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[veeveegc]

Pokémon of the Day #0079

Name: Slowpoke

Pronunciation: Sl-oh-poh-ck

Etymology: Slowpoke (a term of endearment for someone who is slow)

Type: Water / Psychic

Psychic (Galarian Forme)

Design Origins:

Slowpoke most closely resembles hippos and giant salamanders. Its ability to regrow its tail is likely inspired by processes of regeneration often found in lizards.

Galarian Slowpoke gains a yellow colouration on some parts of its body due to its diet changing. This could possibly be a reference to some aquatic animals such as salmon changing colour based on what they eat, but this is mere speculation at best.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“Slow-witted and oblivious, this Pokémon won’t feel any pain if its tail gets eaten. It won’t notice when its tail grows back, either.” - Sword

“Because Galarian Slowpoke eat the seeds of a plant that grows only in Galar, their tails have developed a spicy flavor.” - Shield (Galarian Forme)

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 8: LC

National Dex: LC

[Galarian Forme]

Gen 8: LC

National Dex: LC

VGC:

N/A

[veeveegc]

Pokémon of the Day #0078

Name: Rapidash

Pronunciation: Rah-pih-Dash

Etymology: Rapid + Dash (go fast) or Ash (left after a fire)

Type: Fire

Psychic / Fairy (Galarian Forme)

Design Origins:

Rapidash is based on both a unicorn, given the horn on its head, as well as many fiery steeds featured in various mythologies. These steeds include but aren't limited to: Helios' horse, Skinfaxi, and the horses of the Ashvins.

Galarian Rapidash is based on most modern depictions of unicorns, the national animal of Scotland. This tie to Scotland is likely due to the Galar Region being based on the island of Britain.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“With incredible acceleration, it reaches its top speed of 150 mph after running just ten steps.” - Silver, SoulSilver

“Brave and prideful, this Pokémon dashes airily through the forest, its steps aided by the psychic power stored in the fur on its fetlocks.” - Shield (Galarian Forme)

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 8: ZU

National Dex: RU

[Galarian Forme]

Gen 8: ZU

National Dex: RU

VGC:

N/A

[veeveegc]

Pokémon of the Day #0077

Name: Ponyta

Pronunciation: Poh-Nee-Tah

Etymology: Pony (small horse) + Bonita (Pretty in a few Ibernian languages)

Type: Fire

Psychic (Galarian Forme)

Design Origins:

Ponyta may be based on the many flaming steeds featured in various mythologies across the globe such as Helios’ horse in Greek mythology or Skinfaxi from Norse mythology.

Galarian Ponyta most closely resembles a Shetland Pony, as well many modern depictions of unicorns. Both of these origins are closely tied to Scotland, a part of Britain which the Galar Region is based on. Its Pastel Veil ability may be an allusion to the belief that unicorn horns have healing properties.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“If you’ve been accepted by Ponyta, its burning mane is mysteriously no longer hot to the touch.” - Shield

“This Pokémon will look into your eyes and read the contents of your heart. If it finds evil there, it promptly hides away.” - Shield (Galarian Forme)

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 8: LC

National Dex: LC

[Galarian Forme]

Gen 8: LC

National Dex: LC

VGC:

N/A

[veeveegc]

Pokémon of the Day #0076

Name: Golem

Pronunciation: Goh-Lum

Etymology: Golem (Elemental creature)

Type: Rock / Ground

Rock / Electric

Design Origins:

Golem is a golem, funny enough, an elemental being. It may also take inspiration from the tsuchikorobi, a Japanese Yokai with a habit for rolling over boulders and crushing them. It could also be inspired by turtles, given its ability to pull its head and limbs into its shell.

Alolan Golem has pieces of magnetite and amber on its shell, with two of the pieces forming a rail gun on its back, a weapon formed with magnetism.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“The rocklike shell is shed each year. The cast-off shell then crumbles, reverting to a mass of soil, which can be spread across fields to promote crop growth.” - Legends Arceus

“Because it can’t fire boulders at a rapid pace, it’s been known to seize nearby Geodude and fire them from its back.” - Moon (Alolan Forme)

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: ZU

[Alolan Forme]

Gen 9: ZU

VGC:

Athens Regional, Georgia, USA (14/1/2017) - 10th (Alolan Forme)

[veeveegc]

Pokémon of the Day #0075

Name: Graveler

Pronunciation: Grah-Vuh-Lur

Etymology: Gravel + Traveler

Type: Rock / Ground

Rock / Electric (Alolan Forme)

Design Origins:

Graveler is a living boulder, possibly inspired by elemental beings such as golems. It may also take inspiration from the tsuchikorobi, a Japanese Yokai with a habit for rolling over boulders and crushing them.

Alolan Graveler has pieces of magnetite, an iron ore with magnetic properties, attached to its body. The golden pieces may be amber, possible alluding to the ancient greek name for amber “ēlektron”

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“Be careful while hiking on mountain trails. GRAVELER may come rolling down the path without slowing” - Firered

“When two Graveler fight each other, it fills the surroundings with flashes of light and sound. People call it the “fireworks of the earth.”” - Ultra Sun (Alolan Forme)

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: NFE

[Alolan Forme]

Gen 9: NFE

VGC:

N/A

[veeveegc]

Pokémon of the Day #0074

Name: Geodude

Pronunciation: Gee-Oh-Dood

Etymology: Geo-(prefix meaning earth) or Geode (hollow rock with crystals inside) + dude (male slang term)

Type: Rock / Ground

Rock / Electric (Alolan Forme)

Design Origins:

Geodude is a rock, possibly inspired by elemental creatures such as golems.

Alolan Geodude has acquired pieces of magnetite on its body, mainly as eyebrows. Magnetite is a type of iron ore known for its magnetic properties and black crystalline appearance.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“The longer a Geodude lives, the more its edges are chipped and worn away, making it more rounded in appearance. However, this Pokémon’s heart will remain hard, craggy, and rough always.” - Ruby, Omega Ruby

“If you accidentally step on a Geodude sleeping on the ground, you’ll hear a crunching sound and feel a shock ripple through your entire body.” - Moon (Alolan Forme)

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: LC

[Alolan Forme]

Gen 9: LC

VGC:

N/A

[veeveegc]

Pokémon of the Day #0073

Name: Tentacruel

Pronunciation: Ten-Tuh-Croo-Ul

Etymology: Tentacle + Cruel (mean, evil)

Type: Water / Poison

Design Origins:

Tentacruel takes inspiration from various jellyfish species, mainly the Portuguese man o’ war as evidenced by its beta name. It also resembles many bug eyed monsters in 1950s B-movies, including having the ability to shoot lasers from its gems on its head. Its body shape also resembles a UFO.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“It has 80 tentacles, each with a venomous tip. These tentacles are also extendible, lengthening when Tentacruel attempts to catch prey. Use caution.” - Legends Arceus

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: NU

VGC:

Athens Regional, Georgia, USA (14/1/2017) - 6th

[veeveegc]

Pokémon of the Day #0072

Name: Tentacool

Pronunciation: Ten-Tuh-Cool

Etymology: Tentacle + Cool

Type: Water / Poison

Design Origins:

Tentacool is likely based on a variety of box jellyfish, possibly the chironex fleckeri or the carukia barnesi. Its two tentacles may be inspired by a class of comb jellyfish with two long tentacles called the Tentaculata. The gem on its head being able to shoot lasers could possibly be a reference to the bug-eyed monster from 1950s B-movies.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“When the tide goes out, dehydrated Tentacool remains can be found washed up on the shore.” - Gold, HeartGold

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: LC

VGC:

N/A

[veeveegc]

Pokémon of the Day #0071

Name: Victreebel

Pronunciation: Vick-Tree-Bell

Etymology: Victory + Tree + Bell (shape, shortened to ‘bel’ due to name size limitations at the time)

Type: Grass / Poison

Design Origins:

Victreebel is, much like its pre-evolution, a pitcher plant. Much like with Weepinbell, there's not much I can elaborate on with this one. Interestingly though, it's shiny colouration could be a reference to the fact that pitcher plant rims turn blue under UV light.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“Lures prey with the sweet aroma of honey. Swallowed whole, the prey is dissolved in a day, bones and all.” - Let's Go Pikachu, Let's Go Eevee

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: ZU

VGC:

N/A

[veeveegc]

Pokémon of the Day #0070

Name: Weepinbell

Pronunciation: Wee-Pin-Bell

Etymology: Weeping (Drooping) + Bell (Shape)

Type: Grass / Poison

Design Origins:

Weepinbell is a pitcher plant. I wish there was more elaborate on here, but there isn't. It's a pitcher plant.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“Even though it is filled with acid, it does not melt because it also oozes a protective fluid.” - Gold, HeartGold

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: NFE

VGC:

N/A

[veeveegc]

Pokémon of the Day #0069

Name: Bellsprout

Pronunciation: Bell-Sprow-t

Etymology: Bell (shape) + Sprout (to grow)

Type: Grass / Poison

Design Origins:

Bellsprout is likely based on pitcher plants,a type of carnivorous plant where the prey falls into a pit and is swallowed. Some of its Pokédex entries also state a possible basis on the mandrake, a root which takes a humanoid appearance.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“It plants its feet deep underground to replenish water. It can’t escape its enemy while it’s rooted.” - Silver, SoulSilver

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: LC

VGC:

N/A

[veeveegc]

Pokémon of the Day #0068

Name: Machamp

Pronunciation: Mah-cham-p

Etymology: Macho (meaning manly) + Champ (short for champion)

Type: Fighting

Design Origins:

Machamp continues the evolution lines origins of body builders and reptiles. Interestingly, Machamp’s blue skin and four arms could be a reference to the Hindu god Vishnu, who also possessed those exact qualities in many depictions.

Gigantimax Machamp gains some qualities that indicate it could be based off the giants from the ultraman series’, particularly its eyes and new headshape.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“Machamp is known as the Pokémon that has mastered every kind of martial arts. If it grabs hold of the foe with its four arms, the battle is all but over. The hapless foe is thrown far over the horizon.” - Sapphire, Alpha Sapphire

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 8: NUBL

National Dex: RU

VGC:

2020 Oceania Regionals, Australia (21/2/2020) - 62nd

[veeveegc]

Pokémon of the Day #0067

Name: Machoke

Pronunciation: Mah-Choh-ck

Etymology: Macho (meaning manly) + Choke

Type: Fighting

Design Origins:

Machoke is likely based on the stereotype of a body builder as shown by its large muscular body and belt on the tight shorts. It also contains some reptilian features.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“Machoke undertakes bodybuilding every day even as it helps people with tough, physically demanding labor. On its days off, this Pokémon heads to the fields and mountains to exercise and train.” - Sapphire, Alpha Sapphire

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 8: NFE

National Dex: NFE

VGC:

N/A

[veeveegc]

Pokémon of the Day #0066

Name: Machop

Pronunciation: Mah-Chaw-p

Etymology: Macho (meaning manly) + Chop (a martial arts move)

Type: Fighting

Design Origins:

Machop’s physique and general demeanour point towards it being based on a body builder. It also possesses some reptilian features such as its tail, head crests, and skin tone.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“It continually undertakes strenuous training to master all forms of martial arts. Its strength lets it easily hoist a sumo wrestler onto its shoulders.” - Emerald

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 8: LC

National Dex: LC

VGC:

N/A

[veeveegc]

Pokémon of the Day #0065

Name: Alakazam

Pronunciation: Ah-Lah-Kuh-Zam

Etymology: Alakazam (The magic phrase Abrakadabra Alakazam)

Type: Psychic

Design Origins:

Alakazam continues its evolution line’s fox-like design elements, given their association with magic in some mythologies. Its head is shaped like a pentagram, and given that as well as the possession of horns, the humanoid body, and the ties to magic, it is also possibly based on Baphomet. The spoons it wields reference spoon bending, one of the oldest and most well known magic tricks, and also possibly reference alchemy given that Alakazam makes them itself.

Mega Alakazam likely takes inspiration from stereotypical wizards, notably having a large bushy beard and plating on its body resembling wizard robes. Its body becomes noticeably skinnier as a reference to the idea of “mind over matter”.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“Alakazam wields potent psychic powers. It’s said that this Pokémon used these powers to create the spoons it holds.” - Shield

“Its hidden psychic power has been unleashed. A glance at someone gives it knowledge of the course of that person’s life, from birth to death.” - Moon (Mega Alakazam)

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 8: UUBL

National Dex: RUBL

[Mega Alakazam]

Gen 7: OU

National Dex: Uber

VGC:

2019 North American International Championships (21/6/2019) - 42nd (Mega Alakazam)

[veeveegc]

Pokémon of the Day #0064

Name: Kadabra

Pronunciation: Kuh-Dah-Brah

Etymology: Kadabra (from the famous phrase used by magicians “Abrakadabra”)

Type: Psychic

Design Origins:

Kadabra’s physique is mainly based on foxes, as shown by the face shape and tail. Its moustache is an exaggeration of a fox’s whiskers. The symbols on Kadabra's head and abdomen are likely based on Zener cards, a small deck of cards from the 1930s used in experiments to test for psychic abilities. The spoon it wields references spoon bending, one of the most well known magic tricks.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“It is rumored that a boy with psychic abilities suddenly transformed into KADABRA while he was assisting research into extrasensory powers.” - Emerald

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 8: NFE

National Dex: NFE

VGC:

N/A

[veeveegc]

Pokémon of the Day #0063

Name: Abra

Pronunciation: Ah-Brah

Etymology: Abra (from the famous phrase used by magicians “Abrakadabra”)

Type: Psychic

Design Origins:

Abra has some qualities of foxes, such as its face shape, which are animals associated with magic in some mythologies. Its body is segmented in a way which also somewhat resembles marionette puppets.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“Abra needs to sleep for eighteen hours a day. If it doesn’t, this Pokémon loses its ability to use telekinetic powers. If it is attacked, Abra escapes using Teleport while it is still sleeping.” - Sapphire, Alpha Sapphire

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 8: LC

National Dex: LC

VGC:

N/A