The kelpie is a mythical creature of Scottish folklore. Every loch in Scotland has a myth of a Kelpie; a ghostly horse which would disguise itself as a beautiful woman and draw people to their watery graves. In its horse form, the Kelpie is immensely strong, and some brave people could take its bridle and harness its strength.
The most famous Kelpie is the one in Loch Ness, of course, though modern cryptozoologists are more likely to imagine a prehistoric beast in the loch rather than a mythical stallion. Still, the Kelpie is found throughout Scotland in statues and images, and remembered through stories and poetry, like these lines from Walter Scott.
JAY
I’m Luke Summerhayes, and I love Keldeo.
The fifth generation’s main legendary Poké took a lot of inspiration from the Tao concepts of yin and yang. In Chinese mythology, perhaps the only creature as magical than a dragon was the Qilin, called the Kirin in Japanese myth, and often compared to the European unicorn. The Qilin could walk on water or glide over the surface on clouds so as not to damage any living thing, even a blade of grass. It could also judge a person’s morality, and punish evildoers.
As well as the Tao trio, the fifth generation also featured the Swords of Justice, inspired by the Three Musketeers. The protagonist of this novel, and eventually the fourth musketeer of the little band, is Dartagnan, a brash and heroic young man with a feather and his cap.
Combining the Chinese Qilin, the Scottish Kelpie and Dartangnan is Keldeo, a water and fighting type Pokémon which resembles a colorful unicorn pony with a feather in its mane.
It moves like a Qilin.
White
It crosses the world, running over the surfaces of oceans and rivers. It appears at scenic waterfronts.
It fights like Dartangnan.
Black
By blasting water from its hooves, it can glide across water. It excels at using leg moves while battling.

Black 2
When it is resolute, its body fills with power and it becomes swifter. Its jumps are then too fast to follow.
White 2

Its name is a combination of Kelpie and Rodeo, and being found in the Crown Tundra is surely a reference to its Scottish origins.
Keldeo had a starring role in the film Kyurem and the Sword of Justice. In this film, it took training from the other Swords of Justice and fought Kyurem to prove itself.
Ordinary Form
Sword
Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion taught this Pokémon how to fight. It dashes across the world, seeking more opportunities to further its training.*
Shield
They say that Keldeo must survive harsh battles and fully develop the horn on its forehead before this Pokémon's true power will awaken.*

As of Black 2 and White 2, Keldeo could use that true power- using the move Secret Sword would transform Keldeo into the more majestic looking Resolute form. Keldeo’s immense strength and good typing make it one of the most useful Mythical Pokémon in battle but, as a mythical, it has never been legal in any official competitive Pokémon tournament.
It has seen usage in the trading card game, as friend of the show Mikey from Pokémon Crossroads got in touch to tell us about
Lastly we have Keldeo. Keldeo EX from Boundaries Crossed was used in almost every deck thanks to it's Rush In ability. This ability allows Keldeo EX to move into the active position. Though, if you use a Float Stone to remove it's retreat cost then you essentially had free retreating option. A great pivot option and perfect to remove any unwanted Poison condition. Still, Keldeo EX was now slouch as it can also be used to attack with Secret Sword. A three colorless attack that does 50 base damage plus 20 more for each Water energy. A Blastoise card that can make it rain energy paired nicely with it. Keldeo GX was also a great card as well. It had the Prue Heart ability that prevented effects and damage from GX Pokemon. The Sonic Edge attack was also able to cut through any defenses for 110 damage. This attack and ability was perfect to pair alongside the infamous Arceus & Dialga & Palkia GX. This collaboration was short live as ADP GX cast away the sword of Keldeo GX for a better sword with Sword & Shield.
Keldeo is a mythical pokemon, only available from events for the first three generations of its existence. This is a slight shame, as Keldeo is a perfect final entry in the roster of the fifth generation’s Legendary Pokémon, combining European and Asian folklore, real life, myth and fiction in a very New York way.
Original music for Luke Loves Pokémon is by Jonathan Cromie. Artwork is by Katie Groves. Funding is provided by listeners at Patreon. If you enjoy this podcast and want to check out other shows by me and my friends, head to podcastiopodcastius.org.
I love hearing from listeners! Get in touch about upcoming Pokémon on twitter or facebook at LukeLovesPKMN. Drop a comment if you’re watching the video, or a review on apple podcasts or spotify. Coming up are and , so please get in touch about those or any other monsters.
Even if you don’t feel like doing any of that, thank you so much just for listening.
I love . And remember, I love you too.