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The winter holidays are finally coming to an end and the new year is just around the corner, which will be announced by colorful showers of lights all around the globe — both in ours and in the Pokémon World.
Among the various creatures that inhabit the latter, there is a pair of Pokémon who in particular enjoy the booms, and these Pokémon are…
The red and white fake balls, Voltorb and Electrode!
Known for being the first schmuck baits in the Pokémon series, who disguised themselves as overworld items to surprise the players, this duo has stuck around since the very first generation, Self-Destructing or Exploding on the faces of careless and unaware Trainers.
Another characteristic known about them is their extreme mood swings. Just strike them enough physically, and you will either be paralyzed by their Static or will taste their destructive power with the Aftermath of your actions. Also, they don’t mind the loud noises of explosions, as they are completely Soundproof, meaning that they can detonate virtually all day and with little to no provocation.
A real-life Electrode preparing to detonate after using Magnet Rise.
Aside from its touchiness and love for explosions, the other most defining trait of Electrode is its blazingly fast Speed. Originally sporting an impressive 140 in Speed, it was the fastest Pokémon in existence, surpassing even Jolteon, Crobat and Mewtwo! It was only with the third generation that this speedball was dethroned as fastest Pokémon by the still unbeaten Deoxys Speed.
In SM, its Speed has been raised to 150, turning it into the 4th fastest Pokémon, alongside Deoxys Normal and Attack, Mega Alakazam and Mega Aerodactyl. This allows it to outspeed almost any unboosted Pokémon and strike it down with status moves or the fastest Electro Ball of the West. Voltorb is no slouch either, as it has a very respectable 100 in Speed.
Alas, aside from their Speed, neither Voltorb nor Electrode have any other notable stat, with their Special Attack and Special Defense being passable at best, and their other stats being really lackluster. Nonetheless, they can still be very annoying when encountered in the games, as they are very prone to use Self-Destruct at the worst of the moments.
This is often seen in the anime, where almost every time a Voltorb or an Electrode appears, they often react to threats by detonating on the spot, effectively making them dangerous to approach. Among their most relevant appearances, there is their role in “The Underground Round Up”, where a little town was infested by an overpopulation of Electrode and where Togepi had befriended a Voltorb.
Many Electrode also appeared in the Pokémon Generations’ episode “The Lake of Rage”, where they essentially mirrored their games’ counterparts and channelled energy for Team Rocket’s radio signal, before being freed by Lance and his Dragonite.
And now, for a little final trivia: Electrode is one of the three Pokémon cards to have an exclusive card in the “Pokémon Trading Card Game” for Game Boy Color which was later turned into a real card. The other two were Tangela and Dragonite.
With this said, time to go forward before these feisty creatures let out their boom before the arrival of the new year. Here are some questions to kickstart the conversation, but you can propose new ones if you wish. Just make sure to follow the rules and to respond to at least some of these questions first!
Previous Pokémon of the Week:
Among the various creatures that inhabit the latter, there is a pair of Pokémon who in particular enjoy the booms, and these Pokémon are…
The red and white fake balls, Voltorb and Electrode!
Known for being the first schmuck baits in the Pokémon series, who disguised themselves as overworld items to surprise the players, this duo has stuck around since the very first generation, Self-Destructing or Exploding on the faces of careless and unaware Trainers.
Another characteristic known about them is their extreme mood swings. Just strike them enough physically, and you will either be paralyzed by their Static or will taste their destructive power with the Aftermath of your actions. Also, they don’t mind the loud noises of explosions, as they are completely Soundproof, meaning that they can detonate virtually all day and with little to no provocation.
A real-life Electrode preparing to detonate after using Magnet Rise.
Aside from its touchiness and love for explosions, the other most defining trait of Electrode is its blazingly fast Speed. Originally sporting an impressive 140 in Speed, it was the fastest Pokémon in existence, surpassing even Jolteon, Crobat and Mewtwo! It was only with the third generation that this speedball was dethroned as fastest Pokémon by the still unbeaten Deoxys Speed.
In SM, its Speed has been raised to 150, turning it into the 4th fastest Pokémon, alongside Deoxys Normal and Attack, Mega Alakazam and Mega Aerodactyl. This allows it to outspeed almost any unboosted Pokémon and strike it down with status moves or the fastest Electro Ball of the West. Voltorb is no slouch either, as it has a very respectable 100 in Speed.
Alas, aside from their Speed, neither Voltorb nor Electrode have any other notable stat, with their Special Attack and Special Defense being passable at best, and their other stats being really lackluster. Nonetheless, they can still be very annoying when encountered in the games, as they are very prone to use Self-Destruct at the worst of the moments.
This is often seen in the anime, where almost every time a Voltorb or an Electrode appears, they often react to threats by detonating on the spot, effectively making them dangerous to approach. Among their most relevant appearances, there is their role in “The Underground Round Up”, where a little town was infested by an overpopulation of Electrode and where Togepi had befriended a Voltorb.
Many Electrode also appeared in the Pokémon Generations’ episode “The Lake of Rage”, where they essentially mirrored their games’ counterparts and channelled energy for Team Rocket’s radio signal, before being freed by Lance and his Dragonite.
And now, for a little final trivia: Electrode is one of the three Pokémon cards to have an exclusive card in the “Pokémon Trading Card Game” for Game Boy Color which was later turned into a real card. The other two were Tangela and Dragonite.
With this said, time to go forward before these feisty creatures let out their boom before the arrival of the new year. Here are some questions to kickstart the conversation, but you can propose new ones if you wish. Just make sure to follow the rules and to respond to at least some of these questions first!
- 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?
- What do you think of their in-game gimmick? Should other Pokémon have similar disguises and tricks?
- Do you prefer simple designs or more complex ideas? Should Voltorb and Electrode have received more details?
- Do you think the Voltorb Flip is a good replacement for the standard slot machines? Why?
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 & Sawsbuck
Pokémon of the Week #18: Munchlax & Snorlax
Pokémon of the Week #19: Hoppip, Skiploom, & Jumpluff
Pokémon of the Week #20: Nincada, Ninjask, & 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 #26: Mareep, Flaaffy, & Ampharos
Pokémon of the Week #27: Delibird
Pokémon of the Week #28: Espeon
Pokémon of the Week #29: Rowlet, Dartrix, & Decidueye
Pokémon of the Week #30: Popplio, Brionne, & Primarina
Pokémon of the Week #31: Litten, Torracat, & Incineroar
Pokémon of the Week #32: Woobat & Swoobat
Pokémon of the Week #33: Vulpix & Ninetales
Pokémon of the Week #34: Mewtwo
Pokémon of the Week #35: Shellos & Gastrodon
Pokémon of the Week #36: Weedle, Kakuna, & Beedrill
Pokémon of the Week #37: Alomomola
Pokémon of the Week #38: Pidove, Tranquill, & Unfezant
Pokémon of the Week #39: Darkrai
Pokémon of the Week #40: MissingNo.
Pokémon of the Week #41: Pikachu
Pokémon of the Week #42: Bonsly & Sudowoodo
Pokémon of the Week #43: Wingull & Pelliper
Pokémon of the Week #44: Swirlix & Slurpuff
Pokémon of the Week #45: Lotad, Lombre, & Ludicolo
Pokémon of the Week #46: Kangakhan
Pokémon of the Week #47: Riolu & Lucario
Pokémon of the Week #48: Raichu
Pokémon of the Week #49: Magikarp & Gyarados
Pokémon of the Week #50: Horsea, Seadra & Kingdra
Pokémon of the Week #51: Elgyem & Beheeyem
Pokémon of the Week #52: Scyther & Scizor
Pokémon of the Week #53: Crabrawler & Crabominable
Pokémon of the Week #54: Rotom
Pokémon of the Week #55: Numel & Camerupt
Pokémon of the Week #56: Sableye
Pokémon of the Week #57: Corsola
Pokémon of the Week #58: Diglett & Dugtrio
Pokémon of the Week #59: Klink, Klang, Klinklang
Pokémon of the Week #60: Caterpie, Metapod, Butterfree
Pokémon of the Week #61: Gible, Gabite & Garchomp
Pokémon of the Week #62: Celebi
Pokémon of the Week #63: Feebas & Milotic
Pokémon of the Week #64: Honedge, Doublade & Aegislash
Pokémon of the Week #65: Shieldon & Bastiodon
Pokémon of the Week #66: Zorua & Zoroark
Pokémon of the Week #67: Zubat, Golbat, & Crobat
Pokémon of the Week #68: Swinub, Piloswine, & Mamoswine
Pokémon of the Week #69: Wimpod & Golisopod
Pokémon of the Week #70: Farfetch’d
Pokémon of the Week #71: Jangmo-o, Hakamo-o & Kommo-o
Pokémon of the Week #72: Gallade
Pokémon of the Week #73: Snover and Abomasnow
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 & Sawsbuck
Pokémon of the Week #18: Munchlax & Snorlax
Pokémon of the Week #19: Hoppip, Skiploom, & Jumpluff
Pokémon of the Week #20: Nincada, Ninjask, & 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 #26: Mareep, Flaaffy, & Ampharos
Pokémon of the Week #27: Delibird
Pokémon of the Week #28: Espeon
Pokémon of the Week #29: Rowlet, Dartrix, & Decidueye
Pokémon of the Week #30: Popplio, Brionne, & Primarina
Pokémon of the Week #31: Litten, Torracat, & Incineroar
Pokémon of the Week #32: Woobat & Swoobat
Pokémon of the Week #33: Vulpix & Ninetales
Pokémon of the Week #34: Mewtwo
Pokémon of the Week #35: Shellos & Gastrodon
Pokémon of the Week #36: Weedle, Kakuna, & Beedrill
Pokémon of the Week #37: Alomomola
Pokémon of the Week #38: Pidove, Tranquill, & Unfezant
Pokémon of the Week #39: Darkrai
Pokémon of the Week #40: MissingNo.
Pokémon of the Week #41: Pikachu
Pokémon of the Week #42: Bonsly & Sudowoodo
Pokémon of the Week #43: Wingull & Pelliper
Pokémon of the Week #44: Swirlix & Slurpuff
Pokémon of the Week #45: Lotad, Lombre, & Ludicolo
Pokémon of the Week #46: Kangakhan
Pokémon of the Week #47: Riolu & Lucario
Pokémon of the Week #48: Raichu
Pokémon of the Week #49: Magikarp & Gyarados
Pokémon of the Week #50: Horsea, Seadra & Kingdra
Pokémon of the Week #51: Elgyem & Beheeyem
Pokémon of the Week #52: Scyther & Scizor
Pokémon of the Week #53: Crabrawler & Crabominable
Pokémon of the Week #54: Rotom
Pokémon of the Week #55: Numel & Camerupt
Pokémon of the Week #56: Sableye
Pokémon of the Week #57: Corsola
Pokémon of the Week #58: Diglett & Dugtrio
Pokémon of the Week #59: Klink, Klang, Klinklang
Pokémon of the Week #60: Caterpie, Metapod, Butterfree
Pokémon of the Week #61: Gible, Gabite & Garchomp
Pokémon of the Week #62: Celebi
Pokémon of the Week #63: Feebas & Milotic
Pokémon of the Week #64: Honedge, Doublade & Aegislash
Pokémon of the Week #65: Shieldon & Bastiodon
Pokémon of the Week #66: Zorua & Zoroark
Pokémon of the Week #67: Zubat, Golbat, & Crobat
Pokémon of the Week #68: Swinub, Piloswine, & Mamoswine
Pokémon of the Week #69: Wimpod & Golisopod
Pokémon of the Week #70: Farfetch’d
Pokémon of the Week #71: Jangmo-o, Hakamo-o & Kommo-o
Pokémon of the Week #72: Gallade
Pokémon of the Week #73: Snover and Abomasnow