What is Pokémon?
This section highlights some of the aspects of Pokémon. I've written it to inform people who are new or unfamiliar to them. So, if you're a veteran fan, you can probably just skip reading this page.
Pokémon are fictional creatures originally proposed by Satoshi Tajiri in the early 90s. Other art designers such as Ken Sugimori: a friend of Tajiri helped created many of the species of Pokémon. They often resemble animals in our real world such as Pikachu who is a mouse-like Pokémon. Pikachu is the mascot and most well known of all the Pokémon. As of the Diamond and Pearl games, there are 493 Pokémon comprised in the
Pokémon world. Pokémon species appear in the various regions of Kanto, Johto, Honenn, and Shinnoh: also fictional regions in the Pokémon world .
Pokémon are generally timid of humans in the wild, although some Pokémon such as Houndoom; a dog-like Pokémon can be intimidating and aggressive. Despite this, there are no "bad" Pokémon. Pokémon are generally only aggressive towards other Pokémon or humans if provoked in the wild. Pokémon never fight to the death though and merely faint if defeated in battle. Through experience, Pokémon
can learn new moves and improve their stats.
Pokémon Types
Pokémon have the amazing ability to use various attacks based on
their type. Some Pokémon are able to breathe fire such as a Charizard, or unleash powerful psychic attacks such as a Kadabra. They can battle other
Pokémon either for sport, or if threatened. These types not only affect their habitat in the wild, but also influence what kinds of moves
they can use in battle. Some Pokémon can even have up to two different types such as Ludicolo: a unique Water and Grass type Pokémon. He can use moves such as "Hydro Pump", a water move and "Solarbeam", a grass move. Below is a chart
of the different Pokémon types:
| Types |
| Bug |
| Dark* |
| Dragon |
| Electric |
| Fight |
| Fire |
| Flying |
| Ghost |
| Grass |
| Ground |
| Ice |
| Normal |
| Poison |
| Psychic |
| Rock |
| Steel* |
| Water |
* - These two types were added with the release of the second Generation Gold/Silver Pokémon games.
Evolution
After a certain amount of time gaining experience, a Pokémon may be able to evolve. The concept is loosely based on Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Pokémon can happen very quickly in contrast to taking millions of years to evolve with Darwin's Theory. For example, a bug Pokémon such as Weedle evolves into a Kakuna at level 7 in the games, and then into a Beedrill at level 10. Other Pokémon evolve at a slower pace such as Piplup who evolves into Prinplup at level 16, and then to Empoleon at level 36. Either way, Pokémon can take on an entirely different appearance and shape through evolution.
While evolution is generally a good thing, the Pokémon may not learn all it's moves right away if it evolves too soon. Some Pokémon react to certain stones such as a "Water Stone" for example. If used too early on a Pokémon that evolves using a stone, that Pokémon can miss certain moves it would have learned in it's previous stage. Other Pokémon may only evolve under certain circumstances such as holding a certain item. And some Pokémon don't evolve at all.
Pokémon and Humans
The bond between Pokémon and humans is relatively strong. People generally live in harmony with them. People called "Pokémon Trainers" can capture wild Pokémon with a Poké Ball, and train them. Trainers can only catch wild Pokémon; it would be taboo to capture or steal someone else's Pokémon. Pokémon are generally very loyal and loving to their trainers protecting them from harm. This is providing that the Pokémon trainer is kind to them and competent. Some Pokémon may not be so obedient if the trainer is harsh, or lacks the experience to handle that certain Pokémon. A good example of this is Ash's Charizard from the Pokémon anime. Charizard refused to listen to Ash because it was at too high of level for him to handle.
Other people who choose to study Pokémon are called Pokémon "professors". Professor Oak of Kanto, Elm of Johto, Birch of Hoenn, and Rowan of Shinnoh are the four most prominent professors from each of these regions. These people have dedicated their lives to studying Pokémon.
There's still a lot to learn about Pokémon however; they're many mysteries about the many species of Pokémon. New species of Pokémon are being discovered with each passing generation. Who knows how many Pokémon are really out there!
Thanks to Butterfree of TCoD for some revisions in this section.
