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POTW Pokémon of the Week #8: Wynaut & Wobbuffet

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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 Wynaut line!

20091223220852%21360Wynaut.png
240px-202Wobbuffet.png

Appearing in Generation II, Wobbuffet was a hard Pokémon to find, being obtainable only in the Blackthorn City side of the Dark Cave. However, this does coincide with its Pokédex entry, "In order to conceal its black tail, it lives in a dark cave and only moves about at night." (Crystal). Despite this, Wobbuffet can be found at any time of the day, and in most of its' representations doesn't show any dislike towards light.

With a limited choice of moves, Wobbuffet is a Pokémon only able to perform one function: counter opponents' attacks and use Destiny Bond to prolong the battle or cause it and its' opponent to faint. With Shadow Tag as its ability, it's able to cause anyone battling it frustration, as battles can turn out to be very long. One such problem Shadow Tag causes is in the situation that two Wobbuffet face each other while holding the item Leftovers, as damage from Struggle will end up being healed. In Generation IV, both Struggle and Shadow Tag were changed, likely to account for this situation.

Wobbuffet also became quite popular in the anime under the ownership of Jessie, who accidentally obtained one during the Original Series. With its goofy design and awkward yet lovable nature, it quickly found its' place in the cast. Notably, Wobbuffet holds the record for appearing in the third-most amount of episodes.

Also in Generation III was the addition of Wynaut, a baby Pokémon and pre-evolution to Wobbuffet. Wynaut's addition added three moves to Wobbuffet's move-pool, those being Encore, Charm, and Splash, giving the option to have some subtle differences between Wobbuffet.

Wynaut also added some flair to the fandom due to many people using its' name as a replacement for "why not?" and also found its way to the center of a meme. Paired with its' name and goofy hand-pose, it was often used to show a lack of care about various situations.

Wobbuffet and Wynaut also have a unique dynamic hidden in their Japanese names. Sonans (Wobbuffet's Japanese name) is homophonous with the word sō nansu, which means "That's the way it is." This phrase was commonly said by Japanese comedian Sanpei Hayashiya, who would touch his hand to his forehead while saying the line, much like Wobbuffet does.

Wynaut's Japanese name, Sohnano, is also homophonous with the phrase sō na no, which means "Really?" Together, the two Pokémon talking create a looped conversation of "Really?" followed by, "That's the way it is." This possibility was featured in Pikachu short, Camp Pikachu.

Together, the two are known and remembered for their goofy designs and unique battle niche.

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?
  • In Generation III, Wynaut was first obtainable through hatching in egg give to the player by a NPC. However, in Gen VI eggs were only obtainable through breeding. Would you like to see NPCs giving out eggs again in Generation VII?
  • Wynaut, like many other Pokémon, is the subject of quite a few memes. Do you like these memes, or are you annoyed by them? Why or wynaut?
  • Wobbuffet gained a distinctive gender difference in Gen VI. Do you have a preferred gender design, or do you like both equally?
  • Prior to Generation V, Wobbuffet's signature ability was Shadow Tag, an ability that has much controversy around it due to its annoying qualities. How do you feel about this ability?
If you have any suggestions for Pokémon you'd like to discuss in the future just leave your ideas at the bottom of your post. Make sure you give your thoughts about the current Pokémon first!

Previous Pokémon of the Week:
 
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I despise them in the games but love them in the anime.

I have bad memories fighting these guys in-game and even worse, in competitive play. With access to Shadow Tag and used by people who knows if a Pokemon is going to use a Physical or Special move, it is a nightmare to fight. I remember when PBR had online battles there was one guy who was well known to have a Wobbuffet on their team and relied completely on it. He couldn't win without it.
To this day, I'll still see people rely on it in single battles online but thankfully, Shadow Tag has been somewhat nerfed. It's still more powerful than I'd care for it to be. In double battles, Wobby isn't so bad. People try to get some use out of it but eh, it isn't the best thing to use unless you want to trap an opponent in with Shadow Tag, and even then, there are other Pokemon who do a much better job without being limited to obscenely low Speed stats and Counter/Mirror Coat. Encountering it in the wild is a crapshoot if I'm going to get out alive or not. I hate that. It shouldn't be an ordeal fighting this thing but it's bad enough to the point where I had to have something of a counter just to deal with it. I don't like making counters just to deal with one Pokemon.

There is no "strategy" involved when using Wobbuffet. Everyone who plays the games know its only four moves, its ability, and what a mess it can create if you aren't ready for it. It's not difficult to counter nowadays but it can catch you off-guard if you weren't expecting it. The closest to strategy I've seen with someone using Wobbuffet was that person I mentioned in PBR who also had an Aerodactyl with Focus Sash using Taunt, then he would immediately switch out to Wobbs when finished.

With the anime, I did enjoy Wobbuffet there! He's hilarious and the perfect foil who adds a dose of comedy relief that I just love to watch. He had personality and charm. Something I certainly wouldn't get from the games. Wobbuffet's gender differences are hilarious! Despite my complaints about how they handle in-game, the lipstick on the female is just funny! I just can't dislike that.

It's just a shame I hate to fight them. They aren't fun to fight against and even when I defeat them, I don't feel any satisfaction doing so when they manage to knock out one of my Pokemon. They really are made of pure terribleness if you are not ready, and most of the time, I am not.
 
Do you like or dislike these Pokémon? Why?
I like them, they are really unique.
How are these Pokémon in-game?
Wynaut's not really good but it evolves quickly. Wobbuffet is good in the one thing it's designed to do.
How are these Pokémon in competitive play? Are there any interesting strategies you like to use for them?
Wobbuffet sure is! There's like only one strategy you can use for it anyway, but it does work.
Do you like these Pokémon's representation in the anime? Are there any moments or qualities in particular you enjoy/dislike?
Oh yes! Jessie's Wobbuffet is an awesome character.
How do you think these Pokémon would interact with our world?
They would be some of the few Pokemon that wouldn't really be harmful... unless you are to harm them first.
If given the power to, would you change anything about these Pokémon and if so, what would you change?
Better defensive stats; because which Pokemon wouldn't like better useful stats? :)
A typing change to something like Psychic/Dark could work too, better resistances I think.
In Generation III, Wynaut was first obtainable through hatching in egg give to the player by a NPC. Would you like to see NPCs giving out eggs again in Generation VII?
Sure, I like the concept of gift Pokemon.
Wynaut, like many other Pokémon, is the subject of quite a few memes. Do you like these memes, or are you annoyed by them? Why or wynaut?
I liek them because Wynaut?
Wobbuffet gained a distinctive gender difference in Gen VI. Do you have a preferred gender design, or do you like both equally?
I like both equally, although the fact that the difference itself is lipstick sure is interesting.
Prior to Generation V, Wobbuffet's signature ability was Shadow Tag, an ability that has much controversy around it due to its annoying qualities. How do you feel about this ability?
It suits it really well; Wobbuffet is all about its Ability after all.
 
Do you like or dislike these Pokémon? Why?
I like them a lot. They're one of those precious few Pokemon that always make me laugh.

How are these Pokémon in-game?
I've never really used them, so I can't say.

How are these Pokémon in competitive play? Are there any interesting strategies you like to use for them?
See above.

Do you like these Pokémon's representation in the anime? Are there any moments or qualities in particular you enjoy/dislike?
Of course I do, Jessie's Wobbuffet is one of the best characters in the show! It honestly doesn't feel right to have Team Rocket without him.

How do you think these Pokémon would interact with our world?
No idea, but it'd probably be hilarious.

If given the power to, would you change anything about these Pokémon and if so, what would you change?
Nope.

In Generation III, Wynaut was first obtainable through hatching in egg give to the player by a NPC. Would you like to see NPCs giving out eggs again in Generation VII?
Didn't they do that with Larvesta in BW and Riolu in DPPt?

Wynaut, like many other Pokémon, is the subject of quite a few memes. Do you like these memes, or are you annoyed by them? Why or wynaut?
Enh, Wobbuffet and Wynaut are always funny to me.

Wobbuffet gained a distinctive gender difference in Gen VI. Do you have a preferred gender design, or do you like both equally?
I like both, largely because the lipstick on female Wobbuffet is hilarious.

Prior to Generation V, Wobbuffet's signature ability was Shadow Tag, an ability that has much controversy around it due to its annoying qualities. How do you feel about this ability?
I wasn't on the competitive scene during Wobbuffet's hay-day, but I can see how nasty it can be thanks to M-Gengar.
 
In Generation III, Wynaut was first obtainable through hatching in egg give to the player by a NPC. Would you like to see NPCs giving out eggs again in Generation VII?
Didn't they do that with Larvesta in BW and Riolu in DPPt?

Whoops, my bad! I meant to specify the fact that it stopped in Gen VI. Thanks for pointing that out!
 
About Wobbuffet, all its Pokedex entries specifically mentioned its tail. Also in SSB Brawl, its trophy information said if its tail is attacked, it will make a turnaround from a passive endurer to a vicious attacker (not sure is it 100% canon or not, as it is in SSB rather than GF's Pokemon series).

It kind of interested me, what is the secret about Wobbuffet's (and possibly Wynaut's as well) tail? Its tail has eyes, I wonder is "it" a living creature on its own, similar to Girafarig's tail having a mini-brain of its own?
 
It kind of interested me, what is the secret about Wobbuffet's (and possibly Wynaut's as well) tail? Its tail has eyes, I wonder is "it" a living creature on its own, similar to Girafarig's tail having a mini-brain of its own?

To explain that, I think I would say that the tail houses the brain - the pokédex mentions something about it hiding its tail. If the body was extremely durable (As we know it canonically is), and is expected to take a repeated beating, then it would make a certain amount of sense for the brain to be kept out of the way. In a dark cave, the body would be the obvious target for an attacker to go for, while the tail remains relatively safe.
 
I like Wobbuffet, he's powerful and loyal but also very simple-minded. His design is truly unconventional, but it looks quite special and unique. He's some strange ballon that just deflects every attack, due to having good stamina, but also due to the laws of psychics!
Wynaut on the other hand is very relaxed and happy, and I found happiness cute. When Whybnaut and Wobbuffet are together they make a good dynamic with cheimstry, they look like brothers.
 
Hmm, I can't say I've ever really used or faced up against a Wynaut or Wobbuffet seriously. Because I don't touch competitive gaming, I usually only come across the wild ones who I either quickly capture with a Quick Ball or defeat quickly enough. Reading the OP though, I didn't realise they could be used to such an extent, or how they were originally caught. I can imagine back during the 2nd gen, it was a pain in the backside to find one.

Do you like or dislike these Pokémon? Why?
I don't really have an opinion. I would, however, lean more to dislike. Despite their anime counterparts, Wobbuffets are annoying to fight and aren't that intriguing. There are better pokémon out there.

How are these Pokémon in-game?
I can't really say, I only have vague memories of in-game wild ones.

How are these Pokémon in competitive play? Are there any interesting strategies you like to use for them?
Who knows? I certainly don't. Although, I would instinctively say that there would be interesting strategies for them.

Do you like these Pokémon's representation in the anime? Are there any moments or qualities in particular you enjoy/dislike?
I quite like them, although I would hope to have seen more action from them. Whenever you see Jessie fight with her's, it's always an interesting battle.

How do you think these Pokémon would interact with our world?
Probably treated as a pest with specialists to deal with them. They would be very dangerous in the wild due to their resilience.

If given the power to, would you change anything about these Pokémon and if so, what would you change?
Give it more attacking moves, if only to spice it up for the people using it!

In Generation III, Wynaut was first obtainable through hatching in egg give to the player by a NPC. However, in Gen VI eggs were only obtainable through breeding. Would you like to see NPCs giving out eggs again in Generation VII?
Yeah, that would be interesting if only to give newbies something to look forward to. I know I didn't really know breeding and having a pokémon which is rare would be nice.

Wynaut, like many other Pokémon, is the subject of quite a few memes. Do you like these memes, or are you annoyed by them? Why or wynaut?
I'm not around to see them thankfully, so I don't have an opinion of them. If I want memes, I'd go search for them!

Wobbuffet gained a distinctive gender difference in Gen VI. Do you have a preferred gender design, or do you like both equally?
I prefer the male gender design.

Prior to Generation V, Wobbuffet's signature ability was Shadow Tag, an ability that has much controversy around it due to its annoying qualities. How do you feel about this ability?
I don't know enough about it sadly.
 
I don't like this line much. While Wynaut is sort of cute, Wobbuffet is really annoying to face thanks to its Ability and its huge HP, which often results in tons of damage from Counter/Mirror Coat. I prefer the male Wobbuffet's design to the female's one. I actually found this Pokemon very useful for catching roaming legendaries, since Shadow Tag also affects Flying-types and Pokemon with Levitate, unlike Arena Trap.
I like Jessie's Wobbuffet in the anime, although he pops out of the Poke Ball a bit too often for my taste.
 
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