Volbeat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Volbeat | |
|---|---|
 National Pokédex Minun - Volbeat (#313) - Illumise Hoenn Pokédex Electrode - Volbeat (#086) - Illumise |
|
| Japanese name | Barubeat |
| Evolves from | None |
| Evolves into | None |
| Generation | Third |
| Species | Firefly Pokémon |
| Type | Bug |
| Height | 2 ft 4 in (0.70 m) |
| Weight | 39.0 lb (18.0 kg) |
| Ability | Illuminate / Swarm |
Volbeat (バルビート Barubīto?, Barubeat in original Japanese language versions) are one of the 493 fictional species of Pokémon creatures from the multi-billion-dollar[1] Pokémon media franchise—a collection of video games, anime, manga, books, trading cards, and other media created by Satoshi Tajiri. The purpose of Volbeat in the games, anime, and manga, as with all other Pokémon, is to battle both wild Pokémon—untamed creatures encountered while the player passes through various environments—and tamed Pokémon owned by Pokémon trainers.[2] It was one of the "preview" Pokémon to the third generation of games, cards, and anime, having been released before the official release of the Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire versions.
Its name is a portmanteau of "volt" and "beetle". "Beat" (as in beating of insect wings) may be another influence on its name.
Contents |
[edit] Biological characteristics
Volbeat possesses bioluminescence; it can emit bright flashes and beams of light from its tail like a firefly. Volbeat communicate with each other by flashing their lights, by changing the intensity of their lights and by flying around in the sky with their light on, creating geometric shapes of light in the night sky. Its bioluminescent feature allows it to use the Signal Beam and Tail Glow attacks in battle and the Illuminate ability.
Strangely enough, Volbeat are always male and Illumise are always female. Volbeat are attracted by the scent given off by Illumise. Once an Illumise is found, the Volbeat will flash his lights and dance through the sky in an attempt to woo the Illumise.
Volbeat build their nests in ponds. If the pond becomes dirty or polluted, the Volbeat will lift up its nest and move it elsewhere.
Volbeat and Illumise feature bioluminescence much like fireflies, but the name Volbeat suggests "Beetle." This is not, however, a misnomer in the Pokémon's case, because real-life fireflies are actually beetles, and not flies.
[edit] In the video games
Volbeat is found along with its counterpart Illumise in route 117 in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire and Pokémon Emerald, though it is rarely encountered there in place of Illumise in the Ruby and Emerald versions, instead being found there quite commonly in the Sapphire version.
Volbeat does not shine statistically; its highest statistic is its speed rating which is considered merely “good” among Pokémon. It makes for a good Bug-type Pokémon to use when battling in-game trainers, as it learns the unique Tail Glow move (sharply raising its special attack statistic) and the strong Bug-type attack Signal Beam (with a chance to confuse the target), alongside learning the moves Confuse Ray, Double Team, Protect, Helping Hand. It is statistically identical to Illumise, but with 26 more base attack and 26 less base special attack, which would be considered an improvement as Bug-type attacks are affected by the attack statistic, but in exchange it would have to use Tail Glow to increase its Special Attack enough that it can effectively use the elemental moves Water Pulse, Thunderbolt, and Solarbeam (all learnable by technical machine).
When breeding, it is almost impossible to hatch a Volbeat because of its 100% chance of being male. But, with a Ditto, it can learn and raise moves being the actual male Pokémon .
In breeding, Volbeat is available as a Pokémon that can pass on the useful Helping Hand move to other Pokémon, a strong example of which is Hariyama.
[edit] In the anime
Before appearing in the anime series, Volbeat appeared in the Pikachu short "Camp Pikachu" as a wild, friendly Pokémon who hangs with Pikachu's group throughout the short, along with Wynaut and Duskull. Volbeat first appears in the anime in the episode "Love At First Flight!" This episode deals with a Volbeat and an Illumise who fall in love alongside their respective trainers, Romeo and Juliet. A clearly Shakespearean influence. It next appears in "That's just Swellow" who is used by a trainer named Volt. Volbeat is used as a pokeringer. It won the contest for Volbeat for some years, however, it was beaten by Ash's Taillow in the 2nd round.
[edit] In other properties
Volbeat made three basic Grass-type appearances in the Pokémon Trading Card Game:
- EX: Sandstorm
- EX: Emerald
- EX Delta Species
In all three cases there was a similar Illumise card in the same set. The Sandstorm Volbeat features a Poké-Power that improves its performance if an Illumise is in play (on either side of the field). The Delta Species Volbeat is also affected by the presence of an Illumise.
[edit] References
- The following games and their instruction manuals: Pokémon Red, Green, and Blue; Pokémon Yellow; Pokémon Stadium and Pokémon Stadium 2; Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal; Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald; Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen; Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
- Publications
- Barbo, Maria. The Official Pokémon Handbook. Scholastic Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0-439-15404-9.
- Loe, Casey, ed. Pokémon Special Pikachu Edition Official Perfect Guide. Sunnydale, CA: Empire 21 Publishing, 1999. ISBN 1-930206-15-1.
- Nintendo Power. Official Nintendo Pokémon FireRed & Pokémon LeafGreen Player’s Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., August 2004. ISBN 1-930206-50-X
- Mylonas, Eric. Pokémon Pokédex Collector’s Edition: Prima’s Official Pokémon Guide. Prima Games, September 21 2004. ISBN 0-7615-4761-4
- Nintendo Power. Official Nintendo Pokémon Emerald Version Player’s Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., April 2005. ISBN 1-930206-58-5
[edit] External links
- Official Pokémon website
- Bulbapedia (a Pokémon-centric Wiki)’s article about Volbeat as a species
- Volbeat’s fourth-generation Pokédex entry on Serebii.net
- Pokémon Dungeon Pokédex entry, full of statistics analysis
- PsyPoke - Volbeat Pokédex entry and Usage Overview
- Smogon.com - Volbeat Tactical Data
- WikiKnowledge.net’s entry for Volbeat Previously hosted by Wikibooks
