Falconwing
The Greatest Pokémon Ranger
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- May 12, 2009
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Hey everyone, this is Falconwing! I’m currently one of Bulbagarden.net’s Staff Coordinators and one of the friendly voices on our social media channels. This week, let’s talk shop about one of my all-time favorite pokemon lines.
In the World of Pokémon, there live a vast number and variety of amazing creatures to befriend and collect. Every week, we will be focusing on a single one of these Pokémon or evolutionary lines and talking about what makes it special. This week's Pokémon of choice is the Houndour line!
Houndour and Houndoom were introduced to the world in Generation II and received a Mega Evolution in Generation VI. Currently, they are the only Pokemon to have the combination of fire and dark as their typing. Their inspiration comes from the mythological hellhound, possibly even Cerberus specifically, and their design definitely backs it up, adorning both dog-like Pokemon in bones and giving Houndoom the classical pointed tail and ram horns associated with devils. Most trainers were introduced to these crafty canines when they served as Team Rocket Admin Archer’s signature Pokemon. Since then, Houndoom has also featured heavily on Cyrus’ and Flint’s Platinum teams in Generation IV.
Houndour is well known for using different cries and ominous howls to communicate between its pack. Houndoom’s howling is equally chilling. The Pokedex tells us that within packs it is the Houndoom with the most sharply raked horns that assumes dominance, though fighting for that position is usually common. Make sure you avoid Houndoom’s fiery breath. According to legend, the burn inflicted by a Houndoom never goes away. Both species prefer living in rough terrain such as the foothills of mountains, or apparently the outskirts of Saffron City. Their shiny variant is colored blue.
Neither member of the line is very common in any region with the exception of Platinum’s version of Sinnoh and X’s version of Kalos. Notably, due to the lack of Fire Types in the initial Generation IV games Houndour had to be added into Platinum for more variety. Otherwise, trainers were left with the choice of only Chimchar or Ponyta.
As of Generation VI, Houndour and Elektrike appear to be version exclusive counterparts of each other.
Houndour and Houndoom’s typing, great offensives, and ability to safely switch in on fire attacks makes them very potent for their respective tiers of play. Sadly, Mega Houndoom rarely is given the single mega evolution spot on most teams’ rosters due to heavy competition. However, the regular forms have been popular Nasty Plotters for several generations and should never be taken lightly. Just make sure your flaming hound isn’t walking into a powerful offensive Pokemon. They won’t remain conscious for long with their defenses.
Here are some questions to consider to get conversation rolling. You don't have to answer all of them or any of them in your post as long as you're staying on topic and within global forum rules.
In the World of Pokémon, there live a vast number and variety of amazing creatures to befriend and collect. Every week, we will be focusing on a single one of these Pokémon or evolutionary lines and talking about what makes it special. This week's Pokémon of choice is the Houndour line!
Houndour and Houndoom were introduced to the world in Generation II and received a Mega Evolution in Generation VI. Currently, they are the only Pokemon to have the combination of fire and dark as their typing. Their inspiration comes from the mythological hellhound, possibly even Cerberus specifically, and their design definitely backs it up, adorning both dog-like Pokemon in bones and giving Houndoom the classical pointed tail and ram horns associated with devils. Most trainers were introduced to these crafty canines when they served as Team Rocket Admin Archer’s signature Pokemon. Since then, Houndoom has also featured heavily on Cyrus’ and Flint’s Platinum teams in Generation IV.
Houndour is well known for using different cries and ominous howls to communicate between its pack. Houndoom’s howling is equally chilling. The Pokedex tells us that within packs it is the Houndoom with the most sharply raked horns that assumes dominance, though fighting for that position is usually common. Make sure you avoid Houndoom’s fiery breath. According to legend, the burn inflicted by a Houndoom never goes away. Both species prefer living in rough terrain such as the foothills of mountains, or apparently the outskirts of Saffron City. Their shiny variant is colored blue.
Neither member of the line is very common in any region with the exception of Platinum’s version of Sinnoh and X’s version of Kalos. Notably, due to the lack of Fire Types in the initial Generation IV games Houndour had to be added into Platinum for more variety. Otherwise, trainers were left with the choice of only Chimchar or Ponyta.
As of Generation VI, Houndour and Elektrike appear to be version exclusive counterparts of each other.
Houndour and Houndoom’s typing, great offensives, and ability to safely switch in on fire attacks makes them very potent for their respective tiers of play. Sadly, Mega Houndoom rarely is given the single mega evolution spot on most teams’ rosters due to heavy competition. However, the regular forms have been popular Nasty Plotters for several generations and should never be taken lightly. Just make sure your flaming hound isn’t walking into a powerful offensive Pokemon. They won’t remain conscious for long with their defenses.
Here are some questions to consider to get conversation rolling. You don't have to answer all of them or any of them in your post as long as you're staying on topic and within global forum rules.
- Do you like or dislike these Pokémon? Why?
- How are these Pokémon in-game?
- How are these Pokémon in competitive play? Are there any interesting strategies you like to use for them?
- Do you like these Pokémon's representation in the anime? Are there any moments or qualities in particular you enjoy/dislike?
- How do you think these Pokémon would interact with our world?
- If given the power to, would you change anything about these Pokémon and if so, what would you change?
- Did you ever use Houndour or Houndoom in Generation 2? Were you able to find one without using the Pokedex?
- Did you rely on Houndour and Houndoom to get you through Sinnoh? Did you go out of your way to catch one in Johto’s Safari Zone in HGSS?
Pokémon of the Week #1: Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, & Venusaur
Pokémon of the Week #2: Scraggy & Scrafty
Pokémon of the Week #3: Gulpin & Swalot
Pokémon of the Week #4: Porygon, Porygon2, and Porygon-Z
Pokémon of the Week #5: Emolga
Pokémon of the Week #6: Rufflet and Braviary
Pokémon of the Week #7: Ditto
Pokémon of the Week #8: Wynaut & Wobbuffet
Pokémon of the Week #9: Sneasel and Weavile
Pokémon of the Week #10: Murkrow and Honchkrow
Pokémon of the Week #2: Scraggy & Scrafty
Pokémon of the Week #3: Gulpin & Swalot
Pokémon of the Week #4: Porygon, Porygon2, and Porygon-Z
Pokémon of the Week #5: Emolga
Pokémon of the Week #6: Rufflet and Braviary
Pokémon of the Week #7: Ditto
Pokémon of the Week #8: Wynaut & Wobbuffet
Pokémon of the Week #9: Sneasel and Weavile
Pokémon of the Week #10: Murkrow and Honchkrow
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