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water type doesn\'t mean \'made of water\'
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* BeyondtheImpossible: With common sense, inflicting Burn on a Water-type Pokémon seems this.
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** We also have the Ralts-Kirlia-Gardevoir evolution line, all of whom can "warp reality" to some extent. Gardevoir in particular, according to its Pokédex entry, "has the [[MindOverMatter psychokinetic power]] to distort the dimensions and create a small black hole", on top of future prediction and teleportation. [[BeyondTheImpossible Move aside, Alakazam and Mewtwo.]]
to:
** We also have the Ralts-Kirlia-Gardevoir evolution line, all of whom can "warp reality" to some extent. Gardevoir in particular, according to its Pokédex entry, "has the [[MindOverMatter psychokinetic power]] to distort the dimensions and create a small black hole", on top of future prediction and teleportation. [[BeyondTheImpossible [[UpToELeven Move aside, Alakazam and Mewtwo.]]
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Natter.
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*** He's just that good at training dragons.
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Obvious solution is obvious?
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***He's just that good at training dragons.
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Listed the \"Kill It With Fire\" trope.
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* KillItWithFire: Grass, bug, steel, and ice types, specifically.
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None
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* {{Defictionalization}}: The games, themselves. In RealLife, it is extremely possible to encounter others playing a Pokémon game, and (if conditions are right) battle them, just like that damn Bug Catcher kid outside Vermilion City. In fact, many events and tournaments have been held ''In Real Life'' using the game and connection equipment (with real badges and rewards) Not to mention that getting an [[http://www.amazon.com/pokemon-pokedex-Pokemon-Advanced-Pokedex/dp/B00020LZ84 actual Pokédex]] can save you a lot of trouble in the games.
to:
* {{Defictionalization}}: The games, themselves. In RealLife, it is extremely possible to encounter others playing a Pokémon game, and (if conditions are right) battle them, just like that damn Bug Catcher kid outside Vermilion City. In fact, many events and tournaments have been held ''In Real Life'' ''in real life'' using the game and connection equipment (with real badges and rewards) Not to mention that getting an [[http://www.amazon.com/pokemon-pokedex-Pokemon-Advanced-Pokedex/dp/B00020LZ84 actual Pokédex]] can save you a lot of trouble in the games.
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** Struggle, a literal DesperationAttack. It only becomes available when the Pokemon ''literally'' can't do anything else.
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** Struggle, a literal DesperationAttack. It only becomes available when the Pokemon Pokémon ''literally'' can't do anything else.
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* FeedItWithFire: A handful of abilities, starting in the third generation. "Volt Absorb" and "Water Absorb" absorb Electric or Water attacks as HP, "Flash Fire" absorbs Fire attacks to power up the user's attacks, and so on.
to:
* FeedItWithFire: A handful of abilities, starting in the third generation. "Volt Absorb" Volt Absorb and "Water Absorb" Water Absorb absorb Electric or Water attacks as HP, "Flash Fire" Flash Fire absorbs Fire attacks to power up the user's attacks, and so on.
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* HeroicBSOD: The player character if he/she loses all his/her Pokémon. Well, "black-out" ("white-out" in Generations II and III), but the trope is still valid).
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* HeroicBSOD: The player character if he/she loses all his/her Pokémon. Well, "black-out" ("white-out" in Generations II and III), but the trope is still valid).valid.
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* HornAttack: the moves "Horn Attack" (the Trope Namer), "Horn Drill", "Megahorn", and "Horn Leech".
* InvulnerableAttack: Moves like "Fly" and "Dig" involve the player's Pokémon moving itself out of the opponent's range for one turn, making them invulnerable to most attacks. Later generations introduced a handful of moves that can strike the Pokémon during this phase, and some even inflict double damage (e.g. Earthquake against Dig, Surf against Dive, Gust against Fly). Shadow Force is a newer and straighter example of the trope, but is indirectly banned within the game's specialized battle-scenario environments[[hottip:*:as the only Pokémon who can use it are themselves banned]].
* InvulnerableAttack: Moves like "Fly" and "Dig" involve the player's Pokémon moving itself out of the opponent's range for one turn, making them invulnerable to most attacks. Later generations introduced a handful of moves that can strike the Pokémon during this phase, and some even inflict double damage (e.g. Earthquake against Dig, Surf against Dive, Gust against Fly). Shadow Force is a newer and straighter example of the trope, but is indirectly banned within the game's specialized battle-scenario environments[[hottip:*:as the only Pokémon who can use it are themselves banned]].
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* HornAttack: the moves "Horn Attack" Horn Attack (the Trope Namer), "Horn Drill", "Megahorn", Horn Drill, Megahorn, and "Horn Leech".
Horn Leech.
* InvulnerableAttack: Moves like"Fly" Fly and "Dig" Dig involve the player's Pokémon moving itself out of the opponent's range for one turn, making them invulnerable to most attacks. Later generations introduced a handful of moves that can strike the Pokémon during this phase, and some even inflict double damage (e.g. Earthquake against Dig, Surf against Dive, Gust against Fly). Shadow Force is a newer and straighter example of the trope, but is indirectly banned within the game's specialized battle-scenario environments[[hottip:*:as the only Pokémon who can use it are themselves banned]].
* InvulnerableAttack: Moves like
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* LieToTheBeholder: The fifth-generation species Zorua (and its evolved form, Zoroark) feature an ability called "Illusion", which makes it appear as a different Pokémon until hit by an opponent's attack in battle. This means that, since it's Dark-type, a Psychic-type attack won't dispel the illusion. Of course, a [[ArtificialStupidity human]] opponent will get a little suspicious after the following exchange: "Mewtwo used Psychic!" "It doesn't affect Emboar..." ([[DontExplainTheJoke Emboar should be weak to Psychic-type attacks]].)
to:
* LieToTheBeholder: The fifth-generation species Zorua (and its evolved form, Zoroark) feature an ability called "Illusion", Illusion, which makes it appear as a different Pokémon until hit by an opponent's attack in battle. This means that, since it's Dark-type, a Psychic-type attack won't dispel the illusion. Of course, a [[ArtificialStupidity human]] opponent will get a little suspicious after the following exchange: "Mewtwo used Psychic!" "It doesn't affect Emboar..." ([[DontExplainTheJoke Emboar should be weak to Psychic-type attacks]].)
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** The Dark type doesn't actually mean dark. It is called "evil type" in Japan. Because of this, lots of fans see the dark type as actual darkness rather [[CombatPragmatist using dirty tricks to win]] and wonder why there isn't a "light" type yet.
* LuckBasedMission: Capturing wild [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]], ''especially'' legendaries. (Knocking them out is fairly easy; it's ''catching them alive'' that takes forever).
** To explain this, each [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]] species has a specific "catch rate" that affects the probability of snagging it with a given Poké ball. ComMons have a base rate of 100%, making them easy to catch, while most legendaries have a base catch rate of about 1%. There are a variety of modifiers, but even with all the modifiers in your favor, the chances of catching a legendary are still less than 10% per throw.
* LuckBasedMission: Capturing wild [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]], ''especially'' legendaries. (Knocking them out is fairly easy; it's ''catching them alive'' that takes forever).
** To explain this, each [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]] species has a specific "catch rate" that affects the probability of snagging it with a given Poké ball. ComMons have a base rate of 100%, making them easy to catch, while most legendaries have a base catch rate of about 1%. There are a variety of modifiers, but even with all the modifiers in your favor, the chances of catching a legendary are still less than 10% per throw.
to:
** The Dark type doesn't actually mean dark. It is called "evil type" in Japan. Because of this, lots of fans see the dark type as actual darkness rather than [[CombatPragmatist using dirty tricks to win]] and wonder why there isn't a "light" type yet.
* LuckBasedMission: Capturing wild [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]], ''especially'' legendaries. (Knocking them out is fairly easy; it's ''catching them alive'' that takesforever).
forever.)
** To explain this, each [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]] species has a specific "catch rate" that affects the probability of snagging it with a given Pokéball.Ball. ComMons have a base rate of 100%, making them easy to catch, while most legendaries have a base catch rate of about 1%. There are a variety of modifiers, but even with all the modifiers in your favor, the chances of catching a legendary are still less than 10% per throw.
* LuckBasedMission: Capturing wild [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]], ''especially'' legendaries. (Knocking them out is fairly easy; it's ''catching them alive'' that takes
** To explain this, each [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]] species has a specific "catch rate" that affects the probability of snagging it with a given Poké
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%%Post-Generation 4 Pokémon (such as those present in the Battle Subway's "Pokémon ban list" in Pokémon Black/White Versions) are not included in the Battle Frontier's "Pokémon ban list" detailed below because the randomized parties will only have the potential of including Pokémon existent at the time of Generation 3 (in Noland's case) or Generation 4 (in Thorton and Argenta's case). Should a future Pokémon game involve a similar facility or event where a Trainer has randomized party Pokémon, then the list could be updated/edited to reflect such an occurrence.
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%%Post-Generation 4 IV Pokémon (such as those present in the Battle Subway's "Pokémon ban list" in Pokémon Black/White Versions) are not included in the Battle Frontier's "Pokémon ban list" detailed below because the randomized parties will only have the potential of including Pokémon existent at the time of Generation 3 III (in Noland's case) or Generation 4 IV (in Thorton and Argenta's case). Should a future Pokémon game involve a similar facility or event where a Trainer has randomized party Pokémon, then the list could be updated/edited to reflect such an occurrence.
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* NeverBringAKnifeToAFistfight: CombatPragmatist "Dark" types are weak to Fighting type attacks.
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* NeverBringAKnifeToAFistfight: CombatPragmatist "Dark" types Dark-types are weak to Fighting type Fighting-type attacks.
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** "Foresight" and "Odor Sleuth" enable Normal- and Fighting-type attacks to strike Ghosts, which are normally immune to those elements. Likewise, "Miracle Eye" enables Psychic moves to hit Dark types, and "Gravity" allows Ground attacks to strike Flying types.
** The "Mold Breaker" ability allows attacks to bypass abilities (like "Wonder Guard") that would otherwise prevent an attack from inflicting damage (though it cannot override elemental immunities, such as Electric versus Ground).
** "Unaware" makes a Pokémon's attacks ignore changes to the opponent's Defense, Special Defense, or evasiveness.
** There's also "Gastro Acid", a move that disables the opposing Pokémon's ability.
* NonIndicativeName: The move "Doubleslap" can hit up to ''five times''.
* NonLethalKO: Pokémon who have "fainted" are too weak to battle, but can still perform field moves such as Fly or Surf.
** The "Mold Breaker" ability allows attacks to bypass abilities (like "Wonder Guard") that would otherwise prevent an attack from inflicting damage (though it cannot override elemental immunities, such as Electric versus Ground).
** "Unaware" makes a Pokémon's attacks ignore changes to the opponent's Defense, Special Defense, or evasiveness.
** There's also "Gastro Acid", a move that disables the opposing Pokémon's ability.
* NonIndicativeName: The move "Doubleslap" can hit up to ''five times''.
* NonLethalKO: Pokémon who have "fainted" are too weak to battle, but can still perform field moves such as Fly or Surf.
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** "Foresight" Foresight and "Odor Sleuth" Odor Sleuth enable Normal- and Fighting-type attacks to strike Ghosts, which are normally immune to those elements. Likewise, "Miracle Eye" Miracle Eye enables Psychic moves to hit Dark types, and "Gravity" Gravity allows Ground attacks to strike Flying types.
** The"Mold Breaker" Mold Breaker ability allows attacks to bypass abilities (like "Wonder Guard") Wonder Guard) that would otherwise prevent an attack from inflicting damage (though it cannot override elemental immunities, such as Electric versus Ground).
**"Unaware" Unaware makes a Pokémon's attacks ignore changes to the opponent's Defense, Special Defense, or evasiveness.
** There's also"Gastro Acid", Gastro Acid, a move that disables the opposing Pokémon's ability.
* NonIndicativeName: The move"Doubleslap" Doubleslap can hit up to ''five times''.
* NonLethalKO: Pokémon who have"fainted" fainted are too weak to battle, but can still perform field moves such as Fly or Surf.
** The
**
** There's also
* NonIndicativeName: The move
* NonLethalKO: Pokémon who have
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** Arguably inverted in Gold and Silver and their remakes: although the trope remains valid, these games also offer the ability to go to a whole new region with new gym leaders and a rematch of the Elite Four after beating the main game. It's true that the Kanto portion is abbreviated compared to Johto, but still, it almost feels like a separate game.
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** Arguably inverted in Gold and Silver and their remakes: although the trope remains valid, these games also offer the ability to go to a whole new region with new gym leaders Gym Leaders and a rematch of the Elite Four after beating the main game. It's true that the Kanto portion is abbreviated compared to Johto, but still, it almost feels like a separate game.
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** In the 5th gen, we have a ice cream cone, a candle that first evolves into a lamp, then a chandelier, a ''trash bag,'' gears, a sarcophagus that [[TragicMonster used to be human]], a disembodied [[OracularHead brain]], a legendary trio based on ''TheThreeMusketeers'', and whatever Sigilyph is supposed to be.
** in the other gens, we have the entire English alphabet including ! and ? marks, magnets that evolve into a UFO, living Pokéballs, a pinecone, a boombox, a windchime, a mon based on the [[{{Youkai}} futakuchi-onna]], [[hottip:*: a starved woman that had a hungry mouth [[BodyHorror emerge]] out of a wound in the back of her head.]] a ShapeShifting pink blob that can breed with almost anything and looks like a wad of bubble gum, a powerful cat fetus, a flying magnetic Moai head that looks like a Jewish stereotype, an mutated ShapeShifting alien space virus with its brain in its chest, a stomach, [[MuckMonster living sludge,]] Eggs that evolve into a walking coconut tree with faces on its fruit, ghost balloons that try to abduct children, a cursed, probably possessed doll that seeks the child that disowned it, a [[TheDitz incredibly stupid]] hippo [[CartoonCreature thing]] that gains super genius level intelligence when a clam bites its skull and releases toxins while it's holding a special rock, etc...
** in the other gens, we have the entire English alphabet including ! and ? marks, magnets that evolve into a UFO, living Pokéballs, a pinecone, a boombox, a windchime, a mon based on the [[{{Youkai}} futakuchi-onna]], [[hottip:*: a starved woman that had a hungry mouth [[BodyHorror emerge]] out of a wound in the back of her head.]] a ShapeShifting pink blob that can breed with almost anything and looks like a wad of bubble gum, a powerful cat fetus, a flying magnetic Moai head that looks like a Jewish stereotype, an mutated ShapeShifting alien space virus with its brain in its chest, a stomach, [[MuckMonster living sludge,]] Eggs that evolve into a walking coconut tree with faces on its fruit, ghost balloons that try to abduct children, a cursed, probably possessed doll that seeks the child that disowned it, a [[TheDitz incredibly stupid]] hippo [[CartoonCreature thing]] that gains super genius level intelligence when a clam bites its skull and releases toxins while it's holding a special rock, etc...
to:
** In the 5th gen, Gen. V, we have a ice cream cone, a candle that first evolves into a lamp, then a chandelier, a ''trash bag,'' gears, a sarcophagus that [[TragicMonster used to be human]], a disembodied [[OracularHead brain]], a legendary trio based on ''TheThreeMusketeers'', and whatever Sigilyph is supposed to be.
**in In the other gens, we have the entire English alphabet including ! and ? marks, magnets that evolve into a UFO, living Pokéballs, Poké Balls, a pinecone, a boombox, a windchime, a mon based on the [[{{Youkai}} futakuchi-onna]], [[hottip:*: a starved woman that had a hungry mouth [[BodyHorror emerge]] out of a wound in the back of her head.]] a ShapeShifting pink blob that can breed with almost anything and looks like a wad of bubble gum, a powerful cat fetus, a flying magnetic Moai head that looks like a Jewish stereotype, an mutated ShapeShifting alien space virus with its brain in its chest, a stomach, [[MuckMonster living sludge,]] Eggs that evolve into a walking coconut tree with faces on its fruit, ghost balloons that try to abduct children, a cursed, probably possessed doll that seeks the child that disowned it, a [[TheDitz incredibly stupid]] hippo [[CartoonCreature thing]] that gains super genius level intelligence when a clam bites its skull and releases toxins while it's holding a special rock, etc...
**
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** An example of an ascended urban legend is Leafeon. Leafeon was a common rumor back during the late 90s because the Leaf Stone was the only one of the elemental stones (not including the Moon Stone) that didn't evolve Eevee. So naturally, rumors flew about the mythical "Leafeon". It took three more generations, but they finally put him in. Though, ironically, he didn't evolve via Leaf Stone, but rather by leveling Eevee up in a particular forest near a particular rock.
to:
** An example of an ascended urban legend is Leafeon. Leafeon was a common rumor back during the late 90s because the Leaf Stone was the only one of the elemental stones (not including the Moon Stone) that didn't evolve Eevee. So naturally, rumors flew about the mythical "Leafeon". It took three more generations, but they finally put him it in. Though, ironically, he didn't it doesn't evolve via Leaf Stone, but rather by leveling Eevee up in a particular forest near a particular rock.
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* [[WaterIsBlue The Water Is A Deep Blue]]... Would you like to surf on it? (Perhaps it's all the [[GoddamnBats Tentacool]] in it?) Most [[color:blue:Water]] Pokémon are [[color:blue:blue]] colored.
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* [[WaterIsBlue The Water Is A Deep Blue]]... Would you like to surf on it? (Perhaps it's all the [[GoddamnBats Tentacool]] in it?) Most [[color:blue:Water]] Pokémon are [[color:blue:blue]] colored.[[color:blue:blue]]-colored.
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None
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* MissConception: Somehow the couple running the day care don't know where the eggs keep coming from.
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Spelling errors being fixed.
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** Played straight if you end up with certain glitch Pokémon, most of which will freeze the game and at least one of which will cause your save file to corrupt upon catching it and attempting to access the storage system. Contrary to popular belief, however, [[TheMissingno MissngNo]]. will not do this; only a good amount of the REAL glitch Pokémon will.
** Played equally straight with Glitch City if entered carelessly. If you make it there without bringing a Pokémon that knows Fly/Teleport (Or at least the HM/TM respectively and Pokémon who can learn said moves), your only exit is to reset the power. Oh, and if you actually ''saved your progress there'' without any of the above... [[LostForever well, say goodbye to your childhood progress.]]
** Played equally straight with Glitch City if entered carelessly. If you make it there without bringing a Pokémon that knows Fly/Teleport (Or at least the HM/TM respectively and Pokémon who can learn said moves), your only exit is to reset the power. Oh, and if you actually ''saved your progress there'' without any of the above... [[LostForever well, say goodbye to your childhood progress.]]
to:
** Played straight if you end up with certain glitch Pokémon, most of which will freeze the game and at least one of which will cause your save file to corrupt upon catching it and attempting to access the storage system. Contrary to popular belief, however, [[TheMissingno MissngNo]].MissingNo]]. will not do this; only a good amount of the REAL glitch Pokémon will.
** Played equally straight with Glitch City if entered carelessly. If you make it there without bringinga any Pokémon that knows know Fly/Teleport (Or at least the HM/TM respectively and Pokémon who can learn said moves), your only exit is to reset the power. Oh, and if you actually ''saved your progress there'' without any of the above... [[LostForever well, say goodbye to your childhood progress.]]
** Played equally straight with Glitch City if entered carelessly. If you make it there without bringing
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Just tidying up some errors and such.
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** We also have the Ralts-Kirlia-Gardevoir evolution line, all of whom can "warp reality" to some extent. Gardevoir in particular, according to its Pokedex entry, "has the [[MindOverMatter psychokinetic power]] to distort the dimensions and create a small black hole", on top of future prediction and teleportation. [[BeyondTheImpossible Move aside, Alakazam and Mewtwo.]]
to:
** We also have the Ralts-Kirlia-Gardevoir evolution line, all of whom can "warp reality" to some extent. Gardevoir in particular, according to its Pokedex Pokédex entry, "has the [[MindOverMatter psychokinetic power]] to distort the dimensions and create a small black hole", on top of future prediction and teleportation. [[BeyondTheImpossible Move aside, Alakazam and Mewtwo.]]
Changed line(s) 726,727 (click to see context) from:
** Played straight if you end up with certain glitch Pokémon, most of which will freeze the game and at least one of which will cause your save file to corrupt upon catching it and attempting to access the storage system. Contrary to popular belief, however, [[TheMissingno MissngNo]]. will not do this; only a good amount of the REAL glitch pokemon will.
** Played equally straight with Glitch City if entered carelessly. If you make it there without bringing a Pokemon that knows Fly/Teleport (Or at least the HM/TM respectively and Pokemon who can learn said moves), your only exit is to reset the power. Oh, and if you ''saved your progress there'' without any of the above... [[LostForever well, say goodbye to your childhood progress.]]
** Played equally straight with Glitch City if entered carelessly. If you make it there without bringing a Pokemon that knows Fly/Teleport (Or at least the HM/TM respectively and Pokemon who can learn said moves), your only exit is to reset the power. Oh, and if you ''saved your progress there'' without any of the above... [[LostForever well, say goodbye to your childhood progress.]]
to:
** Played straight if you end up with certain glitch Pokémon, most of which will freeze the game and at least one of which will cause your save file to corrupt upon catching it and attempting to access the storage system. Contrary to popular belief, however, [[TheMissingno MissngNo]]. will not do this; only a good amount of the REAL glitch pokemon Pokémon will.
** Played equally straight with Glitch City if entered carelessly. If you make it there without bringing aPokemon Pokémon that knows Fly/Teleport (Or at least the HM/TM respectively and Pokemon Pokémon who can learn said moves), your only exit is to reset the power. Oh, and if you actually ''saved your progress there'' without any of the above... [[LostForever well, say goodbye to your childhood progress.]]
** Played equally straight with Glitch City if entered carelessly. If you make it there without bringing a
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Some edits and all that jazz.
** We also have the Ralts-Kirlia-Gardevoir evolution line, all of whom can "warp reality" to some extent. Gardevoir in particular, according to its Pokedex entry, "has the [[MindOverMatter psychokinetic power]] to distort the dimensions and create a small black hole", on top of future prediction and teleportation. [[BeyondTheImpossible Move aside, Alakazam and Mewtwo.]]
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** Played straight if you end up with certain glitch Pokémon, most of which will freeze the game and at least one of which will cause your save file to corrupt upon catching it and attempting to access the storage system.
to:
** Played straight if you end up with certain glitch Pokémon, most of which will freeze the game and at least one of which will cause your save file to corrupt upon catching it and attempting to access the storage system. Contrary to popular belief, however, [[TheMissingno MissngNo]]. will not do this; only a good amount of the REAL glitch pokemon will.
** Played equally straight with Glitch City if entered carelessly. If you make it there without bringing a Pokemon that knows Fly/Teleport (Or at least the HM/TM respectively and Pokemon who can learn said moves), your only exit is to reset the power. Oh, and if you ''saved your progress there'' without any of the above... [[LostForever well, say goodbye to your childhood progress.]]
** Played equally straight with Glitch City if entered carelessly. If you make it there without bringing a Pokemon that knows Fly/Teleport (Or at least the HM/TM respectively and Pokemon who can learn said moves), your only exit is to reset the power. Oh, and if you ''saved your progress there'' without any of the above... [[LostForever well, say goodbye to your childhood progress.]]
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None
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** The stars on your trainer card. You can usually earn up to four or five by accomplishing such things as beating the Elite Four, completing the dex, defeating the Brains at the Battle Frontier, etc. Serves slightly more of a purpose as other trainers may look at your card and see how much you've actually done in-game judging by the stars you have.
to:
** The stars on your trainer card. You can usually earn up to four or five by accomplishing such things as beating the Elite Four, completing the dex, defeating the Brains at the Battle Frontier, etc. Serves slightly more of a purpose as other trainers Trainers may look at your card and see how much you've actually done in-game judging by the stars you have.
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* WhatAreYouLookingAt: The other trainers are [[JustifiedTrope deliberately staring]] in order to catch the eye of any passer-by and challenge them to battles.
to:
* WhatAreYouLookingAt: The other trainers Trainers are [[JustifiedTrope deliberately staring]] in order to catch the eye of any passer-by passers-by and challenge them to battles.
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None
Changed line(s) 763 (click to see context) from:
** However, [[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl the fourth gen's]] Amity Square plays it straight, only allowing certain Pokemon designated "cute" to walk with their trainers inside. A nearby trainer lampshades it, calling "discrimination."
to:
** However, [[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl the fourth gen's]] Amity Square plays it straight, only allowing certain Pokemon Pokémon designated "cute" to walk with their trainers Trainers inside. A nearby trainer Trainer lampshades it, calling "discrimination."
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Added \"Video Game\" prefixes for certain game listings.
Changed line(s) 13,14 (click to see context) from:
** ''PokemonStadium'' and ''Battle Revolution''
** ''PokemonColosseum'' and ''XD: Gale of Darkness''
** ''PokemonColosseum'' and ''XD: Gale of Darkness''
to:
** ''PokemonStadium'' ''VideoGame/PokemonStadium'' and ''Battle Revolution''
**''PokemonColosseum'' ''VideoGame/PokemonColosseum'' and ''XD: Gale of Darkness''
**
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** ''PokemonRumble''
** ''PokeParkWii''
** ''PokeParkWii''
to:
** ''PokeParkWii''
** ''VideoGame/PokeParkWii''
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** ''PokemonSnap''
** ''HeyYouPikachu''
** ''PokemonChannel''
** ''MyPokemonRanch''
** ''VideoGame/PokemonConquest''
** ''HeyYouPikachu''
** ''PokemonChannel''
** ''MyPokemonRanch''
** ''VideoGame/PokemonConquest''
to:
** ''PokemonSnap''
''VideoGame/PokemonSnap''
**''HeyYouPikachu''
''VideoGame/HeyYouPikachu''
**''PokemonChannel''
''VideoGame/PokemonChannel''
**''MyPokemonRanch''
**''VideoGame/MyPokemonRanch''
** ''VideoGame/PokemonConquest''
**
**
**
**
** ''VideoGame/PokemonConquest''
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Added Pokemon Pinball to the main list in the \"spinoffs\" section.
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** ''VideoGame/PokemonPinball''
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Adding new trope
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* TeaserEquipment: Inverted in all the main series ''Pokémon'' games. Even if you have the money to do so, shops refuse to sell you the higher level [=PokéBalls=] and healing items until you've advanced the plot and obtained sufficient Gym badges.
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I Got Better cleanup
Changed line(s) 305 (click to see context) from:
** The Manga PokemonSpecial is known for this, it has fights to the death (even for the humans). At one point an Arbok gets [[HalfTheManHeUsedToBe cut in two by a Charmeleon.]] [[spoiler: [[IGotBetter It got better, though.]]]]
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** The Manga PokemonSpecial is known for this, it has fights to the death (even for the humans). At one point an Arbok gets [[HalfTheManHeUsedToBe cut in two by a Charmeleon.]] [[spoiler: [[IGotBetter It got better, though.]]]]]]
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** The move Pay Day also grants Trainers an additional amount of money each time it is used, with the awarded amount of coins being based off of the level of the Pokémon using the move. During [[PokemonRedBlueAndYellow Generations 1]] and [[PokemonGoldSilverAndCrystal 2]], the amount of money scattered was two times the user's level. From [[PokemonRubySapphireAndEmerald Generation 3]] onwards, the multiplier was increased, so that the money received per use is now ''five'' times the user's level.
*** In ''[[PokemonRubyAndSapphire Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions]]'', there is a glitch where the wrong amount of money will be displayed if the Amulet Coin is held when Pay Day is used, leaving the impression that the Amulet Coin does not affect Pay Day. However, if the player checks his/her Trainer Card, it will be discovered that the money earned from Pay Day has correctly been doubled and added to the player's total savings. This error was fixed in ''Pokémon [=FireRed=] and [=LeafGreen=] Versions'', as well as all subsequent games.
*** In ''[[PokemonRubyAndSapphire Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions]]'', there is a glitch where the wrong amount of money will be displayed if the Amulet Coin is held when Pay Day is used, leaving the impression that the Amulet Coin does not affect Pay Day. However, if the player checks his/her Trainer Card, it will be discovered that the money earned from Pay Day has correctly been doubled and added to the player's total savings. This error was fixed in ''Pokémon [=FireRed=] and [=LeafGreen=] Versions'', as well as all subsequent games.
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** The move Pay Day also grants Trainers an additional amount of money each time it is used, with the awarded amount of coins being based off of the level of the Pokémon using the move. During [[PokemonRedBlueAndYellow Generations 1]] and [[PokemonGoldSilverAndCrystal 2]], the amount of money scattered was two times the user's level. From [[PokemonRubySapphireAndEmerald [[VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire Generation 3]] onwards, the multiplier was increased, so that the money received per use is now ''five'' times the user's level.
*** In''[[PokemonRubyAndSapphire ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions]]'', there is a glitch where the wrong amount of money will be displayed if the Amulet Coin is held when Pay Day is used, leaving the impression that the Amulet Coin does not affect Pay Day. However, if the player checks his/her Trainer Card, it will be discovered that the money earned from Pay Day has correctly been doubled and added to the player's total savings. This error was fixed in ''Pokémon [=FireRed=] and [=LeafGreen=] Versions'', as well as all subsequent games.
*** In
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** Don't forget Struggle, a literal DesperationAttack. It only becomes available when the Pokemon ''literally'' can't do anything else.
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** Don't forget Struggle, a literal DesperationAttack. It only becomes available when the Pokemon ''literally'' can't do anything else.
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*** This tends to be more along the lines of D&D players' "Don't touch my dice!" superstitions. Not many really believe it works, but do it anyway as something resembling tradition.
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Natteeer~
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** Someone spilled your milkshake? Pokémon duel. Bored with a friend? Pokémon duel. Guy looked at you funny? Pokémon duel. Looked at a guy funny? Pokémon duel.
** [[ThePrincessBride Killed your father?]] [[YuGiOh Prepare to d-d-d-d-d-duel!]]
** [[ThePrincessBride Killed your father?]] [[YuGiOh Prepare to d-d-d-d-d-duel!]]
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** [[ThePrincessBride Killed your father?]] [[Yu-Gi-Oh Prepare to d-d-d-d-d-duel!]]
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** [[ThePrincessBride Killed your father?]] [[Yu-Gi-Oh [[YuGiOh Prepare to d-d-d-d-d-duel!]]
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** Someone spilled your milkshake? Pokémon duel. Bored with a friend? Pokémon duel. Guy looked at you funny? Pokémon duel. Looked at a guy funny? Pokémon duel.
** [[ThePrincessBride Killed your father?]] [[Yu-Gi-Oh Prepare to d-d-d-d-d-duel!]]
** [[ThePrincessBride Killed your father?]] [[Yu-Gi-Oh Prepare to d-d-d-d-d-duel!]]
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** Don't forget Struggle, a literal DesperationAttack. It only becomes available when the Pokemon ''literally'' can't do anything else.
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** Lots of innuendo in the Japanese versions has failed to make it overseas. Even stuff that used to be considered acceptable was bowdlerized in the remakes, e.g. the DirtyOldMan outside the Celadon gym having his dialogue changed to state he's peeping into the gym because of the "strong trainers". The aid in Goldenrod City didn't notice you because he was also too busy admiring the 'strong' trainers, which happened to be all beauties and lass's.
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** Lots of innuendo in the Japanese versions has failed to make it overseas. Even stuff that used to be considered acceptable was bowdlerized in the remakes, e.g. the DirtyOldMan outside the Celadon gym having his dialogue changed to state he's peeping into the gym because of the "strong trainers". The aid in Goldenrod City didn't notice you because he was also too busy admiring the 'strong' trainers, which happened to be all beauties Beauties and lass's.Lasses.
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* BeyondtheImpossible: With common sense, inflicting Burn on a Water-type Pokémon seems this.
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** Gets different in FRLG. If you compare dialog, you can find that later he doesn't call you pal, whereas in originals he did. On other hand...
--> '''Gary''':Oh yeah, right. I feel sorry for you. No, really. You're always plodding behind me. So here, I'll give you a little present as a favor. *gives Fame Checker*
--> '''Gary''':Oh yeah, right. I feel sorry for you. No, really. You're always plodding behind me. So here, I'll give you a little present as a favor. *gives Fame Checker*
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** Lots of innuendo in the Japanese versions has failed to make it overseas. Even stuff that used to be considered acceptable was bowdlerized in the remakes, e.g. the DirtyOldMan outside the Celadon gym having his dialogue changed to state he's peeping into the gym because of the "strong trainers".
to:
** Lots of innuendo in the Japanese versions has failed to make it overseas. Even stuff that used to be considered acceptable was bowdlerized in the remakes, e.g. the DirtyOldMan outside the Celadon gym having his dialogue changed to state he's peeping into the gym because of the "strong trainers". The aid in Goldenrod City didn't notice you because he was also too busy admiring the 'strong' trainers, which happened to be all beauties and lass's.
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** IKnowYouKnowIKnow: I should use Thunderbolt on your Gyarados, but you ''know'' I'll do that, so you'll switch to Electivire and I should use Earth Power, but you ''know'' I'll realize that and keep Gyarados in, so I should use Thunderbolt, but...
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** IKnowYouKnowIKnow: I My Giratina should use Thunderbolt on your Gyarados, but you ''know'' I'll do that, so you'll switch to Electivire and I my Giratina should use Earth Power, but you ''know'' I'll realize that and keep Gyarados in, so I my Giratina should use Thunderbolt, but...
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* Romhacks:
** ''{{Moemon}}''
** ''PokemonQuartz''
** ''PokemonBrownAndPrism''
** ''{{Pokemon Dawn And Dusk}}''
** ''PokemonSnakewood''
* Webcomics:
** ''BlackAdventures''
** ''CharCole''
** ''Webcomic/{{Mokepon}}''
** ''NuzlockeComics''
** ''PokemonX''
** ''Webcomic/RareCandyTreatment''
** ''WebComic/SuperEffective''
** ''TypeTrainer''
* Fan Fiction: listed in the "Multi media franchise" folder of the FanFic/FanFic index
* Also see:
** Website/{{Smogon}} (competitive community, considered the authority for the game's CharacterTiers)
** ''{{Telefang}}'' (was turned into ''Pokemon'' bootlegs)
** ''{{Moemon}}''
** ''PokemonQuartz''
** ''PokemonBrownAndPrism''
** ''{{Pokemon Dawn And Dusk}}''
** ''PokemonSnakewood''
* Webcomics:
** ''BlackAdventures''
** ''CharCole''
** ''Webcomic/{{Mokepon}}''
** ''NuzlockeComics''
** ''PokemonX''
** ''Webcomic/RareCandyTreatment''
** ''WebComic/SuperEffective''
** ''TypeTrainer''
* Fan Fiction: listed in the "Multi media franchise" folder of the FanFic/FanFic index
* Also see:
** Website/{{Smogon}} (competitive community, considered the authority for the game's CharacterTiers)
** ''{{Telefang}}'' (was turned into ''Pokemon'' bootlegs)
to:
** ''{{Moemon}}''
** ''PokemonQuartz''
** ''PokemonBrownAndPrism''
** ''{{Pokemon Dawn And Dusk}}''
** ''PokemonSnakewood''
* Webcomics:
** ''BlackAdventures''
** ''CharCole''
** ''Webcomic/{{Mokepon}}''
** ''NuzlockeComics''
** ''PokemonX''
** ''Webcomic/RareCandyTreatment''
** ''WebComic/SuperEffective''
** ''TypeTrainer''
*
* Also see:
** Website/{{Smogon}} (competitive community, considered the authority for the game's CharacterTiers)
** ''{{Telefang}}'' (was turned into ''Pokemon'' bootlegs)
[[/index]]
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[floatboxright:
Video Games
* Main Series:
** ''VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue'' (Also ''Red and Green'', ''Yellow'', ''Fire Red'' and ''Leaf Green'')
** ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'' (Also ''Crystal'', ''Heart Gold'' and ''Soul Silver'')
** ''VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire'' (Also ''Emerald'')
** ''VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl'' (Also ''Platinum'')
** ''VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite''
*** ''VideoGame/PokemonBlack2AndWhite2''
* Spinoff series:
** ''PokemonStadium'' and ''Battle Revolution''
** ''PokemonColosseum'' and ''XD: Gale of Darkness''
** ''VideoGame/PokemonRanger''
** ''VideoGame/PokemonMysteryDungeon''
** ''PokemonRumble''
** ''PokeParkWii''
* Spinoff titles
** ''PokemonSnap''
** ''HeyYouPikachu''
** ''PokemonChannel''
** ''MyPokemonRanch''
** ''VideoGame/PokemonConquest''
]
[floatboxright:
Other Official Media
* ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' anime
** ''{{Film/Pokemon}}'' films
* ''TabletopGame/{{Pokemon}}'' trading card game
* Various ''Manga/{{Pokemon}}'' manga (see page for list)
* Other:
** ''PokemonLive'' (stage show)
** ''PokemonSunday'' (TV show)
]
[floatboxright:
Fan Works
* Romhacks:
** ''{{Moemon}}''
** ''PokemonQuartz''
** ''PokemonBrownAndPrism''
** ''{{Pokemon Dawn And Dusk}}''
** ''PokemonSnakewood''
* Webcomics:
** ''BlackAdventures''
** ''CharCole''
** ''Webcomic/{{Mokepon}}''
** ''NuzlockeComics''
** ''PokemonX''
** ''Webcomic/RareCandyTreatment''
** ''WebComic/SuperEffective''
** ''TypeTrainer''
* Fan Fiction: listed in the "Multi media franchise" folder of the FanFic/FanFic index
* Also see:
** Website/{{Smogon}} (competitive community, considered the authority for the game's CharacterTiers)
** ''{{Telefang}}'' (was turned into ''Pokemon'' bootlegs)
]
-> ''Hello there! Welcome to the world of Pokémon! My name is Oak! People call me the [[{{Pokemon}} Pokémon]] Prof!''
-->--'''Professor Oak''', ''VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue''
The {{Role Playing Game}}s, developed by Game Freak and published by {{Nintendo}}, spawned a [[CashCowFranchise multi-billion dollar franchise]] rivaling the ''[[SuperMarioBros Mario]]'' series (which of course is also published by Nintendo), and indirectly caused the proliferation of Western broadcasts of {{anime}}.
Released in Japan in February of 1996 for the Game Boy, ''Pokémon'' (or in Japan, ''[[MarketBasedTitle Pocket Monsters]]'') [[OneGameForThePriceOfTwo came in two versions]]: ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Red]]'' [[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue and]] ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Green]]''. The idea of the [[VideoGame game]] is to run around and battle wild {{Mons}} with your own, catch them with hand-held balls, and teach them to battle ([[NonLethalKO non-lethally]]) with each other under the guidance of human Trainers for fun and profit. The original idea was for an artificial form of insect collecting for kids that lived in cities and thus couldn't participate in such a hobby (as the original creator was a bug collector when he was a kid), with the paired versions providing incentive for players to get together and trade {{Mons}} with their friends (but more on that later).
The strategy in the gameplay comes from two factors. First of all, there's an ambitiously large ElementalRockPaperScissors setup. No fewer than 15 (and later 17) different elements are in play, and some species of Pokémon belong to ''two'' elements instead of just one, which can neutralize or compound the elements' respective resistances or weak points; Pokémon aren't strictly limited to moves of their elemental type either[[hottip:*:though they do receive an attack bonus for it]], but can learn almost any move the particular creature might ''reasonably'' be capable of executing (like Water Pokémon using Ice-type moves, or Dragon Pokémon using Fire-type moves), and sometimes ones they aren't. The second factor is the strict move limit: each of your Pokémon can only know 4 moves at once, out of a large movepool that they can learn from. This was hampered in the first generation by balance issues leading to some elements and species becoming obvious {{Game Breaker}}s, but later generations have made many strides in balancing them out, most notably with the addition of Dark and Steel elements.
The {{plot}} of each main-series game is typically a quest ToBeAMaster; the player is given one Pokémon to start their team with, then proceeds to take on the "Pokémon League" by catching new Pokémon, defeating other Pokémon trainers in battles (most importantly your childhood friend and [[TheRival rival]]), challenging [[PoorPredictableRock elementally themed]] Gym Leaders and collecting Gym Badges, and ultimately battling the Elite Four to become the regional League Champion. Oh, yeah, and you manage to single-handedly take down some kind of crime syndicate (and/or save the world) at some point along the way, and capture really powerful Pokémon that the local legends are based on.
While these [[PlayTheGameSkipTheStory aren't necessarily the greatest stories ever told]], the games are certainly enjoyable, and the franchise took off like a [[AWorldwidePunomenon (Team)]] rocket. This was mainly because the completion of the in-game storyline and {{Bonus Dungeon}}s only comprised part of the gameplay. The real meat of the game (or as some would say, the only point of the game) was the [[PlayerVersusPlayer one-on-one]] CompetitiveMultiplayer. Not only were the teams of Pokémon usable against the in-game enemies, these same Pokémon can be pitted against Pokémon trained by other live players of the game. As such, players continued to train and catch Pokémon just so they have the best team among their peers. And when we say they took off like a rocket, that's an understatement. Despite being a relatively young series, the franchise is [[CashCowFranchise the second best selling video game franchise of all time]], by a wide margin [[hottip:*:You can even put the third and fourth best-selling franchises together and they ''still'' don't top ''Pokémon''!]], and only is beaten by its older brother, the ''[[SuperMarioBros Mario]]'' franchise. Though it consistently has come close to topping it, ''Pokémon'' still has a way to go before it's number one.
The multiplayer combat was one aspect of the game designed to promote interaction between players. To further facilitate interaction was the fact that Pokémon can also be traded among players, and that [[SocializationBonus certain Pokémon can only be obtained by trading]]. That was the main reason behind the different versions of the game, as each version had eleven Pokémon that were exclusive to it, and trading was the only way to get those exclusives.
The concept of Pokémon would not be confined to the VideoGame medium. Merchandising sprung up all over the place, including, of course, an [[TheAnimeOfTheGame anime]]. As such, it became a full fledged CashCowFranchise. The game series continued on with a third version, ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedandBlue Blue]]'', that mostly just improved the graphics and altered the distribution of the mons, which also started the practice of making a "Special Edition" game for each generation, with an altered Pokémon lineup, and special events and items.
Yet after all this, it wasn't until September of 1998 that ''Pokémon'' made its way to North America and then the world at large. The world got two versions, labeled ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Red]]'' [[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue and]] ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Blue]]'', which were pretty much ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Red]]'' [[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue and]] ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Green]]'' with ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Blue]]''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue 's]] better graphics. With so much time to prepare, the merchandising launch was all ready to go, and [[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue the games]] became as much of a smash hit in America and the rest of the world as they did in Japan. About a year later, a version loosely based on [[{{Anime/Pokemon}} the anime]] called ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Pokémon Yellow]]'' was released, that featured now-{{mascot}} [[KidAppealCharacter Pikachu]] as your starting Pokémon and even better graphics.
Of course, {{sequel}}s were inevitable, especially in the {{video game}} world. The next generation of Pokémon games, titled ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'', added the two new Types mentioned earlier, around 100 more [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]], among other improvements. Most notably, the developers improved game balance; the Psychic element was no longer the [[{{GameBreaker/Pokemon}} ruler of the roost]]. Further {{sequel}}s added their own wrinkles to the game mechanics among other minor improvements/adjustments: ''VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire'' completely overhauled the the way stats were handled and gave [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]] special Abilities and Natures, as well as implementing 2-on-2 battles. ''VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl'' reclassified attacks as Physical or Special based on the nature of the move, rather than on elemental Type as in previous generations; plus new features allowed worldwide trading over Wi-Fi. ''VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite'' escalated the multi battles by expanding them to 3-on-3 and introducing combination attacks, as well as adding new connectivity features.
Since then, the series has expanded to:
* Generation I (GameBoy)
** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Red and Green/Blue Versions]]'' (''Green'' in Japan, ''Blue'' internationally)
*** ''Blue Version'' (Japan only; engine used for international ''Red/Blue Versions'')
*** ''Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition'' ([[Anime/{{Pokemon}} anime]] tie-in)
* Generation II (GameBoyColor)
** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Gold and Silver Versions]]'' (backward-compatible with original GameBoy)
*** ''Crystal Version'' (GameBoyColor-exclusive)
* Generation III (GameBoyAdvance)
** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire Ruby and Sapphire Versions]]''
*** ''Emerald Version''
** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue FireRed and LeafGreen Versions]]'' ([[VideoGameRemake remakes]] of Generation I)
* Generation IV (NintendoDS)
** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl Diamond and Pearl Versions]]''
*** ''Platinum Version''
** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions]]'' ([[VideoGameRemake remakes]] of Generation II)
* Generation V (NintendoDS)
** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite Black and White Versions]]''
*** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonBlack2AndWhite2 Black and White Versions 2]]''
[-''You can get the "é" symbol by holding down "ALT" and keying in "0", "2", "3", "3" or "1", "3", "0" in that order on the numerical pad to the right of the keyboard. For some keyboards "CTRL-ALT-E" works too (though others may end up with the Euro symbol instead). If you are using British keyboard layout, "ALT GR-E" will get you it (but it only works with the right hand key marked ALT GR). For Mac users, hold down option-E, then type an E. For iPhone, iPod touch and Android users, hold down on the letter E to get the option. Of course, if you are a native Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, or French speaker or have your keyboard set to the U.S. International layout, chances are you don't need all that mess to produce a simple accentuated character.''-]
----
!!It also provides examples of:
* ADogNamedDog: All un-nicknamed Pokémon qualify as this.
* AbnormalLimbRotationRange: Noctowl as stated in the Pokédex in the ''[[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Silver]]'' Version. {{Justified}}, though, since owls can rotate their heads by a lot in real life.
* TheAce: Starting in Generation IV, there's been a trainer class literally called "Ace Trainer".
** Earlier games used the phrase "Elite Trainer" instead.
* ActionBomb: Anything that learns [[TakingYouWithMe Selfdestruct or Explosion]], most notably Koffing, Voltorb, Geodude... Pineco in particular can learn it at very low levels since Generation IV. Their AI Roulette makes them GoddamnedBats if you're lucky.
* ActionInitiative:
** A Pokémon's "Speed" stat determines which Pokémon goes first in each round of combat, with varying effects:
** Certain moves can have different attack power or effects depending on whether they execute before or after the opponent. In particular, the "flinch" status can only occur if the opponent strikes first.
** Certain moves (like "Quick Attack") have increased or decreased "priority", making them always strike before or after the opponent's move. Later generations add other increased-priority moves such as [=ExtremeSpeed=], Mach Punch, and Sucker Punch. Vital Throw (introduced in ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'') is an example of a move with ''decreased'' priority; it hits last but is guaranteed to hit as long as the user is still conscious.
* AdaptationOverdosed: The [[Anime/{{Pokemon}} anime]], various {{spinoff}} games, [[VideoGameRemake remakes of certain main games]], multiple book series, a trading card game, and currently '''39''' [[{{Manga/Pokemon}} manga]] (but most people act like only [[Manga/PokemonSpecial one exists]]).
* AdamSmithHatesYourGuts: As you advance in the [[VideoGame game]], the items in the Poké Marts get progressively more expensive. [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] by the fact that it's because the item selection gets better, but it's still FridgeLogic that every Pokémon Trainer would start at Pallet Town and progress through the cities in the same order; newer generations fix it by tying the product selection to the number of badges possessed instead of location.
* AerithAndBob: Masculine names in the franchise range from Barry to Ghetsis and feminine names range from May to Shauntal. However, this seems to largely be because the use of [[MeaningfulName meaningful]] and [[PunnyName punny]] names is more important than keeping the names completely realistic.
* AIRoulette:
** Wild [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]], and some of the early Trainers, pick their attacks entirely at random. You'd better pray that your [[TheRival rival]] doesn't pick Scratch or Tackle five times in a row during the first battle.
*** However, this was not the case in the original games (''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Red/Blue]]''), as the AI would use the most Type Effective move it had. This led to [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]] using moves like [[StatusBuff Agility]] over and over until they ran out of PP. This was fixed in ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Yellow]]''.
** The move Metronome essentially lets the AI pick a move for you from almost every move programmed into the [[VideoGame game]].
*** It also allows the AI to pick its own moves, meaning the first [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter Clefairy]] you see may start the battle with Roar of Time.
*** Assist does a similar thing; a random move known by one of the [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]] in your party is selected.
* AllFlyersAreBirds: A lot of Flying-types that have a bird-like body shape behave in a sort of avian fashion. [[PteroSoarer Aerodactyl]], for example, is often seen standing on two legs and carrying things in its talons like a bird of prey. A few bird Pokemon invert this trope, though, such as the flightless Doduo and Dodrio.
* AllYourPowersCombined: The Baton Pass move allows you to pass any secondary effects to another `mon. With luck and patience, you could pass along a quadrupling of both defenses, speed, the attack stat of your choice, give opponents only a 33% chance of connecting with most moves, and the ability to regenerate. It requires the patience of a saint and can be thrown off by a critical hit, some status ailments, the moves Roar and Whirlwind (unless you have a Smeargle with both Baton Pass and Ingrain, or [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]] with the ability Suction Cups), or the move Haze.
** However, this can easily backfire through the use of Perish Song ([[BlessedWithSuck luckily, the countdown does not apply to which ever Pokémon switches in]]) and [[AwesomeByAnalysis Psych Up]] (your opponent copies any stat changes you have made and, since it's a single turn move, does so in much less time than you did).
** The EV system works like this in a way. Every time you beat a Pokemon (trained or wild), you gain [=EVs=] in whatever is their best stat (like HP for Chansey, Speed for Ninjask, etc). After enough [=EVs=] in one stat, that stat increases one point. Basically it means your Pokemon starts to take on the stats of the enemies it faces.
* AlwaysAccurateAttack:
** "Swift" from the first generation never misses.
** Similar attacks of other elemental types have been introduced in later generations: Faint Attack, Vital Throw, Aerial Ace, Magical Leaf, Shock Wave, Shadow Punch, Magnet Bomb, and Aura Sphere. Some of them (Swift in particular) can even hit targets who are currently using Fly or Dig (which normally grants one turn of invulnerability before striking).
** The No Guard Ability causes ''all'' attacks used by a Pokémon to become always accurate, in exchange for granting the same to all attacks used against it, even allowing you to hit targets that are in the air, underground, or temporarily non-existent.
** Lock-On and Mind Reader ensure the next attack will hit, even if the target uses the aforementioned moves.
** Hurricane and Thunder always hit when it's raining, and Blizzard always hits when it's hailing.
* AlwaysCheckBehindTheChair:
** Standards of the series are patches of grass with a darker shade than others, trash cans, the centers of plateaus, dead-ends, and rocks. Thank [[OlympusMons Arceus]] for the [[InconsistentDub Item Finder/Dowsing Machine]] when they're anywhere else.
** Don't bother with pots, however. There are millions of them in Generation 3; every single one of them is empty, but [[RedHerring the text leads you on to think that some of them aren't.]]
* AmazingTechnicolorWildlife: They come in some ''funky'' colors. Shiny Pokémon have even funkier colour variations.
* AnimalsLackAttributes: The fact that Pokémon lack visible attributes (with exception for Miltank's cow udders, of course, as well as for some weird reason, Nuzleaf having nipples) is likely a culmination of its simple visual art style and kid-friendly target audience (and G-Rated Sex). The actual Mons can probably be assumed to still possess their attributes ... after all, that Berry fertilizer (made in part from their "well, you know...") has to come from somewhere....
** Various Pokemon draw their designs from things other than animals, so whether their attributes could even be identifiable as such varies as much as the Mons themselves. How exactly does one tell the difference between, say, a male and female Grimer — living blobs of toxic goo? Eh, forget we even asked.
* AndYourRewardIsInteriorDecorating:
** In ''Ruby/Sapphire'' you can be rewarded with items to decorate your secret base, while in ''Diamond/Pearl'' it's your underground cabin. ''Platinum'' adds a villa, though you can only buy items and not choose where to place them.
** It started in Gold/Silver, where you could decorate your bedroom at your mother's house.
* AnimateInanimateObject: A large number of Pokémon fit this description.
** Banette used to be a doll that was thrown away by a child, and now seeks revenge. By extension, this also applies to its unevolved form, Shuppet.
** Rotom can possess objects, as revealed in ''[[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondandPearl Pokémon Platinum]]'', where it can possess a washing machine, a lawnmower, an oven, a freezer, and a table fan. Specifically, it possesses technology that uses a special kind of motor. The aforementioned objects are specially prepared for research purposes.
** Voltorb is also implied to be a Poké Ball turned sentient, through an unknown cause. Its ''[=SoulSilver=]'' Pokédex entry specifically states that it was discovered when Poké Balls were invented. An entry in another game says its components are not found in nature.
** Shedinja is the discarded exoskeleton of a Nincada after it evolves into Ninjask. Exactly ''how'' it is animated, especially considering the former occupant still lives, is not explained.
** Claydol, according to the Diamond/Pearl/Platinum Pokédex, is "An ancient clay figurine that came to life as a Pokémon from exposure to a mysterious ray of light." By extension, this also applies to its unevolved form, Baltoy.
** Trubbish is a ''trash bag'' that came to live because of a chemical reaction.
** A few more that are based on inanimate objects, yet are not implied to have been animated by outside forces, include Magnemite (magnets), Nosepass/Probopass ({{Moai statue}}), Bronzor (a bronze mirror), Bronzong (a bronze bell), Klink (a gear), Darumaka (a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daruma_doll daruma doll]]), and Litwick/Lampent/Chandelure (Candle/Lamp/Chandelier, respectively).
** Don't forget Vanillite, the most delicious Pokemon ever.
* AnimeHair: Too many characters to list.
* AnthropomorphicFood: With the addition of the Vanillish line, we can now battle with living ice cream.
* AnythingThatMoves: The shapeshifting Ditto will breed with just about ''anything''. Except Legendary Pokémon (or ''itself'', as of Gen 4) Including "gender-unknown" species who refuse to breed even with ''each other''.
* ApatheticCitizens:
** A crime syndicate takes over our city? Cults attempt to flood and/or dry out the world? Some god-wannabe tries to restart all of creation? No problem, I'm sure some Trainer will take care of it for us.
** There is one exception. In [=HeartGold=] and [=SoulSilver=], when [[spoiler:you disguise yourself as a Team Rocket member,]] if you talk to people, then they'll say stuff like [[spoiler:"Imagine, a kid so young on Team Rocket..."]] and stuff like that.
** Also, N and Ghetsis are kinda counting on this to pull off their plans (though N is also really frustrated by it, going so far as to outright state that if people in general were more like the player character, he wouldn't have to bother with separating people and Pokémon.)
** In Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald, citizens of the three ocean cities, Mossdeep, Sootopolis, and Pacifidlog, do show concern about the torrential downpour/drought affecting the area. The rest of Hoenn? Doesn't even care.
** In Diamond/Pearl/Platinum, [[spoiler: when Team Galactic blows up Lake Valor,]] the resulting shockwave/earthquake is felt all the way in Canalave City. The people in the library and the citizens standing outside comment on it. No one else does though.
* ArtEvolution:
** In the Japanese ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedandBlue Red and Green]]'' versions, the designs for the [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]] are (sometimes) really ugly, even by Game Boy standards. By the time the ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Yellow]]'' version came out, the designs became the ones we're more familiar with, and general graphics (especially sprite resolution) became more sophisticated with each generation.
** The artwork had this happen as well. Compare the appearances of the main characters of ''[[http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/5/53/Red_Green_Red.png Red and Blue]]'' and ''[[http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/a/a3/Gold_Silver_Ethan.png Gold and Silver]]'' with their appearances in those games' remakes, ''[[http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/8/83/FireRed_LeafGreen_Red.png FireRed and LeafGreen]]'' and ''[[http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/c/c0/HeartGold_SoulSilver_Ethan.png HeartGold and SoulSilver]]''.
* TheArtifact:
** In ''Pokémon Gold and Silver'', one of the 10 phone numbers you can have at a time is Bill's, which is useful as he tells you how many spaces are left in your current Pokémon storage box and calls you to tell you when your current one is full, which is also useful because if the box currently being used and your party is full you can't catch anything. However, in the third generation, the box system was fixed so that a full box simply meant the captured Pokémon went to the next box, making registering Bill's number in the fourth generation remakes of those games largely pointless (he instead tells you of all the places in your boxes total, in which case you are screwed if you manage to fill all of them). On the other hand, you can register all the numbers you want in the remakes, so he's not hampering you, either.
** The namesake trait of Shiny Pokémon is pretty much one; their original defining trait was that they were a different color (hence the Red Gyarados being referred to as such rather than Shiny Gyarados), with the shining effect and accompanying sound effect originally being due to the fact that their debut games could be played on monochrome GameBoy systems in addition to the GameBoyColor; on the former the shininess distinguishes them from the standard forms since a lack of color would have made it difficult otherwise.
* ArtificialStupidity:
** Many NPC trainers don't pay a lot of attention to the moves you have or use much in the way of strategy.
** Mostly averted with the Battle Tower/Frontier, though occasionally the Trainers there will still do some odd things.
** Generation IV in general bumped up the AI as well. Especially with specific Trainer types like Ace Trainers, Gym Leaders, and the Elite Four/Champion. There are also cases of Trainers using specific move strategies like Endeavor - Quick Attack and Mean Look - Curse (with Ghost types).
*** The [[OldMaster Veterans]] in Gen V ''will'' catch you off guard by hitting your {{mons}} with super-effective moves that you'd never expect their {{mons}} to have. Yes, they finally have Trainers outside the Gym Leaders/Elite Four/Battle (insert facility name here) who bother to use [=TMs=]!
*** [[spoiler: Ghetsis' Hydreigon being a prime example. It will be hitting you with Fire Blast, Surf, Focus Blast, and Dragon Pulse. The last being the only move that Hydreigons learn normally. It tends to be the biggest threat in his entire team.]]
* AscendedFanon:
** The fan term "Eeveelutions", referring to the myriad of ways that Eevee can evolve, has been adopted for use by Nintendo in the [[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Eeveelution_(TCG) card game]], [[http://oi53.tinypic.com/90txrl.jpg the official guide]] for ''PokemonStadium 2'', and in ''PokemonRanger: Shadows of Almia''.
** 'Shiny' was the official term for shiny Pokémon back when ''[[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Gold and Silver]]'' were released, but later generations called them 'alternately colored'; Nintendo then used the term 'shiny' again in Generation V, such as in the forms section of the Pokédex (which is easy to find when viewing the Pokédex entries for Johto's legendary trio after transferring the shiny versions of them given out prior to the launch of the generation).
* AscendedFridgeHorror: Used in both some of the games and some of the adaptations.
** ''PokemonBlackAndWhite'' does this with some of the fridge horror of the series. They introduced Team Plasma, an organization based on the idea that it's morally wrong to force Pokémon to beat each other nearly to death for sport. The organization has two conflicting leaders — N, who honestly believes in the organization's mantra, and Ghetsis, who only preaches this to try and convince everyone else in the world to release their Pokémon so that he'll be the most powerful Trainer around. [[hottip:*:Guess which one has a HeelFaceTurn, and which one's the final boss...]]
** ''PokemonSpecial'' makes use of the "Pocket Monsters have the power to seriously injure or even kill" ElephantInTheLivingRoom. ''Colosseum'' and ''XD'' do the same, with depicted Pokémon-on-trainer and human-on-human violence, with the S.S. Libra as the capper.
* AscendedMeme: It's rumored that the infamous "PIKACHU! THE HORN!!!" moment from the anime led to Rhyhorn and Rhydon (and later on Rhyperior) all getting the Lightningrod ability in the third generation. Unlike in the {{anime}}, they retain their immunity to electric attacks. In fact, as of Generation V, Lightningrod NULLIFIES Electric attacks (not that they care).
* AsskickingEqualsAuthority: Becomes more and more blatant as generations go on. Seeing just how expensive Gym contraptions become and how they serve literally no purpose other than that to confuse the challengers just for the hell of it - how much profit can you receive from that? - how some Gym Leaders like Clay and Elesa order people around, how Gym Leaders are the go-to authority (Crasher Wake) and no one but them, player characters, and Looker, does anything about anything, a Gym Leader is, by all means, the mayor / sheriff of the town in particular.
* AudibleGleam:
** Happens whenever you send out or encounter a shiny Pokémon. Comes with sparkling stars radiating from the Pokémon. This was mostly because in Generation II (when alternate colored Pokémon were introduced), unless you were playing on a Game Boy Color, there would be ''no way'' to tell if a Pokémon was shiny or not; the gleam and sound was the only way to tell. It's also useful for people who happen to have color-blindness.
** In addition, when the player enters the Trick House in Generation III, an AudibleGleam tips the player off to where the Trick Master is hiding. Until the difficulty spike, anyway.
* AuthorAppeal:
** Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of ''Pokémon'', has AspergerSyndrome. One characteristic of it can be an obsession with collecting. He took it UpToEleven by ''inventing something new to collect''. Also, when he was younger, he was an avid bug collector. This is why one of the Trainer classes is "Bug Catcher."
** Game director Junichi Masuda's favorite Pokémon used to be Pichu. [[hottip:*: (it's now Victini)]] It kinda shows. It's all over the place despite not seeming to be that popular with the fans.
** Satoshi Tajiri favorite Pokémon is Poliwhirl. In one of the Pokémon mangas, it's the main character's starter Pokémon.
* {{Autodoc}}: The Healing Machine in Pokémon Centers.
* AwesomeButImpractical:
** Moves such as Hyper Beam which are ludicrously powerful and require a recharge turn afterwards, moves like Sky Attack which require a charge BEFORE, and it even extends to [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]] - Slaking, Rampardos and Regigigas are all very strong, but are not that good competitively. Slaking has the Truant ability which prevents it from attacking every turn (and in 4th generation, each turn is much more important than 3rd generation, and it can still be utilized well if one is very good), Rampardos is a GlassCannon to a massive extreme, and Regigigas has the Slow Start ability which keeps him from having full power and speed for 5 turns, which are reset if it switches or is forced out.
** Use Skill Swap on Slaking in Double Battles, and watch it become a truly terrifying, team-slaughtering threat. Rampardos can be made into a huge threat with a speed boost or under Trick Room.
** Some Pokemon qualify as this. Onix for instance, is surprisingly weak for a giant snake made out of stone.
** Shuckle has the highest Defense of any Mon in the series, and by using "Power Trick" can acquire the highest Attack of any Mon in the series. But good luck actually ''landing a blow'' after Power Trick, because swapping out its Defense means that just about any physical strike whatsoever will cause a OneHitKill.
** Theoretically, Shuckle can deal a whopping '''481,266,036''' damage with a critical hit under the right conditions -- conditions so improbable that they have rarely been reproduced ''even under laboratory environments''.
** Generation V adds Archeops, a Pokémon whose overall base stat total is exceeded only by the legendaries, "pseudo-legendaries" (Dragonite, Tyranitar, Salamence, Metagross, Garchomp, and Hydreigon), and Slaking, who as mentioned before has a severe handicap limiting its usefulness. Its stats aren't terribly balanced, however, with [[GlassCannon high numbers in both attack stats and ]][[FragileSpeedster speed but mediocre HP and defensive stats.]] It also has an ability which ''halves'' its attack stats when its HP drops below 50% of maximum.
* BadassAdorable: Pokémon in general are powerful enough as it is, so ones like Riolu and Pichu could fit, but the best of the best include the ranks of [[http://www.arkeis.com/images/pokemonfactory/azelf.png Azelf]], [[http://bulk.destructoid.com/ul/user/2/24199-89365-celebi1ofthemonthgifjpg-468x.jpg Celebi]], [[http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kuk3fhHSpr1qzeiz8o1_400.png Mew]], etc.
* BadassCrew: Forming one with your Pokémon so you can get all your badges and become a Champion is one of the main goals of the games.
* BadassGrandpa: Literally. There is a battle with Professor Oak in Generation 1 that was [[DummiedOut taken out]] of the final game. He uses Pokémon that are level 66 to 70. This places his strength on-par with the player's rival and the Pokémon League Champion.
* BadassNormal:
** The Blackbelt characters are of the CharlesAtlasSuperpower variety. Fittingly, most of the Pokémon you could consider BadassNormal ("normal" being a relative term in a universe where ''almost everything'' has psychic or elemental powers to some extent) are Fighting type, like Machamp or Hariyama. The same is true for most of the physically based Fighting attacks (read: all but four), bringing us the likes of BrickBreak and [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown Close Combat]].
** The Normal type is a subversion as many of them can learn a wide variety of special moves such as the traditional FireIceLightning moves. Even a lot of the so-called "Normal" moves have strange properties that could hardly be considered "normal".
* BagOfHolding: While the earlier games in the series had more limited space in the player's backpack, by the 4th Generation, your bag could [[HyperspaceArsenal has one slot for every item]]. Its possible (if you go out of your way) to fill it up to the point of being unable to get more by getting at least 999 of a single item (to force an item to take 2 slots), but very unlikely in practice.
* [[BannedInChina Banned in Saudi Arabia]]: They've denounced it as a way to promote [[ReasonableAuthorityFigure gambling]] and Zionism.
* BattleThemeMusic: But of course. Over a ''dozen'' in later titles.
* BattleTops: Hitmontop is based on a combination of a spinning top (hence the name) and capoiera martial arts.
* BeingEvilSucks:
** In order to get the move Frustration to have its max power, the user's happiness must be 0. Walking 256 steps increases happiness by 1, and leveling up increases it by 5 (if the current happiness is at minimum), while to lower it, your only options are to use the bitter medicine on it (-5, -10, or -15 depending on what you use) or let it faint (-1). By contrast, max happiness and max Return power is easy to maintain even if you let the Poké faint every now and then thanks to walking.
*** Averted in Mystery Dungeon where it depends on user's IQ. Normally weak, it's incredibly useful in dungeons like Purity Forest where your Level is reduced to 1 and IQ is at minimum level, at which Frustration deals 45 damage, more than Lv. 1 Mon should.
** Of course, this doesn't prevent it from being a massively powerful attack when trainers in the Battle Frontier use it, as the happiness stat of enemy Pokémon is always zero (Most Pokémon start at 70 happiness when caught).
* BeneficialDisease: The Pokérus virus. If you're very, very lucky, a wild Pokémon you fight might just spread Pokérus to one of your Pokémon. With this condition, that Pokémon will gain twice as many effort points when an enemy mon is defeated. Basically, it will save you time when trying to fine-tune your Pokémon's stats. It can be spread from inside the mon's PC storage box. Pokérus does, however, "cure" after so many hours of play, so exploit it while it lasts. It isn't even clear whether Pokérus causes any suffering. So never mind the VideoGameCrueltyPotential of mass temporary infection, trainer.
** At least since Gen III onward, it doesn't spread inside the PC. However, storing a Pokémon DOES prevent it from "healing" so that you can put it in your party and spread it to your team later.
* BigBadassBirdOfPrey: Many, many.
* BlessedWithSuck:
** Some Pokémon, by their mere presence, always change the weather in the general vicinity. [[http://www.rarecandytreatment.com/comics/1294293/picnic-panic/#cpage It's easy to see]] how this could be inconvenient.
** Pokémon that lose arms and/or legs when they evolve.
** [[GameplayAndStorySegregation Supposedly]], Lugia spends all its time sleeping at the bottom of the sea because it's too powerful. It can fly, but if it were to so much as lightly flutter its wings it would cause a 40-day storm and blow apart buildings.
** Jirachi has the power to grant wishes, but only for one week every thousand years. It's asleep all those years. That means Jirachi must have a lonely existence, because if Jirachi were to make a friend, they would be long gone by the time it awakens. Unless they were a Ninetales or something else long lived.
* BlueIsGreen: Bronzor, Bronzong, Golett, and Golurk are in the green Pokédex group despite obviously being blue.
* BonsaiForest: Often, the entire forests in the series look like they've been recently planted.
* BonusBoss: Several, though exactly which ones count depend on your criteria.
* BoringButPractical:
** Experienced players tend to favor mid-level attacks like Thunderbolt over the flashy, high-power attacks like Thunder due to their higher accuracy and PP counts.
** The Normal type also counts here; it isn't super effective against anything, but it in turn has decent defenses against everything except Fighting, and even an immunity to Ghost attacks. Normal type Pokémon also generally can learn a variety of different types of moves, both with or without TM assistance, making them quite versatile at the cost of no STAB for non-Normal-type moves.
** Seismic Toss for [[StoneWall defense-oriented Pokémon with low Attack or Special Attack,]] such as Chansey and Eviolite Dusclops.
* {{Bowdlerize}}:
** Lots of innuendo in the Japanese versions has failed to make it overseas. Even stuff that used to be considered acceptable was bowdlerized in the remakes, e.g. the DirtyOldMan outside the Celadon gym having his dialogue changed to state he's peeping into the gym because of the "strong trainers".
** Most likely the most important example of them all is the Dark type. The original name is Aku (Evil) and ''not'' the Japanese Dark equivalent Yami. This is why the various evil teams typically use Dark types, all Dark moves not named Dark Pulse or Night Daze are [[CombatPragmatist combat pragmatism]] bordering on just plain being a JerkAss, and over three Dark type families are based on criminal stereotypes.
** The moves Lovely Kiss and Sweet Kiss are known In Japan as Demon's Kiss and Angel's Kiss respectively. They probably changed the names to remove religious references, however, they did not bother to remove or edit the animations of the moves in Generation 2, so it still shows a animation of a demon or angel giving a kiss whenever those moves are used.
* BrokenAesop:
** The games are big on treating Pokémon humanely and with kindness, but it usually doesn't matter in practice - a Pokémon happiness will still increase just by being in your party and not treating them with anything less than general indifference. In fact, the ways to get super-powered teams for competitive play or the Battle Frontier generally involve complex eugenics programs that will leave you with dozens of Pokémon you'll just toss aside.
** Goes a bit further with the Musketeer Trio in the Black and White games. An old man will tell you about how the Musketeer Trio grew to hate humans, but maybe, just maybe, if they were captured by a nice trainer, they would trust humanity again. That's fine and dandy and all, until you consider that the vast majority of players will just capture them for collecting and the dex info and likely won't use them in battle, just let them sit in a PC box for eternity.
** Despite the "kindness" you show to your Pokémon, you are still forcing them to withstand lava and meteors and poison until they faint, then stuffing them in balls and making them go to some weird floating green dimension where they will float aimlessly about until you need them again. Also: In the games, the info on Pokémon is incomplete, so the player probably collects it themselves, and puts it in the Pokédex. Some of the entries: Golem can withstand DYNAMITE! Staryu's limbs will grow back even if CUT OFF!
* BrokenBridge: The need to beat certain Gyms to activate certain overworld actions and... extremely thirsty ''guards'' that will stop doing their jobs and let you through if you give them some ''water'' (tea in the remakes).
* BrotherSisterIncest and ParentalIncest: Pokémon can and will breed with any other compatible Pokémon, family or not. This was partially averted in Generation II, due to the way the offspring inherited its statistics from the parent.
* ButtMonkey:
** At this point, Poison as an entire type seems to be this for the developers. You know they've got something against the type when it's the ''only one'' out of all 17 that doesn't have a legendary Pokémon to call its own after over 14 years and 47 legendary Pokémon. Not to mention it's only super effective against one type (Grass). And then there's how the last of the only two characters who specialize in the type was introduced over ''three generations ago'' and took the exact same position as the last Poison specialist [[hottip:*:The previous one, [[LikeFatherLikeSon her father Koga]], ascended to the position of Elite Four.]]. Did we mention that it's ''weak'' to Generation I's GameBreaker element?
*** It seems a bit less of a strangler when one considers its defensive benefits - namely, resistance to the Fighting type and absorption of Toxic Spikes[[hottip:*:nasty caltrops that poison Pokémon as they enter play.]].
*** It seems that it's finally averted. According to [[http://bulbanews.bulbagarden.net/wiki/May_issue_of_CoroCoro_magazine_leaked CoroCoro leak]] there will be a Poison-type Gym Leader. Finally, after like '''twelve'' years, there is a Poison-type Gym Leader outside of Kanto.
** Also, in the first generation, Poison was the most common type. But this got scaled back dramatically by the next gen; the other four generations ''combined'' don't have as many Poison-types as the first gen had!
** 2.B.A Master (I wanna be the very best...) [[LongList listed all the types]] available in the first generation. However, one of the types listed is Flame, listed alongside Fire. ''[[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment They listed Fire twice to avoid mentioning Poison]].''
** Also, about that "Effective against Grass" part. Only Paras/Parasect and Tangela in the first generation were weak to it; everyone else's dual typing prevented them from that.
** In Generation I, Poison-type moves were also super effective against the Bug type. The designers took that advantage out in Generation II's type matchup revision, and Poison-types never ever got it back. Though Poison also lost its own weakness to the Bug type.
** Fire types, too. There are very, very few of them and the ones that do exist are often ineffective or outclassed by other Pokémon. [[RuleOfCool But damn, are they awesome.]]
** Dark types, to a lesser extent. Prior to Generation IV, all of the Dark-type moves were classified as Special moves, however, almost all of them were physical attackers, meaning their STAB usually dealed less damage than physical attack of any other type. Out of any other type, Dark appeared as a Gym type the least. Zero, to be precise. The most glaring example would be Generation V that introduced around as much Dark-types as there were previously in all generations combined, yet it didn't have a Gym. On the upside, it shares with Fighting, Psychic, Ghost and Dragon-types the trait of being commonly chosen by Elite Four members.
** For a specific Pokémon, Flareon. The poor thing has high Physical attack on a Special type, making it useless while its Eeveelutions siblings are always awesome (Or at least decent). After the Physical/Special split, it still sucked because it was denied a decent physical Fire type move. For four times on a row (DP, Platinum, HGSS, now BW). The worst part? There's a Fire move that would be perfect for it. It's called Flare Blitz. Flare, as in '''Flare'''on. Entei could fit for similar reasons, but it got Flare Blitz in an event.
*** Its special attack stat isn't terrible, either. It actually faired better than some of the other Eeveelutions did in the split. Which is not to say the entire family couldn't stand to have its move sets redone. Like learning a STAB attack at evolution, for example. The ones created in Gen IV received Ice or Grass types, giving them more weaknesses than strengths from inception. Truly, the combat mechanic refinements were not kind to the Eeveelutions.
* CapturedSuperEntity
* CashCowFranchise
* CerebusSyndrome:
** In terms of the evil organizations you battle in the game. The first two generations had the at least somewhat AffablyEvil Team Rocket (with quotes like "It feels so good to be evil!"), barring a couple disturbing instances (killing Pokémon and chopping off Slowpoke tails). But by RSE, you had a group trying to force ''climate change.'' By the fourth generation, Team Galactic wants to ''reset all of existence.''
** Averted [[spoiler:at first]] with Team Plasma, along with [[spoiler:their leader,]] N, from PokemonBlackAndWhite, who want to separate Pokémon from humans to probably prevent incidents like with the previous teams from happening again. It turns out that the true villain, [[spoiler:Ghetsis, the true mastermind behind Team Plasma,]] is such a [[CompleteMonster despicable, vile, and evil person]] that he manages to outstrip all the previous teams ''combined''! ([[HighOctaneNightmareFuel Arguably]] including [[PokemonColosseum Cipher!]])
** Not to mention, in the first couple of generations the villains didn't seem to do anything besides wreak havoc on random Pokémon and locations. In the third generation, the villains had a coherent theme and goal, but they still didn't make much sense. By the fourth generation, though, defeating the villain had become just about as important as the stated goal of ToBeAMaster, a trend which continued into the fifth generation, owing to the nastier villains on the one hand, and greater plot streamlining on the other.
* ChargedAttack:
** There are a wide variety of moves which manifest as "charging energy" on one turn and unleashing it the next, but most are executed as a single move requiring two turns. Exceptions include:
** "Stockpile" can be used up to three turns in a row to store power for "Swallow" (a healing move) or "Spit Up" (an attack).
** "Charge" doubles the power of any Electric move used on the next turn.
* CheatedAngle: Pikachu is almost never drawn without the tail projecting outward and prominently visible, even when it should be behind him or otherwise blocked.
* ChestMonster: Occasionally, that item you pick up turns out to be a Voltorb/Electrode, or in ''[[PokemonBlackAndWhite Black and White]]'', Foongus/Amoongus.
* CirclingBirdies:
** The result of the Confusion status since ''Gold/Silver''.
** Also circling Psyduck in the ''Pokémon [=HeartGold=]'' and ''[=SoulSilver=]'' minigames.
** In the Pokéwalker, however, the player's Pokémon has circling stars when they are knocked out in the Pokéwalker, as shown in the journal.
* ColdFlames: The Will-O-Wisp attack.
* ColorCodedElements:
** Almost every single Pokémon's Type can be guessed based on their color, with red Pokémon being Fire, blue Pokémon being Water, and so on. This is so [[OmnipresentTropes omnipresent]] it's easier to list the [[SubvertedTrope Pokémon who don't follow this formula:]]
** Normal type Pokémon -- Since Normal types can learn many types of moves, you usually don't know what moves they taught a Pokémon unless you already fought them before.
** Many people assumed Reshiram and Zekrom would be Psychic[[hottip:*:because it is the closest equivalent to a "Light" type Pokémon has]]/Dragon and Dark/Dragon respectively because of their color scheme and Yin Yang theme. They're not; they're Dragon/Fire and Dragon/Electric.
** Lugia has been mistaken for a Water Type before. It's Psychic/Flying. The fact that it is said to be the guardian of the seas (where it lives) and has a version counterpart that is part Fire does not help matters.
** Groudon is not a Fire Type, it's a Ground Type. It has the same problem as Lugia of having a version counterpart that helps perpetuate this mistake.
** Riolu and Lucario look like Dark/Fighting types. They're Fighting (with Lucario being part Steel). Lucario was even thought to be the first Dark legendary at one point.
** Mawile looks like a Dark/Fighting type. It's Steel, making it probably the only Steel Type other than Jirachi without a gray, blue or red color scheme.
** The fanbase has noticed for a while now that Charizard and Gyarados both really look like they should be Dragon Types but for some reason they're not. This is made all the more conspicuous by Altaria, which is obviously a bird but for some reason is part Dragon despite having no clear draconic features, and the Gible line, land sharks. Yes, the European dragon and the sea serpent based off of a Japanese myth of a [[LegendaryCarp carp]] turning into a dragon are not Dragons, [[FridgeLogic but the living cloud and the hammerhead sharks are.]] OurDragonsAreDifferent indeed.
*** Gyarados at least has the excuse that Water/Dragon would have been ''incredibly'' [[GameBreaker broken]] back in Gen 1. Charizard, on the other hand, has no such excuse.
** Buizel/Floatzel and Bidoof/Bibarel are brown and often found on land, so you'd expect them to be that generation's answer to [[ComMons Zigzagoon]]. This is only half-true for Bidoof (Normal/Water) but averted with the all-water Buizel.
* CombatPragmatist: The Dark Type is characterized by attacks that involve fighting very dirty in order to win, to the point where some of the moves seem to constitute outright cheating. Some options from the Dark Type movepool include: punishing the opponent for raising their stats (Punishment), false crying (Fake Tears), slugging the opponent as they ready an attack (Sucker Punch), beating up an already hurt opponent (Assurance), throwing foreign objects (Fling), denying the opponent use of their held item (Embargo and Knock Off), ''stealing'' the opponent's item (Thief), stealing the opponent's stat changes or healing attempts (Snatch), switching held items (Switcheroo), pissing the opponent off enough to force it to use only attack moves (Taunt), banning the opponent from using moves twice in a row (Torment[[hottip:*:wreaks hell on Choice Band/Specs/Scarf users!]]), hitting an opponent hard as they try to retreat (Pursuit), and ''calling on the other Pokémon on your team to beat up on the opponent'' (Beat Up).
* ComebackMechanic: The moves Reveral and Flail do more damage the less HP the user has.
* ComMons:
** Rattata, Pidgey, and pretty much everything else that resides near the player's hometown.
*** Magikarp deserves special mention as ''the'' most common Pokémon, being available in every body of water in games in which it appears. Even in Pokémon Snap.
** Starting with Gen III, these Pokémon have been given certain gimmicks to make them more viable mons in general.[[hottip:*:Good examples are Swellow's "Guts", which gives it an attack boost under status ailments and synchronizes with Facade and Brave Bird, or Staraptor's massive attack strength upon evolution and Close Combat to hit Rock and Steel types ''hard''.]]
* TheComputerIsACheatingBastard: It is not uncommon to encounter Trainers owning evolved Pokémon who are below the level you'd have to train them to to reach that form. Lance having a Lv.45 Dragonite for example, when Dragonair doesn't evolve to that form until Lv. 55.
** Slightly subverted in the original games since you could also find under-leveled monsters in some areas. Lance is STILL a cheater though, since his Dragonite knows moves ''that it can't learn.''
* ConfusionFu:
** Pokémon with wider movepools can run five or six different sets, making them harder to determine and counter.
** Hidden Power can be any of the 16 non-normal types and learned by almost every Pokémon.
** Metronome, which selects a completely random move that could be anything from uselessly flopping around like a fish [[hottip:*:Splash]] to the wrath of the Pokémon equivalent of God.[[hottip:*:Judgement]]
* ConservationOfCompetence
* ContinuityDrift: ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Green/Red/Blue/Yellow]]''[='s=] Pokédex and sprites portrays the Pocket Monsters as genuinely monstrous, a stark contrast to the later generations. The dex entries also frequently reference real world locations (Arcanine) and animals (Gastly), has Pokémon giving live birth instead of eggs (Mew), and more.
* ContinuityNod: The first generation had a very prominent puzzle involving searching trash cans to locate a pair of randomly-placed switches. Every game in the series gives a response every time you examine a trash can, ''any'' trash can, even if 99% of the time your response is merely "the trash can is empty."
* ContractualBossImmunity:
** Attempting to throw a Poké Ball at a Trainer's Pokémon will only result in the Trainer knocking the ball aside with a reprimanding reminder that Poké Balls are for wild Pokémon only.
** Rui and the Aura Reader will prevent you from Snagging a clean Pokémon in the Orre games as well. You keep the ball, because the Snag Machine (which was ''designed'' to steal a trainer's Pokémon!) doesn't get a chance to function.
* CosmeticAward:
** The diploma awarded for completing the ''entire'' Pokédex; that is, registering every last known species in each generation.
** Ribbons awarded for winning Pokémon Contests or the Pokéathlon.
*** In [[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl the three main Generation IV games]], Ribbons allow you to enter the Ribbon Syndicate. On the upper floor, you can massage one Pokémon daily, which increases their happiness (and the lower floor lets you buy more ribbons).
** Shiny Pokémon. Sure, they aren't ''really'' any different from a normally-colored Pokémon,[[hottip:* :from the third generation onward--Shinies in the second generation had very slight statistical differences, but in the end they meant little anyway]] but when you only have a 1 in 8192 chance of even ''seeing'' one, much less actually catching it, wouldn't ''you'' want to brag? Especially if it's a legendary?
** The stars on your trainer card. You can usually earn up to four or five by accomplishing such things as beating the Elite Four, completing the dex, defeating the Brains at the Battle Frontier, etc. Serves slightly more of a purpose as other trainers may look at your card and see how much you've actually done in-game judging by the stars you have.
* CosmicEgg: Where Arceus came from.
* ConsoleCameo: Every Pokemon game features the current Nintendo home console in the player's room, and whatever system the game is on is mentioned by [=NPCs=].
* CriticalAnnoyance: That beeping when your Pokémon get low on health, which becomes [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC_L0TNvrZc averted]] in ''Black and White''.
** The noise that happens when your Pokémon take poison damage while walking, which is eliminated in ''Black and White''.
* CriticalStatusBuff: Starting in Generation III, several Pokemon abilities like "Blaze", "Torrent", and "Overgrow", boost the power of matching elemental attacks when the user is low on HP. Certain Berries can also provide a one-time automatic status boost when the user is low on HP.
** The Archen/Archeops family from Generation V also has the inverse: Their "Defeatist" ability creates a status ''penalty'' when they are low on HP.
* {{Crossover}}: With... ''[[NobunagasAmbition Nobunaga's Ambition]]''?
** ''Nobunaga's Ambition'' for the title, but ''Samurai Warriors 3'' for the character appearances. Amusingly, the game introduces a new region called Ranse...
** Before that, with the ''Mystery Dungeon'' franchise (which includes ''DragonQuest: [[DragonQuestIV Torneko]]'s Mystery Dungeon'', ''ShirenTheWanderer'', and ''ChocobosDungeon'').
* CurbStompBattle: A good understanding of the basics can lead to pretty much this for every battle you'll encounter (just knowing the ElementalRockPaperScissors can get you ''really'' far by itself). Go deeper into the metagame, and you're just being cruel to them.
* CuteGiant: Many Pokemon probably qualify. [[GentleGiant Snorlax]] in particular looks like a big cuddly bear-cat thing.
* CuteMonsterGirl: Gardevoir and Lopunny. [[DroppedABridgetOnHim Which are equally likely to be male.]]
* DamageOverTime: The series has many ways to inflict DamageOverTime beyond its standard "Poison" and "Burn" statuses, and many of these can even be combined:
** If a Ghost-type uses "Curse", the opponent receives significant damage (1/4 max HP) per turn, the largest amount of damage in the system.
** Hazardous weather like "Sandstorm" or "Hail" inflicts 1/16th damage on most elemental types.
** Certain abilities can also cause damage (or, inversely, healing) over time during specific weather conditions: "Dry Skin" damages during intense sunlight, "Rain Dish" and "Ice Body" heal during heavy rain or hailstorms, respectively. "Solar Power" also causes damage during intense sunlight, but with the tradeoff of boosted attack power.
** The Grass-type "Leech Seed" not only inflicts DamageOverTime on an opponent, it also restores the user's HP by the amount drained.
** The "Sticky Barb" item inflicts damage-over-time on whichever Pokemon holds it, but can be passed from user to opponent by moves involving physical contact.
** Sleeping Pokemon receive damage while subjected to "Nightmare" status, or similarly, the [[SignatureMove "Bad Dreams" effect]] of legendary Pokemon Darkrai.
* DangerousForbiddenTechnique: Curse (for Ghost types), [[ActionBomb Selfdestruct and Explosion]], Perish Song, and more. Plus several others; Final Gambit in particular comes to mind. Let's just say that it's a damn good thing Blissey can't learn it.
* DarkerAndEdgier:
** The series have been subtly going down this path, with meaner sounding Pokédex entries and the motives for the BigBad becoming more extreme. Even the Anime is doing this, with more seriousness and having the former GoldfishPoopGang Team Rocket TakeALevelInBadass.
** The Manga PokemonSpecial is known for this, it has fights to the death (even for the humans). At one point an Arbok gets [[HalfTheManHeUsedToBe cut in two by a Charmeleon.]] [[spoiler: [[IGotBetter It got better, though.]]]]
* DarkIsNotEvil
** Despite that the Japanese name for the "Dark" elemental type is in fact "Aku" (evil), Dark-type moves typically rely on [[CombatPragmatist pragmatism]].
** Ghost-type are generally pranksters, more than actual villains.
** Absol is called the "Disaster" Pokémon, and is known to suspiciously be around whenever a natural disaster happens. Turns out they can sense when disasters are imminent, [[CassandraTruth and are only trying to warn the people in danger]], [[CassandraDidIt despite being accused and hunted for it]]. [[BlessedWithSuck Must be nice to have that power]], eh?
** Darkrai is basically a creature of darkness that puts people to sleep (by [[NothingIsScarier plunging all its victims into a VOID, not with any kind of song or powder]]) and gives them nightmares so horrible it ''[[FridgeHorror physically hurts the victim]]''. However, this is stated to be a defense mechanism, and it actually isolates itself away from people and other Pokémon on Newmoon Island (and if anyone ''did'' happen upon Darkrai, Fullmoon Island is always next door, which holds the cure).
*** ''PokemonMysteryDungeon'''s Darkrai, on the other hand, certainly ''is'' evil.
* DefeatMeansFriendship: You befriend the Pokémon who you've defeated and/or caught. In the main series, they must specifically be caught ''conscious'' -- no fair knocking them out.
* DefeatingTheUndefeatable: The Elite Four, and Red in [[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Gold/Slver/Crystal.]]
* DefensiveFeintTrap: There are a few moves whose effectiveness relies on your opponent getting the first hit in, like Payback, Revenge, Sucker Punch, Avalanche, etc.
* {{Defictionalization}}: The games, themselves. In RealLife, it is extremely possible to encounter others playing a Pokémon game, and (if conditions are right) battle them, just like that damn Bug Catcher kid outside Vermilion City. In fact, many events and tournaments have been held ''In Real Life'' using the game and connection equipment (with real badges and rewards) Not to mention that getting an [[http://www.amazon.com/pokemon-pokedex-Pokemon-Advanced-Pokedex/dp/B00020LZ84 actual Pokédex]] can save you a lot of trouble in the games.
* DesperationAttack:
** The second-generation move "Flail" (and, later, "Reversal") inflicts more damage when the user's HP is low. If the user is down to their last point, it actually becomes stronger than [[WaveMotionGun Hyper Beam]].
** The third-generation move "Endeavor" reduces the opponent's HP to the same value as the user. It has been used in some ''very'' deadly combinations.
** In competitive battle, Explosion tends to be used as this (though it rapidly crosses the line into TakingYouWithMe.)
** All of the starters (and some others) have abilities that up the attack power of moves that match their primary type. It kicks in if they have one third or less HP remaining.
* TheDevTeamThinksOfEverything
** Many moves have subtle side effects depending on the situation. Jump Kick and Hi Jump Kick causing the Pokémon to keep going and receive crash damage if it misses, Stomp and Steamroller dealing extra damage if the opponent is using Minimize, Earthquake and Magnitude doing double damage if the enemy Pokémon is underground, and Rollout and Ice Ball being stronger if the user also used Defense Curl the turn before are just a few examples.
** In ''Black and White'', the [=TMs=] are no longer single-use items. When a Pokémon forgets a move in order to learn from a [=TM=], the move learned with a [=TM=] takes on the current PP of the move replaced by the new move. This is to prevent repeated usage of [=TMs=] for the purpose of [=PP=] restoration.
** The already useless move Splash (called Hop in Japan) can't be used while the move Gravity is in effect.
** Cedric Juniper says that you met a Klink, and that Pokémon is unavoidable due to being used by N. However, if one cheats to avoid N, he instead says ''You haven't seen a Klink yet''.
* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: It was by accident, really! We were trying to [[CapturedSuperEntity capture it alive]].
* DifficultySpike:
** The games invariably spike in difficulty between the eighth gym leader (~Lv. 43) and the first Elite 4 member (~Lv. 54), leading to a bit of LevelGrinding to get your mons up to a comparable level. This is a sort-of positive trope; people somewhat enjoy the challenge of the Elite Four.
** And that's the ''first'' Elite Four member. In most games, expect the Elite Four [[spoiler:and Champion]] levels to top out at [[spoiler:60]] if not higher. In the ''Gold'' and ''Silver'' remakes, repeated visits to the Elite Four allow you to face Pokémon that start out at that level and go up to [[spoiler:75]]. Massive experience for all, though!
** Generation IV was merciless with its difficulty spikes. The bigger one is the noticeable level spike between Blue (~Lv. 57) and Red (~Lv. 76 (GSC)/84 (HGSS)) in the Johto games, a holdover from Gen II. The more subtle one was the spike between Lucian and Cynthia; while the change in level is relatively graceful, the change in ''skill'' is anything but. One can quite easily coast through Lucian, but be pulverized by Cynthia's Garchomp alone (champion-level AI, psuedo-uber, three moves with 150 power, perfect [=IVs=], and optimized [=EVs=]; the only way the devs could've made it harder is by giving it a Yache Berry.)
** In Gen V, Ghetsis, the Team Plasma boss, is ridiculously difficult compared to the Elite Four, which have levels in the high 40's. Ghetsis has level 52's, and his Hydreigon (the 3-headed dragon) is 54.
*** And the first new trainers you can challenge in the post-game have their Pokémon's level around ''64''. That's ten levels higher than Ghetsis, and that's the common trainers.
**** After that is [[spoiler:Cynthia, who can be fought in Undella Town. Like the Elite Four on your second visit, hers are around level 75]]. Which is understandable, since [[spoiler:she's the Sinnoh Champion]].
* DiscOneNuke: Lots. The famous example is purchasing a [[JokeCharacter Magikarp]] for $500 in the first generation, and LevelGrinding until its MagikarpPower [[TookALevelInBadass kicks in]].
* DowsingDevice: The Itemfinder and later the Dowsing Machine.
* DoubleEntendre: Describing one's sex life as a Pokémon moveset is popular thread idea on forums. It's amazing how many moves sound suspect once you've established the proper context.
* DubNameChange:
** Green Oak, your rival in ''Red''/''Blue''/''Green''/''Yellow''/''[=FireRed=]''/''[=LeafGreen=]'', outside of Japan was named "Blue" due to ''Green'' being released as ''Blue'' outside of Japan along with ''Red'', both of which were changed a bit. He ended up having Green as a default name in ''[=FireRed=]'' in the third gen to due to ''[[VideoGameRemake FireRed/LeafGreen]]'' being released without title changes, but ended up still being referred to as to "Blue" in ''[=HeartGold/SoulSilver=]'' as in the localizations of the games they are remakes of, even though he didn't have Blue as a default name in Generation III. Despite the fact he's the ''Viridian'' Gym leader and has a ''green'' carpet. Oh, and in the Japanese version, it's called the [[OverlyLongGag Green Badge]].
** Many Pokémon. Some do keep their Japaneses names, though.
* DuelsDecideEverything: If you want to resolve anything, duel with Pokémon.
* DummiedOut: The Bird-type, a trainer battle with Professor Oak, [[http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78267 39 Pokémon,]] ???-type Arceus, etc... more on that page.
* EasilyConqueredWorld
* EatDirtCheap: The Geodude line eats rocks, while Sableye eats gems.
* ElementalBaggage:
** Most ''{{Pokemon}}'' are capable of expelling ridiculous quantities of their elements from their bodies. One episode of the anime had Ash's Squirtle fill up a whole truck with water using only Water Gun. In the games, a Pokédex entry mentions that Blastoise (about the size of a van) could fill an Olympic swimming pool. How did so much water end up inside the {{Mons}}? Nobody knows. Then again, that creature the size of a van fits in a ball the size of a clenched fist (which in the anime can become ''even smaller'').
** Not so much in the ''PokemonSpecial'' manga. Almost at the end of the third arc, the day is saved because Blue's Blastoise had run out of water [[spoiler:and Red filled it with flammable water from a mystical healing spring]].
* ElementalPowers: 17 (18 if you count ???) of them!
** [[NonElemental Normal]]
** [[PlayingWithFire Fire]]
** [[MakingASplash Water]]
** [[ShockAndAwe Electric]]
** [[GreenThumb Grass]]
** [[AnIcePerson Ice]]
** [[BareFistedMonk Fight]][[CharlesAtlasSuperpower ing]]
** [[PoisonousPerson Poison]]
** [[DishingOutDirt Ground]]
** [[BlowYouAway Fly]][[{{Flight}} ing]]
** [[PsychicPowers Psychic]]
** [[BigCreepyCrawlies Bug]]
** [[RockSteady Rock]]
** [[SoulPower Ghost]]
** [[InstantAwesomeJustAddDragons Dra]][[OurDragonsAreDifferent gon]]
** [[CastingAShadow Da]][[CombatPragmatist rk]]
** [[ExtraOreDinary Ste]][[ChromeChampion el]]
** [[WildCard ???]] (taken out in [[PokemonBlackAndWhite Generation V]])
** [[DummiedOut There used to be a Bird-type.]] It appears to have been replaced by/became the Flying type. It has no weaknesses or resistances to anything. The only Pokémon with it are the [[TheMissingno glitch Pokemon Missingno. and 'M, which are Bird/Normal.]]
* ElementalRockPaperScissors / TacticalRockPaperScissors:
** You know those [[http://serebii.net/games/type.shtml 17 elemental types?]] Yeah.
** Lampshaded in ''Pokémon Black and White''. Early in the game, there is a young girl that will ask you to play "Pokémon Rock Paper Scissors" if you speak to her.
* EmergencyWeapon: If a Pokemon is ordered to attack but is unable to actually execute any move (usually due to running out of PP for moves), it will resort to a hidden move called "Struggle", which inflicts moderate damage at the cost of sustaining recoil damage in the process.
* EncounterBait: The move Sweet Scent, the items Honey and White Flute, the Poké Gear Radio song "Pokémon March", and the Illuminate ability all attract Pokémon or increase the chances of RandomEncounters. Using the Running Shoes or the Bicycle will also do the same in ''[=HeartGold=]'' and ''[=SoulSilver=]''.
* EncounterRepellant: Likewise, we have Repel which repels all Pokémon with lower levels than your party leader. The Poké Gear Radio song "Pokémon Lullaby", and the abilities Intimidate and Stench decrease the rate of encounter.
* EscapeBattleTechnique:
** The move Teleport and the items Poké Doll and Fluffy Tail (when used in battle) and [[SmokeOut Smoke Ball]] (when held in battle).
** Pokémon with the "Run Away" ability can escape from any wild Pokémon, guaranteed, just by using the normal "Run" command.
** The "Roar" and "Whirlwind" moves are inversions: they end wild Pokémon battles by forcing the ''opponent'' away, rather than the user, therefore working in situations where the user is [[YouWillNotEvadeMe blocked from escaping]].
* ExcusePlot: For many players, the real point of the game is to collect, train, and breed a team of Pokémon for the purposes of competing against other owners of the game who do the same thing. With the Nintendo DS having a wireless online connection, it has made finding opponents much easier.
* ExperienceBooster:
** The Exp. All (from [[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Red, Blue, and Yellow only]]) and Exp. Share divides experience gained from battle among your party or a certain Pokémon when held respectively, and Lucky Egg, which doubles the experience gained in battle, and rarely held by [[MetalSlime Chansey]] (and given to you free mid-way in Black and White).
** The Macho Brace, Pokérus, Power Weight, Power Bracer, Power Belt, Power Lens, Power Band, and Power Anklet affect Effort Value gains after battle, with the first 2 doubling all, and the rest give you a bonus 4 points of a particular Effort Value. Pokérus stacks with all the rest (With Macho Brace you get 4x effort values, and with the "Power" items you get a bonus of 8 plus double of whatever the normal yield for your victory is.)
*** The Pomeg, Kelpsy, Qualot, Hondew, Grepa, and Tamato Berries decrease Effort Values of a particular stat.
* ExplosiveBreeder: This can happen with certain combinations of Pokémon and a little luck.
* ExponentialPotential
* {{Expy}}: Many of the Pokémon in each new generation are Expies of those from previous generations. More information on the individual game pages.
* {{Fannage}}: Pokémon is a multi-billion dollar franchise and the second best-selling video game series. Ever. Compare the size of this page to other series' pages. Then realize this is the smallest we could manage to get this page after splitting it up into over ''thirty'' individual pages for each branch of this thing.
* FantasticFruitsAndVegetables:
** There are a wide variety of berries since their introduction in Generation II. Since Generation III, they have {{Punny Name}}s like Pokémon. The berries are used as items during battle and ingredients in making Pokéblocks and Poffins.
** Also, obviously, some Grass-type Pokémon are based on fruits and vegetables (such as Oddish).
* FantasticNatureReserve: The Safari zone.
* FantasyCounterpartCulture: The games' locations are based very much on real-life locations in Japan and the [[{{Eagleland}} United States]]. [[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Kanto]] is based on the real-life region of the same name; [[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Johto]] is based on the Kansai region and western Chubu region; [[VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire Hoenn]] is based on the Kyushu region; [[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl Sinnoh]] is based on Hokkaido. [[VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite The current generation]] has branched out into the United States with Unova being based on New York. [[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_world_in_relation_to_the_real_world Here's a more detailed list]].
* FantasyGunControl:
** Despite being set in very modern times, there are actually no guns in the games. [[FridgeBrilliance When you consider]] that mankind is capable of taming monsters who can breathe fire, shoot electricity, and shoot a beam of ice, amongst other things. Who needs ''gunpowder'' when you can get a Pokémon to do it? Even [[spoiler:Ghetsis]] in Generation V thought of this!
** The move Bullet Seed (Seed Machine Gun in Japan) is probably the closest equivalent to guns you'll find in Pokémon, outside of the [[MissingEpisode banned episode]] of the anime.
* FantasyPantheon: More in the anime than the games, the Legendary Pokémon are referred to as or given the attributes of gods.
* FeedItWithFire: A handful of abilities, starting in the third generation. "Volt Absorb" and "Water Absorb" absorb Electric or Water attacks as HP, "Flash Fire" absorbs Fire attacks to power up the user's attacks, and so on.
* FieldPowerEffect: Terrain bonuses as well as weather.
* FireIceLightning:
** Moves sometimes have a couple of counterparts (moves with the same power, accuracy, and effect) that only differ in type. Fire, Ice, and Electric types in particular have a lot of these.[[hottip:*:Ice-type versions will usually have less PP, since Freeze status is far more dangerous than Burn or Paralysis, but the stats are otherwise identical.]]
** Flamethrower, Ice Beam, Thunderbolt: 95-power Special moves with 100% accuracy and a 10% chance of inflicting a [[StandardStatusEffect status effect]] (Burn, Freeze, and Paralysis respectively).
** Ember, Powder Snow, Thundershock: 40-power Special moves with 100% accuracy and a 10% chance of inflicting a status effect.
** [[ElementalPunch Fire Punch, Ice Punch, Thunder Punch]]: 75-power Physical moves with 100% accuracy and a 10% chance of inflicting a status effect.
** Fire Fang, Ice Fang, Thunder Fang: 65-power Physical moves with 95% accuracy, a 10% chance of inflicting a status effect, and a separate 10% chance of making the opponent flinch.
** Fire Blast, Blizzard, Thunder: These moves actually have pretty widely-varying stats, but the three are usually grouped together as high-power, low-accuracy versions of Flamethrower, Ice Beam, and Thunderbolt.
** Tri-Attack is a solitary Normal-type move, but it stands out in that its animation features a blast of fire, ice, ''and'' lightning, which has a chance of randomly burning, freezing, or paralyzing the target.
** And then, of course, there are 'mons that follow the FireIceLightning trend:
*** Moltres, Articuno, and Zapdos: The original Legendary Trio.
*** Magmar, Jynx, and Electabuzz: A set of humanoids that are very hard to get in the first set of games; in those games, they were also the only ones to learn the Elemental Punches noted above, barring [[BareFistedMonk Hitmonchan]], who [[PowerFist learns all three]]. All three got baby forms in Gold and Silver, but Jynx didn't get an evolution with the other two in Diamond and Pearl.
*** Entei, Suicune, Raikou: The second generation's Legendary Trio (Suicune is actually a Water-type, but it naturally learns more Ice-type moves and is thematicaly connected to the icy North Wind).
*** In Generation V, we have the Yin and Yang Pokémon Reshiram (Fire) and Zekrom (Electric) and the only other dragon legendary in that game is the grey-colored Kyurem (Ice).
**** Kyurem represents ''Wuji'', the '''absence''' of Yin and Yang, rounding out the trio.
*** ''Pokémon Pinball Ruby and Sapphire'' played Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza this way, even though that would be a bit of a stretch in the main series.
* FirstNameBasis: Last names definitely exist in the Pokémon Verse, but extremely few are actually known aside from those of the professors and their relatives (e.g. Daisy Oak and Cedric Juniper), as well as the Stone family from Generation III, with Steven Stone being among the few characters with both a first and last name that isn't related to a professor.
* FishingMinigame: While every game has featured fishing rods, it's not actually a minigame so much as an alternate method to encounter wild Pokémon.
* FlavorText: For every Pokémon a player captures in the wild, their [[MonsterCompendium Pokédex]] adds one or two sentences of in-universe description for their species. Later games add such details as the creature's footprint (if applicable), a SoundTest ability to play the creature's vocal cry, a size/weight comparison to the player character, and a comparison of form or [[SecondarySexualCharacteristics gender differences]] between the species's different members (where applicable). The species's weight actually does have some gameplay consequences, but those are very few and far between. Additionally, since Generation IV, each Pokémon's status screen includes text documenting when and where it was caught, and a one-sentence remark about the individual creature's personality.
* FloralThemeNaming: Every NPC that matters has a plant-based name in the Japanese version.
* FoeYay: Zangoose and Seviper are in the same Egg group.
* FogFeet: Tornadus, Thundurus, and Landorus.
* FollowTheLeader: In-series. Quite a few adaptations take elements from other adaptations which do not exist in the games, such as Poké Balls being see-through and the protagonists starting at age ten (the only protagonists with a confirmed age so far are Red and Leaf, who are eleven).
* FossilRevival: How you obtain some Pokémon from fossils. Almost every generation has a place where you can do this.
* FourIsDeath: You can see the Elite Four like this (they're even the ''Shitenno'' in the Japanese version) but better fits are Team Rocket and Team Galactic, which have four executive officers each (the former in [=HGSS=], the latter in Platinum).
* FragileSpeedster: Sweepers are usually this, but a prime example is Ninjask, who is completely built around Speed, yet falls behind in actual fighting. It's usually used to Baton Pass its Speed buffs to other sweepers.
* FreeRangeChildren: The protagonists are probably barely teenagers, yet they run about the world with little concern from anyone. Of course, they're bringing bodyguards: up to 6 [[{{Reality Warper}} reality-warping]], enslaved monsters, most of whom who are bound to be loyal forever.
* FrictionlessIce: Functions as a puzzle in some areas.
* FunSize: Many small Pokémon count, including Mew, which is mythical and very powerful.
* FunWithPalindromes: Eevee, Girafarig, Ho-Oh, and Alomomola.
* {{Gainaxing}}[=/=]PecFlex: Nidoqueen in the Pokémon Stadium games and Slaking in Diamond/Pearl.
%% Game Breaker goes on the YMMV tab
* GambitPileup: Competitive play, as well as (to some extent) [[ArtificialBrilliance Battle Frontier play]], at least once you start [[DynamicDifficulty accumulating wins]].
** IKnowYouKnowIKnow: I should use Thunderbolt on your Gyarados, but you ''know'' I'll do that, so you'll switch to Electivire and I should use Earth Power, but you ''know'' I'll realize that and keep Gyarados in, so I should use Thunderbolt, but...
* GameplayAndStorySegregation:
** Pokédex entries. For example: according to the Pokédex, all Gyarados are on the verge of murdering something, all Cubone are depressed due to dead mothers, and all Piplup have huge, huge egos. [[MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch They can all have natures that contradict these entries.]] Then again, that could just mean your Gyarados is jolly by Gyarados standards.
** A sizable portion of the [=Pokédex's=] entries point out abilities and attributes of several Mons that are never displayed during gameplay. For example, Dragonair's entry in Generation I states that it is capable of controlling the weather. Climate control moves weren't introduced until Generation II and still Dragonair doesn't learn any without TM's.
*** Like Houndoom. The burn from the flame it spews is supposed to hurt forever, but there is no evidence of this in game. Maybe it's a in-universe myth?
* GenderBender: Fans have discovered that Azurill has a 3-to-1 female/male ratio, but its evolution, Marill, has a 50-50 gender ratio. Due to the way the game determines gender, this makes 1 of every 3 female Azurill become male upon evolving into Marill.
* GeneticMemory: Used and averted. Newly hatched Pokémon may know their father's [=TM's and HMs=] as well as level up moves known by both parents, but clones appear to be functionally identical to new-borns.
* GeodesicCast: Some groups of Pokémon tend to repeat with each new generation. Exceptions when they are due:
** A starter trio made of statistically above-average Pokémon of the Grass, Fire, and Water types. They tend to evolve at levels 14-18 and 30-36. Their ability provides a boost to moves of their type when HP is low.
** VendorTrash ComMons, usually of the Normal type, always a small bird and a small mammal. A second bird is optional.
** One or two early game Bug types, mostly incompatible with teachable moves and evolving at low levels into [[CrutchCharacter Pokémon that are moderately useful early in the game but are weak in the long run]]. A cocoon middle stage is often included.
** A cute Electric rodent. Fans have dubbed these "Pikaclones".
** A pair of Rock type Pokémon obtainable by reviving them from a fossil.
** A Pokémon whose final form's stats and powers rival legendaries. It takes long to train it, and it evolves at the highest levels of its generation. Occasionally there are two of these.
** At least one trio of legendary Pokémon with base stats totaling 580, a running theme, and no usage restrictions.
** A pair or trio of very strong legendaries, representing each version of the main games.
** A cute little event-only legendary, with a value of 100 on each base stat.
* GeoEffects: There are several effects to change the weather, and each weather type will boost certain moves or Pokémon types while hindering others. There's even one Pokémon whose ability is geared towards adapting to each of these effects, and others geared towards preventing them.
** The move Secret Power gains bonuses according to the battle environment: fight on the sea and it occasionally lowers attack, fight in a cave and it may cause flinching, and so on. [[hottip:*:An interesting note is that if one uses the move on ice or snow in Generation IV, the move gets the highest chance of causing freezing in the entire game, with a whopping 30% chance; the other moves that can do so only have a 10% or less chance.]]
* GlassCannon: While many Pokémon can be built into one, some species are more prone to working in this fashion. Deoxys-Attack is by ''far'' the best example: it has sky-high attack stats and Speed, but ''the worst'' Defense of any Pokémon in the game. It'll faint to just about any attack with moderate power! (In fact, it's been known to ''OHKO '''itself''''' while confused!!!) There's several others as well, on a slightly lesser scale.
%% Goddamn Bats goes on the YMMV tab
* GradualGrinder: The Poison-type downright ''relies'' on this (as [[ButtMonkey it sucks at dishing out direct damage]].) To a lesser extent, the Ghost-type is also pretty good at this. Fire-types can pull it off as well via the burn condition, and Grass-types have access to Leech Seed, which combines this with a HealingFactor for the user.
* GuideDangIt: [[GuideDangIt/{{Pokemon}} See here.]]
* HelloInsertNameHere: In all of the games, the player has to name the main character as well as his/her rival (except for the ''Ruby'', ''Sapphire'', ''Emerald'', ''Black'', and ''White'' versions). HilarityEnsues.[[hottip:*:And by "hilarity", we mean "vulgarity".]]
* HeroicAlbino: The Ralts line, despite having green hair, actually all have pale, white skin, and large red eyes (Ralts' are less obvious because its eyes are constantly covered by its hair).
* HeroicBSOD: The player character if he/she loses all his/her Pokémon. Well, "black-out" ("white-out" in Generations II and III), but the trope is still valid).
** At least in ''[=HeartGold=]'' and ''[=SoulSilver=]'', this includes dropping money in panic.
*** ''[=FireRed=]'' and ''[=LeafGreen=]'' as well.
* HitPoints: One of the integral game mechanics in the Pokémon games, represented by a LifeMeter.
* HonorableElephant: Donphan is known to be helpful in road maintenance, Phanphy on the other hand is known for injuring people on accident
* HornAttack: the moves "Horn Attack" (the Trope Namer), "Horn Drill", "Megahorn", and "Horn Leech".
* InvulnerableAttack: Moves like "Fly" and "Dig" involve the player's Pokémon moving itself out of the opponent's range for one turn, making them invulnerable to most attacks. Later generations introduced a handful of moves that can strike the Pokémon during this phase, and some even inflict double damage (e.g. Earthquake against Dig, Surf against Dive, Gust against Fly). Shadow Force is a newer and straighter example of the trope, but is indirectly banned within the game's specialized battle-scenario environments[[hottip:*:as the only Pokémon who can use it are themselves banned]].
* AnInteriorDesignerIsYou: Your room is somewhat customizable in G/S/C; in R/S/E and D/P/P, you get a much more advanced "Secret Base" to decorate. In Platinum, you receive ''a rather large villa'' '''for free''' when you enter the Resort Area. You buy the furniture you want, but you can't put it where you want.
** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRubyandSapphire Ruby]]'', ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRubyandSapphire Sapphire]]'', and ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRubyandSapphire Emerald]]'' also added an exterior-design element, to a degree. Do you want your secret base to be in a tree (as a treehouse), a large bush, a mountainside cave, or a [[SceneryPorn lakeside cave]]? ''[[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondandPearl Diamond]]'', ''[[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondandPearl Pearl]]'', and ''[[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondandPearl Platinum]]'' also let you choose your base's location (which did depend somewhat on where you entered the Underground from), except that [[RealIsBrown there was no real]] [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks aesthetic variation underground]].
** And in ''[=HeartGold=]'' and ''[=SoulSilver=]'', you can now design the frakking SAFARI ZONE.
*** The Dream World in the Pokémon Global Link deserves a mention.
* AnIcePerson: Lorelei of the Kanto Elite Four, Pryce of the Johto Gym Leaders, Glacia of the Hoenn Elite Four, Candice of the Sinnoh Gym Leaders, and Brycen of the Unova Gym Leaders. Interesting to note that Candice is actually quite HotBlooded.
* InfinityPlusOneSword: The legendary '{{mons}} ([[OlympusMons Arceus]] in particular, as well as Mewtwo in Generation I).
** InfinityMinusOneSword: The legendary trios and "pseudo-legendaries" such as Dragonite and Garchomp fit this bill in some generations. They're not as powerful as the "main" legendaries, but you can obtain them before entering the leagues and/or encountering the main legendaries.
* InsurmountableWaistHeightFence: Several, but the most {{egregious}} example would have to be the one-way ledges. Yeah, the ones that appear to be half the player character's height but cannot be climbed, regardless of whether or not one's Pokémon know Rock Climb, Fly, or any other field move that would logically allow one to overcome such an obstacle.
* IntercontinuityCrossover: "Pokémon Double Trouble", an Orange Islands episode of the anime, features the official debut of double battles, a whopping THREE YEARS before Ruby and Sapphire Versions! (Double battles unofficially debuted in "Ash Catches a Pokémon", where Team Rocket conducted them illegally.) Likewise, the manga series featured double battles that predated Ruby and Sapphire.
* InterpolSpecialAgent: An NPC on the S.S. Anne and Looker are police officers who work for the "international police".
* {{Jerkass}}: Some of your rivals, particularly the rivals in Red/Blue/Yellow and Gold/Silver/Crystal.
* JustAddWater: Poffins (muffins).
* KarmaHoudini: Giovanni, Maxie, Archie, and Cyrus. (Though, for Archie and Maxie, it's justified by a HeelFaceTurn.)
** And Cyrus's case is somewhat debatable; see the Pokemon HighOctaneNightmareFuel section for details. There's also the fact that, at least in Platinum, his actions are made out to be the result of his terrible childhood and implied to be self-destructive as well.
* LamarckWasRight: Breeding can sometimes give learned moves to the child.
* {{Leitmotif}}: In all [[VideoGame games]], a different tune plays in each city, changing for battles, Poké Marts, Pokémon Centers, and even while Surfing. Some cities recycle tunes, though (RBY and GSC being the worst offenders due to lack of data storage space).
** There are also several different songs that play when you meet trainers. In Gen IV and V, they're surprisingly long.
* LethalJokeCharacter:
** Wobbuffet. Despite its limited moveset and comical appearance (and actually being partially based on a Japanese comedian), it has high HP reserves and knows how to CounterAttack (Counter and Mirror Coat return ''double'' the damage inflicted against the user). From the third generation onwards, its baby version Wynaut learns Encore, which can force the opponent to repeat one attack multiple times (making them easier to counter), and comes with an ability that prevents the opponent from switching out. Ghost- or Dark- type Pokémon can take advantage of their elemental immunity to Counter and Mirror Coat (respectively), but other types are on their own.
** Early in the games, you get an Old Rod. Most first-timers are excited about fishing for Pokémon, but are disappointed to see that the Old Rod yields little more than [[http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/0/02/129Magikarp.png Magikarp]], which are one of the weakest species in the game. Most first-timers don't have the patience to level one up until the MagikarpPower kicks in (at Level 20).
** In the fifth generation, most Pokémon have a different ability if you catch them through the Dream World, and some of these abilities make them significantly more useful. The most notable would have to be Dream World Ditto receiving the ability Impostor, which causes it to Transform automatically upon switching in. A small change, but it makes it potentially [[http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79160 the best revenge killer in the game.]]
** With the right set up and some luck, even ''[[http://goo.gl/kJyOH Rattata]]'' and ''[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye7b3bOQ6lY Magikarp]]'' can become this.
* LetsGetDangerous: Looker in Platinum is almost totally useless until the very end of the game, at which point he successfully ambushes one of the remaining big bads.
* LevelGrinding: Time to tweak my [=EVs=]...
* LieToTheBeholder: The fifth-generation species Zorua (and its evolved form, Zoroark) feature an ability called "Illusion", which makes it appear as a different Pokémon until hit by an opponent's attack in battle. This means that, since it's Dark-type, a Psychic-type attack won't dispel the illusion. Of course, a [[ArtificialStupidity human]] opponent will get a little suspicious after the following exchange: "Mewtwo used Psychic!" "It doesn't affect Emboar..." ([[DontExplainTheJoke Emboar should be weak to Psychic-type attacks]].)
* LightningBruiser: There are a ''lot'' of examples, most of them being Legendaries or otherwise classified in the [[GameBreaker "Uber" tier.]]
* LimitedMoveArsenal: Each Pokémon can only learn four moves at a time. In order for a Pokémon to learn a new one, a currently-known move has to be replaced. HM moves can only be deleted outside of battle, with the assistance of a person known as a Move Deleter; [[TheDevTeamThinksOfEverything this is meant to prevent the player from getting trapped in an area due to not having a Pokémon with the required HM move needed to navigate out of the location in question]].
** According to game director Junichi Masuda, at one point during ''VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire''[='s=] development, the designers [[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pokémon_Ruby_and_Sapphire_beta#Limitations considered changing the number of moves that a Pokémon could know at one time]], as well as how many Pokémon are allowed on the player's team at a time. However, none of these two limitations has been changed as of ''VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite''.
* LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters:
** There's currently '''649''' different species of [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]], although only a handful serve plot-related functions in each game.
** Not to mention the ''46'' Gym Leaders in the games, the 23 Elite Four members, six Champions (including some overlap between the three in Generations I through III), the countless NPC classes, the player characters...
* LostForever: The event-only Pokémon, which is especially infuriating as there is ''nothing'' you can do ''ever'' to get them back - unlike most examples of the {{trope}}, you can't even restart your game for them.
** For a while, the GTS had some of the event Pokémon on it, but later event Pokémon have been contained a special Poké Ball and have had Ribbons applied to them that prevent them from being traded, respectively being the Cherish Ball, the Classic Ribbon, and the Premier Ribbon (Mew-exclusive).
** If you release a Pokémon, you cannot get it back, even if it is a one-time-only legendary Pokémon. Minor exceptions include Pokémon that know certain HM moves (to prevent players from becoming stuck in certain areas), Pokémon with high happiness levels, and whenever the Pokémon being released is the only Pokémon in the player's current party.
* LostInTranslation:
** The [[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/File:Fire_Blast.png animation of Fire Blast]] and its spread [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gozan_no_Okuribi is a reference to a festival]] that also provides the Japanese name, ''Daimonji''.
** The Ultra Ball is called a "Hyper Ball" in the Japanese version, hence why it has an H on it.
*** Additionally, the Pokémon Contests ranks of [[VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire Generation III]] were originally based off of the Japanese names of Generation I's basic Poké Balls, excluding the Safari Ball: Normal ("Monster"), Super, Hyper, and Master. The English naming scheme Pokémon Contest ranks did not catch this, and the original Japanese terms were used instead. [[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl Generation IV]]'s Super Contests partially rectify this, with the "Hyper" rank getting properly translated to "Ultra" rank, referencing the Hyper Ball's English renaming of "Ultra Ball". However, Super Rank, which corresponds to the Japanese Super Ball/English Great Ball, still retained the name of "Super Rank".
** A number of Trainers in later games [[ContinuityCameo have the same name and Pokémon as characters from the movies]], though these references are almost always missed in the translation.
** The Dark type doesn't actually mean dark. It is called "evil type" in Japan. Because of this, lots of fans see the dark type as actual darkness rather [[CombatPragmatist using dirty tricks to win]] and wonder why there isn't a "light" type yet.
* LuckBasedMission: Capturing wild [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]], ''especially'' legendaries. (Knocking them out is fairly easy; it's ''catching them alive'' that takes forever).
** To explain this, each [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]] species has a specific "catch rate" that affects the probability of snagging it with a given Poké ball. ComMons have a base rate of 100%, making them easy to catch, while most legendaries have a base catch rate of about 1%. There are a variety of modifiers, but even with all the modifiers in your favor, the chances of catching a legendary are still less than 10% per throw.
** The Safari Zone cranks this UpToEleven, with every Pokémon encountered willing to run away at the drop of a hat, and having your strategic options limited to either throwing rocks (which increases the chance of them being caught, while increasing the chance of them running), or throwing bait (which does the opposite).
** Many of the Battle Frontier challenges, particularly the Battle Pike (where the whole purpose is to test the player's luck) and the Battle Palace (where Pokémon fight on their own, without commands from their Trainers). The Battle Factories of Hoenn and Sinnoh/Johto are also notable, as the selection of Pokémon offered to the player at the start of each challenge is randomized each time.
%%%
%%Post-Generation 4 Pokémon (such as those present in the Battle Subway's "Pokémon ban list" in Pokémon Black/White Versions) are not included in the Battle Frontier's "Pokémon ban list" detailed below because the randomized parties will only have the potential of including Pokémon existent at the time of Generation 3 (in Noland's case) or Generation 4 (in Thorton and Argenta's case). Should a future Pokémon game involve a similar facility or event where a Trainer has randomized party Pokémon, then the list could be updated/edited to reflect such an occurrence.
%%%
*** Factory Head Noland[[hottip:*:Presides over the aforementioned Battle Factory of Hoenn]], Factory Head Thorton[[hottip:*:Presides over the aforementioned Battle Factory of Sinnoh]], and Hall Matron Argenta all have randomized party Pokémon each time they are challenged, meaning that essentially '''any''' Pokémon (other than those[[hottip:*:Mewtwo, Mew, Lugia, Ho-Oh, Celebi, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Jirachi, Deoxys, Rotom (all Rotom forms except "'''Normal''' Rotom", Rotom's default form), Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Phione, Manaphy, Darkrai, Shaymin, Arceus]] that are not admissible to the Battle Frontier, and excluding species that debut in subsequent generations) could appear as an opponent Pokémon. So not only is the ''player''[='s=] team subject to luck, the ''opposing'' teams (and the ''difficulty'' of every battle with the aforementioned Frontier Brains) are as well.
* MachiavelliWasWrong:
** Played straight in [[Anime/{{Pokemon}} the anime]], but subverted here. Because the Revival Herb, a purchasable item from that herbal shop where they make bitter-tasting medicine, is the [[{{Expy}} Herbal Expy]] of a ''Max'' Revive, which can't be found in stores. Do you mind your Pokémon thinking of you as a {{Jerkass}}?
** Mass breeding/catching and releasing [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]] to get good nature-IV combos is another example of this trope. Competitive players do this ''a lot'', especially since some battles can be decided by one or two stat points.
* MadeOfExplodium: Several [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]], most notably Voltorb and Koffing. See also ActionBomb above.
* {{Mana}}: Each move's Power Points, or PP, effectively serve as this.
* {{Mascot}}: [[KidAppealCharacter Pikachu]] is the {{mascot}} of the [[{{Pokemon}} Pokémon]] franchise across almost all the media.
* MasterOfNone: A number of Pokémon - Spinda is particularly bad, with 60 in every stat.
* MeaningfulName: The majority of the gym leaders in the games have them. Just guess which elements these guys specialize in: B''rock'', ''Misty'', Lt. ''Surge'', ''Falkner'', ''Bug''sy, ''Whit''ney, Pr''yce'', ''Rox''anne, ''Brawl''y, ''Watt''son, the list goes on.
* {{Metagame}}: You should be able to get a basic idea just by reading this page.
* MetamorphosisMonster: Quite a few Pokémon do this while evolving. The most obvious example is Magikarp to Gyarados (small karp to sea serpent), but there are others, such as Vibrava to Flygon (lacewing to dragon) and Feebas to Milotic (fish to elegant-looking sea serpent).
* MightyGlacier:
** Many [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]] fit under this category on either the physical and special sides of the spectrum. The most common physical Glaciers are usually Rock/Ground/Steel types and bulkier Fighting types, while quite a few special-based Glaciers are usually bulkier Psychics or Normals. There are a lot of Water and Steel types that are bulky on both ends, leading to the term "bulky Water" and Steel's reputation as one of the best defensive types in the game. Of course, Uber-level legendaries are often classified as such at least partially because of their incredible defenses on both sides.
** The legendary Pokémon Regice is a literal glacier. It's a very large chunk of sentient ice that's vaguely human-shaped.
* MixAndMatchCritters: Especially plant-animal hybrids.
* MoneyMultiplier:
** The Amulet Coin and Luck Incense items double the amount of money gained from defeating Trainers.
** The move Pay Day also grants Trainers an additional amount of money each time it is used, with the awarded amount of coins being based off of the level of the Pokémon using the move. During [[PokemonRedBlueAndYellow Generations 1]] and [[PokemonGoldSilverAndCrystal 2]], the amount of money scattered was two times the user's level. From [[PokemonRubySapphireAndEmerald Generation 3]] onwards, the multiplier was increased, so that the money received per use is now ''five'' times the user's level.
*** In ''[[PokemonRubyAndSapphire Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions]]'', there is a glitch where the wrong amount of money will be displayed if the Amulet Coin is held when Pay Day is used, leaving the impression that the Amulet Coin does not affect Pay Day. However, if the player checks his/her Trainer Card, it will be discovered that the money earned from Pay Day has correctly been doubled and added to the player's total savings. This error was fixed in ''Pokémon [=FireRed=] and [=LeafGreen=] Versions'', as well as all subsequent games.
** Pass Powers, introduced in [[PokemonBlackAndWhite Generation V]], include increasing the reward money from winning Trainer battles.
* {{Mons}}: Somewhere between the TropeNamer and TropeCodifier.
* MoonLogicPuzzle: Some of the Gym puzzles, and the Trick House in the third generation.
* MoralDissonance: In ''PokemonColosseum'', a fair amount of Shadow Pokémon are in the posession of ordinary Trainers who don't know what's wrong with their Pokémon. After you snag them, you never explain to them why you did so. While it's understandable for Wes, it's downright bizarre for Rui (and also Michael, from the sequel).
* MultipleDemographicAppeal: One of the best examples out there. The various {{Mon}}s appeal to Japan and the Western world, as well as girls and boys. The gameplay appeals to both casual gamers who play simple games and hardcore, competitive gamers who try to understand deeper strategies used to take down the opponent.
* MultipleTailedBeast: Many species have multiple tails, such as Vulpix (six), Ninetales ([[ExactlyWhatitSaysOnTheTin obvious]]), and Tauros (three). Espeon has a forked tail with two tips, as do Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf. Buizel and Floatzel have two (they even use them as propellers), as well as Ambipom and Electivire. There are also some ambiguous cases, such as Grovyle (which has branching fern leaves for a tail) and Suicune (which has two ribbons for a tail).
* MushroomMan: Shroomish, Breloom, Foongus, and Amoongus.
* MyNaymeIs: Names like "Feraligatr", "Victreebel", and "Cofagrigus" were likely artificially shortened from their natural forms ("Feraligator", "Victreebell", and "Cophagrigus") due to a 10-character limit on names in the games. However, as a result, all official media goes by the constrained names instead of dismissing the shortening as a trick of the game device.
* MythologyGag: Some recurring gameplay elements that exist for no particular reason - a Bug-type Pokémon that evolves at a low level, a three-stage Normal/Flying bird Pokémon in starting locations, etc.
* NamesTheSame:
** Blue/Gary Oak's sister. ''Twice.'' In the games, she's named Daisy, which confuses people familiar with the anime where one of Misty's sisters is also named Daisy. In ''TheElectricTaleOfPikachu'' manga, she's named May, which confuses people who follow the anime and games even more, as that's the name of Ash's companion in Hoenn and the female character in RSE.
** They did it yet again in ''PokemonBlackAndWhite''. The name of the player's rival is Bianca. That's also the name of a major character in ''Anime/PokemonHeroes''.
*** Somewhat justified in this case because of Generation V's [[ThemeNaming Theme Naming]]: Bianca means "white" and Cheren means "black".
* {{Nerf}}:
** In between the strengthening of the types that were already strong against it, the decreased proliferation of the types that are weak against it, and the ease of finding Dark-type moves, the formerly [[GameBreaker game-breaking]] Psychic type is now much more balanced.
** Up through Generation IV, Selfdestruct and Explosion actually inflicted double their stated attack power because they [[GuideDangIt secretly]] reduced the opponent's Defense by half. This has been changed as of Gen V, likely due in part to the introduction of Triple Battles, where this could be extremely centralizing, even more so than it already was in Double Battles.
* NeverBringAKnifeToAFistfight: CombatPragmatist "Dark" types are weak to Fighting type attacks.
* NinjaPirateZombieRobot:
** Meet Blaziken, the giant kickboxing fire chicken. Or Garchomp, the dragon jet-plane LandShark. Or Tropius, the flying dinosaur with palm-leaf wings and bananas growing from its chin. Or Flygon, the antlion dragon. Yup.
** Scyther. Human-sized mantis ninja raptor with ''[[SinisterScythe scythes]] [[BladeBelowTheShoulder for arms]]''.
** In Generation V, we have Emboar, the professional wrestling pig with a [[BadassBeard beard of fire]], and Genesect, a prehistoric {{Cyborg}} bug that can fly using its laser cannon as a JetPack.
** Vespiquen, a combination of a [[EverythingsWorseWithBees bee]] and a battleship with a touch of European royalty.
** Sharpedo, a torpedo shark that evolves from a piranha.
** Blastoise, the water jet cannon [[TurtlePower tortoise]].
** Dewott is a samurai [[PlayfulOtter otter]] that evolves into a samurai sea lion.
* NoBiologicalSex: Most Legendary Pokémon and a couple regularly found Pokémon. Most genderless Pokémon seem to be quite powerful, however. And sometimes fan-viewed gender on Pokémon are accepted by the fandom at large to be correct (Meloetta is female, Mewtwo is male, etc.).
* NoExportForYou: ''Pokémon Battrio'' (an arcade game), The WiiWare ''PokemonMysteryDungeon'' games, and the second video game for the card game, among other things.
* NoFairCheating: Abusing in-game glitches can cause your game to crash or data to get corrupted; using a GameShark or Action Replay may lock your DS cartridge out from official Nintendo-sanctioned tournaments (Though not everyone cares about this one), and also carries the potential to seriously screw with the data, preventing whole ''features'' from being accessed. That said, it is not likely to happen if you know what you are doing.
* NoPronunciationGuide: The main series of handheld games isn't voiced, so you generally have to wait until a Pokémon appears in the anime to get the official pronunciation (usually intuitive enough, but not always -- Arceus goes against the usual conventions for when a C should be soft and when it should be hard, and logically, Blastoise should be pronounced "blastus"[[hottip:*:''blast'', tor''toise'']] and not "blastoyse", though that one depends on your accent). Then there are the console games (the ''PokemonStadium'' series, etc.), which... don't always follow the official pronunciations faithfully.
* NoSell
** "Foresight" and "Odor Sleuth" enable Normal- and Fighting-type attacks to strike Ghosts, which are normally immune to those elements. Likewise, "Miracle Eye" enables Psychic moves to hit Dark types, and "Gravity" allows Ground attacks to strike Flying types.
** The "Mold Breaker" ability allows attacks to bypass abilities (like "Wonder Guard") that would otherwise prevent an attack from inflicting damage (though it cannot override elemental immunities, such as Electric versus Ground).
** "Unaware" makes a Pokémon's attacks ignore changes to the opponent's Defense, Special Defense, or evasiveness.
** There's also "Gastro Acid", a move that disables the opposing Pokémon's ability.
* NonIndicativeName: The move "Doubleslap" can hit up to ''five times''.
* NonLethalKO: Pokémon who have "fainted" are too weak to battle, but can still perform field moves such as Fly or Surf.
* NonLinearSequel
* NotDrawnToScale: The sprites generally fall victim to this. For example, [[http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/185-438_8785.png Bonsly (left) should be 1'8" and Sudowoodo (right) should be 3'11".]]
** Averted by Stadium games. [[http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg855/scaled.php?server=855&filename=kopiaacidarmor2.png&res=landing By]] [[http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg823/scaled.php?server=823&filename=acidarmor2.png&res=landing a]] [[http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg853/scaled.php?server=853&filename=acidarmor.png&res=landing lot]].
* OlympusMons: Arceus is implied to be the ''creator of the Pokémon universe''. Yet Arceus still can't break out of a Master Ball. Go to a Nintendo special event to get one of your own!
* OneCurseLimit: A Pokémon cannot be affected by two major status effects (Poison, Paralysis, Sleep, etc.) at the same time.
* OneGameForThePriceOfTwo:
** Arguably the TropeCodifier, if not the TropeMaker. Each generation of the series comes in at least two "versions", with certain Pokémon exclusive to a particular version. Trading between versions is the only way to truly catch them all.
** They have even [[UpToEleven gone]] so far as to make ''[[Anime/PokemonTheMovieBlackAndWhite two versions of the same movie]],'' complete with version exclusive Pokémon. Can anyone say CashCowFranchise?
** Arguably inverted in Gold and Silver and their remakes: although the trope remains valid, these games also offer the ability to go to a whole new region with new gym leaders and a rematch of the Elite Four after beating the main game. It's true that the Kanto portion is abbreviated compared to Johto, but still, it almost feels like a separate game.
* OneGenderRace: Several species of Pokémon are exclusively male or exclusively female, although some (like the Nidoran, or Volbeat/Illumise) are considered different genders of the same species, [[{{Canon}} officially]] or [[{{Fanon}} otherwise]].
* OneHeadTaller: Not for romantic reasons. However, measuring a person's height by their head is a way of telling their age in all medias. Children usually are 5 heads tall, teens six, and adults seven.
* OneLetterName: Only three in the entire series; here they are (listed below):
** [[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/J J]], a Pokémon poacher from seasons 10-12 of the anime.
** [[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/N N]], the leader of Team Plasma in [[PokemonBlackAndWhite Black & White]].
** [[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/O O]], the ping pong expert from the season 12 episode "To Thine Own Pokémon Be True".
* OneManArmy: A single Pokémon can be used throughout the game, [[{{LevelGrinding}} despite type advantages/disadvantages]]. Other Pokémon could be solely for [[PowerUpLetdown useless HMs]].
* OurMonstersAreWeird: A lot of {{Pokemon}}. The 5th generation in particular is known for this, but the other gens have some weird ones as well.
** In the 5th gen, we have a ice cream cone, a candle that first evolves into a lamp, then a chandelier, a ''trash bag,'' gears, a sarcophagus that [[TragicMonster used to be human]], a disembodied [[OracularHead brain]], a legendary trio based on ''TheThreeMusketeers'', and whatever Sigilyph is supposed to be.
** in the other gens, we have the entire English alphabet including ! and ? marks, magnets that evolve into a UFO, living Pokéballs, a pinecone, a boombox, a windchime, a mon based on the [[{{Youkai}} futakuchi-onna]], [[hottip:*: a starved woman that had a hungry mouth [[BodyHorror emerge]] out of a wound in the back of her head.]] a ShapeShifting pink blob that can breed with almost anything and looks like a wad of bubble gum, a powerful cat fetus, a flying magnetic Moai head that looks like a Jewish stereotype, an mutated ShapeShifting alien space virus with its brain in its chest, a stomach, [[MuckMonster living sludge,]] Eggs that evolve into a walking coconut tree with faces on its fruit, ghost balloons that try to abduct children, a cursed, probably possessed doll that seeks the child that disowned it, a [[TheDitz incredibly stupid]] hippo [[CartoonCreature thing]] that gains super genius level intelligence when a clam bites its skull and releases toxins while it's holding a special rock, etc...
* OverlyLongTongue: Lickitung and Lickilicky.
* PaletteSwap: Quite literally, for shiny Pokémon. They are no more or less effective than their normal counterparts (except Generation II, where they have mid range stats all around), but their rarity (a 1 in 8192 chance of being encountered) make them sought-after, even if they're ComMons.
* PaddedSumoGameplay: Pretty easy to do with two stall-heavy Mons, or if the battle has been going on for a while and Mons only have Struggle as their move left. Reaches ridiculous levels in Wobbuffet vs. Wobbuffet battles, where due to a lack of actual attacks beyond counterattacks means that they can only hit with Struggle, and their high defence means that winning with that will take a long, long time. And heaven help you if you both have Leftovers attached, which will easily heal more HP than Struggle will hurt you for...
** The Wobbuffet vs. Wobbuffet scenario is the likely reason why in Generation IV and onward the recoil damage from Struggle is equal to 1/4 the user's max HP instead of 1/2 the damage dealt to the target.
* ParasolOfPrettiness: One of the trainer classes.
* PartyInMyPocket: Quite literally -- Mons are stored in pocket-sized Poké Balls. (Due to this, it's among the few [=RPGs=] to [[JustifiedTrope justify]] its use of this trope.)
* ThePeepingTom: In the original ''{{Pokemon}}'' games, there's one of these standing outside the all-female gym in Celedon City.
* PetalPower: Razor Leaf, Leaf Storm, Magical Leaf, and Petal Dance.
* ThePhoenix: Ho-oh and Moltres.
* PinballSpinoff: Pokémon Pinball and its sequel for the GBA.
* PlanetOfHats:
** Many Pokémon. All Absol try to warn people about disasters despite suffering from CassandraDidIt, all Bagon want to fly so badly they developed natural crash helmets to protect themselves when leaping off cliffs, all Meowth like shiny things and collect them, etc... This can lead to an OutOfCharacter if you [[AIRoulette happen to get]] a SingleSpecimenSpecies with a nature that contradicts its {{Canon}} personality, like a timid or Jolly [[TheStoic Mewtwo]].
* {{Planimal}}: Bulbusaur's family is both animal and plant simultaneously. Also Chikorita, Treeko, Turtwig, Snivy and Pansage, being part weird dinosaur, gecko, turtle, snake and monkey, respectively.
* PoliceAreUseless: To varying degrees. In the anime, Team Rocket ''never'' get arrested (mostly because Ash makes them blast off). In the games, officers only fight at night, and even when there's a museum robbery, or when an organization has set up an evil-looking base in the middle of town, both done in broad daylight, only the player actively attempts to fight back.
** Looker is a one-man exemplification of this trope, up until his very last appearance, in which he actually ''arrests someone'', go figure.
** Taken further in ''PokemonColosseum''. There are only two officers in a crime-filled desert, and their long arm of the law isn't nearly long enough to stamp out the crime in their town, much less all of Orre.
** Averted with the [[PokemonRanger Ranger Corps]], which you are part of.
* PostEndGameContent:
** The first generation unlocked the Cerulean Cave, home to the most powerful Pokémon Mewtwo. The remakes also unlocked the Sevii Islands.
** The second generation unlocked the Kanto region, with the leaders of the first generation ready to fight you again. Many people however consider this to be part of the game and not an unlockable. Mt. Silver on the other hand only unlocks when you beat the 8 old gyms and lets you fight the TrueFinalBoss, [[spoiler:the protagonist of the first generation]].
** The third generation unlocks the roaming Pokémon Latios (in ''Ruby'') or Latias (in ''Sapphire''), with ''Emerald'' letting the player choose which one of the two will be roaming. ''Ruby and Sapphire'' unlock the Sky Pillar (where Rayquaza can be battled/caught) and the Battle Tower; ''Emerald'' unlocks the Battle Frontier, Terra Cave and Marine Cave (the locations where Groudon and Kyogre can be battled/caught, respectively), the National Pokédex (completion nets a choice of one of the Johto starters), and new areas in Hoenn's Safari Zone (of which the inhabitants are mostly Johto Pokémon).
** The fourth generation unlocks the upper right part of the map, with the Fight, Survival, and Resort Areas, but to unlock the latter two you need to have seen every Pokémon in the Regional Pokédex (which can be a pain in the ass and a GuideDangIt to boot). Turnback Cave also appeared when you unlocked the previous areas. Pokémon swarms started to appear every day too.
** The fifth generation went one step further than any other, as the League Champion is now a post-endgame battle, something never done before. Other important fights with {{Bonus Boss}}es are unlocked too, as well as new areas (the right part of the map) where old generation Pokémon appear. The option to connect with the fourth generation becomes available too.
** The ''PokemonMysteryDungeon'' series are far from over when you end the game. You'll gain access to many new areas and a second storyline. You'll also be able to fight the boss legendary Pokémon from the first part.
* PowerCopying: Pokémon can do this in a variety of ways, both temporarily (Ditto and Mew's move Transform, as well as the moves Mimic and Mirror Move) or permanently (Smeargle's Sketch makes it learn the opponent's move).
** The Pokémon ability Trace allows the user to specifically copy the opponent's ''ability'' (determined randomly if more than one foe is present), and the move Role Play is a manual method of accomplishing the same thing that the ability Trace does.
* PowerLimiter: Poké Balls of all kinds, though presumably the "limiter" (whatever it is; maybe a mental block?) can be removed by the Trainer temporarily, should they wish.
* ThePowerOfTheSun: Solarbeam, Sunny Day, Morning Sun, Weather Ball, the Abilities Chlorophyll, Solar Power, Forecast, Flower Gift...
* PowerUpFood: Poffins, Poké Blocks, and Aprijuice.
* PowerUpLetdown: Few HM moves have enough attack power to make them useful in competitive multiplayer battling, and become useful only in the field. A Pokémon equipped with HM moves exclusively for field usage is [[FanNickname sometimes called]] an "[[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/HM_slave HM Slave]]". Surf and Waterfall are the major exceptions, as they are both staples of competitive battling.
* PracticalTaunt: The moves Taunt, used in making the target only use offensive moves, and Torment, for preventing the target from using the same move twice in a row.
* PsychicChildren:
** The series only plays this straight with Mossdeep Gym Leaders Tate and Liza, who look like young children (complete with TwinTelepathy). And ''maybe'' Caitlin, depending on which generation you're playing. All the other prominent Psychic-type trainers (eg. Sabrina, Will, Lucian, as well as the Psychic trainer class) appear to be at least in their twenties.
** Some Psychic-type Pokemon, such as Mime Jr, Smoochum, Ralts, Kirlia, Gothita, and Gothorita actually resemble children.
* PsychicPowers: Psychic-type Pokémon, as well as a few humans (human psychics coincidentally tend to favor Psychic-type Pokémon).
* PunchClockVillain: Most trained Pokémon owned by evil teams are apparently like this. The grunts of each version's evil team also tend to be this. (Team Plasma grunts are the major exception; [[spoiler:they're {{Unwitting Pawn}}s instead]].) [[spoiler: After Team Plasma collapses, a polite former member even sets up an incense shop in Driftveil's Market.]]
* PunnyName: Just about every Pokémon's name is a pun or {{Portmanteau}} on their type, design, or general nature - some of the puns are even [[BilingualBonus bilingual]]. Most of the gym leaders and elites have names that reflect their type specialty. In fact, just about everybody who is anybody has either this or at ''very least'' a MeaningfulName.
* RaceLift: Colosseum Leader Rosie and Colosseum Master Sashay were given darker skintones in the American version of Battle Revolution due to complaints of a lack of any skintone variance.
* RainDance: is a move.
* RandomEffectSpell: Metronome is the most dramatic, being able to use any other attack in the game. Assist and Sleep Talk are more minor ones, as is Present.
* RandomNumberGod:
** Players curse pretty much anything that has a random chance of happening, whether it's StandardStatusEffects, their Mon injuring itself in confusion, the opposing Mon landing a CriticalHit....
** Accuracy/evasion are a special annoyance, as while all Mons have a base accuracy of 100%, moves that affect accuracy or evasion will make ''anything'' (short of an AlwaysAccurateAttack) seem to miss [[FinaglesLaw at the worst possible times]], and seemingly more against you than the AI.
* RecurringElement: A ''ton''. See the trope page for details.
* [[RecycledInSpace Recycled IN SPACE!]]
** Most field moves do essentially the same task: "Cut" and Rock "Smash" destroy obstacles (trees and rocks) on the field, "Whirlpool" and "Waterfall" grant passage across obstacles in water (like, well, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin whirlpools and waterfalls]])
** Aside from [=HMs=], there are a ''lot'' of moves that have the exact same base power, accuracy, and/or effects, but with different elemental typings. [[FireIceLightning Flamethrower, Ice Beam, and Thunderbolt]], for example. As of Gen V, Crabhammer became functionally identical to Aqua Tail (the former previously had slightly lower accuracy); [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] since they're both dependent on different body parts, and so currently have no overlap in which Pokémon can learn them.
* RealityWarper: Stantler's Pokédex entry in Gold is "The curved antlers subtly change the flow of air to create a strange space where reality is distorted."
** Based on its other Pokédex entries and the anime, it's more like where reality ''appears'' distorted. Its special abilities focus on hypnotism and illusions.
** More accurately, Arceus in ''HeartGold/SoulSilver'' has the power to create an egg for one of the Gen 4 dragons in a special area. The way the animation for this is shown, it looks like it's ''remaking the entire Universe'' just to give you the egg. This is also the ONLY legitimate way to get a Legendary egg (Manaphy and Phione keep getting flip-flopped) or a level 1 Legendary of any kind.
* RecursiveAdaptation: ''Pokémon Yellow Version'' and ''Pokémon Puzzle League'' are games based on the anime based on the main series of Pokémon games, with ''Yellow'' being part of the main series itself.
* ReducedManaCost: Inverted with the "Pressure" ability, which ''doubles'' PP cost for the enemy's moves, and ''triples'' it in double battles if both Pokémon possess the Ability.
* RedStringOfFate: The held item Destiny Knot ([[CaptainObvious a ball of red string]]) - if a Pokémon of the opposite gender uses Attract or the Cute Charm ability on you while ''you're'' holding it, your opponent becomes infatuated as well. Actually called Red String in the Japanese version, even.
* ReportsOfMyDeathWereGreatlyExaggerated: Series creator Satoshi Tajiri dying as a result of the 2011 earthquake in Japan were proved to be a hoax within days.
* RetCon:
** Magnemite and its first evolution had their type changed from Electric to Electric/Steel in Gen 2. This makes them, along with Rotom, the only Pokémon who have ever had their Type RetConned.
** Prior to the introduction of Pichu, the anime showed baby Pikachu.
* RoarBeforeBeating: Utilized as a gameplay mechanic. Moves like "Screech" and "Growl" will lower an opponent's stats without doing actual damage.
* RollingAttack: The move "Rollout". [[TheDevTeamThinksOfEverything It doubles in power if the move "Defense Curl" is used beforehand.]]
** Ice Ball and Steamroller count as well.
* RuleThirtyFour: Hit this franchise like a nuclear bomb. YMMV if this is a good or bad thing.
* RuleOfCool: Many of the character designs.
* RuleOfThree: There always are three starters and at least one legendary trio per game. There also usually come out three main games per generation, not counting remakes. As of Gen V, Triple Battles and Rotation Battles (which also use three Pokémon, but different field mechanics). Starting with Generation III, version mascots tend to be part of a trio as well (with the third one being used for the inevitable UpdatedRerelease).
* RunningGag: There will ALWAYS be a trainer with 6 [[JokeCharacter Magikarps.]]
* SaharanShipwreck
* SaveScumming: You can do this with any one-time-only Mon, allowing you to get an ideal nature, or even a Shiny.
* SchrodingersPlayerCharacter:
** Played straight in [[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Crystal]] where the female character option was first introduced, as well as in FR/LG; averted in the subsequent main games, where the character you don't choose becomes an NPC.
** Partly played straight in HG/SS which, despite Leaf being playable in LG/FR (leaving Red in purgatory), has Red as the BonusBoss while Leaf is nowhere to be found.
* ScissorsCutsRock: In general gameplay, you can override type advantages by simply being much stronger than all opponents. Even the Elite Four can be defeated by a single starter if it's at level 100. There's also the common tactic of giving a Pokemon moves that can trump its type weaknesses (say, a Psychic-type Reuniclus beating a Dark-type opponent with the Fighting-type Focus Blast).
** The ability Tinted Lens, which increases the power of ineffective attacks back up to the power of a neutral hit, can lead to this.
* ScrewDestiny: Future Sight psychically projects an attack into the near future, hitting with a hefty 100 base power and 100% accuracy. It can't be stopped by [[MadeOfIron Magic Guard]], [[NoSell Endure]], or even [[BarrierWarrior Protect]]. However, [[CurbStompBattle if the battle ends]] [[RaceAgainstTheClock before it can trigger]]...
* SdrawkcabName: Snake and cobra Pokémon Ekans and Arbok, and [[HauntedTechnology Technology Haunter]] Rotom. Taking Engrish and romanization into account, "Lucario" is supposed to be "oracle" (o-ri-ca-lu) in reverse.
* SealedGoodInACan: Pokémon can become this in their Poké Balls, especially if their Trainer [[NightmareFuel deposits them indefinitely into the Pokémon Storage System]].
* SecondPersonAttack: Done in a lot of the 3D games, because battle animations weren't built for two Pokémon to ever hit each other or even be on the same side of the arena.
* SecretCharacter: At least one every generation. However, Mew, the original SecretCharacter, was apparently so secret that not even Nintendo knew at first that it was programmed into the original ''Red'' and ''Green Versions''.
* SeldomSeenSpecies: Quite a few Mons are based off animals rarely seen in real life.
* SelfImposedChallenge: The "Nuzlocke" challenge, which quickly gained popularity. There are many variations that can further add to the difficulty, but the most basic rules are that (1) the player can ''only'' catch the first Pokémon encountered in each area/route (whether you have to suffer catching duplicates is something dependent on your variation), (2) Pokémon that faint must be released or permanently boxed (they're "[[{{Permadeath}} dead]]"), and (3) all Pokémon caught must be given nicknames (the only purpose this serves is to [[VideoGameCaringPotential make it hurt more when they die]]).
** Now there's [[http://pokememes.memebase.com/2011/09/12/pokmon-arceus-used-sacrifice/#comments the "Christian" challenge]]!
* SequelDifficultySpike: Due to the amount of Pokémon and the ways of finding/evolving them going up every game, along with the various sidequests and challenges.
* SeriousBusiness: In particular, Shiny collecting.
* ShoutOut: Now has its own [[ShoutOut/{{Pokemon}} page]].
* SideQuest: Pokémon contests. And various others in individual games.
* SigilSpam
* SlidingScaleOfTurnRealism: Turn by Turn.
* SocializationBonus: This is actively encouraged by the OneGameForThePriceOfTwo mechanic, as it is the easiest way to complete your Pokédex.
* SolarAndLunar: Solrock and Lunatone, along with various other Pokemon who evolve according to the game's day/night mechanic.
** The two recovery moves Moonlight and Morning Sun.
* SomethingCompletelyDifferent: ''{{Pokemon ReBurst}}''
* SoundCodedForYourConvenience: During battle, whenever one Pokémon strikes another Pokémon with a damage-dealing offensive move, one of three sound effects will play, depending on whether the move used was "[[ScratchDamage not very effective]]" (dealt 1/2 or 1/4 the normal amount of damage), dealt normal damage, or was "[[ForMassiveDamage super effective]]" (dealt two times to four times the normal amount of damage)[[hottip:*: A Fire-type move used against a Paras or Parasect with the Dry Skin ability (Water-type moves restore 25% of the Pokémon's HitPoints, at the expense of Fire-type moves dealing 25% more damage) will deal '''five''' times the normal amount damage. In this scenario, the "super effective" sound effect is still played.]].
* SoLongAndThanksForAllTheGear: Have you ever released a Pokémon out into the wild or traded it over to someone else [[OhCrap only to realize that you had some really valuable and/or useful item]] [[LostForever that you can only ever find once in the game]] equipped to it?
* SpikeShooter: Any Pokémon with the moves Spikes, Toxic Spikes, Spike Cannon and/or Pin Missile. There are also Icicle Spear and Icicle Crash for the Ice-types.
* SpinningOutOfHere: Teleport pads in first-generation ''Pokémon'' games spin you.
** Travel to the Union Rooms in Diamond and Pearl also spins you.
** Using Escape Ropes to get out of caves or the Teleport or Dig attacks outside of battle makes the character spin quickly.
* SpinOff: Along with the ones listed at the top of the page and their sequels, there is ''Pokémon Trozei'', ''Pinball'', ''Pinball: Ruby and Sapphire'', ''Dash'', ''Box: Ruby and Sapphire'', and ''[[PanelDePon Puzzle League/Challenge]]''.
* SpitefulAI: There are a few moves in the games that allow the AI to qualify as this. Selfdestruct and Explosion both deal massive damage at the expense of the user fainting; Destiny Bond makes sure that if the user faints, so does the opponent; Perish Song adds a counter to everyone out in battle that makes sure that everyone faints in 3 turns. Often when fighting a trainer, their last mon will use one of those moves. The Aftermath ability chips off 1/4 of the opponent's HP if the user faints because of the opponent's attack.
* SpiritualSuccessor: Arguably to the {{MOTHER}} series, which is supported by recurring shout outs to MOTHER games as far back as Red And Blue, as well as the fact that Creatures Inc, formerly Ape Inc, the main developer of the MOTHER series, receives a major share of the profit from the series.
* SpoonyBard: Several novelty or gimmick Pokémon, like Ditto (makes a MirrorMatch), Wobbuffet (can only counterattack), Unown ([[GottaCatchEmAll for collection, not battling]]), Smeargle (blue-mage-like attack copying), Spinda (every one has a different spot pattern), Shedinja (OneHitPointWonder), Castform (changes shape based on weather), and Kecleon (changes type). Wobbuffet is a noted game breaker, Shedinja has some effectiveness on scrubs [[ThisLooksLikeAJobForAquaman or for catching Kyogre]], Smeargle can basically have [[WeakButSkilled any possible combination of moves]], and Ditto TookALevelInBadass when he got his own unique Ability in ''Black'' and ''White'', but the rest... they may have niche uses due to type, ability, and/or move combinations, but many of those niches are so specific as to seem [[ThisLooksLikeAJobForAquaman deliberately contrived]]. And [[WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway some of them don't even have that much]].
* StockFemurBone: Cubone and Marowak carry one with them at all times. There's also the hold item Thick Club that doubles their Attack.
* StoneWall:
** Two of the most popular are Skarmory (against physical attacks) and Blissey (against special attacks, with the additional bonus of having the highest possible base HP in the game), often used together for the lockdown [[FanNickname Skarmbliss]] strategy. The other extremely popular walls now include Forretress, Ferrothorn, and Reuniclus for their excellent defensive stats and typings. This is also, arguably, parodied with Shuckle, which combines absurd stats in both defenses with an immunity to OneHitKO moves, but has horrifically abysmal attack stats. (Strangely, it also has pitiful hit points, so it can be taken out in two or three shots of Seismic Toss or Night Shade, if your opponent uses them.)
** You can also adapt several others for this role, with the moves Cosmic Power or Stockpile.
** Beyond them, Lugia and Cresselia qualify. They have titanic defensive stats and middling offenses... the catch is, the former is banned and the latter isn't used very often because of her unreliable recovery.
** Wobbuffet, also banned in competitive play, has the third highest base HP in the game (over 500 at max level), but literally ''can't attack''. It has no offensive moves, only counter-attacks. (Which are, admittedly, pretty powerful.)
* SwitchOutMove: The moves Whirlwind, Roar, Dragon Tail, and Circle Throw (all of which have decreased [[ActionInitiative priority]]), and the Red Card item forces the opponent to switch out. The moves Baton Pass, U-Turn, and Volt Change, and the item Escape Button allow the user/holder to switch out.
* SupernaturalIsPurple: Different shades of purple represent Ghost and Psychic types.
* SuperStrength: The Pokédex claims this for quite a few Pokémon, especially Fighting types.
* SwordBeam: Psycho Cut, especially when used by Gallade, who has swords for arms.
* TakingYouWithMe:
** The entire purpose of Destiny Bond, with Explosion and Self-Destruct also acting like this unless you're extremely defensive or lucky with evasion moves.
** The Aftermath ability can do this, if the other 'mon is weakened enough when yours faints.
** Perish Song can do this, if one or both don't switch out.
* TakeThatAudience: Anytime someone talks about people [[StopHavingFunGuys treating Pokémon like they're tools and nothing else]].
* TechnicolorFire: Sacred Fire and Blue Flare, as well as many Dragon-type attacks.
* TechnicolorToxin: The poison type element is purple, and many poisonous attacks and/or poison type Pokémon are violet in color.
* TertiarySexualCharacteristics: Played much more realistically than usual (i.e. different marking, horn sizes). Of course, there are also female Wobbuffet, who wear skanky lipstick.
* ThemeAndVariationsSoundtrack: Listen closely to the music that plays in each of the Gen IV Battle Frontier facilities (minus the Tower). You'll notice that they all share a different remix [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fZU66ZYg8g of]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixKObMl1COA#t=17s a]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErKOgheVQUQ#t=23s certain]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7tciy7dVSY part]]. (And as a bonus, so does the beginning of [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dZ5JlbhIms Puella's Theme]] from [[BattleArenaToshinden Battle Arena Toshinden 4]].)
* TimeTravel: Mentioned a few times in the series.
** Celebi is the most well known for being able to do it (and it takes the player character on a trip through time during an event in ''Heart Gold'' and ''Soul Silver'').
** The ability to trade between the first two generations is achieved by the "Time Capsule".
** Similarly, if a Pokémon that originated in Generation III is brought to Generation IV through Pal Park and then to Generation V through Poké Transfer, it will be noted as having arrived "after a long travel through time".
* TookALevelInBadass:
** Many Pokémon will do this as they evolve. (Tiny red lizard into giant fire-breathing dragon, friendly-looking alligator into a giant hulking leviathan, small turtle into a monstrous tortoise with an entire forest on its back, etc.)
** Probably the most famous example is Magikarp. Magikarp goes from an JokeCharacter [[MagikarpPower idiotic fish to a giant leviathan]], and there's plenty of other examples, like Horsea being a tiny, cutesy seahorse, and its final form Kingdra being a watery dragon seahorse with the ability to create whirlpools by yawning. And Starly, Diamond and Pearl's ComMons early bird, finally evolves into one of the [[BigBadassBirdOfPrey strongest birds of prey]] in the entire series.
** A possible subversion is Raichu. It's even in the same tier as its pre evo Pikachu, and since there is an item only Pikachu can use, it might even be ''weaker'' than it. This is probably because Pikachu is far more popular than it.
** Cubone can also fit this in terms of his story. He starts out eternally sad over the death of his parents, but eventually starts to get stronger so he can overcome this sadness. In the end, he becomes a much more powerful creature for it and, if you really think about it, Marowak almost has the same backstory as Batman. Not to mention, Marowak and Cubone can become among the strongest Pokémon in the game when equipped with ''Thick Club''.
** Azumarill can fit this. It was introduced in Gold/Silver with a pathetic 50 base stat in Attack, but when ''Ruby'' and ''Sapphire'' came along with the addition of its new ability ''Huge Power'', Azumarill is effectively stronger than Gyarados when stats are maxed - and by a good margin too, making it into a [[CuteBruiser Cute Bruiser]].
** Ditto did this when it got its own unique Ability in ''Black and White''.
* TradingCardLame: Averted. The Pokémon TCG is actually very successful in its own right when compared to other trading card games based on a licensed work.
* TreacherousSpiritChase: Several examples; see the trope page for details.
* TryingToCatchMeFightingDirty: The Dark type, who do this more often than CastingAShadow, as it has "dirty" moves with unusual effects like Taunt, Torment, Thief, and Fake Tears.
* TurnsRed: All Starter Pokémon have abilities that increase the damage of their respective element's attacks when their HP is low.
%% Unfortunate Implications goes on the YMMV Page
* UnblockableAttack: Giratina's Shadow Force attack.
* UnusuallyUninterestingSight: Nobody seems to care what Pokémon you use in battle, even if it's extremely rare and mythical.
* {{Unwinnable}}:
** Averted '''hard''', and for a good reason. Pokémon games have insane amounts of content which to achieve 100% completion requires not only months of gameplay, but also trading with other people and, if you want some legendaries, going to one-time events. Now imagine if all the results of work were LostForever because of one single misstep. As such, Game Freak [[TheDevTeamThinksOfEverything goes to insane lengths]] to ensure the player can never lock themselves into a corner.
** Played straight if you end up with certain glitch Pokémon, most of which will freeze the game and at least one of which will cause your save file to corrupt upon catching it and attempting to access the storage system.
* UnwinnableByMistake: [[UnwinnableByMistake/{{Pokemon}} See here.]]
* UpdatedRerelease: Every pair of Pokémon games that isn't a VideoGameRemake has had at least one. (In Japan, ''Red'' and ''Green'' had two; first ''Blue'' improved the graphics and sound, then ''Yellow'' improved the graphics further and introduced elements from the anime series.)
* UrbanLegendOfZelda:
** One fan theory suggests that somewhere during the first generation's development, the sprite designs for Butterfree and Venomoth were accidentally switched due to a bug; Butterfree has a ''striking'' resemblance to Venomoth's pre-evolution Venonat. It's speculated that instead of correcting the mistake in later releases, the developers might've decided to just ThrowItIn.
** "Okay, go to the mansion at night on the third Friday of the month with all three starters and a Raichu in your party, touch the statue one hundred times, and then go into the garden and run around ''clockwise'' another one hundred times. The lady in front of the door at the end of the right hallway will leave and when you go inside the room, Oak will give you a ball containing [=MewThree=]!" The funniest thing about this is that the [[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Mew_glitch Nugget Bridge area Mew Glitch]] ''actually works!''
** The Mew truck rumour.
** Hell, if there's any series that doesn't have a dearth of rumors about things in the games, it's Pokémon. There were rumors that proliferated way back when about being able to find Togepi (introduced in the anime ''long'' before the second generation Pokémon were officially announced) and "Pikablu" (aka Marill) in the original games. And yes, millions of rumors of ways to find Mew. One particularly amusing one was that if you defeat the Elite Four 100 times, Professor Oak will tell you that he's sick of inducting you into the Hall of Fame every other Wednesday and give you free roam of the room. Take a guess what you would apparently find in the room. [[spoiler:Hint:It rhymes with "stew", is almost as pink as Kirby, and has incredible learning potential.]]
** http://www.blue-reflections.net/ragecandybar/projects/pokegods/ is a project working to archive and research all the old codes and rumors in the Pokémon games, particularly the Poké Gods.
** 'M, one of the glitch Pokémon, was supposed to evolved into a Level 1 Kangaskhan that know Sky Attack in Red/Blue. It's true. (The Sky Attack is there because 'M starts with it.)
** Almost every player had [[PlayerTic some variation of]] "Hold B while trying to capture a Pokémon to raise your success rate."
** An example of an ascended urban legend is Leafeon. Leafeon was a common rumor back during the late 90s because the Leaf Stone was the only one of the elemental stones (not including the Moon Stone) that didn't evolve Eevee. So naturally, rumors flew about the mythical "Leafeon". It took three more generations, but they finally put him in. Though, ironically, he didn't evolve via Leaf Stone, but rather by leveling Eevee up in a particular forest near a particular rock.
* VersusCharacterSplash: Shows up in important battles, starting with the third generation.
* VictorGainsLosersPowers: After beating a Gym Leader you're given the TM of one of the moves their Pokémon had.
* VideoGameCaringPotential: Some Pokémon can only evolve by being especially happy with you. Also, the move Return is stronger the more your Pokémon likes you.
* VideoGameCrueltyPotential:
** Like Return, the move Frustration gets stronger the less your Pokémon likes you.
** Getting the best possible stats on a Pokémon without resorting to cheating/hacking or drawn out SaveScumming involves abandoning a lot of newborns when they don't have the base stats you want.
* VideoGameRemake: ''[=FireRed=]'' and ''[=LeafGreen=]'' for the GameBoyAdvance are remakes of ''Red'' and ''Green''/''Blue'' for the Game Boy, and ''[=HeartGold=]'' and ''[=SoulSilver=]'' for the Nintendo DS are remakes of ''Gold'' and ''Silver'' for the Game Boy Color.
%% Viewer Gender Confusion goes on the YMMV page
* WakeupCallBoss: The first Gym Leaders in the first, third, and fourth generations use Rock [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]], which have a type advantage against Fire-type starters. This began with [[ChivalrousPervert Brock]] [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=23 for players who started with Charmander]]. The second generation instead starts with Falkner, who uses Flying [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]], which would have this trait for players who chose the Grass-type Chikorita.
** Definitely Whitney. Whitney is always a WUC Boss because her Miltank has [[HealingFactor Milk Drink,]] Defense Curl, [[ThatOneAttack Rollout,]] and Attract. Defense Curl results in a 50% defense boost and doubles Rollout's power which continues to increase after each successive use. After 3 or 4, it can OHKO your entire team.
*** Made even worse in the remakes, where Miltank has the ability Scrappy, which allows it to damage Ghost-types. Considering that this was the easiest way to beat her in the original G/S/C, your only hope now is an over-leveled Fighting-type.
** Generation V does this for everyone, as the Gym Leader changes based on your starting Pokémon. Assuming people who ask you what Pokémon you started with can't be lied to to avert this.
* [[WaterIsBlue The Water Is A Deep Blue]]... Would you like to surf on it? (Perhaps it's all the [[GoddamnBats Tentacool]] in it?) Most [[color:blue:Water]] Pokémon are [[color:blue:blue]] colored.
** In ''Emerald'', it actually says "The [[color:blue:water]] is dyed a deep [[color:blue:blue]]..." As though it's the contractual obligation of all the [[color:blue:water]]-dwelling '{{mons}} to ensure that water is properly blue, so they actually scatter dye all over the place.
* WeakButSkilled: If you decide to use more than 3 Pokémon on an in-game team prior to Generation 5's experience gain overhaul, you will likely have them all lower level than most Trainer's Pokémon if you don't grind, forcing you to exploit elemental RockPaperScissors, which you can do easily thanks to your team's variety.
** UnskilledButStrong: Going with only 1 or 2 Pokémon will result in you having a massive level advantage even without grinding.
** For a specific Pokémon example, Smeargle, who has all-around poor base stats, but through its move Sketch, can permanently learn any move in the entire game.
* WeaponsGradeVocabulary:
** There's several sound-based attacks in the ''Pokemon'' series, varying in type between MakeMeWannaShout, BrownNote and this.
** An example of this type is 'Snarl', a Dark-type attack that seemingly involves the Pokémon ranting and shouting at the target for a while, inflicting damage and lowering their attack-power.
* WellIntentionedExtremist: Team Plasma is this, with a side of KnightTemplar and Hypocrisy.
* WhaleEgg: ''All'' [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]] hatch from Eggs, even the mammalian, human-shaped, and mechanical ones. (Not to mention the HotSkittyOnWailordAction.) Even Arceus, hailed in Sinnoh legend to be the creator of all Pokémon, was born from an egg that emerged within nothingness/a swirling vortex of chaos.
** Mewtwo is an exception. In the ''Pokémon'' games, documents within the Cinnabar Pokémon Mansion state that Mew gave birth to Mewtwo, while the ''Pokémon'' [[{{Anime/Pokemon}} anime]] implies that Mewtwo is a unique Pokémon, being cloned on a New Island laboratory from a fossilized eyebrow of Mew.
* WhatAreYouLookingAt: The other trainers are [[JustifiedTrope deliberately staring]] in order to catch the eye of any passer-by and challenge them to battles.
* WhatMeasureIsANonCute: Averted ''hard''; where else can you befriend trash bags [[hottip:*: Trubbish and Garbodor]], snakes [[hottip:*: the Ekans, Dunsparce, Seviper, and Snivy lines]], ghosts [[hottip:*: too many to count]], mantises [[hottip:*: the Scyther line]], bees [[hottip:*: Beedrill and the Combee line]], spiders [[hottip:*: the Spinarak and Joltik lines]], lizards [[hottip:*: too many to count]], salamanders [[hottip:*: the Charmander line]], bats [[hottip:*: the Zubat and Woobat lines]], coelacanths [[hottip:*: Relicanth]], jellyfish [[hottip:*: the Tentacool and Frillish lines]], bag worms [[hottip:*: the Pineco and Burmy lines]], sharks [[hottip:*: Sharpedo]], mudfish [[hottip:*: the Mudkip line]], kappa [[hottip:*: the Lotad line]], cacti [[hottip:*: the Cacnea line and Maractus]], psychic mirrors [[hottip:*: the Bronzor line]], [[http://www.answers.com/topic/barghest barghests]][[hottip:*: Absol]], eels [[hottip:*: Huntail and Gorebyss]], antlions [[hottip:*: Trapinch]], [[http://www.bogleech.com/pkmn-anomalocaris.jpg anomalocaris]][[hottip:*: the Anorith line]], scorpions [[hottip:*: the Gligar and Skorupi lines]], crabs [[hottip:*: the Krabby line]], skunks [[hottip:*: the Stunky line]], piranhas [[hottip:*: Carvanha and Basculin]], toads [[hottip:*: the Poliwag, Croagunk, and Tympole lines]], sea slugs [[hottip:*: the Shellos line]], {{hellhound}}s [[hottip:*: the Houndour line]], crocodilians [[hottip:*: the Totodile and Sandile lines]], weasels [[hottip:*: the Sneasel and Mienfoo lines]], venus flytraps [[hottip:*: Weepinbell, Victreebel and Carnivine]], masses of vines [[hottip:*: the Tangela line]], giant moving stomachs [[hottip:*: the Gulpin line]], lumps of sludge [[hottip:*: the Grimer line]], levitating sea mines[[hottip:*: the Koffing line]], crows [[hottip:*: the Murkrow line]], rhinoceroses [[hottip:*: the Rhyhorn line]], magnets [[hottip:*: the Magnemite line]], exploding spheres [[hottip:*: the Voltorb line]] and living iron and mineral? [[hottip:*: too many to count]]
** However, [[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl the fourth gen's]] Amity Square plays it straight, only allowing certain Pokemon designated "cute" to walk with their trainers inside. A nearby trainer lampshades it, calling "discrimination."
* {{Wingdinglish}}: Unown in Generations II and IV and the Braille in Generation III. The Undersea Ruins in Gen V has this written on parts of the walls. [[GuideDangIt Good luck figuring out what the hell it means.]]
* AWorldwidePunomenon: In the English versions, almost every single Gym Leader's name is a pun on their preferred type. Lt. Surge and Wattson are Electric trainers, [[ChivalrousPervert Brock]] and Roxanne are Rock trainers, [[AnIcePerson Pryce]] and [[AnIcePerson Candice]] are Ice trainers, Fantina and Morty are Ghost trainers, and so forth.
* YouKeepUsingThatWord: The [[VideoGame games]] use the word "gender[[hottip:*:To clarify: Sex (as in, "what is your sex") refers to physical characteristics, while gender refers to mental ones. They are often used interchangeably, but as any {{Transsexual}} can tell you, they don't always match.]]" to refer to male vs. female. This works alright... until the fourth generation, which introduces "gender differences" (i.e. Sexual dimorphism).
** Likely a subsection of GoshDangItToHeck; by calling it gender it avoids actually saying "sex" or "sexual."
* YeOldeButcheredeEnglishe: Generation III had four "Formes" for Deoxys, and ''Platinum'' introduces Giratina's "Altered Forme" and "Origin Forme", and Shaymin's "Land Forme" and "Sky Forme". The Pokédex still uses "forms" for its tab for viewing alternate forms, as well as for individual entries for most Pokémon, such as Unown's 28 forms (each labeled "one form" in the Pokédex, as opposed to "one forme").
* YourMoneyIsNoGoodHere: The Game Corner credits, though regular money can be cashed in.
** Battle Frontier/Subway credits, which must be earned.
* YouGottaHaveBlueHair: Most of the player characters in the games have fairly normal black or [[color:brown:brown]]... except Kris, the female player character from ''[[VideoGame/PokemonGoldandSilver Crystal]]'', who has dark [[color:blue:blue]] hair. However, Lyra, her replacement from ''[=HeartGold=]'' and ''[=SoulSilver=]'', is [[color:brown:brown]]-haired.
** All of the Team Galactic members except for Mars and Jupiter have blue hair.
----
[floatboxright:
Video Games
* Main Series:
** ''VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue'' (Also ''Red and Green'', ''Yellow'', ''Fire Red'' and ''Leaf Green'')
** ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'' (Also ''Crystal'', ''Heart Gold'' and ''Soul Silver'')
** ''VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire'' (Also ''Emerald'')
** ''VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl'' (Also ''Platinum'')
** ''VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite''
*** ''VideoGame/PokemonBlack2AndWhite2''
* Spinoff series:
** ''PokemonStadium'' and ''Battle Revolution''
** ''PokemonColosseum'' and ''XD: Gale of Darkness''
** ''VideoGame/PokemonRanger''
** ''VideoGame/PokemonMysteryDungeon''
** ''PokemonRumble''
** ''PokeParkWii''
* Spinoff titles
** ''PokemonSnap''
** ''HeyYouPikachu''
** ''PokemonChannel''
** ''MyPokemonRanch''
** ''VideoGame/PokemonConquest''
]
[floatboxright:
Other Official Media
* ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' anime
** ''{{Film/Pokemon}}'' films
* ''TabletopGame/{{Pokemon}}'' trading card game
* Various ''Manga/{{Pokemon}}'' manga (see page for list)
* Other:
** ''PokemonLive'' (stage show)
** ''PokemonSunday'' (TV show)
]
[floatboxright:
Fan Works
* Romhacks:
** ''{{Moemon}}''
** ''PokemonQuartz''
** ''PokemonBrownAndPrism''
** ''{{Pokemon Dawn And Dusk}}''
** ''PokemonSnakewood''
* Webcomics:
** ''BlackAdventures''
** ''CharCole''
** ''Webcomic/{{Mokepon}}''
** ''NuzlockeComics''
** ''PokemonX''
** ''Webcomic/RareCandyTreatment''
** ''WebComic/SuperEffective''
** ''TypeTrainer''
* Fan Fiction: listed in the "Multi media franchise" folder of the FanFic/FanFic index
* Also see:
** Website/{{Smogon}} (competitive community, considered the authority for the game's CharacterTiers)
** ''{{Telefang}}'' (was turned into ''Pokemon'' bootlegs)
]
-> ''Hello there! Welcome to the world of Pokémon! My name is Oak! People call me the [[{{Pokemon}} Pokémon]] Prof!''
-->--'''Professor Oak''', ''VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue''
The {{Role Playing Game}}s, developed by Game Freak and published by {{Nintendo}}, spawned a [[CashCowFranchise multi-billion dollar franchise]] rivaling the ''[[SuperMarioBros Mario]]'' series (which of course is also published by Nintendo), and indirectly caused the proliferation of Western broadcasts of {{anime}}.
Released in Japan in February of 1996 for the Game Boy, ''Pokémon'' (or in Japan, ''[[MarketBasedTitle Pocket Monsters]]'') [[OneGameForThePriceOfTwo came in two versions]]: ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Red]]'' [[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue and]] ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Green]]''. The idea of the [[VideoGame game]] is to run around and battle wild {{Mons}} with your own, catch them with hand-held balls, and teach them to battle ([[NonLethalKO non-lethally]]) with each other under the guidance of human Trainers for fun and profit. The original idea was for an artificial form of insect collecting for kids that lived in cities and thus couldn't participate in such a hobby (as the original creator was a bug collector when he was a kid), with the paired versions providing incentive for players to get together and trade {{Mons}} with their friends (but more on that later).
The strategy in the gameplay comes from two factors. First of all, there's an ambitiously large ElementalRockPaperScissors setup. No fewer than 15 (and later 17) different elements are in play, and some species of Pokémon belong to ''two'' elements instead of just one, which can neutralize or compound the elements' respective resistances or weak points; Pokémon aren't strictly limited to moves of their elemental type either[[hottip:*:though they do receive an attack bonus for it]], but can learn almost any move the particular creature might ''reasonably'' be capable of executing (like Water Pokémon using Ice-type moves, or Dragon Pokémon using Fire-type moves), and sometimes ones they aren't. The second factor is the strict move limit: each of your Pokémon can only know 4 moves at once, out of a large movepool that they can learn from. This was hampered in the first generation by balance issues leading to some elements and species becoming obvious {{Game Breaker}}s, but later generations have made many strides in balancing them out, most notably with the addition of Dark and Steel elements.
The {{plot}} of each main-series game is typically a quest ToBeAMaster; the player is given one Pokémon to start their team with, then proceeds to take on the "Pokémon League" by catching new Pokémon, defeating other Pokémon trainers in battles (most importantly your childhood friend and [[TheRival rival]]), challenging [[PoorPredictableRock elementally themed]] Gym Leaders and collecting Gym Badges, and ultimately battling the Elite Four to become the regional League Champion. Oh, yeah, and you manage to single-handedly take down some kind of crime syndicate (and/or save the world) at some point along the way, and capture really powerful Pokémon that the local legends are based on.
While these [[PlayTheGameSkipTheStory aren't necessarily the greatest stories ever told]], the games are certainly enjoyable, and the franchise took off like a [[AWorldwidePunomenon (Team)]] rocket. This was mainly because the completion of the in-game storyline and {{Bonus Dungeon}}s only comprised part of the gameplay. The real meat of the game (or as some would say, the only point of the game) was the [[PlayerVersusPlayer one-on-one]] CompetitiveMultiplayer. Not only were the teams of Pokémon usable against the in-game enemies, these same Pokémon can be pitted against Pokémon trained by other live players of the game. As such, players continued to train and catch Pokémon just so they have the best team among their peers. And when we say they took off like a rocket, that's an understatement. Despite being a relatively young series, the franchise is [[CashCowFranchise the second best selling video game franchise of all time]], by a wide margin [[hottip:*:You can even put the third and fourth best-selling franchises together and they ''still'' don't top ''Pokémon''!]], and only is beaten by its older brother, the ''[[SuperMarioBros Mario]]'' franchise. Though it consistently has come close to topping it, ''Pokémon'' still has a way to go before it's number one.
The multiplayer combat was one aspect of the game designed to promote interaction between players. To further facilitate interaction was the fact that Pokémon can also be traded among players, and that [[SocializationBonus certain Pokémon can only be obtained by trading]]. That was the main reason behind the different versions of the game, as each version had eleven Pokémon that were exclusive to it, and trading was the only way to get those exclusives.
The concept of Pokémon would not be confined to the VideoGame medium. Merchandising sprung up all over the place, including, of course, an [[TheAnimeOfTheGame anime]]. As such, it became a full fledged CashCowFranchise. The game series continued on with a third version, ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedandBlue Blue]]'', that mostly just improved the graphics and altered the distribution of the mons, which also started the practice of making a "Special Edition" game for each generation, with an altered Pokémon lineup, and special events and items.
Yet after all this, it wasn't until September of 1998 that ''Pokémon'' made its way to North America and then the world at large. The world got two versions, labeled ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Red]]'' [[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue and]] ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Blue]]'', which were pretty much ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Red]]'' [[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue and]] ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Green]]'' with ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Blue]]''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue 's]] better graphics. With so much time to prepare, the merchandising launch was all ready to go, and [[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue the games]] became as much of a smash hit in America and the rest of the world as they did in Japan. About a year later, a version loosely based on [[{{Anime/Pokemon}} the anime]] called ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Pokémon Yellow]]'' was released, that featured now-{{mascot}} [[KidAppealCharacter Pikachu]] as your starting Pokémon and even better graphics.
Of course, {{sequel}}s were inevitable, especially in the {{video game}} world. The next generation of Pokémon games, titled ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'', added the two new Types mentioned earlier, around 100 more [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]], among other improvements. Most notably, the developers improved game balance; the Psychic element was no longer the [[{{GameBreaker/Pokemon}} ruler of the roost]]. Further {{sequel}}s added their own wrinkles to the game mechanics among other minor improvements/adjustments: ''VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire'' completely overhauled the the way stats were handled and gave [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]] special Abilities and Natures, as well as implementing 2-on-2 battles. ''VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl'' reclassified attacks as Physical or Special based on the nature of the move, rather than on elemental Type as in previous generations; plus new features allowed worldwide trading over Wi-Fi. ''VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite'' escalated the multi battles by expanding them to 3-on-3 and introducing combination attacks, as well as adding new connectivity features.
Since then, the series has expanded to:
* Generation I (GameBoy)
** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Red and Green/Blue Versions]]'' (''Green'' in Japan, ''Blue'' internationally)
*** ''Blue Version'' (Japan only; engine used for international ''Red/Blue Versions'')
*** ''Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition'' ([[Anime/{{Pokemon}} anime]] tie-in)
* Generation II (GameBoyColor)
** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Gold and Silver Versions]]'' (backward-compatible with original GameBoy)
*** ''Crystal Version'' (GameBoyColor-exclusive)
* Generation III (GameBoyAdvance)
** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire Ruby and Sapphire Versions]]''
*** ''Emerald Version''
** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue FireRed and LeafGreen Versions]]'' ([[VideoGameRemake remakes]] of Generation I)
* Generation IV (NintendoDS)
** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl Diamond and Pearl Versions]]''
*** ''Platinum Version''
** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions]]'' ([[VideoGameRemake remakes]] of Generation II)
* Generation V (NintendoDS)
** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite Black and White Versions]]''
*** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonBlack2AndWhite2 Black and White Versions 2]]''
[-''You can get the "é" symbol by holding down "ALT" and keying in "0", "2", "3", "3" or "1", "3", "0" in that order on the numerical pad to the right of the keyboard. For some keyboards "CTRL-ALT-E" works too (though others may end up with the Euro symbol instead). If you are using British keyboard layout, "ALT GR-E" will get you it (but it only works with the right hand key marked ALT GR). For Mac users, hold down option-E, then type an E. For iPhone, iPod touch and Android users, hold down on the letter E to get the option. Of course, if you are a native Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, or French speaker or have your keyboard set to the U.S. International layout, chances are you don't need all that mess to produce a simple accentuated character.''-]
----
!!It also provides examples of:
* ADogNamedDog: All un-nicknamed Pokémon qualify as this.
* AbnormalLimbRotationRange: Noctowl as stated in the Pokédex in the ''[[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Silver]]'' Version. {{Justified}}, though, since owls can rotate their heads by a lot in real life.
* TheAce: Starting in Generation IV, there's been a trainer class literally called "Ace Trainer".
** Earlier games used the phrase "Elite Trainer" instead.
* ActionBomb: Anything that learns [[TakingYouWithMe Selfdestruct or Explosion]], most notably Koffing, Voltorb, Geodude... Pineco in particular can learn it at very low levels since Generation IV. Their AI Roulette makes them GoddamnedBats if you're lucky.
* ActionInitiative:
** A Pokémon's "Speed" stat determines which Pokémon goes first in each round of combat, with varying effects:
** Certain moves can have different attack power or effects depending on whether they execute before or after the opponent. In particular, the "flinch" status can only occur if the opponent strikes first.
** Certain moves (like "Quick Attack") have increased or decreased "priority", making them always strike before or after the opponent's move. Later generations add other increased-priority moves such as [=ExtremeSpeed=], Mach Punch, and Sucker Punch. Vital Throw (introduced in ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'') is an example of a move with ''decreased'' priority; it hits last but is guaranteed to hit as long as the user is still conscious.
* AdaptationOverdosed: The [[Anime/{{Pokemon}} anime]], various {{spinoff}} games, [[VideoGameRemake remakes of certain main games]], multiple book series, a trading card game, and currently '''39''' [[{{Manga/Pokemon}} manga]] (but most people act like only [[Manga/PokemonSpecial one exists]]).
* AdamSmithHatesYourGuts: As you advance in the [[VideoGame game]], the items in the Poké Marts get progressively more expensive. [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] by the fact that it's because the item selection gets better, but it's still FridgeLogic that every Pokémon Trainer would start at Pallet Town and progress through the cities in the same order; newer generations fix it by tying the product selection to the number of badges possessed instead of location.
* AerithAndBob: Masculine names in the franchise range from Barry to Ghetsis and feminine names range from May to Shauntal. However, this seems to largely be because the use of [[MeaningfulName meaningful]] and [[PunnyName punny]] names is more important than keeping the names completely realistic.
* AIRoulette:
** Wild [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]], and some of the early Trainers, pick their attacks entirely at random. You'd better pray that your [[TheRival rival]] doesn't pick Scratch or Tackle five times in a row during the first battle.
*** However, this was not the case in the original games (''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Red/Blue]]''), as the AI would use the most Type Effective move it had. This led to [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]] using moves like [[StatusBuff Agility]] over and over until they ran out of PP. This was fixed in ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Yellow]]''.
** The move Metronome essentially lets the AI pick a move for you from almost every move programmed into the [[VideoGame game]].
*** It also allows the AI to pick its own moves, meaning the first [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter Clefairy]] you see may start the battle with Roar of Time.
*** Assist does a similar thing; a random move known by one of the [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]] in your party is selected.
* AllFlyersAreBirds: A lot of Flying-types that have a bird-like body shape behave in a sort of avian fashion. [[PteroSoarer Aerodactyl]], for example, is often seen standing on two legs and carrying things in its talons like a bird of prey. A few bird Pokemon invert this trope, though, such as the flightless Doduo and Dodrio.
* AllYourPowersCombined: The Baton Pass move allows you to pass any secondary effects to another `mon. With luck and patience, you could pass along a quadrupling of both defenses, speed, the attack stat of your choice, give opponents only a 33% chance of connecting with most moves, and the ability to regenerate. It requires the patience of a saint and can be thrown off by a critical hit, some status ailments, the moves Roar and Whirlwind (unless you have a Smeargle with both Baton Pass and Ingrain, or [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]] with the ability Suction Cups), or the move Haze.
** However, this can easily backfire through the use of Perish Song ([[BlessedWithSuck luckily, the countdown does not apply to which ever Pokémon switches in]]) and [[AwesomeByAnalysis Psych Up]] (your opponent copies any stat changes you have made and, since it's a single turn move, does so in much less time than you did).
** The EV system works like this in a way. Every time you beat a Pokemon (trained or wild), you gain [=EVs=] in whatever is their best stat (like HP for Chansey, Speed for Ninjask, etc). After enough [=EVs=] in one stat, that stat increases one point. Basically it means your Pokemon starts to take on the stats of the enemies it faces.
* AlwaysAccurateAttack:
** "Swift" from the first generation never misses.
** Similar attacks of other elemental types have been introduced in later generations: Faint Attack, Vital Throw, Aerial Ace, Magical Leaf, Shock Wave, Shadow Punch, Magnet Bomb, and Aura Sphere. Some of them (Swift in particular) can even hit targets who are currently using Fly or Dig (which normally grants one turn of invulnerability before striking).
** The No Guard Ability causes ''all'' attacks used by a Pokémon to become always accurate, in exchange for granting the same to all attacks used against it, even allowing you to hit targets that are in the air, underground, or temporarily non-existent.
** Lock-On and Mind Reader ensure the next attack will hit, even if the target uses the aforementioned moves.
** Hurricane and Thunder always hit when it's raining, and Blizzard always hits when it's hailing.
* AlwaysCheckBehindTheChair:
** Standards of the series are patches of grass with a darker shade than others, trash cans, the centers of plateaus, dead-ends, and rocks. Thank [[OlympusMons Arceus]] for the [[InconsistentDub Item Finder/Dowsing Machine]] when they're anywhere else.
** Don't bother with pots, however. There are millions of them in Generation 3; every single one of them is empty, but [[RedHerring the text leads you on to think that some of them aren't.]]
* AmazingTechnicolorWildlife: They come in some ''funky'' colors. Shiny Pokémon have even funkier colour variations.
* AnimalsLackAttributes: The fact that Pokémon lack visible attributes (with exception for Miltank's cow udders, of course, as well as for some weird reason, Nuzleaf having nipples) is likely a culmination of its simple visual art style and kid-friendly target audience (and G-Rated Sex). The actual Mons can probably be assumed to still possess their attributes ... after all, that Berry fertilizer (made in part from their "well, you know...") has to come from somewhere....
** Various Pokemon draw their designs from things other than animals, so whether their attributes could even be identifiable as such varies as much as the Mons themselves. How exactly does one tell the difference between, say, a male and female Grimer — living blobs of toxic goo? Eh, forget we even asked.
* AndYourRewardIsInteriorDecorating:
** In ''Ruby/Sapphire'' you can be rewarded with items to decorate your secret base, while in ''Diamond/Pearl'' it's your underground cabin. ''Platinum'' adds a villa, though you can only buy items and not choose where to place them.
** It started in Gold/Silver, where you could decorate your bedroom at your mother's house.
* AnimateInanimateObject: A large number of Pokémon fit this description.
** Banette used to be a doll that was thrown away by a child, and now seeks revenge. By extension, this also applies to its unevolved form, Shuppet.
** Rotom can possess objects, as revealed in ''[[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondandPearl Pokémon Platinum]]'', where it can possess a washing machine, a lawnmower, an oven, a freezer, and a table fan. Specifically, it possesses technology that uses a special kind of motor. The aforementioned objects are specially prepared for research purposes.
** Voltorb is also implied to be a Poké Ball turned sentient, through an unknown cause. Its ''[=SoulSilver=]'' Pokédex entry specifically states that it was discovered when Poké Balls were invented. An entry in another game says its components are not found in nature.
** Shedinja is the discarded exoskeleton of a Nincada after it evolves into Ninjask. Exactly ''how'' it is animated, especially considering the former occupant still lives, is not explained.
** Claydol, according to the Diamond/Pearl/Platinum Pokédex, is "An ancient clay figurine that came to life as a Pokémon from exposure to a mysterious ray of light." By extension, this also applies to its unevolved form, Baltoy.
** Trubbish is a ''trash bag'' that came to live because of a chemical reaction.
** A few more that are based on inanimate objects, yet are not implied to have been animated by outside forces, include Magnemite (magnets), Nosepass/Probopass ({{Moai statue}}), Bronzor (a bronze mirror), Bronzong (a bronze bell), Klink (a gear), Darumaka (a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daruma_doll daruma doll]]), and Litwick/Lampent/Chandelure (Candle/Lamp/Chandelier, respectively).
** Don't forget Vanillite, the most delicious Pokemon ever.
* AnimeHair: Too many characters to list.
* AnthropomorphicFood: With the addition of the Vanillish line, we can now battle with living ice cream.
* AnythingThatMoves: The shapeshifting Ditto will breed with just about ''anything''. Except Legendary Pokémon (or ''itself'', as of Gen 4) Including "gender-unknown" species who refuse to breed even with ''each other''.
* ApatheticCitizens:
** A crime syndicate takes over our city? Cults attempt to flood and/or dry out the world? Some god-wannabe tries to restart all of creation? No problem, I'm sure some Trainer will take care of it for us.
** There is one exception. In [=HeartGold=] and [=SoulSilver=], when [[spoiler:you disguise yourself as a Team Rocket member,]] if you talk to people, then they'll say stuff like [[spoiler:"Imagine, a kid so young on Team Rocket..."]] and stuff like that.
** Also, N and Ghetsis are kinda counting on this to pull off their plans (though N is also really frustrated by it, going so far as to outright state that if people in general were more like the player character, he wouldn't have to bother with separating people and Pokémon.)
** In Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald, citizens of the three ocean cities, Mossdeep, Sootopolis, and Pacifidlog, do show concern about the torrential downpour/drought affecting the area. The rest of Hoenn? Doesn't even care.
** In Diamond/Pearl/Platinum, [[spoiler: when Team Galactic blows up Lake Valor,]] the resulting shockwave/earthquake is felt all the way in Canalave City. The people in the library and the citizens standing outside comment on it. No one else does though.
* ArtEvolution:
** In the Japanese ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedandBlue Red and Green]]'' versions, the designs for the [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]] are (sometimes) really ugly, even by Game Boy standards. By the time the ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Yellow]]'' version came out, the designs became the ones we're more familiar with, and general graphics (especially sprite resolution) became more sophisticated with each generation.
** The artwork had this happen as well. Compare the appearances of the main characters of ''[[http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/5/53/Red_Green_Red.png Red and Blue]]'' and ''[[http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/a/a3/Gold_Silver_Ethan.png Gold and Silver]]'' with their appearances in those games' remakes, ''[[http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/8/83/FireRed_LeafGreen_Red.png FireRed and LeafGreen]]'' and ''[[http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/c/c0/HeartGold_SoulSilver_Ethan.png HeartGold and SoulSilver]]''.
* TheArtifact:
** In ''Pokémon Gold and Silver'', one of the 10 phone numbers you can have at a time is Bill's, which is useful as he tells you how many spaces are left in your current Pokémon storage box and calls you to tell you when your current one is full, which is also useful because if the box currently being used and your party is full you can't catch anything. However, in the third generation, the box system was fixed so that a full box simply meant the captured Pokémon went to the next box, making registering Bill's number in the fourth generation remakes of those games largely pointless (he instead tells you of all the places in your boxes total, in which case you are screwed if you manage to fill all of them). On the other hand, you can register all the numbers you want in the remakes, so he's not hampering you, either.
** The namesake trait of Shiny Pokémon is pretty much one; their original defining trait was that they were a different color (hence the Red Gyarados being referred to as such rather than Shiny Gyarados), with the shining effect and accompanying sound effect originally being due to the fact that their debut games could be played on monochrome GameBoy systems in addition to the GameBoyColor; on the former the shininess distinguishes them from the standard forms since a lack of color would have made it difficult otherwise.
* ArtificialStupidity:
** Many NPC trainers don't pay a lot of attention to the moves you have or use much in the way of strategy.
** Mostly averted with the Battle Tower/Frontier, though occasionally the Trainers there will still do some odd things.
** Generation IV in general bumped up the AI as well. Especially with specific Trainer types like Ace Trainers, Gym Leaders, and the Elite Four/Champion. There are also cases of Trainers using specific move strategies like Endeavor - Quick Attack and Mean Look - Curse (with Ghost types).
*** The [[OldMaster Veterans]] in Gen V ''will'' catch you off guard by hitting your {{mons}} with super-effective moves that you'd never expect their {{mons}} to have. Yes, they finally have Trainers outside the Gym Leaders/Elite Four/Battle (insert facility name here) who bother to use [=TMs=]!
*** [[spoiler: Ghetsis' Hydreigon being a prime example. It will be hitting you with Fire Blast, Surf, Focus Blast, and Dragon Pulse. The last being the only move that Hydreigons learn normally. It tends to be the biggest threat in his entire team.]]
* AscendedFanon:
** The fan term "Eeveelutions", referring to the myriad of ways that Eevee can evolve, has been adopted for use by Nintendo in the [[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Eeveelution_(TCG) card game]], [[http://oi53.tinypic.com/90txrl.jpg the official guide]] for ''PokemonStadium 2'', and in ''PokemonRanger: Shadows of Almia''.
** 'Shiny' was the official term for shiny Pokémon back when ''[[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Gold and Silver]]'' were released, but later generations called them 'alternately colored'; Nintendo then used the term 'shiny' again in Generation V, such as in the forms section of the Pokédex (which is easy to find when viewing the Pokédex entries for Johto's legendary trio after transferring the shiny versions of them given out prior to the launch of the generation).
* AscendedFridgeHorror: Used in both some of the games and some of the adaptations.
** ''PokemonBlackAndWhite'' does this with some of the fridge horror of the series. They introduced Team Plasma, an organization based on the idea that it's morally wrong to force Pokémon to beat each other nearly to death for sport. The organization has two conflicting leaders — N, who honestly believes in the organization's mantra, and Ghetsis, who only preaches this to try and convince everyone else in the world to release their Pokémon so that he'll be the most powerful Trainer around. [[hottip:*:Guess which one has a HeelFaceTurn, and which one's the final boss...]]
** ''PokemonSpecial'' makes use of the "Pocket Monsters have the power to seriously injure or even kill" ElephantInTheLivingRoom. ''Colosseum'' and ''XD'' do the same, with depicted Pokémon-on-trainer and human-on-human violence, with the S.S. Libra as the capper.
* AscendedMeme: It's rumored that the infamous "PIKACHU! THE HORN!!!" moment from the anime led to Rhyhorn and Rhydon (and later on Rhyperior) all getting the Lightningrod ability in the third generation. Unlike in the {{anime}}, they retain their immunity to electric attacks. In fact, as of Generation V, Lightningrod NULLIFIES Electric attacks (not that they care).
* AsskickingEqualsAuthority: Becomes more and more blatant as generations go on. Seeing just how expensive Gym contraptions become and how they serve literally no purpose other than that to confuse the challengers just for the hell of it - how much profit can you receive from that? - how some Gym Leaders like Clay and Elesa order people around, how Gym Leaders are the go-to authority (Crasher Wake) and no one but them, player characters, and Looker, does anything about anything, a Gym Leader is, by all means, the mayor / sheriff of the town in particular.
* AudibleGleam:
** Happens whenever you send out or encounter a shiny Pokémon. Comes with sparkling stars radiating from the Pokémon. This was mostly because in Generation II (when alternate colored Pokémon were introduced), unless you were playing on a Game Boy Color, there would be ''no way'' to tell if a Pokémon was shiny or not; the gleam and sound was the only way to tell. It's also useful for people who happen to have color-blindness.
** In addition, when the player enters the Trick House in Generation III, an AudibleGleam tips the player off to where the Trick Master is hiding. Until the difficulty spike, anyway.
* AuthorAppeal:
** Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of ''Pokémon'', has AspergerSyndrome. One characteristic of it can be an obsession with collecting. He took it UpToEleven by ''inventing something new to collect''. Also, when he was younger, he was an avid bug collector. This is why one of the Trainer classes is "Bug Catcher."
** Game director Junichi Masuda's favorite Pokémon used to be Pichu. [[hottip:*: (it's now Victini)]] It kinda shows. It's all over the place despite not seeming to be that popular with the fans.
** Satoshi Tajiri favorite Pokémon is Poliwhirl. In one of the Pokémon mangas, it's the main character's starter Pokémon.
* {{Autodoc}}: The Healing Machine in Pokémon Centers.
* AwesomeButImpractical:
** Moves such as Hyper Beam which are ludicrously powerful and require a recharge turn afterwards, moves like Sky Attack which require a charge BEFORE, and it even extends to [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]] - Slaking, Rampardos and Regigigas are all very strong, but are not that good competitively. Slaking has the Truant ability which prevents it from attacking every turn (and in 4th generation, each turn is much more important than 3rd generation, and it can still be utilized well if one is very good), Rampardos is a GlassCannon to a massive extreme, and Regigigas has the Slow Start ability which keeps him from having full power and speed for 5 turns, which are reset if it switches or is forced out.
** Use Skill Swap on Slaking in Double Battles, and watch it become a truly terrifying, team-slaughtering threat. Rampardos can be made into a huge threat with a speed boost or under Trick Room.
** Some Pokemon qualify as this. Onix for instance, is surprisingly weak for a giant snake made out of stone.
** Shuckle has the highest Defense of any Mon in the series, and by using "Power Trick" can acquire the highest Attack of any Mon in the series. But good luck actually ''landing a blow'' after Power Trick, because swapping out its Defense means that just about any physical strike whatsoever will cause a OneHitKill.
** Theoretically, Shuckle can deal a whopping '''481,266,036''' damage with a critical hit under the right conditions -- conditions so improbable that they have rarely been reproduced ''even under laboratory environments''.
** Generation V adds Archeops, a Pokémon whose overall base stat total is exceeded only by the legendaries, "pseudo-legendaries" (Dragonite, Tyranitar, Salamence, Metagross, Garchomp, and Hydreigon), and Slaking, who as mentioned before has a severe handicap limiting its usefulness. Its stats aren't terribly balanced, however, with [[GlassCannon high numbers in both attack stats and ]][[FragileSpeedster speed but mediocre HP and defensive stats.]] It also has an ability which ''halves'' its attack stats when its HP drops below 50% of maximum.
* BadassAdorable: Pokémon in general are powerful enough as it is, so ones like Riolu and Pichu could fit, but the best of the best include the ranks of [[http://www.arkeis.com/images/pokemonfactory/azelf.png Azelf]], [[http://bulk.destructoid.com/ul/user/2/24199-89365-celebi1ofthemonthgifjpg-468x.jpg Celebi]], [[http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kuk3fhHSpr1qzeiz8o1_400.png Mew]], etc.
* BadassCrew: Forming one with your Pokémon so you can get all your badges and become a Champion is one of the main goals of the games.
* BadassGrandpa: Literally. There is a battle with Professor Oak in Generation 1 that was [[DummiedOut taken out]] of the final game. He uses Pokémon that are level 66 to 70. This places his strength on-par with the player's rival and the Pokémon League Champion.
* BadassNormal:
** The Blackbelt characters are of the CharlesAtlasSuperpower variety. Fittingly, most of the Pokémon you could consider BadassNormal ("normal" being a relative term in a universe where ''almost everything'' has psychic or elemental powers to some extent) are Fighting type, like Machamp or Hariyama. The same is true for most of the physically based Fighting attacks (read: all but four), bringing us the likes of BrickBreak and [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown Close Combat]].
** The Normal type is a subversion as many of them can learn a wide variety of special moves such as the traditional FireIceLightning moves. Even a lot of the so-called "Normal" moves have strange properties that could hardly be considered "normal".
* BagOfHolding: While the earlier games in the series had more limited space in the player's backpack, by the 4th Generation, your bag could [[HyperspaceArsenal has one slot for every item]]. Its possible (if you go out of your way) to fill it up to the point of being unable to get more by getting at least 999 of a single item (to force an item to take 2 slots), but very unlikely in practice.
* [[BannedInChina Banned in Saudi Arabia]]: They've denounced it as a way to promote [[ReasonableAuthorityFigure gambling]] and Zionism.
* BattleThemeMusic: But of course. Over a ''dozen'' in later titles.
* BattleTops: Hitmontop is based on a combination of a spinning top (hence the name) and capoiera martial arts.
* BeingEvilSucks:
** In order to get the move Frustration to have its max power, the user's happiness must be 0. Walking 256 steps increases happiness by 1, and leveling up increases it by 5 (if the current happiness is at minimum), while to lower it, your only options are to use the bitter medicine on it (-5, -10, or -15 depending on what you use) or let it faint (-1). By contrast, max happiness and max Return power is easy to maintain even if you let the Poké faint every now and then thanks to walking.
*** Averted in Mystery Dungeon where it depends on user's IQ. Normally weak, it's incredibly useful in dungeons like Purity Forest where your Level is reduced to 1 and IQ is at minimum level, at which Frustration deals 45 damage, more than Lv. 1 Mon should.
** Of course, this doesn't prevent it from being a massively powerful attack when trainers in the Battle Frontier use it, as the happiness stat of enemy Pokémon is always zero (Most Pokémon start at 70 happiness when caught).
* BeneficialDisease: The Pokérus virus. If you're very, very lucky, a wild Pokémon you fight might just spread Pokérus to one of your Pokémon. With this condition, that Pokémon will gain twice as many effort points when an enemy mon is defeated. Basically, it will save you time when trying to fine-tune your Pokémon's stats. It can be spread from inside the mon's PC storage box. Pokérus does, however, "cure" after so many hours of play, so exploit it while it lasts. It isn't even clear whether Pokérus causes any suffering. So never mind the VideoGameCrueltyPotential of mass temporary infection, trainer.
** At least since Gen III onward, it doesn't spread inside the PC. However, storing a Pokémon DOES prevent it from "healing" so that you can put it in your party and spread it to your team later.
* BigBadassBirdOfPrey: Many, many.
* BlessedWithSuck:
** Some Pokémon, by their mere presence, always change the weather in the general vicinity. [[http://www.rarecandytreatment.com/comics/1294293/picnic-panic/#cpage It's easy to see]] how this could be inconvenient.
** Pokémon that lose arms and/or legs when they evolve.
** [[GameplayAndStorySegregation Supposedly]], Lugia spends all its time sleeping at the bottom of the sea because it's too powerful. It can fly, but if it were to so much as lightly flutter its wings it would cause a 40-day storm and blow apart buildings.
** Jirachi has the power to grant wishes, but only for one week every thousand years. It's asleep all those years. That means Jirachi must have a lonely existence, because if Jirachi were to make a friend, they would be long gone by the time it awakens. Unless they were a Ninetales or something else long lived.
* BlueIsGreen: Bronzor, Bronzong, Golett, and Golurk are in the green Pokédex group despite obviously being blue.
* BonsaiForest: Often, the entire forests in the series look like they've been recently planted.
* BonusBoss: Several, though exactly which ones count depend on your criteria.
* BoringButPractical:
** Experienced players tend to favor mid-level attacks like Thunderbolt over the flashy, high-power attacks like Thunder due to their higher accuracy and PP counts.
** The Normal type also counts here; it isn't super effective against anything, but it in turn has decent defenses against everything except Fighting, and even an immunity to Ghost attacks. Normal type Pokémon also generally can learn a variety of different types of moves, both with or without TM assistance, making them quite versatile at the cost of no STAB for non-Normal-type moves.
** Seismic Toss for [[StoneWall defense-oriented Pokémon with low Attack or Special Attack,]] such as Chansey and Eviolite Dusclops.
* {{Bowdlerize}}:
** Lots of innuendo in the Japanese versions has failed to make it overseas. Even stuff that used to be considered acceptable was bowdlerized in the remakes, e.g. the DirtyOldMan outside the Celadon gym having his dialogue changed to state he's peeping into the gym because of the "strong trainers".
** Most likely the most important example of them all is the Dark type. The original name is Aku (Evil) and ''not'' the Japanese Dark equivalent Yami. This is why the various evil teams typically use Dark types, all Dark moves not named Dark Pulse or Night Daze are [[CombatPragmatist combat pragmatism]] bordering on just plain being a JerkAss, and over three Dark type families are based on criminal stereotypes.
** The moves Lovely Kiss and Sweet Kiss are known In Japan as Demon's Kiss and Angel's Kiss respectively. They probably changed the names to remove religious references, however, they did not bother to remove or edit the animations of the moves in Generation 2, so it still shows a animation of a demon or angel giving a kiss whenever those moves are used.
* BrokenAesop:
** The games are big on treating Pokémon humanely and with kindness, but it usually doesn't matter in practice - a Pokémon happiness will still increase just by being in your party and not treating them with anything less than general indifference. In fact, the ways to get super-powered teams for competitive play or the Battle Frontier generally involve complex eugenics programs that will leave you with dozens of Pokémon you'll just toss aside.
** Goes a bit further with the Musketeer Trio in the Black and White games. An old man will tell you about how the Musketeer Trio grew to hate humans, but maybe, just maybe, if they were captured by a nice trainer, they would trust humanity again. That's fine and dandy and all, until you consider that the vast majority of players will just capture them for collecting and the dex info and likely won't use them in battle, just let them sit in a PC box for eternity.
** Despite the "kindness" you show to your Pokémon, you are still forcing them to withstand lava and meteors and poison until they faint, then stuffing them in balls and making them go to some weird floating green dimension where they will float aimlessly about until you need them again. Also: In the games, the info on Pokémon is incomplete, so the player probably collects it themselves, and puts it in the Pokédex. Some of the entries: Golem can withstand DYNAMITE! Staryu's limbs will grow back even if CUT OFF!
* BrokenBridge: The need to beat certain Gyms to activate certain overworld actions and... extremely thirsty ''guards'' that will stop doing their jobs and let you through if you give them some ''water'' (tea in the remakes).
* BrotherSisterIncest and ParentalIncest: Pokémon can and will breed with any other compatible Pokémon, family or not. This was partially averted in Generation II, due to the way the offspring inherited its statistics from the parent.
* ButtMonkey:
** At this point, Poison as an entire type seems to be this for the developers. You know they've got something against the type when it's the ''only one'' out of all 17 that doesn't have a legendary Pokémon to call its own after over 14 years and 47 legendary Pokémon. Not to mention it's only super effective against one type (Grass). And then there's how the last of the only two characters who specialize in the type was introduced over ''three generations ago'' and took the exact same position as the last Poison specialist [[hottip:*:The previous one, [[LikeFatherLikeSon her father Koga]], ascended to the position of Elite Four.]]. Did we mention that it's ''weak'' to Generation I's GameBreaker element?
*** It seems a bit less of a strangler when one considers its defensive benefits - namely, resistance to the Fighting type and absorption of Toxic Spikes[[hottip:*:nasty caltrops that poison Pokémon as they enter play.]].
*** It seems that it's finally averted. According to [[http://bulbanews.bulbagarden.net/wiki/May_issue_of_CoroCoro_magazine_leaked CoroCoro leak]] there will be a Poison-type Gym Leader. Finally, after like '''twelve'' years, there is a Poison-type Gym Leader outside of Kanto.
** Also, in the first generation, Poison was the most common type. But this got scaled back dramatically by the next gen; the other four generations ''combined'' don't have as many Poison-types as the first gen had!
** 2.B.A Master (I wanna be the very best...) [[LongList listed all the types]] available in the first generation. However, one of the types listed is Flame, listed alongside Fire. ''[[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment They listed Fire twice to avoid mentioning Poison]].''
** Also, about that "Effective against Grass" part. Only Paras/Parasect and Tangela in the first generation were weak to it; everyone else's dual typing prevented them from that.
** In Generation I, Poison-type moves were also super effective against the Bug type. The designers took that advantage out in Generation II's type matchup revision, and Poison-types never ever got it back. Though Poison also lost its own weakness to the Bug type.
** Fire types, too. There are very, very few of them and the ones that do exist are often ineffective or outclassed by other Pokémon. [[RuleOfCool But damn, are they awesome.]]
** Dark types, to a lesser extent. Prior to Generation IV, all of the Dark-type moves were classified as Special moves, however, almost all of them were physical attackers, meaning their STAB usually dealed less damage than physical attack of any other type. Out of any other type, Dark appeared as a Gym type the least. Zero, to be precise. The most glaring example would be Generation V that introduced around as much Dark-types as there were previously in all generations combined, yet it didn't have a Gym. On the upside, it shares with Fighting, Psychic, Ghost and Dragon-types the trait of being commonly chosen by Elite Four members.
** For a specific Pokémon, Flareon. The poor thing has high Physical attack on a Special type, making it useless while its Eeveelutions siblings are always awesome (Or at least decent). After the Physical/Special split, it still sucked because it was denied a decent physical Fire type move. For four times on a row (DP, Platinum, HGSS, now BW). The worst part? There's a Fire move that would be perfect for it. It's called Flare Blitz. Flare, as in '''Flare'''on. Entei could fit for similar reasons, but it got Flare Blitz in an event.
*** Its special attack stat isn't terrible, either. It actually faired better than some of the other Eeveelutions did in the split. Which is not to say the entire family couldn't stand to have its move sets redone. Like learning a STAB attack at evolution, for example. The ones created in Gen IV received Ice or Grass types, giving them more weaknesses than strengths from inception. Truly, the combat mechanic refinements were not kind to the Eeveelutions.
* CapturedSuperEntity
* CashCowFranchise
* CerebusSyndrome:
** In terms of the evil organizations you battle in the game. The first two generations had the at least somewhat AffablyEvil Team Rocket (with quotes like "It feels so good to be evil!"), barring a couple disturbing instances (killing Pokémon and chopping off Slowpoke tails). But by RSE, you had a group trying to force ''climate change.'' By the fourth generation, Team Galactic wants to ''reset all of existence.''
** Averted [[spoiler:at first]] with Team Plasma, along with [[spoiler:their leader,]] N, from PokemonBlackAndWhite, who want to separate Pokémon from humans to probably prevent incidents like with the previous teams from happening again. It turns out that the true villain, [[spoiler:Ghetsis, the true mastermind behind Team Plasma,]] is such a [[CompleteMonster despicable, vile, and evil person]] that he manages to outstrip all the previous teams ''combined''! ([[HighOctaneNightmareFuel Arguably]] including [[PokemonColosseum Cipher!]])
** Not to mention, in the first couple of generations the villains didn't seem to do anything besides wreak havoc on random Pokémon and locations. In the third generation, the villains had a coherent theme and goal, but they still didn't make much sense. By the fourth generation, though, defeating the villain had become just about as important as the stated goal of ToBeAMaster, a trend which continued into the fifth generation, owing to the nastier villains on the one hand, and greater plot streamlining on the other.
* ChargedAttack:
** There are a wide variety of moves which manifest as "charging energy" on one turn and unleashing it the next, but most are executed as a single move requiring two turns. Exceptions include:
** "Stockpile" can be used up to three turns in a row to store power for "Swallow" (a healing move) or "Spit Up" (an attack).
** "Charge" doubles the power of any Electric move used on the next turn.
* CheatedAngle: Pikachu is almost never drawn without the tail projecting outward and prominently visible, even when it should be behind him or otherwise blocked.
* ChestMonster: Occasionally, that item you pick up turns out to be a Voltorb/Electrode, or in ''[[PokemonBlackAndWhite Black and White]]'', Foongus/Amoongus.
* CirclingBirdies:
** The result of the Confusion status since ''Gold/Silver''.
** Also circling Psyduck in the ''Pokémon [=HeartGold=]'' and ''[=SoulSilver=]'' minigames.
** In the Pokéwalker, however, the player's Pokémon has circling stars when they are knocked out in the Pokéwalker, as shown in the journal.
* ColdFlames: The Will-O-Wisp attack.
* ColorCodedElements:
** Almost every single Pokémon's Type can be guessed based on their color, with red Pokémon being Fire, blue Pokémon being Water, and so on. This is so [[OmnipresentTropes omnipresent]] it's easier to list the [[SubvertedTrope Pokémon who don't follow this formula:]]
** Normal type Pokémon -- Since Normal types can learn many types of moves, you usually don't know what moves they taught a Pokémon unless you already fought them before.
** Many people assumed Reshiram and Zekrom would be Psychic[[hottip:*:because it is the closest equivalent to a "Light" type Pokémon has]]/Dragon and Dark/Dragon respectively because of their color scheme and Yin Yang theme. They're not; they're Dragon/Fire and Dragon/Electric.
** Lugia has been mistaken for a Water Type before. It's Psychic/Flying. The fact that it is said to be the guardian of the seas (where it lives) and has a version counterpart that is part Fire does not help matters.
** Groudon is not a Fire Type, it's a Ground Type. It has the same problem as Lugia of having a version counterpart that helps perpetuate this mistake.
** Riolu and Lucario look like Dark/Fighting types. They're Fighting (with Lucario being part Steel). Lucario was even thought to be the first Dark legendary at one point.
** Mawile looks like a Dark/Fighting type. It's Steel, making it probably the only Steel Type other than Jirachi without a gray, blue or red color scheme.
** The fanbase has noticed for a while now that Charizard and Gyarados both really look like they should be Dragon Types but for some reason they're not. This is made all the more conspicuous by Altaria, which is obviously a bird but for some reason is part Dragon despite having no clear draconic features, and the Gible line, land sharks. Yes, the European dragon and the sea serpent based off of a Japanese myth of a [[LegendaryCarp carp]] turning into a dragon are not Dragons, [[FridgeLogic but the living cloud and the hammerhead sharks are.]] OurDragonsAreDifferent indeed.
*** Gyarados at least has the excuse that Water/Dragon would have been ''incredibly'' [[GameBreaker broken]] back in Gen 1. Charizard, on the other hand, has no such excuse.
** Buizel/Floatzel and Bidoof/Bibarel are brown and often found on land, so you'd expect them to be that generation's answer to [[ComMons Zigzagoon]]. This is only half-true for Bidoof (Normal/Water) but averted with the all-water Buizel.
* CombatPragmatist: The Dark Type is characterized by attacks that involve fighting very dirty in order to win, to the point where some of the moves seem to constitute outright cheating. Some options from the Dark Type movepool include: punishing the opponent for raising their stats (Punishment), false crying (Fake Tears), slugging the opponent as they ready an attack (Sucker Punch), beating up an already hurt opponent (Assurance), throwing foreign objects (Fling), denying the opponent use of their held item (Embargo and Knock Off), ''stealing'' the opponent's item (Thief), stealing the opponent's stat changes or healing attempts (Snatch), switching held items (Switcheroo), pissing the opponent off enough to force it to use only attack moves (Taunt), banning the opponent from using moves twice in a row (Torment[[hottip:*:wreaks hell on Choice Band/Specs/Scarf users!]]), hitting an opponent hard as they try to retreat (Pursuit), and ''calling on the other Pokémon on your team to beat up on the opponent'' (Beat Up).
* ComebackMechanic: The moves Reveral and Flail do more damage the less HP the user has.
* ComMons:
** Rattata, Pidgey, and pretty much everything else that resides near the player's hometown.
*** Magikarp deserves special mention as ''the'' most common Pokémon, being available in every body of water in games in which it appears. Even in Pokémon Snap.
** Starting with Gen III, these Pokémon have been given certain gimmicks to make them more viable mons in general.[[hottip:*:Good examples are Swellow's "Guts", which gives it an attack boost under status ailments and synchronizes with Facade and Brave Bird, or Staraptor's massive attack strength upon evolution and Close Combat to hit Rock and Steel types ''hard''.]]
* TheComputerIsACheatingBastard: It is not uncommon to encounter Trainers owning evolved Pokémon who are below the level you'd have to train them to to reach that form. Lance having a Lv.45 Dragonite for example, when Dragonair doesn't evolve to that form until Lv. 55.
** Slightly subverted in the original games since you could also find under-leveled monsters in some areas. Lance is STILL a cheater though, since his Dragonite knows moves ''that it can't learn.''
* ConfusionFu:
** Pokémon with wider movepools can run five or six different sets, making them harder to determine and counter.
** Hidden Power can be any of the 16 non-normal types and learned by almost every Pokémon.
** Metronome, which selects a completely random move that could be anything from uselessly flopping around like a fish [[hottip:*:Splash]] to the wrath of the Pokémon equivalent of God.[[hottip:*:Judgement]]
* ConservationOfCompetence
* ContinuityDrift: ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Green/Red/Blue/Yellow]]''[='s=] Pokédex and sprites portrays the Pocket Monsters as genuinely monstrous, a stark contrast to the later generations. The dex entries also frequently reference real world locations (Arcanine) and animals (Gastly), has Pokémon giving live birth instead of eggs (Mew), and more.
* ContinuityNod: The first generation had a very prominent puzzle involving searching trash cans to locate a pair of randomly-placed switches. Every game in the series gives a response every time you examine a trash can, ''any'' trash can, even if 99% of the time your response is merely "the trash can is empty."
* ContractualBossImmunity:
** Attempting to throw a Poké Ball at a Trainer's Pokémon will only result in the Trainer knocking the ball aside with a reprimanding reminder that Poké Balls are for wild Pokémon only.
** Rui and the Aura Reader will prevent you from Snagging a clean Pokémon in the Orre games as well. You keep the ball, because the Snag Machine (which was ''designed'' to steal a trainer's Pokémon!) doesn't get a chance to function.
* CosmeticAward:
** The diploma awarded for completing the ''entire'' Pokédex; that is, registering every last known species in each generation.
** Ribbons awarded for winning Pokémon Contests or the Pokéathlon.
*** In [[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl the three main Generation IV games]], Ribbons allow you to enter the Ribbon Syndicate. On the upper floor, you can massage one Pokémon daily, which increases their happiness (and the lower floor lets you buy more ribbons).
** Shiny Pokémon. Sure, they aren't ''really'' any different from a normally-colored Pokémon,[[hottip:* :from the third generation onward--Shinies in the second generation had very slight statistical differences, but in the end they meant little anyway]] but when you only have a 1 in 8192 chance of even ''seeing'' one, much less actually catching it, wouldn't ''you'' want to brag? Especially if it's a legendary?
** The stars on your trainer card. You can usually earn up to four or five by accomplishing such things as beating the Elite Four, completing the dex, defeating the Brains at the Battle Frontier, etc. Serves slightly more of a purpose as other trainers may look at your card and see how much you've actually done in-game judging by the stars you have.
* CosmicEgg: Where Arceus came from.
* ConsoleCameo: Every Pokemon game features the current Nintendo home console in the player's room, and whatever system the game is on is mentioned by [=NPCs=].
* CriticalAnnoyance: That beeping when your Pokémon get low on health, which becomes [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC_L0TNvrZc averted]] in ''Black and White''.
** The noise that happens when your Pokémon take poison damage while walking, which is eliminated in ''Black and White''.
* CriticalStatusBuff: Starting in Generation III, several Pokemon abilities like "Blaze", "Torrent", and "Overgrow", boost the power of matching elemental attacks when the user is low on HP. Certain Berries can also provide a one-time automatic status boost when the user is low on HP.
** The Archen/Archeops family from Generation V also has the inverse: Their "Defeatist" ability creates a status ''penalty'' when they are low on HP.
* {{Crossover}}: With... ''[[NobunagasAmbition Nobunaga's Ambition]]''?
** ''Nobunaga's Ambition'' for the title, but ''Samurai Warriors 3'' for the character appearances. Amusingly, the game introduces a new region called Ranse...
** Before that, with the ''Mystery Dungeon'' franchise (which includes ''DragonQuest: [[DragonQuestIV Torneko]]'s Mystery Dungeon'', ''ShirenTheWanderer'', and ''ChocobosDungeon'').
* CurbStompBattle: A good understanding of the basics can lead to pretty much this for every battle you'll encounter (just knowing the ElementalRockPaperScissors can get you ''really'' far by itself). Go deeper into the metagame, and you're just being cruel to them.
* CuteGiant: Many Pokemon probably qualify. [[GentleGiant Snorlax]] in particular looks like a big cuddly bear-cat thing.
* CuteMonsterGirl: Gardevoir and Lopunny. [[DroppedABridgetOnHim Which are equally likely to be male.]]
* DamageOverTime: The series has many ways to inflict DamageOverTime beyond its standard "Poison" and "Burn" statuses, and many of these can even be combined:
** If a Ghost-type uses "Curse", the opponent receives significant damage (1/4 max HP) per turn, the largest amount of damage in the system.
** Hazardous weather like "Sandstorm" or "Hail" inflicts 1/16th damage on most elemental types.
** Certain abilities can also cause damage (or, inversely, healing) over time during specific weather conditions: "Dry Skin" damages during intense sunlight, "Rain Dish" and "Ice Body" heal during heavy rain or hailstorms, respectively. "Solar Power" also causes damage during intense sunlight, but with the tradeoff of boosted attack power.
** The Grass-type "Leech Seed" not only inflicts DamageOverTime on an opponent, it also restores the user's HP by the amount drained.
** The "Sticky Barb" item inflicts damage-over-time on whichever Pokemon holds it, but can be passed from user to opponent by moves involving physical contact.
** Sleeping Pokemon receive damage while subjected to "Nightmare" status, or similarly, the [[SignatureMove "Bad Dreams" effect]] of legendary Pokemon Darkrai.
* DangerousForbiddenTechnique: Curse (for Ghost types), [[ActionBomb Selfdestruct and Explosion]], Perish Song, and more. Plus several others; Final Gambit in particular comes to mind. Let's just say that it's a damn good thing Blissey can't learn it.
* DarkerAndEdgier:
** The series have been subtly going down this path, with meaner sounding Pokédex entries and the motives for the BigBad becoming more extreme. Even the Anime is doing this, with more seriousness and having the former GoldfishPoopGang Team Rocket TakeALevelInBadass.
** The Manga PokemonSpecial is known for this, it has fights to the death (even for the humans). At one point an Arbok gets [[HalfTheManHeUsedToBe cut in two by a Charmeleon.]] [[spoiler: [[IGotBetter It got better, though.]]]]
* DarkIsNotEvil
** Despite that the Japanese name for the "Dark" elemental type is in fact "Aku" (evil), Dark-type moves typically rely on [[CombatPragmatist pragmatism]].
** Ghost-type are generally pranksters, more than actual villains.
** Absol is called the "Disaster" Pokémon, and is known to suspiciously be around whenever a natural disaster happens. Turns out they can sense when disasters are imminent, [[CassandraTruth and are only trying to warn the people in danger]], [[CassandraDidIt despite being accused and hunted for it]]. [[BlessedWithSuck Must be nice to have that power]], eh?
** Darkrai is basically a creature of darkness that puts people to sleep (by [[NothingIsScarier plunging all its victims into a VOID, not with any kind of song or powder]]) and gives them nightmares so horrible it ''[[FridgeHorror physically hurts the victim]]''. However, this is stated to be a defense mechanism, and it actually isolates itself away from people and other Pokémon on Newmoon Island (and if anyone ''did'' happen upon Darkrai, Fullmoon Island is always next door, which holds the cure).
*** ''PokemonMysteryDungeon'''s Darkrai, on the other hand, certainly ''is'' evil.
* DefeatMeansFriendship: You befriend the Pokémon who you've defeated and/or caught. In the main series, they must specifically be caught ''conscious'' -- no fair knocking them out.
* DefeatingTheUndefeatable: The Elite Four, and Red in [[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Gold/Slver/Crystal.]]
* DefensiveFeintTrap: There are a few moves whose effectiveness relies on your opponent getting the first hit in, like Payback, Revenge, Sucker Punch, Avalanche, etc.
* {{Defictionalization}}: The games, themselves. In RealLife, it is extremely possible to encounter others playing a Pokémon game, and (if conditions are right) battle them, just like that damn Bug Catcher kid outside Vermilion City. In fact, many events and tournaments have been held ''In Real Life'' using the game and connection equipment (with real badges and rewards) Not to mention that getting an [[http://www.amazon.com/pokemon-pokedex-Pokemon-Advanced-Pokedex/dp/B00020LZ84 actual Pokédex]] can save you a lot of trouble in the games.
* DesperationAttack:
** The second-generation move "Flail" (and, later, "Reversal") inflicts more damage when the user's HP is low. If the user is down to their last point, it actually becomes stronger than [[WaveMotionGun Hyper Beam]].
** The third-generation move "Endeavor" reduces the opponent's HP to the same value as the user. It has been used in some ''very'' deadly combinations.
** In competitive battle, Explosion tends to be used as this (though it rapidly crosses the line into TakingYouWithMe.)
** All of the starters (and some others) have abilities that up the attack power of moves that match their primary type. It kicks in if they have one third or less HP remaining.
* TheDevTeamThinksOfEverything
** Many moves have subtle side effects depending on the situation. Jump Kick and Hi Jump Kick causing the Pokémon to keep going and receive crash damage if it misses, Stomp and Steamroller dealing extra damage if the opponent is using Minimize, Earthquake and Magnitude doing double damage if the enemy Pokémon is underground, and Rollout and Ice Ball being stronger if the user also used Defense Curl the turn before are just a few examples.
** In ''Black and White'', the [=TMs=] are no longer single-use items. When a Pokémon forgets a move in order to learn from a [=TM=], the move learned with a [=TM=] takes on the current PP of the move replaced by the new move. This is to prevent repeated usage of [=TMs=] for the purpose of [=PP=] restoration.
** The already useless move Splash (called Hop in Japan) can't be used while the move Gravity is in effect.
** Cedric Juniper says that you met a Klink, and that Pokémon is unavoidable due to being used by N. However, if one cheats to avoid N, he instead says ''You haven't seen a Klink yet''.
* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: It was by accident, really! We were trying to [[CapturedSuperEntity capture it alive]].
* DifficultySpike:
** The games invariably spike in difficulty between the eighth gym leader (~Lv. 43) and the first Elite 4 member (~Lv. 54), leading to a bit of LevelGrinding to get your mons up to a comparable level. This is a sort-of positive trope; people somewhat enjoy the challenge of the Elite Four.
** And that's the ''first'' Elite Four member. In most games, expect the Elite Four [[spoiler:and Champion]] levels to top out at [[spoiler:60]] if not higher. In the ''Gold'' and ''Silver'' remakes, repeated visits to the Elite Four allow you to face Pokémon that start out at that level and go up to [[spoiler:75]]. Massive experience for all, though!
** Generation IV was merciless with its difficulty spikes. The bigger one is the noticeable level spike between Blue (~Lv. 57) and Red (~Lv. 76 (GSC)/84 (HGSS)) in the Johto games, a holdover from Gen II. The more subtle one was the spike between Lucian and Cynthia; while the change in level is relatively graceful, the change in ''skill'' is anything but. One can quite easily coast through Lucian, but be pulverized by Cynthia's Garchomp alone (champion-level AI, psuedo-uber, three moves with 150 power, perfect [=IVs=], and optimized [=EVs=]; the only way the devs could've made it harder is by giving it a Yache Berry.)
** In Gen V, Ghetsis, the Team Plasma boss, is ridiculously difficult compared to the Elite Four, which have levels in the high 40's. Ghetsis has level 52's, and his Hydreigon (the 3-headed dragon) is 54.
*** And the first new trainers you can challenge in the post-game have their Pokémon's level around ''64''. That's ten levels higher than Ghetsis, and that's the common trainers.
**** After that is [[spoiler:Cynthia, who can be fought in Undella Town. Like the Elite Four on your second visit, hers are around level 75]]. Which is understandable, since [[spoiler:she's the Sinnoh Champion]].
* DiscOneNuke: Lots. The famous example is purchasing a [[JokeCharacter Magikarp]] for $500 in the first generation, and LevelGrinding until its MagikarpPower [[TookALevelInBadass kicks in]].
* DowsingDevice: The Itemfinder and later the Dowsing Machine.
* DoubleEntendre: Describing one's sex life as a Pokémon moveset is popular thread idea on forums. It's amazing how many moves sound suspect once you've established the proper context.
* DubNameChange:
** Green Oak, your rival in ''Red''/''Blue''/''Green''/''Yellow''/''[=FireRed=]''/''[=LeafGreen=]'', outside of Japan was named "Blue" due to ''Green'' being released as ''Blue'' outside of Japan along with ''Red'', both of which were changed a bit. He ended up having Green as a default name in ''[=FireRed=]'' in the third gen to due to ''[[VideoGameRemake FireRed/LeafGreen]]'' being released without title changes, but ended up still being referred to as to "Blue" in ''[=HeartGold/SoulSilver=]'' as in the localizations of the games they are remakes of, even though he didn't have Blue as a default name in Generation III. Despite the fact he's the ''Viridian'' Gym leader and has a ''green'' carpet. Oh, and in the Japanese version, it's called the [[OverlyLongGag Green Badge]].
** Many Pokémon. Some do keep their Japaneses names, though.
* DuelsDecideEverything: If you want to resolve anything, duel with Pokémon.
* DummiedOut: The Bird-type, a trainer battle with Professor Oak, [[http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78267 39 Pokémon,]] ???-type Arceus, etc... more on that page.
* EasilyConqueredWorld
* EatDirtCheap: The Geodude line eats rocks, while Sableye eats gems.
* ElementalBaggage:
** Most ''{{Pokemon}}'' are capable of expelling ridiculous quantities of their elements from their bodies. One episode of the anime had Ash's Squirtle fill up a whole truck with water using only Water Gun. In the games, a Pokédex entry mentions that Blastoise (about the size of a van) could fill an Olympic swimming pool. How did so much water end up inside the {{Mons}}? Nobody knows. Then again, that creature the size of a van fits in a ball the size of a clenched fist (which in the anime can become ''even smaller'').
** Not so much in the ''PokemonSpecial'' manga. Almost at the end of the third arc, the day is saved because Blue's Blastoise had run out of water [[spoiler:and Red filled it with flammable water from a mystical healing spring]].
* ElementalPowers: 17 (18 if you count ???) of them!
** [[NonElemental Normal]]
** [[PlayingWithFire Fire]]
** [[MakingASplash Water]]
** [[ShockAndAwe Electric]]
** [[GreenThumb Grass]]
** [[AnIcePerson Ice]]
** [[BareFistedMonk Fight]][[CharlesAtlasSuperpower ing]]
** [[PoisonousPerson Poison]]
** [[DishingOutDirt Ground]]
** [[BlowYouAway Fly]][[{{Flight}} ing]]
** [[PsychicPowers Psychic]]
** [[BigCreepyCrawlies Bug]]
** [[RockSteady Rock]]
** [[SoulPower Ghost]]
** [[InstantAwesomeJustAddDragons Dra]][[OurDragonsAreDifferent gon]]
** [[CastingAShadow Da]][[CombatPragmatist rk]]
** [[ExtraOreDinary Ste]][[ChromeChampion el]]
** [[WildCard ???]] (taken out in [[PokemonBlackAndWhite Generation V]])
** [[DummiedOut There used to be a Bird-type.]] It appears to have been replaced by/became the Flying type. It has no weaknesses or resistances to anything. The only Pokémon with it are the [[TheMissingno glitch Pokemon Missingno. and 'M, which are Bird/Normal.]]
* ElementalRockPaperScissors / TacticalRockPaperScissors:
** You know those [[http://serebii.net/games/type.shtml 17 elemental types?]] Yeah.
** Lampshaded in ''Pokémon Black and White''. Early in the game, there is a young girl that will ask you to play "Pokémon Rock Paper Scissors" if you speak to her.
* EmergencyWeapon: If a Pokemon is ordered to attack but is unable to actually execute any move (usually due to running out of PP for moves), it will resort to a hidden move called "Struggle", which inflicts moderate damage at the cost of sustaining recoil damage in the process.
* EncounterBait: The move Sweet Scent, the items Honey and White Flute, the Poké Gear Radio song "Pokémon March", and the Illuminate ability all attract Pokémon or increase the chances of RandomEncounters. Using the Running Shoes or the Bicycle will also do the same in ''[=HeartGold=]'' and ''[=SoulSilver=]''.
* EncounterRepellant: Likewise, we have Repel which repels all Pokémon with lower levels than your party leader. The Poké Gear Radio song "Pokémon Lullaby", and the abilities Intimidate and Stench decrease the rate of encounter.
* EscapeBattleTechnique:
** The move Teleport and the items Poké Doll and Fluffy Tail (when used in battle) and [[SmokeOut Smoke Ball]] (when held in battle).
** Pokémon with the "Run Away" ability can escape from any wild Pokémon, guaranteed, just by using the normal "Run" command.
** The "Roar" and "Whirlwind" moves are inversions: they end wild Pokémon battles by forcing the ''opponent'' away, rather than the user, therefore working in situations where the user is [[YouWillNotEvadeMe blocked from escaping]].
* ExcusePlot: For many players, the real point of the game is to collect, train, and breed a team of Pokémon for the purposes of competing against other owners of the game who do the same thing. With the Nintendo DS having a wireless online connection, it has made finding opponents much easier.
* ExperienceBooster:
** The Exp. All (from [[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Red, Blue, and Yellow only]]) and Exp. Share divides experience gained from battle among your party or a certain Pokémon when held respectively, and Lucky Egg, which doubles the experience gained in battle, and rarely held by [[MetalSlime Chansey]] (and given to you free mid-way in Black and White).
** The Macho Brace, Pokérus, Power Weight, Power Bracer, Power Belt, Power Lens, Power Band, and Power Anklet affect Effort Value gains after battle, with the first 2 doubling all, and the rest give you a bonus 4 points of a particular Effort Value. Pokérus stacks with all the rest (With Macho Brace you get 4x effort values, and with the "Power" items you get a bonus of 8 plus double of whatever the normal yield for your victory is.)
*** The Pomeg, Kelpsy, Qualot, Hondew, Grepa, and Tamato Berries decrease Effort Values of a particular stat.
* ExplosiveBreeder: This can happen with certain combinations of Pokémon and a little luck.
* ExponentialPotential
* {{Expy}}: Many of the Pokémon in each new generation are Expies of those from previous generations. More information on the individual game pages.
* {{Fannage}}: Pokémon is a multi-billion dollar franchise and the second best-selling video game series. Ever. Compare the size of this page to other series' pages. Then realize this is the smallest we could manage to get this page after splitting it up into over ''thirty'' individual pages for each branch of this thing.
* FantasticFruitsAndVegetables:
** There are a wide variety of berries since their introduction in Generation II. Since Generation III, they have {{Punny Name}}s like Pokémon. The berries are used as items during battle and ingredients in making Pokéblocks and Poffins.
** Also, obviously, some Grass-type Pokémon are based on fruits and vegetables (such as Oddish).
* FantasticNatureReserve: The Safari zone.
* FantasyCounterpartCulture: The games' locations are based very much on real-life locations in Japan and the [[{{Eagleland}} United States]]. [[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Kanto]] is based on the real-life region of the same name; [[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Johto]] is based on the Kansai region and western Chubu region; [[VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire Hoenn]] is based on the Kyushu region; [[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl Sinnoh]] is based on Hokkaido. [[VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite The current generation]] has branched out into the United States with Unova being based on New York. [[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_world_in_relation_to_the_real_world Here's a more detailed list]].
* FantasyGunControl:
** Despite being set in very modern times, there are actually no guns in the games. [[FridgeBrilliance When you consider]] that mankind is capable of taming monsters who can breathe fire, shoot electricity, and shoot a beam of ice, amongst other things. Who needs ''gunpowder'' when you can get a Pokémon to do it? Even [[spoiler:Ghetsis]] in Generation V thought of this!
** The move Bullet Seed (Seed Machine Gun in Japan) is probably the closest equivalent to guns you'll find in Pokémon, outside of the [[MissingEpisode banned episode]] of the anime.
* FantasyPantheon: More in the anime than the games, the Legendary Pokémon are referred to as or given the attributes of gods.
* FeedItWithFire: A handful of abilities, starting in the third generation. "Volt Absorb" and "Water Absorb" absorb Electric or Water attacks as HP, "Flash Fire" absorbs Fire attacks to power up the user's attacks, and so on.
* FieldPowerEffect: Terrain bonuses as well as weather.
* FireIceLightning:
** Moves sometimes have a couple of counterparts (moves with the same power, accuracy, and effect) that only differ in type. Fire, Ice, and Electric types in particular have a lot of these.[[hottip:*:Ice-type versions will usually have less PP, since Freeze status is far more dangerous than Burn or Paralysis, but the stats are otherwise identical.]]
** Flamethrower, Ice Beam, Thunderbolt: 95-power Special moves with 100% accuracy and a 10% chance of inflicting a [[StandardStatusEffect status effect]] (Burn, Freeze, and Paralysis respectively).
** Ember, Powder Snow, Thundershock: 40-power Special moves with 100% accuracy and a 10% chance of inflicting a status effect.
** [[ElementalPunch Fire Punch, Ice Punch, Thunder Punch]]: 75-power Physical moves with 100% accuracy and a 10% chance of inflicting a status effect.
** Fire Fang, Ice Fang, Thunder Fang: 65-power Physical moves with 95% accuracy, a 10% chance of inflicting a status effect, and a separate 10% chance of making the opponent flinch.
** Fire Blast, Blizzard, Thunder: These moves actually have pretty widely-varying stats, but the three are usually grouped together as high-power, low-accuracy versions of Flamethrower, Ice Beam, and Thunderbolt.
** Tri-Attack is a solitary Normal-type move, but it stands out in that its animation features a blast of fire, ice, ''and'' lightning, which has a chance of randomly burning, freezing, or paralyzing the target.
** And then, of course, there are 'mons that follow the FireIceLightning trend:
*** Moltres, Articuno, and Zapdos: The original Legendary Trio.
*** Magmar, Jynx, and Electabuzz: A set of humanoids that are very hard to get in the first set of games; in those games, they were also the only ones to learn the Elemental Punches noted above, barring [[BareFistedMonk Hitmonchan]], who [[PowerFist learns all three]]. All three got baby forms in Gold and Silver, but Jynx didn't get an evolution with the other two in Diamond and Pearl.
*** Entei, Suicune, Raikou: The second generation's Legendary Trio (Suicune is actually a Water-type, but it naturally learns more Ice-type moves and is thematicaly connected to the icy North Wind).
*** In Generation V, we have the Yin and Yang Pokémon Reshiram (Fire) and Zekrom (Electric) and the only other dragon legendary in that game is the grey-colored Kyurem (Ice).
**** Kyurem represents ''Wuji'', the '''absence''' of Yin and Yang, rounding out the trio.
*** ''Pokémon Pinball Ruby and Sapphire'' played Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza this way, even though that would be a bit of a stretch in the main series.
* FirstNameBasis: Last names definitely exist in the Pokémon Verse, but extremely few are actually known aside from those of the professors and their relatives (e.g. Daisy Oak and Cedric Juniper), as well as the Stone family from Generation III, with Steven Stone being among the few characters with both a first and last name that isn't related to a professor.
* FishingMinigame: While every game has featured fishing rods, it's not actually a minigame so much as an alternate method to encounter wild Pokémon.
* FlavorText: For every Pokémon a player captures in the wild, their [[MonsterCompendium Pokédex]] adds one or two sentences of in-universe description for their species. Later games add such details as the creature's footprint (if applicable), a SoundTest ability to play the creature's vocal cry, a size/weight comparison to the player character, and a comparison of form or [[SecondarySexualCharacteristics gender differences]] between the species's different members (where applicable). The species's weight actually does have some gameplay consequences, but those are very few and far between. Additionally, since Generation IV, each Pokémon's status screen includes text documenting when and where it was caught, and a one-sentence remark about the individual creature's personality.
* FloralThemeNaming: Every NPC that matters has a plant-based name in the Japanese version.
* FoeYay: Zangoose and Seviper are in the same Egg group.
* FogFeet: Tornadus, Thundurus, and Landorus.
* FollowTheLeader: In-series. Quite a few adaptations take elements from other adaptations which do not exist in the games, such as Poké Balls being see-through and the protagonists starting at age ten (the only protagonists with a confirmed age so far are Red and Leaf, who are eleven).
* FossilRevival: How you obtain some Pokémon from fossils. Almost every generation has a place where you can do this.
* FourIsDeath: You can see the Elite Four like this (they're even the ''Shitenno'' in the Japanese version) but better fits are Team Rocket and Team Galactic, which have four executive officers each (the former in [=HGSS=], the latter in Platinum).
* FragileSpeedster: Sweepers are usually this, but a prime example is Ninjask, who is completely built around Speed, yet falls behind in actual fighting. It's usually used to Baton Pass its Speed buffs to other sweepers.
* FreeRangeChildren: The protagonists are probably barely teenagers, yet they run about the world with little concern from anyone. Of course, they're bringing bodyguards: up to 6 [[{{Reality Warper}} reality-warping]], enslaved monsters, most of whom who are bound to be loyal forever.
* FrictionlessIce: Functions as a puzzle in some areas.
* FunSize: Many small Pokémon count, including Mew, which is mythical and very powerful.
* FunWithPalindromes: Eevee, Girafarig, Ho-Oh, and Alomomola.
* {{Gainaxing}}[=/=]PecFlex: Nidoqueen in the Pokémon Stadium games and Slaking in Diamond/Pearl.
%% Game Breaker goes on the YMMV tab
* GambitPileup: Competitive play, as well as (to some extent) [[ArtificialBrilliance Battle Frontier play]], at least once you start [[DynamicDifficulty accumulating wins]].
** IKnowYouKnowIKnow: I should use Thunderbolt on your Gyarados, but you ''know'' I'll do that, so you'll switch to Electivire and I should use Earth Power, but you ''know'' I'll realize that and keep Gyarados in, so I should use Thunderbolt, but...
* GameplayAndStorySegregation:
** Pokédex entries. For example: according to the Pokédex, all Gyarados are on the verge of murdering something, all Cubone are depressed due to dead mothers, and all Piplup have huge, huge egos. [[MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch They can all have natures that contradict these entries.]] Then again, that could just mean your Gyarados is jolly by Gyarados standards.
** A sizable portion of the [=Pokédex's=] entries point out abilities and attributes of several Mons that are never displayed during gameplay. For example, Dragonair's entry in Generation I states that it is capable of controlling the weather. Climate control moves weren't introduced until Generation II and still Dragonair doesn't learn any without TM's.
*** Like Houndoom. The burn from the flame it spews is supposed to hurt forever, but there is no evidence of this in game. Maybe it's a in-universe myth?
* GenderBender: Fans have discovered that Azurill has a 3-to-1 female/male ratio, but its evolution, Marill, has a 50-50 gender ratio. Due to the way the game determines gender, this makes 1 of every 3 female Azurill become male upon evolving into Marill.
* GeneticMemory: Used and averted. Newly hatched Pokémon may know their father's [=TM's and HMs=] as well as level up moves known by both parents, but clones appear to be functionally identical to new-borns.
* GeodesicCast: Some groups of Pokémon tend to repeat with each new generation. Exceptions when they are due:
** A starter trio made of statistically above-average Pokémon of the Grass, Fire, and Water types. They tend to evolve at levels 14-18 and 30-36. Their ability provides a boost to moves of their type when HP is low.
** VendorTrash ComMons, usually of the Normal type, always a small bird and a small mammal. A second bird is optional.
** One or two early game Bug types, mostly incompatible with teachable moves and evolving at low levels into [[CrutchCharacter Pokémon that are moderately useful early in the game but are weak in the long run]]. A cocoon middle stage is often included.
** A cute Electric rodent. Fans have dubbed these "Pikaclones".
** A pair of Rock type Pokémon obtainable by reviving them from a fossil.
** A Pokémon whose final form's stats and powers rival legendaries. It takes long to train it, and it evolves at the highest levels of its generation. Occasionally there are two of these.
** At least one trio of legendary Pokémon with base stats totaling 580, a running theme, and no usage restrictions.
** A pair or trio of very strong legendaries, representing each version of the main games.
** A cute little event-only legendary, with a value of 100 on each base stat.
* GeoEffects: There are several effects to change the weather, and each weather type will boost certain moves or Pokémon types while hindering others. There's even one Pokémon whose ability is geared towards adapting to each of these effects, and others geared towards preventing them.
** The move Secret Power gains bonuses according to the battle environment: fight on the sea and it occasionally lowers attack, fight in a cave and it may cause flinching, and so on. [[hottip:*:An interesting note is that if one uses the move on ice or snow in Generation IV, the move gets the highest chance of causing freezing in the entire game, with a whopping 30% chance; the other moves that can do so only have a 10% or less chance.]]
* GlassCannon: While many Pokémon can be built into one, some species are more prone to working in this fashion. Deoxys-Attack is by ''far'' the best example: it has sky-high attack stats and Speed, but ''the worst'' Defense of any Pokémon in the game. It'll faint to just about any attack with moderate power! (In fact, it's been known to ''OHKO '''itself''''' while confused!!!) There's several others as well, on a slightly lesser scale.
%% Goddamn Bats goes on the YMMV tab
* GradualGrinder: The Poison-type downright ''relies'' on this (as [[ButtMonkey it sucks at dishing out direct damage]].) To a lesser extent, the Ghost-type is also pretty good at this. Fire-types can pull it off as well via the burn condition, and Grass-types have access to Leech Seed, which combines this with a HealingFactor for the user.
* GuideDangIt: [[GuideDangIt/{{Pokemon}} See here.]]
* HelloInsertNameHere: In all of the games, the player has to name the main character as well as his/her rival (except for the ''Ruby'', ''Sapphire'', ''Emerald'', ''Black'', and ''White'' versions). HilarityEnsues.[[hottip:*:And by "hilarity", we mean "vulgarity".]]
* HeroicAlbino: The Ralts line, despite having green hair, actually all have pale, white skin, and large red eyes (Ralts' are less obvious because its eyes are constantly covered by its hair).
* HeroicBSOD: The player character if he/she loses all his/her Pokémon. Well, "black-out" ("white-out" in Generations II and III), but the trope is still valid).
** At least in ''[=HeartGold=]'' and ''[=SoulSilver=]'', this includes dropping money in panic.
*** ''[=FireRed=]'' and ''[=LeafGreen=]'' as well.
* HitPoints: One of the integral game mechanics in the Pokémon games, represented by a LifeMeter.
* HonorableElephant: Donphan is known to be helpful in road maintenance, Phanphy on the other hand is known for injuring people on accident
* HornAttack: the moves "Horn Attack" (the Trope Namer), "Horn Drill", "Megahorn", and "Horn Leech".
* InvulnerableAttack: Moves like "Fly" and "Dig" involve the player's Pokémon moving itself out of the opponent's range for one turn, making them invulnerable to most attacks. Later generations introduced a handful of moves that can strike the Pokémon during this phase, and some even inflict double damage (e.g. Earthquake against Dig, Surf against Dive, Gust against Fly). Shadow Force is a newer and straighter example of the trope, but is indirectly banned within the game's specialized battle-scenario environments[[hottip:*:as the only Pokémon who can use it are themselves banned]].
* AnInteriorDesignerIsYou: Your room is somewhat customizable in G/S/C; in R/S/E and D/P/P, you get a much more advanced "Secret Base" to decorate. In Platinum, you receive ''a rather large villa'' '''for free''' when you enter the Resort Area. You buy the furniture you want, but you can't put it where you want.
** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRubyandSapphire Ruby]]'', ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRubyandSapphire Sapphire]]'', and ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRubyandSapphire Emerald]]'' also added an exterior-design element, to a degree. Do you want your secret base to be in a tree (as a treehouse), a large bush, a mountainside cave, or a [[SceneryPorn lakeside cave]]? ''[[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondandPearl Diamond]]'', ''[[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondandPearl Pearl]]'', and ''[[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondandPearl Platinum]]'' also let you choose your base's location (which did depend somewhat on where you entered the Underground from), except that [[RealIsBrown there was no real]] [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks aesthetic variation underground]].
** And in ''[=HeartGold=]'' and ''[=SoulSilver=]'', you can now design the frakking SAFARI ZONE.
*** The Dream World in the Pokémon Global Link deserves a mention.
* AnIcePerson: Lorelei of the Kanto Elite Four, Pryce of the Johto Gym Leaders, Glacia of the Hoenn Elite Four, Candice of the Sinnoh Gym Leaders, and Brycen of the Unova Gym Leaders. Interesting to note that Candice is actually quite HotBlooded.
* InfinityPlusOneSword: The legendary '{{mons}} ([[OlympusMons Arceus]] in particular, as well as Mewtwo in Generation I).
** InfinityMinusOneSword: The legendary trios and "pseudo-legendaries" such as Dragonite and Garchomp fit this bill in some generations. They're not as powerful as the "main" legendaries, but you can obtain them before entering the leagues and/or encountering the main legendaries.
* InsurmountableWaistHeightFence: Several, but the most {{egregious}} example would have to be the one-way ledges. Yeah, the ones that appear to be half the player character's height but cannot be climbed, regardless of whether or not one's Pokémon know Rock Climb, Fly, or any other field move that would logically allow one to overcome such an obstacle.
* IntercontinuityCrossover: "Pokémon Double Trouble", an Orange Islands episode of the anime, features the official debut of double battles, a whopping THREE YEARS before Ruby and Sapphire Versions! (Double battles unofficially debuted in "Ash Catches a Pokémon", where Team Rocket conducted them illegally.) Likewise, the manga series featured double battles that predated Ruby and Sapphire.
* InterpolSpecialAgent: An NPC on the S.S. Anne and Looker are police officers who work for the "international police".
* {{Jerkass}}: Some of your rivals, particularly the rivals in Red/Blue/Yellow and Gold/Silver/Crystal.
* JustAddWater: Poffins (muffins).
* KarmaHoudini: Giovanni, Maxie, Archie, and Cyrus. (Though, for Archie and Maxie, it's justified by a HeelFaceTurn.)
** And Cyrus's case is somewhat debatable; see the Pokemon HighOctaneNightmareFuel section for details. There's also the fact that, at least in Platinum, his actions are made out to be the result of his terrible childhood and implied to be self-destructive as well.
* LamarckWasRight: Breeding can sometimes give learned moves to the child.
* {{Leitmotif}}: In all [[VideoGame games]], a different tune plays in each city, changing for battles, Poké Marts, Pokémon Centers, and even while Surfing. Some cities recycle tunes, though (RBY and GSC being the worst offenders due to lack of data storage space).
** There are also several different songs that play when you meet trainers. In Gen IV and V, they're surprisingly long.
* LethalJokeCharacter:
** Wobbuffet. Despite its limited moveset and comical appearance (and actually being partially based on a Japanese comedian), it has high HP reserves and knows how to CounterAttack (Counter and Mirror Coat return ''double'' the damage inflicted against the user). From the third generation onwards, its baby version Wynaut learns Encore, which can force the opponent to repeat one attack multiple times (making them easier to counter), and comes with an ability that prevents the opponent from switching out. Ghost- or Dark- type Pokémon can take advantage of their elemental immunity to Counter and Mirror Coat (respectively), but other types are on their own.
** Early in the games, you get an Old Rod. Most first-timers are excited about fishing for Pokémon, but are disappointed to see that the Old Rod yields little more than [[http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/0/02/129Magikarp.png Magikarp]], which are one of the weakest species in the game. Most first-timers don't have the patience to level one up until the MagikarpPower kicks in (at Level 20).
** In the fifth generation, most Pokémon have a different ability if you catch them through the Dream World, and some of these abilities make them significantly more useful. The most notable would have to be Dream World Ditto receiving the ability Impostor, which causes it to Transform automatically upon switching in. A small change, but it makes it potentially [[http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79160 the best revenge killer in the game.]]
** With the right set up and some luck, even ''[[http://goo.gl/kJyOH Rattata]]'' and ''[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye7b3bOQ6lY Magikarp]]'' can become this.
* LetsGetDangerous: Looker in Platinum is almost totally useless until the very end of the game, at which point he successfully ambushes one of the remaining big bads.
* LevelGrinding: Time to tweak my [=EVs=]...
* LieToTheBeholder: The fifth-generation species Zorua (and its evolved form, Zoroark) feature an ability called "Illusion", which makes it appear as a different Pokémon until hit by an opponent's attack in battle. This means that, since it's Dark-type, a Psychic-type attack won't dispel the illusion. Of course, a [[ArtificialStupidity human]] opponent will get a little suspicious after the following exchange: "Mewtwo used Psychic!" "It doesn't affect Emboar..." ([[DontExplainTheJoke Emboar should be weak to Psychic-type attacks]].)
* LightningBruiser: There are a ''lot'' of examples, most of them being Legendaries or otherwise classified in the [[GameBreaker "Uber" tier.]]
* LimitedMoveArsenal: Each Pokémon can only learn four moves at a time. In order for a Pokémon to learn a new one, a currently-known move has to be replaced. HM moves can only be deleted outside of battle, with the assistance of a person known as a Move Deleter; [[TheDevTeamThinksOfEverything this is meant to prevent the player from getting trapped in an area due to not having a Pokémon with the required HM move needed to navigate out of the location in question]].
** According to game director Junichi Masuda, at one point during ''VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire''[='s=] development, the designers [[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pokémon_Ruby_and_Sapphire_beta#Limitations considered changing the number of moves that a Pokémon could know at one time]], as well as how many Pokémon are allowed on the player's team at a time. However, none of these two limitations has been changed as of ''VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite''.
* LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters:
** There's currently '''649''' different species of [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]], although only a handful serve plot-related functions in each game.
** Not to mention the ''46'' Gym Leaders in the games, the 23 Elite Four members, six Champions (including some overlap between the three in Generations I through III), the countless NPC classes, the player characters...
* LostForever: The event-only Pokémon, which is especially infuriating as there is ''nothing'' you can do ''ever'' to get them back - unlike most examples of the {{trope}}, you can't even restart your game for them.
** For a while, the GTS had some of the event Pokémon on it, but later event Pokémon have been contained a special Poké Ball and have had Ribbons applied to them that prevent them from being traded, respectively being the Cherish Ball, the Classic Ribbon, and the Premier Ribbon (Mew-exclusive).
** If you release a Pokémon, you cannot get it back, even if it is a one-time-only legendary Pokémon. Minor exceptions include Pokémon that know certain HM moves (to prevent players from becoming stuck in certain areas), Pokémon with high happiness levels, and whenever the Pokémon being released is the only Pokémon in the player's current party.
* LostInTranslation:
** The [[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/File:Fire_Blast.png animation of Fire Blast]] and its spread [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gozan_no_Okuribi is a reference to a festival]] that also provides the Japanese name, ''Daimonji''.
** The Ultra Ball is called a "Hyper Ball" in the Japanese version, hence why it has an H on it.
*** Additionally, the Pokémon Contests ranks of [[VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire Generation III]] were originally based off of the Japanese names of Generation I's basic Poké Balls, excluding the Safari Ball: Normal ("Monster"), Super, Hyper, and Master. The English naming scheme Pokémon Contest ranks did not catch this, and the original Japanese terms were used instead. [[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl Generation IV]]'s Super Contests partially rectify this, with the "Hyper" rank getting properly translated to "Ultra" rank, referencing the Hyper Ball's English renaming of "Ultra Ball". However, Super Rank, which corresponds to the Japanese Super Ball/English Great Ball, still retained the name of "Super Rank".
** A number of Trainers in later games [[ContinuityCameo have the same name and Pokémon as characters from the movies]], though these references are almost always missed in the translation.
** The Dark type doesn't actually mean dark. It is called "evil type" in Japan. Because of this, lots of fans see the dark type as actual darkness rather [[CombatPragmatist using dirty tricks to win]] and wonder why there isn't a "light" type yet.
* LuckBasedMission: Capturing wild [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]], ''especially'' legendaries. (Knocking them out is fairly easy; it's ''catching them alive'' that takes forever).
** To explain this, each [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]] species has a specific "catch rate" that affects the probability of snagging it with a given Poké ball. ComMons have a base rate of 100%, making them easy to catch, while most legendaries have a base catch rate of about 1%. There are a variety of modifiers, but even with all the modifiers in your favor, the chances of catching a legendary are still less than 10% per throw.
** The Safari Zone cranks this UpToEleven, with every Pokémon encountered willing to run away at the drop of a hat, and having your strategic options limited to either throwing rocks (which increases the chance of them being caught, while increasing the chance of them running), or throwing bait (which does the opposite).
** Many of the Battle Frontier challenges, particularly the Battle Pike (where the whole purpose is to test the player's luck) and the Battle Palace (where Pokémon fight on their own, without commands from their Trainers). The Battle Factories of Hoenn and Sinnoh/Johto are also notable, as the selection of Pokémon offered to the player at the start of each challenge is randomized each time.
%%%
%%Post-Generation 4 Pokémon (such as those present in the Battle Subway's "Pokémon ban list" in Pokémon Black/White Versions) are not included in the Battle Frontier's "Pokémon ban list" detailed below because the randomized parties will only have the potential of including Pokémon existent at the time of Generation 3 (in Noland's case) or Generation 4 (in Thorton and Argenta's case). Should a future Pokémon game involve a similar facility or event where a Trainer has randomized party Pokémon, then the list could be updated/edited to reflect such an occurrence.
%%%
*** Factory Head Noland[[hottip:*:Presides over the aforementioned Battle Factory of Hoenn]], Factory Head Thorton[[hottip:*:Presides over the aforementioned Battle Factory of Sinnoh]], and Hall Matron Argenta all have randomized party Pokémon each time they are challenged, meaning that essentially '''any''' Pokémon (other than those[[hottip:*:Mewtwo, Mew, Lugia, Ho-Oh, Celebi, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Jirachi, Deoxys, Rotom (all Rotom forms except "'''Normal''' Rotom", Rotom's default form), Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Phione, Manaphy, Darkrai, Shaymin, Arceus]] that are not admissible to the Battle Frontier, and excluding species that debut in subsequent generations) could appear as an opponent Pokémon. So not only is the ''player''[='s=] team subject to luck, the ''opposing'' teams (and the ''difficulty'' of every battle with the aforementioned Frontier Brains) are as well.
* MachiavelliWasWrong:
** Played straight in [[Anime/{{Pokemon}} the anime]], but subverted here. Because the Revival Herb, a purchasable item from that herbal shop where they make bitter-tasting medicine, is the [[{{Expy}} Herbal Expy]] of a ''Max'' Revive, which can't be found in stores. Do you mind your Pokémon thinking of you as a {{Jerkass}}?
** Mass breeding/catching and releasing [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]] to get good nature-IV combos is another example of this trope. Competitive players do this ''a lot'', especially since some battles can be decided by one or two stat points.
* MadeOfExplodium: Several [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]], most notably Voltorb and Koffing. See also ActionBomb above.
* {{Mana}}: Each move's Power Points, or PP, effectively serve as this.
* {{Mascot}}: [[KidAppealCharacter Pikachu]] is the {{mascot}} of the [[{{Pokemon}} Pokémon]] franchise across almost all the media.
* MasterOfNone: A number of Pokémon - Spinda is particularly bad, with 60 in every stat.
* MeaningfulName: The majority of the gym leaders in the games have them. Just guess which elements these guys specialize in: B''rock'', ''Misty'', Lt. ''Surge'', ''Falkner'', ''Bug''sy, ''Whit''ney, Pr''yce'', ''Rox''anne, ''Brawl''y, ''Watt''son, the list goes on.
* {{Metagame}}: You should be able to get a basic idea just by reading this page.
* MetamorphosisMonster: Quite a few Pokémon do this while evolving. The most obvious example is Magikarp to Gyarados (small karp to sea serpent), but there are others, such as Vibrava to Flygon (lacewing to dragon) and Feebas to Milotic (fish to elegant-looking sea serpent).
* MightyGlacier:
** Many [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]] fit under this category on either the physical and special sides of the spectrum. The most common physical Glaciers are usually Rock/Ground/Steel types and bulkier Fighting types, while quite a few special-based Glaciers are usually bulkier Psychics or Normals. There are a lot of Water and Steel types that are bulky on both ends, leading to the term "bulky Water" and Steel's reputation as one of the best defensive types in the game. Of course, Uber-level legendaries are often classified as such at least partially because of their incredible defenses on both sides.
** The legendary Pokémon Regice is a literal glacier. It's a very large chunk of sentient ice that's vaguely human-shaped.
* MixAndMatchCritters: Especially plant-animal hybrids.
* MoneyMultiplier:
** The Amulet Coin and Luck Incense items double the amount of money gained from defeating Trainers.
** The move Pay Day also grants Trainers an additional amount of money each time it is used, with the awarded amount of coins being based off of the level of the Pokémon using the move. During [[PokemonRedBlueAndYellow Generations 1]] and [[PokemonGoldSilverAndCrystal 2]], the amount of money scattered was two times the user's level. From [[PokemonRubySapphireAndEmerald Generation 3]] onwards, the multiplier was increased, so that the money received per use is now ''five'' times the user's level.
*** In ''[[PokemonRubyAndSapphire Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions]]'', there is a glitch where the wrong amount of money will be displayed if the Amulet Coin is held when Pay Day is used, leaving the impression that the Amulet Coin does not affect Pay Day. However, if the player checks his/her Trainer Card, it will be discovered that the money earned from Pay Day has correctly been doubled and added to the player's total savings. This error was fixed in ''Pokémon [=FireRed=] and [=LeafGreen=] Versions'', as well as all subsequent games.
** Pass Powers, introduced in [[PokemonBlackAndWhite Generation V]], include increasing the reward money from winning Trainer battles.
* {{Mons}}: Somewhere between the TropeNamer and TropeCodifier.
* MoonLogicPuzzle: Some of the Gym puzzles, and the Trick House in the third generation.
* MoralDissonance: In ''PokemonColosseum'', a fair amount of Shadow Pokémon are in the posession of ordinary Trainers who don't know what's wrong with their Pokémon. After you snag them, you never explain to them why you did so. While it's understandable for Wes, it's downright bizarre for Rui (and also Michael, from the sequel).
* MultipleDemographicAppeal: One of the best examples out there. The various {{Mon}}s appeal to Japan and the Western world, as well as girls and boys. The gameplay appeals to both casual gamers who play simple games and hardcore, competitive gamers who try to understand deeper strategies used to take down the opponent.
* MultipleTailedBeast: Many species have multiple tails, such as Vulpix (six), Ninetales ([[ExactlyWhatitSaysOnTheTin obvious]]), and Tauros (three). Espeon has a forked tail with two tips, as do Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf. Buizel and Floatzel have two (they even use them as propellers), as well as Ambipom and Electivire. There are also some ambiguous cases, such as Grovyle (which has branching fern leaves for a tail) and Suicune (which has two ribbons for a tail).
* MushroomMan: Shroomish, Breloom, Foongus, and Amoongus.
* MyNaymeIs: Names like "Feraligatr", "Victreebel", and "Cofagrigus" were likely artificially shortened from their natural forms ("Feraligator", "Victreebell", and "Cophagrigus") due to a 10-character limit on names in the games. However, as a result, all official media goes by the constrained names instead of dismissing the shortening as a trick of the game device.
* MythologyGag: Some recurring gameplay elements that exist for no particular reason - a Bug-type Pokémon that evolves at a low level, a three-stage Normal/Flying bird Pokémon in starting locations, etc.
* NamesTheSame:
** Blue/Gary Oak's sister. ''Twice.'' In the games, she's named Daisy, which confuses people familiar with the anime where one of Misty's sisters is also named Daisy. In ''TheElectricTaleOfPikachu'' manga, she's named May, which confuses people who follow the anime and games even more, as that's the name of Ash's companion in Hoenn and the female character in RSE.
** They did it yet again in ''PokemonBlackAndWhite''. The name of the player's rival is Bianca. That's also the name of a major character in ''Anime/PokemonHeroes''.
*** Somewhat justified in this case because of Generation V's [[ThemeNaming Theme Naming]]: Bianca means "white" and Cheren means "black".
* {{Nerf}}:
** In between the strengthening of the types that were already strong against it, the decreased proliferation of the types that are weak against it, and the ease of finding Dark-type moves, the formerly [[GameBreaker game-breaking]] Psychic type is now much more balanced.
** Up through Generation IV, Selfdestruct and Explosion actually inflicted double their stated attack power because they [[GuideDangIt secretly]] reduced the opponent's Defense by half. This has been changed as of Gen V, likely due in part to the introduction of Triple Battles, where this could be extremely centralizing, even more so than it already was in Double Battles.
* NeverBringAKnifeToAFistfight: CombatPragmatist "Dark" types are weak to Fighting type attacks.
* NinjaPirateZombieRobot:
** Meet Blaziken, the giant kickboxing fire chicken. Or Garchomp, the dragon jet-plane LandShark. Or Tropius, the flying dinosaur with palm-leaf wings and bananas growing from its chin. Or Flygon, the antlion dragon. Yup.
** Scyther. Human-sized mantis ninja raptor with ''[[SinisterScythe scythes]] [[BladeBelowTheShoulder for arms]]''.
** In Generation V, we have Emboar, the professional wrestling pig with a [[BadassBeard beard of fire]], and Genesect, a prehistoric {{Cyborg}} bug that can fly using its laser cannon as a JetPack.
** Vespiquen, a combination of a [[EverythingsWorseWithBees bee]] and a battleship with a touch of European royalty.
** Sharpedo, a torpedo shark that evolves from a piranha.
** Blastoise, the water jet cannon [[TurtlePower tortoise]].
** Dewott is a samurai [[PlayfulOtter otter]] that evolves into a samurai sea lion.
* NoBiologicalSex: Most Legendary Pokémon and a couple regularly found Pokémon. Most genderless Pokémon seem to be quite powerful, however. And sometimes fan-viewed gender on Pokémon are accepted by the fandom at large to be correct (Meloetta is female, Mewtwo is male, etc.).
* NoExportForYou: ''Pokémon Battrio'' (an arcade game), The WiiWare ''PokemonMysteryDungeon'' games, and the second video game for the card game, among other things.
* NoFairCheating: Abusing in-game glitches can cause your game to crash or data to get corrupted; using a GameShark or Action Replay may lock your DS cartridge out from official Nintendo-sanctioned tournaments (Though not everyone cares about this one), and also carries the potential to seriously screw with the data, preventing whole ''features'' from being accessed. That said, it is not likely to happen if you know what you are doing.
* NoPronunciationGuide: The main series of handheld games isn't voiced, so you generally have to wait until a Pokémon appears in the anime to get the official pronunciation (usually intuitive enough, but not always -- Arceus goes against the usual conventions for when a C should be soft and when it should be hard, and logically, Blastoise should be pronounced "blastus"[[hottip:*:''blast'', tor''toise'']] and not "blastoyse", though that one depends on your accent). Then there are the console games (the ''PokemonStadium'' series, etc.), which... don't always follow the official pronunciations faithfully.
* NoSell
** "Foresight" and "Odor Sleuth" enable Normal- and Fighting-type attacks to strike Ghosts, which are normally immune to those elements. Likewise, "Miracle Eye" enables Psychic moves to hit Dark types, and "Gravity" allows Ground attacks to strike Flying types.
** The "Mold Breaker" ability allows attacks to bypass abilities (like "Wonder Guard") that would otherwise prevent an attack from inflicting damage (though it cannot override elemental immunities, such as Electric versus Ground).
** "Unaware" makes a Pokémon's attacks ignore changes to the opponent's Defense, Special Defense, or evasiveness.
** There's also "Gastro Acid", a move that disables the opposing Pokémon's ability.
* NonIndicativeName: The move "Doubleslap" can hit up to ''five times''.
* NonLethalKO: Pokémon who have "fainted" are too weak to battle, but can still perform field moves such as Fly or Surf.
* NonLinearSequel
* NotDrawnToScale: The sprites generally fall victim to this. For example, [[http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/185-438_8785.png Bonsly (left) should be 1'8" and Sudowoodo (right) should be 3'11".]]
** Averted by Stadium games. [[http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg855/scaled.php?server=855&filename=kopiaacidarmor2.png&res=landing By]] [[http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg823/scaled.php?server=823&filename=acidarmor2.png&res=landing a]] [[http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg853/scaled.php?server=853&filename=acidarmor.png&res=landing lot]].
* OlympusMons: Arceus is implied to be the ''creator of the Pokémon universe''. Yet Arceus still can't break out of a Master Ball. Go to a Nintendo special event to get one of your own!
* OneCurseLimit: A Pokémon cannot be affected by two major status effects (Poison, Paralysis, Sleep, etc.) at the same time.
* OneGameForThePriceOfTwo:
** Arguably the TropeCodifier, if not the TropeMaker. Each generation of the series comes in at least two "versions", with certain Pokémon exclusive to a particular version. Trading between versions is the only way to truly catch them all.
** They have even [[UpToEleven gone]] so far as to make ''[[Anime/PokemonTheMovieBlackAndWhite two versions of the same movie]],'' complete with version exclusive Pokémon. Can anyone say CashCowFranchise?
** Arguably inverted in Gold and Silver and their remakes: although the trope remains valid, these games also offer the ability to go to a whole new region with new gym leaders and a rematch of the Elite Four after beating the main game. It's true that the Kanto portion is abbreviated compared to Johto, but still, it almost feels like a separate game.
* OneGenderRace: Several species of Pokémon are exclusively male or exclusively female, although some (like the Nidoran, or Volbeat/Illumise) are considered different genders of the same species, [[{{Canon}} officially]] or [[{{Fanon}} otherwise]].
* OneHeadTaller: Not for romantic reasons. However, measuring a person's height by their head is a way of telling their age in all medias. Children usually are 5 heads tall, teens six, and adults seven.
* OneLetterName: Only three in the entire series; here they are (listed below):
** [[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/J J]], a Pokémon poacher from seasons 10-12 of the anime.
** [[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/N N]], the leader of Team Plasma in [[PokemonBlackAndWhite Black & White]].
** [[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/O O]], the ping pong expert from the season 12 episode "To Thine Own Pokémon Be True".
* OneManArmy: A single Pokémon can be used throughout the game, [[{{LevelGrinding}} despite type advantages/disadvantages]]. Other Pokémon could be solely for [[PowerUpLetdown useless HMs]].
* OurMonstersAreWeird: A lot of {{Pokemon}}. The 5th generation in particular is known for this, but the other gens have some weird ones as well.
** In the 5th gen, we have a ice cream cone, a candle that first evolves into a lamp, then a chandelier, a ''trash bag,'' gears, a sarcophagus that [[TragicMonster used to be human]], a disembodied [[OracularHead brain]], a legendary trio based on ''TheThreeMusketeers'', and whatever Sigilyph is supposed to be.
** in the other gens, we have the entire English alphabet including ! and ? marks, magnets that evolve into a UFO, living Pokéballs, a pinecone, a boombox, a windchime, a mon based on the [[{{Youkai}} futakuchi-onna]], [[hottip:*: a starved woman that had a hungry mouth [[BodyHorror emerge]] out of a wound in the back of her head.]] a ShapeShifting pink blob that can breed with almost anything and looks like a wad of bubble gum, a powerful cat fetus, a flying magnetic Moai head that looks like a Jewish stereotype, an mutated ShapeShifting alien space virus with its brain in its chest, a stomach, [[MuckMonster living sludge,]] Eggs that evolve into a walking coconut tree with faces on its fruit, ghost balloons that try to abduct children, a cursed, probably possessed doll that seeks the child that disowned it, a [[TheDitz incredibly stupid]] hippo [[CartoonCreature thing]] that gains super genius level intelligence when a clam bites its skull and releases toxins while it's holding a special rock, etc...
* OverlyLongTongue: Lickitung and Lickilicky.
* PaletteSwap: Quite literally, for shiny Pokémon. They are no more or less effective than their normal counterparts (except Generation II, where they have mid range stats all around), but their rarity (a 1 in 8192 chance of being encountered) make them sought-after, even if they're ComMons.
* PaddedSumoGameplay: Pretty easy to do with two stall-heavy Mons, or if the battle has been going on for a while and Mons only have Struggle as their move left. Reaches ridiculous levels in Wobbuffet vs. Wobbuffet battles, where due to a lack of actual attacks beyond counterattacks means that they can only hit with Struggle, and their high defence means that winning with that will take a long, long time. And heaven help you if you both have Leftovers attached, which will easily heal more HP than Struggle will hurt you for...
** The Wobbuffet vs. Wobbuffet scenario is the likely reason why in Generation IV and onward the recoil damage from Struggle is equal to 1/4 the user's max HP instead of 1/2 the damage dealt to the target.
* ParasolOfPrettiness: One of the trainer classes.
* PartyInMyPocket: Quite literally -- Mons are stored in pocket-sized Poké Balls. (Due to this, it's among the few [=RPGs=] to [[JustifiedTrope justify]] its use of this trope.)
* ThePeepingTom: In the original ''{{Pokemon}}'' games, there's one of these standing outside the all-female gym in Celedon City.
* PetalPower: Razor Leaf, Leaf Storm, Magical Leaf, and Petal Dance.
* ThePhoenix: Ho-oh and Moltres.
* PinballSpinoff: Pokémon Pinball and its sequel for the GBA.
* PlanetOfHats:
** Many Pokémon. All Absol try to warn people about disasters despite suffering from CassandraDidIt, all Bagon want to fly so badly they developed natural crash helmets to protect themselves when leaping off cliffs, all Meowth like shiny things and collect them, etc... This can lead to an OutOfCharacter if you [[AIRoulette happen to get]] a SingleSpecimenSpecies with a nature that contradicts its {{Canon}} personality, like a timid or Jolly [[TheStoic Mewtwo]].
* {{Planimal}}: Bulbusaur's family is both animal and plant simultaneously. Also Chikorita, Treeko, Turtwig, Snivy and Pansage, being part weird dinosaur, gecko, turtle, snake and monkey, respectively.
* PoliceAreUseless: To varying degrees. In the anime, Team Rocket ''never'' get arrested (mostly because Ash makes them blast off). In the games, officers only fight at night, and even when there's a museum robbery, or when an organization has set up an evil-looking base in the middle of town, both done in broad daylight, only the player actively attempts to fight back.
** Looker is a one-man exemplification of this trope, up until his very last appearance, in which he actually ''arrests someone'', go figure.
** Taken further in ''PokemonColosseum''. There are only two officers in a crime-filled desert, and their long arm of the law isn't nearly long enough to stamp out the crime in their town, much less all of Orre.
** Averted with the [[PokemonRanger Ranger Corps]], which you are part of.
* PostEndGameContent:
** The first generation unlocked the Cerulean Cave, home to the most powerful Pokémon Mewtwo. The remakes also unlocked the Sevii Islands.
** The second generation unlocked the Kanto region, with the leaders of the first generation ready to fight you again. Many people however consider this to be part of the game and not an unlockable. Mt. Silver on the other hand only unlocks when you beat the 8 old gyms and lets you fight the TrueFinalBoss, [[spoiler:the protagonist of the first generation]].
** The third generation unlocks the roaming Pokémon Latios (in ''Ruby'') or Latias (in ''Sapphire''), with ''Emerald'' letting the player choose which one of the two will be roaming. ''Ruby and Sapphire'' unlock the Sky Pillar (where Rayquaza can be battled/caught) and the Battle Tower; ''Emerald'' unlocks the Battle Frontier, Terra Cave and Marine Cave (the locations where Groudon and Kyogre can be battled/caught, respectively), the National Pokédex (completion nets a choice of one of the Johto starters), and new areas in Hoenn's Safari Zone (of which the inhabitants are mostly Johto Pokémon).
** The fourth generation unlocks the upper right part of the map, with the Fight, Survival, and Resort Areas, but to unlock the latter two you need to have seen every Pokémon in the Regional Pokédex (which can be a pain in the ass and a GuideDangIt to boot). Turnback Cave also appeared when you unlocked the previous areas. Pokémon swarms started to appear every day too.
** The fifth generation went one step further than any other, as the League Champion is now a post-endgame battle, something never done before. Other important fights with {{Bonus Boss}}es are unlocked too, as well as new areas (the right part of the map) where old generation Pokémon appear. The option to connect with the fourth generation becomes available too.
** The ''PokemonMysteryDungeon'' series are far from over when you end the game. You'll gain access to many new areas and a second storyline. You'll also be able to fight the boss legendary Pokémon from the first part.
* PowerCopying: Pokémon can do this in a variety of ways, both temporarily (Ditto and Mew's move Transform, as well as the moves Mimic and Mirror Move) or permanently (Smeargle's Sketch makes it learn the opponent's move).
** The Pokémon ability Trace allows the user to specifically copy the opponent's ''ability'' (determined randomly if more than one foe is present), and the move Role Play is a manual method of accomplishing the same thing that the ability Trace does.
* PowerLimiter: Poké Balls of all kinds, though presumably the "limiter" (whatever it is; maybe a mental block?) can be removed by the Trainer temporarily, should they wish.
* ThePowerOfTheSun: Solarbeam, Sunny Day, Morning Sun, Weather Ball, the Abilities Chlorophyll, Solar Power, Forecast, Flower Gift...
* PowerUpFood: Poffins, Poké Blocks, and Aprijuice.
* PowerUpLetdown: Few HM moves have enough attack power to make them useful in competitive multiplayer battling, and become useful only in the field. A Pokémon equipped with HM moves exclusively for field usage is [[FanNickname sometimes called]] an "[[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/HM_slave HM Slave]]". Surf and Waterfall are the major exceptions, as they are both staples of competitive battling.
* PracticalTaunt: The moves Taunt, used in making the target only use offensive moves, and Torment, for preventing the target from using the same move twice in a row.
* PsychicChildren:
** The series only plays this straight with Mossdeep Gym Leaders Tate and Liza, who look like young children (complete with TwinTelepathy). And ''maybe'' Caitlin, depending on which generation you're playing. All the other prominent Psychic-type trainers (eg. Sabrina, Will, Lucian, as well as the Psychic trainer class) appear to be at least in their twenties.
** Some Psychic-type Pokemon, such as Mime Jr, Smoochum, Ralts, Kirlia, Gothita, and Gothorita actually resemble children.
* PsychicPowers: Psychic-type Pokémon, as well as a few humans (human psychics coincidentally tend to favor Psychic-type Pokémon).
* PunchClockVillain: Most trained Pokémon owned by evil teams are apparently like this. The grunts of each version's evil team also tend to be this. (Team Plasma grunts are the major exception; [[spoiler:they're {{Unwitting Pawn}}s instead]].) [[spoiler: After Team Plasma collapses, a polite former member even sets up an incense shop in Driftveil's Market.]]
* PunnyName: Just about every Pokémon's name is a pun or {{Portmanteau}} on their type, design, or general nature - some of the puns are even [[BilingualBonus bilingual]]. Most of the gym leaders and elites have names that reflect their type specialty. In fact, just about everybody who is anybody has either this or at ''very least'' a MeaningfulName.
* RaceLift: Colosseum Leader Rosie and Colosseum Master Sashay were given darker skintones in the American version of Battle Revolution due to complaints of a lack of any skintone variance.
* RainDance: is a move.
* RandomEffectSpell: Metronome is the most dramatic, being able to use any other attack in the game. Assist and Sleep Talk are more minor ones, as is Present.
* RandomNumberGod:
** Players curse pretty much anything that has a random chance of happening, whether it's StandardStatusEffects, their Mon injuring itself in confusion, the opposing Mon landing a CriticalHit....
** Accuracy/evasion are a special annoyance, as while all Mons have a base accuracy of 100%, moves that affect accuracy or evasion will make ''anything'' (short of an AlwaysAccurateAttack) seem to miss [[FinaglesLaw at the worst possible times]], and seemingly more against you than the AI.
* RecurringElement: A ''ton''. See the trope page for details.
* [[RecycledInSpace Recycled IN SPACE!]]
** Most field moves do essentially the same task: "Cut" and Rock "Smash" destroy obstacles (trees and rocks) on the field, "Whirlpool" and "Waterfall" grant passage across obstacles in water (like, well, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin whirlpools and waterfalls]])
** Aside from [=HMs=], there are a ''lot'' of moves that have the exact same base power, accuracy, and/or effects, but with different elemental typings. [[FireIceLightning Flamethrower, Ice Beam, and Thunderbolt]], for example. As of Gen V, Crabhammer became functionally identical to Aqua Tail (the former previously had slightly lower accuracy); [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] since they're both dependent on different body parts, and so currently have no overlap in which Pokémon can learn them.
* RealityWarper: Stantler's Pokédex entry in Gold is "The curved antlers subtly change the flow of air to create a strange space where reality is distorted."
** Based on its other Pokédex entries and the anime, it's more like where reality ''appears'' distorted. Its special abilities focus on hypnotism and illusions.
** More accurately, Arceus in ''HeartGold/SoulSilver'' has the power to create an egg for one of the Gen 4 dragons in a special area. The way the animation for this is shown, it looks like it's ''remaking the entire Universe'' just to give you the egg. This is also the ONLY legitimate way to get a Legendary egg (Manaphy and Phione keep getting flip-flopped) or a level 1 Legendary of any kind.
* RecursiveAdaptation: ''Pokémon Yellow Version'' and ''Pokémon Puzzle League'' are games based on the anime based on the main series of Pokémon games, with ''Yellow'' being part of the main series itself.
* ReducedManaCost: Inverted with the "Pressure" ability, which ''doubles'' PP cost for the enemy's moves, and ''triples'' it in double battles if both Pokémon possess the Ability.
* RedStringOfFate: The held item Destiny Knot ([[CaptainObvious a ball of red string]]) - if a Pokémon of the opposite gender uses Attract or the Cute Charm ability on you while ''you're'' holding it, your opponent becomes infatuated as well. Actually called Red String in the Japanese version, even.
* ReportsOfMyDeathWereGreatlyExaggerated: Series creator Satoshi Tajiri dying as a result of the 2011 earthquake in Japan were proved to be a hoax within days.
* RetCon:
** Magnemite and its first evolution had their type changed from Electric to Electric/Steel in Gen 2. This makes them, along with Rotom, the only Pokémon who have ever had their Type RetConned.
** Prior to the introduction of Pichu, the anime showed baby Pikachu.
* RoarBeforeBeating: Utilized as a gameplay mechanic. Moves like "Screech" and "Growl" will lower an opponent's stats without doing actual damage.
* RollingAttack: The move "Rollout". [[TheDevTeamThinksOfEverything It doubles in power if the move "Defense Curl" is used beforehand.]]
** Ice Ball and Steamroller count as well.
* RuleThirtyFour: Hit this franchise like a nuclear bomb. YMMV if this is a good or bad thing.
* RuleOfCool: Many of the character designs.
* RuleOfThree: There always are three starters and at least one legendary trio per game. There also usually come out three main games per generation, not counting remakes. As of Gen V, Triple Battles and Rotation Battles (which also use three Pokémon, but different field mechanics). Starting with Generation III, version mascots tend to be part of a trio as well (with the third one being used for the inevitable UpdatedRerelease).
* RunningGag: There will ALWAYS be a trainer with 6 [[JokeCharacter Magikarps.]]
* SaharanShipwreck
* SaveScumming: You can do this with any one-time-only Mon, allowing you to get an ideal nature, or even a Shiny.
* SchrodingersPlayerCharacter:
** Played straight in [[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Crystal]] where the female character option was first introduced, as well as in FR/LG; averted in the subsequent main games, where the character you don't choose becomes an NPC.
** Partly played straight in HG/SS which, despite Leaf being playable in LG/FR (leaving Red in purgatory), has Red as the BonusBoss while Leaf is nowhere to be found.
* ScissorsCutsRock: In general gameplay, you can override type advantages by simply being much stronger than all opponents. Even the Elite Four can be defeated by a single starter if it's at level 100. There's also the common tactic of giving a Pokemon moves that can trump its type weaknesses (say, a Psychic-type Reuniclus beating a Dark-type opponent with the Fighting-type Focus Blast).
** The ability Tinted Lens, which increases the power of ineffective attacks back up to the power of a neutral hit, can lead to this.
* ScrewDestiny: Future Sight psychically projects an attack into the near future, hitting with a hefty 100 base power and 100% accuracy. It can't be stopped by [[MadeOfIron Magic Guard]], [[NoSell Endure]], or even [[BarrierWarrior Protect]]. However, [[CurbStompBattle if the battle ends]] [[RaceAgainstTheClock before it can trigger]]...
* SdrawkcabName: Snake and cobra Pokémon Ekans and Arbok, and [[HauntedTechnology Technology Haunter]] Rotom. Taking Engrish and romanization into account, "Lucario" is supposed to be "oracle" (o-ri-ca-lu) in reverse.
* SealedGoodInACan: Pokémon can become this in their Poké Balls, especially if their Trainer [[NightmareFuel deposits them indefinitely into the Pokémon Storage System]].
* SecondPersonAttack: Done in a lot of the 3D games, because battle animations weren't built for two Pokémon to ever hit each other or even be on the same side of the arena.
* SecretCharacter: At least one every generation. However, Mew, the original SecretCharacter, was apparently so secret that not even Nintendo knew at first that it was programmed into the original ''Red'' and ''Green Versions''.
* SeldomSeenSpecies: Quite a few Mons are based off animals rarely seen in real life.
* SelfImposedChallenge: The "Nuzlocke" challenge, which quickly gained popularity. There are many variations that can further add to the difficulty, but the most basic rules are that (1) the player can ''only'' catch the first Pokémon encountered in each area/route (whether you have to suffer catching duplicates is something dependent on your variation), (2) Pokémon that faint must be released or permanently boxed (they're "[[{{Permadeath}} dead]]"), and (3) all Pokémon caught must be given nicknames (the only purpose this serves is to [[VideoGameCaringPotential make it hurt more when they die]]).
** Now there's [[http://pokememes.memebase.com/2011/09/12/pokmon-arceus-used-sacrifice/#comments the "Christian" challenge]]!
* SequelDifficultySpike: Due to the amount of Pokémon and the ways of finding/evolving them going up every game, along with the various sidequests and challenges.
* SeriousBusiness: In particular, Shiny collecting.
* ShoutOut: Now has its own [[ShoutOut/{{Pokemon}} page]].
* SideQuest: Pokémon contests. And various others in individual games.
* SigilSpam
* SlidingScaleOfTurnRealism: Turn by Turn.
* SocializationBonus: This is actively encouraged by the OneGameForThePriceOfTwo mechanic, as it is the easiest way to complete your Pokédex.
* SolarAndLunar: Solrock and Lunatone, along with various other Pokemon who evolve according to the game's day/night mechanic.
** The two recovery moves Moonlight and Morning Sun.
* SomethingCompletelyDifferent: ''{{Pokemon ReBurst}}''
* SoundCodedForYourConvenience: During battle, whenever one Pokémon strikes another Pokémon with a damage-dealing offensive move, one of three sound effects will play, depending on whether the move used was "[[ScratchDamage not very effective]]" (dealt 1/2 or 1/4 the normal amount of damage), dealt normal damage, or was "[[ForMassiveDamage super effective]]" (dealt two times to four times the normal amount of damage)[[hottip:*: A Fire-type move used against a Paras or Parasect with the Dry Skin ability (Water-type moves restore 25% of the Pokémon's HitPoints, at the expense of Fire-type moves dealing 25% more damage) will deal '''five''' times the normal amount damage. In this scenario, the "super effective" sound effect is still played.]].
* SoLongAndThanksForAllTheGear: Have you ever released a Pokémon out into the wild or traded it over to someone else [[OhCrap only to realize that you had some really valuable and/or useful item]] [[LostForever that you can only ever find once in the game]] equipped to it?
* SpikeShooter: Any Pokémon with the moves Spikes, Toxic Spikes, Spike Cannon and/or Pin Missile. There are also Icicle Spear and Icicle Crash for the Ice-types.
* SpinningOutOfHere: Teleport pads in first-generation ''Pokémon'' games spin you.
** Travel to the Union Rooms in Diamond and Pearl also spins you.
** Using Escape Ropes to get out of caves or the Teleport or Dig attacks outside of battle makes the character spin quickly.
* SpinOff: Along with the ones listed at the top of the page and their sequels, there is ''Pokémon Trozei'', ''Pinball'', ''Pinball: Ruby and Sapphire'', ''Dash'', ''Box: Ruby and Sapphire'', and ''[[PanelDePon Puzzle League/Challenge]]''.
* SpitefulAI: There are a few moves in the games that allow the AI to qualify as this. Selfdestruct and Explosion both deal massive damage at the expense of the user fainting; Destiny Bond makes sure that if the user faints, so does the opponent; Perish Song adds a counter to everyone out in battle that makes sure that everyone faints in 3 turns. Often when fighting a trainer, their last mon will use one of those moves. The Aftermath ability chips off 1/4 of the opponent's HP if the user faints because of the opponent's attack.
* SpiritualSuccessor: Arguably to the {{MOTHER}} series, which is supported by recurring shout outs to MOTHER games as far back as Red And Blue, as well as the fact that Creatures Inc, formerly Ape Inc, the main developer of the MOTHER series, receives a major share of the profit from the series.
* SpoonyBard: Several novelty or gimmick Pokémon, like Ditto (makes a MirrorMatch), Wobbuffet (can only counterattack), Unown ([[GottaCatchEmAll for collection, not battling]]), Smeargle (blue-mage-like attack copying), Spinda (every one has a different spot pattern), Shedinja (OneHitPointWonder), Castform (changes shape based on weather), and Kecleon (changes type). Wobbuffet is a noted game breaker, Shedinja has some effectiveness on scrubs [[ThisLooksLikeAJobForAquaman or for catching Kyogre]], Smeargle can basically have [[WeakButSkilled any possible combination of moves]], and Ditto TookALevelInBadass when he got his own unique Ability in ''Black'' and ''White'', but the rest... they may have niche uses due to type, ability, and/or move combinations, but many of those niches are so specific as to seem [[ThisLooksLikeAJobForAquaman deliberately contrived]]. And [[WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway some of them don't even have that much]].
* StockFemurBone: Cubone and Marowak carry one with them at all times. There's also the hold item Thick Club that doubles their Attack.
* StoneWall:
** Two of the most popular are Skarmory (against physical attacks) and Blissey (against special attacks, with the additional bonus of having the highest possible base HP in the game), often used together for the lockdown [[FanNickname Skarmbliss]] strategy. The other extremely popular walls now include Forretress, Ferrothorn, and Reuniclus for their excellent defensive stats and typings. This is also, arguably, parodied with Shuckle, which combines absurd stats in both defenses with an immunity to OneHitKO moves, but has horrifically abysmal attack stats. (Strangely, it also has pitiful hit points, so it can be taken out in two or three shots of Seismic Toss or Night Shade, if your opponent uses them.)
** You can also adapt several others for this role, with the moves Cosmic Power or Stockpile.
** Beyond them, Lugia and Cresselia qualify. They have titanic defensive stats and middling offenses... the catch is, the former is banned and the latter isn't used very often because of her unreliable recovery.
** Wobbuffet, also banned in competitive play, has the third highest base HP in the game (over 500 at max level), but literally ''can't attack''. It has no offensive moves, only counter-attacks. (Which are, admittedly, pretty powerful.)
* SwitchOutMove: The moves Whirlwind, Roar, Dragon Tail, and Circle Throw (all of which have decreased [[ActionInitiative priority]]), and the Red Card item forces the opponent to switch out. The moves Baton Pass, U-Turn, and Volt Change, and the item Escape Button allow the user/holder to switch out.
* SupernaturalIsPurple: Different shades of purple represent Ghost and Psychic types.
* SuperStrength: The Pokédex claims this for quite a few Pokémon, especially Fighting types.
* SwordBeam: Psycho Cut, especially when used by Gallade, who has swords for arms.
* TakingYouWithMe:
** The entire purpose of Destiny Bond, with Explosion and Self-Destruct also acting like this unless you're extremely defensive or lucky with evasion moves.
** The Aftermath ability can do this, if the other 'mon is weakened enough when yours faints.
** Perish Song can do this, if one or both don't switch out.
* TakeThatAudience: Anytime someone talks about people [[StopHavingFunGuys treating Pokémon like they're tools and nothing else]].
* TechnicolorFire: Sacred Fire and Blue Flare, as well as many Dragon-type attacks.
* TechnicolorToxin: The poison type element is purple, and many poisonous attacks and/or poison type Pokémon are violet in color.
* TertiarySexualCharacteristics: Played much more realistically than usual (i.e. different marking, horn sizes). Of course, there are also female Wobbuffet, who wear skanky lipstick.
* ThemeAndVariationsSoundtrack: Listen closely to the music that plays in each of the Gen IV Battle Frontier facilities (minus the Tower). You'll notice that they all share a different remix [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fZU66ZYg8g of]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixKObMl1COA#t=17s a]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErKOgheVQUQ#t=23s certain]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7tciy7dVSY part]]. (And as a bonus, so does the beginning of [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dZ5JlbhIms Puella's Theme]] from [[BattleArenaToshinden Battle Arena Toshinden 4]].)
* TimeTravel: Mentioned a few times in the series.
** Celebi is the most well known for being able to do it (and it takes the player character on a trip through time during an event in ''Heart Gold'' and ''Soul Silver'').
** The ability to trade between the first two generations is achieved by the "Time Capsule".
** Similarly, if a Pokémon that originated in Generation III is brought to Generation IV through Pal Park and then to Generation V through Poké Transfer, it will be noted as having arrived "after a long travel through time".
* TookALevelInBadass:
** Many Pokémon will do this as they evolve. (Tiny red lizard into giant fire-breathing dragon, friendly-looking alligator into a giant hulking leviathan, small turtle into a monstrous tortoise with an entire forest on its back, etc.)
** Probably the most famous example is Magikarp. Magikarp goes from an JokeCharacter [[MagikarpPower idiotic fish to a giant leviathan]], and there's plenty of other examples, like Horsea being a tiny, cutesy seahorse, and its final form Kingdra being a watery dragon seahorse with the ability to create whirlpools by yawning. And Starly, Diamond and Pearl's ComMons early bird, finally evolves into one of the [[BigBadassBirdOfPrey strongest birds of prey]] in the entire series.
** A possible subversion is Raichu. It's even in the same tier as its pre evo Pikachu, and since there is an item only Pikachu can use, it might even be ''weaker'' than it. This is probably because Pikachu is far more popular than it.
** Cubone can also fit this in terms of his story. He starts out eternally sad over the death of his parents, but eventually starts to get stronger so he can overcome this sadness. In the end, he becomes a much more powerful creature for it and, if you really think about it, Marowak almost has the same backstory as Batman. Not to mention, Marowak and Cubone can become among the strongest Pokémon in the game when equipped with ''Thick Club''.
** Azumarill can fit this. It was introduced in Gold/Silver with a pathetic 50 base stat in Attack, but when ''Ruby'' and ''Sapphire'' came along with the addition of its new ability ''Huge Power'', Azumarill is effectively stronger than Gyarados when stats are maxed - and by a good margin too, making it into a [[CuteBruiser Cute Bruiser]].
** Ditto did this when it got its own unique Ability in ''Black and White''.
* TradingCardLame: Averted. The Pokémon TCG is actually very successful in its own right when compared to other trading card games based on a licensed work.
* TreacherousSpiritChase: Several examples; see the trope page for details.
* TryingToCatchMeFightingDirty: The Dark type, who do this more often than CastingAShadow, as it has "dirty" moves with unusual effects like Taunt, Torment, Thief, and Fake Tears.
* TurnsRed: All Starter Pokémon have abilities that increase the damage of their respective element's attacks when their HP is low.
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* UnblockableAttack: Giratina's Shadow Force attack.
* UnusuallyUninterestingSight: Nobody seems to care what Pokémon you use in battle, even if it's extremely rare and mythical.
* {{Unwinnable}}:
** Averted '''hard''', and for a good reason. Pokémon games have insane amounts of content which to achieve 100% completion requires not only months of gameplay, but also trading with other people and, if you want some legendaries, going to one-time events. Now imagine if all the results of work were LostForever because of one single misstep. As such, Game Freak [[TheDevTeamThinksOfEverything goes to insane lengths]] to ensure the player can never lock themselves into a corner.
** Played straight if you end up with certain glitch Pokémon, most of which will freeze the game and at least one of which will cause your save file to corrupt upon catching it and attempting to access the storage system.
* UnwinnableByMistake: [[UnwinnableByMistake/{{Pokemon}} See here.]]
* UpdatedRerelease: Every pair of Pokémon games that isn't a VideoGameRemake has had at least one. (In Japan, ''Red'' and ''Green'' had two; first ''Blue'' improved the graphics and sound, then ''Yellow'' improved the graphics further and introduced elements from the anime series.)
* UrbanLegendOfZelda:
** One fan theory suggests that somewhere during the first generation's development, the sprite designs for Butterfree and Venomoth were accidentally switched due to a bug; Butterfree has a ''striking'' resemblance to Venomoth's pre-evolution Venonat. It's speculated that instead of correcting the mistake in later releases, the developers might've decided to just ThrowItIn.
** "Okay, go to the mansion at night on the third Friday of the month with all three starters and a Raichu in your party, touch the statue one hundred times, and then go into the garden and run around ''clockwise'' another one hundred times. The lady in front of the door at the end of the right hallway will leave and when you go inside the room, Oak will give you a ball containing [=MewThree=]!" The funniest thing about this is that the [[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Mew_glitch Nugget Bridge area Mew Glitch]] ''actually works!''
** The Mew truck rumour.
** Hell, if there's any series that doesn't have a dearth of rumors about things in the games, it's Pokémon. There were rumors that proliferated way back when about being able to find Togepi (introduced in the anime ''long'' before the second generation Pokémon were officially announced) and "Pikablu" (aka Marill) in the original games. And yes, millions of rumors of ways to find Mew. One particularly amusing one was that if you defeat the Elite Four 100 times, Professor Oak will tell you that he's sick of inducting you into the Hall of Fame every other Wednesday and give you free roam of the room. Take a guess what you would apparently find in the room. [[spoiler:Hint:It rhymes with "stew", is almost as pink as Kirby, and has incredible learning potential.]]
** http://www.blue-reflections.net/ragecandybar/projects/pokegods/ is a project working to archive and research all the old codes and rumors in the Pokémon games, particularly the Poké Gods.
** 'M, one of the glitch Pokémon, was supposed to evolved into a Level 1 Kangaskhan that know Sky Attack in Red/Blue. It's true. (The Sky Attack is there because 'M starts with it.)
** Almost every player had [[PlayerTic some variation of]] "Hold B while trying to capture a Pokémon to raise your success rate."
** An example of an ascended urban legend is Leafeon. Leafeon was a common rumor back during the late 90s because the Leaf Stone was the only one of the elemental stones (not including the Moon Stone) that didn't evolve Eevee. So naturally, rumors flew about the mythical "Leafeon". It took three more generations, but they finally put him in. Though, ironically, he didn't evolve via Leaf Stone, but rather by leveling Eevee up in a particular forest near a particular rock.
* VersusCharacterSplash: Shows up in important battles, starting with the third generation.
* VictorGainsLosersPowers: After beating a Gym Leader you're given the TM of one of the moves their Pokémon had.
* VideoGameCaringPotential: Some Pokémon can only evolve by being especially happy with you. Also, the move Return is stronger the more your Pokémon likes you.
* VideoGameCrueltyPotential:
** Like Return, the move Frustration gets stronger the less your Pokémon likes you.
** Getting the best possible stats on a Pokémon without resorting to cheating/hacking or drawn out SaveScumming involves abandoning a lot of newborns when they don't have the base stats you want.
* VideoGameRemake: ''[=FireRed=]'' and ''[=LeafGreen=]'' for the GameBoyAdvance are remakes of ''Red'' and ''Green''/''Blue'' for the Game Boy, and ''[=HeartGold=]'' and ''[=SoulSilver=]'' for the Nintendo DS are remakes of ''Gold'' and ''Silver'' for the Game Boy Color.
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* WakeupCallBoss: The first Gym Leaders in the first, third, and fourth generations use Rock [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]], which have a type advantage against Fire-type starters. This began with [[ChivalrousPervert Brock]] [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=23 for players who started with Charmander]]. The second generation instead starts with Falkner, who uses Flying [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]], which would have this trait for players who chose the Grass-type Chikorita.
** Definitely Whitney. Whitney is always a WUC Boss because her Miltank has [[HealingFactor Milk Drink,]] Defense Curl, [[ThatOneAttack Rollout,]] and Attract. Defense Curl results in a 50% defense boost and doubles Rollout's power which continues to increase after each successive use. After 3 or 4, it can OHKO your entire team.
*** Made even worse in the remakes, where Miltank has the ability Scrappy, which allows it to damage Ghost-types. Considering that this was the easiest way to beat her in the original G/S/C, your only hope now is an over-leveled Fighting-type.
** Generation V does this for everyone, as the Gym Leader changes based on your starting Pokémon. Assuming people who ask you what Pokémon you started with can't be lied to to avert this.
* [[WaterIsBlue The Water Is A Deep Blue]]... Would you like to surf on it? (Perhaps it's all the [[GoddamnBats Tentacool]] in it?) Most [[color:blue:Water]] Pokémon are [[color:blue:blue]] colored.
** In ''Emerald'', it actually says "The [[color:blue:water]] is dyed a deep [[color:blue:blue]]..." As though it's the contractual obligation of all the [[color:blue:water]]-dwelling '{{mons}} to ensure that water is properly blue, so they actually scatter dye all over the place.
* WeakButSkilled: If you decide to use more than 3 Pokémon on an in-game team prior to Generation 5's experience gain overhaul, you will likely have them all lower level than most Trainer's Pokémon if you don't grind, forcing you to exploit elemental RockPaperScissors, which you can do easily thanks to your team's variety.
** UnskilledButStrong: Going with only 1 or 2 Pokémon will result in you having a massive level advantage even without grinding.
** For a specific Pokémon example, Smeargle, who has all-around poor base stats, but through its move Sketch, can permanently learn any move in the entire game.
* WeaponsGradeVocabulary:
** There's several sound-based attacks in the ''Pokemon'' series, varying in type between MakeMeWannaShout, BrownNote and this.
** An example of this type is 'Snarl', a Dark-type attack that seemingly involves the Pokémon ranting and shouting at the target for a while, inflicting damage and lowering their attack-power.
* WellIntentionedExtremist: Team Plasma is this, with a side of KnightTemplar and Hypocrisy.
* WhaleEgg: ''All'' [[{{Mons}} Pokémon]] hatch from Eggs, even the mammalian, human-shaped, and mechanical ones. (Not to mention the HotSkittyOnWailordAction.) Even Arceus, hailed in Sinnoh legend to be the creator of all Pokémon, was born from an egg that emerged within nothingness/a swirling vortex of chaos.
** Mewtwo is an exception. In the ''Pokémon'' games, documents within the Cinnabar Pokémon Mansion state that Mew gave birth to Mewtwo, while the ''Pokémon'' [[{{Anime/Pokemon}} anime]] implies that Mewtwo is a unique Pokémon, being cloned on a New Island laboratory from a fossilized eyebrow of Mew.
* WhatAreYouLookingAt: The other trainers are [[JustifiedTrope deliberately staring]] in order to catch the eye of any passer-by and challenge them to battles.
* WhatMeasureIsANonCute: Averted ''hard''; where else can you befriend trash bags [[hottip:*: Trubbish and Garbodor]], snakes [[hottip:*: the Ekans, Dunsparce, Seviper, and Snivy lines]], ghosts [[hottip:*: too many to count]], mantises [[hottip:*: the Scyther line]], bees [[hottip:*: Beedrill and the Combee line]], spiders [[hottip:*: the Spinarak and Joltik lines]], lizards [[hottip:*: too many to count]], salamanders [[hottip:*: the Charmander line]], bats [[hottip:*: the Zubat and Woobat lines]], coelacanths [[hottip:*: Relicanth]], jellyfish [[hottip:*: the Tentacool and Frillish lines]], bag worms [[hottip:*: the Pineco and Burmy lines]], sharks [[hottip:*: Sharpedo]], mudfish [[hottip:*: the Mudkip line]], kappa [[hottip:*: the Lotad line]], cacti [[hottip:*: the Cacnea line and Maractus]], psychic mirrors [[hottip:*: the Bronzor line]], [[http://www.answers.com/topic/barghest barghests]][[hottip:*: Absol]], eels [[hottip:*: Huntail and Gorebyss]], antlions [[hottip:*: Trapinch]], [[http://www.bogleech.com/pkmn-anomalocaris.jpg anomalocaris]][[hottip:*: the Anorith line]], scorpions [[hottip:*: the Gligar and Skorupi lines]], crabs [[hottip:*: the Krabby line]], skunks [[hottip:*: the Stunky line]], piranhas [[hottip:*: Carvanha and Basculin]], toads [[hottip:*: the Poliwag, Croagunk, and Tympole lines]], sea slugs [[hottip:*: the Shellos line]], {{hellhound}}s [[hottip:*: the Houndour line]], crocodilians [[hottip:*: the Totodile and Sandile lines]], weasels [[hottip:*: the Sneasel and Mienfoo lines]], venus flytraps [[hottip:*: Weepinbell, Victreebel and Carnivine]], masses of vines [[hottip:*: the Tangela line]], giant moving stomachs [[hottip:*: the Gulpin line]], lumps of sludge [[hottip:*: the Grimer line]], levitating sea mines[[hottip:*: the Koffing line]], crows [[hottip:*: the Murkrow line]], rhinoceroses [[hottip:*: the Rhyhorn line]], magnets [[hottip:*: the Magnemite line]], exploding spheres [[hottip:*: the Voltorb line]] and living iron and mineral? [[hottip:*: too many to count]]
** However, [[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl the fourth gen's]] Amity Square plays it straight, only allowing certain Pokemon designated "cute" to walk with their trainers inside. A nearby trainer lampshades it, calling "discrimination."
* {{Wingdinglish}}: Unown in Generations II and IV and the Braille in Generation III. The Undersea Ruins in Gen V has this written on parts of the walls. [[GuideDangIt Good luck figuring out what the hell it means.]]
* AWorldwidePunomenon: In the English versions, almost every single Gym Leader's name is a pun on their preferred type. Lt. Surge and Wattson are Electric trainers, [[ChivalrousPervert Brock]] and Roxanne are Rock trainers, [[AnIcePerson Pryce]] and [[AnIcePerson Candice]] are Ice trainers, Fantina and Morty are Ghost trainers, and so forth.
* YouKeepUsingThatWord: The [[VideoGame games]] use the word "gender[[hottip:*:To clarify: Sex (as in, "what is your sex") refers to physical characteristics, while gender refers to mental ones. They are often used interchangeably, but as any {{Transsexual}} can tell you, they don't always match.]]" to refer to male vs. female. This works alright... until the fourth generation, which introduces "gender differences" (i.e. Sexual dimorphism).
** Likely a subsection of GoshDangItToHeck; by calling it gender it avoids actually saying "sex" or "sexual."
* YeOldeButcheredeEnglishe: Generation III had four "Formes" for Deoxys, and ''Platinum'' introduces Giratina's "Altered Forme" and "Origin Forme", and Shaymin's "Land Forme" and "Sky Forme". The Pokédex still uses "forms" for its tab for viewing alternate forms, as well as for individual entries for most Pokémon, such as Unown's 28 forms (each labeled "one form" in the Pokédex, as opposed to "one forme").
* YourMoneyIsNoGoodHere: The Game Corner credits, though regular money can be cashed in.
** Battle Frontier/Subway credits, which must be earned.
* YouGottaHaveBlueHair: Most of the player characters in the games have fairly normal black or [[color:brown:brown]]... except Kris, the female player character from ''[[VideoGame/PokemonGoldandSilver Crystal]]'', who has dark [[color:blue:blue]] hair. However, Lyra, her replacement from ''[=HeartGold=]'' and ''[=SoulSilver=]'', is [[color:brown:brown]]-haired.
** All of the Team Galactic members except for Mars and Jupiter have blue hair.
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