A list of Franchise/{{Pokemon}} who debuted in ''VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire'', and their relatives. Introducing 135 Pokémon, of which only 2 are related to older Generations, this generation was the second largest until Generation V came around. 7 Pokémon related to this generation were introduced in [[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl Generation IV]], bringing the grand total to 140. Seeing as in the first games of this generation, most old Pokémon were absent, numerous Expies were introduced, and so several themes such as Fossils were brought back. This generation was also the first to diverge from the [[PowerTrio trio]]-uber-event dynamic of legendaries (although Lugia and Ho-Oh were a borderline break), by making the version mascots another [[PowerTrio trio]], and introducing a pair of legends with no equivalent in older generations.
For other generations, [[{{Characters/Pokemon}} go here]].
!!Treecko, Grovyle, and Sceptile (Kimori, Juptile, and Jukain)
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Hoenn's Grass-type starters, a family of Pokémon inspired by leaf-tailed geckos. They are the {{Fragile Speedster}}s of the bunch. Treecko's first STAB move, Absorb, may be weak, but evolve it, and Grovyle and Sceptile get their SecretArt: Leaf Blade.
* {{Badass}}: Sceptile, one of the rare badass-looking Grass-types.
* BladeBelowTheShoulder: Grovyle and Sceptile.
* [[GlassCannon Glass]] [[LightningBruiser Ninja]]: Unlike Jumpluff, the only Grass-type (aside from Shaymin) that can be favorably compared to it in terms of Speed pre-Generation V, Sceptile has very good offensive stats. The problem is, the same can't be said for its defenses. Its Dream World Ability, Unburden, makes it even faster once its held item is used up.
* EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs: Though the line is more heavily based on geckos, Grovyle and Sceptile have some [[RaptorAttack dromaeosaurid]] features, and even get a few things right in the depiction with their inward-facing hands and "feathers".
* GreenThumb: Grass-type.
* InASingleBound: Known for jumping through trees.
* OurDragonsAreDifferent: Yup, a Grass-type that, much like Charizard and Gyarados, is treated like a Dragon. In addition to being in the Dragon egg group and thus being able to breed with them, it can learn Dragon moves such as Dragon Claw, Outrage, and Dragon Pulse.
* SecretArt: [[BladeBelowTheShoulder Leaf Blade]], in Generation III. Also, as a Grass starter, Grass Pledge and Frenzy Plant.
* TurnsRed: Like all Grass-type starters, its Grass-type moves are boosted in potency when it's down to 1/3 of its HP, thanks to its Overgrow ability.
* WallCrawl: Treecko has spikes on its feet to walk on walls and ceilings.
!!Torchic, Combusken, and Blaziken (Achamo, Wakashamo, and Burshamo)
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Hoenn's Fire-type starters, they are based on the cockfighting sport popular in Thailand. Since Roxanne, the first leader, uses Rock-types, some players get discouraged from picking it first. However, it is effective in battles once it evolves, and its Fire[=/=]Fighting typing allows it to take down two of the Elite Four as well as the Champion in ''Ruby'' and ''Sapphire''.
* {{Badass}}: Blaziken, good god.
* BareFistedMonk: Blaziken is fully capable of [[{{Shoryuken}} uppercutting]] foes right out of the sky.
* EarlyBirdCameo: Blaziken was the only starter to appear in [[{{Anime/Pokemon}} the anime]] before its generation debut. And yes, we get the joke "[[IncrediblyLamePun early bird]]."
* GlassCannon: Great Attack, but most strong moves will one shot it.
* InASingleBound: Those long legs help.
* {{Kiai}}: Combusken are said to make loud noises when practicing their martial arts moves.
* KickChick[[HurricaneOfPuns en]]: Combusken and Blaziken, emphasized by the Blaze Kick move.
* LightningBruiser: Its statistically average Speed is brought to much more formidable levels by its Dream World Ability, Speed Boost, which makes Blaziken faster at the end of each turn.
** MightyGlacier: Is this without Speed Boost... well, sort of.
*** GlassCannon: Infernape's defensive abilities are '''''very''''' slightly superior to Blaziken's. Infernape is famous for being a FragileSpeedster, so yeah. On the other hand, Blaziken does hit harder than Infernape, even when Infernape is packing ''its'' Dream World ability[[hottip:*:Iron Fist, which boosts the power of punching moves by 20%; this doesn't quite manage to compensate for the gap between Blaziken and Infernape's physical Attack stats]].
**** WhenAllYouHaveIsAHammer: As Speed Boost is a Dream World ability, it limits Blaziken's movepool considerably, making it extremely predictable. But Blaziken can wreck teams with the few strong moves it has access to and the only move it loses that deserves mention is [[ElementalPunch Thunder Punch]] and Hi Jump Kick deals more damage than a super effective Thunder Punch would.
* KamehameHadoken: In the Gamecube games, whenever Blaziken uses special attacks like Flamethrower, it does not spit them out. Instead, they come out of its wrists.
* NinjaPirateZombieRobot: Blaziken is a kickboxing fire chicken.
* OvershadowedByAwesome: Blaziken was mostly outclassed by Infernape in almost every way in the Generation IV games; while Blaziken could hit harder than Infernape (especially in terms of physical attacks), Infernape's superior speed (and, to a lesser extent, its ''marginally'' superior defenses), along with respectable offensive might on both the physical and special spectrums, made it significantly more useful to most competitive teams. Generation V seems to have corrected this; while Infernape is still a formidable opponent, Blaziken's new StatusBuff potential placed it, arguably, among the best Pokémon in the metagame.
** On the other hand, Blaziken manages to do this ''in spades'' to Emboar. Seriously, the only stat that's higher for Emboar than for Blaziken is HP, and high HP doesn't amount to much when paper-thin defenses mean that any attack from a powerful opponent inflicts massive damage anyways.
* PlayingWithFire: So freaking much.
* RidiculouslyCuteCritter: Torchic is this. Even its Sapphire and HG/SS Pokedex entries advise you should hug it since it's very warm to the touch.
* SecretArt: [[HurricaneKick Blaze Kick]], in Generation III. And as a Fire starter, Fire Pledge and Blast Burn.
* {{Shotoclone}}: Blaziken
* StatusBuff: Obtains Speed Boost in the fifth generation (and already has Baton Pass, though are sadly incompatible in existing releases), allowing it to compete much better against the 2 other Fire/Fighting starter lines. (Granted, it already blows Emboar out of the water in just about every single department except for HP... well, except that Emboar can learn a Water-type move. Emboar also has slightly higher Attack, but is too slow to use it.)
* TertiarySexualCharacteristics: Male Combusken and Blaziken have longer "cowlick" feathers than females. Torchic also have difference, but it's just a black speck in back sprite which appears only for males. [[DownplayedTrope It's about one pixel difference, making it very easy to miss.]]
* TookALevelInBadass: Blaziken. Blaziken ''oh so much''. Upon getting not only Speed Boost but also the drastically buffed Hi Jump Kick, Blaziken went right from being an "inferior Infernape" of sorts to being the first starter Pokémon to ever be put in the Uber tiers, pitting it against the likes of Mewtwo, Lugia, Rayquaza, and even ''[[{{God}} Arceus]]'' (who, depending on the type of Plate its holding, Blaziken ''[[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu actually has an advantage over]]''). If that isn't a level in badass being taken, I don't know what is.
* TurnsRed: Blaze boosts the power of its Fire-type moves when it's about to keel over.
!!Mudkip, Marshtomp, and Swampert (Mizugorou, Numaclaw, and Laglarge)
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Hoenn's Water-type starter, it is a Pokémon based on the Mudskipper. They are the best choice for facing Hoenn's Gym Leaders, considering that their Water-type takes care of Roxanne and Flannery, and its Ground-type takes care of Wattson. [[MemeticMutation People like Mudkip.]]
* [[AnIcePerson An Ice Pokémon]]: Like most Water-types, it can be taught Ice-type moves. This makes its only weakness (Grass) rather difficult to exploit.
* AwesomeYetPractical: Swampert is statistically the strongest of the starters, and it's also one of the most useful ones. Unlike every other starter, it has remained consistently popular and useful in the competitive scene since its debut, though it has taken a bit of a hit in usefulness in Generation V.
** PowerupLetdown: Its Dream World ability is Damp, which simply prevents the usage of Selfdestruct and Explosion; said moves were {{nerf}}ed to the point of undesirability at the same time.
* {{Badass}}: Swampert.
* DishingOutDirt: The line is of the Ground type from Marshtomp onward; additionally, it has access to numerous useful Rock moves.
* ForMassiveDamage: It's a single weakness, but a crippling one: anything and everything Grass-related will wreck Swampert. (On the other hand, it's the only Water-type starter, and one of a small handful of Pokémon, that's immune to Electric.)
* InformedAbility: Swampert's FlavorText regularly states that it can swim as fast as a jet-ski. Its Speed actually isn't that good, nor does it get Swift Swim as a Dream World ability.
* MakingASplash: Water-type.
* MightyGlacier: Its Speed isn't as bad as some others of similar constitution, but it certainly pales compared to its Attack and defensive stats.
* PintsizedPowerhouse: According to the Pokédex, Mudkip can crush rocks bigger than itself.
* SecretArt: Muddy Water, in Generation III, and Water Pledge and Hydro Cannon (being water starters) in Generations IV and V.
* TurnsRed: Like all starters, its primary Water-type moves get boosted when it's been pushed to nearly its limit, thanks to its Torrent ability.
!!Poochyena and Mightyena
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A Hyena that inhabits the first few routes in ''Ruby'' and ''Sapphire'' but graduates to {{Com Mon|s}} in ''Emerald''. Poochyena is somewhat cowardly, running away from foes with its Quick Feet, but Mightyena's fearsome appearance intimidates the opponent, lowering its attack. They are loyal to their Trainers and are popular pets. It should be noted that Poocheyna and Mightyena are the first pure Dark-types to have an evolutionary line (prior to this, the only Dark-types that could evolve were ones that were mixed with another type).
* [[BigBadassWolf Big Badass Hyena]]: Mightyena is this incarnate. Poochyena tries to be this, but has a penchant for running away from anything that fights back.
* CombatPragmatist: They can use Thief, Torment, Taunt, and Swagger. And they're the first pure-Dark types that have an evolution line.
* ComMons: In ''Emerald''. {{Averted}} in ''Ruby'' and ''Sapphire'', where they are limited to the first Route, paralleling Sentret's role in ''Gold'' and ''Silver''.
* DarkIsNotEvil: Mightyena are noted as being quite loyal.
* [[PreciousPuppies Everything's Precious With Hyena Cubs]]: Averted, since they normally steal, torment, and taunt, making them more like [[{{Hellhound}} Hellhounds]] or [[AngryGuardDog Angry Guard Dogs]].
* IAmNotWeasel: Due to their appearance, people often mistake them for wolves. They're actually based off of the [[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Parahyaena_brunnea_3.jpg Brown hyena]].
* LethalJokeCharacter: While not very strong as a Pokemon, one of their possible abilities lets them get faster while poisoned, and they learn the move Me First, which can result in upsets for Dragons when you grab their Outrage or Dragon Claw and throw it back at them for a world of hurt.
!!Zigzagoon and Linoone (Zigzaguma and Massuguma)
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Respectively a raccoon and a badger, they are curious Pokémon that have the tendency to find things after battles. They also like to take things from other Pokémon using Covet. They seem to have the appetite for Oran and Sitrus berries, since they are often found with them. However, don't confuse Linoone for one of [[WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender Avatar Aang's]] [[TeamPet Team Pets]]- the two sharing an arrow on their heads is purely coincidence. It's no Airbender- but with its graceful speed and fast-as-the-wind attacks, it sure acts like one.
* AstonishinglyAppropriateAppearance: No points on how the creators came up with their names.
** ThemeNaming: ''Zigzag'' and ''line''.
* BigEater: Implied due to its Gluttony ability.
* ComMons: In ''Ruby'' and ''Sapphire'', where they can be commonly found on ALL land routes except those around Mt. Chimney. {{Averted}} in ''Emerald'', where Poochyena takes that spot.
* DiscOneNuke: Has the Pickup Ability that gives you free items just for being in your party. That includes [[VendorTrash Nuggets]], Ultra Balls, Max Revives, [[RareCandy Rare Candies]], and King's Rocks.
** {{Nerf}}: In ''[=FireRed=]'' and ''[=LeafGreen=]'' the drop lists and chances were changed so it would mostly get you Berries - still useful, but not Nuke-level - and from ''Emerald'' on, Pickup's rewards were scaled based on the Pickup Pokémon's level.
* GlassCannon: Linoone to a ridiculous extent once it uses [[PowerAtAPrice Belly Drum]].
* {{Expy}}/SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute: The Hoenn equivalent of Rattata and Raticate, down to being in most land routes.
* ItemCaddy: Thanks to Pickup and its item-stealing moves. Can also be used for many HM moves, making it a handy traveling partner.
* LethalJokeCharacter: At first glance, Linoone appears to be the typical first route [[ComMons common pest]] that is [[OvershadowedByAwesome outclassed by other normal types]], though Linoone has one the most deadly game-changing strategies if done right. The strategy involves using Belly Drum, which with proper [[GuideDangit EV training]] will bring you to exactly 50% health, which in turn activates its held item the Salac Berry thanks to Gluttony. Basically with a lot of luck, you could have a Mon with +6 Attack and +1 Speed plowing through teams like no tomorrow.
** Even better if it's one of those special Linoone with [=ExtremeSpeed=][[hottip:*:evolve a certain Zigzagoon attained from Pokemon Box]], which essentially makes you worry less about your foes' priority attacks.
* NonElemental: Normal-type.
* RascallyRaccoon: The aforementioned Pickup ability and stealing moves. Strangely, Linoone's design is more based on a badger. {{Justified|Trope}} by the Japanese word for raccoon and badger being roughly the same.
!!Wurmple, Silcoon, Cascoon, and Beautifly, Dustox (Kemusso, Karasalys/Mayuld, and Agehunt/Dokucale)
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An unusual Pokémon when it comes to evolution. All Wurmple start as the same species, but random factors in the game lead it down two branching evolutionary paths. Some Wurmple evolve into Silcoon, which in turn evolve into the beautiful, yet vicious Beautifly. Other Wurmple evolve into Cascoon, which in turn evolve into the poisonous moth Dustox.
* ComMons: Wurmple is common throughout Hoenn.
* [[BeautyIsBad Beautifly Is Bad]]: Don't let its appearance fool you, Beautiflies aren't exactly nectar sippers...
* CrutchCharacter: both typings of the evolved forms leaves them with 1/4 resistance to Brawly's fighting-type attacks, not to mention Dustox can learn Confusion early.
* {{Expy}}/SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute: Of the Caterpie and Weedle lines, since they are larval Pokémon that show up early in the game, evolve into a cocoon, and end as a flying bug. Wurmple even combines the natural movesets of Caterpie and Weedle. And once it gets to its cocoon form it has a cheerful Bug vs. menacing Bug-Poison contrasts.
* {{Flight}}: Beautifly. Dustox is similar to Beedrill and Venomoth in that [[GameplayAndStorySegregation it is airborne, but is neither a Flying type or has Levitate as an ability]].
* ForMassiveDamage: Beautifly is already very delicate, but one good Rock-type attack is pretty much ''guaranteed'' to take it out.
* GlassCannon: Beautifly; its highest two stats are its attacking ones, with an emphasis on Special Attack.
* HealThyself: Both final evolutions get such a move. Beautifly gets Morning Sun, and Dustox gets Moonlight.
* LifeDrain: Beautifly's main method of predation is sucking the bodily fluids out of its prey. [[GameplayAndStoryIntegration As such]], they naturally learn Absorb, Mega Drain, and Giga Drain.
* [[PoisonousPerson Poisonous Pokémon]]: Dustox
* PrettyButterfly: Beautifly. (Just watch out; it's also vicious.)
* PsychicPowers: Dustox naturally learns quite a few Psychic-type moves.
* StandardStatusEffects: Dustox's Shield Dust prevents any of these that are secondary effects of an attacking move.
* StoneWall: Dustox has a surprisingly hefty Special Defense; its physical Defense is its second highest stat.
* TertiarySexualCharacteristics: Male Beautifly have smaller red spots on their wings than females; Male Dustox likewise have larger antennae than females.
* TookALevelInBadass: A bit. Both Dustox and Beautifly gained Quiver Dance in Gen V. Unfortunately, they do still tend to get [[OvershadowedByAwesome overshadowed]] by other bugs that can abuse it better, like Beautifly[[note]]with Compoundeyes-boosted Status-inducing moves to create openings in which to set up Quiver Dance[[/note]], Masquerain[[note]]with moves like [[MakingASplash Hydro Pump]] and [[AnIcePerson Ice Beam]] to attack with, or being the only one in NU that can Baton Pass the buff[[/note]], or Mothim[[note]]which boasts slightly better Special Attack than other Quiver Dance users, as well as the Tinted Lens ability to make the most of its attack coverage.[[/note]]
* TurnsRed: Beautifly, due to the ability Swarm.
* UrbanLegendOfZelda: Whether your Wurmple evolves into a Silcoon or a Cascoon is based on the personality value, hidden normally, not by gender, stats, time of day, etc.
* UselessUsefulSpell: Dustox gets the Hidden Ability Compoundeyes. Unfortunately, it doesn't have any low-accuracy moves to abuse the ability with the way Butterfree[[note]]with StandardStatusEffects[[/note]] or Galvantula[[note]]with [[ShockAndAwe Thunder]][[/note]] do. The best Dustox can do with Compoundeyes is have a slightly decreased chance to miss with Toxic or Swagger, neither of which missed particularly often anyway.
** Beautifly's Hidden Ability of Rivalry is a bit of a toss-up. Rivalry boosts both of Beautifly's attacking stats if it happens to be up against something of the same gender. However, it will ''[[PowerupLetdown decrease]]'' Beautifly's attacking stats instead if it's against something of the opposite gender. This can actually be fine in some simulators, since the default gender is male and players rarely bother changing it, but in the game itself, the opposition will frequently be sprinkled with both genders, making the ability a liability all too often.
!!Lotad, Lombre, and Ludicolo (Hasubo, Hasubrero, and Runpappa)
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Water-Grass-type Pokémon that inhabit the freshwater areas of Routes 102 and 114. They have an affinity for rain and bear lily pads on their heads, which they use to ferry small Pokémon across small bodies of water and to catch rainwater to restore HP.
* DanceBattler: Ludicolo, so freaking much.
* {{Foil}}: To the Seedot family. Same base stat totals, same evolution process (first at lvl. 14, then next with use of an evolutionary stone), Lotad learning Rain Dance and Seedot learning Sunny Day, and exclusive to ''Sapphire'' and ''Ruby'', respectively.
* FunPersonified: Ludicolo.
* GreenThumb: Grass-type.
* HealingFactor: Capable of learning a wide array of health restoration moves, plus an ability that restores hit points when the weather is rainy.
* MakingASplash: Water-type.
* NiceHat: Lily-pad hats are [[CrazyAwesome awesome]], okay?
* NinjaPirateZombieRobot: Ludicolo somewhat resembles a pineapple with a duck bill wearing a lily-pad sombrero.
* PerpetualFrowner: Lotad and Lombre. In spite of that, their behavior is quite cheerful.
* SouthOfTheBorder: Ludicolo seems to be wearing a sombrero.
* {{Youkai}}: They have some {{Kappa}}-like elements.
!!Seedot, Nuzleaf, and Shiftry (Tanebo, Konohana, and Dirtengu)
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Grass-Dark-type Pokémon (Seedot is pure Grass) that share a habitat with the [[{{Foil}} Lotad line]] and later inhabit Routes 117 and 120. They have an affinity for sunlight. Seedot has minimal offensive abilities, while Nuzleaf is able to learn Extrasensory, which allows it to take down the Fighting-type that they would be weak to.
* ActionBomb: Exploding acorns/tengus!
* CombatPragmatist: They have ''no'' honor whatsoever when it comes to fighting.
* {{Foil}}: See Lotad's entry.
* ForMassiveDamage: Any reasonably powerful Bug attack will take this line down.
* GagNose: Starting with Nuzleaf.
* GreenThumb: Grass-type.
* {{Jerkass}}: Shiftry, according to the 'dex.
* MetalSlime: In ''Emerald'', really hard to find.
** There ''is'', however, an in-game trade early in ''Emerald'', in Rustboro City. The problem? The requisite Pokémon, Ralts, is a MetalSlime itself.
* ObviouslyEvil: Shiftry's species is the Wicked Pokémon. And doesn't look quite innocent either.
* PsychicPowers: They have the move Extrasensory in their natural movepool, allowing it to take out the Fighting and Poison-types easily and potentially make it flinch.
* {{Youkai}}: Shiftry is based on a tengu.
** Its Japanese, German, and French names are ''Dirteng'', ''Tengulist'', and ''Tengalice'', making this even more obvious.
!!Taillow and Swellow (Subame and Oosubame)
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Swallow Pokémon that inhabit the early routes of Hoenn. They're not as common in their region as their counterparts Pidgey, Starly, and Pidove are in their regions. They are true {{Determinator}}s, refusing to give up even when they are near defeat.
* BigBadassBirdOfPrey: And it's a ''swallow'', too!
* BlowYouAway: Flying-type.
* ComMons: Subverted. Like Sentret, they look like ComMons, and you expect them to be common, but nope, they are rare to find beyond the early game areas.
* {{Determinator}}: What Guts amounts to.
* {{Expy}}: While often compared to Pidgey and Starly, its evolutionary pattern, Pokédex description, and stat distribution is actually more in line with Spearow.
* FragileSpeedster: Hit hard, especially with Guts, but this usually just makes hits frai defenses even ore noticable.
* GlassCannon: When affected with a status condition, Guts kicks in and makes their attacks deadly, even if survivability gets even more hindered. Combine with Facade for optimal effect.
* IncendiaryExponent: As stated in Glass Cannon, most competitive Swellows will fight in a literal blaze of glory by holding a Flame Orb to self-inflict Burn.
* NonElemental: Normal-type.
!!Wingull (Camome) and Pelipper
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Water and Flying-type Pokémon that are found everywhere while surfing. Wingull is a FragileSpeedster, learning speed-based attacks like Quick Attack and even Agility, but Pelipper has a much different moveset, learning Hydro Pump and the Stockpile trio, and having a Defense stat of 100 but a Speed stat lower than Wingull.
* BlowYouAway: Wingull learns more wind-based attacks than Pelipper, though.
* ComMons: On water routes.
* {{Flight}}: Flying-type.
* ForMassiveDamage: Zap it with a well-placed Electric attack.
* FragileSpeedster: Oddly, Wingull fits this, but Pelipper doesn't.
* HealingFactor: Its Dream World ability, Rain Dish, lets it regain health in the rain.
* MightyGlacier: Pelipper ''tries'' to be this. Unfortunately, the fact that Electric attacks will turn it into Hoenn Fried Pelican makes its defensive value questionable.
!!Ralts, Kirlia, Gardevoir (Sirknight), and Gallade (Erlade)
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[-''Gallade debuts in Generation IV''-]
Psychic-type Pokémon, notable for Kirlia and Gardevoir's feminine appearances, despite having an equal chance to be either gender. All of them are sensitive to the emotions of people and Pokémon around it. Ralts is the youngling of the group whose abilites are still underdeveloped, and a MetalSlime. However, once it evolves into Kirlia, it starts learning a decent variety of Special Attack-based moves. Unfortunately, as Kirlia, it's still not at its full potetital. But when a Kirlia evolves into Gardevoir, its Special stats skyrocket to something fierce, and it can learn a spectacular number of different moves to compliment these stats. Generation IV introduced Gallade. If a male Kirlia is given a Dawn Stone, it evolves into a Gallade, the "masculine" counterpart. Unlike Gardevoir, it has a high physical attack. It gains Fighting-type abilities, which wipes out its former Dark-type weakness. It is able to learn a large number of physical moves along with the support moves that the rest of the family can learn.
* BladeBelowTheShoulder: Gallade has [[DualWielding two of them]].
* ConfusionFu: Gallade's movepool. Psychic, Dark, Grass, Fighting, Rock, Flying, Bug, Ground...
* CuteMonsterGirl: Kirlia and Gardevoir, though they can be male.
* DudeLooksLikeALady: Kirlia and Gardevoir, despite 50% of them being male. Gallade, with his more masculine appearance, was probably added to fix this.
* HumanoidAbomination: The fact that they are in the Indeterminate egg group suggests this.
* MamaBear: Gardevoir will protect their trainer, no matter what.
** PapaWolf: Likewise, Gallade is an honorable swordsman who protects the weak from harm.
* MetalSlime: Ralts is rare in every game it can be encountered. Made even more frustrating in that it's the first Pokémon your rival Wally encounters in ''Ruby'', ''Sapphire'', and ''Emerald''.
* MagikarpPower: Ralts is one of seven Pokémon with lower base stats than the TropeNamer, and Kirlia is the weakest of all non-cocoon evolved Pokémon, but Gardevoir is a bulky alternative to Alakazam, and Gallade is a unique Pokémon with a great movepool. In fact, Gallade and Gardevoir have the second highest base stat total for a permanent psychic type (518 compared to Starmie's 520) that isn't a psuedo/actual legendary.
* MightyGlacier edging on LightningBruiser: Both Gardevoir and Gallade have impressive Special Defense and offense (Special Attack for Gardevoir, Attack for Gallade), but only average Speed. Thus, while they're not really ''slow'', it's still pretty easy to outspeed them.
* OneGenderRace: Gallade can only evolve from male Kirlia.
* PsychicPowers: Psychic-type.
* SpearCounterpart: Gallade to Gardevoir in appearance, though as stated Gardevoirs can be male too. Gallades can't be female though.
* {{Synchronization}}: 2 out of 3 of this family's abilities, Trace (copying the opponent's own ability) and the one which is actually '''called''' Synchronize (passing status effects).
* UndyingLoyalty: Gardevoir towards its trainer.
!!Surskit and Masquerain (Ametama and Amemoth)
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A [[MetalSlime very rare]] Pokémon, respectively based on a water-strider and an eye-spotted moth. Surskit is Bug and Water-typed and has a movepool with limited offensive abilities. Masquerain uses its eye-spotted wings to intimidate the opponent and has a natural moveset that is more in line with the likes of other flying insects. This line is notable for having a unique type combination (Bug/Water) removed upon evolution.
* BigCreepyCrawlies: Bug-type.
* BlowYouAway: Masquerain
* BlushSticker: Surskit
* {{Flight}}: Masquerain.
* ForMassiveDamage: Masquerain is very weak to Rock attacks.
* MakingASplash: Surskit
** While Surskit's Water-typing doesn't carry over in evolution, its water-based moveset does, as Masquerain is capable of learning moves like Scald, [[ActionInitiative Aqua Jet]], [[AnIcePerson Ice Beam]], and Hydro Pump.
* MetalSlime: Try to find one outside of a swarm.
** JunkRare: Masquerain's much-maligned and all too common Bug/Flying typing made it hard to stand out well, and made it less than deserving of its rare status.
* TookALevelInBadass: Inverted! While many Pokémon gain unique type combinations through evolution, Surskit is one of the few to ''lose'' that upon evolution! Not to mention that Masquerain's Bug/Flying is shared by eleven other Pokémon.
** Played ''very'' straight in Gen V, which gave it the new, powerful StatusBuff Quiver Dance. Even better, Masquerain is one of only two Pokemon to get both Quiver Dance ''and'' Baton Pass, the other being Venomoth, which Masquerain no longer has to compete with. Masquerain's Intimidate ability even makes it pretty good at setting up, either giving it a free turn as the opposing player switches out, or leaving said player with a weakened Pokemon.
* WalkOnWater: Surskit is a water strider.
!!Shroomish and Breloom (Kinococo and Kinogassa)
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Mushroom Pokémon that mainly inhabit forests like Petalburg Forest. They have the Effect Spore ability which sometimes causes StandardStatusEffects on contact. Shroomish is a pure Grass-type that favors more Status Effect moves. Breloom gains the Fighting-type in addition to its Grass-type and gains many effective Fighting-type moves to take advantage of its amazing Attack stat.
* BareFistedMonk: Despite its short stubby arms, Breloom's main form of combat is to punch its foes into submission. Some adaptations show that the arms [[RubberMan stretch extremely far beyond its body]].
* BigOlUnibrow: Shroomish.
* BoxingKangaroo: Breloom, albeit roughly in appearance, and arguably why it was classified as a Fighting-type.
* EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs: Breloom has some characteristics of dinosaurs, with its head being similar to an ''Pachycephalosaurus'' and its tail resembling an ''Ankylosaurus'' tail.
* ForMassiveDamage: Breloom to Flying attacks.
* GlassCannon: Breloom has excellent Attack, but all its other stats are below average. With careful usage of Poison Heal, Substitute, and/or Leech Seed, Breloom can withstand far more punishment than its (lack of) toughness would suggest.
* LethalJokeCharacter[=/=]DifficultButAwesome: Breloom is a major threat in OU competitive play, yet it has one of the lowest base stat totals in the tier.
* MagikarpPower: Shroomish is useful to a degree, but doesn't do much apart from spreading status and helping against Roxanne, while Breloom is an excellent Pokémon in the main game too.
* MegatonPunch: The most famous moveset variants for Brelooms in the Third and Fourth generations revolve around the TM Focus Punch.
* [[MushroomMan Mushroom Kangaroo]]: Breloom.
* PerpetualFrowner: Shroomish
* StandardStatusEffects: Spore, Poison Powder and Stun Spore.
* StoneWall: Shroomish, as a Stark Contrast to what it evolves into, specializes in HP and its defensive stats.
* TookALevelInBadass: Between Spore and its powerful movepool, Breloom was a significant threat to begin with in Gen III. Gen IV gifted it with the second ability Poison Heal, which lets it regenerate while afflicted with Poison or Bad Poison status, and reliable physical Grass STAB as a complement to its Fighting attacks. Gen V gifted it with the Hidden Ability Technician, which lets it Mach Punch with as much power as Scizor can Bullet Punch and beefs up other attacks that Breloom can learn to new heights, such as Bullet Seed. As Technician and the still-popular Poison Heal are mutually exclusive, this hasn't so much objectively improved Breloom as it has added new alternative avenues for it to try.
!!Slakoth, Vigoroth, and Slaking (Namakero, Yarukimono, and Kekking)
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Notorious for its "ability" to stop attacking every other turn, Slakoth isn't very useful besides its high Attack for an early Pokémon. Its evolution, Vigoroth, is all-around great team member, with ''monstrous'' Attack and HP, plus solid Speed and Defense. Vigoroth also defies the laziness of its previous form by growing extremely hyperactive, and so it temporarily dumps Truant for Vital Spirit, the ability to not fall asleep, so it's basically the peppy adolescent stage. Slaking, however, regains the Truant ability, but its ''incredible'' Attack and Defense makes up for it.
* {{Badass}}: Slaking has stats on par with those of ''[[OlympusMons Groudon and Kyogre]]''. Yet it is not a Legendary, it is the fully evolved form of a Pokémon that can be captured in the area prior to the first badge. Oh, and a [[NonElemental Normal type]] as well. Now if only it weren't so damn lazy...
* BlessedWithSuck: Truant makes you unable to attack every second turn. Can be quite deadly in double battles, but easily stopped by Protect in single battles. Vigoroth averts this by gaining Vital Spirit as an ability.
* BrilliantButLazy: Slaking is this incarnate. Slakoth not so much, as it is unable to attack every other turn due to its low metabolism. Slaking doesn't attack often for similar reasons, though in Slaking's case it's quite capable of being ferocious - it just exhausts itself too easily.
* CursedWithAwesome: Moves like Hyper Beam and Giga Impact are extremely powerful, but the user can't do anything next round as they recharge. Given that Slaking won't do anything every other round anyway, it can make full use of this moves without really suffering any penalty.
** [[SubvertedTrope Subverted]] in the sense that if Hyper Beam or Giga Impact is used, the player can't switch out to avoid giving the opponent a free turn (though, oddly, it will give the "Slaking is loafing around" message and not "must recharge"). At least the player can switch out afterwards if they use a different move.
* FatterThanASpeedingBullet: You'd expect the flabby, lazy Slaking to be slowed down by its big gut, right? Nope, it's actually ''faster'' than Vigoroth.
* LightningBruiser: Vigoroth and Slaking, even if the latter stops attacking every other turn. Also [[DoubleSubversion double subverted]] with Slaking: Its Special Defense is on par with Snivy, but its huge HP makes up for that.
* LoopholeAbuse: While moves like Worry Seed and Simple Beam are unable to remove Slaking's ability, Cofagrius's Mummy ability ''can''. Simply have a Cofagrius on your team to change the opposing Pokemon's ability to Mummy, switch in Slaking, then attack with Pursuit so that, even if your opponent figures out what you're trying to do, it won't help. Then, [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass unleash]] '''[[TotalPartyKill Hell]]'''.
** This is even easier in doubles and triples, where you can simply pair it with a Skill Swap user and proceed to bulldoze everything in your path.
* MagikarpPower: Slakoth is slightly stronger than the ComMons, but is killed by its ability. Vigoroth is an all-around solid Pokémon. Slaking hits like a truck, is fast, has loads of HP and decent defenses, and the only thing stopping it is its hindering ability.
* NonElemental: Normal-type.
* SecretArt: Slack Off, in Generation III. Afterwards, other relaxed Pokémon got it (not Snorlax, though).
!!Nincada, Ninjask, and Shedinja (Tsuchinin, Tekkanin, and Nukenin)
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Another Bug Pokémon with strange evolution, it is meant to be a Cicada with {{Ninja}} elements. Nincada starts out as a Bug[=/=]Ground type with a limited moveset. Normally, it evolves into Ninjask, only second to Speed Form Deoxys as the fastest Pokémon, but if you have an empty slot and any kind of Pokéball, it "splits" into the mysterious Shedinja, which has resistance to any non-super-effective attack thanks to its Wonder Guard ability. WordOfGod says this is the discarded shell of Ninjask (much like an actual cicada sheds its shell upon maturing in real life) brought to life.
* BlowYouAway: Ninjask
* BodyHorror: Shedinja is the hollow, eerily pale, flaked off, creepy-looking shed skin of a cicada that somehow sees through two empty eyehole slits, has indented nubs where Ninjask's limbs were growing, sports "wings" made from its ''own shredded flesh,'' and it's the proud owner of a huge, gaping hole in its back from where Ninjask popped out. ''BLECK!!!''
* BoringButPractical: Like Mew, Ninjask is mostly used for [[MinMaxing Baton Passing]] {{Status Buff}}s; its Attack is decent, but outclassed by a lot, and its defenses are too horrendous for it to survive for very long. As mentioned below, it ''can'' pack a punch, but this relies on the element of surprise[[hottip:*:in competitive play, a Ninjask is almost instantly assumed to be MinMaxing, so this works better than you'd think... [[ItOnlyWorksOnce for one KO, anyways.]]
** Likewise, Shedinja can be thrown out as a shield against the horribly-damaging moves Self-Destruct and Explosion without a scratch on it.
* CripplingOverspecialization: Despite the myriad ways to defeat it, Shedinja can still take down Uber staples Kyogre and Palkia with little trouble.
* DishingOutDirt: Nincada
* DivergentCharacterEvolution: Apart of the vastly different secondary types, Nincada attempts to be a StoneWall of sorts, Ninjask is a FragileSpeedster specialized in MinMaxing that still can pack a punch, and Shedinja is a OneHitPointWonder gimmick that otherwise plays like a slower Ninjask.
* {{Flight}}: Ninjask. Shedinja is also always in the air.
* ForMassiveDamage: As a Bug/Flying dual-type Pokémon, Ninjask can't stand Rock attacks, and its frail defenses make sure of that even further.
* FragileSpeedster: Ninjask is the second-fastest Pokémon in the game, and its ability makes it even faster.
** GlassCannon: It also has decent attack, but abysmal defenses.
* GameplayAndStorySegregation: The Pokedex states that peering into the hole of a Shedinja (the one Ninjask made bursting from its shell) will allow it to steal your soul. Guess what you glance at every time you throw Shedinja into battle? Bupkis! Who knows if it will ever be explored in the anime or games?
** Maybe that's just because it likes you... or it's plotting something...
* GlassCannon: '''SHEDINJA.''' It has '''''1''''' hit point. It's fine so long as it doesn't spar off against a type weakness, get confused, or suffer indirect damage, but if it does, it's hooped. In fact, it's practically the biggest example of a Glass Cannon among all Pokemon. Ninjask, as mentioned above, also qualifies to a degree.
* HolyHalo: Shedinja. How it got there is a mystery. Maybe it's what breathes life into Shedinja in the first place.
* KryptoniteIsEverywhere: [[SuperPowerLottery Shedinja is impervious to damage!]] Well, provided that it doesn´t get hit by a attack with the type of one of its [[ForMassiveDamage 5 weaknesses]] [[TheCorruption or a Shadow move]], [[GeoEffects Hail, Sandstorm, Stealth Rock, Spikes]], [[TheCorruption Shadow Sky]], [[StandardStatusEffects Poison, Leech Seed, Confusion, Burn]], [[TakingYouWithMe Destiny Bond, Perish Song, or Rough Skin.]] [[OverlyLongGag Or, for that matter]], any non-Fighting/Normal attack from a Pokémon with the [[NoSell Mold Breaker, Teravolt, or Turboblaze abilities or the move Gastro Acid]], which turns Shedinja into just another one hit point wonder.
* {{Ninja}}: And Ninjask has {{Samurai}} elements as well.
* NoBiologicalSex: Shedinja
* NoSell: Shedinja's Wonder Guard will stop any attack that isn't super-effective from hitting. However, if that ability gets nullified, the poor thing's toast.
* OneHitPointWonder: Uniquely among Pokémon, Shedinja is one of these.
* OurGhostsAreDifferent: Shedinja, a discarded cicada shell with angel wings and a halo.
** OurAngelsAreDifferent: After all, it ''does'' have wings and a halo...
* SoulPower: Shedinja
* SupportPartyMember: Ninjask is a natural-born Baton Passer.
* ThisLooksLikeAJobForAquaman: Shedinja is, in every sense of the word, a pure gimmicky OneHitWonder...unless you're stuck trying to catch Kyogre in ''Sapphire'' or ''Emerald'', where its Wonder Guard ability nullifies every single one of Kyogre's attacks (Kyogre doesn't even have indirect attacks like Hail to do the job), leaving him a sitting duck as you whittle away at its health. Same goes for Latios/Latias.
** Similarly, it makes a great wall when trying to capture certain Legendaries once they're statused and at a low enough health(which Shedinja can even help with, being able to learn False Swipe). A number of Legendaries are encountered with absolutely no moves that can even ''touch'' Shedinja, allowing you to toss Pokeballs to your heart's content without having to worry about keeping your own Pokemon up. Works especially well in Black 2 and White 2, where this works on every Legendary that appears in them save pre-Elite Four Terrakion(who knows Rock Slide), Zekrom/Reshiram(who have abilities that ignore Wonder Guard completely), Regigigas(who knows Payback), and Heatran. Also notable is that [=HeartGold=]/[=SoulSilver=] ''Mewtwo'' can't do anything to harm it.
** This also applies to trained Kyogre, where Shedinja is an amusing counter since most Kyogre forget to pack a move that can hurt Shedinja.
* UrbanLegendOfZelda: You can have ANY kind of ball to get Shedinja, you do not need a Pokeball... In Generation III at least. In Generation IV and V, you ''do'' need a Pokeball.
* WhosLaughingNow: While extremely convoluted, there is a technique to change a Shedinja's ability to [[LastChanceHitPoint Sturdy]] in Triples play, [[NighInvulnerable thus keeping it at a perpetual "last" chance]]. Outside of status ailments, weather conditions or the various NoSell moves/abilities (all of which are mentioned above), making it even more difficult to take out (as the most common ways, attacks of its weakness elements, no longer do the job).
* YourSoulIsMine: Looking into the hole on Shedinja's back is said to cause it to steal your soul.
** The MoralGuardians [[DumbassHasAPoint were right!]] Playing Pokémon ''does'' steal kids' souls!
!! Whismur, Loudred, and Exploud (Gonyonyo, Dogomb, and Bakuong)
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Specializing in sound-based moves like Hyper Voice and Uproar, they inhabit caves like Rusturf Tunnel, Victory Road, and Underground Pass. They also are resistant to other sound-based moves thanks to their Soundproof ability.
* AstonishinglyAppropriateAppearance: Loudred's ears look like stereo speakers, while Exploud's "air vents" vaguely allude to those found on a pipe organ.
* CuteButCacophonic: Whismur, whose screaming can get as loud as (or louder than) a jet plane.
* FanNickname: Whismur has been jokingly refered to as "Pumbloom" by some people due to WebVideo/GameGrumps.
* FireIceLightning: Exploud can learn the Elemental Fangs.
* JackOfAllStats: Exploud has decent stat distribution and a great mixed movepool.
* MakeMeWannaShout: See above for Whismur. And while we're at it, let's look at Loudred and Exploud. Loudred's screaming can blow apart houses and turn over trucks, and Exploud's screaming can be heard from six miles away and is strong enough to trigger an earthquake.
* NonElemental: Normal-type.
* SignatureMove: Hyper Voice. Exploud even gets the Hidden Ability Scrappy, which allows it to hit Ghost-types with the move.
* WingdingEyes: Whismur's eyes look like crosshairs.
!! Makuhita and Hariyama (Makunoshita and Hariteyama)
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Bulky Fighting-type Pokémon that also like caves. They have high HP as well as high Attack. They are closely associated with the moves Arm Thrust and Smellingsalt.
* {{Badass}}: Hariyama, by virtue of high attack and HP.
* BareFistedMonk: Fights by punching and slapping its enemies.
* EyesAlwaysShut: Makuhita
* MightyGlacier: Durable, especially with Thick Fat, but slow.
* ScunthorpeProblem: Makuhita's Japanese name is Makuno'''shit'''a.
* SecretArt: [[SpamAttack Arm Thrust]], until Generation V. They are also associated with Smelling Salt, since other Pokémon can only learn it by breeding.
* StoutStrength: Hariyama tests its strength by standing on railroad tracks and trying to stop trains with its bare hands (remember troper kids: [[DontTryThisAtHome don't try this at the railroad tracks]]).
* [[WrestlerInAllOfUs Sumo Wrestler In All Of Us]]: Fighting-type.
!! Nosepass and Probopass (Dainose)
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[-''Probopass debuts in Generation IV''-]
Nose-shaped Rock-type Pokémon that are magnetic and hide in rocks. Nosepass's relation to magnetism allows it to learn Electric-type moves that would usually take it down easily. It also evolves into the Moai-like Probopass in magnetic areas like Mt. Coronet, giving it a Steel type.
* DishingOutDirt: Rock-type.
* EenieMeenieMinyMoai: Based on these.
* {{Expy}}: A stand-alone Rock Pokémon with very high defensive stats that is the trump card of the first gym leader, but stops being a threat after that, and gets a Steel-typed evolution in the next generation? Onix, is that you?
* ExtraOreDinary: Probopass.
* FakeUltimateMook: Just like Onix, Nosepass in its debut is somewhat of a threat in the hands of the first gym leader, but stops being so when any of your Pokémon evolves.
* ForMassiveDamage: Fighting and Ground attacks. The latter can be averted with Magnet Rise.
* GagNose: Probopass's large nose and bushy mustache has been compared (generally unfavourably) to that of Groucho Marx (and the novelty nose and glasses mask used as a PaperThinDisguise both in fiction and RealLife inspired by Groucho's memetic look), Mario from the ''SuperMarioBros'' video games, and Mr. Potato Head.
** Nosepass has a bit of a GagNose, too; Probopass's is just even bigger.
* GravityMaster: Probopass can learn the move Gravity naturally.
* MetalSlime: Unless you're carrying around Rock Smash regularly, they're not commonly encountered (even then, their encounter rate isn't extraordinarily high).
* MightyGlacier: In game, it's one of the slowest families of Pokémon out there, with Probopass having a base speed of 40. In story, its Pokedex mentions that it only moves a few inches a ''year''.
* MissingSecret: Has Head Smash as one of its Egg Moves in Generation IV. Nothing that can breed with Nosepass can learn it, though. This was fixed in generation V, with the move no longer listed as heritable.
* ScunthorpeProblem: Nosep'''ass''' and Probop'''ass''' have some trouble getting on the GTS without a nickname.
* ShockAndAwe: Because of their relation to magnetism, they can naturally learn a few Electric-type attacks.
* ShownTheirWork: Probopass is based on what the Moai statues [[hottip:*: Those strange head statues found on Easter Island]] originally looked like in both design and paint scheme, based on recent research and paint analysis.
* [[SiliconBasedLife Silicon Based Pokémon]]: Living rock compasses.
* StoneWall: Probopass has a high Defense of 145 and Special Defense of 150.
* WaddlingHead: It's hard to see their legs, especially with Probopass.
* YouDontLookLikeYou: Nosepass' Gen III sprites depicted it as looking much more like a legged, unpolished, gray rock with an orange nose sticking out of it. From Gen IV onward, it's sprites show the blue, more geometric look its artwork depicts.
* YouWillNotEvadeMe: Learns Block, and all Steel-types are subject to this thanks to the Magnet Pull ability.
!! Skitty and Delcatty (Eneko and Enekororo)
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Cat-like Pokémon that are generally weak but are very hard to find anyway. Skitty is closely associated with Assist, which allows it to randomly select a move from one of the party's Pokémon. A Moon Stone evolves it into Delcatty.
* BlessedWithSuck: The line's Ability of Normalize allows it to get a STAB bonus on every move it uses and use certain attacks on Pokemon that they usually wouldn't work on (notably, Thunder Wave on Ground-types). However, it also means that it can't get a Super Effective hit on ''anything'', it's lousy against Rock- and Steel-types, and it's utterly useless against Ghosts.
* CrutchCharacter: Skitty's stats are even higher than Patrat's, but Delcatty's even weaker than Butterfree.
* CuteKitten: Skitty.
* EyesAlwaysShut: Skitty.
* HotSkittyOnWailordAction: The first half of the TropeNamer...
* MetalSlime: It only has a 2% encounter rate, tying it with Chimecho.
* OvershadowedByAwesome: Sigilyph, considered a GlassCannon, a SquishyWizard, and a FragileSpeedster, is faster and more heavily built ([[WildMassGuessing Possibly literally]]) (HP and both defenses are all higher) than Delcatty, so...
** JokeCharacter: Delcatty ''sucks'' as a fighter, let's leave it at that.
*** JunkRare: Nearly worthless, like Chimecho.
* {{Lunacy}}: You need a Moon Stone to evolve Skitty.
* NonElemental: Typical of Normal-types, but the ability Normalize makes ALL of its attacks Normal-type. While this puts these Pokémon even worse at battling than they normally are, they have the gimmick of paralyzing Ground-types with a Normal-type Thunder Wave.
* SecretArt: Before Generation IV, Assist.
** Also has a unique Ability in Normalize. [[BlessedWithSuck The other Pokemon aren't exactly jealous of it.]]
!! Sableye (Yamirami)
[[quoteright:90:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/302_7142.png]]
The first ever Pokémon to have both the Dark and Ghost types, giving it no immediate weaknesses to any type. It is a gremlin-like creature that subsist on a diet of rocks and minerals. It is exclusive to Sapphire.
* CombatPragmatist: Dark-type that uses Prankster to use non-attacking moves frst.
* DarkIsNotEvil: It's prankster behaviour is appearently derived from loneliness, and appearently has a rather friendly disposition.
* EatDirtCheap: Gems are its favorite food. So much so that gems form on its skin, especially in its eyes.
* EyeScream: Its eyes were ''transformed'' into gems by its diet.
* JackOfAllStats: Its type combination (Dark and Ghost) has no weaknesses[[hottip:*:Or rather, it's normally immune to its only weakness. Fighting is super effective against Dark types, but can't hit Ghost-types at all unless Foresight or Odor Sleuth is used first]]. This doesn't make it a top threat, though, as its stats (and being outclassed by [[OvershadowedByAwesome another mon using the typing better]]) keep it in the lower tiers.
* LethalJokeCharacter: In ''VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite'', Sableye can learn the Prankster ability via the Dream World. This allows it to use non-attacking moves, such as Will-O-Wisp, Recover, and Taunt, among others, first. It's very effective in annoying the opponent and can easily throw a monkey wrench in an enemy's plans. With a proper defensive EV spread, this ghost is far from the weakling it was in previous gens.
* NoSell: Leave your Fighting, Psychic, and Normal types at home; they'll be useless against it (unless you have Odor Sleuth or Foresight as an attack, or the Scrappy ability).
* PowerupLetdown: Fourth Generation gave Sableye the alternate ability "Stall". With it, an already weak Pokémon gets crippled even further by being forced to attack last (barring exceptional situations).
* OurGhostsAreDifferent: Ghost-type.
* SlasherSmile: Hard to see, but it's there.
* StealthPun: It has a ''ruby'' and ''sapphire'' in its body; its Shiny form, meanwhile, shows off an ''emerald''.
* SoulPower: Ghost-type.
* SupernaturalIsPurple: It's completely purple except for its eyes and and gem.
* TookALevelInBadass: Its Dream World Ability, Prankster, increases the ActionInitiative of non-damaging moves, turns it into a [[GoddamnBats Goddamn Bat]] in competitive play.
!! Mawile (Kucheat)
[[quoteright:90:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/303_2924.png]]
Based on the two-mouthed woman in Japanese mythology, it is a pure-Steel type Pokémon, but it strangely leans many Dark-type moves. It's exclusive to Ruby. The big black mouth is actually a pair of horns it uses to look more intimidating.
* CombatPragmatist: Even though it's not a Dark-type (it's a pure Steel-type), it learns a large number of Dark-type moves (particularly those of the "deceptive tricks" kind, like Flatter and Sucker Punch).
* CuteMonsterGirl: Just try to ignore that growth on its back.
** And the fact that half of them are male.
* ExtraOreDinary: Steel-type.
* KillerRabbit: Looks cute, which it uses to lure foes to its gaping jaws.
* MoreTeethThanTheOsmondFamily: The second "mouth."
* {{Obake}}: Based on the futakuchi-onna (two-mouthed woman).
!! Aron, Lairon, and Aggron (Kokodora, Kodora, Bossgodora)
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Beastlike Pokémon that are Steel and Rock-typed. They have a habit of eating any metal they come across, including those that make up railroads and building frames. Like most Steel and Rock types, their Defense is their strongest stat. Their Attack isn't too bad either, but its Speed is pretty low.
* AwesomeButImpractical : Incredibly high physical defense, solid offense (most especially with Head Smash), quadruple resistance against Normal and Flying, lots of resistances... despite it's very high defenses it gets utterly trashed by Fighting and Ground attacks (two of the most common and useful attacking types), and most special attackers, especially Water-types that may OneHitKill them with ease.
** Let's say that this line just [[DifficultButAwesome should be used very carefully]] if you want them to shine.
* {{Badass}}: All three of 'em. Aron is one of the best F.E.A.R. users, Lairon's a bitch with an eviolite, and Aggron has absurd defenses and good offense.
* CounterAttack: Gets the "counter anything" Metal Burst move.
* DishingOutDirt: Rock-type.
* EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs: Lairon and (more obviously) Aggron. Aggron resembles a cross between a ''Triceratops'' and a ''T. rex''.
* ExtraOreDinary: Steel-type.
* ForMassiveDamage: Fighting- and Ground-type attacks.
* LastChanceHitPoint: Can have the ability Sturdy, which prevents an otherwise [[ForMassiveDamage extremely super-effective]] Fighting or Ground move from defeating it in one hit.
* MightyGlacier: More glacier than mighty, anyways. But it can both take and dish damage well... as long as it's not Fighting, Ground, Water or nearly any strong special attack whatsoever.
* NoSell: Against Poison-type attacks. While not immune, it also takes quadruple reduced damage from Normal- and Flying-type attacks.
* NonMaliciousMonster[=/=]ObliviouslyEvil: A recurring theme in their Pokédex entries is the friction caused between them and humans. For example, Aron occasionally descend from their mountain habitats and start eating steel constructs such as rails and bridges, and Lairon usually clash with humans who attempt to mine the iron ore it usually nest nearby. As for Aggron... "territorial" is an understatement. But while it will viciously attack any intruders upon its territory, it will also work diligently to preserve its territory, and it will work just as diligently to restore its territory if a natural disaster wrecks it. ([[GreenAesop We humans could learn something from Aggron's example.]])
* RatedMForManly: Aggron. Incredibly badass looks and name ? Check. Manly typing ? Check. Decently good Attack ? Check. This picture sums it up (warning, strong language) : http://www.flickr.com/photos/kitties_can_dance_too/6885948206/
* StealthPun: A part-Rock type has the Heavy Metal ability.
* UseYourHead: They can have Head Smash bred onto them, and not suffer the recoil damage if they have the Rock Head ability. This made them take at least five levels in badass, considering the huge power of Head Smash.
!! Meditite and Medicham (Asanan and Charem)
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Pokémon that are Fighting and Psychic-typed, probably based on meditating monks. Thanks to their signature Pure Power ability, their Attack is doubled, making the it quite high. They are one of the few Pokémon to learn Hi Jump Kick.
* AllMonksKnowKungFu: It uses spiritual power to detect the oppnent's move and beat them.
* FireIceLightning: Medicham can naturally have the three elemental punches.
* GlassCannon: With Pure Power, Medicham can hit as hard as ''Black Kyurem''. It's still very frail, though.
* LotusPosition: Meditite. In fact it's a LevitatingLotusPosition.
* MusclesAreMeaningless: Their limbs are about as thick as a leek, yet their Attack is one of the highest due to their ability.
* PsychicPowers: Psychic-type.
!! Electrike and Manectric (Rakurai and Livolt)
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Canine-like Pokémon that are Electric-typed. Typical of the typing, their Speed and Sp. Attack are their best stats, though they're not as good as others.
* BigBadassWolf: Manectric is based on the wolf form of Raiju.
* FragileSpeedster: Manectric only has 60 Defense and Special Defense, but 105 Speed lets it outrun many things.
** Also a GlassCannon on the Special side.
* OvershadowedByAwesome: One of the few Electric types introduced in Hoenn. If Pikachu, Voltorb, and Magnemite weren't around, it ''might'' get more love.
* PlayingWithFire: For no specific reason they can be taught Fire attacks as of Generation IV.
* ShockAndAwe: Electric-type.
* {{Youkai}}: A [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raiju Raiju]].
!!Plusle and Minun
[[quoteright:100:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/311-312_3416.png]]
Considered the Pikachu [[{{Expy}} Expies]] of Hoenn, they are version counterparts of each other. Minun is more common in Ruby while Plusle is more common in Sapphire. Their abilites, Plus and Minus respectively, are meant for double battles, as when both are in play, their Sp. Atk increases.
* {{Expy}}: Of Pikachu, Considered to be the Pikaclones of Generation III, thanks to being electric mice.
* FunPersonified: They like to cheer and are rarely taken seriously by most people.
* KidAppealCharacter: Meant to repeat Pikachu's popularity.
* SecretArt: In Gen III, Plus for Plusle, and Minus for Minun. No longer the case in Gen V, where the Mareep line can have Plus, the Electrike line can have Minus, and the Klink line can have either one.
* ShockAndAwe: Electric-types.
* SpoonyBard: They were clearly created to promote the then-new Double Battles, with an Ability that kicks in when both Plusle and Minun are out. Unfortunately, getting them to be at their best requires using up two team slots on identically-typed Pokemon with similar lousy stats and poor type coverage. They got it even worse in Generation V, when other, much better, Pokemon obtained the Plus and Minus abilities from Dream World, so now they're even being outdone at ''their own gimmick''. Some people even prefer using only one of the two.
* ThemeTwinNaming: Plus and Minus.
* WonderTwinPowers: Their respective abilities, Plus and Minus, only work in conjunction with each other, until Generation V where other Pokémon can have the same ability.
!! Volbeat and Illumise
[[quoteright:109:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/313-314_3955.png]]
Two fireflies who are classified as different species, they are respectively male and female versions of each other. Illumise is even able to produce Volbeat through breeding. According to the 'dex, Illumise emits a scent that attracts Volbeat, and the Volbeat will fly around the sky in elaborate patterns with its tail glowing to woo the Illumise.
* BigCreepyCrawlies: And they are also in the Humanshape egg group.
* BizarreSexualDimorphism: Much like the Nidos, they count as different species despite their eggs proving they're the same mon. Interestingly {{Downplayed}}, as fireflies are dimorphic in real life to a much higher degree than these two.
* LightEmUp: Learn Flash.
* {{Lunacy}}: They naturally learn Moonlight.
* SecretArt: Volbeat had Tail Glow (that is actually named Firefly Light in Japan) in Generation III. Signal Beam, too, at least before ''[=FireRed=]'' and ''[=LeafGreen=]''.
* SickeninglySweethearts: They attract each other
* TookALevelInBadass: Volbeat in Generation V - it got Prankster from the Dream World, and Tail Glow got buffed, too, making it a crazy specialized for Baton Passing Special Attack boosts.
!! Budew (Subomi), Roselia, and Roserade
[[quoteright:168:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/315-406-407_8979.png]]
[-''Budew and Roserade debut in Generation IV''-]
A Pokémon with roses for arms. Once a standalone Pokémon in Generation III, it was given a baby form as well as an evolved form in Generation IV. Said to be Ken Sugimori's favorite.
* AscendedExtra: Back in Generation III, Roselia was an unappealing Pokémon that was normally useless in battle, up until it was given an even more powerful evolution in the next generation as well as becoming ComMons.
* CampGay or CampStraight: Roserade can be interpreted as this if male.
* DanceBattler: Roserade has the movements of a dancer.
* EyesAlwaysShut: This was Roselia's sprite for a long time until ''Platinum''.
* GlassCannon: Roserade's Special Attack is equal to Exeggutor's - that is, ''really'' freaking good. Unlike Exeggutor, Roserade has passable speed, but mediocre defensive stats.
** Roserade does have 105 base Special Defense, though, which Exeggutor somewhat lacks in in comparison, though Exeggutor does have higher Defense and HP.
* GreenThumb: Grass-type.
* TheMedic: Learns Aromatherapy to heal its allies of status conditions.
** CombatMedic: Packs plenty of punch as well.
* PetalPower: Learns Petal Dance.
* [[PoisonousPerson Poisonous Pokémon]]: The only Grass/Poison Pokémon outside of Generations I and V.
* RidiculouslyCuteCritter: Budew.
* ShoutOut: Roserade has been compared to Eric from ''ThePhantomOfTheOpera'' and Tuxedo Kamen (Tuxedo Mask) from ''SailorMoon'' due to its mask-like protrusion on its face and its penchant for roses.
* SomethingAboutARose: Roselia and Roserade have them as hands.
* [[WhiteHairedPrettyBoy White Haired]] [[WhiteHairedPrettyGirl Pretty Mon]]: Roserade.
!! Gulpin and Swalot (Goklin and Marunoom)
[[quoteright:121:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/316-317_9020.png]]
These poison-typed Pokémon will eat ''anything'' they come across. That includes berries, tires, trash, ''anything''. The digestive juices inside their stomachs will digest anything except itself. They are also able to wield quite a bit of sludge-based attacks.
* BigEater: The clue is in the name.
** ExtremeOmnivore: Swalot moreso than Gulpin (though they both qualify regardless). The biggest thing Swalot can eat is the tire off a car, and Gulpin's stomach acid can dissolve ''anything'', including scrap iron and it has no teeth, opting instead to let the stomach acid melt anything that gets swallowed whole ([[FridgeHorror Could you imagine if it was something that was living?]]). However, there is one thing Swalot and Gulpin couldn't eat even if they tried: their own stomachs.
* BlobMonster: Swalot looks more like the archetypical blob monster seen in many a B-horror flick, though it isn't amorphous.
* EyesAlwaysShut: Gulpin
* [[PoisonousPerson Poisonous Pokémon]]: Poison-type.
* StoneWall: Sports a hefty HP stat and good defenses against both physical and special attacks, but is really slow.
!!Carvanha and Sharpedo (Kibanha and Samehader)
[[quoteright:129:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/318-319_3798.png]]
Carvanha is a piranha-like Pokémon that can initially only be found in the river near Mauville City. Sharpedo is a shark-like Pokémon that is pretty easy to find once you get the Super Rod. Their offensive stats and speed are all incredible, but it suffers from low defensive stats.
* CombatPragmatist: Well they ARE [[PiranhaProblem piranhas]] and [[ThreateningShark sharks]], after all.
* [[ThreateningShark Everything's Even Worse With Sharks]]: Sharpedo is said to be so destructive that it only takes one of these creatures to sink and destroy a supertanker.
* [[GlassCannon Glass]] [[FragileSpeedster Ninja]]: And how! Rough Skin helps a little by hurting opponents that strike them, but there are plenty of ways around that[[hottip:*:Passive damage aside, you could just go at them with special attacks, which don't require direct contact.]]
** Speed Boost makes it even ''faster''.
* MakingASplash: Water-type.
* PiranhaProblem: Sharpedo can tear through a supertanker.
* TookALevelInBadass: Got Speed Boost as a Dream World abilty.
!! Wailmer and Wailord (Wahleko and Whaleo)
[[quoteright:166:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/320-321_736.png]]
Whale-like Pokémon that are Water-typed and are somewhat based on inflatable objects like beach balls and blimps. Currently, Wailord holds the position of the longest Pokémon in existence (measuring at a whopping 47 feet and seven inches). Their HP is rather massive.
* GentleGiant: Applies to ''both'' members of the evolutionary line, since Wailmer is said to be one of the largest non-evolved Pokémon.
* HotSkittyOnWailordAction: ...[[BrickJoke The other half of the trope namer]].
* MakingASplash: Water-type.
* MightyGlacier: Although the colossal HP can only compensate to a degree for the lackluster defenses.
* RequiredPartyMember: Alongside Relicanth, was needed to access the Golems.
* SecretArt: Prior to Generation V, the only Pokémon to learn Water Spout naturally, apart from [[OlympusMons Kyogre]].
!! Numel and Camerupt (Donmel and Bakuuda)
[[quoteright:133:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/322-323_9293.png]]
Making their home around Mt. Chimney, these camels store magma inside their humps and release them when using Eruption and Lava Plume. Numel are also quite dull, being rather unfeeling to pain (though not as much as Slowpoke). They excel in Attack and Special Attack but lack in Speed. Water-types absolutely wreck them due to their Fire[=/=]Ground typing.
* DelayedReaction: Numel only.
* DishingOutDirt: Ground-type.
* ForMassiveDamage: [[KillItWithWater Water is its major weakness.]]
* MightyGlacier: Very slow, but good Defense.
** GlassCannon: Though those defenses are often not enough, considering it has a double weakness against a [[MakingASplash very common attack type]], and is too slow to get priority more than occasionally. However, it ''is'' a very powerful attacker, and is capable of giving good hits from either the special or the physical side.
* PlayingWithFire: Fire-type.
* SecretArt: Prior to Generation IV, the only Pokémon to learn Eruption naturally, apart from [[OlympusMons Groudon]].
!! Torkoal (Coatoise)
[[quoteright:102:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/324_8579.png]]
Also, living in Mt. Chimney is this tortoise that stores coal in its shell. When agitated, it blows out black smoke to disorient the enemy. In battle, it surrounds itself in White Smoke to prevent anyone from lowering its stats. Its defense is its best stat and has average stats everywhere else except for Speed, which is absolutely abysmal.
* CriticalHit: Its Hidden Ability Shell Armor lets it avoid these, giving it a decent advantage where [[StoneWall taking hits is concerned.]]
* DeathOrGloryAttack: Can learn Overheat.
* EverythingsBetterWithSpinning: Can learn Rapid Spin naturally.
* EyesAlwaysShut: It has never been seen with his/her eyes open.
* MightyGlacier: Unusually for a pure Fire-type.
** GlassCannon: Through use of Shell Smash. Unfortunately, its Speed is so low that even the move's Speed doubling effect won't help Torkoal outrun much.
** StoneWall: Though its typing and lack of recovery outside of Rest + Sleep Talk hurts its hit taking abilities a bit, it learns both Iron Defense and Amnesia naturally to help bolster both of its defenses.
* NoSell: Its White Smoke ability lets it ignore opposing effects that reduce its stats(Note that this does not apply to Torkoal itself using something like Overheat).
* PlayingWithFire: Fire-type.
* SmokeOut: With the smoke coming out of it, it learns Smog and Smokescreen in addition to the White Smoke ability.
* TurtlePower: Its a fire turtle! You would think you would see a water or earth turtle in Hoenn, but NO! You get something even more awesome!
!! Spoink and Grumpig (Baneboo and Boopig)
[[quoteright:114:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/325-326_3057.png]]
A strange Pokémon if there ever was one: The piglet has no back legs, so it gets around by bouncing on a springy tail, however, the bouncing action preforms an even more vital function: It keeps its heart pumping, so if it stops bouncing, its heart stops and it will die. It also carries a large pearl on its head which apparently amplifies its psychic power. It becomes more normal (for a Pokémon at least) when it evolves into Grumpig.
* AsTheGoodBookSays and StealthPun: "[D]o not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."
* MessyPig: Crossed with a spring.
* GameplayAndStorySegregation: Thankfully, Spoinks don't die when you knock them out!
* OvershadowedByAwesome: A solid Psychic-type--too bad Hoenn offers ''two'' families (Abra and Ralts) of that type with better offensive stats (king for in-game use) and movepools far before it can be found. Competitively, it does a bit better, being the best [=UnderUsed=] special wall.
* PowerIncontinence: Apparently that pearl not only serves to amplify psychic power, but also (according to the ''Mystery Dungeon'' games) it also serves as a sort of counter-weight for the Spoink's bouncing, otherwise the bouncing gets a little out of control.
* PsychicPowers: Psychic-type.
* SpringCoil: Spoink has this, and must bounce on it or face death by cardiac arrest.
* StoneWall: Grumpig is a great Special wall.
* SupernaturalIsPurple: Even though they're Psychic types and not Ghosts.
!! Spinda (Patcheel)
[[quoteright:90:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/327_200.png]]
This odd Pokémon is a common sight in the ash-covered Route 113. It has two motifs going for it: the patches on a Spinda's face differ from individual to individual, much like a fingerprint. Using an algorithm in the coding, there are over ''four billion'' combinations for face patches. The second motif is that its movepool and abilities [[IncrediblyLamePun revolve]] around spining and dizziness. It's not a Pokémon that's going to win battles for you, but it's at least one you aren't likely to forget.
* ButtMonkey: To Website/{{Smogon}} in particular, but if another Pokémon is compared to Spinda in any way, odds are good that it's not a compliment.
* CastOfSnowflakes: There are 4,294,967,296 spot patterns, meaning you're not likely to see the same kind of Spinda twice.
* ConfusionFu: Quite literally, most of its abilities and moves have to do with confusion.
* DrunkenMaster: Emphasized by the Teeter Dance move which confuses the opponent with its wobbly dance.
* EverythingsBetterWithSpinning: Learns Rapid Spin.
* JokeCharacter: Worthless except for a few gimmicks with Assist and Contrary.
* MasterOfNone: Spinda's stats are all equal... and they all suck.
* PandaingToTheAudience: Based on the red panda.
* PowerupLetDown: It gets the impressive Contrary Ability from the DreamWorld, but has no moves that can abuse it. This can be mollified in two ways; one, by knowing the attack- and defense-lowering move [[TookALevelInBadass Superpower]] from Dream World, or by using Assist (learned via egg moves) to use V-Create, Close Combat, Draco Meteor, etc.
* SecretArt: Teeter Dance, before [[VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite Generation V]] (others could learn it via breeding).
* TookALevelInBadass: As alluded to in the PowerupLetdown entry above, Spinda just barely subverted this in Generation V, when it got both Contrary and the move Superpower with which to abuse it. Problem is, only Spinda obtained directly from Dream World can have Superpower, meaning it can't have Contrary/Superpower at the same time as the breedable moves it has that ''could'' have made that combo useful, such as Baton Pass and Rapid Spin. As is, Spinda is simply too weak to make much use of it, and tends to either get knocked out or run out of PP for Superpower by the time it can power up enough to be even remotely threatening.
* WingdingEyes: Its eyes are swirls.
!! Trapinch (Nuckrar), Vibrava, and Flygon
[[quoteright:191:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/328-329-330_4363.png]]
Based on the antlion, Trapinch is a Ground-typed Pokémon commonly found in the wild in desert areas. It evolves into Vibrava, which gives it an additional Dragon-type and lowers its Attack while primarily raising Speed. Afterwards, it evolves into Flygon, which returns its high Attack.
* BigCreepyCrawlies: They're based on the antlion, but they're not bug-typed.
* DishingOutDirt: Ground-type.
* DivergentCharacterEvolution: Its stats change drastically as it evolves.
** GlassCannon: Trapinch. It has shockingly high Attack, but its other stats are at the standard levels for unevolved Pokémon (read: not very good).
** FragileSpeedster: Vibrava. It has much higher Speed than Trapinch, but much lower Attack and only barely higher defenses.
** JackOfAllStats: Flygon, which has both Trapinch's solid Attack and Vibrava's solid Speed, plus good defenses as well.
* ForMassiveDamage: Ice types will wreck it.
* MagikarpPower: Be patient, keeping that fragile little Trapinch alive will be worth it someday.
* OurDragonsAreDifferent: In this case, Vibrava and Flygon are draconic ''antlions''.
* StatusBuff: Averted. Despite being a dragon that looks very nimble, it can't learn Dragon Dance or '''any''' buffs beyond Hone Claws.
* OvershadowedByAwesome: Flygon is by no means ''bad'', it has a great movepool with many different types among both physical and special, it resists or is immune to entry hazards, and its stats are fair. But its JackOfAllStats status is in sharp contrast to all other fully evolved Dragons who are {{Lightning Bruiser}}s, having much higher stats than it including defenses. It also suffers from a lack of a boosting move outside of Hone Claws, while most other Dragons get Dragon Dance or Swords Dance, and its Ground typing is a mixed blessing, granting it Stealth Rock resistance but removing its resistance to Grass and Water and doubling its vulnerability to Ice.
* YouWillNotEvadeMe: [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Arena Trap]] is essentially the Magnemite line's Magnet Pull, with different limitations.
!! Cacnea and Cacturne (Sabonea and Noctus)
[[quoteright:130:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/331-332_9399.png]]
Another pair of desert denizens, Cacnea and Cacturne, being based on cacti, are very well adapted for desert life. They use their thorny arms as clubs to batter their opponents, or they can shoot needles to subdue them. They're also noteworthy of having Sand Veil as an ability, which makes them not only more evasive in a Sandstorm, but also immune to its damage. Cacturne takes on a creepy scarecrow-like appearance and becomes a dark-type.
* AlienBlood: Cacturne have ''sand'' for blood.
* AllDesertsHaveCacti: Where you find them.
* CombatPragmatist: Cacturne.
* DifficultButAwesome: Cacturne's got good Attack, but its poor Speed and defenses mean that it usually gets knocked out before it can utilize its offensive might. However, [[TheChessmaster a player who is good at predicting their opponent's next move]] can fully utilize Cacturne's beastly offense by using Sucker Punch to hit hard before the opponent gets to attack, and Focus Punch to hit even ''harder'' if the opponent isn't ''trying'' to attack. [[hottip:*:The former move only works if the opponent is attacking the user, and the latter will fail if the user is hit.]] It also has the ability Sand Veil, which means if there's a sandstorm up[[hottip:*:A sandstorm can be brewed by sending out a Tyranitar or Hippowdon.]], there is a 20% chance that the foe's attacks will miss Cacturne enitrely. Long story short: Cacturne may look like a novelty, but in the hands of a [[TheChessmaster Chessmaster]], it's ''a force to be reckoned with''.
** OvershadowedByAwesome: There are Pokemon out there that are better at those moves than Cacturne, and don't require as much strategy to use effectively.
* ForMassiveDamage: To Bug-type attacks.
* GlassCannon: Poor speed, poor defenses, but ''very'' good attack.
* GreenThumb: Grass-type.
* [[ImplacableMan Implacable Pokémon]]: Cacturne form packs to stalk travelers through deserts, waiting for said travelers to wear itself out. Then the Cacturne will beat it up and suck it to a dessicated husk.
* ManEatingPlant: Sucks its prey dry like a vampire.
* NiceHat: Cacturne, at least.
* NinjaPirateZombieRobot: A vampiric scarecrow cactus.
* OurVampiresAreDifferent: This one is a scarecrow.
* ScaryScarecrows: Cacturne hunts prey at night when it's weakened by the heat.
* SecretArt: Needle Arm, until Generation V.
** Fittingly, said Gen V Pokemon is a cactus too.
!!Swablu and Altaria (Tylto and Tyltalis)
[[quoteright:150:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/333-334_7791.png]]
Cute blue birds with a cloud theme. Swablu is a regular Normal/Flying type that isn't particularly noteworthy but it does evolve into Altaria, which is a Dragon/Flying type. Its highest stat is its special defense, but ice types still present a problem.
* BlowYouAway: Flying-type.
* ForMassiveDamage: [[KillItWithIce Ice-type attacks]] (not unlike most Dragon-types, really).
* {{Flight}}: Flying-type.
* HeadPet: According to the Pokédex, Swablu enjoys acting like a hat.
* InstantAwesomeJustAddDragons: Altaria is based on the Blue Bird of Happiness, which comes from a Belgian play that includes a star called Tytalis (Altaria's Japanese name to boot), which is part of the Draco Constellation.
* [[TheMaleIngenueMustBeATenor The Male Ingenue Must Be A Soprano]]: Altaria is the Humming Pokémon, and this family is normally known for grace, cleanliness, and forming fluffier wings when they bond with people.
* TheMedic: Learns Refresh.
* MightyGlacier: In contrast to [[LightningBruiser most other Dragon-types]], Altaria has higher defense than offense, and has a moveset more typical of a supporter. It's attack isn't ''low'', really, just much lower than you'd get from other Dragons.
** StoneWall: Its speed is better than its offense, and even then, Wingull's faster.
* {{Opera}}: Based on song birds and opera music.
* OurAngelsAreDifferent: These are more cloudy.
* OurDragonsAreDifferent: Altaria, VERY different indeed.
* PersonalRainCloud: They can use Rain Dance, and their plumage is made up of cotton.
* [[ThatCloudLooksLike That Cloud Is A Bird]]: Resemble cumulus clouds.
* [[WeatherControlMachine Weather Control Creatures]]: As of Generation V, some Altaria have the power to make everybody ignore weather when in play.
!! Zangoose and Seviper (Habunake)
[[quoteright:154:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/335-336_6211.png]]
Two Pokémon with an intense rivalry that is practically part of their nature. They inhabit Route 114, just outside of Meteor Falls. They are both hard-hitters, both having decent offense.
* AcquiredPoisonImmunity: Owing to their long rivalry, Zangoose has the Immunity ability.
** It has a unique Dream World ability that, while it means Zangoose can be poisoned, its powers will be boosted
* AnimalJingoism: Mongoose v.s. Snake.
* EnemyMine: They are mortal enemies and have been for quite some time. Doesn't mean they can't be on the same team, fight together on a Double Battle, [[FoeYay or even breed]].
* {{Foil}}: To each other.
* GoodScarsEvilScars: Zangoose is a variation--the red patterns on its white fur ''look'' like really badass scars.
* NonElemental: Zangooze
* [[PoisonousPerson Poisonous Pokémon]]: Seviper.
* {{Retcon}}: Zangoose's claws were originally purple in its game sprites (but not in its concept art).
* TheRival: To each other.
* SecretArt: Seviper's [[BewareMyStingerTail Poison Tail]], until Generation V. Zangoose's [[WolverineClaws Crush Claw]] could always be bred into other Pokémon, but was learnable only by Zangoose in the attack's debut.
** It also has a unique Ability in its Hidden Ability, Toxic Boost.
* TruthInTelevision: These Pokemon are apparently based on real life natural enemies the mongoose (predator) and the snake (prey).
* WolverineClaws: Zangoose
!! Lunatone and Solrock
[[quoteright:136:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/337-338_2363.png]]
This pair of Pokémon are living meteorites that fell from space. Both of them resemble stellar bodies: Solrock resembles The Sun while Lunatone resembles The Moon. Solrock is more physically-inclined while Lunatone is specially-inclined. Both are also Rock/Psychic and have a small chance of carrying evolutionary stones (Sun Stones for Solrock, Moon Stones for Lunatone).
* [[AnIcePerson An Ice Pokemon]]: Lunatone can learn Ice beam, possibly a reference to the coldness of moonlight.
* DishingOutDirt: Rock-type.
* {{Foil}}: To each other.
* HealThyself: Lunatone can have Moonlight and Solrock can have Morning Sun if(and only if) they were obtained via Dream World.
* {{Irony}}: They do not learn Moonlight and Morning Sun, respectively.
** Finally averted with Dream World, through which they can learn these very moves.
** Nor does one evolve into the other (or at least change forms based on night and day). Would have been cool if they did.
* {{Lunacy}}: '''Luna'''tone
* TheManInTheMoon[=/=]TheFaceOfTheSun: A little more subtle than most examples.
* MightyGlacier: Solrock on the physical side and Lunatone on the special side.
** StatusBuff: Both can learn Rock Polish to deal with their middling speed. Also notable is that both learn the rather rare boosting move Cosmic Power.
* NoBiologicalSex: Genderless.
* PlayingWithFire: Solrock isn't a Fire type, but it does have some fire moves to use.
* PowerFloats: Have the Levitate ability.
* ThePowerOfTheSun: '''Sol'''rock.
* PsychicPowers: Psychic-type.
* RedEyesTakeWarning: Lunatone's in particular are said to fill anyone with fear.
* [[SiliconBasedLife Silicon Based Pokémon]]
* SolarAndLunar: Their schtick.
* StarfishAlien: They're living meteorites from space.
* {{Telepathy}}: Solrock can read minds.
!! Barboach and Whiscash (Dojoach and Namazun)
[[quoteright:138:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/339-340_3169.png]]
Water/Ground type catfish. They possess the ability to cause earthquakes, and are also said to have a limited ability to predict real earthquakes. Unlike real catfish, Whiscash's tail is horizontal, resembling a sea mammal's tail instead of a fish's.
* TheCatfish: Based on a Namazu catfish.
* DishingOutDirt: Ground-type.
* [[EarthquakeMachine Earthquake Creature]]: Learn Earthquake.
* ForMassiveDamage: To Grass-type attacks.
* MakingASplash: Water-type.
* MightyGlacier: Decent defenses and good HP, but it's not winning many speed wars.
* OvershadowedByAwesome: Having the same typing as both Quagsire and Marshtomp/Swampert but with less of a movepool (and less useful abilities) result in it getting little love, despite being decent in its own right. It does, however, get Dragon Dance, which can catch the foe off-guard.
* ShockAndAwe: Can have the Electric-type move Spark bred to it, which works nicely with its Attack and to deal with fellow Water-types.
* ShoutOut: [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namazu_%28Japanese_mythology%29 They're based off a Japanese myth about giant catfish causing earthquakes]].
!! Corphish and Crawdaunt (Heigani and Shizarigar)
[[quoteright:141:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/341-342_1117.png]]
Crayfish Pokémon that were apparently introduced from overseas. These fiesty Pokémon are resoruceful enough to thrive in any enviroment they're introduced to (as long as there's enough water).
* CombatPragmatist: what would you expect from the "Ruffian" and "Rogue Pokémon"?
* DivergentCharacterEvolution: Unlike most {{Expy}}ed species, [[Characters/PokemonGenerationIFamilies Kingler]] and Crawdaunt have steadily been made more dissimilar playwise (while keeping both equally viable) with future generations. Kingler has usable physical bulk, gained Agility (double speed) in Generation 4, and received the ''very'' nice Sheer Force ability (boost damage of moves with a chance of inflicting [[StandardStatusEffects secondary effects]] by 33% but remove the effect chance) in Generation 5; Crawdaunt, on the other hand, has enough special attack to run mixed sets, gets Dragon Dance (raise speed and attack by 50% each) in Generation 4, and the ''very'' nice Adaptability ability (boost the bonus from using attacks of the same type as the user from 1.5 to double damage) in Generation 5.
* [[GiantEnemyCrab Giant Enemy Crayfish]]: Or crawdad, if you prefer.
* GlassCannon: High Attack, but it goes down quickly.
* MakingASplash: Water-type.
* SecretArt: Crabhammer, shared with the Kingler family.
!! Baltoy and Claydol (Yajilon and Nendol)
[[quoteright:112:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/343-344_4442.png]]
Clay figurines brought to life by mysterious means, these Pokémon prefer arid ruins and are able to weild a number of elemental attacks. They are based on the "shakōkidogū", a "Spaceman" figurine from the Jōmon period.
* DishingOutDirt: Ground-type.
* EyesDoNotBelongThere: Claydol has eyes all around its head.
* LivingToys: Apparently, both are clay figurines found in ancient ruins that somehow came to life.
* NoBiologicalSex: Genderless.
* PowerFloats: Have the Levitate ability.
* PsychicPowers: Psychic -type.
* StoneWall: Good defenses which can be amplified by Cosmic Power.
** MightyGlacier: It can also dish out quite a bit of damage.
* TronLines: Baltoy.
!! Lileep and Cradily (Lilyla and Yuradle)
[[quoteright:121:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/345-346_603.png]]
Despite being part grass and resembling a plant, this fossil Pokémon is based on a crinoid: a creature related to seastars that are still living in the deep oceans today. It is an extremely slow Pokémon, but it more than makes up for it in its defenses. It is revived from a Root Fossil.
* DishingOutDirt: Rock-type.
* {{Expy}}: Fills the same role as the Kanto fossils along with Anorith, staring a tradition.
** GlowingEyesOfDoom: Especially Cradily.
* FossilRevival: Revived from a Root Fossil.
* GreenThumb: Grass-type, [[http://bulbanews.bulbagarden.net/wiki/On_the_Origin_of_Species:_Lileep_and_Cradily though it's not based on a plant.]]
* PaletteSwap: Mentioned only because of an amusing fact: their "Shiny" forms switch colors with ''each other''.
* PrehistoricMonster: Lived on the seafloor 100 million years ago.
* StoneWall: Practically a ''Diamond'' Wall against special attacks during a sandstorm. Rock-types get their special defense doubled during that sort of weather, and Cradily's base Special Defense is more than respectable. And it can have ''[[HealingFactor Recover]]'' bred onto it.
!! Anorith (Anopth) and Armaldo
[[quoteright:137:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/347-348_7880.png]]
Reviving a Claw Fossil will net you this fossil Pokémon. Despite being labeled as an "Old Shrimp", Anorith is based on a creature known as an Anomalocaris, which at one meter long was the largest predator in the early cambrian oceans. When it evolves, it grows legs and vaguely resembles a dinosaur.
* BigCreepyCrawlies: Bug-type.
* DishingOutDirt: Rock-type.
* {{Expy}}: Fills the same role as the Kanto fossils along with Lileep, starting a tradition.
* FossilRevival: Revived from a Claw Fossil.
* [[GiantEnemyCrab Giant Enemy Anomalocaris]]: Armaldo weighs 150 lbs/68 kg.
* MakingASplash: They can learn Water Gun and Aqua Tail.
* MightyGlacier: Armaldo hits hard with 125 Attack, but its Speed leaves something to be desired.
** Generation V gives it the power to become a LightningBruiser in the rain via Swift Swim.
* MixAndMatchCritters: Armaldo is half Anomalocaris, half ''stegosaurus.''
* PrehistoricMonster: Hunted prey with its deadly claws.
* ViewersAreGeniuses: Anomalocaris is an ancient creature really only mentioned in documentaries and Advanced Placement Paleontology class.
!! Feebas and Milotic (Hinbass and Milokaross)
[[quoteright:141:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/349-350_7987.png]]
A weak, little fish that evolves into a mighty serpent. Reminds you of Magikarp, right? It's actually pretty different. First, Feebas is exceptionally rare; it can only be encountered in certain tiles in the Route 119 river (as well as one of the Mt. Coronet underground lakes). Second, it is unique in that it is the only Pokémon that evolves with a contest stat, namely, Beauty. This makes both finding one and evolving one a daunting task.[[hottip:*: In Generation V, this is no longer the sole requirement, as Feebas can be traded holding a Prism Scale to evolve it]]
* {{Badass}}: Milotic.
* {{Foil}}: To Magikarp and Gyarados, with beauty instead of power.
** Also in temperament. Gyarados is vicious and destructive while Milotic is peaceful and gentle.
* GuideDangIt: You want a Milotic but don't know how to get one? '''GOOD LUCK.'''
* LightningBruiser: Milotic is quite similar to Gyarados, albeit more specially and defensively oriented, has a weak physical attack that it won't be using, and, while Gyarados gets Intimidate to compensate for the lower physical defense, Milotic only needs to get a StandardStatusEffect to get it multiplied by 1.5.
* MagikarpPower: Even if slightly more useful than Magikarp, you aren't going to get anywhere with Feebas. [[LightningBruiser Milotic]], on the other hand...
* MakingASplash: Water-type.
* MetalSlime: The opposite of Magikarp; to find a water tile (not body, TILE) that yields Feebas you'd have to spend several hours or be very lucky. However, once encountered, it is easy to catch. Evolving it, however...
** Averted in Generation V: Feebas is easy to find, there are wild Milotic, and it can be evolved by trading it with an item attached. Thank you, Gamefreak.
** Also averted in [=HeartGold and SoulSilver=]; grind enough on the Pokewalker, and you'll reach the final route, where Feebas are merely an uncommon occurrance.
* WorldsMostBeautifulWoman: Among Pokémon.
!! Castform (Powalun)
[[quoteright:170:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/351_166.png]]
A tiny Pokémon that seems to resemble nothing more than a floating head. Castform is best known for changing its appearance and typing with the weather: It becomes a fire type under strong sunlight, a water type in the rain and an ice type in a snowstorm. Its most famous move is Weather Ball, a move that can become certain types under certain weather conditions, much like Castform itself.
* BubblyClouds: Part of what its design is based on. However, [[FreudWasRight it is easy to mistake its lower part for something else]].
* InvoluntaryShapeshifting: Depending on the weather.
** VoluntaryShapeshifting: But it can control the weather, thus, it can choose its form.
* JokeCharacter: Yeah, it's pretty lousy in a fight.
* MasterOfNone: Its stats are all equal... just barely higher than those of ''[[ButtMonkey Spinda]]''.
* SecretArt: Weather Ball, in Generation III. Changes form along with the weather as well.
** NonElemental: Well, Normal, anyway. Fog.
** PlayingWithFire: Strong sunlight (Sunny Day, Drought).
** MakingASplash: Rainstorm (Rain Dance, Drizzle).
** AnIcePerson: Hailstorm (Hail, Snow Warning).
** DishingOutDirt: Sandstorm (even though Castform lacks a form for them).
** TheCorruption: Shadow Sky. The only way a non-Shadow Pokémon can harness Shadow Power.
* SpoonyBard: Pretty much introduced as a gimmick to show off weather moves.
* TeruTeruBozu: Based on these.
* [[WeatherControlMachine Weather Control Pokémon]]: But not automatically like other such Pokémon.
!! Kecleon
[[quoteright:86:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/352_5584.png]]
One of the earliest Pokémon of the third generation games to be promoted, Kecleon is a chameleon that's well known for changing its colors and almost becoming invisible, the only exception is the zig-zagged band of red on its torso. This doesn't factor into the game itself, but its ability comes fairly close. Every time it is hit with an attack, it becomes that attack's typing. Much like the red band, this can be its AchillesHeel.
* AwesomeButImpractical: The concept is cool, but considered to be too easily shaken up to be used effectively.
* BarrierChangeBoss: Its Color Change ability makes it change to the type that it was last attacked with. It can be easily beaten by Dragon-types, due to the type's self-weakness. Ghost also, if you can change its type off Normal first.
* EarlyBirdCameo: The very first Generation III Pokémon to appear in the anime, midway through the Johto arc.
* HollywoodChameleons: Blends in with any environment nearly perfectly.
* {{Invisibility}}: Though an uncooperative stripe on its body will give it away.
* NonElemental: Initially, anyway. Its ability ensures that it typically won't stay that way long.
* SecretArt: The sole user of Color Change.
* SpoonyBard: Color Change is clearly a gimmick. However, Kecleon's decent Special Defense, good movepool, and the fact that its ability is at least good at fending off opponents without much type coverage to their attacks manages to keep it above being considered a JokeCharacter.
!! Shuppet and Banette (Kagebouzu and Jupetta)
[[quoteright:122:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/353-354_2862.png]]
One of two pure ghost families that are caught far into the game, Shuppet and Banette live up to the reputation of ghost types being fairly creepy. Shuppet feed off vengeful emotions and gather where such people live. Banette is more freaky in that it takes on the form of an animate doll searching for the child who discarded it. They have a high attack stat but little else.
* BedsheetGhost: Shuppet, vaguely.
* CastingAShadow: Ghost-type.
* CreepyDoll: Both Shuppet and Banette are abandoned children's dolls, reanimated by a grudge against their former owners.
* DarkIsNotEvil: They feed on negativity; as in, the person feels ''better'' after having its hateful feelings devoured!
* DivergentCharacterEvolution: Dusclops got an evolution, but Banette didn't. And, unlike Scyther, Scizor, and Pinsir, Dusknoir has higher stats than Banette and Dusclops.
* EmotionEater: Feeds on dark emotions.
* {{Foil}}: To the Duskull line. It is more prominent in ''Sapphire'' while Duskull is more prominent in ''Ruby''. Also, Shuppet is relatively a GlassCannon while Duskull is a StoneWall.
* GlassCannon: Very low defenses, but Banette has a nice Attack stat of 115.
* OurGhostsAreDifferent: They're not so much ghosts as they are discarded toys possessed by an evil force said to be the grudge they've held against being abandoned by their owners.
* SlasherSmile: Banette has quite a gorgeous smile.
* SoulPower: Banette seems to be possessing a puppet.
!! Duskull, Dusclops, and Dusknoir (Yomawaru, Samayoru, and Yonoir)
[[quoteright:212:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/355-356-477_1419.png]]
[-''Dusknoir debuts in Generation IV''-]
Another pure ghost family, Duskull and its kin gathers inspiration from a variety of StockMonsters, but mostly TheGrimReaper, Mummies and the Cyclops. It has a repuation of relentlessly pursuing their quarry, capturing it and then spiriting it away. It is mostly a defensive monster.
* BellyMouth: Dusknoir.
* CastingAShadow: Ghost-type.
* {{Foil}}: See Shuppet.
* [[CyberCyclops Ghostly Cyclops]]: Dusclops and Duskinor have only one eye.
* GravityMaster: Naturally learns the move Gravity.
* TheGrimReaper: If Dusknoir's Pokédex entry is to be believed.
* {{Mummy}}: Dusclops
* OurGhostsAreDifferent: Based of the cyclops.
* OvershadowedByAwesome: With Eviolite, Dusclops often is considered better than Dusknoir, since Dusclops' defensive stats rival that of Shuckle.
* SoulPower: Duskinor can take spirits into its body.
* StoneWall: High defenses on both sides, but it won't be doing much damage directly.
** MightyGlacier: Dusknoir is significantly stronger that its preevolutions.
* TookALevelInBadass: Subverted with Dusclops. Similar with what happened with Chansey where the second evolution outshines the final evolution, its defences with Eviolite is one of the best in the entire series. Unfortunately, its only way of dealing damage is [[DeathOfAThousandCuts Seismic Toss]] and has an unreliable form of recovery from Rest.
!! Tropius
[[quoteright:110:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/357_2398.png]]
A Pokémon that resembles a sauropod dinosaur, it is somehow able to fly with banana leaves growing from its back and it also grows a beard of bananas on its neck. The origin of this beard is supposedly due to consuming so much fruit that it ended up growing its own. So the old adage "You are what you eat" really does apply to this Pokémon. Most people just use it as a cool ride and a mover of obsticles though. Who doesn't want to ride on a flying banana plant dinosaur? Its name feels sorta familiar, doesn't it?
* BlowYouAway: Flying-type.
* BoringButPractical: Its main use is being an HM slave because it's one of the rare non-legendaries that can learn Cut, Fly, and Strength. Despite [[NinjaPirateZombieRobot being a dinosaur that flies by using palmtree leaves and has a beard made of bananas/Nanab berries]].
* {{Flight}}: Possible Fly slave.
* ForMassiveDamage: Freeze it with a well-placed Ice attack
* GreenThumb: Grass-type.
* StockDinosaurs: Now [[RecycledINSPACE With LEAF WINGS!]]
* WeirdBeard: It's made of bananas.
!! Chingling and Chimecho (Lishan and Chirean)
[[quoteright:92:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/358-433_3994.png]]
[-''Chingling debuts in Generation IV''-]
Pokémon that resemble bells and wind chimes. It's a psychic Pokémon that wasn't very notable when it was first introduced. Its effectiveness was not only hampered by the availability of other more useful psychic types, but its rarity meant that people wouldn't normally go out of their way to find one. Gen IV was kinder in that it recieved a baby in Chingling and was made more common. But it's not exactly top tier.
* GuideDangIt: In ''Ruby/Sapphire'', no trainers own one and they could only be found in a patch of grass on top of a mountain you weren't likely to stay at. Even then, they had only a ''1%'' chance of showing up.
** MetalSlime: Needless to say, it's frustrating to find.
* MakeMeWannaShout: Learns Echoed Voice.
* TheMedic: learns Heal Bell to heal its teammates of status conditions.
* PowerFloats: Has the Levitate ability.
* PsychicPowers: Psychic-type.
!! Absol
[[quoteright:92:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/359_2953.png]]
A white furred Dark-type with a very fetching design that proved to be a fan favorite. Absol has a reputation of being a bad omen and seeing one is said to bring doom. How this Pokémon is able to predict such events is not explained, but it showing up is supposed to be a warning that a disaster is imminent (as a result, many people have accused Absol of being doombringers rather than heroes). It has a wicked attack stat, but lacking in other stats.
* AwesomeButImpractical: It has ''the'' biggest movepool of any non-legendary Pokemon besides Smeargle; plenty of OU Pokemon would ''kill'' for Absol's movepool. Due to Absol's stats, however, 90% of the moves it can learn are ''completely useless'' to it.
* {{Badass}}: Mighty so.
* BearerOfBadNews: Absol can predict when and where disasters will happen, and tries to warn people of the danger. However, since this means that Absol is always present when the disaster strikes, this leads to...
** CassandraDidIt
** TheCassandra
** HeroWithBadPublicity
** TheScapegoat
* ChronicHeroSyndrome: Despite all the hatred it gets for allegedly causing doom, it still goes out of its way to help people.
* ConfusionFu: Has an INSANELY HUGE movepool... [[CripplingOverspecialization Too bad it is only able to use physical attacks to good effect...]]
* CriticalHit: Absol gets Slash, Night Slash, Psycho Cut, Shadow Claw, and Stone Edge, and as an ability it gets Super Luck, giving all of these moves a 25% chance for a critical hit without any other modifiers. No other Pokémon gets as many attacks with high critical hit ratios, and none of the other Pokémon with Super Luck can abuse it like Absol.
* DarkIsNotEvil: Notably honorable within its type, even getting the Justified ability.
* DragonsUpTheYinYang: Its head looks like a ''taijitu'' and it has mysterious disaster-sensing powers.
* FashionableAsymmetry: Only has a scythe on one side of its head.
* GlassCannon: It has a very high Attack, Swords Dance, a high critical rate ability, and is the strongest priority user in the game, but has mediocre Speed and horrible Defenses.
* SinisterScythe: As if ''one'' scythe weren't enough, it seems to feature '''''three''''' sickle-like growths on its body: two on its head, one on its tail. And the two on Absol's head, one looking more blade-like than the other, appear to form a ''yin-yang symbol'' together in their juxtaposition.
!! Snorunt, Glalie, and Froslass (Yukiwarashi, Onigoalie, and Yukimenoko)
[[quoteright:155:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/361-362-478_7609.png]]
[-''Froslass debuts in Generation IV''-]
An odd conicial fellow that evolves into an icy sphere, Snorunt and Glalie were introduced as the first Pokémon that were purely Ice types (All the others were dual types). Snorunt was originally only found in the icy depths of the Shoal Cave, which was only at low tide, and even then it was scarce. Aside from its typing, it wasn't that remarkable since its stats were all even. in Gen IV, female Snorunt had the ability to evolve into Froslass with the help of a Dawn Stone. Unlike its kin, Froslass is an Ice/Ghost and its stats favor speed over defenses.
* AstonishinglyAppropriateAppearance: Snorunt looks like it is wearing a poncho and Glalie looks as if it's wearing a hockey mask.
* [[AnIcePerson An Ice Pokémon]]: Ice-type.
* FragileSpeedster: Froslass
* JackOfAllStats: Snorunt and Glalie's stats are perfectly equal, but a tad low overall, and their typing is not forgiving at all.
** MasterOfNone: Like many of the well-rounded Pokémon, Glalie suffers ''hard'' from this.
* OneGenderRace: All Froslass are female.
* OurGhostsAreDifferent: Froslass is a Yuki-onna (a Japanese ice ghost/demon)
* ShoutOut: Glalie's Japanese name, Oni''goalie'', is pretty aptly given considering it is stylistically similar to (now mostly defunct) ''ice'' hockey ''goalie''. Not to mention that with the black stripes on it makes it appear to be a rice ball, or in Japanese an onigiri.
* SoulPower: Froslass
* TrapMaster: Froslass was notable as the only Ghost-type that can learn an entry hazard move(thus preventing the opponent from removing it with Rapid Spin). Golurk can now learn Stealth Rock, however.
* {{Youkai}}: Froslass is based on a Yuki-onna. Glalie itself may be based on the Okubi, a giant head that appears in the sky as omens of doom.
!! Spheal, Sealeo, and Walrein (Tamazarashi, Todoggler, and Todozeruga)
[[quoteright:189:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/363-364-365_9592.png]]
A family of seal-like Pokémon, Spheal is an adorable Ice/Water type that becomes more Walrus-like as it evolves. It's a bulky Pokémon that works best in Hailstorms. If it has the thick fat ability, it only takes 1/8 damage from Ice moves.
* [[AnIcePerson An Ice Pokémon]]: Ice-type.
* BadassMoustache: Appears to grow one as it evolves. [[SonicTheHedgehog Robotnik would be proud]].
* CuteLittleFangs: Spheal. Sealeo has some too, but the mustache kind of defeats the point.
* MakingASplash: Water-type.
* MightyGlacier: Walrein can outstall many things in Hail and wreck them with Sheer Cold.
* RidiculouslyCuteCritter: Spheal. It's a given.
* SecretArt: Ice Ball, although it has always been breedable into several Pokémon.
* StoneWall: Hail, Ice Body, and Leftovers can recover 1/8 of Walrein's health in one turn, which can be increased to a ''quarter'' health with Protect stalling. "Stallrein" is pretty much a requirement for all Hail-based teams.
!! Clamperl (Pearlulu), Huntail, and Gorebyss (Sakurabyss)
[[quoteright:202:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/366-367-368_8340.png]]
If you thought a fish that evolves into an octopus was bizzare, then what about a clam that evolves into two kinds of deep sea eels? Clamperl is an unusual Pokémon that produces a single large pearl in its lifetime, which is then used by the equally unusual Spoink (it's best not to ask how the pearl comes into the possession of Spoink). Clamperl are able to evolve by trading with either a [=DeepSeaTooth=] or a [=DeepSeaScale=] attaches to it. Huntail is more physically oriented while Gorebyss is specially oriented.
* AlluringAnglerFish: Huntail does this with its fish-shaped tail.
* BeautyIsBad: Gorebyss. The Pokédex specifically notes that while it is pretty it is also very cruel. It feeds by sticking its needlelike mouth into other Pokémon and SUCKING THEIR BODY FLUIDS. And once it finishes, its body color turns a more vivid pink.
* CombatPragmatist: Huntail naturally gets a few Dark-type moves.
* MakingASplash: Water-type.
* MightyGlacier: Huntail (attack) and Gorebyss (special attack).
* PsychicPowers: Gorebyss can naturally learn a few Psychic-type attacks.
* SeashellBra: Gorebyss, regardless of gender.
* StoneWall: Clamperl
* TookALevelInBadass: In Generation V, Clamperl can learn Shell Smash, which is the biggest StatusBuff in the game. Gorebyss can use this in tandem with Baton Pass to pass the boost on to a teammate. This single handedly turned a relatively ho hum standard Water-type line into one of the biggest [[DemonicSpider Demonic Spiders]] in the metagame. Even Clamperl benefits heavily from it, though not as much.
!! Relicanth (Jilanth)
[[quoteright:88:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/369_159.png]]
This Pokémon is based on a fish called the coelacanth. Once thought to be extinct but was discovered as a still extant species and the best example of a living fossil. Relicanth displays a similar role and is closely associated with fossil Pokémon despite not being revived from one. Instead you must either dive into the seas of Hoenn or fish them up in other places in later games. [[GuideDangIt You need this Pokémon and a Wailord in order to get the three legendary Golems. (and in certain party positions, too.]]
* DishingOutDirt: Rock-type.
* ForMassiveDamage: Hit it with a Grass-type attack.
* MakingASplash: Water-type.
* MightyGlacier: Incredibly slow, but it with a large HP pool as well as decent attack (particularly usable with physical Water moves in Generation IV) and physical defense, plus can buff its special defense with Amnesia.
** With Rock Polish and/or Swift Swim, it can become quite fast.
* PrehistoricMonster: The first one in the series to be explicitly stated that was ancient and didn't go extinct. [[ShownTheirWork Naturally, this is a nod to the real-life coelacanth.]]
* RequiredPartyMember: Alongside Wailord, it was needed to access the Golems.
* UseYourHead: Relicanth is one of the few Pokémon that can make use of the devastating Head Smash without any recoil.
!! Luvdisc (Lovecus)
[[quoteright:88:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/370_7521.png]]
Lots of things can be said about this Pokémon. Very few of them are actually ''good'' though. It is based on a discus fish and is associated with love and romance. Despite being as powerful as many Pokémon that need to evolve twice in order to be useful, Luvdisc has no such benefit. However, the scales that they shed are highly sought after by collectors who will teach moves to your other Pokémon so there may be some consolation to encountering this Pokémon.
* CardiovascularLove: A heart Pokémon based on love.
* JokeCharacter: Its base stat total makes ''Farfetch'd'' look like a Legendary (or at the very least, an OU Pokémon). Its only significance is that it may hold Heart Scales used in move relearning. This may be intentional, since its 2 abilities give it a speed boost it doesn't need and heal status effects no smart opponent would bother with.
** FragileSpeedster: It has shockingly high speed for Pokémon down there with it, but every other stat is sub-par.
* MakingASplash: Water-type.
* UrbanLegendOfZelda: It was pretty much taken for granted pre-Generation-V-release that [[Characters/PokemonGenerationVFamilies Alomomola]] - another ''pink, heart-shaped fish Pokémon'' - was an evolution of Luvdisc. This turned out not to be the case.
* VisualPun: Shiny Luvdisc are literal hearts of gold.
!!Bagon, Shelgon, and Salamence (Tatsubay, Komoruu, and Bohmander)
[[quoteright:194:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/371-372-373_3685.png]]
Bagon is a small dragon Pokémon that constantly dreams of soaring the skies, despite the fact that it possess no way of doing so. In its frustration, it hurls itself off cliffs or bashes its head against rocks. As a result, its skull is very thick. However, as it evolves, something miraculous occurs: It grows a bony shell around most of its body, and then once it evolves once more, it sheds the shell and the Pokémon realizes its long held dream of flight. Unlike the peaceful Dragonite, this Pokémon is quite ferocious.
* {{Badass}}: Salamence.
* ClapYourHandsIfYouBelieve: Salamence developed its wings out of an extremely strong desire to fly.
* [[PowerGivesYouWings Evolution Gives You Wings]]: Salamence gains wings upon evolution.
* {{Expy}}/SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute: The Hoenn psuedo-legendary, as well as Metagross.
* {{Flight}}: Salamence
* ForMassiveDamage: Ice-type attacks and its own type, just like most of the other Dragons.
* GuideDangIt: Feel free to spend hours wandering Meteor Falls looking for a Bagon in Gen III -- the game doesn't tell you they only appear in ''one specific room''. Avoids being a MetalSlime though, once you know that they appear quite often in said room.
* {{Jerkass}}: Salamence has built up a reputation for being an extremely vicious and cruel Pokémon.
* LightningBruiser: Awesome stats all arround. Some GlassCannon tendencies, but compensates its low defense with Intimidate.
* OurDragonsAreDifferent: Based more on European dragons.
* UseYourHead: Bagon constantly gets hit on the head in its attempts to fly. This, in turn, has given it a head harder than steel.
!!Beldum (Dumbell), Metang, and Metagross
[[quoteright:218:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/374-375-376_9519.png]]
A robotic lifeform, Beldum apparently evolve by fusing with one another: two Beldum are needed for a Metang while two Metang are needed for a Metagross. The first time one might encounter a member of the family is during the final battle against Steven Stone, Hoenn's Pokémon Champion. However, once you've beaten him, one can go to Mossdeep City -- a Beldum is waiting for you as a gift (in Steven Stone's house, no less). In this state, its only move is Take Down, but once you get it to evolve it can learn a wide variety of moves that make it a very formidable Pokémon. This line is famous, not only for their power, but their VERY low catch rate of 3. (Combine that with Beldum's recoil-causing Take Down, and you got a Mon that is harder to catch than a non-roaming [[OlympusMons ''legendary Pokémon'']].)
* {{Badass}}: Metagross.
* CombiningMecha: The Pokedex claims that both Beldum and Metang evolve by having two combine themselves. [[GameplayAndStorySegregation Though one wonders where the second Beldum or Metang came from when one the player owns evolves.]]
* CyberCyclops: Beldum.
* ExtraOreDinary: Steel-type.
* GeniusBruiser: Metagross has four brains and is said to be superior to a supercomputer. And it's physically strong too.
* MagikarpPower: In Generation III when it was first introduced, Take Down was the only move Beldum could learn before evolving into Metang, hampering its ability to battle well. However, later games introduced ways to obtain a Beldum (Pokewalker, Dream World) that could use Iron Head, Zen Headbutt, or both.
* MightyGlacier: However, it can use Agility and Bullet Punch to turn itself into a LightningBruiser.
* NoBiologicalSex: Genderless.
* PsychicPowers: Psychic-type.
* SecretArt: [[MegatonPunch Meteor Mash]] is heavily associated with Metang and Metagross, mostly because the only other Pokémon to learn it is ''Clefairy''.
* SpiderTank: Metagross.
* UseYourHead: Besides Take Down, Beldum can only be taught head-based moves for attacking.
* WhenAllYouHaveIsAHammer: Beldum's only attack is Take Down, unless you grab one on the Pokéwalker route Winner's Path.
!!Regirock, Regice, and Registeel
[[quoteright:232:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/377-378-379_3155.png]]
The main legendary trio of Hoenn. This group deviates from the previous legendary trios by not being based on any kind of animal. Instead, they take on a robotic form. All of them have bodies made of inanimate materials, mainly rock, ice and steel. It isn't known how they were made, who made them or why they were made. (In Gen III, that is.) The way to find them is rather complicated and it involves deciphering brallie and following their arbitrary instructions. What is surprising is what materials the Regis were made from: Regirock appears to have been made from rocks all over the world, Regice from antarctic glacial ice and Registeel from metal that isn't of this earth.
* {{Bowdlerization}}: Registeel's sprite had to be changed in the European version of ''Diamond/Pearl'' after some people noticed that its arm was extended in a similar fashion to the Nazi salute; the change was later applied to all versions of the game from ''Platinum'' onward.
* ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin: Their names are a spelled out indication of which one has which powers:
** [[AnIcePerson An Ice Pokémon]]: Regice.
** ExtraOreDinary: Registeel.
** DishingOutDirt: Regirock.
* {{Foil}}: While the three form a trio, Regirock and Regice are direct inverses of each other statwise. Registeel is sort of the odd one out. Despite this, in ''Black 2 and White 2'', it's Regirock who is available in both games while Regice and Registeel are (semi) version-exclusive.
* ForMassiveDamage and BlessedWithSuck: All of them have types that don't fare well against Fighting-type attacks (Rock for Regirock, Ice for Regice, and Steel for Registeel).
* GameplayAndStorySegregation: Registeel's Pokédex entries say that it is made of the toughest metal, but it turns out that Defense Form Deoxys and '''Shuckle''' seem to be tougher.
* {{Golem}}: [[Characters/PokemonGenerationIGeodudeToMew No, not the first-gen Pokémon.]]
* GuideDangIt: Obtaining them -- '''''[[ExaggeratedTrope OH, GOD]]'''''! You'll need a Relicanth, a Wailord (in a specific order in the party), four other random Pokémon in the party to fill up slots, Surf, Dive, Dig, a preternatural instinct for direction, and the ability to ''read Braille'' (unless you've got a chart or the web handy). The only clue to this is a very vague mention in a town that has no significance to the plot and can be skipped entirely with no consequence. And even then, it only states that a trio of a Rock, Steel, and Ice type exist somewhere out there.
** At least the game gives you a Braille guide... sort of. There's nothing to really indicate that the symbols on the small stones are the alphabet in order.
* LeaveTheCameraRunning: To open the door to Regice's room, you have to wait two minutes from after you close the Braille message without pressing any buttons. Press a button, and you have to repeat the process.
* MightyGlacier: Regirock has a whopping physical defense stat of '''''200''''' and a good Physical attack of 100, with a matching Special Defense, but terrible Special Attack. Regice, a [[{{Pun}} Literal]] example, happens to be a Special counterpart to Regirock's physical. Registeel is a defensive JackOfAllStats.
* NoBiologicalSex: Genderless.
* NoPronunciationGuide: Regice is supposed to sound like Regi-ice, but take it with a grain of salt[[hottip:*:Regice actually got ''two'' distinct pronunciations ''in the same season'']].
* ShoutOut: Registeel's cry resembles the famous sound effect used when the ''{{Transformers}}'' transform.
* StoneWall: Registeel's stats are more balanced than its brethren, but it can't hit hard from either side.
* ThunderboltIron: Registeel is said to be made out of a metal not found on earth.
!! Latias and Latios
[[quoteright:163:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/380-381_3153.png]]
A pair of legendary dragons that fly all over the Hoenn region after beating the elite 4. Highly intelligent, they have access to a number of abilities, which are further enhanced by an item known as the Soul Dew. Latias are female and are mostly red while Latios are male and are mostly blue. They can use their down to refract light and alter their appearence to take on human forms or become invisible when they desire to.
* BizarreSexualDimorphism: A much lesser case than others listed in this page, physically being only a reasonable difference in bodily proportions and a PaletteSwap.
* CuteBruiser: Latias
* [[DistaffCounterpart Distaff]][=/=]SpearCounterpart: They are this for each other
* EarlyBirdCameo: Stars of ''Anime/PokemonHeroes'', the last movie set in the anime's original series.
* LightningBruiser: Both of them, specially in the special side; Latios being more offensively oriented, and Latias more defensively oriented. Said status is greatly increased if a Soul Dew is attached to either.
* NinjaPirateZombieRobot: Dragon-bird-jet planes! ''Psychic'' dragon-bird-jet-planes!
* NoBiologicalSex: ''Averted''; a first of legendary Pokemon. Though they still can't breed.
* OurDragonsAreDifferent: And kinda bird-like. In fact, [[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Prototype_Pok%C3%A9mon_and_characters concept art]] suggests that Blaziken and Latias were originally one Pokémon split into two entirely different species.
* PowerFloats: Have the Levitate ability.
* PsychicPowers: Psychic-type.
* PurposefullyOverpowered: Their associated held item, Soul Dew, is prevented from working in the Battle Tower and similar facilities. Seeing that its effect is always having an extra Calm Mind, on an already strong Pokémon, this is justifiable.
** MyRulesAreNotYourRules: But the ones you can face in the Battle Frontier are not restricted from having Soul Dew working for them and this was proven via damage calculation comparisons.
* SecretArt: [[EnergyBall Mist Ball]] for Latias, [[PowerGlows Luster Purge]] for Latios.
!!Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza
[[quoteright:268:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/382-383-384_7030.png]]
The main legendaries of the ''Ruby'', ''Sapphire'', and ''Emerald'' games. Each of them embodies a part of the landscape: Groudon represents the continents, Kyogre represents the oceans, while Rayquaza represents the sky. Long ago, Groudon and Kyogre had a severe battle which almost brought an end to the world via flooding monsoons and raging infernos; luckily, they were calmed by light pouring from the Red and Blue Orbs and entered a deep slumber. Depending on the version, the player must face one of them which has been awakened by Team Magma (Groudon) or Team Aqua (Kyogre) as their mere presence has a great influence on the weather. In ''Emerald'', both are awakened and it is up to the player to awaken Rayquaza and end the feud once more.
* {{Badass}}: All three members of the trio, but Groudon in particular was declared the second-manliest Pokémon of all time by Website/{{Smogon}}.
* BlowYouAway: Rayquaza is the sky incarnate.
** WindIsGreen: Again, Rayquaza.
* ConflictKiller: As the internal mediator of the trio, Rayquaza is the only one who can calm the two other Pokémon down.
* CreationMyth: Kyogre and Groudon shaped the oceans and continents.
* DishingOutDirt: Groudon. Hell, Groudon is the very ''incarnation'' of the ground.
* EldritchAbomination: Not too far off. All three are incredibly ancient, lurk in places beyond the reaches of man, and are extremely powerful; the awakening of either Groudon or Kyogre constitutes an apocalyptic event and would have devastated the world had it gone unchecked for much longer. Rayquaza, however, is actually rather benevolent, but it's still a terrifyingly powerful demigod no matter what way you look at it.
** It helps that they're based off what could be also be called [[EldritchAbomination cosmic horrors.]]
* EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs: Groudon
** TyrannosaurusRex[=/=]StockDinosaurs: Based on ''T. rex'' or other therapod dinosaurs, with features of other dinos like ''Ankylosaurus''.
* {{Expy}}: The trio are, in some accounts, based on three legendary beasts of Biblical mythology - Behemoth (land), Leviathan (sea), and Ziz (sky).
* FireWaterJuxtaposition: Kyogre represents the oceans, uses water attacks and creates a rainstorm when deployed, while Groudon represents continents, uses ground and fire attacks and makes the sun shine.
* {{Foil}}: Kyogre and Groudon foil each other, and Rayquaza foils both of them. Ironically, in battle Rayquaza tends to get one-shotted by [[AnIcePerson Kyogre]] due to a weakness and is still at a disadvantage against [[DishingOutDirt Groudon]] if one teaches them the appropriate moves.
* {{Flight}}: Rayquaza
* ForMassiveDamage: Rayquaza has trouble surviving Ice-type attacks. Too bad Ice-type Pokémon have trouble surviving Rayquaza's attacks.
** Kyogre's boosted Water-type attacks, thanks to its Drizzle ability that causes endless rain. Specifically, a successful Choice Specs-boosted Water Spout is the near equivalent of OneHitKill on Pokémon.
* InfinityPlusOneSword: Kyogre and Groudon in ''Emerald'', Rayquaza in all three versions.
* LandSeaSky: Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza respectively
* LightningBruiser: As expected, their lowest stats are only low compared to other OlympusMons.
** MightyGlacier: Kyogre and Groudon, on the special and physical sides respectively.
** GlassCannon: Rayquaza, who hits as hard as the others on their strong sides, but takes hits as bad as the others in their weak sides.
* MagmaMan: Groudon. It's a Ground-type, but like Lugia's association with water, it's strongly associated with volcanoes and magma and sunlight (and by extension, [[PlayingWithFire fire]]). The reason why it wasn't given a secondary Fire type was probably to [[BlessedWithSuck not let it be killed too easily by Water-types, especially its nemesis Kyogre]].
* MakingASplash: Kyogre. It's the very representation of the seas.
* NoBiologicalSex: Genderless.
* OlympusMons: In fact, the first to be treated as such instead of simply "very powerful."
* OurDragonsAreDifferent: Rayquaza, although rather close to the traditional Chinese version.
* PlotCouponThatDoesSomething: This is the generation that introduced Abilities, and it just so happens that all three of their signature Abilities were relevant to the stories of their respective games.
* [[PhysicalGod Physical Gods]]: They created/rule over the oceans, continents and atmosphere respectively. "Gods" are the only way you can describe them.
* PowerTrio: Known as the weather trio.
* PurposefullyOverpowered: You won't be able to use them in the Battle Tower, most official tournaments, and most cups in 3D fighters. In fact, in the metagame, if every Pokémon is allowed to be used, Kyogre and Groudon tend to be number 1 and 2 or 3 (usually competing with Arceus or Mewtwo) respectively, and both of them, but especially Kyogre, are ''insanely'' powerful, to the point that things like Quagsire are used exclusively for countering it (Quagsire can absorb Kyogre's Water-type attacks and nullify its popular Thunder, then force it into an Encore. And even ''Quagsire'' can't handle some Kyogre variants, even those that that don't wield Hidden Power Grass-type). Rayquaza is no slouch either, usually sitting above number 10 and having one of the most powerful Dragon-type moves outside of Latios (who is quite viable on the Special side of things with Soul Dew attached). And finally Groudon, who is so versatile you won't be able to guess its full moveset easily, and after proper set-up, becomes one of the, if not ''the'', deadliest sweeper in the games.
* SecretArt: Prior to Generation V, the weather-altering abilities Drought and Drizzle were exclusive to Groudon and Kyogre, respectively. However, with the introduction of the Dream World in ''VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite'', Ninetales and Politoed gained access to these abilities.
** Rayquaza is also one of only two Pokémon to know V-Create (an event-exclusive move), the other one being Victini (whom the move was originally designed for). [[OhCrap Yup, 180 Base Power coming off of 150 Base Attack. And even the rain won't save you thanks to Air Lock.]]
* SingleSpecimenSpecies: One would imagine. Could you picture two of any of these guys running around?
** You do find one of the two(and the third if you trade the other over) in ''VideoGame/PokemonHeartGoldAndSoulSilver''. Of course this could just mean the Hoenn protagonist wasn't able to hold onto them/it's the Weather Pokemon you didn't catch in ''Ruby/Sapphire''.
* SpellMyNameWithAnS: In Japan, "Kaiorga" and "Kyogre" have both been seen.
* SwordOfPlotAdvancement: Kyogre and Groudon in their respective versions, to an extent. They must be encountered and either defeated or captured to progress with the plot, so they aren't ''technically'' required. Few players will pass on their chance to catch a LostForever GameBreaker, though.
* TimeAbyss: Rayquaza is hundreds of millions of years old. Given they created the seas and land, so are Kyogre and Groudon.
* TronLines: Red, blue (Groudon's are slightly hard to see at times), and yellow. Coincidentally, they represent the main colors used in subtractive color mixing. The patterns are also heavily featured in Emerald's pre-battle cutscenes and on the floor of the ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'' remakes's Embedded Tower.
* [[WeatherControlMachine Weather Control Creatures]]: Played straight by Groudon and Kyogre, and inverted by Rayquaza since it blocks out any weather (but doesn't remove it, so its effects come back into play as soon as Rayquaza leaves the field).
* YinYangClash: Groudon vs. Kyogre, requiring Rayquaza to break them up.
!! Jirachi
[[quoteright:91:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/385_7271.png]]
A Pokémon of mysterious power. It lays dormant until a comet comes close to the earth from which Jirachi draws its power from. This comet orbits the earth every 1,000 years and then only for a week. Thus, Jirachi is only active for that single special week. It has the ability to grant wishes during that time.
* {{Expy}}: The expected Mew stand-in.
* ExtraOreDinary: Steel-type.
* EyesDoNotBelongThere: It has a ThirdEye on its stomach that is usually closed. It's not as creepy because Jirachi is adorable.
* GravityMaster: Naturally learns the move Gravity.
* LightningBruiser: All around high stats.
** JackOfAllStats: Equal stats, as expected of the Mew expy. Accordingly, beating one is pretty much down to luck. It is THE incarnation of LuckBasedMission in the competitive metagame (alongside Shaymin-S).
* LuckBasedMission: Serenes Grace doubles the chance of any secondary occurring. This leads to Jirachi's utter pain in the ass of a primary set: Body Slam for a 60% chance of paralyze (1/4th speed, 1/4 chance of not acting), then Iron Head for a 60% chance of causing flinch (don't move). This means you have a ''30%'' chance of ''doing anything'' to it.
* MakeAWish: Said to grant wishes.
* NoBiologicalSex: Genderless, though always referred to as male.
* PsychicPowers: Psychic-type.
* PurposefullyOverpowered: No luck if you wanted to use it in the Battle Tower or a tournament.
* RealityWarper: Can grant any wish, thus this trope logically follows. In the anime and ''PokemonSpecial'', villains even use it to create eldritch abominations.
** Though in the anime, it requires either absorbing a lot of power or teleporting stuff.
* [[ReallySevenHundredYearsOld Really A Millennium Old]]: At the very least.
* RidiculouslyCuteCritter: Even with the [[EyesDoNotBelongThere abdominal eye.]]
* SecretArt: Doom Desire, which is DeathFromAbove.
* ThunderboltIron: It is a steel type and it is heavily associated with comets, so it might be made of this stuff.
!! Deoxys
[[quoteright:296:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/386_86.png]]
A Pokémon from beyond the stars. Deoxys is an hominoid alien that was derived from a space virus that was mutated by a laser of sorts. Depending on the game (and in later generations, certain meteorites), Deoxys can change its appearence and stat distribution.
* AlphabeticalThemeNaming: Might just be a coincidence, but Deoxys '''D'''efense, '''N'''ormal and '''A'''ttack Formes? And then '''S'''peed Forme ruins it all.
* {{Badass}}: All Formes, but especially the Attack Forme, which has the highest Attack and Special Attack in the series.
* CombatTentacles: That can turn into arms, too.
* CripplingOverspecialization: With the exception of [[JackOfAllStats Speed Forme]], every other Forme relies too much on its specialized stats, leaving the other stats (especially HP, which is consistently bad in all Formes) rather lacking. Mind you, [[PurposefullyOverpowered it's still a massive threat]].
* {{Expy}}: The first and only Mewtwo-esque legendary since Mewtwo. Both are essentially bio-weapons, and though Deoxys isn't related to Jirachi at all, it bears a passing resemblance in terms of head shape.
** Like the old glitch Pokemon Missingno. it has 3 alternate forms, high Attack and pitiful defenses. Alone, this would just be a coincidence, but Gen III's equivalent to Missingno, named [[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/%3F_%28glitch_Pok%C3%A9mon%29 "?"]] has the exact same stats as Deoxys.
* FashionableAsymmetry: Dowplayed with its Speed Forme, where one of its arm as a different color from the other.
* FrickinLaserBeams: Part of its origin according to Generation III. Generations IV and V just refer to "DNA mutation".
* HumanoidAbomination: Certainly gives off this feel. The fact it's a sentient virus doesn't help.
* {{Leitmotif}}: Three rather creepy [[ForDoomTheBellTolls bell strikes]].
* MeaningfulName: '''Deoxy'''ribonucleic acid or... DNA.
* MultiformBalance: All Formes have their uses.
** [[GlassCannon Glass]] [[FragileSpeedster Ninja]]: Normal Forme, the "attack" part is exaggerated in Attack Forme.
** StoneWall: Defense Forme.
** FragileSpeedster: Speed Forme. Also counts as the JackOfAllStats, as it has otherwise balanced stats.
* NoBiologicalSex: Genderless.
* PowerCrystal: the source of its powers. Also probably its brain.
* PsychicPowers: Psychic-type.
* PurposefullyOverpowered: Won't see any use in the Battle Tower or in tournaments.
* SecretArt: Psycho Boost. Lugia can also know the move in ''VideoGame/PokemonXD'' after purification.
* StarfishAlien: While all Pokémon are theorised to be this, Deoxys is the only Pokémon that is downright proven to be an alien. Well, an alien space virus.
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