Delphox are true magicians, capable of transforming speech and the pointing of a fiery wand into powerful spells which defy any scientific understanding of the world. Even their normal techniques are performed in ways which violates accepted principles; a fire is created not with a blast or a wave, but with an incantation and an immediate, distant ignition. Yet much like the scientists they baffle – and unlike the Mismagius, who were once thought to be unique – Delphox magic is simply the accumulation of knowledge about the nature of the world, albeit through a very different paradigm than that of observation and experimentation.

Delphox learn magic not as an inborn quality, but through years of spellbooks from other Delphox, which resemble a primitive form of technical machine, albeit through very different techniques. From manipulating time or ignoring cause and effect to swapping items from a thousand yards away, wild Delphox and those with dedicated trainers learn techniques which few humans or pokemon can parallel, let alone replicate.

In Kalos' early history, Delphox magic would occasionally be discovered by humans, for Delphox magic is simply arcane knowledge, and teaching humans is simply a matter of translation and paradigm shifts - although they were always vastly outnumbered by charlatans who used their pokemon to fake such powers. Yet these mages clashed frequently with the clergy, who feared their power and alleged it had come from Yveltal. When priests gained political influence, they purported to distinguish Delphox from human mages (for the two could switch appearances) through trials by fire – a Delphox would be modestly irritated by the flames, but a human would burn to death.

Fearing for their pupils' safety, Delphox ceased to teach humans. This did not stop the burnings, for the priests, absent any genuine targets, continued to burn the innocent.