrive in icy conditions. This connection to ancient times and extreme environments makes Amaura a unique addition to any trainer's team and enhances the lore surrounding its evolutionary process.

Obtaining Amaura: From Fossil to Friend

Before experiencing Amaura evolution firsthand, trainers must first obtain this rare Pokémon. Unlike common creatures that can be encountered in tall grass or caves, acquiring an Amaura requires specific steps related to fossil restoration.

Finding the Sail Fossil

The primary method of obtaining Amaura involves finding a Sail Fossil. In Pokémon X and Y, trainers can discover this fossil in Glittering Cave on Route 9. The fossil appears as a distinctive rock formation embedded in the cave walls. In these games, players must make a choice between the Sail Fossil (which revives into Amaura) and the Jaw Fossil (which revives into Tyrunt).

In subsequent games like Pokémon Sword and Shield, the Sail Fossil can be obtained from the fossil restoration brothers in the Wild Area, specifically at Bridge Field. Here, the digging duo can unearth various fossils during their excavation service, with the Sail Fossil being among the possible discoveries.

The Restoration Process

Once a trainer has obtained the Sail Fossil, they must bring it to a specialized scientist who can extract the ancient DNA and restore the extinct Pokémon to life. In Pokémon X and Y, this scientist is located in the Fossil Lab in Ambrette Town. In Sword and Shield, the restoration service is provided by Cara Liss at Route 6 in the Wild Area.

The restoration process represents a fascinating blend of science fiction and the Pokémon world's unique biology. Through advanced technology, scientists within the game extract genetic material preserved within the fossil and use it to recreate the living creature. This imaginative take on paleontology adds an educational element to the Pokémon games while providing an exciting narrative framework for obtaining rare Pokémon like Amaura.

Amaura's Base Form: Characteristics and Abilities

Before delving into the specifics of Amaura evolution, it's important to understand the base form's unique characteristics. Amaura is an Ice/Rock-type Pokémon that stands approximately 4'03" (1.3 m) tall and weighs around 55.8 lbs (25.2 kg).

Physical Appearance and Design

Amaura has a distinctive appearance that immediately sets it apart from other Pokémon:

Pale blue body with a white underside
Large, expressive blue eyes that can sparkle with different colors
Two crystal-like structures on either side of its head that change color based on its mood
Four short, sturdy legs that support its relatively small frame
A series of sail-like protrusions extending from its neck that display pastel colors

These physical traits not only make Amaura visually appealing but also hint at its evolutionary potential. The sail structures in particular become much more pronounced in its evolved form, suggesting a developmental progression that enhances its most distinctive features.

Type Advantages and Disadvantages

As an Ice/Rock-type Pokémon, Amaura has a unique type combination that provides both significant strengths and notable weaknesses:

Strengths:

Resistant to Normal, Flying, Poison, and Ice-type attacks
Effective against Flying, Ground, Grass, Dragon, and Ice-type Pokémon

Weaknesses:

Highly vulnerable to Fighting, Steel, Ground, Water, and Grass-type attacks
Particularly weak to Fighting and Steel moves (4x damage)

This type combination represents one of Amaura's biggest challenges, as it has more weaknesses than resistances. However, its access to powerful Ice and Rock-type moves helps compensate for these vulnerabilities, making it a balanced addition to many teams when used strategically.

Base Stats and Abilities

Amaura's base stats reflect its nature as a prehistoric creature with special capabilities:

Stat	Value
HP	77
Attack	59
Defense	50
Special Attack	67
Special Defense	63
Speed	46
Total	362

These stats indicate that Amaura has decent HP but is relatively slow and has middling defenses. Its Special Attack is its strongest offensive stat, making special moves the preferred choice for battle.

Amaura can have one of two abilities:

Refrigerate: Normal-type moves become Ice-type moves and receive a 30% power boost. This ability allows Amaura to have a wider range of effective Ice-type attacks.
Snow Warning (Hidden Ability): Automatically summons hail when the Pokémon enters battle. This ability can support ice-based strategies and gradually damage non-Ice types.

Understanding these base characteristics is essential for recognizing the significant changes that occur during Amaura evolution.

The Evolution Process: Amaura to Aurorus

The evolutionary journey from Amaura to Aurorus represents a significant transformation that enhances the Pokémon's appearance, stats, and battle capabilities. Unlike some Pokémon that evolve through special items or trading, Amaura evolution follows a level-based progression with a unique twist.

Evolution Requirements

Amaura evolves into Aurorus when it reaches level 39, but with an important caveat: this evolution can only occur at night. This nighttime requirement adds a layer of strategy to the evolution process, requiring trainers to either wait for nighttime in the game or adjust their device's clock to trigger the evolution.

The nighttime evolution requirement has narrative significance within the Pokémon lore. According to the Pokédex, Aurorus was known to wander through the night in ancient times, its body illuminating with beautiful auroral lights. This evolutionary timing reflects the creature's natural behaviors and connects gameplay mechanics to the fictional biology of the species.

In game terms, "night" typically refers to the period between 8:00 PM and 4:00 AM in the game's internal clock. If a trainer attempts to level up Amaura during daylight hours, the evolution will be postponed until nightfall, with the game displaying a message indicating that something is preventing the evolution.

The Evolution Animation

When the conditions are met—Amaura reaches level 39 and it's nighttime in the game—the evolution sequence begins. The evolution animation for Amaura is particularly striking, as the Pokémon glows with a brilliant light while its body undergoes dramatic changes:

Its neck elongates significantly
The colored sails along its neck become more pronounced and vibrant
Its overall size increases dramatically
The crystal structures on its head develop further

The evolution animation concludes with the reveal of Aurorus, a majestic creature that towers over its pre-evolved form. This transformation represents one of the more visually impressive evolutions in the Pokémon games, especially when witnessed in the 3D graphics of modern titles.

Aurorus: The Evolved Form in Detail

After evolving from Amaura, Aurorus emerges as a significantly more powerful and imposing Pokémon. Standing at 8'10" (2.7 m) and weighing 496.0 lbs (225.0 kg), Aurorus represents the full maturation of the ancient species and offers trainers a formidable ally for battles.

Physical Appearance and Design Changes

Aurorus maintains the same basic color scheme and design elements as Amaura but with several significant enhancements:

A much longer neck adorned with large, colorful sail-like protrusions that resemble the aurora borealis
A more robust body structure with stronger legs and a longer tail
More pronounced facial features, including larger head crests
A generally more majestic and imposing presence

The design progression from Amaura to Aurorus effectively communicates the concept of maturation, with the evolved form representing a fully-grown specimen of this ancient species. The similarities between the two forms maintain visual consistency while the differences effectively convey the dramatic nature of Amaura evolution.

Stat Changes and Improvements

The evolution from Amaura to Aurorus brings substantial improvements to its base stats:

Stat	Amaura	Aurorus	Change
HP	77	123	+46
Attack	59	77	+18
Defense	50	72	+22
Special Attack	67	99	+32
Special Defense	63	92	+29
Speed	46	58	+12
Total	362	521	+159

The most significant improvements come in HP, Special Attack, and Special Defense, reinforcing Aurorus's role as a special attacker with improved survivability. While its Speed remains relatively low, the substantial boosts to its other stats make it a much more viable competitor in battles.

Aurorus retains the same possible abilities as Amaura:

Refrigerate: Converts Normal-type moves to Ice-type moves with a power boost
Snow Warning (Hidden Ability): Automatically summons hail when entering battle

Move Set and Learning Patterns Through Evolution

An essential aspect of understanding Amaura evolution is tracking how its move learning capabilities change as it transforms into Aurorus. Both forms can learn a variety of powerful moves, but Aurorus gains access to some exclusive techniques that make it significantly more versatile in battle.

Key Moves for Amaura

Before evolution, Amaura can learn several valuable moves:

Powder Snow (Ice): A basic Ice-type attack available from early levels
Ancient Power (Rock): A Rock-type move with a chance to boost all stats
Ice Beam (Ice): A powerful special Ice attack with freezing potential
Aurora Beam (Ice): A signature-like move fitting its design, with moderate power
Nature Power (Normal): Adapts to different environments, changing its type
Freeze-Dry (Ice): A special Ice move that's super effective against Water types

These moves provide a solid foundation for Amaura in early- to mid-game battles, but they represent only a fraction of what becomes available after evolution.

Aurorus-Exclusive Moves

After evolving, Aurorus gains access to several powerful moves that Amaura cannot learn:

Blizzard (Level 67): One of the most powerful Ice-type attacks in the game
Light Screen (TM): Reduces damage from special attacks for five turns
Hyper Beam (TM): An extremely powerful Normal-type move (becomes Ice-type with Refrigerate)
Giga Impact (TM): Another high-power Normal-type move that benefits from Refrigerate

In gmru tournaments and competitive play, Aurorus's expanded movepool makes it a significantly more versatile option than Amaura, capable of fulfilling different tactical roles depending on the moves chosen.

Competitive Viability: Amaura Evolution in Battle

The transformation from Amaura to Aurorus significantly impacts the Pokémon's viability in competitive play. While neither form ranks among the top-tier competitive Pokémon, Aurorus does offer unique tactical options that can surprise opponents when used strategically.

Amaura in Lower Tier Competitions

In its pre-evolved form, Amaura faces significant challenges in competitive play:

Fragile Defenses: With low Defense and middling Special Defense, Amaura struggles to survive hits from common attacking types
Speed Issues: Its low Speed stat means it often moves after opponents, increasing its vulnerability
Limited Movepool: While it has access to some good moves, its options are restricted compared to its evolved form

Despite these limitations, Amaura can find niche use in lower-tier formats like "Little Cup," where only base forms of Pokémon that can evolve are allowed. In these formats, its decent Special Attack and access to Refrigerate can make it a surprise threat against unprepared opponents.

Aurorus's Competitive Niche

After evolution, Aurorus offers more competitive viability, though it still faces challenges:

Improved Bulk: The substantial HP increase helps compensate for mediocre defenses
Powerful Special Attacks: With 99 base Special Attack and access to strong moves, it can hit hard
Type Coverage: Its expanded movepool allows it to cover many defensive types
Hail Support: With Snow Warning, it can automatically set up hail for teams built around that weather condition

However, Aurorus still struggles with:

Numerous Weaknesses: The Ice/Rock typing leaves it vulnerable to many common attacking types
Speed Disadvantage: Even after evolution, it remains relatively slow

Strategic Team Positioning

To maximize the benefits of Amaura evolution in competitive settings, trainers should consider these strategic approaches:

Weather Support: Pair Aurorus with Pokémon that benefit from hail, such as other Ice-types with the Ice Body ability
Speed Control: Use team members that can set up Trick Room to turn Aurorus's low Speed into an advantage
Defensive Coverage: Include teammates that can protect against Fighting and Steel-type attacks, which deal 4x damage to Aurorus
Entry Hazard Removal: Since Aurorus will likely need to switch in and out due to its vulnerabilities, support it with Rapid Spin or Defog users

The Role of Amaura Evolution in Pokémon Lore

Beyond gameplay mechanics, Amaura evolution has significant implications for the lore and world-building of the Pokémon universe. The story of this ancient species provides insights into the prehistoric world and the scientific advancements that make fossil restoration possible.

Ancient History and Extinction

According to Pokédex entries, Amaura lived approximately 100 million years ago in cold, northern regions. The species is said to have gone extinct during a prehistoric ice age, their fossils preserved in glacial ice for millennia. This background connects Amaura and its evolution to real-world paleontological concepts while adding fantasy elements unique to the Pokémon world.

The evolution from Amaura to Aurorus is thought to represent the natural maturation process these creatures underwent in ancient times, with young Amaura growing into the majestic Aurorus as they reached adulthood. The nighttime evolution requirement correlates with Pokédex entries suggesting that Aurorus was most active during the night, when its sail-like protrusions would glow with colors similar to the aurora borealis.

Scientific Achievement in the Pokémon World

The ability to resurrect Amaura from fossils represents one of the most advanced scientific achievements in the Pokémon world. The process of extracting ancient DNA and restoring extinct creatures raises interesting ethical and scientific questions within the game's narrative:

What responsibilities do humans have toward resurrected species?
How do these ancient Pokémon adapt to the modern world?
What other extinct species might eventually be restored?

The Amaura evolution line serves as a living testament to both prehistoric life and modern scientific progress, making it a fascinating element of Pokémon lore.

Training Tips: Optimizing Amaura Evolution

For trainers looking to raise the most powerful Aurorus possible, several strategies can optimize the evolution process and subsequent training.

Pre-Evolution Training

Before evolving Amaura, consider these training approaches:

EV Focus: Invest in Special Attack and HP EVs before evolution to maximize Amaura's strengths
Nature Selection: Choose a Modest (+Sp. Atk, -Atk) or Quiet (+Sp. Atk, -Spd) nature to enhance special attacking capabilities
Move Preparation: Ensure Amaura learns key moves like Ancient Power before evolution
Hold Items: Equip Eviolite during training to boost Amaura's defenses while it remains unevolved

Timing the Evolution

Strategic timing of Amaura evolution can yield benefits:

Move Learning: Some moves are learned earlier in the pre-evolved form, so check move-learning levels before evolving
Stat Recalculation: Evolution recalculates stats, immediately applying any EVs earned before evolution
Battle Challenges: Consider whether upcoming gym battles or challenges would be easier with Amaura's Eviolite boost or Aurorus's improved stats

Post-Evolution Development

After evolution to Aurorus, focus on:

TM/TR Teaching: Immediately teach powerful TMs and TRs that Aurorus can learn but Amaura couldn't
Team Synergy: Develop strategies that utilize Aurorus's improved capabilities, particularly its ability to set up hail
Weakness Coverage: Train moves that can counter Pokémon types that threaten Aurorus's numerous weaknesses

Amaura Evolution Across Pokémon Media

The evolutionary journey from Amaura to Aurorus has been depicted across various Pokémon media, including the games, anime, and trading card game, each offering unique perspectives on this prehistoric Pokémon.

In the Pokémon Anime

While not featuring prominently in the main anime series, Amaura and Aurorus have made notable appearances:

In the episode "Coming Back Into the Cold!" (XY059), the protagonists encounter an Amaura that had been restored from a Sail Fossil
The episode explores themes of adaptation, as the resurrected Amaura struggles with the warmer modern climate
The anime portrays Amaura's sensitivity to temperature, reinforcing its Ice-type characteristics

These appearances help visualize the process of fossil restoration and provide additional context for understanding Amaura's evolutionary journey in ways the games cannot fully express.

In the Pokémon Trading Card Game

Both Amaura and Aurorus have been featured in the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), where their evolutionary relationship is represented through card mechanics:

Amaura cards typically have lower HP and simpler attacks, reflecting its status as a basic Pokémon
Aurorus cards feature higher HP and more powerful effects, showing the benefits of evolution
Some card effects specifically reference the fossil origin of these Pokémon, tying gameplay mechanics to lore

The TCG representations provide another dimension to understanding Amaura evolution, translating the digital game mechanics into physical card format while maintaining the core concept of growth and development.

Cultural Impact and Fan Reception

Since their introduction in Generation VI, Amaura and its evolution have garnered a dedicated following within the Pokémon community, appreciated for both aesthetic design and conceptual originality.

Fan Appreciation

Many factors contribute to the popularity of the Amaura evolution line:

Unique Design: The aurora-inspired sails and dinosaur base create a distinctive visual identity
Scientific Background: The paleontological inspiration appeals to dinosaur enthusiasts
Color Scheme: The pastel blues and multicolored sails offer an aesthetically pleasing design

Fan art, fan fiction, and community discussions often highlight these aspects, with particular attention paid to the bioluminescent qualities that become more pronounced after evolution.

Collector Value

In the realm of Pokémon merchandise and collectibles:

Aurorus figures and plush toys are sought after for their display value
Holographic and full-art TCG cards featuring Aurorus command premium prices
Limited edition fossil-themed merchandise featuring the evolutionary pair attracts collectors

This commercial success reflects the strong design fundamentals and conceptual appeal of the Amaura evolution line.

Key Takeaways About Amaura Evolution

After exploring the multifaceted aspects of Amaura evolution, several key points emerge:

Fossil Origin: Amaura begins its journey as the Sail Fossil, requiring scientific restoration before training can begin
Night Evolution: Amaura evolves into Aurorus at level 39, but only during nighttime hours
Stat Improvements: Evolution brings significant increases across all stats, with the most notable boosts to HP and Special Attack
Type Consistency: Both forms maintain the Ice/Rock typing, with its associated strengths and vulnerabilities
Ability Options: The Refrigerate ability offers strategic advantages by converting Normal-type moves to Ice-type
Design Progression: The evolution enhances Amaura's most distinctive features, particularly the aurora-like sails
Competitive Considerations: While facing challenges in high-tier competitive play, Aurorus offers unique tactical options with proper team support

Understanding these key elements helps trainers appreciate the complexity and strategy involved in raising an Amaura to its evolved form.

FAQ About Amaura Evolution

Q: At what level does Amaura evolve? A: Amaura evolves into Aurorus at level 39, but only during nighttime hours in the game.

Q: Can I evolve Amaura during the day? A: No, Amaura can only evolve at night. If it reaches level 39 during the day, the evolution will be postponed until nightfall.

Q: What is the best nature for Amaura and Aurorus? A: Modest (+Sp. Atk, -Atk) or Quiet (+Sp. Atk, -Spd) are generally considered optimal as they enhance Special Attack, which is their primary offensive stat.

Q: Is Aurorus good for competitive battling? A: Aurorus faces challenges in high-tier competitive play due to its numerous weaknesses, but it can be effective in certain formats with proper team support and strategy.

Q: Can Amaura or Aurorus learn any signature moves? A: While they don't have true signature moves, Aurora Beam thematically fits their design and Freeze-Dry is a relatively rare move that they can learn.

Q: How do I get the Hidden Ability Snow Warning for Amaura? A: In most games, Hidden Ability Amaura has been distributed through special events. In more recent games, it may be available through Max Raid Battles or other special encounters.

Conclusion: The Evolutionary Journey of an Ancient Wonder

Amaura evolution represents one of the most fascinating developmental processes in the Pokémon world, transforming a diminutive prehistoric creature into a majestic titan of ice and rock. From its beginnings as the Sail Fossil to its final form as Aurorus, this evolutionary line combines scientific concepts, visual beauty, and strategic gameplay elements to create a memorable addition to any trainer's team.

The journey from Amaura to Aurorus offers players a glimpse into the ancient past of the Pokémon world while providing a powerful ally for modern battles. The unique combination of Ice and Rock typing, distinctive visual design based on real prehistoric creatures, and the special nighttime evolution requirement all contribute to making this evolutionary line stand out among the hundreds of Pokémon available.

Whether you're drawn to Amaura for its adorable pre-evolved form, attracted to Aurorus for its impressive battle capabilities, or simply fascinated by the paleontological inspiration behind both designs, this evolutionary pair demonstrates the creativity and depth that continues to make Pokémon a beloved franchise decades after its inception. As you incorporate these ancient creatures into your team, you carry forward a piece of prehistoric wonder into the modern Pokémon world—a testament to the enduring appeal of evolution as both a gameplay mechanic and a narrative concept.

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