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In the World of Pokémon, there lives 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 line and talking about what makes it special. This week's Pokémon of choice is the Ampharos line!
Coming to us from Gen II Mareep, Flaaffy, and Ampharos are Electric-type Pokemon heavily based on sheep. The family’s Electric-typing as well as its main ability Static come from the tendency for wool to build up a static charge. This tendency could also have informed its hidden ability Plus because during the electron exchange that leads to an object becoming charged with static electricity wool will usually lose electrons which gives it a positive charge. Mareep, Flaaffy, and especially Ampharos are popular emitters of light with Ampharos having the power to shine its tail light so brightly that it can be seen through miles of darkness and can even be visible from space. This magnificent brilliance has been employed for generations as a lighthouse fixture beaconing lost people and guiding sailors out at sea. Its use as a lighthouse light has also influenced the design of Ampharos the Pokemon itself is very tall and brightly colored with dark bands on it's neck and tail. Its English name has also taken from this since the “pharos” part of it come from the Greek word pharos meaning lighthouse. Whenever they have been available early enough Mareep have proven to be popular Pokemon to take on the whole game with due to their value in battle and their general cuteness. Being a useful type that has at times been difficult to obtain early on as well as boasting decent defenses along with pretty impressive attack power has gone some way to contribute to this Pokemon’s popularity. Once it has reached its final stage it gains access to some good coverage and a powerful new form.
In Gen VI Ampharos was one of the very first Pokemon to receive a Mega Evolution. As a Mega Evolved Pokemon Mega Ampharos sees gains to its offenses and defenses and it also becomes a Dragon-type. The addition of the Dragon-type in part comes from the different readings of Ampharos’ Japanese name, Denryu. The word denryū can be taken to mean “electrical current”, but when it is read as den ryū it can mean “electric dragon”. It has also been speculated that its new Dragon-type aspects may also inspired by the Japanese goddess Otohime who is also known as Toyotamahime. Roughly meaning “luminous jewel princess” Toyotamahime was the daughter of Ryujin, the dragon god of the sea. In her most well known tale she turns into a dragon after giving birth to return to her ocean domain. From this myth Mega Ampharos could easily take after the image of Toyotamahime with its long luxurious hair and its cluster of red jewels that can each shine as brightly as Ampharos’ original tail jewel. While Mega Ampharos hasn’t seen as much usage as other Mega Evolutions it had definitely made a great impact with its debut and is a great reliable team member whenever it can see use.
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.
Thanks to @MatrixChap for suggesting this Pokémon of the Week.
Previous Pokémon of the Week:
Coming to us from Gen II Mareep, Flaaffy, and Ampharos are Electric-type Pokemon heavily based on sheep. The family’s Electric-typing as well as its main ability Static come from the tendency for wool to build up a static charge. This tendency could also have informed its hidden ability Plus because during the electron exchange that leads to an object becoming charged with static electricity wool will usually lose electrons which gives it a positive charge. Mareep, Flaaffy, and especially Ampharos are popular emitters of light with Ampharos having the power to shine its tail light so brightly that it can be seen through miles of darkness and can even be visible from space. This magnificent brilliance has been employed for generations as a lighthouse fixture beaconing lost people and guiding sailors out at sea. Its use as a lighthouse light has also influenced the design of Ampharos the Pokemon itself is very tall and brightly colored with dark bands on it's neck and tail. Its English name has also taken from this since the “pharos” part of it come from the Greek word pharos meaning lighthouse. Whenever they have been available early enough Mareep have proven to be popular Pokemon to take on the whole game with due to their value in battle and their general cuteness. Being a useful type that has at times been difficult to obtain early on as well as boasting decent defenses along with pretty impressive attack power has gone some way to contribute to this Pokemon’s popularity. Once it has reached its final stage it gains access to some good coverage and a powerful new form.
In Gen VI Ampharos was one of the very first Pokemon to receive a Mega Evolution. As a Mega Evolved Pokemon Mega Ampharos sees gains to its offenses and defenses and it also becomes a Dragon-type. The addition of the Dragon-type in part comes from the different readings of Ampharos’ Japanese name, Denryu. The word denryū can be taken to mean “electrical current”, but when it is read as den ryū it can mean “electric dragon”. It has also been speculated that its new Dragon-type aspects may also inspired by the Japanese goddess Otohime who is also known as Toyotamahime. Roughly meaning “luminous jewel princess” Toyotamahime was the daughter of Ryujin, the dragon god of the sea. In her most well known tale she turns into a dragon after giving birth to return to her ocean domain. From this myth Mega Ampharos could easily take after the image of Toyotamahime with its long luxurious hair and its cluster of red jewels that can each shine as brightly as Ampharos’ original tail jewel. While Mega Ampharos hasn’t seen as much usage as other Mega Evolutions it had definitely made a great impact with its debut and is a great reliable team member whenever it can see use.
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 this Pokémon? Why?
- How is this Pokémon in-game?
- How is this Pokémon in competitive play? Are there any interesting strategies you like to use for them?
- Do you like this Pokémon's representation in the anime? Are there any moments or qualities in particular you enjoy/dislike?
- How do you think this Pokémon would interact with our world?
- If given the power to, would you change anything about this Pokémon and if so, what would you change?
- As one of the first Mega Evolutions do you think this Pokemon did a good job of showcasing what Mega Evolution can be?
- Ampharos becoming a Dragon-type is something that some people have been suggesting that should happen for some time before Gen VI. Was this a notion that you supported and how do you feel about this idea that was supported by some fans becoming reality?
Thanks to @MatrixChap for suggesting this Pokémon of the Week.
Previous Pokémon of the Week:
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, & Porygon-Z
Pokémon of the Week #5: Emolga
Pokémon of the Week #6: Rufflet & Braviary
Pokémon of the Week #7: Ditto
Pokémon of the Week #8: Wynaut & Wobbuffet
Pokémon of the Week #9: Sneasel & Weavile
Pokémon of the Week #10: Murkrow & Honchkrow
Pokémon of the Week #11: Houndour & Houndoom
Pokémon of the Week #12: Exeggcute & Exeggutor
Pokémon of the Week #13: Gastly, Haunter, & Gengar
Pokemon of the Week #14: Smoochum & Jynx
Pokémon of the Week #15: Beldum, Metang, & Metagross
Pokémon of the Week #16: Bidoof
Pokémon of the Week # 17: Deerling and Sawsbuck
Pokémon of the Week #18: Munchlax and Snorlax
Pokémon of the Week #19: Hoppip, Skiploom, and Jumpluff
Pokémon of the Week #20: Nincada, Ninjask, and Shedinja
Pokémon of the Week #21: Pumpkaboo & Gourgeist
Pokémon of the Week #22: Mudkip, Marshtomp, & Swampert
Pokémon of the Week #23: Froakie, Frogadier, & Greninja
Pokémon of the Week #24: Rattata & Raticate
Pokémon of the Week #25: Mimikyu
Pokémon of the Week #2: Scraggy & Scrafty
Pokémon of the Week #3: Gulpin & Swalot
Pokémon of the Week #4: Porygon, Porygon2, & Porygon-Z
Pokémon of the Week #5: Emolga
Pokémon of the Week #6: Rufflet & Braviary
Pokémon of the Week #7: Ditto
Pokémon of the Week #8: Wynaut & Wobbuffet
Pokémon of the Week #9: Sneasel & Weavile
Pokémon of the Week #10: Murkrow & Honchkrow
Pokémon of the Week #11: Houndour & Houndoom
Pokémon of the Week #12: Exeggcute & Exeggutor
Pokémon of the Week #13: Gastly, Haunter, & Gengar
Pokemon of the Week #14: Smoochum & Jynx
Pokémon of the Week #15: Beldum, Metang, & Metagross
Pokémon of the Week #16: Bidoof
Pokémon of the Week # 17: Deerling and Sawsbuck
Pokémon of the Week #18: Munchlax and Snorlax
Pokémon of the Week #19: Hoppip, Skiploom, and Jumpluff
Pokémon of the Week #20: Nincada, Ninjask, and Shedinja
Pokémon of the Week #21: Pumpkaboo & Gourgeist
Pokémon of the Week #22: Mudkip, Marshtomp, & Swampert
Pokémon of the Week #23: Froakie, Frogadier, & Greninja
Pokémon of the Week #24: Rattata & Raticate
Pokémon of the Week #25: Mimikyu
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