Imperialdramon

Imperialdramon has three Mega forms: Dragon Mode, Fighter Mode and Paladin Mode, and you reach each one differently. In Digimon Adventure 02, Davis and Ken’s partners DNA digivolve into it. A Mode Change then turns it into a humanoid warrior, and Omnimon‘s power turns that warrior into the holy knight who finished off Armageddemon. This profile covers all three modes and both Black variants. It also has the exact requirements for Digimon Story: Time Stranger, the routes in nine games and the card numbers.

Who is Imperialdramon

Imperialdramon is the Mega-level DNA partner of Davis Motomiya (Daisuke Motomiya) and Ken Ichijouji in Digimon Adventure 02. It is an Ancient Dragon Digimon titled the “Ruling Emperor Dragon”, and the Japanese romanization of its name is Inperiarudoramon. Wikimon, the fan-run Digimon database, dates its first appearance to 2000, on the D-3 virtual pet and on the card St-169. Its anime debut came in episode 39 of Adventure 02.

The Digimon Reference Book is Bandai’s official online encyclopedia of Digimon profiles. It describes Imperialdramon as hard to control, saying it “may become a savior or a god of destruction”. That line sums up the whole character. Dragon Mode is the raw beast. Fighter Mode is the same power under a warrior’s control. Paladin Mode is that warrior carrying Omnimon’s will. People who search “Imperialdramon Digimon” usually mean one of those three, so each mode gets its own section below.

Name, etymology and alternate names

The English and Japanese names match: Imperialdramon (Inperiarudoramon). “Imperial” refers to the emperor theme in its title, and “-dramon” is the franchise’s usual suffix for dragons. The games use two kinds of short form:

Full name	Short form	Where you see it
Imperialdramon: Dragon Mode	Imperialdramon DM	Digimon Story games, Digimon World Next Order, fan shorthand
Imperialdramon: Fighter Mode	Imperialdramon FM	Same
Imperialdramon: Paladin Mode	Imperialdramon PM	Same
Imperialdramon: Dragon Mode (Black)	Black Imperialdramon	Wikimon redirect and fan shorthand

Several Digimon around it have different English and Japanese names:

• Omnimon is Omegamon.
• Azulongmon is Qinglongmon.
• ExVeemon is XV-mon, and Time Stranger uses XV-mon.
• Diaboromon is Diablomon.
• Armageddemon is Armagemon.

Revenge of Diaboromon is called “Diablomon Strikes Back” in Japan.

What the Digimon Reference Book says

According to Wikimon, the Reference Book entry for Dragon Mode was added on March 9, 2012. It says the form everyone knows is Dragon Mode. It adds that a Fighter Mode releasing all of Imperialdramon’s power is rumoured to exist, even though nobody has ever seen it. The entry ends with the “savior or a god of destruction” warning.

Evolution line

Imperialdramon comes from DNA Digivolution: two Rookies digivolve separately, fuse at Ultimate, and the fused Digimon reaches Mega. Every major source gives the same core path. Veemon and Wormmon become ExVeemon and Stingmon, then Paildramon, then Imperialdramon Dragon Mode. A Mode Change leads to Fighter Mode, and Fighter Mode leads to Paladin Mode.

Veemon ──► ExVeemon ─┐
                     ├─(DNA)─► Paildramon ─► Imperialdramon DM ─(Mode Change)─► Imperialdramon FM ─(+ Omnimon's power)─► Imperialdramon PM
Wormmon ─► Stingmon ─┘

DNA Digivolution and Paildramon

In DNA Digivolution (called Jogress in Japan and in Time Stranger), two Digimon merge into one stronger Digimon. In Adventure 02, ExVeemon and Stingmon can only become Paildramon when Davis and Ken’s hearts are in sync, and that is the emotional core of the DNA mechanic. Paildramon is the Ultimate-level link, and in the anime it is the form that goes on to Imperialdramon.

What is a Mode Change?

A Mode Change switches a Digimon between forms of the same level without a normal digivolution. Wikimon says Fighter Mode can Mode Change freely to and from Dragon Mode. That is why most games don’t list Fighter Mode as a digivolution of Paildramon: you reach it from Dragon Mode instead. That also answers one of the most common Time Stranger questions.

Evolution line in the anime

From	To	How it happens (Adventure 02 and the movie)
Veemon / Wormmon	ExVeemon / Stingmon	Standard digivolution with Davis’s and Ken’s D-3s
ExVeemon + Stingmon	Paildramon	DNA Digivolution when the two partners are in sync
Paildramon	Imperialdramon Dragon Mode	Digivolution in episode 39 (“Dramon Power”)
Imperialdramon Dragon Mode	Imperialdramon Fighter Mode	Mode Change powered by Azulongmon energy from the original partners
Imperialdramon Fighter Mode	Imperialdramon Paladin Mode	Omnimon’s remaining energy becomes the Omega Blade (Revenge of Diaboromon)

Evolution line in the Digimon Story games

From	To	Conditions (Digimon Story: Time Stranger)
XV-mon (Zealous) + Stingmon (Tolerant)	Paildramon	Jogress, Agent Rank 5+
Paildramon	Imperialdramon DM	Agent Rank 7+, 2,890+ Max HP, 1,180+ Max SP, 1,180+ SPI
Paildramon	Dorugoramon	Alternative branch
Paildramon	Darkdramon	Alternative branch
Imperialdramon DM	Imperialdramon FM	Mode Change
Imperialdramon FM	Imperialdramon PM	Omni Blade item, Agent Rank 8+

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth also includes Imperialdramon. Grindosaur’s Cyber Sleuth database has entries for both Imperialdramon DM and Imperialdramon PM.

Evolution line in the Digimon Card Game

The Digimon Card Game prints all three modes as Mega cards. Digivolution cost and requirements are printed on each card and change from print to print, so read the card in your hand instead of assuming one fixed line. Newer ACE cards such as BT16-027 (Fighter Mode) and BT17-077 (Paladin Mode) are designed around the same Dragon Mode to Fighter Mode to Paladin Mode story. The card section below goes through them.

What Imperialdramon evolves into

In the anime, Dragon Mode becomes Fighter Mode, and Fighter Mode becomes Paladin Mode. Nothing evolves past Paladin Mode in the Adventure 02 continuity. Games add their own routes. Digimon World Dawn and Dusk on Nintendo DS lists a DNA route where Omnimon plus Imperialdramon FM makes Paladin Mode, copying the movie.

Dragon Mode vs Fighter Mode vs Paladin Mode

Dragon Mode is a four-legged flying dragon. Fighter Mode is a humanoid dragon warrior that stands upright. Paladin Mode is a holy knight in white armour holding the Omega Blade. All three are Mega level, and what separates them is how you reach them and what they fire.

Mode	Form	Signature attack	How it’s reached (anime)	Debut
Dragon Mode	Four-legged ancient dragon with a cannon on its back	Mega Death	Paildramon digivolves	D-3 (2000); anime: Adventure 02 ep. 39
Fighter Mode	Upright dragon warrior	Giga Death	Mode Change using Azulongmon’s power	Later in Adventure 02 (fan wikis cite ep. 43)
Paladin Mode	Holy knight with a sword	Omega Blade (Omni Sword)	Omnimon’s energy transfer	Revenge of Diaboromon (March 3, 2001)

Dragon Mode: Mega Death and the “god of destruction” lore

Dragon Mode is the form you see first, and the one the Reference Book is really about. Wikimon describes Mega Death as a shot of super-massive dark matter that wipes out everything within a few hundred meters of where it lands. Dragon Mode also has Positron Laser, the beam attack that runs through the whole line.

This is the Imperialdramon the Reference Book calls “hard to control”. It is closer to a huge flying fortress than a duelist, and in Adventure 02 Dragon Mode also carries the kids around as transport. Choose this mode if you like your Megas as unstoppable force.

Fighter Mode: Giga Death and the Azulongmon power-up

Fighter Mode turns the dragon into an upright warrior and upgrades Mega Death into Giga Death. Wikimon and Toy People’s profile both describe Giga Death as the Positron Laser fired as a destructive energy wave from the face on its chest. Fighter Mode also has Splendor Blade, an energy blade it extends from its left arm. In some media it teams up with a Dragon Mode for Double Positron Laser, which combines both Positron Lasers for immense damage.

Why did the switch need everyone’s power? In Adventure 02, the Mode Change worked because the first-generation partners passed on power they had received from Azulongmon (Qinglongmon). The Reference Book had already described Fighter Mode as the form that releases all of Imperialdramon’s power, and the anime made that literal. Davis and Ken’s partners could not reach it on their own. It took the whole team.

Paladin Mode: Omnimon’s power and the Omega Blade

Paladin Mode is Fighter Mode carrying Omnimon’s power. In Revenge of Diaboromon, Omnimon gives its remaining energy to Imperialdramon Fighter Mode. That energy becomes the Omega Blade (Omni Sword), and when Fighter Mode takes the blade it Mode Changes into Paladin Mode.

It has one job in the film, and it gets it done. The DigimonWiki on Fandom says the Omega Blade splits Armageddemon’s head in half and turns it back into Kuramon. Toei Animation’s lineup page for the film describes the same outcome. Paladin Mode feels the most “legendary” of the three because it appears for one decisive fight and is then gone.

Black Imperialdramon variants

Black Imperialdramon is the Virus-attribute recolor of the Vaccine original, and it comes in two forms: Dragon Mode (Black) and Fighter Mode (Black). Wikimon gives each its own page. Neither form plays a part in the Adventure 02 TV story, and their best-documented home is the Digimon Story series on Nintendo DS.

Form	Attribute	Profile summary	Signature attack	Best-documented appearance
Dragon Mode (Black)	Virus	An Imperialdramon that lost control of its overwhelming power and went berserk	Mega Death (written “Megadeath” by Grindosaur)	Digimon Story: Sunburst & Moonlight (DS)
Fighter Mode (Black)	Virus	Virus-attribute recolor of Fighter Mode	Not confirmed in the official profile	Digimon Card Game listings on Wikimon

What the Black profile says

Grindosaur’s fan wiki gives the Dragon Mode (Black) profile in English. It says this Imperialdramon went berserk after losing control of its overwhelming strength. Its Megadeath works like the original: dark matter that wipes out everything within a radius of several hundred meters around the impact point.

The difference from the normal Reference Book entry matters. The original profile warns that Imperialdramon might become a god of destruction. The Black profile describes the version that already has.

Where the Black forms appear and how to get them

According to Wikimon, Dragon Mode (Black) can be raised in Digimon Story: Sunburst & Moonlight, the 2007 Japan-only DS pair. You digivolve it from a Digitamamon at level 42 or higher with 10,000 or more Dark EXP. The same game uses it as an enemy too: a brainwashed Yuji sends Black SaintGalgomon and Imperialdramon: Dragon Mode (Black) against the player in Core Field.

Wikimon also lists Digimon Card Game appearances for Fighter Mode (Black) and says it can Mode Change to and from the Dragon Mode line. The exact card numbers and any game recipe for Fighter Mode (Black) have not been confirmed, so check a card database for the specific print before you buy.

Imperialdramon in the anime and movies

Imperialdramon appears in three parts of the Adventure 02 continuity: the TV series, the 2001 film Revenge of Diaboromon and the 2023 film Digimon Adventure 02: The Beginning. This section contains story spoilers for all three.

Digimon Adventure 02 debut

Imperialdramon debuts in episode 39 of Digimon Adventure 02. The English title is “Dramon Power”. The Japanese title translates as “Everyone Advance Out! Imperialdramon”, also given as “All Sally Out! Imperialdramon”. Digi-Lab published a translated interview with producer Hiromi Seki and designer Kenji Watanabe that also places the anime debut in episode 39.

The big payoff is Paildramon finally going Mega after a season of DNA build-up, and the show makes it count. From then on Imperialdramon is the team’s heavy hitter and their ride, carrying the kids through the late-series crisis as wild Digimon cross into the real world. Fighter Mode follows a few episodes later. Fan wikis place its first appearance in episode 43, when the older partners’ Azulongmon power makes the Mode Change possible.

Revenge of Diaboromon and Armageddemon

Digimon Adventure 02: Revenge of Diaboromon (Diablomon Strikes Back) premiered on March 3, 2001, according to Toei Animation. Diaboromon returns, multiplies through the Kuramon swarm and turns into Armageddemon. Neither Omnimon (WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon in DNA form) nor Imperialdramon Fighter Mode can beat it alone.

So Omnimon gives up its remaining energy, and that energy becomes the Omega Blade. Fighter Mode takes the blade, becomes Paladin Mode and cuts Armageddemon down, turning it back into Kuramon. Two generations of Chosen Children combine their strongest Digimon, and it is still one of the best partner moments in the franchise.

Digimon Adventure 02: The Beginning (2023)

Digimon Adventure 02: The Beginning opened on October 27, 2023. Its character posters were revealed on September 11, 2023, as reported by Jorudan’s movie news. Wikimon lists Imperialdramon as the partner of Daisuke Motomiya and Ken Ichijouji in the film. Near the climax, Paildramon digivolves into Imperialdramon to get close to Big Ukkomon, and Wikimon’s listing for the film includes Fighter Mode as well.

The film shows the Davis and Ken partnership still working more than twenty years after episode 39. For fans who grew up with 02, that is a big part of why it matters.

What the English dub changed

The DigimonWiki records two notable changes in the English dub of Revenge of Diaboromon:

1. Right after digivolving, Imperialdramon Dragon Mode announces itself as “Imperialdramon Fighter Mode”, even though it has not changed mode yet.
2. The shot of Paladin Mode impaling Armageddemon with its sword is replaced with a shot of Davis gasping.

The second edit softens the finishing blow, so watch the Japanese version if you want the scene as it was animated. The site’s guide to watching Digimon on Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix and Blu-ray covers where each version streams.

Is Imperialdramon stronger than Omnimon or WarGreymon?

Going by the canon evidence, Paladin Mode is stronger than Omnimon. Paladin Mode is Fighter Mode plus Omnimon’s leftover power, and it won a fight that Omnimon and Fighter Mode had each lost on their own. No on-screen fight settles whether Fighter Mode or Dragon Mode beats Omnimon, so that part is opinion.

Imperialdramon vs Omnimon

The Armageddemon fight is the only head-to-head evidence, and it points one way:

Event in Revenge of Diaboromon	What it shows
Omnimon cannot defeat Armageddemon alone	Omnimon’s ceiling is below Armageddemon
Imperialdramon Fighter Mode cannot defeat it alone	Fighter Mode’s ceiling is also below Armageddemon
Omnimon transfers its remaining energy	Paladin Mode = Fighter Mode + Omnimon’s power
Paladin Mode’s Omega Blade destroys Armageddemon	Paladin Mode outranks both, in this continuity

Community threads keep asking whether “Imperialdramon PM >>> Omegamon, of course? Or did Omegamon hold his own against Armageddemon?” The honest answer: Omnimon held its own but did not win, and Paladin Mode won because it carried both Digimon’s power. There is no canon answer to “Is Fighter Mode stronger than Omnimon, or only Paladin Mode?” The film treats the two as rough equals who both fall short. Fans often put Omnimon slightly ahead of Fighter Mode because Omnimon is one of the Royal Knights, but the show never establishes that.

Imperialdramon vs WarGreymon

WarGreymon is a single Mega, while Imperialdramon is the DNA result of two full lines. The fairer comparison is Omnimon, which is WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon combined. There is no canon duel between Imperialdramon and WarGreymon. Most fans rank Imperialdramon above WarGreymon for that structural reason, the same way they rank Omnimon above it. Treat that as a common fan view, not a stated fact.

Is Paladin Mode the strongest Digimon?

No. Paladin Mode is the strongest form in the Adventure 02 line and the strongest form in Revenge of Diaboromon, but Adventure 02 itself shows beings above it. Azulongmon is one of the four Digimon Sovereigns, the guardian deities of the Digital World. Its borrowed power is the reason Fighter Mode, and later Paladin Mode, could exist at all. Above the Sovereigns, franchise lore places Yggdrasil, the host computer that rules the Digital World and commands the Royal Knights. The fair claim is narrower: within the 02 continuity, no Digimon on the heroes’ side outperforms Paladin Mode on screen.

How to get Imperialdramon in Digimon Story: Time Stranger

In Digimon Story: Time Stranger (2025), you Jogress XV-mon and Stingmon into Paildramon at Agent Rank 5. Raise Paildramon to the stat targets and digivolve it into Imperialdramon DM at Agent Rank 7, then Mode Change to FM. Finally, get the Omni Blade and reach Agent Rank 8 to make Paladin Mode. Unless noted otherwise, the requirements below come from Game8’s Time Stranger guides.

Digimon	From	Agent Rank	Stat / item requirements	Notes
Paildramon	XV-mon + Stingmon (Jogress)	5+	XV-mon Zealous, Stingmon Tolerant	Splits back into XV-mon and Stingmon when it de-digivolves
Imperialdramon DM	Paildramon	7+	2,890+ Max HP, 1,180+ Max SP, 1,180+ SPI	Paildramon can also go to Dorugoramon or Darkdramon
Imperialdramon FM	Imperialdramon DM	None listed	Mode Change	Not listed under Paildramon
Imperialdramon PM	Imperialdramon FM	8+	Omni Blade	Deltia’s Gaming also lists 4,680 Max HP and 2,740 SPD

Paildramon Jogress requirements

Paildramon needs Agent Rank 5 or higher, with XV-mon set to Zealous and Stingmon set to Tolerant. The personality setting is the step people miss. If either partner has the wrong personality, the Jogress option will not appear, no matter how strong your stats are.

Imperialdramon DM stat requirements

Imperialdramon DM needs Agent Rank 7+, 2,890+ Max HP, 1,180+ Max SP and 1,180+ SPI. For most players the two 1,180 targets take longest, because SPI and Max SP rarely rise as fast as HP. Train Paildramon toward all three while you are still at Rank 5 or 6, so that reaching Rank 7 is the only thing left.

Paildramon is not locked into Imperialdramon in Time Stranger. It can also digivolve into Dorugoramon or Darkdramon, so you can try another dragon line and come back to Imperialdramon later.

Mode Change to Fighter Mode

A common question is “How do I get Imperialdramon Fighter Mode in Time Stranger? It’s not listed under Paildramon.” The answer is the Mode Change. Wikimon’s Time Stranger notes say you reach Fighter Mode from Imperialdramon DM, just as in the anime. Get Dragon Mode first, then look for FM in Dragon Mode’s options instead of Paildramon’s.

Getting the Omni Blade for Paladin Mode

The Omni Blade is the reward from The Greatest OMNI Carnival, a challenge held at the Paradise Colosseum. According to Deltia’s Gaming and Sportskeeda, you have to defeat an Imperialdramon PM in battle to win it. The side mission opens once you reach the main mission “The Violence of Humans”. With the blade in hand, digivolve Imperialdramon FM at Agent Rank 8+.

The guides disagree on the stat gate:

Source	Omni Blade	Agent Rank	Extra stat gates
Game8	Required	8+	None listed
Deltia’s Gaming	Required	8+	4,680 Max HP, 2,740 SPD

If the option stays greyed out even though you have the blade and the rank, raise Max HP and SPD to the Deltia’s Gaming figures next. The stricter target works under either reading.

Imperialdramon in other Digimon games

You can get Imperialdramon in at least nine games: Time Stranger, Cyber Sleuth, Digimon World 2, Digimon World 3, Next Order, Dawn and Dusk, Sunburst & Moonlight (as the Black Dragon Mode), Digimon Masters Online and Digimon UP. Paildramon is the usual route to Dragon Mode, though Digimon World 2 is an exception. Paladin Mode usually needs Omnimon or a key item. The table lists the routes the guides agree on, with a note on how reliable each source is.

Game	Forms available	How to obtain	Source reliability note
Digimon Story: Time Stranger	DM, FM, PM	Paildramon at AR7 with stats; FM by Mode Change; PM with Omni Blade at AR8	Guide sites (Game8, Deltia’s Gaming); PM stat gates differ between them
Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth	DM, PM (database entries)	Digivolution line through Paildramon	Grindosaur database
Digimon World 2 (PS1)	DM	Veemon, Flamedramon or Raidramon with 8+ DP	DigimonWiki plus GameFAQs player reports; community-sourced
Digimon World 3 (PS1)	Imperialdramon, Paladin Mode	Paildramon at Lv.50; PM via FM and Omnimon at Lv.40, or in-battle DNA	Older fan guides; PM method disputed
Digimon World Next Order	DM, FM, PM	DM from Paildramon or the Imperadracine item; PM via DNA involving FM	Grindosaur database; fan-reported FM DNA combos vary
Digimon World Dawn and Dusk (DS)	PM via DNA	Omnimon + Imperialdramon FM	StrategyWiki
Digimon Story: Sunburst & Moonlight (DS)	DM (Black)	Digitamamon at Lv.42+ with 10,000+ Dark EXP	Wikimon
Digimon Masters Online	DM, FM, PM (Jogress versions)	Jogress line	Digital Masters World wiki
Digimon UP (iOS, Android)	DM, FM	DM listed with Paildramon as its pre-digivolution	GameWith partner database

Digimon World 2

In Digimon World 2 on PS1, Imperialdramon Dragon Mode comes from the Veemon line through DP, not from Paildramon. The DigimonWiki says DP (Digivolution Points) decides which form you get. Imperialdramon DM needs a Veemon, Flamedramon or Raidramon with at least 8 DP.

Players on GameFAQs describe the route as Veemon to Flamedramon to Raidramon to Imperialdramon. One thread says you start from a Veemon with 4 or more DP to get Flamedramon, and that no DNA combination produces Flamedramon. These are player reports, not an official chart. Still, they agree with the 8 DP figure, and they make World 2 the odd one out among the games here: the Armor Digivolution forms lead to Imperialdramon instead of the DNA line.

Digimon World 3

In Digimon World 3, a guide on Cheating Dome says to raise ExVeemon and Stingmon to Lv.5 to get Paildramon, then raise Paildramon to Lv.50 for Imperialdramon. The guides disagree on Paladin Mode. One method needs Imperialdramon Fighter Mode and Omnimon both at Lv.40. Another source says you DNA digivolve during battle.

Players keep asking, “Do I need Omnimon at level 40 or do I have to DNA in battle for Paladin Mode?” Both methods have been written up, and neither is clearly confirmed over the other.

Digimon World Next Order

Grindosaur’s Next Order database lists Paildramon as the source of Imperialdramon DM. It also lists Imperadracine, an item that instantly digivolves an Ultimate partner into Imperialdramon DM. Paladin Mode comes from a DNA Digivolution involving Fighter Mode. Next Order’s DNA system merges two partners, and the other one de-digivolves.

Fans have posted Fighter Mode DNA combinations, such as Examon plus Gallantmon. These are player reports, not confirmed recipes, so test one before you rely on it.

Digimon World Dawn and Dusk

On Nintendo DS, StrategyWiki’s DNA table lists Omnimon plus Imperialdramon FM making Imperialdramon PM. No other game comes as close to the Revenge of Diaboromon scene.

Digimon UP

Digimon UP is Bandai Namco’s free-to-play monster-raising RPG for iOS and Android. It was announced during the Digimon Con 2026 livestream on March 21, 2026, and launched worldwide on July 15, 2026. GameWith’s Digimon UP database has partner pages for Imperialdramon: Dragon Mode, which lists Paildramon as its pre-digivolution, and for Imperialdramon: Fighter Mode. Paladin Mode has not been confirmed in the game so far.

Virtual pets (D-3)

Imperialdramon first appeared on the D-3 virtual pet in 2000, the device Davis and Ken carry in Adventure 02. The site’s explainer on how a Digivice works across Digimon covers the D-3 and the other devices in more detail.

Imperialdramon in the Digimon Card Game

Imperialdramon has a long run of cards, from the early St-169 to modern ACE cards. The 2026 Generation Advanced Booster (AD-01) reprints most of the important ones in one set. If you are new to the game, the site’s piece explaining how the Digimon Card Game works covers the rules these cards use.

Card number	Mode	Rarity / type	Set / reprint
St-169	Imperialdramon	Early card	Original card game; one of the Digimon’s debut appearances
BT3-111	Dragon Mode	Alternate art	Release Special Booster Ver.1.5
BT12-030	Dragon Mode	Standard print	BT12
ST9-06	Dragon Mode	Starter card	ST9; reprinted in AD-01
BT16-028	Dragon Mode	Standard print	BT16; reprinted in AD-01
BT16-027	Fighter Mode	ACE	BT16; reprinted in AD-01
BT17-077	Paladin Mode	ACE, SR	BT17; reprinted in AD-01
BT20-076	Dragon Mode	ACE, Rare	Release Special Booster Ver.2.5 celebration event card
AD1-024	Fighter Mode	Rare Pull	Generation Advanced Booster AD-01

ACE cards

The ACE cards are the ones players hunt for: BT16-027 Fighter Mode, BT17-077 Paladin Mode and BT20-076 Dragon Mode. Together they cover all three modes with modern designs, and BT17-077 is the SR (Super Rare) of the group. BT20-076 was released as a Release Special Booster Ver.2.5 celebration event card, so you will usually find it as a single from a retailer, not in packs.

2026 Advanced Booster reprints

Digimon Card Game Generation Advanced Booster [AD-01] collects reprints of competitively popular cards, with 196 card types in total. Smoke and Mirrors Hobby lists its release date as April 3, 2026. For Imperialdramon players it reprints BT16-027, BT16-028, BT17-077 and ST9-06, and it adds the new AD1-024 Fighter Mode as a Rare Pull.

Collectors should note that the AD-01 Rare Pull and the original BT16 and BT17 prints are separate items, so check the set code before you buy. If you only need a working deck, look at AD-01 first. It is the simplest way to get four modern Imperialdramon cards from one product. The site’s guide to Digimon Card Game championships and ranked events covers the organised play scene where these decks show up.

Trivia

Most of Imperialdramon’s trivia comes from its unusual three-mode structure and how differently each medium handles it.

• Fighter Mode was “unseen” before the anime. The Reference Book only said it was rumoured to exist.
• In the English dub of Revenge of Diaboromon, Dragon Mode calls itself “Fighter Mode” before the Mode Change happens.
• Paladin Mode is the only Imperialdramon form in the anime that needs another Mega’s power to exist.
• In Time Stranger, Paildramon can become Dorugoramon or Darkdramon instead of Imperialdramon.
• In Digimon World 2, the route to Imperialdramon goes through Flamedramon and Raidramon, not Paildramon.
• The Black Dragon Mode is Virus attribute, and its profile describes the berserk Imperialdramon that the original’s Reference Book entry only warns about.
• The Digimon debuted more than a decade before its Reference Book entry: 2000 on the D-3 and St-169, and 2012 for the Reference Book text.
• Imperialdramon is not one of the Royal Knights. Its closest tie to them is Paladin Mode, which carries the power of Omnimon, a Royal Knight.

Where to start with Imperialdramon

Watch episode 39 of Adventure 02 and Revenge of Diaboromon, in Japanese if you want the uncut finishing blow. Then build the full Paildramon line in Time Stranger, where every mode has its own gate. That order shows each form the way it was meant to land: the dangerous dragon, the warrior who masters it, and the knight who inherits the previous generation’s power.

FAQ

Is Imperialdramon stronger than Omegamon?

Paladin Mode is. In Revenge of Diaboromon, neither Omegamon (Omnimon) nor Fighter Mode could beat Armageddemon alone, and Paladin Mode won using Omnimon’s transferred power. Dragon Mode and Fighter Mode have no canon win over Omegamon.

What does Imperialdramon evolve into?

Dragon Mode Mode Changes into Fighter Mode, and Fighter Mode becomes Paladin Mode with Omnimon’s power (the Omega Blade). In Time Stranger, FM becomes PM with the Omni Blade at Agent Rank 8.

Is Imperialdramon stronger than WarGreymon?

No canon fight settles it. Most fans rank Imperialdramon higher because it is the DNA result of two lines, while WarGreymon is a single Mega. That is fan opinion.

Is Imperialdramon Paladin Mode the strongest Digimon?

No. It is the strongest form shown in the Adventure 02 line and it won the Armageddemon fight, but Adventure 02 also shows the Digimon Sovereigns such as Azulongmon. Azulongmon’s power is what made Fighter Mode possible in the first place.

How do you get Imperialdramon Paladin Mode in Digimon Story: Time Stranger?

Make Imperialdramon FM with a Mode Change from DM. Then win the Omni Blade in The Greatest OMNI Carnival at the Paradise Colosseum and digivolve at Agent Rank 8 or higher. Deltia’s Gaming also lists 4,680 Max HP and 2,740 SPD.

Where do you get the Omni Blade in Time Stranger?

It comes from The Greatest OMNI Carnival side mission at the Paradise Colosseum, which opens after the main mission “The Violence of Humans”. You have to defeat an Imperialdramon PM in that battle.

What is Black Imperialdramon?

It is the Virus-attribute recolor of Imperialdramon, in two forms: Dragon Mode (Black) and Fighter Mode (Black). Its profile describes an Imperialdramon that lost control of its power and went berserk. In Digimon Story: Sunburst & Moonlight, Dragon Mode (Black) digivolves from Digitamamon at Lv.42+ with 10,000+ Dark EXP.

How do you get Imperialdramon in Digimon World 2?

According to the DigimonWiki, you need a Veemon, Flamedramon or Raidramon with at least 8 DP. Players describe the route as Veemon to Flamedramon to Raidramon to Imperialdramon Dragon Mode.

Is Imperialdramon in Digimon UP?

Yes. GameWith’s Digimon UP database lists both Imperialdramon: Dragon Mode, with Paildramon as its pre-digivolution, and Imperialdramon: Fighter Mode as partner Digimon. The game launched on iOS and Android on July 15, 2026.

What Digimon DNA digivolve into Imperialdramon?

ExVeemon and Stingmon DNA digivolve into Paildramon, which then digivolves into Imperialdramon Dragon Mode. Their Rookie forms are Veemon and Wormmon.

What is the difference between Imperialdramon Dragon Mode and Fighter Mode?

Dragon Mode is a four-legged flying dragon whose signature attack is Mega Death. Fighter Mode is an upright warrior with Giga Death and Splendor Blade. You reach Fighter Mode with a Mode Change from Dragon Mode.

Is Imperialdramon a Royal Knight?

No. Its link to the Royal Knights comes through Paladin Mode, which is powered by Omnimon, a Royal Knight.

How do you get Imperialdramon in Digimon World 3?

Raise ExVeemon and Stingmon to Lv.5 for Paildramon, then raise Paildramon to Lv.50. For Paladin Mode, guides give two methods: Fighter Mode and Omnimon both at Lv.40, or an in-battle DNA digivolve.

Who is Imperialdramon’s partner?

Davis Motomiya (Daisuke Motomiya) and Ken Ichijouji share it through Veemon and Wormmon. They are still its partners in Digimon Adventure 02: The Beginning (2023).

Article notes

JQ

Written by Jasper Quinlan

Jasper Quinlan covers the Digimon Card Game and toys for Digimon Generation, from booster set lists and ban list updates to Vital Bracelet and figure release announcements. He checks every card text, rarity and release date against Bandai's official card list, rule documents and product pages so readers can plan decks and collections with confidence.

• Fact-checked by Noelle Fairbanks against the sources listed below before publication.
• Published November 10, 2026

Sources (8)

1. Imperialdramon: Dragon Mode - Wikimon (wikimon.net)
2. Imperialdramon: Fighter Mode - Wikimon (wikimon.net)
3. Imperialdramon: Paladin Mode - Wikimon (wikimon.net)
4. Imperialdramon: Dragon Mode (Black) - Wikimon (wikimon.net)
5. Imperialdramon: Fighter Mode (Black) - Wikimon (wikimon.net)
6. Imperialdramon: Dragon Mode (Black) - Grindosaur (grindosaur.com)
7. ImperialDramon (Dragon Mode) - Digital Masters World (digitalmastersworld.wiki.gg)
8. Toy People Imperialdramon profile (toy-people.com)

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